【Ferro-alloys.com】：MONTREAL, April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd (the “Corporation” or “Osisko”) (OR: TSX & NYSE) is pleased to provide an update on its first quarter 2022 deliveries, sales, cash margins and recent asset advancements.

PRELIMINARY Q1 2022 RESULTS

Osisko earned approximately 18,251 attributable gold equivalent ounces¹ (“GEOs”) in the first quarter of 2022. This figure excludes 3,025 GEOs earned from the Renard diamond stream. As expected, production in the first quarter was impacted by the coldest months of the year, which reduced production at the Eagle mine. Production is expected to increase in the coming quarters as that seasonal effect dissipates and as ramp up of the Mantos expansion progresses. In addition, proceeds from the Renard diamond stream are not expected to be reinvested into the bridge loan starting in early May and, as such, revenues will be recognized again as attributable GEOs.

Osisko recorded preliminary revenues from royalties and streams of C$50.7 million during the first quarter and preliminary cost of sales (excluding depletion) of C$3.2 million, resulting in a record quarterly cash margin² of C$47.5 million, or approximately 94% (97% excluding the Renard diamond stream).

Osisko will provide full production and financial details with the release of its first quarter 2022 results after market close on Wednesday, May 11^th, 2022, followed by a conference call on Thursday, May 12^th at 8am ET. More details are provided at the end of the release.

Sandeep Singh, President and CEO of Osisko commented: “Osisko had a very productive start to the year. We provided our inaugural 5-year growth outlook which highlights excellent organic growth, announced an agreement to acquire a metals stream on the high-grade Trixie Gold Mine in Utah, entered into a binding agreement with Metals Acquisition Corp. on a silver stream on the high-grade CSA mine in Australia, and closed a US$250 million equity financing. We look forward to the Trixie and CSA transactions closing in 2022.

We have previously guided that Q1 GEOs would be lower relative to the remainder of the year as the Eagle operation does not stack ore in the coldest 90 days of the year (January to March) and as other assets ramp up during the year, namely the Mantos expansion, the Ermitaño and Santana start-ups, and the reactivation of the Renard stream in early May. This bodes well for the remainder of the year, as we nonetheless benefitted from a record cash margin in Q1 due to strong gold prices and the inflation-protected nature of our business.”

PORTFOLIO UPDATE

CSA Mine Silver Stream

On March 17^th, Osisko Bermuda Limited (“OBL”), entered into a binding agreement with Metals Acquisition Corp. (“MAC”) with respect to a US$90 million silver stream to facilitate MAC’s acquisition of the producing CSA mine in New South Wales, Australia. OBL has also provided MAC with an option to draw up to an additional US$100 million in upfront proceeds through the sale of a copper stream, subject to MAC’s financing needs and the parties finalizing definitive terms and conditions. MAC has granted OBL a right of first refusal to purchase any royalties or streams on any asset owned by MAC for three years following the closing of the transaction.

From 2019 to 2021, average annual payable silver production at the CSA mine was ~431koz, or ~5,600 gold equivalent ounces per year^*. The mine has a long track-record of reserve and resource replacement, with greater than 100% of mined reserves having been replaced since 2011. MAC is targeting a mine life of over 15 years from existing drill tested zones, with additional exploration potential from both near-mine and regional targets along a highly prospective geological trend within the 350km² property package. The stream is subject to the MAC transaction closing, which is expected in the third quarter of 2022. For more information, refer to Osisko’s press release dated March 17^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

Canadian Malartic Update

Yamana Gold Inc. and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (together the “Partnership”) have fifteen drills currently operating at site and approximately 137,000 meters of surface and underground drilling is planned to infill and expand mineral resources in 2022. The focus will be on aggressive infill drilling at the East Gouldie deposit to continue the conversion of Inferred mineral resources to Indicated mineral resources and to refine the geological model. Over 50% of the Inferred resource has been drilled to 75 meter centers with selected volumes drilled to 40 meters.

Recent drilling continues to define a second mineralized shear zone, the Titan zone, located parallel to and approximately 350 meters south of East Gouldie, expanding the mineralized footprint and providing a new, little tested target volume adjacent to East Gouldie. Ongoing reserve development and resource expansion is expected to extend the mine life beyond 2039 and highlights the potential for additional underground infrastructure, and hence production.

