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Enter Symbol
or Name
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CA



Lundin Mining Corp
Symbol LUN
Shares Issued 772,838,238
Close 2023-08-02 C$ 11.31
Market Cap C$ 8,740,800,472
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Lundin Mining earns $61.3-million (U.S.) in Q2 2023

2023-08-02 19:21 ET - News Release

Mr. Peter Rockandel reports

LUNDIN MINING SECOND QUARTER 2023 RESULTS

Lundin Mining Corp. had net earnings attributable to Lundin Mining shareholders of $59.1-million (eight cents per share) and $205.7-million (27 cents per share) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. The company also generated adjusted earnings of $16.0-million (two cents per share) and adjusted EBITDA of $162.2-million in the second quarter. Adjusted earnings were $141.7-million (18 cents per share) and adjusted EBITDA were $499.1-million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Adjusted operating cash flow were $110.6-million (14 cents per share) and $345.7-million (45 cents per share) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.

"Over all, we are pleased with the performance of our operations during the second quarter. We are currently tracking at the midpoint or higher for copper, gold and nickel guidance, and the lower end for zinc. We generated adjusted EBITDA of over $160-million despite a decline in metal prices early in the second quarter and resulting provisional pricing adjustments. Lundin Mining's earnings and cash-generation potential has further increased with the addition of Caserones which closed early in the third quarter. On a 100-per-cent pro forma basis, including Caserones, Lundin Mining's operations produced approximately 280,000 tonnes of copper-equivalent metal in the first half of this year. Caserones produced approximately 70,000 tonnes of copper in the first half of the year and is off to a strong start in the third quarter," commented Peter Rockandel, chief executive officer.

Mr. Rockandel added, "With the free cash flow from operations, the new $800-million term loan, and the existing $1.75-billion revolving credit facility, Lundin Mining retains a strong balance sheet and significant liquidity to progress growth projects."

Highlights

For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the company generated revenue of $588.5-million (Q2 2022 -- $590.2-million), gross profit of $52.8-million (Q2 2022 -- $46.0-million) and adjusted EBITDA of $162.2-million (Q2 2022 -- $148.6-million).

Over all, the operations performed well during the second quarter of 2023 and the company remains on track to achieve production guidance.

Operational performance

Candelaria (80 per cent owned): Candelaria produced 36,952 tonnes of copper, and approximately 21,000 ounces of gold in concentrate on a 100-per-cent basis in the quarter. Copper production was lower than the prior-year quarter due to grades partially offset by higher throughput. Gold production was lower than the prior-year quarter due to recoveries. Current quarter production costs and copper cash cost of $2.14/pound were higher than the prior-year quarter largely owing to higher contractor and maintenance costs. Cash cost was further impacted by lower sales volumes.

Chapada (100 per cent owned): Chapada produced 10,697 tonnes of copper and approximately 13,000 ounces of gold in concentrate in the quarter. Copper production was higher than the prior-year quarter primarily due to higher recoveries in the quarter. Current quarter production for both metals was better than the first quarter of 2023, due to higher grades and recoveries. In aggregate, production costs were higher than the prior-year comparable quarter due to higher sales volumes achieved, while the higher sales volumes also led to improvement on a unit basis with a copper cash cost of $2.69/lb for the quarter.

Eagle (100 per cent owned): During the quarter Eagle produced 4,686 tonnes of nickel and 3,881 tonnes of copper which were lower than the prior-year quarter due to lower grades and lower throughput. Production costs were lower than the comparable prior-year quarter due to lower consumable costs. Nickel cash cost in the quarter of $1.88/lb was higher than the prior-year quarter due primarily to lower byproduct copper price and lower sales volumes.

Neves-Corvo (100 per cent owned): Neves-Corvo produced 7,610 tonnes of copper for the quarter and 24,177 tonnes of zinc. Copper production was lower than the prior-year comparable quarter, due to lower grades, while zinc production was higher primarily due to increased throughput and recoveries driven by the ramp-up of the Zinc expansion project (ZEP). Production costs were comparable with the prior-year quarter. Copper cash cost of $3.99/lb was higher than the prior-year quarter due primarily to lower copper sales volumes.

Zinkgruvan (100 per cent owned): Zinc production of 11,938 tonnes and lead production of 3,816 tonnes were lower than the prior-year quarter due to lower throughput due to a shutdown of the mill to perform the planned implementation of the sequential flotation circuit. Copper production of 917 tonnes was higher than the prior-year quarter due to higher grades. Production costs were lower than the prior-year quarter due to lower mine and mill costs. Zinc cash cost of 24 cents/lb was lower than the prior-year quarter due to lower production costs.

Corporate updates

  • On July 10, 2023, the company published its 2022 sustainability report.
  • On July 13, 2023, the company announced the closing of the acquisition of 51 per cent of the issued and outstanding equity of SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile, which owns the Caserones copper-molybdenum mine located in Chile. The company paid an aggregate of approximately $800-million in cash consideration at closing. Remaining deferred cash consideration of $150-million will be payable in instalments over the six-year period following the closing date. Lundin Mining also has the right to acquire up to an additional 19-per-cent interest in Lumina Copper for $350-million over a five-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of closing. A technical report for the Caserones mine titled "Caserones Mining Operation, Chile, NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Caserones Mining Operation" was filed under the company's profile.
  • On July 27, 2023, the company announced it had obtained a three-year term loan in a principal amount of $800-million with an additional $400-million accordion and closing of up to an additional 19-per-cent interest in Lumina Copper.

