EX-99.2 3 fnv-20230930xex99d2.htm EX-99.2 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Exhibit 99.2

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of financial position and results of operations of Franco-Nevada Corporation (“Franco-Nevada”, the “Company”, “we” or “our”) has been prepared based upon information available to Franco-Nevada as at November 8, 2023 and should be read in conjunction with Franco-Nevada’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related notes as at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (the “financial statements”). The financial statements and this MD&A are presented in U.S. dollars and the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) applicable to the preparation of condensed interim financial statements, including IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting.

Readers are cautioned that the MD&A contains forward-looking statements and that actual events may vary from management’s expectations. Readers are encouraged to read the “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information” at the end of this MD&A and to consult Franco-Nevada’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and the corresponding notes to the financial statements which are available on our website at www.franco-nevada.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on Form 6-K furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Additional information related to Franco-Nevada, including our Annual Information Form and Form 40-F, are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, respectively. These documents contain descriptions of certain of Franco-Nevada’s producing and advanced royalty and stream assets, as well as a description of risk factors affecting the Company. For additional information, please see our website at www.franco-nevada.com.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations Used in this Report

The following abbreviations may be used throughout this MD&A:

Abbreviated Definitions

Periods under review

Measurement

Interest types

"Q4"

The three-month period ended December 31

"GEO"

Gold equivalent ounces

"NSR"

Net smelter return royalty

"Q3"

The three-month period ended September 30

"PGM"

Platinum group metals

"GR"

Gross royalty

"Q2"

The three-month period ended June 30

"NGL"

Natural gas liquids

"ORR"

Overriding royalty

"Q1"

The three-month period ended March 31

"oz"

Ounce

"GORR"

Gross overriding royalty

"H2"

The six-month period ended December 31

"oz Au"

Ounce of gold

"FH"

Freehold or lessor royalty

"H1"

The six-month period ended June 30

"oz Ag"

Ounce of silver

"NPI"

Net profits interest

"oz Pt"

Ounce of platinum

"NRI"

Net royalty interest

"oz Pd"

Ounce of palladium

"WI"

Working interest

Places and currencies

"62% Fe"

62% Fe iron ore fines, dry metric

"U.S."

United States

tonnes CFR China

"$" or "USD"

United States dollars

"LBMA"

London Bullion Market Association

"C$" or "CAD"

Canadian dollars

"bbl"

Barrel

"R$" or "BRL"

Brazilian reais

"mcf"

Thousand cubic feet

"A$" or "AUD"

Australian dollars

"WTI"

West Texas Intermediate

For definitions of the various types of agreements, please refer to our most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com or our Form 40-F filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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Overview

Franco-Nevada is the leading gold-focused royalty and streaming company with the largest and most diversified portfolio of royalties and streams by commodity, geography, operator, revenue type and stage of project.

Our Portfolio (at November 8, 2023)

    

Precious Metals

    

Other Mining

Energy

        

TOTAL

Producing

46

14

55

115

Advanced

37

8

45

Exploration

158

86

27

271

TOTAL

241

108

82

431

Our shares are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol FNV. An investment in our shares is expected to provide investors with yield and exposure to commodity price and exploration optionality while limiting exposure to cost inflation and other operating risks.

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Strategy

Our tag-line is “Franco-Nevada is the gold investment that works” and we are committed to ensuring it does work, for our shareholders, our operating partners and our communities:

We believe that combining lower risk gold investments with a strong balance sheet, progressively growing dividends and exposure to exploration optionality is the right mix to appeal to investors seeking to hedge market instability. Since our Initial Public Offering over 15 years ago, we have increased our dividend annually and our share price has outperformed the gold price and all relevant gold equity benchmarks.
We build long-term alignment with our operating partners. This alignment and the natural flexibility of our royalties and streams is an attractive source of capital for the cyclical resource sector.
We work to be a positive force in all our communities, promoting responsible mining, providing a safe and diverse workplace and contributing to build community support for the operations in which we invest.

Our revenue is generated from various forms of agreements, ranging from net smelter return royalties, streams, net profits interests, net royalty interests, working interests and other types of arrangements. We do not operate mines, develop projects or conduct exploration. Franco-Nevada has a free cash flow generating business with limited future capital commitments and management is focused on managing and growing its portfolio of royalties and streams. We recognize the cyclical nature of the industry and have a long-term investment outlook. We maintain a strong balance sheet to minimize financial risk and so that we can provide capital to the industry when it is otherwise scarce.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

3


The advantages of this business model are:

Exposure to commodity price optionality;
A perpetual discovery option over large areas of geologically prospective lands;
No additional capital requirements other than the initial investment;
Limited exposure to cost inflation; 
A free cash-flow business with limited cash calls;
A high-margin business that can generate cash through the entire commodity cycle;
A scalable and diversified business in which a large number of assets can be managed with a small stable overhead; and
Management that focuses on forward-looking growth opportunities rather than operational or development issues.

Our short-term financial results are primarily tied to the price of commodities and the amount of production from our portfolio of assets. Our attributable production has typically been supplemented by acquisitions of new assets. Over the longer term, our results are impacted by the amount of exploration and development capital available to operators to expand or extend our producing assets or to progress our advanced and exploration assets into production.

The focus of our business is to create exposure to gold and precious metal resource optionality. This principally involves investments in gold mines and providing capital to copper and other base metal mines to obtain exposure to by-product gold, silver and platinum group metals production. We also invest in other metals and energy to expose our shareholders to additional resource optionality. In YTD 2023, 77.8% of our revenue was earned from precious metals and 82.8% was earned from mining assets.

One of the strengths of Franco-Nevada’s business model is that our margins are not generally impacted when producer costs increase. The majority of our interests are royalty and streams with payments/deliveries that are based on production levels with no adjustments for the operator’s operating costs. In YTD 2023, these interests accounted for 93.3% of our revenue. We also have a small number of WI, NPI and NRI royalties which are based on the profit of the underlying operations.

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1GEOs include Franco-Nevada’s attributable share of production from our Mining and Energy assets, after applicable recovery and payability factors. GEOs are estimated on a gross basis for NSRs and, in the case of stream ounces, before the payment of the per ounce contractual price paid by the Company. For NPI royalties, GEOs are calculated taking into account the NPI economics. Silver, platinum, palladium, iron ore, oil, gas and other commodities are converted to GEOs by dividing associated revenue, which includes settlement adjustments, by the relevant gold price. The price used in the computation of GEOs earned from a particular asset varies depending on the royalty or stream agreement, which may make reference to the market price realized by the operator, or the average price for the month, quarter, or year in which the commodity was produced or sold. For illustrative purposes, please refer to the average commodity price tables on pages 11 and 16 of this MD&A for indicative prices which may be used in the calculation of GEOs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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Selected Financial Information

For the three months ended

  

For the nine months ended

(in millions, except Average Gold Price, GEOs sold,

September 30, 

September 30, 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin, per GEO amounts and per share amounts)

    

  

2023

  

2022

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

  

  

  

  

 

Statistical Measures

Average Gold Price

$

1,929

$

1,728

$

1,932

$

1,825

GEOs sold(1)

 

160,848

 

176,408

 

474,694

 

546,074

Statement of Comprehensive Income

Revenue

$

309.5

$

304.2

$

915.7

$

995.3

Costs of sales

 

48.9

 

42.0

 

134.2

 

131.1

Depletion and depreciation

 

68.1

 

68.5

 

204.2

 

212.7

Operating income

 

187.0

 

188.2

 

559.6

 

631.8

Net income

 

175.1

 

157.1

 

516.1

 

535.6

Basic earnings per share

$

0.91

$

0.82

$

2.69

$

2.80

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.91

$

0.82

$

2.68

$

2.79

Dividends declared per share

$

0.34

$

0.32

$

1.02

$

0.96

Dividends declared (including DRIP)

$

65.3

$

61.0

$

196.2

$

184.2

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

192.1

 

191.6

 

192.0

 

191.5

Non-GAAP Measures

Cash Costs(2)

$

48.9

$

42.0

$

134.2

$

131.1

Cash Costs(2) per GEO sold

$

304

$

238

$

283

$

240

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

$

255.1

$

256.7

$

760.1

$

844.5

Adjusted EBITDA(2) per share

$

1.33

$

1.34

$

3.96

$

4.41

Adjusted EBITDA Margin(2)

 

82.4

%

 

84.4

%

 

83.0

%  

 

84.8

%

Adjusted Net Income(2)

$

175.1

$

159.7

$

510.2

$

532.7

Adjusted Net Income(2) per share

$

0.91

$

0.83

$

2.66

$

2.78

Statement of Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

236.0

$

232.3

$

707.7

$

720.2

Net cash used in investing activities

$

(173.7)

$

(30.9)

$

(436.9)

$

(47.3)

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(56.8)

$

(49.1)

$

(170.3)

$

(145.3)

As at 

As at 

September 30, 

December 31,

(expressed in millions)

    

  

2023

    

  

2022

 

Statement of Financial Position

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,297.1

$

1,196.5

Total assets

 

6,985.9

 

6,626.8

Deferred income tax liabilities

168.7

153.0

Total shareholders’ equity

6,771.3

6,417.6

Available capital(3)

2,278.2

2,177.7

1Refer to Note 1 at the bottom of page 4 of this MD&A for the methodology for calculating GEOs and, for illustrative purposes, to the average commodity price tables on pages 11 and 16 of this MD&A for indicative prices which may be used in the calculations of GEOs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
2Cash Costs, Cash Costs per GEO sold, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA per share, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are non-GAAP financial measures with no standardized meaning under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this MD&A for more information on each non-GAAP financial measure.
3Available capital comprises our cash and cash equivalents and the amount available to borrow under our revolving credit facility.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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Highlights

Financial Update – Q3 2023 vs Q3 2022

160,848 GEOs sold, a decrease of 8.8%;
$309.5 million in revenue, an increase of 1.7%;
$48.9 million, or $304 per GEO sold, in Cash Costs, compared to $42.0 million, or $238 per GEO sold;
$255.1 million, or $1.33 per share, of Adjusted EBITDA, a decrease of 0.6% and 0.7%, respectively;
82.4% in Adjusted EBITDA Margin, a decrease compared to 84.4%;
$175.1 million, or $0.91 per share, in net income, an increase of 11.5% and 11.0%, respectively;
$175.1 million, or $0.91 per share, in Adjusted Net Income, an increase of 9.6% and 9.6%, respectively;
$236.0 million in net cash provided by operating activities, an increase of 1.6%;
$1,297.1 million in cash and cash equivalents as at September 30, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – $1,196.5 million);
$2.3 billion in available capital as at September 30, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – $2.2 billion), comprising cash and cash equivalents and the amount available to borrow under our revolving credit facility.

Financial Update – YTD 2023 vs YTD 2022

474,694 GEOs sold, a decrease of 13.1%;
$915.7 million in revenue, a decrease of 8.0%;
$134.2 million, or $283 per GEO sold, in Cash Costs, compared to $131.1 million, or $240 per GEO sold;
$760.1 million, or $3.96 per share, in Adjusted EBITDA, a decrease of 10.0% and 10.2%, respectively;
83.0% in Adjusted EBITDA Margin, compared to 84.8%;
$516.1 million, or $2.69 per share, in net income, a decrease of 3.6% and 3.9%, respectively;
$510.2 million, or $2.66 per share, in Adjusted Net Income, a decrease of 4.2% and 4.3%, respectively;
$707.7 million in net cash provided by operating activities, a decrease of 1.7%.

Corporate Developments

Acquisition of Additional Royalty on Magino Gold Mine – Ontario, Canada

Subsequent to quarter-end, on November 2, 2023, we agreed to acquire an additional 1.0% NSR on Argonaut Gold Inc.’s (“Argonaut”) Magino gold mine in Ontario, Canada, and a portfolio comprised of Argonaut’s existing royalty holdings in Canada and Mexico, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $29.5 million, with closing of such transactions subject to satisfaction of closing conditions. Inclusive of our initial 2.0% NSR acquired on October 27, 2022, once the transaction closes, we will hold an aggregate 3.0% NSR on Magino.

Acquisition of Royalty on Wawa Gold Project Ontario, Canada

On August 29, 2023, we acquired a 1.5% NSR on Red Pine Exploration Inc.’s Wawa gold project, located in Ontario, Canada, for a purchase price of $5.0 million (C$6.8 million). The agreement provides Franco-Nevada the option to acquire an additional 0.5% NSR based on pre-determined conditions.

Acquisition of Royalties on Pascua-Lama Project Chile

On August 8, 2023, we agreed to acquire, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, a sliding-scale gold royalty and fixed-rate copper royalty from private individuals over property pertaining to the Chilean portion of Barrick Gold Corp.’s Pascua-Lama project for an aggregate purchase price of $75.0 million. At gold prices exceeding $800/ounce, we will hold a 2.70% NSR (gold) and 0.54% NSR (copper) on the property.

Acquisition of Royalty on Volcan Gold Project – Chile

On July 6, 2023, we agreed to acquire, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, a 1.5% NSR on the Volcan gold project located in the Maricunga Gold Belt in the Atacama region of Chile for a purchase price of $15.0 million. The project is owned by Tiernan Gold Corporation (“Tiernan”), a company privately held by Hochschild Mining plc. The NSR covers the entire land package comprising the Volcan project, as well as a surrounding area of interest extending 1.5 kilometers. The agreement provides Franco-Nevada the option to acquire an additional 1.0% NSR based on pre-determined conditions. We already hold an existing 1.5% NSR on the peripheral Ojo de Agua area, which is owned by Tiernan and forms part of the Volcan project.

