Imperial Reports 2021 Financial Results
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News Release
Imperial Reports 2021 Financial Results
Vancouver | March 16, 2022 | Imperial Metals Corporation (the “Company”) (TSX:III) reports financial results for its fiscal
year ended December 31, 2021.
Select Annual Financial Information
Years Ended December 31
expressed in thousands, except share and per share amounts 2021 2020 2019(3)
Operations:
Total revenues $133,591 $148,097 $71,823
Net loss $(26,070) $(4,892) $(41,224)
Net loss per share $(0.19) $(0.04) $(0.32)
Diluted loss per share $(0.19) $(0.04) $(0.32)
Adjusted net loss (1) $(23,181) $(5,421) $(50,310)
Adjusted net loss per share (1) $(0.17) $(0.04) $(0.40)
Adjusted EBITDA(1) $11,553 $36,034 $(4,261)
Cash earnings (1)(2) $11,034 $36,909 $(3,611)
Cash earnings per share (1)(2) $0.08 $0.29 $(0.03)
Working capital (deficiency)
deficiency
$(19,060) $9,292 $53,661
Total assets $1,186,341 $1,091,321 $1,103,488
Total debt (including current portion) $34,975 $2,422 $3,816
(1) Refer to table in section Non-IFRS Financial Measures of the December 31, 2021 Management’s Discussion & Analysis for further details.
(2) Cash earnings is defined as the cash flow from operations before the net change in non-cash working capital balances, income and mining
taxes, and interest paid. Cash earnings per share is defined as cash earnings divided by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the year.
(3) Year ended 2019 has been restated to incorporate the finalization of fair values relating to the sale of Red Chris in August 2019.
Select Items Affecting Net Loss (presented on an after-tax basis)
Years Ended December 31
expressed in thousands 2021 2020
Net loss before undernoted items $(24,337) $(3,559)
Interest expense (1,497) (1,358)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on debt (236) 25
Net Loss $(26,070) $(4,892)
Revenue from the Red Chris mine in 20 21 was $132.6 million compared to $146.3 million in 20 20. In 2021, the Red Chris
mine (100% basis) had 14.5 concentrate shipments (2020-18.3 concentrate shipments). Variations in revenue are impacted
by the timing and quantity of concentrate shipments, metal prices and exchange rates, and period end revaluations of
revenue attributed to concentrate shipments where copper and gold prices will settle at a future date.
The London Metals Exchange cash settlement copper price per pound averaged US$ 4.23 in 2021 compared to US$2.80 in
2020. London Bullion Market Association, London gold price per troy ounce averaged US$1,800 in 2021 compared to
US$1,770 in 2020. The average US/CDN dollar exchange rate in 2021 was 1.254 compared to an average of 1.341 in 2020.
In CDN dollar terms, the average copper price in 2021 was CDN$5.30 per pound compared to CDN$3.76 per pound in 2020,
and the average gold price in 2021 was CDN$2,256 per ounce compared to CDN$2,374 per ounce in 2020.
Revenue in 2021 increased by a $1.6 million revenue revaluation compared to a revenue revaluation of $7.3 million in 2020.
Revenue revaluations are the result of the metal price on the settlement date and/or the current period balance sheet date
being higher or lower than when the revenue was initially recorded or the metal price at the last balance sheet date and
finalization of contained metal as a result of final assays.
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Net loss in 2021 was $26.1 million ($0.19 per share) compared to net loss of $ 4.9 million ($0.04 per share) in 20 20. The
majority increase in net loss of $21.2 million was primarily due to the following factors:
• Income from mine operations went from $20.6 million in 2020 to $10.4 million in 2021, an increase in net loss of $10.2
million.
• Mine restart costs went from $nil in 2020 to $11.4 million in 2021, an increase in net loss of $11.4 million.
• Reversal of impairment on exploration costs was $nil in 2020 compared to $4.2 million in 2021, a decrease in net loss of
$4.2 million.
Capital expenditures including finance leases were $ 108.6 million in 2021, up from $73. 7 million in 2020. Expenditures in
2021 included $36.4 million in exploration, $23.4 million for tailings dam construction and $ 48.8 million on stripping costs
and other capital.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had $33.3 million in cash compared to $34.0 million at December 31, 2020.
