Lundin Mining Corporation(�Lundin Mining� or the �Company�) today
reported net income of $71.2 million ($0.12 per share) for the first quarter of
2011, an increase of $19.3 million from the $51.9 million ($0.09 per share)[1] for the first quarter of 2010.
Mr. Phil Wright, President and CEO commented,
�Production for the quarter was in-line with guidance and our production
outlook for the year is unchanged. It should be noted however, that the
production has come at a higher cost owing to lower than expected average
head-grade at Neves-Corvo and milling difficulties
caused by wet weather in January. Caution also needs to be exercised on cost
outlook given the on-going weakness of the US dollar.
�Given the strong copper price, the increase in
net income is less than we would have liked and has been affected by suspension
of operations at Aguablanca and by shipping
disruptions at quarter end resulting in sales tonnages being well below
production for the quarter.
�On the Tenke front, we are
pleased with receipt of the Presidential Decree that formalizes the conclusion
of the contract review process by the DRC government. This now clears the
way for consideration of further development of this outstanding asset,� Mr.
Wright said.
Commenting on developments on the corporate front, Mr.
Wright said, �This has been an eventful period resulting in an active review of
alternatives to bring value to Lundin Mining
shareholders while at the same time focusing on keeping our mines operating
safely and efficiently and delivering on our production targets.
�The review process is well underway and we will keep
the market informed of any material developments�, Mr. Wright said.
As has previously been announced, the Company is
currently undertaking a strategic review of alternatives to maximize value for
shareholders. This may or may not result in a corporate transaction and there
are no assurances that any proposed transaction resulting from the review
process will be completed.
Summary of financial results for the quarter are as
follows:
|
|
US $ millions (except per
share amounts)
|
|
Three Months Ended March 311
|
|
|
|
2011
|
2010
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
211.5
|
141.7
|
|
|
Operating earnings2
|
|
113.6
|
65.8
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
71.2
|
51.9
|
|
|
Basic & diluted
income per share
|
|
0.12
|
0.09
|
|
|
Cash flow from operations
|
|
129.3
|
88.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[1]The prior year comparative figures have been restated
in accordance with the transition to IFRS.
[2]Operating earnings is a non-IFRS measure defined as
sales, less operating costs and general and administration costs.
Highlights
Operational and Financial Highlights
- Production was in-line with
guidance: Neves-Corvo copper metal production
was in-line with annual market guidance despite lower average head-grade
and milling difficulties with wet weather in January; Zinkgruvan
is achieving higher throughput with the commissioning of the daylight
ramp, albeit costs are elevated as efforts are now made to reduce waste
material stored underground (resulting from ore pass failures in 2010); Galmoy is ahead of expectations on higher throughput
and grade.Copper, zinc and lead production was
above the comparable quarter of the prior year owing to: low copper
production as a result of industrial action at Neves-Corvo
in 2010; higher throughput at Zinkgruvan; and
recommencement of mining of remnant zinc/lead high-grade ore at Galmoy. There has been no nickel production from Aguablanca since suspension of mining activities in
December 2010.
Total production was as follows:
|
Wholly-owned operations (tonnes)
|
Q1
2011
|
FY
2010
|
Q4
2010
|
Q3
2010
|
Q2
2010
|
Q1
2010
|
|
Copper
|
19,139
|
80,035
|
24,908
|
20,509
|
21,774
|
12,844
|
|
Zinc
|
28,197
|
90,129
|
23,482
|
22,571
|
24,458
|
19,618
|
|
Lead
|
11,413
|
39,568
|
9,470
|
10,902
|
10,953
|
8,243
|
|
Nickel
|
-
|
6,296
|
1,062
|
1,363
|
1,715
|
2,156
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tenke attributable
(24.75%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper
|
7,508
|
29,767
|
7,908
|
7,701
|
7,038
|
7,120
|
|
Cobalt
|
691
|
2,283
|
723
|
599
|
409
|
552
|
- Operating earnings[1] increased by $47.8 million from $65.8 million
in the first quarter of 2010 to $113.6 million in the first quarter of
2011. Higher sales volumes ($35.2 million effect) and favourable
price and price adjustments ($54.4 million effect) were partially offset
by suspension of production at Aguablanca ($32.4
million effect), higher costs ($7.2 million effect) and exchange rates
($2.2 million effect). Sales tonnage for the quarter was less than
production tonnage owing to shipping delays resulting from heavy ice in
the Baltic and other scheduling issues. Quarter-end inventories are
above normal and should result in higher sales and earnings in Q2 2011.Of
the higher costs incurred ($7.2 million operating earnings effect), $4.8
million relates to costs associated with the planned merger with Inmet Mining Corporation (�Inmet�)
and the unsolicited take-over bid from Equinox Minerals Limited
(�Equinox�).
