Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation press release

LABRADOR IRON ORE ROYALTY CORPORATION - 2022 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2023-03-07

TSX - Toronto Stock Exchange · Iron · Canada · Corporate Finance

Canada NewsWire

TORONTO , March 7, 2023 /CNW/ - Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation ("LIORC") (TSX: LIF) announced the results of its operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 .

To the Holders of Common Shares of Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation

The Directors of Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation ("LIORC" or the "Corporation") present the Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022 .

85 Years in Labrador West

Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation has been involved in Labrador West for 85 years. Under a Statutory Agreement with Newfoundland made in 1938, a predecessor company, Labrador Mining and Exploration Limited ("LM&E"), was granted extensive exploration and mining rights in Labrador West. LM&E found the iron ore bodies that now constitute the mine operated by Iron Ore Company of Canada . LM&E received grants of leases and licences under the Statutory Agreement. It also received a grant of surface rights to establish the town site that became Labrador City . LM&E sublets the leases to IOC and IOC, with major steel companies as original shareholders, built the infrastructure, mine, railway and port. Under the sublease, LIORC receives a 7% gross overriding royalty on iron ore products produced and sold by IOC.

Financial Performance

In 2022, LIORC's financial results were negatively impacted by lower iron ore prices and lower volumes of pellet sales, partly offset by higher pellet premiums and higher volumes of concentrate for sale ("CFS") sales. Net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $4.15 per share, which was a 30% decrease over 2021. The cash flow from operations per share for 2022 was $2.88 per share, which was 54% lower than in 2021 due to lower royalty revenues and decreased dividends from IOC. IOC dividends decreased as a result of lower earnings at IOC and a decision by IOC to pay lower shareholder dividends in order to retain a higher cash balance due in part to expectations of higher capital expenditure needs going forward. In 2022, IOC paid dividends to its shareholders of US$345 million and had a year-end net working capital balance of US$274.7 million , compared to dividends of US$1,200 million and a year-end net working capital balance of US$16.9 million in 2021.

In 2022 global steel production dropped by 5%, as higher inflation and global recessionary concerns reduced the demand for steel. Steel production was also negatively impacted by China's zero COVID-19 policy of strict lockdowns and concerns about China's property construction sector. This resulted in decreased demand from China and the rest of the world for seaborne iron ore, and hence iron ore prices declined from the record prices experienced in 2021. IOC sells CFS based on the the Platts index for 65% Fe, CFR China (the "65% Fe index"). All references to tonnes and per tonne prices in this report refer to wet metric tonnes, other than references to Platts quoted pricing, which refer to dry metric tonnes. Historically, IOC's wet ore contains approximately 3% less ore per equivalent volume than dry ore. In 2022, the average price for the 65% Fe index was US$139 per tonne, a decrease of 25% year over year. The 65% Fe index continued to be quite volatile throughout the year, starting the year at US$140 per

tonne and trading as high as US$192 per tonne in March and as low as US$91 per tonne in October, before ending the year at US$131 per tonne.

Despite the reduction in steel production, the demand for pellets held firm and as a result the decline in the price for pellets was mitigated by an increase in the pellet premium. The monthly Atlantic Blast Furnace 65% Fe pellet premium index as quoted by Platts (the "pellet premium") averaged US$72 per tonne in 2022, an increase of 20% from 2021.

Rio Tinto disclosed that IOC achieved an average realised price for pellets, FOB Sept-Îles of approximately US$190 per tonne, a decrease of 11% year over year. Based on sales as reported for the LIORC Royalty, the overall average price realized by IOC for CFS and pellets, FOB Sept-Îles was approximately US$153 per tonne in 2022, a decrease of 19% year over year. The decrease in the average realized price FOB Sept-Îles in 2022 was a result of lower CFS and pellet prices.

Iron Ore Company of Canada Operations

Operations

Total concentrate production in 2022 was 19.1 million tonnes. This was 7% higher than 2021, in part as a result of a lower strip ratio in 2022. IOC also successfully deployed the Rio Tinto Safe Production System (SPS) at the concentrator in the year, which helped IOC achieve monthly records for concentrate production and total material moved in the second quarter. Despite the successes, there continued to be a number of operational issues that limited IOC from achieving concentrate production closer to name plate capacity, including intermittent periods of a lack of feed at the concentrator due to the mine and ore delivery system in the first quarter and equipment availability at the loadout during the fourth quarter.

