Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN)(OMX:LUMI) ("Lundin Mining" or the "Company")
today reported net earnings of $13.3 million ($0.02 per share) for the quarter
ended March 31, 2014. Cash flows of $27.5 million were generated from operations
in the quarter, not including the Company's attributable cash flows from Tenke
Fungurume.
Paul Conibear, President and CEO commented, "This year remains an exciting year
for the Company as we prepare to bring the high grade Eagle nickel/copper mine
into production. We are pleased that Eagle continues to remain on time and
budget with first saleable concentrate expected in the fourth quarter of 2014.
During the first quarter, production at our operations was generally in-line
with expectations, however unit costs in some areas were higher than our annual
average cost guidance. Mine performance improved as the quarter advanced and we
maintain our annual production and cost guidance."
Summary financial results for the quarter:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended
March 31
US$ Millions (except per share amounts) 2014 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales 149.9 188.2
Operating earnings(1) 43.1 68.1
Net earnings 13.3 50.1
Basic earnings per share 0.02 0.09
Cash flow from operations 27.5 45.8
Ending net (debt) / cash position (148.3) 199.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operational Highlights
Wholly-owned operations: Copper, nickel, and lead production all exceeded
expectations, while zinc production was in-line with targeted production. Higher
throughput at Neves-Corvo and Aguablanca resulted in better than expected copper
and nickel production, respectively, while significantly higher lead grades at
Zinkgruvan resulted in lead production exceeding expectations.
-- Neves-Corvo produced 12,765 tonnes of copper and 14,228 tonnes of zinc
in the first quarter of 2014. Production from the Lombador ore body
resulted in a 39% increase in zinc production over the comparable period
in the prior year. Higher copper ore throughput was more than offset by
lower head grades and recoveries resulting in lower copper production
compared with the first quarter of 2013, but was in-line with the mine
plan for the first quarter of 2014. Copper cash costs(2) of $2.10/lb for
the quarter were higher than guidance ($1.90/lb) due primarily to
unfavourable foreign exchange rates and secondarily due to lower grades
and recoveries than we expect as yearly averages.
-- Zinc production of 19,239 tonnes at Zinkgruvan met expectations and was
23% higher than the comparable period in 2013, largely as a result of
increased levels of mining and milling of zinc ore and improved head
grades. Lead production of 9,133 tonnes exceeded expectations and
presents an increase of 39% over the comparable period in 2013. Cash
costs for zinc of $0.45/lb were higher than guidance ($0.35/lb) mostly
due to higher levels of by-product inventory at period-end.
-- Aguablanca continued to display strong operational performance, with
current quarter production of 1,980 tonnes of nickel and 1,652 tonnes of
copper. This exceeded both expectations for the first quarter of 2014
and production levels of the prior year comparable period. Lower mining
costs resulted in cash costs of $2.98/lb of nickel for the quarter, also
below both guidance of $4.50/lb and the prior year quarter ($4.66/lb).
(1) Operating earnings is a non-GAAP measure defined as sales, less operating
costs (excluding depreciation) and general and administrative costs.
(2) 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.
Tenke: Tenke operations continue to perform well.
-- Lundin's attributable share of first quarter production included 11,871
tonnes of copper cathode and 713 tonnes of cobalt in hydroxide. The
Company's attributable share of Tenke's sales included 9,168 tonnes of
copper at an average realized price of $3.07/lb and 872 tonnes of cobalt
at an average realized price of $9.21/lb.
-- Attributable operating cash flow from Tenke for the first quarter of
2014 was $27.7 million. Cash distributions received by Lundin Mining in
the quarter were $16.7 million, lower than expected due to timing of
shipments and lower copper price.
-- Operating cash costs for the first quarter of 2014 were $0.89/lb of
copper sold, better than the revised full year guidance of $1.22/lb and
prior year's cost of $1.23/lb for the first quarter of 2013.
Eagle Nickel/Copper Project: advancing on time, on budget.
-- There are approximately 700 people currently working at the mine and
mill, including contractors. All of the major equipment has been
delivered and is in an advanced stage of installation. As of March 31,
2014, construction is progressing as planned at 79% project completion.
-- Capital costs are on budget, expecting to come in at the original
forecast of $400 million from the date of acquisition. $160 million has
been spent since that time, of which $62 million was spent in the first
quarter of 2014. The majority of remaining costs to complete
construction are within fixed price contracts.
-- Operations hiring is well advanced with all key positions filled.
-- Mine area facility commissioning has started and mill commissioning is
expected to start in the third quarter of 2014. Eagle is on track to
ship first saleable copper and nickel concentrates in the fourth quarter
of 2014. Ore processing and concentrate production are expected to reach
full design rates in the second quarter of 2015.
Financial Performance
-- Operating earnings for the first quarter of 2014 were $43.1 million, a
decrease of $25.0 million from the $68.1 million reported in the
comparable quarter of 2013. The decrease was primarily attributable to
lower realized metal prices ($14.8 million) and lower sales volumes at
Neves-Corvo and Aguablanca ($10.0 million).
-- For the quarter ended March 31, 2014, sales of $149.9 million decreased
by $38.3 million from the first quarter of the prior year ($188.2
million) mainly due to lower realized metal prices and lower nickel and
copper sales than in the prior year first quarter. Increased zinc and
lead volumes were not enough to offset the decrease in nickel and copper
sales volumes.
-- Average London Metal Exchange ("LME") metal prices for copper, lead and
nickel for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 were lower (11%, 8% and 15%,
respectively) than that of the comparable quarter in the prior year,
while zinc prices remained flat.
-- Operating costs (excluding depreciation) of $100.2 million in the
current quarter were lower than the prior year comparative quarter
($113.5 million) primarily as a result of decreased sales volumes at
Neves-Corvo and Aguablanca, partially offset by increased sales volumes
at Zinkgruvan and unfavourable foreign exchange rates.
-- Net earnings of $13.3 million ($0.02 per share) for the three months
ended March 31, 2014 were $36.8 million lower than the $50.1 million
($0.09 per share) reported for corresponding quarter in the prior year.
Earnings were impacted by:
-- lower operating earnings primarily due to lower realized metal
prices and lower sales volumes ($25.0 million);
-- lower income from equity investment in Tenke Fungurume ($12.9
million); and
-- no contribution from insurance proceeds as compared to the $15.1
million in insurance proceeds for business interruption at the
Aguablanca mine received in the first quarter of 2013; partially
offset by
-- higher net tax recovery ($12.5 million), primarily as a result of
lower taxable income
-- Cash flow from operations for the current quarter was $27.5 million
compared to $45.8 million in the first quarter of 2013. The comparative
decrease in the cash flow is attributable to lower operating earnings in
the current quarter.
Financial Position and Financing
-- Net debt position at March 31, 2014 was $148.3 million compared to
$112.1 million at December 31, 2013.
-- The $36.2 million increase in net debt during the quarter was
attributable to investments in mineral properties, plant and equipment
of $92.4 million, primarily the development of the Eagle project,
partially offset by operating cash flows of $27.5 million, distributions
from Tenke of $16.7 million and $10.8 million reduction in restricted
funds.
-- The Company has corporate term and revolving debt facilities available
for borrowing up to $600 million. At March 31, 2014 the Company had
$262.3 million committed against these facilities, leaving debt capacity
of $337.7 million available for future drawdowns.
Outlook
2014 Production and Cost Guidance
-- 2014 production and cash cost guidance for wholly-owned operations
remains unchanged from that provided on February 20, 2014 in the
Company's annual MD&A. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.'s
("Freeport", or "FCX") forecast copper production at Tenke of 47,900
tonnes is down slightly from the 48,400 tonnes previously guided.
Tenke's full year cash cost is expected to be lower than guided earlier
(now $1.22/lb versus previous guidance of $1.28/lb of copper), largely
as a result of higher realized cobalt prices. Given its performance
year-to-date, Aguablanca's nickel and copper production are expected to
be at the top end of the guidance range. Aguablanca's production and
cash cost guidance will be re-assessed mid-year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(contained tonnes) Tonnes Cash Costs(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------
Wholly-owned 60,000 - 68,000
Tenke(@24%)(b) 47,900 $1.22/lb
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total attributable 107,900 - 115,900
Zinc Neves-Corvo 60,000 - 65,000
Zinkgruvan 75,000 - 80,000 $0.35/lb
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total 135,000 - 145,000
Lead Neves-Corvo 2,000 - 2,500
Zinkgruvan 27,000 - 30,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total 29,000 - 32,500
Nickel Aguablanca 6,000 - 7,000 $4.50/lb
Eagle 2,000 - 3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total 8,000 - 10,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Cash costs remain dependent upon exchange rates (forecast at
EUR/USD:1.35, USD/SEK:6.50) and metal prices (forecast at Cu: $3.15/lb,
Zn: $0.90/lb, Pb: $0.95/lb, Ni: $6.50/lb, Co: $12.00/lb). Prior
guidance forecast EUR/USD at 1.30, Zn at $0.87/lb and Pb at $1.00/lb.
(b) Freeport has provided updated 2014 sales and cash costs guidance.
Tenke's 2014 production is assumed to approximate Freeport's sales
guidance.
2014 Capital Expenditure Guidance
Capital expenditures for 2014 are expected to be $440 million (including Eagle,
but excluding Tenke), a $20 million reduction from previous guidance. Major
capital investments for 2014 are as follows:
-- Sustaining capital in European operations - $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 - $40 million (previous
guidance - $60 million), consisting of:
-- Lombador - $25 million (previous guidance - $44 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. Redesign
and optimization of development has allowed for a combination of
cost savings and the deferral of certain expenditures into 2015.
-- Neves-Corvo zinc plant debottlenecking and zinc expansion studies -
$5 million: For the installation of a zinc tailings recovery
circuit, zinc expansion feasibility studies and Santa Barbara
hoisting shaft capacity increase design work.
-- 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, to complete construction
of the Humboldt mill and Eagle mine.
-- New investment in Tenke - $50 million, estimated by the Company as its
share of the remaining Phase II expansion costs, 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.
The Company believes it is reasonable to expect Lundin's attributable
cash distributions from Tenke to be in the range of $100 to $130 million
in 2014, below previous guidance due to lower copper prices. Guidance
will be updated again at the end of the second quarter reflecting copper
price trends and expectations for the balance of the year.
2014 Exploration Guidance
-- Total exploration expenses for 2014 (excluding Tenke) are estimated to
be $35 million, $5 million less than prior guidance. These expenditures
will be principally directed towards underground and surface mine
exploration at Neves-Corvo, Zinkgruvan and Eagle, select greenfield
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
USA, 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 in the Risk and Uncertainties
section of 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.
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
Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024
