
Record Production and Earnings Drive Continued Significant Shareholder Returns
Lundin Gold Inc. (TSX: LUG) (Nasdaq Stockholm: LUG) (OTCQX: LUGDF) announced its financial and operational results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. The third quarter of 2026 was the strongest in the history of Fruta del Norte, with quarterly records set for gold production, tonnes mined, tonnes milled, and gold sales.
Gold production totaled 153,736 oz in the quarter, with gold sales of 148,326 oz at an average realized gold price¹ of $4,299 per oz, resulting in revenues of $633 million and adjusted earnings1 of $297 million. Cash operating costs¹ and all‑in sustaining costs¹ were $862 and $1,037 per oz sold, respectively, reflecting record gold sales, strong grades, and continued cost discipline.
The Company ended the quarter with a robust balance sheet, including cash and cash equivalents of $574 million. During the quarter, the Company generated free cash flow¹ of $331 million and returned $264 million to shareholders through dividends of $261 million and share repurchases under its normal course issuer bid. The Company has declared cash dividends of $1.14 per share payable in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Lundin Gold remains on track to meet its 2026 production and cost guidance and expects to make an integrated investment decision on FDNS and the mill expansion in the fourth quarter, while continuing the largest exploration program in the Company’s history.
Jamie Beck, President and CEO, commented, “The third quarter delivered record production at FDN, a result of strong mill throughput and gold grades, driving another quarter of strong financial results. Following this record quarterly performance, we remain on track to deliver our full year guidance notwithstanding our expectation that fourth quarter production will be the lowest of the year, primarily reflecting lower grades in the mine sequence, as well as scheduled mill maintenance completed in October.
Our exploration programs delivered another quarter of exceptional drilling results, including the discovery of a new epithermal gold system at Quebrada Dorada. This discovery doubles the extent of the known epithermal gold trend from four kilometres to eight and, when combined with continued exploration success at FDN, FDNS, FDN East, and Bonza Sur, underscores our confidence in our ability to sustain production volumes over the long term as we expand processing capacity.
Looking ahead, we expect to make the integrated investment decision on FDNS and the mill expansion this quarter, a key step in our long-term strategy, and we remain committed to delivering significant returns to our shareholders.”
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL RESULTS SUMMARY
The following two tables provide an overview of key operating and financial results.
| Three months ended
September 30, |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
|||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |
| Tonnes ore mined | 555,369 | 480,519 | 1,520,905 | 1,332,367 |
| Tonnes ore milled | 535,711 | 484,296 | 1,532,652 | 1,343,275 |
| Average mill throughput (tpd) | 5,823 | 5,264 | 5,614 | 4,920 |
| Average mill head grade (g/t) | 10.1 | 8.9 | 9.0 | 9.8 |
| Average recovery | 88.3 % | 88.2 % | 88.9 % | 89.3 % |
| Gold ounces produced | 153,736 | 122,086 | 392,472 | 378,832 |
| Gold ounces sold | 148,326 | 124,911 | 374,019 | 379,289 |
| Three months ended
September 30, |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
|||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||
| Revenues ($’000) | 632,998 | 447,119 | 1,678,070 | 1,256,344 | ||
| Income from mining operations ($’000) | 467,706 | 305,228 | 1,225,099 | 852,935 | ||
| Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ($’000)1 | 475,866 | 311,680 | 1,298,640 | 872,022 | ||
| Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ($’000)1 | 480,031 | 311,680 | 1,250,665 | 872,022 | ||
| Net income ($’000) | 293,800 | 207,715 | 787,000 | 557,946 | ||
| Basic income per share ($) | 1.21 | 0.86 | 3.26 | 2.32 | ||
| Adjusted earnings ($’000) 1 | 296,841 | 207,715 | 772,113 | 557,946 | ||
| Adjusted earnings per share ($)1 | 1.23 | 0.86 | 3.19 | 2.32 | ||
| Cash provided by operating activities ($’000) | 376,935 | 215,533 | 872,098 | 664,623 | ||
| Free cash flow ($’000)1 | 330,863 | 191,148 | 775,401 | 597,601 | ||
| Free cash flow per share ($)1 | 1.37 | 0.79 | 3.21 | 2.48 | ||
| Average realized gold price ($/oz sold)1 | 4,299 | 3,634 | 4,518 | 3,364 | ||
| Cash operating cost ($/oz sold)1 | 862 | 861 | 946 | 802 | ||
| All-in sustaining costs ($/oz sold)1 | 1,037 | 1,036 | 1,102 | 957 | ||
| Dividends paid per share ($)2 | 1.08 | 0.79 | 6.53 | 1.95 | ||
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Financial Results
| _______________________ |
| 1 Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” section. |
| 2 Includes the dividend-in-kind of common shares of LunR paid on June 11, 2026. |
Operational Results
Outlook
The Company remains on track to meet its 2026 production guidance of 475,000 to 525,000 oz and AISC1 guidance of $1,110 to $1,170 per oz sold, with year-to-date production of 392,472 oz representing approximately 78% of the guidance midpoint. Following a record third quarter, production in the fourth quarter is expected to moderate, reflecting a planned maintenance shutdown of the process plant completed in early October and lower anticipated head grades in accordance with the mine sequence. Mill throughput is expected to remain strong, and the Company expects full-year production to be within its guidance range. Sustaining capital expenditures1 are expected to increase during the fourth quarter of 2026 in line with the commencement of the sixth tailings dam raise and development of the Colibrí 4 quarry.
