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July 30, 2007
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Teck Cominco Reports Second Quarter Results for 2007
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 30, 2007) - All dollar amounts expressed in this news release are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.
Don Lindsay, President and CEO said, "Our core operations continued to perform well in the second quarter and prices for our major products remain high by historical standards. Our net earnings of $485 million were in line with our expectations, but were below second quarter earnings in 2006 because of lower coal prices and lower copper sales volumes. At Highland Valley Copper, less ore was processed as a result of the push-back to extend the mine life and at our Antamina mine, sales volumes were reduced due to the timing of shipments at quarter end and the mix of ore types being mined and processed during the quarter."
"We've also made substantial progress in our business development activities during the quarter. We've made a $4.1 billion friendly offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Aur Resources for a combination of cash and shares of Teck Cominco. We agreed with NovaGold Resources to form a 50/50 partnership to build the Galore Creek copper-gold mine in northwestern British Columbia and we announced a work program to advance the development of the Petaquilla copper project in Panama," said Mr. Lindsay. "We also acquired a 50% interest in Lease 14 from UTS Energy Corporation and announced the design basis memorandum and preliminary cost estimate for the Fort Hills oil sands project."
Financial Highlights and Significant Items
- Unaudited net earnings were $485 million or $1.14 per share in the second quarter compared with $613 million or $1.48 per share in the second quarter of 2006. After adjusting for final pricing adjustments and unusual and non-recurring items, our net earnings were $434 million or $1.02 per share compared with $500 million and $1.20 per share in the second quarter of 2006. The reduction was due mainly to lower coal prices, and lower sales volumes at our Highland Valley and Antamina copper mines.
- Cash flow from operations before changes to non cash working capital items was $579 million in the second quarter compared with $669 million in the second quarter of 2006.
- Our Pogo gold mine and Lennard Shelf zinc mine both reached commercial production in the second quarter.
- The first concentrate shipment left the Red Dog mine on July 5, 2007, 19 days earlier than in 2006. Total shipments for the 2007 shipping season are expected to be approximately 1.0 million tonnes of zinc concentrate and 260,000 tonnes of lead concentrate.
- We have recently taken a number of important steps to strengthen our copper portfolio:
- In July, we made a $4.1 billion friendly offer to acquire all the outstanding shares of Aur Resources Inc. If completed, the acquisition will add over 200 million pounds to our annual copper production and will be immediately accretive to our earnings and cash flow after adjusting for non-recurring items relating to the acquisition.
- we agreed to form a 50/50 partnership with NovaGold Resources Inc. which will develop the Galore Creek copper-gold mine located in northwestern British Columbia. Galore Creek is expected to produce in excess of 430 million pounds of copper, 340,000 ounces of gold and 4 million ounces of silver annually during the first five years of operations.
- with Inmet Mining Corporation, Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. and Petaquilla Copper Ltd., we announced a comprehensive work program to advance the Petaquilla copper project in Panama. We can earn a 26% interest in the project by funding 52% of the development costs of the project through to production.
- Significant developments with our oil sands assets in the second quarter included:
- along with Petro-Canada and UTS Energy Corporation, we announced the adoption of a formal design basis memorandum and preliminary cost estimate for the Fort Hills oil sands project. The Fort Hills project is expected to be developed in two separate phases. The first phase is projected to produce 140,000 barrels per day (b/d) of synthetic crude oil beginning in the second quarter of 2012 with preliminary capital costs of $14.1 billion, excluding Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) engineering and third-party capital. Preliminary capital costs for the second phase are projected at $12.1 billion and production is expected to increase to 280,000 b/d by 2014.
- we acquired a 50% interest in Lease 14 from UTS Energy Corporation for a price based on a value of $1.00 per barrel of recoverable bitumen and an assumed resource for 100% of Lease 14 of approximately 400 million barrels.
- Pursuant to our normal course issuer bid, we acquired 9.1 million Class B subordinate voting shares during the second quarter at a cost of $416 million. We have now acquired a total of 13.1 million shares at a cost of $577 million under this program.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of Teck Cominco Limited is prepared as at July 30, 2007, and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Teck Cominco Limited and the notes thereto for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and with the audited consolidated financial statements of Teck Cominco Limited and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2006. In this discussion, unless the context otherwise dictates, a reference to the company or us, we or our refers to Teck Cominco Limited and its subsidiaries including Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Additional information relating to the company, including the company's annual information form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Please refer to the cautionary language following Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Earnings
Net earnings were $485 million or $1.14 per share in the second quarter compared with $613 million or $1.48 per share in the second quarter of 2006. Earnings were lower in 2007 due to a number of items, some of which are unusual or non-recurring. The reconciliation of earnings to adjusted net earnings presented below removes the effects of final pricing adjustments and these unusual or non recurring items.
Adjusted Net Earnings(1)
A reconciliation of our net earnings to adjusted net earnings is provided
below
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
------------- --------------
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006 2007 2006
Net earnings from continuing
operations, as reported $ 480 $ 600 $ 870 $ 1,048
Add (deduct) the after-tax effect of:
Negative (positive) final pricing
adjustments (40) (70) 53 (44)
Gain on sale of investments (6) (4) (10) (62)
Tax rate adjustment - (26) - (26)
--------------------------------
(46) (100) 43 (132)
----- ----- ----- -------
Adjusted net earnings $ 434 $ 500 $ 913 $ 916
----- ----- ----- -------(1) This management's discussion and analysis refers to adjusted net earnings, which is not a measure recognized under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in Canada or the United States, and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. We adjust net earnings as reported to remove the effect of unusual and/or non-recurring transactions in disclosing adjusted earnings. This measure may differ from those made by and may not be comparable to such measures as reported by other issuers. We disclose this measure, which has been derived from our financial statements and applied on a consistent basis, because we believe it is of assistance in understanding the results of our operations and financial position and is meant to provide further information about our financial results to shareholders.
Adjusted net earnings of $434 million for the quarter were lower than the $500 million earned in the previous year. This is primarily the result of lower coal prices and lower sales volumes at Highland Valley Copper and Antamina. Highland Valley Copper throughput has been reduced during the current push-back phase, which is being undertaken to extend the mine life. The lower copper sales volumes at Antamina were due to the timing of shipments at quarter end and lower ore grades during the quarter. The lower grades relate to the mix of ores mined and grades are expected to improve in the second half of the year.
Net earnings in the second quarter are typically weaker than other quarters due to seasonally lower sales from our Red Dog mine in Alaska. Sales volumes of zinc concentrates from Red Dog in the second quarter represented approximately 12% of its expected annual sales and there were no lead sales from the mine in the quarter, as market inventories had been depleted in the previous quarter.
Net earnings for the first half of the year were $845 million compared with $1.1 billion in the first half of 2006. Year-to-date net earnings were higher in 2006 due partly to positive final pricing adjustments of $44 million in 2006 compared with negative final pricing adjustments of $53 million in 2007 on an after-tax basis. In 2006 we also benefited from significantly higher coal revenues, after-tax gains of $62 million from the sale of investments and positive tax adjustments of $26 million.
LME zinc and copper prices in the second quarter averaged US$1.66 per pound and US$3.47 per pound respectively, increasing slightly from US$1.49 and US$3.27 per pound respectively in the second quarter of 2006. A lower Canadian dollar exchange rate of 1.10 in the second quarter compared with 1.12 a year ago partially offset these higher metal prices. Coal prices averaged US$101 per tonne in the second quarter down 13% from US$116 per tonne last year.
Cash Flow from Operations
Cash flow from operations, before changes in non-cash working capital items, was $579 million in the second quarter compared with $669 million in the second quarter of 2006, with the reduction due to lower earnings in the period. There was a substantial increase in working capital in the period due to large final tax and royalty payments on 2006 earnings which were the main reason for the decrease in cash flows from operations when compared to last year.
Cash flow from operations before changes in non-cash working capital items was $1.0 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared with $1.1 billion in 2006.
Revenues
Revenues are affected by sales volumes, commodity prices and currency exchange rates. Comparative data for production and sales as well as revenues are presented in the tables shown below. Average commodity prices and the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate are presented in the table below.
Average Metal Prices and Exchange Rate
Six months
Second Quarter ended June 30
-------------------------------------------
2007 2006 % Change 2007 2006 % Change
Zinc (LME Cash - US$/pound) 1.66 1.49 +11% 1.61 1.26 +28%
Lead (LME Cash - US$/pound) 0.99 0.50 +98% 0.90 0.53 +70%
Copper (LME Cash - US$/pound) 3.47 3.27 +6% 3.08 2.76 +12%
Molybdenum (published price(i)
- US$/pound) 31 23 +35% 28 24 +17%
Gold (LME PM fix - US$/ounce) 668 629 +6% 659 591 +12%
Coal (realized - US$/tonne) 101 116 -13% 103 119 -13%
Cdn/US exchange rate
(Bank of Canada) 1.10 1.12 -2% 1.13 1.14 -1%
(i) Published major supplier selling price in Platts Metals Week.Revenues from operations in the second quarter of 2007 were in line with last year at $1.6 billion. Trail's revenue increased by $80 million from a year ago due mostly to higher zinc and lead prices. This was offset by lower coal revenues of $29 million due mainly to lower coal prices and reduced revenues from base metals operations due primarily to lower copper sales volumes.
Sales of metals in concentrate are recognized in revenue when title transfers and the rights and obligations of ownership pass to the customer, which usually occurs upon shipment. However, final pricing may not be determined until a subsequent date, which often occurs in the following quarter. Accordingly, revenue in a quarter is based on current prices for sales occurring in the quarter and ongoing pricing adjustments from prior sales that are still subject to final pricing. These final pricing adjustments result in additional revenues in a rising price environment and reductions to revenue in a declining price environment. The amount of the final pricing adjustments we recognized on any price changes will be reduced by any price participation deductions as provided in the smelting and refining agreements. In the second quarter of 2007 we had positive final pricing adjustments of $62 million ($40 million after-tax) compared with positive price adjustments of $107 million ($70 million after-tax) in 2006.