- Sales for the quarter were
$211.5 million compared $141.7 million for the first quarter of
2010. Higher sales volume from Neves-Corvo,
Zinkgruvan and Galmoy
($61.9 million effect) and price improvements and price adjustments ($54.4
million effect) were partially offset by the fall in sales from Aguablanca ($46.5 million effect) where operations
were suspended in December 2010. The average copper price was 33% higher
than the same quarter in 2010, with lead up 17% and zinc up 5%.
- Net income of $71.2 million
($0.12 per share) was $19.3 million ahead of the $51.9 million($0.09 per
share) for the first quarter of 2010. The increase is a result of:
- higher operating earnings of $47.8 million. This
amount is after accounting for an operating loss of $7.4 million at Aguablanca, following suspension of operations in
December 2010, compared to an operating profit of $25.0 million in the
prior corresponding period, a reduction of $32.4 million; and
- an increase in equity earnings from Tenke
of $10.4 million. Offsetting the improved operating earnings was:
- a difference in the foreign exchange gain/loss of $24.7
million; and - a reduction of $13.3 million in mark to market
gains on marketable securities.
The effect of non-recurring items is shown below:
|
US $ millions (except per
share amounts)
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31
|
|
|
|
2010
|
2009
|
|
Reported Net Income
|
|
71.2
|
51.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange
|
|
16.1
|
(8.6)
|
|
Corporate development
(Inmet/Equinox)
|
|
4.8
|
-
|
|
Mark-to-market of
securities
|
|
(2.2)
|
(15.7)
|
|
Loss on derivative contracts
|
|
-
|
0.5
|
|
Tax on above items
|
|
(5.7)
|
4.6
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Adjusted Net Income
|
|
84.2
|
32.7
|
|
Basic & diluted
adjusted income per share
|
|
$0.14
|
$0.06
|
[1]Operating earnings is a Non-IFRS measure defined as
sales, less operating costs and general and administration costs.
- Cash flow from operations for
the current quarter was $129.3 million, compared to $88.4 million for the
corresponding period in 2010. The increase relates mainly to:
higher operating earnings and changes in working capital associated with
higher collection of receivables, offset by the cash outflows at Aguablanca during the quarter of $17.2 million related
to operating costs and working capital movements during the quarter while
operations are suspended. Q1 2010 included a payment of $20.4
million to settle derivative contracts in 2010.Cash flow from operations
does not include cash flow related to Tenke
which is referred to on page 4.
- A review of Aguablanca
has concluded that full operations are likely to restart around mid-2012
with waste removal likely to commence later this quarter (see also news
release dated March 16, 2011 entitled �Lundin
Mining Provides Update on Aguablanca Mine�).
- The Company has prepared its
March 31, 2011 interim consolidated financial statements in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards (�IFRS�), as issued by
the International Accounting Standards Board, with an effective transition
date of January 1, 2010. Adoption of IFRS has not had a material
impact on the Company�s financial position, operations and business
decisions.
Tenke Fungurume
- On April 18, 2011, Lundin Mining announced that the government of the
Democratic Republic of Congo (�DRC�)has issued a Presidential Decree
approving the amendments to the Tenke Fungurume Mining SARL�s (�TFM�) mining contracts (see
news releases �Lundin Mining Corporation: Tenke Amended Contracts Receive Presidential Decree�
and �Lundin Announces Successful Completion of Tenke Fungurume Contract
Review Process� dated October 22, 2010).
- The Tenke
Fungurume mine is now running consistently above
design capacity and, with the procurement of more mine equipment and
changes to the mine plan, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
(�Freeport") is expecting annual copper production of 130,000 tonnes in 2011. For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, Tenke production was 30,336 tonnes
of copper; 26,965 tonnes of copper were sold at
an average realized price of $4.19 per pound.
- As at March 31, 2011, the
amount outstanding for the Excess Overrun Cost facility (�EOC facility�)
related to the Company�s proportionate share of the Phase I development at
Tenke was $70.6 million, a reduction of $37.8
million during the quarter. At present metal prices, it is
expected that the EOC will be repaid in the third quarter of 2011.
Attributable cash flow from Tenke,
including repayments of the EOC facility, was as follows:
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31
|
|
(US$ millions)
|
|
2011
|
2010
|
|
|
Cash advances to Tenke
|
|
(5.4)
|
(7.6)
|
|
|
Repayments on EOC facility
|
|
37.8
|
11.4
|
|
|
Attributable net cash flow
|
|
32.4
|
3.8
|
|
Corporate Highlights
- On January 12, 2011, Inmet and Lundin Mining
announced that they had entered into an arrangement agreement (the
�Arrangement Agreement�) to merge and create Symterra
Corporation.
- On February 28, 2011, Equinox
announced an unsolicited take-over bid for the shares for Lundin Mining. The bid offered Lundin
Mining shareholders consideration of either C$8.10 in cash or 1.2903
shares of Equinox for each Lundin Mining common
share, subject to maximum cash and share issue considerations.
- On March 20, 2011, the
Company�s Board of Directors unanimously recommended that Lundin Mining shareholders reject the unsolicited
offer from Equinox.
- The Company adopted a limited
duration Shareholder Rights Plan on March 29, 2011, expiring on May 31,
2011, to allow the Company�s Board of Directors sufficient time to
identify, develop and negotiate alternatives to maximize shareholder value
(see news release dated March 29, 2011 entitled �Lundin
Mining Adopts Shareholder Rights Plan And Commences Pursuit of Alternatives
to Maximize Shareholder Value�).
- On March 29, 2011, Lundin Mining and Inmet
Mining Corporation jointly announced the termination of the Arrangement
Agreement dated January 12, 2011 because a position could not be reached,
regarding the merger, that was likely to be supported by the shareholders
of both companies.
- On April 25, 2011, Equinox
announced the withdrawal of its offer to acquire the common shares of Lundin Mining.
- Lundin Mining
is undertaking a process to review strategic alternatives to maximize
shareholder value. There is no assurance that this process will result in
the sale of all or a part of the Company.
Financial
Position and Financing
- Net cash[1] at March 31, 2011 was $262.0 million compared to
$159.2 million at the end of 2010. The increase in net cash
during the period was primarily attributable to cash flow from operations
($129.3 million) and foreign exchange on cash balances ($14.2 million)
offset by: investment in mineral property, plant and equipment
($40.5 million) and Tenke funding obligations
($5.4 million). The Aguablanca mine consumed
$18.6 million of cash during the quarter, comprised of the current period
operational losses ($7.4 million) and a reduction in operating payables
and accruals of $21.4 million, offset by net collections of receivables in
the amount of $12.4 million.
- Cash on hand at March 31, 2011
was $293.8 million.
- As at May 9, 2011, cash on hand
is approximately $364.1 million.
[1]Net cash is a Non-IFRS measure defined as available
unrestricted cash less financial debt, including capital leases and other
debt-related obligations.
Outlook
2011
Production and Cost Guidance
- Production targets for 2011
remain unchanged from the guidance provided in the 2010 annual
Management�s Discussion and Analysis, except for C1 cost guidance at Neves-Corvo which has been increased from $1.30/lb to
$1.40/lb, and are as follows:
|
(contained tonnes)
|
|
Guidance
|
|
|
|
Tonnes
|
C1 Cost1, 2
|
|
Neves-Corvo
|
Cu
|
76,000
|
1.40
|
|
|
Zn
|
25,000
|
|
|
Zinkgruvan
|
Zn
|
78,000
|
0.15
|
|
|
Pb
|
38,000
|
|
|
|
Cu
|
3,400
|
|
|
Galmoy
|
Zn
|
17,000
|
|
|
(in ore)
|
Pb
|
6,000
|
|
|
Total: Wholly-owned operations
|
Cu
|
79,400
|
|
|
|
Zn
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
Pb
|
44,000
|
|
|
Tenke: 24.0% attributable share3
|
Cu
|
31,200
|
|
1
Cash costs remain dependent upon exchange rates (2011 �/USD: 1.30).
2
Cash cost is a Non-IFRS measure reflecting the sum of direct costs and
inventory changes less by-product credits.
3
Tenke�s attributable share has been reduced to 24.0%
from 24.75% after obtaining approval of the modifications to TFM�s bylaws.
- Neves-Corvo: As
previously reported, the zinc plant will be used to process low-grade
copper ore in the first six months of 2011 with zinc production starting
in Q3 2011 once the plant expansion is complete. C1 cost guidance has
increased to $1.40/lb of copper to reflect higher throughput at lower
grades.
- Zinkgruvan:
Copper production was on target for the first quarter and is expected to
reach annual guidance. C1 costs for the year are expected to remain in the
lowest-cost quartile with the reduction from prior years based on higher
by-product credits which now include copper credits.
- Aguablanca: An
assessment of alternatives for recommencement of mining operations indicates
that full operations are likely to restart around mid-2012. Reserves
represent approximately five years of production. The total investment
required from Q2 2011 to recommencement of full ore production at Aguablanca is estimated to be approximately �40
million (�25 million in 2011) representing all operating expenditures plus
an estimated �4 million capital expenditure. Operating expenditures
(waste removal; care and maintenance; and general and administration) will
be expensed as incurred. The payback period on the �40 million cash outlay
required to recommence production is expected to be within 18 months from
recommencement, with an expected mine life, post recommencement of
milling, of five years.
2011 Capital Expenditure Guidance
Guidance for capital expenditures for the year is
unchanged and expected to be approximately $290 million which includes:
- Sustaining capital in European
operations: $100 million (2010 - $74 million). The
increase is related to: at Neves-Corvo, the
replacement of underground mobile equipment and additional service water
dam; at Zinkgruvan, expenditure to increase mine
production capacity to provide higher throughput.
- New investment capex in European operations: $70
million (2010 - $56 million). The majority of this is related to Lombador development ($50 million):
�
The Lombador orebody access
ramp is being accelerated to reach a depth of 900 metres
below surface by Q2 2012 in order to facilitatefurther
exploration that will be key to gaining a full understanding of the zinc and,
more importantly, copper mineralization associated with Lombador.
�
The Lombador feasibility study, based on a small
upper section of Lombador South, is now expected to
be completed in Q2 2011 and commissioning of the expanded zinc plant to cater
for production from Lombador is targeted for
mid-2013.
�
The Zinkgruvan copper plant will be converted to
treat zinc ores in addition to copper, thereby significantly increasing the
flexibility of the Zinkgruvan operation. The conversion
is expected to be complete by Q4 2011 giving Zinkgruvan
the combined plant capacity to produce around 100,000 tonnes
per annum of zinc metal contained in concentrates, if warranted by metal
prices.
�
New investment in
Tenke: For planning purposes, we continue to assume an expansion at Tenke to commence in mid-2011 and we contemplate our share
of expansion funding to be up to $120 million for the year. This is
contingent on a number of factors not within the control of Lundin
Mining. Final decisions on capital investment levels for 2011 are
ultimately made by Freeport, the mine�s operator.
Selected Quarterly and Annual Financial Information
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31
|
|
|
(USD millions,
except per share amounts)
|
|
|
2011
|
2010
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
211.5
|
141.7
|
|
Operating earnings1
|
|
|
113.6
|
65.8
|
|
Depreciation, depletion
& amortization
|
|
|
(35.5)
|
(35.7)
|
|
General exploration and
project investigation
|
|
|
(8.9)
|
(4.6)
|
|
Finance income
|
|
|
1.6
|
12.3
|
|
Income from equity
investment in Tenke
|
|
|
24.9
|
14.5
|
|
Other income and expenses
|
|
|
(16.5)
|
9.6
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
79.2
|
61.9
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(8.0)
|
(10.0)
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
71.2
|
51.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders� equity
|
|
|
3,317.7
|
2,889.3
|
|
Cash flow from operations
|
|
|
129.3
|
88.4
|
|
Capital expenditures (incl. Tenke)
|
|
|
45.9
|
38.1
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
4,010.0
|
3,580.1
|
|
Net cash2
|
|
|
262.0
|
10.2
|
|
Key Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders� equity
per share3
|
|
|
5.71
|
4.99
|
|
Basic and diluted income
per share
|
|
|
0.12
|
0.09
|
|
Dividends
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
Equity ratio4
|
|
|
83%
|
81%
|
|
Shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic weighted
average
|
|
|
|
581,449,407
|
579,677,485
|
|
Diluted
weighted average
|
|
|
|
582,951,197
|
580,168,974
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
|
581,849,452
|
579,776,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IFRS basis
|
Canadian GAAP basis5
|
|
($ millions,
except per share data)
|
Q1-11
|
Q4-10
|
Q3-10
|
Q2-10
|
Q1-10
|
Q4-09
|
Q3-09
|
Q2-09
|
|
Sales
|
211.5
|
309.3
|
215.1
|
183.1
|
141.7
|
256.7
|
171.1
|
194.8
|
|
Operating earnings1
|
113.6
|
192.2
|
121.5
|
82.1
|
65.8
|
152.2
|
91.8
|
91.0
|
|
Impairment charges (after tax)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(37.1)
|
-
|
-
|
|
Net income
|
71.2
|
146.1
|
66.0
|
42.3
|
51.9
|
35.1
|
3.7
|
43.5
|
|
Income per share6, basic and diluted
|
0.12
|
0.25
|
0.11
|
0.07
|
0.09
|
0.06
|
0.01
|
0.08
|
|
Cash flow from operations
|
129.3
|
71.1
|
49.0
|
68.9
|
88.4
|
97.0
|
40.0
|
63.7
|
|
Capital expenditure (incl. Tenke)
|
45.9
|
42.9
|
40.2
|
39.1
|
38.1
|
39.0
|
54.7
|
57.8
|
|
Net cash (debt)2
|
262.0
|
159.2
|
125.7
|
107.8
|
10.2
|
(49.3)
|
(132.2)
|
(110.7)
|
5Conversion to IFRS on January 1, 2011 requires the
completion of IFRS compliant financial statements on a comparative basis for
2010. Financial results prior to 2010 remain unchanged and are reported in
accordance with Canadian GAAP.
6Income per share is determined for each quarter. As a
result of using a different weighted average number of shares outstanding, the
sum of the quarterly amounts may differ from the year-to-date amount.
1Operating earnings is a Non-IFRS measure defined as
sales, less operating costs and general and administrative costs.
2Net cash is a Non-IFRS measure defined as available
unrestricted cash less financial debt, including capital leases and other
debt-related obligations.
3Shareholders� equity per share is a Non-IFRS measure
defined as shareholders� equity divided by total number of shares outstanding
at end of period.
4Equity ratio is a Non-IFRS measure defined as
shareholders� equity divided by total assets at the end of period.
The Q1 2011 unaudited financial statements and
management�s discussion and analysis are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or the Company�s website (www.lundinmining.com).
About Lundin Mining
Lundin Mining
Corporation is a diversified base metals mining company with operations in
Portugal, Sweden, Spain and Ireland, producing copper, zinc, lead and nickel.
In addition, Lundin Mining holds a development
project pipeline which includes an expansion project at its Neves-Corvo
mine along with its equity stake in the world class Tenke
Fungurume copper/cobalt project in the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
On Behalf of the Board,
Phil Wright
President and CEO
For further information, please contact:
Sophia Shane, Investor Relations North America:
+1-604-689-7842
John Miniotis, Senior
Business Analyst: +1-416-342-5565
Robert Eriksson, Investor Relations Sweden:
+46 8 545 015 50
Forward Looking Statements
Certain of the statements made and information
contained herein is �forward-looking information� within the meaning of the
Ontario Securities Act. Forward-looking statements 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 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 in terruptions
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; 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 discussion and analysis. Forward-looking information is in addition
based on various assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations
and beliefs of management, the assumed long term price of copper, nickel, lead
and zinc; 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 forward-looking
statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements.