Thompson Creek Reports Significantly Improved 2014 Financial Results Revenue of $807 Million, up 86%, Operating Cash Flow of $185 Million, up 313% and Cash Balance of $266 Million, up 14%

DENVER, CO, Feb. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. (NYSE: TC) (TSX: TCM) (the "Company" or "Thompson Creek"), a  North American mining company, announced today financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2014, prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("US GAAP"). All dollar amounts are in United States ("US") dollars unless otherwise indicated.

"We achieved very good operational and financial performance in 2014 and ended the year with a strong cash position," said Jacques Perron, President and CEO of Thompson Creek.  "We are pleased to have met our 2014 copper and total molybdenum production guidance, and are particularly pleased with our 2014 copper cash costs of $1.15 per pound on a by-product basis, which we expect to be lower in 2015," added Mr. Perron.

Highlights for 2014

• Total cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 were $265.6 million compared to $233.9 million at December 31, 2013. Total debt, including capital lease obligations, at December 31, 2014 was $944.7 million, compared to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2013.

• Cash generated by operating activities was $184.8 million in 2014 compared to $44.8 million in 2013.

• Mount Milligan Mine achieved commercial production, defined as operation of the mill at 60% design capacity mill throughput for 30 days, and has been cash flow positive since the second quarter of 2014. In 2014, we made 12 shipments of concentrate from Mount Milligan Mine and recognized 12 sales.

• Consolidated revenues for 2014 were $806.7 million compared to $434.4 million in 2013. Copper and gold sales contributed $350.7 million in revenue in 2014 compared to $14.3 million in 2013. Molybdenum sales for 2014 were $441.2 million compared to $400.8 million in 2013.

• Sales volumes and average realized sales prices for copper and gold for 2014 were 64.7 million pounds of copper at an average realized price of $3.02 per pound and 172,741 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,002 per ounce, as compared to 2.8 million pounds of copper at an average realized price of $3.29 per pound and 5,541 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,006 per ounce for 2013. Molybdenum sales volumes in 2014 were 36.6 million pounds at an average realized price of $12.06 per pound compared to 36.5 million pounds at an average realized price of $10.97 per pound for 2013.

• Consolidated operating income for 2014 was $36.1 million compared to an operating loss of $175.3 million for 2013. Consolidated operating income (loss) for 2014 and 2013 was impacted by non-cash asset impairments of $104.8 million and $194.9 million, respectively, and non-cash lower-of-cost-or-market product inventory write downs of $25.5 million and $57.8 million, respectively.

• Net loss for 2014 was $124.2 million, or $0.64 per share compared to a net loss of $215.0 million, or $1.26 per share for 2013. The net loss for 2014 and 2013 included non-cash foreign exchange losses of $99.8 million and $70.8 million, respectively, primarily on intercompany notes.

• Non-GAAP adjusted net income per pound of copper produced for 2014 was $54.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted share compared to a non-GAAP adjusted net loss for 2013 of $5.0 million, or $0.03 per share. Non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss) excludes the non-cash impact of asset impairment losses and foreign exchange losses, net of the related tax impacts. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for the definition and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss).

• Payable production at Mount Milligan Mine for 2014 was 64.6 million pounds of copper and 177,606 ounces of gold, compared to 2013 payable production of 10.4 million pounds of copper and 19,879 ounces of gold.

• Non-GAAP unit cash cost per pound of copper produced for 2014 was, on a by-product basis, $1.15 per pound, and, on a co-product basis, $1.97 per pound of copper and $525 per ounce of gold. Non-GAAP unit cash costs in 2013 were, on a by-product basis, $7.76 per pound, and on a co-product basis, $5.40 per pound of copper and $1,468 per ounce of gold. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for the definition and reconciliation of non-GAAP cash costs.

• Molybdenum production for 2014 was 26.3 million pounds compared to 29.9 million pounds in 2013.

• Non-GAAP average molybdenum cash cost per pound produced for 2014 was $6.91 per pound compared to $6.49 per pound in 2013. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for the definition and reconciliation of non-GAAP cash costs.

• Open market bond repurchases from December 2014 through the first week of January 2015 resulted in the principal retirement of $32.9 million of the outstanding principal amount of our unsecured bonds, reducing future interest payments by approximately $13.3 million. Total cash used through December 31, 2014 for this program was $23.4 million, with total cash used for the program through the first week of January 2015 of $30.4 million. These bond repurchases in December 2014 and January 2015, combined with the execution of the tMEDS exchange offer in the second quarter of 2014, have reduced our outstanding principal debt by $43.8 million and extinguished future interest payments by $14.1 million.

• Capital expenditures in 2014 were $82.1 million, comprised of $77.0 million for Mount Milligan Mine (including payment of approximately $21.0 million related to 2013 accruals related to construction and development) and $5.1 million of other capital costs for Endako Mine, TC Mine, the Langeloth Facility and corporate combined, compared to $428.9 million in 2013.

"The fourth quarter brought challenges to the mining industry, including our business, with falling copper and molybdenum prices. Although TC Mine and Endako Mine are not currently in operation, we expect to generate sufficient revenue from the conversion of third party material at our Langeloth Facility and sales of inventory from our molybdenum mines to have positive cash flow from our molybdenum business in 2015," said Mr. Perron.

"Our focus for Mount Milligan Mine in 2015 is to achieve mill throughput of 60,000 tonnes per day by year-end, which we think is doable with the temporary crushing circuit currently in place. By completing the detailed engineering for the permanent secondary crusher in 2015, we will be well-positioned to commence construction once market conditions improve and we feel it is appropriate to make the capital investment," added Mr. Perron. "We believe that our payable copper and gold production will significantly increase in 2015 and that we will achieve cash costs of $0.60 to $0.85 per pound of copper on a by-product basis, making Mount Milligan one of the lowest cost copper producers in the world on a by-product basis."

Selected Consolidated Financial and Operational Information
(US$ in millions, except per share, per pound and per ounce amounts)

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Current Guidance

The following table presents the Company's guidance for the full year 2015.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with US GAAP, management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to assess the Company's operating performance for the reasons described further below. These measures do not have standard meanings prescribed by US GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The presentation of these measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with US GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with the results of operations as determined in accordance with US GAAP.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Share—Basic and Diluted

Management of the Company uses adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share—basic and diluted to evaluate the Company's operating performance and for planning and forecasting future business operations. The Company believes the use of these measures allows investors and analysts to compare results of the continuing operations of the Company to similar operating results of other mining companies, by excluding unusual or infrequent items that are considered non-core to our business.

Adjusted net income (loss) represents the income (loss) prepared in accordance with US GAAP, adjusted for significant non-cash items.

For 2014, the significant non-cash items were the asset impairments, the net realized and unrealized gain and losses related to the impact of foreign exchange due primarily to intercompany notes, and related tax effects. For 2013 and 2012, the significant non-cash items were the asset impairments, goodwill impairment, and the non-cash gain and losses related to the impact of foreign exchange due primarily to intercompany notes, and related tax effects.

Management reviews and evaluates the Company's long-lived assets for impairment using a two-step approach when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts of its assets may not be recoverable. The Company has experienced non-cash impairment write downs of its long-lived assets of different types during 2014, 2013 and 2012, and, therefore, these charges should not be considered non-recurring. However, management does not consider these impairment charges in its evaluation of our financial performance and excludes non-cash asset write-downs and related tax impacts from adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share — basic and diluted. Management believes that presentation of non-GAAP measures excluding these non-cash impairment losses provides useful information to investors regarding the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

