Lundin Mining Announces Closing of the Acquisition of Majority Interest in the Caserones Copper -Molybdenum Mine in Chile and Commitments for New $800 Million Term Loan
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NEWS RELEASE
Lundin Mining Announces Closing of the Acquisition of Majority Interest in the
Caserones Copper -Molybdenum Mine in Chile and Commitments for New
$800 Million Term Loan
Toronto, July 13, 2023 (TSX: LUN; Nasdaq Stockholm: LUMI) Lundin Mining Corporation (“Lundin Mining” or
the “Company”) is pleased to announce the closing of the acquisition of fifty-one percent (51%) of the issued and
outstanding equity of SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile (“Lumina Copper”), which o wns the Caserones copper -
molybdenum mine (“Caserones’”) located in Chile, from JX Metals Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries
(collectively, “JX”), as previously announced on March 27, 2023 (the “Acquisition”). Additionally, the Company is
pleased to announce it has obtained commitments for a three-year term loan (“Term Loan”) in a principal amount
of $800 million, with an additional $400 million accordion available upon receipt of additional binding
commitments and closing of up to an additional nin eteen (19%) interest in Lumina Copper and satisfaction of
relevant conditions precedent. The Term Loan is subject to the execution and delivery of definitive documentation
in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and the Term Loan lenders and sati sfaction of relevant
conditions precedent.
Chief Executive Officer, Peter Rockandel , commented “With the addition of Caserones, Lundin Mining adds another
long-life copper mine of meaningful size with significant growth potential to our portfolio of high -quality assets. The
Caserones team has achieved material operational improvements in recent years, and I am confident that we will unlock
additional upside through our considerable knowledge, experience, and existing presence in the region. The Caserones
acquisition further solidifies Lundin Mining as a significant contributor to Chile in the Atacama Region and as a growing
global producer of copper as the world shifts to a lower carbon future. On a proforma basis including Caserones, Lundin
Mining’s operations produced over 191,000 tonnes of copper in the first half of this year.”
Teitur Poulsen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, added “Lundin Mining’s cash-generation potential
has further increased with the addition of Caserones . To that end , it is very pleasing to see Lumina Copper generate
approximately $120 million under the Acquisition lock-box in the first six months of the year and to end June with a cash
position of over $150 million on a 100% basis. In conjunction with the Caserones acquisition, the Company has received
$800 million in Term Loan commitments from our existing lenders as well as from three new banks at competitive terms,
demonstrating that this Acquisition has also been accretive from a credit perspective. The new $800 million Term Loan,
combined with the existing $1.75 billion revolving facility, will ensure that the Company retains a strong funding position
with significant liquidity headroom as we continue progressing Josemaria and other growth projects within the portfolio.”
The Company paid an aggregate of approximately $800 million in cash consideration at closing . Remaining
deferred cash consideration of $150 million will be payable in installments over the six-year period following the
closing date. Lundin Mining also has the right to acquire up to an additional 19% interest in Lumina Copper for
$350 million over a five-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of closing.
Technical Report for Caserones as Standalone Operation
A technical report for the Caserones mine titled “Caserones Mining Operation, Chile, NI 43-101 Technical Report
on the Caserones Mining Operation” (the “Technical Report”) has been prepared and filed today in accordance with
National Instrument 43 -101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and is available for review under the
Company’s profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company’s website (www.lundinmining.com).
The Company believes that many opportunities exist to improve upon the life -of-mine plan presented in the
Technical Report. Proximity to Lundin Mining’s Candelaria operation, approximately 160 km from Caserones, and
Josemaria project, approximately 20 km from Caserones, introduce clear opportunities to realize additional savings
and implement effective supply, logistical and management strategies not yet reflected in the life-of-mine plan.
Further, Lundin Mining believes significant exploration potential exists within the over 58,500 hectare s of the
Caserones land package in the highly prospective Vicuña District.
Caserones Production & Guidance
Caserones produced 69,704 t of copper and 2,393 t of molybdenum in the first half of 2023 on a 100% basis.
Copper production was comprised of 61,333 t of copper in concentrate and 8,371 t of copper cathodes.
Production guidance for the second half of 2023 is 60,000-65,000 t of copper and 1,500-2,000 t of molybdenum on
a 100% basis. Caserones 2023 copper and molybdenum production are expected to be weighted to the first half
of the year primarily due to seasonal winter weather operating considerations typically experienced during the
third quarter. Implied full-year 2023 production guidance may differ from estimates contained in the Technical
Report primarily given results achieved year-to-date and refinement of near-term plans compared to the Technical
Report overall effective date of December 31, 2022. Annual production guidance for Caserones on a 100% basis
for both 2024 and 2025 is 110,000-120,000 t of copper and 1,500-2,500 t of molybdenum.
Cash cost 1 for the second half of 2023 is forecast to be $ 2.30/lb – $2.45/lb of copper , after by-product credits,
assuming an average price of $20/lb molybdenum.
Caserones’ capital expenditures for the second half of 2023 are forecast to total $110 million on a 100% basis. Of
this, capitalized waste stripping and mine development are forecast to be approximately $45 million, mine and
mill capital expenditures are forecast to be $30 million, and $25 million is estimated for capitalized tailings storage
facilities costs.
Commitments for New $800 Million Term Loan
The Company has received commitments from ten lenders for a new Term Loan in a principal amount of
$800 million, which it expects to use to refinance the drawdown under the existing $1.75 billion revolving credit
facility which was used to fund the upfront cash consideration of the Acquisition. The commitments remain subject
to the execution and delivery of definitive documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and
the Term Loan lenders and the satisfaction of applicable conditions precedent. It is expected that the Term Loan
will have a term of three years from closing thereof, and provide for an additional $400 million non -committed
accordion, which would become available upon receipt of additional binding commitments and closing of up to an
additional nineteen percent (19%) interest in Lumina Copper and satisfaction of applicable conditions precedent.
1 Cash cost is non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the Company's discussion of non-GAAP and other performance measures in its Management's Discussion and Analysis
for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
It is expected that the Term Loan will bear interest on US dollar denominated drawn funds at an annual rate equal
to the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus a credit spread adjustment plus an applicable margin of 1.60%
to 2.65%, depending upon the Company’s net leverage ratio. It is expected that the Term Loan will be unsecured,
save and except for a charge over certain assets in the United States of America, and will have similar covenants
to the Company’s existing $1.75 billion revolving credit facility.
Upon execution, th e Term Loan agreement will be available for review under the Company’s profile on SEDAR
(www.sedar.com).
Caserones Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve Estimates
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves are reported on a 100% basis (Lundin Mining holds a 51% interest) using
the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Definition Standards for Mineral Resources
and Mineral Reserves (the “2014 CIM Definition Standards”) and have an effective date of December 31, 2022. The
Mineral Resource estimate is based on 1,045 core and reverse circulation drillholes totaling 175,280 m and includes
all drilling completed up until the end of 2017.
Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves . Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves
have not demonstrated economic viability. The Qualified Person responsible for the Mineral Resource estimate is
Mr. Paul Daigle, P.Geo., Associate Principal Geologist with AGP Mining Consultants Inc.
Mineral Resource Statement, effective December 31, 2022
Grade Contained Metal
Category Million
Tonnes
CuT
%
Mo
%
CuT
kt
Mo
kt
Measured 173 0.36 0.012 617 21
Indicated 850 0.30 0.010 2,532 84
Measured & Indicated 1,023 0.31 0.010 3,150 105
Inferred 121 0.26 0.012 317 14
Notes:
1. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate.
2. Totals may not sum due to rounding as required by reporting guidelines.
3. Open pit mineral resources are reported within an optimized constraining shell.
4. Open pit cut-off grade is 0.13% CuT.
The basis for the Mineral Reserve estimate is the ore grade material contained within a set of operational phase
designs currently being used at Caserones to guide mining operations. The Qualified Person responsible for the
Mineral Reserves estimate is Mr. Kirk Hanson, P.E., Principal Mining Engineer with AGP Mining Consultants Inc.
Mineral Reserve Statement, effective December 31, 2022
Grade Contained Metal
Category Million
Tonnes
CuT
%
Mo
%
CuT
kt
Mo
kt
Proven 144 0.36 0.016 518 13
Probable 706 0.29 0.013 2,036 63
Total Reserves 850 0.30 0.014 2,554 76
Notes:
1. The Mineral Reserves have an effective date of December 31, 2022 and are reported at the point of delivery to the process plant. The Qualified
Person responsible for the estimate is Mr. Kirk Hanson, P.E., Principal Mining Engineer with AGP.
2. Mineral Reserves are reported within a design pit based on optimized Lerchs–Grossmann pit shell. Input parameters include the following:
long term copper price of US$3.65/lb and long term molybdenum price of US$11.45/lb; a 2.88% net smelter return (NSR) royalty rate; average
life-of-mine (LOM) mining cost of US$2.32/t mined, average LOM copper concentrate processing cost of US$8.20/t processed, average LOM
general and administrative (G&A) costs of US$3.83/t processed and average desalinated water cost of $0.75/t processed; averag e LOM
molybdenum concentrate processing cost of US$24.93/t of concentrate; average LOM dump leach cost of $1.47/t placed; bench face angles
that range from 60 –70º; fixed metallurgical recoveries of 82.7%, 53.7%, and 60% for copper concentrate, copper dump leach, and
molybdenum concentrate respectively. Cut-off grades are based on block values with positive value blocks classified as ore. Dilution and ore
loss are accounted for in the resource model blocks, and no additional ore loss or dilution is applied.
3. Mineral Reserves are presented on a 100% basis. MLCC owns the pro ject. LMC beneficially holds a 51% interest in MLCC and JX beneficially
holds the remaining 49% interest in MLCC.
4. Tonnages are metric tonnes rounded to the nearest 100,000. Copper grade is rounded to the nearest 0.01 % copper. CuT (kt) are estimates
of metal contained in tonnages and do not include allowances for processing losses. Contained copper is reported as kilo tonnes, rounded to
the nearest 1,000.
5. Rounding of tonnes and contained metal content as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent differences between tonnes,
grade and contained metal content.
Technical Information
The Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein is Arman Barha,
P.Eng., Vice President, Technical Services of the Company. Mr. Barha, who is a "qualified person" as defined under
NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release . For additional information,
including with respect to data verification and exploration information, see the Technical Report.
About Lundin Mining
Lundin Mining is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company with operations and projects in Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Sweden and the United States of America, primarily producing copper, zinc, gold and nickel.
The information in this release is subject to the disclosure requirements of Lundin Mining under the EU Market
Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set
out below on July 13, 2023 at 14:00 Eastern Time.
For further information, please contact:
Mark Turner, Vice President, Business Valuations and Investor Relations: +1 416 342 5565
Irina Kuznetsova, Manager, Investor Relations: +1 416 342 5583
Robert Eriksson, Investor Relations Sweden: +46 8 440 54 50
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is “forward -looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this document constitute forward -looking information, including but not limited to
statements regarding the Company’s plans, prospects and business strategies; the significant growth potential to the Company’s portfolio of assets and
expected synergies and potential for cost savings; the potential to unlock additional upside; expectations regarding the worl d shifting to a lower carbon
future; statements regarding the Term Loan, and anticipated timing for completion; the Company’s expectations regarding liqui dity; the anticipated
development of Josemaria and other growth projects; anticipated cash costs and capita l expenditures; expectations regarding 2023 production guidance;
the Company’s guidance on the timing and amount of future production and its expectations regarding the results of operations; expected costs; permitting
requirements and timelines; timing an d possible outcome of pending litigation; the results of any Preliminary Economic Assessment, Feasibility Study, or
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimations, life of mine estimates, and mine and mine closure plans; anticipated market prices of metals, currency
exchange rates, and interest rates; the development and implementation of the Company’s Responsible Mining Management System; the Company’s ability
to comply with contractual and permitting or other regulatory requirements; anticipated exploration and development activities at the Company’s projects;
expectations and ability to complete the Caserones transaction; the Company’s integration of acquisitions and any anticipated benefits thereof, including
the Caserones transaction; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”,
“contemplate”, “target”, “plan”, “goal”, “aim”, “intend”, “continue”, “budget”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “can”, “could”, “s hould”, “schedule” and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon various estimates and assumptions including, without limitation, the expectatio ns and beliefs of
management, including that the Company can achieve certain synergies, access financing, appropriate equip ment and sufficient labour; assumed and
future price of copper, nickel, zinc, gold and other metals; anticipated costs; ability to achieve goals; the prompt and effe ctive integration of acquisitions;
that the political environment in which the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects; and assumptions
related to the factors set forth below. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Lundin Mining as at the date of this document in
light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, these statements are inherently su bject to significant
business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected in the forward -looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are
not limited to: the inability to satisfy the conditions of the Term Loan; global financial conditions, market volatility and inflation, including pricing and
availability of key supplies and services; risks inherent in mining including but not limited to risks to the environment, in dustrial accidents, catastrophic
equipment failures, unusual or unexpected geological formations or unstable ground conditions, and natural phenomena such as earthquakes, flooding or
unusually severe weather; uninsurable risks; project financing risks, liquidity risks and limited financial r esources; volatility and fluctuations in metal and
commodity demand and prices; delays or the inability to obtain, retain or comply with permits; significant reliance on a single asset; reputation risks related
to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; health and safety risks; risks relating to the development of the Josemaria
Project; inability to attract and retain highly skilled employees; risks associated with climate change; compliance with environmental, health and safety laws
and regulations; unavailable or inaccessible infrastructure, infrastructure failures, and risks related to ageing infrastruct ure; risks inherent in and/or
associated with operating in foreign countries and emerging markets, including wit h respect to foreign exchange and capital controls; economic, political
and social instability and mining regime changes in the Company’s operating jurisdictions, including but not limited to those related to permitting and
approvals, environmental and tai lings management, labour, trade relations, and transportation; risks relating to indebtedness; the inability to effectively
compete in the industry; the inability to currently control the Caserones mine and the ability to satisfy the conditions and consummate the Caserones
transaction on the proposed terms and expected schedule; risks associated with acquisitions and related integration efforts, including the ability to achieve
anticipated benefits, unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to int egration and diversion of management time on integration; changing taxation
regimes; risks related to mine closure activities, reclamation obligations, environmental liabilities and closed and historic al sites; reliance on key personnel
and reporting and oversight systems, as well as third parties and consultants in foreign jurisdictions; information technology and cybersecurity risks; risks
associated with the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and the geology, grade and continuity of min eral deposits including but not
limited to models relating thereto; actual ore mined and/or metal recoveries varying from Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserv e estimates, estimates of
grade, tonnage, dilution, mine plans and metallurgical and other characteristics; ore processing efficiency; community and stakeholder opposition; financial
projections, including estimates of future expenditures and cash costs, and estimates of future production may not be reliabl e; enforcing legal rights in
foreign jurisdictions; environmental and regulatory risks associated with the structural stability of waste rock dumps or tailings storage faci lities; activist
shareholders and proxy solicitation matters; risks relating to dilution; regulatory investigations, enforcement, s anctions and/or related or other litigation;
risks relating to payment of dividends; counterparty and customer concentration risks; the estimation of asset carrying value s; risks associated with the use
of derivatives; relationships with employees and cont ractors, and the potential for and effects of labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or
shortages of labour or interruptions in production; conflicts of interest; existence of a significant shareholder; exchange r ate fluctuations; challen ges or
defects in title; internal controls; compliance with foreign laws; potential for the allegation of fraud and corruption invol ving the Company, its customers,
suppliers or employees, or the allegation of improper or discriminatory employment practice s, or human rights violations; the threat associated with
outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; risks relating to minor elements contained in concentrate products; and other risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to those described in t he “Risk and Uncertainties” section of the Company’s Annual Information Form and the “Managing Risks” section of
the Company’s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company’s pr ofile.
All of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements. Although the Company has attempted to
identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward -looking information, there may be other
factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, forecast or intended and readers are cautioned that the foreg oing list is not exhaustive of all
factors and assumptions which may have been used. Should one or mo re of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward -looking information. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that
forward-looking information will prove to be accurate and forward -looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Readers are advised
not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the da te of this
document. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward ‐looking information or to explain any material difference
between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable law.
Cautionary Notes to Investors – Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates
In accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates of the Company disclos ed or referenced in this
news release have been prepared in accordance with the disclosure standards of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“NI 43 -101”), and have been classified in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and
Petroleum’s 2014 edition of the “Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Reserves”. The Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimates are
inclusive of those Mineral Resource estimates modified to produce the Mineral Reserve estimates. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not
have demonstrated economic viability. Caserones Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates are shown on a 100% basis. Lundin Mining holds a 51%
interest in the Caserones operations. Estimates are effective as at December 31, 2022.