Osisko holds a 5% net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty on East Gouldie, Odyssey South, East Amphi and the western half of East Malartic and a 3% NSR royalty on Odyssey North and the eastern half of East Malartic. For more information, refer to Agnico Eagle Mines Limited’s press release dated February 23^rd, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

Agnico Eagle: Additional Updates

On February 23^rd, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (“Agnico Eagle”) announced global production guidance and noted that the forecast for 2024 does not include potential production upside from pipeline projects such as the AK deposit, the Odyssey internal zones and the Akasaba project at the Goldex mine. Collectively, if developed, these projects could potentially add up to 100,000 ounces of gold production to the 2024 forecast. Osisko owns a 2% NSR royalty on the AK deposit, 2.5% NSR royalty on the Akasaba project and 3-5% NSR royalty on the Odyssey internal zones.

Following its merger with Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd., Agnico Eagle now owns the producing Macassa mine and mill and the Holt mining complex (approximately 60 kilometers northeast of Kirkland Lake). Agnico Eagle plans to evaluate the potential to integrate a number of satellite deposits with the existing infrastructure in the region including AK, Upper Beaver, Upper Canada, Anoki-McBean and Bidgood. Osisko owns a 2% NSR royalty on these deposits.

Agnico Eagle also noted that Upper Beaver has the potential to be a low-cost mine with annual production in the range of 150,000 to 200,000 ounces of gold and a moderate initial capital requirement. Agnico Eagle is evaluating various processing options including building a stand-alone mill and tailings facility at the Upper Beaver site or using an existing mill and tailings facility at either the Macassa mine or the Holt mining complex. For more information, refer to Agnico Eagle’s press release dated February 23^rd, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

Mantos Completes Business Combination with Capstone

On March 23^rd, Mantos Copper Limited completed its previously announced business combination with Capstone Mining Corp. to form Capstone Copper Corp. (“Capstone”). Capstone is a mid-tier copper producer with a diversified portfolio of high-quality, long-life operations in the Americas, including the Mantos Blancos copper-silver mine in Chile.

Capstone is currently completing a mill expansion at Mantos Blancos to increase sulphide throughput from 4.5Mtpa to 7.3Mtpa. Construction is complete and ramp-up is well underway. Annual deliveries of refined silver to Osisko over the first five years, once ramp-up is completed, are expected to average approximately 1.3 million ounces. Life of mine payable silver production is expected to total approximately 14.9 million ounces. A phase II expansion study is also underway reviewing the potential for a further throughput expansion from 7.3Mtpa to 10Mtpa.

Osisko holds a 100% silver stream on the Mantos Blancos mine with an ongoing transfer price equal to 8% of the spot silver price. For more information, refer to Capstone’s press release dated March 23^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com

Victoria Gold Provides Guidance and Exploration Drilling Updates

On March 24^th, Victoria Gold Corp. (“Victoria Gold”) announced 2021 production results for the Eagle gold mine, including 164,222 ounces of gold produced, representing a 40% increase in gold production compared to 2020. It also provided 2022 production guidance of between 165,000 and 190,000 ounces of gold.

The first quarter of 2022 should be the lowest quarter in terms of production at Eagle, given its seasonal nature with ore stacking on the heap leach pad curtailed during the 90 coldest days of the year from January to March. This period was also used for a planned six-week maintenance program on the crushing and stacking facilities.

Victoria Gold has initiated ‘Project 250’ aimed at increasing the average annual gold production of Eagle toward 250,000 ounces of gold during 2023. Detailed engineering and procurement of equipment are underway to enable construction to start in the second half of 2022.

On February 28^th and March 1^st, Victoria Gold announced assay results from the 2021 Dublin Gulch drill program on the Raven and Lynx targets. During the 2021 season, 20,000 meters of diamond drilling were completed across the claim package. The 2021 program successfully doubled the strike length of Raven to ~1.3 km, particularly to the west in an area covered by overlying metasedimentary rocks. Highlighted assay results from the first 19 Raven drill holes include 1.25 g/t gold over 70 meters and 1.74 g/t gold over 15.1 meters. In 2022, Victoria Gold is targeting an inaugural mineral resource estimate for Raven and an additional 20,000 meters of drilling.