Funding of the Tocantinzinho Stream – Brazil

On September 29, 2023, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Franco-Nevada (Barbados) Corporation (“FNBC”), funded $66.2 million in relation to the Tocantinzinho project, for a total of $250.0 million disbursed in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, thereby fulfilling its stream deposit funding towards the project. The stream, which is in reference to production from the Tocantinzinho project, located in Pará State, Brazil, and owned by G Mining Ventures Corp. (“G Mining Ventures”), was acquired on July 18, 2022 for a purchase price of $250.0 million and was payable in instalments, subject to the satisfaction of various conditions.

Additionally, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, we provided G Mining Ventures with a $75.0 million secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan”). As at September 30, 2023, no funding has been provided to G Mining Ventures in connection with the Term Loan.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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Acquisition of Additional Royalty Interest on Caserones – Chile

We acquired, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, an incremental effective NSR totaling 0.1120% on the Caserones copper-molybdenum mine, now owned by Lundin Mining Corporation, located in the Atacama region of Chile. The incremental effective 0.1120% NSR was acquired in two transactions: (i) a 0.0260% effective NSR on March 8, 2023, for a purchase price of $2.1 million, and (ii) a 0.0860% NSR on June 29, 2023, for a purchase price of $7.3 million. Inclusive of our interest of 0.4582% acquired in April 2022, we now hold a 0.5702% effective NSR on Caserones.

Acquisition Agreement for New Royalties with EMX Royalty Corporation

On June 27, 2023, we executed a binding term sheet with EMX Royalty Corporation (“EMX”) for a three-year arrangement for the joint acquisition of newly created precious metals and copper royalties sourced by EMX. Franco-Nevada will contribute 55% (up to $5.5 million) and EMX will contribute 45% (up to $4.5 million) towards the royalty acquisitions, with the resulting royalty interests equally split on a 50/50 basis.

Acquisition of Royalties on Exploration Properties – Nevada and Arizona, U.S.

On June 15, 2023, we acquired, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, a portfolio of eight royalties on exploration properties located in the states of Nevada and Arizona, including a 0.5% NSR on Integra Resources Corp.’s Wildcat and Mountain View gold projects, for a purchase price of $2.5 million.

Acquisition of Additional Royalty on Valentine Gold Project and Private Placement with Marathon Gold Corporation – Newfoundland, Canada

On June 8, 2023, we acquired an additional 1.5% NSR on Marathon Gold Corporation’s (“Marathon”) Valentine Gold project located in Newfoundland for a purchase price of $45.0 million. Inclusive of our initial 1.5% NSR (reduced from 2.0% following Marathon’s buy-back of 0.5%, as described below), we now hold an aggregate 3.0% NSR on the project.

On July 5, 2023, we acquired 6,578,947 common shares of Marathon at a price of C$0.76 per common share for an aggregate of $3.8 million (C$5.0 million), comprising the back-end of a non-brokered charity flow-through offering.

Acquisition of Royalty on Kerr-Addison Property and Share Subscription with Gold Candle Ltd. Ontario, Canada

On April 14, 2023, we acquired a 1% NSR on Gold Candle Ltd.’s (“Gold Candle”) Kerr-Addison project located in Virginiatown, Ontario, which hosts the formerly producing Kerr-Addison gold mine, for a purchase price of $10.0 million.

On July 26, 2023, we acquired 5,454,546 common shares of Gold Candle, a private company, at a price of C$1.10 per common share for an aggregate purchase price of $4.6 million (C$6.0 million).

Acquisition of Gold Royalties – Australia

On February 22, 2023, we acquired a portfolio of five primarily gold royalties from Trident Royalties Plc (“Trident”), which includes a 1.5% NSR on Ramelius Resources’ Rebecca gold project (“Rebecca”) located in Western Australia, for total consideration of $15.6 million payable as follows: (i) $14.3 million paid on closing of the transaction, and (ii) $1.3 million in a contingent payment payable upon first gold production at Rebecca.

Receipt of Valentine Gold Royalty Buy-back – Newfoundland, Canada

On February 22, 2023, Marathon exercised its option to buy-back 0.5% of the initial 2.0% NSR on the Valentine Gold project by paying $7.0 million to Franco-Nevada. We acquired the initial 2.0% NSR on February 21, 2019 for $13.7 million (C$18.0 million).

Acquisition of Mineral Rights with Continental Resources, Inc. – U.S.

Through a wholly-owned subsidiary, we have a strategic relationship with Continental Resources, Inc. (“Continental”) to acquire, through a jointly-owned entity (the “Royalty Acquisition Venture”), royalty rights within Continental’s areas of operation. Franco-Nevada recorded contributions to the Royalty Acquisition Venture of $2.5 million for Q3 2023 (Q3 2022 – $4.4 million) and of $8.4 million for YTD 2023 (YTD 2022 – $8.0 million). As at September 30, 2023, Franco-Nevada’s cumulative investment in the Royalty Acquisition Venture totaled $449.0 million and Franco-Nevada has remaining commitments of up to $71.0 million.

Dividends

In Q3 2023, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share, an increase compared to the dividend of $0.32 per share in Q3 2022. During the quarter, we paid total dividends of $65.3 million, of which $56.8 was paid in cash and $8.5 million was paid in common shares under our Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “DRIP”). In YTD 2023, we paid total dividends of $196.2 million, of which $173.2 million was paid in cash and $23.0 million was paid in common shares under our DRIP.

Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) Audit

As previously announced, on April 28, 2023, we reached a settlement with the CRA with respect to the Domestic Reassessments and FAPI Reassessments (as defined in the “Contingencies” section on page 27 of this MD&A), which provides for these reassessments to be vacated entirely on a without-cost basis. Under the settlement, the CRA accepts the manner in which we deduct upfront payments made in connection with precious metal stream agreements for Canadian tax purposes. The potential tax exposure related to the vacated reassessments was $20.4 million (C$27.6 million) plus interest and penalties.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

7


We had posted security in cash for 50% of the reassessed amounts under the Domestic and FAPI Reassessments, totaling $13.9 million (C$17.7 million). Subsequent to quarter-end, in October 2023, the CRA returned $9.9 million (C$12.5 million) of these deposits. We expect the remainder of the deposits to be fully recovered.

With respect to the transfer pricing reassessments in relation to our Mexican and Barbadian subsidiaries, we continue to believe that these reassessments are not supported by Canadian tax law and jurisprudence and continue to defend our tax filing positions. Refer to the “Contingencies” section on page 27 of this MD&A for further details on the CRA Audit.

Portfolio Updates

Additional updates related to our portfolio of assets are available in our News Release issued on November 8, 2023 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Revised Concession Contract for the Cobre Panama Mine

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (“First Quantum”), its subsidiary, Minera Panama, S.A. (“MPSA”), and the Government of Panama (the “GOP”) have been engaged in discussions regarding a revised concession contract to secure the long-term future of the Cobre Panama mine.

On March 8, 2023, First Quantum and the GOP issued a press release announcing that an agreement had been reached on the terms and conditions for a revised concession contract (the “Revised Concession Contract”). The Revised Concession Contract provided for an initial 20-year term with a 20-year extension option and additional extensions for life of mine, and was subject to a public consultation and approval by the National Assembly of Panama.

The GOP, with the participation of First Quantum, held three open forums in surrounding communities, with the last one occurring on April 24, 2023. After having gone through the public consultation process, the Revised Concession Contract was signed by the GOP and First Quantum on June 26, 2023. The Revised Concession Contract was countersigned by the National Comptroller of Panama and presented before the Commerce Committee of the National Assembly of Panama, who recommended the amendment of certain terms of the contract. First Quantum and the GOP agreed to modifications to the agreement based on these recommendations, and after a brief period of negotiation, the GOP cabinet approved the amended terms of the Revised Concession Contract on October 10, 2023.

The Revised Concession Contract, with amended terms, was resubmitted to and approved by the Commerce Committee of the National Assembly of Panama on October 17, 2023. On October 20, 2023, the National Assembly in Panama approved Bill 1100, being the proposal for approval of the Revised Concession Contract for the Cobre Panama mine, in the third debate of the plenary session with a vote of 47 in favour out of a total of 55 votes registered. On the same day, Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo sanctioned Bill 1100 into Law 406.

On October 29, 2023, in response to protests and social unrest in the country, President Laurentino Cortizo announced the GOP’s intention to hold a popular consultation regarding Law 406. During the week commencing October 30, 2023, the National Assembly of Panama held ordinary and extraordinary sessions concerning Bill 1109 and Bill 1110. Bill 1109 related to the initially proposed popular consultation regarding Law 406. Bill 1110 proposed a moratorium on the granting of new concession contracts related to mining in Panama as well as the repeal of Law 406.

With respect to Bill 1109, the bill was approved at the first of three required debates that took place during the final ordinary session of the National Assembly on October 31, 2023, but ultimately did not progress to a second or third debate. It is the Company’s understanding that no further debates of Bill 1109 are currently scheduled.

With respect to Bill 1110, the National Assembly ultimately removed the proposal to repeal Law 406. The bill, in its final form, prohibits new concessions for the exploration, extraction, transportation, and beneficiation of metallic mining throughout the country, and was approved by the National Assembly on November 3, 2023. On the same day, the bill was subsequently enacted into Law 407.

As of the date of this MD&A, Law 406 and the Revised Concession Contract currently remain in effect. However, a number of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Law 406 have been submitted to the Supreme Court of Justice, a number of which have been admitted for adjudication.

We continue to closely monitor the unfolding situation regarding Law 406 and the Revised Concession Contract and are assessing our available protections. While Franco-Nevada’s streams have contractual protections aimed at protecting its interests and mitigating risks associated with government action and may also benefit from international investment treaties, the ultimate outcome of these protections cannot be assured.

Production at the Cobre Panama mine remains uninterrupted at this time, however, like many businesses across Panama, protests, including blockades of key roads, have caused disruptions on site as well as shortages in certain supplies.

Cobre Panama CP100 Expansion

First Quantum reported that the CP100 Expansion project was completed and commissioned in Q1 2023 and is operational. Copper production at Cobre Panama in Q3 2023 reached a new quarterly record, driven by the continued ramp-up of the CP100 Expansion project, as well as higher head grades and recoveries.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

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Approval of Candelaria 2040 Environmental Impact Assessment

Lundin Mining Corporation announced that its Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) for the extension of operations and mine life for the Candelaria mine (the “Candelaria Optimization and Operational Continuity 2040 EIA”) was approved by the Regional Environmental Commission of Atacama (“COEVA”) on September 8, 2023. Issuance of the Resolución de Calificación Ambiental (“RCA”) by Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental de la República de Chile (“SEA”) is anticipated before the end of 2023.

The Candelaria Optimization and Operational Continuity 2040 EIA considers several enhancements to the current operation that will enable the extension of the mine life to 2040, from 2030 under the previous EIA. It also allows for the potential development of the Candelaria Underground Expansion Project.

Guidance

The following contains forward-looking statements. For a description of material factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements below, please see the “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information” section at the end of this MD&A and the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on www.sedarplus.com and our most recent Form 40-F filed with the SEC on www.sec.gov. The 2023 guidance is based on assumptions including the forecasted state of operations from our assets based on the public statements and other disclosures by the third-party owners and operators of the underlying properties and our assessment thereof.

Our Total GEO sales guidance remains unchanged for 2023. However, we expect results to be near the lower end of the range, reflecting our revised commodity price assumptions which affect the GEO conversion of revenues from our non-gold assets. Our guidance also assumes that production and stream deliveries from Cobre Panama will remain uninterrupted for the remainder of 2023.

  

 

2023 guidance

 

 

YTD 2023 actual

 

 

YTD 2022 actual

 

Total GEO sales

640,000 - 700,000

474,694

546,074

Precious Metal GEO sales

490,000 - 530,000

368,608

380,743

1We expect our streams to contribute between 360,000 and 400,000 of our GEO sales for 2023. For YTD 2023, we sold 282,240 GEOs from our streams.
2For our 2023 guidance, when reflecting revenue earned from gold, silver, platinum, palladium, iron ore, oil and gas commodities as GEOs, we have assumed the following prices: $1,925/oz Au, $22.50/oz Ag, $900/oz Pt, $1,100/oz Pd, $115/tonne Fe 62% CFR China, $85/bbl WTI oil and $2.75/mcf Henry Hub natural gas.
3Total GEO sales guidance does not assume any other acquisitions and does not reflect any incremental revenue from additional contributions we may make to the Royalty Acquisition Venture with Continental as part of our remaining commitment of $71.0 million.

We estimate depletion and depreciation expense in 2023 to be between $275.0 million and $305.0 million. In YTD 2023, depletion expense was $204.2 million.

As at September 30, 2023, we have fully funded $250.0 million with respect to the stream deposit funding for the Tocantinzinho project. We also have remaining capital commitments of $71.0 million with respect to the Royalty Acquisition Venture with Continental.

Market Overview

The prices of gold and other precious metals are the largest factors in determining profitability and cash flow from operations for Franco-Nevada. The price of gold can be volatile and is affected by macroeconomic and industry factors that are beyond our control. Major influences on the gold price include interest rates, fiscal and monetary stimulus, inflation expectations, currency exchange rate fluctuations including the relative strength of the U.S. dollar and supply and demand for gold.