At March 31, 2007, outstanding receivables included 155 million pounds of copper provisionally valued at US$3.12 per pound and 192 million pounds of zinc provisionally valued at US$1.49 per pound. During the second quarter of 2007, 132 million pounds of copper included in the March 31, 2007 receivables were settled at an average final price of US$3.46 per pound and 176 million pounds of zinc were settled at an average final price of US$1.67 per pound resulting in positive final pricing adjustments of $62 million ($40 million on an after-tax basis) in the quarter. At June 30, 2007, outstanding receivables included 136 million pounds of copper provisionally valued at US$3.42 per pound and 144 million pounds of zinc provisionally valued at US$1.50 per pound.
PRODUCTION AND SALES (Note 1)
Production Sales
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Second Quarter Year to Date Second Quarter Year to Date
2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006
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TRAIL
Refined Zinc
(thousand tonnes) 74 73 149 147 77 74 143 149
Refined Lead
(thousand tonnes) 20 21 42 45 21 21 41 44
Surplus Power (GW.h) - - - - 374 291 622 540
BASE METALS (Note 2)
Zinc (thousand tonnes)
Red Dog 142 133 287 268 71 58 206 173
Antamina 22 10 38 16 24 6 36 14
Pend Oreille 7 11 13 20 7 11 13 20
Lennard Shelf
(Note 3) 5 - 6 - 2 - 2 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
176 154 344 304 104 75 257 207
Lead (thousand tonnes)
Red Dog 31 28 64 58 - - 7 5
Pend Oreille 1 2 2 3 1 2 2 3
Lennard Shelf
(Note 3) 2 - 2 - - - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
34 30 68 61 1 2 9 8
Copper (thousand tonnes)
Highland Valley
Copper 35 42 71 78 40 44 74 87
Antamina 18 20 35 43 15 27 31 39
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
53 62 106 121 55 71 105 126
Molybdenum (thousand
pounds)
Highland Valley
Copper 824 1,017 1,722 2,199 982 1,050 1,912 2,106
Antamina 725 791 1,149 1,720 706 922 1,574 1,946
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,549 1,808 2,871 3,919 1,688 1,972 3,486 4,052
GOLD
Gold (thousand ounces)
Hemlo 40 52 79 105 39 49 79 105
Pogo (Note 3) 30 15 48 22 23 14 37 17
Other 3 3 6 6 3 3 6 5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
73 70 133 133 65 66 122 127
COAL
Coal (thousand tonnes)
Elk Valley Coal
(Note 4) 2,496 2,190 4,542 4,484 2,515 2,305 4,407 4,325
Notes:
(1) The table presents our share of production and sales volumes.
(2) Production and sales volumes of base metal mines refer to metals
contained in concentrate.
(3) Lennard Shelf and Pogo operations began commercial production on
April 1, 2007, and results from operations are included in earnings
from that date.
(4) Results of the Elk Valley Coal Partnership represent our 40% direct
interest in the Partnership commencing April 1, 2006 and 39% from
April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006.
REVENUES, DEPRECIATION AND OPERATING PROFIT
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30
Depreciation
and Operating
Revenues Amortization Profit
----------- ------------- -----------
($ in millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smelting and Refining
Trail (including power sales) $ 531 $ 451 $ 11 $ 12 $ 118 $ 112
Base Metals
Red Dog 176 146 9 8 119 102
Pend Oreille 21 29 6 4 1 16
Lennard Shelf (Note 1) 6 - 1 - 3 -
Highland Valley Copper 364 421 11 9 258 326
Antamina 233 252 8 9 175 211
Inter-segment sales and other (93) (97) - - 15 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
707 751 35 30 571 659
Gold
Hemlo 28 37 5 5 (4) 4
Pogo (Note 1) 17 - 6 - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
45 37 11 5 (4) 4
Coal
Elk Valley Coal (Note 2) 278 307 11 10 79 119
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $1,561 $1,546 $ 68 $ 57 $ 764 $ 894
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
Depreciation
and Operating
Revenues Amortization Profit
----------- ------------- -----------
($ in millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smelting and Refining
Trail (including power sales) $1,017 $ 814 $ 23 $ 23 $ 238 $ 183
Base Metals
Red Dog 422 362 23 20 265 240
Pend Oreille 37 47 11 8 - 22
Lennard Shelf (Note 1) 6 - 1 - 3 -
Highland Valley Copper 625 720 20 19 436 531
Antamina 395 386 16 15 289 301
Inter-segment sales and other (189) (183) - - 16 (13)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,296 1,332 71 62 1,009 1,081
Gold
Hemlo 59 74 12 12 (6) 8
Pogo (Note 1) 17 - 6 - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
76 74 18 12 (6) 8
Coal
Elk Valley Coal (Note 2) 512 599 20 17 143 246
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $2,901 $2,819 $132 $114 $1,384 $1,518
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note:
1) Lennard Shelf and Pogo operations began commercial production starting
April 1, 2007 and results from operations are included in earnings from
that date.
2) Results of the Elk Valley Coal Partnership represent our 40% direct
interest in the Partnership commencing April 1, 2006 and 39% from
April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006.Operations
Trail Smelter and Refineries (100%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
------------- --------------
100% 2007 2006 2007 2006
Zinc production (000's tonnes) 74.4 72.8 149.1 147.2
Lead production (000's tonnes) 20.3 21.1 41.8 44.6
Zinc sales (000's tonnes) 76.6 74.0 142.6 148.9
Lead sales (000's tonnes) 21.2 21.1 40.9 44.3
Surplus power sold (GW.h) 374 291 622 540
Power price (US$/megawatt hr) 46 28 47 39
Cost of sales ($ millions)
Concentrates 291 235 536 421
Operating costs 87 73 175 150
Distribution costs 24 19 45 37
Operating profit ($ millions)
Metal operations 103 107 213 169
Power 15 5 25 14Trail metal operations operating profit of $103 million in the second quarter was slightly lower than a year ago. Significantly lower base treatment charges in 2007 (compared with 2006) offset our participation in higher zinc and lead prices.
Refined zinc production increased slightly from a year ago, while refined lead production declined by 4% due to higher impurities in feed materials. Sales volumes of refined zinc in the second quarter were slightly higher than a year ago due to the shift of some sales volumes from the first quarter of 2007. The cost of products sold increased primarily as a result of the increased price of purchased lead and zinc concentrates and higher sales volumes. Operating costs also increased due to the timing of non-routine maintenance projects and higher labour costs.
Operating profit from surplus power sales in the second quarter tripled to $15 million compared with a year ago due to significantly higher sales volumes and realized power prices. The additional volumes were a result of additional generating capacity and the timing of sales, as our power arrangements provide significant flexibility in determining the volume of sales in each period.
Our Pend Oreille mine ships all of its zinc and lead concentrates to our Trail metal operations. Pend Oreille's zinc production in the second quarter declined to 7,000 tonnes compared with 11,000 tonnes last year due to a decline in ore grades. Operating profit from the mine in the second quarter was $1 million compared with $16 million last year due to the lower production and higher operating costs.
Red Dog (100%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
------------- --------------
100% 2007 2006 2007 2006
Tonnes milled (000's) 797 780 1,687 1,539
Zinc grade (%) 20.6 20.4 20.1 21.0
Lead grade (%) 6.0 5.9 5.9 6.2
Zinc recovery (%) 86.4 83.8 84.7 83.0
Lead recovery (%) 65.5 61.3 64.8 60.0
Zinc production (000's tonnes) 142.0 133.2 286.7 268.6
Zinc sales (000's tonnes) 71.1 58.3 206.0 173.2
Lead production (000's tonnes) 31.6 28.0 64.1 57.6
Lead sales (000's tonnes) - - 6.7 4.6
Cost of sales (US$ millions)
Operating costs 20 14 58 39
Distribution costs 11 8 31 24
Royalties 13 10 28 26
Operating profit ($ millions) 119 102 265 240Red Dog's operating profit in the second quarter was $119 million which included $17 million of positive final pricing revenue adjustments. This compares with an operating profit of $102 million in the second quarter of 2006 which had included $29 million of positive final pricing revenue adjustments.
Zinc production in the second quarter of 142,000 tonnes was 7% higher than a year ago partly due to additional mill throughput and higher mill recoveries. These were the result of the more amenable ores processed in the period. Lead production increased by 13% to 31,600 tonnes compared with last year also as a result of higher ore grades and improved mill recoveries due to the type of ore processed in the quarter.
The first shipment left the port on July 5, 2007 with planned shipments of approximately 1.0 million tonnes of zinc concentrate and 260,000 tonnes of lead concentrate. This is 19 days earlier than last year when similar volumes were shipped. Zinc sales in the third and fourth quarter are expected to be approximately 160,000 tonnes and 210,000 tonnes of metals in concentrate, respectively. Actual sales are dependent on our shipping schedule, which can be impacted by weather conditions.
Under a royalty agreement with NANA Regional Corporation Inc. (NANA), we pay NANA an annual advance royalty equal to 4.5% of Red Dog mine's net smelter return. After we recover certain capital expenditures, including an interest factor, we must pay NANA a 25% net proceeds of production royalty from the Red Dog mine, increasing in 5% increments every fifth year to a maximum of 50%. Net proceeds are calculated based on net cash flow from product sales after deduction of distribution and operating costs less capital expenditures, an interest allowance, a selling and management fee and a charge for estimated reclamation and closure costs. Advance royalties previously paid are recoverable against the 25% royalty on net proceeds of production. In the fourth quarter of 2006, capital expenditures, including an interest factor, were fully recovered. As at June 30, 2007, the unrecovered cumulative amount of advance royalty payments was US$19 million. We estimate that the payment of the 25% royalty to NANA will commence in the third quarter of 2007. The actual timing will depend on metal prices, sales volumes and other items affecting the calculation of net proceeds.
Lennard Shelf (50%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30(1)
------------- ---------------
100% 2007 2007
Tonnes milled (000's) 236 281
Zinc grade (%) 5.4 5.3
Lead grade (%) 1.8 1.8
Zinc recovery (%) 88.1 87.1
Lead recovery (%) 72.0 72.9
Zinc production (000's tonnes) 11.2 12.9
Zinc sales (000's tonnes) 4.1 4.1
Lead production (000's tonnes) 3.0 3.7
Lead sales (000's tonnes) 0.5 0.5
Cost of sales (AUS$ million - 50%)
Operating costs 11 19
Distribution costs 1 1
Company's share of operating profit
($ millions) 3 3
(1) Operating results prior to April 1st, the date the operation achieved
commercial production were capitalized as start-up costs.Our 50% share of Lennard Shelf's operating profit was $3 million in the second quarter.
The Lennard Shelf mine began commercial production during the second quarter, with production of 11,200 tonnes of zinc and 3,000 tonnes of lead. Concentrate inventories were accumulated since the mill start up in February and the first zinc shipment occurred in early June.
The mill operated at 98% of planned capacity in the second quarter and it is expected that mill production will temporarily increase in the second half of the year as stockpiled ore from the first quarter is processed. Zinc grades are expected to improve in the second half of the year as more working areas are developed in the higher grade areas of the mine. Annual zinc production is estimated at 58,000 tonnes for 2007.
Antamina (22.5%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
------------- --------------
100% 2007 2006 2007 2006
Tonnes milled (000's)
Copper-only ore 4,883 4,876 9,060 10,745
Copper-zinc ore 3,150 2,320 6,814 4,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
8,033 7,196 15,874 14,745
Copper grade(1)(%) 1.16 1.43 1.13 1.45
Zinc grade(1)(%) 3.32 2.31 2.84 2.20
Copper recovery(1)(%) 88.4 90.7 87.8 90.6
Zinc recovery(1)(%) 88.0 85.6 86.4 83.0
Copper production (000's tonnes) 81.0 89.4 155.4 190.6
Copper sales (000's tonnes) 63.7 87.7 139.1 172.3
Zinc production (000's tonnes) 97.1 44.1 169.3 70.4
Zinc sales (000's tonnes) 106.6 26.7 160.7 60.3
Molybdenum production (000's pounds) 3,222 3,513 5,106 7,642
Molybdenum sales (000's pounds) 3,136 4,095 6,995 8,648
Cost of sales (US$ millions - 22.5%)
Operating costs 19 15 43 34
Distribution costs 5 3 9 7
Royalties and other(2) 20 10 27 21
Company's share of operating profit
($ millions) 175 211 289 301
Note:
(1) Copper ore grades and recoveries apply to all of the processed ores.
Zinc ore grades and recoveries apply to copper-zinc ores only.
(2) Includes royalties, worker participation and voluntary social
contribution.Our 22.5% share of Antamina's operating profit in the second quarter was $175 million, which included positive final pricing adjustments of $16 million. This compared with operating profits of $211 million which included $15 million of positive final pricing adjustments.
A change in the mix of ore types mined and substantially lower grades in copper-only ore resulted in lower average copper grades and higher average zinc grades milled in the quarter compared with last year. Continuous improvement initiatives including ore blending and a mine to mill optimization project allowed mill throughput to increase by 12%. The overall result was a 9% decline in copper production and 120% increase in zinc production compared with a year earlier. Molybdenum production declined slightly in the second quarter compared with a year ago also due to the change in the ore mix. The mine expects copper grades to increase in the second half of the year as different areas of the pit are mined and less stockpiled ore is processed.
Copper sales volumes of 63,700 tonnes were significantly lower than last year due to the lower production and timing of sales, as some copper shipments have been delayed to the third quarter. Zinc sales volumes quadrupled to 106,600 tonnes from 26,700 tonnes as a result of the higher production and the timing of sales.
Highland Valley Copper (97%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
------------- --------------
100% 2007 2006 2007 2006
Tonnes milled (000's) 9,610 11,595 19,514 22,500
Copper grade (%) 0.399 0.419 0.404 0.394
Copper recovery (%) 93.7 90.5 92.0 90.9
Copper production (000's tonnes) 35.6 43.8 72.7 80.5
Copper sales (000's tonnes) 40.8 44.7 75.4 89.3
Molybdenum production (000's pounds) 845 1,044 1,766 2,256
Molybdenum sales (000's pounds) 1,008 1,077 1,961 2,160
Cost of sales ($ millions)
Operating costs 86 76 152 150
Distribution costs 9 10 17 20
Operating profit ($ millions) 258 326 436 531Operating profit in the second quarter was $258 million and included positive final pricing adjustments of $29 million. This compared with operating profit of $326 million in the second quarter of 2006 which had included $62 million of positive final pricing adjustments. After adjusting for final pricing adjustments, operating profit was $229 million in the quarter compared with $264 million in 2006. The reduction was primarily due to lower sales volumes.
Copper production at Highland Valley Copper in the second quarter declined by 19% to 35,600 tonnes. This was due to lower ore throughput and was the result of a harder ore mix from the Highmont and Valley pits during this phase of the mine life extension program. Molybdenum production also declined by 19% in the second quarter compared with a year ago, due to the throughput reduction.
Copper sales volumes were higher than production in the second quarter due to timing of shipments, but were 9% lower than last year as a result of the reduced production levels. Molybdenum sales volumes were 6% lower than last year mainly as a result of the lower production levels. After refining charges and settlement adjustments, the mine realized a molybdenum price of US$28 per pound compared with US$24 per pound a year ago.
The Valley pit east wall push-back is on schedule and one of the two in pit crusher and conveyer systems was relocated to the pit rim by the end of June. The second crusher was relocated in July. With the ongoing development work, Highland Valley's copper production for 2007 is expected to be approximately 142,000 tonnes compared with 171,000 tonnes in 2006.
Hemlo Gold Mines (50%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
------------- --------------
100% 2007 2006 2007 2006
Tonnes milled (000's) 737 837 1,454 1,646
Grade (g/tonne) 3.6 4.1 3.6 4.2
Mill recovery (%) 93.8 94.2 93.7 93.8
Production (000's ounces) 79.4 102.7 157.4 209.6
Sales (000's ounces) 77.4 98.2 158.5 209.8
Cash operating cost per ounce (US$) 612 478 575 443
Company's share of operating
profit (loss) ($ millions) (4) 4 (6) 8Our share of Hemlo's operating loss was $4 million in the second quarter compared with an operating profit of $4 million last year as a result of significantly lower gold production.
Gold production at Hemlo declined by 23% to 79,400 ounces in the second quarter compared with last year, but was in-line with revised production forecasts. The backfill failure underground at the Williams mine early this year has resulted in the rescheduling of higher grade stopes. A strategic review of the life of mine plan and operating cost structure is nearing completion.
Cash operating costs increased to US$612 per ounce compared with US$478 per ounce in the second quarter of 2006 due mainly to the effect of the lower production. The average realized gold price in the second quarter was US$668 per ounce, higher than US$629 per ounce in 2006, but was offset by the effect of a stronger Canadian dollar and lower hedging gains.
Pogo Gold Mine (40%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30(1)
------------- --------------
100% 2007 2007
Tonnes milled (000's) 191 297
Grade (g/tonne) 15.0 15.1
Mill recovery (%) 83.5 84.0
Production (000's ounces) 76.9 121.3
Sales (000's ounces) 56.7 91.5
Cash operating cost per ounce (US$) 460 N/A
Company's share of operating profit
($ millions) - -
(1) Operating results prior to April 1st, the date the operation achieved
commercial production were capitalized as start-up costs.The Pogo mine, which began production in early 2006, achieved commercial production in April 2007 and the operation broke even in the quarter. Gold production of 76,900 ounces in the second quarter was lower than full capacity as mill operations are still being optimized. Ore grades were also below plan due to stope sequencing and higher than expected dilution. Efforts to improve mine production and optimize mill recoveries are ongoing and gold production is expected to improve in the third and fourth quarters. Pogo's cash costs in the second quarter were US$460 per ounce, including the effect of higher inventoried production costs prior to the commencement of commercial production.
Gold sales in the second quarter of 56,700 ounces were lower than production due to the timing of the shipments. The average realized gold price was US$664 per ounce in the quarter.
Elk Valley Coal Partnership (40%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
------------- --------------
100% 2007 2006 2007 2006
Coal production (000's tonnes) 6,241 5,476 11,355 11,358
Coal sales (000's tonnes) 6,287 5,762 11,018 10,942
Average sale price (US$/tonne) 101 116 103 119
Average sale price (Cdn$/tonne) 111 133 116 138
Cost of product sold (Cdn$/tonne) 41 40 43 40
Transportation (Cdn$/tonne) 35 37 36 38
Company's share of operating profit
($ millions)(i) 79 119 143 246
(i) Results of the Elk Valley Coal Partnership represent the company's 40%
direct interest in the Partnership commencing April 1, 2006 and 39%
from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006.Our 40% share of Elk Valley's Coal operating profit in the second quarter was $79 million compared with $119 million last year due mainly to a lower realized coal price, partly offset by higher sales volumes.
Coal sales volumes of 6.3 million tonnes in the second quarter were 9% higher than a year ago, which reflects stronger global demand for hard coking coal in 2007. On a year-to-date basis, coal sales volumes of 11.0 million tonnes were similar to 2006, as the increased volumes in the second quarter were offset by lower volumes in the first quarter of 2007 caused by rail transportation problems.
Unit cost of product sold increased slightly to $41 per tonne in the second quarter of 2007 compared with $40 per tonne in the second quarter of 2006. The unit cost of product sold increased by 8% to $43 per tonne year-to-date in 2007 compared with $40 per tonne in 2006 due primarily to the unplanned shutdowns in the first quarter of 2007 caused by rail transportation problems. Costs were also affected by the labour contracts settled in the second half of 2006 and inflation in the costs of fuel, tires and other consumables.
Transportation costs decreased by 6% to $35 per tonne for the second quarter of 2007 compared with $37 per tonne in the second quarter of 2006. On a year-to-date basis, unit transportation costs decreased by 5% to $36 per tonne compared with $38 per tonne in 2006. The decreases in transportation costs for the quarter and year-to-date are due primarily to lower average selling prices, upon which certain rail and port rates are based. Vessel demurrage costs increased by approximately $2 per tonne for both the second quarter and the year-to-date periods due to the continuing low inventories at the ports and longer vessel wait times caused by the rail transportation problems in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007.
The labour agreement at Elk Valley's Cardinal River mine expired at the end of June. Negotiations for a new agreement are in progress.
Costs and Expenses
Administration expense of $34 million in the second quarter was $18 million higher than a year ago mainly due to higher stock-based compensation expense, which reflected the appreciation in the value of the company's shares.
Interest expense of $21 million in the second quarter was $3 million lower than a year ago as debt levels declined due to the repayment of the Inco exchangeable debentures in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Other income and miscellaneous expenses were $55 million, similar to a year ago. Higher interest income was offset by mark-to-market losses of $8 million on certain exploration company warrants held for investment purposes.
Income and resource taxes of $251 million were 34% of pre-tax earnings in the second quarter, slightly higher than the 32% rate recorded in 2006. In the second quarter of 2006, the company recorded a one time tax reduction of $26 million due to the enactment of lower tax rates in Canada.
Earnings from discontinued operation relates to contingent consideration resulting from the sale of our Cajamarquilla refinery that occurred in 2004.
Financial Position and Liquidity
Cash flow from operations before non-cash working capital changes was $579 million in the second quarter compared with $669 million last year. Non-cash working capital changes included final tax installments on 2006 earnings of $125 million and $115 million related to royalties payable on 2006 earnings. Significant tax installments are paid after year end for years such as 2006 when taxable earnings have seen a large increase over the previous year.
Capital expenditures and investments totalled $192 million in the second quarter. Capital expenditures were $143 million of which $41 million was on sustaining capital expenditures, $35 million on the Highland Valley Copper mine life extension project, and $27 million on other development projects. We also made strategic investments of $25 million in the period and invested $24 million into the Fort Hills oil sands project and $40 million on other oil sands leases.
In the second quarter we acquired a further 9.1 million Class B subordinate voting shares under our announced normal course issuer bid at a cost of $416 million bringing the total number of shares acquired under this program to 13.1 million shares at a cost of $577 million.
As a result of the share split, our semi-annual eligible dividend for both classes of shares is now $0.50 per share. The semi-annual dividend totalled $210 million and was paid on July 3, 2007.
Our cash position declined by $604 million in the quarter to $4.2 billion at June 30, 2007. Long-term debt totalled $1.4 billion, and we had bank credit facilities aggregating $1.0 billion. Unused credit lines under these facilities amounted to $853 million.
Comprehensive Income
The company now reports comprehensive income having adopted the new accounting standards for financial instruments which were effective for Canadian companies on January 1, 2007. The most significant components of other comprehensive income were the unrealized mark-to-market gains on the company's portfolio of marketable securities and currency translation adjustments on self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries. The company's marketable securities consist primarily of investments in publicly traded companies with whom we partner in exploration projects. These gains are held in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of taxes until they are realized, at which time they are included in regular earnings.
Corporate Development
We have recently taken a number of important steps that we expect will add substantial new, long life copper and oil sands assets to the company's portfolio.
The most significant step was our offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Aur Resources for cash and Teck Cominco shares totalling $4.1 billion. If completed, the transaction would immediately add over 200 million pounds, or 43%, to our annual copper production and is expected to be immediately accretive to our earnings and cash flow. Aur's primary assets are the Andacollo (90% owned) and Quebrada Blanca (76.5% owned) copper mines in Chile. Aur is currently developing a hypogene deposit at Andacollo that should be completed in 2009. In addition, Aur recently commenced production at its Duck Pond copper-zinc mine in Newfoundland. If successful, the acquisition of Aur will increase our proven and probable copper reserves by approximately 100% and our measured and indicated copper resources by approximately 60% on a contained copper basis. Aur's Board of Directors has unanimously recommended that Aur shareholders accept the offer. The Support Agreement contains standard deal protection terms including a "no shop" provision and "break fee" of $140 million. The offer to acquire Aur is open for acceptance until August 21, 2007.
In May 2007, Teck Cominco and NovaGold Resources Inc. announced an agreement to form a 50/50 partnership to develop and operate the Galore Creek copper-gold deposit in northwest British Columbia. To earn our 50% interest in the partnership, Teck Cominco will fund approximately US$478 million (C$520 million) in development costs. Thereafter, each company will be responsible for funding its pro rata share of development and operating costs. NovaGold will also be entitled to receive up to US$50 million of preferential distributions once the mine is fully operational if revenues in the first year of commercial production exceed specific established targets. Galore Creek is expected to produce in excess of 430 million pounds of copper, 340,000 ounces of gold and 4 million ounces of silver annually for the first five years of operation. Based on current reserves of over 540 million tonnes and resources of approximately one billion tonnes of ore, there is potential to maintain the initial production rates and extend the current 20+ year mine life. Detailed engineering and final cost estimates are scheduled for completion later this year.
Teck Cominco, Inmet Mining Corporation, Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. and Petaquilla Copper Ltd. announced the approval of a comprehensive work program to advance the development of the Petaquilla Copper Project in Panama. As currently contemplated, annual copper production in the first ten years would be approximately 490 million pounds with an expected mine life of more than 20 years. The agreed work program (estimated to cost US$24 million) is intended to complete a Front End Engineering and Design ("FEED") program and an updated Social Environmental Impact Assessment for the project. The work will include programs to advance dialogue with local communities and other potentially affected stakeholders. Teck Cominco will fund the bulk of the costs of the work plan. Teck Cominco has the right to acquire one half of Petaquilla Copper Ltd.'s 52% equity interest in Minera Petaquilla S.A., the Panamanian project company, by funding Petaquilla Copper's 52% share of development costs through to commercial production. Teck Cominco must make an election prior to March 31, 2008 to either exercise its right to acquire its 26% interest or terminate its rights to any interest in the project. If Teck Cominco exercises its right, and funds the development costs as required to earn its interest, it will be entitled to recoup one-half of the funds expended plus interest prior to any project distributions to Petaquilla Copper. Petaquilla Copper retains the right to fund 26% of the project development costs on its own behalf, in which case Teck Cominco would fund only its 26% equity interest in the project.
On June 28, The Fort Hills Energy Limited Partnership, (Petro-Canada 55%, UTS 30%, Teck Cominco 15%) announced the adoption of the formal design basis for the Fort Hills Project - an integrated oil sands mining, bitumen extraction and upgrading project in Fort McMurray and Sturgeon County, Alberta. The Partnership will proceed with the FEED stage of project development, which should take about 12 months to complete. The FEED process is expected to produce a definitive cost estimate and the basis on which the final development decision on the project will be made. The Fort Hills project is expected to be developed in two phases with the first phase producing 160,000 barrels per day (b/d) of bitumen to be upgraded to 140,000 barrels per day of synthetic crude oil, anticipated to commence in the second quarter of 2012. The preliminary capital cost estimate for the mine and upgrading components for the first phase (excluding FEED engineering and third-party capital) is $14.1 billion. The second phase is expected to double capacity to 280,000 barrels/day of synthetic crude. That phase should be completed by 2014 with additional capital costs estimated at $12.1 billion (also excluding FEED engineering and third-party capital). To June 30, we had contributed $157 million to the project. After we have contributed $850 million to the project our pro rata share of expenditure declines from 34% to 15%.
In April we acquired a 50% interest in Lease 14 from UTS Energy Corporation for a price based on a value of $1.00 per barrel of recoverable bitumen and an assumed resource for 100% of Lease 14 of approximately 400 million barrels. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based on an independent resource estimate for Lease 14, expected to be completed in the fourth quarter, to a maximum of $250 million or a minimum of $150 million.
Development work is ongoing at the Morelos Gold project located in Guerrero State, Mexico. The work required to finalize the prefeasibility study was nearly complete at the end of the second quarter. This work consists of infill drilling, preliminary engineering design of the facilities, production scheduling and capital and operating cost estimates. Environmental work is ongoing and a socioeconomic advisory team is finalizing plans for community meetings, social baseline studies and land acquisition. Subsequent to quarter end, representatives of the local community blocked access to the site in the context of negotiations over compensation for land acquisition. Work on the project has been stopped and discussions to resolve the issues raised by the communities have been suspended until the blockade is removed.
At our Carrapateena project in South Australia we are awaiting some of the analytical results of our current drill program. Results to date have been encouraging and appear to support the expectation that significant mineralization is present. Metallurgical testwork, resource modelling and environmental baseline studies are continuing. To date we have drilled 75,000 meters on the property and made option payments totalling A$32 million. We may acquire a 100% interest in the property by testing seven additional geophysical targets on the combined tenements and making a final payment based on 66% of the fair market value of the property.
In Brazil, an integrated engineering, technology and exploration team continues to address improvements to the key economic drivers and risk mitigation issues for the Sante Fe and Ipora nickel laterite projects. The exploration group is focusing on grade improvement and resource definition.
Outlook
The information below is in addition to the disclosure concerning specific operations included above in the Operations and Corporate Development sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis.
Effective January 1, 2007, we recorded an asset of $139 million in respect of a contingent receivable related to the 2004 sale of our Cajamarquilla refinery, which was valued based on the zinc forward curve at December 31, 2006. Accounting standards require us to mark this receivable to market at the end of each quarter and these non-cash mark-to-market adjustments will affect our earnings each quarter until the end of 2009.
A large portion of our revenues are dependant on the price of metals on the London Metal Exchange (LME). These prices affect both on-going revenues and final price adjustments. Copper and zinc prices have moved higher in July, but remain volatile and price fluctuations will affect future earnings.
Any strengthening of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, such as occurred subsequent to the end of the quarter, has a negative impact on our earnings as the prices of our products are denominated in U.S. dollars and a significant portion of our operating costs are Canadian dollar based.
Our capital expenditures for 2007 are now expected to be approximately $900 million. Of this total, $400 million will be for sustaining and development capital at our producing operations and $500 million will be spent on development projects, which includes our share of spending on the Fort Hills oil sands project ($200 million), the various oil sands properties jointly owned with UTS Energy Corporation ($80 million), the Galore Creek project ($180 million) and the Petaquilla project ($15 million).
Contingencies
Upper Columbia River Basin (Lake Roosevelt)
Prior to our acquisition in 2000 of a majority interest in Cominco Ltd. (now Teck Cominco Metals Ltd.) ("TCML"), TCML's Trail smelter discharged smelter slag into the Columbia River. These discharges commenced prior to TCML's acquisition of the Trail smelter in 1906 and continued until 1996. Slag was discharged pursuant to permits issued in British Columbia subsequent to the enactment of relevant environmental legislation in 1967. Slag and other non-slag materials released from the Trail smelter in British Columbia have traveled down river and mixed with substances discharged from many other smelting and industrial facilities located along the length of the Upper Columbia River system in Canada and the U.S.A.
Slag is a glass-like compound consisting primarily of silica, calcium and iron, which contains small amounts of base metals such as zinc, lead, copper and cadmium. It is sufficiently inert that it is not characterized as a hazardous waste under applicable Canadian or U.S. regulations. While slag has been deposited into the river, further study is required to assess what effect the presence of slag in the river has had and, whether it poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. A large number of studies regarding slag deposition and its effects have been conducted by various governmental agencies on both sides of the border. The historical studies of which we are aware have not identified unacceptable risks resulting from the presence of slag in the river.
On June 2, 2006, TCML and its affiliate, Teck Cominco American Incorporated ("TCAI"), entered into a Settlement Agreement (the "Agreement") with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the United States under which TCAI is paying for and conducting a remedial investigation and feasibility study ("RI/FS") of contamination in the Upper Columbia River (the "Studies") under the oversight of the EPA. The RI/FS is being prepared by independent consultants approved by the EPA and retained by TCAI. TCAI is paying the EPA's oversight costs and providing funding for the participation of other governmental parties, the State of Washington and two native tribes, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Nation (the "Colville Tribe") and the Spokane Tribe. TCML has guaranteed TCAI's performance of the Agreement. TCAI has also placed US$20 million in escrow as financial assurance of its obligations under the Agreement and we have accrued our estimate of the costs of the Studies. Contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement, the EPA withdrew a unilateral administrative order ("UAO") purporting to compel TCML to conduct the Studies.
The RI/FS process requires TCAI to submit a work plan for the assessment of site conditions to the EPA which, when approved, will lead to the development of a set of sampling and other plans and actual field work. Data from field work will be used to determine whether further studies are required. When sufficient data have been compiled to adequately assess risk, a baseline human health and environmental risk assessment ("RA") will be produced to identify risks, if any, that may exist to humans and to various environmental receptors. The RA will form the basis for the RI/FS. The remedial investigation will identify potential remedial options available to mitigate any unacceptable risks; the feasibility study will consider engineering, procedural and practical constraints to these remedial options. Based on the RI/FS, the EPA will determine whether and what remedial actions are appropriate in accordance with criteria that take into account, among other factors, technical feasibility, effectiveness, cost, effects on the environment resulting from the remediation action, and acceptability of the relevant remedial option to the community. Each work product and plan in this process is subject to EPA approval. Internal consultation processes of the EPA will include consultation with state and other federal agencies and the two Indian Tribes bordering the site.
While the UAO was outstanding, two citizens of Washington State and members of the Colville Tribe commenced an enforcement proceeding under Section 310(a)(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") to enforce the UAO and to seek fines and penalties against TCML for non-compliance. TCML sought to have all claims dismissed on the basis that the court lacked jurisdiction because the CERCLA statute was not intended to govern the discharges of a facility occurring in another country. That case has proceeded through U.S. Federal District Court and the Federal Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. The 9th Circuit affirmed the District Court decision denying TCML's motion to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds and found that CERCLA could be applied to TCML's disposal practices in British Columbia because they may have had an effect in Washington State. The 9th Circuit has issued a stay of its decision pending the resolution of a further appeal by TCML to the U.S. Supreme Court.
On February 27, 2007, TCML filed a petition for review and reversal with the U.S. Supreme Court. TCML's petition was supported by amicus briefs filed by Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Mining Association of Canada, the U.S. National Mining Association, the U.S. Association of Manufacturers, the Canadian and U.S. Chambers of Commerce and the Consumer Electronics Association.
On June 4, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court requested the Solicitor General to opine on the petition for review on behalf of the Administration. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Supreme Court will agree to hear TCML's appeal or reverse the decision or that the withdrawal of the UAO and the settlement of the Agreement will be sufficient to resolve the matter or that TCML or its affiliates will not be faced with further liability in relation to this matter. Until the studies contemplated by the Agreement are completed, it is not possible to estimate the extent and cost, if any, of remediation or restoration that may be required. The studies may conclude, on the basis of risk, cost, technical feasibility or other grounds, that no remediation should be undertaken. If remediation is required, the cost of remediation may be material.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Effective January 1, 2007, the company adopted the revised CICA Section 1506 "Accounting Changes", which requires that: (a) a voluntary change in accounting principles can be made if, and only if, the changes result in more reliable and relevant information, (b) changes in accounting policies are accompanied with disclosures of prior period amounts and justification for the change, and (c) for changes in estimates, the nature and amount of the change should be disclosed. The company has not made any voluntary change in accounting principles since the adoption of the revised standard.
Effective January 1, 2007, the company adopted the following three new accounting standards and related amendments to other standards on financial instruments issued by the CICA. Prior periods have not been restated.
Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement, Section 3855
This standard prescribes when a financial asset, financial liability, or non-financial derivative is to be recognized on the balance sheet and whether fair value or cost-based methods are used to measure the recorded amounts. It also specifies how financial instrument gains and losses are to be presented.
Effective January 1, 2007, our cash equivalents, temporary investments and investments in marketable securities have been classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. Fair values are determined directly by reference to published price quotations in an active market. Changes in the fair value of these instruments are reflected in other comprehensive income and included in shareholders' equity on the balance sheet.
All derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Mark-to-market adjustments on these instruments are included in net income, unless the instruments are designated as part of a cash flow hedge relationship. In accordance with the standard's transitional provisions, we recognize as separate assets and liabilities only embedded derivatives acquired or substantively modified on or after January 1, 2003.
All other financial instruments will be recorded at cost or amortized cost, subject to impairment reviews. The criteria for assessing on other than temporary impairment remain unchanged. Transaction costs incurred to acquire financial instruments are included in the underlying balance. Regular-way purchases and sales of financial assets are accounted for on the trade date.
Hedges, Section 3865
This standard is applicable when a company chooses to designate a hedging relationship for accounting purposes. It builds on the previous AcG-13 "Hedging Relationships" and Section 1650 "Foreign Currency Translation", by specifying how hedge accounting is applied and what disclosures are necessary when it is applied.
Upon adoption of this standard, we discontinued hedge accounting on all commodity derivative contracts and interest rate swaps. The company may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts in the future to hedge anticipated sales and may designate these contracts as cash flow hedges as they occur.
Comprehensive Income, Section 1530
This standard requires the presentation of a statement of comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income includes both net earnings and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes holding gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, gains and losses on certain derivative instruments and foreign currency gains and losses relating to self-sustaining foreign operations, all of which are not included in the calculation of net earnings until realized. This statement has been included in the consolidated financial statements starting this year.
Financial Instruments
The company holds a number of financial instruments, the most significant of which are marketable securities, fixed price forward metal sales contracts, settlements receivable and price participation payments on the sale of the Cajamarquilla zinc refinery. These price participation payments are economically similar to a fixed price forward purchase of zinc. The instruments are all recorded at fair values on the company's balance sheet with gains and losses in each period included in other comprehensive income, net earnings from continuing operations and net earnings from discontinued operation as appropriate.
The unrealized mark-to-market loss on our derivatives and financial instruments totalled $26 million as at June 30, 2007.
Quarterly Earnings and Cash Flow
($ in millions, except per share data)
2007 2006 2005
------------ --------------------------- -------------------------
Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Revenues 1,561 1,340 2,088 1,632 1,546 1,273 1,343 1,150 994 928
Operating
profit 764 620 1,167 876 894 624 686 550 407 319
Net
earnings 485 360 866 504 613 448 510 405 225 205
Earnings
per
share $ 1.14 $ 0.83 $ 2.01 $ 1.17 $ 1.48 $ 1.09 $ 1.25 $ 1.00 $0.55 $0.51
Cash flow
from
continuing
operations
(before
changes to
working
capital
items) 579 441 829 647 669 461 555 474 332 286Outstanding Share Data
Effective May 7, 2007 we split our Class A common and Class B subordinate voting shares on a two-for-one basis. All per share amounts in this discussion and analysis have been restated to reflect the split. As at July 27, 2007 there were 410,022,978 Class B subordinate voting shares and 9,353,470 Class A common shares outstanding. In addition, there were 4,235,206 director and employee stock options outstanding with exercise prices ranging between $3.20 - $43.74 per share. More information on these instruments and the terms of their conversion is set out in Note 17 of the company's 2006 year end financial statements.
Management's Report on 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 changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking information. This forward-looking information, principally under the heading "Outlook", but also elsewhere in this news release, includes estimates, forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the size and quality of the company's mineral reserves and mineral resources, future trends for the company, progress in development of mineral properties, future production and sales volumes, capital and mine production costs, demand and market outlook for commodities, future commodity prices and treatment and refining charges, the outcome of legal proceedings involving the company, and the financial results of the company. This forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties and actual results may vary materially.
Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, changes in commodity and power prices, changes in interest and currency exchange rates, acts of foreign governments and the outcome of legal proceedings, inaccurate geological and metallurgical assumptions (including with respect to the size, grade and recoverability of mineral reserves and resources), unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, adverse weather conditions and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), political risk, social unrest, and changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets.
Statements concerning future production costs or volumes, and the sensitivity of the company's earnings to changes in commodity prices and exchange rates are based on numerous assumptions of management regarding operating matters, including that new collective bargaining agreements are entered into at certain operations without labour disruption, that demand for products develops as anticipated, that operating and capital plans will not be disrupted by issues such as mechanical failure, unavailability of parts and supplies, labour disturbances, interruption in transportation or utilities, adverse weather conditions and that there are no material unanticipated variations in the cost of energy or supplies.
Webcast
Teck Cominco will host an Investor Conference Call to discuss its Q2/2007 financial results on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 11 AM Eastern/8 AM Pacific time. A live audio webcast of the conference call, together with supporting presentation slides, will be available at the company's website at www.teckcominco.com. The webcast is also available at www.vcall.com and www.investorcalendar.com. The webcast will be archived at www.teckcominco.com.
Important Notice
This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of Teck Cominco's exchange offer for the shares of Aur Resources Inc. Teck Cominco has filed a Registration Statement on Form F-8 (containing an offer to purchase and a share exchange takeover bid circular) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Teck Cominco, if required, will file other documents regarding the tender offer with the SEC. Investors and shareholders are urged to read the takeover bid circular, Registration Statement, and any other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC when they become available because they will contain important information about the offer for Aur Resources shares. These documents will be available without charge on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov and may be obtained without charge from the SEC at telephone number 800-SEC-0330. Free copies of these documents can also be obtained by directing a request to Teck Cominco, 600-200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 3L9, Attention: Corporate Secretary, by telephone to (604) 687-1117, or by e-mail to: info@teckcominco.com.
Teck Cominco Limited
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
(in millions of dollars, June 30 June 30
except per share data) 2007 2006 2007 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues $ 1,561 $ 1,546 $ 2,901 $ 2,819
Operating expenses (729) (595) (1,385) (1,187)
Depreciation and amortization (68) (57) (132) (114)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit 764 894 1,384 1,518
Other expenses
General and administrative (34) (16) (56) (40)
Interest on long-term debt (21) (24) (43) (51)
Exploration (25) (14) (45) (22)
Research and development (8) (6) (14) (10)
Other income (Note 7) 55 53 104 173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
731 887 1,330 1,568
Provision for income
and resource taxes (251) (287) (460) (520)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings from
continuing operations 480 600 870 1,048
Net earnings (loss) from
discontinued operation (Note 11(b)) 5 13 (25) 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 485 $ 613 $ 845 $ 1,061
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share
Basic $ 1.14 $ 1.48 $ 1.97 $ 2.58
Basic from continuing operations $ 1.13 $ 1.45 $ 2.03 $ 2.54
Diluted $ 1.13 $ 1.42 $ 1.96 $ 2.45
Diluted from continuing operations $ 1.12 $ 1.39 $ 2.02 $ 2.42
Weighted average shares
outstanding (millions) 425.3 415.2 428.0 411.2
Shares outstanding at
end of period (millions) 419.3 430.6 419.3 430.6
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
See note 9(e) for additional information on share split.
Teck Cominco Limited
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
(Unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006 2007 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities
Net earnings from
continuing operations $ 480 $ 600 $ 870 $ 1,048
Items not affecting cash
Depreciation and
amortization 68 57 132 114
Future income and
resource taxes 26 9 7 30
Gain on sale of
investments and assets (7) (5) (12) (76)
Other 12 8 23 14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
579 669 1,020 1,130
Net change in non-cash
working capital items (386) (69) (675) (159)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
193 600 345 971
Financing activities
Issuance of long-term debt - 4 - 20
Repayment of long-term debt - (1) - (211)
Issuance of Class B
subordinate voting shares 4 - 8 6
Purchase and cancellation of
Class B subordinate voting shares (416) - (577) -
Dividends paid (Note 9(c)) - - (216) (81)
Exchangeable debentures - (8) (98) (8)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(412) (5) (883) (274)
Investing activities
Decrease in temporary investments 651 1,425 61 636
Cash held in trust - - 98 -
Property, plant and equipment (143) (62) (270) (136)
Investments and other assets (49) (49) (222) (106)
Proceeds from sale of
investments and assets 8 9 21 119
Additional proceeds from
sale of discontinued operation 4 - 40 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
471 1,323 (272) 513
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash equivalents held
in U.S. dollars (205) (78) (236) (78)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in
cash and cash equivalents 47 1,840 (1,046) 1,132
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 3,961 1,390 5,054 2,098
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period $ 4,008 $ 3,230 $ 4,008 $ 3,230
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
See note 9(e) for additional information on share split.
Teck Cominco Limited
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30 December 31
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,008 $ 5,054
Temporary investments 166 227
Cash held in trust 7 105
Accounts and settlements receivable 651 723
Inventories 857 786
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,689 6,895
Investments 682 365
Property, plant and equipment 3,812 3,724
Other assets (Note 4) 412 463
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 10,595 $ 11,447
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Dividends payable (Note 9(c)) $ 210 $ 216
Exchangeable debentures 7 105
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 556 763
Current income and resource taxes payable 43 443
Current portion of future income
and resource taxes 93 161
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
909 1,688
Long-term debt 1,366 1,509
Other liabilities (Note 5) 856 821
Future income and resource taxes 986 880
Shareholders' equity (Note 9) 6,478 6,549
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 10,595 $ 11,447
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contingencies (Note 12)
Subsequent event (Note 15)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
See note 9(e) for additional information on share split.
Teck Cominco Limited
Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings
(Unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006 2007 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings at
beginning of period as
previously reported $ 4,564 $ 2,675 $ 4,225 $ 2,228
Adoption of financial
instrument standards (Note 2(b)) - - 112 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
As restated 4,564 2,675 4,337 2,228
Net earnings 485 613 845 1,061
Interest on exchangeable
debentures, net of taxes - (2) - (3)
Dividends declared (210) (215) (210) (215)
Share repurchase (Note 9(d)) (350) - (483) -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings at end of period $ 4,489 $ 3,071 $ 4,489 $ 3,071
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006 2007 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 485 $ 613 $ 845 $ 1,061
Other comprehensive
income in the period
Currency translation adjustment (290) (76) (316) (73)
Mark-to-market adjustments on
financial instruments
Unrealized gains on
available-for-sale investments
Arising during the period
(negligible tax effect) 6 - 9 -
Less: reclassified to net
income on realization
(net of tax $1 and $1) (1) - (2) -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 - 7 -
Unrecognized losses on
derivatives designated
as cash flow hedges
Arising during the period - - - -
Less: reclassified to net
income on realization
(net of tax of $1 and $3) 2 - 4 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 - 4 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other comprehensive
income (Note 10) (283) (76) (305) (73)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ 202 $ 537 $ 540 $ 988
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
See note 9(e) for additional information on share split.
Teck Cominco Limited
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP using standards for interim financial statements and do not contain all of the information required for annual financial statements. These statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as the most recent annual financial statements, except as described in Note 2. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the most recent annual financial statements of the company. All dollar amounts are disclosed in Canadian currency unless otherwise noted.
2. ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
(a) Effective January 1, 2007, the company adopted the revised CICA Section 1506 "Accounting Changes", which requires that: (a) a voluntary change in accounting principles can be made if, and only if, the changes result in more reliable and relevant information, (b) changes in accounting policies are accompanied with disclosures of prior period amounts and justification for the change, and (c) for changes in estimates, the nature and amount of the change should be disclosed. The company has not made any voluntary change in accounting principles since the adoption of the revised standard.
(b) Effective January 1, 2007, the company adopted the three new accounting standards and related amendments to other standards on financial instruments issued by the CICA. Prior periods have not been restated.
(i) Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement, Section 3855
This standard prescribes when a financial asset, financial liability, or non-financial derivative is to be recognized on the balance sheet and whether fair value or cost-based methods are used to measure the recorded amounts. It also specifies how financial instrument gains and losses are to be presented.
Effective January 1, 2007, the company's cash equivalents, temporary investments and investments in marketable securities have been classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. Fair values are determined directly by reference to published price quotations in an active market. Changes in the fair value of these instruments are reflected in other comprehensive income and included in shareholders' equity on the balance sheet.
All derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Mark-to-market adjustments on these instruments are included in net income, unless the instruments are designated as part of a cash flow hedge relationship. In accordance with the standard's transitional provisions, the company recognizes as separate assets and liabilities only embedded derivatives acquired or substantively modified on or after January 1, 2003.
All other financial instruments will be recorded at cost or amortized cost, subject to impairment reviews. The criteria for assessing an other than temporary impairment remain unchanged. Transaction costs incurred to acquire financial instruments are included in the underlying balance. Regular-way purchases and sales of financial assets are accounted for on the trade date.
(ii) Hedges, Section 3865
This standard is applicable when a company chooses to designate a hedging relationship for accounting purposes. It builds on the previous AcG-13 "Hedging Relationships" and Section 1650 "Foreign Currency Translation", by specifying how hedge accounting is applied and what disclosures are necessary when it is applied.
Upon adoption of this standard, the company discontinued hedge accounting on all commodity derivative contracts and interest rate swaps. The company may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts in the future to hedge anticipated sales and may designate these contracts as cash flow hedges as they occur.
(iii) Comprehensive Income, Section 1530
This standard requires the presentation of a statement of comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income includes both net earnings and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income ("OCI") includes holding gains and losses on available for sale investments, gains and losses on certain derivative instruments and foreign currency gains and losses relating to self-sustaining foreign operations, all of which are not included in the calculation of net earnings until realized.
As at January 1, 2007 the effect on the company's balance sheet of adopting these standards is summarized below. As prescribed by these standards, prior periods have not been restated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions of dollars) January 1, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted on
adoption of Restated
Financial opening
As Instruments balances
reported standards in 2007
ASSETS
Current assets $ 6,895 $ - $ 6,895
Investments 365 106 (a)(b) 471
Property, plant and
equipment 3,724 3,724
Other assets 463 128 (b)(c) 591
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 11,447 $ 234 $ 11,681
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities $ 1,688 $ 19 (b) $ 1,707
Long-term debt 1,509 (11) (c) 1,498
Other liabilities 821 52 (b) 873
Future income and resource
taxes 880 12 (d) 892
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,898 72 4,970
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 2,405 2,405
Retained earnings 4,225 112 (b) 4,337
Contributed surplus 64 64
Cumulative translation
adjustment (145) 145 (e) -
Accumulated other
comprehensive income - (145) (e) (95)
50 (a)(b)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6,549 162 6,711
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 11,447 $ 234 $ 11,681
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
(a) Investments in marketable securities previously accounted for at cost
are designated as available for sale and are measured at fair value.
(b) Derivative instruments previously accounted for at cost are held for
trading and are measured at fair value.
(c) Debt financing costs previously deferred as other assets are
reclassified to long-term debt.
(d) The tax effect of the above adjustments is recorded to future income
and resource taxes.
(e) The cumulative translation adjustment is reclassified to accumulated
other comprehensive income.3. CHANGES IN ESTIMATES
(a) Mineral reserves
Estimates of proven and probable mineral reserves at each mineral property are updated annually at the end of each year. Following the update of these estimates on December 31, 2006, calculations of depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment were prospectively revised.
(b) Mine life extension at Highland Valley Copper
In February 2007, the company announced the extension of mine life at Highland Valley Copper to 2019. As a result, the amounts of depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment, pension expense and accretion expense for asset retirement obligations at Highland Valley will be amortized over the extended mine life.
4. OTHER ASSETS
June 30 December 31
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension assets $ 192 $ 194
Future income and resource tax assets 80 103
Long-term receivables 95 109
Other 45 57
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 412 $ 463
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------5. OTHER LIABILITIES
June 30 December 31
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations $ 422 $ 427
Other environmental and post-closure costs 69 70
Accrued pension and post-retirement benefits 222 222
Minority interests 59 43
Other 84 59
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 856 $ 821
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------6. SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006 2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income and resource taxes paid $ 370 $ 195 $ 816 $ 473
Interest paid $ 38 $ 37 $ 49 $ 607. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006 2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest income $ 57 $ 38 $ 122 $ 75
Gain on sale of investments
and assets 7 5 12 76
Income from Fording Canadian
Coal Trust 10 12 13 27
Minority interests (8) (9) (16) (15)
Asset retirement obligation expense
for closed properties (4) (4) (12) (6)
Non-hedge derivative gains (losses) (8) - (11) 2
Donations and sponsorships (2) - (11) -
Miscellaneous 3 11 7 14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 55 $ 53 $ 104 $ 173
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------8. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS EXPENSE
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006 2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension plans $ 9 $ 8 $ 19 $ 17
Post-retirement benefit plans 7 6 15 11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 16 $ 14 $ 34 $ 28
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------9. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(a) Components of shareholders' equity
June 30 December 31
(in millions of dollars) 2007 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share capital $ 2,323 $ 2,405
Contributed surplus 66 64
Retained earnings 4,489 4,225
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 10) (400) (145)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated comprehensive income 4,089 4,080
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 6,478 $ 6,549
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------(b) Stock-based compensation
In February 2007, 839,400 share options were granted to employees. These options have an exercise price of $43.74, a term of eight years and vest in equal amounts over three years. The weighted average fair value of Class B subordinate voting share options issued was estimated at $16.00 per share option at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The option valuation was based on an average expected option life of four years, a risk-free interest rate of 5.15%, a dividend yield of 0.95% and an expected volatility of 35%.
In the first and second quarters of 2007, the company issued 286,300 Deferred and Restricted Share Units to employees and directors. Deferred and Restricted Share Units issued vest immediately for directors and vest in three years for employees. The total number of deferred and restricted share units outstanding at June 30, 2007 was 1,187,664.
Stock-based compensation expense of $15 million was recorded to June 30, 2007 in respect of all outstanding options and share units.
(c) Dividends
An eligible dividend of $0.50 per share was declared payable to shareholders of record on June 22, 2007 and paid on July 3, 2007. Dividends paid in January and July 2007 were considered to be eligible dividends, which entitles Canadian resident individuals to claim the new enhanced dividend tax credit for tax purposes.
(d) Share purchase program
On February 12, 2007, the company announced its intention, subject to regulatory approval, to purchase up to 40 million of its outstanding Class B subordinate voting shares by way of a normal course issuer bid. Regulatory approval for the normal course issuer bid was received effective February 22, 2007. Purchases will be made from time-to-time at the prevailing market price of the Class B subordinate voting shares as traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and any Class B subordinate voting shares purchased will be cancelled.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the company purchased 9 million Class B subordinate voting shares at an average price of $45.63 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $416 million, of which $350 million was charged to retained earnings. This brings the total amount of buybacks to 13 million Class B Subordinated Voting shares at a cost of $577 million, or $44.02 per share. The number of Class B subordinate voting shares that may yet be purchased under the program was 27 million at June 30, 2007.
(e) Share split
On April 25, 2007, shareholders approved a two-for-one share split for its Class A common shares and Class B subordinate voting shares effective as of the close of business on May 7, 2007. All share and per share information included in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes has been adjusted to reflect this share split for all periods presented.
10. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three months Six months
(in millions of dollars) ended June 30 ended June 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening balances at beginning of period $ (117) $ (145)
Adoption of new accounting standards - 50
-------------------------------
(117) (95)
Other comprehensive income for the period (283) (305)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income at
end of period $ (400) $ (400)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income
On adoption
December 31, January 1, June 30,
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2007 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currency translation adjustment $ (145) $ (145) $ (461)
Unrealized losses on cash flow
hedges (net of tax of
$21 and $18) - (28) (23)
Unrealized gains on investments
(net of tax of
$16 and $15) - 78 84
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (145) $ (95) $ (400)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------11. ACCOUNTING FOR FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Note 2(b))
(a) Sales and purchases contracts
The majority of the company's metal concentrates are sold under pricing arrangements where final prices are determined by quoted market prices in a period subsequent to the date of sale. In these circumstances, revenues are recorded at the time of sale based on forward prices for the expected date of the final settlement. Metal concentrates for smelting and refining operations are purchased under similar arrangements. As a result, the values of the company's concentrate receivables and payables change as the underlying market prices vary. This component of the contracts is an embedded derivative which are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in revenue or operating costs as appropriate.
(b) Contingent gains related to sale of discontinued operation
Pursuant to a price participation clause in the agreement for sale of the Cajamarquilla zinc refinery in 2004, the company is entitled to additional consideration of US$365,000 for each US$0.01 by which the average annual price of zinc exceeds US$0.454 per pound. This zinc price participation expires in 2009. The agreement also provided for additional consideration should certain other benchmarks be met.
Effective January 1, 2007, upon adoption of the new accounting standards for financial instruments, we recorded an asset of $139 million by increasing our retained earnings in respect of the fair market value of the price participation clause in the sale agreement. The new accounting standards for financial instruments require us to mark the price participation portion of the receivable to market at the end of each quarter based on the zinc forward price curve. The net after-tax gain in respect of price participation and other consideration was $5 million in the second quarter. We recorded an after-tax loss of $25 million in respect of these items for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
(c) Investments
Three Six
months Months
ended ended
June 30, June 30,
(in millions of dollars) June 30, 2007 2007 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Fair Change in
Value Value Fair Value
Marketable securities (i) $ 362 $ 362 $ 6 $ 9
Fording Canadian Coal Trust (ii) 144 450 114 144
Fort Hills Energy Limited
Partnership (iii) 166 - - -
Warrants (iv) 10 10 (8) (14)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 682 $ 822 $ 112 $ 139
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Marketable securities are designated as available-for-sale with
changes in fair value included in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI").
(ii) Our interest in Fording Canadian Coal Trust is an equity investment
and changes in fair value are not included in earnings or OCI.
(iii) The fair value of Fort Hills Energy Limited Partnership cannot be
measured reliably as it is not publicly traded. This investment is
accounted for using the equity method and any change in fair value
is not included in earnings or OCI.
(iv) Warrants are held for trading and changes in fair value are included
in earnings as other income.(d) Long-term debt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in millions of dollars) June 30, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Value Fair Value
Debt instruments
6.125% debentures due October 2035 $ 727 $ 685
5.375% debentures due October 2015 316 301
7.000% debentures due September 2012 210 223
Antamina senior revolving credit facility 99 99
Other 14 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,366 $ 1,322
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Long-term debt is designated as held to maturity and changes in fair value are not included in regular earnings or other comprehensive income.
(e) The company's derivative positions at June 30, 2007 are as follows:
Fair Market
2007 2008 2009 Total Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Cdn$ millions)
Gold (thousands of ozs)
Forward sales contracts 22 44 43 109
Average price (US$/oz) 350 350 350 350 $ (37)
Forward sales contracts 4 - - 4
Average price (C$/oz) 520 - - 520 (1)
US dollars (millions)
Forward sales contracts (a) 455 - - 455
Average exchange rate 1.10 - - 1.10 15
Zinc (millions of lbs)
Fixed forward purchase
commitments (b) 19 - - 19
Average price (US$/lb) 1.58 - - 1.58 (1)
Lead (millions of lbs)
Fixed forward purchase
commitments (b) 1 1 - 2
Average price (US$/lb) 0.92 0.76 - 0.86 1
Interest Rate Swap
Principal Amount Rate Rate Fair Market
Swapped Obtained Maturity Date Value
----------------- --------------------------------------------------------
US$100 million 7.00% LIBOR plus 2.14% September 2012 $ (3)
Notes:
(a) From time to time, the company purchases U.S. dollar short-term money
market investments. The company purchases the U.S. dollars and at the
same time sells U.S. dollars forward to match the maturity of the
investment. The unrealized gain or loss on the U.S. dollar investments
is offset by the unrealized gain or loss on the foreign exchange
contracts. The company does not apply hedge accounting to these as the
change in value of the contracts substantially offsets the change in
value of the U.S. dollar investments. The change in market value of
both of these items is reported in the earnings for the period.
(b) From time to time, certain customers purchase refined metal products
at fixed forward prices from the company's smelter and refinery
operations. The forward purchase commitments for these metal
products are matched to these fixed price sales commitments to
customers.12. CONTINGENCIES
The company considers provisions for all our outstanding and pending legal claims to be adequate. The final outcome with respect to actions outstanding or pending as at June 30, 2007, or with respect to future claims, cannot be predicted with certainty.
(a) Upper Columbia River Basin (Lake Roosevelt)
Prior to our acquisition in 2000 of a majority interest in Cominco Ltd. (now Teck Cominco Metals Ltd.) ("TCML"), TCML's Trail smelter discharged smelter slag into the Columbia River. These discharges commenced prior to TCML's acquisition of the Trail smelter in 1906 and continued until 1996. Slag was discharged pursuant to permits issued in British Columbia subsequent to the enactment of relevant environmental legislation in 1967. Slag and other non-slag materials released from the Trail smelter in British Columbia have traveled down river and mixed with substances discharged from many other smelting and industrial facilities located along the length of the Upper Columbia River system in Canada and the U.S.A.
Slag is a glass-like compound consisting primarily of silica, calcium and iron, which contains small amounts of base metals such as zinc, lead, copper and cadmium. It is sufficiently inert that it is not characterized as a hazardous waste under applicable Canadian or U.S. regulations. While slag has been deposited into the river, further study is required to assess what effect the presence of slag in the river has had and, whether it poses an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. A large number of studies regarding slag deposition and its effects have been conducted by various governmental agencies on both sides of the border. The historical studies of which we are aware have not identified unacceptable risks resulting from the presence of slag in the river.
On June 2, 2006, TCML and its affiliate, Teck Cominco American Incorporated ("TCAI"), entered into a Settlement Agreement (the "Agreement") with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the United States under which TCAI is paying for and conducting a remedial investigation and feasibility study ("RI/FS") of contamination in the Upper Columbia River (the "Studies") under the oversight of the EPA. The RI/FS is being prepared by independent consultants approved by the EPA and retained by TCAI. TCAI is paying the EPA's oversight costs and providing funding for the participation of other governmental parties, the State of Washington and two native tribes, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Nation (the "Colville Tribe") and the Spokane Tribe. TCML has guaranteed TCAI's performance of the Agreement. TCAI has also placed US$20 million in escrow as financial assurance of its obligations under the Agreement and we have accrued our estimate of the costs of the Studies. Contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement, the EPA withdrew a unilateral administrative order ("UAO") purporting to compel TCML to conduct the Studies.
The RI/FS process requires TCAI to submit a work plan for the assessment of site conditions to the EPA which, when approved, will lead to the development of a set of sampling and other plans and actual field work. Data from field work will be used to determine whether further studies are required. When sufficient data have been compiled to adequately assess risk, a baseline human health and environmental risk assessment ("RA") will be produced to identify risks, if any, that may exist to humans and to various environmental receptors. The RA will form the basis for the RI/FS. The remedial investigation will identify potential remedial options available to mitigate any unacceptable risks; the feasibility study will consider engineering, procedural and practical constraints to these remedial options. Based on the RI/FS, the EPA will determine whether and what remedial actions are appropriate in accordance with criteria that take into account, among other factors, technical feasibility, effectiveness, cost effects on the environment resulting from the remediation action, and acceptability of the relevant remedial option to the community. Each work product and plan in this process is subject to EPA approval. Internal consultation processes of the EPA will include consultation with state and other federal agencies and the two Indian Tribes bordering the site.
While the UAO was outstanding, two citizens of Washington State and members of the Colville Tribe commenced an enforcement proceeding under Section 310(a)(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") to enforce the UAO and to seek fines and penalties against TCML for non-compliance. TCML sought to have all claims dismissed on the basis that the court lacked jurisdiction because the CERCLA statute was not intended to govern the discharges of a facility occurring in another country. That case has proceeded through U.S. Federal District Court and the Federal Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. The 9th Circuit affirmed the District Court decision denying TCML's motion to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds and found that CERCLA could be applied to TCML's disposal practices in British Columbia because they may have had an effect in Washington State. The 9th Circuit has issued a stay of its decision pending the resolution of a further appeal by TCML to the U.S. Supreme Court.
On February 27, 2007, TCML filed a petition for review and reversal with the U.S. Supreme Court. TCML's petition was supported by amicus briefs filed by Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Mining Association of Canada, the U.S. National Mining Association, the U.S. Association of Manufacturers, the Canadian and U.S. Chambers of Commerce and the Consumer Electronics Association.
On June 4, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court requested the Solicitor General to opine on the petition for review on behalf of the Administration. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Supreme Court will agree to hear TCML's appeal or reverse the decision or that the withdrawal of the UAO and the settlement of the Agreement will be sufficient to resolve the matter or that TCML or its affiliates will not be faced with further liability in relation to this matter. Until the studies contemplated by the Agreement are completed, it is not possible to estimate the extent and cost, if any, of remediation or restoration that may be required. The studies may conclude, on the basis of risk, cost, technical feasibility or other grounds, that no remediation should be undertaken. If remediation is required, the cost of remediation may be material.
(b) Investment in oil sands leases
In June 2007, the company acquired a 50% interest in Lease 14 in Alberta from UTS Energy Corporation based on a value of $1 per barrel of recoverable bitumen and an assumed resource for 100% of Lease 14 of 400 million barrels. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based on an independent resource estimate for Lease 14, to a maximum of $250 million and a minimum of $150 million. The company has recorded the acquisition at the minimum amount due of $150 million and will record any additional amounts payable on resolution of the contingency.
13. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The company has five reportable segments: smelting and refining, base metals, gold, coal, and corporate and other. Revenue from refined zinc and lead, electrical power, fertilizers and specialty metals operations are included in smelting and refining revenue for segmented purposes. The corporate segment includes administrative, investment, exploration and business development activities. Concentrates sold from one segment to another are valued at market prices.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended June 30, 2007
--------------------------------------------
Corp-
Smelting Base orate
and Metal Gold Coal and
(in millions of dollars) Refining Mines Mines Mines Other Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment revenues 531 800 45 278 12 1,666
Less inter-segment revenues - (104) - - (1) (105)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 531 696 45 278 11 1,561
Operating profit (loss) 118 556 (4) 79 15 764
Interest expense - (2) - (1) (18) (21)
Other - - (1) - (11) (12)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before taxes
and discontinued operation 118 554 (5) 78 (14) 731
Capital expenditures 22 62 10 8 41 143
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months ended June 30, 2007
---------------------------------------------
Corp-
Smelting Base orate
and Metal Gold Coal and
(in millions of dollars) Refining Mines Mines Mines Other Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment revenues 1,017 1,485 76 512 22 3,112
Less inter-segment revenues - (209) - - (2) (211)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 1,017 1,276 76 512 20 2,901
Operating profit (loss) 238 993 (6) 143 16 1,384
Interest expense - (4) - (1) (38) (43)
Other - - (5) - (6) (11)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before taxes
and discontinued operation 238 989 (11) 142 (28) 1,330
Total assets 1,718 3,908 350 602 4,017 10,595
Capital expenditures 45 118 16 13 78 270
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended June 30, 2006
---------------------------------------------
Corp-
Smelting Base orate
and Metal Gold Coal and
(in millions of dollars) Refining Mines Mines Mines Other Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment revenues 451 848 37 307 107 1,750
Less inter-segment revenues - (203) - - (1) (204)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 451 645 37 307 106 1,546
Operating profit 112 655 4 119 4 894
Interest expense - (2) - (1) (21) (24)
Other - - - - 17 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
and discontinued operation 112 653 4 118 - 887
Capital expenditures 13 22 19 4 4 62
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months ended June 30, 2006
---------------------------------------------
Corp-
Smelting Base orate
and Metal Gold Coal and
(in millions of dollars) Refining Mines Mines Mines Other Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment revenues 814 1,515 74 599 139 3,141
Less inter-segment revenues - (320) - - (2) (322)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 814 1,195 74 599 137 2,819
Operating profit 183 1,094 8 246 (13) 1,518
Interest expense - (5) - (1) (45) (51)
Other - - - - 101 101
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
and discontinued operation 183 1,089 8 245 43 1,568
Total assets 1,514 3,267 383 666 3,624 9,454
Capital expenditures 23 69 26 10 8 13614. SEASONALITY OF SALES
Due to ice conditions, the port serving the Red Dog mine is normally only able to ship concentrates from July to October each year. As a result, sales volumes are generally higher in the third and fourth quarter of each year than in the first and second quarter.
15. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On July 17, 2007 we made an offer to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Aur Resources Inc. (Aur), a copper mining company with operations in Canada and Chile. Under the terms of the offer, we have offered $41 in cash or 0.8749 of a Class B subordinate voting share and cash of $0.0001 for each Aur common share, subject to pro ration based on the maximum amount of cash and shares available. The total amount of cash available under the offer is limited to approximately $3.1 billion and the total number of Class B subordinate voting shares available is 21,971,959 shares. Under full pro ration, Aur shareholders would be entitled to receive cash of $30.75 and 0.2187 of a Class B subordinate voting share for each Aur share tendered to the offer.
The offer is subject to certain conditions, including acceptance by not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding Aur shares (calculated on a fully-diluted basis) and the underlying support agreement for the offer not being terminated by us or Aur in accordance with its terms. The offer is open for acceptance until August 21, 2007 unless extended or withdrawn by us.
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