UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

As at August 2, 2023

Commission File Number: 001-31965

Taseko Mines Limited
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

12th Floor - 1040 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 4H1
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

[           ] Form 20-F   [ x ] Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [           ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [           ]


INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 of this Form 6-K are incorporated by reference as additional exhibits to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-271142).


SUBMITTED HEREWITH

Exhibits

Exhibit   Description
     
99.1   Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2023
99.2   Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended June 30, 2023


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  Taseko Mines Limited
  (Registrant)
     
Date: August 2, 2023 By: /s/ Bryce Hamming
   
    Bryce Hamming
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 



 

 

Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

June 30, 2023

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 



TASEKO MINES LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets
(Cdn$ in thousands)
(Unaudited)

          June 30,     December 31,  
    Note     2023     2022  
                   
ASSETS                  
Current assets                  
  Cash and equivalents         85,562     120,858  
  Accounts receivable          4,942     13,223  
  Inventories   9     104,830     92,846  
  Other financial assets    10     9,375     9,013  
  Prepaids         7,501     4,931  
          212,210     240,871  
                   
Property, plant and equipment   11     1,164,344     1,029,240  
Inventories   9     16,003     -  
Other financial assets    10     9,221     2,989  
Deferred tax assets         11,906     -  
Goodwill          5,462     5,584  
          1,419,146     1,278,684  
                   
LIABILITIES                  
Current liabilities                  
  Accounts payable and other liabilities         76,698     66,716  
  Current portion of long-term debt    12     23,412     18,409  
  Current portion of deferred revenue   13     12,501     12,065  
  Current portion of other financial liabilities   14     15,262     -  
  Interest payable on senior secured notes         13,909     14,221  
  Current income tax payable         481     1,227  
          142,263     112,638  
                   
Long-term debt   12     578,342     568,160  
Provision for environmental rehabilitation ("PER")         132,331     113,725  
Deferred and other tax liabilities         83,154     76,255  
Deferred revenue   13     60,036     47,620  
Other financial liabilities   14     59,306     3,877  
          1,055,432     922,275  
                   
EQUITY                  
Share capital   15     484,482     479,926  
Contributed surplus         53,171     55,795  
Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI")         17,735     26,792  
Deficit         (191,674 )   (206,104 )
          363,714     356,409  
          1,419,146     1,278,684  
                   
Commitments and contingencies   17              

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.



TASEKO MINES LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Cdn$ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

          Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
    Note     2023     2022     2023     2022  
                               
Revenues   4     111,924     82,944     227,443     201,277  
Cost of sales                              
  Production costs   5     (84,260 )   (75,723 )   (158,640 )   (151,283 )
  Depletion and amortization   5     (15,594 )   (15,269 )   (27,621 )   (28,775 )
Earnings (loss) from mining operations         12,070     (8,048 )   41,182     21,219  
                               
General and administrative         (3,590 )   (3,297 )   (6,890 )   (5,998 )
Share-based compensation (expense) recovery   15b     (344 )   2,113     (3,729 )   (967 )
Project evaluation expense         (212 )   (110 )   (537 )   (278 )
Gain on derivatives   6     4,559     28,449     343     18,616  
Other (expense) income         (230 )   318     204     655  
Income before financing costs and income taxes         12,253     19,425     30,573     33,247  
                               
Finance expenses, net   7     (12,711 )   (11,954 )   (24,099 )   (23,943 )
Foreign exchange gain (loss)         11,127     (11,823 )   11,990     (7,373 )
Income (loss) before income taxes         10,669     (4,352 )   18,464     1,931  
                               
Income tax expense   8     (678 )   (922 )   (4,034 )   (2,110 )
Net income (loss)         9,991     (5,274 )   14,430     (179 )
                               
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss):                              
Items that will remain permanently in other comprehensive (loss) income:                               
Loss on financial assets          (435 )   (1,767 )   (820 )   (855 )
Items that may in the future be reclassified to profit (loss):                               
Foreign currency translation reserve         (7,570 )   8,129     (8,237 )   4,552  
Total other comprehensive (loss) income          (8,005 )   6,362     (9,057 )   3,697  
                               
Total comprehensive income         1,986     1,088     5,373     3,518  
                               
Earnings (loss) per share                              
   Basic         0.03     (0.02 )   0.05     -  
   Diluted         0.03     (0.02 )   0.05     -  
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands)                              
   Basic         288,519     286,349     288,266     286,060  
   Diluted         291,112     286,349     291,081     286,060  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.



TASEKO MINES LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows
(Cdn$ in thousands)
(Unaudited)

          Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
    Note     2023     2022     2023     2022  
                               
Operating activities                              
Net income (loss) for the period          9,991     (5,274 )   14,430     (179 )
Adjustments for:                              
Depletion and amortization         15,594     15,269     27,621     28,775  
Income tax expense    8     678     922     4,034     2,110  
Finance expenses, net   7     12,711     11,954     24,099     23,943  
Share-based compensation expense (recovery)   15b     417     (2,061 )   4,026     1,212  
Gain on derivatives   6     (4,559 )   (28,449 )   (343 )   (18,616 )
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss         (10,966 )   11,621     (11,916 )   7,223  
Amortization of deferred revenue         (1,411 )   (1,192 )   (2,783 )   (2,913 )
Deferred revenue deposit   13     13,586     -     13,586     -  
Other operating activities         (67 )   (335 )   (316 )   (912 )
Net change in working capital    18     (2,705 )   15,889     (11,170 )   29,454  
Cash provided by operating activities         33,269     18,344     61,268     70,097  
                               
Investing activities                              
Gibraltar capitalized stripping costs    11     (8,866 )   (11,888 )   (21,587 )   (27,030 )
Gibraltar sustaining capital expenditures    11     (20,437 )   (6,070 )   (25,128 )   (9,642 )
Gibraltar capital project expenditures   11     (10,271 )   (8,519 )   (17,609 )   (12,109 )
Florence Copper development costs   11     (6,635 )   (24,225 )   (16,509 )   (45,183 )
Other project development costs    11     (256 )   (275 )   (529 )   (316 )
Acquisition of Cariboo Copper Corp., net   3,14     -     -     2,948     -  
Purchase of copper price options   6     -     (2,974 )   -     (7,269 )
Other investing activities         859     313     840     55  
Cash used for investing activities         (45,606 )   (53,638 )   (77,574 )   (101,494 )
                               
Financing activities                              
Interest paid         (2,825 )   (735 )   (23,550 )   (19,413 )
Repayment of equipment loans and leases         (11,765 )   (5,120 )   (17,502 )   (10,169 )
Revolving credit facility advance, net of repayment   12b     (271 )   -     13,247     -  
Proceeds from equipment financings          11,067     -     11,067     -  
Settlement of performance share units         -     -     (1,922 )   (1,927 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options          176     64     467     598  
Cash used for financing activities         (3,618 )   (5,791 )   (18,193 )   (30,911 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents         (748 )   4,034     (797 )   1,217  
Decrease in cash and equivalents         (16,703 )   (37,051 )   (35,296 )   (61,091 )
Cash and equivalents, beginning of period         102,265     212,727     120,858     236,767  
Cash and equivalents, end of period         85,562     175,676     85,562     175,676  
                               
Supplementary cash flow disclosures   18                          

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.



TASEKO MINES LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Equity
(Cdn$ in thousands)
(Unaudited)

     Share       Contributed                     
     capital       surplus       AOCI       Deficit       Total   
                               
Balance at January 1, 2022   476,599     55,403     6,649     (180,133 )   358,518  
Share-based compensation   -     3,095     -     -     3,095  
Exercise of options    910     (312 )   -     -     598  
Settlement of performance share units   2,217     (4,144 )   -     -     (1,927 )
Total comprehensive income for the period    -     -     3,697     (179 )   3,518  
Balance at June 30, 2022   479,726     54,042     10,346     (180,312 )   363,802  
                               
Balance at January 1, 2023   479,926     55,795     26,792     (206,104 )   356,409  
Share-based compensation   -     3,387     -     -     3,387  
Exercise of options   723     (256 )   -     -     467  
Settlement of performance share units   3,833     (5,755 )   -     -     (1,922 )
Total comprehensive income for the period    -     -     (9,057 )   14,430     5,373  
Balance at June 30, 2023   484,482     53,171     17,735     (191,674 )   363,714  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

1. REPORTING ENTITY

Taseko Mines Limited (the "Company" or "Taseko") is a corporation governed by the British Columbia Business Corporations Act. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company as at and for the three and six months period ended June 30, 2023 comprise the Company, its subsidiaries and its 87.5% effective interest in the Gibraltar joint venture. The Company is principally engaged in the production and sale of metals, as well as related activities including mine permitting and development, within the province of British Columbia, Canada and the State of Arizona, USA. 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Statement of compliance

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34, Interim Financial Reporting and follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as the Company's most recent annual consolidated financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information required for full consolidated annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated annual financial statements of the Company as at and for the year ended December 31, 2022, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements were authorized for issue by the Company's Audit and Risk Committee on August 2, 2023.

(b) Use of judgments and estimates

In preparing these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, management has made judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies, including the accounting for the Cariboo Copper Corporation ("Cariboo") acquisition (Note 3) and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The significant judgments made by management in applying the Company's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied to the annual consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2022. 

(c) IFRS Pronouncements

Several new accounting standards, amendments to existing standards and interpretations have been published by the IASB. Management anticipates that all relevant pronouncements will be adopted for the first period beginning on or after the effective date of the new standard.

New standards, amendments and pronouncements that became effective for the period covered by these statements have not been disclosed as they did not have a material impact on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

3. ACQUISITION OF CARIBOO COPPER CORPORATION

On March 15, 2023 ("Acquisition Date"), the Company completed the acquisition of an additional 12.5% interest in the Gibraltar Mine from Sojitz Corporation ("Sojitz"). Gibraltar is operated through a joint venture which is owned 75% by Taseko and 25% by Cariboo. Under the terms of the agreement, Taseko has acquired Sojitz's 50% interest in Cariboo and now holds directly and indirectly an effective 87.5% interest in the Gibraltar Mine.

The acquisition price consists of a minimum amount of $60 million payable over a five-year period and potential contingent performance payments depending on Gibraltar mine copper revenues and copper prices over the next five years. An initial $10 million has been paid to Sojitz upon closing and the remaining minimum amount will be paid in $10 million annual instalments over the next five years. There is no interest payable on the minimum amounts.

Taseko acquired Sojitz's 50% interest in Cariboo and become a party to the existing Cariboo shareholders agreement with Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. ("Dowa") (25%) and Furukawa Co., Ltd. ("Furukawa") (25%). There will be no change to the offtake contracts established in 2010 and Dowa and Furukawa will continue to receive 30% of Gibraltar's copper concentrate offtake. There will be no impact to the operation of the Gibraltar Joint Venture.

The contingent performance payments are payable annually for five years only if the average LME copper price exceeds US$3.50 per pound in a year. The payments will be calculated by multiplying Gibraltar mine copper revenues by a price factor, which is based on a sliding scale ranging from 0.38% at US$3.50 per pound copper to a maximum of 2.13% at US$5.00 per pound copper or above. Total contingent payments cannot exceed $57 million over the five-year period, limiting the acquisition cost to a maximum of $117 million.

The total purchase consideration was discounted to determine fair value and the amounts as at the Acquisition Date are estimated as follows:

Fixed instalments payable    51,387  
Performance payments payable   28,010  
Total fair value of consideration payable   79,397  

The Company has joint control over Cariboo which is a joint arrangement and as such proportionately consolidates its 50% portion of all the Cariboo assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The purchase consideration has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The following sets forth the allocation of the preliminary purchase price: 


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

3. ACQUISITION OF CARIBOO COPPER CORPORATION (CONTINUED)

Cash and cash equivalents   13,467  
Accounts receivable and other assets   1,525  
Reclamation deposits   6,262  
Inventory   15,860  
Property, plant and equipment   72,304  
Deferred tax asset   5,594  
Accounts payable and other liabilities   (8,535 )
Debt   (9,144 )
Provision for environmental rehabilitation   (17,936 )
Total fair value of net assets acquired   79,397  

From the Acquisition Date to June 30, 2023, $832 of the Company's consolidated net income relates to its share of Cariboo.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized $263 of acquisition related costs that were included in other expenses.