At FDNS, the Company is advancing underground development concurrent with finalizing the integrated mine plan and mill expansion. Plant expansion engineering has advanced sufficiently to develop final cost estimates and a project schedule. Likewise, the mine capital requirements to bring FDNS into production have been prepared. With this information, the Company expects to make an integrated investment decision in the fourth quarter, which will consider optimized mining rates at both FDN and FDNS, as well as enhanced processing capacity. The Company expects to provide further details, including capital costs and timing for the integrated expansion, following the investment decision.
The Company continues to advance the largest exploration program in its history, with 133,000 metres of drilling planned for 2026. The near-mine program accounts for approximately 100,000 metres of the planned drilling, combining surface and underground exploration aimed at extending the mine life of FDN and advancing discoveries nearby. During the remainder of the year, work will continue to target high-grade epithermal gold deposits and advance the copper-gold porphyry corridor, building on results achieved to date. A key priority is the Sandia copper-gold porphyry deposit, where drilling is supporting a maiden Mineral Resource estimate targeted for early 2027.
In addition to near-mine efforts, the regional program focuses on the Company’s extensive and highly prospective land package surrounding FDN and beyond. Following reconnaissance work completed in 2025, 8,000 metres of drilling is planned on advanced targets identified within this underexplored district, marking an important step in unlocking new growth opportunities. Separately, 25,000 metres of resource conversion drilling is anticipated in 2026 to support the updating of Mineral Reserve and Resource estimates. The total investment in the 2026 exploration program is estimated at $85 million, underscoring the Company’s commitment to growth through exploration. Through September 30, 2026, approximately 109,000 metres had been completed across the 2026 exploration program.
Under its dividend policy, the Company anticipates continuing to declare quarterly fixed dividends of $0.30 per share, equivalent to approximately $300 million annually based on currently issued and outstanding shares, plus a variable dividend equal to an amount based on at least 50% of the Company’s normalized free cash flow, after the deduction of the fixed dividend. In addition, reflecting its confidence in the long-term value of the business, the Company intends to continue making purchases under its NCIB on an opportunistic basis.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At the end of September 30, 2026 the Company is in a strong financial position.
| (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | As at September 30,
2026 |
As at December 31,
2025 |
| Financial Position: | ||
| Cash | 573,614 | 630,181 |
| Working capital | 477,094 | 594,654 |
| Total assets | 1,685,952 | 1,787,158 |
As at September 30, 2026, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $574 million and a working capital balance of $477 million compared to cash and cash equivalents of $630 million and a working capital balance of $595 million at December 31, 2025.
The change in cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was primarily due to cash generated from operating activities of $872 million offset by dividends paid of $832 million and cash used for investing activities of $90.3 million.
Capital Expenditures
Sustaining Capital Expenditures1
Non-Sustaining Capital Expenditures1
| ___________________ |
| 1 Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” section. |
Health and Safety
During the third quarter there were no Lost Time Incidents and no Medical Aid Incidents. The Total Recordable Incident Rate across the Company was 0.00 per 200,000 hours worked for the quarter and 0.19 for the first nine months of 2026.