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company reports four non-IFRS financial measures: adjusted net loss, adjusted EBITDA, cash earnings and cash cost per
pound of copper produced which are described in detail below. The Company believes these measures are useful to
investors because they are included in the measures that are used by management in assessing the financial performance
of the Company.
Adjusted net loss, adjusted EBITDA, cash earnings and cash cost per pound of copper are not standardized financial
measures under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuer s.
Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted Net Loss Per Share
Adjusted net loss is derived from operating net loss by removing the gains or loss, resulting from acquisition and disposal
of property, mark to market revaluation of derivative instruments not related to the current period, net of tax, unrealized
foreign exchange gains or losses on non -current debt, net of tax and other non -recurring items. Adjusted net loss in 2021
was $23.2 million ($0.17 per share) compared to an adjusted net loss of $5.4 million ($0.04 per share) in 2020. We believe
that the presentation of Adjusted Net Loss helps investors better understand the results of our normal operating activities
and the ongoing cash generating potential of our business.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA in 2021 was $11.6 million compared to $36.0 million in 2020. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss before
interest expense, taxes, depletion, and depreciation, and as adjusted for certain other items .
Cash Earnings and Cash Earnings Per Share
Cash earnings in 2021 was $ 11.0 million compared to $36.9 million in 2020 . Cash earnings per share were $0.08 in 2021
compared to $0.29 in 2020. Cash earnings and cash earnings per share are measures used by the Company to evaluate its
performance however they are not terms recognized under IFRS . We believe that the presentati on of cash earnings and
cash earnings per share is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about how well the Company can earn
cash to pay its debts and manage its operating expenses and investment. Cash earnings is defined as cash flow from
operations before the net change in non-cash working capital balances, income and mining taxes paid, and interest paid.
Cash earnings per share is the same measure divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the year.
Cash Cost Per Pound of Copper Produced
Management uses this non-IFRS financial measure to monitor operating costs and profitability. The Company is primarily a
copper producer and therefore calculates this non-IFRS financial measure individually for its three copper mines, Red Chris
(30% share), Mount Polley and Huckleberry, and on a composite basis for these mines.
Variations from period to period in the cash cost per pound of copper produced are the result of many factors including:
grade, metal recoveries, amount of stripping charged to ope rations, mine and mill operating conditions, labour and other
cost inputs, transportation and warehousing costs, treatment and refining costs, the amount of by -product and other
revenues, the US$ to CDN$ exchange rate and the amount of copper produced.
Idle mine and mine restart costs during the periods when the Huckleberry and Mount Polley mines are not in operation
have been excluded from the cash cost per pound of copper produced.
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Calculation of Cash Cost Per Pound of Copper Produced
expressed in thousands of dollars, except cash cost per pound of copper produced Years Ended December 31
2021 2020
Cash cost of copper produced in US$ $48,107 $37,770
Copper produced – pounds 19,717 26,502
Cash cost per lb copper produced in US$ $2.44 $1.43
DEVELOPMENTS DURING 2021
OPERATIONS
The current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business is described under Significant Events and Liquidity in the
Company’s annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis . The Company’s plans for 202 2 and beyond could be adversely
impacted by the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic. The continuing impact of COVID -19 to travel and other operating
restrictions established to curb the spread of COVID-19, could materially and adversely impact the Company’s current plans
by causing a temporary closure of the Red Chris mine, suspending planned exploration work, causing an economic
slowdown resulting in a decrease in the demand for copper and gold, negatively impacting copper and gold prices, impacting
the Company’s ability to transport or market the Company’s concentrate or ca using disruptions in the Company’s supply
chains.
Red Chris Mine
Metal production at Red Chris in 2021 was 65.4 million pounds of copper and 60,160 ounces of gold compared to 88.3
million pounds copper and 73 ,787 ounces gold produced in 2020. Copper and g old production decreased 26% and 1 9%
respectively. The decreased metal production in 2021 was largely the result of treating of lower grades, with the copper
grade down 24% and the gold grade down 21% from 2020 levels. Copper recovery was down 2% year on year to 79% while
gold recovery increased 3% to 56% in 2021. Mill throughput for the year decreased about 0.6% with the rate a veraging
25,546 tonnes per day.
Imperial’s 30% portion of the production was 19.6 million pounds copper and 18,048 ounces gold.