Highlighted assay results from the first 6 holes on Lynx include 2.0 g/t gold over 32.3 meters and 3.42 g/t gold over 18.3 meters. Mineralization at the Lynx target resembles the Raven and Nugget deposits, and extends over a strike length of 600 meters while remaining open to the east, west, and at depth.

Osisko holds a 5% NSR royalty on Victoria Gold’s Dublin Gulch project including the Eagle gold mine, and the Raven and Lynx targets. For more information, refer to Victoria Gold’s press releases dated February 28^th, March 1^st and March 24^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

Reserve Increase from Éléonore

On February 24^th, Newmont Corporation (“Newmont”) reported a mineral reserve increase, net of depletion, of 560,000 ounces of gold at the Éléonore gold mine. Probable reserves now comprise 11.2Mt grading 5.05 g/t for 1.82 million ounces of gold. Newmont reiterated 2022 production guidance at Éléonore of 275,000 ounces of gold.

Osisko owns a sliding scale 2.0% to 3.5% NSR royalty on Newmont’s Éléonore gold mine, with a current rate of 2.2%. For more information, refer to Newmont’s the press release dated February 24^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

Island Gold Expands Resources and Reserves

On February 22^nd, Alamos Gold Inc. (“Alamos”) announced that the Island Gold mine mineral reserves and resources increased across all categories, including a 2% increase in mineral reserves and an 8% increase in Inferred mineral resources. An updated mine plan is set to be released mid-2022, incorporating an additional 1.2 million ounces of Inferred resources delineated since the completion of the Phase III Expansion study published in July 2020. The updated mine plan is also expected to incorporate higher-grade material in proximity to the planned shaft bottom earlier in the mine life. This change should contribute to a higher proportion of production coming from areas covered by Osisko’s 3% NSR royalty earlier in the mine plan versus production from areas covered by Osisko’s 1.38% NSR royalty. A total of $22 million is budgeted for exploration at Island Gold in 2022.

Osisko holds a 1.38% to 3% NSR royalty on Alamos’ Island Gold mine. For more information, refer to Alamos’ press release dated February 22^nd, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

Seabee Mine Life Extended

On February 23^rd, SSR Mining Inc. (“SSR”) announced a mine life extension at the Seabee mine to 2028. Seabee has been in continuous operation for 30 years and has a demonstrated track record of mineral reserve replacement that SSR expects to continue into the future. Exploration expenditures will be increased by 20% in 2022, and will focus on Santoy 8, Santoy 9, Gap Hangingwall, Shane, Joker and Porky.

Osisko owns a 3% NSR royalty on SSR’s Seabee Mine. For more information, refer to SSR’s press release dated February 23^rd, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

New Lamaque Technical Study Highlights Significant Upside

On February 24^th, Eldorado Gold Corporation (“Eldorado”) released the results of a new technical study for the Lamaque project, including increased gold production to over 190,000 ounces per year based on the Upper Triangle Reserves. The company also highlighted the potential to extend the life of mine by up to an additional 8.5 years at a production rate of approximately 180,000 ounces per year with production from Lower Triangle and Ormaque Inferred resources. These zones have now been evaluated in a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and provide potential for significant production increases and opportunities for resource expansion.

On March 29^th, Eldorado announced expansions to the Ormaque zone along strike and at depth, including 18.7 g/t Au over 6.6 meters. An exploration drift is currently being developed to access the upper Ormaque deposit from the Triangle-Sigma decline, which will facilitate a 16,900 meter infill and expansion drill program. Eldorado also announced a 37,000 meter drill program on the Bourlemaque property focusing on the Bevcon and Herbin targets.