The values of assets and liabilities acquired are based on preliminary fair values, which are subject to change upon finalization of a complete valuation.  Based on the complete valuation, the Company will also determine whether the consideration paid compared to the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired results in a bargain purchase.

The following table presents unaudited pro forma results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 as though the acquisition had taken place as of January 1, 2023. Additionally, pro forma net earnings were adjusted to exclude acquisition related costs incurred.

Pro forma information   Three months ended
June 30, 2023
    Six months ended
June 30, 2023
 
Revenue   111,924     242,470  
Net earnings   9,991     16,498  

4. REVENUE

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2023     2022     2023     2022  
Copper contained in concentrate   112,932     87,183     222,055     201,638  
Copper price adjustments on settlement   (1,555 )   (5,469 )   (1,757 )   (4,809 )
Molybdenum concentrate   5,712     3,704     13,461     7,774  
Molybdenum price adjustments on settlement   (1,251 )   (384 )   580     (282 )
Silver (Note 13)   1,514     1,155     3,046     2,674  
Total gross revenue   117,352     86,189     237,385     206,995  
Less: Treatment and refining costs   (5,428 )   (3,245 )   (9,942 )   (5,718 )
Revenue   111,924     82,944     227,443     201,277  


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

4. REVENUE (CONTINUED)

As a result of the acquisition of Cariboo, after March 15, 2023, the financial results of the Company reflect its 87.5% beneficial interest in the Gibraltar mine (Note 3).

5. COST OF SALES

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2023     2022     2023     2022  
Site operating costs   83,374     64,237     157,812     124,096  
Transportation costs   6,966     4,370     12,070     9,485  
Changes in inventories of finished goods   (3,356 )   3,653     (2,957 )   11,230  
Changes in inventories of ore stockpiles   (2,724 )   3,463     (8,285 )   6,472  
Production costs   84,260     75,723     158,640     151,283  
Depletion and amortization   15,594     15,269     27,621     28,775  
Cost of sales   99,854     90,992     186,261     180,058  

Site operating costs include personnel costs, non-capitalized waste stripping costs, repair and maintenance costs, consumables, operating supplies and external services. As a result of the acquisition of Cariboo, after March 15, 2023, the financial results of the Company reflect its 87.5% beneficial interest in the Gibraltar mine (Note 3).

6. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

In January 2023, the Company purchased zero cost copper collar contracts for 42 million pounds of copper with maturity dates ranging from July through to December 2023, with a minimum copper strike price of US$3.75 per pound and a ceiling price of US$4.70 per pound.

In January 2023, the Company purchased fuel call options for 12 million litres of diesel with maturity dates ranging from July to December 2023, at a total cost of $941.

The Company recognized a net realized loss of $1,385 and $2,873 on copper collar contracts for 15 million pounds and 30 million pounds, respectively, with a minimum strike price of US$3.75 per pound and a ceiling price of US$4.72 per pound, that expired out-of-the-money during the three and six months period ended June 30, 2023.

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2023     2022     2023     2022  
Net realized loss on settled copper options   1,385     2,346     2,873     4,693  
Net unrealized gain on outstanding copper options   (6,053 )   (30,590 )   (4,409 )   (23,129 )
Realized loss (gain) on fuel call options   526     (48 )   1,064     (48 )
Unrealized (gain) loss on fuel call options   (417 )   (157 )   129     (132 )
    (4,559 )   (28,449 )   (343 )   (18,616 )


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

6. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

Details of the outstanding copper price option contracts at June 30, 2023 are summarized in the following table:

  Quantity Strike price Period Cost Fair value
 Copper collar contracts 42 million lbs US$3.75/per lb
US$4.70/per lb
H2 2023 Zero-cost 7,618

7. FINANCE EXPENSES

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2023     2022     2023     2022  
Interest expense   11,281     10,083     22,822     20,158  
Amortization of financing fees   717     626     1,388     1,241  
Finance expense - deferred revenue (Note 13)   1,492     1,436     2,965     2,809  
Accretion on PER   572     91     1,076     183  
Accretion on consideration payable to Sojitz (Note 3)   1,451     -     1,451     -  
Less: interest expense capitalized   (2,045 )   -     (3,925 )   -  
Finance income   (757 )   (282 )   (1,678 )   (448 )
    12,711     11,954     24,099     23,943  

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, interest expense includes $644 (2022 - $295) and $1,050 (2022 - $619), respectively, from lease liabilities and lease related obligations.

8. INCOME TAX

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
  2023     2022     2023     2022  
Current income tax expense (recovery)   215     (531 )   759     (12 )
Deferred income tax expense   463     1,453     3,275     2,122  
    678     922     4,034     2,110  


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

9. INVENTORIES

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Current:            
  Ore stockpiles   49,991     45,306  
  Copper contained in concentrate   14,817     12,105  
  Molybdenum concentrate   661     417  
  Materials and supplies   39,361     35,018  
    104,830     92,846  
             
Long-term:            
  Oxide ore stockpiles   16,003     -  
    120,833     92,846  

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded a write-down of $8,098 to adjust the carrying value of ore stockpiles to cost, of which $1,767 is recorded in depletion and amortization and the balance in production costs.

10. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Current:            
  Marketable securities   1,749     2,568  
  Copper price options (Note 6)   7,618     6,184  
  Fuel call options (Note 6)   8     261  
    9,375     9,013  
Long-term:            
  Investment in private companies    1,200     1,200  
  Reclamation deposits   6,696     434  
  Restricted cash   1,325     1,355  
    9,221     2,989  

The Company holds strategic investments in publicly-traded and privately owned mineral exploration and development companies, including marketable securities. Marketable securities and the investment in privately owned companies are accounted for at fair value through other comprehensive income.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

11. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

The following schedule shows the continuity of property, plant and equipment net book value for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023:

    Three months ended
June 30, 2023
    Six months ended
June 30, 2023
 
Net book value as at beginning of period   1,134,920     1,029,240  
Additions:            
  Gibraltar capitalized stripping costs   10,700     25,108  
  Gibraltar sustaining capital expenditures   19,871     24,629  
  Gibraltar capital projects   10,271     17,609  
  Cariboo acquisition (Note 3)   (2,842 )   70,769  
  Florence Copper development costs   12,871     27,391  
  Yellowhead development costs   87     217  
  Aley development costs   169     312  
Other items:            
  Right of use assets   4,440     10,399  
  Rehabilitation costs asset   1     37  
  Disposals   (917 )   (890 )
  Foreign exchange translation and other   (7,338 )   (8,042 )
  Depletion and amortization   (17,889 )   (32,435 )
Net book value as at June 30, 2023   1,164,344     1,164,344  

 
Net book value
  Gibraltar
Mine
    Florence
Copper
    Yellowhead     Aley     Other     Total  
As at December 31, 2022   610,399     380,987     21,950     14,873     1,031     1,029,240  
Cariboo acquisition (Note 3)   70,769     -     -     -     -     70,769  
Net additions   76,796     27,450     217     312     -     104,775  
Changes in rehabilitation cost asset   37     -     -     -     -     37  
Depletion and amortization   (32,257 )   -     -     -     (178 )   (32,435 )
Foreign exchange translation   -     (8,042 )   -     -     -     (8,042 )
As at June 30, 2023   725,744     400,395     22,167     15,185     853     1,164,344  

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company capitalized development costs of $12,871 and $27,391, respectively, for the Florence Copper project, which includes $2,045 and $3,925, respectively, of capitalized borrowing costs. Since its acquisition of Florence Copper in November 2014, the Company has incurred and capitalized a total of $303.7 million in project development and other costs.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

11. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment of Gibraltar include $1,834 and $3,521, respectively, of depreciation on mining assets related to capitalized stripping.

Since January 1, 2020, development costs for Yellowhead of $6,057 have been capitalized as mineral property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation related to the right of use assets for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $2,770 (2022 - $1,087) and $5,019 (2022 - $2,144), respectively.

12. DEBT

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Current:            
  Lease liabilities (d)   12,794     7,613  
  Secured equipment loans (e)   10,618     8,489  
  Lease related obligations (f)   -     2,307  
    23,412     18,409  
Long-term:            
  Senior secured notes (a)   529,880     541,760  
  Revolving credit facility (b)   13,247     -  
  Lease liabilities (d)   10,740     4,798  
  Secured equipment loans (e)   32,510     24,550  
  Lease related obligations (f)   -     5,619  
    586,377     576,727  
Deferred financing fees   (8,035 )   (8,567 )
             
Total debt   601,754     586,569  

(a) Senior secured notes

On February 10, 2021, the Company completed an offering of US$400 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the "2026 Notes"). The 2026 Notes mature on February 15, 2026 and bear interest at an annual rate of 7.0%, payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15. A portion of the proceeds were used to redeem the outstanding US$250 million 8.75% senior secured notes due on June 15, 2022. The remaining proceeds, net of transaction costs, call premium and accrued interest, of approximately $167 million (US$131 million) were available for capital expenditures, including at its Florence Copper project and Gibraltar mine, working capital and for general corporate purposes.

The 2026 Notes are secured by liens on the shares of Taseko's wholly-owned subsidiary, Gibraltar Mines Ltd., and the subsidiary's rights under the joint venture agreement relating to the Gibraltar mine, as well as the shares of Curis Holdings (Canada) Ltd. and Florence Holdings Inc. The 2026 Notes are guaranteed by each of Taseko's existing and future restricted subsidiaries.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

12. DEBT (CONTINUED)

(a) Senior secured notes (continued)

The 2026 Notes also allow for up to US$145 million of first lien secured debt to be issued and up to US$50 million of debt for equipment financing, all subject to the terms of the note indenture. The Company is also subject to certain restrictions on asset sales, issuance of preferred stock, dividends and other restricted payments. However, there are no maintenance covenants with respect to the Company's financial performance.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2026 Notes at any time on or after February 15, 2023, at redemption prices ranging from 103.5% to 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. On a change of control, the 2026 Notes are redeemable at the option of the holder at a price of 101%.

(b) Revolving credit facility

On October 6, 2021, the Company closed a secured US$50 million revolving credit facility (the "Facility"). The Facility is secured by first liens against Taseko's rights under the Gibraltar joint venture, as well as the shares of Gibraltar Mines Ltd., Curis Holdings (Canada) Ltd., and Florence Holdings Inc. The Facility will be available for capital expenditures, working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Facility has customary covenants for a revolving credit facility. Financial covenants include a requirement for the Company to maintain a leverage ratio, an interest coverage ratio, a minimum tangible net worth and a minimum liquidity amount as defined under the Facility. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as at June 30, 2023.

On February 1, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to extend the maturity date of the Facility by an additional year to July 2, 2026. On June 30, 2023, the Company entered into an amended agreement with the lender, increasing the Facility by US$30 million for a total of US$80 million,

Amounts outstanding under the facility bear interest at the Adjusted Term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin and have a standby fee of 1.00%. As at June 30, 2023, a total of $13,247 was advanced under the Facility.

(c) Letter of credit facilities

The Gibraltar joint venture has in place a $15 million credit facility for the purpose of providing letters of credit ("LC") to key suppliers of the Gibraltar mine to assist with ongoing trade finance and working capital needs. Any LCs issued under the facility will be guaranteed by Export Development Canada ("EDC") under its Account Performance Security Guarantee program. The facility is renewable annually, is unsecured and contains no financial covenants. As at June 30, 2023, a total of $3.75 million in LCs were issued and outstanding under this LC facility (December 31, 2022 - $3.75 million).

On April 8, 2022, the Company closed a US$4 million credit facility for the sole purpose of issuing LCs to certain key contractors in conjunction with the development of Florence Copper. Any LCs to be issued under this facility will also be guaranteed by EDC. The facility is renewable annually, is unsecured and contains no financial covenants. 


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

12. DEBT (CONTINUED)

(d) Lease liabilities

Lease liabilities include the Company's outstanding lease liabilities under IFRS 16.

(e) Secured equipment loans

The equipment loans as at June 30, 2023 are secured by some of the existing mobile mining equipment at the Gibraltar mine and commenced between December 2022 and June 2023 with monthly repayment terms of 48 months and with interest rates ranging between 8.9% to 9.4%.

On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into an equipment financing agreement for the amount of US$9.6 million with monthly repayment terms of 48 months and the loan bears interest at the rate of 9.4%.

(f) Lease related obligations

Lease related obligations relate to a lease arising under a sale leaseback transaction on certain items of equipment at the Gibraltar mine. The lease commenced in June 2019 and had a term of 54 months with an early buy-out option. In June 2023, the Company exercised the early buy-out option for the equipment and repaid the lease obligation balance of $5,578.

(g) Debt continuity

The following schedule shows the continuity of total debt for the six months ended June 30, 2023:

Total debt as at January 1, 2023   586,569  
Revolving credit facility advances, net of repayment (Note 12b)   13,247  
Lease and loan additions   22,334  
Lease liabilities and equipment loans repayments   (18,325 )
Lease and equipment loans from Cariboo acquisition (Note 3)   9,144  
Unrealized foreign exchange gain   (12,603 )
Amortization of deferred financing charges (Note 7)   1,388  
Total debt as at June 30, 2023   601,754  


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

13. DEFERRED REVENUE

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2023     2022  
Current:            
  Customer advance payments (a)   5,540     6,456  
  Osisko - silver stream agreement (b)   6,961     5,609  
Current portion of deferred revenue   12,501     12,065  
Long-term portion of deferred revenue (b)   60,036     47,620  
Total deferred revenue   72,537     59,685  

(a) Customer advance payments

As at June 30, 2023, the Company received advance payments from a customer on 1.5 million pounds (100% basis) of copper concentrate inventory (December 31, 2022 - 2.0 million pounds).

(b) Silver stream purchase and sale agreement

The Company has entered into a silver stream purchase and sale agreement with Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. ("Osisko"), whereby the Company received upfront cash deposit payments totalling $52.7 million for the sale of an equivalent amount of its 75% share of Gibraltar payable silver production until 5.9 million ounces of silver have been delivered to Osisko. After that threshold has been met, 35% of an equivalent amount of Taseko's share of all future payable silver production from Gibraltar will be delivered to Osisko. The Company receives no further cash consideration once silver deliveries are made under the agreement.

On June 28, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to its silver stream with Osisko and received $13,586 for the sale of an equivalent amount of its 87.5% share of Gibraltar payable silver production until 6,254,500 ounces of silver have been delivered to Osisko. After that threshold has been met, 30.625% of an equivalent amount of Taseko's share of all future payable silver production from Gibraltar will be delivered to Osisko. The amendment is accounted for as a contract modification under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The funds received are available for general working capital purposes.

The Company has recorded the deposits from Osisko as deferred revenue and recognizes amounts in revenue as silver is delivered. The amortization of deferred revenue is calculated on a per unit basis using the estimated total number of silver ounces expected to be delivered to Osisko over the life of the Gibraltar Mine. The current portion of deferred revenue is an estimate based on deliveries anticipated over the next twelve months.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

13. DEFERRED REVENUE (CONTINUED)

The following table summarizes changes in the Osisko deferred revenue:

Balance at December 31, 2022   53,229  
Finance expense (Note 7)   2,965  
Amortization of deferred revenue   (2,783 )
Deferred revenue deposit (amendment to silver stream)   13,586  
Balance at June 30, 2023   66,997  

14. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES



  June 30,
2023
    December 31,
2022
 
  Fixed consideration payable to Sojitz (Note 3)   40,592     -  
  Performance payments payable to Sojitz (Note 3)   28,010     -  
  Accretion on consideration payable to Sojitz   1,451     -  
  Deferred share units (Note 15b)   4,371     3,877  
  Restricted share units (Note 15b)   144     -  
Balance as at June 30, 2023   74,568     3,877  
Less current portion:            
  Fixed consideration payable to Sojitz (Note 3)   9,346     -  
  Performance payments payable to Sojitz (Note 3)   5,916     -  
Long-term portion of other financial liabilities    59,306     3,877  

15. EQUITY

(a) Share capital

    Common shares
(thousands)
 
Common shares outstanding as at December 31, 2022   286,493  
  Common shares issued under PSU plan   1,597  
  Exercise of share options   547  
Common shares outstanding as at June 30, 2023   288,637  

The Company's authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares with no par value.

In January 2023, the Company issued 1,597,177 common shares as part of settlement of the performance share units that vested.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

15. EQUITY (CONTINUED)

(b) Share-based compensation

      Options
(thousands)
    Average price  
Outstanding as at January 1, 2023   9,288     1.62  
  Granted   2,683     2.37  
  Exercised   (547 )   0.85  
  Cancelled/forfeited   (132 )   2.29  
  Expired   (1,166 )   2.86  
Outstanding as at June 30, 2023   10,126     1.71  
Exercisable as at June 30, 2023   7,688     1.49  

During the six months period ended June 30, 2023, the Company granted 2,683,000 (2022 - 2,113,000) share options to directors, executives and employees, exercisable at an average exercise price of $2.37 per common share (2022 - $2.58 per common share) over a five year period. The total fair value of options granted was $3,649 (2022 - $2,979) based on a weighted average grant-date fair value of $1.36 (2022 - $1.41) per option.

The fair value of options was measured at the grant date using the Black-Scholes formula. Expected volatility is estimated by considering historic average share price volatility. The inputs used in the Black-Scholes formula are as follows:

Expected term (years)   5.0  
Forfeiture rate   0%  
Volatility   66%  
Dividend yield   0%  
Risk-free interest rate   2.9%  
Weighted-average fair value per option $ 1.36  

Deferred, Performance and Restricted Share Units

    RSUs
(thousands)
    DSUs
(thousands)
    PSUs
(thousands)
 
Outstanding as at January 1, 2023   -     1,958     2,500  
  Granted   380     343     830  
  Settled   -     -     (1,375 )
Outstanding as at June 30, 2023   380     2,301     1,955  

During the six month period ended June 30, 2023, 342,750 DSUs were issued to directors (2022 - 172,000) and 830,000 PSUs to senior executives (2022 - 595,000). The fair value of DSUs and PSUs granted was $4,344 (2022 - $2,532), with a weighted average fair value at the grant date of $2.38 per unit for the DSUs (2022 - $2.58 per unit) and $4.25 per unit for the PSUs (2022 - $3.51 per unit).

During the six month period ended June 30, 2023, the Company established a non-executive employee Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") plan for employees as long-term incentive compensation and granted 380,000 units, with a weighted average fair value at grant date of $2.34 per unit for the RSUs.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

15. EQUITY (CONTINUED)

(b) Share-based compensation (continued)

Share-based compensation expense is comprised as follows:

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2023     2022     2023     2022  
Share options - amortization    580     446     2,298     1,876  
Performance share units - amortization   544     371     1,089     1,219  
Restricted share units - amortization   75     -     144     -  
Change in fair value of deferred share units    (782 )   (2,878 )   495     (1,883 )
    417     (2,061 )   4,026     1,212  

(c) At-the-market equity offering program

On May 3, 2023, the Company announced that it has entered into an equity distribution agreement (the "Equity Distribution Agreement") providing for an at-the-market equity offering program ("ATM"). The total proceeds from potential share issuances made under the ATM would have an aggregate offering price of up to US$50 million. As at June 30, 2023, the Company has not made any share issuances under the ATM.

16. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Earnings (loss) per share, calculated on a basic and diluted basis, is as follows:

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2023     2022     2023     2022  
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted   9,991     (5,274 )   14,430     (179 )
(in thousands of common shares)                        
Weighted-average number of common shares   288,519     286,349     288,266     286,060  
Effect of dilutive securities:                        
  Stock options   2,593     -     2,815     -  
Weighted-average number of diluted common shares   291,112     286,349     291,081     286,060  
Earnings (loss) per common share                        
  Basic earnings (loss) per share   0.03     (0.02 )   0.05     -  
  Diluted earnings (loss) per share   0.03     (0.02 )   0.05     -  


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

(a) Commitments

The Company is a party to certain contracts relating to service and supply agreements. Future minimum payments under these agreements as at June 30, 2023 are presented in the following table:

Remainder of 2023   5,672  
2024   13,390  
2025   5,431  
2026   960  
2027   -  
2028 and thereafter   -  
Total commitments   25,453  

As at June 30, 2023, the Company had commitments to incur capital expenditures of $7,369 (December 31, 2022 - $9,265) for Florence Copper and $6,412 (December 31, 2022 - $2,795) for the Gibraltar joint venture.

(b) Contingencies

The Company has guaranteed 100% of certain capital lease and equipment loans entered into by the Gibraltar joint venture in which it holds an 87.5% interest. As a result, the Company has guaranteed the joint venture partner's 12.5% share of this debt which amounted to $6,667 as at June 30, 2023.

The Company has also indemnified 100% of a surety bond issued by the Gibraltar joint venture to the Province of British Columbia. As a result, the Company has indemnified the joint venture partner's 12.5% share of this obligation, which amounted to $7,313 as at June 30, 2023.

(c) Mitsui Financing

On December 19, 2022, the Company signed agreements with Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.) Inc. ("Mitsui") to form a strategic partnership to develop the Company's Florence Copper project (the "Project"). Mitsui has committed to an initial investment of US$50 million conditional on receipt of the final Underground Injection Control permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, with proceeds to be used for construction of the commercial production facility. The initial investment will be in the form of a copper stream agreement (the "Copper Stream") on 2.67% of the copper produced at Florence Copper and Mitsui to pay a delivery price equal to 25% of the market price of copper delivered under the contract.

In addition, Mitsui has acquired an option to invest an additional US$50 million for a 10% equity interest in Florence Copper (the "Equity Option"). The Equity Option is exercisable by Mitsui at any time up to three years following completion of construction of the commercial production facility. If Mitsui elects to exercise its Equity Option, the Copper Stream will terminate. If the Equity Option is not exercised by Mitsui by its expiry date, the Company will have the right to buy-back 100% of the Copper Stream, otherwise, it will terminate when 40 million pounds of copper have been delivered under the agreement.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

(c) Mitsui Financing (continued)

As part of the arrangement, Taseko and Mitsui have entered into an offtake contract for 81% of the copper cathode produced at Florence during the initial years of production. The initial offtake agreement will cease and be replaced with a marketing agency agreement if the Equity Option is exercised by Mitsui. Mitsui's offtake entitlement would also reduce to 30% if the Equity Option is not exercised by its expiry date until the Copper Stream deposit has been reduced to nil.

For accounting purposes, the Mitsui agreements include derivatives that are required to be fair valued at each reporting period. The Company has determined that the fair value of the derivatives is negligible as of June 30, 2023 based on the contingent nature of the Mitsui agreements and the consideration of other relevant factors.

18. SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2023     2022     2023     2022  
Change in non-cash working capital items:                        
  Accounts receivable   10,281     3,212     8,735     6,074  
  Inventories   (3,711 )   5,972     (9,323 )   14,166  
  Prepaids   (3,404 )   (3,097 )   (2,732 )   (2,069 )
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities1   (4,108 )   6,715     (5,198 )   15,056  
  Advance payment on product sales   (1,342 )   2,866     (916 )   (2,431 )
  Interest payable   (224 )   221     (354 )   158  
  Mineral tax payable   (197 )   -     (1,382 )   (1,500 )
    (2,705 )   15,889     (11,170 )   29,454  
Non-cash investing and financing activities                        
  Cariboo acquisition, net assets (Note 3)   -     -     65,930     -  
  Assets acquired under capital lease   799     52     868     216  
  Right-of-use assets    4,441     279     10,400     401  

1. Excludes accounts payable and accrued liability changes on capital expenditures.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

19. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy establishes three levels to classify the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, by reference to the reliability of the inputs used to estimate the fair values.

Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices); and

Level 3 - inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The fair values of the senior secured notes, excluding deferred financing fees, are $485,095 and the carrying value is $529,880 as at June 30, 2023. The fair value of all other financial assets and liabilities approximates their carrying value.

The Company has certain financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and uses the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, with Level 1 inputs having the highest priority.

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
June 30, 2023                        
Financial assets designated as FVPL                        
  Derivative asset copper put and call options   -     7,618     -     7,618  
  Derivative asset fuel call options   -     8     -     8  
    -     7,626     -     7,626  
Financial assets designated as FVOCI                        
  Marketable securities   1,749     -     -     1,749  
  Investment in private companies   -     -     1,200     1,200  
  Reclamation deposits   6,696     -     -     6,696  
    8,445     -     1,200     9,645  
December 31, 2022                        
Financial assets designated as FVPL                        
  Derivative asset copper put and call options   -     6,184     -     6,184  
  Derivative asset fuel call options   -     261     -     261  
    -     6,445     -     6,445  
Financial assets designated as FVOCI                        
  Marketable securities   2,568     -     -     2,568  
  Investment in private companies   -     -     1,200     1,200  
  Reclamation deposits   434     -     -     434  
    3,002     -     1,200     4,202  

There have been no transfers between fair value levels during the reporting period. The carrying value of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value as at June 30, 2023.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Cdn$ in thousands - Unaudited)

19. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)

The fair value of the senior secured notes, a Level 1 instrument, is determined based upon publicly available information.

