CHAMPION IRON REPORTS ROBUST RESULTS FOR ITS FY2022 SECOND QUARTER, ADVANCES THE BLOOM LAKE PHASE II EXPANSION PROJECT AND REDEEMS REMAINING PREFERRED SHARES Quarterly Production of 2.1M wmt, Net Income of $114.6M, EPS of $0.23 and EBITDA of $200.0M
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PRESS RELEASE
CHAMPION IRON REPORTS ROBUST RESULTS FOR ITS FY2022 SECOND QUARTER,
ADVANCES THE BLOOM LAKE PHASE II EXPANSION PROJECT AND REDEEMS
REMAINING PREFERRED SHARES
Quarterly Production of 2.1M wmt, Net Income of $114.6M, EPS of $0.23 and EBITDA of $200.0M
Montréal, October 27, 2021 - Champion Iron Limited (TSX: CIA) (ASX: CIA) (OTCQX: CIAFF) (“Champion” or the “Company”) is pleased to
announce operational and financial results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021.
Conference Call Details
Champion will host a conference call and webcast on October 28, 2021 at 8:30 AM EDT (Montréal Time) / 11:30 PM AEDT (Sydney time) to
discuss the results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021. Call details are outlined at the end of this release.
1. Highlights
Health & Safety and Sustainability
• No serious injuries reported and no major environmental issues during the period; awareness campaigns are in place and contin uous
improvement efforts are deployed throughout the organization;
• Fully operational COVID -19 testing laboratory and prevention measures maintained in line with the Government of Québec's (the
“Government”) directives to mitigate risks related to COVID-19;
• In line with our Company’s values, a nd out of respect and in recognition of the ancestral landholders' bond with the natural
environment, the Company organized workshops aimed at familiarizing its employees with the Innu culture. Additionally, the
Company participated and contributed to the commemoration activities that took place in the Uashat mak Mani -utenam community
for the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2021;
• Launch of the women's mentoring program dedicated to improve the integration and recruitment of more women into the Company's
workforce; and
• Completion of the Company’s 2021 Modern Slavery Statement and its 2020 Sustainability Report, both available on the Company’s
website at www.championiron.com.
Financial
• Revenues of $331.0M and $876.4M for the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to $311.0M
and $555.6M for the same periods in 2020;
• EBITDA1 of $200.0M for the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to $199.0M for the same period in 2020.
EBITDA1 of $605.8M for the six-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to $329.1M for the same period in 2020;
• Net income of $114.6M for the three -month period ended September 30, 2021 (EPS of $0.23), compared to $112.2M for the same
period in 2020 (EPS of $0.24). Net income of $338.9M for the six -month period ended September 30, 2021 (EPS of $0.67), compared
to $187.7M for the same period in 2020 (EPS of $0.40);
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• Net cash flow from operations of $374.1M for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, representing an operating cash flow
per share1 of $0.74, compared to $131.4M or $0.28 for the same period in 2020. Net cash flow from operations of $361.5M for the six -
month period ended September 30, 2021, representing an operating cash flow per share 1 of $0.71, compared to $206.7M or $0.44 for
the same period in 2020;
• Full redemption of the remaining $125.0M balance of the total $185.0M of the Company's subsidiary, Quebec Iron Ore Inc. (“QIO”), the
Company's subsidiary, preferred shares held by Caisse de dépôt et placement duQuébec which terminated preferred share dividend
payments and reduced the overall cost of capital;
• Drawdown of $20.0M on the loan agreement with Investissement Québec, supported by the Fonds du développement économique (“IQ
Loan”) to finance the upgrade of Société Ferroviaire et Portuaire de Pointe -Noire's (“SFPPN”) existing port and transboarding
infrastructures; and
• Cash on hand1 and restricted cash of $567.5M as at September 30, 2021, compared to $466.7M as at June 30, 2021 and $680.5M as
at March 31, 2021.