Annual Production for the Year Ended December 31 2021 2020
Ore milled - tonnes 9,324,304 9,381,881
Ore milled per calendar day - tonnes 25,546 25,634
Grade % - copper 0.403 0.529
Grade g/t - gold 0.358 0.451
Recovery % - copper 79.1 80.7
Recovery % - gold 56.0 54.2
Copper – 000’s pounds 65,426 88,343
Gold – ounces 60,160 73,787
* 100% Red Chris mine production
Red Chris production (100%) for the 2021 fourth quarter was 14.7 million pounds copper and 13.6 thousand ounces gold
compared to 17.2 million pounds copper and 15.2 thousand ounces gold in the 2021 third quarter, primarily due to lower
mill throughput with 2,124,732 tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2021 compare d to 2,543,495 tonnes in the prior quarter.
The throughput was impacted by processing clay rich ores early in the reporting period impacting primary crusher
availability, as well as weather -related BC Hydro power outages. This was partially offset by highe r gold recoveries ( 60%
versus 56%), reflecting the benefit of increased cleaner capacity.
A significant drilling campaign continues to be undertaken at Red Chris, with eight rigs currently operational and a total of
98,522 metres drilled in 2021. The exploration decline development continues having progressed a total of approximately
1,000 metres as of March 10, 2022.
In October 2021, the Red Chris Block Cave Pre -Feasibility Study (“PFS”) was released and work has commenced on a
feasibility study that is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023. The PFS confirmed the potential to develop a
world class, low cost, long life mine at Red Chris. The PFS indicates the project has an estimated 17% IRR and a post-tax NPV
of CAD$2.2 billion using a 4.5% discount rate over an initial 31 -year mine life at prices of US$3.30 per pound copper and
US$1,500 per troy ounce gold.
Some key results from the PFS are noted below:
• Block Cave Life-of-Mine All-In Sustaining Cost of negative US$144 per ounce of gold
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• Mineral Reserve estimate of 2.2 million tonnes copper and 8.1 million ounces gold
• Payback of 3.2 years
• Block Cave First Ore targeted to be first half of 2026
• Further optimization underway to assess opportunities proximate to the mining area, incl uding the mineralization being
outlined in the East Ridge zone
• Studies are underway to consider “early mining” of high -grade pods to enhance cash flows prior to development of the
Block Cave
Imperial’s 30% share of e xploration, development, and capital expenditures was $99.5 million in 2021 compared to $73.2
million in 2020.
Mount Polley Mine
Mount Polley operations ceased in May 2019 and the mine remains on care and maintenance status. The mine restart plan
prepared in 2019, has been updated to include revised pit designs, results of recent drilling and current metal prices. In the
fourth quarter 2021, the Company began the work required to reopen the mine.
Management is targeting a second quarter 2022 mill startup. Plant mechanical and electrical refurbishing work has been
completed and work is underway to prepare the tailings slurry and reclaim water pipelines as well as the pumps, ore
conveyors, crushers, screens, grinding mills and plant water systems. Pre-stripping operation began in November 2021
with approximately 757,500 tonnes mined by the year end.
Mount Polley incurred idle mine costs of $ 16.2 million and restart costs of $ 11.4 million. In addition, $2.7 million in
depreciation expense was incurred during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Exploration, development, and capital expenditures were $4.0 million in 2021 compared to $0.9 million in 2020.
Huckleberry Mine
Huckleberry operations ceased in August 2016 and the mine remains on care and maintenance status. The Company
anticipates working towards the restart of Huckleberry following the start of operations at Mount Polley.
Site personnel continue to focus on main taining site access, water management (treatment and release of mine contact
water into Tahtsa Reach), snow removal, maintenance of site infrastructure and equipment, mine permit compliance,
environmental compliance monitoring and monitoring tailings manag ement facilities.
In late 2021, a geotechnical drilling program was conducted to gather the information required to update the tailings facility
design for future operations and to provide information required for dam safety reviews.
Huckleberry incurred idle mine costs of $5.2 million. In addition, $0.7 million in depreciation expense was incurred during
the year ended December 31, 2021.
Exploration, development, and capital expenditures were $2.2 million in 2021 compared to $0.9 million in 2020.
EXPLORATION
Mount Polley
The 2021 exploration program was planned to acquire high density ground magnetic data over top of high priority areas
within the mine site and areas immediately to the north while remaining available to support geotechnical drilling that was
ongoing on site.
The ground magnetic survey was successful in providing high resolution magnetic data overtop of high priority targets
located north of the Junction Zone, north of the old Bell Pit, west of the Wight Pit, adjacent to Polley L ake, and south
between the South East Rock Dump and Tailings. The ground magnetic data has highlighted many magnetic anomalies
around the property that have a similar geophysical signature as the known mineralization found at Mount Polley. Several
more magnetic surveys have been planned to cover areas where data and exploration are limited. Additional exploration
is planned to further define the anomalies derived from the ground magnetic surveys.
In an area located south of the South East Rock Dump geotec hnical trenching and drilling was undertaken to help provide
data required for expansion of rock dump storage. Exploration was able to assist with the geotechnical drilling program as
well as take rock samples whenever geotechnical work intercepted bedrock. The geotechnical drilling has provided bedrock
samples in areas that remain largely underexplored at Mount Polley.
At December 31, 2021, a total of 2,783 exploration holes (surface and underground combined) had been drilled.
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Huckleberry
In 2020, three drill holes totaling 2,491 metres were completed to test below the East Pit and the Historic East zone drilling
at depth. Drill results confirmed that copper mineralization continues to significant depths below the East zone pit and
historical drilling.
In addition, a Volterra 3 -Dimensional Induced Polarization survey was conducted over the East zone to produce a
geophysical signature over zones of known mineralization and enhance the geological model and ore controls. The data will
be interpreted and used to locate new drill targets.
In June 2021, a ZTEM geophysical survey was completed over the entire Huckleberry claim block, including Whiting Creek
and a large overburden covered area to the northeast of the mine. Geophysical results highlighted numerous exploration
targets, both on a nd off the mine site. Geological investigation and diamond drilling are recommended for many of the
ZTEM targets.
In the summer of 2021, 35 soil geochemical auger samples were collected from the swamp at Whiting Creek. These samples
contributed to the geochemical compilation at Whiting Creek and further highlighted a copper anomaly. As well, the ZTEM
survey highlighted a resistivity anomaly that roughly coincides with the geochemical copper anomaly. It is recommended
to perform a geological investigation and diamond drilling on the Whiting Creek targets.
Exploration in 2022 should consist of geological investigations of the new ZTEM geophysical and geochemical targets, along
with diamond drilling.
Greenfield Projects
In 2021, exploration was conducted on 6 properties:
Sustut: Metallurgical testing was completed on Sustut ore to determine if XRT based ore sorting techniques can be
effectively applied to differentiate ore from Waste Rock. The analysis concluded that XRT based ore sorting could potentially
improve the life of mine economics at the Sustut Deposit.
In the fall of 2021, the Company acquired the Freeport McMoRan claims adjacent to the Sustut deposit and contracted
Geotech Ltd. to fly an airborne ZTEM geophysical survey over the entire claim block. The survey was only partially completed
due to inclement weather but will be resumed at the beginning of the 2022 field season.
Fandora: Exploration in 2021 consisted of 3 phases. In the late winter mineralized ore was sampled for metallurgical testing.
In the early spring, a Very Low Frequency electromagneti c and magnetic survey was conducted over select areas of the
property. Due to rugged terrain and thick bush, not enough ground was surveyed to identify any trends.
In the late summer, a high-resolution LiDAR and Orthographic imagery survey was carried out over the entire property. This
survey highlighted numerous lineations of interest and identified troublesome cliffs and bluffs on the property, helping to
guide future exploration.
Catface Copper: A soil geochemistry survey was carried out over an area with known anomalous chargeability and small
zones of mapped intrusive at surface. In addition to the soil geochemistry a high-resolution LiDAR and Orthographic imagery
survey was carried out over the entire property.
Wasi Creek: 800 soil samples were collected over areas with limited geochemical coverage on the property. Geochemical
results tied other geochemical programs together and expanded the geochemical footprint of the existing “Greg” Pb-Zn
mineral showing.
Two Star and Storey Creek: Soil geochemistry surveys and prospecting were carried out on both Two Star and adjoining
Storey Creek. The surveys were successful in highlighting several zones of anomalous geochemistry and in locating new
mineralization in outcrop. Future exploration is planned for 2022 to help define high -grade outcrops and anomalous
geochemical regions.
Porcher Island: A high-resolution LiDAR and Orthographic imagery survey was carried out over the entire property . The
survey was successful at highlighting new surface features that can be targeted for future exploration.
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FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS
Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 was $29.3 million compared to $36.9 million in 2020. Sales revenue is recorded when
title for concentrate is transferred on ship loading. Variations in revenue are impacted by the timing and quantity of
concentrate shipments, metal prices and exchange rates, and period end revaluations of revenue attributed to concentrate
shipments where copper and gold prices will settle at a future date along with finalization of contained metals as a result
of final assays.
The Company recorded a net loss of $14.7 million ($0.10 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to net loss of
$4.9 million ($0.04 per share) in the prior year quarter.
Expenditures for exploration and ongoing capital projects at Mount Polley, Red Chris and Huckleberry totalled $34.2 million
during the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $17.5 million in the 2020 comparative quarter.
OUTLOOK
Corporate and Operations
At December 31, 20 21, the Company had not hedged any copper, gold , or US$/CDN$ exchange. Quarterly revenues will
fluctuate depending on copper and gold prices, the US$/CDN$ exchange rate, and the timing of concentrate sales, which
is dependent on concentrate production and the availability and scheduling of transportation.
Newcrest provided metals production guidance (100%) for Red Chris mine, for the period July 1, 202 1, to June 30, 202 2
(period conforms to Newcrest June 30 annual year end), in the range of 50.7 to 55.1 milli on pounds copper and 40 to 42
thousand ounces gold.
The work on the restart of Mount Polley is underway and milling operations are targeted to start in the second quarter of
2022.
The Company will need to conclude further financing arrangements to fund it s share of cost of the ongoing development
of a block cave mine at Red Chris and to fund the reopening of the Mount Polley mine.
Exploration
Imperial maintains a large portfolio of greenfield exploration properties in British Columbia. These properties have defined
areas of mineralization and exploration potential. Management continues to evaluate various opportunities to advance
many of these properties.
Exploration for 2022 will be focused on Red Chris, with 100,000 metres of drilling planned and continuing development of
the exploration decline to provide access for underground exploration planned at Red Chris.
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For additional information, refer to Imperial’s 2021 Annual Report available on imperialmetals.com and sedar.com
About Imperial
Imperial is a Vancouver based exploration, mine development and operating company with holdings that include the Mount
Polley mine (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), the Red Chris mine (30%). Imperial also holds a portfolio of 23 greenfield
exploration properties in British Columbia.
Company Contacts
Brian Kynoch | President | 604.669.8959
Darb Dhillon | Chief Financial Officer | 604.488.2658
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this news release are not statements of historical fact and are “forward-looking” statements. Forward-
looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Company management’s expectations or beliefs
regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectations with respect to the
impact of COVID -19 on the Company’s business and operations; metal pricing and its impact on revaluations of revenue;
fluctuations of quarterly revenues; future foreign exchange currency rates; expectations and timing regarding a feasibility study
in respect of a underground block cave mining operation at Red Chris; potential development plans and mining methods at Red
Chris; progression of the exploration decline at Red Chris; expectations regarding the potential cost and length of life mine of Red
Chris; expectations regarding financing arrangements to fund the Company’s share of cost of ongoing development at Red Chris
and the restart of Mount Polley; expectations regarding updates to the restart plans and timelines for Mount Polley and
Huckleberry; metal production guidance and estimates ; expectations and timing regarding current and future exploration and
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drilling programs; expectations regarding use of magnetic surveys and additional exploration plans at Mount Polley; expectations
regarding data inte rpretation and locat ion of new drill targets at Huckleberry; expectations regarding future geological
investigations and diamond drilling at Huckleberry; expectations regarding XRT based ore sorting and its potential to improve
life of mine economics at the Sustut deposit; expectations regarding resumption of an airborne ZTEM geophysical survey at
the Sustut deposit; expectations regarding future exploration plans at Two Star, Storey Creek and Porcher Island exploration
properties; and the usefulness and comparability of non -IFRS financial measures including adjusted net loss, adjusted EBITDA,
cash earnings, cash earnings per share and cash cost per pound of copper produced.
In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect",
"is expected", "outlook", "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" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their very
nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based
on information currently available to the Company as well as the Comp any’s current beliefs and assumptions. These factors and
assumptions and beliefs and assumptions include, the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s interim and annual
financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis of those statements, all of which are filed and available for review
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions,
events or results to differ materially from those described in forward -looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to
control or predict. There can be no assurance that forward -looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward -looking statements and all forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary
statements.