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AGNICO EAGLE REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2026 RESULTS - RECORD QUARTERLY FREE CASH FLOW REFLECTS SOLID OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE; RECORD QUARTERLY SHAREHOLDER RETURNS
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM) ("Agnico Eagle" or the "Company") today reported financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026.
About this update from Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
Stock Symbol: AEM (NYSE and TSX) (All amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted) TORONTO, July 29, 2026 /CNW/ -- Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM) ("Agnico Eagle" or the "Company") today reported financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. "Our high-quality portfolio delivered another strong quarter, with better-than-planned production and disciplined cost control driving strong margins and record quarterly free cash flow," said Ammar Al-Joundi, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The strength of our business and our balanced capital allocation approach enabled us to reinvest in future growth, enhance our portfolio through the completion of the regional consolidation in Finland, further strengthen our balance sheet and return a record $625 million to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter. Continued progress across our growth projects, supported by positive exploration results, reinforces our confidence in our long-term outlook, while our strong financial position supports our commitment to creating long-term value and delivering strong returns to our shareholders." Second quarter 2026 highlights: Second Quarter 2026 Results Conference Call and Webcast Tomorrow The Company's senior management will host a conference call on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM (E.D.T.) to discuss the Company's financial and operating results. Via Webcast: To listen to the live webcast of the conference call, you may register on the Company's website at www.agnicoeagle.com , or directly via the link here . Via Phone: To join the conference call by phone, please dial 437-900-0527 or toll-free 1-888-510-2154 to be entered into the call by an operator. To ensure your participation, please call approximately five minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call. To join the conference call by phone without operator assistance, you may register your phone number here 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call to receive an automated call back. Replay Archive: Please dial 289-819-1450 or toll-free 1-888-660-6345, access code 02161#. The conference call replay will be available until August 30, 2026. The webcast, along with presentation slides, will be archived for 180 days on the Company's website. Second Quarter 2026 Production and Costs Gold Production Production Costs per Ounce Total Cash Costs per Ounce AISC per Ounce Refer to the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the second quarter of 2026 (the "MD&A") under the caption "Financial and Operating Results" for additional variance analysis on gold production, production costs, minesite costs per tonne and total cash costs per ounce compared to the prior-year periods. Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results Net Income Adjusted EBITDA Cash Provided by Operating Activities Free Cash Flow Capital Expenditures In the second quarter of 2026, capital expenditures were $699 million and capitalized exploration expenditures were $102 million, for a total of $801 million. For the first six months of 2026, capital expenditures were $1,188 million and capitalized exploration expenditures were $186 million, for a total of $1,375 million. The table below sets out a summary of capital expenditures, in each case broken down between sustaining capital expenditures and development capital expenditures by mine, and capitalized exploration in the second quarter of 2026 and the first six months of 2026. 2026 Guidance As previously disclosed on July 2, 2026, the Company expects full year 2026 production to be near the lower end of its previously disclosed guidance range of 3.3 million to 3.5 million ounces of gold, reflecting the preliminary redesign of the Barnat open pit at Canadian Malartic. Estimated full year total cash costs per ounce and AISC per ounce guidance for 2026 remains unchanged at $1,020 to $1,120 and $1,400 to $1,550, respectively. Refer to the "Abitibi Region, Quebec" section below for further updates on the Barnat open pit. Total capital expenditures for 2026 (excluding capitalized exploration) are now expected to be between $2.6 billion and $2.8 billion, compared with previous guidance of $2.2 billion to $2.4 billion, reflecting the approval of construction activities at Hope Bay announced on May 19, 2026. Capitalized exploration guidance for 2026 remains unchanged at $290 million to $330 million. A summary of the Company's guidance is set out below. Cash Taxes The Company's expected effective tax rate continues to be approximately 34% to 36% for the full year 2026. Total cash taxes paid in the second quarter of 2026 were $623 million. For the first half of 2026, total cash taxes paid were $2.4 billion, which included a $1.3 billion payment in the first quarter of 2026 for the remaining cash tax liability for 2025. This represents approximately 70% of total cash taxes expected for 2026. The remaining cash taxes in 2026 are expected to be paid in quarterly installments ranging between $525 million and $575 million. Cost Considerations Amid Continued Market Uncertainty The Company does not currently anticipate any significant risk of disruption to fuel, consumables or parts supplies across its operations and anticipates that any volatility of fuel and commodity prices and currency exchange rates from ongoing geopolitical uncertainty will be captured within its 2026 cost guidance ranges. The Company's full year 2026 cost guidance is based on an assumed diesel benchmark price of $0.78 per litre (excluding transportation and taxes). With the commencement of the 2026 sealift subsequent to the quarter, the Company has purchased approximately 70% of its diesel requirements for its Nunavut operations for the balance of 2026 and through to the 2027 sealift, representing approximately 130 million litres of diesel. These purchases were made at prices approximately 30% higher than budgeted for 2026, net of hedges. The Company expects to complete its purchase of its remaining Nunavut diesel requirements in the third quarter of 2026 and will continue to monitor market conditions and opportunistically add to its diesel hedges. These purchases are expected to reduce the Company's exposure to diesel price volatility for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. Diesel represents approximately 10% of the Company's operating costs, comprising approximately 7% related to direct consumption for mobile equipment and on-site power generation, and approximately 3% related to transportation and freight. Taking into account the diesel purchased to date as part of the 2026 sealift, the Company estimates that a 10% change in diesel prices would impact total cash costs per ounce by approximately $4 for the second half of 2026. For indirect diesel exposure related to transportation, a 10% change in diesel prices is estimated to impact total cash costs per ounce by approximately $2. The Company's full year 2026 cost guidance is based on assumed exchange rates of 1.36 C$/US$, 1.18 US$/EUR, 1.40 A$/US$ and 17.50 MXN/US$. Based on its C$/US$ exchange rate assumption for 2026 cost estimates, the Company has hedged approximately 60% of its estimated remaining Canadian dollar exposure for 2026 at an average floor price providing protection in respect of exchange rate movements below 1.38 C$/US$, while allowing for participation in respect of exchange rate movements up to an average of 1.42 C$/US$. The stronger US dollar, combined with higher by-product metal prices, particularly for silver and copper, have helped mitigate the impact of diesel price inflationary pressures compared to the Company's full year 2026 cost guidance. The Company will continue to monitor market conditions and anticipates continuing to opportunistically add to its operating currency and diesel hedges to strategically support its key input costs for 2026. Tariffs The international trade disputes set in motion in February 2025 by US tariffs, retaliatory tariffs and other actions remain fluid. The Company continues to believe that its revenue structure will be largely unaffected by the tariffs as its gold production is mostly refined in Canada, Australia or Europe. Accordingly, the cost guidance provided in this news release does not include any potential further impact from such tariffs or trade disputes. The Company continues to monitor its exposure to the tariffs and trade disputes and its alternatives to inputs sourced from suppliers that are or may become subject to the tariffs or other trade disputes. Strong Net Cash Position Supports Increase in Shareholder Returns Cash and cash equivalents increased by $352 million from the prior quarter, primarily due to cash provided by operating activities resulting from strong operating margins (higher gold sales volume, partially offset by lower realized gold prices) and $261 million of proceeds received from the sale of equity securities. The increase was partially offset by $809 million of capital expenditures (including working capital adjustments), $625 million returned to shareholders during the quarter through dividends and share repurchases under the NCIB and $578 million related to the acquisition of properties in Finland. As at June 30, 2026, the Company's total long-term debt was $197 million, consistent with the prior quarter. No amounts were outstanding under the Company's unsecured revolving bank credit facility as at June 30, 2026 and available liquidity under the facility remained at approximately $2 billion, not including the uncommitted $1 billion accordion feature. Net cash increased to $3,267 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the prior quarter balance of $2,915 million due to the increase in cash and cash equivalents of $352 million. In April 2026, Fitch Ratings upgraded the Company's investment grade credit rating to A- with a Stable Outlook, reflecting the Company's strong operating profile, favourable low-cost position and sustained commitment to a strengthening balance sheet. In July, Moody's Ratings completed a periodic review and maintained the Company's A3 Stable Outlook investment grade credit rating, highlighting the Company's strong scale, low leverage, mine diversity in favourable mining jurisdictions and conservative financial policies. The Company strives to maintain a strong financial position and investment grade balance sheet. Shareholder Returns The Company remains committed to delivering strong returns to shareholders in 2026 through a combination of the dividend and share repurchases under the NCIB, with a target to return approximately 40% of annual free cash flow to shareholders, assuming current gold prices and subject to operational needs. The Company continues to evaluate opportunities to reduce the dilution associated with the acquisition of Rupert Resources Ltd., including potentially using the proceeds from portfolio investment sales to fund share repurchases under the NCIB. In the second quarter of 2026, proceeds received from the sale of equity securities were $261 million, which supported increased share repurchase activity and record shareholder returns for the quarter. Normal Course Issuer Bid The Company renewed the NCIB for another year in May 2026 on substantially the same terms which is subject to a maximum of 5% of the issued and outstanding common shares. The Company also increased its internal limit on purchases of common shares to $2 billion. Purchases under the NCIB may continue for up to one year from its commencement on May 6, 2026. In the second quarter of 2026, the Company repurchased 2,235,947 common shares under the NCIB at an average price of $178.86 per share for aggregate purchases of $400 million. In the first six months of 2026, the Company repurchased 2,957,158 common shares under the NCIB at an average price of $185.89 per share for aggregate purchases of $550 million. The Company believes that the NCIB is a flexible and effective complementary tool that, together with the quarterly dividend, is part of the Company's overall capital allocation program and generates value for shareholders. Dividend Record and Payment Dates for the Third Quarter of 2026 The Company's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per common share, payable on September 15, 2026 to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2026. Agnico Eagle has declared a cash dividend every year since 1983. Expected Dividend Record and Payment Dates for the 2026 Fiscal Year Dividend Reinvestment Plan For information on the Company's dividend reinvestment plan, see Dividend Reinvestment Plan . International Dividend Currency Exchange For information on the Company's international dividend currency exchange program, please contact Computershare Trust Company of Canada by phone at 1.800.564.6253 or online at www.investorcentre.com or www.computershare.com/investor . Commitment to Sustainability – Second Quarter 2026 Highlights Key Value Drivers – Advancing the Next Phase of Growth The Company is advancing a disciplined growth strategy aimed at enhancing the gold production profile in the short-term and supporting a pathway to increase annual gold production by 20% to 30% over the next decade, with a first step-up in production expected in 2030 and the potential to exceed 4.0 million ounces in the early 2030s. The growth is anchored in the expansions of Canadian Malartic and Detour Lake, as well as the construction of Upper Beaver, Hope Bay and San Nicolás, which are located in regions where the Company operates and has technical expertise, established community relationships, existing infrastructure and established supply chains, supporting compelling risk-adjusted returns. The forecast parameters surrounding certain projects, including Detour Lake underground, Upper Beaver, Hope Bay and the "fill-the-mill" strategy at Canadian Malartic (Odyssey Shaft #1, Odyssey Shaft #2, Marban, Wasamac), were based on internal evaluations, which are preliminary in nature and include inferred mineral resources. For further information see Notes to Investors Regarding Certain Project Evaluations below. Canadian Malartic – Potential for 400,000 to 500,000 ounces of incremental annual gold production The Company continues to advance the transition to underground mining with the construction of the Odyssey mine, including the development of Odyssey Shaft #1. The Company is also advancing internal evaluations on three projects that, together, have the potential to increase annual gold production towards one million ounces starting as early as 2033. These projects include (i) a second shaft at Odyssey, (ii) the development of a satellite open pit at Marban, and (iii) the development of the Wasamac underground project. Marban and Wasamac are located approximately 12 kilometres and 100 kilometres from the Canadian Malartic mill, respectively. The Company believes that the rock mass movement that occurred at the Barnat open pit at Canadian Malartic on July 1, 2026, will not affect the development or production outlook for the Odyssey mine. Refer to the "Abitibi Region, Quebec" section below for further updates on the Barnat open pit. Odyssey Development In the second quarter of 2026, mine development remained focused on advancing the main ramp, which reached a depth of 1,190 metres as of June 30, 2026, the excavation of the ventilation raises, the development of the East Gouldie production levels and the excavation of the first loading station infrastructure. While development rates were affected by higher ground support requirements and increased material handling demands at depth, the Company continued to advance key productivity initiatives, including haul truck payload optimization, the ongoing truck conversion to enable autonomous hauling, expanded use of automated development equipment and testing of a fleet management system. With these initiatives, the Company expects to achieve its targeted development rate of approximately 2,000 metres per month in the fourth quarter of 2026. The excavation of the first ventilation raise from surface to level 58 was completed during the quarter, with the commissioning of the main exhaust fan station now expected in the third quarter of 2026. Construction of the first loading station at Shaft #1 between levels 102 and 111 continued during the quarter, with completion of the crusher concrete pilasters and the start of structural installation. Upcoming activities include the installation of the crusher and apron feeders, as well as the development of the loading conveyor area. Development and construction activities remain on schedule to support the planned start of shaft‑hoisted production from East Gouldie in the second quarter of 2027. The first phase of shaft sinking was nearly completed, with the last bench taken on July 9, 2026, reaching a depth of 1,586 metres. The headframe changeover is expected to start in the third quarter of 2026, following the excavation of level 158. A second phase of sinking is expected to commence in 2029 with completion in 2031, extending the shaft to its final expected depth of 1,870 metres. The third loading station, located between levels 172 and 181, is expected to be completed and commissioned in 2031. Construction of key surface infrastructure progressed, with the operational complex completed during the quarter. Phase two of the paste plant (designed for 20,000 tonnes per day ("tpd") capacity) remains on schedule for completion in the first half of 2027 to support production start-up from the shaft. Assembly of the production hoist commenced in the second quarter of 2026, with the fixed and clutch drum assemblies completed and the 12,000-horsepower variable frequency drive and transformers installed. Commissioning of the production hoist is expected in the second quarter of 2027. Odyssey Shaft #2 The Company is advancing an internal technical evaluation of a potential second shaft at the Odyssey mine. Drilling of the geotechnical pilot hole at the planned location has been completed to a depth of 1,800 metres. Current work is focused on mine design, planning and geotechnical analysis to support a higher mining rate, surface layout, headframe design and preparatory activities to support the permitting process. The evaluation is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026. Exploration at Odyssey During the second quarter of 2026, 10 surface rigs and seven underground rigs were in operation at the Odyssey mine, drilling a total of 42,743 metres. This was supplemented by an additional three surface rigs, completing 13,789 metres of drilling dedicated to regional exploration around Canadian Malartic, including the Marban project. Exploration drilling targeted multiple areas of the Odyssey mine, continuing to return positive results in the upper eastern and deeper areas of the East Gouldie deposit and in the internal zones of the Odyssey deposit. In the upper eastern extension of the East Gouldie deposit, underground drilling returned several high-grade results, including hole UGEG-075-062 intersecting 5.1 g/t gold over 14.3 metres at 916 metres depth; and hole UGEG-071-034 intersecting 6.6 g/t gold over 10.8 metres at 1,046 metres depth and 6.1 g/t gold over 11.6 metres at 1,133 metres depth. This portion of the deposit has the potential to offer a second mining area in the upper levels of the mine that would provide additional operational flexibility and potentially higher grade material than the current average mineral reserve grade of the East Gouldie deposit. Hole MEX25-354 was drilled as a pilot hole for the proposed Shaft #2 and extended a further 300 metres during the second quarter to test the lower limit of the East Gouldie deposit where it intersected 1.9 g/t gold over 16.4 metres (core length, true width undetermined) at 1,917 metres depth, 3.8 g/t gold over 19.2 metres (core length) at 1,951 metres depth, including 11.2 g/t gold over 3.8 metres (core length) at 1,945 metres depth, and 2.6 g/t gold over 15.8 metres (core length) at 1,978 metres depth. The results further demonstrate the potential for additional mineralization at depth in the East Gouldie deposit in proximity to planned infrastructure. Conversion drilling in the Odyssey deposit encountered significant mineralization in the lower portion of the porphyry in the newly identified Artemis zone within the Odyssey internal zones. Results from the Artemis zone were highlighted by hole UGOD-057-013 intersecting 10.7 g/t gold over 7.0 metres (core length) at 1,039 metres depth, 4.5 g/t gold over 13.5 metres (core length) at 1,057 metres depth and 13.7 g/t gold over 14.6 metres (core length) at 1,078 metres depth; and hole UGOD-057-017 intersecting 7.4 g/t gold over 6.7 metres (core length) at 1,003 metres depth. Ongoing drilling at Artemis is expected to further enhance the geological understanding of this new zone. Selected recent drill intersections from the Odyssey mine are set out in the composite longitudinal section below and in a table in the Appendix. [Odyssey – Composite Cross and Longitudinal Sections] Marban At the Marban deposit, located approximately 12 kilometres from the Canadian Malartic mill, the Company envisions the potential development of a satellite open pit operating at a planned mining rate between 14,000 to 16,000 tpd and producing approximately 120,000 to 150,000 ounces of gold annually over a mine life of approximately 12 years with the potential for initial production as early as 2033. During the second quarter of 2026, the conversion and condemnation drilling program in the northern and eastern extensions of the Marban deposit was completed and a new drilling program commenced that is targeting deeper mineralization northwest of the main Marban deposit. Exploration, conversion, condemnation and geotechnical drilling at Marban during the first half of 2026 totalled 28,390 metres in 98 holes. Wasamac At Wasamac, the Company envisions an underground satellite operation with a planned mining rate of approximately 3,200 tpd. Ore is expected to be transported to the Canadian Malartic mill for processing, with average annual gold production expected to be approximately 90,000 ounces with the potential for initial production as early as 2033. In the second quarter of 2026, the Company continued to advance optimization and trade‑off studies alongside permitting activities and engagement with stakeholders. Detour Lake – Potential for 300,000 to 350,000 ounces of incremental annual gold production In the second quarter of 2026, 316 metres of lateral development were completed, for a total of 1,263 metres completed to-date, including development of the exploration ramp which reached a depth of 180 metres as of June 30, 2026. The Company is ramping up its workforce and integrating additional equipment in preparation for the commencement of multi‑face development expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. Extension of the exploration ramp to the planned bulk‑sampling location at level 200 is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027. The Company expects to provide a project update in 2027, including the potential to begin underground production from the West Extension zone as early as 2028. Other activities supporting the underground project during the second quarter of 2026 include overburden excavation for the conveyor ramp portal near the mill, with underground ramp development planned to begin in the first half of 2027. Work also progressed on the camp expansion and detailed engineering for the paste plant, ore-handling system, underground infrastructure and electrical infrastructure, with a focus on the procurement of long lead items. At Detour Lake during the second quarter of 2026, exploration drilling from surface using nine drill rigs totalled 52,763 metres (91,815 metres during the first half of 2026). The program continued to expand and infill the mineralization below and to the west of the mineral resource pit. The first underground drill rig was mobilized in the exploration ramp in March 2026, with underground exploration drilling totalling 2,130 metres during the second quarter (2,856 metres during the first half of 2026). A second underground drill rig is planned to be added in the fourth quarter of 2026. The Company continued the high-intensity drilling program targeting Domain 54 in the West Pit zone during the second quarter to validate the continuity of mineralization and improve the accuracy of the geological model to complement the planned bulk sample at level 200. Highlights from this dr
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