TECK Teck Resources Ltd

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Dated:  October 27, 2016

Commission File Number: 001-13184

TECK RESOURCES LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Suite 3300 – 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia  V6C 0B3

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F ____                                           Form 40-F    X   

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ____

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ____

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

 

 

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TECK REPORTS UNAUDITED THIRD QUARTER RESULTS FOR 2016

Vancouver, BC – Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TCK.A and TCK.B, NYSE: TCK) (“Teck”) reported profit attributable to shareholders of $234 million ($0.41 per share) and adjusted profit of $152 million ($0.26 per share) compared with $29 million ($0.05 per share) a year ago.

“Our operations have performed very well throughout the year, setting a number of quarterly and year-to-date production records while continuing to reduce costs,” said Don Lindsay, President and CEO. “As a result of the recent increase in steelmaking coal prices, we are generating a significant amount of additional cash which we have used to reduce our debt by repurchasing $1.0 billion of our outstanding notes.”

Highlights and Significant Items

—	Adjusted EBITDA was $830 million in the third quarter, more than double the $389 million recorded a year ago.

—	Gross profit before depreciation and amortization was $817 million in the third quarter compared with $670 million in the third quarter of 2015.

—	Cash flow from operations was $854 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared with $560 million a year ago.

—	In September and early October, we repurchased US$759 million (CAD$1.0 billion) face value debt in market transactions, recording a gain of approximately CAD$75 million. At October 26, our outstanding notes totaled US$6.1 billion, down from US$7.2 billion at September 30, 2015.

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Our liquidity remains strong at CAD$4.7 billion inclusive of approximately CAD$690 million in cash at October 26, 2016 and US$3.0 billion of undrawn, committed credit facilities. We now expect that we will exceed our original target and end the year with a cash balance of approximately CAD$1.0 billion after having retired CAD$1.0 billion of debt, which was not contemplated in our original guidance.

—	We set a number of quarterly and year-to-date sales and production records while reducing total costs in each of our business units.

 

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Reference:	Greg Waller, VP Investor Relations & Strategic Analysis	604.699.4014
	Marcia Smith, SVP Sustainability and External Affairs	604.699.4616

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We expect total steelmaking coal sales, including spot sales, to be at or above 6.5 million tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2016. Our average realized fourth quarter price for steelmaking coal is expected to be in our typical range, in percentage terms, relative to the US$200 per tonne benchmark price which has been reported for the highest quality steelmaking coal.

—	Construction of the Fort Hills oil sands project has surpassed 70% completion. Project execution is now effectively site-based, as the module program has been completed and substantially all the remaining construction components are now on-site.

—	The Red Dog concentrate shipping season is expected to be completed in the first week of November after a two week extension due to favourable ice conditions. We expect to ship approximately 1,075,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 220,000 tonnes of lead concentrate.

—	For the seventh straight year, we have been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI), indicating that our sustainability practices are in the top 10% of the 2,500 largest companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index.

 

 

This management’s discussion and analysis is dated as at October 26, 2016 and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Teck Resources Limited (“Teck”) and the notes thereto for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and with the audited consolidated financial statements of Teck and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2015. In this news release, unless the context otherwise dictates, a reference to “the company” or “us,” “we” or “our” refers to Teck and its subsidiaries. Additional information, including our annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2015, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

This document contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the cautionary language under the heading “CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION” below.

Overview

Prices for most of our principal products continued to improve in the third quarter and were higher than a year ago and during the second quarter of this year. Our steelmaking coal price realized in the third quarter (US$92 per tonne) reflects the quarterly benchmark price that was settled in late June as well as spot price sales in the third quarter. Since then, steelmaking coal prices on the spot market have risen sharply, exceeding US$200 per tonne from mid-September. The recent spike in steelmaking coal prices is due to a number of supply side factors including: production curtailments at seaborne supplier mines since the start of 2014 due to the low price environment, supply side reform in the Chinese domestic coal sector where mine operating days were reduced to 276 from 330 days and supply disruptions in Australia and China. The ability of suppliers to increase production to respond to demand is being hampered by the prolonged period of low pricing which resulted in cancelled or delayed projects and the shutdown or bankruptcy of a number of mines. We are encouraged by the improved commodity price environment, but remain cautious about how long the supply/demand imbalance will last.

We expect improved prices to provide additional profits and cash resources and have taken this opportunity to strengthen our balance sheet by repurchasing $1.0 billion of our debt in September and early October. On completion of this transaction, our debt to debt-plus-equity ratio has been reduced to 33% from 35%. We are focused on returning to an investment grade rating and may take the opportunity to purchase further debt from time to time.

Our operations continued to perform well with 11 of our 13 operations increasing production while decreasing unit costs compared with a year ago. In the third quarter, our steelmaking coal operations achieved record production of 7.0 million tonnes and Trail achieved record production of 83,700 tonnes of refined zinc. This reflects our continued drive for productivity efficiencies across our entire business and our highly focused cost reduction efforts.

Construction of the Fort Hills oil sands project continues to progress well with engineering and module fabrication essentially complete and overall construction progress surpassing 70% completion. The project is currently in its peak construction period with site activity above levels seen before the Fort McMurray wild fire. First oil is expected to be near the end of 2017, with 90% of the project’s gross planned production capacity of 180,000 barrels per day expected within 12 months of first oil.

Profit and Adjusted Profit ⁽¹⁾

Profit attributable to shareholders was $234 million, or $0.41 per share, in the third quarter compared with a loss of $2.1 billion or $3.73 per share in the same period last year. In the third quarter of 2015, we recorded asset and goodwill impairment charges on a number of our assets that totaled $2.2 billion on an after-tax basis ($2.9 billion on a pre-tax basis).

Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders, after adjusting for the items identified in the table below, was $152 million, or $0.26 per share, in the third quarter compared with $29 million or $0.05 per share in the same period last year. The most significant of these adjustments relates to a gain on the repurchase of our debt at below face value and the positive revaluation of our call options on our most recently issued debt. The revaluation of the call options was a result of the decline of both interest rates and our own credit spread since the debt was issued. The value of the options represents the value of interest savings we would realize if we called the options on September 30, 2016 and reissued debt at current rates.

Note:

1)	Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further information.

In addition to the items described above, our results include various gains and losses due to changes in market prices and rates in respect of pricing adjustments, commodity derivatives, share based compensation and changes in the discounted value of decommissioning and restoration costs of closed mines. Taken together, these items resulted in a $41 million after-tax charge ($52 million before tax) in the third quarter, or $0.07 per share. We do not adjust our reported profit for these items as they occur on a regular basis.

 

Notes:

1)	Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further information.

2)

We include 100% of production and sales from our Highland Valley Copper, Quebrada Blanca and Carmen de Andacollo mines in our production and sales volumes, even though we own 97.5% (100% as of July 5, 2016), 76.5% and 90%, respectively, of these operations, because we fully consolidate their results in our financial statements. We include 22.5% of production and sales from Antamina, representing our proportionate equity interest in Antamina.

3)	Includes 6,000 tonnes of pre-commercial production and sales volumes for Pend Oreille in the first quarter of 2015.

 

Note:

1)	Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further information.

Performance

Gross profit from our steelmaking coal business unit before depreciation and amortization increased by $108 million in the third quarter compared with a year ago (see table below). Higher realized steelmaking coal prices and sales volumes in combination with lower unit costs and diesel prices all contributed to improved performance.

Third quarter production of 7.0 million tonnes of steelmaking coal is a quarterly record for the business unit. Year-to-date production of 20.3 million tonnes also represents an all-time record for the first nine months of a calendar year, beating the previous nine month record by more than 400,000 tonnes. Third quarter production was also 27% higher than the same period a year ago, however, production last year was affected by our decision to shut down each operation for three weeks due to weak market conditions at the time.

Sales volumes of 7.3 million tonnes were 18% higher than the same period a year ago and represent the second highest quarterly sales in our history. This strong performance resulted from a combination of tightness in supply, robust demand in all market areas and excellent performance in the logistics chain.

The table below summarizes the gross profit changes, before depreciation and amortization, in our steelmaking coal business unit for the quarter:

Note:

1)	A write-down of inventory values in the third quarter of 2015 reduced profitability in the comparative period.

Property, plant and equipment expenditures totaled $25 million in the third quarter. Capitalized stripping costs were $43 million in the third quarter compared with $84 million a year ago. We are continuing to strip at all operations based on their respective mine plans, however, as a result of the sequencing at Fording River and Elkview this quarter, we mined in lower strip ratio areas at both sites and therefore capitalized a lower amount of costs. The effect of concurrent lower strip ratio sequences at our two largest mines, in combination with lower mining costs compared with a year ago at all sites, resulted in the reduction.

Markets

Our realized price of US$92 per tonne was very close to the benchmark price of US$92.50 per tonne for the quarter as the increase in spot price assessments was reflected in our spot priced sales.

Sales are generally recognized upon shipment and there is typically a four to six week lag between the time that a sales agreement is reached and when the shipment actually occurs. Therefore, quarterly sales and pricing reflect a mix of quarterly contract sales, current quarter spot sales, and previous quarter spot sales, across our steelmaking coal product mix. With the increase in price in the third quarter substantially commencing in mid-August and spot prices exceeding US$200 in mid-September, third quarter realized pricing was not significantly different from the quarterly contract price. The higher spot and contract prices will be reflected gradually in fourth quarter pricing.

Steelmaking coal prices for the fourth quarter of 2016 have been agreed with the majority of our quarterly priced customers based on US$200 per tonne for the highest quality products. This is consistent with prices reportedly achieved by our competitors. This price has increased by US$107.50 per tonne from the reported third quarter settlement of US$92.50 per tonne and spot price assessments currently exceed the benchmark level by more than 20%. Additional sales priced on a spot basis will reflect market conditions at the time sales are concluded.

Tightness in supply has driven prices up rapidly. This situation is the result of numerous factors including:

—	the implementation of production curtailments since 2014, which have depleted global production capacity and inventories,

—	a reduction in Chinese domestic production resulting from the implementation of their 276 day operating policy for steelmaking coal mines in combination with a number of weather related production impacts,

—	production disruptions at key Australian mines resulting in force majeure declarations, and

—	increased seaborne demand from China and the rest of the world.

While we cannot predict how long supply tightness will last, additional supply, beyond what we expect to materialize when Australian mines work through their disruptions, will take some time to come online. Mines will need to find people, equipment and capital before production enters the market.

Our operations are well positioned to respond to this market opportunity. We continue to drive productivity and cost discipline across our business and we are well prepared for various market scenarios in the future.

Operations

Our Elkview and Line Creek Operations each set new all-time quarterly and year-to-date records.

Unit cash production costs at the mines were 10% lower this quarter than in the third quarter of 2015 as a result of significantly increased production rates, the impacts of initiatives undertaken to improve productivity and lower energy prices.

Our continuous improvement initiatives continue to deliver significant results and our 2016 focus on capturing cost efficiencies in maintenance and supply have been particularly successful. In addition to these areas, we remain focused on making further improvements in equipment and labour productivity while, where possible, reducing the quantity of contractor support and consumables used. However, a number of factors have partially offset the impact of these efforts, including the effect of the stronger U.S. dollar on some inputs.

In the third quarter of 2016, we continued to experience the positive effects of lower diesel prices compared with a year ago, although they have increased relative to the first half of 2016. Combined with reduced usage from a number of our cost reduction initiatives and slightly shorter haul distances, diesel costs per tonne produced have decreased by 11% compared to the third quarter of 2015.

Our West Line Creek active water treatment facility is operating consistent with design parameters and in compliance with permit limits. We are currently investigating an issue regarding selenium compounds in effluent. Work is ongoing to assess the potential implications of this issue, and if associated environmental impacts are identified, modifications to operating parameters or facilities may be required. The cost of modifications may be material, and permitting of future mine expansions and construction of additional water treatment facilities may be delayed while we determine the significance of the issue and how to address it.

 

 

Notes:

1)	Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further information.

2)	Does not include capitalized stripping or capital expenditures.

Our total cost of sales for the quarter also included an $11 per tonne charge for the amortization of capitalized stripping costs and $12 per tonne for other depreciation. In U.S. dollar terms, unit costs have been reduced to $33 per tonne, $1 per tonne lower than a year ago due to reductions in site cost of sales as shown in the Canadian dollar unit cost table and the change in exchange rates.

Steelmaking Coal Projects

During the third quarter, our Elkview Operation was granted an environmental assessment certificate for the Baldy Ridge Extension project.

The original capital estimate for this project as submitted in the environmental assessment application was $600 million over five years. Since the submission late last year, additional optimization work has resulted in a significantly less capital intensive plan and the spending over the next five years is currently estimated to be approximately $60 million versus the original capital estimate included in the submission filed late last year.

The reduction in the estimated five year capital requirement for the Baldy Ridge Extension project relates primarily to resequencing the mine plan to defer the movement of critical site infrastructure including the maintenance shop, warehouse and offices to a point later in the mine life. Additionally, while new raw steelmaking coal conveyance infrastructure was contemplated in the original submission, detailed engineering work completed post submission has determined that the existing infrastructure will be adequate after a relatively low cost refurbishment program is completed. The capital to execute this project will be included within our 2017 and subsequent years’ capital guidance, which will be issued along with our fourth quarter release.

First steelmaking coal production from the mining areas at Elkview, which are included within the environmental assessment certificate area, is planned for early 2018.

Also during the third quarter, Neptune Bulk Terminals received the final permit required for execution of the project to expand steelmaking coal throughput capacity . Work is now underway to update engineering, which was previously put on hold in 2013, to determine potential throughput capacity and inform a development decision. If sanctioned, the project is currently scheduled to be completed by early 2020.

Outlook

We are expecting sales volumes in the fourth quarter of 2016 to exceed 6.5 million tonnes. Vessel nominations for quarterly contract shipments are determined by customers and final sales and average prices for the quarter will depend on product mix, market direction for spot priced sales, timely arrival of vessels, as well as the performance of the rail transportation network and port-loading facilities.

As a result of record third quarter and year-to-date production performance from the business unit, we now expect our production for the year to be between 27 and 27.5 million tonnes.

With margins at current levels, we expect unit costs to increase in the fourth quarter as we focus on maximizing production and profitability, which will include increasing our use of contractors and higher cost equipment. We may also incur some one-time costs if we settle collective bargaining agreements. If these collective agreements are settled in the fourth quarter as a result of one-time costs, we would expect our annual cost of sales to be at the top end of the guidance range of $42 to $46 per tonne.

Performance

Gross profit before depreciation and amortization from our copper business unit decreased by $25 million in the third quarter compared with a year ago (see table below). This was primarily due to lower realized copper prices and sales volumes, which more than offset positive effects of our cost reduction efforts.

