Sprott Resource Holdings Inc. Reports 2020 First Quarter Results
Sprott Resource Holdings Inc. Reports 2020 First Quarter Results
(all amounts expressed in US dollars)
TORONTO, May 28, 2020 -- (TSX: SRHI) - Sprott Resource Holdings Inc. (" SRHI" or the " Company") today announced its
operating and financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The Company's principal operating business is its
70% equity interest in the producing copper mine Minera Tres Valles (" MTV") in Salamanca, Chile. The Company's financial
statements and management's discussion and analysis (" MD&A") are available at www.sprottresource.com and
www.sedar.com.
"COVID-19 and other events have impacted the business significantly," stated Michael Harrison, Interim President and CEO of
SRHI. "Our focus continues to be around managing and mitigating the risks related to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the
necessary safeguards to maintain the health and safety of our employees, contractors and communities. This pandemic and
related uncertainty has continued to suppress the near-term copper price and negatively affected the global economy. It has
introduced social dislocation with various cities and countries around the world responding in different ways to address the
outbreak. The Company and its primary operating subsidiary, MTV, are not immune to this ongoing dynamic and the outlook
is uncertain."
Mr. Harrison continued, “During the first quarter of 2020, the Company reacted and modified its operations which included
updating short-term mine plans to focus on easily accessible, higher grade material which can be mined at a lower strip ratio
and creating a lower operating cost environment which will be sustainable in a depressed copper price environment. We
believe these low copper prices and market uncertainties are short term and anticipate the copper price recovering."
"While our mine plan is sustainable longer term at higher prices than today, the construction and development of the
Papomono Masivo incline block caving project is undoubtedly the most important part of MTV's future success. The immediate
need for support from MTV's stakeholders in providing MTV the financial flexibility to execute this project resulted in MTV filing
for creditors' protection on May 12, 2020. This is expected to provide MTV sufficient time to complete its refinancing efforts
while protecting its supply chain."
Business Update
COVID-19
COVID-19 has had a significant effect on the business of MTV and contributed to a significant reduction in the near-term
copper price. On March 18, 2020, Chile declared a state of catastrophe over the COVID-19 outbreak that restricts freedom of
movement within the country. This declaration is still in place. MTV undertook significant measures in response to COVID-19,
including:
• Implementing comprehensive preventative measures at site;
• Temporarily halting the majority of all mining operations;
• Significantly reducing the employee base required to maintain minimal operations;
• Maintaining the necessary staff to operate and monitor the leach pad;
• Maintaining the necessary staff to operate its solvent-extraction and electrowinning processing plant where its copper
cathodes are produced; and,
• Maintaining the necessary staff to conduct preventative maintenance of key equipment
These measures, together with the delayed timing in the expected recovery of copper prices, contributed to an after-tax
impairment charge of $7.6 million and an inventory write-down of $3.8 million.
MTV continues to operate in a reduced state yet produced nearly one million pounds of copper cathodes in April and is
projected to produce a further nine hundred thousand pounds in May.
COVID-19 also contributed to the decision to file for creditors' protection for MTV.
Creditor Protection for MTV
On May 12, 2020, MTV commenced reorganization proceedings by filing a Judicial Restructuring Procedure (“JRP”) in Chile to
seek protection from creditors with the expectation that it will give MTV sufficient time to complete its refinancing efforts to
allow for the completion of the construction of its underground mine. This is the equivalent of filing for creditor protection under
the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in Canada.
After careful consideration of all available alternatives following thorough consultation with its advisors, the Company and MTV
determined that it was in the best interests of MTV and all of its stakeholders to file for an application for creditor protection
under the JRP.
The initial court order to be obtained is expected to provide a stay of creditor claims and the exercise of contractual rights with
a view to provide the necessary protection to allow MTV to negotiate repayment terms with its creditors that should provide a
financial foundation to grow MTV’s business. This is an event of default under the Facility that MTV has with the Lenders, that
could result in the Company's $10 million guarantee that it has provided to be called upon on demand. The Lenders have
informed MTV and the Company that it has chosen not to exercise its rights and remedies under the Facility at this time as a
consequence of this event of default. The court order is also intended to provide clarity to the many suppliers and workers of
MTV from the surrounding communities. Salamanca and its surrounding areas supply over 70% of the MTV mine site’s
workforce and this community is an integral part of MTV's business.
At this time and based on constructive discussions with MTV's Lenders, MTV expects that upon a successful negotiation with
its creditors, that additional capital will be committed by the Company (up to $10 million) and MTV's Lenders to begin
construction of the Papomono Masivo incline block caving underground mining project. Once construction is complete, the
Papomono Masivo deposit is expected to provide high grade ore with low per tonne operating costs once in production that
should provide meaningful cash flows by the end of 2021.
As a result of filing the JRP, the TSX is reviewing the eligibility of the Company’s securities for continued listing on the TSX. If
the Company cannot demonstrate that it meets applicable TSX requirements on or before September 10, 2020, the Company’s
securities will be delisted 30 days from such date. In the event that the Company is required to delist, the Company
anticipates having alternatives for providing shareholders a platform to transact which may include a listing on the TSX Venture
Exchange or NEX Exchange.
Chile's Drought
The province of Coquimbo, where the mine is located, is suffering through a severe drought, the worst in 60 years, which is
affecting fluid flow through the heaps and copper production. MTV owns and leases water rights that allow it to take up to 81
litres per second (" l/s") of water from various sources including the Choapa River, however the reduced flow does not fulfill
these rights.
Water flow from snow-melt typically rises in October and November. With reduced snow and rain this past Chilean winter,
there has not been sufficient recharge to the Choapa River. The Chilean government declared an agricultural emergency in
September for livestock farmers in the region, however there was little indication that the expected rise in water flow would not
occur.
In 2020, the water challenges intensified and MTV immediately instituted mitigating measures including exploring other
sources of water through discussions with local community members and surveying MTV’s property for probable well
locations. Subsequent to March 31, 2020, MTV secured a portion of its water shortage and identified other sources of water on
the MTV property that are currently yielding the required water flows to maintain its revised planned operations. However,
should MTV not continue to secure these additional water amounts and/or the drought conditions exist for the foreseeable
future, further adjustments to the operations at MTV may be be required.
2020 Guidance
The Company is not in a position to provide guidance for 2020 given the broad level of uncertainty and, more particularly, until
additional information is assessed following the current COVID-19 impacts and the resolution of MTV's creditor protection
process.
Special Committee
On February 11, 2019, the Board of Directors (the " Board") of the Company formed a special committee of the Board
("Special Committee ") comprised solely of the Company's four Independent Directors chaired by Terry Lyons, the current
Chairman of the Board. The Special Committee was established to review and evaluate potential measures to address the
Company's market valuation. The review was comprehensive and evaluated all measures to maximize shareholder value. The
Special Committee engaged financial and legal advisors to assist in its evaluation.
The Company announced on February 18, 2020, that the Special Committee had been dissolved but its strategic review
continues at the Board level. The conclusion of the Special Committee was to complete a transition to focus the Company’s
investment thesis as a pure-play copper-mining company, to continue to pursue alternatives to divesting its portfolio of
investments in order to further support MTV and to continue to look for strategic alternatives for the Company.
Subsequent to March 31, 2020, the Company disposed of its equity holdings in Corsa Coal Corp. (" Corsa Coal") and Uranium
Royalty Corp. ("URC") for gross proceeds of $2.7 million.
On May 12, 2020, consistent with the Board's decision to continue as a pure-play copper-mining company, the Company and
Sprott Consulting Limited Partnership (“ SCLP”), a wholly-owned entity of Sprott Inc., mutually agreed to terminate their
management services arrangement and the Company transition to establish an independent management team. The Company
has entered into a Transitional Support Agreement (the “Agreement ”) with effect June 23, 2020 with SCLP pursuant to which
the Management Services Agreement (" MSA") between the Company and SCLP will be terminated effective June 23, 2020.
There is no payment required by the Company to be made to SCLP or any Sprott Inc. affiliate as a result.
As a result of the Agreement:
• All employees of Sprott Inc. and its affiliates will resign as directors or officers of the Company or its subsidiaries. Each
of Rick Rule, Michael Harrison and Andrew Stronach will not stand for re-election at the upcoming annual general
meeting;
• Terry Lyons, the Chairman of the Board of the Company, will become the Interim Chief Executive Officer;
• Michael Staresinic, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, is anticipated to continue in that role and may become
a direct employee of the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company will determine the composition of the
balance of the Company’s management team in due course;
• The Company will change its name to “SRHI Inc.”;
• SCLP will continue to provide ongoing support services on a transitional basis and without cost to SRHI until no later
than December 31, 2020 to ensure the continued operation of the Company with no disruption due to the termination of
the MSA.
Operational Update
Three months ended
Operating information Mar. 31,
2020
Mar. 31,
2019
Copper (MTV Operations)
Total ore mined (thousands of tonnes) 249 264
Total waste mined (thousands of tonnes) 638 1,499
Ore Processed (thousands of tonnes) 299 311
Grade (% Cu) 0.82% 0.61%
Cu Production (tonnes) 1,484 1,793
Cu Production (thousands of pounds) 3,271 3,953
Change in inventory ($000s) (3,226) 4,145
Cash cost of copper produced 1 (USD per pound) $ 3.27 $ 2.27
Cash cost of copper produced excluding write-down of inventory $ 2.11 $ 2.27
Realized copper price (USD per pound) $ 2.25 $ 2.81
1 Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, a combination of circumstances including a significant drop in copper price
and working capital issues contributed to a change in mining operations strategy. In an effort to reduce operational costs,
certain measures were taken throughout the quarter including reductions in headcount, idling two mining operations and
operating only the Rajo Norte open pit, modifying plant shift schedules and purchasing high grade third party ore.
Cost per pound produced increased to $3.27 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $2.27 for the three
months ended March 31, 2019. The increase in cost per pound is largely driven by the write-down in inventory of $3.8 million.
Not including the write-down in inventory, the cost per pound produced was $2.11 per pound. There was no write-down of
inventory in the first quarter of 2019.
Total ore and waste tonnes mined have decreased compared to the same quarter in the prior year (887 thousand tonnes in the
three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to 1.8 million tonnes in the three months ended March 31, 2019). This is
largely due to a significant decrease in tonnes of waste moved in the first quarter of 2020 (638 thousand tonnes compared to
1.5 million tonnes for the three months ended March 31, 2019), a decrease of 57%. During the first quarter of 2020, the waste
contractor for Don Gabriel demobilized and waste movement was taken on internally by MTV. In addition, due to changes in
mine sequencing, the expansion at Don Gabriel was temporarily put on hold in order to focus on more economic ore in a lower
copper price environment.
Ore mined in the three months ended March 31, 2020 of 249 thousand tonnes is similar to the three months ended March 31,
2019 of 264 thousand tonnes, but is significantly lower than the fourth quarter of 2019 of 313 thousand tonnes (a 21%
decrease). This was driven by a change in mine sequencing and the negative impact on operations of a historic drought in
northern Chile.
Production for the three months ended March 31, 2020 of 1,484 tonnes of copper cathodes was lower than than the three
months ended March 31, 2019 of 1,793 tonnes. Given tonnes of ore mined and crushed for both periods are fairly similar, the
impact on copper production was largely driven by:
• the drought which continued through the first quarter of 2020
• the reduction of oxide ore placed on the heap leach which lowers the timing of production coming off the leach pads
compared to the recovery curve for sulfide ore placed
• ability of maintaining optimal balance of reagents in solution
Salt Leach Project
Salt Leaching involves adding rock salt (NaCl) in the agglomeration stage of the crushing plant allowing the mixed sulphide and
oxide material to cure in the heap for 15 to 30 days before application of sulphuric acid. The oxidation of sulphide material in
the heaps is expected to improve copper recoveries by approximately 8%, reduce acid consumption, and decrease the leach
time by approximately 40%. Unfortunately, the drought conditions being experienced in Chile had a negative effect on MTV's
leaching operations near the end of 2019 and continued into the first quarter of 2020 with the operation not having enough
solution available to irrigate all the ore being placed on the leach pads.
Production
During the first quarter of 2020, MTV produced 3.3 million pounds of 99.99% pure copper cathodes at a cash cost of $3.27 per
pound (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures) and sold 3.0 million pounds at an average sales price of $2.25 per pound. MTV had
approximately $1.1 million of finished goods inventory at March 31, 2020.
Total material crushed in the three months ended March 31, 2020 was 299 thousand tonnes primarily from operations at Don
Gabriel and Rajo Norte open pit mines. This compares to 311 thousand tonnes in three months ended March 31, 2019.
Don Gabriel was historically the largest contributor of ore to MTV and together with other ancillary deposits, ore movement
during the last six months in 2019 was more than 100,000 tonnes per month, a first for MTV. The first three months of 2020
were impacted by several external forces including COVID-19, resulting in production levels averaging approximately 54,000
tonnes per month.
Ore production from the Papomono underground mine was significantly curtailed for the three months ended March 31, 2020,
extracting ore from resource blocks adjacent to the Papomono Masivo deposit in advance of future block caving efforts. A large
component of ore production growth remains part of the long term mine plan now expected in 2021 (instead of 2020) which will
come from the higher-grade Papomono Masivo deposit. MTV plans to extract ore using retreat mining during the second half of
2020 and is considering beginning the construction and development of the incline block caving of Papomono Masivo in the
second half of 2020, at which point it is expected to ultimately generate underground production beyond 2,000 tonnes per day
while halving unit-mining costs.
Production in the first quarter of 2020 was lower than the fourth quarter of 2019 due to several external forces experienced by
MTV including Chile's worst drought in 60 years, the social unrest uprising that created issues with suppliers and COVID-19
pandemic impacts. MTV continues to assess its options for mine sequencing in 2020 given the continuing COVID-19
pandemic impacts and the creditor protection process that has been initiated by MTV.
Following the pre-feasibility level estimates for Papomono in the Technical Report, detailed engineering is complete and initial
development is expected to take 12 months and be completed in 2021 subject to a successful creditor protection process
outcome for MTV. Continuing pricing pressure directly related to the USA-China trade dispute, and the COVID-19 virus
together with Chile's continued drought and social unrest have delayed expected production for 2020 and the Company is in
the process of structuring a mine plan sequencing and operations to accommodate these unforeseen operational pressures
while its negotiation with creditors continue. It is still expected that over time, production from Papomono Masivo will ramp up
to beyond 2,000 tonnes per day, compared to the current production levels of approximately 300 tonnes per day.
Mineralized material supplied by ENAMI and local miners has decreased in the first quarter of 2020 due to the current
economic environment and decline in copper prices. The processing of third party mineralized material has good margins,
utilizes excess capacity, requires no capital spend and benefits local community members.
In December 2019, MTV entered into a secured prepayment facility (the " Facility") with Anglo American Marketing Limited
and a fund under investment management of Kimura Capital LP (referred to as the " Lenders”). MTV, the Company and the
Lenders are currently in advanced discussions to amend the Facility as part of the creditor protection process to
accommodate the operational impacts resulting from the lower copper price due to the USA-China trade dispute and the
COVID-19 outbreak. This is in addition to Chile's continuing drought and social unrest.
Capital Cost Expenditures
Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included $1.4 million of capital expenditures primarily for
waste stripping at Don Gabriel and costs for the Salt Leach project. During the quarter, 638 thousand tonnes of waste and pre-
strip were moved, compared to 1.5 million tonnes moved in the prior year’s quarter due to a change in mine sequencing and
transitioning waste movement internally at MTV in 2020.
Health and Safety
For the three months ended March 31, 2020, there was one Lost-Time Incident in February 2020. The Company and MTV
devote considerable time and effort to ensure that our workers and contractors return safely to their families after each shift.
Our safety statistics are better than the country and peer averages, and MTV pro-actively engages in education and
assessment to achieve a goal of zero lost-time incidents. MTV’s Injury Frequency rate was 1.5 per million hours worked as at
March 31, 2020.
Community and Environment
On March 18, 2020, Chile declared a state of catastrophe over the COVID-19 outbreak that restricts freedom of movement
within the country. On March 21, 2020, officials of Salamanca formally requested MTV to temporarily halt or restrict operations
for two weeks as a measure to slow the advance of the pandemic and on March 23, 2020, the Company announced measures
that were immediately implemented at MTV. These measures continue to be in place. The extent of the effect of the COVID-19
pandemic on the Company’s future business activities is uncertain.
MTV works with the local communities, and the MTV Foundation continued the funding of projects agreed by the MTV
Foundation board, which is largely composed of community representatives to help MTV understand the true needs of its
neighbors, such as starting an eco-friendly cooperative at a local school. MTV’s ore purchase program ensures support from
local miners, buying ore from over 26 providers and supporting the development of over 300 small-scale miners through local
mining unions.
Financial Results
Three months ended
Financial information (in thousands) Mar. 31, 2020 Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue $ 7,147 $ 8,608
Gross loss $ (6,982) $ (1,560)
Net loss from continuing operations $ (15,576) $ (2,622)
Net loss from discontinued operations $ (2,241) $ (1,517)
Net loss for the period $ (17,817) $ (4,139)
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations 1 $ 1,731 $ (1,959)
Unrealized gain (loss) on portfolio investments $ (2,332) $ 1,662
Impairment of non-current assets $ (7,628) $ —
Write-down of inventory $ (3,805) $ —
Cash used in operating activities before working capital changes $ (2,246) $ (1,300)
1 Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures
Financial Results Summary
Revenues of $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were generated predominantly from the sale of copper
cathodes and tolling charges for mineralized material supplied by ENAMI. Finished goods inventory at March 31, 2020 was
approximately $1.1 million. Copper cathodes sold for the three months ended March 31, 2020 of 1,354 tonnes which was
slightly higher than the comparative quarter in 2019 of 1,302 tonnes due to timing of shipments.
Tonnes of copper sold during the three months ended March 31, 2020 were 52 tonnes higher than the three months ended
March 31, 2019 but the unfavourable price variance had a more significant impact on the gross loss with a decrease in realized
price from $2.68 per pound for the three months ended December 31, 2019 to $2.25 per pound.
The Company reported a quarterly net loss of $17.8 million or $(0.53) per share. This result includes a net loss from
discontinued operations of $2.2 million, impairment charges of $7.6 million, inventory write-down of $3.8 million and an
unrealized loss on portfolio investments of $2.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures) from continuing
operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $1.7 million or $0.05 per share. For the comparable quarter in
2019, the Company reported a net loss of $4.1 million or $(0.12) per share and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of
negative $2.0 million or $(0.06) per share.
In the first quarter of 2020, cash used in operating activities was $0.5 million (cash used of $2.2 million before changes in non-
cash components of working capital), as compared with the first quarter of 2019 when cash used in operating activities was
$4.5 million (cash used of $1.3 million before changes in non-cash components of working capital).
The gross loss for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $7.0 million. This is largely generated by a decrease in copper
price and an inventory write-down of $3.8 million.
Total costs (excluding the write-down of inventory) have decreased due to the change in mine plan with a 57% decrease in
waste mined during the quarter compared to the first quarter of 2019. Also, during the three months ended March 31, 2020,
cost of sales was positively impacted by the strengthening of the US dollar of approximately 14% compared to the Chilean
peso.
Cash Position
Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $9.5 million at March 31, 2020 from $11.6 million at December 31, 2019 as MTV
primarily used its opening cash balance and cash flow from operations to support the mine which included capital
expenditures of $1.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The Company has cash of $11.5 million as at the
date hereof.
Investment Portfolio Divestment
The Company continues to work on its divestment strategies for its Tactical Assets. Subsequent to March 31, 2020, the
Company disposed of all its equity holdings of Corsa Coal and URC for gross proceeds of $2.7 million. Management expects
that further dispositions could be realized this year.
Qualified Persons
Scientific or technical information in this press release relating to MTV is based on information prepared by Dr Antonio
Luraschi, RM CMC, Manager of Metallurgic Development and Senior Financial Analyst, Wood; Mr Sergio Navarrete, RM CMC,
Mining Engineer, Wood; Mr Alfonso Ovalle, RM CMC, Mining Engineer, Wood; Mr Michael G. Hester, FAusIMM, Vice
President and Principal Mining Engineer, Independent Mining Consultants, Inc.; Mr Enrique Quiroga, RM CMC, Mining
Engineer, Q&Q Ltda; Mr Gabriel Vera, RM CMC, Metallurgical Process Consultant, GVMetallurgy; and Mr Sergio Alvarado,
RM CMC, Consultant Geologist, General Manager and Partner, Geoinvestment Sergio Alvarado Casas E.I.R.L., all of whom
were independent “Qualified Persons” as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects at the time the Technical Report was completed. The Technical Report was filed by SRHI on SEDAR on
December 14, 2018. Readers are encouraged to read the Technical Report in its entirety.
Notes on Preliminary Economic Assessments
Please note that the PEA Case is preliminary in nature, that it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too
speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as
mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA Case will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves
do not have demonstrated economic viability.
About MTV
MTV is an operating mining complex located 300 kilometers northeast of Santiago, Chile in Region IV near the town of
Salamanca. MTV comprises two main deposits: Papomono (underground) and Don Gabriel (open pit). The mine is currently
operating and producing high-grade copper cathode. The mine has significant infrastructure in place with a crushing and
processing plant with nameplate capacity of 7,000 and 6,000 tonnes per day, respectively. The plant is designed to produce
up to 18,500 tonnes per annum of LME Grade 99.999% copper cathodes. For more information about MTV, please
visit http://www.mineratresvalles.com.
About Sprott Resource Holdings Inc.
SRHI is a publicly-listed company focused on expanding MTV's copper mining operation in Chile and divesting of its legacy
investments. Based in Toronto, SRHI is managed under a services contract by a team of resource professionals and its
businesses and portfolio investments are concentrated in the mining sector. For more information about SRHI, please visit
www.sprottresource.com.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
"Cash costs", "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Working Capital" are non-IFRS financial performance measures. Further details on non
-IFRS measures are provided in the MD&A accompanying SRHI financial statements filed from time-to-time on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this news release, contain forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as the " Forward-
Looking Statements ") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect",
"anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are
intended to identify Forward-Looking Statements. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains
Forward-Looking Statements pertaining to: anticipated additional capital for MTV and the sources and timing thereof,
expectations regarding the outcome of the creditor protection process in Chile and the sustainability of MTV, expectations
regarding production (including in May 2020) and ability and timing of generation of positive free cash flow; expectations
regarding the MTV mine expansion, development and cost reductions and operational efficiencies, including the anticipated
expansion methods, costs, timing and the benefits derived from same; expectations regarding the change in the Company's
management and continued support under the transitional agreement with SCLP; expectations regarding the costs, timing and
benefits of the Salt Leach; the short term and long term price of copper; future block caving efforts and the expected benefits
therefrom and timing thereof; improvements in gross profits and timing for operations to ramp up to full capacity; expectations
regarding the investment portfolio divestment; the mine plan and capital expenditure program for MTV; mineral resource and
mineral reserve estimates; the Technical Report; continued USA-China trade disputes; continued unrest in Chile; disruption by
COVID-19 and water shortages; the ability of the Company and MTV to continue as a going concern and the impact and
timing of plans in respect thereof, and general business and economic conditions.
Although SRHI believes that the Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future results,
performance or achievements. A number of factors or assumptions have been used to develop the Forward-Looking
Statements, including: there being no additional significant disruptions affecting the development and operation of MTV; the
availability of certain consumables (including water) and services and the prices for power and other key supplies being
approximately consistent with assumptions in the Technical Studies; labour and materials costs being approximately
consistent with assumptions in the Technical Studies; fixed operating costs being approximately consistent with assumptions
in the Technical Studies; permitting and arrangements with stakeholders being consistent with current expectations as
outlined in the Technical Studies; certain tax rates, including the allocation of certain tax attributes, being applicable to MTV;
the availability of financing for MTV’s planned development activities; assumptions made in mineral resource and mineral
reserve estimates and the financial analysis based on the mineral reserve estimate and in the case of the PEA, the mineral
resource estimate, including (as applicable), but not limited to, geological interpretation, grades, commodity price
assumptions, metallurgical performance, extraction and mining recovery rates, hydrological and hydrogeological assumptions,
capital and operating cost estimates, and general marketing, political, business and economic conditions, the continued
availability of quality management, critical accounting estimates, current constructive negotiations with the Lenders will
continue, the creditor protection process will be successful, drought conditions will improve, supplemental water availability will
continue and SRHI will not be delisted from the TSX. Actual results, performance or achievements could vary materially from
those expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Statements should assumptions underlying the Forward-Looking
Statements prove incorrect or should one or more risks or other factors materialize, including: (i) possible variations in grade or
recovery rates; (ii) copper price fluctuations and uncertainties; (iii) delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; (iv)
risks associated with the mining industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays
or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates
and projections relating to mineral reserves, production, costs and expenses; and labour, health, safety and environmental
risks) and risks associated with the other portfolio companies' industries; (v) performance of the counterparty to the ENAMI
Tolling Contract; (vi) risks associated with investments in emerging markets; (vii) general economic, market and business
conditions; (viii) market volatility that would affect the ability to enter or exit investments; (ix) failure to secure additional
financing in the future on acceptable terms, if at all; (x) commodity price fluctuations and uncertainties; (xi) risks associated
with catastrophic events, manmade disasters, terrorist attacks, wars and other conflicts, or an outbreak of a public health
pandemic or other public health crises, including COVID-19; (xii) those risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Management"
in SRHI’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended ended December 31, 2019; and (xii) those risks
disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" or incorporated by reference into SRHI’s Annual Information Form dated March 24,
2020. See also the cautionary language under “Notes on Preliminary Economic Assessments” above. The Forward-Looking
Statements speak only as of the date hereof, unless otherwise specifically noted, and SRHI does not assume any obligation
to publicly update any Forward-Looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except
as may be expressly required by applicable Canadian securities laws.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of measured, indicated and inferred mineral
resources
This news release may use the terms "measured", "indicated" and "inferred" mineral resources. United States investors are
advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission does not recognize them. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their
existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral
resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not
form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part
of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United States investors are also
cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.
For further information:
Michael Harrison
Interim President and CEO
T: (416) 543-8487
Source: Sprott Resource Holdings Inc.