The Company's metal concentrate sales contracts are subject to provisional pricing with the selling price adjusted at the end of the quotational period. At each reporting date, the Company's settlement receivable on these contracts are marked-to-market based on a quoted forward price for which there exists an active commodity market. At June 30, 2023, the Company had net settlement payables of $1,514 (December 31, 2022 - settlement payables of $209).

The investment in private companies, a Level 3 instrument, are valued based on a management estimate. As this is an investment in a private exploration and development company, there are no observable market data inputs. At June 30, 2023, the determination of the estimated fair value of the investment includes comparison to the market capitalization of comparable public companies.

Commodity price risk

The Company is exposed to the risk of fluctuations in prevailing market commodity prices on the metals it produces.  The Company enters into copper put and collar option contracts to reduce the risk of short-term copper price volatility. The amount and duration of the hedge position is based on an assessment of business-specific risk elements combined with the copper pricing outlook. Copper put and collar option contracts are typically extended adding incremental quarters at established put strike prices to provide the necessary price protection. 

Provisional pricing mechanisms embedded within the Company's sales arrangements have the character of a commodity derivative and are carried at fair value as part of accounts receivable.

The table below summarizes the impact on revenue and receivables for changes in commodity prices on the provisionally invoiced sales volumes.

    As at June 30,
    2023
Copper increase/decrease by US$0.10/lb.1   675

1. The analysis is based on the assumption that the period-end copper price increases/decreases US$0.10/lb, with all other variables held constant. As at June 30, 2023, 5.1 million pounds of copper in concentrate were exposed to copper price movements. The closing exchange rate as at June 30, 2023 of CAD/USD 1.32.

The sensitivities in the above tables have been determined with foreign currency exchange rates held constant.  The relationship between commodity prices and foreign currencies is complex and movements in foreign exchange can impact commodity prices. The sensitivities should therefore be used with care.



TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


This management discussion and analysis ("MD&A") is intended to help the reader understand Taseko Mines Limited ("Taseko", "we", "our" or the "Company"), our operations, financial performance, and current and future business environment. This MD&A is intended to supplement and complement the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes thereto, prepared in accordance with IAS 34 of International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 (the "Financial Statements"). You are encouraged to review the Financial Statements in conjunction with your review of this MD&A and the Company's other public filings, which are available on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website at www.sedar.com and on the EDGAR section of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") website at www.sec.gov.

This MD&A is prepared as of August 2, 2023. All dollar figures stated herein are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified. Included throughout this MD&A are references to non-GAAP performance measures which are denoted with an asterisk and further explanation including their calculations are provided on page 22.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This discussion includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this discussion, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities, and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, global economic events arising from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this MD&A are qualified by these cautionary statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business may be found in the Company's other public filings with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis



CONTENTS  
   
OVERVIEW 3
   
HIGHLIGHTS 3
   
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS 5
   
GIBRALTAR OUTLOOK 7
   
ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL 12.5% INTEREST IN GIBRALTAR 7
   
FLORENCE COPPER 8
   
LONG-TERM GROWTH STRATEGY 8
   
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 9
   
ANNUAL ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE REPORT 9
   
MARKET REVIEW 10
   
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 11
   
FINANCIAL CONDITION REVIEW 16
   
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS 20
   
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES 20
   
INTERNAL AND DISCLOSURE CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 21
   
KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL 22
   
NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES 22
   
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 26

TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


OVERVIEW

Taseko is a copper focused mining company that seeks to create long-term shareholder value by acquiring, developing, and operating large tonnage mineral deposits in stable jurisdictions which are capable of supporting a mine for decades. The Company's principal operating asset is the 87.5% owned Gibraltar mine, which is located in central British Columbia and is one of the largest copper mines in North America. Taseko also owns Florence Copper, which is advancing towards construction, as well as the Yellowhead copper, New Prosperity gold-copper, and Aley niobium projects.

HIGHLIGHTS

Operating Data (Gibraltar - 100% basis)   Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
    2023     2022     Change     2023     2022     Change  
Tons mined (millions)   23.4     22.3     1.1     47.5     42.6     4.9  
Tons milled (millions)   7.2     7.7     (0.5 )   14.3     14.7     (0.4 )
Production (million pounds Cu)   28.2     20.7     7.5     53.1     42.0     11.1  
Sales (million pounds Cu)   26.1     21.7     4.4     52.7     49.1     3.6  

             
Financial Data   Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
(Cdn$ in thousands, except for per share amounts)   2023     2022     Change     2023     2022     Change  
Revenues   111,924     82,944     28,980     227,443     201,277     26,166  
Earnings from mining operations before depletion  and amortization*   27,664     7,221     20,443     68,803     49,994     18,809  
Cash flows provided by operations   33,269     18,344     14,925     61,268     70,097     (8,829 )
Adjusted EBITDA*   22,218     1,684     20,534     58,277     39,823     18,454  
Net income (loss) (GAAP)   9,991     (5,274 )   15,265     14,430     (179 )   14,609  
Per share - basic ("EPS")   0.03     (0.02 )   0.05     0.05     -     0.05  
Adjusted net income (loss)*   (4,376 )   (16,098 )   11,722     712     (9,936 )   10,648  
Per share - basic ("adjusted EPS")*   (0.02 )   (0.06 )   0.04     -     (0.03 )   0.03  


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


 Second Quarter Review

  • Second quarter earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization* was $27.7 million, Adjusted EBITDA* was $22.2 million, and cash flows from operations were $33.3 million;

  • GAAP net income was $10.0 million ($0.03 per share) and Adjusted net loss* was $4.4 million ($0.02 loss per share) after normalizing for unrealized foreign exchange gains;

  • Gibraltar produced 28.2 million pounds of copper for the quarter, a 13% improvement over the prior quarter as a result of improved grades, recoveries and mill throughput;

  • Copper head grades in the quarter were 0.24%, in line with expectations, as mining progressed deeper in the Gibraltar pit;

  • Gibraltar sold 26.1 million pounds of copper in the second quarter (100% basis) with sales lagging production due to an increase of inventory in transit at the end of June;

  • Total site costs* in the second quarter were $105.4 million on a 100% basis, $7.4 million lower than the previous quarter due to lower diesel, explosive and contractor services costs;

  • As a result of commodity price decreases in the quarter, the Company wrote-down lower grade ore stockpile inventory to net realizable values totalling $8.1 million (an impact of approximately $0.03 per share);

  • On June 28, 2023, the Company entered into a second amendment to its silver stream agreement with Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. and received $13.6 million in exchange for increasing the payable silver from 75% to 87.5% and increasing the threshold delivery amount of silver for the additional mineral reserves published in 2022;

  • In June, the Company amended its revolving credit facility to increase the amount of credit approval of the facility from US$50 million to US$80 million with the addition of ING Capital LLC to the syndicate of lenders;

  • The Company had a closing cash balance of $86 million at June 30, 2023; and

  • The B.C. port labour strike in the first half of July 2023 did not have any impact on Gibraltar production but did restrict the mine's ability to ship concentrate after the quarter end. The backlog of Gibraltar concentrate inventory is expected to be shipped in the second half of the year. 


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Gibraltar mine

Operating data (100% basis)   Q2 2023     Q1 2023     Q4 2022     Q3 2022     Q2 2022  
Tons mined (millions)   23.4     24.1     22.9     23.2     22.3  
Tons milled (millions)   7.2     7.1     7.3     8.2     7.7  
Strip ratio   1.5     1.9     1.1     1.5     2.8  
Site operating cost per ton milled (Cdn$)* $ 13.17   $ 13.54   $ 13.88   $ 11.33   $ 11.13  
Copper concentrate                              
  Head grade (%)   0.24     0.22     0.22     0.22     0.17  
  Copper recovery (%)   81.9     80.7     83.4     77.1     77.3  
  Production (million pounds Cu)   28.2     24.9     26.7     28.3     20.7  
  Sales (million pounds Cu)   26.1     26.6     25.5     26.7     21.7  
  Inventory (million pounds Cu)   5.6     3.7     5.4     4.2     2.7  
Molybdenum concentrate                              
  Production (thousand pounds Mo)   230     234     359     324     199  
  Sales (thousand pounds Mo)   231     225     402     289     210  
Per unit data (US$ per pound produced)*                              
  Site operating costs* $ 2.43   $ 2.94   $ 2.79   $ 2.52   $ 3.25  
  By-product credits*   (0.13 )   (0.37 )   (0.40 )   (0.15 )   (0.15 )
Site operating costs, net of by-product credits* $ 2.30   $ 2.57   $ 2.39   $ 2.37   $ 3.10  
Off-property costs   0.36     0.37     0.36     0.35     0.37  
Total operating costs (C1)* $ 2.66   $ 2.94   $ 2.75   $ 2.72   $ 3.47  


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


OPERATIONS ANALYSIS

Second Quarter Review

Gibraltar produced 28.2 million pounds of copper for the second quarter, a 13% increase over the first quarter due to higher mill throughput, ore grade and recoveries. As mining progressed deeper into the Gibraltar pit, ore grade and consistency improved which will continue for the remainder of the year. Mill throughput was 7.2 million tons for the period and was lower than planned due to mill downtime for additional maintenance.

Copper head grades of 0.24% were higher than recent quarters and in line with management expectations as mining proceeds further into higher grade ore benches in the Gibraltar pit.  Copper recoveries in the second quarter were 81.9% and improved with the increasing head grades.

A total of 23.4 million tons were mined in the second quarter in line with mine plan. The ore stockpiles increased by 0.7 million tons in the second quarter and 1.7 million tons of oxide ore from the Connector pit was placed on the heap leach pads. This oxide ore will be processed in future years when Gibraltar's solvent extraction and electrowinning ("SX/EW") plant is restarted.

Total site costs* at Gibraltar of $105.4 million were $7.4 million lower than last quarter due to a number of factors including lower diesel fuel costs, purchased electricity, natural gas, explosives and contractor services. 

Sustaining capital expenditures in the quarter were $20.4 million and included $10.4 million for a major component replacement on one of the shovels.  Gibraltar capital expenditures will decrease in the second half of the year as preparatory work for the primary crusher move is completed and with less equipment component replacements expected.

Molybdenum generated a by-product credit of US$0.13 per pound of copper produced in the second quarter, which decreased significantly from the first quarter. The molybdenum price decreased from the first quarter's average price of US$32.79 per pound to an average of US$21.30 per pound. This decreased molybdenum price also resulted in negative provisional price adjustments of $1.3 million in the second quarter.

Off-property costs per pound produced* were US$0.36 and were in line with recent quarters.

Total operating costs per pound produced (C1)* were US$2.66 for the second quarter, compared to US$3.47 in the same period in 2022 with key variances summarized in the bridge graph below: 


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


GIBRALTAR OUTLOOK

The Gibraltar pit will continue to be the sole source of mill feed for the remainder of 2023 and head grade and ore quality are expected to be similar to the second quarter for the remainder of the year.  Second quarter production was impacted by low mill availabilities in April and May, but in June and July milling operations benefited from the softer ore in the Gibraltar pit and mill throughput averaged well above nameplate capacity of 85,000 tpd.  Copper production in June and July was 11 million pounds in each month.  Management continues to expect Gibraltar to produce 115 million pounds (+/- 5%) of copper in 2023 on a 100% basis.

The in-pit crusher is now planned to be relocated in the second quarter of 2024. This deferral of the crusher move results in increased mill production in the current year and allows the timing of the crusher move to align with a maintenance shutdown that is required for the Mill 1 SAG mill.

Strong metal prices combined with our copper hedge protection continues to provide stable operating margins at the Gibraltar mine. Copper prices in the second quarter averaged US$3.84 per pound, compared to the six month year to date average of US$3.95 and the 2022 average of US$3.99 per pound. The Company currently has copper price collar contracts in place that secure a minimum copper price of US$3.75 per pound for 35 million pounds of copper until December 31, 2023.