Third quarter copper production decreased by 10% from a year ago primarily due to reduced production from Highland Valley Copper as a result of lower ore grades, which was anticipated in the mine plan. This was partly offset by production increases at Quebrada Blanca and Carmen de Andacollo. Despite the lower production levels, our cash unit costs, after by-product margins, declined by 7% to US$1.34 per pound compared with a year ago as a result of continued cost reduction efforts at all of our operations.

The table below summarizes the changes in gross profit, before depreciation and amortization, in our copper business unit for the quarter:

Note:

1)	A write-down of inventory values in the third quarter of 2015 reduced profitability in the comparative period.

Property, plant and equipment expenditures totaled $46 million, including $26 million for sustaining capital and $17 million for new mine development related to the Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project. Capitalized stripping costs were $34 million in the third quarter, lower than $51 million a year ago, with the reduction primarily due to mining currently taking place in the lower strip ratio areas and to significantly lower costs at Highland Valley Copper.

Markets

LME copper prices averaged US$2.16 per pound in the third quarter of 2016, up 1% from last quarter, but down 9.3% from the third quarter a year ago. Copper prices came under pressure in late August and early September, falling to just below US$2.10 per pound before recovering to just below $2.20 per pound by the end of the quarter. Copper prices year-to-date have averaged US$2.14 in 2016 versus US$2.58 in the same period in 2015.

Total reported exchange stocks rose 137,650 tonnes during the quarter to 0.5 million tonnes. Total reported global copper exchange stocks are now estimated to be 8 days of global consumption, well below the estimated 25 year average of 12 days of global consumption. Availability of copper scrap remains constrained with imports of scrap into China down an estimated 8%.

Copper consumption continues to rise at better than projected rates, although still lower than in 2015. Chinese demand growth is projected by Wood Mackenzie to reach 3% this year and slightly below that in 2017. Stronger than expected construction and automotive growth have offset manufacturing declines. Demand growth this quarter in both the U.S. and Europe was above previous forecasts on better automotive sales, while a stronger U.S. dollar has had an impact on U.S. manufacturing exports. Longer term, we believe that government commitments to improving and repairing aging infrastructure in Europe and North America along with China’s aggressive targets on electric vehicle market penetration should be positive for copper demand going forward.

Global market fundamentals over the medium to long-term remain positive as current low prices and weak margins continue to constrain new production growth and cap future copper mining investments.  

Operations

Highland Valley Copper

We increased our interest in Highland Valley Copper in the quarter, acquiring the remaining 2.5% interest in the mine for $33 million. We now have a 100% interest in the mine.

Copper production was 27,300 tonnes in the third quarter or 32% lower than a year ago, due to lower copper grades and lower recoveries. Mill throughput was higher than a year ago due to reduced volumes of harder Valley pit ore and an increasing volume of softer, but lower grade, Lornex pit ore as planned. The transition to more Lornex ores will accelerate during the final quarter of the year as the current high grade phase of the Valley pit was exhausted in the third quarter. As previously disclosed, copper production is expected to be lower than normal over the next 18 months as we mine lower-grade phases of the pits before gradually recovering in 2018 and 2019. Molybdenum production in the third quarter of 1.4 million pounds doubled compared with a year ago as a result of higher grades.

Operating cost of sales in the third quarter declined by $26 million, or 20%, compared with the same period a year ago as a result of significant cost reduction efforts and lower diesel and consumable costs.

 

Our labour agreement at Highland Valley Copper expired at the end of the third quarter, and negotiations are ongoing.

Antamina

Copper production in the third quarter of 104,900 tonnes decreased by 3% compared with a year ago primarily as a result of lower grade and mill throughput, offset by improved recoveries. The mix of mill feed in the quarter was 73% copper-only ore and 27% copper-zinc ore compared to 57% and 43%, respectively, in the same period a year ago. Zinc production of 54,200 tonnes in the third quarter decreased by 18,400 tonnes compared with a year ago due to the reduction in copper-zinc ore processed, partially offset by higher zinc grades and recoveries.

Mill throughput in the third quarter decreased by 5% compared with a year ago to 13.5 million tonnes, or an average of 147,000 tonnes per day due to ore hardness. Operating cost of sales in the third quarter were the same as a year ago, despite higher sales volumes in the quarter. We continue to make good progress on cost savings and productivity initiatives and overall site production costs in the quarter were lower than a year ago.

Quebrada Blanca

Copper production in the third quarter increased by 2,500 tonnes to 8,600 tonnes compared with a year ago when production was temporarily suspended to address geotechnical issues.

Operating costs in the third quarter were $40 million lower than a year ago as a result of lower supply costs, reduced material movement and our continued cost reduction efforts. In addition, higher operating costs arising out of geotechnical issues resulted in inventory write-downs of $31 million in the comparable quarter last year.

Depreciation and amortization charges increased by $49 million in the third quarter compared with a year ago as a result of uncertainty regarding the mine life of the supergene deposit. On a year-to-date basis, depreciation and amortization expenses are $73 million higher compared to 2015.

During the quarter we received our updated environmental permits for the existing facilities of the supergene operation. Work is continuing on optimizing the mine plan based on the lower operating cost profile and current copper price. Opportunities to recover additional copper from previously processed material continue to be evaluated.