The IOC saleable production (CFS plus pellets) of 17.6 million tonnes in 2022 was 6% higher than 2021, and was within the range of Rio Tinto's original annual guidance of 17.0 to 18.7 million tonnes. In 2022, CFS production of 7.95 million tonnes was 21% higher than 2021, mainly due to higher concentrate production referred to above. Pellet production in 2022 of 9.6 million tonnes was 4% lower than 2021 mainly due to equipment reliability challenges, a negative stockpile survey adjustment and lower pellet recovery rates experienced during the year.

Third party iron ore haulage by the Québec North Shore and Labrador Railway Company, Inc. ("QNS&L") of 14.6 million tonnes in 2022 was 14% higher than in 2021, predominantly due to increased shipments of iron ore from Champion Iron.

Sales as Reported for the LIORC Royalty Total iron ore sales tonnage by IOC (CFS plus pellets) of 16.4 million tonnes in 2022 was 3% lower than the total sales tonnage in 2021, predominantly due to inventory availability, and a significant weather event in December that affected the timing of sales in the fourth quarter.

Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures for IOC were $460 million in 2022. This was 8% lower than 2021, but substantially higher than 2020. Capital expenditures in 2022 were 24% lower than the $606 million that IOC had originally forecasted, mainly due to the decision by IOC to defer certain capital projects, including the redesign of the tailings system, the rebuild of induration machine #3 at the pellet plant, and the construction of a parallel outgo rail track to improve the dumping speed and operational efficiency at Sept-Îles.

Outlook

Rio Tinto's 2023 guidance for IOC's saleable production tonnage (CFS plus pellets) is 17.9 million to 19.6 million tonnes. This compares to 17.6 million tonnes of saleable production in 2022. Despite the lower current pellet premiums, it is expected that IOC will continue to focus on maximizing pellet production in 2023.

The capital expenditures for 2023 at IOC are forecasted by IOC to be approximately $534 million . The 2023 forecast includes approximately $134 million of growth and development projects. Significant development capital expenditure projects scheduled for 2023 include the redesign of Mill 11 Fine Circuit, the new outgo track at Sept-Îles referred to above, and the replacement of existing heavy fuel oil steam capacity with an electric boiler to reduce carbon emissions. Significant sustaining capital expenditure projects include the rebuild of induration machine #3 at the pellet plant and the track replacement program on the QNS&L.

IOC's operator, Rio Tinto, is committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and is targeting a 15% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2025 (from a 2018 baseline) and a 50% reduction by 2030. Approximately 75% of IOC's current GHG emissions come from pelletizing. In the shorter term, IOC is looking at ways to electrify its sources of heat to reduce emissions. This includes the introduction of the new electric boiler referred to above and the commencement of the pilot project to test the use of four new plasma torches in the pellet plant.

Rio Tinto's approach to addressing Scope 3 emissions is to engage with its customers on climate change and work with them to develop the technologies to decarbonize. Optimizing the use of traditional blast furnaces involves the use of higher-grade iron ore, such as that produced by IOC. Additionally, the direct reduction of high-grade iron ore pellets (such as those produced by IOC) is already an available technology today using natural gas as a reductant to produce a low-carbon iron product that can be directly processed in an electric arc furnace. Switching from natural gas to green hydrogen would make this a net zero process route. Rio Tinto states that in 2023 it will further evaluate opportunities in North America and the Middle East to produce hot briquetted iron (HBI) with hydro-based green hydrogen and high-grade iron ore from IOC.

On January 31, 2023 , IOC and The Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach signed an agreement to establish a mutually beneficial relationship based on dialogue, collaboration and trust between the company and the community over the coming decades. The socio-economic agreement aims to create opportunities for greater participation by Naskapi people in IOC's activities through training and development, employment, collaboration on environmental projects, and procurement. It will also protect and encourage the practice of traditional activities and provide long-term financial benefits to the Naskapi Nation.