The Company's copper concentrate transportation was recently impacted by the strike action of port workers in British Columbia. The work stoppages by the port workers has delayed shipment of concentrate to customers.  Now that the strike has been resolved, efforts are underway to move stockpiled concentrate at site to the port using rail and trucking.  Given the backlog, concentrate inventory levels at site may not reduce to normal levels until later this year.

ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL 12.5% INTEREST IN GIBRALTAR 

After March 15, 2023, the financial results of Taseko reflect its 87.5% beneficial interest in the Gibraltar mine.

The Company completed the acquisition of an additional 12.5% interest in the Gibraltar mine from Sojitz on March 15, 2023. Gibraltar is operated through a joint venture which is owned 75% by Taseko and 25% by Cariboo Copper Corporation ("Cariboo"). Under the terms of the agreement, Taseko has acquired Sojitz's 50% interest in Cariboo and now holds an effective 87.5% interest in the Gibraltar mine. The other 50% of Cariboo is held equally by Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. ("Dowa") and Furukawa Co. Ltd. ("Furukawa").

The acquisition price consists of a minimum amount of $60 million payable over a five-year period and potential contingent payments depending on Gibraltar mine copper revenues and copper prices over the next five years. An initial $10 million has been paid to Sojitz on closing and the remaining minimum amount will be paid in $10 million annual instalments over the next five years. There is no interest payable on the minimum amounts and the amounts payable to Sojitz are secured against shareholder loans owing from Cariboo to Taseko.

The contingent payments are payable annually for five years only if the average LME copper price exceeds US$3.50 per pound in a year. The payments will be calculated by multiplying Gibraltar mine copper revenues by a price factor, which is based on a sliding scale ranging from 0.38% at US$3.50 per pound copper to a maximum of 2.13% at US$5.00 per pound copper or above. Total contingent payments cannot exceed $57 million over the five-year period, limiting the acquisition cost to a maximum of $117 million.

Taseko became a party to the existing Cariboo shareholders agreement with Dowa and Furukawa. There was no change to the offtake contracts established in 2010 and Dowa and Furukawa will continue to receive 30% of Gibraltar's copper concentrate offtake. Also, there will be no impact to the operation of the Gibraltar Joint Venture.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


FLORENCE COPPER

The Company is awaiting the issuance of the final Underground Injection Control ("UIC") permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), which is the final permitting step required prior to construction commencing on the commercial production facility. On June 12, 2023, the EPA issued the Programmatic Agreement ("PA") for signature which is a key step required to finalize the NHPA Section 106 process and precedes issuance of the final UIC permit.

Detailed engineering and design for the commercial production facility is substantially completed and procurement activities are well advanced. The Company has purchased the major processing equipment associated with the SX/EW plant and the equipment has now been delivered to the Florence site. The Company is well positioned to transition into construction once the final UIC permit is received. The Company incurred $27.4 million of capital expenditures at the Florence project in the first half of 2023.

In March 2023, the Company announced the results of recent technical work and updated economics for the Florence Copper project. The Company has filed a new technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Florence Copper Project, Pinal County, Arizona" dated March 30, 2023 (the "Technical Report") on SEDAR. The Technical Report was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and incorporates updated capital and operating costs for the commercial production facility and refinements made to the operating models, based on the Production Test Facility ("PTF") results.

The technical work completed by Taseko in recent years has been extensive and has de-risked the project significantly. The PTF operated successfully over an 18-month period and provided a valuable opportunity to test operational controls and strategies which will be applied in future commercial operations. In addition, a more sophisticated leaching model has been developed and calibrated to the PTF wellfield performance. This detailed modeling data, along with updated costing, has been used to update assumptions for the ramp up and operation of the commercial wellfield and processing facility.

Florence Copper Project Highlights:

 Net present value of US$930 million (after-tax at an 8% discount rate)

 Internal rate of return of 47% (after-tax)

 Payback period of 2.6 years

 Operating costs (C1) of US$1.11 per pound of copper

 Annual production capacity of 85 million pounds of LME grade A cathode copper

 22 year mine life

 Total life of mine production of 1.5 billion pounds of copper

 Total estimated initial capital cost of US$232 million remaining

 Long-term copper price of US$3.75 per pound

LONG-TERM GROWTH STRATEGY 

Taseko's strategy has been to grow the Company by acquiring and developing a pipeline of complementary projects focused on copper in stable mining jurisdictions. We continue to believe this will generate long-term returns for shareholders. Our other development projects are located in British Columbia.

Yellowhead Copper Project

Yellowhead Mining Inc. ("Yellowhead") has an 817 million tonnes reserve and a 25-year mine life with a pre-tax net present value of $1.3 billion at an 8% discount rate using a US$3.10 per pound copper price based on the Company's 2020 NI 43-101 technical report. Capital costs of the project are estimated at $1.3 billion over a 2-year construction period. Over the first 5 years of operation, the copper equivalent grade will average 0.35% producing an average of 200 million pounds of copper per year at an average C1* cost, net of by-product credit, of US$1.67 per pound of copper. The Yellowhead copper project contains valuable precious metal by-products with 440,000 ounces of gold and 19 million ounces of silver with a life of mine value of over $1 billion at current prices.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


The Company is preparing to advance into the environmental assessment process and is undertaking some additional engineering work in conjunction with ongoing engagement with local communities including First Nations. The Company is also collecting baseline data and modeling which will be used to support the environmental assessment and permitting of the project.

New Prosperity Gold-Copper Project

In late 2019, the Tŝilhqot'in Nation, as represented by Tŝilhqot'in National Government, and Taseko entered into a confidential dialogue, with the involvement of the Province of British Columbia, in order to obtain a long-term resolution of the conflict regarding Taseko's proposed copper-gold mine previously known as New Prosperity, acknowledging Taseko's commercial interests and the Tŝilhqot'in Nation's opposition to the project.

This dialogue has been supported by the parties' agreement, beginning December 2019, to a series of one-year standstills on certain outstanding litigation and regulatory matters relating to Taseko's tenures and the area in the vicinity of Teẑtan Biny (Fish Lake). The standstill agreement was most recently extended for a fourth one-year term in December 2022, with the goal of providing time and opportunity for the Tŝilhqot'in Nation and Taseko to negotiate a final resolution.

The dialogue process has made tangible progress in the past 12 months but is not complete. In agreeing to extend the standstill through 2023, the Tŝilhqot'in Nation and Taseko acknowledge the constructive nature of discussions to date, and the future opportunity to conclude a long-term and mutually acceptable resolution of the conflict that also makes an important contribution to the goals of reconciliation in Canada.

Aley Niobium Project

Environmental monitoring and product marketing initiatives on the Aley niobium project continue. The converter pilot test is ongoing and is providing additional process data to support the design of the commercial process facilities and will provide final product samples for marketing purposes. The Company has also initiated lab testwork on flowsheet development to produce niobium oxide from floatation concentrate at Aley to supply the growing market for niobium-based batteries.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

The Company's Annual General Meeting was held on June 15, 2023 and shareholders voted in favor of all items of business before the meeting, including the advisory resolution on executive compensation (Say-on-Pay) and the election of all director nominees. Detailed voting results for the 2023 Annual General Meeting are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

ANNUAL ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE REPORT 

On May 25, 2023, the Company published its annual Environment, Social & Governance ("ESG") Report, titled 360o of Value. The report focuses on the 2022 operational and sustainability performance of Taseko's foundational asset, the Gibraltar copper mine in British Columbia, and reports on the Company's enterprise-wide ESG impacts and benefits - including environmental initiatives, social contributions, governance programs and greenhouse gas emissions.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


While profitable operations and return on investment are critical drivers for Taseko's success, the Company also delivers value to its employees and operating communities, business partners, Indigenous Nations and governments. The annual ESG report is an opportunity to showcase the important benefits that the Company generates through its operations, investments and people:

  • Well-paid jobs and career opportunities for employees;
  • Healthy and safe workplaces that welcome a diversity of people and views;
  • Support for vibrant communities and institutions;
  • Protection and conservation of important environmental values, such as wildlife, biodiversity, clean air and water;
  • Meaningful partnerships with Indigenous people;
  • Financial support for important government services and programs; and
  • The production of copper and other metals that play such an important role in supporting modern society and enhancing quality of life.

The full report can be viewed and downloaded at tasekomines.com/esg/overview.

MARKET REVIEW 

Copper        Molybdenum                Canadian/US Dollar Exchange

Prices (USD per pound for Commodities)

(Source Data: Bank of Canada, Platts Metals, and London Metals Exchange)

Copper prices are currently around US$3.96 per pound, compared to US$3.84 per pound for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. In March 2022, copper reached a record high of US$5.09 per pound due to uncertainty arising from the Ukraine conflict, rising inflation rates and low warehouse inventory levels. Copper prices have steadily recovered since the onset of COVID-19 due to tight physical market conditions, ensuing supply chain bottlenecks, inflation pressures caused by economic stimulus measures and other geopolitical challenges.

Electrification of transportation and the focus on government investment in construction and infrastructure including initiatives focused on the renewable energy, electrification and meeting net zero targets by 2050, are inherently copper intensive. According to S&P Global's copper market outlook report published in July 2022, titled 'The Future of Copper: Will the looming supply gap short-circuit the energy transition?', global demand for copper is projected to double from approximately 25 million metric tons today to roughly 50 million metric tons by 2035, a record high that will be sustained and continue to grow to 53 million metric tons by 2050, in order to achieve net-zero targets.  All of these factors continue to provide unprecedented catalysts for higher copper prices to continue in the future. Short-term volatility is expected due to macroeconomic uncertainty and the risk of a US and global recession. While some analysts predict a potential copper market balance in 2023 based on current development projects commissioning or under construction and the recession caused pullback in demand, the medium to longer-term outlook for copper remains extremely favorable. This increased demand for copper after years of under investment by the copper industry in new primary mine supply, coupled with inherently low recycling rates, is expected to support strong copper prices over the coming decade.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


Approximately 6% of the Company's revenue is made up of molybdenum sales. During the second quarter of 2023, the average molybdenum price was US$21.30 per pound. Molybdenum prices are currently around US$23.55 per pound. Molybdenum demand and prices have been driven by supply challenges at large South American copper mines that produce molybdenum as a by-product. Continued strong demand from the energy sector has boosted demand for alloyed steel products, as well as growing demand from the renewables and military sectors. The Company's sales agreements specify molybdenum pricing based on the published Platts Metals reports.

Approximately 80% of the Gibraltar mine's costs are Canadian dollar denominated and therefore, fluctuations in the Canadian/US dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect on the Company's operating results and unit production costs, which are earned and in some cases reported in US dollars. Despite global recession concerns, the Canadian dollar strengthened by approximately 2% against the US dollar during the second quarter.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Earnings

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     Change     2023     2022     Change  
Net income (loss)   9,991     (5,274 )   15,265     14,430     (179 )   14,609  
  Net unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss   (10,966 )   11,621     (22,587 )   (11,916 )   7,223     (19,139 )
  Unrealized gain on derivative instruments   (6,470 )   (30,747 )   24,277     (4,280 )   (23,261 )   18,981  
  Finance and other non-recurring costs   1,714     -     1,714     1,714     -     1,714  
  Estimated tax effect of adjustments   1,355     8,302     (6,947 )   764     6,281     (5,517 )
Adjusted net income (loss)*   (4,376 )   (16,098 )   11,722     712     (9,936 )   10,648  

The Company's adjusted net loss* was $4.4 million ($0.02 loss per share) for the  three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to adjusted net loss* of $16.1 million ($0.06 loss per share) for the same period in 2022. Earnings in the second quarter were impacted by higher copper sales volume and increases in inventories of concentrate and ore stockpile volumes, partially offset by lower average LME copper prices, a write-down of lower grade ore stockpiles to net realizable value, higher site costs including timing of repairs and maintenance costs and a decrease in waste stripping costs being capitalized in the current period.  Also negatively impacting earnings this quarter was net realized losses of $1.9 million from the Company's copper price and diesel protection program.

The Company's adjusted net income* was $0.7 million ($nil per share) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to adjusted net loss* of $9.9 million ($0.03 loss per share) for the same period in 2022. Earnings in the first half of 2023 were impacted by higher copper sales volume, favorable impact of higher average molybdenum price, lower depletion and amortization expense, and increases in inventories of concentrate and ore stockpiles in the current period.  The increase was partially offset by lower average LME copper prices, higher site costs, and a decrease in waste stripping costs being capitalized in the current period.

