Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN)(OMX:LUMI) ("Lundin Mining" or the "Company")
today reported net earnings of $42.1 million ($0.07 per share) for the quarter
and $136.7 million ($0.23 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2013. Cash
flows of $53.9 million were generated from operations in the quarter and $153.7
million for the year, not including the Company's significant attributable cash
flows from Tenke Fungurume of $141.8 million.
Paul Conibear, President and CEO commented, "We are pleased with our financial
performance in 2013. Throughout the year, we focused on achieving reliable
operating results and capital investment discipline on relatively low-risk,
attractive return growth projects while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Our
strategy remains unchanged for 2014, and we look forward to delivering another
strong year of performance from all of our operations and bringing the high
grade Eagle mine on stream by year end."
Summary financial results for the quarter and year-to-date:
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Three months Twelve months
ended ended
December 31 December 31
US$ Millions (except per share amounts) 2013 2012 2013 2012
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Sales 186.9 176.4 727.8 721.1
Operating earnings(1) 66.9 51.8 243.1 308.7
Net earnings/(loss) 42.1 (17.1) 136.7 123.2
Basic earnings per share 0.07 (0.03) 0.23 0.21
Cash flow from operations 53.9 49.4 153.7 194.0
Ending cash position 116.6 275.1 116.6 275.1
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(1) Operating earnings is a non-GAAP measure defined as sales, less
operating costs (excluding depreciation) and general and administrative
costs.
Operational Highlights
Wholly-owned operations: Copper and nickel production exceeded the high end of
our production guidance, while zinc and lead met our overall targets. Higher
throughput at Neves-Corvo resulted in better than expected copper production,
while nickel and copper production at Aguablanca was assisted by better than
expected throughput, grades and recoveries.
-- Neves-Corvo produced 56,544 tonnes of copper and an annual record of
53,382 tonnes of zinc in 2013. Operational improvements generated higher
throughput levels, but slightly lower recoveries resulted in lower
copper production compared with the prior year. The 2012 zinc plant
expansion and initial mining of the higher grade Lombador deposit
generated record zinc metal production in 2013. Copper cash costs(1) of
$1.90/lb for the year were in line with latest guidance ($1.90/lb), but
higher than the prior year ($1.79/lb).
-- At Zinkgruvan, zinc and lead production for the year of 71,366 and
32,874 tonnes, respectively, were negatively impacted by paste backfill
and local ground control issues resulting in lower production than the
prior year and slightly lower volumes than expected. Cash costs for zinc
of $0.32/lb were slightly higher than latest guidance ($0.30/lb) and the
prior year ($0.13lb), largely as a result of lower volumes.
-- Aguablanca had strong production performance throughout the year,
generating 7,574 tonnes of nickel and 6,242 tonnes of copper, well above
guidance. Cash costs of $3.78/lb of nickel for the year benefited from
higher production levels and was significantly below guidance of
$4.50/lb.
Tenke: Tenke continued to perform well, setting an annual production record,
despite experiencing power interruptions in the second half of the year.
-- Lundin's attributable share of annual production included 50,346 tonnes
of copper cathode and 3,060 tonnes of cobalt in hydroxide, exceeding
copper production guidance of 50,000 tonnes. The Company's attributable
share of Tenke's sales included 49,404 tonnes of copper at an average
realized price of $3.21/lb and 2,784 tonnes of cobalt at an average
realized price of $8.02/lb.
-- Attributable operating cash flow from Tenke for 2013 was $168.4 million.
Cash distributions of $141.8 million were received by Lundin Mining in
the year, consistent with guidance provided at the beginning of 2013.
-- Operating cash costs for the year were $1.21/lb of copper sold, slightly
better than latest guidance of $1.24/lb and prior year's cost of
$1.23/lb.
Financial Highlights
-- Operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $243.1
million, a decrease of $65.6 million from the $308.7 million reported in
2012. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower realized metal
prices and prior period price adjustments ($58.8 million), lower sales
volumes ($18.8 million), unfavourable exchange rates ($12.0 million),
and a change in sales mix ($9.5 million), partially offset by higher
operating earnings from a full year of production at Aguablanca ($38.4
million).
-- For the year ended December 31, 2013, sales of $727.8 million increased
$6.7 million from the prior year ($721.1 million) which was mainly as a
result of the restart of operations at Aguablanca ($91.9 million),
offset by lower realized metal prices and prior period price
adjustments, lower overall sales volume, and a change in sales mix.
-- Average London Metal Exchange ("LME") metal prices for copper, zinc, and
nickel for the year ended December 31, 2013 were lower (2% - 14%) than
that of the prior year, while lead prices improved slightly (4%) in
2013.
-- Operating costs (excluding depreciation) of $461.2 million in the
current year were $76.2 million higher than the prior year of $385.0
million largely as a result of the restart of operations at Aguablanca
($53.8 million), higher net per unit production costs ($10.4 million)
and unfavourable foreign exchange rates ($12.0 million).
-- Net earnings of $136.7 million ($0.23 per share) in the current year
were $13.5 million higher than the $123.2 million ($0.21 per share)
reported in 2012.
Excluding the after-tax impairment loss of $62.1 million recorded in
2012 related to Aguablanca, net earnings in 2013 were $48.6 million
lower than 2012. Earnings were impacted by:
-- lower operating earnings primarily due to lower realized metal
prices and sales volumes ($65.6 million); and
-- higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense ($25.8
million) as a result of higher production at Neves-Corvo and the
restart of production at Aguablanca; offset by
-- investment tax credits of $14.3 million received at Neves-Corvo;
-- $15.1 million in insurance proceeds for business interruption at the
Aguablanca mine received in the current year (2012: $7.9 million);
and
-- lower exploration and business development expenditures ($22.4
million).
-- Cash flow from operations for the year was $153.7 million compared to
$194.0 million for 2012. The comparative decrease in the cash flow is
mostly attributable to lower operating earnings.
Corporate Highlights
-- On March 29, 2013, the Company announced completion of the acquisition
of 24% of the Kokkola cobalt refinery located in Finland and the related
sales and marketing business ("Freeport Cobalt"), which now provides
direct end-market access for the cobalt hydroxide production from Tenke.
The Company holds an effective 24% ownership interest in Freeport
Cobalt, with Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. ("Freeport", or "FCX")
acting as operator holding a 56% ownership interest, and La Generale des
Carrieres et des Mines ("Gecamines"), the Congolese state mining
company, holding a 20% interest in Freeport Cobalt.
The total consideration paid by the Freeport/Lundin partnership was $348
million, excluding cash acquired. Under the terms of the agreement,
there is the potential for additional consideration of up to $110
million over a period of three years from acquisition date, contingent
upon the achievement of revenue-based performance targets. Lundin
Mining's share of the investment, including acquired cash, was $116.3
million based on a 30%/70% split with Freeport, which amounts will be
repaid prior to any shareholder distributions.
-- On July 17, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of the high
grade Eagle nickel/copper underground mine and associated Humboldt mill
("Eagle Project" or "Eagle") from Rio Tinto Nickel Company, a subsidiary
of Rio Tinto plc ("Rio Tinto"). The Eagle Project is located in the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA. Total consideration paid was $314.9
million, consisting of a $250.0 million purchase amount plus project
expenditures from January 1, 2013 until transaction closing of $64.9
million. The Company drew down $200 million on its revolving credit
facility and utilized cash on hand to fund this acquisition.
-- On September 10, 2013, the Company reported its Mineral Reserve and
Resource estimates as at June 30, 2013, and filed an independent
National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for its Eagle nickel/copper
project on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on July 26, 2013. The Neves-Corvo and
Zinkgruvan mines had increases in total Mineral Reserves from prior
year's estimates.
-- On October 7, 2013, the Company completed amendments to its credit
agreement to provide for a new term loan of $250 million and an
extension on the maturity of the existing $350 million revolving credit
facility to October 2017. This arrangement is expected to provide a very
flexible, cost effective funding package to support completion of
construction of the Eagle Project. See press releases entitled "Lundin
Mining Secures Commitments for Eagle Project Funding", dated September
16, 2013 and "Lundin Mining Completes $600 Million Debt Facilities for
Eagle Project Funding", dated October 7, 2013.
Financial Position and Financing
-- Net debt(2) position at December 31, 2013 was $112.1 million compared to
a net cash position of $265.1 million at December 31, 2012.
-- The $377.2 million decrease in net cash during the year was primarily
attributable to the acquisitions of Eagle ($318.0 million, including
acquisition costs of $3.1 million) and Freeport Cobalt ($116.3 million)
and investments in mineral properties, plant and equipment of $243.7
million. These uses of cash were offset by cash flow from operations of
$153.7 million and distributions from Tenke of $141.8 million.
-- The Company has corporate term and revolving debt facilities available
for borrowing up to $600 million. At December 31, 2013 the Company had
$240.3 million committed against these facilities, leaving debt capacity
of $359.7 million available for future drawdowns.
Outlook
2014 Production and Cost Guidance
-- Production guidance for the three-year period of 2014 through 2016 for
wholly-owned operations remains unchanged from the guidance provided on
December 4, 2013 (see news release entitled "Lundin Mining Provides
Operating Outlook for 2014-2016").
-- Guidance on Tenke's production and cash cost has been updated to reflect
the most recent guidance provided by Freeport.
-- Production and cash cost guidance for 2014 are as follows:
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(contained tonnes) Tonnes Cash Costs(a)
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Copper Neves-Corvo 50,000 - 55,000 $1.90/lb
Zinkgruvan 3,000 - 4,000
Aguablanca 5,000 - 6,000
Eagle 2,000 - 3,000
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Wholly-owned 60,000 - 68,000
Tenke(@24%)(b) 48,400 $1.28/lb
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Total attributable 108,400 - 116,400
Zinc Neves-Corvo 60,000 - 65,000
Zinkgruvan 75,000 - 80,000 $0.35/lb
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Total 135,000 - 145,000
Lead Neves-Corvo 2,000 - 2,500
Zinkgruvan 27,000 - 30,000
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Total 29,000 - 32,500
Nickel Aguablanca 6,000 - 7,000 $4.50/lb
Eagle 2,000 - 3,000
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Total 8,000 - 10,000
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(a) Cash costs remain dependent upon exchange rates (forecast at
EUR/USD:1.30, USD/SEK:6.50) and metal prices (forecast at Cu: $3.15/lb,
Zn: $0.87/lb, Pb: $1.00/lb, Ni: $6.50/lb, Co: $12.00/lb).
(b) Freeport has provided 2014 sales and cash costs guidance. Tenke's 2014
production is assumed to approximate Freeport's sales guidance
provided.
-- Neves-Corvo: Copper production is expected to be maintained above 50,000
tonnes per annum with an increasing zinc by-product credit. The
production forecast assumes that the zinc plant will be used exclusively
to process zinc ore, though the plant has already proven to have the
flexibility to process either zinc or copper ores.
-- Zinkgruvan: Zinc production is expected to remain relatively steady, as
plans to increase throughput by investment in a new front end of the
concentrator have been deferred indefinitely.
-- Aguablanca: The Company has approved development of the underground
project which is expected to result in production continuing until 2018.
Total capital expenditures for the project are expected to be
approximately $30 million spread over the period 2014 - 2017. Economics
of the underground project are expected to be very attractive with a
rapid payback period, even at current depressed nickel prices.
-- Eagle: The project remains on schedule and budget. Shipment of the first
saleable concentrates of copper and nickel are expected to occur in the
fourth quarter of 2014.
-- Tenke: Freeport expects sales of copper in 2014 to be largely consistent
with that of 2013, with copper cathode sales of approximately 202,000
tonnes, and an increase in cobalt sales to 13,600 tonnes.
2014 Capital Expenditure Guidance
-- Capital expenditures for 2014 are expected to be $460 million including
Eagle and excluding Tenke (compared to $244 million in 2013, on the same
basis). Major capital investments for 2014 are as follows:
-- Sustaining capital in European operations - $100 million (2013: $100
million), consisting of approximately $55 million for Neves-Corvo, $40
million for Zinkgruvan and $5 million across other sites.