Despite the significant decrease in iron ore markets in the second half of 2022, prices have recently improved as China has eased its zero COVID-19 policy of strict lockdowns and there are some indications that there will be support for China's property sector. Currently, the World Steel Association is forecasting a 2.2% increase in global steel production for 2023, suggesting further support for iron ore prices. Thus far in 2023 (January and February), the average price of the 65% Fe index has been US$139 per tonne, which is equal to the annual average of the 65% Fe index in 2022 and up from an average of US$111 per tonne in the fourth quarter of 2022. However, the demand for pellets has remained weaker and thus far in 2023 (January and February) the average pellet premium has averaged US$46 per tonne compared to an annual average of US$72 per tonne in 2022.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Shareholders for their interest and loyalty and my fellow Directors for their guidance and support.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Directors of the Corporation,

John F. Tuer President and Chief Executive Officer March 7, 2023

Corporate Structure

LIORC is a Canadian corporation formed to give effect to the conversion of the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund (the "Fund") into a corporation under a plan of arrangement completed on July 1, 2010 . LIORC is also the successor by amalgamation of a predecessor of LIORC with Labrador Mining Company Limited, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, that occurred pursuant to the plan of arrangement.

LIORC, directly and through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hollinger-Hanna, holds a 15.10% equity interest in IOC and receives a 7% gross overriding royalty and a 10 cent per tonne commission on all iron ore products produced, sold and shipped by IOC. Generally, LIORC pays cash dividends from the free cash flow generated from IOC to the maximum extent possible, subject to the maintenance of appropriate levels of working capital. Quarterly dividends are payable to all shareholders of record on the last business day of each calendar quarter and are paid on or after the 26th day of the following month.

Seven Directors are responsible for the governance of the Corporation and also serve as directors of Hollinger-Hanna. The Directors, in addition to managing the affairs of the Corporation and Hollinger-Hanna, oversee the Corporation's interests in IOC. The Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees are composed of four independent Directors.

Taxation

The Corporation is a taxable corporation. Dividend income received from IOC and Hollinger-Hanna is received tax free while royalty income is subject to income tax and Newfoundland and Labrador royalty tax. Expenses of the Corporation include administrative expenses. Hollinger-Hanna is a taxable corporation.

Income Taxes

Dividends to a shareholder that are paid within a particular year are to be included in the calculation of the shareholder's taxable income for that year. All dividends paid in 2022 were "eligible dividends" under the Income Tax Act.

Review of Operations

Iron Ore Company of Canada

The income of the Corporation is entirely dependent on IOC as the only assets of the Corporation and its subsidiary are related to IOC and its operations. IOC is one of Canada's largest iron ore producers, operating a mine, concentrator and pellet plant at Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador , and is among the top five producers of seaborne iron ore pellets in the world. It has been producing and processing iron ore concentrate and pellets since 1954. IOC is strategically situated to serve markets throughout the world from its year-round port facilities at Sept-Îles, Québec.

IOC has ore reserves sufficient for approximately 24 years at current production rates with additional resources of a greater magnitude. It currently has the nominal capacity to extract around 55 million tonnes of crude ore annually. The crude ore is processed into iron ore concentrate and then either sold or converted into many different qualities of iron ore pellets to meet its customers' needs. The iron ore concentrate and pellets are transported to IOC's port facilities at Sept-Îles, Québec via its wholly-owned QNS&L, a 418 kilometer rail line which links the mine and the port. From there, the products are shipped to markets throughout North America , Europe , the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.

IOC's 2022 sales tonnages totaled 16.3 million tonnes, comprised of 9.2 million tonnes of iron ore pellets and 7.1 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate. Saleable production in 2022 was 9.6 million tonnes of pellets and 7.9 million tonnes of CFS. IOC generated ore sales revenues (excluding third party ore sales) of $3,184 million in 2022 (2021 - $3,922 million ).

Selected IOC Financial Information

| | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | | | | ($ in millions) | | | | | | | | | Operating Revenues (1) | 3,426 | 4,147 | 3,099 | 2,719 | 1,930 | | | | Cash Flow from Operating Activities | 1,021 | 1,955 | 837 | 1,302 | 578 | | | | Net Income | 1,028 | 1,551 | 842 | 749 | 383 | | | | Capital Expenditures (2) | 460 | 498 | 288 | 294 | 205 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| (1) 2022 and 2021 Ore sales revenue is presented on a net basis (net of related freight costs) to align with IFRS financial statements presentation. | | (2) Reported on an incurred basis |

IOC Royalty

The Corporation holds certain leases and licenses covering approximately 18,200 hectares of land near Labrador City . IOC has subleased certain portions of these lands from which it currently mines iron ore. In return, IOC pays the Corporation a 7% gross overriding royalty on all sales of iron ore products produced from these lands. A 20% tax on the royalty is payable to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador . For the five years prior to 2022, the average royalty net of the 20% tax had been $150.2 million per year and in 2022 the net royalty was $184.6 million (2021 - $222.2 million ).