During 2012, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge. In addition, the company recognized a non-cash loss related to its common stock warrants. Management does not consider the impairment charge or the non-cash loss on warrants in its evaluation of our financial performance and excludes the expense from adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share — basic and diluted. Management believes that presentation of non-GAAP measures excluding this charge provides useful information to investors regarding the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

In connection with the Company's strategy to manage cash balances, fund its operations and provide future tax benefits, the Company may enter into intercompany loan arrangements. At times, the loans are denominated in currencies other than the measurement currency of one of the parties. US GAAP requires that notes that are intended to be repaid should not be considered a capital contribution, and, therefore, the foreign exchange fluctuations related to these loans impact net income (loss) each period. At each period end, the Company compares the exchange rate between the Canadian and US dollars to the exchange rate at the end of the prior reporting period. The difference between those rates is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) at each period end. Settlement of these intercompany loans results in realized foreign exchange gains or losses recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  As the loans between the Company and its subsidiaries are the primary driver of our foreign exchange gains and losses, as discussed above, management does not consider gains or losses on foreign exchange in its evaluation of our financial performance. Management believes that presentation of non-GAAP measures excluding these gains or losses provides useful information to our investors regarding the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Adjusted net income (loss) per share (basic and diluted) is calculated using adjusted net income (loss), as defined above, divided by the weighted-average basic and weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during the period as determined in accordance with US GAAP. If the adjustments to net (loss) on a US GAAP basis result in non-GAAP adjusted net income, we calculate weighted-average diluted shares outstanding in accordance with US GAAP and use that to calculate adjusted net income per share-diluted. If the adjustments to net income on a US GAAP basis result in non-GAAP adjusted net (loss), we utilize weighted-average basic shares outstanding to calculate adjusted net income per share-diluted, in accordance with US GAAP.

The following tables reconcile net income (loss) presented in accordance with US GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share—basic and diluted, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  All figures within the tables are unaudited and are presented in US$ in millions, except shares and per share amounts.

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Copper-Gold Operations - Unit Cash Cost and Average Realized Price per Payable Pound or Payable Ounce Sold

Unit cash cost on a by-product and co-product basis are considered key measures in evaluating operating performance in the Company's Copper-Gold operations, as well as measures of profitability and efficiency on a consolidated basis. Although, unit cash cost on a by-product and co-product basis are not measures of financial performance, do not have standardized meaning prescribed by US GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, management believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful supplemental information to investors.

Unit cash cost on a by-product and co-product basis represent the mining, milling, on-site general and administration, truck and rail transportation, warehousing, refining and treatment, and ocean freight and insurance costs; and exclude the effects of changes in inventory; non-cash corporate allocations; other non-cash employee benefits, such as stock-based compensation; depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion.

On a by-product basis, sales of by-product metals are deducted when computing cash costs in accordance with the cash cost standard endorsed by the World Gold Council and, previously, the Gold Institute.

On a co-product basis, cash costs are allocated between copper and gold based on production. Copper production is stated in thousands of pounds. Gold production has been converted to thousands of copper equivalent (Cu eq.) pounds using the gold production for the periods presented, as well as the most recent quarterly average prices for copper and gold. The price used for copper is the most recent quarterly average of the Metals Bulletin Daily published price for LME settlement per tonne. The price used for gold is a weighted average of the most recent quarterly average of the Metals Bulletin Daily published prices for daily average London price per ounce adjusted for the fixed price established under the Gold Stream Arrangement ($435 per oz).

The following tables provide a reconciliation of cash costs, unit cash costs, and operating expenses for Copper-Gold operations included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the determination of net income (loss).

Non-GAAP cash cost

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By-Product

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Co- Product

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Average Realized Sales Price

The average realized sales price per payable pound or payable ounce sold is calculated by dividing copper or gold sales revenue, gross, by the pounds or ounces sold, respectively, as shown in the tables below.

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Molybdenum Operations - Cash Cost per Pound Produced, Weighted-Average Cash Cost per Pound Produced and Average Realized Sales Price per Pound Sold

Cash cost per pound produced, weighted-average cash cost per pound produced and average realized sales price per pound sold are considered key measures in evaluating the Company's operating performance in its Molybdenum operations, as well as profitability and efficiency on a consolidated basis. Although cash cost per pound produced, weighted-average cash cost per pound produced and average realized sales price per pound sold are not measures of financial performance, do not have standardized meanings prescribed by US GAAP, and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, management believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful supplemental information to investors.

Cash cost per pound produced represents the mining, milling, on-site general and administration, transportation to Langeloth Facility, and allocation of roasting and packaging from the Langeloth Facility for molybdenum oxide and HPM produced; and excludes the effects of purchase price adjustments; changes in inventory; non-cash corporate allocations; other non-cash employee benefits, such as stock-based compensation; and depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion. Mining includes all stripping costs. Stripping costs that provide access to mineral reserves that will be produced in future periods are expensed as incurred under US GAAP.

The weighted-average cash cost per pound produced represents the cumulative total of the cash costs for TC Mine and Endako Mine divided by the cumulative total production from TC Mine and Endako Mine.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of cash costs and cash cost per pound produced, by mine, and operating expenses included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the determination of net income (loss).

 

Additional information on the Company's financial position is available in Thompson Creek's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014, which was filed today on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) and SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and posted on the Company's website (www.thompsoncreekmetals.com).

Conference Call and Webcast

Thompson Creek will hold a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss its 2014 financial results on Friday,  February 20, 2015 at 8:30 am Eastern Time.

To participate in the call, please dial 1 (647) 427-7450 or 1 (888) 231-8191.  A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at http://cnw.ca/8vbqu and www.thompsoncreekmetals.com.

An archived recording of the conference call will be available through March 6, 2015.  To access the recording, dial 1 (416) 849-0833 or 1 (855) 859-2056 and enter replay code 81940445.  The archived recording will also be available at Thompson Creek's website.

About Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.

Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. is a North American mining company.  The Company's principal operating property is its 100%-owned Mount Milligan mine, an open-pit copper and gold mine and concentrator in British Columbia. The Company's molybdenum assets consist of its 100%-owned Thompson Creek Mine, an open-pit molybdenum mine and concentrator in Idaho, its 75% joint venture interest in the Endako Mine, an open-pit molybdenum mine, concentrator and roaster in British Columbia, and its Langeloth Metallurgical Facility in Pennsylvania.  The Company's development projects include the Berg property, a copper, molybdenum, and silver exploration property located in British Columbia and the Maze Lake property, a gold exploration project located in the Kivalliq District of Nunavut, Canada.  The Company's principal executive office is located in Denver, Colorado.  More information is available at www.thompsoncreekmetals.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains ''forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995  Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "future," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Our forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to: future financial or operating performance of the Company or its subsidiaries and its projects; access to existing or future financing arrangements and ability to refinance or reduce debt on favorable terms or at all; future inventory, production, sales, payments from customers, cash costs, capital expenditures and exploration expenditures; future earnings and operating results; expected concentrate and recovery grades; estimates of mineral reserves and resources, including estimated mine life and annual production; statements as to the projected ramp-up of Mt. Milligan and other projects, including expected achievement of design capacities and the effects of secondary crushing; future operating plans and goals, including timing of installation of secondary crushing capacity; and future molybdenum, copper, gold and silver prices.

Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, our forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by those forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements can be found in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Thompson Creek's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although we have attempted to identify those material factors that could cause actual results or events to differ from those described in such forward-looking statements, there may be other factors, currently unknown to us or deemed immaterial at the present time that could cause results or events to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.

For further information: Pamela Solly, Director, Investor Relations, Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc., Tel: (303) 762-3526; psolly@tcrk.com; Barbara Komorowski, Renmark Financial Communications Inc., Tel: (514) 939-3989, bkomorowski@renmarkfinancial.com