-- New investment capital in European operations - $60 million (2013: $46
million), consisting of:
-- Lombador Phase I - $38 million: For underground vertical and
horizontal development and associated mine infrastructure related to
the development of the upper Lombador ore bodies for future high
grade zinc and copper production.
-- Lombador Phase II and underground drilling - $6 million: For
horizontal development and ongoing exploration drilling in the lower
parts of the Lombador ore bodies.
-- Neves-Corvo zinc plant expansion and shaft upgrade project studies -
$5 million: For the installation of a zinc tailings recovery circuit
and further studies on increasing the capacity of the main Santa
Barbara hoisting shaft.
-- Aguablanca underground mining project - $10 million: For ramp and
initial ore body development and the installation of associated mine
infrastructure.
-- New investment in Eagle Project - $300 million (2013: $98 million) to
complete construction of the Humboldt mill and Eagle mine.
-- New investment in Tenke - $50 million (2013: $62 million), estimated by
the Company as its share of the remaining Phase II expansion costs and
other expansion related initiatives and sustaining capital funding for
2014. All of the capital expenditures are expected to be self-funded by
cash flow from Tenke operations.
If current metal prices and operating conditions prevail and
construction of future phases of expansion are not commenced in 2014,
the Company believes it is reasonable to expect Lundin's attributable
cash distributions from Tenke to be in the range of $130 to $150 million
in 2014.
Exploration Investment
-- Total exploration expenses for 2014 (excluding Tenke) are estimated to
be $40 million (2013: $34 million). These expenditures will be
principally directed towards underground and surface mine exploration at
Neves-Corvo, Zinkgruvan and Eagle, and on select greenfields exploration
programs and new business development activities in South America and
Eastern Europe.
About Lundin Mining
Lundin Mining Corporation is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company
with operations and development projects in Portugal, Sweden and Spain and the
US, producing copper, zinc, lead and nickel. In addition, Lundin Mining holds a
24% equity stake in the world-class Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt mine in the
Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Freeport Cobalt Oy business, which
includes a cobalt refinery located in Kokkola, Finland.
On Behalf of the Board,
Paul Conibear, President and CEO
Forward Looking Statements
Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Ontario Securities Act.
This report includes, but is not limited to, forward looking statements with
respect to the Company's estimated full year metal production, cash costs,
exploration expenditures, and capital expenditures, as noted in the Outlook
section and elsewhere in this document. These estimates and other
forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject
to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or
results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements,
including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the estimated
cash costs, timing and amount of production from the Eagle Project, cost
estimates for the Eagle Project, foreign currency fluctuations; risks inherent
in mining including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or
unexpected geological formations, ground control problems and flooding; risks
associated with the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the
geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future
exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the
Company's expectations; the potential for and effects of labour disputes or
other unanticipated difficulties with or shortages of labour or interruptions in
production; actual ore mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution
and metallurgical and other characteristics; the inherent uncertainty of
production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and
expenses, commodity price fluctuations; uncertain political and economic
environments; changes in laws or policies, foreign taxation, delays or the
inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; litigation risks; and other
risks and uncertainties, including those described under Risk Factors Relating
to the Company's Business in the Company's Annual Information Form and in each
Management's Discussion and Analysis. Forward-looking information may also be
based on other various assumptions including, without limitation, the
expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long term price of copper,
zinc, lead and nickel; that the Company can access financing, appropriate
equipment and sufficient labour and that the political environment where the
Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of
mining projects. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results
may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements.
(1) Cash cost/lb of copper, zinc or nickel are non-GAAP measures defined as all
cash costs directly attributable to mining operating, less royalties and
by-product credits.
(2) Net cash/debt is a non-GAAP measure defined as available unrestricted cash
less long-term debt and finance leases.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Lundin Mining Corporation
Sophia Shane
Investor Relations North America
+1-604-689-7842
Lundin Mining Corporation
John Miniotis
Senior Manager, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
+1-416-342-5565
Lundin Mining Corporation
Robert Eriksson
Investor Relations Sweden
+46 8 545 015 50
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