Commodity price volatility also impacts the number of GEOs when reflecting non-gold commodities as GEOs. Silver, platinum, palladium, iron ore, other mining commodities and oil and gas are reflected as GEOs by dividing associated revenue, which includes settlement adjustments, by the relevant gold price. The price used in the computation of GEOs earned from a particular asset varies depending on the royalty or stream agreement, which may make reference to the market price realized by the operator, or the average price for the month, quarter, or year in which the commodity was produced or sold.

Gold prices were elevated but volatile in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, impacted by central bank buying, the U.S. interest rate outlook, and the relative strength of the U.S. dollar. Gold prices ranged from $1,811/oz to $2,048/oz, averaging $1,932/oz in YTD 2023, an increase of 5.9% compared to $1,825/oz in YTD 2022, ending the period at $1,871/oz. Silver prices averaged $23.44/oz in YTD 2023, an increase of 6.8% compared to $21.94/oz in YTD 2022, and ending the period at $23.08/oz. Platinum and palladium prices averaged $985/oz and $1,422/oz, respectively, in YTD 2023, compared to $958/oz and $2,163/oz, respectively, in YTD 2022, an increase of 2.8% for platinum and a decrease of 34.3% for palladium, ending the period at $923/oz and $1,289/oz, respectively. With respect to iron ore, prices for 62% iron ore fines averaged $116/tonne in YTD 2023 compared to $129/tonne in YTD 2022, a decrease of 10.1%, ending the period at $121/tonne.

After trading at elevated prices in 2022, oil and gas prices declined in YTD 2023, following slower global growth, a moderate European winter, and high levels of North American inventory. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, WTI prices averaged $77.39/bbl, a 21.1% decrease from YTD 2022 ending the period at $90.79/bbl. Edmonton Light prices averaged C$100.50/bbl in YTD 2023, a decrease of 18.6% compared to YTD 2022, ending the period at C$118.45/bbl. Henry Hub natural gas prices averaged $2.58/mcf in YTD 2023 compared to $6.65/mcf in YTD 2022, a decrease of 61.2%, ending the period at $2.93/mcf.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

9


Revenue by Asset

Our portfolio is well-diversified with GEOs and revenue being earned from numerous assets in various jurisdictions. The following table details revenue earned from our royalty, stream and working interests for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

 

(expressed in millions)

Interest and %

September 30, 

September 30, 

 

Property

    

(Gold unless otherwise indicated)

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

 

PRECIOUS METALS

  

  

  

  

South America

Candelaria

 

Stream 68% Gold & Silver

$

33.0

$

30.4

$

98.6

$

91.8

Antapaccay

 

Stream (indexed) Gold & Silver

27.9

23.8

85.8

72.0

Antamina

 

Stream 22.5% Silver

 

11.7

 

15.2

 

37.7

 

53.7

Condestable

Stream Gold & Silver, Fixed through 2025 then %

5.9

5.0

17.5

16.7

Other

0.9

1.4

4.0

4.9

Central America & Mexico

Cobre Panama

 

Stream (indexed) Gold & Silver

$

67.3

$

45.2

$

193.5

$

166.4

Guadalupe-Palmarejo

 

Stream 50%

 

20.3

 

15.7

 

50.7

 

58.2

United States

Stillwater

 

NSR 5% PGM

$

7.1

$

5.5

$

19.8

$

27.4

Goldstrike

 

NSR 2-4%, NPI 2.4-6%

3.8

3.6

9.4

14.8

Marigold

 

NSR 1.75-5%, GR 0.5-4%

 

1.8

 

1.9

 

9.2

 

4.6

Bald Mountain

 

NSR/GR 0.875-5%

 

3.7

 

3.3

 

8.6

 

5.2

Gold Quarry

 

NSR 7.29%

 

0.6

 

 

3.0

 

4.9

Other

 

1.4

 

2.8

 

4.6

 

7.1

Canada

Detour Lake

 

NSR 2%

$

6.3

$

5.8

$

18.8

$

20.1

Sudbury

 

Stream 50% PGM & Gold

3.7

5.0

14.2

15.1

Hemlo

 

NSR 3%, NPI 50%

 

4.6

 

6.4

 

15.9

 

24.4

Brucejack

 

NSR 1.2%

1.6

1.9

4.8

4.6

Kirkland Lake

 

NSR 1.5-5.5%, NPI 20%

 

1.3

 

1.3

 

4.6

 

4.2

Other

 

2.4

 

2.4

 

10.1

 

6.8

Rest of World

MWS

 

Stream 25%

$

12.6

$

9.6

$

33.8

$

29.4

Tasiast

 

NSR 2%

 

6.4

 

4.5

 

18.2

 

13.5

Subika (Ahafo)

 

NSR 2%

 

5.2

 

5.0

 

14.7

 

12.0

Sabodala

 

Stream 6%, Fixed to 105,750 oz

 

4.5

 

3.9

 

13.6

 

12.7

Duketon

 

NSR 2%

 

3.0

 

4.0

 

9.0

 

8.5

Other

 

3.8

 

3.1

 

12.1

 

14.3

$

240.8

$

206.7

$

712.2

$

693.3

DIVERSIFIED

  

  

  

  

Vale

Various Royalty Rates

$

8.3

$

6.2

$

26.1

$

33.1

LIORC

GORR 0.7% Iron Ore, IOC Equity 1.5%(1)

4.5

4.6

9.9

11.6

Other mining assets

 

3.2

 

2.9

 

10.3

 

6.4

United States (Energy)

Marcellus

GORR 1%

$

6.5

$

16.1

$

21.1

$

44.5

Haynesville

Various Royalty Rates

5.5

17.7

20.1

49.2

SCOOP/STACK

Various Royalty Rates

8.0

16.2

24.7

43.9

Permian Basin

Various Royalty Rates

10.6

12.0

36.0

38.4

Other

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.3

 

0.2

Canada (Energy)

Weyburn

 

NRI 11.71%, ORR 0.44%, WI 2.56%

$

15.0

$

15.1

$

38.2

$

52.2

Orion

GORR 4%

4.9

3.7

10.3

12.4

Other

 

2.1

 

2.9

 

6.5

 

10.1

$

68.7

$

97.5

$

203.5

$

302.0

Revenue

$

309.5

$

304.2

$

915.7

$

995.3

1 Interest attributable to Franco-Nevada’s 9.9% equity ownership of Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

10


Review of Quarterly Financial Performance

The prices of precious metals, iron ore, and oil and gas and production from our assets are the largest factors in determining our profitability and cash flow from operations. The following table summarizes average commodity prices and average exchange rates during the periods presented.

Quarterly average prices and rates

    

  

  

Q3 2023

  

  

Q3 2022

    

Variance

Gold(1)

 

($/oz)

$

1,929

$

1,728

11.6

%  

Silver(1)

 

($/oz)

 

23.57

 

19.22

22.6

%  

Platinum(1)

 

($/oz)

 

931

 

886

5.1

%  

Palladium(1)

 

($/oz)

 

1,251

 

2,074

(39.7)

%  

Iron Ore Fines 62% Fe CFR China

($/tonne)

113

105

7.6

%  

Edmonton Light

 

(C$/bbl)

 

106.98

 

116.51

(8.2)

%  

West Texas Intermediate

($/bbl)

82.26

91.56

(10.2)

%  

Henry Hub

($/mcf)

2.66

7.91

(66.4)

%  

CAD/USD exchange rate(2)

 

0.7457

 

0.7659

(2.6)

%  

1Based on LBMA PM Fix for gold, platinum and palladium. Based on LBMA Fix for silver.
2Based on Bank of Canada daily rates.

Revenue and GEOs

Revenue and GEO sales by commodity, geographical location and type of interest for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

Gold Equivalent Ounces(1)

Revenue (in millions)

 

For the three months ended September 30, 

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

Commodity

Gold

 

103,641

96,628

 

7,013

$

199.5

$

166.6

$

32.9

Silver

 

16,526

17,883

 

(1,357)

 

31.6

 

30.3

 

1.3

PGM

 

5,170

6,031

 

(861)

 

9.7

 

9.8

 

(0.1)

Precious Metals

125,337

120,542

4,795

$

240.8

$

206.7

$

34.1

Iron ore

 

6,619

6,311

 

308

$

12.8

$

10.8

$

2.0

Other mining assets

1,677

1,574

103

3.2

2.9

0.3

Oil

20,926

20,930

(4)

38.2

36.6

1.6

Gas

4,098

23,516

(19,418)

9.9

40.9

(31.0)

NGL

2,191

3,535

(1,344)

4.6

6.3

(1.7)

Diversified

35,511

55,866

(20,355)

$

68.7

$

97.5

$

(28.8)

 

160,848

 

176,408

 

(15,560)

$

309.5

$

304.2

$

5.3

Geography

South America

 

46,278

 

49,137

 

(2,859)

$

88.9

$

84.4

$

4.5

Central America & Mexico

45,730

35,696

10,034

87.9

61.1

26.8

United States

 

25,548

 

45,178

 

(19,630)

49.3

79.4

(30.1)

Canada

 

24,144

 

28,878

 

(4,734)

 

46.4

 

49.1

 

(2.7)

Rest of World

 

19,148

 

17,519

 

1,629

 

37.0

 

30.2

 

6.8

 

160,848

 

176,408

 

(15,560)

$

309.5

$

304.2

$

5.3

Type

Revenue-based royalties

 

47,645

 

68,479

 

(20,834)

$

91.7

$

119.3

$

(27.6)

Streams

 

97,275

 

90,237

 

7,038

 

186.8

 

153.9

 

32.9

Profit-based royalties

 

8,400

 

10,337

 

(1,937)

 

16.3

 

17.9

 

(1.6)

Other

 

7,528

 

7,355

 

173

 

14.7

 

13.1

 

1.6

 

160,848

 

176,408

 

(15,560)

$

309.5

$

304.2

$

5.3

1Refer to Note 1 at the bottom of page 4 of this MD&A for the methodology for calculating GEOs and, for illustrative purposes, to the average commodity price table above for indicative prices which may be used in the calculations of GEOs.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

11


We earned $309.5 million in revenue in Q3 2023, up 1.7% from Q3 2022. The impact of the decrease in oil and gas prices was more than offset by generally higher prices for our Precious Metal assets. In Q3 2023, we earned 77.8% of our revenue from Precious Metals, up from 68.0% in Q3 2022. Geographically, 88.0% of our revenue was derived from the Americas in Q3 2023, compared to 90.0% in Q3 2022.

Graphic

We sold 160,848 GEOs in Q3 2023 compared to 176,408 GEOs in Q3 2022. The decrease in GEOs is due to our Energy assets contributions fewer GEOs as a result of the decrease in oil and gas prices compared to the relative highs of the prior year period, coupled with the impact of a less favourable conversion ratio to GEOs. A comparison of our sources of GEOs in Q3 2023 to Q3 2022 is shown below:

Graphic

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

12


Precious Metals

Our Precious Metal assets contributed 125,337 GEOs in Q3 2023, compared to 120,542 GEOs in Q3 2022. The increase is primarily due to the following:

Cobre Panama – We sold 34,967 GEOs from our Cobre Panama streams in Q3 2023, compared to 26,352 GEOs in Q3 2022, driven by higher average copper grades and the continued ramp-up of the CP100 Expansion project. GEOs sold in the prior year period were also lower due to the timing of shipments.
Guadalupe-PalmarejoWe sold 10,589 GEOs from our Guadalupe-Palmarejo stream in Q3 2023, compared to 9,254 GEOs in Q3 2022, as production at the mine benefited from higher average grades.
MWS – We sold 6,521 GEOs from our Mine Waste Solution stream in Q3 2023, compared to 5,580 GEOs in Q3 2022, reflecting increased production at the tailings retreatment operation.

The above increases were partly offset by the following:

Antamina We sold 6,182 GEOs in Q3 2023 from our Antamina stream, compared to 9,064 GEOs in Q3 2022, reflecting an anticipated decrease in average silver grades based on the life of mine plan. Production at the mine was also impacted by Cyclone Yaku which constrained logistics in March and April 2023. This was reflected in the deliveries we received in Q3 2023.
SudburyWe sold 2,031 GEOs from our Sudbury stream in Q3 2023, compared to 3,297 GEOs in Q3 2022. The decrease in GEOs reflects a lower gold conversion ratio, as palladium prices have decreased while gold prices increased relative to Q3 2022.

Diversified

Our Diversified assets, primarily comprising our Iron Ore and Energy interests, generated $68.7 million in revenue, down from $97.5 million in Q3 2022, as a result of lower oil and gas prices compared to the relative highs of the prior year period. Our Iron Ore assets generated $12.8 million in Q3 2023, compared to $10.8 million in Q3 2022. Our Energy interests contributed $52.7 million in revenue in Q3 2023, compared to $83.8 million in Q3 2022. When converted to GEOs, Diversified assets contributed 35,511 GEOs, down from 55,866 GEOs in Q3 2022. GEOs from our Iron Ore and Energy assets reflect lower gold conversion ratios due to relative changes in commodity prices compared to the prior year period.