Carmen de Andacollo

Copper production in the second quarter increased by 12% compared with a year ago primarily as a result of increased throughput due to deferral of major plant maintenance to later in the year and a focus on improving operational efficiency in the flotation circuit.

Unit operating cost of sales in the third quarter decreased by 26% compared with a year ago primarily as a result of lower costs as described below. Overall site production costs have been reduced by US$23 million on a year-to-date basis compared to last year due to lower costs for operating supplies, reduced contractor costs and numerous other cost reduction initiatives. This was despite a 4% increase in throughput.

 

Cost of Sales

Unit cash costs of product sold in the third quarter of 2016 as reported in U.S. dollars, before cash margins for by-products, were US$1.59 per pound compared with US$1.65 per pound in the same period a year ago. Total operating costs have been reduced substantially at all sites, however, the favourable effects of our cost reduction efforts were partly offset by lower production at Highland Valley Copper in the quarter as a result of mining and processing substantially lower grade material. Unit costs are anticipated to increase in the fourth quarter as production at Highland Valley Copper is expected to further decline.

Cash margin for by-products increased to US$0.25 per pound compared with US$0.21 per pound in the same period a year ago. This was primarily due to significantly higher sales volumes of molybdenum at Antamina and Highland Valley Copper. Compared to the first half of this year, the cash margin for by-products more than doubled due to higher zinc sales volumes at Antamina and the additional molybdenum. Despite significantly lower production in the third quarter, unit cash costs for copper, after cash margin for by-products, were similar to the second quarter of 2016 and 7% lower than the same period a year ago at US$1.34 per pound.

Notes:

1)	Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further information.

2)	By-products includes both by-products and co-products.

Copper Development Projects

Quebrada Blanca Phase 2

As part of the regulatory process, we submitted the Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) to the Region of Tarapacá Environmental Authority, consistent with the timing previously noted in the company’s second quarter 2016 release. A decision to proceed with development would be contingent upon regulatory approvals and market conditions, among other considerations. Given the timeline of the regulatory process, such a decision is not expected before mid-2018.

Project optimization work currently underway targets capital costs in the range of US$4.5 to US$5 billion with an initial mine life of 25 years, consistent with the capacity of the revised tailings facility that is located closer to the mine. This compares to the 2012 feasibility study estimate of US$5.6 billion. The initial 25-year mine life will target processing about 1.25 billion tonnes, which does not include approximately 840 million tonnes of measured and indicated resources and 2.2 billion tonnes of inferred resources in the current resource estimate for the Quebrada Blanca hypogene deposit. The updated feasibility study, including capital and

 

operating cost estimates and revised reserve and resource estimates for the project, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.

Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 is expected to have an annual production capacity of over 250,000 tonnes of copper and 8,000 tonnes of molybdenum in concentrate for the first ten years of mine life. On the basis of copper equivalent production of approximately 280,000 tonnes per year, this equates to a capital intensity of approximately US$16,000 to US$17,850 per annual tonne.

NuevaUnión (formerly Project Corridor)

During the quarter, we completed trade-off studies in advance of the pre-feasibility study which started in October this year. In combination with ongoing community consultations, environmental baseline studies are also commencing this quarter.

Other Copper Projects

During the third quarter, we reviewed the pre-feasibility study that was completed at the Zafranal copper-gold project located in southern Peru, in which we hold a 50% interest. We continued discussions with our partners as to the next steps to advance the project.

Outlook

We expect 2016 copper production to be near the high end of our current guidance range of 310,000 to 320,000 tonnes. Production is expected to further decline over the final quarter as previously announced, due to significantly lower grades at Highland Valley Copper.

Based on the continued strong cost performance in the third quarter and higher by-product revenues, we expect our full year copper unit costs, after by-products, to be near the lower end of our current range of US$1.40 to US$1.50 per pound. Unit costs are still expected to increase significantly in the final quarter due to reduced production levels at Highland Valley Copper.

Note:

1)	Represents production and sales from Red Dog and Pend Oreille, including 6,000 tonnes of pre-commercial production and sales volume for Pend Oreille in the first quarter of 2015. Excludes co-product zinc production from our copper business unit.

Performance

Gross profit before depreciation and amortization from our zinc business unit increased by $64 million compared to the third quarter of 2015 (see table below). Contributing to the increased gross profit were higher zinc and lead prices and our cost reduction efforts.

Zinc in concentrate production in the third quarter increased by 14% compared with a year ago primarily as a result of higher mill throughput at Red Dog. Refined zinc production at Trail set a quarterly record, rising by 8% compared to the same quarter a year ago due to better plant availability and operational improvements.

The table below summarizes the gross profit change, before depreciation and amortization, in our zinc business unit for the quarter.

Property, plant and equipment expenditures included $37 million for sustaining capital in the third quarter.

 

Markets

LME zinc prices averaged US$1.02 per pound in the third quarter of 2016, an increase of 21% from the same period a year ago, and an increase of 17% over the prior quarter. Zinc prices increased during the quarter from just below US$0.95 per pound early in the quarter to US$1.08 per pound at the end of the quarter. Zinc prices hit a five year high at US$1.09 per pound in early October.

 

Total reported zinc exchange stocks fell 51,600 tonnes during the quarter to 597,670 tonnes, and year-to-date exchange stocks are down 67,160 tonnes. Total global reported exchange stocks are estimated at 17 days of global consumption, down from the 25 year average of 23 days. Excess zinc metal stocks also continue to be drawn down from non-LME warehouses.

 

Demand for refined zinc in our key North American markets was firm in the third quarter with galvanized steel production up 2.8% according to CRU. Recent trade actions by the U.S. government against unfairly subsidized imports of coated steels from several countries including China, Italy and South Korea have resulted in a 21% reduction in imports of galvanized steel sheet into the U.S.

Stocks of zinc concentrates continued to decline during the quarter and are, we believe, close to critical levels as zinc mine closures are now impacting spot concentrate treatment charges. Tightness in the concentrate market is starting to limit refined production, putting pressure on the market to remove additional stocks of metal from the terminal market and other off-exchange stocks. Despite the increasing zinc price, Chinese mine production is down 6% or 205,000 tonnes to August 2016 compared with last year and imports of concentrates are down 41% to August, or 365,000 tonnes. At the same time, demand for refined metal remains strong with imports up 55% year-to-date in August or up 140,000 tonnes.

Operations

Red Dog

Zinc production in the third quarter was 14% higher than a year ago as a result of significantly higher mill throughput and slightly higher grades. Mill throughput was helped by softer ores being fed to the plant, as well as benefiting from operational improvements including higher plant availability. Lead production rose by 3% compared to a year ago primarily due to the higher throughput, partially offset by lower recoveries.

Zinc sales of 190,500 tonnes were 2% higher than the third quarter of 2015. Sales volumes in the third quarter were substantially higher than our original guidance of 150,000 tonnes. The higher volumes reflect accelerated consumption rates by smelters due to continued tightness in the concentrate market, which is reflected in spot treatment charges being significantly below benchmark terms.

Operating costs of $93 million in the third quarter were $11 million lower than in the same period a year ago primarily due to lower diesel costs. Capitalized stripping costs were $11 million in the third quarter, the same as a year ago.

Trail

Refined zinc production of 83,700 tonnes set a new quarterly production record, primarily due to higher plant availability resulting in additional zinc concentrate treatment. Refined lead production of 23,600 tonnes was 8% higher than a year ago. Increased lead production volumes in 2016 were a result of improved operating reliability and higher lead inputs in the feed mix compared to last year, which included a major maintenance shutdown on the lead furnace.

Operating costs in the third quarter of $95 million were 5% lower than a year ago as a result of cost reduction initiatives, despite higher treatment throughput volumes.

Sustaining capital expenditures in the quarter included $4 million each for the water treatment plant and acid plant and $9 million for various other small projects.

Pend Oreille

Mill throughput was 1,700 tonnes per day in the third quarter, similar to the second quarter. Zinc production during the quarter was 17% higher than the same period last year primarily due to increased mill throughput, higher ore grades and improved mill recoveries. Lead production was slightly higher at 1,600 tonnes.

In response to production challenges, we have undertaken extensive geological studies to improve our knowledge of the mineralization at Pend Oreille and its impact in mineral resources and reserves. We have concluded that mineral reserves in the new MX area, currently under development, are less than previously anticipated. We have developed a new mine plan for the operation through to early 2018, although there is still significant potential to extend the mine life to at least 2020. We have identified highly prospective areas in the currently producing East Mine area and plan to undertake a major exploration and drilling program in 2017.

Other Zinc Projects

On October 18, we announced the exercise of a right of first refusal to acquire the outstanding 49% interest in the Teena/Reward zinc project held by Rox Resources Limited for staged payments of up to AUD$20.6 million in cash and securities. Teena is located eight kilometers west of the MacArthur River Mine in the Northern Territory of Australia, which is one of the premier zinc provinces globally.

Outlook

The Red Dog concentrate shipping season is expected to be completed in the first week of November after extending the season by two weeks due to favourable ice conditions. We expect to ship approximately 1,075,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 220,000 tonnes of lead concentrate. This represents all of Red Dog’s concentrates available to be shipped from the operation. We expect sales of 180,000 tonnes of zinc contained in concentrate in the fourth quarter reflecting the normal seasonal pattern of Red Dog sales.

We expect 2016 zinc production to be near the high end of our current guidance range of 645,000 to 665,000 tonnes. As disclosed in the previous quarter results, Red Dog production is expected to be lower in the fourth quarter due to lower grades and a planned maintenance shutdown.

ENERGY BUSINESS UNIT

Fort Hills Project

The Fort Hills project is currently in its peak construction period with site activity above levels seen before the Fort McMurray wild fire. Suncor, the operator of the project, expects to be in a position to provide a project cost and schedule update around year end. This update will incorporate the effects of the wild fire, progress on module installation, foreign exchange and labour productivity through peak construction activities.

In the third quarter, our share of capital expenditures was $254 million. Our share of Fort Hills cash expenditures in 2016 is estimated at $960 million, of which approximately $700 million has been spent to September 30, 2016.

Engineering and module fabrication are essentially complete and overall construction progress has surpassed 70%. First oil is expected to be near the end of 2017, with 90% of Fort Hills gross planned production capacity of 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) expected within 12 months of first oil. Our share of production is expected to be 36,000 bpd (13 million barrels per year) of high-quality bitumen.

The Fort Hills partners have executed long-term pipeline transportation agreements for the delivery of diluent from Edmonton to Fort Hills, and blended bitumen to Hardisty from Fort Hills. Each Fort Hills partner will be responsible to meet its diluent blend requirements, and to transport and sell its share of diluted bitumen to the market. The development of our comprehensive diluent acquisition and blended bitumen sales strategies is ongoing and we continue to review options to sell diluted bitumen into the North American and overseas markets. In support of our diverse market access strategy we have contracted for 425,000 barrels of terminal storage at Hardisty. We will provide an update to our marketing plans mid-2017.

Frontier Energy Project

The Frontier project regulatory application review continues with the appointed three member Frontier hearing panel reviewing available information on the Frontier Project. The panel chair announced a 60-day comment period, from August 17 to October 17, for interested parties to comment on the sufficiency of information we filed to support our application. The regulatory review process is expected to continue through 2016, making 2017 the earliest a federal decision statement is expected for Frontier. Our expenditures on Frontier are limited to supporting this process. We are evaluating the future project schedule and development options as part of our ongoing capital review and prioritization process in response to current market conditions.

Wintering Hills Wind Power Facility

During the third quarter, our share of the power generation from Wintering Hills was 25 GWhs, resulting in 16,000 tonnes of CO ₂ equivalent offsets. Our share of expected power generation in 2016 is 135 GWhs, resulting in approximately 85,000 tonnes of CO ₂ equivalent offsets, although actual generation will depend on weather conditions and other factors.

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES

Other operating expenses, net of other income, were $81 million in the third quarter compared with $174 million a year ago. We recorded various non-cash gains and losses due to changes in market prices and rates in respect of pricing adjustments, commodity derivatives, stock based compensation and the discounted value of decommissioning and restoration provisions for closed mines, which totaled $52 million net charge on a pre-tax basis ($41 million after-tax). Pricing adjustments in the third quarter included positive pricing adjustments on zinc and copper of $20 million and $5 million, respectively.

The table below outlines our outstanding receivable positions, provisionally valued at June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016.

Finance expense was $89 million in the third quarter, $10 million higher than a year ago. Debt interest expense increased due to the effect of higher interest rates on recently issued debt, which was offset by increased capitalized interest. We expect our interest expense to decrease by approximately US$43 million in 2017 as a result of the US$759 million of notes we repurchased in September and early October. In addition, fees for letters of credit increased by $15 million. See the discussion below for further information regarding our letters of credit.

Non-operating income in the third quarter totaled $131 million compared with a $44 million non-operating expense in the same period last year. We recorded a $98 million pre-tax gain on the revaluation of our call options on our most recently issued debt as interest rates and our own credit spread have declined significantly since issuance. In addition, we realized a pre-tax gain of $49 million on the repurchase of our debt below face value in the quarter.

Income and resource taxes for the third quarter were $119 million, or 34% of pre-tax profits. This rate is higher than the Canadian statutory rate of 26% as a result of resource taxes and higher rates in foreign jurisdictions. These were partially reduced by the lower effective tax rate on the gain on debt purchases. Due to available tax pools, we are currently shielded from cash income taxes, but not resource taxes in Canada. We remain subject to cash taxes in foreign jurisdictions.

Notes:

1)	Translated at period end exchange rates.

2)	Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further information.

3)	Our revolving credit facility requires us to maintain a debt to debt-plus-equity ratio not greater than 50%.

In just over a year, we have retired US$1.06 billion of our term notes, including US$300 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, US$334 million in the third quarter of 2016 and a further US$425 million subsequent to September 30, 2016, such that the principal balance of our term notes is now US$6.14 billion. After giving effect to our debt purchases subsequent to September, our debt to debt-plus-equity ratio at September 30, 2016 would have been 33% compared to 34% as reported in the table above.

Our committed credit facilities are our US$3.0 billion revolving credit facility and US$1.2 billion revolving credit facility. US$200 million of our US$1.2 billion revolving credit facility matures in June 2017 and the remaining US$1.0 billion matures in June 2019.

As at September 30, there were no amounts outstanding under the US$3.0 billion facility and there were US$975 million of letters of credit outstanding under the US$1.2 billion facility. Of those letters of credit, an aggregate of US$672 million were issued in respect of long-term power purchase agreements for the Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project. The remainder relates to certain pipeline and storage agreements for our Fort Hills project and reclamation obligations for our Red Dog mine.

We also maintain an aggregate of US$1.62 billion of uncommitted bilateral credit facilities with various banks and with Export Development Canada for the issuance of letters of credit, primarily to support our future reclamation obligations. At September 30, 2016, there were US$1.53 billion of letters of credit outstanding under these other facilities. We may be required

to post additional security in respect of reclamation at our sites in future periods as regulatory requirements change and closure plans are updated.

Operating Cash Flow

Cash flow from operations was $854 million in the third quarter compared with $560 million a year ago with the increase primarily due to higher commodity prices and partly due to our cost reduction efforts.

Changes in working capital items resulted in a source of cash of $54 million in the third quarter compared with $259 million a year ago. Typically in the third quarter of each year, working capital decreases primarily due to the seasonal drawdown of product inventories at Red Dog. The working capital drawdown last year was unusually high due to the downward revaluation of accounts receivable at quarter end resulting from the $141 million of negative pricing adjustments recorded in the period.

Financing Activities

In September and early October, we purchased US$759 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding notes through private and open market purchases at a total cost of US$693 million, which was funded from cash on hand.

The principal amount of notes purchased was US$80 million of 3.75% notes due 2023, US$91 million of 6.125% notes due 2035, US$159 million of 6.00% notes due 2040, US$205 million of 6.25% notes due 2041, US$101 million of 5.20% notes due 2042, and US$123 million of 5.40% notes due 2043. The purchases are discussed further in Note 6(a) to our financial statements.

Investing Activities

Expenditures on property, plant and equipment were $376 million in the third quarter, compared to $349 million a year ago. Included in the spending was $254 million for the Fort Hills oil sands project, $81 million on sustaining capital, $17 million for Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 and $16 million on major enhancement projects. The largest components of sustaining expenditures were $17 million at Trail, $20 million at Red Dog and $16 million at Antamina.

Capitalized stripping expenditures were $88 million in the third quarter compared with $146 million a year ago, as mining at some of our key operations was taking place in lower strip ratio areas resulting in lower costs being capitalized. In addition, the effect of our lower unit costs also resulted in less costs being capitalized. We are continuing to strip at all our operations based on their respective mine plans and the majority of this constitutes the advancement of pits for future production at our steelmaking coal mines.

The table below summarizes our year-to-date capital spending for 2016:

OUTLOOK

Prices for steelmaking coal have improved dramatically and are contributing significant additional revenues and cash flows. While we expect these to continue into the first quarter of 2017, steelmaking coal prices may decline in 2017. Commodity markets have historically been volatile, prices can change rapidly and customers can alter shipment plans. This can have a substantial effect on our business. We are also significantly affected by foreign exchange rates. In the last nine months, the U.S. dollar average has strengthened by approximately 5% against the Canadian dollar. This has had a positive effect on the profitability of our Canadian operations and translation of profits from our foreign operations. It will, to a lesser extent, put upward pressure on the portion of our operating costs and capital spending that is denominated in U.S. dollars.

Our labour agreement at Highland Valley Copper expired at the end of the third quarter, and negotiations will continue in the fourth quarter. Labour agreements at Elkview and Fording River have also expired and negotiations are ongoing.

Foreign Exchange and Debt Revaluation

The sales of our products are denominated in U.S. dollars, while a significant portion of our expenses are incurred in local currencies, particularly the Canadian dollar and the Chilean peso. Foreign exchange fluctuations can have a significant effect on our operating margins, unless such fluctuations are offset by related changes to commodity prices.

Our U.S. dollar denominated debt is subject to revaluation based on changes in the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate. As at September 30, 2016, $5.3 billion of our U.S. dollar denominated debt is designated as a hedge against our foreign operations that have a U.S. dollar functional currency. As a result, any foreign exchange gains or losses arising on that amount of our U.S. dollar debt are recorded in other comprehensive income, with the remainder being charged to profit.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND DERIVATIVES

We hold a number of financial instruments and derivatives which are recorded on our balance sheet at fair value with gains and losses in each period included in other comprehensive income and profit for the period as appropriate. The most significant of these instruments are marketable securities, metal-related forward contracts including those embedded in our silver and gold streaming agreements, and settlements receivable and payable, and prepayment rights on certain long-term debt notes. Some of our gains and losses on metal-related financial instruments are affected by smelter price participation and are taken into account in determining royalties and other expenses. All are subject to varying rates of taxation depending on their nature and jurisdiction.

Note:

1)	Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for further information.

OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA

As at October 26, 2016 there were 567.1 million Class B subordinate voting shares and 9.4 million Class A common shares outstanding. In addition, there were 23.3 million director and employee stock options outstanding with exercise prices ranging between $4.15 and $58.80 per share. More information on these instruments and the terms of their conversion is set out in Note 22 of our 2015 audited financial statements.

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

In preparing consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses across all reportable segments. Management makes estimates that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our estimates are based on historical experience and other factors we consider to be reasonable, including expectations of future events. Critical accounting estimates are those that could affect the consolidated financial statements materially, are highly uncertain and where changes are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Our critical accounting estimates that have a risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next year include the recoverable amounts of long-lived assets, fair value of embedded derivatives associated with streaming transactions, estimated recoverable reserves and resources and the valuation of other assets and liabilities such as decommissioning and restoration provisions and the accounting for income taxes. These critical accounting estimates are consistent with those outlined in more detail in our 2015 annual consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis.