Imperial Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results
imperialmetals.com
News Release
Imperial Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Vancouver | August 9, 2023 | Imperial Metals Corporation (the “Company”) (TSX:III) reports financial results for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2023, as summarized in this news release and discussed in detail in the Management’s
Discussion & Analysis. The Company’s financial results are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”). The reporting currency of the Company is the Canadian (“CDN”) Dollar.
QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
FINANCIAL
Total revenue was $85.8 million in the June 2023 quarter compared to $36.4 million in the 2022 comparative quarter.
In the June 2023 quarter, the Red Chris mine (100% basis) had 3.6 concentrate shipments (2022-4.5 concentrate shipments).
Mount Polley mine had 1.4 concentrate shipments (2022-nil concentrate shipments).
Variations in revenue are impacted by the re-start of the Mount Polley mine operations, 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$3.85 in the June 2023 quarter compared
to US$4.32 in the 2022 comparative quarter. The LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) gold price per troy ounce
averaged US$1,978 in the June 2023 quarter compared to US$1,873 in the 2022 comparative quarter. The average US/CDN
Dollar exchange rate was 1.3 43 in the June 2023 quarter, 5.2% higher than the exchange rate of 1.2 77 in the June 2022
quarter. In CDN Dollar terms the average copper pri ce in the June 2023 quarter was CDN$ 5.17 per pound compared to
CDN$5.52 per pound in the 2022 comparative quarter, and the average gold price in the June 2023 quarter was CDN$2,657
per ounce compared to CDN$2,391 per ounce in the 2022 comparative quarter.
A negative revenue revaluation in the June 2023 quarter was $ 8.2 million as compared to a negative revenue revaluation
of $7.3 million in the 2022 comparative quarter. 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 and weights.
Net loss for the June 2023 quarter was $16.0 million ($0.10 per share) compared to net loss of $29.3 million ($0.21 per share)
in the 2022 comparative quarter. The decrease in net loss of $13.3 million was primarily due to the following factors:
• mine operations went from an income of $0.1 million in June 2022 quarter to a loss of $10.5 million in June 2023,
increasing net loss by $10.6 million
• Mount Polley restart costs went from $30.2 million in June 2022 quarter to $nil in June 2023, decreasing net loss by $30.2
million, and
• interest expense went from $1.7 million in June 2022 to $7.4 million in June 2023, increasing net loss by $5.7 million.
Capital expenditures including leases were $42.5 million in the June 2023 quarter, an increase of $2.9 million from $39.6
million in the 2022 comparative quarter. The June 2023 quarter expenditures included $11.9 million in exploration, $10.7
million for tailings dam construction, $3.3 million on stripping costs, and $16.6 million of other capital.
At June 30, 2023, the Company had not hedged any copper, gold or US/CDN Dollar exchange. Quarterly revenues will
fluctuate depending on copper and gold prices, the US/CDN Dollar exchange rate, and the ti ming of concentrate sales,
which is dependent on concentrate production and the availability and scheduling of transportation.
OPERATIONS
During the quarter ended June 30, 2023, Imperial’s consolidated metal production was 11,181,595 pounds copper and
14,289 ounces gold, with 7,062,836 pounds copper and 10,185 ounces gold produced from Mount Polley and 4,118,759
pounds copper and 4,104 ounces gold from its 30% share of Red Chris mine production.
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Mount Polley Mine
Q2 2023 vs Q1 2023
Mount Polley metal production for the second quarter of 2023 was 7,062,836 pounds copper and 10,185 ounces gold,
compared to 6,678,094 pounds copper and 9,980 ounces gold produced during the first quarter of 2023. Metal production
was up by 5.8% for copper and 2.1% for gold for this quarter due to higher copper and gold grades and slightly higher
throughput. The throughput was 15,724 tonnes per day compared to 15,440 tonnes per day, copper recovery was 79.9%
compared to 81.1%, gold recovery was 68.3% compared to 71.5%. A lightning strike damaged a mill motor during the
quarter, which inhibited the drive to increase throughput while maintaining the excellent metal recoveries that are being
achieved year to date . The motor is out for repair and exp ected to be repaired and returned to site at the end of August
2023.
Three Months Ended
June 30
Three Months Ended
March 31
2023 2023
Ore milled - tonnes 1,430,842 1,389,635
Ore milled per calendar day - tonnes 15,583 15,440
Grade % - copper 0.28 0.27
Grade g/t - gold 0.32 0.31
Recovery % - copper 79.9 81.1
Recovery % - gold 68.3 71.5
Copper - 000’s pounds 7,063 6,678
Gold - ounces 10,185 9,980
Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022
During the comparative June 30, 2022 quarter, Mount Polley Mine was not in production.
Exploration, development, and capital expenditures in the second quarter of 2023 were $ 9.8 million compared to $ 5.2
million in the 2022 comparative quarter.
Jim Miller-Tait, P.Geo., Imperial Metals Vice President Exploration (“Mr. Miller -Tait”), has reviewed the Mount Poll ey
disclosure contained in this news release and is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101
(“NI 43-101”) for the Mount Polley exploration program.
Red Chris Mine
Q2 2023 vs Q1 2023
Red Chris metal production (100%) for the second quarter of 2023 was 13,729,195 pounds copper and 13,680 ounces gold,
compared to 11,589,689 pounds copper and 10,496 ounces gold produced during the first quarter of 2023. At Red Chris,
metal production was higher by 18.5% for copper and 30.3% for gold compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due
to higher head grades for copper and gold, and a 11.5% increase in ore milled compared to the previous quarter.
Q2 2023 vs Q2 2022
100% Red Chris mine production Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
2023 2022 2023 2022
Ore milled - tonnes 2,357,656 2,576,109 4,448,428 4,601,566
Ore milled per calendar day - tonnes 25,908 28,309 24,577 25,423
Grade % - copper 0.348 0.486 0.337 0.450
Grade g/t - gold 0.343 0.394 0.328 0.375
Recovery % - copper 75.9 80.5 76.6 77.3
Recovery % - gold 52.6 60.6 51.5 57.0
Copper - 000’s pounds 13,729 22,005 25,319 35,316
Gold - ounces 13,680 19,540 24,176 31,628
Imperial’s 30% share of exploration, development, and capital expenditures were $ 32.5 million in the June 2023 quarter
compared to $33.9 million in the 2022 comparative quarter.
Block Cave Feasibility Study
At Red Chris, progress towards block cave mining is advancing with the decline at 3,245 me tres as of Ju ly 20, 2023. The
Block Cave Feasibility Study is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023.
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The exploration program continued at Red Chris during the first quarter of 2023 with ongoing drilling east of the East Ridge
Exploration Target returning positive results. Work is unde rway to update the Red Chris Mineral Resources estimate to
include East Ridge in 2023, which will provide further clarity on the size and scale of this prospect .
During the reporting period, there were up to four diamond drill rigs in operation. A further 6,947 metres of drilling was
completed during the quarter from 11 drill holes.
Mr. Miller-Tait has reviewed the Red Chris disclosure contained in this MD&A and is the designated Qualified Person as
defined by NI 43-101 for the Red Chris exploration program.
Huckleberry Mine
Huckleberry operations ceased in August 2016 and the mine remains on care and maintenance status.
Site personnel continue to focus on maintaining 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 management facilities.
For the June 2023 quarter, Huckleberry incurred idle mine costs comprised of $1.6 million in operating costs and $0.2 million
in depreciation expense compared to $1. 5 million in operating cost and $0.2 million in depreciation expense in the
comparable quarter of 2022.
EARNINGS AND CASH FLOW
Select Quarter Financial Information
expressed in thousands of dollars,
except share and per share amounts
Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
2023 2022 2023 2022
Operations:
Total revenues $85,761 $36,383 $178,425 $69,509
Net loss $(16,049) $(29,275) $(23,302) $(36,200)
Net loss per share $(0.10) $(0.21) $(0.15) $(0.26)
Diluted loss per share $(0.10) $(0.21) $(0.15) $(0.26)
Adjusted net loss $(16,056) $(29,706) $(23,311) $(48,460)
Adjusted net loss per share $(0.10) $(0.21) $(0.15) $(0.34)
Adjusted EBITDA $927 $(22,950) $6,850 $(36,330)
Cash earnings $1,270 $(23,130) $6,674 $(36,461)
Cash earnings per share $0.01 $(0.16) $0.04 $(0.26)
Working capital deficiency
deficiency
$(103,022) $(62,806) $(103,022) $(62,806)
Total assets $1,357,554 $1,231,314 $1,357,554 $1,231,314
Total debt (including current portion) $277,002 $99,092 $277,002 $99,092
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company reports four non -IFRS financial measures: adjusted net income (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 a re included in the measures that are used by management in assessing the financial
performance of the Company.
Adjusted net income (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 the
June 2023 quarter was $16.0 million ($0.10 per share) compared to an adjusted net loss of $29.7 million ($0.21 per share)
in the 2022 comparative quarter. 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 .
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Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA in the June 2023 quarter was $0.9 million compared to a loss of $23.0 million in the 202 2 comparative
quarter. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, taxes, depletion, and depreciation, and
as adjusted for certain other items.
We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about
certain non-cash items and is useful to investors as an important indicator of our operations and the performance of our
core business.
Cash Earnings and Cash Earnings Per Share
Cash earnings in the June 2023 quarter was $1.3 million compared to negative $(23.1) million in the 2022 comparative
quarter. Cash earnings per share was $0.01 in the June 2023 quarter compared to $(0.16) in the 2022 comparative quarter.
Cash earnings and cash earnings per share are measures used by the Company to evaluate its performance however they
are not terms recognized under IFRS . We believe that the presentation of cash earnings and cash earnings per share is
appropriate to provide additional information to investors about how well the Company can earn c ash to pay its debts and
manage its operating expenses and investment. Cash earnings is defined as cash flow from operations before the net change
in non-cash working capital balances, income and mining taxes paid, and interest paid. Cash earnings per shar e is the same
measure divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.
Cash Cost Per Pound of Copper Produced
The Company is primarily a copper producer and therefore calculates this non -IFRS financial measure individually for its
three copper mines, Red Chris (30% share), Mount Polley and Huckleberry, and on a composite basis for these mines .
Variations from period to perio d in the cash cost per pound of copper produced are the result of many factors including:
grade, metal recoveries, amount of stripping charged to operations, mine and mill operating conditions, labour and other
cost inputs, transportation and warehousing costs, treatment and refining costs, the amount of by -product and other
revenues, the US$ 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 .
Calculation of Cash Cost Per Pound of Copper Produced
expressed in thousands, except cash cost per pound of copper produced Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Red Chris Mount Polley Composite
A B C=A+B
Cash cost of copper produced in US$ $17,623 $16,727 $34,350
Copper produced – 000’s pounds 4,119 7,063 11,182
Cash cost per lb copper produced in US$ $4.28 $2.37 $3.07
expressed in thousands, except cash cost per pound of copper produced Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Red Chris Mount Polley(1) Composite
A B C=A+B
Cash cost of copper produced in US$ $9,609 $ - $9,609
Copper produced – 000’s pounds 6,602 - 6,602
Cash cost per lb copper produced in US$ $1.46 $ - $1.46
(1) Mount Polley mine operations were suspended in May 2019, and the mine remained on care and maintenance until the
economics of mining improved. The mine restarted operations in late June 2022.
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Calculation of Cash Cost Per Pound of Copper Produced
expressed in thousands, except cash cost per pound of copper produced Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Red Chris Mount Polley Composite
A B C=A+B
Cash cost of copper produced in US$ $37,313 $32,954 $70,267
Copper produced – 000’s pounds 7,596 13,741 21,337
Cash cost per lb copper produced in US$ $4.91 $2.40 $3.29
expressed in thousands, except cash cost per pound of copper produced Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
Red Chris Mount Polley(1) Composite
A B C=A+B
Cash cost of copper produced in US$ $20,750 $ - $20,750
Copper produced – 000’s pounds 10,595 - 10,595
Cash cost per lb copper produced in US$ $1.96 $ - $1.96
(1) Mount Polley mine operations were suspended in May 2019, and the mine remained on care and maintenance until the
economics of mining improved. The mine restarted operations in late June 2022.
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For detailed information, refer to Imperial’s 2023 Second Quarter Report available on imperialmetals.com and sedarplus.ca.
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 | 604.669.8959
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 its business and
operations; metal pricing and demand; fluctuation of revenues; potential development p lans and mining methods at Red Chris;
expectations and timing regarding current and future exploration and drilling programs; progress and advancement of the exploration
decline; expectations regarding completion of the Block Cave Feasibility Study and timing thereof; timing regarding repair of a damaged
mill motor; metal production guidance and estimates; and expectations regarding the usefulness of non -IFRS financial measures
including adjusted net income (loss), adjusted EBITDA, cash earnings and cash cost per pound of copper.
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 news release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are
based on information currently available to the Company as well as the Company’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 sedarplus.ca. 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.