Exhibit 99.1
Q1 | 2022 |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2022
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This management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) for Sandstorm Gold Ltd. and its subsidiary entities (collectively “Sandstorm”, “Sandstorm Gold” or the “Company”) should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Sandstorm for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and related notes thereto which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”), applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements including International Accounting Standard 34 – Interim Financial Reporting. Readers are encouraged to consult the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the corresponding notes to the financial statements which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The information contained within this MD&A is current to May 11, 2022 and all figures are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
Company Highlights
Record Operating Results
Another record quarter in terms of revenue, cash flow and Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1.
• | Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $9.1 million compared with $5.0 million for the comparable period in 2021. |
• | Record Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1 (as defined hereinafter), for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were 18,741 ounces compared with 17,444 ounces for the comparable period in 2021. |
• | Record revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $35.4 million compared with $31.0 million for the comparable period in 2021. |
• | Record Total Sales, Royalties and Income from other interests1 (as defined hereinafter) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $35.4 million compared with $31.0 million for the comparable period in 2021. |
• | Record cash flows from operating activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital1, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $26.7 million compared with $23.0 million for the comparable period in 2021. |
• | Cost of sales, excluding depletion, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $5.3 million compared with $5.4 million for the comparable period in 2021. |
• | Average cash costs1 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of $283 per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce1 compared with $307 per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce1 for the comparable period in 2021. |
• | Cash operating margins1 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $1,604 per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce1 compared with $1,470 per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce1 for the comparable period in 2021. |
1 | Refer to section on non-IFRS and other measures of this MD&A. |
Transformative Acquisitions
Nomad and BaseCore propel the Company forward in both size and scale while solidifying Sandstorm’s position amongst its peers as the highest-growth streaming and royalty company.
• | In May 2022, the Company and Nomad Royalty Company Ltd. entered into a definitive agreement whereby Sandstorm agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Nomad. Nomad is a high-growth precious metals-focused royalty company with a portfolio of 20 royalty and stream assets, of which seven are on currently producing mines. Through the Nomad acquisition, Sandstorm adds several high-quality and low-cost assets. With several assets in active development, Nomad’s portfolio adds meaningful increases to Sandstorm’s production in both the near and long-term. The acquisition is subject to certain customary conditions and expected to close in the second half of 2022. |
• | In May 2022, the Company agreed to acquire nine royalties and one stream from BaseCore Metals LP for total consideration of $525 million, payable as to $425 million in cash and $100 million in common shares of Sandstorm. The royalty package includes exposure to high quality, long-life assets of which three are on currently producing interests. The transaction is subject to certain customary conditions. |
• | Key highlights of the transactions include: |
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○ | Considerable upsize to Sandstorm’s scale: The transactions are expected to substantially increase the Company’s scale and size, cementing Sandstorm’s status as one of the largest, highest-growth, and most liquid mid-tier royalty and streaming company. |
○ | Precious metals focused with exceptional assets: The addition of several high quality and low-cost assets fortifies Sandstorm’s focus on gold, silver, and copper exposure. By 2025, Sandstorm’s revenue is expected to be nearly 90% precious metals. |
○ | Highest growth amongst peers: Sandstorm expects its production to grow more than 85% between 2022 and 2025, positioning the Company with the highest growth amongst its peers. The transactions add several development stage assets contributing to this growth including Greenstone, Platreef, and Cortez (Robertson deposit). |
○ | Industry leading portfolio diversification: On completion of the transactions, Sandstorm’s resulting portfolio will total 260 streams and royalties, of which 39 of the underlying assets will be cash-flowing with no asset contributing more than 15% to the Company’s consensus net asset value. |
○ | Increase to long-term guidance: The transactions increase Sandstorm’s 2022 production guidance by approximately 22% from 65,000–70,000 attributable gold equivalent ounces to 80,000–85,000 and increase long-term production guidance by 55% from 100,000 to 155,000 in 2025. |
○ | Strengthening Sandstorm’s partnership with Horizon Copper: Furthering Sandstorm’s strategy to acquire precious metal streams on high-quality copper assets, Sandstorm will sell a portion of a copper royalty to Horizon and retain a silver stream, adding diversification and size to Horizon’s growing copper portfolio, while increasing Sandstorm’s precious metal exposure. |
Horizon Copper
Horizon to become a key strategic partner.
• | In February 2022, the Company announced that it had signed a letter of intent with Royalty North Partners Ltd. (to be renamed Horizon Copper) to sell its 30% interest in Hod Maden and its equity interest in Entrée. In consideration, Sandstorm will receive a flagship Gold Stream on Hod Maden and a portion of debt and equity in Horizon Copper. With this transaction, Sandstorm intends to unlock additional value in Hod Maden through the re-rating of the asset as a Gold Stream in its portfolio and further repositions Sandstorm as a pure-play precious metals royalty and streaming company. |
• | Concurrent and subject to the BaseCore transaction, Sandstorm has partnered with Horizon Copper to sell a portion of the Antamina copper royalty acquired in the BaseCore acquisition and in consideration receive a $105 million debenture, equity, $50 million in cash and a silver stream on the asset. |
• | Horizon Copper’s business intent is to actively grow its existing portfolio of assets, with a focus on copper projects. The subsequent spin-out of the Antamina NPI is expected to position Horizon Copper as a competitive copper company with a portfolio of high-quality cash-flowing and development stage copper assets. This transformative transaction provides Horizon Copper with the size and scale required to further grow and diversify the company, further strengthening the strategic partnership opportunities with Sandstorm. |
Other
Dividend, upsize facility and Mercedes stream.
• | On January 28, 2022, Sandstorm paid its inaugural dividend of CAD0.02 per share. On March 31, 2022, the Company declared its second dividend of CAD0.02 per share, which was paid on April 29, 2022. |
• | Concurrent with the transactions described above, Sandstorm entered into an agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia and BMO Capital Markets securing a commitment to upsize the Company’s existing revolving credit agreement to borrow up to $500 million with an additional uncommitted accordion of up to $125 million, for a total of up to $625 million. The upsize is contingent upon closing the BaseCore acquisition. |
• | In April 2022, the Company closed its previously announced $60 million financing package with Bear Creek Mining to facilitate its acquisition of the producing Mercedes gold-silver mine in Mexico from Equinox Gold Corp. The financing package included a $37.5 million Gold Stream and a $22.5 million convertible debenture. |
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Overview
Sandstorm is a growth-focused company that seeks to acquire royalties and gold and other metals purchase agreements (“Gold Streams” or “Streams”) from companies that have advanced stage development projects or operating mines. In return for making upfront payments to acquire a Stream, Sandstorm receives the right to purchase, at a fixed price per ounce or at a fixed percentage of the spot price, a percentage of a mine’s gold, silver, or other commodity (“Gold Equivalent” as further defined herein)1 production for the life of the mine. Sandstorm helps other companies in the resource industry grow their businesses, while acquiring attractive assets in the process. The Company is focused on acquiring Streams and royalties from mines with low production costs, significant exploration potential and strong management teams. Upon closing both the Nomad Acquisition and the BaseCore Transaction (both defined herein), the Company will have 260 Streams and royalties, of which 39 of the underlying mines are producing.
1 | Refer to section on non-IFRS and other measures of this MD&A. |
Outlook
Contingent upon closing of the Nomad Acquisition and BaseCore Transaction (defined herein), attributable Gold Equivalent ounces (individually and collectively referred to as “Attributable Gold Equivalent”) are forecasted to be between 80,000–85,000 ounces in 2022. Subject to the conversion of the Hod Maden interest into a Gold Stream and the closing of the Nomad Acquisition and the BaseCore Transaction, the Company is forecasting Attributable Gold Equivalent production to be 155,000 ounces in 2025.
Recent Transactions
Nomad Royalty Company
In May 2022, the Company and Nomad Royalty Company Ltd. (“Nomad”) entered into a definitive agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) whereby Sandstorm agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Nomad pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Nomad Acquisition”). Pursuant to the terms of the Nomad Acquisition, Nomad shareholders will receive upfront consideration of 1.21 Sandstorm common shares for each Nomad common share held, with an implied equity value of the Nomad Acquisition at approximately $590 million (based on the April 29, 2022, Toronto Stock Exchange closing price). The Nomad Acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2022, subject to receipt of all applicable court, regulatory and securityholder approvals and satisfaction of other conditions precedent customary for transactions of this nature.
Nomad is a high-growth precious metals-focused royalty company with a portfolio of 20 royalty and stream assets, of which seven are on currently producing mines. Through the Nomad Acquisition, Sandstorm adds several high-quality and low-cost assets. With several assets in active development, Nomad’s portfolio adds meaningful increases to Sandstorm’s production in both the near and long-term. Nomad’s portfolio further diversifies Sandstorm’s portfolio while increasing exposure to gold and silver. Sandstorm expects Nomad’s production to grow to approximately 40,000 Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces by 2025, with key assets including:
Platreef: Platreef is a development stage project located in South Africa, majority owned by Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., that contains an underground deposit of thick, high-grade platinum group elements and nickel-copper-gold mineralization. It currently ranks as one of the largest precious metal deposits under development and has the potential to be one of the industry’s largest and lowest-cost primary platinum group metals producers. Upon closing, Sandstorm will hold a Gold Stream entitling it to purchase 37.5% of gold produced from Platreef until 131,250 gold ounces have been delivered, 30% until an aggregate of 256,980 ounces of gold are delivered and 5% thereafter. The Gold Stream will be based on all recovered gold from Platreef, subject to a fixed payability of 80% and ongoing payments of $100 per ounce of gold until 256,980 ounces have been delivered, and then 80% of the spot price of gold for each ounce delivered thereafter.
Greenstone: The Greenstone project, jointly owned by Equinox Gold Corp. (60%) and Orion Mine Finance (40%), is a past-producing gold mine located in Ontario, Canada. A Feasibility Study was released in December 2020 outlining the design of an open-pit mine producing more than 5 million ounces over an initial 14-year mine life. Full-scale construction began at the project in October 2021, with
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first gold pour currently targeted for the first half of 2024. Upon closing, Sandstorm will hold a Gold Stream entitling it to purchase 2.375% of the gold produced from the property, until 120,333 ounces of gold have been delivered, then 3.958% thereafter. Ongoing payments of $30 per gold ounce will fund mine-level environmental and social programs.
Cortez Complex (Robertson Deposit): Robertson is a development stage deposit part of the Cortez Mine Complex in Nevada, jointly owned by Barrick Gold Corp (“Barrick”) (61.5%) and Newmont Mining Corp (38.5%). Robertson is currently being qualified by Barrick as an emerging tier two gold asset (defined by Barrick as an asset with a reserve potential to deliver a minimum 10-year life, annual production of at least 250,000 ounces of gold and total cash costs per ounce of gold over the mine life that are in the lower half of the industry cost curve). Upon closing, Sandstorm will hold a sliding scale NSR royalty between 1.0%–2.25% based on the average quarterly gold price.
Bonikro: The Bonikro gold mine is a producing gold-silver mine located in Cotê d’Ivoire. The operation consists of two primary areas: the Bonikro mining license and the Hiré mining license. Gold has been produced from the Bonikro open-pit and through the Bonikro carbon-in-leach plant since 2008 with over 1.0 million ounces having been produced. Upon closing, Sandstorm will hold a variable Gold Stream on the Bonikro mine, whereby it will receive 6% of gold produced at the mine until 39,000 ounces of gold are delivered, then 3.5% of gold produced until 61,750 ounces of gold have been delivered, then 2% thereafter. Under the agreement, Sandstorm will make ongoing cash payments of $400 per ounce of gold delivered.
Caserones: The Caserones copper mine is an open-pit operation located in the Atacama region of Chile, owned and operated by Minera Lumina Copper Chile, which is indirectly owned by JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation. The Caserones mine has over five years of operational history. In 2020, the Caserones mine produced 127,000 tonnes of copper and 2,453 tonnes of molybdenum. The mine benefits from a significant historical investment of $4.2 billion, well-established infrastructure and is expected to produce significant volumes of copper and molybdenum over the long-term. Upon closing, Sandstorm’s royalty interest will be an effective 0.63% NSR royalty on the Caserones mine (at copper prices above $1.25 per pound).
Blyvoor: The Blyvoor gold mine is an underground operation located on the Witwatersrand gold belt, South Africa, and commenced production in 1942. In June 2021, an updated 43-101 Technical Report was filed on the Blyvoor mine outlining a 22-year mine life with 5.5 million ounces of gold in Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves (18.84 million tonnes at 9.09 grams per tonne gold) and 11.37 million ounces of gold in Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (50.08 million tonnes at 7.06 grams per tonne gold) inclusive of Mineral Reserves (cut-off grade of 479 centimetre-grams per tonne and 117 centimetre-gram per tonne, respectively). The current processing plant has a capacity of 1,300 tonnes per day. Based on Sandstorm’s review of current operating plans at Blyvoor, the Company is budgeting for long-term production rates of 60,000–80,000 ounces of gold per annum, based on conventional mining methods. Under the terms of the Gold Stream, until 300,000 ounces have been delivered (“Initial Blyvoor Delivered Threshold”), Blyvoor Gold Ltd. will deliver 10% of gold production until 16,000 ounces have been delivered in the calendar year, then 5% of the remaining production for that calendar year. Following the Initial Blyvoor Delivery Threshold, Sandstorm will receive 0.5% of gold production on the first 100,000 ounces in a calendar year until a cumulative 10.32 million ounces of gold have been produced. Under the agreement, Sandstorm will make ongoing payments of $572 per ounce of gold delivered.
BaseCore Royalty Package
In May 2022, the Company agreed to acquire nine royalties and one stream from BaseCore Metals LP (“BaseCore”) for total consideration of $525 million, payable as to $425 million in cash and $100 million in common shares of Sandstorm (the “BaseCore Transaction”). The royalty package includes exposure to high quality, long-life assets of which three are on currently producing assets. The BaseCore Transaction, which is expected to close by the third quarter of 2022, is subject to regulatory approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange for the listing of the Sandstorm common shares issuable thereunder, the Canadian Competition Bureau, waiver of rights of first offer or refusal on certain exploration stage royalties, and other customary conditions for a transaction of this nature. Key assets underlying the BaseCore Transaction include:
Antamina: Antamina is an open-pit copper mine located in the Andes Mountain range of Peru, 270 kilometres north of Lima. It is the world’s third-largest copper mine on a copper equivalent (“CuEq”) basis, producing approximately 560,000 CuEq tonnes per annum. Antamina has been in consistent production since 2001, including a throughput expansion completed in 2012 to the mine’s current operating capacity of 145,000 tonnes per day. Since 2006, the 1.66% net profits interest (“NPI”) has approximately paid between $7–$40 million per year, with an average annual payment of approximately $19 million; the 2021 NPI payment was approximately $40 million. The asset operates in the first cost quartile of copper mines. The NPI is paid by a Canadian affiliate of Teck Resources Limited (“Teck”) and is guaranteed by Teck.
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CEZinc: The Canadian Electrolytic Zinc smelter (“CEZinc”) is located in Quebec, Canada, on a site situated on the St. Lawrence Seaway along major transportation networks that connect the processing facility to its end markets in the United States and Canada. The required permits from the government of Quebec have been received and commissioning is targeted for the second quarter of 2022. Upon closing of the BaseCore Transaction, Sandstorm will receive 1.0% of zinc processed at CEZinc until the later of June 30, 2030 or delivery of 68,000,000 pounds zinc. Sandstorm will make ongoing payments of 20% of the spot price of zinc for each delivery.
Highland Valley: Highland Valley Copper (“HVC”) is located in British Columbia, Canada. Owned and operated by Teck, HVC has been in production since 1962 and produces both copper and molybdenum concentrates. Copper production in 2022 is anticipated to be between 127,000–133,000 tonnes, with an expected increase to 130,000–160,000 tonnes per year from 2023 to 2025. Teck continues to evaluate the Highland Valley Copper 2040 Project, which would extend the mine life to at least 2040, through an extension of the existing site infrastructure. Upon closing of the BaseCore Transaction, Sandstorm will hold a 0.5% NPI on HVC.
El Pilar: El Pilar is a low-capital intensity copper project located in Sonora, Mexico, approximately 45 kilometres from Southern Copper Corporation’s (“Southern Copper”) Buenavista mine. Estimated Proven and Probable Reserves as of December 31, 2021 at El Pilar are 317 million tonnes of ore with an average copper grade of 0.25% (cut-off grade was determined based on metallurgical recovery and operating costs). Southern Copper anticipates that the project will operate as a conventional open-pit mine with annual production capacity of 36,000 tonnes of copper cathodes. Production is expected to begin in 2024 and the mine life is estimated at 16 years. At the close of the BaseCore Transaction, Sandstorm will hold a sliding scale gross returns royalty (“GRR”) after 85 million pounds of copper have been produced. A 1.0% GRR rate is expected, increasing to a 2.0% GRR if Southern Copper defines Measured and Indicated Resources (inclusive of Reserves) greater than 3 billion pounds CuEq. The royalty further increases to a 3.0% GRR if Measured and Indicated Resources (inclusive of Reserves) exceed 5 billion pounds CuEq.
Horne 5: Horne 5 is a past-producing gold-silver-copper mine located in Quebec, Canada, owned by Falco Resources (“Falco”). An updated Feasibility Study was released in April 2021 that envisions an underground operation producing approximately 320,000 gold equivalent ounces annually over a 15-year mine life. Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves are 80.9 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.44 grams per tonne gold, 14.14 grams per tonne silver, 0.17% copper, and 0.77% zinc with an effective date of August 26, 2017 (NSR Cutoff grade of CAD55 per tonne). Falco Resources currently anticipates production to start at the end of 2025. At the close of the BaseCore Transaction, Sandstorm will hold a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Horne 5 project.
UPSIZED FACILITY
Concurrent with the transaction, Sandstorm entered into an agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia and BMO Capital Markets securing a commitment to upsize the Company’s existing revolving credit agreement to borrow up to $500 million with an additional uncommitted accordion of up to $125 million, for a total of up to $625 million (the “Revolving Loan”). The closing of the upsized credit facility is subject to certain conditions, including the satisfaction of the closing conditions for the BaseCore Transaction. The accordion of up to $125 million is subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions for the Nomad Acquisition.
The amounts drawn on the Revolving Loan are subject to interest at SOFR plus 1.875%–3.5% per annum, and the undrawn portion of the Revolving Loan is subject to a standby fee of 0.422%–0.788% per annum, both of which are dependent on the Company’s leverage ratio. With the amendment, Sandstorm’s leverage ratio covenant has increased to 4.75x, with step downs to 4.00x after five quarters post-closing of the BaseCore Transaction. The Revolving Loan matures in October 2025, subject to an extension based on mutual consent of the parties.
Horizon Copper
In February 2022, the Company announced that it had signed a letter of intent with Royalty North Partners Ltd. (“Horizon Copper” or “Horizon”) to sell its 30% interest in Hod Maden and its equity interest in Entrée. In consideration, Sandstorm will receive a flagship Gold Stream on Hod Maden and a portion of debt and equity in Horizon Copper. The transaction is subject to various closing conditions, including but not limited to, execution of definitive agreements and securityholder approval. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022. With this transaction, Sandstorm intends to unlock additional value in Hod Maden through the re-rating of the asset as a Gold Stream in its portfolio and further repositions Sandstorm as a pure-play precious metals royalty and streaming company.
Concurrent with the BaseCore Transaction, Sandstorm has signed an amended and restated letter of intent with Horizon Copper whereby Sandstorm will sell the acquired 1.66% Antamina NPI (the “Horizon Antamina Agreement”) to Horizon and Sandstorm will retain a long-life silver stream on the Antamina mine. The full consideration that Horizon will issue to Sandstorm under the Horizon Antamina Agreement includes:
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• | 1.66% Antamina Silver Stream: Sandstorm will receive 1.66% of silver based on production from the Antamina mine with ongoing payments equal to 2.5% of the silver spot price. |
• | 0.55% Antamina Royalty: Sandstorm will receive approximately one-third of the Antamina NPI, paid net of the Antamina silver stream servicing commitments. |
• | $50 Million Cash Payment: Under the Horizon Antamina Agreement, Horizon will raise $50 million by way of equity financing, which will then be payable to Sandstorm on closing of the Horizon Antamina Agreement. |
• | $105 Million Debenture: Sandstorm will be issued a $105 million debenture. The debenture is expected to bear an interest rate of 3% over a 10-year term. Principal repayments are subject to a 100% cash sweep of the excess cash flow Horizon receives from the 1.66% Antamina NPI after the Antamina silver stream and Antamina residual royalty obligations are paid. Prepayment of the debenture can occur at any time prior to maturity without penalty. |
• | $26 Million Horizon Copper Shares: Horizon will issue Sandstorm approximately $26 million worth of Horizon Copper shares to maintain Sandstorm’s 34% equity interest. |
Horizon Copper’s business intent is to actively grow its existing portfolio of assets, with a focus on copper projects. With the spin out of the Hod Maden asset, Entrée shares and now the Antamina royalty, Horizon Copper is expected to be positioned as a competitive copper company with a portfolio of high-quality cash-flowing and development stage copper assets. This transformative transaction provides Horizon Copper with the size and scale required to further grow and diversify the company, further strengthening the strategic partnership opportunities with Sandstorm.
Key Producing Assets
Yamana Silver Stream
Yamana Gold Inc.
The Company has a silver stream on Yamana Gold Inc.’s (“Yamana”) gold-silver Cerro Moro mine, located in Santa Cruz, Argentina (the “Cerro Moro Mine” or “Cerro Moro”). Under the terms of the Yamana silver stream, Sandstorm has agreed to purchase for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 30% of the spot price of silver, an amount of silver from Cerro Moro equal to 20% of the silver produced (up to an annual maximum of 1.2 million ounces of silver), until Yamana has delivered to Sandstorm 7.0 million ounces of silver; then 9% of the silver produced thereafter.
Based on the cumulative ounces of silver purchased to-date, the Company’s current silver entitlement is 20%.
The Cerro Moro Mine, which commenced commercial production in 2018, is located approximately 70 kilometres southwest of the coastal port city of Puerto Deseado in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina. Cerro Moro contains several high-grade epithermal gold and silver deposits, some of which will be mined via open pit and some via underground mining methods.
Chapada Copper Stream
Lundin Mining Corporation
The Company has a copper stream on Lundin Mining Corporation’s (“Lundin Mining”) open pit copper-gold Chapada mine located 270 kilometres northwest of Brasília in Goiás State, Brazil (“Chapada” or the “Chapada Mine”). Under the terms of the Lundin Mining copper stream, Sandstorm has agreed to purchase, for ongoing per pound cash payments equal to 30% of the spot price of copper, an amount of copper from the Chapada Mine equal to:
i. | 4.2% of the copper produced (up to an annual maximum of 3.9 million pounds of copper) until the mine has delivered 39 million pounds of copper to Sandstorm; then |
ii. | 3.0% of the copper produced until, on a cumulative basis, the mine has delivered 50 million pounds of copper to Sandstorm; then |
iii. | 1.5% of the copper produced thereafter, for the life of the mine. |
Based on the cumulative pounds of copper purchased to-date, the Company’s current copper entitlement is 4.2%.
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Chapada has been in production since 2007 and is a relatively low-cost South American copper-gold operation. The ore is treated through a flotation plant with processing capacity of 24 million tonnes (“Mt”) of ore per annum. In October 2019, an updated technical report was filed which outlines production through 2050. For more information, visit the Lundin Mining website at www.lundinmining.com.
Vale Royalties
Vale S.A.
Sandstorm holds a diverse package of royalties on several of Vale S.A.’s (“Vale”) assets located in Brazil. These royalties provide holders with life of mine net sales royalties on seven producing mines and several exploration properties covering a total area of interest of 15,564 square kilometres (the “Vale Royalties” or the “Vale Royalty Package”). Sandstorm’s attributable portion of the Vale Royalty Package is as follows:
Copper and Gold
• | 0.03% net sales royalty on the Sossego copper-gold mine; and |
• | 0.06% net sales royalty on copper and gold and a 0.03% net sales royalty on all other minerals from certain assets. |
Iron Ore
• | 0.05% net sales royalty on iron ore sales from the Northern System; and |
• | 0.05% net sales royalty on iron ore sales from a portion of the Southeastern System (subject to certain thresholds described below). |
Other
• | 0.03% of net sales proceeds in the event of an underlying asset sale on certain assets. |
Vale is one of the world’s largest low-cost iron mining companies, contributing approximately 15% of global iron ore supply. Vale’s iron ore production is in the first quartile of the cost curve and the Northern and Southeastern Systems have reserve weighted mine lives of 30 years.
NORTHERN SYSTEM
The Northern System is comprised of three mining complexes: Serra Sul, Serra Norte, and Serra Leste located in the Carajas District. In 2020, the Northern System produced 192 Mt of iron ore. Production capacity was 206 Mt at the end of 2020. Vale expects that production capacity will reach a long-term target of 240 to 260 Mt, which would be achieved via the approved expansion at Serra Sul and other growth projects.
Mining commenced in 1984 at Serra Norte and, based on current Mineral Reserves, is currently expected to run through the late-2030s. Serra Sul began production in 2016 and is expected to produce through the late-2050s.
SOUTHEASTERN SYSTEM
The Southeastern System is comprised of three mining complexes: Itabira, Minas Centrais, and Mariana located in Minas Gerais. These complexes will start contributing to the Vale Royalties once a cumulative sales threshold of 1.7 billion tonnes of iron ore has been reached, which Vale most recently estimated would occur in 2024 or 2025. Sandstorm estimates that approximately 70% of iron sales from the Southeastern System are covered by the Vale Royalties. Vale expects production capacity to increase to 93 Mt by the end of 2022 from current levels of 70 Mt in 2021.
Houndé Royalty
Endeavour Mining Corporation
The Company has a 2% net smelter returns royalty (“NSR”) based on the production from the Houndé gold mine located in Burkina Faso, West Africa (“Houndé” or the “Houndé Mine”) which is owned and operated by Endeavour Mining Corporation (“Endeavour”).
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The royalty covers the Kari North and Kari South tenements (the “Houndé Tenements”), representing approximately 500 square kilometres of the Houndé property package. The Houndé Tenements host a Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve containing 2.1 million ounces of gold within 39.2 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.7 grams per tonne gold. This Reserve is based on an economic cut-off grade of 0.5 grams per tonne gold. The Reserve Estimate is effective as of December 31, 2019 and includes the Vindaloo deposit, Kari West, stockpiles and the Bouéré deposit.
Houndé is an open pit gold mine with a 4.0 million tonne per year processing plant using a gravity circuit and a carbon-in-leach plant. Endeavour announced an updated Inclusive Resource on November 12, 2020, which includes 3.3 million ounces of Measured and Indicated Resources contained in 61.6 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.75 grams per tonne gold and 0.45 million ounces of Inferred Resources contained in 7.6 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.9 grams per tonne gold at the Vindaloo, Kari Center, Kari Gap, Kari South, Kari West, Bouéré and stockpile areas combined, all of which are included within the Houndé Tenements (based on a 0.5 grams per tonne cut-off grade). On January 17, 2022, Endeavour announced Mineral Resource additions at Kari Center-Gap-South of 262,000 ounces of Measured and Indicated Resources contained in 18.9 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.28 grams per tonne gold and at Vindaloo South of 11,000 ounces of Indicated Resources contained in 0.2 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.41 grams per tonne gold (based on a 0.5 grams per tonne gold cut-off grade). See www.endeavourmining.com for more information.
Santa Elena Gold Stream
First Majestic Silver Corp.
The Company has a Gold Stream to purchase 20% of the life of mine gold produced from First Majestic Silver Corp.’s (“First Majestic”) open pit and underground Santa Elena mine, located in Mexico (the “Santa Elena Mine”), for a per ounce cash payment equal to the lesser of $473 and the then prevailing market price of gold.
The Santa Elena Mine was successfully transitioned from an open pit heap leach operation to an underground mining and milling operation and commercial production for the 3,000 tonne per day processing plant was declared in 2014. On November 24, 2021, First Majestic released an updated Technical Report for the Santa Elena Mine. The updated mine plan incorporates production from both the Santa Elena Mine and the nearby Ermitaño project, the latter of which is not subject to the Company’s Gold Stream.
Aurizona Gold Royalty
Equinox Gold Corp.
The Company has a 3%–5% sliding scale NSR on the production from Equinox Gold Corp.’s (“Equinox”) open pit Aurizona mine, located in Brazil (“Aurizona” or the “Aurizona Mine”) which achieved commercial production in 2019. At gold prices less than or equal to $1,500 per ounce, the royalty is a 3% NSR. At gold prices between $1,500 and $2,000 per ounce, the royalty is a 4% NSR. At gold prices above $2,000 per ounce, the royalty is a 5% NSR. The royalty is calculated based on sales for the month and the average monthly gold price. In addition, Sandstorm holds a 2% NSR on Equinox’s greenfields exploration ground. At any time prior to the commencement of commercial production at the greenfields exploration ground, Equinox can purchase one-half of the greenfields NSR for a cash payment of $10 million.
On September 20, 2021, Equinox announced a positive Pre-Feasibility Study for an expansion to the Aurizona mine through the development of an underground mine which could be operated concurrently with the existing open-pit mine and is subject to the Company’s 3%–5% sliding scale NSR. The assessment outlines total production of 1.5 million ounces of gold over an 11-year mine life and includes estimated Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 1.66 million ounces of gold (contained in 32.3 million tonnes at 1.6 grams per tonne gold with a cut-off grade of 0.35–0.47 grams per tonne for open-pit and 1.8 grams per tonne gold for underground) with an expected average annual production of 137,000 ounces. The Pre-Feasibility Study also includes an updated Mineral Resource estimate whereby the total Measured and Indicated Resources (exclusive of reserves) increased to an estimated 868,000 ounces contained in 18.1 million tonnes at 1.5 grams per tonne gold (cut-off grade of 0.3 grams per tonne for open pit and 1.0 grams per tonne for underground resources). For more information refer to www.equinoxgold.com.
9
Fruta del Norte Royalty
Lundin Gold Inc.
The Company has a 0.9% NSR on the precious metals produced from Lundin Gold Inc.’s (“Lundin Gold”) Fruta del Norte gold mine located in Ecuador (“Fruta del Norte” or “Fruta del Norte Mine”), which commenced commercial production in February 2020.
The royalty covers approximately 646 square kilometres, including all 29 mining concessions held by Lundin Gold. The Fruta del Norte Mineral Reserve contains an estimated 5.24 million ounces of gold in 20.3 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 8.03 grams per tonne, as of December 31, 2020, ranking it amongst the highest-grade gold projects in the world (based on cut-off grade of 3.8 grams per tonne and 4.4 grams per tonne depending on mining method).
In 2021, Lundin Gold commenced an 11,000-metre drill program at Barbasco and Puente Princesa. Both targets are located south of Fruta del Norte within the same geological structure known as the Suarez Pull-Apart Basin and are located within the area of interest of the Company’s royalty. Recently, Lundin Gold announced that it had completed a plant expansion which increased the mill’s throughput from 3,500 tonnes per day to 4,200 tonnes per day.
Vatukoula Gold Stream
Vatukoula Gold Mines PTE Limited
In December 2021, the Company closed its previously announced gold purchase agreement which entitles it to purchase 25,920 ounces of gold over a 5.5-year period (the “Fixed Delivery Period”) and thereafter 2.55%–2.9% of the gold produced from Vatukoula Gold Mines PTE Limited’s (“VGML”) underground gold mine located in Fiji (“Vatukoula” or the “Vatukoula Mine”) for ongoing per ounce cash payment equal to 20% of the spot price of the gold. In addition to the Gold Stream, Sandstorm will also receive an effective 0.45% NSR on certain prospecting licenses plus a five-kilometre area of interest.
Under the terms of the agreement, during the first 1.5 years of the Fixed Delivery Period, Sandstorm will receive 3,040 ounces of gold per year, increasing to 5,340 ounces of gold per year during the final four years of the Fixed Delivery Period. After which, Sandstorm will receive a variable proportion of gold produced from the Vatukoula Mine for the life of the mine. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company remitted the remaining $3 million due under the gold purchase agreement.
The Vatukoula Mine has produced more than seven million ounces of gold over the last 85 years. Since 2013, annual mine production has averaged 30,000–40,000 ounces per year. With a portion of the stream proceeds, VGML plans to expand underground operations with a production target of 50,000–70,000 ounces per year in the next three to five years.
Mercedes Gold Stream
Bear Creek Mining Corporation
In April 2022, the Company closed its previously announced $60 million financing package with Bear Creek Mining Corporation (“Bear Creek”) to facilitate Bear Creek’s acquisition of the producing Mercedes gold-silver mine in Sonora, Mexico (“Mercedes” or the “Mercedes Mine”) from Equinox. The financing package included a $37.5 million Gold Stream on the Mercedes Mine and a $22.5 million convertible debenture.
Under the terms of the Gold Stream, beginning in April 2022, Sandstorm agreed to purchase 25,200 ounces of gold over a 3.5 year period (the “Fixed Delivery Term”) and thereafter 4.4% of the gold produced from Mercedes Mine. During the Fixed Delivery Term, Sandstorm will make ongoing per ounce cash payment equal to 7.5% of the spot price of the gold. After the receipt of the fixed deliveries, the ongoing per ounce cash payment will increase to 25% of the spot price of the gold.
The $22.5 million convertible debenture bears an interest rate of 6% per annum and has a term of three years.
The Mercedes district has been the focus of mining activities dating back to the 1880s. Commercial production commenced at the Mercedes Mine in 2011 and the mine has produced over 800,000 ounces of gold. The Mercedes’ mill has a current capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day, with gold recoveries averaging approximately 95% over the past five years. Proven and Probable Reserves as of December 2020 totaled 2.6 million tonnes grading 3.9 grams per tonne gold and 29.2 grams per tonne silver, containing 325,000 ounces of gold and 2.45 million ounces of silver (based on a 2.1 grams per tonne gold cut-off grade, except Diluvio which is based on a 2.0 grams per tonne gold cut-off grade). Mercedes has a strong track record of reserve replacement and Bear Creek intends on expanding its exploration program.
10
Relief Canyon Gold Stream
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation
The Company has a precious metal stream on the Relief Canyon gold project in Nevada, U.S.A. (“Relief Canyon” or the “Relief Canyon Mine”), which is owned and operated by Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (“Americas Gold”). Under the terms of the Stream, Sandstorm is entitled to receive 32,022 ounces of gold over a 5.5 year period which began in the second quarter of 2020 (the “Fixed Deliveries”). After receipt of the Fixed Deliveries, the Company has agreed to purchase 4% of the gold and silver produced from the Relief Canyon Mine for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 30%–65% of the spot price of gold or silver, with the range dependent on the concession’s existing royalty obligations. In addition, Sandstorm will also receive a 1.4%–2.8% NSR on the area surrounding the Relief Canyon mine.
Americas Gold may elect to reduce the 4% Stream and NSR on the Relief Canyon mine by delivering 4,000 ounces of gold to Sandstorm (the “Purchase Option”). The Purchase Option may be exercised by Americas Gold at any time and is subject to a 10% annual premium. Upon exercising the Purchase Option, the 4% Stream will decrease to 2% and the NSR will decrease to 1%.
In January 2021, Americas Gold announced that it had achieved commercial production at the Relief Canyon Mine. Since then, the ramp up of operations has been challenging and the operation has proceeded with run-of-mine heap leaching with continued efforts to resolve metallurgical challenges. The mine is located in Nevada, U.S.A. at the southern end of the Pershing Gold and Silver Trend, which hosts other projects such as Coeur Mining Inc.’s Rochester mine.
Diavik Diamond Royalty
Rio Tinto PLC
The Company has a 1% gross proceeds royalty based on the production from the Diavik mine located in Lac de Gras, Northwest Territories, Canada (“Diavik” or the “Diavik Mine”) which is owned and operated by Rio Tinto PLC (“Rio Tinto”).
The Diavik Mine is Canada’s largest diamond mine. The mine began producing diamonds in January 2003 and has since produced more than 100 million carats from three kimberlite pipes (A154 South, A154 North, and A418). In the fourth quarter of 2018, Rio Tinto announced that it had achieved commercial production at its fourth open pit diamond pipe (A21).
Black Fox Gold Stream
McEwen Mining Inc.
The Company has a Gold Stream to purchase 8% of the life of mine gold produced from McEwen Mining Inc.’s (“McEwen”) open pit and underground Black Fox mine, located in Ontario, Canada (the “Black Fox Mine”), and 6.3% of the life of mine gold produced from McEwen’s Black Fox Extension, which includes a portion of McEwen’s Pike River concessions, for a per ounce cash payment equal to the lesser of $577 and the spot price of gold.
The Black Fox Mine began operating as an open pit mine in 2009 (depleted in 2015) and transitioned to underground operations in 2011. McEwen continues to invest in an exploration program which includes surface and underground drilling. For more information refer to www.mcewenmining.com.
Karma Gold Stream
Néré Mining
The Company has a Gold Stream which entitles it to purchase 1.625% of the gold produced from the open pit heap leach Karma gold mine located in Burkina Faso, West Africa (“Karma” or the “Karma Mine”) for ongoing per ounce cash payment equal to 20% of the spot price of gold. The Gold Stream is syndicated 75% and 25% between Franco-Nevada Corp. and Sandstorm, respectively.
11
Bracemac-McLeod Royalty
Glencore PLC
Sandstorm has a 3% NSR based on 100% of the production from the Bracemac-McLeod property located in Matagami, Quebec, Canada (“Bracemac-McLeod” or the “Bracemac-McLeod Mine”) which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Glencore PLC (“Glencore”).
The Bracemac-McLeod Mine is a high-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit located in the historic and prolific Matagami mining district of Quebec. Continuous mining and milling operations have been active in the Matagami district for over 50 years with 10 previously operating mines and one other currently producing mine. The Bracemac-McLeod Mine began initial production in the second half of 2013 and mining is scheduled to conclude in June 2022.
Other Producing Assets
Gualcamayo Royalty
Mineros S.A.
The Company has a 1% NSR on the Gualcamayo gold mine (the “Gualcamayo Mine”) which is located in San Juan province, Argentina and is owned and operated by Mineros S.A. (“Mineros”). The Gualcamayo Mine is an open pit, heap leach operation. Mineros is a Latin American gold producer with operations in Argentina, Colombia, and Nicaragua.
Thunder Creek Royalty
Pan American Silver Corp.
The Company has a 1% NSR on the gold produced from the Thunder Creek and 144 properties (“Thunder Creek” or the “Thunder Creek Mine”) which are part of the Timmins West mine complex in Ontario, Canada which is owned and operated by Pan American Silver Corp. Thunder Creek is an underground mine that has been in production since 2010 and has produced more than 500,000 ounces of gold.
Mine Waste Solutions Royalty
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
The Company has a 1% NSR on the gold produced from Mine Waste Solutions tailings recovery operation (“MWS”) which is located near Stilfontein, South Africa, and is owned and operated by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited. MWS is a gold and uranium tailings recovery operation. The operation re-processes multiple tailings dumps in the area through three production modules, the last of which was commissioned in 2011.
HM Claim
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
The Company has a 2% NSR on a part of the Macassa mine complex located in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada (“HM Claim”), which is owned and operated by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. The Kirkland Lake mining camp has been a prolific gold producer since mining began there in 1914. The HM Claim is an area that hosts the easterly extension of the south mine complex and is located southeast of the #2 shaft at the Macassa mine.
Triangle Zone
Eldorado Gold Corp.
The Company has a 2% NSR on a part of the Triangle zone located within the Lamaque gold project located in Quebec, Canada (“Triangle Zone”), which is owned and operated by Eldorado Gold Corp. (“Eldorado”). The Triangle Zone is an Archean greenstone-
12
hosted orogenic lode gold deposit and the royalty covers a portion of the Triangle Zone’s reserves and resources. Eldorado achieved commercial production in March 2019.
Emigrant Springs Royalty
Newmont Corporation
The Company has a 1.5% NSR, payable by Newmont Corporation (“Newmont”), on a portion of the Emigrant Springs gold mine (the “Emigrant Springs Mine”) which is located in the Carlin Trend in Nevada, U.S.A. The Emigrant Springs Mine is owned by Nevada Gold Mines LLC which is a joint venture owned 61.5% by Barrick and 38.5% by Newmont and operated by Barrick. The Emigrant Springs Mine is an open pit, heap leach operation that has been in production since the third quarter of 2012.
Development Assets
Hod Maden
Lidya Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.
The Company has a 30% net profits interest and a 2% NSR on the Hod Maden gold-copper project, which is located in Artvin Province, northeastern Turkey (the “Hod Maden Project” or “Hod Maden”). The project is operated and co-owned by a Turkish partner, Lidya Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (“Lidya”), which owns the remaining interest in the project. Lidya is a strong local partner with experience exploring, developing, permitting, and operating projects in Turkey. Lidya is part of a large Turkish conglomerate called Çalik Holding and is currently involved in several projects in Turkey including a partnership with SSR Mining Inc. on the producing Çöpler mine.
In October 2021, the Hod Maden project received the final approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) for the project from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization of Turkey.
In November 2021, a Feasibility Study was released. The results demonstrate a Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve of 2.5 million ounces of gold and 129,000 tonnes of copper being mined over a 13-year mine life (8.7 million tonnes at 8.8 grams per tonne gold and 1.5% copper or 11.1 grams per tonne gold equivalent using a breakeven cut-off value of $82/tonne and incremental cut-off values of $63 per tonne for stopes and $40 per tonne for development). The study projects a pre-tax net present value (5% discount rate) of $1.3 billion and an internal rate of return of 41%. It is estimated that gold will be produced at an all-in sustaining cost on a by-product basis1 of $334 per ounce. For more information refer to www.sandstormgold.com.
With the approval of the EIA and release of the Feasibility Study, Hod Maden moves into the next stage of development including the application for the final permits and initiating long-lead construction items.
As described earlier, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement with Horizon Copper to sell its 30% interest in Hod Maden. In consideration, Sandstorm will receive a flagship Gold Stream on Hod Maden. Under the terms of the Stream, Sandstorm will receive 20% of all gold produced from Hod Maden (on a 100% basis) and will make ongoing payments of 50% of the gold spot price until 405,000 ounces of gold are delivered (the “Delivery Threshold”). Once the Delivery Threshold has been reached, Sandstorm will receive 12% of the gold produced for the life of the mine for ongoing payments of 60% of the gold spot price. The Stream is currently expected to close in the second half of 2022 and is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to, exchange acceptance and Horizon Copper shareholder approval.
1 | Refer to section on non-IFRS and other measures of this MD&A. |
Hugo North Extension & Heruga Gold Stream
Entrée Resources Ltd.
The Company has a Gold Stream with Entrée Resources Ltd. (“Entrée”) to purchase an amount equal to 5.62% and 4.26%, respectively, of the gold and silver produced from the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits located in Mongolia, (the “Hugo North Extension” and “Heruga”, respectively) for per ounce cash payments equal to the lesser of $220 per ounce of gold and $5 per ounce of
13
silver and the then prevailing market price of gold and silver, respectively. Additionally, Sandstorm has a copper stream to purchase an amount equal to 0.42% of the copper produced from Hugo North Extension and Heruga for per pound cash payments equal to the lesser of $0.50 per pound of copper and the then prevailing market price of copper.
The Company is not required to contribute any further capital, exploration, or operating expenditures to Entrée.
The Hugo North Extension is a copper-gold porphyry deposit and Heruga is a copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry deposit. Both projects are located in the South Gobi Desert of Mongolia, approximately 570 kilometres south of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar and 80 kilometres north of the border with China. The Hugo North Extension and Heruga are part of the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex and are managed by Oyu Tolgoi LLC, a subsidiary of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. and the Government of Mongolia, and its project manager Rio Tinto PLC. Entrée retains a 20% interest in the Hugo North Extension and Heruga.
Entrée recently announced the completion of an updated Feasibility Study on its interest in the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture property. The updated report aligns Entrée’s disclosure with that of other Oyu Tolgoi project stakeholders on development of the first lift of the underground mine. Entrée further announced that optimization studies on Panel 1 are currently underway which have the potential to further improve Lift 1 economics for the Entrée/Oyu Tolgoi joint venture.
Hackett River Royalty
Glencore PLC
The Company has a 2% NSR on the Hackett River property located in Nunavut, Canada (the “Hackett River Project” or “Hackett River”) which is owned by a subsidiary of Glencore.
Hackett River is a silver-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit and is one of the largest undeveloped projects of its kind. The property contains four massive sulphide bodies that occur over a 6.6 kilometre strike length. A Preliminary Economic Assessment updated in 2010 evaluated a possible large-scale open pit and underground operation, processing up to 12,000 tonnes per day. The most recent Glencore Reserves and Resources statement, effective December 31, 2020, reported 27.1 million tonnes of Indicated Resources containing 4.5% zinc and 130.0 grams per tonne silver plus 60.0 million tonnes of Inferred Resources with 4.0% zinc and 150.0 grams per tonne silver. For more information refer to www.glencore.com and the Technical Report dated July 26, 2010 under Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.’s profile on www.sedar.com.
Lobo-Marte Royalty
Kinross Gold Corporation
The Company has a 1.05% NSR on production from the Lobo-Marte project located in the Maricunga gold district of Chile (the “Lobo-Marte Project” or “Lobo-Marte”) which is owned by Kinross Gold Corporation (“Kinross”).
In the fourth quarter of 2021, Kinross announced the results of a Feasibility Study for the Lobo-Marte Project. The study estimates a new Probable Mineral Reserve of 6.7 million ounces contained in 160.7 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.3 grams per tonne gold with additional Indicated Resources of 2.4 million ounces contained in 99.4 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.7 grams per tonne gold and Inferred Resources of 0.4 million ounces contained in 18.5 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.75 grams per tonne gold. Kinross estimates a total life of mine production of approximately 4.7 million gold ounces during a 16-year mine life, which includes 14 years of mining followed by two years of residual processing. Reserves and Resources are estimated based on appropriate cut-off grades calculated using $1,200 per ounce gold prices. For more information refer to www.kinross.com.
Agi Dagi & Kirazli Royalty
Alamos Gold Inc.
The Company has a $10 per ounce royalty based on the production from the Agi Dagi and the Kirazli gold development projects located in the Çanakkale Province of northwestern Turkey (“Agi Dagi” and “Kirazli”, respectively) which are both owned by Alamos Gold Inc. (“Alamos Gold”). The royalty is payable by Newmont and is subject to a maximum of 600,000 ounces from Agi Dagi and a maximum of 250,000 ounces from Kirazli.
A 2017 Feasibility Study on Agi Dagi and a 2017 Feasibility Study on Kirazli contemplated both projects as stand-alone open pit, heap leach operations. Under the respective studies, Agi Dagi is expected to produce an average of 177,600 ounces of gold per year over a
14
6-year mine life while Kirazli is expected to produce an average of 104,000 ounces of gold per year over a 5-year mine life. For more information refer to www.alamosgold.com.
Prairie Creek Royalty
NorZinc Ltd.
The Company has a 1.2% NSR on the Prairie Creek project (the “Prairie Creek Project”) located in the Northwest Territories, Canada and owned by NorZinc Ltd. (“NorZinc”). The Prairie Creek Project is a zinc, silver and lead project that is 100%-owned by NorZinc and based on a 2017 Feasibility Study has an estimated Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve of 8.1 million tonnes containing 8.6% zinc, 124.2 grams per tonne silver and 8.1% lead. For more information, refer to www.norzinc.com.
Mt. Hamilton Royalty
Waterton Precious Metals Fund II Cayman, LP
The Company has a 2.4% NSR on the Mt. Hamilton gold project (the “Mt. Hamilton Project”). The Mt. Hamilton Project is located in White Pine County, Nevada, U.S.A. and is owned by Waterton Precious Metals Fund II Cayman, LP.
Other
On April 4, 2022, Rambler Metals & Mining PLC exercised its option to repurchase the Ming Gold Stream in exchange for a payment of $6.7 million in cash and 1,150 ounces of gold (the delivery of which is over the course of 18 months).
Under the Company’s normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”), the Company is able, until April 6, 2023, to purchase up to 18.9 million common shares. The NCIB provides the Company with the option to purchase its common shares from time to time.
Summary of Quarterly Results
QUARTERS ENDED
In $000s
| Mar. 31, 2022
| Dec. 31, 2021
| Sep. 30, 2021
| Jun. 30, 2021
| ||||||||||||
Total revenue
| $
| 35,365
|
| $
| 29,821
|
| $
| 27,596
|
| $
| 26,446
|
| ||||
Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1
|
| 18,741
|
|
| 16,586
|
|
| 15,514
|
|
| 18,004
|
| ||||
Sales
| $
| 22,015
|
| $
| 15,772
|
| $
| 16,879
|
| $
| 17,487
|
| ||||
Royalty revenue
|
| 13,350
|
|
| 14,049
|
|
| 10,717
|
|
| 8,959
|
| ||||
Average realized gold price per ounce from the Company’s Gold Streams
|
| 1,887
|
|
| 1,798
|
|
| 1,779
|
|
| 1,796
|
| ||||
Average cash cost per attributable ounce1
|
| 283
|
|
| 224
|
|
| 238
|
|
| 227
|
| ||||
Cash flows from operating activities
|
| 22,362
|
|
| 19,505
|
|
| 17,914
|
|
| 19,998
|
| ||||
Net income
|
| 9,141
|
|
| 7,395
|
|
| 6,622
|
|
| 8,636
|
| ||||
Basic income per share
|
| 0.05
|
|
| 0.04
|
|
| 0.03
|
|
| 0.04
|
| ||||
Diluted income per share
|
| 0.05
|
|
| 0.04
|
|
| 0.03
|
|
| 0.04
|
| ||||
Total assets
|
| 624,561
|
|
| 620,858
|
|
| 640,920
|
|
| 648,741
|
| ||||
Total long-term liabilities
|
| 24,705
|
|
| 20,873
|
|
| 17,425
|
|
| 14,342
|
|
15
In $000s
| Mar. 31, 2021
| Dec. 31, 2020
| Sep. 30, 2020
| Jun. 30, 2020
| ||||||||||||
Total revenue
| $
| 30,997
|
| $
| 29,696
|
| $
| 23,267
|
| $
| 18,730
|
| ||||
Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1
|
| 17,444
|
|
| 15,795
|
|
| 12,068
|
|
| 10,920
|
| ||||
Sales
| $
| 21,584
|
| $
| 17,560
|
| $
| 14,187
|
| $
| 12,580
|
| ||||
Royalty revenue
|
| 9,413
|
|
| 12,136
|
|
| 9,080
|
|
| 6,150
|
| ||||
Average realized gold price per ounce from the Company’s Gold Streams
|
| 1,777
|
|
| 1,880
|
|
| 1,928
|
|
| 1,715
|
| ||||
Average cash cost per attributable ounce1
|
| 307
|
|
| 248
|
|
| 258
|
|
| 257
|
| ||||
Cash flows from operating activities
|
| 23,722
|
|
| 19,806
|
|
| 18,085
|
|
| 12,351
|
| ||||
Net income
|
| 4,969
|
|
| 10,504
|
|
| 6,518
|
|
| 7,137
|
| ||||
Basic income per share
|
| 0.03
|
|
| 0.05
|
|
| 0.03
|
|
| 0.04
|
| ||||
Diluted income per share
|
| 0.03
|
|
| 0.05
|
|
| 0.03
|
|
| 0.04
|
| ||||
Total assets
|
| 638,659
|
|
| 649,921
|
|
| 608,748
|
|
| 607,471
|
| ||||
Total long-term liabilities
|
| 10,723
|
|
| 8,345
|
|
| 3,638
|
|
| 3,096
|
|
1 | Refer to section on non-IFRS and other measures of this MD&A. |
Changes in sales, net income, and cash flows from operating activities from quarter to quarter are affected primarily by fluctuations in production at the mines, the timing of shipments, changes in the price of commodities, as well as acquisitions of Streams and royalty interests and the commencement of operations of mines under construction. For more information refer to the quarterly commentary below.
The Company’s operating segments for the three months ended March 31, 2022 are summarized in the table below:
In $000s
| Product
| Attributable Gold
| Sales and
| Cost of sales
| Depletion
| Stream,
| Income
| Cash flows
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aurizona
|
| Gold
|
|
| 990
|
| $
| 1,869
|
| $
| -
|
| $
| 97
|
| $
| -
|
| $
| 1,772
|
| $
| 2,969
|
| ||||||||
Black Fox
|
| Gold
|
|
| 646
|
|
| 1,207
|
|
| 368
|
|
| 527
|
|
| -
|
|
| 312
|
|
| 838
|
| ||||||||
Bracemac-McLeod2
|
| Various
|
|
| 711
|
|
| 1,341
|
|
| -
|
|
| 196
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,145
|
|
| 1,259
|
| ||||||||
Chapada
|
| Copper
|
|
| 3,247
|
|
| 6,126
|
|
| 1,839
|
|
| 1,082
|
|
| -
|
|
| 3,205
|
|
| 4,287
|
| ||||||||
Diavik
|
| Diamonds
|
|
| 1,534
|
|
| 2,895
|
|
| -
|
|
| 741
|
|
| -
|
|
| 2,154
|
|
| 2,645
|
| ||||||||
Fruta del Norte
|
| Gold
|
|
| 881
|
|
| 1,662
|
|
| -
|
|
| 620
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,042
|
|
| 1,113
|
| ||||||||
Houndé
|
| Gold
|
|
| 656
|
|
| 1,239
|
|
| -
|
|
| 451
|
|
| -
|
|
| 788
|
|
| -
|
| ||||||||
Karma
|
| Gold
|
|
| 332
|
|
| 630
|
|
| 125
|
|
| 284
|
|
| -
|
|
| 221
|
|
| 505
|
| ||||||||
Relief Canyon
|
| Gold
|
|
| 1,618
|
|
| 3,090
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,371
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,719
|
|
| 3,090
|
| ||||||||
Santa Elena
|
| Gold
|
|
| 42
|
|
| 80
|
|
| 20
|
|
| 2
|
|
| -
|
|
| 58
|
|
| (270)
|
| ||||||||
Vale Royalties
|
| Iron Ore
|
|
| 1,605
|
|
| 3,028
|
|
| -
|
|
| 725
|
|
| -
|
|
| 2,303
|
|
| -
|
| ||||||||
Vatukoula
|
| Gold
|
|
| 1,052
|
|
| 1,958
|
|
| 389
|
|
| 1,006
|
|
| -
|
|
| 563
|
|
| 1,570
|
| ||||||||
Yamana silver stream
|
| Silver
|
|
| 4,526
|
|
| 8,541
|
|
| 2,554
|
|
| 3,562
|
|
| -
|
|
| 2,425
|
|
| 5,987
|
| ||||||||
Other3
|
| Various
|
|
| 901
|
|
| 1,699
|
|
| -
|
|
| 447
|
|
| 165
|
|
| 1,087
|
|
| 1,835
|
| ||||||||
Corporate
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 458
|
|
| (4,927)
|
|
| (3,466)
|
| |||||||||||
Consolidated | 18,741 | $ | 35,365 | $ | 5,295 | $ | 11,111 | $ | 623 | �� | $ | 13,867 | $ | 22,362 |
1 | Refer to section on non-IFRS and other measures of this MD&A. |
2 | Royalty revenue from Bracemac-McLeod consists of $0.5 million from copper and $0.8 million from zinc. |
3 | Includes royalty revenue from gold of $1.6 million and other base metals of $0.1 million. |
16
The Company’s operating segments for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are summarized in the table below:
In $000s
| Product
| Attributable Gold
| Sales and
| Cost of sales
| Depletion
| Stream,
| Income
| Cash flows
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aurizona
|
| Gold
|
|
| 1,593
|
| $
| 2,831
|
| $
| -
|
| $
| 267
|
| $
| -
|
| $
| 2,564
|
| $
| 2,831
|
| ||||||||
Black Fox
|
| Gold
|
|
| 630
|
|
| 1,125
|
|
| 355
|
|
| 514
|
|
| -
|
|
| 256
|
|
| 770
|
| ||||||||
Bracemac-McLeod2
|
| Various
|
|
| 979
|
|
| 1,739
|
|
| -
|
|
| 408
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,331
|
|
| 1,199
|
| ||||||||
Chapada
|
| Copper
|
|
| 2,588
|
|
| 4,600
|
|
| 1,382
|
|
| 959
|
|
| -
|
|
| 2,259
|
|
| 3,218
|
| ||||||||
Diavik
|
| Diamonds
|
|
| 633
|
|
| 1,125
|
|
| -
|
|
| 800
|
|
| -
|
|
| 325
|
|
| 1,125
|
| ||||||||
Fruta del Norte
|
| Gold
|
|
| 876
|
|
| 1,556
|
|
| -
|
|
| 550
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,006
|
|
| 1,144
|
| ||||||||
Houndé
|
| Gold
|
|
| 412
|
|
| 731
|
|
| -
|
|
| 341
|
|
| -
|
|
| 390
|
|
| 2,120
|
| ||||||||
Karma
|
| Gold
|
|
| 1,250
|
|
| 2,238
|
|
| 458
|
|
| 1,063
|
|
| -
|
|
| 717
|
|
| 1,780
|
| ||||||||
Relief Canyon
|
| Gold
|
|
| 1,101
|
|
| 1,954
|
|
| -
|
|
| 818
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,136
|
|
| 1,954
|
| ||||||||
Santa Elena
|
| Gold
|
|
| 1,371
|
|
| 2,404
|
|
| 636
|
|
| 71
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,697
|
|
| 1,847
|
| ||||||||
Yamana silver stream
|
| Silver
|
|
| 4,730
|
|
| 8,406
|
|
| 2,519
|
|
| 3,411
|
|
| -
|
|
| 2,476
|
|
| 5,886
|
| ||||||||
Other3
|
| Various
|
|
| 1,281
|
|
| 2,288
|
|
| -
|
|
| 720
|
|
| 408
|
|
| 1,160
|
|
| 2,188
|
| ||||||||
Corporate
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| (6,220)
|
|
| (2,340)
|
| |||||||||||
Consolidated
|
| 17,444
|
| $
| 30,997
|
| $
| 5,350
|
| $
| 9,922
|
| $
| 408
|
| $
| 9,097
|
| $
| 23,722
|
|
1 | Refer to section on non-IFRS and other measures of this MD&A. |
2 | Royalty revenue from Bracemac-McLeod consists of $0.8 million from copper and $0.9 million from zinc. |
3 | Includes royalty revenue from gold of $2.2 million and other base metals of $0.1 million. |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Compared to the
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net income and cash flows from operating activities were $9.1 million and $22.4 million, respectively, compared with $5.0 million and $23.7 million for the comparable period in 2021. The increase in net income is attributable to a $4.4 million increase in revenue (described in greater detail below) as well as to a combination of factors including:
● | A $2.0 million increase in the gains recognized on the revaluation of the Company’s investments; whereby, a gain of $0.2 million was recognized by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2022; while during the three months ended March 31, 2021 the Company recognized a loss of $1.8 million mostly driven by a decrease in the fair value of the Americas Gold convertible debenture; |
Partially offset by:
● | A $1.2 million increase in depletion expense largely due to an increase in Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1 sold; and |
● | An increase in tax expense of $0.6 million as a result of the increase in net income. |
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, revenue was $35.4 million compared with $31.0 million for the comparable period in 2021. The increase is attributable to a 7% increase in Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1 sold as well as a 6% increase in the average realized selling price of gold. In particular, the increase in revenue was driven by:
● | A $3.0 million increase in revenue attributable to the Vale Royalties, which were purchased in June 2021; |
● | A $2.0 million increase in revenue attributable to Vatukoula Gold Stream which commenced making deliveries under the Stream in December 2021. Of these deliveries, 350 gold ounces were in inventory as at December 31, 2021 and were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2022; |
17
● | A $1.8 million increase in revenue attributable to the Diavik mine largely due to diamond price increases and the timing of sales; and |
● | A $1.5 million increase in revenue attributable to the Chapada copper stream primarily due to an increase in the average realized selling price of copper which increased from an average of $3.79 per pound during the three months ended March 31, 2021 to an average of $4.49 per pound during the equivalent period in 2022; as well as a 13% increase in the number of copper pounds sold; |
Partially offset by:
● | A $2.3 million decrease in revenue attributable to the Santa Elena Mine largely driven by a 97% decrease in the number of gold ounces sold. The decrease is partly due to decreased production at the Santa Elena Mine as well as the timing of sales, whereby, 578 gold ounces were delivered by March 31, 2022 and sold in the subsequent quarter; and |
● | A $1.6 million decrease in revenue attributable to the Karma Mine largely driven by an 73% decrease in the number of Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1 sold. The decrease is primarily due to the conclusion of the five-year fixed delivery period in accordance with the terms of the Gold Stream in the first quarter of 2021, reducing Sandstorm’s Gold Stream entitlement to 1.625% of production. In contrast, in the first quarter of 2021, Sandstorm’s entitlement was 1,250 ounces per quarter. |
1 | Refer to section on non-IFRS and other measures of this MD&A. |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Compared to the
Other Quarters Presented
When comparing net income of $9.1 million and cash flow from operating activities of $22.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 with net income/loss and cash flow from operating activities for the other quarters presented, the following items impact comparability:
● | A $5.9 million gain on the revaluation of the Company’s financial instrument related to the Vale Royalties which was both entered into and disposed of during the three months ended June 30, 2021. |
● | The Company recognized gains and losses with respect to the revaluation of its investments, which were primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the Equinox and Americas Gold convertible debentures. These gains/losses were recognized as follows: |
◾ | During the three months ended March 31, 2022, a gain of $0.2 million was recognized; |
◾ | During the three months ended December 31, 2021, a loss of $0.2 million was recognized; |
◾ | During the three months ended September 30, 2021, a gain of $0.2 million was recognized; |
◾ | During the three months ended June 30, 2021, a gain of $0.1 million was recognized; |
◾ | During the three months ended March 31, 2021, a loss of $1.8 million was recognized; |
◾ | During the three months ended December 31, 2020, a gain of $2.9 million was recognized; |
◾ | During the three months ended September 30, 2020, a gain of $1.7 million was recognized; and |
◾ | During the three months ended June 30, 2020, a gain of $5.1 million was recognized. |
● | With the exception of 2020, Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1 had seen an overall increase as a result of the acquisition of various assets including the Vale Royalties acquisition during the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Houndé royalty acquisition during the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Teck Resources Limited royalty package which consists of 52 royalties and was purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the Yamana silver stream and Chapada copper stream which were acquired in the three months ended December 31, 2015. In 2020, Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces1 decreased as a result of COVID-19 related temporary suspensions at the mines from which Sandstorm receives royalty revenue or deliveries under its Streams. |
1 | Refer to section on non-IFRS and other measures of this MD&A. |
18
Change in Total Assets
Total assets increased by $3.7 million from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 as a result of (i) cash flow from operating activities; and (ii) an increase in the valuation of investments; partially offset by (i) a decrease in the Hod Maden interest due to the depreciation of the Turkish Lira, which is the functional currency of the entity that holds the Hod Maden interest, relative to the U.S. dollar, which is the presentation currency of Sandstorm Gold Ltd; and (ii) depletion expense. The depreciation of the Turkish Lira, partially offset by the increase in the valuation of investments, were largely responsible for the losses recognized through other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Total assets decreased by $20.1 million from September 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021 as a result of (i) repurchases of the Company’s shares in accordance with its normal course issuer bid; (ii) depletion expense; and (iii) a decrease in the Hod Maden interest due to the depreciation of the Turkish Lira; partially offset by cash flow from operating activities. The depreciation in the Turkish Lira as well as a decrease in the valuation of investments were largely responsible for the losses recognized through other comprehensive income for the three months ended December 31, 2021. Total assets decreased by $7.8 million from June 30, 2021 to September 30, 2021 as a result of (i) repurchases of the Company’s shares in accordance with its normal course issuer bid; (ii) depletion expense; (iii) a decrease in the valuation of investments; and (iv) a decrease in the Hod Maden interest due to the depreciation of the Turkish Lira; partially offset by cash flow from operating activities. The depreciation in the Turkish Lira as well as a decrease in the valuation of investments were largely responsible for the losses recognized through other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Total assets increased by $10.1 million from March 31, 2021 to June 30, 2021 as a result of cash flow from operating activities partially offset by (i) a decrease in the Hod Maden interest due to the depreciation of the Turkish Lira; and (ii) depletion expense. The depreciation in the Turkish Lira as well as a decrease in the valuation of investments were largely responsible for the losses recognized through other comprehensive income for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Total assets decreased by $11.3 million from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021 as a result of (i) a decrease in the valuation of investments; (ii) a decrease in the Hod Maden interest due to the depreciation of the Turkish Lira; (iii) depletion expense and (iv) repurchases of the Company’s shares in accordance with its normal course issuer bid; partially offset by cash flow from operating activities. The depreciation in the Turkish Lira as well as a decrease in the valuation of investments were largely responsible for the losses recognized through other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Total assets increased by $41.2 million from September 30, 2020 to December 31, 2020 as a result of (i) cash flow from operating activities and (ii) an increase in the Hod Maden interest due to the appreciation of the Turkish Lira; partially offset by depletion expense. The appreciation in the Turkish Lira as well as an increase in the valuation of investments were largely responsible for the gains recognized through other comprehensive income for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Total assets increased by $1.3 million from June 30, 2020 to September 30, 2020 as a result of cash flow from operating activities; partially offset by (i) a decrease in the Hod Maden interest due to a devaluation of the Turkish Lira; and (ii) depletion expense. The depreciation in the Turkish Lira was largely responsible for the loss recognized through other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2020.
Non-IFRS and Other Measures
The Company has included, throughout this document, certain performance measures, including (i) Total Sales, Royalties and Income from other interests, (ii) Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce, (iii) average cash cost per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce, (iv) cash operating margin, (v) cash flows from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital and (vi) all-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) per gold ounce on a by-product basis. The presentation of these non-IFRS measures is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and other companies may calculate these measures differently.
i. | Total Sales, Royalties and Income from other interests is a non-IFRS financial measure and is calculated by taking total revenue which includes Sales and Royalty Revenue, and adding contractual income relating to royalties, streams and other interests excluding gains and losses on dispositions. Company presents Total Sales, Royalties and Income from other interests as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry. Figure 1.1 provides a reconciliation of Total Sales, Royalties and Income from other interests. |
19
Figure 1.1
In $000s | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Total Revenue | $ | 35,365 | $ | 30,997 | ||||
Add: | ||||||||
Contractual income relating to royalties, streams and other interests | - | - | ||||||
Equals: | ||||||||
Total Sales, Royalties, and Income from other interests | $ | 35,365 | $ | 30,997 |
ii. | Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce is a non-IFRS financial ratio that uses Total Sales, Royalties, and Income from other Interests as a component. Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce is calculated by dividing the Company’s Total Sales, Royalties, and Income from other interests (described further in item I above) for the period by the average realized gold price per ounce from the Company’s Gold Streams for the same respective period. The Company presents Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis. Figure 1.2 provides a reconciliation of Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce. |
Figure 1.2
In $000s
(except for ounces and per ounce amounts) | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Total Sales, Royalties, and Income from other interests1 | $ | 35,365 | $ | 30,997 | ||||
Divided by: | ||||||||
Average realized gold price per ounce from the Company’s Gold Streams | 1,887 | 1,777 | ||||||
Equals: | ||||||||
Total Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces | 18,741 | 17,444 |
1 | Prior to March 31, 2022, total Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces was calculated by dividing the royalty and other commodity stream revenue, including adjustments for contractual payments received relating to those interests, for that period by the average realized gold price per ounce from the Company’s Gold Streams for the same respective period. These Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces when combined with the gold ounces sold from the Company’s Gold Streams equal total Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces sold. The change in the calculation of the measure did not result in a change to prior periods. |
iii. | Average cash cost per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce is calculated by dividing the Company’s cost of sales, excluding depletion by the number of Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces (described further in item ii above). The Company presents average cash cost per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. Figure 1.3 provides a reconciliation of average cash cost of gold on a per ounce basis. |
Figure 1.3
In $000s
(except for ounces and per ounce amounts) | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Cost of Sales, excluding depletion1 | $ | 5,295 | $ | 5,350 | ||||
Divided by: | ||||||||
Total Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces | 18,741 | 17,444 | ||||||
Equals: | ||||||||
Average cash cost (per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce) | $ | 283 | $ | 307 |
1 | Cost of Sales, excluding depletion, includes cash payments made for Gold Equivalent ounces associated with commodity streams. |
20
iv. | Cash operating margin is calculated by subtracting the average cash cost per Attributable Gold Equivalent ounce from the average realized gold price per ounce from the Company’s Gold Streams. The Company presents cash operating margin as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis. |
v. | Cash flows from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital is a non-IFRS financial measure and is calculated by adding back the decrease or subtracting the increase in changes in non-cash working capital to or from cash provided by (used in) operating activities. The Company presents cash flows from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis. Figure 1.4 provides a reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital. |
Figure 1.4
In $000s | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 22,362 | $ | 23,722 | ||||
Add: | ||||||||
Changes in non-cash working capital | 4,378 | (742) | ||||||
Equals: | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities excluding changes in non-cash working capital | $ | 26,740 | $ | 22,980 |
vi. | The Company has also used the non-IFRS measure of all-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) per gold ounce on a by-product basis. AISC per gold ounce on a by-product basis is a non-IFRS financial ratio that uses AISC on a by-product basis, a non-IFRS financial measure, as a component. With respect to the Hod Maden project, AISC on a by-product basis is calculated by deducting copper revenue from the summation of certain costs (operating costs, royalties, treatment, refining & transport costs, sustaining capital, G&A, and other costs). AISC per gold ounce on a by-product basis is calculated by dividing AISC on a by-product basis by the payable gold ounces produced. The Company presents AISC per gold ounce on a by-product basis as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis. The calculation of the measure is shown below in Figure 1.5. |
Figure 1.5
In $ millions (except for ounces and per ounce amounts) | AISC on a by-product basis | |||
Operating Costs | $ | 678 | ||
Royalties | 349 | |||
Treatment, Refining and Transport Costs | 193 | |||
Sustaining Capital | 116 | |||
G&A | 96 | |||
Other Costs | 57 | |||
Copper Revenue | (812) | |||
All-in sustaining costs | $ | 677 | ||
Divided by: | ||||
Payable Gold Ounces | 2,027,000 | |||
Equals: | ||||
All-in sustaining cost per gold ounce | $ | 334 | ||
Historical all-in sustaining cost per ounce | $ | - |
21
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $31.6 million (December 31, 2021 — $16.2 million) and working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $45.2 million (December 31, 2021 — $26.3 million). As of the date of the MD&A, $15 million remains outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company generated cash flows from operating activities of $22.4 million compared with $23.7 million during the comparable period in 2021. When comparing the change, the primary drivers were a decrease in changes in non-cash working capital, partially offset by an increase in the number of Attributable Gold Equivalent ounces sold and an increase in the average realized selling price of gold and copper.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company had net cash outflows from investing activities of $5.4 million which were primarily the result of (i) the acquisition of $3.3 million in investments and other; and (ii) the acquisition of stream, royalty and other interests including the Vatukoula Gold Stream and other royalties; partially offset by $1.9 million of proceeds from the sale and redemption of a portion of the Company’s debt and equity investments and other. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company had net cash inflows from investing activities of $10.6 million which were primarily the result of the proceeds from the sale and redemption of a portion of the Company’s debt and equity investments; partially offset by the acquisition of $1.8 million in investments and other.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company had net cash outflows from financing activities of $1.5 million primarily related to the payment of the Company’s inaugural dividend, partially offset by $1.9 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company had net cash outflows from financing activities of $5.5 million primarily related to the redemption of the Company’s common shares under the previous NCIB.
22
Commitments and Contingencies
In connection with its Streams, the Company has committed to purchase the following:
Stream | % of Life of Mine Gold or Relevant Commodity5,6,7,8,9,10,11 | Per Ounce Cash Payment: lesser of amount below and the then prevailing market price of commodity (unless otherwise noted)1, 2, 3,4 | ||
Black Fox | 8% | $577 | ||
Chapada | 4.2% | 30% of copper spot price | ||
Entrée | 5.62% on Hugo North Extension and 4.26% on Heruga | $220 | ||
Karma | 1.625% | 20% of gold spot price | ||
Mercedes | 25,200 ounces over 3.5 years and 4.4% thereafter | Varies | ||
Relief Canyon | 32,022 ounces over 5.5 years and 4% thereafter | Varies | ||
Santa Elena | 20% | $473 | ||
Vatukoula | 25,920 ounces over 5.5 years and 2.9% thereafter | 20% of gold spot price | ||
Yamana silver stream | 20% | 30% of silver spot price |
1 | Subject to an annual inflationary adjustment. |
2 | For the Relief Canyon stream, after receipt of 32,022 gold ounces (the cost of which is nil), the Company is entitled to purchase 4.0% of the gold and silver produced from the Relief Canyon Mine for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 30%–65% of the spot price of gold or silver, with the range dependent on the concession’s existing royalty obligations. |
3 | For the Entrée Gold Stream, after approximately 8.6 million ounces of gold have been produced from the joint venture property, the price increases to $500 per gold ounce. |
4 | For the Entrée silver stream, percentage of life of mine is 5.62% on Hugo North Extension and 4.26% on Heruga which the Company can purchase for the lesser of the prevailing market price and $5 per ounce of silver until 40.3 million ounces of silver have been produced from the entire joint venture property. Thereafter, the purchase price will increase to the lesser of the prevailing market price and $10 per ounce of silver. |
5 | For the Entrée Gold and silver stream, percentage of life of mine is 5.62% on Hugo North Extension and 4.26% on Heruga if the minerals produced are contained below 560 metres in depth. |
6 | For the Entrée Gold and silver stream, percentage of life of mine is 8.43% on Hugo North Extension and 6.39% on Heruga if the minerals produced are contained above 560 metres in depth. |
7 | For the Entrée copper stream, the Company has committed to purchase an amount equal to 0.42% of the copper produced from the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits. If the minerals produced are contained above 560 metres in depth, then the commitment increases to 0.62% for both the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits. Sandstorm will make ongoing per pound cash payments equal to the lesser of $0.50 and the then prevailing market price of copper, until 9.1 billion pounds of copper have been produced from the entire joint venture property. Thereafter, the ongoing per pound payments will increase to the lesser of $1.10 and the then prevailing market price of copper. |
8 | For the Chapada copper stream, the Company has committed to purchase an amount equal to 4.2% of the copper produced (up to an annual maximum of 3.9 million pounds of copper) until the mine has delivered 39 million pounds of copper to Sandstorm; then 3.0% of the copper produced until, on a cumulative basis, the mine has delivered 50 million pounds of copper to Sandstorm; then 1.5% of the copper produced thereafter, for the life of the mine. |
9 | Under the terms of the Yamana silver stream, Sandstorm has agreed to purchase an amount of silver from Cerro Moro equal to 20% of the silver produced (up to an annual maximum of 1.2 million ounces of silver), until Yamana has delivered to Sandstorm 7.0 million ounces of silver; then 9.0% of the silver produced thereafter. |
10 | Under the terms of the Vatukoula stream, after receipt of 25,920 gold ounces (the cost of which is 20% of the spot price), the Company is entitled to purchase 2.9% for the first 100,000 ounces of gold produced in a calendar year, and 2.55% for the volume of production above 100,000 ounces. |
11 | Under the terms of the Mercedes stream, after receipt of 25,200 gold ounces (the cost of which is 7.5% of the spot price), the Company is entitled to purchase 4.4% of the gold produced from the Mercedes Mine for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 25% of the spot price of gold. |
As previously disclosed, Sandstorm became aware that a third party commenced legal proceedings against it in a Brazilian court. The proceedings involve severance owed to former employees of Colossus Mineração Ltda., a Brazilian subsidiary company of Colossus Minerals Inc. (an entity with which Sandstorm entered into a Stream). Since these severance claims, estimated to be approximately $8 million, remain outstanding, the claimants are seeking to recoup their claims from Sandstorm. Sandstorm intends on defending itself as it believes the case is without merit.
Sandstorm entered into an agreement to subscribe for shares of Americas Gold in an amount up to $8.3 million in the remainder of 2022, at the option of Americas Gold.
$15 million remains outstanding under the Company’s current revolving credit facility, which expires in October 2025.
23
Share Capital
As of May 11, 2022, the Company had 192,224,215 common shares outstanding. As disclosed previously, the funds from the issuance of share capital have been used to finance the acquisition of Streams and royalties (recent acquisitions are described earlier in greater detail) and pay down debt.
In March 2022 the Company declared a dividend of CAD0.02 per share. The full amount of the dividend of $3.1 million was paid in cash in April 2022.
The Company’s at-the-market equity program expired in May 2022, without any shares being issued under the program.
A summary of the Company’s share purchase options as of May 11, 2022 is as follows:
Year of expiry | Number outstanding | Vested | Exercise price per share (CAD)1 | |||
2022 | 598,332 | 598,332 | 5.50 | |||
2023 | 2,914,999 | 2,914,999 | 5.92 | |||
2024 | 1,427,000 | 951,338 | 8.89 | |||
2025 | 2,812,000 | 937,340 | 9.43 | |||
2026 | 2,968,000 | - | 7.18 | |||
10,720,331 | 5,402,009 | 7.011 |
1 | Weighted average exercise price of options that are exercisable. |
As of May 11, 2022, the Company had 1,938,500 restricted share rights outstanding.
Key Management Compensation
The remuneration of directors and those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling activities of the Company is as follows:
In $000s | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Salaries and benefits | $ | 371 | $ | 343 | ||||
Share-based payments | 1,061 | 1,098 | ||||||
Total key management compensation expense | $ | 1,432 | $ | 1,441 |
Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and other, short-term and long-term investments, loans receivable which are included in other current assets, and trade and other payables. The Company’s short and long-term investments are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently revalued to their fair market value at each period end based on inputs such as equity prices. Investments are acquired for strategic purposes and may be disposed of from time to time. The fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and other, loans receivable which are included in other assets, and trade and other payables, approximate their carrying values at March 31, 2022.
24
Credit Risk
The Company’s credit risk is limited to cash and cash equivalents, loans receivable which are included in other assets, trade and other receivables and the Company’s investments in convertible debentures. The Company’s trade and other receivables are subject to the credit risk of the counterparties who own and operate the mines underlying Sandstorm’s royalty portfolio. In order to mitigate its exposure to credit risk, the Company closely monitors its financial assets and maintains its cash deposits in several high-quality financial institutions. The impact of expected credit losses on trade receivables and financial assets held at amortized cost is not material.
Currency Risk
Financial instruments that impact the Company’s net income (loss) or other comprehensive income (loss) due to currency fluctuations include cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables denominated in Canadian dollars. Based on the Company’s Canadian dollar denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at March 31, 2022, a 10% increase (decrease) of the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the United States dollar would not have a material impact on net income or other comprehensive income.
Other Risks
Sandstorm holds common shares, convertible debentures, warrants and investments of other companies with a combined fair market value as at March 31, 2022 of $30.3 million (December 31, 2021 — $24.1 million). In addition, Sandstorm also holds common shares of Entrée with a fair value as at March 31, 2022 of $44.5 million which are classified as an investment in associate and accounted for using the equity method. The daily exchange traded volume of these shares, including the shares underlying the warrants, may not be sufficient for the Company to liquidate its position in a short period of time without potentially affecting the market value of the shares. The Company is subject to default risk with respect to any debt instruments. The Company is exposed to equity price risk as a result of holding these investments in other mining companies. The Company does not actively trade these investments. Based on the Company’s investments held as at March 31, 2022, a 10% increase (decrease) in the equity prices of these investments would not have a material impact on net income and would increase (decrease) other comprehensive income by $2.8 million.
Other Risks to Sandstorm
The primary risk factors affecting the Company are set forth below. For additional discussion of risk factors, please refer to the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2022, which is available on www.sedar.com.
The Chapada Mine, the Cerro Moro Mine, the Diavik Mine, the Aurizona Mine, the Fruta del Norte Mine, the Relief Canyon Mine, the Santa Elena Mine, the Karma Mine, the Black Fox Mine, the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits, the Mt. Hamilton Project, the Gualcamayo Mine, the Emigrant Springs Mine, the Thunder Creek Mine, MWS, HM Claim, Triangle Zone, the Prairie Creek Project, the Bracemac-McLeod Mine, the Hod Maden Project, the Hackett River Project, the Lobo-Marte Project, Agi Dagi and Kirazli, the Houndé Mine, Vatukoula Mine, the Vale Royalty Package, the Mercedes Mine, the properties underlying the Nomad Acquisition, the properties underlying the BaseCore Transaction and other royalties and commodity streams in Sandstorm’s portfolio are hereafter referred to as the “Mines”.
Risks Relating to Mineral Projects
To the extent that they relate to the production of gold or an applicable commodity from, or the operation of, the Mines, the Company will be subject to the risk factors applicable to the operators of such Mines. Whether the Mines will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including cash costs associated with extraction and processing, the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade, and proximity to infrastructure, as well as metal prices which are highly cyclical and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. The Mines are also subject to other risks that could lead to their shutdown and closure including flooding and weather related events, the failure to receive permits or having existing permits revoked, collapse of mining infrastructure including tailings pond, as well as
25
community or social related issues. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in the Mines becoming uneconomic resulting in their shutdown and closure. The Company is not entitled to purchase gold, other commodities, receive royalties or receive economic benefit from its interest in the Hod Maden Project, if no gold or applicable commodity is produced from the Mines.
No Control Over Mining Operations
With respect to its Streams and royalties, the Company has no contractual rights relating to the operation or development of the Mines. Except for any payments which may be payable in accordance with applicable completion guarantees or cash flow guarantees, the Company will not be entitled to any material compensation if these mining operations do not meet their forecasted gold or other production targets in any specified period or if the Mines shut down or discontinue their operations on a temporary or permanent basis. The Mines may not commence commercial production within the time frames anticipated, if at all, and there can be no assurance that the gold or other production from such properties will ultimately meet forecasts or targets. At any time, any of the operators of the Mines or their successors may decide to suspend or discontinue operations. The Company is subject to the risk that the Mines shut down on a temporary or permanent basis due to issues including, but not limited to economics, lack of financial capital, floods, fire, mechanical malfunctions, social unrest, expropriation, and other risks. There are no guarantees the Mines will achieve commercial production, ramp-up targets, or complete expansion plans. These issues are common in the mining industry and can occur frequently.
Government Regulations
The Mines are subject to various foreign laws and regulations governing prospecting, exploration, development, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, reclamation, historic and cultural resources preservation, mine safety and occupational health, handling, storage and transportation of hazardous substances and other matters. It is possible that the risks of expropriation, cancellation or dispute of licenses could result in substantial costs, losses, and liabilities in the future. The costs of discovering, evaluating, planning, designing, developing, constructing, operating, and closing the Mines in compliance with such laws and regulations are significant. It is possible that the costs and delays associated with compliance of such laws and regulations could become such that the owners or operators of the Mines would not proceed with the development of or continue to operate the Mines. Moreover, it is possible that future regulatory developments, such as increasingly strict environmental protection laws, regulations, and enforcement policies thereunder, and claims for damages to property and persons resulting from the Mines could result in substantial costs and liabilities in the future.
International Operations
The operations with respect to the Company’s gold, other precious metals and other interests are conducted in Canada, Mexico, the United States, Mongolia, Burkina Faso, Ecuador, South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, Cote D’Ivoire, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guyana, Paraguay, French Guiana, Turkey, Sweden, Fiji and Australia and as such, the Mines are exposed to various levels of political, economic and other risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, terrorism, international sanctions, hostage taking, military repression, crime, political instability, currency controls, extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates, high rates of inflation, labour unrest, the risks of war or civil unrest, expropriation and nationalization, renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits, approvals and contracts, illegal mining, changes in taxation policies, restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation, changing political conditions, and governmental regulations. Changes, if any, in mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude may adversely affect the operations or profitability of the Mines in these countries. Operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to, but not limited to, restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, currency remittance, income taxes, expropriation of property, foreign investment, maintenance of claims, environmental legislation, land use, land claims of local people, water use, mine safety and the rewarding of contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction. Any adverse developments with respect to Lidya, its cooperation or in its exploration, development, permitting and operation of the Hod Maden Project in Turkey may adversely affect the Company’s 30% net profits interest in the project. There are no assurances that the Company will be able to successfully convert its 30% interest in the Hod Maden Project into a commodity stream or royalty nor are there any assurances that the Company may be able to maintain its interest in Hod Maden if sanctions are imposed on Turkey or Lidya and its related entities. Any changes or unfavorable assessments with respect to (i) the validity, ownership, or existence of the Entrée concessions; as well as (ii) the validity or enforceability of Entrée’s joint venture agreement with Oyu Tolgoi LLC may adversely affect the Company’s profitability or profits realized under the Entrée Stream and the Entrée investment in associate. The Serra Pelada royalty cash flow or profitability may be adversely impacted if the Cooperative de Mineração dos Garimpeiros de Serra Pelada, which
26
hold a 25% interest in the Serra Pelada Mine, continue to take unfavorable actions. In addition, Colossus Minerals Inc.’s Brazilian subsidiary has payables in excess of $30 million and accordingly, there is a risk that they may be unable to repay their debts, resulting in insolvency and loss of any rights to the Serra Pelada mine. A failure to comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations and local practices relating to mineral right applications and tenure, could result in loss, reduction or expropriation of entitlements, or the imposition of additional local or foreign parties as joint venture partners with carried or other interests. The occurrence of these various factors and uncertainties cannot be accurately predicted and could have an adverse effect on the Mines.
Income Taxes
No assurance can be given that new taxation rules will not be enacted or that existing rules will not be applied in a manner which could result in the Company’s past and future profits being subject to increased levels of income tax. The Company’s prior years’ Canadian tax returns may be audited by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”), and no assurances can be given that tax matters, if they so arise, will be resolved favorably. The CRA completed an audit of Sandstorm Gold Ltd.’s 2009 — June 2015 tax returns and issued a corresponding finalization letter in February 2019. Based on the letter received, there would be no adverse implications for the Company’s financial statements if the Company accepted the CRA’s proposed adjustments. The majority of the Company’s Streams and royalties have been entered into directly by Canadian based subsidiaries and are therefore subject to Canadian tax.
Commodity Prices for Metals Produced from the Mines
The price of the Company’s common shares and the Company’s financial results may be significantly adversely affected by a decline in the price of gold, silver, copper, and/or iron ore (collectively, the “Metals”). The price of the Metals fluctuates widely, especially in recent years, and is affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, including but not limited to, the sale or purchase of the Metals by various central banks and financial institutions, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional supply and demand, and the political and economic conditions of major gold, silver, copper and iron ore producing countries throughout the world.
In the event that the prevailing market price of the Metals are at or below the price at which the Company can purchase such commodities pursuant to the terms of the Stream agreements associated with the metal interests, the Company will not generate positive cash flow or earnings. Declines in market prices could cause an operator to reduce, suspend or terminate production from an operating project or construction work at a development project, which may result in a temporary or permanent reduction or cessation of revenue from those projects, and the Company might not be able to recover the initial investment in Streams and royalties.
Diamond Prices and Demand for Diamonds
The price of the Company’s common shares and the Company’s financial results may be significantly adversely affected by a decline in the price and demand for diamonds. Diamond prices fluctuate and are affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company, including worldwide economic trends, worldwide levels of diamond discovery and production, and the level of demand for, and discretionary spending on, luxury goods such as diamonds. Low or negative growth in the worldwide economy, renewed or additional credit market disruptions, natural disasters or the occurrence of terrorist attacks or similar activities creating disruptions in economic growth could result in decreased demand for luxury goods such as diamonds, thereby negatively affecting the price of diamonds. Similarly, a substantial increase in the worldwide level of diamond production or the release of stocks held back during recent periods of lower demand could also negatively affect the price of diamonds. In each case, such developments could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
Information Systems and Cyber Security
The Company’s information systems, and those of its counterparties under the precious metal purchase agreements and vendors, are vulnerable to an increasing threat of continually evolving cybersecurity risks. Unauthorized parties may attempt to gain access to these systems or the Company’s information through fraud or other means of deceiving the Company’s counterparties.
The Company’s operations depend, in part, on how well the Company and its suppliers, as well as counterparties under the commodity purchase and royalty agreements, protect networks, equipment, information technology systems and software against damage from a
27
number of threats. The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact the Company’s reputation and results of operations.
Although to date the Company has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur such losses in the future. The Company’s risk and exposure to these matters cannot be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access remain an area of attention.
Key Management
The Company is dependent upon the services of a small number of key management personnel who are highly skilled and experienced. The Company’s ability to manage its activities will depend in large part on the efforts of these individuals. The Company faces intense competition for qualified personnel, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract and retain such personnel. The loss of the services of one or more of such key management personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Environmental
All phases of mining and exploration operations are subject to environmental regulation pursuant to a variety of government laws and regulations. Environmental legislation is becoming stricter, with increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and heightened responsibility for companies and their officers, directors, and employees. Continuing issues with tailings dam failures at other companies’ operations may increase the likelihood that these stricter standards and enforcement mechanisms will be implemented in the future. There can be no assurance that possible future changes in environmental regulation will not adversely affect the operations at the Mines, and consequently, the results of Sandstorm’s operations. Failure by the operators of the Mines to comply with these laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. The occurrence of any environmental violation or enforcement action may have an adverse impact on the operations at the Mines, Sandstorm’s reputation and could adversely affect Sandstorm’s results of operations.
Government regulation relating to emission levels (such as carbon taxes) and energy efficiency is becoming more prevalent and stringent. While some of the costs associated with reducing emissions may be offset by increased energy efficiency and technological innovation, Sandstorm expects that increased government regulation will result in increased costs at some operations at the Mines if the current regulatory trend continues. All of Sandstorm’s mining interests are exposed to climate-related risks through the operations at the Mines. Climate change could result in challenging conditions and extreme weather that may adversely affect the operations at the Mines and there can be no assurances that mining operations will be able to predict, respond to, measure, monitor or manage the risks posed as a result of climate change factors.
Solvency Risk of Counterparties
The price of the common shares and the Company’s financial results may be significantly affected by the Mines operators’ ability to continue as a going concern and have access to capital. The lack of access to capital could result in these companies entering bankruptcy proceedings and as a result, Sandstorm may not be able to realize any value from its respective Streams or royalties.
As the Company’s revolving facility is secured against the Company’s assets, to the extent Sandstorm defaults on its debt or related covenants, the lenders may seize on their security interests. The realization of security or default could materially affect the price of the Company’s common shares and financial results.
The Company’s Vale Royalties are publicly traded on Brazil’s National Debenture System. The daily exchange traded volume of the Vale Royalties may not be sufficient for the Company to liquidate its position in a short period of time without potentially affecting their market value.
28
Health Crises and Other
Global markets have been adversely impacted by emerging infectious diseases and/or the threat of outbreaks of viruses, other contagions, or epidemic diseases, including currently, the novel COVID-19. A significant new outbreak or continued outbreaks of COVID-19 could result in a widespread crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn which could adversely affect the Company’s business and the market price of the common shares. Many industries, including the mining industry, have been impacted by these market conditions. If increased levels of volatility continue or in the event of a rapid destabilization of global economic conditions, it may result in a material adverse effect on commodity prices, demand for metals, availability of credit, investor confidence, and general financial market liquidity, all of which may adversely affect the Company’s business and the market price of the Company’s securities. In addition, there may not be an adequate response to emerging infectious diseases, or significant restrictions may be imposed by a government, either of which may impact mining operations. There are potentially significant economic and social impacts, including labour shortages and shutdowns, delays and disruption in supply chains, social unrest, government or regulatory actions or inactions, including quarantines, declaration of national emergencies, permanent changes in taxation or policies, decreased demand or the inability to sell and deliver concentrates and resulting commodities, declines in the price of commodities, delays in permitting or approvals, suspensions or mandated shut downs of operations, governmental disruptions or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. At this time, the Company cannot accurately predict what effects these conditions will have on its operations or financial results, due to uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread, the duration of the outbreak, and the length restrictions or responses that have been or may be imposed by the governments. Given the global nature of the Company’s operations, the Company may not be able to accurately predict which operations will be impacted or if those impacted will resume operations. Any new outbreaks or the continuation of the existing outbreaks or threats of any additional outbreaks of a contagion or epidemic disease could have a material adverse effect on the Company, its business and operational results.
Other
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenditures during the periods presented. Notes 2 and 3 of the Company’s 2021 annual consolidated financial statements describe all of the significant accounting policies as well as the significant judgments and estimates.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that all relevant information is gathered and reported to senior management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, on a timely basis so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding public disclosure. The Company’s system of disclosure controls and procedures includes, but is not limited to, the Disclosure Policy, the Code of Conduct, the Stock Trading Policy, Corporate Governance, the effective functioning of the Audit Committee and procedures in place to systematically identify matters warranting consideration of disclosure by the Audit Committee.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in the rules of the National Instrument 52-109 in Canada and under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in the United States. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes:
29
● | Maintaining records, that in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; |
● | Providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS; |
● | Providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are made in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and |
● | Providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Company assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. |
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements because of inherent limitations. Additionally, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with the Company’s policies and procedures.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in internal controls of the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations of Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, believe that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by unauthorized override of the control. The design of any systems of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
30
Forward Looking Statements
This MD&A and any exhibits attached hereto and incorporated herein, if any, contain “forward-looking statements”, within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and applicable Canadian and other securities legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Sandstorm. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this MD&A and Sandstorm does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information, except as required by law.
Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Sandstorm as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Sandstorm to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions; the properties underlying the Nomad Acquisition, the mines underlying the BaseCore Transaction, the Chapada Mine, the Cerro Moro Mine, the Houndé Mine, the Gualcamayo Mine, the Fruta del Norte Mine, the Santa Elena Mine, the Black Fox Mine, the Aurizona Mine, the Relief Canyon Mine, the Karma Mine, the Emigrant Springs Mine, the Thunder Creek Mine, MWS, HM Claim, Triangle Zone, the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits, the mines underlying the Sandstorm portfolio of royalties, the Diavik Mine, the Mt. Hamilton Project, the Prairie Creek Project, the Hod Maden Project, the Hackett River Project, the Lobo-Marte Project, Agi Dagi and Kirazli, the Vatukoula Mine, the Vale Royalty Package, the Mercedes Mine, or the Bracemac-McLeod Mine; the absence of control over mining operations from which Sandstorm will purchase gold or other commodities, or receive royalties from and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; problems inherent to the marketability of minerals; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of metals, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in interest rates; government entities interpreting existing tax legislation or enacting new tax legislation in a way which adversely affects Sandstorm; the number or aggregate value of common shares which may be purchased under the NCIB; audits being conducted by the CRA and available remedies; the expectation that the various closing conditions of the Hod Maden transaction will be met; the expectation that the Hod Maden transaction with Horizon will close; the expectations regarding whether the proposed Nomad Acquisition and BaseCore Transaction (collectively “The Transactions”) will be consummated, including whether conditions to the consummation of the Transactions will be satisfied, or the timing for completing the Transactions; the expectations regarding the potential benefits and synergies of the Transactions and the ability of Sandstorm post-completion of the Transactions to successfully achieve business objectives, including integrating the companies or assets or the effects of unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; the expectations regarding the growth potential of Sandstorm including in scale and production and the anticipated benefits of the Transactions; the expectations relating to the entering into of definitive agreements related to the Horizon Antamina Agreement and the subsequent spin-out of the Antamina NPI, including the anticipated terms and expected timing thereof; management’s expectations regarding Sandstorm’s growth; stock market volatility; competition; as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risks to Sandstorm” herein and those risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in Sandstorm’s most recent Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021 available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov and incorporated by reference herein.
Forward-looking information in this MD&A includes, among other things, disclosure regarding: the impact of COVID-19 on the business, audits being conducted by the CRA and available remedies, management’s expectations regarding Sandstorm’s growth, Sandstorm’s existing Gold Streams and royalties as well as its future outlook, the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates for each of the Chapada Mine, the Cerro Moro Mine, the Houndé Mine, the Gualcamayo Mine, the Fruta del Norte Mine, the Santa Elena Mine, the Black Fox Mine, the Aurizona Mine, the Relief Canyon Mine, the Karma Mine, the Emigrant Springs Mine, the Thunder Creek Mine, MWS, HM Claim, Triangle Zone, the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits, the mines underlying the Sandstorm portfolio of royalties, the Diavik Mine, the Mt. Hamilton Project, the Prairie Creek Project, the Hod Maden Project, the Hackett River Project, the Lobo-Marte Project, Agi Dagi and Kirazli, the Vatukoula Mine, the Vale Royalty Package, the Mercedes Mine, the properties underlying the Nomad Acquisition, the properties underlying the BaseCore Transaction and the Bracemac-McLeod Mine. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the mining operations from which Sandstorm will purchase gold, other commodities or receive royalties from, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, that the mining operations will operate in accordance with their public statements and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out therein.
31
Although Sandstorm has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
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Q1
|
2022
|
Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(UNAUDITED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2022
33
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position | Expressed in U.S. Dollars ($000s) |
— ASSETS
| Note
| March 31, 2022
| December 31, 2021
| |||||||
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Cash and cash equivalents
| $
| 31,614
|
| $
| 16,166
|
| ||||
Trade and other receivables
|
| 15,240
|
|
| 12,144
|
| ||||
Other current assets
|
| 5,748
|
|
| 5,294
|
| ||||
|
| |||||||||
$
| 52,602
|
| $
| 33,604
|
| |||||
Non-Current
| ||||||||||
Stream, royalty and other interests
| 4
| $
| 464,815
|
| $
| 473,651
|
| |||
Hod Maden and other investments in associates
| 5
|
| 71,248
|
|
| 84,589
|
| |||
Investments
| 6
|
| 30,281
|
|
| 24,056
|
| |||
Other long-term assets
|
| 5,615
|
|
| 4,958
|
| ||||
| ||||||||||
Total assets
| $
| 624,561
|
| $
| 620,858
|
| ||||
| ||||||||||
— LIABILITIES
| ||||||||||
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Trade and other payables
| $
| 7,430
|
| $
| 7,347
|
| ||||
Non-Current
| ||||||||||
Deferred income tax liabilities
| $
| 22,252
|
| $
| 18,294
|
| ||||
Lease liabilities and other
|
| 2,453
|
|
| 2,579
|
| ||||
| ||||||||||
$
| 32,135
|
| $
| 28,220
|
| |||||
| ||||||||||
— EQUITY
| ||||||||||
Share capital
| 7
| $
| 697,727
|
| $
| 694,675
|
| |||
Reserves
|
| 19,525
|
|
| 18,903
|
| ||||
Retained earnings
|
| 41,633
|
|
| 35,569
|
| ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
| (166,459)
|
|
| (156,509)
|
| ||||
|
| |||||||||
$
| 592,426
|
| $
| 592,638
|
| |||||
| ||||||||||
Total liabilities and equity
| $
| 624,561
|
| $
| 620,858
|
| ||||
|
Commitments and contingencies (note 12)
Subsequent events (note 14)
On Behalf of the Board:
“Nolan Watson”, Director “David De Witt”, Director
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
34
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income (Loss) | Expressed in U.S. Dollars ($000s) Except for per share amounts |
Note | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Sales | 13 | $ | 22,015 | $ | 21,584 | |||||
Royalty revenue | 13 | 13,350 | 9,413 | |||||||
|
| |||||||||
$ | 35,365 | $ | 30,997 | |||||||
Cost of sales, excluding depletion | 13 | $ | 5,295 | $ | 5,350 | |||||
Depletion | 13 | 11,111 | 9,922 | |||||||
| ||||||||||
Total cost of sales | $ | 16,406 | $ | 15,272 | ||||||
| ||||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 18,959 | $ | 15,725 | ||||||
Expenses and other (income) | ||||||||||
Administration expenses1 | 9 | $ | 2,497 | $ | 2,381 | |||||
Project evaluation1 | 1,569 | 1,374 | ||||||||
Stream, royalty and other interests impairments | 4 | 665 | 408 | |||||||
(Gain) loss on revaluation of investments | 6 | (174) | 1,794 | |||||||
Finance expense | 628 | 449 | ||||||||
Finance income | (93) | (149) | ||||||||
Foreign exchange loss | 42 | 59 | ||||||||
Other | (42) | 312 | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
Income before taxes | $ | 13,867 | $ | 9,097 | ||||||
Current income tax expense | $ | 887 | $ | 595 | ||||||
Deferred income tax expense | 3,839 | 3,533 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||
8 | $ | 4,726 | $ | 4,128 | ||||||
| ||||||||||
Net income for the period | $ | 9,141 | $ | 4,969 | ||||||
| ||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.03 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.03 | ||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||||
Basic | 7 (d) | 191,914,859 | 194,968,650 | |||||||
Diluted | 7 (d) | �� 194,837,916 | 198,730,318 | |||||||
1. Equity settled share-based compensation (a non-cash item) is included in administration expenses and project evaluation | $ | 1,497 | $ | 1,507 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
35
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Expressed in U.S. Dollars ($000s) |
Note | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Net income for the period | $ | 9,141 | $ | 4,969 | ||||||
Other Comprehensive Loss for the Period | ||||||||||
Items that may subsequently be reclassified to net income: | ||||||||||
Currency translation differences | $ | (13,756) | $ | (11,321) | ||||||
Items that will not subsequently be reclassified to net income: | ||||||||||
Gain (loss) on FVTOCI investments | 6 | 3,991 | (6,436) | |||||||
Tax (expense) recovery on FVTOCI investments | (185) | 1,086 | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
Total other comprehensive loss for the period | $ | (9,950) | $ | (16,671) | ||||||
| ||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss for the period | $ | (809) | $ | (11,702) | ||||||
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
36
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flow | Expressed in U.S. Dollars ($000s) |
Cash flow from (used in): | Note | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||
— OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||
Net income for the period | $ | 9,141 | $ | 4,969 | ||||||
Items not affecting cash: | ||||||||||
Depletion and depreciation | $ | 11,225 | $ | 10,043 | ||||||
Deferred income tax expense | 3,839 | 3,533 | ||||||||
Share-based payments | 1,497 | 1,507 | ||||||||
(Gain) loss on revaluation of investments | (174) | 1,794 | ||||||||
Stream, royalty and other interests impairments | 4 | 665 | 408 | |||||||
Interest expense and financing amortization | 603 | 442 | ||||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange loss | 42 | 59 | ||||||||
Other | (98) | 225 | ||||||||
Changes in non-cash working capital | 10 | (4,378) | 742 | |||||||
|
| |||||||||
$ | 22,362 | $ | 23,722 | |||||||
— INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||
Acquisition of stream, royalty, and other interests | 4 | $ | (3,112) | $ | - | |||||
Proceeds from disposal of investments and other | 1,866 | 12,523 | ||||||||
Acquisition of investments and other assets | (3,326) | (1,844) | ||||||||
Investment in Hod Maden interest | 5 | (795) | (78) | |||||||
|
| |||||||||
$ | (5,367) | $ | 10,601 | |||||||
— FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||
Dividends paid | $ | (3,041) | $ | - | ||||||
Redemption of common shares (normal course issuer bid) | - | (5,039) | ||||||||
Interest paid | (395) | (269) | ||||||||
Proceeds on exercise of warrants, options and other | 1,941 | (192) | ||||||||
|
| |||||||||
$ | (1,495) | $ | (5,500) | |||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | $ | (52) | $ | (59) | ||||||
| ||||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 15,448 | $ | 28,764 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of the period | 16,166 | 113,776 | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents — end of the period | $ | 31,614 | $ | 142,540 | ||||||
|
Supplemental cash flow information (note 10)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
37
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Equity | Expressed in U.S. Dollars ($000s) |
SHARE CAPITAL
|
RESERVES
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note | Number | Amount | Share Options Share Rights | Retained (Deficit) | Accumulated Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
At January 1, 2021
|
|
| 195,253,243
|
| $
| 719,730
|
| $
| 18,902
|
| $
| 10,951
|
| $
| (111,441)
|
| $
| 638,142
|
| |||||||
Vesting of restricted share rights
|
|
| 47,333
|
|
| 215
|
|
| (215)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
| |||||||
Acquisition and cancellation of common shares (normal course issuer bid)
|
|
| (800,366)
|
|
| (5,039)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| (5,039)
|
| |||||||
Share-based payments
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,507
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,507
|
| ||||||||
Share issuance costs
|
| -
|
|
| (42)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| (42)
|
| ||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss)
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 4,969
|
|
| (16,671)
|
|
| (11,702)
|
| ||||||||
At March 31, 2021
|
| 194,500,210
|
| $
| 714,864
|
| $
| 20,194
|
| $
| 15,920
|
| $
| (128,112)
|
| $
| 622,866
|
| ||||||||
Options exercised
| 7 (b)
|
| 855,761
|
|
| 4,386
|
|
| (1,046)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 3,340
|
| |||||||
Vesting of restricted share rights
|
| 948,532
|
|
| 4,740
|
|
| (4,740)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
| ||||||||
Acquisition and cancellation of common shares (normal course issuer bid)
|
| (4,651,049)
|
|
| (29,134)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| (29,134)
|
| ||||||||
Share-based payments
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 4,495
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 4,495
|
| ||||||||
Share issuance costs
|
| -
|
|
| (181)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| (181)
|
| ||||||||
Dividends declared
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| (3,004)
|
|
| -
|
|
| (3,004)
|
| ||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss)
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 22,653
|
|
| (28,397)
|
|
| (5,744)
|
| ||||||||
At December 31, 2021
|
| 191,653,454
|
| $
| 694,675
|
| $
| 18,903
|
| $
| 35,569
|
| $
| (156,509)
|
| $
| 592,638
|
| ||||||||
Options exercised
| 7 (b) |
| 516,761
|
|
| 2,778
|
|
| (555)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 2,223
|
| |||||||
Vesting of restricted share rights
|
| 54,000
|
|
| 320
|
|
| (320)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
| ||||||||
Share-based payments
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,497
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 1,497
|
| ||||||||
Share issuance costs
|
| -
|
|
| (46)
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| (46)
|
| ||||||||
Dividends declared
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| (3,077)
|
|
| -
|
|
| (3,077)
|
| ||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| -
|
|
| 9,141
|
|
| (9,950)
|
|
| (809)
|
| ||||||||
At March 31, 2022
|
| 192,224,215
|
| $
| 697,727
|
| $
| 19,525
|
| $
| 41,633
|
| $
| (166,459)
|
| $
| 592,426
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
38
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
MARCH 31, 2022 | EXPRESSED IN U.S. DOLLARS
1 – Nature of Operations
Sandstorm Gold Ltd. was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act of British Columbia on March 23, 2007. Sandstorm Gold Ltd. and its subsidiary entities (collectively “Sandstorm”, “Sandstorm Gold” or the “Company”) is a resource-based company that seeks to acquire gold and other metals purchase agreements (“Gold Streams” or “Streams”) and royalties from companies that have advanced stage development projects or operating mines. In return for making an upfront payment to acquire a Stream or royalty, Sandstorm receives the right to purchase, at a fixed price per unit or at a fixed percentage of the spot price, a percentage of a mine’s production for the life of the mine (in the case of a Stream) or a portion of the revenue generated from the mine (in the case of a royalty).
The head office, principal address and registered office of the Company are located at Suite 1400, 400 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3A6.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors of the Company on May 11, 2022.
2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A. Statement of Compliance
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements, including comparatives, have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”), as applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements including International Accounting Standard 34 – Interim Financial Reporting. Accordingly, certain disclosures included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The accounting policies applied in the preparation of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are consistent with those applied and disclosed in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company’s interim results are not necessarily indicative of its results for a full year.
B. Basis of Presentation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis except for certain financial instruments, which are measured at fair value.
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements are presented in United States dollars, and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand except as otherwise indicated.
39
3 – Financial Instruments
A. Fair Value Estimation
The fair value hierarchy establishes three levels to classify the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. As required by IFRS 13, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1 | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Investments in common shares and warrants held that have direct listings on an exchange are classified as Level 1.
Level 2 | Quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Investments in warrants and convertible debt instruments held that are not listed on an exchange are classified as Level 2. The fair value of warrants, convertible debt instruments and related instruments are determined using a Black-Scholes model based on relevant assumptions including risk free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected volatility and expected warrant life which are supported by observable current market conditions. The use of reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not significantly impact the Company’s results.
Level 3 | Inputs that are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
As at March 31, 2022: | ||||||||||||||||
In $000s | Total | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
Investments | ||||||||||||||||
Common shares held | $ | 27,537 | $ | 27,537 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
Warrants and other | 1,804 | - | 1,804 | - | ||||||||||||
Convertible debt | 940 | - | 940 | - | ||||||||||||
$ | 30,281 | $ | 27,537 | $ | 2,744 | $ | - |
As at December 31, 2021: | ||||||||||||||||
In $000s | Total | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
Investments | ||||||||||||||||
Common shares held | $ | 21,486 | $ | 21,486 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
Warrants and other | 1,666 | - | 1,666 | - | ||||||||||||
Convertible debt | 904 | - | 904 | - | ||||||||||||
$ | 24,056 | $ | 21,486 | $ | 2,570 | $ | - |
The fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, loans receivable which are included in other current assets, and trade and other payables, approximate their carrying values at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 due to their short-term nature. There were no transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy during the period ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021.
40
B. | Credit Risk |
The Company’s credit risk is limited to cash and cash equivalents, loans receivable which are included in other assets, trade and other receivables, and the Company’s investments in convertible debentures. The Company’s trade and other receivables are subject to the credit risk of the counterparties who own and operate the mines underlying Sandstorm’s royalty portfolio. In order to mitigate its exposure to credit risk, the Company closely monitors its financial assets and maintains its cash deposits in several high-quality financial institutions. The impact of expected credit losses on trade receivables and financial assets held at amortized cost is not material.
C. | Currency Risk |
Financial instruments that impact the Company’s net income or other comprehensive income due to currency fluctuations include: cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables denominated in Canadian dollars. Based on the Company’s Canadian dollar denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at March 31, 2022 a 10% increase (decrease) of the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the United States dollar would not have a material impact on net income or other comprehensive income.
D. | Liquidity Risk |
The Company has in place a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company’s normal operating requirements on an ongoing basis. In managing liquidity risk, the Company takes into account the amount available under the Company’s revolving credit facility, anticipated cash flows from operating activities and its holding of cash and cash equivalents. As at March 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $31.6 million (December 31, 2021 — $16.2 million). Sandstorm holds common shares, convertible debentures, and warrants and other of other companies with a combined fair market value as at March 31, 2022 of $30.3 million (December 31, 2021 — $24.1 million). In addition, Sandstorm also holds common shares of Entrée Resources Ltd. with a fair value of $44.5 million at March 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021 — $31.7 million) which are classified as an investment in associate and accounted for using the equity method. The daily exchange traded volume of these shares, including the shares underlying the warrants, may not be sufficient for the Company to liquidate its position in a short period of time without potentially affecting the market value of the shares.
E. | Other Price Risk |
The Company is exposed to equity price risk as a result of holding investments in other mining companies. The Company does not actively trade these investments. The equity prices of long-term investments are impacted by various underlying factors including commodity prices, the volatility in global markets as a result of COVID-19 and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Based on the Company’s investments held as at March 31, 2022, a 10% increase (decrease) in the equity prices of these investments would increase (decrease) other comprehensive income by $2.8 million and would not have a material impact on net income.
41
4 – Stream, Royalty and Other Interests
A. Carrying Amount
As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022:
COST | ACCUMULATED DEPLETION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In $000s | Opening | Net Additions (Disposals) | Ending | Opening | Depletion | Depletion in Ending Inventory | Impairment | Ending | Carrying Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aurizona, Brazil | $ | 11,091 | $ | - | $ | 11,091 | $ | 2,867 | $ | 97 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 2,964 | $ | 8,127 | ||||||||||||||||||
Black Fox, Canada | 37,818 | - | 37,818 | 32,314 | 527 | - | - | 32,841 | 4,977 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bracemac-McLeod, Canada | 21,495 | - | 21,495 | 21,129 | 196 | - | - | 21,325 | 170 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chapada, Brazil | 69,554 | - | 69,554 | 19,845 | 1,082 | - | - | 20,927 | 48,627 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diavik, Canada | 53,134 | - | 53,134 | 46,592 | 741 | - | - | 47,333 | 5,801 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fruta del Norte, Ecuador | 33,268 | - | 33,268 | 3,594 | 620 | - | - | 4,214 | 29,054 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hod Maden, Turkey | 5,818 | - | 5,818 | - | - | - | - | - | 5,818 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Houndé, Burkina Faso | 45,120 | - | 45,120 | 13,941 | 451 | - | - | 14,392 | 30,728 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hugo North Extension and Heruga, Mongolia | 35,352 | - | 35,352 | - | - | - | - | - | 35,352 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Karma, Burkina Faso | 26,289 | - | 26,289 | 19,026 | 284 | - | - | 19,310 | 6,979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relief Canyon, United States | 26,441 | - | 26,441 | 7,531 | 1,371 | - | - | 8,902 | 17,539 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Santa Elena, Mexico | 23,354 | 3 | 23,357 | 22,202 | 2 | 33 | - | 22,237 | 1,120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vale Royalties, Brazil | 117,787 | - | 117,787 | 1,444 | 725 | - | - | 2,169 | 115,618 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vatukoula, Fiji | 27,590 | 3,062 | 30,652 | - | 1,006 | - | - | 1,006 | 29,646 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yamana silver stream, Argentina | 74,252 | - | 74,252 | 36,298 | 3,562 | - | - | 39,860 | 34,392 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other1 | 265,320 | 49 | 265,369 | 173,249 | 447 | 141 | 665 | 174,502 | 90,867 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total2 | $ | 873,683 | $ | 3,114 | $ | 876,797 | $ | 400,032 | $ | 11,111 | $ | 174 | $ | 665 | $ | 411,982 | $ | 464,815 |
1 | Includes Mt. Hamilton, Prairie Creek, Gualcamayo, Emigrant Springs, Mine Waste Solutions, Thunder Creek, Hackett River, Lobo-Marte, Agi Dagi & Kirazli, HM Claim, Ming, and others. |
2 | Stream, Royalty and Other Interests includes non-depletable assets of $52.2 million and depletable assets of $412.6 million. |
42
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2021:
COST | ACCUMULATED DEPLETION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In $000s | Opening | Net Additions | Ending | Opening | Depletion1 | Impairment | Ending | Carrying Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aurizona, Brazil | $ | 11,091 | $ | - | $ | 11,091 | $ | 2,052 | $ | 815 | $ | - | $ | 2,867 | $ | 8,224 | ||||||||||||||||
Black Fox, Canada | 37,817 | 1 | 37,818 | 30,426 | 1,888 | - | 32,314 | 5,504 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bracemac-McLeod, Canada | 21,495 | - | 21,495 | 19,584 | 1,545 | - | 21,129 | 366 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chapada, Brazil | 69,554 | - | 69,554 | 16,882 | 2,963 | - | 19,845 | 49,709 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diavik, Canada | 53,134 | - | 53,134 | 43,220 | 3,372 | - | 46,592 | 6,542 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fruta del Norte, Ecuador | 33,267 | 1 | 33,268 | 1,290 | 2,304 | - | 3,594 | 29,674 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hod Maden, Turkey | 5,818 | - | 5,818 | - | - | - | - | 5,818 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Houndé, Burkina Faso | 45,120 | - | 45,120 | 12,331 | 1,610 | - | 13,941 | 31,179 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hugo North Extension and Heruga, Mongolia | 35,352 | - | 35,352 | - | - | - | - | 35,352 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Karma, Burkina Faso | 26,289 | - | 26,289 | 17,440 | 1,586 | - | 19,026 | 7,263 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relief Canyon, United States | 26,441 | - | 26,441 | 2,907 | 4,624 | - | 7,531 | 18,910 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Santa Elena, Mexico | 23,354 | - | 23,354 | 21,932 | 270 | - | 22,202 | 1,152 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vale Royalties, Brazil | - | 117,787 | 117,787 | - | 1,444 | - | 1,444 | 116,343 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vatukoula, Fiji | - | 27,590 | 27,590 | - | - | - | - | 27,590 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yamana silver stream, Argentina | 74,252 | - | 74,252 | 25,883 | 10,415 | - | 36,298 | 37,954 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other2 | 257,994 | 7,326 | 265,320 | 170,419 | 2,422 | 408 | 173,249 | 92,071 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total3 | $ | 720,978 | $ | 152,705 | $ | 873,683 | $ | 364,366 | $ | 35,258 | $ | 408 | $ | 400,032 | $ | 473,651 |
1 | Depletion during the year ended December 31, 2021 in the Consolidated Statements of Income (loss) of $35.7 million is comprised of depletion expense for the year of $35.3 million, and $0.4 million from depletion in ending inventory as at December 31, 2020. |
2 | Includes Mt. Hamilton, Prairie Creek, Gualcamayo, Emigrant Springs, Mine Waste Solutions, Thunder Creek, Hackett River, Lobo-Marte, Agi Dagi & Kirazli, HM Claim, Ming, and others. |
3 | Stream, Royalty and Other Interests includes non-depletable assets of $53.9 million and depletable assets of $419.8 million. |
B. Significant Acquisitions
MERCEDES GOLD STREAM
In April 2022, the Company closed its previously announced $60 million financing package with Bear Creek Mining Corporation (“Bear Creek”) to facilitate Bear Creek’s acquisition of the producing Mercedes gold-silver mine in Sonora, Mexico (“Mercedes” or the “Mercedes Mine”) from Equinox. The financing package included a $37.5 million Gold Stream on the Mercedes Mine and a $22.5 million convertible debenture.
Under the terms of the Gold Stream, beginning in April 2022, Sandstorm agreed to purchase 25,200 ounces of gold over a 3.5 year period (the “Fixed Delivery Term”) and thereafter 4.4% of the gold produced from Mercedes Mine. During the Fixed Delivery Term, Sandstorm will make ongoing per ounce cash payment equal to 7.5% of the spot price of the gold. After the receipt of the fixed deliveries, the ongoing per ounce cash payment will increase to 25% of the spot price of the gold.
The $22.5 million convertible debenture bears an interest rate of 6% per annum and has a term of three years.
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5 – Hod Maden and Other Investments in Associates
The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s investments in associates:
In $000s | Hod Maden Interest | Entrée Resources Ltd. | Total Investments in Associates | |||||||||
At December 31, 2021 | $ | 63,313 | $ | 21,276 | $ | 84,589 | ||||||
Capital investment | 795 | - | 795 | |||||||||
Company’s share of net loss of associate | (66) | (392) | (458) | |||||||||
Currency translation adjustments | (13,622) | (56) | (13,678) | |||||||||
At March 31, 2022 | $ | 50,420 | $ | 20,828 | $ | 71,248 |
In February 2022, the Company announced that it had signed a letter of intent with Royalty North Partners Ltd. (“Horizon Copper” or “Horizon”) to sell its 30% interest in Hod Maden and its equity interest in Entrée. In consideration, Sandstorm will receive a Gold Stream on Hod Maden and a portion of debt and equity in the resulting issuer. The transaction is subject to various closing conditions and is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
6 – Investments
As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022:
In $000s | Jan. 1, 2022 | Additions | Disposals | Fair Value Adjustment | Mar. 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Common shares1 | $ | 21,486 | $ | 3,324 | $ | (1,264) | $ | 3,991 | $ | 27,537 | ||||||||||
Warrants and other2 | 1,666 | - | - | 138 | 1,804 | |||||||||||||||
Convertible debt instruments2 | 904 | - | - | 36 | 940 | |||||||||||||||
Total investments | $ | 24,056 | $ | 3,324 | $ | (1,264) | $ | 4,165 | $ | 30,281 |
1 | Fair value adjustment recorded within Other Comprehensive Income (loss) for the period. |
2 | Fair value adjustment recorded within Net Income (loss) for the period. |
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As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
In $000s | Jan. 1, 2021 | Additions | Disposals | Fair Value Adjustment | Mar. 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Short-term investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt instruments1 | $ | 1,852 | $ | - | $ | (1,285) | $ | (240) | $ | 327 | ||||||||||
Total short-term investments | $ | 1,852 | $ | - | $ | (1,285) | $ | (240) | $ | 327 | ||||||||||
Non-current investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common shares2 | $ | 28,416 | $ | 13,703 | $ | (12,373) | $ | (6,436) | $ | 23,310 | ||||||||||
Warrants and other1 | 1,143 | - | (24) | 658 | 1,777 | |||||||||||||||
Convertible debt instruments1 | 15,525 | - | (12,472) | (2,212) | 841 | |||||||||||||||
Total non-current investments | $ | 45,084 | $ | 13,703 | $ | (24,869) | $ | (7,990) | $ | 25,928 | ||||||||||
Total investments | $ | 46,936 | $ | 13,703 | $ | (26,154) | $ | (8,230) | $ | 26,255 |
1 | Fair value adjustment recorded within Net Income (loss) for the period. |
2 | Fair value adjustment recorded within Other Comprehensive Income (loss) for the period. |
7 – Share Capital and Reserves
A. Authorized Share Capital
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value.
Under the Company’s normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”), the Company is able, until April 6, 2023, to purchase up to 18.9 million common shares. The NCIB provides the Company with the option to purchase its common shares from time to time.
The Company’s at-the-market equity program expired in May 2022, without any shares being issued under the program.
The Company declared a dividend of CAD0.02 per share on March 31, 2022. The full amount of the dividend was recorded as a payable and included within trade and other payables as at March 31, 2022.
B. Stock Options of the Company
The Company has an incentive stock option plan (the “Option Plan”) whereby the Company may grant share options to eligible employees, officers, directors and consultants at an exercise price, expiry date, and vesting conditions to be determined by the Board of Directors. The maximum expiry date is five years from the grant date. All options are equity settled. The Option Plan permits the issuance of options which, together with the Company’s other share compensation arrangements, may not exceed 8.5% of the Company’s issued common shares as at the date of the grant.
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A summary of the Company’s options and the changes for the period is as follows:
Number of options | Weighted average exercise price per share (CAD)1 | |||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020 | 9,127,103 | 7.33 | ||||||
Granted | 2,968,000 | 7.18 | ||||||
Exercised | (855,761) | (4.96) | ||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2021 | 11,239,342 | 7.47 | ||||||
Exercised | (516,761) | (5.43) | ||||||
Expired | (2,250) | (15.00) | ||||||
Options outstanding at March 31, 2022 | 10,720,331 | 7.56 |
1 | For options which were exercisable in British Pounds Sterling, the exercise price was translated to Canadian Dollars (“CAD”) using the period end exchange rate. |
The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options as at March 31, 2022 was 3.12 years (year ended December 31, 2021 — 3.26 years). The weighted average share price, at the time of exercise, for those shares that were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was CAD8.51 per share (year ended December 31, 2021 — CAD7.74).
A summary of the Company’s options as of March 31, 2022 is as follows:
Year of expiry | Number outstanding | Vested | Exercise price per share (CAD) | |||
2022 | 598,332 | 598,332 | 5.50 | |||
2023 | 2,914,999 | 2,914,999 | 5.92 | |||
2024 | 1,427,000 | 951,338 | 8.89 | |||
2025 | 2,812,000 | 937,340 | 9.43 | |||
2026 | 2,968,000 | - | 7.18 | |||
10,720,331 | 5,402,009 | 7.011 |
1 | Weighted average exercise price of options that are exercisable. |
C. Restricted Share Rights
The Company has a restricted share plan (the “Restricted Share Plan”) whereby the Company may grant restricted share rights (“RSRs”) to eligible employees, officers, directors and consultants at an expiry date to be determined by the Board of Directors. Each restricted share right entitles the holder to receive a common share of the Company without any further consideration. The Restricted Share Plan permits the issuance of up to a maximum of 4,500,000 restricted share rights.
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had 1,938,500 RSRs outstanding.
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D. | Diluted Earnings Per Share |
Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the following:
In $000s (except for shares and per share amounts) | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Net income for the period | $ | 9,141 | $ | 4,969 | ||||
| ||||||||
Basic weighted average number of shares | 191,914,859 | 194,968,650 | ||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.03 | ||||
| ||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities | ||||||||
Stock options | 1,321,560 | 1,594,770 | ||||||
Restricted share rights | 1,601,497 | 2,166,898 | ||||||
Diluted weighted average number of common shares | 194,837,916 | 198,730,318 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.03 |
The following table lists the number of potentially dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices exceeded the average market value of the common shares of CAD8.73 during the three months ended March 31, 2022 (March 31, 2021 — CAD8.49).
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||
Stock options | 4,241,200 | 4,241,250 |
8 – Income Taxes
The income tax expense differs from the amount that would result from applying the federal and provincial income tax rate to the net income before income taxes.
These differences result from the following items:
In $000s | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 13,867 | $ | 9,097 | ||||
Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates | 27% | 27% | ||||||
Income tax expense based on the above rates | $ | 3,744 | $ | 2,456 | ||||
| ||||||||
Increase (decrease) due to: | ||||||||
Non-deductible expenses and permanent differences | $ | 405 | $ | 407 | ||||
Non-taxable portion of capital gain or loss | 29 | 288 | ||||||
Withholding taxes | 768 | 337 | ||||||
Change in unrecognized temporary differences and other | (220) | 640 | ||||||
Income tax expense | $ | 4,726 | $ | 4,128 |
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9 – Administration Expenses
The administration expenses for the Company are as follows:
In $000s | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Corporate administration | $ | 723 | $ | 788 | ||||
Employee benefits and salaries | 682 | 532 | ||||||
Professional fees | 295 | 260 | ||||||
Administration expenses before share-based compensation | $ | 1,700 | $ | 1,580 | ||||
Equity settled share-based compensation (a non-cash expense) | 797 | 801 | ||||||
Total administration expenses | $ | 2,497 | $ | 2,381 |
10 – Supplemental Cash Flow Information
In $000s | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Change in non-cash working capital: | ||||||||
Trade receivables and other | $ | (3,388) | $ | (625) | ||||
Trade and other payables | (990) | 1,367 | ||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash | $ | (4,378) | $ | 742 | ||||
| ||||||||
Common shares received on conversion of convertible debentures | $ | - | $ | 13,606 |
11 – Key Management Compensation
The remuneration of directors and those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling activities of the Company are as follows:
In $000s | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||
Salaries and benefits | $ | 371 | $ | 343 | ||||
Share-based payments | 1,061 | 1,098 | ||||||
Total key management compensation expense | $ | 1,432 | $ | 1,441 |
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12 – Commitments and Contingencies
In connection with its Streams, the Company has committed to purchase the following:
Stream | % of Life of Mine Gold or Relevant Commodity5,6,7,8,9,10 | Per Ounce Cash Payment: lesser of amount below and the then prevailing market price of commodity (unless otherwise noted)1,2,3,4 | ||
Black Fox | 8% | $577 | ||
Chapada | 4.2% | 30% of copper spot price | ||
Entrée | 5.62% on Hugo North Extension and 4.26% on Heruga | $220 | ||
Karma | 1.625% | 20% of gold spot price | ||
Relief Canyon | 32,022 ounces over 5.5 years and 4% thereafter | Varies | ||
Santa Elena | 20% | $468 | ||
Vatukoula | 25,920 ounces over 5.5 years and 2.9% thereafter | 20% of gold spot price | ||
Yamana silver stream | 20% | 30% of silver spot price |
1 | Subject to an annual inflationary adjustment. |
2 | For the Relief Canyon stream, after receipt of 32,022 gold ounces (the cost of which is nil), the Company is entitled to purchase 4.0% of the gold and silver produced from the Relief Canyon Project for ongoing per ounce cash payments equal to 30%–65% of the spot price of gold or silver, with the range dependent on the concession’s existing royalty obligations. |
3 | For the Entrée Gold Stream, after approximately 8.6 million ounces of gold have been produced from the joint venture property, the price increases to $500 per gold ounce. |
4 | For the Entrée silver stream, percentage of life of mine is 5.62% on Hugo North Extension and 4.26% on Heruga which the Company can purchase for the lesser of the prevailing market price and $5 per ounce of silver until 40.3 million ounces of silver have been produced from the entire joint venture property. Thereafter, the purchase price will increase to the lesser of the prevailing market price and $10 per ounce of silver. |
5 | For the Entrée Gold and silver stream, percentage of life of mine is 5.62% on Hugo North Extension and 4.26% on Heruga if the minerals produced are contained below 560 metres in depth. |
6 | For the Entrée Gold and silver stream, percentage of life of mine is 8.43% on Hugo North Extension and 6.39% on Heruga if the minerals produced are contained above 560 metres in depth. |
7 | For the Entrée copper stream, the Company has committed to purchase an amount equal to 0.42% of the copper produced from the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits. If the minerals produced are contained above 560 metres in depth, then the commitment increases to 0.62% for both the Hugo North Extension and Heruga deposits. Sandstorm will make ongoing per pound cash payments equal to the lesser of $0.50 and the then prevailing market price of copper, until 9.1 billion pounds of copper have been produced from the entire joint venture property. Thereafter, the ongoing per pound payments will increase to the lesser of $1.10 and the then prevailing market price of copper. |
8 | For the Chapada copper stream, the Company has committed to purchase an amount equal to 4.2% of the copper produced (up to an annual maximum of 3.9 million pounds of copper) until the mine has delivered 39 million pounds of copper to Sandstorm; then 3.0% of the copper produced until, on a cumulative basis, the mine has delivered 50 million pounds of copper to Sandstorm; then 1.5% of the copper produced thereafter, for the life of the mine. |
9 | Under the terms of the Yamana silver stream, Sandstorm has agreed to purchase an amount of silver from Cerro Moro equal to 20% of the silver produced (up to an annual maximum of 1.2 million ounces of silver), until Yamana has delivered to Sandstorm 7.0 million ounces of silver; then 9.0% of the silver produced thereafter. |
10 | Under the terms of the Vatukoula stream, after receipt of 25,920 gold ounces (the cost of which is 20% of the spot price), the Company is entitled to purchase 2.9% for the first 100,000 ounces of gold produced in a calendar year, and 2.55% for the volume of production above 100,000 ounces. |
As previously disclosed, Sandstorm became aware that a third party commenced legal proceedings against it in a Brazilian court. The proceedings involve severance owed to former employees of Colossus Mineração Ltda., a Brazilian subsidiary company of Colossus Minerals Inc. (an entity with which Sandstorm entered into a Stream). Since these severance claims, estimated to be approximately $8 million, remain outstanding, the claimants are seeking to recoup their claims from Sandstorm. Sandstorm intends on defending itself as it believes the case is without merit.
Sandstorm entered into an agreement to subscribe for shares of Americas Gold in an amount up to $8.3 million in the remainder of 2022, at the option of Americas Gold.
In April 2022, the Company closed its previously announced $60 million financing package with Bear Creek Mining to facilitate its acquisition of the producing Mercedes gold-silver mine in Mexico from Equinox Gold Corp. The transaction is further discussed in note 4 (b).
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13 – Segmented Information
The Company’s reportable operating segments, which are components of the Company’s business where separate financial information is available and which are evaluated on a regular basis by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the Company’s chief operating decision maker, for the purpose of assessing performance, are summarized in the tables below:
For the three months ended March 31, 2022:
In $000s | Product | Sales | Royalty revenue | Cost of sales excluding depletion | Depletion | Stream, royalty and other interests impairments and Other | Income (loss) before taxes | Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aurizona, Brazil | Gold | $ | - | $ | 1,869 | $ | - | $ | 97 | $ | - | �� | $ | 1,772 | $ | 2,969 | ||||||||||||||||
Black Fox, Canada | Gold | 1,207 | - | 368 | 527 | - | 312 | 838 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bracemac-McLeod, Canada1 | Various | - | 1,341 | - | 196 | - | 1,145 | 1,259 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chapada, Brazil | Copper | 6,126 | - | 1,839 | 1,082 | - | 3,205 | 4,287 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diavik, Canada | Diamonds | - | 2,895 | - | 741 | - | 2,154 | 2,645 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fruta del Norte, Ecuador | Gold | - | 1,662 | - | 620 | - | 1,042 | 1,113 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Houndé, Burkina Faso | Gold | - | 1,239 | - | 451 | - | 788 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Karma, Burkina Faso | Gold | 630 | - | 125 | 284 | - | 221 | 505 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relief Canyon, United States | Gold | 3,090 | - | - | 1,371 | - | 1,719 | 3,090 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Santa Elena, Mexico | Gold | 80 | - | 20 | 2 | - | 58 | (270 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Vale Royalties, Brazil | Iron Ore | - | 3,028 | - | 725 | - | 2,303 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vatukoula, Fiji | Gold | 1,958 | - | 389 | 1,006 | - | 563 | 1,570 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yamana silver stream, Argentina | Silver | 8,541 | - | 2,554 | 3,562 | - | 2,425 | 5,987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other2 | Various | 383 | 1,316 | - | 447 | 165 | 1,087 | 1,835 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Segments | �� | $ | 22,015 | $ | 13,350 | $ | 5,295 | $ | 11,111 | $ | 165 | $ | 18,794 | $ | 25,828 | |||||||||||||||||
Corporate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Administration & Project evaluation expenses | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (4,066 | ) | $ | (2,453 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss | - | - | - | - | - | (42 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on revaluation of investments | - | - | - | - | - | 174 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance (expense) income, net | - | - | - | - | - | (535 | ) | (48 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | - | - | - | - | 458 | (458 | ) | (965 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Corporate | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 458 | $ | (4,927 | ) | $ | (3,466 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | $ | 22,015 | $ | 13,350 | $ | 5,295 | $ | 11,111 | $ | 623 | $ | 13,867 | $ | 22,362 |
1 | Royalty revenue from Bracemac-McLeod consists of $0.5 million from copper and $0.8 million from zinc. |
2 | Where a stream and royalty interest represents less than 10% of the Company’s sales, gross margin or aggregate asset book value and represents an interest on gold, silver or other metal, the interest has been summarized under Other. Other includes revenue from Gualcamayo, Emigrant Springs, Mine Waste Solutions, Thunder Creek, HM Claim, Triangle Zone, Ming and others. Includes revenue from interests located in Canada of $0.8 million, Mexico of $0.4 million, Argentina of $0.3 million and other of $0.2 million. Includes revenue from gold of $1.6 million and other base metals of $0.1 million. |
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For the three months ended March 31, 2021:
In $000s | Product | Sales | Royalty revenue | Cost of sales excluding | Depletion | Stream, royalty and other interests impairments | Income (loss) before taxes | Cash flows from operating | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aurizona, Brazil | Gold | $ | - | $ | 2,831 | $ | - | $ | 267 | $ | - | $ | 2,564 | $ | 2,831 | |||||||||||||||||
Black Fox, Canada | Gold | 1,125 | - | 355 | 514 | - | 256 | 770 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bracemac-McLeod, Canada1 | Various | - | 1,739 | - | 408 | - | 1,331 | 1,199 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chapada, Brazil | Copper | 4,600 | - | 1,382 | 959 | - | 2,259 | 3,218 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diavik, Canada | Diamonds | - | 1,125 | - | 800 | - | 325 | 1,125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fruta del Norte, Ecuador | Gold | - | 1,556 | - | 550 | - | 1,006 | 1,144 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Houndé, Burkina Faso | Gold | - | 731 | - | 341 | - | 390 | 2,120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Karma, Burkina Faso | Gold | 2,238 | - | 458 | 1,063 | - | 717 | 1,780 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relief Canyon, United States | Gold | 1,954 | - | - | 818 | - | 1,136 | 1,954 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Santa Elena, Mexico | Gold | 2,404 | - | 636 | 71 | - | 1,697 | 1,847 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yamana silver stream, Argentina | Silver | 8,406 | - | 2,519 | 3,411 | - | 2,476 | 5,886 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other2 | Various | 857 | 1,431 | - | 720 | 408 | 1,160 | 2,188 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Segments | $ | 21,584 | $ | 9,413 | $ | 5,350 | $ | 9,922 | $ | 408 | $ | 15,317 | $ | 26,062 | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Administration & Project evaluation expenses | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (3,755) | (2,127) | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss | - | - | - | - | - | (59) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on revaluation of investments | - | - | - | - | - | (1,794) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance (expense) income, net | - | - | - | - | - | (300) | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | - | - | - | - | - | (312) | (239) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Corporate | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (6,220) | $ | (2,340) | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | $ | 21,584 | $ | 9,413 | $ | 5,350 | $ | 9,922 | $ | 408 | $ | 9,097 | $ | 23,722 |
1 | Royalty revenue from Bracemac-McLeod consists of $0.8 million from copper and $0.9 million from zinc. |
2 | Where a stream and royalty interest represents less than 10% of the Company’s sales, gross margin or aggregate asset book value and represents an interest on gold, silver or other metal, the interest has been summarized under Other. Other includes royalty revenue from Gualcamayo, Emigrant Springs, Mine Waste Solutions, San Andres, Thunder Creek, Ming and others. Includes royalty revenue from royalty interests located in Canada of $1.4 million, Argentina of $0.4 million and other of $0.5 million. Includes revenue from gold of $2.2 million and other base metals of $0.1 million. |
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Total assets as of:
In $000s | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
Aurizona | $ | 9,927 | $ | 11,124 | ||||
Black Fox | 4,977 | 5,504 | ||||||
Bracemac-McLeod | 976 | 1,089 | ||||||
Chapada | 48,627 | 49,709 | ||||||
Diavik | 7,251 | 7,742 | ||||||
Fruta del Norte | 30,654 | 31,174 | ||||||
Hod Maden1 | 56,238 | 69,131 | ||||||
Houndé | 31,602 | 31,179 | ||||||
Hugo North Extension and Heruga2 | 56,180 | 56,628 | ||||||
Karma | 6,979 | 7,263 | ||||||
Relief Canyon | 17,539 | 18,910 | ||||||
Santa Elena | 1,423 | 1,152 | ||||||
Vale Royalties | 122,846 | 120,543 | ||||||
Vatukoula | 29,646 | 27,716 | ||||||
Yamana silver stream | 34,392 | 37,954 | ||||||
Other3 | 92,153 | 93,221 | ||||||
Total Segments | $ | 551,410 | $ | 570,039 | ||||
Corporate: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 31,614 | $ | 16,166 | ||||
Investments | 30,281 | 24,056 | ||||||
Other assets | 11,256 | 10,597 | ||||||
Total Corporate | $ | 73,151 | $ | 50,819 | ||||
Consolidated | $ | 624,561 | $ | 620,858 |
1 | Includes royalty interest of $5.8 million and investment in associate of $50.4 million at March 31, 2022. Includes royalty interest of $5.8 million and investment in associate of $63.3 million at December 31, 2021. |
2 | Includes stream interest of $35.4 million and investment in associate of $20.8 million at March 31, 2022. Includes stream interest of $35.4 million and investment in associate of $21.3 million at December 31, 2021. |
3 | Where a stream and royalty interest represents less than 10% of the Company’s sales, gross margin or aggregate asset book value and represents an interest on gold, silver or other metal, the interest has been summarized under Other. Includes Mt. Hamilton, Prairie Creek, Gualcamayo, Emigrant Springs, Mine Waste Solutions, Thunder Creek, Hackett River, Lobo-Marte, Agi Dagi & Kirazli, HM Claim, Triangle Zone, Ming, and others. |
14 – Subsequent Events
Nomad Acquisition
In May 2022, the Company and Nomad Royalty Company Ltd. (“Nomad”) entered into a definitive agreement whereby Sandstorm agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Nomad pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Nomad Acquisition”). Pursuant to the terms of the Nomad Acquisition, Nomad shareholders will receive upfront consideration of 1.21 Sandstorm common shares for each Nomad common share held, which implies the equity value of the Nomad Acquisition at approximately $590 million (based on the April 29, 2022, Toronto Stock Exchange closing price). The Nomad Acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2022, subject to receipt of all applicable court, regulatory and securityholder approvals and satisfaction of other conditions precedent customary for transactions of this nature.
Nomad is a high-growth precious metals-focused royalty company with a portfolio of 20 royalty and stream assets, of which seven are on currently producing mines.
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BaseCore Royalty Package
In May 2022, the Company agreed to acquire nine royalties and one stream from BaseCore Metals LP (“BaseCore”) for total consideration of $525 million, payable in $425 million of cash and $100 million in common shares of Sandstorm. The royalty package includes exposure to high quality, long-life assets consisting of 10 royalty and stream interests, of which three are on currently producing assets. The BaseCore transaction is subject to regulatory approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange for the listing of the Sandstorm Shares issuable thereunder, the Canadian Competition Bureau, waiver of rights of first offer or refusal on certain exploration stage royalties, and other customary conditions for a transaction of this nature. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.
Credit Facility
Concurrent with the transactions described above, Sandstorm entered into an agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia and BMO Capital Markets securing a commitment to upsize the Company’s existing revolving credit agreement to borrow up to $500 million with an additional uncommitted accordion of up to $125 million, for a total of up to $625 million. The closing of the upsized credit facility is subject to certain conditions, including the satisfaction of the closing conditions for the BaseCore transaction. The accordion of up to $125 million is subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions for the Nomad Acquisition.
Horizon Copper
Concurrent with the BaseCore transaction, Sandstorm has partnered with Horizon Copper to sell a portion of the Antamina copper royalty acquired in the BaseCore acquisition. In consideration, Sandstorm will receive a $105 million debenture, $50 million in cash, a non-controlling equity interest and a silver stream on the asset. The sale is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, execution of definitive agreements, securityholder approval and Horizon raising $50 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
Other
On April 4, 2022, Rambler Metals & Mining PLC exercised its option to repurchase the Ming Gold Stream in exchange for a payment of $6.7 million in cash and 1,150 ounces of gold (the delivery of which is over the course of 18 months).
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