Triple Flag Announces Strong Q1 2024 Results Driven by Growth at Northparkes
Triple Flag Announces Strong Q1 2024
Results Driven by Growth at Northparkes
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2024--Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. (with its
subsidiaries, “Triple Flag” or the “Company”) (TSX: TFPM, NYSE: TFPM) announced its
results for the first quarter of 2024 and declared a dividend of US$0.0525 per common share to
be paid on June 14, 2024. All amounts are expressed in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
“The business continues to generate significant free cash flow, with a record start to 2024
putting us firmly in line with annual GEOs sales guidance of 105 to 115 thousand ounces,”
commented Shaun Usmar, CEO. “Growth from our cornerstone asset, Northparkes, has
delivered meaningful results in the first quarter of 2024, and we look forward to the impact of
our portfolio’s exposure to increased gold and silver prices on our cash flow. Triple Flag has a
highly driven, invested team, and we have a clear opportunity to meaningfully advance our
development aspirations.”
Q1 2024 Financial Highlights
Q1 2024 Q1 2023
Revenue $57.5 million $50.3 million
Gold Equivalent Ounces (“GEOs”)1 27,794 26,599
Net Earnings (per share) $17.4 million ($0.09) $16.5 million ($0.09)
Adjusted Net Earnings2 (per share) $23.2 million ($0.12) $15.3 million ($0.08)
Operating Cash Flow $38.9 million $38.9 million
Operating Cash Flow per Share 0.19 0.20
Adjusted EBITDA3 $48.1 million $39.4 million
Asset Margin4 92% 88%
GEOs Sold by Commodity and Revenue by Commodity
Three Months Ended March 31
($ thousands except GEOs) 2024 2023
GEOs1
Gold 17,646 14,005
Silver 9,485 11,385
Other 663 1,209
Total 27,794 26,599
Revenue
Gold 36,524 26,468
Silver 19,632 21,517
Other 1,372 2,284
Total 57,528 50,269
Corporate Updates
Guidance and Outlook Maintained: Triple Flag remains on track to achieve its sales
guidance for 2024 of 105,000 to 115,000 GEOs. As previously announced, we expect the
GEOs contribution in 2024 from the higher gold grade E31 and E31N open pits at
Northparkes to be slightly higher in the second half of the year compared to the first half
due to the sequencing of mining and processing activities.
Triple Flag’s average annual sales outlook from 2025 to 2029 of approximately 140,000
GEOs remains unchanged.
Quarterly Dividend Maintained: Triple Flag’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly
dividend of US$0.0525 per common share that will be paid on June 14, 2024, to
shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2024.
Share Buyback Activity: Under its current normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”), Triple
Flag is authorized to repurchase 10,078,488 common shares from November 15, 2023, to
November 14, 2024. Through the end of the first quarter of 2024, Triple Flag bought
back 454,700 shares in the open market for C$7.8 million, of which, 283,100 shares for
C$4.8 million was during the first quarter of 2024.
Commencement of Payments on NSR Royalty on the Kensington Gold Mine: As
previously announced, during the first quarter of 2024, wholly owned subsidiaries of
Triple Flag and Coeur Mining, Inc. (“Coeur”) entered into a settlement agreement to
resolve litigation regarding the terms of a royalty held by Triple Flag on Coeur’s
Kensington gold mine.
Under the terms of the settlement, Triple Flag and Coeur agreed to amend the terms of
the existing Kensington royalty to provide that:
Effective January 1, 2024, the royalty will pay at a rate of 1.25% of net smelter
returns through to December 31, 2026.
The royalty rate will increase to 1.50% of net smelter returns starting January 1,
2027.
Coeur’s production guidance for 2024 at Kensington is 92,000 to 106,000 ounces of goldi.
As part of the settlement agreement, Triple Flag has received 737 thousand shares of Coeur
and, in the first quarter of 2025, will receive further shares of Coeur with a fixed value of
$3.75 million as determined at that time. The Coeur share consideration is in settlement of
royalties in arrears and litigation expenses incurred. The recognition of royalties in arrears
resulted in approximately 2,600 GEOs in the first quarter of 2024.
The amended NSR royalty is subject to a cap of two million ounces of gold, adjusted for
consideration received related to royalties in arrears.
Kensington is an underground gold operation located in Alaska, currently consisting of the
Kensington Main, Raven and Jualin deposits, as well as other exploration targets.
Commercial production began in 2010, and in 2019, the mine achieved over one million
ounces of gold produced.
As of December 31, 2023, proven and probable reserves at Kensington totaled 411 koz of
gold, with an additional 819 koz of resources (exclusive) in the measured and indicated
category as well as 388 koz in the inferred categoryii. Ongoing exploration work includes
drilling at the Kensington Zone 30 and Elmira deposits to further build reserves. Recent
assays at the property have shown orebody continuity to the south and down-dip.
Q1 2024 Portfolio Updates
Triple Flag’s long-term GEOs sales outlook builds on the sector-leading growth achieved since
our inception, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 20% since 2017.
GEOs sales over the five-year period from 2025 to 2029 are expected to average 140,000 GEOs
per year, a significant increase over current levels driven by expansions from existing producing
assets as well as development and exploration assets slated to commence operations in the
medium to long term.
Significant year-to-date newsflow and milestones related to assets within our portfolio are
detailed below.
Australia:
Northparkes (54% gold stream and 80% silver stream): Sales from Northparkes in Q1
2024 were 6,286 GEOs, compared to 3,339 GEOs in Q4 2023. Consistent with Triple
Flag’s guidance for a stronger 2024 due to the processing of the higher-gold-grade E31
and E31N open pits, GEOs sales from Northparkes increased by nearly 90% quarter-on-
quarter. We continue to expect these higher grade open pits to contribute to mill feed
blend through at least 2025. A feasibility study for the E22 underground orebody is
expected by the end of the second quarter of 2024, which is anticipated to represent a
source of higher grade gold ore at Northparkes in the medium to long term.
Beta Hunt (3.25% GR gold royalty and 1.5% NSR gold royalty): Royalties from Beta
Hunt in Q1 2024 equated to 1,214 GEOs. Karora Resources disclosed that first quarter
performance at Beta Hunt was impacted by wet weather and a regional interruption to
grid power that impacted processing operations. Full primary crushing was restored by
the end of March. The operator is on track to deliver 2024 production guidance of
170,000 to 185,000 ounces of gold.
The expansion project to increase mine capacity at Beta Hunt to 2 million tonnes per
annum remains on track for completion by the end of 2024. To accommodate the
expected increase in mining fleet, orders were placed for the supply, installation, and
commissioning of new, permanent primary ventilation fans late in the third quarter of
2024.
On April 7, 2024, Westgold Resources and Karora Resources announced a friendly
merger pursuant to which, Westgold will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding
common shares of Karora. Completion of the transaction is expected to create one of the
top 5 largest, ASX-listed gold producers operating exclusively in Western Australia. In
the transaction announcement, Westgold commented that “the prize here is Beta Hunt’s
gold potential. Rarely do you find a gold asset of the quality and potential of Beta Hunt
hiding in a nickel belt and drilling is expected to further unlock value at this mine.”
An immediate focus for Westgold is the Fletcher zone, with initial cuts expected in the
second half of 2024. Significant existing drilling equipment from Westgold will be
redeployed to Beta Hunt, which is currently defined over 7 km with only 4 km drilled
historically.
Fosterville (2.0% NSR gold royalty): Royalties from Fosterville in Q1 2024 equated to
1,051 GEOs. Agnico Eagle has disclosed that first quarter performance was in line with
plan, and reiterated production guidance of 200,000 to 220,000 ounces of gold in 2024.
Latin America:
Cerro Lindo (65% silver stream): Sales from Cerro Lindo in Q1 2024 were 6,585 GEOs.
On March 27, 2024, Nexa announced updated reserves and resources for Cerro Lindoiii,
including proven and probable silver reserves of 41.15 Mt at 22.6 g/t totaling 29,966 koz
Ag as of December 31, 2023. Current measured and indicated silver resources (exclusive)
totaled 7.70 Mt at 23.7 g/t totaling 5,857 koz Ag, and inferred silver resources totaled
9.28 Mt at 32.6 g/t totaling 9,726 koz Ag.
Camino Rojo (2.0% NSR gold royalty on oxides): Royalties from Camino Rojo in Q1
2024 equated to 656 GEOs. 2024 production guidance for the asset remains unchanged at
110,000 to 120,000 ounces of gold.
Buriticá (100% silver stream, fixed ratio to gold): Sales from Buriticá in Q1 2024 were
974 GEOs. Throughout the first quarter of 2024, Buriticá was able to maintain steady
operations; however, due to the ongoing presence of illegal miners, certain areas of the
mine were avoided as a precautionary measure. The mine site continues to engage closely
with the surrounding community on illegal mining and is supported by the National
Army and National Police of Colombia.
North America:
Young-Davidson (1.5% NSR gold royalty): Royalties from Young-Davidson in Q1 2024
equated to 652 GEOs. As of December 31, 2023, Alamos Gold estimates a mine life of
approximately 15 years for Young-Davidson based on current underground mining rates.
The operator has budgeted $12 million for exploration at Young-Davidson in 2024,
focusing on extending mineralization within the syenite, which hosts the majority of the
current reserve and resource base. Drilling is also expected to test the hanging wall and
footwall of the deposit, where higher grades have been previously intersected.
Pumpkin Hollow (97.5% gold and silver stream, fixed ratio): On April 22, 2024, the
operator disclosed that further near-term funding is required to complete the
commissioning and ramp-up of the Pumpkin Hollow underground mine and that
discussions are ongoing with a third-party regarding a proposal for additional financing
and a potential change of control transaction.
Triple Flag continues to monitor this development closely to maximize value for our
shareholders. Our interests related to the Pumpkin Hollow gold and silver stream are
second secured against all of Nevada Copper’s assets. Separately, our royalty interest on
the Pumpkin Hollow property has been registered and/or otherwise recorded in the
applicable state and federal registries.
Florida Canyon (3.0% NSR gold royalty): Royalties from Florida Canyon in Q1 2024
equated to 448 GEOs. During the quarter, Argonaut Gold introduced 2024 production
guidance of 63,000 to 70,000 gold equivalent ounces.
On March 27, 2024, Alamos Gold announced a friendly acquisition of Argonaut Gold.
Upon closing of the acquisition, Argonaut Gold’s assets in the United States and Mexico,
including the Florida Canyon heap leach mine in Nevada, will be spun out to a newly
created junior gold producer. This new junior gold producer is expected to receive $10
million from Alamos in exchange for a 19.9% ownership interest.
Moss (100% silver stream): In April 2024, Elevation Gold announced that it is examining
all available options to preserve sufficient liquidity for the continued operation of the
Moss mine, including debt consolidation or restructuring, further debt or equity
financing, or a sale of the operation. Pursuant to this, Elevation Gold also announced that
it has temporarily suspended royalty/finder fee payments and silver stream delivery
obligations.
Together with other stakeholders, Triple Flag is closely monitoring this development.
Our interests related to the Moss mine, including the silver stream, are first secured
against all of Elevation Gold’s assets. Moss is a gold and silver heap leach operation
located in Arizona, USA.
Hope Bay (1.0% NSR gold royalty): Exploration drilling during the first quarter of 2024
returned strong results in the Patch 7 area of the Madrid deposit, including 20.8 g/t gold
over 17.7 meters and 14.1 g/t gold over 16.4 meters in a cluster of high-grade
intersections approximately 200 meters north of Patch 7 mineral resources. With this
emerging new mineralized area returning grades and thicknesses greater than average for
the Madrid deposit, Agnico Eagle expects to intensify drilling in this area for the rest of
2024 given the potential positive impact on mining scenarios for potential project
redevelopment.
South Railroad (2.0% NSR gold and silver royalty): In April 2024, Orla Mining
completed the acquisition of Contact Gold, whose key asset is the 100%-owned Pony
Creek property in Nevada. Pony Creek is located immediately adjacent to Orla’s core
growth asset, the South Railroad heap leach project. Ongoing exploration success at
South Railroad has indicated the potential for resource and pit growth. Over a 25-
kilometer strike length at the property, Orla is expected to complete a 22,000-meter drill
program in 2024. A record of decision for South Railroad is expected in 2025.
Tamarack (1.85% NSR nickel and PGM royalty on Talon Metals Corp.’s interest in the
project): In April 2024, Talon announced that a feasibility study for Tamarack is expected
to be completed in unison with the project’s environmental impact statement in 2025.
Under a $114.8 million grant from the US Department of Energy, Talon is also in the
final stages of securing an existing brownfields site in North Dakota to receive feedstock
from the Tamarack project.
Fenn-Gib (1.0% to 1.5% NSR gold royalty): Fenn-Gib is a 100%-owned gold deposit
that straddles the Pipestone fault in Northern Ontario, operated by Mayfair Gold.
Conceptually, the deposit is currently designed to be mined by bulk tonnage, open pit
methods, however, recent drilling indicates the potential for underground mining. The
current pit-constrained resource is 3.4 million ounces Au at 0.93 g/tiv. During the quarter,
a pre-feasibility study for Fenn-Gib was launched.
Rest of World:
Impala Bafokeng (70% gold stream): Sales from Impala Bafokeng in Q1 2024 were
1,537 GEOs, versus Q4 2023 sales of 1,674 GEOs. During the quarter, performance at
the asset’s value driver, Styldrift, was constrained by mining fleet and operational
impediments. Impala Platinum, the operator, disclosed that it remains on track to deliver
within group guidance for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
ATO (25% gold stream and 50% silver stream): Sales from the ATO streams in Q1 2024
were 1,376 GEOs. During the quarter, Steppe Gold reported progress on the ATO Phase
2 Expansion, and have now drawn the first $50 million of the previously announced $150
million project financing package. First concentrate production under Phase 2 is expected
by 2026.
On April 11, 2024, Steppe Gold announced that it had entered into a share exchange
agreement to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Boroo Gold LLC pursuant
to a previously announced binding term sheet. The completion of this acquisition is
expected to establish Steppe Gold as the largest gold producer in Mongolia, providing
further financial strength, asset diversification and scale.
On March 15, 2024, Triple Flag entered into an agreement with Steppe Gold to acquire a
prepaid gold interest. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company made a cash
payment of $5 million to acquire the prepaid gold interest, which provides for the
delivery of 2,650 ounces of gold that will be delivered by Steppe Gold over five months.
Deliveries will commence on August 15, 2024, with five equal monthly deliveries of 530
ounces of gold.
Agbaou (2.5% NSR gold royalty): Royalties from Agbaou in Q1 2024 equated to 328
GEOs. During the quarter, the operator introduced 2024 production guidance of 85,000 to
95,000 ounces of gold for Agbaou. The current life-of-mine plan contemplates a
minimum annual production profile of 90,000 ounces until 2026, with total gold
production of over 465,000 ounces through 2028. Further mine life extensions are
targeted from the newly defined Agbalé deposit, which is included in the 2024
exploration program for Agbaou with a budget of $6 million.
Koné (2.0% NSR gold royalty): During the first quarter of 2024, Montage Gold
announced the appointment of Martino De Ciccio as CEO, as well as the completion of a
non-brokered private placement. The closing of this financing increased the Lundin
family’s ownership interest in Montage Gold to approximately 18% and raised the cash
balance to C$39.5 million.
Based on the 2024 feasibility study, Koné is designed to produce an average of 223,000
ounces of gold per year over an initial mine life of 16 years. Final permits and approvals
for Koné are expected in Q3 2024, with construction anticipated to commence thereafter.
Prieska (0.8% GR royalty and 84% gold and silver stream, fixed ratio): Trial mining at
Prieska continued during the first quarter of 2024, with ore development testing the strike
dip extensions within the +105 Block. Ore sourced from trial mining will be used for
metallurgical testwork and the design of a sulphide concentrator plant. An updated
feasibility study for Prieska is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2024.
Enchi (2.0% NSR gold royalty): In April 2024, Newcore Gold released an updated
preliminary economic assessment for the 100%-owned Enchi gold project in Ghana.
Enchi is designed as an open pit, heap leach operation producing an average of 120,000
ounces of gold per year over a 9-year mine life. All deposits and targets remain open
along strike and at depth, with growth potential in both shallow oxide and sulphide
mineralization.
Conference Call Details
A conference call and live webcast presentation will be held on May 8, 2024, starting at 9:00
a.m. ET (6:00 a.m. PT) to discuss these results. The live webcast can be accessed by visiting the
Events and Presentations page on the Company’s website at: www.tripleflagpm.com. An
archived version of the webcast will be available on the website for one year following the
webcast.
Live Webcast: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/189620706
Dial-In Details:
Toll-Free (U.S. & Canada): +1 (888) 330-2384
International: +1 (647) 800-3739
Conference ID: 4548984, followed by # key
Replay (Until May 22):
Toll-Free (U.S. & Canada): +1 (800) 770-2030
International: +1 (647) 362-9199
Conference ID: 4548984, followed by # key