Other Mining

Vale Royalty – We recorded $8.3 million in revenue from our Vale Royalty in Q3 2023 compared to $6.2 million in Q3 2022, reflecting higher estimated iron ore prices.
LIORC Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation (“LIORC”) contributed $4.5 million in revenue in Q3 2023, relatively consistent with Q3 2022. LIORC declared a cash dividend of C$0.95 per common share in the current period, compared to C$1.00 in Q3 2022. Operations at Iron Ore Company of Canada were impacted by extended plant downtime and conveyor belt failures.

Energy

U.S. – Revenue from our U.S. Energy interests decreased to $30.7 million in Q3 2023, compared to $62.1 million in Q3 2022, largely due to lower realized oil and gas prices. Partly offsetting the impact of lower prices, we received approximately $1.3 million in lease bonus revenue in relation to our Haynesville interests. We also benefited from higher production at our Permian assets due to the completion of new wells.
Canada – Revenue from our Canadian Energy interests was relatively consistent with prior year quarter, with $22.0 million earned in Q3 2023 compared to $21.7 million in Q3 2022. For our Weyburn NRI, the impact of lower prices was partly offset by lower operating and capital expenditures incurred at the Weyburn Unit.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

13


Costs of Sales

The following table provides a breakdown of costs of sales, excluding depletion and depreciation, incurred in the periods presented:

For the three months ended September 30, 

 

(expressed in millions)

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

Costs of stream sales

$

45.4

$

37.1

$

8.3

Mineral production taxes

 

0.5

 

0.6

 

(0.1)

Mining costs of sales

$

45.9

$

37.7

$

8.2

Energy costs of sales

 

3.0

 

4.3

 

(1.3)

$

48.9

$

42.0

$

6.9

Costs of sales related to our streams were higher compared to Q3 2022, with the increase primarily relating to GEOs sold from Cobre Panama. Starting in Q3 2023, our applicable cost per ounce at Cobre Panama no longer reflects the discount of $100 per ounce which we received as compensation for the timing of the start and ramp-up of production at the mine, resulting in an increase in costs of sales compared to the prior year period. Please refer to the “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Purchase Commitments” section on page 26 of this MD&A for further details on the applicable cost per ounce for our streams.

Our costs of sales related to our Energy assets decreased compared to Q3 2022, as these include royalties payable and production taxes which vary based on revenue earned from our Energy assets.

Costs of sales incurred in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022 are shown below:

Graphic

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

14


Depletion and Depreciation

Depletion and depreciation expense totaled $68.1 million in Q3 2023, compared to $68.5 million in Q3 2022. Depletion expense incurred in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022 is shown below:

Graphic

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $24.9 million in Q3 2023, compared to $30.4 million in Q3 2022, comprised of a current income tax expense of $23.4 million (Q3 2022 – $21.4 million) and a deferred income tax expense of $1.5 million (Q3 2022 – $9.0 million). The decrease in income tax expense was due to changes in the proportion of income earned in each jurisdiction.

Franco-Nevada is undergoing an audit by the CRA of its 2012-2019 taxation years. Refer to the “Contingencies” section of this MD&A for further details.

Net Income

Net income for Q3 2023 was $175.1 million, or $0.91 per share, compared to $157.1 million, or $0.82 per share, in Q3 2022. The increase in net income is primarily attributable to higher revenue earned from our Precious Metal assets, an increase in finance income earned on our cash and cash equivalents, and a lower income tax expense. Adjusted Net Income was $175.1 million, or $0.91 per share, compared to $159.7 million, or $0.83 per share, in Q3 2022. Please refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this MD&A for further details on the computation of Adjusted Net Income.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

15


Review of Year-to-Date Financial Performance

The following table summarizes average commodity prices and average exchange rates during the periods presented.

Average prices and rates

    

  

  

YTD 2023

  

  

YTD 2022

    

Variance

Gold(1)

 

($/oz)

$

1,932

$

1,825

 

5.9

%

Silver(1)

 

($/oz)

 

23.44

 

21.94

 

6.8

%

Platinum(1)

 

($/oz)

 

985

 

958

 

2.8

%

Palladium(1)

 

($/oz)

 

1,422

 

2,163

 

(34.3)

%

Iron Ore Fines 62% Fe CFR China

($/tonne)

116

129

(10.1)

%

Edmonton Light

 

(C$/bbl)

100.50

 

123.51

 

(18.6)

%

West Texas Intermediate

($/bbl)

77.39

98.09

(21.1)

%

Henry Hub

($/mcf)

2.58

6.65

(61.2)

%

CAD/USD exchange rate(2)

 

0.7434

 

0.7797

 

(4.7)

%

1Based on LBMA PM Fix for gold, platinum and palladium. Based on LBMA Fix for silver.
2Based on Bank of Canada daily rates.

Revenue and GEOs

Revenue and GEO sales by commodity, geographical location and type of interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

Gold Equivalent Ounces(1)

Revenue (in millions)

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

Commodity

Gold

 

303,179

299,173

 

4,006

$

585.7

$

544.9

$

40.8

Silver

 

49,478

58,740

 

(9,262)

 

95.5

 

107.2

 

(11.7)

PGM

 

15,951

22,830

 

(6,879)

 

31.0

 

41.2

 

(10.2)

Precious Metals

368,608

380,743

(12,135)

$

712.2

$

693.3

$

18.9

Iron ore

 

18,801

24,573

 

(5,772)

$

36.0

$

44.7

$

(8.7)

Other mining assets

5,435

3,459

1,976

10.3

6.4

3.9

Oil

54,847

66,448

(11,601)

102.2

121.8

(19.6)

Gas

19,800

59,597

(39,797)

41.0

108.3

(67.3)

NGL

7,203

11,254

(4,051)

14.0

20.8

(6.8)

Diversified

106,086

165,331

(59,245)

$

203.5

$

302.0

$

(98.5)

 

474,694

 

546,074

 

(71,380)

$

915.7

$

995.3

$

(79.6)

Geography

South America

 

141,901

 

151,405

 

(9,504)

$

274.1

$

275.8

$

(1.7)

Central America & Mexico

 

127,136

123,031

 

4,105

245.1

224.8

20.3

United States

 

82,134

 

131,564

 

(49,430)

157.4

241.0

(83.6)

Canada

 

68,764

 

89,405

 

(20,641)

 

133.3

 

161.5

 

(28.2)

Rest of World

 

54,759

 

50,669

 

4,090

 

105.8

 

92.2

 

13.6

 

474,694

 

546,074

 

(71,380)

$

915.7

$

995.3

$

(79.6)

Type

Revenue-based royalties

 

147,569

 

203,847

 

(56,278)

$

283.0

$

371.5

$

(88.5)

Streams

 

282,240

 

285,140

 

(2,900)

 

545.3

 

519.4

 

25.9

Profit-based royalties

 

25,195

 

38,499

 

(13,304)

 

48.8

 

70.3

 

(21.5)

Other

 

19,690

 

18,588

 

1,102

 

38.6

 

34.1

 

4.5

 

474,694

 

546,074

 

(71,380)

$

915.7

$

995.3

$

(79.6)

1Refer to Note 1 at the bottom of page 4 of this MD&A for the methodology for calculating GEOs and, for illustrative purposes, to the average commodity price table above for indicative prices which may be used in the calculations of GEOs.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

16


We earned $915.7 million in revenue in YTD 2023, down 8.0% from YTD 2022. The decrease in our revenue is primarily attributed to lower oil, gas and iron ore prices, as well as lower GEOs from our Precious Metal assets. We earned 77.8% of our YTD 2023 revenue from Precious Metal assets, compared to 69.7% in YTD 2022. Geographically, we remain heavily invested in the Americas, with 88.5% of revenue in YTD 2023, compared to 90.7% in YTD 2022.

Graphic

We sold 474,694 GEOs in YTD 2023, compared to 546,074 GEOs in YTD 2022. The decrease in GEOs earned from our Diversified assets reflects the decrease in oil, gas and iron ore prices, coupled with the impact of a lower gold conversion ratio for our Diversified assets. A comparison of our sources of GEOs in YTD 2023 to YTD 2022 is shown below:

Graphic

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

17


Precious Metals

Our Precious Metal assets contributed 368,608 GEOs in YTD 2023, down from 380,743 GEOs in YTD 2022. The decrease in GEOs from Precious Metal assets compared to the prior year was primarily due to the following:

Antamina – We sold 19,576 GEOs in YTD 2023 from our Antamina stream, down from 29,418 GEOs in YTD 2022. As expected, silver ounces sold decreased in the current period compared to the prior year period reflecting lower than average silver grades. In addition, operations at Antamina were constrained in March and early April 2023 due to logistics issues caused by Cyclone Yaku.
Guadalupe-PalmarejoWe sold 26,408 GEOs from our Guadalupe-Palmarejo stream in YTD 2023 compared to 31,950 GEOs in YTD 2022 due to lower production at the mine and a lesser proportion of production being sourced from ground covered by our stream.
Hemlo We earned 8,220 GEOs from our Hemlo royalties in YTD 2023, compared to 13,327 GEOs in YTD 2022. While production at Hemlo was relatively consistent compared to the prior year period, a lesser proportion was sourced from ground covered by our royalties.
StillwaterWe earned 10,256 GEOs from Stillwater in YTD 2023, compared to 14,811 GEOs in YTD 2022. Production at the mine has been impacted by ongoing operational challenges, as well as an incident that damaged shaft infrastructure in March 2023. In addition, the decrease in GEOs reflects a lower gold conversion ratio compared to the 2022 period, as palladium prices have decreased while gold prices increased relative to the 2022 period.

The above decreases were partly offset by the following factors:

Cobre Panama – We sold 100,280 GEOs in YTD 2023, compared to 90,991 GEOs in YTD 2022. Production at the mine during the period benefited from higher copper grades and recoveries compared to the prior year period, as well as the continued ramp-up of the CP100 Expansion project. Ore processing and concentrate loading operations at the mine were impacted by export restrictions in the first quarter of 2023, but returned to full production levels in March 2023.
Antapaccay – We sold 44,125 GEOs in YTD 2023, compared to 39,624 GEOs in YTD 2022. Production at the mine benefited from higher copper grades and recoveries compared to the prior year period. As a result of socio-political tensions in early 2023, logistics were constrained and operations were temporarily suspended in Q1 2023. Operations returned to normalized levels in March 2023.
Marigold We earned 4,817 GEOs from Marigold in YTD 2023 compared to 2,562 GEOs in YTD 2022, reflecting higher production as a result of mine sequencing, as well as an increase in mining occurring on higher royalty ground.

Diversified

Our Diversified assets, primarily comprising our Iron Ore and Energy interests, generated $203.5 million in revenue in YTD 2023, down from $302.0 million in YTD 2022. The decrease was primarily as a result of lower oil and gas prices compared to the relative highs of the prior year period. Our Iron Ore assets generated $36.0 million in YTD 2023, compared to $44.7 million in YTD 2022. Our Energy interests contributed $157.2 million in revenue in YTD 2023, compared to $250.9 million in YTD 2022. When converted to GEOs, Diversified assets contributed 106,086 GEOs in YTD 2023, down from 165,331 GEOs in YTD 2022. GEOs from our Iron Ore and Energy assets reflect lower gold conversion ratios due to relative changes in commodity prices compared to the prior year period.

Other Mining

Vale Royalty – Revenue from Vale was $26.1 million in YTD 2023 compared to $33.1 million in YTD 2022, due to lower estimated iron ore prices and premiums, and lagging sales to production which are expected to normalize in the second half of 2023.
LIORC – LIORC contributed $9.9 million in revenue in YTD 2023 compared to $11.6 million in YTD 2022. Production at Iron Ore Company of Canada in the first nine months of the current year has been impacted by plant downtime and conveyor belt failures, as well as wildfires in Northern Quebec.
Caserones – Revenue from our effective NSR on the Caserones mine was $4.4 million in YTD 2023 compared to $3.6 million in YTD 2022, reflecting the additional interest we acquired in the first half of 2023.

Energy

U.S. – Revenue from our U.S. Energy interests decreased to $102.2 million in YTD 2023, compared to $176.2 million in YTD 2022, largely due to lower realized oil and gas prices. Partly offsetting the impact of lower prices was the receipt of approximately $7.0 million in catch-up royalty payments related to new wells from our Permian interests in Q2 2023, as well as $1.3 million in lease bonus revenue received in Q3 2023 in relation to our Haynesville interests.
Canada – Revenue from our Canadian Energy interests decreased to $55.0 million in YTD 2023, compared to $74.7 million in YTD 2022, largely due to lower realized oil and gas prices. For our Weyburn NRI, the impact of lower prices was partly offset by lower operating and capital expenditures incurred at the Weyburn Unit.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

18


Costs of Sales

The following table provides a breakdown of costs of sales, excluding depletion and depreciation, incurred in the periods presented:

For the nine months ended September 30, 

 

(expressed in millions)

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

 

Costs of stream sales

$

123.6

$

118.4

$

5.2

Mineral production taxes

 

1.5

 

1.5

 

Mining costs of sales

$

125.1

$

119.9

$

5.2

Energy costs of sales

 

9.1

 

11.2

 

(2.1)

$

134.2

$

131.1

$

3.1

Costs of sales related to our streams in YTD 2023 increased relative to YTD 2022, with the increase primarily relating to GEOs sold from Cobre Panama. Starting in Q3 2023, our applicable cost per ounce at Cobre Panama no longer reflects the discount of $100 per ounce which we received as compensation for the timing of the start and ramp-up of production at the mine, resulting in an increase in costs of sales compared to the prior year period. Please refer to the “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Purchase Commitments” section on page 26 of this MD&A for further details on the applicable cost per ounce for our streams.

Our costs of sales related to our Energy assets decreased compared to YTD 2022, as these include royalties payable and production taxes which vary based on revenue earned from our Energy assets.

Costs of sales incurred in YTD 2023 compared to YTD 2022 are shown below:

Graphic

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

19


Depletion and Depreciation

Depletion and depreciation expense totaled $204.2 million in YTD 2023 compared to $212.7 million in YTD 2022, reflecting the decrease in GEOs sold in the current period. Depletion expense incurred in YTD 2023 compared to YTD 2022 is shown below:

Graphic

Income Taxes

Income tax expense in YTD 2023 totaled $79.5 million, compared to $103.1 million in YTD 2022, comprised of a current income tax expense of $62.9 million (YTD 2022 – $80.9 million) and a deferred income tax expense of $16.6 million (YTD 2022 – $22.2 million).

Franco-Nevada is undergoing an audit by the CRA of its 2012-2019 taxation years. Refer to the “Contingencies” section of this MD&A for further details.

Net Income

Net income in YTD 2023 was $516.1 million, or $2.69 per share, compared to $535.6 million, or $2.80 per share in YTD 2022. The decrease in net income is primarily attributable to lower GEOs sold and revenue, partly offset by a decrease in costs of sales and depletion and depreciation expense, higher finance income earned on our cash and cash equivalents, and a gain of $3.7 million in relation to the Valentine Gold royalty buy-back by Marathon in February 2023. Adjusted Net Income, which include an adjustment for the gain on the Valentine Gold buy-back, was $510.2 million, or $2.66 per share, compared to $532.7 million, or $2.78 per share, earned in YTD 2022. Please refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this MD&A for further details.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

20


General and Administrative and Share-Based Compensation Expenses

The following table provides a breakdown of general and administrative expenses and share-based compensation expenses incurred for the periods presented:

For the three months ended September 30, 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

 

(expressed in millions)

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

Salaries and benefits

$

2.4

$

2.4

$

$

7.7

$

6.8

$

0.9

Professional fees

 

0.9

 

0.7

 

0.2

 

4.0

 

2.8

 

1.2

Filing fees

0.1

0.2

(0.1)

0.5

1.0

(0.5)

Office costs

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

 

0.5

 

0.4

 

0.1

Board of Directors' costs

0.1

0.1

0.4

0.2

0.2

Other

 

1.3

 

1.2

 

0.1

 

4.3

 

4.9

 

(0.6)

General and administrative expenses

$

5.0

$

4.7

$

0.3

$

17.4

$

16.1

$

1.3

Share-based compensation expenses

 

0.7

 

0.4

 

0.3

 

6.3

 

4.7

 

1.6

$

5.7

$

5.1

$

0.6

$

23.7

$

20.8

$

2.9

General and administrative and share-based compensation expenses represented 2.6% of our YTD 2023 revenue, up from 2.1% in YTD 2022. Our general and administrative expenses include business development costs. These costs vary depending upon the level of business development related activity and the timing of completing transactions.

Share-based compensation expenses include expenses related to equity-settled stock options, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and deferred share units (“DSUs”), as well as the mark-to-market gain or loss related to the DSUs. Share-based compensation was higher in YTD 2023 than in YTD 2022 owing to the lower decrease in share price during the period compared to the prior period which resulted in a lower reduction from the mark-to-market adjustment on the DSU liability.

Other Income and Expenses

Foreign Exchange and Other Income/Expenses

The following table provides a list of foreign exchange and other income/expenses incurred for the periods presented:

For the three months ended September 30, 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

 

(expressed in millions)

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

$

(1.8)

$

(1.4)

$

(0.4)

$

2.1

$

2.6

$

(0.5)

Mark-to-market gain on warrants

 

0.1

 

0.7

 

(0.6)

0.7

(0.7)

Other (expense) income

 

(0.1)

 

(1.6)

 

1.5

 

 

0.2

 

(0.2)

$

(1.8)

$

(2.3)

$

0.5

$

2.1

$

3.5

$

(1.4)

The parent company’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar, while the functional currency of certain subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Under IFRS, all foreign exchange gains or losses related to monetary assets and liabilities held in a currency other than the functional currency are recorded in net income as opposed to other comprehensive income. In Q3 2023 and YTD 2023, the foreign exchange loss/gain is primarily related to our foreign cash balances and a receivable from our Vale Royalty. The receivable is denominated in Brazilian reais and resulted in a net foreign exchange gain when converted to the Canadian dollar.

Finance Income and Finance Expenses

The following table provides a breakdown of finance income and expenses incurred for the periods presented:

For the three months ended September 30, 

For the nine months ended September 30, 

 

(expressed in millions)

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

    

Variance

  

Finance income

 

 

 

Interest

$

15.5

$

2.4

$

13.1

$

36.0

$

5.9

$

30.1

$

15.5

$

2.4

$

13.1

$

36.0

$

5.9

$

30.1

Finance expenses

 

 

 

Standby charges

$

0.5

$

0.6

$

(0.1)

$

1.7

$

1.7

$

Amortization of debt issue costs

 

0.2

 

0.1

0.1

 

0.4

 

0.7

 

(0.3)

Accretion of lease liabilities

 

 

0.1

 

(0.1)

 

 

0.1

 

(0.1)

$

0.7

$

0.8

$

(0.1)

$

2.1

$

2.5

$

(0.4)

Finance income is earned on our cash and cash equivalents. The increase in finance income earned in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 is due to the increase in our cash and cash equivalents and the increase in yields compared to the prior year periods. Income earned in YTD 2022 also included interest income on the Noront loan receivable which was repaid in May 2022.

Finance expenses consist of standby charges, which represent the costs of maintaining our credit facility based on the undrawn amounts and the amortization of costs incurred with respect to the initial set-up or subsequent amendments of our credit facility. In YTD 2023 and YTD 2022, we did not incur interest expense as we have not borrowed any amounts under our credit facility during the periods.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

21


Summary of Quarterly Information

Selected quarterly financial and statistical information for the most recent eight quarters(1) is set out below:

(in millions, except Average Gold Price, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, GEOs, per GEO amounts and

  

Q3

  

  

Q2

  

  

Q1

  

  

Q4

  

  

Q3

  

  

Q2

  

  

Q1

  

  

Q4

per share amounts)

2023

2023

2023

2022

2022

2022

2022

2021

Revenue

$

309.5

$

329.9

$

276.3

$

320.4

$

304.2

$

352.3

$

338.8

$

327.7

Costs and expenses(2)

 

122.5

 

129.4

 

104.2

 

131.5

 

116.0

 

120.7

 

126.8

 

60.6

Operating income

 

187.0

 

200.5

 

172.1

 

188.9

 

188.2

 

231.6

 

212.0

 

267.1

Other income (expenses)

 

13.0

 

11.0

 

12.0

 

6.1

 

(0.7)

 

1.6

 

6.0

 

(1.5)

Income tax expense

 

24.9

 

27.0

 

27.6

 

30.0

 

30.4

 

36.7

 

36.0

 

44.7

Net income

 

175.1

 

184.5

 

156.5

 

165.0

 

157.1

 

196.5

 

182.0

 

220.9

Basic earnings per share

$

0.91

$

0.96

$

0.82

$

0.86

$

0.82

$

1.03

$

0.95

$

1.16

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.91

$

0.96

$

0.81

$

0.86

$

0.82

$

1.02

$

0.95

$

1.15

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

236.0

$

261.9

$

209.8

$

279.3

$

232.3

$

257.3

$

230.6

$

279.0

Net cash used in investing activities

(173.7)

(160.6)

(102.6)

(98.2)

(30.9)

(14.8)

(1.6)

(36.4)

Net cash used in financing activities

(56.8)

(56.9)

(56.6)

(43.7)

(49.1)

(48.6)

(47.6)

(46.1)

Average Gold Price(3)

$

1,929

$

1,978

$

1,889

$

1,729

$

1,728

$

1,872

$

1,874

$

1,795

GEOs sold(4)

 

160,848

 

168,515

 

145,331

 

183,886

 

176,408

 

191,052

 

178,614

 

182,543

Cash Costs(5)

$

48.9

$

47.1

$

38.2

$

45.8

$

42.0

$

45.5

$

43.6

$

48.4

Cash Costs(5) per GEO sold

$

304

$

280

$

263

$

249

$

238

$

238

$

244

$

265

Adjusted EBITDA(5)

$

255.1

$

275.6

$

229.4

$

262.4

$

256.7

$

301.2

$

286.6

$

269.8

Adjusted EBITDA(5) per share

$

1.33

$

1.44

$

1.20

$

1.37

$

1.34

$

1.57

$

1.50

$

1.41

Adjusted EBITDA Margin(5)

 

82.4

 

83.5

 

83.0

 

81.9

 

84.4

 

85.5

 

84.6

 

82.3

Adjusted Net Income(5)

$

175.1

$

182.9

$

152.2

$

164.9

$

159.7

$

195.8

$

177.2

$

163.7

Adjusted Net Income(5) per share

$

0.91

$

0.95

$

0.79

$

0.86

$

0.83

$

1.02

$

0.93

$

0.86

1Sum of the quarters may not add up to yearly total due to rounding.
2Includes impairment reversals on royalty, stream and working interests of $75.5 million in Q4 2021.
3Based on LBMA Gold Price PM Fix.
4GEOs include Franco-Nevada’s attributable share of production from our Mining and Energy assets, after applicable recovery and payability factors. GEOs are estimated on a gross basis for NSR and, in the case of stream ounces, before the payment of the per ounce contractual price paid by the Company. For NPI royalties, GEOs are calculated taking into account the NPI economics. Silver, platinum, palladium, iron ore, oil, gas and other commodities are converted to GEOs by dividing associated revenue, which includes settlement adjustments, by the relevant gold price. The price used in the computation of GEOs earned from a particular asset varies depending on the royalty or stream agreement, which may make reference to the market price realized by the operator, or the average price for the month, quarter, or year in which the commodity was produced or sold. For illustrative purposes, please refer to the average commodity price tables on pages 11 and 16 of this MD&A for indicative prices which may be used in the calculation of GEOs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
5Cash Costs, Cash Costs per GEO sold, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA per share, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are non-GAAP financial measures with no standardized meaning under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this MD&A for more information on each non-GAAP financial measure.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

22


Balance Sheet Review

Summary Balance Sheet and Key Financial Metrics

At September 30, 

At December 31, 

(expressed in millions, except debt to equity ratio)

    

2023

    

2022

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,297.1

$

1,196.5

Current assets

 

1,516.5

 

1,383.1

Non-current assets

 

5,469.4

 

5,243.7

Total assets

$

6,985.9

$

6,626.8

Current liabilities

$

40.2

$

50.2

Non-current liabilities

 

174.4

 

159.0

Total liabilities

$

214.6

$

209.2

Total shareholders’ equity

$

6,771.3

$

6,417.6

Total common shares outstanding

 

192.1

 

191.9

Capital management measures

Available capital

$

2,278.2

$

2,177.7

Debt-to-equity

 

 

Assets

Total assets were $6,985.9 million as at September 30, 2023 compared to $6,626.8 million as at December 31, 2022. Our non-current asset base is primarily comprised of royalty, stream and working interests, and investments, while our current assets are primarily comprised of cash and cash equivalents and receivables. The increase in assets compared to December 31, 2022 primarily reflects our higher cash and cash equivalents and an increase in our royalty, stream and working interests due to our funding of the Tocantinzinho stream deposit of $250.0 million. Our investments, which are marked-to-market at every period-end, also increased relative to December 31, 2022.

Liabilities

Total liabilities increased compared to December 31, 2022. Total liabilities as at September 30, 2023 are primarily comprised of $35.0 million of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, $5.2 million of current income tax liabilities, and $168.7 million of deferred income tax liabilities.

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity increased by $353.7 million compared to December 31, 2022, reflecting net income of $516.1 million. We also recorded other comprehensive income, net of tax, of $2.7 million. The increase in shareholders’ equity is partially offset by dividends of $196.2 million in YTD 2023. Of those dividends, $23.0 million were settled through the issuance of common shares pursuant to the DRIP.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

23


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flow for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:

For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

 

September 30, 

September 30, 

(expressed in millions)

    

2023

    

2022

    

    

2023

    

    

2022

  

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

236.0

$

232.3

$

707.7

$

720.2

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(173.7)

 

(30.9)

 

(436.9)

 

(47.3)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(56.8)

 

(49.1)

 

(170.3)

 

(145.3)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(3.5)

(5.5)

0.1

(9.5)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

$

2.0

$

146.8

$

100.6

$

518.1

Operating Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities was $236.0 million in Q3 2023 (Q3 2022 – $232.3 million). Operating cash flow in Q3 2023 was higher compared to the same period in 2022 due to an increase in revenue and finance income, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales and non-cash working capital and a decrease in net cash flow related to gold bullion we receive as settlement for certain of our royalties.

For YTD 2023, net cash provided by operating activities was $707.7 million (YTD 2022–$720.2 million). Operating cash flow was lower compared to YTD 2022 due to a decrease revenues and net cash flow related to gold bullion we received as settlement for certain of our royalties, and cash outflows associated with the funding of cash deposits in relation to our CRA audit. These outflows were partially offset by an increase in finance income and changes in our non-cash working capital.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $173.7 million in Q3 2023 (Q3 2022 – $30.9 million) and primarily consisted of the acquisition of the Pascua-Lama royalties of $75.0 million, the Volcan royalty of $15.0 million, the royalty on the Wawa gold project for $5.0 million (C$6.8 million), the common shares of Gold Candle for $4.6 million (C$6.0 million), the common shares of Marathon for $3.8 million (C$5.0 million) and the funding of the Tocantinzinho stream deposit of $66.2 million and our share of royalty acquisitions through the Royalty Acquisition Venture with Continental of $3.9 million. Comparatively, investing activities in Q3 2022 primarily consisted of the acquisition of G Mining Common Shares for $27.8 million (C$35.8 million) and the funding of our share of royalty acquisitions through the Royalty Acquisition Venture with Continental of $1.9 million.

For YTD 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $436.9 million (YTD 2022 - $47.3 million) and primarily consisted of the funding of the Tocantinzinho stream deposit of $250.0 million, the acquisition of the Pascua-Lama royalties of $75.0 million, the additional royalty on Valentine Gold for $45.0 million, the Volcan royalty of $15.0 million, the royalty on Kerr-Addison for $10.0 million, the additional royalty on Caserones for $9.4 million, the royalty on the Wawa gold project for $5.0 million (C$6.8 million), the common shares of Gold Candle for $4.6 million (C$6.0 million), the common shares of Marathon for $3.8 million (C$5.0 million), cash paid on the closing of the acquisition of the portfolio of royalties from Trident for $14.3 million and the funding of our share of royalty acquisitions through the Royalty Acquisition Venture with Continental of $8.4 million. We also received $7.0 million from Marathon for the buy-back of 0.5% of the 2.0% NSR on the Valentine Gold project. Comparatively, in YTD 2022, investing activities consisted of the acquisition of the Caserones royalty for $37.4 million, G Mining Common Shares for $27.8 million (C$35.8 million), shares of EMX for $10.0 million (C$12.6 million), and the Castle Mountain royalty for $6.0 million and the funding of our share of royalty acquisitions through the Royalty Acquisition Venture with Continental of $6.6 million. These cash outlays were partially offset by the receipt of $42.7 million as repayment of our loan to Noront.

Financing Activities

For Q3 2023, net cash used by financing activities was $56.8 million (Q3 2022 – $49.1 million), reflecting the payment of dividends.

For YTD 2023, net cash used by financing activities was $170.3 million (YTD 2022 - $145.3 million), primarily reflecting the payments of dividends.

Capital Resources

Our cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,297.1 million as at September 30, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – $1,196.5 million). In addition, we held investments of $239.7 million as at September 30, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – investments of $227.2 million), of which $228.8 million was held in publicly-traded equity instruments (December 31, 2022 – $220.8 million). Of the $228.8 million held in publicly-traded equity instruments, $150.6 million relates to our holdings of LIORC (December 31, 2022 – $157.0 million).

As at the date of this MD&A, we have one revolving credit facility available. The Corporate Revolver is a $1.0 billion unsecured, revolving credit facility which has a term maturing August 15, 2027. Advances under the Corporate Revolver bear interest depending upon the currency of the advance and Franco-Nevada’s leverage ratio as referenced in Note 11 (a) of our 2022 audited consolidated financial statements. As at September 30, 2023, while we have no amounts outstanding against the Corporate Revolver, we have three standby letters of credit in the amount of $18.9 million (C$25.5 million) in relation to the audit by the

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

24


CRA, as referenced in the “Contingencies” section of this MD&A. These standby letters of credit reduce the available balance under the Corporate Revolver. As at November 8, 2023, we have a total of $981.1 million available under the Corporate Revolver.

Management’s objectives when managing capital are:

(a)when capital is not being used for long-term investments, ensure its preservation and availability by investing in low-risk investments with high liquidity; and
(b)to ensure that adequate levels of capital are maintained to meet Franco-Nevada’s operating requirements and other current liabilities.

As at September 30, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents are held in cash and term deposits with several financial institutions. Certain investments with maturities upon acquisition of 3 months, or 92 days or less, were classified as term deposits within cash and cash equivalents on the statement of financial position.

Our performance is impacted by foreign currency fluctuations of the Canadian dollar and Australian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar. The largest exposure is with respect to the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rates as we hold a significant amount of our assets in Canada and report our results in U.S. dollars. The effect of volatility in these currencies against the U.S. dollar impacts our general and administrative expenses and the depletion of our royalty, stream and working interests incurred in our Canadian and Australian entities due to their respective functional currencies. During Q3 2023, the Canadian dollar traded in a range of $0.7313 to $0.7617, ending at $0.7396, and the Australian dollar traded between $0.6371 and $0.6862, ending at $0.6426.

Our near-term cash requirements include our funding commitments towards the Tocantinzinho Term Loan, the Royalty Acquisition Venture with Continental, commitments for contingent payments under various royalty purchase agreements, various costs under our environmental and social initiatives, corporate administration costs, certain costs of operations, payment of dividends and income taxes directly related to the recognition of royalty, stream and working interest revenues. As a royalty and stream company, we are subject to limited requirements for capital expenditures other than for the acquisition of additional royalties or streams and capital commitments for our working interests. Such acquisitions are entirely discretionary and will be consummated through the use of cash, as available, or through the issuance of common shares or other equity or debt securities, or the use of our credit facility. We believe that our current cash resources, available credit facility, and future cash flows will be sufficient to cover the costs of our commitments, operating and administrative expenses, and dividend payments for the foreseeable future.

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Purchase Commitments

The following table summarizes Franco-Nevada’s commitments to pay for gold, silver and PGM pursuant to the associated precious metal agreements as at September 30, 2023:

Attributable payable

 

production to be purchased

Per ounce cash payment (1),(2)

Term of

Date of

 

Interest

    

Gold

    

Silver

    

PGM

    

Gold

    

Silver

    

PGM

    

agreement(3)

    

contract

 

Antamina

 

%  

22.5

(4)

%  

n/a

5

(5)

n/a

 

40 years

7-Oct-15

Antapaccay

 

(6)

(7)

%  

 

20

(8)

20

(9)

n/a

 

40 years

10-Feb-16

Candelaria

 

68

(10)

68

(10)

%  

$

400

$

4.00

n/a

 

40 years

6-Oct-14

Cobre Panama Fixed Payment Stream

 

(11)

(12)

%  

$

418

(13)

$

6.27

(14)

n/a

 

40 years

19-Jan-18

Cobre Panama Floating Payment Stream

(15)

(16)

%  

20

(17)

20

(18)

n/a

 

40 years

19-Jan-18

Condestable

(19)

(20)

%  

20

(21)

20

(22)

n/a

 

40 years

8-Mar-21

Guadalupe-Palmarejo

 

50

%  

%  

%  

$

800

n/a

n/a

 

40 years

2-Oct-14

Karma

 

4.875

%

%  

%  

 

20

% (23)

n/a

n/a

 

40 years

11-Aug-14

Sabodala

 

(24)

%  

%  

 

20

(25)

n/a

n/a

 

40 years

25-Sep-20

MWS

 

25

%  

%  

%  

$

400

n/a

n/a

 

40 years

(26)

2-Mar-12

Sudbury(27)

 

50

%  

%  

50

%  

$

400

n/a

$

400

 

40 years

15-Jul-08

Tocantinzinho

 

12.5

%  (28)

%  

%  

20

%  (29)

n/a

n/a

 

40 years

18-Jul-22

Cooke 4

 

7.0

%  

%  

%  

$

400

n/a

n/a

 

40 years

5-Nov-09

1Subject to an annual inflationary adjustment except for Antamina, Antapaccay, Karma, Guadalupe-Palmarejo, Sabodala and Tocantinzinho.
2Should the prevailing market price for gold be lower than this amount, the per ounce cash payment will be reduced to the prevailing market price.
3Subject to successive extensions.
4Subject to a fixed payability of 90%. Percentage decreases to 15% after 86 million ounces of silver has been delivered under the agreement.
5Purchase price is 5% of the average silver price at the time of delivery.
6Gold deliveries are referenced to copper in concentrate shipped with 300 ounces of gold delivered for each 1,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate shipped, until 630,000 ounces of gold has been delivered. Thereafter, percentage is 30% of gold shipped.
7Silver deliveries are referenced to copper in concentrate shipped with 4,700 ounces of silver delivered for each 1,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate shipped, until 10.0 million ounces of silver has been delivered. Thereafter, percentage is 30% of silver shipped.
8Purchase price is 20% of the spot price of gold until 750,000 ounces of gold have been delivered, thereafter the purchase price is 30% of the spot price of gold.
9Purchase price is 20% of the spot price of silver until 12.8 million ounces of silver have been delivered, thereafter the purchase price is 30% of the spot price of silver.
10Percentage decreases to 40% after 720,000 ounces of gold and 12.0 million ounces of silver have been delivered under the agreement.
11Gold deliveries are indexed to copper in concentrate produced from the project. 120 ounces of gold per every 1 million pounds of copper produced until 808,000 ounces of gold delivered. Thereafter, 81 ounces of gold per 1 million pounds of copper produced until 1,716,188 ounces of gold delivered. Thereafter, 63.4% of the gold in concentrate.
12Silver deliveries are indexed to copper in concentrate produced from the project. 1,376 ounces of silver per every 1 million pounds of copper produced until 9,842,000 ounces of silver delivered. Thereafter 1,776 ounces of silver per 1 million pounds of copper produced until 29,731,000 ounces of silver delivered. Thereafter, 62.1% of the silver in concentrate.
13After 1,341,000 ounces of gold delivered, purchase price is the greater of 50% of spot and $418.27 per ounce, subject to an annual inflationary adjustment. As the mill throughput for 30 consecutive days commensurate with annual capacity of 58 million tonnes per annum was not reached by January 1, 2019, Franco-Nevada received a reduction of the applicable fixed gold price of $100 per ounce until the end of Q2 2023.
14After 21,510,000 ounces of silver delivered, purchase price is the greater of 50% of spot and $6.27 per ounce, subject to an annual inflationary adjustment.
15Gold deliveries are indexed to copper in concentrate produced from the project. 30 ounces of gold per every 1 million pounds of copper produced until 202,000 ounces of gold delivered. Thereafter 20.25 ounces of gold per 1 million pounds of copper produced until 429,047 ounces of gold delivered. Thereafter, 15.85% of the gold in concentrate.
16Silver deliveries are indexed to copper in concentrate produced from the project. 344 ounces of silver per every 1 million pounds of copper produced until 2,460,500 ounces of silver delivered. Thereafter, 444 ounces of silver per 1 million pounds of copper produced until 7,432,750 ounces of silver delivered. Thereafter 15.53% of the silver in concentrate.
17After 604,000 ounces of gold delivered, purchase price is 50% of the spot price of gold. As the mill throughput for 30 consecutive days commensurate with annual capacity of 58 million tonnes per annum was not reached by January 1, 2019, Franco-Nevada received a reduction of the applicable floating gold price of $100 per ounce until the end of Q2 2023.
18After 9,618,000 ounces of silver delivered, purchase price is 50% of the spot price of silver.
19Gold deliveries are fixed at 8,760 ounces per annum from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2025. Thereafter, 63% of the gold in concentrate until a cumulative total of 87,600 ounces of gold delivered. Thereafter, 25% of the gold in concentrate.
20Silver deliveries are fixed at 291,000 ounces per annum from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2025. Thereafter, 63% of the silver in concentrate until a cumulative total of 2,910,000 ounces of silver delivered. Thereafter, 25% of the silver in concentrate.
21Purchase price is 20% of the spot price of gold at the time of delivery.
22Purchase price is 20% of the spot price of silver at the time of delivery.
23Purchase price is 20% of the average gold price at the time of delivery.
24Based on amended agreement with an effective date of September 1, 2020, gold deliveries are fixed at 783.33 ounces per month until 105,750 ounces of gold is delivered. Thereafter, percentage is 6% of gold production (subject to reconciliation after fixed delivery period to determine if Franco-Nevada would have received more or less than 105,750 ounces of gold under the original 6% variable stream for such period, entitling the operator to a credit for an over-delivery applied against future stream deliveries or a one-time additional delivery to Franco-Nevada for an under-delivery).
25Purchase price is 20% of prevailing market price at the time of delivery.
26Agreement is capped at 312,500 ounces of gold.
27Franco-Nevada is committed to purchase 50% of the precious metals contained in ore from the properties. Payment is based on gold equivalent ounces. For McCreedy West, effective June 1, 2021, purchase price per gold equivalent ounce is determined based on the monthly average gold spot price: (i) when the gold spot price is less than $800 per ounce, the purchase price is the prevailing monthly average gold spot price; (ii) when the gold spot price is greater than $800 per ounce but less than $1,333 per ounce, the purchase price is $800 per ounce; (iii) when the gold spot price is greater than $1,333 per ounce but less than $2,000 per ounce, the purchase price is 60% of the prevailing monthly average gold spot price; and (iv) when the gold spot price is greater than $2,000, the purchase price is $1,200 per ounce.
28Percentage decrease to 7.5% after 300,000 ounces of gold have been delivered under the agreement.
29Purchase price is 20% of the spot price of gold at the time of delivery.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

26


Capital Commitments

As at September 30, 2023, we have the following capital commitments: (i) $75.0 million in connection with the Term Loan for the Tocantinzinho project, (ii) $71.0 million for our share of the acquisition of mineral rights acquired through the Royalty Acquisition Venture with Continental Resources, and (iii) up to $5.5 million for the joint acquisition of newly created precious metals and copper royalties sourced by EMX. Refer to the “Corporate Developments” section for further details.

We also have commitments for contingent payments in relation to various royalty agreements, as follows: (i) $12.5 million in relation to our Copper World 0.585% NSR acquired in November 2021, (ii) $8.0 million in relation to our Rio Baker (Salares Norte) royalty, (iii) $1.1 million (C$1.5 million) in relation to our Eskay Creek royalty, and (iv) $1.3 million in relation to our Rebecca royalty.

Contingencies

Canada Revenue Agency Audit

The CRA is conducting an audit of Franco-Nevada for the 2012-2019 taxation years.

Settlement of Domestic and FAPI Reassessments

In prior years, certain wholly-owned Canadian subsidiaries of the Company received Notices of Reassessment for the 2014 through 2017 taxation years (the “Domestic Reassessments”) in which the CRA increased income by adjusting the timing of the deduction of the upfront payments which were made in connection with precious metal stream agreements. This resulted in the Company being subject to an incremental payment of Federal and provincial income taxes for these years of $14.7 million (C$19.9 million) (after applying available non-capital losses and other deductions) plus interest and penalties.

In addition, in a prior year, the Company received Notices of Reassessment for the 2012 and 2013 taxation years (the “FAPI Reassessments”) in relation to its Barbadian subsidiary. The FAPI Reassessments asserted that a majority of the income relating to precious metal streams earned by the Barbadian subsidiary, in those years, should have been included in the income of its Canadian parent company and subject to tax in Canada as Foreign Accrual Property Income (“FAPI”). The CRA noted that its position may not extend beyond the 2013 taxation year. The FAPI Reassessments resulted in additional Federal and provincial income taxes of $5.7 million (C$7.7 million) plus interest and penalties.

On April 28, 2023, the Company reached a settlement with the CRA in respect of the Domestic and FAPI Reassessments, which provide for these reassessments to be vacated entirely on a without-cost basis. Under the settlement, the CRA accepts the manner in which the Company deducts upfront payments made in connection with precious metal stream agreements for Canadian tax purposes. This would result in no FAPI in 2012 and 2013 as computed under Canadian tax law. While the settlement of the Domestic Reassessment only addresses the taxation years that were reassessed (2014-2017), the Company’s expectation is that the manner in which it deducts upfront payments made in connection with precious metal stream agreements for Canadian tax purposes will now be accepted by the CRA for the subsequent years.

The Company had posted security in cash for 50% of the reassessed amounts under the Domestic and FAPI Reassessments and expects this amount totaling $13.9 million (C$17.7 million), as referenced in Note 6 of the financial statements, to be fully recovered. Subsequent to quarter-end, in October 2023, the CRA returned $9.9 million (C$12.5 million) of these deposits.

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27


Transfer Pricing Reassessments

The Company has received reassessments from the CRA made on the basis of the transfer pricing provisions in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Act”). The following table provides a summary of the CRA audit and reassessment matters further detailed below:

CRA Position

Taxation Years Reassessed

Potential Exposure for Tax, Interest and Penalties

(in millions)

Transfer Pricing (Mexico)

Transfer pricing provisions in the Act apply such that a majority of the income earned by the Company’s Mexican subsidiary should be included in the income of the Company and subject to tax in Canada.

2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

For 2013-2016:

Tax: $22.1 (C$29.9)

Transfer pricing penalties: $9.0 (C$12.0)

Interest and other penalties: $13.4 (C$18.1)

The amounts set forth above do not include any potential relief under the Canada-Mexico tax treaty.

The Company’s Mexican subsidiary ceased operations after 2016 and no reassessments for this issue are expected for subsequent years.

Transfer Pricing (Barbados)

Transfer pricing provisions in the Act apply such that a majority of the income relating to certain precious metal streams earned by the Company’s Barbadian subsidiary should be included in the income of the Company and subject to tax in Canada.

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

For 2014-2017:

Tax: $34.5 (C$46.5)

Transfer pricing penalties: $13.0 (C$17.6)

Interest and other penalties: $13.2 (C$18.0)

If the CRA were to reassess the 2018-2022 taxation years on the same basis:

Tax: $217.2 (C$293.7)

Transfer pricing penalties: $82.0 (C$110.9)

Interest and other penalties: $38.5 (C$52.0)

a)Mexico (2013-2016)

In December 2018 and December 2019, the Company received Notices of Reassessment from the CRA for the 2013 taxation year (the “2013 Reassessment”) and for the 2014 and 2015 taxation years (the “2014 and 2015 Reassessments”, collectively with the 2013 Reassessment, the “2013-2015 Reassessments”) in relation to its Mexican subsidiary. The reassessments were made on the basis of the transfer pricing provisions in the Act and assert that a majority of the income earned by the Mexican subsidiary should have been included in the income of the Company and subject to tax in Canada. The 2013-2015 Reassessments result in additional Federal and provincial income taxes of $18.7 million (C$25.3 million) plus estimated interest (calculated to September 30, 2023) and other penalties of $12.1 million (C$16.4 million) but before any relief under the Canada-Mexico tax treaty. The Company has filed formal Notices of Objection with the CRA against the 2013-2015 Reassessments and has posted security in the form of a standby letter of credit for 50% of the reassessed amounts, as referenced in Note 9 of the financial statements.

In December 2020, the CRA issued revised 2013-2015 Reassessments to include transfer pricing penalties of $7.7 million (C$10.3 million). The Company has filed formal Notices of Objection with the CRA against these revised reassessments and has posted security in the form of cash for 50% of the reassessed amounts of penalties, as referenced in Note 8 of the financial statements. The Company has commenced an appeal in the Tax Court of Canada with respect to the 2013-2015 Reassessments.

In December 2021, the Company received a Notice of Reassessment for the 2016 taxation year (the “2016 Reassessment”) on the same basis as the 2013-2015 Reassessments, resulting in additional Federal and provincial income taxes of $3.4 million (C$4.6 million) plus estimated interest (calculated to September 30, 2023) and other penalties of $1.3 million (C$1.7 million) but before any relief under the Canada-Mexico tax treaty.

The Company has filed a formal Notice of Objection with the CRA against the 2016 Reassessment and has posted security in the form of cash for 50% of the reassessed amounts, as referenced in Note 8 of the financial statements. Subsequent to quarter-end on October 26, 2023, the Company received a revised 2016 Reassessment to include transfer pricing penalties of $1.3 million (C$1.7 million). The Company disagrees and intends to file a Notice of Objection against this revised reassessment. The Company’s Mexican subsidiary ceased operations after 2016 and no reassessments are expected for subsequent years.

For taxation years 2013 through 2016, the Company’s Mexican subsidiary paid a total of $34.1 million (490.3 million Pesos) in cash taxes, at a 30% tax rate, to the Mexican tax authorities on income earned in Mexico. If required, the Company intends to seek relief from double taxation under the Canada-Mexico tax treaty.

b)Barbados (2014-2017)

The 2014 and 2015 Reassessments also reassess the Company in relation to its Barbadian subsidiary. The reassessments were made on the basis of the transfer pricing provisions in the Act and assert that a majority of the income relating to certain precious metal streams earned by the Barbadian subsidiary should have been included in the income of the Company and subject to tax in Canada, resulting in additional Federal and provincial income taxes of $5.0 million (C$6.7 million) plus estimated interest (calculated to September 30, 2023) and other penalties of $3.0 million (C$4.1 million). As

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

28


noted previously, the Company has filed formal Notices of Objection with the CRA against the 2014 and 2015 Reassessments and has posted security in the form of a standby letter of credit for 50% of the reassessed amounts, as referenced in Note 9 of the financial statements.

As noted above, in December 2020, the CRA issued revised 2014 and 2015 Reassessments to include transfer pricing penalties of $1.8 million (C$2.5 million). The Company has filed formal Notices of Objection with the CRA against these revised reassessments and has posted security in the form of cash for 50% of the reassessed amounts of penalties, as referenced in Note 8 of the financial statements. The Company has commenced an appeal in the Tax Court of Canada with respect to the 2014-2015 Reassessments.

In December 2021, the Company received the 2016 Reassessment as well as a Notice of Reassessment for the 2017 taxation year (the “2017 Reassessment”, collectively with the 2016 Reassessment, the “2016 and 2017 Reassessments” and collectively with the 2013-2015 Reassessments, the “Transfer Pricing Reassessments”) that reassess the Company in relation to its Barbadian subsidiary on the same basis as the 2014 and 2015 Reassessments, resulting in additional Federal and provincial income taxes of $29.5 million (C$39.8 million) plus estimated interest (calculated to September 30, 2023) and other penalties of $10.2 million (C$13.9 million). The Company has filed formal Notices of Objection with the CRA against the 2016 and 2017 Reassessments and has posted security in the form of cash for 50% of the reassessed amounts, as referenced in Note 8 of the financial statements. Subsequent to quarter-end, on October 26, 2023, the Company received revised 2016 and 2017 Reassessments to include transfer pricing penalties of $11.2 million (C$15.1 million). The Company disagrees and intends to file Notices of Objection against these revised reassessments.

If the CRA were to reassess the Company for taxation years 2018 through 2022 on the same basis and continue to apply transfer pricing penalties, the Company estimates that it would be subject to additional Canadian tax for these years of approximately $217.2 million (C$293.7 million), transfer pricing penalties of approximately $82.0 million (C$110.9 million) plus interest (calculated to September 30, 2023) and other penalties of approximately $38.5 million (C$52.0 million).

Management believes that the Company and its subsidiaries have filed all tax returns and paid all applicable taxes in compliance with Canadian and applicable foreign tax laws and, as a result, no liabilities have been recorded in the financial statements of the Company for the Transfer Pricing Reassessments, or for any potential tax exposure that may arise in respect of these matters. The Company does not believe that the Transfer Pricing Reassessments are supported by Canadian tax law and jurisprudence and intends to vigorously defend its tax filing positions.

The CRA audit is ongoing and there can be no assurance that the CRA will not further challenge the manner in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has filed its tax returns and reported its income. In the event that the CRA successfully challenges the manner in which the Company or a subsidiary has filed its tax returns and reported its income, this could potentially result in additional income taxes, penalties and interest, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the Company to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s best knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances, having regard to previous experience. However, actual outcomes may differ from the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements.

Our significant accounting policies and estimates are disclosed in Notes 2 and 3 of our 2022 audited consolidated financial statements, and Note 2 of our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

New and Amended Accounting Standards

International Tax Reform – Pillar Two Model Rules – Amendments to IAS 12, Income Taxes

On May 23, 2023, the IASB issued International Tax Reform – Pillar Two Model Rules – Amendments to IAS 12. The amendments introduce a mandatory temporary exception to the accounting for deferred taxes arising from the jurisdictional implementation of the Pillar Two model rules, and disclosure requirements for affected entities to help users of the financial statements better understand an entity’s exposure to Pillar Two income taxes arising from that legislation.

The temporary exception from recognition and disclosure of information about deferred taxes and the requirement to disclose the application of the exception, apply immediately and retrospectively upon issue of the amendments. The disclosure of the current tax expense related to Pillar Two income taxes and the disclosures in relation to periods before the legislation is effective are required for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, but are not required for any interim period ending on or before December 31, 2023.

The Company is assessing the impact of the amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

Risks and Uncertainties

Additional information related to Franco-Nevada, including our Annual Information Form and Form 40-F, are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, respectively. These documents contain descriptions of certain of Franco-Nevada’s producing and advanced royalty and stream assets, as well as a description of risk factors affecting the Company.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

29


Revised Concession Contract for the Cobre Panama Mine

First Quantum, MPSA and the GOP have been engaged in discussions regarding a revised concession contract to secure the long-term future of the Cobre Panama mine. On March 8, 2023, First Quantum and the GOP announced that an agreement had been reached on the terms and conditions for a revised concession contract, with subsequent modifications. The Revised Concession Contract provides for an initial 20-year term with a 20-year extension option and additional extensions for life of mine. On October 20, 2023, the Revised Concession Contract was enacted into Law 406.

In response to protests and social unrest in the country of Panama, on October 29, 2023, President Laurentino Cortizo announced the GOP’s intention to hold a popular consultation on December 17, 2023, concerning Law 406. The proposal to hold a popular consultation was debated at the National Assembly on October 31, 2023. However, while the bill proposing the popular consultation, Bill 1109, was approved at the first debate, it did not ultimately progress to a second or third debate.

On November 3, 2023, the National Assembly approved Bill 1110, prohibiting new concessions for the exploration, extraction, transportation, and beneficiation of metallic mining throughout the country, and the bill was subsequently enacted into Law 407. The bill did not include a repeal of Law 406.  

As of the date of this MD&A, Law 406 and the Revised Concession Contract currently remain in effect. However, a number of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Law 406 have been submitted to the Supreme Court of Justice, a number of which have been admitted for adjudication.

The outcome of these matters could have a material adverse impact on the revenue Franco-Nevada derives from its streaming arrangements relating to Cobre Panama and on Franco-Nevada’s results of operations, financial condition, and the valuation of Franco-Nevada’s stream interest in Cobre Panama. As at September 30, 2023, the carrying value of the Company’s stream interest in Cobre Panama was $1,180.3 million.

Changes in tax legislation or accounting rules could affect the profitability of Franco-Nevada

Canada, together with approximately 140 other countries comprising the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) (the “Inclusive Framework”), agreed to in principle in 2021, certain base erosion tax initiatives, including the introduction of a 15% global minimum tax (“Pillar Two”) that applies to large multinational enterprise groups with global consolidated revenues over €750 million. 

On March 28, 2023, the Government of Canada reaffirmed its intention to implement Pillar Two effective for fiscal years that begin on or after December 31, 2023.  On August 4, 2023, the government released for consultation draft legislation, which is intended to closely follow the detailed model rules, commentary, and administrative guidance agreed to by the Inclusive Framework. Subsequent to the quarter-end, on November 7, 2023, the Government of Barbados announced proposed rules in response to Pillar Two. Management has been evaluating the Pillar Two proposals, and is reviewing the Canadian draft legislation and the Barbados proposed rules and assessing their impact to the Company.

If the draft rules are enacted or substantively enacted, it would result in Franco-Nevada’s profits being subject to additional taxation.

Changes to, or differing interpretation of, taxation laws or regulations in any of Canada, the United States, Mexico, Barbados, Australia, Chile, Peru, Brazil or any of the countries in which Franco-Nevada’s assets or relevant contracting parties are located could result in some or all of Franco-Nevada’s profits being subject to additional taxation. No assurance can be given that new taxation rules or accounting policies will not be enacted or that existing rules will not be applied in a manner which could result in Franco-Nevada’s profits being subject to additional taxation or which could otherwise have a material adverse effect on Franco-Nevada’s profitability, results of operations, financial condition and the trading price of Franco-Nevada securities. In addition, the introduction of new tax rules or accounting policies, or changes to, or differing interpretations of, or application of, existing tax rules or accounting policies could make royalties, streams or other investments by Franco-Nevada less profitable to Franco-Nevada and/or less attractive to counterparties. Such changes could adversely affect Franco-Nevada’s after-tax income and/or its ability to acquire new assets or make future investments.

Outstanding Share Data

Franco-Nevada is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common and preferred shares. A detailed description of the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to each class of authorized shares is included in our most recent Annual Information Form, a copy of which can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and in our Form 40-F, a copy of which can be found on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

As of November 8, 2023, the number of common shares outstanding or issuable pursuant to other outstanding securities is as follows:

Common Shares

    

Number

  

Outstanding

 

192,119,414

Issuable upon exercise of Franco-Nevada options(1)

 

663,653

Issuable upon vesting of Franco-Nevada RSUs

 

102,104

Diluted common shares

 

192,885,171

1There were 663,653 stock options under our share compensation plan outstanding to directors, officers, employees and others with exercise prices ranging from C$40.87 to C$194.65 per share.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we did not issue or have any outstanding preferred shares.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

30


Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining Franco-Nevada’s internal control over financial reporting and other financial disclosure and our disclosure controls and procedures.

Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. Franco-Nevada’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Franco-Nevada; (ii) are designed to 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 Franco-Nevada are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of Franco-Nevada; and (iii) are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Franco-Nevada’s assets that could have a material effect on Franco-Nevada’s financial statements. Internal control over other financial disclosure is a process designed to ensure that other financial information included in this MD&A, fairly represents in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Franco-Nevada for the periods presented in this MD&A.

Franco-Nevada’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to Franco-Nevada, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to management by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this MD&A is prepared and that information required to be disclosed by Franco-Nevada in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation.

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting and other financial disclosure may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may change.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, there has been no change in Franco-Nevada’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Franco-Nevada’s internal control over financial reporting.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Cash Costs and Cash Costs per GEO

Cash Costs and Cash Costs per GEO sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Cash Costs is defined by Franco-Nevada as total costs of sales less depletion and depreciation expense. Cash Costs per GEO sold are calculated by dividing Cash Costs by the number of GEOs sold in the period, excluding prepaid GEOs.

Management uses Cash Costs and Cash Costs per GEO sold to evaluate Franco-Nevada’s ability to generate positive cash flow from its royalty, stream and working interests. Management and certain investors also use this information to evaluate Franco-Nevada’s performance relative to peers in the mining industry who present this measure on a similar basis. Cash Costs and Cash Costs per GEO are only intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. They do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Reconciliation of Cash Costs and Cash Costs per GEO sold:

For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

(expressed in millions, except per GEO amounts)

    

2023

    

    

2022

    

    

2023

    

    

2022

  

Total costs of sales

$

117.0

$

110.5

$

338.4

$

343.8

Depletion and depreciation

(68.1)

(68.5)

(204.2)

(212.7)

Cash Costs

$

48.9

$

42.0

$

134.2

$

131.1

GEOs

 

160,848

 

176,408

 

474,694

 

546,074

Cash Costs per GEO sold

$

304

$

238

$

283

$

240

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

31


Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per Share

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share are non-GAAP financial measures, which is defined by Franco-Nevada by excluding the following from net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”):

Income tax expense/recovery;
Finance expenses;
Finance income;
Depletion and depreciation;
Impairment charges and reversals related to royalty, stream and working interests;
Impairment of investments;
Gains/losses on sale of royalty, stream and working interests;
Gains/losses on investments;
Foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expenses; and
Unusual non-recurring items.

Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share to evaluate the underlying operating performance of Franco-Nevada as a whole for the reporting periods presented, to assist with the planning and forecasting of future operating results, and to supplement information in its financial statements. Management believes that in addition to measures prepared in accordance with IFRS such as net income and EPS, our investors and analysts use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share to evaluate the results of the underlying business of Franco-Nevada, particularly since the excluded items are typically not included in our guidance, with the exception of depletion and depreciation expense. While the adjustments to net income and EPS in these measures include items that are both recurring and non-recurring, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share are useful measures of Franco-Nevada’s performance because they adjust for items which may not relate to or have a disproportionate effect on the period in which they are recognized, impact the comparability of our core operating results from period to period, are not always reflective of the underlying operating performance of our business and/or are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share are only intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. They do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA:

For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

 

September 30, 

September 30, 

(expressed in millions, except per share amounts)

    

2023

    

    

2022

    

    

2023

    

    

2022

  

Net income

$

175.1

$

157.1

$

516.1

$

535.6

Income tax expense

 

24.9

30.4

79.5

103.1

Finance expenses

 

0.7

0.8

2.1

2.5

Finance income

 

(15.5)

(2.4)

(36.0)

(5.9)

Depletion and depreciation

 

68.1

68.5

204.2

212.7

Gain on sale of royalty interest

(3.7)

Foreign exchange loss (gain) and other (income) expenses

 

1.8

2.3

(2.1)

(3.5)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

255.1

$

256.7

$

760.1

$

844.5

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

192.1

 

191.6

 

192.0

 

191.5

Basic earnings per share

$

0.91

$

0.82

$

2.69

$

2.80

Income tax expense

 

0.13

0.16

0.41

0.54

Finance expenses

 

0.01

0.01

Finance income

 

(0.08)

(0.01)

(0.19)

(0.03)

Depletion and depreciation

 

0.35

0.36

1.06

1.11

Gain on sale of royalty interest

 

(0.02)

Foreign exchange loss (gain) and other (income) expenses

 

0.02

 

0.01

(0.02)

Adjusted EBITDA per share

$

1.33

$

1.34

$

3.96

$

4.41

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

32


Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Adjusted EBITDA Margin is a non-GAAP ratio which is defined by Franco-Nevada as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. Franco-Nevada uses Adjusted EBITDA Margin in its annual incentive compensation process to evaluate management’s performance in increasing revenue and containing costs. Management believes that in addition to measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, our investors and analysts use Adjusted EBITDA Margin to evaluate the Company’s ability to contain costs relative to revenue. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. It does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA Margin:

For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

(expressed in millions, except Adjusted EBITDA Margin)

    

2023

  

  

2022

  

  

2023

  

  

2022

  

Adjusted EBITDA

$

255.1

$

256.7

$

760.1

$

844.5

Revenue

 

309.5

 

304.2

 

915.7

 

995.3

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

82.4

%

 

84.4

%

 

83.0

%

 

84.8

%

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Share

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are non-GAAP financial measures, which is defined by Franco-Nevada by excluding the following from net income (loss) and EPS:

Foreign exchange gains/losses and other income/expenses;
Impairment charges and reversals related to royalty, stream and working interests;
Impairment of investments;
Gains/losses on sale of royalty, stream and working interests;
Gains/losses on investments;
Unusual non-recurring items; and
Impact of income taxes on these items.

Management uses Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share to evaluate the underlying operating performance of Franco-Nevada as a whole for the reporting periods presented, to assist with the planning and forecasting of future operating results, and to supplement information in its financial statements. Management believes that in addition to measures prepared in accordance with IFRS such as net income and EPS, our investors and analysts use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share to evaluate the results of the underlying business of Franco-Nevada, particularly since the excluded items are typically not included in our guidance. While the adjustments to net income and EPS in these measures include items that are both recurring and non-recurring, management believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are useful measures of Franco-Nevada’s performance because they adjust for items which may not relate to or have a disproportionate effect on the period in which they are recognized, impact the comparability of our core operating results from period to period, are not always reflective of the underlying operating performance of our business and/or are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. They do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income:

For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

(expressed in millions, except per share amounts)

    

2023

    

    

2022

    

    

2023

    

    

2022

  

Net income

$

175.1

$

157.1

$

516.1

$

535.6

Gain on sale of royalty interest

 

(3.7)

Foreign exchange loss (gain) and other (income) expenses

 

1.8

 

2.3

 

(2.1)

 

(3.5)

Finance income related to repayment of Noront Loan

(2.2)

Tax effect of adjustments

(1.8)

0.3

(0.1)

2.8

Adjusted Net Income

$

175.1

$

159.7

$

510.2

$

532.7

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

192.1

 

191.6

 

192.0

 

191.5

Basic earnings per share

$

0.91

$

0.82

$

2.69

$

2.80

Gain on sale of royalty interest

(0.02)

Foreign exchange loss (gain) and other (income) expenses

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

(0.01)

 

(0.02)

Finance income related to repayment of Noront Loan

 

 

 

 

(0.01)

Tax effect of adjustments

(0.01)

0.01

Adjusted Net Income per share

$

0.91

$

0.83

$

2.66

$

2.78

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

33


Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This MD&A contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, respectively, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future events or future performance, management’s expectations regarding Franco-Nevada’s growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, performance guidance, carrying value of assets, future dividends and requirements for additional capital, mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, production estimates, production costs and revenue, future demand for and prices of commodities, expected mining sequences, business prospects and opportunities, the performance and plans of third party operators, audits being conducted by the CRA, the expected exposure for current and future tax assessments and available remedies, statements with respect to Law 406, the law that approved the Revised Concession Contract for the Cobre Panama mine, including, but not limited to constitutional challenges, popular consultations or any Government of Panama bills relating to Law 406, and statements relating to the continued operation of and protests impacting the Cobre Panama mine. In addition, statements relating to resources and reserves, GEOs or mine life are forward-looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, and no assurance can be given that the estimates and assumptions are accurate and that such resources and reserves, GEOs or mine life will be realized. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budgets”, “potential for”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “predicts”, “projects”, “intends”, “targets”, “aims”, “anticipates” or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Franco-Nevada to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, including, without limitation: fluctuations in the prices of the primary commodities that drive royalty and stream revenue (gold, platinum group metals, copper, nickel, uranium, silver, iron ore and oil and gas); fluctuations in the value of the Canadian and Australian dollar, Mexican peso, and any other currency in which revenue is generated, relative to the U.S. dollar; changes in national and local government legislation, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies and the enforcement thereof; the adoption of a global minimum tax on corporations; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; relinquishment or sale of mineral properties; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by Franco-Nevada; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; whether or not the Company is determined to have “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) status as defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; potential changes in Canadian tax treatment of offshore streams; excessive cost escalation as well as development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; access to sufficient pipeline capacity; actual mineral content may differ from the resources and reserves contained in technical reports; rate and timing of production differences from resource estimates, other technical reports and mine plans; risks and hazards associated with the business of development and mining on any of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest, including, but not limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, sinkholes, flooding and other natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest or an outbreak of contagious disease; the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus); and the integration of acquired assets. The forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: the ongoing operation of the properties in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice; the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties; no material adverse change in the market price of the commodities that underlie the asset portfolio; the Company’s ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its PFIC status; no material changes to existing tax treatment; the expected application of tax laws and regulations by taxation authorities; the expected assessment and outcome of any audit by any taxation authority; no adverse development in respect of any significant property in which Franco-Nevada holds a royalty, stream or other interest; the accuracy of publicly disclosed expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production; integration of acquired assets; and the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. However, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. In addition, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of the ongoing audit by the CRA or the Company’s exposure as a result thereof. Franco-Nevada cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

For additional information with respect to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to Franco-Nevada’s most recent Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on www.sedarplus.com and Franco-Nevada’s most recent Annual Report filed on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this MD&A only and Franco-Nevada does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

2023 Third Quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis

34


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