Because the royalty is "off-the-top", it is not dependent on the profitability of IOC. However, it is affected by changes in sales volumes, iron ore prices and, because iron ore prices are denominated in US dollars, the United States - Canadian dollar exchange rate.

IOC Equity

In addition to the royalty interest, the Corporation directly and through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hollinger-Hanna, owns a 15.10% equity interest in IOC. The other shareholders of IOC are Rio Tinto Limited with 58.72% and Mitsubishi Corporation with 26.18%.

IOC Commissions

Hollinger-Hanna has the right to receive a payment of 10 cents per tonne on the products produced and sold by IOC. Pursuant to an agreement, IOC is obligated to make the payment to Hollinger-Hanna so long as Hollinger-Hanna is in existence and solvent. In 2022, Hollinger-Hanna received a total of $1.6 million in commissions from IOC (2021 - $1.7 million ).

Quarterly Dividends

Dividends of $3.10 per share were declared in 2022 (2021 – dividends of $6.00 per share). These dividends were allocated as follows:

| Period | Record | Payment | Dividend

Income | Total

Dividend | | | | | Ended | Date | Date | per Share | ($ Million) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mar. 31, 2022 | Mar. 31, 2022 | Apr. 26, 2022 | $0.50 | $32.0 | | | | | Jun. 30, 2022 | Jun. 30, 2022 | Jul. 26, 2022 | 0.90 | 57.6 | | | | | Sep. 30, 2022 | Sep. 29, 2022 | Oct. 26, 2022 | 1.00 | 64.0 | | | | | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 30, 2022 | Jan. 26, 2023 | 0.70 | 44.8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Dividend to Shareholders – 2022 | | $3.10 $198.4 | | | | | | | Mar. 31, 2021 | Mar. 31, 2021 | Apr. 26, 2021 | $1.00 | $64.0 | | | | | Jun. 30, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Jul. 26, 2021 | 1.75 | 112.0 | | | | | Sep. 30, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Oct. 26, 2021 | 2.10 | 134.4 | | | | | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Jan. 26, 2022 | 1.15 | 73.6 | | | | | Dividend to Shareholders – 2021 | | $6.00 $384.0 | | | | | |

The quarterly dividends are payable to all shareholders of record on or before the last day of each calendar quarter and are paid on or after the 26th day of the following month.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 which are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and all amounts are shown in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Overview of the Business

The Corporation is a Canadian corporation resulting from the conversion of the Fund into a corporation under a plan of arrangement completed on July 1, 2010 . LIORC is also the successor by amalgamation of a predecessor of LIORC with Labrador Mining Company Limited, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, that occurred pursuant to the plan of arrangement.

The Corporation is economically dependent on the operations of IOC. IOC's earnings and cash flows are affected by the volume and mix of iron ore products produced and sold, costs of production and the prices received. Iron ore demand and prices fluctuate and are affected by numerous factors which include demand for steel and steel products, the relative exchange rate of the US dollar, global and regional demand and production, political and economic conditions and production costs in major producing areas.

Financial Highlights

| | Three Months Ended | | Year Ended | | | | | December 31, | | December 31, | | | | | 2022 | 2021 | | 2022 | 2021 | | | ($ in millions except per share information) | | | | | | | | | | | | | Revenue | 48.3 | 60.1 | | 232.9 | 279.7 | | Equity earnings from IOC | 19.7 | 45.9 | | 154.1 | 229.6 | | Net income | 44.6 | 78.2 | | 265.4 | 379.8 | | Net income per share | $ 0.70 | $ 1.22 | | $ 4.15 | $ 5.93 | | Dividend from IOC | 15.4 | 48.5 | | 69.1 | 227.8 | | Cash flow from operations | 60.5 | 106.6 | | 184.2 | 402.4 | | Cash flow from operations per share (1) | $ 0.95 | $ 1.67 | | $ 2.88 | $ 6.29 | | Adjusted cash flow (1) | 41.9 | 81.6 | | 197.8 | 382.6 | | Adjusted cash flow per share (1) | $ 0.65 | $ 1.27 | | $ 3.09 | $ 5.98 | | Dividends declared per share | $ 0.70 | $ 1.15 | | $ 3.10 | $ 6.00 |