Hudbay Minerals Inc. (“Hudbay” or the “company”) (TSX,
NYSE:HBM) today released its third quarter 2023 financial
results. All amounts are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Delivering Record Third Quarter
Operating and Financial Results
- Achieved record quarterly revenue of $480.5 million with strong
consolidated copper production of 41,964 tonnes and record
quarterly consolidated gold production of 101,417 ounces as higher
grades from the Pampacancha deposit in Peru and the Lalor mine in
Manitoba were realized together with the first full quarter of
Copper Mountain production for Hudbay.
- Reaffirmed full year 2023 production, cash cost and sustaining
cash cost guidance for Hudbay’s Peru and Manitoba operations.
Issued Copper Mountain production, cash cost and capital
expenditure guidance for the period since completion of the
acquisition on June 20, 2023. Hudbay consolidated production, cash
cost and capital guidance updated to include Copper Mountain
contributions in 2023.
- Delivered a significant increase in operating cash flow before
change in non-cash working capital of $182.0 million in the third
quarter, compared to $55.9 million in the second quarter.
- Consolidated cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of
copper produced, net of by-product credits1, in the third quarter,
were $1.10 and $1.89, respectively, and both metrics improved by
31% compared to the second quarter.
- Peru operations benefitted from significantly higher grades at
the Pampacancha pit during the third quarter of 2023, resulting in
29,081 tonnes of copper production and 40,596 ounces of gold
production in the third quarter. Peru cash cost per pound of copper
produced, net of by-product creditsi, in the third quarter declined
to $0.83, in line with quarterly cadence expectations. Pampacancha
began delivering on anticipated higher copper production and
precious metal by-product credits in the third quarter. This strong
performance is expected to continue in the fourth quarter, enabling
the Peru operations to meet all metal production and cost guidance
for 2023.
- Manitoba operations produced 56,213 ounces of gold in the third
quarter as production focused on mining the higher gold and copper
grade zones at Lalor. Mill recoveries also increased meaningfully
compared to the prior period as a result of changes to optimize the
circuits at the Stall and New Britannia mills. Manitoba cash cost
per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product creditsi, was $670
during the third quarter and full year cash costs are expected to
be within the annual guidance range.
- First full quarter of Copper Mountain operations produced 9,303
tonnes of copper at a cash cost per pound of copper produced, net
of by-product creditsi, of $2.67. With integration activities
well-advanced, continuous improvement methodologies applied at
Hudbay’s Constancia operations have started to be implemented in
the Copper Mountain mill as the company continues its operational
stabilization plans.
- Third quarter net earnings and earnings per share were $45.5
million and $0.13, respectively. After adjusting for a non-cash
gain of $32.4 million related to a quarterly revaluation of
Hudbay’s closed site environmental reclamation provision, among
other items, third quarter adjusted earningsi per share were
$0.07.
- Cash and cash equivalents increased by $65.5 million to $245.2
million during the third quarter due to strong operating cash flows
bolstered by higher copper and gold sales volumes from mining the
high-grade zones of the Pampacancha deposit and higher gold and
copper grade zones at Lalor.
- Revenue, earnings and operating cash flow would have further
benefitted from the sale of approximately 20,000 ounces of
consolidated gold production that remained unsold at the end of the
third quarter.
Generating Free Cash Flow with Increased
Production and Continued Financial Discipline
- Executed on planned higher production levels and achieved
continued operating and capital cost efficiencies to generate
significant free cash flow in the third quarter.
- Achieved adjusted EBITDAi of $190.7 million in the third
quarter, the highest quarterly level over the last five years and a
135% increase from the second quarter.
- Increased cash and total liquidity by $175.8 million to $539.6
million, including increased availability under the company’s
credit facilities due to higher EBITDA levels, lower net debt and
renegotiated covenants.
- Net debt reduced to $1,132 million during the third quarter,
which together with higher levels of adjusted EBITDA, has improved
the company’s net debt to EBITDA ratioi compared to the second
quarter.
- Deleveraging efforts continued subsequent to quarter-end into
October 2023 with a $40 million repayment on the company’s credit
facilities, a $5 million principal repayment on the Copper Mountain
bonds and the recommencement of deliveries under the gold forward
sale and prepay agreement to reduce the gold prepayment
liability.
- On track to deliver annual discretionary spending reduction
targets for 2023 with lower growth capital and exploration
expenditures compared to 2022. As a result of a continued focus on
discretionary spending reductions, total capital expenditures for
2023 (excluding Copper Mountain) are expected to be approximately
$30 million lower than previous guidance levels, a further decrease
from the $15 million reduction announced in the second quarter,
representing a 10% reduction in total capital expenditures.
Executing on Growth Initiatives and
Prudent Financial Planning
- Post-acquisition plans to stabilize the Copper Mountain
operations are underway with a focus on mining fleet ramp-up
activities, accelerated stripping and increasing mill reliability.
To date, approximately $9 million of the $10 million in targeted
annualized corporate synergies have been achieved.
- As previously announced, a new technical report for the Copper
Mountain mine is expected to be released in the fourth quarter. The
new technical report will include an updated mine plan and updated
annual production and cost estimates. The new technical report will
also include updated mineral reserve and resource estimates and
mill throughput assumptions.
- Successfully completed ramp up of the Stall recovery
improvement program with significantly higher copper, gold and
silver recoveries realized in the third quarter.
- Released results of the de-risked and enhanced Copper World
pre-feasibility study for Phase I in September 2023, which
demonstrated a simplified mine plan with an extended 20-year mine
life requiring only state and local permits, an after-tax net
present value (8%) of $1.1 billion and a 19% internal rate of
return at a copper price of $3.75 per pound.
- Completed the acquisition of Rockcliff Metals Corp.
(“Rockcliff”) on September 14, 2023, which has increased the
company’s land position within trucking distance of the Snow Lake
processing facilities by more than 250%.
- Commenced initial drill program at the company’s Mason project
in Nevada to test high grade targets on satellite properties with
25% of the program completed and assay results pending.
“We delivered on our plan for significantly
higher production, revenue and cash flow in the third quarter,
marking an inflection point as we generate strong returns from our
recent brownfield and growth investments across the business,” said
Peter Kukielski, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are
reaffirming our 2023 full year guidance with strong copper and gold
grades from Pampacancha in Peru and higher gold grades at Lalor in
Manitoba, while remaining disciplined with capital spending. This,
together with the contribution from our first full quarter of
operating Copper Mountain, led to meaningful cash flow generation
and demonstrates Hudbay’s resilient operating platform and
continued focus on deleveraging.”
Summary of Third Quarter
Results
Consolidated copper production in the third
quarter of 2023 was 41,964 tonnes, a 93% increase from the second
quarter of 2023. Consolidated gold production in the quarter was
101,417 ounces, a 107% increase over the second quarter.
Consolidated silver production in the third quarter was 1,063,032
ounces, a 74% increase over the second quarter. The significant
increase in production was driven by meaningfully higher recoveries
in Peru and Manitoba, mining of the higher copper and gold grade
zones at the Pampacancha deposit, higher gold and copper grade
zones at Lalor and incremental production from the Copper Mountain
mine. Consolidated zinc production in the third quarter increased
by 18% compared to the prior quarter primarily due to higher mill
throughput and higher zinc grades. Annual production guidance
ranges for 2023 have been reaffirmed for both Peru and Manitoba,
and consolidated production guidance has been updated to include
contributions from Copper Mountain.
Consolidated cash cost per pound of copper
produced, net of by-product creditsi, was $1.10 in the third
quarter of 2023, compared to $1.60 in the second quarter. This
improvement was driven by strong copper and gold production in Peru
and Manitoba, which more than offset the higher mining, milling,
G&A, freight and treatment and refining charges associated with
now having three operations. Consolidated sustaining cash cost per
pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, was $1.89 in
the third quarter of 2023, compared to $2.73 in the second quarter.
This decrease was primarily due to the same factors affecting
consolidated cash cost, partially offset by higher cash sustaining
capital expenditures. Both cash cost measures are expected to
continue to be strong in the fourth quarter with higher expected
copper production and continued strong contributions from precious
metal by-product credits. Full year cash cost guidance ranges for
2023 are reaffirmed for each of Peru and Manitoba and consolidated
cash cost and sustaining cash cost guidance ranges have been
updated to include Copper Mountain. Consolidated all-in sustaining
cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi,
was $2.04 in the third quarter of 2023, lower than $2.98 in the
second quarter, due to the same reasons outlined above as well as
slightly higher corporate selling and administrative expenses.
Cash generated from operating activities in the
third quarter of 2023 significantly increased to $151.9 million
compared to $24.6 million in the second quarter. Operating cash
flow before change in non-cash working capital was a record $182.0
million during the third quarter, reflecting an increase of $126.1
million over the prior quarter. The increase in operating cash flow
was primarily the result of higher copper sales volumes from mining
the high grade zones of the Pampacancha deposit, higher gold and
copper grade zones at Lalor and an incremental contribution from
the Copper Mountain mine.
Net earnings and earnings per share in the third
quarter of 2023 were $45.5 million and $0.13, respectively,
compared to net loss and loss per share of $14.9 million and $0.05,
respectively, in the second quarter of 2023. The results were
positively impacted by a non-cash gain of $32.4 million related to
the quarterly revaluation of the environmental reclamation
provision at the company’s closed sites, partially offset by a $2.3
million one-time charge related to restructuring costs arising from
the Copper Mountain acquisition.
Adjusted net earningsi and adjusted net earnings
per sharei in the third quarter of 2023 were $24.4 million and
$0.07 per share, respectively, after adjusting for the non-cash
gain related to the revaluation of the environmental provision,
among other items. This compares to adjusted net loss and adjusted
net loss per share of $18.3 million and $0.07 in the second quarter
of 2023. Adjusted EBITDAi was $190.7 million, a 135% increase
compared to $81.2 million in the second quarter. Revenue, earnings
and cash would have further benefitted from the sale of
approximately 20,000 ounces of consolidated gold production that
was unsold at the end of the third quarter and is expected to be
sold in the fourth quarter.
As at September 30, 2023, total liquidity
increased to $539.6 million, including $245.2 million in cash and
cash equivalents as well as undrawn availability of $294.4 million
under the company’s revolving credit facilities. Net debt declined
during the quarter to $1,132 million as at September 30, 2023.
Subsequent to quarter end, Hudbay repaid $40 million on its
revolving credit facilities and made a $5 million principal
repayment on the Copper Mountain bonds. Based on continued expected
free cash flow generation in the fourth quarter of 2023, the
company continues to expect to make progress on its deleveraging
targets as outlined in the “3-P” plan for sanctioning Copper World.
Current liquidity combined with cash flow from operations is
expected to be sufficient to meet the company’s liquidity needs for
the foreseeable future.
Consolidated Financial Condition ($000s) |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Dec. 31, 2022 |
Cash |
|
245,217 |
179,734 |
225,665 |
Total long-term debt |
|
1,377,443 |
1,370,682 |
1,184,162 |
Net debt1 |
|
1,132,226 |
1,190,948 |
958,497 |
Working capital2 |
|
128,463 |
(61,357) |
76,534 |
Total assets |
|
5,250,596 |
5,242,140 |
4,325,943 |
Equity3 |
|
2,044,684 |
2,001,970 |
1,571,809 |
1 Net debt is a non-IFRS financial performance
measure with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further
information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance
Measures” section of this news release. 2 Working capital is
determined as total current assets less total current liabilities
as defined under IFRS and disclosed on the consolidated interim
financial statements. 3 Equity attributable to owners of the
company.
Consolidated Financial
Performance2 |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Revenue |
$000s |
480,456 |
312,166 |
346,171 |
Cost of sales |
$000s |
374,057 |
289,273 |
313,741 |
Earnings (loss) before tax |
$000s |
84,149 |
(30,731) |
(263) |
Earnings (loss) |
$000s |
45,490 |
(14,932) |
(8,135) |
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$/share |
0.13 |
(0.05) |
(0.03) |
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share1 |
$/share |
0.07 |
(0.07) |
(0.05) |
Operating cash flow before change in non-cash working capital |
$
millions |
182.0 |
55.9 |
81.6 |
Adjusted EBITDA1 |
$ millions |
190.7 |
81.2 |
99.3 |
1 Adjusted (loss) earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA are
non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized
definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the
“Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section. |
Consolidated Production and Cost
Performance5 |
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Contained metal in concentrate and doré
produced1 |
|
|
|
Copper |
tonnes |
41,964 |
21,715 |
24,498 |
Gold |
ounces |
101,417 |
48,996 |
53,179 |
Silver |
ounces |
1,063,032 |
612,310 |
717,069 |
Zinc |
tonnes |
10,291 |
8,758 |
9,750 |
Molybdenum |
tonnes |
466 |
414 |
437 |
Payable metal sold |
|
|
|
|
Copper |
tonnes |
39,371 |
23,078 |
24,799 |
Gold2 |
ounces |
74,799 |
47,533 |
66,932 |
Silver2 |
ounces |
748,955 |
805,448 |
816,416 |
Zinc3 |
tonnes |
7,125 |
8,641 |
12,714 |
Molybdenum |
tonnes |
426 |
314 |
511 |
Consolidated cash cost per pound of copper
produced4 |
|
|
|
Cash cost |
$/lb |
1.10 |
1.60 |
0.58 |
Sustaining cash cost |
$/lb |
1.89 |
2.73 |
1.91 |
All-in sustaining cash cost |
$/lb |
2.04 |
2.98 |
2.16 |
1 Metal reported in concentrate is prior to
deductions associated with smelter contract terms. 2 Includes total
payable gold and silver in concentrate and in doré sold. 3 For the
three months ended September 30, 2023 and the three months ended
June 30, 2023 this metric includes payable zinc in concentrate
sold. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, this metric
also included payable refined zinc metal sold. 4 Cash cost,
sustaining cash cost and all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of
copper produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS financial
performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS.
For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial
Performance Measures” section of this news release. 5Includes
production results from the Copper Mountain mine following the June
20, 2023 acquisition completion date.
Peru Operations Review
Peru Operations |
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Constancia ore mined1 |
tonnes |
1,242,198 |
3,647,399 |
6,300,252 |
Copper |
% |
0.30 |
0.31 |
0.36 |
Gold |
g/tonne |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.05 |
Silver |
g/tonne |
2.91 |
2.49 |
3.38 |
Molybdenum |
% |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
Pampacancha ore mined |
tonnes |
5,894,013 |
2,408,495 |
2,488,928 |
Copper |
% |
0.53 |
0.36 |
0.29 |
Gold |
g/tonne |
0.30 |
0.34 |
0.23 |
Silver |
g/tonne |
4.22 |
2.81 |
4.30 |
Molybdenum |
% |
0.02 |
0.02 |
0.01 |
Total ore mined |
tonnes |
7,136,211 |
6,055,894 |
8,789,180 |
Strip ratio2 |
|
1.36 |
1.74 |
1.26 |
Ore milled |
tonnes |
7,895,109 |
7,223,048 |
7,742,020 |
Copper |
% |
0.43 |
0.31 |
0.34 |
Gold |
g/tonne |
0.21 |
0.09 |
0.08 |
Silver |
g/tonne |
3.75 |
2.78 |
3.48 |
Molybdenum |
% |
0.02 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
Copper recovery |
% |
85.2 |
80.0 |
84.5 |
Gold recovery |
% |
74.8 |
61.1 |
61.9 |
Silver recovery |
% |
73.2 |
65.1 |
65.2 |
Molybdenum recovery |
% |
37.2 |
40.5 |
41.0 |
Contained metal in concentrate |
|
|
|
Copper |
tonnes |
29,081 |
17,682 |
22,302 |
Gold |
ounces |
40,596 |
12,998 |
12,722 |
Silver |
ounces |
697,211 |
419,642 |
564,299 |
Molybdenum |
tonnes |
466 |
414 |
437 |
Payable metal sold |
|
|
|
Copper |
tonnes |
27,490 |
21,207 |
20,718 |
Gold |
ounces |
32,757 |
14,524 |
11,970 |
Silver |
ounces |
460,001 |
671,532 |
513,470 |
Molybdenum |
tonnes |
426 |
314 |
511 |
Combined unit operating cost3,4,5 |
$/tonne |
12.20 |
14.07 |
13.06 |
Cash cost5 |
$/lb |
0.83 |
2.14 |
1.68 |
Sustaining cash cost5 |
$/lb |
1.51 |
3.06 |
2.46 |
1 Reported tonnes
and grade for ore mined are estimates based on mine plan
assumptions and may not reconcile fully to ore milled. |
2 Reflects combined mine, mill and general and administrative
("G&A") costs per tonne of ore milled. Reflects the deduction
of expected capitalized stripping costs. |
3 Combined unit costs, cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound
of copper produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS
financial performance measures with no standardized definition
under IFRS. For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS
Financial Performance Measures” section of this news release. |
4 Excludes
approximately $0.9 million, or $0.12 per tonne, of COVID-related
costs during the three months ended September 30, 2022. |
5 Strip ratio is
calculated as waste mined divided by ore mined. |
|
During the third quarter of 2023, the Peru
operations produced 29,081 tonnes of copper, 40,596 ounces of gold,
697,211 ounces of silver and 466 tonnes of molybdenum. The
significant increases in copper and gold production compared to the
second quarter were a result of higher copper, gold and silver
grades from mining the high grade zones of the Pampacancha deposit,
higher recoveries and higher throughput. Full year production in
Peru is expected to continue to benefit from higher grades in the
fourth quarter of 2023 and, as such, full year production of all
metals in Peru remains on track to achieve the guidance ranges for
2023.
Total ore mined in the third quarter of 2023
increased by 18% compared to the second quarter, in line with the
mine plan, despite a decline in ore mined from the Constancia pit
associated with the commencement of phase five stripping
activities. Ore mined from Pampacancha increased to 5.9 million
tonnes during the third quarter at average grades of 0.53% copper
and 0.30 grams per tonne gold.
Ore milled during the third quarter of 2023 was
9% higher than the second quarter primarily as a result of a
scheduled plant maintenance shutdown in the second quarter. Milled
copper and gold grades increased to 0.43% and 0.21 g/tonne,
respectively, in the third quarter of 2023, representing a 39% and
133% increase, respectively, compared to the second quarter, due to
a significant increase in the mining of higher grade copper-gold
ore from Pampacancha.
Recoveries of copper, gold and silver during the
third quarter of 2023 were 7%, 22% and 12% higher, respectively,
than the second quarter and were in line with metallurgical models.
Recoveries benefitted from the completion of the recovery uplift
program in the second quarter as well as higher head grades and
lower contaminants.
Combined mine, mill and G&A unit operating
costsi in the third quarter of 2023 were 13% lower than the second
quarter primarily as a result of lower milling costs and higher
throughput as the second quarter was impacted by a scheduled plant
maintenance shutdown.
Peru’s cash cost per pound of copper produced,
net of by-product creditsi, in the third quarter of 2023 was $0.83
compared to $2.14 in the second quarter of 2023. This 61%
improvement was primarily a result of higher by-product credits
mainly from gold, higher pounds of copper produced and lower
milling costs. This was partly offset by higher profit sharing
expenses and higher treatment & refining and freight costs.
This cost measure is declining meaningfully, as expected, in the
second half of 2023 and the full year cash cost is expected to
remain within the 2023 guidance range with continued higher copper
production and contributions from precious metal by-product credits
from Pampacancha expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Peru’s sustaining cash cost per pound of copper
produced, net of by-product creditsi, in the third quarter of 2023
was $1.51, representing a 51% decline from the second quarter due
to the same factors affecting cash cost noted above, partially
offset by higher sustaining capital expenditures. However, total
annual sustaining capital expenditures in Peru are expected to be
$10 million lower than the original 2023 guidance levels primarily
a result of lower capitalized stripping costs.
Manitoba Operations Review
Manitoba Operations Three Months Ended |
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Lalor |
|
|
|
|
Ore mined |
tonnes |
367,491 |
413,255 |
347,345 |
Gold |
g/tonne |
5.08 |
4.07 |
4.57 |
Copper |
% |
1.02 |
0.81 |
0.71 |
Zinc |
% |
3.31 |
3.14 |
3.27 |
Silver |
g/tonne |
27.80 |
23.27 |
21.27 |
New Britannia |
|
|
|
|
Ore milled |
tonnes |
146,927 |
141,905 |
132,362 |
Gold |
g/tonne |
6.93 |
5.82 |
7.70 |
Copper |
% |
1.22 |
0.77 |
0.72 |
Zinc |
% |
0.90 |
0.85 |
0.73 |
Silver |
g/tonne |
23.88 |
25.79 |
20.11 |
Gold recovery - concentrate |
% |
64.7 |
55.0 |
60.6 |
Copper recovery - concentrate |
% |
97.4 |
91.2 |
92.3 |
Silver recovery - concentrate |
% |
63.2 |
57.0 |
61.2 |
Stall Concentrator |
|
|
|
Ore milled |
tonnes |
255,516 |
238,633 |
229,746 |
Gold |
g/tonne |
3.70 |
3.12 |
2.81 |
Copper |
% |
0.77 |
0.85 |
0.67 |
Zinc |
% |
4.88 |
4.47 |
4.82 |
Silver |
g/tonne |
28.82 |
22.15 |
20.98 |
Gold recovery |
% |
67.8 |
59.9 |
61.3 |
Copper recovery |
% |
93.9 |
88.5 |
85.8 |
Zinc recovery |
% |
82.6 |
82.2 |
88.0 |
Silver recovery |
% |
64.9 |
60.3 |
55.7 |
Total contained metal in concentrate and
doré1 |
|
|
Gold |
ounces |
56,213 |
35,253 |
40,457 |
Copper |
tonnes |
3,580 |
2,794 |
2,196 |
Zinc |
tonnes |
10,291 |
8,758 |
9,750 |
Silver |
ounces |
264,752 |
180,750 |
152,770 |
Total payable metal sold |
|
|
|
Gold2 |
ounces |
36,713 |
33,009 |
54,962 |
Copper |
tonnes |
2,925 |
1,871 |
4,081 |
Zinc3 |
tonnes |
7,125 |
8,641 |
12,714 |
Silver2 |
ounces |
197,952 |
133,916 |
302,946 |
Combined unit operating cost4,5 |
C$/tonne |
217 |
220 |
235 |
Gold cash cost5 |
$/oz |
670 |
1,097 |
216 |
Gold sustaining cash cost5 |
$/oz |
939 |
1,521 |
1,045 |
1 Doré includes sludge, slag and carbon fines in
three months ended September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023. 2 Includes
total payable precious metals in concentrate and doré sold. 3
Includes refined zinc metal and payable zinc in concentrate sold. 4
Reflects combined mine, mill and G&A costs per tonne of ore
milled. 5 Combined unit operating cost, cash cost and sustaining
cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product credits,
are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized
definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the
“Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section of this news
release.
During the third quarter of 2023, the Manitoba
operations produced 56,213 ounces of gold, 3,580 tonnes of copper,
10,291 tonnes of zinc and 264,752 ounces of silver. Production of
gold, copper, zinc and silver in the third quarter of 2023 was 59%,
28%, 18% and 46% higher, respectively, than the second quarter due
to mining higher grade gold zones, generally higher recoveries at
the New Britannia and Stall mills, and recovery of secondary gold
products at New Britannia due to past processing inefficiencies.
The improvements completed late in the quarter have resolved the
past processing inefficiencies at New Britannia and gold is
reporting to doré as designed. With the recent recovery
improvements at the New Britannia and Stall mills and higher grades
from Lalor in the third quarter, the company expects to achieve
full year production guidance for all metals. Gold production is
expected to trend toward the lower end of the guidance ranges while
copper and zinc production are expected to trend to the upper end
of the guidance ranges, as disclosed last quarter.
The company’s Manitoba team continues to advance
several key initiatives to support higher production levels, reduce
dilution during the mining cycle and improve metal recoveries at
the Snow Lake operations. The team at Lalor has placed a strong
emphasis on enhancing the quality of ore production and minimizing
dilution through improved blast designs, loading procedures, and
effective grade control practices. Additionally, Hudbay
successfully completed changes to optimize the circuits at the Snow
Lake mills, resulting in increased copper, gold, and silver
recoveries. Concurrently, the company is making improvements to the
tailings deposition process at the Anderson facility and exploring
the potential of transitioning the facility from subaqueous to
subaerial tailings storage, potentially providing a more efficient
use of impoundment space, addressing seasonal operational
challenges and deferring capital expenditure for dam raise
construction to future years.
At Lalor, the company successfully completed
hoist rope replacements, biannual inspections and mine ventilation
systems maintenance ahead of the winter season. Maintenance was
also performed at the underground muck circuit and mine power
centers during the quarter. Lalor production averaged 4,000 tonnes
per day during the third quarter, which was lower than the prior
quarter due to the mine maintenance activities. Copper, gold,
silver and zinc grades mined during the third quarter of 2023 were
26%, 25%, 19% and 5% higher, respectively, than the second
quarter.
The Stall mill processed 7% more ore in the
third quarter of 2023 than in the second quarter as it drew down
base metal ore stockpiles that built up at the end of second
quarter. After the commissioning of the first phase of the Stall
mill recovery improvement project in the second quarter of 2023,
the third quarter was focused on optimizing circuits to achieve
targeted recoveries by reducing primary grind size, refining the
flotation circuit balance and mass pull, and reagent selection.
These adjustments proved highly effective, resulting in notably
higher recoveries for copper, gold and silver during the third
quarter of 2023. Specifically, the Stall mill achieved its targeted
gold recovery levels of approximately 68% in the third quarter,
compared to 60% in the second quarter.
During the third quarter, the New Britannia mill
consistently achieved elevated production levels averaging
approximately 1,600 tonnes per day despite processing significantly
higher copper head grades that can impact throughput due to copper
flotation limitations. The company continues to advance process
debottleneck initiatives at New Britannia that require minimal
capital outlays as it pursues higher throughput targets, aligned
with increased gold ore production from Lalor.
Combined mine, mill and G&A unit operating
costsi decreased slightly in the third quarter compared to the
second quarter, reflecting higher throughput.
Manitoba’s cash cost per ounce of gold produced,
net of by-product creditsi was $670 in the third quarter, 39% lower
than the second quarter, primarily as a result of higher gold
production driven by higher grades and improved recoveries.
Sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product
creditsi, for the third quarter was $939, a 38% decrease from the
prior quarter primarily due to the same factors affecting cash
cost. Total annual sustaining capital expenditures in Manitoba are
expected to be $15 million lower than the original 2023 guidance
levels primarily a result of lower capital development costs
realized at Lalor as the team focuses on cost efficiencies.
Cash cost in the third quarter of 2023 was
within the 2023 guidance range and is expected to continue to
benefit from increasing gold production from higher grade stopes,
continued throughput increases at Lalor and the full realization of
higher recoveries from the Stall mill Phase I recovery improvement
project in the fourth quarter. As a result, full year cash cost in
Manitoba is expected to achieve the 2023 guidance range.
British Columbia Operations
Review
British Columbia Operations Three Months
Ended |
|
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Ore mined1 |
tonnes |
|
3,792,568 |
Waste mined |
tonnes |
|
11,233,917 |
Strip ratio2 |
|
|
2.96 |
Ore milled |
tonnes |
|
3,158,006 |
Copper |
% |
|
0.36 |
Gold |
g/tonne |
|
0.08 |
Silver |
g/tonne |
|
1.40 |
Copper recovery |
% |
|
80.9 |
Gold recovery |
% |
|
56.1 |
Silver recovery |
% |
|
71.3 |
Total contained metal in
concentrate2 |
|
Copper |
tonnes |
|
9,303 |
Gold |
ounces |
|
4,608 |
Silver |
ounces |
|
101,069 |
Total payable metal sold |
|
|
Copper |
tonnes |
|
8,956 |
Gold |
ounces |
|
5,329 |
Silver |
ounces |
|
91,002 |
Combined unit operating cost3,4 |
C$/tonne |
|
24.88 |
Cash cost4 |
$/lb |
|
2.67 |
Sustaining cash cost4 |
$/lb |
|
3.39 |
1 Reported tonnes
and grade for ore mined are estimates based on mine plan
assumptions and may not reconcile fully to ore milled. |
2 Strip ratio is
calculated as waste mined divided by ore mined. |
3 Reflects combined
mine, mill and G&A costs per tonne of ore milled. Reflects the
deduction of expected capitalized stripping costs. |
4 Combined unit
operating cost, cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of
copper produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS financial
performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS.
For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial
Performance Measures” section of this news release. |
|
During the third quarter of 2023, the British
Columbia operations produced 9,303 tonnes of copper, 4,608 ounces
of gold and 101,069 ounces of silver. The third quarter was the
first full quarter of production from the Copper Mountain mine
after the completion of the acquisition on June 20, 2023.
Total ore mined at Copper Mountain in the third
quarter of 2023 was 3.8 million tonnes, in line with Hudbay
expectations. Following the closing of the Copper Mountain
transaction in late June, mine operations initiated a fleet
production ramp up plan to capture the full value of existing idle
capital equipment at the Copper Mountain site. This plan entails a
fleet capacity/utilization ramp up from 14 trucks to 26 trucks over
the third and fourth quarters, which is expected to result in a
more than 30% increase in tonnes moved in 2023 compared to 2022.
The company also commissioned a new Komatsu PC8000 electric shovel
in September, which reduces carbon intensity by displacing existing
diesel shovel production.
The mill processed a total of 3.2 million tonnes
of ore during the third quarter, with mill availability averaging
83.5%. A scheduled mill shutdown occurred in September to
facilitate liner replacement and a power transmission line upgrade.
In coordination with BC Hydro, thermal upgrades to the site
transmission line were completed to support 100MW of site supply
for current and future site operations. Mill throughput for the
quarter was impacted by excessive coarse material bypassing the
comminution circuit and restricting flow through the tailings
discharge line, causing high levels of unplanned downtime. This
issue was rectified in August and the company has since seen
continuous improvements in throughput. A key focus area for Hudbay
is implementing improved maintenance management systems as part of
Hudbay’s stabilization plans for increasing mill availability.
Milled copper grades during the third quarter of
2023 were 0.36%, in line with expectations. Copper recoveries were
80.9% in the third quarter, an increase compared to 79.1% that was
previously reported by Copper Mountain for the full year 2022. As
part of the near-term stabilization plans at Copper Mountain,
Hudbay expects to apply mill efficiency initiatives from the
Constancia mill to the Copper Mountain mill in an effort to
continue to improve concentrate quality and copper recoveries.
Combined mine, mill and G&A unit operating
costsi in the third quarter of 2023 were C$24.88 per tonne milled.
Combined unit operating costs per tonne milled are expected to
decrease over time as the company continues its stabilization and
optimization initiatives at Copper Mountain.
British Columbia’s cash cost per pound of copper
produced, net of by-product creditsi, was $2.67 and sustaining cash
cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, was
$3.39 in the third quarter. This indicates an improvement in cash
costs when compared to the full year 2022 levels previously
reported by Copper Mountain of $3.53 per pound and $4.20 per pound,
respectively. The cash cost and sustaining cash cost measures are
expected to remain within the post-acquisition guidance ranges for
the balance of the year, as discussed below.
Copper Mountain Stabilization Plans
Underway and Consolidated Guidance Updated to Reflect Copper
Mountain
Since completing the acquisition of Copper
Mountain on June 20, 2023, Hudbay has been focused on advancing its
plans to stabilize the operation, including opening up the mine by
adding additional mining faces and re-mobilizing idle haul trucks,
optimizing the ore feed to the plant and implementing plant
improvement initiatives. The company is also planning a campaign of
accelerated stripping over the next two to three years to enable
access to higher grade ore and to mitigate the substantially
reduced stripping undertaken by Copper Mountain over the four years
prior to completion of the acquisition.
Further details on the company’s stabilization
plans will be provided in a new technical report for the Copper
Mountain mine, which is expected to be released in the fourth
quarter of 2023. The new technical report will include an updated
mine plan and updated annual production and cost estimates for the
Copper Mountain mine, which will reflect Hudbay’s stabilization and
optimization initiatives, and the costs associated with the planned
accelerated stripping. The new technical report will also include
updated mineral reserve and resource estimates and mill throughput
assumptions consistent with Hudbay’s pre-acquisition internal
assessments and in line with the mineral reserve and resource
estimates and throughput assumptions disclosed in Copper Mountain’s
historical technical report dated February 25, 2019 (after
accounting for mining depletion). Accordingly, Hudbay does not
expect its mineral reserve and resource estimates and mill
throughput expansion assumptions to be consistent with those
disclosed in Copper Mountain’s most recent technical report dated
September 30, 2022. For further information, see, “Qualified Person
and NI 43-101”.
Hudbay is issuing inaugural Copper Mountain
post-acquisition 2023 guidance for production and costs. The
company has incorporated the Copper Mountain guidance into its
consolidated production and cash cost guidance for the full year.
Hudbay’s production and cash cost guidance for Peru and Manitoba
has otherwise been reaffirmed and remains unchanged.
2023 Production and Cost Guidance |
|
Peru Operations (unchanged) |
Manitoba Operations
(unchanged) |
British Columbia Operations2 |
Consolidated (updated) |
Copper production1 |
tonnes |
91,000 - 116,000 |
9,000 - 12,000 |
18,500 - 20,500 |
118,500 - 148,500 |
Gold production1 |
ounces |
83,000 -
108,000 |
175,000 - 205,000 |
8,000 - 10,000 |
266,000 - 323,000 |
Silver production1 |
ounces |
2,210,000 -
2,650,000 |
750,000 -
1,000,000 |
190,000 - 210,000 |
3,150,000 - 3,860,000 |
Zinc production1 |
tonnes |
— |
28,000 - 36,000 |
— |
28,000 - 36,000 |
Molybdenum production1 |
tonnes |
1,300 - 1,600 |
— |
— |
1,300 - 1,600 |
Cash cost3 |
|
$1.05 - $1.30/lb |
$500 - $800/oz |
$2.40 - $2.85/lb |
$0.80 - $1.10/lb |
Sustaining cash cost3 |
|
— |
— |
— |
$1.80 - $2.25/lb |
1 Metal reported in concentrate and doré is prior
to refining losses or deductions associated with smelter terms. 2
British Columbia operations represented on a 100% basis and for the
period since the acquisition completion date of June 20, 2023. 3
Cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced,
net of by-product credits, and gold cash cost per ounce of gold
produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS financial
performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS.
For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial
Performance Measures” section of this news release. Canadian dollar
costs are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of
1.35 C$/US$.
Generating Free Cash Flow with Increased
Production and Continued Financial Discipline
Hudbay delivered positive free cash flow during
the third quarter of 2023 as the company executed its plan for
higher copper and gold grades from Pampacancha and higher gold
grades at Lalor. The company continues to expect to see
significantly higher production levels in the second half of 2023,
compared to the first half of 2023, as a result of these higher
grades in Peru and Manitoba, along with the contribution of
production from the newly acquired Copper Mountain mine.
During the third quarter, the company drew $90
million from its revolving credit facilities to finance the
redemption of $87 million of principal and interest from Copper
Mountain’s bonds, which improved the company’s ability to
deleverage and repay debt sooner than waiting for bond maturity in
2026.
The company increased its cash and cash
equivalents to $245.2 million and reduced its net debt to $1,132
million as at September 30, 2023, compared to $179.7 million and
$1,190 million, respectively, as at June 30, 2023. The $58 million
decline in net debt, together with higher levels of adjusted
EBITDAi in the third quarter, have improved the company’s net debt
to EBITDA ratio compared to the second quarter thereby improving
its credit facility availability. Subsequent to quarter-end, Hudbay
continued its deleveraging efforts with a $40 million repayment on
its credit facilities and a $5 million principal repayment on the
Copper Mountain bonds in October 2023. The company has also
recommenced deliveries under the gold forward sale and prepay
agreement in October 2023, further reducing the gold prepayment
liability.
As an additional prudent measure to ensure free
cash flow generation and continued financial discipline in 2023,
during the third quarter, the Copper Mountain joint venture entered
into forward sales contracts for a total of 2,000 tonnes of copper
production over the five-month period from August through December
2023 at an average price of $3.86 per pound. During the second
quarter of 2023, Hudbay entered into a zero-cost collar program for
approximately 10% of copper production expected from Peru and
Manitoba in the second half of 2023. The program entails hedging
15.9 million pounds of copper from July to December 2023 at an
average floor price of $3.95 per pound and an average cap price of
$4.28 per pound. As at September 30, 2023, 2.6 million pounds of
copper forwards and 7.9 million pounds of copper collars were
outstanding.
The company remains on track to deliver annual
discretionary spending reduction targets for 2023. As a result of
continued financial discipline and capital cost efficiencies
achieved to-date, total capital expenditures for Peru, Manitoba and
Arizona in 2023 are expected to be approximately $30 million lower
than previous guidance levels, representing a 10% reduction from
the original 2023 total capital expenditure guidance. This
represents a further decrease from the $15 million targeted
reduction announced in the second quarter. With the issuance of
Copper Mountain post-acquisition guidance, the company expects
capital expenditures at its British Columbia operations to total
approximately $35 million in 2023.
2023 Capital Expenditure
Guidance1 (in $
millions) |
Original |
Updated |
Sustaining capital: |
|
|
Peru |
160 |
150 |
Manitoba |
75 |
60 |
Growth capital: |
|
|
Peru |
10 |
10 |
Manitoba |
15 |
15 |
Arizona |
30 |
25 |
Capitalized exploration |
10 |
10 |
Total |
300 |
270 |
2023 British Columbia
Guidance1,2 |
|
New |
Sustaining capital |
— |
33 |
Growth capital |
— |
2 |
Total |
— |
35 |
1 Excludes capitalized costs not considered to be
sustaining or growth capital expenditures and right-of-use lease
additions. Includes capitalized stripping costs. Converted into
U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of 1.35 C$/US$. 2 British
Columbia operations represented on a 100% basis and for the period
since the acquisition completion date of June 20, 2023.
De-risked Copper World with Enhanced Phase
I Pre-Feasibility Study
On September 8, 2023, Hudbay released the
results of the enhanced pre-feasibility study (“PFS”) for Phase I
of the 100%-owned Copper World project in Arizona. Highlights of
the PFS include:
- Phase I, which is a standalone operation requiring only state
and local permits for an extended 20-year mine life, has an
after-tax net present value (8%) of $1.1 billion and generates a
19% internal rate of return at a copper price of $3.75 per
pound.
- Average annual copper production over the first ten years of
approximately 92,000 tonnes at cash costs and sustaining cash costs
of $1.53 and $1.95 per pound of copperi, respectively.
- Extended Phase I mine life to 20 years, with the potential for
further expansion, compared to 16 years in the previous study with
an 18% increase to total copper production and higher mill head
grades.
- Lowered initial capital cost estimate to approximately $1.3
billion ($1.1 billion net of existing stream agreement), compared
to $1.9 billion in the previous preliminary economic assessment,
due to the deferral of the construction of a concentrate leach
facility to year 4 with the potential to be fully funded from
operating cash flows or benefit from future government incentives
for critical minerals processing.
- Simplified project flow sheet includes a 60,000 ton per day
sulfide concentrator that will produce copper concentrate as a
final product until the addition of a concentrate leach facility
and a solvent extraction and electrowinning plant in year 5 that
will allow the project to produce copper cathodes. The production
of copper cathodes will reduce the project’s carbon footprint, make
Copper World the third largest domestic copper cathode producer in
the United States2 and bolster the country’s green energy
independence with “Made in America” copper.
- Total GHG emissions are expected to be 14% lower compared to an
operation that only produces copper concentrate.
- Significant benefits for the community and local economy in
Arizona through payment of more than $850 million in U.S. federal
and state taxes and the creation of an estimated 400 direct and
3,000 indirect jobs.
- Copper World is one of the highest-grade open pit copper
projects in the Americas3 with proven and probable mineral reserves
of 385 million tonnes at 0.54% copper.
- Together with the pre-feasibility study, Hudbay has updated the
mineral resource estimates for the project, which increases the
global measured and indicated mineral resources (inclusive of
mineral reserves) to 1.2 billion tonnes at 0.42% copper,
representing a 4% increase in total in-situ copper. This confirms
significant upside at Copper World with an intended Phase II
expansion of mining activities onto federal land to further enhance
the project economics and extend the mine life well beyond 20
years.
The first key state permit required for Copper
World, the Mined Land Reclamation Plan ("MLRP), was initially
approved by the Arizona State Mine Inspector in October 2021 and
was subsequently amended to reflect a larger private land project
footprint. This approval was challenged in state court, but the
challenge was dismissed in May 2023 as having no basis. In late
2022, Hudbay submitted the applications for an Aquifer Protection
Permit and an Air Quality Permit to the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”). Based on ongoing feedback and
dialogue with the ADEQ, the company expects to receive these two
outstanding state permits in mid-2024.