Community
In the third quarter of 2026, Lundin Gold’s sponsored community projects continued to advance. The second phase of the Company’s community mental health and well-being program remained on schedule for completion in December 2026, with over 7,900 psychological consultations provided to local residents since the phase began in August 2025. The program’s academy component engaged approximately 520 youth in extracurricular activities, including sports, English, music, culture, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning, and the arts.
The School Meals program at the Los Encuentros school completed its first full year of operation, providing nutritious meals to approximately 1,200 students, with food sourced from local farmers. The year-end evaluation found improvements in students’ dietary diversity, in income and employment opportunities for local producers, and in family participation.
The Company collaborated with local governments on community infrastructure and well-being initiatives. During the quarter, three projects were successfully completed: local school maintenance; public lighting and electrification in nearby El Pangui; and road asphalting. Seven community infrastructure projects were ongoing at quarter-end, including rural road maintenance, urban renewal in the Los Encuentros parish, a livestock fairground, and solid waste management, with local government counterparts contributing an average of 41% of project funding.
Lundin Gold continued to engage with local communities through participatory dialogue and thematic roundtables. During the quarter, the Company delivered procurement training to 52 entrepreneurs from the FDN area of influence including the Parish of Los Encuentros and the Río Blanco and Playón communities. It also held leadership and governance workshops for the Los Encuentros parish government.
In partnership with the Lundin Foundation, the Company continued to support local businesses, including participants in the Foundation’s supplier development program that provides products and services to FDN while advancing their own business strategies. The local industrial laundry initiative for FDN’s bed and bath linens advanced during the quarter, with support provided on the structuring of the business, selection of the principal equipment supplier, and appointment of a local administrator.
The Company also continued to engage with local and Indigenous communities near its near-mine and regional exploration programs through field visits, information sessions, community events, and follow-up on community investments. This included support for sugarcane and cacao production initiatives and for ShuarNum, a Shuar cultural preservation enterprise.
EXPLORATION
Near-Mine Exploration Program
During the third quarter of 2026, the Company completed a total of 25,384 metres across 55 holes from surface and underground.
The underground near-mine drilling program focused on the FDNS deposit, which remains open for expansion in the main extensions. As at the date of this news release, two underground rigs are active in the near-mine drilling program.
The surface near-mine drilling program advanced on the copper-gold porphyry corridor, which primarily focused on the expansion and delineation of the Sandia deposit while also exploring the Sandia Northeast target. Furthermore, surface drilling also advanced at the Bonza Sur gold epithermal deposit, at the recently discovered Quebrada Dorada target, and tested distinct targets within the near-mine concession. As at the date of this news release, 11 surface rigs are drilling with three at Sandia, one at Sandia Northeast, three at Bonza Sur, two at Quebrada Dorada, and two targeting new opportunities.
Near-mine exploration results received to date can be found in Lundin Gold’s press releases dated September 24 and October 26, 2026.
Regional Exploration Program
The Company advanced its multi-year regional exploration program during the third quarter of 2026. The program is expected to cover approximately 54,000 hectares on 23 of the Company’s concessions along the Zamora Copper Gold Belt, a high potential geological setting which hosts the Fruta del Norte mine and several large copper-gold projects.
Activity during the quarter focused on two districts. At the Gamora District, located approximately 20 kilometres north of FDN, the drilling program has been initiated and approximately 2,758 metres across five holes were completed on distinct exploration targets located along the north extension of the Mirador copper-gold deposits. At the Guacamayo District, located 17 kilometres south of FDN, geological mapping followed by soil and rock sampling progressed across distinct parts of the district.
CORPORATE
Qualified Persons
The technical information relating to Fruta del Norte contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Terry Smith P. Eng, Lundin Gold’s COO, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). The disclosure of exploration information contained in this press release was prepared by Andre Oliveira P.Geo, Vice President, Exploration of the Company, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.
About Lundin Gold
Lundin Gold, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, owns the Fruta del Norte gold mine in southeast Ecuador. Fruta del Norte is among the highest-grade operating gold mines in the world.
The Company’s board and management team have extensive expertise and are dedicated to operating Fruta del Norte responsibly. The Company operates with transparency and in accordance with international best practices. Lundin Gold is committed to delivering value to its shareholders through operational excellence and growth, while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to impacted communities, fostering a healthy and safe workplace and minimizing the environmental impact. Furthermore, Lundin Gold is focused on continued exploration on its extensive and highly prospective land package to identify and develop new resource opportunities to ensure long-term sustainability and growth for the Company and its stakeholders.
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