Osisko holds a 1% NSR royalty over the Triangle, Plug 4, Parallel and Ormaque deposits, and a 2.5% NSR royalty over the Bonnefond, Bevcon, Herbin and River targets. For more information, refer to Eldorado’s press releases dated February 24^th and March 29^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

Osisko Development Financing, Tintic Acquisition and San Antonio Results

On January 25^th, Osisko Development Corp. (“Osisko Development”) announced the proposed acquisition of Tintic Consolidated Metals LLC (“TCM”). On completion of the transaction, Osisko Development will acquire 100% ownership of the producing Trixie Mine, as well as mineral claims covering more than 17,000 acres in Central Utah’s historic Tintic Mining District. More than 2,300 underground samples collected over a 215 meter strike length at Trixie have an average grade of 93 g/t gold and 135 g/t silver. Osisko Development is targeting an increase in throughput from 45 tons per day to 500 tons per day by the end of 2024.

To facilitate Osisko Development’s acquisition of TCM, OBL has entered into a non-binding term sheet for a US$20-40 million stream on all metals produced from the Trixie Mine. If the full US$40 million upfront deposit is utilized, OBL will purchase 5% of all metals produced until 54,300 ounces of gold are delivered, and 4% thereafter. The stream amount will be reduced pro rata if the upfront deposit is less than US$40 million. Following the announcement of the acquisition of TCM, Osisko Development announced financings for gross proceeds totaling approximately C$251.5 million. Subject to the TCM acquisition and the closing of said financings, Osisko’s ownership in Osisko Development will be reduced from 75% to approximately 45%.  

On February 28^th, Osisko Development announced drill results on San Antonio. A total of 27,900 meters were completed on exploration and infill drilling on the Sapuchi, California and Golfo de Oro deposits. Highlights from Golfo de Oro include 1.55 g/t gold over 42.5 meters and 2.47 g/t gold over 21.2 meters. Highlights from Sapuchi include 2.19 g/t gold over 78.90 meters including 21.3 g/t gold over 3.2 meters. The Sapuchi, Golfo de Oro, and California Zones trend for approximately three kilometers and there are at least a dozen other targets at surface that remain unexplored or underexplored along a ten kilometer strike.

Osisko holds a 15% gold and silver stream on the San Antonio project. For more information, refer to Osisko Development’s press releases dated January 25^th, February 28^th, March 2^nd, March 4^th, and March 29^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com.  

Windfall Updates

On January 10^th, Osisko Mining Inc. (“Osisko Mining”) provided an updated mineral resource estimate on the Windfall gold project (“Windfall”). Measured and Indicated resources are estimated at 3.2 million ounces of gold, an increase of 73%, at an average grade of 10.5 g/t. Inferred resources are estimated at 3.6 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 8.6 g/t. Osisko Mining continued to intersect very high grade intersections at Windfall in the first quarter of 2022, including 449 g/t gold over 2.3 meters and 56.5 g/t gold over 6.9 meters. Drilling also confirmed the Golden Bear discovery with 15.3 g/t gold over 3.5 meters and 10.5g/t gold over 2.4 meters. On March 23^rd, Osisko Mining announced the discovery of a new gold zone near Lynx 4 that included intersections of 60.7 g/t gold over 5 meters and 76.4 g/t gold over 3.6 meters. A feasibility study is expected in 2022.

On February 28^th, Osisko Mining announced that it entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi (“CFNW”) for transport of hydroelectric power to the Windfall project. The CFNW will finance, build, own and operate a 120kV transmission line that will supply hydroelectricity to the Windfall project.

Osisko owns a 2% to 3% NSR royalty on Osisko Mining’s Windfall project. For more information, refer to Osisko Mining’s press releases dated January 10^th and 25^th, February 16^th and 28^th, and March 2^nd, 23^rd and 29^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com.

G Mining Ventures Advancing Tocantinzinho

On February 9^th, G Mining Ventures Corp. (“G Mining”) reported the results of an updated feasibility study for the Tocantinzinho gold project, located in Para State, Brazil. The updated study estimates average annual gold production of 196,000 ounces over the first five years and 187,000 ounces over the full 10.5 year mine life. G Mining hopes to secure project financing and make a construction decision by mid-2022.

Osisko holds a 1.75% NSR royalty on the Tocantinzinho project that is subject to a buy down of 1% (for a resulting NSR royalty of 0.75%). For more information, refer to G Mining’s press release dated February 9^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com.