Hudbay intends to initiate a minority joint
venture partner process prior to commencing a definitive
feasibility study, which will allow the potential joint venture
partner to participate in the funding of definitive feasibility
study activities as well as in the final Copper World project
design. The opportunity to sanction Copper World is not expected
until 2025 based on current estimated timelines. The decision to
sanction Copper World will ultimately be evaluated against other
competing investment opportunities as part of Hudbay’s capital
allocation process.
Completion of Rockcliff
Acquisition
On September 14, 2023, Hudbay successfully
completed its previously announced acquisition of Rockcliff,
pursuant to which Hudbay acquired all of the issued and outstanding
common shares of Rockcliff that it did not already own (the
“Rockcliff Transaction”) by way of a court-approved plan of
arrangement. As a result of closing the Rockcliff Transaction,
Rockcliff is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hudbay.
The enterprise value to Hudbay, net of
Rockcliff's cash, was approximately $13 million. Hudbay issued
0.006776 of a Hudbay common share in exchange for each Rockcliff
common share previously held and, in aggregate, issued 2,675,324
Hudbay common shares under the Rockcliff Transaction to former
Rockcliff shareholders. The Rockcliff shares were delisted from the
CSE and Rockcliff has ceased to be a reporting issuer under
Canadian securities laws.
Rockcliff was one of the largest landholders in
the Snow Lake area, with approximately 1,800 square kilometres
across all its properties. The Rockcliff Transaction has the
potential to further extend mine life at the Snow Lake operations
by consolidating Hudbay’s ownership in the Talbot copper-gold
deposit and more than tripling the company’s prospective land
package in the Snow Lake region. Prior to the Rockcliff
Transaction, Rockcliff was the 49% joint venture partner of the
Talbot deposit. The Talbot deposit and the additional Rockcliff
exploration properties provide further optionality and potential
future feed sources for the Stall and New Britannia mills.
Other Exploration Update
Constancia In-Mine Exploration
Hudbay continues to execute a limited drill
program and technical evaluations at the Constancia deposit to
confirm the economic viability of adding an additional mining phase
to the current mine plan that would convert a portion of the
mineral resources to mineral reserves. The results from this drill
program and technical and economic evaluations are expected to be
incorporated in the next annual mineral reserve and resource update
in March 2024.
Maria Reyna and Caballito Exploration
Hudbay controls a large, contiguous block of
mineral rights with the potential to host satellite mineral
deposits in close proximity to the Constancia processing facility,
including the past producing Caballito property and the highly
prospective Maria Reyna property. The company commenced early
exploration activities at Maria Reyna and Caballito after
completing a surface rights exploration agreement with the
community of Uchucarcco in August 2022. Hudbay has completed
technical activities necessary to support drill permit application,
including surface investigation work, baseline environmental and
archaeological activities, and the company continues to advance
community engagement activities. Surface mapping and geochemical
sampling confirm that both Caballito and Maria Reyna host sulfide
and oxide rich copper mineralization in skarns, hydrothermal
breccias and large porphyry intrusive bodies.
Snow Lake Exploration
Hudbay continues to compile results from ongoing
infill drilling at Lalor, which will be incorporated into the next
annual mineral resource and reserve estimate update in March
2024.
The company is also preparing plans for
exploration activities on the newly acquired land in Snow Lake,
which is expected to include geophysical and drilling programs on
the Cook Lake claims and the former Rockcliff claims located within
trucking distance of the existing Snow Lake processing
infrastructure. A majority of the Cook Lake and former Rockcliff
claims have been untested by modern deep geophysics, which was the
discovery method for the Lalor deposit. Hudbay intends to explore
these claims in hopes of finding a new anchor deposit to maximize
and extend the life of the Snow Lake operations beyond 2038.
Mason Exploration
The Mason project is a large greenfield copper
deposit located in the historic Yerington District of Nevada and is
one of the largest undeveloped copper porphyry deposits in North
America. Hudbay completed a PEA in 2021 which demonstrated robust
project economics from a 27-year mine life operation. There is an
opportunity to further enhance the project economics through
exploration for higher grade satellite deposits on the prospective
land package near Mason, including Mason Valley. The Mason Valley
property hosts several historical underground copper mines that
were in production in the early 1900s. Much of the Mason Valley
property is located on Hudbay’s wholly owned private lands within
15 kilometres of the planned processing infrastructure for the
Mason project and contains highly prospective skarn
mineralization.
For the first time since Hudbay acquired Mason,
the company initiated a drill program in September 2023 to test
these satellite deposits, including high-grade skarn targets and a
large porphyry target below the historical mines. The drill program
is approximately 25% complete at the end of October with assay
results pending.
Website Links
Hudbay:
www.hudbay.com
Management’s Discussion and Analysis:
https://www.hudbayminerals.com/MDA1123
Financial Statements:
https://www.hudbayminerals.com/FS1123
Conference Call and Webcast
Date: |
Thursday,
November 9, 2023 |
Time: |
9:00 a.m.
ET |
Webcast: |
www.hudbay.com |
Dial
in: |
1-646-307-1591 or 1-800-599-5188 |
|
|
Qualified Person and NI
43-101
The technical and scientific information in this
news release related to the company’s material mineral projects has
been approved by Olivier Tavchandjian, P. Geo, Senior Vice
President, Exploration and Technical Services. Mr. Tavchandjian is
a qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
As disclosed in this news release, Hudbay
expects to file a new technical report for the Copper Mountain mine
in the fourth quarter of 2023. The new technical report will
include an updated mine plan and updated annual production and cost
estimates. The new technical report will also include updated
mineral reserve and resource estimates and mill throughput
assumptions consistent with Hudbay’s pre-acquisition internal
assessments and in line with the mineral reserve and resource
estimates and throughput assumptions disclosed in Copper Mountain's
historical technical report dated February 25, 2019 (after
accounting for mining depletion). Accordingly, Hudbay does not
expect its mineral reserve and resource estimates and mill
throughput expansion assumptions to be consistent with those
disclosed in Copper Mountain’s most recent technical report dated
September 30, 2022. Investors are cautioned they should not rely on
any of Copper Mountain’s previously issued technical reports.
Non-IFRS Financial Performance
Measures
Adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net
earnings (loss) per share, adjusted EBITDA, net debt, cash cost,
sustaining and all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper
produced, cash cost and sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold
produced, combined unit costs and ratios based on these measures
are non-IFRS performance measures. These measures do not have a
meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be
comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. These
measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute
for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS and are not
necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from
operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate
these measures differently.
Management believes adjusted net earnings (loss)
and adjusted net earnings (loss) per share provides an alternate
measure of the company’s performance for the current period and
gives insight into its expected performance in future periods.
These measures are used internally by the company to evaluate the
performance of its underlying operations and to assist with its
planning and forecasting of future operating results. As such, the
company believes these measures are useful to investors in
assessing the company’s underlying performance. Hudbay provides
adjusted EBITDA to help users analyze the company’s results and to
provide additional information about its ongoing cash generating
potential in order to assess its capacity to service and repay
debt, carry out investments and cover working capital needs. Net
debt is shown because it is a performance measure used by the
company to assess its financial position. Cash cost, sustaining and
all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced are shown
because the company believes they help investors and management
assess the performance of its operations, including the margin
generated by the operations and the company. Cash cost and
sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold produced are shown because
the company believes they help investors and management assess the
performance of its Manitoba operations. Combined unit cost is shown
because Hudbay believes it helps investors and management assess
the company’s cost structure and margins that are not impacted by
variability in by-product commodity prices.
The following tables provide detailed
reconciliations to the most comparable IFRS measures.
Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) Reconciliation
|
Three Months Ended |
(in $ millions) |
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Profit (loss) for the period |
45.5 |
|
(14.9 |
) |
(8.1 |
) |
Tax expense (recovery) |
38.7 |
|
(15.8 |
) |
7.8 |
|
Profit (loss) before tax |
84.2 |
|
(30.7 |
) |
(0.3 |
) |
Adjusting items |
|
|
|
Mark-to-market adjustments 1 |
1.3 |
|
0.6 |
|
(4.2 |
) |
Foreign exchange (gain) loss |
(0.6 |
) |
1.4 |
|
(4.8 |
) |
Inventory adjustments |
— |
|
0.9 |
|
2.1 |
|
Variable consideration adjustment - stream revenue and
accretion |
— |
|
— |
|
3.9 |
|
Re-evaluation adjustment - environmental provision2 |
(32.4 |
) |
(4.7 |
) |
(6.4 |
) |
Acquisition related costs |
0.1 |
|
6.8 |
|
— |
|
Evaluation expenses |
— |
|
— |
|
0.1 |
|
Restructuring charges3 |
2.3 |
|
— |
|
5.1 |
|
Loss on disposal of plant and equipment and non-current assets |
— |
|
0.3 |
|
(6.0 |
) |
Adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes |
54.9 |
|
(25.4 |
) |
(10.5 |
) |
Tax (expense) recovery |
(38.7 |
) |
15.8 |
|
(7.8 |
) |
Tax impact on adjusting items |
8.2 |
|
(8.7 |
) |
5.9 |
|
Adjusted net earnings (loss) |
24.4 |
|
(18.3 |
) |
(12.4 |
) |
Adjusted net earnings (loss) $/share |
0.07 |
|
(0.07 |
) |
(0.05 |
) |
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
(millions) |
346.7 |
|
272.2 |
|
261.9 |
|
1 Includes changes in fair value of the gold
prepayment liability, Canadian junior mining investments, other
financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or
loss and share-based compensation expenses. 2 Changes from
movements to environmental reclamation provisions are primarily
related to the Flin Flon operations, which were fully depreciated
as of June 30, 2022, as well as other Manitoba non-operating sites.
3 Includes closure costs for Flin Flon operations in 2022 and
restructuring charges for British Columbia in 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
|
Three Months Ended |
(in $ millions) |
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Profit (loss) for the period |
45.5 |
|
(14.9 |
) |
(8.1 |
) |
Add back: |
|
|
|
Tax expense (recovery) |
38.7 |
|
(15.8 |
) |
7.8 |
|
Net finance expense |
30.9 |
|
30.5 |
|
20.6 |
|
Other expenses |
8.9 |
|
13.9 |
|
6.3 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
113.8 |
|
88.7 |
|
89.8 |
|
Amortization of deferred revenue and variable consideration
adjustment |
(16.8 |
) |
(18.1 |
) |
(15.3 |
) |
|
221.0 |
|
84.3 |
|
101.1 |
|
Adjusting items (pre-tax): |
|
|
|
Re-evaluation adjustment - environmental provision |
(32.4 |
) |
(4.7 |
) |
(6.4 |
) |
Inventory adjustments |
— |
|
0.9 |
|
2.1 |
|
Share-based compensation expense 1 |
2.1 |
|
0.7 |
|
2.5 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
190.7 |
|
81.2 |
|
99.3 |
|
1 Share-based compensation expenses reflected in
cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses.
Net Debt Reconciliation
(in $ thousands) |
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Dec. 31, 2022 |
Total long-term debt |
1,377,443 |
|
1,370,682 |
|
1,184,162 |
|
Cash |
(245,217 |
) |
(179,734 |
) |
(225,665 |
) |
Net debt |
1,132,226 |
|
1,190,948 |
|
958,497 |
|
Copper Cash Cost Reconciliation
Consolidated |
Three Months Ended |
Net pounds of copper
produced1 |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Peru |
64,112 |
38,982 |
49,167 |
British Columbia |
20,510 |
— |
— |
Manitoba |
7,893 |
6,160 |
4,841 |
Net pounds of copper produced |
92,515 |
45,142 |
54,008 |
1 Contained copper in concentrate.
Consolidated |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Cash cost per pound of copper produced |
$000s |
|
$/lb |
$000s |
$/lb |
$000s |
$/lb |
Mining |
104,547 |
|
1.13 |
|
73,335 |
|
1.62 |
|
75,856 |
|
1.40 |
|
Milling |
88,021 |
|
0.95 |
|
69,869 |
|
1.55 |
|
68,616 |
|
1.27 |
|
G&A |
36,107 |
|
0.39 |
|
20,975 |
|
0.47 |
|
23,262 |
|
0.43 |
|
Onsite costs |
228,675 |
|
2.47 |
|
164,179 |
|
3.64 |
|
167,734 |
|
3.11 |
|
Treatment & refining |
32,882 |
|
0.36 |
|
26,670 |
|
0.59 |
|
21,852 |
|
0.40 |
|
Freight & other |
26,853 |
|
0.29 |
|
17,766 |
|
0.39 |
|
22,078 |
|
0.41 |
|
Cash cost, before by-product credits |
288,410 |
|
3.12 |
|
208,615 |
|
4.62 |
|
211,664 |
|
3.92 |
|
By-product credits |
(187,023 |
) |
(2.02 |
) |
(136,417 |
) |
(3.02 |
) |
(180,464 |
) |
(3.34 |
) |
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
101,387 |
|
1.10 |
|
72,198 |
|
1.60 |
|
31,200 |
|
0.58 |
|
Consolidated |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Supplementary cash cost information |
$000s |
$/lb1 |
$000s |
$/lb1 |
$000s |
$/lb1 |
By-product credits2: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zinc |
17,099 |
|
0.18 |
21,896 |
|
0.48 |
43,606 |
|
0.81 |
Gold3 |
129,954 |
|
1.41 |
86,026 |
|
1.91 |
101,650 |
|
1.88 |
Silver3 |
16,724 |
|
0.18 |
17,281 |
|
0.38 |
16,066 |
|
0.30 |
Molybdenum & other |
23,246 |
|
0.25 |
11,214 |
|
0.25 |
19,142 |
|
0.35 |
Total by-product credits |
187,023 |
|
2.02 |
136,417 |
|
3.02 |
180,464 |
|
3.34 |
Reconciliation to IFRS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
101,387 |
|
|
72,198 |
|
|
31,200 |
|
|
By-product credits |
187,023 |
|
|
136,417 |
|
|
180,464 |
|
|
Treatment and refining charges |
(32,882 |
) |
|
(26,670 |
) |
|
(21,852 |
) |
|
Share-based compensation expense |
149 |
|
|
60 |
|
|
114 |
|
|
Inventory adjustments |
— |
|
|
906 |
|
|
2,074 |
|
|
Change in product inventory |
3,374 |
|
|
15,114 |
|
|
29,726 |
|
|
Royalties |
1,253 |
|
|
2,578 |
|
|
2,204 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization4 |
113,753 |
|
|
88,670 |
|
|
89,811 |
|
|
Cost of sales5 |
374,057 |
|
|
289,273 |
|
|
313,741 |
|
|
1 Per pound of copper produced. 2 By-product
credits are computed as revenue per financial statements,
amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume adjustments
3 Gold and silver by-product credits do not include variable
consideration adjustments with respect to stream arrangements.
Variable consideration adjustments are cumulative adjustments to
gold and silver stream deferred revenue primarily associated with
the net change in mineral reserves and resources or amendments to
the mine plan that would change the total expected deliverable
ounces under the precious metal streaming arrangement. For the
three months ended September 30, 2023 the variable consideration
adjustments amounted to nil, the three months ended June 30, 2023 -
$nil, and for the three months ended September 30, 2022 - $2,286. 4
Depreciation is based on concentrate sold. 5 As per IFRS financial
statements excluding impairment adjustments.
Peru |
Three Months Ended |
(in thousands) |
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Net pounds of copper
produced1 |
64,112 |
38,982 |
49,167 |
1 Contained copper in concentrate.
Peru |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Cash cost per pound of copper produced |
$000s |
$/lb |
$000s |
$/lb |
$000s |
$/lb |
Mining |
33,875 |
|
0.53 |
|
31,654 |
|
0.81 |
|
35,197 |
|
0.72 |
|
Milling |
46,996 |
|
0.73 |
|
54,676 |
|
1.40 |
|
52,043 |
|
1.06 |
|
G&A |
20,912 |
|
0.33 |
|
14,867 |
|
0.38 |
|
13,421 |
|
0.27 |
|
Onsite costs |
101,783 |
|
1.59 |
|
101,197 |
|
2.59 |
|
100,661 |
|
2.05 |
|
Treatment & refining |
19,143 |
|
0.30 |
|
17,097 |
|
0.44 |
|
10,814 |
|
0.22 |
|
Freight & other |
17,040 |
|
0.26 |
|
12,424 |
|
0.32 |
|
12,905 |
|
0.26 |
|
Cash cost, before by-product credits |
137,966 |
|
2.15 |
|
130,718 |
|
3.35 |
|
124,380 |
|
2.53 |
|
By-product credits |
(84,793 |
) |
(1.32 |
) |
(47,193 |
) |
(1.21 |
) |
(41,659 |
) |
(0.85 |
) |
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
53,173 |
|
0.83 |
|
83,525 |
|
2.14 |
|
82,721 |
|
1.68 |
|
Peru |
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Supplementary cash cost information |
$000s |
$/lb1 |
$000s |
$/lb1 |
$000s |
$/lb1 |
By-product credits2: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold3 |
51,459 |
|
0.80 |
21,638 |
|
0.55 |
12,793 |
|
0.26 |
Silver3 |
10,088 |
|
0.16 |
14,341 |
|
0.37 |
9,967 |
|
0.20 |
Molybdenum |
23,246 |
|
0.36 |
11,214 |
|
0.29 |
18,899 |
|
0.39 |
Total by-product credits |
84,793 |
|
1.32 |
47,193 |
|
1.21 |
41,659 |
|
0.85 |
Reconciliation to IFRS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
53,173 |
|
|
83,525 |
|
|
82,721 |
|
|
By-product credits |
84,793 |
|
|
47,193 |
|
|
41,659 |
|
|
Treatment and refining charges |
|
(19,143 |
) |
|
(17,097 |
) |
|
(10,814 |
) |
|
Share-based compensation expenses |
|
45 |
|
|
29 |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
Change in product inventory |
|
4,137 |
|
|
27,078 |
|
|
(2,497 |
) |
|
Royalties |
|
1,015 |
|
|
2,479 |
|
|
1,740 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization4 |
|
80,625 |
|
|
67,340 |
|
|
56,614 |
|
|
Cost of sales5 |
|
204,645 |
|
|
210,547 |
|
|
169,407 |
|
|
1 Per pound of copper produced. 2 By-product
credits are computed as revenue per financial statements, including
amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume
adjustments. 3 Gold and silver by-product credits do not include
variable consideration adjustments with respect to stream
arrangements. 4 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold. 5 As per
IFRS financial statements.
British Columbia |
Three Months Ended |
(in thousands) |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
|
Net pounds of copper
produced1 |
|
20,510 |
|
1 Contained copper in concentrate.
British Columbia |
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Cash cost per pound of copper produced |
$000s |
$/lb |
Mining |
29,251 |
|
1.43 |
|
Milling |
24,102 |
|
1.17 |
|
G&A |
5,050 |
|
0.25 |
|
Onsite costs |
58,403 |
|
2.85 |
|
Treatment & refining |
4,905 |
|
0.24 |
|
Freight & other |
3,693 |
|
0.18 |
|
Cash cost, before by-product credits |
67,001 |
|
3.27 |
|
By-product credits |
(12,234 |
) |
(0.60 |
) |
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
54,767 |
|
2.67 |
|
British Columbia |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Supplementary cash cost information |
$000s |
$/lb1 |
By-product credits2: |
|
|
Gold |
10,120 |
|
0.50 |
Silver |
2,114 |
|
0.10 |
Total by-product credits |
12,234 |
|
0.60 |
Reconciliation to IFRS: |
|
|
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
54,767 |
|
|
By-product credits |
12,234 |
|
|
Treatment and refining charges |
(4,905 |
) |
|
Change in product inventory |
3 |
|
|
Royalties |
237 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization4 |
6,255 |
|
|
Cost of sales5 |
68,591 |
|
|
1 Per pound of copper produced. 2 By-product
credits are computed as revenue per financial statements, including
amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume
adjustments. 3 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold.4 As per
consolidated interim financial statements.
Sustaining and All-in Sustaining Cash Cost
Reconciliation
Consolidated |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
All-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper
produced |
$000s |
$/lb |
$000s |
$/lb |
$000s |
$/lb |
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
101,387 |
1.10 |
72,198 |
1.60 |
31,201 |
0.58 |
Cash sustaining capital expenditures |
72,193 |
0.78 |
48,253 |
1.07 |
69,588 |
1.29 |
Royalties |
1,253 |
0.01 |
2,578 |
0.06 |
2,204 |
0.04 |
Sustaining cash cost, net of by-product
credits |
174,833 |
1.89 |
123,029 |
2.73 |
102,993 |
1.91 |
Corporate selling and administrative expenses & regional
costs |
10,971 |
0.12 |
9,603 |
0.21 |
11,384 |
0.21 |
Accretion and amortization of decommissioning and community
agreements1 |
3,309 |
0.03 |
1,792 |
0.04 |
2,099 |
0.04 |
All-in sustaining cash cost, net of by-product
credits |
189,113 |
2.04 |
134,424 |
2.98 |
116,476 |
2.16 |
Reconciliation to property, plant and equipment additions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment additions |
77,454 |
|
47,574 |
|
72,237 |
|
Capitalized stripping net additions |
21,762 |
|
21,640 |
|
22,645 |
|
Total accrued capital additions |
99,216 |
|
69,214 |
|
94,882 |
|
Less other non-sustaining capital costs2 |
37,968 |
|
28,006 |
|
39,807 |
|
Total sustaining capital costs |
61,248 |
|
41,208 |
|
55,075 |
|
Capitalized lease cash payments - operating sites |
7,199 |
|
4,374 |
|
8,852 |
|
Community agreement cash payments |
1,953 |
|
1,290 |
|
2,491 |
|
Accretion and amortization of decommissioning and restoration
obligations3 |
1,793 |
|
1,381 |
|
3,170 |
|
Cash sustaining capital expenditures |
72,193 |
|
48,253 |
|
69,588 |
|
1 Includes accretion of decommissioning relating
to non-productive sites, and accretion and amortization of current
community agreements. 2 Other non-sustaining capital costs include
Arizona capitalized costs, capitalized interest, capitalized
exploration and growth capital expenditures. 3 Includes
amortization of decommissioning and restoration PP&E assets and
accretion of decommissioning and restoration liabilities related to
producing sites.
Peru |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper
produced |
$000s |
$/lb |
$000s |
$/lb |
$000s |
$/lb |
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
53,173 |
0.83 |
83,525 |
2.14 |
82,721 |
1.68 |
Cash sustaining capital expenditures |
42,607 |
0.66 |
33,425 |
0.86 |
36,507 |
0.74 |
Royalties |
1,015 |
0.02 |
2,479 |
0.06 |
1,740 |
0.04 |
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper
produced |
96,795 |
1.51 |
119,429 |
3.06 |
120,968 |
2.46 |
British Columbia |
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
|
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper
produced |
|
|
$000s |
$/lb |
|
|
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
|
|
54,767 |
2.67 |
|
|
Royalties |
|
|
237 |
0.01 |
|
|
Cash sustaining capital expenditures |
|
|
14,487 |
0.71 |
|
|
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper
produced |
|
|
69,491 |
3.39 |
|
|
1 Only includes exploration costs incurred for
locations near to existing mine operations.
Gold Cash Cost and Sustaining Cash Cost
Reconciliation
Manitoba |
Three Months Ended |
(in thousands) |
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Net ounces of gold produced1 |
56,213 |
35,253 |
40,457 |
1 Contained gold in concentrate and doré.
Manitoba |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Cash cost per ounce of gold produced |
$000s |
$/oz |
$000s |
$/oz |
$000s |
$/oz |
Mining |
41,421 |
|
737 |
|
41,681 |
|
1,182 |
|
40,659 |
|
1,005 |
|
Milling |
16,923 |
|
301 |
|
15,193 |
|
431 |
|
16,573 |
|
410 |
|
G&A |
10,145 |
|
180 |
|
6,108 |
|
173 |
|
9,841 |
|
243 |
|
Onsite costs |
68,489 |
|
1,218 |
|
62,982 |
|
1,786 |
|
67,073 |
|
1,658 |
|
Treatment & refining |
8,834 |
|
157 |
|
9,573 |
|
271 |
|
11,038 |
|
273 |
|
Freight & other |
6,120 |
|
109 |
|
5,342 |
|
152 |
|
9,173 |
|
226 |
|
Cash cost, before by-product credits |
83,443 |
|
1,484 |
|
77,897 |
|
2,209 |
|
87,284 |
|
2,157 |
|
By-product credits |
(45,779 |
) |
(814 |
) |
(39,218 |
) |
(1,112 |
) |
(78,565 |
) |
(1,941 |
) |
Gold cash cost, net of by-product credits |
37,664 |
|
670 |
|
38,679 |
|
1,097 |
|
8,719 |
|
216 |
|
Manitoba |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Supplementary cash cost information |
$000s |
$/oz1 |
$000s |
$/oz1 |
$000s |
$/oz1 |
By-product credits2: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper |
24,158 |
|
430 |
14,382 |
|
408 |
28,617 |
|
707 |
Zinc |
17,099 |
|
304 |
21,896 |
|
621 |
43,606 |
|
1,077 |
Silver3 |
4,522 |
|
80 |
2,940 |
|
83 |
6,099 |
|
151 |
Other |
— |
|
— |
— |
|
— |
243 |
|
6 |
Total by-product credits |
45,779 |
|
814 |
39,218 |
|
1,112 |
78,565 |
|
1,941 |
Reconciliation to IFRS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost, net of by-product credits |
37,664 |
|
|
38,679 |
|
|
8,719 |
|
|
By-product credits |
45,779 |
|
|
39,218 |
|
|
78,565 |
|
|
Treatment and refining charges |
(8,834 |
) |
|
(9,573 |
) |
|
(11,038 |
) |
|
Inventory adjustments |
— |
|
|
906 |
|
|
2,074 |
|
|
Share-based compensation expenses |
104 |
|
|
31 |
|
|
130 |
|
|
Change in product inventory |
(766 |
) |
|
(11,964 |
) |
|
32,223 |
|
|
Royalties |
1 |
|
|
99 |
|
|
464 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization4 |
26,873 |
|
|
21,330 |
|
|
33,197 |
|
|
Cost of sales5 |
100,821 |
|
|
78,726 |
|
|
144,334 |
|
|
1 Per ounce of gold produced. 2 By-product
credits are computed as revenue per financial statements,
amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume
adjustments. 3 Silver by-product credits do not include variable
consideration adjustments with respect to stream arrangements. 4
Depreciation is based on concentrate sold. 5 As per IFRS financial
statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
Manitoba |
Three Months Ended |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Sustaining cash cost per pound of gold
produced |
$000s |
$/oz |
$000s |
$/oz |
$000s |
$/oz |
Gold cash cost, net of by-product credits |
37,664 |
670 |
38,679 |
1,097 |
8,719 |
216 |
Cash sustaining capital expenditures |
15,100 |
269 |
14,828 |
421 |
33,081 |
818 |
Royalties |
1 |
— |
99 |
3 |
464 |
11 |
Sustaining cash cost per pound of gold
produced |
52,765 |
939 |
53,606 |
1,521 |
42,264 |
1,045 |
Combined Unit Cost Reconciliation
Peru |
Three Months Ended |
(in thousands except ore tonnes milled and unit cost per
tonne) |
Combined unit cost per tonne processed |
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Mining |
33,875 |
|
31,654 |
|
35,197 |
|
Milling |
46,996 |
|
54,676 |
|
52,043 |
|
G&A1 |
20,912 |
|
14,867 |
|
13,421 |
|
Other G&A2 |
(5,440 |
) |
458 |
|
1,342 |
|
|
96,343 |
|
101,655 |
|
102,003 |
|
Less: Covid related costs |
— |
|
— |
|
929 |
|
Unit cost |
96,343 |
|
101,655 |
|
101,074 |
|
Tonnes ore milled |
7,895 |
|
7,223 |
|
7,742 |
|
Combined unit cost per tonne |
12.20 |
|
14.07 |
|
13.06 |
|
Reconciliation to IFRS: |
|
|
|
Unit cost |
96,343 |
|
101,655 |
|
101,074 |
|
Freight & other |
17,040 |
|
12,424 |
|
12,905 |
|
Covid related costs |
— |
|
— |
|
929 |
|
Other G&A |
5,440 |
|
(458 |
) |
(1,342 |
) |
Share-based compensation expenses |
45 |
|
29 |
|
(16 |
) |
Change in product inventory |
4,137 |
|
27,078 |
|
(2,497 |
) |
Royalties |
1,015 |
|
2,479 |
|
1,740 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
80,625 |
|
67,340 |
|
56,614 |
|
Cost of sales3 |
204,645 |
|
210,547 |
|
169,407 |
|
1 G&A as per cash cost reconciliation above.
2 Other G&A primarily includes profit sharing costs. 3 As per
IFRS financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
British Columbia |
Three Months Ended |
(in thousands except unit cost per tonne) |
Combined unit cost per tonne processed |
|
Sep. 30, 2023 |
|
Mining |
|
29,251 |
|
Milling |
|
24,102 |
|
G&A1 |
|
5,050 |
|
Unit cost |
|
58,403 |
|
USD/CAD implicit exchange rate |
|
1.35 |
|
Unit cost - C$ |
|
78,566 |
|
Tonnes ore milled |
|
3,158 |
|
Combined unit cost per tonne - C$ |
|
24.88 |
|
Reconciliation to IFRS: |
|
|
|
Unit cost |
|
58,403 |
|
Freight & other |
|
3,693 |
|
Change in product inventory |
|
3 |
|
Royalties |
|
237 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
6,255 |
|
Cost of sales2 |
|
68,591 |
|
1 G&A as
per cash cost reconciliation above |
2 Other
G&A primarily includes profit sharing costs. |
3 As per
consolidated interim financial statements. |
Manitoba |
Three Months Ended |
(in thousands except tonnes ore milled and unit cost per
tonne) |
Combined unit cost per tonne processed |
Sep. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Sep. 30 2022 |
Mining |
41,421 |
|
41,681 |
|
40,659 |
|
Milling |
16,923 |
|
15,193 |
|
16,573 |
|
G&A1 |
10,145 |
|
6,108 |
|
9,841 |
|
Less: Other G&A related to profit sharing costs |
(3,308 |
) |
(682 |
) |
(1,784 |
) |
Unit cost |
65,181 |
|
62,300 |
|
65,289 |
|
USD/CAD implicit exchange rate |
1.34 |
|
1.34 |
|
1.31 |
|
Unit cost - C$ |
87,363 |
|
83,659 |
|
85,225 |
|
Tonnes ore milled |
402,443 |
|
380,538 |
|
362,108 |
|
Combined unit cost per tonne - C$ |
217 |
|
220 |
|
235 |
|
Reconciliation to IFRS: |
|
|
|
Unit cost |
65,181 |
|
62,300 |
|
65,289 |
|
Freight & other |
6,120 |
|
5,342 |
|
9,173 |
|
Other G&A related to profit sharing |
3,308 |
|
682 |
|
1,784 |
|
Share-based compensation expenses |
104 |
|
31 |
|
130 |
|
Inventory adjustments |
— |
|
906 |
|
2,074 |
|
Change in product inventory |
(766 |
) |
(11,964 |
) |
32,223 |
|
Royalties |
1 |
|
99 |
|
464 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
26,873 |
|
21,330 |
|
33,197 |
|
Cost of sales2 |
100,821 |
|
78,726 |
|
144,334 |
|
1 G&A as per cash cost reconciliation above.
2 As per IFRS financial statements, excluding impairment
adjustments.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information within the
meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities
legislation. All information contained in this news release, other
than statements of current and historical fact, is forward-looking
information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can
be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”,
“budget”, “guidance”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”,
“strategy”, “target”, “intends”, “objective”, “goal”,
“understands”, “anticipates” and “believes” (and variations of
these or similar words) and statements that certain actions, events
or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” “occur” or
“be achieved” or “will be taken” (and variations of these or
similar expressions). All of the forward-looking information in
this news release is qualified by this cautionary note.
Forward-looking information includes, but is not
limited to, statements with respect to the expected production and
cash flow generation during the fourth quarter and the remainder of
the second half of the year, the expected timing and implications
of an updated Copper Mountain mine technical report, expectations
regarding the updated mine plan, mineral reserve and resource
estimates and mill throughput assumptions in the new Copper
Mountain mine technical report, expectations regarding how the new
Copper Mountain mine technical report will compare to Copper
Mountain’s historical disclosure, the ability of the company to
stabilize and optimize the Copper Mountain mine operation,
expectations regarding the results and findings of the Copper World
PFS, including the production, operating cost, capital cost and
cash cost estimates, the projected valuation metrics and rates of
return, the cash flow and EBITDA projections, the estimated
timelines and pre-requisites for sanctioning the Copper World
project and the pursuit of a potential minority joint venture
partner, expectations regarding the permitting requirements for the
Copper World project and permitting related litigation (including
expected timing for receipt of such applicable permits), the
expected benefits of the Rockcliff Transaction and other Manitoba
growth initiatives; statements regarding the company’s production,
cost and capital and exploration expenditure guidance, expectations
regarding reductions in discretionary spending, capital
expenditures and net debt, expectations regarding the impact of
inflationary pressures on the company’s cost of operations,
financial condition and prospects, the company’s future
deleveraging strategies and the company’s ability to deleverage and
repay debt as needed, expectations regarding the company’s cash
balance and liquidity, the company’s ability to increase the mining
rate at Lalor, the anticipated benefits from completing the Stall
recovery improvement program, the potential improvements to the
tailings deposition process at the Anderson facility and any
facility transitions related thereto, expectations regarding the
ability to conduct exploration work on the Maria Reyna and
Caballito properties and to advance related drill plans, the
ability to continue mining higher-grade ore in the Pampacancha pit
and the company’s expectations resulting therefrom, expectations
regarding the ability for the company to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, the company’s evaluation of opportunities to reprocess
tailings, expectations regarding the prospective nature of the
Maria Reyna and Caballito properties, the anticipated impact of
brownfield growth projects on the company’s performance,
anticipated expansion opportunities and extension of mine life in
Snow Lake and the ability for Hudbay to find a new anchor deposit
near the company’s Snow Lake operations, anticipated drill programs
and exploration activities and any results expected therefrom,
anticipated mine plans, anticipated metals prices and the
anticipated sensitivity of the company’s financial performance to
metals prices, events that may affect its operations and
development projects, anticipated cash flows from operations and
related liquidity requirements, the anticipated effect of external
factors on revenue, such as commodity prices, estimation of mineral
reserves and resources, mine life projections, reclamation costs,
economic outlook, government regulation of mining operations, and
business and acquisition strategies. Forward-looking information is
not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events.
Forward-looking information is based on, among other things,
opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while
considered reasonable by the company at the date the
forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to
significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors
that may cause actual results and events to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
information.
The material factors or assumptions that Hudbay
has identified and were applied in drawing conclusions or making
forecasts or projections set out in the forward-looking information
include, but are not limited to:
- the consistency of the new technical report for the Copper
Mountain mine with the mineral reserve and resource estimates and
throughput assumptions disclosed in Copper Mountain’s historical
technical report dated February 25, 2019 (after accounting for
mining depletion);
- the ability to achieve production and cost guidance;
- the ability to achieve discretionary spending reductions
without impacting operations;
- no significant interruptions to operations due to social or
political unrest in the regions Hudbay operates, including the
navigation of the complex political and social environment in
Peru;
- no interruptions to the company’s plans for advancing the
Copper World project, including with respect to timely receipt of
applicable permits;
- the ability for the company to successfully complete the
integration and optimization of the Copper Mountain operations and
develop and maintain good relations with key stakeholders;
- the ability to ramp up exploration in respect of the Maria
Reyna and Caballito properties and to advance related drill
plans;
- the success of mining, processing, exploration and development
activities;
- the scheduled maintenance and availability of the company’s
processing facilities;
- the accuracy of geological, mining and metallurgical
estimates;
- anticipated metals prices and the costs of production;
- the supply and demand for metals the company produces;
- the supply and availability of all forms of energy and fuels at
reasonable prices;
- no significant unanticipated operational or technical
difficulties;
- the execution of the company’s business and growth strategies,
including the success of its strategic investments and
initiatives;
- the availability of additional financing, if needed;
- the company’s ability to deleverage and repay debt as
needed;
- the ability to complete project targets on time and on budget
and other events that may affect the company’s ability to develop
its projects;
- the timing and receipt of various regulatory and governmental
approvals;
- the availability of personnel for the company’s exploration,
development and operational projects and ongoing employee
relations;
- maintaining good relations with the employees at the company’s
operations, including in British Columbia;
- maintaining good relations with the labour unions that
represent certain of the company’s employees in Manitoba and
Peru;
- maintaining good relations with the communities in which the
company operates, including the neighbouring Indigenous communities
and local governments;
- no significant unanticipated challenges with stakeholders at
the company’s various projects;
- no significant unanticipated events or changes relating to
regulatory, environmental, health and safety matters;
- no contests over title to the company’s properties, including
as a result of rights or claimed rights of Indigenous peoples or
challenges to the validity of the company’s unpatented mining
claims;
- the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation and no
significant unanticipated litigation;
- certain tax matters, including, but not limited to current tax
laws and regulations, changes in taxation policies and the refund
of certain value added taxes from the Canadian and Peruvian
governments; and
- no significant and continuing adverse changes in general
economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets
(including commodity prices and foreign exchange rates).
The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and
other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information
may include, but are not limited to, risks related to the
anticipated mine plan and mineral reserve and resource estimates
for the Copper Mountain mine and the possibility that they could
result in an indicator of impairment, the failure to effectively
complete the integration and optimization of the Copper Mountain
operations, political and social risks in the regions Hudbay
operates, including the navigation of the complex political and
social environment in Peru, risks generally associated with the
mining industry and the current geopolitical environment, including
future commodity prices, currency and interest rate fluctuations,
energy and consumable prices, supply chain constraints and general
cost escalation in the current inflationary environment,
uncertainties related to the development and operation of the
company’s projects, the risk of an indicator of impairment or
impairment reversal relating to a material mineral property, risks
related to the Copper World project, including in relation to
permitting, litigation, project delivery and financing risks, risks
related to the Lalor mine plan, including the ability to convert
inferred mineral resource estimates to higher confidence
categories, dependence on key personnel and employee and union
relations, risks related to political or social instability, unrest
or change, risks in respect of Indigenous and community relations,
rights and title claims, operational risks and hazards, including
the cost of maintaining and upgrading the company's tailings
management facilities and any unanticipated environmental,
industrial and geological events and developments and the inability
to insure against all risks, failure of plant, equipment,
processes, transportation and other infrastructure to operate as
anticipated, compliance with government and environmental
regulations, including permitting requirements and anti-bribery
legislation, depletion of the company’s reserves, volatile
financial markets and interest rates that may affect the company’s
ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, the
failure to obtain required approvals or clearances from government
authorities on a timely basis, uncertainties related to the
geology, continuity, grade and estimates of mineral reserves and
resources, and the potential for variations in grade and recovery
rates, uncertain costs of reclamation activities, the company’s
ability to comply with its pension and other post-retirement
obligations, the company’s ability to abide by the covenants in its
debt instruments and other material contracts, tax refunds, hedging
transactions, as well as the risks discussed under the heading
“Risk Factors” in the company’s most recent Annual Information Form
and under the heading “Financial Risk Management” in the company’s
most recent management’s discussion and analysis.
Should one or more risk, uncertainty,
contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or
assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially
from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information.
Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
information. Hudbay does not assume any obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news
release or to explain any material difference between subsequent
actual events and any forward-looking information, except as
required by applicable law.
Note to United States
Investors
This news release has been prepared in
accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect
in Canada, which may differ materially from the requirements of
United States securities laws applicable to U.S. issuers.
About Hudbay
Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused
mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class
pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly
jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States.
Hudbay’s operating portfolio includes the
Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in
Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia
(Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company,
which is complemented by meaningful gold production. Hudbay’s
growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona, the
Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La
Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities
near its existing operations.
The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has
is embodied in its purpose statement: “We care about our people,
our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the
world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better
futures for communities.” Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable
value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in
community relations, focused exploration, mine development and
efficient operations.
For further information, please
contact:
Candace Brûlé Vice President, Investor Relations
(416) 814-4387 investor.relations@hudbay.com
1 Adjusted net earnings (loss) and adjusted net earnings (loss)
per share; adjusted EBITDA; cash cost, sustaining cash cost and
all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of
by-product credits; cash cost and sustaining cash cost per ounce of
gold produced, net of by-product credits; combined unit costs, net
debt and any ratios based on these measures are non-IFRS financial
performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS.
For further information and a detailed reconciliation, please see
the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section of this news
release. 2 Sourced from Wood Mackenzie (Q2 2023 dataset). 3 Sourced
from S&P Global, August 2023.
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