Operations
• Production of 2,089,100 wmt of high -grade 66.3% iron ore (“Fe”) concentrate for the three -month period ended September 30, 2021,
compared to 2,268,800 wmt of high -grade 66.1% Fe concentrate for the same period in 2020. Production of 4,025,100 wmt of high -
grade 66.3% Fe concentrate for the six -month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to 4,067,600 wmt of high -grade 66.3%
for the same period in 2020;
• Fe recovery rate of 83.3% and 83.1% for the three and six -month periods ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to a
Fe recovery rate of 85.2% and 83.8%, respectively, for the same periods in 2020; and
• Free on Board ('' FOB'') total cash cost 1 of $56.2/dmt (US$44.6/dmt) (C1) and $58.2/dmt (US$46.8/dmt) for the three and six -month
periods ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to $48.5/dmt (US$36.4/dmt) and $53.1/dmt (US$39.1/dmt), respectively,
for the same periods in 2020.
Growth and Development
• Commencement of a feasibility study, following laboratory work testing, to evaluate the reprocessing and infrastructure requi red for
the commercial production of a 69% Fe Direct Reduction pellet feed product;
• Advances in work related to the Kamistiatusset iron ore project (the “Kami Project”)'s updated feasibility study, which is expected to
be completed in the second half of 2022, in connection with the Company’s strategy to evaluate its growth alternatives within its
property portfolio;
• Completion of th e Lac Lamêlée South property acquisition and the 1.5% net smelter return royalty on the Company’s Moiré Lake
property and Fermont Properties portfolio, which includes the Consolidated Fire Lake North project;
• Collaboration with Caterpillar Inc. (“Caterpillar”) and Toromont Cat to develop, test and implement advanced drilling technologies
aimed at optimizing Bloom Lake's operational productivity and reducing energy consumption;
• Receipt of a $6.2M government grant during the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, as part of a grant of up to $21.8M,
related to the Company’s greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption reduction initiatives;
• In anticipation of the Phase II growth project completion, the Company amended terms of its marketing agreements to maintain
existing relationships and develop new ones with customers globally; and
• Agreement for a freight contract signed for one vessel per month, from August 2021 to Dec ember 2022. The freight contract is
expected to reduce the Company's freight premium volatility with a certain agreed- upon price premium above the average C3 Baltic
Capesize Index (“C3”) per tonne plus a seasonal additional premium for the winter condition.
Phase II Expansion Project (“Phase II”) Milestones
• Several critical construction items completed, including the major tie -in between Phase I and Phase II, enabling the Company to
evaluate a potential accelerated completion schedule for the project currently expected by mid-2022;
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• Advancing remaining work programs, in challenging times, with more than 400 individuals actively working on the project to maintain
or accelerate the expected completion schedule; and
• Capital expenditures and start -up costs of $110.5M and advance payments to SFPPN totalling $14.1M incurred in the three -month
period ended September 30, 2021, with $413.2M invested to date.
Champion’s CEO, Mr. David Cataford, said: “I commend our team for maintaining a safe work environment and upholding our strong community
relations, enabling our Company to deliver another robust operational and financial quarterly result. Our employees and partn ers continue to
demonstrate their agility and motivation as we completed several cri tical work programs in challenging times for the Phase II expansion
project, which is expected to double our nameplate capacity at Bloom Lake. With such significant progress, our team is active ly evaluating a
potential accelerated completion schedule for the project currently expected by mid- 2022. With this growth project and our product
development, our Company affirms its strategy to actively participate in reducing emissions in the steel making process. In turn, pursuing
capital return strategies and oth er organic growth opportunities can also be facilitated with our preferred shares now fully redeemed,
contributing to lowering our Company's cost of capital.”
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2. Bloom Lake Phase II Update
The Phase II project aims to double Bloom Lake's nameplate capacity to 15 Mtpa of 66.2% Fe iron ore concentrate by completing the
construction of the second plant which was partially built by the mine's former owner. Based on the new optimized mine plan, the Bloom Lake
mining rate would also be increased to accelerate the supply of ore to the expanded facilities, while maintaining a life of m ine (“LoM”) of
20 years. On June 20, 2019, the Company announced the findings of the Bloom Lake Feasibility Study (the “Feasibility Study”), including proven
and probable mineral reserve estimates of 807.0 Mt (346.0 Mt of proven reserves and 461.0 Mt of probable reserves) at an average grade of
29.0% Fe.
Bloom Lake Phase II reserves are based on the technical report en titled “Bloom Lake Mine – Feasibility Study Phase II”, prepared pursuant to
National Instrument 43 -101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43 -101”) and the Joint Ore Reserves Committee Code (2012
edition) by BBA Inc., Soutex and WSP Canada Inc., having an effective date of June 20, 2019 and filed on August 2, 2019. Bloom Lake Phase II
mineral reserves include Bloom Lake Phase I mineral reserves as of the effective date of the mineral reserve estimate reported in the
Feasibility Study. The Co mpany is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the Feasibility
Study and confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Feasibility Study continue to
apply and have not materially changed. The Feasibility Study is available under the Company's filings at www.sedar.com, on the ASX at
www.asx.com.au or the Company's website at www.championiron.com.
During the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, $110,532,000 in capital expenditures and start -up costs and $14,104,000 in
advance payments were incurred for the Phase II project, wi th $413,216,000 invested to date, including $69,653,000 in advance payments
related to existing port, rail and transboarding infrastructures.
As at September 30, 2021, the Company had total cash on hand1 and restricted cash of $567,514,000.
The Company maintains a total undrawn credit facility of US$220,000,000, a financing agreement for an undrawn amount of US$75,000,000
in connection with the funding of Phase II mining equipment and a seven -year loan agreement with Fonds de Solidarité des Travailleurs du
Québec of $75,000,000, of which $45,000,000 remains undrawn as at September 30, 2021. Additionally, the Company's investment of
$85,000,000 related to upgrades at SFPPN and budgeted in the overall Phase II capital expenditures, is partially financed thr ough a term loan
of up to $70,000,000, signed on July 21, 2021 with Investissement Québec and supported by Fonds du développement économique. As at
September 30, 2021, $50,000,000 of the IQ Loan remained undrawn. The IQ Loan annual interest rate is 3.7%. A ccordingly, as at September 30,
2021, the Company had a total $470,860,000 of undrawn available financing.
Based on the foregoing and the utilization of ongoing operational cash flows, the Company is fully funded for the remaining P hase II
construction pro ject, which is currently scheduled for completion by mid- 2022, with an estimated $ 220,584,000 remaining to be spent,
including deposits.
Milestones
The progression of construction works accelerated significantly in August and reached its peak during the three-month period ended
September 30, 2021. With several critical construction work programs completed, including the major tie -in between the Phase I and Phase II
projects, the Company is evaluating a potential accelerated completion schedule for the pro ject currently expected by mid-2022. The Company
continues to advance remaining work programs, in challenging times, with more than 400 individuals actively working on the pr oject. Project
milestones that were achieved and related works undertaken during the three-month period ended September 30, 2021 include:
• Completion of 97% of the detailed engineering;
• Steel structure erection in the concentrator, along with equipment installation, progressed as planned;
• Mechanical installation of the load-out conveyors from the concentrator to the train loading station completed;
• New overhead line electrical distribution for the mine continued; and
• Completion and handover of the Mamu accommodations complex, hosting a total capacity of 300 people.
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3. Bloom Lake Mine Operating Activities
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2021 2020 Variance 2021 2020 Variance
Operating Data
Waste mined and hauled (wmt) 5,299,600 4,114,400 29 % 9,999,100 6,727,200 49 %
Ore mined and hauled (wmt) 5,713,900 6,070,000 (6 %) 11,357,800 10,752,600 6 %
Material mined and hauled (wmt) 11,013,500 10,184,400 8 % 21,356,900 17,479,800 22 %
Strip ratio 0.93 0.68 37 % 0.88 0.63 40 %
Ore milled (wmt) 5,679,800 5,562,600 2 % 10,907,000 10,167,200 7 %
Head grade Fe (%) 29.1 30.9 (6 %) 29.4 31.1 (5 %)
Fe recovery (%) 83.3 85.2 (2 %) 83.1 83.8 (1 %)
Product Fe (%) 66.3 66.1 — % 66.3 66.3 — %
Iron ore concentrate produced (wmt) 2,089,100 2,268,800 (8 %) 4,025,100 4,067,600 (1 %)
Iron ore concentrate sold (dmt) 1,953,900 2,063,400 (5 %) 3,928,600 3,822,200 3 %
Financial Data (in thousands of dollars)
Revenues 331,006 310,994 6 % 876,414 555,568 58 %
Cost of sales 110,884 102,739 8 % 231,730 210,077 10 %
Other expenses 20,313 10,426 95 % 34,873 19,967 75 %
Net finance costs 1,012 4,530 (78 %) 5,399 5,675 (5 %)
Net income 114,596 112,164 2 % 338,935 187,720 81 %
EBITDA1 200,013 198,972 1 % 605,752 329,134 84 %
Statistics (in dollars per dmt sold)
Gross average realized selling price 218.8 162.8 34 % 249.4 156.6 59 %
Net average realized selling price1 169.4 150.7 12 % 223.1 145.4 53 %
Total cash cost (C1 cash cost)1 56.2 48.5 16 % 58.2 53.1 10 %
All-in sustaining cost1 73.6 57.2 29 % 73.1 60.7 20 %
Cash operating margin1 95.8 93.5 2 % 150.0 84.7 77 %
Operational Performance
Second Quarter of the 2022 Fiscal Year vs Second Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year
In the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, 11,013,500 tonnes of material were mined and hauled, compared to 10,184,400 tonnes
for the same period in 2020, an increase of 8%. The increase in waste mined and hauled is attributable to a higher strip rati o, as per the mine
plan in connection with the preparation for Phase II project operations. The increase in material movement was enabled by the Company's
ongoing mining equipment rebuild program and equipment maintenance, which provided a higher equipment utilization rate and additional
equipment availability.