Hermosa Prefeasibility Study Results

On January 17^th, South32 Limited (“South32”) provided results of a prefeasibility study on the Taylor deposit on the Hermosa Property. The study outlined an initial 22 year life of mine with a process design capacity of up to 4.3Mt per year. Based on the study schedule, and subject to a final investment decision and receipt of required permits, shaft development is expected to commence in 2024 with first production in 2027. The steady state annual metal production estimated by the prefeasibility study is 130,000 tonnes of zinc, 166,000 tonnes of lead and 8.7 million ounces silver.  

The Clarke deposit, hosting Indicated resources of 33Mt of 9.39% Mn, 2.49% Zn and 110 g/t Ag, and Inferred resources of 22Mt of 8.64% Mn, 2.04% Zn and 110 g/t Ag is contemplated as a separate processing unit, producing a battery-grade manganese product that would be additional to the production of Taylor. The first phase of the prefeasibility on the Clark deposit to select the preferred development pathway is expected in late 2022.

Osisko holds a 1% NSR royalty on the Hermosa project (including Taylor and Clarke). For more information, refer to South32’s press release dated January 17^th, 2022 on their website.

Gibraltar Reserve Update

On March 31^st, Taseko Mines Limited (“Taseko”) announced a 40% increase to Proven and Probable reserves at its 75%-owned Gibraltar copper mine in central British Columbia. The updated reserve at Gibraltar underpins a 23-year mine life producing on average approximately 129 million pounds of copper and 2.3 million pounds of molybdenum annually. Taseko does not report the silver content of their reserve estimates.

Osisko holds a 100% silver stream on Taseko’s 75% share of production at Gibraltar. For more information, refer to Taseko’s press release dated March 31^st, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com.

New Resource at West Kenya

On March 9^th, Shanta Gold Limited (“Shanta”) reported a maiden Inferred resource on the Ramula target (within the broader West Kenya property) of 6.6Mt grading 2.08 g/t for 434,000 ounces of gold. Shanta management is reviewing an accelerated timeline to full economic assessment.

On February 28^th, Shanta released drill results from the 31,484 meter drill campaign completed in 2021. Highlights included 3.9 meters of 17.8 g/t gold at Isulu and 3.2 meters of 16.1 g/t gold at Bushiangala. Osisko holds a 2% NSR royalty on Shanta’s West Kenya property. For more information, refer to the press releases dated February 28^th and March 9^th on Shanta’s website.

Resource Update at Oracle Copper

On March 3^rd, Eagle Mountain Mining Limited (“Eagle Mountain”) reported an updated Inferred resource estimate on their Oracle Ridge project of 17Mt grading 1.48% copper, 15 g/t silver and 0.17 g/t gold. The current mineral resource does not include recently reported drill results, including 15 meters at 4.1% copper, 37 g/t silver and 0.53 g/t gold, and 30.7 meters at 2.54% copper, 22 g/t silver and 0.42 g/t gold. A further resource update is expected in Q4 2022.

Osisko holds a 3% NSR royalty on Eagle Mountain’s Oracle Ridge property. For more information, refer to press releases dated January 24^th and March 3^rd on Eagle Mountain's website.

Cornish Metals Financing

On March 28^th, Cornish Metals Inc. (“Cornish”) announced an offering to raise up to £40.5 million including a strategic investment of £25 million by Vision Blue Resources, an investment company lead by Sir Mick Davis created to invest in green energy related metal and mineral resource companies. Net proceeds from the offering will be used to advance the South Crofty tin project, a fully permitted, former producing high-grade underground tin mine located in Cornwall UK. Work will include dewatering of the mine, resource drilling, completion of a feasibility study, evaluation of further downstream beneficiation opportunities, and on-site early works in advance of a potential construction decision.

Osisko holds a 1.5% NSR royalty on the South Crofty deposit and 0.5% NSR royalty on the United Downs deposit. For more information, refer to Cornish’s press release dated March 28^th, 2022 filed on www.sedar.com. 

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS            

• [Editor:Alakay]