Net income was $10.0 million ($0.03 per share) for the three months ended June 30, 2023 after inclusion of the $11.0 million in unrealized foreign exchange gains on the outstanding senior secured notes due to the weakening US dollar in the quarter and $6.5 million of unrealized gain on derivatives that reversed prior quarter unrealized losses due to the decreasing copper price in the second quarter of 2023.

Net income was $14.4 million ($0.05 per share) for the  six months ended June 30, 2023 after inclusion of the $11.9 million in unrealized foreign exchange gains on the outstanding senior secured notes due to the weakening US dollar in the first half and $4.3 million of unrealized gain on derivatives due to the decreasing copper price in the first half of 2023.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis

 

No adjustments are made to adjusted net income for provisional price adjustments in the three and six month periods or for write-downs of ore stockpile inventories.

Revenues

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     Change     2023     2022     Change  
Copper contained in concentrate   112,932     87,183     25,749     222,055     201,638     20,417  
Copper price adjustments on settlement   (1,555 )   (5,469 )   3,914     (1,757 )   (4,809 )   3,052  
Molybdenum concentrate   5,712     3,704     2,008     13,461     7,774     5,687  
Molybdenum price adjustments on settlement   (1,251 )   (384 )   (867 )   580     (282 )   862  
Silver   1,514     1,155     359     3,046     2,674     372  
Total gross revenue   117,352     86,189     31,163     237,385     206,995     30,390  
Less: Treatment and refining costs   (5,428 )   (3,245 )   (2,183 )   (9,942 )   (5,718 )   (4,224 )
Revenue   111,924     82,944     28,980     227,443     201,277     26,166  
                                     
(thousands of pounds, unless otherwise noted)                                    
Sales of copper in concentrate1   21,926     15,668     6,258     41,959     35,448     6,511  
Average realized copper price (US$ per pound)   3.78     4.08     (0.30 )   3.90     4.37     (0.47 )
Average LME copper price (US$ per pound)   3.84     4.31     (0.47 )   3.95     4.43     (0.48 )
Average exchange rate (US$/CAD)   1.34     1.28     0.06     1.35     1.27     0.08  

1 This amount includes a net smelter payable deduction of approximately 3.5% to derive net payable pounds of copper sold and 12.5% of Cariboo's share of copper sales since March 15, 2023.

Copper revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2023 increased by $25.7 million compared to the same period in 2022, with $34.8 million due to the acquisition of Cariboo, larger sales volumes of 6.3 million pounds and $5.0 million due to the favorable impact of a stronger US dollar in the current period, partially offset by $14.1 million due to lower copper prices.  Negative provisional price adjustments in the current quarter were $1.6 million due to the decline in copper price in the quarter. The increase in copper sales volume reflects the impact from the acquisition of Cariboo in March 2023.

Copper revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2023 increased by $20.4 million compared to the same period in 2022, with $35.9 million due to larger sales volumes of 6.5 million pounds and $12.2 million due to the favorable impact of a stronger US dollar in the current period, partially offset by $27.7 million due to lower copper prices. Negative provisional price adjustments in the first half were $1.8 million.

Molybdenum revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2023 increased by $2.0 million compared to the same period in 2022 due primarily to higher average molybdenum prices of US$21.30 per pound, compared to US$18.37 per pound for the same prior period and the impact from an increase in molybdenum volume due to the Cariboo acquisition in March.

Molybdenum revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2023 increased by $5.7 million compared to the same period in 2022 due primarily to higher average molybdenum prices of US$27.23 per pound, compared to US$18.74 per pound for the same prior period and the impact from an increase in molybdenum volume due to the Cariboo acquisition in March.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


Cost of sales

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     Change     2023     2022     Change  
Site operating costs   83,374     64,237     19,137     157,812     124,096     33,716  
Transportation costs   6,966     4,370     2,596     12,070     9,485     2,585  
Changes in inventories of finished goods   (3,356 )   3,653     (7,009 )   (2,957 )   11,230     (14,187 )
Changes in inventories of ore stockpiles   (2,724 )   3,463     (6,187 )   (8,285 )   6,472     (14,757 )
Production costs   84,260     75,723     8,537     158,640     151,283     7,357  
Depletion and amortization   15,594     15,269     325     27,621     28,775     (1,154 )
Cost of sales   99,854     90,992     8,862     186,261     180,058     6,203  
Site operating costs per ton milled* $ 13.17   $ 11.13   $ 2.04   $ 13.34   $ 11.22   $ 2.12  

Site operating costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 increased by $19.1 million and $33.7 million, respectively, compared to the same prior periods primarily due to the impact of proportionately consolidating an additional 16.7% share of Gibraltar's site operating costs as a result of the acquisition of Cariboo in March 2023, increases due to the timing of repairs and maintenance, labor costs, and higher consumables (such as tires, reagents and explosives). The increase in site costs is partially offset by decreases in diesel and grinding media costs. 

Cost of sales is also impacted by changes in copper concentrate inventories and ore stockpiles including write-downs of the stockpiles to net realizable values depending on copper price. During the second quarter of 2023, copper in finished goods inventory increased by 1.9 million pounds, which contributed to a decrease in production costs of $3.4 million. There was greater concentrate inventory in transit at the end of June due to delayed rail movements to the port. The decrease in finished goods inventory in the second quarter of 2022 by 1.3 million pounds contributed to the increase in production costs of $3.7 million.

During the first half of 2023, the impact from the acquisition of Cariboo and the increase in copper in finished goods inventory, contributed to a decrease in production costs of $3.0 million. Due to extreme flooding events in southwest BC in the fourth quarter of 2021, there was 6.0 million pounds of additional copper in finished goods at the 2021 year end that was sold in the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in finished goods in the first half of 2022 contributed to the increase in production costs of $11.2 million.

In addition, the ore stockpile increased for 2.5 million oxide tons from the Connector pit that were placed on the heap leach pads during the first half of 2023, which resulted in a net decrease in production costs of $8.3 million, net of write-downs of lower grade ore stockpiles during the period of $8.1 million.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


Other operating (income) expenses

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     Change     2023     2022     Change  
General and administrative   3,590     3,297     293     6,890     5,998     892  
Share-based compensation (recovery) expense   344     (2,113 )   2,457     3,729     967     2,762  
Realized loss on derivative instruments   1,911     2,298     (387 )   3,937     4,645     (708 )
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments   (6,470 )   (30,747 )   24,277     (4,280 )   (23,261 )   18,981  
Project related expenditures   212     110     102     537     278     259  
Other (income) expense, net   230     (318 )   548     (204 )   (655 )   451  
    (183 )   (27,473 )   27,290     10,609     (12,028 )   22,637  

General and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 increased by $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, compared to the same prior periods due to timing of expenditures.

Share-based compensation expense is comprised of amortization of share options and performance share units and the expense on deferred and restricted share units. Share-based compensation expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022, primarily due to increases in the Company's share price during the period and its impact on the valuation of the deferred share units. More information is set out in Note 15 of the Financial Statements.

For the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company realized a loss on derivative instruments of $1.9 million primarily due to the copper collars covering production for the quarter that settled out-of-the-money, compared to a realized loss of $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2022.

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company realized a loss on derivative instruments of $3.9 million primarily due to the copper collars covering production for the quarter that settled out-of-the-money, compared to a realized loss of $4.6 million in the first half of 2022.

For the three months ended June 30, 2023, the net unrealized gain on derivative instruments of $6.5 million relates primarily to the increase in the fair value of outstanding copper price collars covering the remainder of 2023. These hedge positions were in-the-money in the quarter as copper prices decreased since the first quarter. The net unrealized gain on derivatives for the second quarter of 2022 was $30.7 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the net unrealized gain on derivative instruments of $4.3 million relates primarily to the increase in the fair value of outstanding copper price collars covering the remainder of 2023. These hedge positions are in-the-money as copper prices decreased since the year end. The net unrealized gain on derivatives for the first half of 2022 was $23.3 million.

Project related expenses represent costs associated with the New Prosperity project and other technical expenditures undertaken by Taseko.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


Finance expenses and income

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     Change     2023     2022     Change  
Interest expense   11,281     10,083     1,198     22,822     20,158     2,664  
Amortization of financing fees   717     626     91     1,388     1,241     147  
Finance expense - deferred revenue   1,492     1,436     56     2,965     2,809     156  
Accretion of PER   572     91     481     1,076     183     893  
Accretion on consideration payable to Sojitz   1,451     -     1,451     1,451     -     1,451  
Less: interest capitalized   (2,045 )   -     (2,045 )   (3,925 )   -     (3,925 )
Finance income   (757 )   (282 )   (475 )   (1,678 )   (448 )   (1,230 )
Finance expenses, net   12,711     11,954     757     24,099     23,943     156  

Net interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 decreased from the prior year period primarily due to the capitalization of certain borrowing costs attributed to investment in Florence, which was partially offset by the impact of higher interest from new equipment loans drawn in December 2022.

Finance expense on deferred revenue adjustments represents the implicit financing component of the upfront deposit from the silver sales streaming arrangement with Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. ("Osisko"). Accretion on consideration payable to Sojitz commenced in mid-March and was $1.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.

Finance income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 increased from the prior year period due to the impact of higher interest rates on the Company's cash balances.

Income tax

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     Change     2023     2022     Change  
Current income tax (recovery) expense   215     (531 )   746     759     (12 )   771  
Deferred income tax expense   463     1,453     (990 )   3,275     2,122     1,153  
Income tax expense   678     922     (244 )   4,034     2,110     1,924  
Effective tax rate   6.4%     (21.1)%     27.5%     21.8%     109.3%     (87.5)%  
Canadian statutory rate   27.0%     27.0%     -     27.0%     27.0%     -  
B.C. Mineral tax rate   9.5%     9.5%     -     9.5%     9.5%     -  

The overall income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was due to deferred income tax expense recognized on income for accounting purposes. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2023 is lower than the combined B.C. mineral and income tax rate of 36.5% due primarily to the non-taxability of the unrealized foreign exchange gain related to the senior secured notes.

As foreign exchange revaluations on the senior secured notes are not recognized for tax purposes until realized, and in the case of capital losses, when they are applied, the effective tax rate may be significantly higher or lower than the statutory rates, as is the case for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, relative to net income (loss) for those periods.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


Current income tax represents an estimate of B.C. mineral taxes payable.

FINANCIAL CONDITION REVIEW

Balance sheet review

    At June 30,     At December 31,        
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     Change  
Cash and equivalents   85,562     120,858     (35,296 )
Other current assets   126,648     120,013     6,635  
Property, plant and equipment   1,164,344     1,029,240     135,104  
Other assets   42,592     8,573     34,019  
Total assets   1,419,146     1,278,684     140,462  
Current liabilities   118,851     94,229     24,622  
Debt:                  
  Credit facility   11,749     -     11,749  
  Senior secured notes   523,343     534,118     (10,775 )
  Equipment related financings   66,662     52,451     14,211  
Deferred revenue   60,036     47,620     12,416  
Other liabilities   274,791     193,857     80,934  
Total liabilities   1,055,432     922,275     133,157  
Equity   363,714     356,409     7,305  
Net debt (debt minus cash and equivalents)   516,192     465,711     50,481  
Total common shares outstanding (millions)   288.6     286.5     2.1  

The Company's asset base is comprised principally of property, plant and equipment, reflecting the capital intensive nature of Gibraltar and the mining business. Other current assets primarily include accounts receivable, inventories (concentrate inventories, ore stockpiles, and supplies), prepaid expenses, and marketable securities. Concentrate inventories, accounts receivable and cash balances fluctuate in relation to transportation and cash settlement schedules.

Property, plant and equipment increased by $135.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, which includes the impact from acquiring an additional 12.5% effective interest in Gibraltar from Sojitz, $27.4 million for Florence Copper development costs as well as capital expenditures at Gibraltar (both sustaining and capital projects).

Net debt increased by $50.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to investment of cash in the development of Florence Copper, ongoing debt repayment and the impact from acquiring the additional interest in Gibraltar and its attributable liabilities, partially offset from funds received from Osisko.

Deferred revenue relates to the advance payments received from Osisko for the sale of Taseko's share of future silver production from Gibraltar.

Other liabilities increased by $80.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, due to the deferred consideration payable to Sojitz over the next five years for the acquisition of Cariboo and the additional share of Gibraltar's provision for environmental rehabilitation that it assumed with the purchase of Cariboo, and an increase in the deferred tax liabilities.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


As at August 2, 2023, there were 288,682,146 common shares and 10,081,116 stock options outstanding. More information on these instruments and the terms of their exercise is set out in Note 15 of the Financial Statements.

Liquidity, cash flow and capital resources

At June 30, 2023, the Company had cash and equivalents of $85.6 million (December 31, 2022 - $120.9 million).

Cash flow provided by operations during the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $33.3 million compared to cash flow provided by operations of $18.3 million for the same prior period. The increase in cash flow provided by operations was due primarily to the impact of increased sales of copper concentrate and the Osisko silver stream deposit.  The increase in cash flow provided by operations was partially offset by the change in working capital, which included the net increase in ore stockpiles and materials and supplies inventory.

In June 2023, the Company entered into a second amendment to its silver stream with Osisko and received $13.6 million in exchange for an increase of the payable silver from 75% to 87.5% and increasing the threshold delivery amount of silver for the updated reserves published in 2022.

Cash flow provided by operations during the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $61.3 million compared to cash flow provided by operations of $70.1 million for the same prior period. The decrease in cash flow provided by operations was due primarily to the change in working capital, which included the increase in ore stockpiles and materials and supplies inventory in the current period. The decrease in cash flow provided by operations was partially offset by the impact of increased sale of copper and the Osisko deferred revenue deposit during the current period.

Cash used for investing activities during the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $45.6 million compared to $53.6 million for the same prior period. Investing cash flows in the second quarter includes $39.6 million for capital expenditures at Gibraltar (which includes $8.9 million for capitalized stripping costs, $20.4 million for sustaining capital, and $10.3 million for capital projects), and $6.6 million of cash expenditures for development costs at Florence Copper. The higher sustaining capital in the quarter related to a significant shovel component replacement.

Cash used for investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $77.6 million compared to $101.5 million for the same prior period. Investing cash flows in the first half of 2023 includes $64.3 million for capital expenditures at Gibraltar (which includes $21.6 million for capitalized stripping costs, $25.1 million for sustaining capital, and $17.6 million for capital projects), and $16.5 million of cash expenditures for development costs at Florence Copper. Included in investing activities in the six month period is the Company’s 50% acquisition of Cariboo, which included an initial fixed payment of $10.0 million to Sojitz and the pickup of the Company’s proportionate share of Cariboo’s cash of $13.5 million.

Net cash used by financing activities for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $3.6 million comprised primarily of interest paid of $2.8 million and principal repayments for equipment loans and leases of $11.8 million, partially offset by Gibraltar equipment financing proceeds of $11.1 million. The principal repayments includes the exercise of an equipment lease early buy-out option in June of $5.6 million.

Net cash used by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $18.2 million comprised primarily  of interest paid of $23.6 million, principal repayments for equipment loans and leases of $17.5 million, and settlement of performance share units of $1.9 million, partially offset by an advance from the revolving credit facility of $13.2 million and Gibraltar equipment financing proceeds of $11.1 million.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


Liquidity outlook

The Company has approximately $177 million of available liquidity at June 30, 2023, including a cash balance of $86 million and amounts undrawn under the revolving credit facility of US$70 million. In February 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility by an additional year to July 2026. In addition to the one-year extension, ING Capital LLC joined the syndicate and provided credit approval for the US$30 million accordion feature.

With a minimum US$3.75 per pound floor price for 35 million pounds of copper production until December 2023, stable operating margins and cash flows are expected from Gibraltar in 2023. In addition to ongoing sustaining capital at Gibraltar, the Company has commenced a capital project to relocate the primary crusher for Mill 1 at the Gibraltar mine to a new location. The Company also intends to start the construction of the commercial facility at Florence Copper once the final UIC permit is received from the EPA which is expected to occur later this year. The Company does not have any significant capital plans for its other development projects over the next 12 months.

In December 2022, the Company signed agreements with Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.) Inc. ("Mitsui") to form a strategic partnership to develop Florence Copper. Mitsui has committed to an initial investment of US$50 million which is conditional on receipt of the final UIC permit, with proceeds to be used for construction of the commercial production facility. The initial investment will be in the form of a copper stream agreement and Mitsui has the option to invest an additional US$50 million (for a total investment of US$100 million) for a 10% equity interest in Florence Copper.

In January 2023, the Company also secured an underwritten commitment for US$25 million from Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC to fund costs associated with the SX/EW plant equipment for the Florence Copper commercial production facility.

If needed, the Company could raise additional capital through equity financings or asset sales, including royalties, sales of project interests, or joint ventures or additional credit facilities, including additional notes offerings. The Company evaluates these financing alternatives based on a number of factors including the prevailing metal prices and projected operating cash flow from Gibraltar, relative valuation, liquidity requirements, covenant restrictions and other factors, in order to optimize the Company's cost of capital and maximize shareholder value.

Future changes in copper and molybdenum market prices could also impact the timing and amount of cash available for future investment in the Company's development projects, debt obligations, and other uses of capital. To mitigate commodity price risks in the short-term, copper price options are entered into for a substantial portion of Taseko's share of Gibraltar copper production and the Company has a long track record of doing so (see "Hedging Strategy").

Hedging strategy

The Company generally fixes all or substantially all of the copper prices of its copper concentrate shipments at the time of shipment. Where the customer's offtake contract does not provide a price fixing option, the Company may look to undertake a quotational period hedge directly with a financial institution as the counterparty in order to fix the price of the shipment.

To protect against sudden and unexpected overall copper price volatility in the market, the Company's hedging strategy aims to secure a minimum price for a significant portion of future copper production using copper put options that are either purchased outright or substantially funded by the sale of copper call options that are significantly out of the money. The amount and duration of the copper hedge position is based on an assessment of business-specific risk elements combined with the copper pricing outlook. Copper price and quantity exposure are reviewed regularly to ensure that adequate revenue protection is in place.

Hedge positions are typically extended by adding incremental quarters at established floor prices (i.e. the strike price of the copper put option) to provide the necessary price protection. Considerations for the cost of the hedging program include an assessment of Gibraltar's estimated production costs, copper price trends and the Company's fixed capital requirements during the relevant period. During periods of volatility or step changes in the copper price, the Company may revisit outstanding hedging contracts and determine whether the copper put (floor) or call (ceiling) levels should be adjusted in line with the market while maintaining copper price protection.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


From time to time, the Company will look at potential hedging opportunities to mitigate the risk of rising input costs, including foreign exchange and fuel prices where such a strategy is cost effective. Since the onset of the Ukraine war in early 2022, diesel prices have increased dramatically and become more volatile. To protect against a potential operating margin squeeze that could arise from oil and diesel price shocks, the Company purchases diesel call options to provide a price cap for its share of diesel that is used by its mining fleet. Taseko has in place diesel price protection to December 2023 which caps its site landed diesel cost to an estimated $1.75 per litre. The Company will continue to look to extend this protection depending on market conditions.

 

Notional amount

Strike price

Term to maturity

Original cost

At June 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

  Copper collars

42 million lbs

US$3.75 per lb

US$4.70 per lb

July to December 2023

No cost collar

  Fuel call options

12 million ltrs

US$1.00 per ltr

July to December 2023

$0.9 million

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments

    Payments due        
At June 30, 2023
(Cdn$ in thousands)
  Remainder
of 2023
    2024     2025     2026     2027     Thereafter     Total  
Debt:                                          
  2026 Notes   -     -     -     529,880     -     -     529,880  
  Interest   18,546     37,092     37,092     18,546     -     -     111,276  
Equipment loans:                                          
  Principal   4,954     11,106     12,149     13,289     1,630     -     43,128  
  Interest   1,860     2,994     1,951     811     45     -     7,661  
Lease liabilities:                                          
  Principal   6,861     10,235     3,752     1,859     778     49     23,534  
  Interest   909     1,078     410     137     40     -     2,574  
Cariboo acquisition payments 1   -     10,000     10,000     10,000     10,000     10,000     50,000  
PER 2   -     -     -     -     -     132,331     132,331  
Capital expenditures                                          
  Gibraltar    6,412     -     -     -     -     -     6,412  
  Florence Copper   4,892     2,476     -     -     -     -     7,368  
Other expenditures                                          
  Transportation related services 3   5,672     13,390     5,431     960     -     -     25,453  

1  On March 15, 2023, the Company completed its acquisition of an additional 12.5% interest in the Gibraltar mine from Sojitz. The acquisition price consists of a minimum amount of $60 million payable over a five-year period and potential contingent payments depending on Gibraltar mine copper production and copper prices over the next five years. An initial $10 million has been paid to Sojitz on closing and the remaining minimum amount will be paid in $10 million annual instalments over the next five years. There is no interest payable on the minimum amounts. The Company estimates that there is $34 million payable over the next 5 years relating to the contingent consideration payable to Sojitz for its acquisition of the 12.5% interest in the shares of Cariboo which is not included in the table above.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


2 Provision for environmental rehabilitation amounts presented in the table represents the present value of estimated costs of legal and constructive obligations required to retire an asset, including decommissioning and other site restoration activities, primarily for the Gibraltar mine and Florence Copper. As at June 30, 2023, the Company has provided surety bonds of $89.1 million and restricted cash of $6.3 million for its share of Gibraltar's reclamation security. For Florence Copper, the Company has provided to the federal and state regulator surety bonds totaling $12.1 million as reclamation security.

3 Transportation related services commitments include ocean freight and port handling services, which are both cancellable upon certain operating circumstances.

The Company has made capital expenditure commitments relating to equipment for the Florence Copper project totaling $7.4 million at June 30, 2023.

The Company has guaranteed 100% of certain equipment loans and leases entered into by Gibraltar in which it holds an 87.5% effective interest. As a result, the Company has guaranteed the joint venture partner's 12.5% share of this debt which amounted to $6.7 million as at June 30, 2023.

The Company has also indemnified 100% of a surety bond issued by the Gibraltar joint venture to the Province of British Columbia. As a result, the Company has indemnified the joint venture partner's 12.5% share of this obligation, which amounted to $7.3 million as at June 30, 2023.

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

 

2023

2022

2021

(Cdn$ in thousands,
except per share amounts)

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Revenues

111,924

115,519

100,618

89,714

82,944

118,333

102,972

132,563

Net income (loss)

9,991

4,439

(2,275)

(23,517)

(5,274)

5,095

11,762

22,485

    Basic EPS

0.03

0.02

(0.01)

(0.08)

(0.02)

0.02

0.04

0.08

Adjusted net income (loss) *

(4,376)

5,088

7,146

4,513

(16,098)

6,162

13,312

27,020

    Adjusted basic EPS *

(0.02)

0.02

0.02

0.02

(0.06)

0.02

0.05

0.10

Adjusted EBITDA *

22,218

36,059

35,181

34,031

1,684

38,139

52,988

76,291

 

(US$ per pound, except where indicated)

Provisional copper price

3.83

4.05

3.66

3.51

4.33

4.57

4.40

4.21

Realized copper price

3.78

4.02

3.66

3.48

4.08

4.59

4.37

4.26

Total operating costs *

2.66

2.94

2.75

2.72

3.47

3.13

1.94

1.57

Copper sales (million pounds)

22.8

20.8

19.1

20.0

16.3

20.5

17.9

24.3

Financial results for the last eight quarters reflect: volatile copper and molybdenum prices and foreign exchange rates that impact realized sale prices; and variability in the quarterly sales volumes due to copper grades and timing of shipments which impacts revenue recognition.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Company's significant accounting policies are presented in Note 2.4 of the 2022 annual consolidated financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies, including the accounting for the Cariboo acquisition and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


In the process of applying the Company's accounting policies, significant areas where judgment is required include the determination of a joint arrangement, determining the timing of transfer of control of inventory for revenue recognition, provisions for environmental rehabilitation, reserve and resource estimation, functional currency, determination of the accounting treatment of the advance payment under the silver purchase and sale agreement reported as deferred revenue, determination of business or asset acquisition treatment, and recovery of other deferred tax assets.

Significant areas of estimation include reserve and resource estimation; asset valuations and the measurement of impairment charges or reversals; valuation of inventories; plant and equipment lives; tax provisions; provisions for environmental rehabilitation; valuation of financial instruments and derivatives; capitalized stripping costs and share-based compensation. Key estimates and assumptions made by management with respect to these areas have been disclosed in the notes to these consolidated financial statements as appropriate.

The accuracy of reserve and resource estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and the assumptions made and judgment used in the engineering and geological interpretation, and may be subject to revision based on various factors. Changes in reserve and resource estimates may impact the carrying value of property, plant and equipment; the calculation of depreciation expense; the capitalization of stripping costs incurred during production; and the timing of cash flows related to the provision for environmental rehabilitation.

Changes in forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs and recovery rates may change the economic status of reserves and resources. Forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs and recovery rates, and discount rates assumptions, either individually or collectively, may impact the carrying value of derivative financial instruments, inventories, property, plant and equipment, and intangibles, as well as the measurement of impairment charges or reversals.

There were no changes in accounting policies during the six months ended June 30, 2023.

INTERNAL AND DISCLOSURE CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures.

The Company's internal control system over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


The Company's internal control system over disclosure controls and procedures is designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company is made known to management and disclosed to others and information required to be disclosed by the Company in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by us under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the securities legislation. 

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial reporting and disclosure.

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures during the six months ended June 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting and disclosure.

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

Key management personnel include the members of the Board of Directors and executive officers of the Company.

The Company contributes to a post-employment defined contribution pension plan on the behalf of certain key management personnel. This retirement compensation arrangement ("RCA Trust") was established to provide benefits to certain executive officers on or after retirement in recognition of their long service. Upon retirement, the participant is entitled to the distribution of the accumulated value of the contributions under the RCA Trust. Obligations for contributions to the defined contribution pension plan are recognized as compensation expense in the periods during which services are rendered by the executive officers.

Certain executive officers are entitled to termination and change in control benefits. In the event of termination without cause, other than a change in control, these executive officers are entitled to an amount ranging from
12-months' to 18-months' salary. In the event of a change in control, if a termination without cause or a resignation occurs within 12 months following the change of control, these executive officers are entitled to receive, among other things, an amount ranging from 12-months' to 24-months' salary and accrued bonus, and all stock options held by these individuals will fully vest.

Executive officers and directors also participate in the Company's share option program (refer to Note 15 of the Financial Statements).

Compensation for key management personnel (including all members of the Board of Directors and executive officers) is as follows:

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     2023     2022  
Salaries and benefits   897     826     3,146     2,827  
Post-employment benefits   304     196     482     374  
Share-based compensation expense (recovery)   118     (2,252 )   3,051     366  
    1,319     (1,230 )   6,679     3,567  

NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES

This document includes certain non-GAAP performance measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may differ from those used by, and may not be comparable to such measures as reported by, other issuers. The Company believes that these measures are commonly used by certain investors, in conjunction with conventional IFRS measures, to enhance their understanding of the Company's performance. These measures have been derived from the Company's financial statements and applied on a consistent basis. The following tables below provide a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


Total operating costs and site operating costs, net of by-product credits

Total costs of sales include all costs absorbed into inventory, as well as transportation costs and insurance recoverable. Site operating costs are calculated by removing net changes in inventory, depletion and amortization, insurance recoverable, and transportation costs from cost of sales. Site operating costs, net of by-product credits is calculated by subtracting by-product credits from the site operating costs. Site operating costs, net of by-product credits per pound are calculated by dividing the aggregate of the applicable costs by copper pounds produced. Total operating costs per pound is the sum of site operating costs, net of by-product credits and off-property costs divided by the copper pounds produced. By-product credits are calculated based on actual sales of molybdenum (net of treatment costs) and silver during the period divided by the total pounds of copper produced during the period. These measures are calculated on a consistent basis for the periods presented.

(Cdn$ in thousands, unless otherwise indicated) -
75% basis (except for Q1 and Q2 2023)
  2023
Q21
    2023
Q11
    2022
Q4
    2022
Q3
    2022
Q2
 
Cost of sales   99,854     86,407     73,112     84,204     90,992  
Less:                              
  Depletion and amortization   (15,594 )   (12,027 )   (10,147 )   (13,060 )   (15,269 )
  Net change in inventories of finished goods   3,356     (399 )   1,462     2,042     (3,653 )
  Net change in inventories of ore stockpiles   2,724     5,561     18,050     3,050     (3,463 )
  Transportation costs   (6,966 )   (5,104 )   (6,671 )   (6,316 )   (4,370 )
Site operating costs   83,374     74,438     75,806     69,920     64,237  
Oxide ore stockpile reclassification from capitalized stripping   (3,183 )   3,183     -     -     -  
Less by-product credits:                              
  Molybdenum, net of treatment costs   (4,018 )   (9,208 )   (11,022 )   (4,122 )   (3,023 )
  Silver, excluding amortization of deferred revenue   (103 )   (160 )   263     25     36  
Site operating costs, net of by-product credits   76,070     68,253     65,047     65,823     61,250  
Total copper produced (thousand pounds)   24,640     19,491     20,020     21,238     15,497  
Total costs per pound produced   3.09     3.50     3.25     3.10     3.95  
Average exchange rate for the period (CAD/USD)   1.34     1.35     1.36     1.31     1.28  
Site operating costs, net of by-product credits
(US$ per pound)
  2.30     2.59     2.39     2.37     3.10  
Site operating costs, net of by-product credits   76,070     68,253     65,047     65,823     61,250  
Add off-property costs:                              
  Treatment and refining costs   4,986     4,142     3,104     3,302     2,948  
  Transportation costs   6,966     5,104     6,671     6,316     4,370  
Total operating costs   88,022     77,499     74,822     75,441     68,568  
Total operating costs (C1) (US$ per pound)   2.66     2.94     2.75     2.72     3.47  

1 Q1 and Q2 2023 includes the impact from the March 15, 2023 acquisition of Cariboo from Sojitz, which increased the Company's Gibraltar mine ownership from 75% to 87.5%.


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis


Total Site Costs

Total site costs are comprised of the site operating costs charged to cost of sales as well as mining costs capitalized to property, plant and equipment in the period. This measure is intended to capture Taseko's share of the total site operating costs incurred in the quarter at the Gibraltar mine calculated on a consistent basis for the periods presented.

(Cdn$ in thousands, unless otherwise indicated) -
75% basis (except for Q1 and Q2 2023)
  2023
Q21
    2023
Q11
    2022
Q4
    2022
Q3
    2022
Q2
 
Site operating costs   83,374     74,438     75,806     69,920     64,237  
Add:                              
  Capitalized stripping costs   8,832     12,721     3,866     1,121     11,887  
Total site costs - Taseko share   92,206     87,159     79,672     71,041     76,124  
Total site costs - 100% basis   105,378     112,799     106,230     94,721     101,500  

1 Q1 and Q2 2023 includes the impact from the March 15, 2023 acquisition of Cariboo from Sojitz, which increased the Company's Gibraltar mine ownership from 75% to 87.5%.

Adjusted net income (loss)

Adjusted net income (loss) removes the effect of the following transactions from net income as reported under IFRS:

  • Unrealized foreign currency gain/loss;
  • Unrealized gain/loss on derivatives; and
  • Finance and other non-recurring costs.

Management believes these transactions do not reflect the underlying operating performance of our core mining business and are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. Furthermore, unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments, changes in the fair value of financial instruments, and unrealized foreign currency gains/losses are not necessarily reflective of the underlying operating results for the reporting periods presented.

(Cdn$ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2023
Q2
    2023
Q1
    2022
Q4
    2022
Q3
 
Net income (loss)   9,991     4,439     (2,275 )   (23,517 )
  Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss   (10,966 )   (950 )   (5,279 )   28,083  
  Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives   (6,470 )   2,190     20,137     (72 )
  Finance and other non-recurring costs   1,714     -     -     -  
  Estimated tax effect of adjustments   1,355     (591 )   (5,437 )   19  
Adjusted net income (loss)   (4,376 )   5,088     7,146     4,513  
Adjusted EPS   (0.02 )   0.02     0.02     0.02  

(Cdn$ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2022
Q2
    2022
Q1
    2021
Q4
    2021
Q3
 
Net income (loss)   (5,274 )   5,095     11,762     22,485  
  Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss   11,621     (4,398 )   (1,817 )   9,511  
  Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives   (30,747 )   7,486     4,612     (6,817 )
  Estimated tax effect of adjustments   8,302     (2,021 )   (1,245 )   1,841  
Adjusted net income (loss)   (16,098 )   6,162     13,312     27,020  
Adjusted EPS   (0.06 )   0.02     0.05     0.10  


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis



Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental measure of the Company's performance and ability to service debt. Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the industry, many of which present Adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results.  Issuers of "high yield" securities also present Adjusted EBITDA because investors, analysts and rating agencies consider it useful in measuring the ability of those issuers to meet debt service obligations.

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and eliminates the impact of a number of items that are not considered indicative of ongoing operating performance. Certain items of expense are added and certain items of income are deducted from net income that are not likely to recur or are not indicative of the Company's underlying operating results for the reporting periods presented or for future operating performance and consist of:

  • Unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses;
  • Unrealized gain/loss on derivatives;
  • Amortization of share-based compensation expense; and
  • Non-recurring other expenses

(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023
Q2
    2023
Q1
    2022
Q4
    2022
Q3
 
Net income (loss)   9,991     4,439     (2,275 )   (23,517 )
Add:                        
  Depletion and amortization   15,594     12,027     10,147     13,060  
  Finance expense   13,468     12,309     10,135     12,481  
  Finance income   (757 )   (921 )   (700 )   (650 )
  Income tax expense   678     3,356     1,222     3,500  
  Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss   (10,966 )   (950 )   (5,279 )   28,083  
  Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives   (6,470 )   2,190     20,137     (72 )
  Amortization of share-based compensation expense   417     3,609     1,794     1,146  
  Non-recurring other expenses   263     -     -     -  
Adjusted EBITDA   22,218     36,059     35,181     34,031  

(Cdn$ in thousands)   2022
Q2
    2022
Q1
    2021
Q4
    2021
Q3
 
Net income (loss)   (5,274 )   5,095     11,762     22,485  
Add:                        
  Depletion and amortization   15,269     13,506     16,202     17,011  
  Finance expense   12,236     12,155     12,072     11,875  
  Finance income   (282 )   (166 )   (218 )   (201 )
  Income tax expense   922     1,188     9,300     22,310  
  Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss   11,621     (4,398 )   (1,817 )   9,511  
  Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives   (30,747 )   7,486     4,612     (6,817 )
  Amortization of share-based compensation expense (recovery)   (2,061 )   3,273     1,075     117  
Adjusted EBITDA   1,684     38,139     52,988     76,291  


TASEKO MINES LIMITED

Management's Discussion and Analysis



Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization

Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization is earnings from mining operations with depletion and amortization added back. The Company discloses this measure, which has been derived from our financial statements and applied on a consistent basis, to provide assistance in understanding the results of the Company's operations and financial position and it is meant to provide further information about the financial results to investors.

    Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Cdn$ in thousands)   2023     2022     2023     2022  
Earnings (loss) from mining operations   12,070     (8,048 )   41,182     21,219  
Add:                        
  Depletion and amortization   15,594     15,269     27,621     28,775  
Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization   27,664     7,221     68,803     49,994  

Site operating costs per ton milled

The Company discloses this measure, which has been derived from our financial statements and applied on a consistent basis, to provide assistance in understanding the Company's site operations on a tons milled basis.

(Cdn$ in thousands, except per ton milled amounts)   2023
Q21
    2023
Q11
    2022
Q4
    2022
Q3
    2022
Q2
 
Site operating costs (included in cost of
  sales) - Taseko share
  83,374     74,438     75,806     69,920     64,237  
                               
Site operating costs - 100% basis   95,285     95,838     101,075     93,226     85,650  
Tons milled (thousands)   7,234     7,093     7,282     8,229     7,698  
Site operating costs per ton milled $ 13.17   $ 13.54   $ 13.88   $ 11.33   $ 11.13  

1 Q1 and Q2 2023 includes the impact from the March 15, 2023 acquisition of Cariboo from Sojitz, which increased the Company's Gibraltar mine ownership from 75% to 87.5%.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

The technical information contained in this MD&A related to the Gibraltar mine has been reviewed and approved by Richard Weymark, P.Eng., MBA, VP Engineering, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.

The technical information contained in this MD&A related to the Florence Copper Project has been reviewed and approved by Richard Weymark, P.Eng., MBA, VP Engineering, Robert Rotzinger, P.Eng., VP Capital Projects, and Richard Tremblay, P.Eng., MBA, Senior VP Operations, who are Qualified Persons in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.




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