The iron ore head grade for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021 was 29.1%, compared to 30.9% for the same period in 2020. The
decrease in head grade, when compared to the prior year period, was anticipated and is attributable to the presence of lower-grade ore sourced
and blended from different pits, and is in line with the mining plan and the LoM head grade average.
Bloom Lake produced 2,089,100 wmt of 66.3% Fe high -grade iron ore concentrate during the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, a
decrease of 8%, compared to 2,268,800 wmt of 66.1% Fe for the same period in 2020. The lower production is attributable to lo wer head grade,
which was partially compensated by higher throughput.
First Six Months of the 2022 Fiscal Year vs First Six Months of the 2021 Fiscal Year
On March 24, 2020, the Company announced the ramp -down of its operations following Government directives in response to the COVID -19
pandemic. Operations gradually ramped up following the Government's announce ment in April 2020 that mining activities were to be
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considered a "priority service" in Québec. Early actions implemented by the Company in response to the COVID -19 pandemic minimized its
impact on the Company and its operations.
The Company mined and ha uled 21,356,900 tonnes of material during the six -month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to
17,479,800 tonnes for the same period in 2020. This increase in material mined and hauled is attributable to the negative impact of the COVID -
19 pandemic on several of the Company's other activities in the comparative period and to a higher strip ratio in the current period, as per the
mine plan in connection with the preparation for the Phase II expansion project's operations. This increase in material movement is the result of
a higher equipment utilization rate and additional equipment availability. The Company benefited from its previous and continuous investments
in the mining equipment rebuild program, enabling it to maximize productivity.
The strip ratio increased to 0.88 for the six -month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to 0.63 for the same period in 2020. The strip
ratio is consistent with the mine plan for this period of the year.
The plant processed 10,907,000 tonnes of ore during the s ix-month period ended September 30, 2021, an increase of 7% over the same period
in 2020. The higher throughput is attributable to the combination of the COVID-19 imposed ramp-down in the comparative period and the higher
mill throughput rate for the curre nt period. The continuous improvements and operational innovations allowed the Company to increase
throughput stability and reach a higher level of mill productivity.
The iron ore head grade of 29.4% for the six -month period ended September 30, 2021 was attributable to different sourcing pits, compared to
31.1% for the same period in 2020 and is consistent with the LoM.
Iron ore concentrate produced remained stable during the six-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.
4. Financial Performance
A. Revenues
Second Quarter of the 2022 Fiscal Year vs Second Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year
During the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, 1,953,900 tonnes of high -grade iron ore concentrate were sold at the CFR China
gross average realized price of US$174.6/dmt, before provisional sales adjustments and shipping costs. The gross average realized selling price
of US$174.6/dmt represents a premium of 7.2% over the benchmark IODEX 62% Fe CFR China Index (“P62”) price , compared to a premium of
3.4% for the same period in 2020. The gross average realized selling price reflects the sales at a determined price based on the average
forward price of US$141.5 at the expected settlement date for 781,900 tonnes which were in transit at the end of the period. The forward price
was at a significant discount compared to the average IODEX 65% Fe CFR China Index (“P65”) for the period. This factor was partially offset by
the positive impact of sales based on backward -looking iron or e prices, when prices were substantially higher than the P65 index average for
the period.
The Company believes that global carbon emissions reduction efforts will support the demand for high -grade raw materials, including iron
concentrates and pellets. The Company has the ability to fully benefit from the premium pricing of its high-grade product.
During the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, the global economic recovery, rising fuel prices and decreased vessel availability
due to hig h levels o f port congestion in Asian ports, contributed to the rising sea freight index, when compared to the previous comparative
period. As a result, the Company paid higher freight costs in the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same per iod
in 2020. The freight costs variation relative to the C3 index during the period is mainly due to the timing of the vessels' booking.
Although higher than the comparative period, the net average realized selling price1 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, was
negatively impacted by the increase in the C3 index. Freight and other costs represented 20% of the gross average realized se lling price for the
period, compared to 16% for the same period in 2020, which represents a variation of US$15.1/dmt. Provisional pricing adjustments on previous
sales, which were directly correlated to the rapid and significant decrease in the P65 index in the quarter, also contributed to reducing the net
average realized selling price 1. During the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, the final price was established for the 1,156,100
tonnes of iron ore that were in transit as at June 30, 2021. Accordingly, during the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, net negative
provisional pricing adjustmen ts were recorded as a reduction in revenues for the 1,156,100 tonnes, representing a negative impact of
US$5.2/dmt for the period, compared to a positive impact of US$10.6/dmt for the same period in 2020.
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After taking into account sea freight costs of US$ 34.7/dmt and the negative provisional sales adjustment of US$5.2/dmt, the Company
obtained a net average realized selling price 1 of US$134.7/dmt (CA$169.4/dmt) for its high -grade iron ore delivered to the end customer.
Revenues totalled $331,006,000 for th e three -month period ended September 30, 2021 compared to $310,994,000 for the same period in
2020. The increase is attributable to a higher net average realized selling price 1, partially offset by lower tonnages of iron ore concentrate being
sold.
First Six Months of the 2022 Fiscal Year vs First Six Months of the 2021 Fiscal Year
For the six-month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company sold 3,928,600 tonnes of iron ore concentrate to customers in China, Japan
and South Korea. While the high -grade iron ore P65 index price fluctuated between a low of US$121.7/dmt and a high of US$264.2/dmt during
the six-month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company sold its product at a gross average realized selling price of US$201.6/dmt. The
variation between the gross average realized selling price and the average P65 high -grade index of US$210.8/dmt for the period is attributable
to the forward price of US$141.5 utilized for the sales in transit at the end of the period, which was significantly lower th an the average P65
index for the period.
Combining the gross average realized selling price with the provisional sales adjustment of US$10.1/dmt, the Company sold its high -grade iron
ore material at a price of US$211.7/dmt during the six-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to the P65 high-grade index average
of US$210.8/dmt. Deducting sea f reight costs of US$31.3/dmt, the Company obtained a net average realized selling price 1 of US$180.4/dmt
(CA$223.1/dmt) for its high -grade iron ore. The increase in freight and other costs in the six -month period ended September 30, 2021,
compared to the same period in 2020, negatively impacted the net average realized selling price 1 for the period by US$13.0/dmt. As a result,
revenues totalled $876,414,000 for the six -month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to $555,568,000 for the same period in 202 0.
Although the sales increase is mainly attributable to the net average realized selling price 1, the slight positive volume impact illustrates the
benefit the Company yielded by investing in initiatives to improve production reliability and having the ability to increase its throughput capacity
when the price of high-grade iron ore is elevated.
B. Cost of Sales
Cost of sales represents mining, processing, and mine site-related general and administrative expenses.
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, the cost of sales totalled $110,884,000, compared to $102,739,000 for the same period
in 2020. During the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, the total cash cost 1 or C1 cash cost 1 per tonne, excluding specific and
incremental costs related to COVID -19, totalled $56.2/dmt, compared to $48.5/dmt for the same period in 2020. The lower head grade and
lower recovery as per the mine plan, resulted in lower volume of concentrate sold, whi ch negatively impacted the total cash cost 1. Additionally,
the advancement of maintenance work on Crusher 2 and increased mining and land transportation costs, resulting from fuel price increases
contributed to a higher total cash cost1.
The six-month period ended September 30, 2021 total cash cost1 amounted to $58.2/dmt, compared to $53.1/dmt for the same period in 2020.
The variation is due to the same factors that affected the total cash cost 1 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, except that
total cast cost1 is, partially offset by higher iron ore concentrate sold.
C. Net Income & EBITDA1
Second Quarter of the 2022 Fiscal Year vs Second Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year
For the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company generated a net income of $114,596,000 (EPS of $0.23), compared to
$112,164,000 (EPS of $0.24) for the same period in 2020. Despite a higher gross average iron ore price during the period, the net income has
been affected by higher sea freight costs and negative provisional adjustments compared to the same period last year.
For the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company generated EBITDA 1 of $200,013,000, including non -cash share -based
compensation and pre -commercial start-up costs for the Phase II totalling $4,613,000 representing an EBITDA margin 1 of 60%, compared to
$198,972,000, representing an EBITDA margin1 of 64% for the same period in 2020. The slight increase in EBITDA1 period over period is primarily
due to the greater revenue from higher net average realized selling price1.
First Six Months of the 2022 Fiscal Year vs First Six Months of the 2021 Fiscal Year
For the six -month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company generated a net income of $338,935,000 (EP S of $0.67), compared to
$187,720,000 (EPS of $0.40) for the same period in 2020. The increase in net income is mainly due to higher gross profit.
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For the six-month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company generated an EBITDA 1 of $605,752,000, representing an EBITDA margin 1 of
69%, compared to $329,134,000, representing an EBITDA margin 1 of 59% for the same period in 2020. This increase in EBITDA 1 is mainly
attributable to the increase in the net average realized selling price 1 and slightly higher volumes of iron ore concentrate sold, partially offset by
higher production costs and higher other expenses.
D. All-In Sustaining Cost1 (“AISC”) and Cash Operating Margin1
During the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company realized an AISC 1 of $73.6/dmt, compared to $57.2/dmt for the same
period in 2020. The variation is due to higher total cash cost 1, higher sustaining capital expenditures related to higher stripping and mining
activities, higher investments made in tailings lifts and highe r mining equipment rebuild, combined with the negative impact of lower iron ore
concentrate sold.
Overall, the sustaining capital expenditures were higher in the three and six -month periods ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same
periods in 2020 s ince investments made last year were delayed as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic when the Company was experiencing a
ramp-down of its operations and implementing substantial safety measures.
During the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, the Co mpany expended $14,174,000 on preventative work on dykes in its tailings
system. The remaining work on the dykes will be completed early in the next quarter. During the 2021 fiscal year, lower investments in tailings
were made since an accelerated $30M work program for the raising of the tailings containment dam to ensure safe tailings depo sition was
completed in the 2020 fiscal year. Refer to section 6 - Cash Flows - Purchase of Property, Plant and Equipment.
Deducting the AISC1 of $73.6/dmt from the net average realized selling price 1 of $169.4/dmt, the Company generated a cash operating margin 1
of $95.8/dmt for each tonne of high -grade iron ore concentrate sold during the three -month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to
$93.5/dmt for the same p eriod in 2020. The variation, whe n compared to the three -month period ended June 30, 2021, is associated with the
decrease of $106.8/dmt in the net average realized price.
During the six -month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded an AISC 1 of $73.1/dmt, compared to $60.7/ dmt for the same
period in 2020. The variation is due to higher total cash costs 1 and higher sustaining capital expenditures. The cash operating margin 1 totalled
$150.0/dmt for the six-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to $84.7/dmt for the sa me period in 2020. The variation is mainly
due to a higher net average realized selling price1.
5. Exploration Activities
During the three and six -month periods ended September 30, 2021, the Company maintained all of its properties in good standing and did not
enter into any farm -in/farm-out arrangements. During the three and six -month periods ended September 30, 2021, $1,983,000 and
$2,726,000 in exploration and evaluation expenditures were incurred, respectively, compared to $188,000 and $264,000 for the same periods
in 2020.
During the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2021, the exploration expenditures mainly consisted of $1,300,000 in acquisition
costs for the Lac Lamêlée South property and costs associated with minor exploration wor k and preliminary work related to updating the Kami
Project feasibility study for $103,000 and $366,000, respectively, and claim renewal fees. In the comparative periods, the exploration
expenditures mainly consisted of fees required to maintain the Compan y's exploration properties, exploration expenses related to drilling and
geophysical work at the Company’s Gullbridge -Powderhorn property, located in Northern Central Newfoundland, and the staking costs for
additional exploration claims.