Financial performance

  • Gross profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, was $52.8-million, an increase of $6.8-million and largely comparable to the prior-year quarter. On a year-to-date basis, gross profit for the period ended June 30, 2023, was $266.2-million and was lower than the prior-year period due to lower sales volumes and lower metal prices.
  • For the three months ended June 30, 2023, net earnings of $61.3-million were $109.9-million higher than the prior-year quarter due primarily to lower general exploration and business development costs and lower income taxes. On a year-to-date basis net earnings of $226.6-million were lower than the prior-year period due to lower gross profit resulting from lower realized prices, partially offset by lower taxes.
  • Adjusted earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2023, of $16.0-million were $51.3-million higher than the adjusted loss of the prior-year quarter due to the same factors as the change in net earnings described herein. On a year-to-date basis adjusted earnings of $141.7-million were lower than the prior-year period due to lower gross profit partially offset by lower income taxes.

Financial position and financing

  • Cash and cash equivalents as at June 30, 2023, was $190.2-million. Cash flow from operations of $194.8-million was used to finance investing activities of $283.5-million. Cash from financing activities was $99.9-million, which comprised primarily the proceeds from debt on a net basis partially offset by dividends paid to shareholders. Cash and cash equivalents remained relatively unchanged during the six months ended June 30, 2023.
  • As at June 30, 2023, the company had a net debt balance of $229.8-million.
  • As at Aug. 2, 2023, the company had cash and net debt balances of approximately $270.0-million and $930.0-million, respectively. The net debt increase was attributable to debt financing of the acquisition of Caserones.

Outlook

Over all, the operations performed well during the second quarter of 2023. The company is currently tracking to the midpoint or higher for copper, gold and nickel guidance, and the lower end for zinc. Production continues to be weighted to the second half of the year. Candelaria and Eagle production are forecast to be modestly weighted to the second half of the year, primarily owing to mine sequencing and the resultant grade profiles. Chapada production is forecast to be weighted to the second half of the year due to first half seasonal operating considerations, and forecast grade and recovery profiles.

Expected cash costs remain consistent with reported guidance for Candelaria, Caserones and Neves-Corvo. Chapada's cash cost guidance range has been improved to $2.35 to $2.55/lb of copper, reflecting lower pricing of consumables. Eagle's forecast nickel cash cost guidance has been increased to $2.30 to $2.45/lb of nickel. While Eagle's overall operating costs remain consistent with the company's previous expectations, nickel cash cost guidance has been increased primarily driven by lower byproduct credits, mainly pricing. Zinkgruvan's cash cost guidance has been improved to 45 cents to 50 cents/lb of zinc, reflecting greater byproduct credits.

A reduction in capital expenditure guidance is expected for the remainder of the year as the timing of several projects at Candelaria has been deferred into next year. At Josemaria, foreign exchange, a delay in planned equipment deliveries and reduced activities have lowered capital spend guidance.

2023 exploration investment guidance

Total exploration expenditures are on target to be $45.0-million in 2023, unchanged from previous guidance.

Senior leadership appointments

The company would also like to announce the executive appointments of Cara Allaway as vice-president, finance, Steve Little as vice-president, technology and innovation, Tim Walmsley as vice-president, exploration, and Stephen Williams as vice-president, investor relations.

Cara Allaway

Ms. Allaway has joined Lundin Mining's Senior Leadership Team as vice-president, finance. In her previous role with Eldorado Gold, Ms. Allaway was vice-president, finance, where she was responsible for overseeing accounting, financial reporting and planning and analysis functions. Previous to Eldorado Gold, she held similar roles at Nevsun Resources Ltd. and Dominion Diamond Mines, and spent 12 years at PwC in the Assurance groups in Halifax and Toronto, and in the Capital Markets Group in Russia. Ms. Allaway is a chartered professional accountant and holds a bachelor of science in chemistry from Mount Allison University and a master of management and professional accounting from the University of Toronto.

Steve Little

Mr. Little has joined Lundin Mining's senior leadership team as vice-president, technology and innovation. He has over 30 years of experience in providing technology leadership within asset intensive industries such as power generation and heavy manufacturing, as well as high tech. Prior to joining Lundin Mining, he was most recently vice-president, business technology solutions, for Seaspan Shipyards and Seaspan Marine Transportation. A registered professional engineer, Mr. Little holds a bachelor of engineering (electrical) from the Royal Military College of Canada and an MBA from Queen's University.

Tim Walmsley

Mr. Walmsley is the vice-president, exploration, for Lundin Mining and has more than 30 years of international experience in all stages of mineral exploration. Prior to his VP position, he held the role of senior director, exploration. Mr. Walmsley joined Lundin Mining as Chile exploration manager in 2013. Before joining Lundin Mining, Mr. Walmsley held progressively more senior technical roles with Xstrata PLC, Falconbridge Ltd. and Noranda Inc., based initially in Canada and then primarily in Chile.

During his career Mr. Walmsley has been responsible for various aspects of exploration and new business development throughout much of North and South America and has contributed to numerous mineral deposit discoveries.

Mr. Walmsley holds a bachelor of applied science (honours) in geological engineering from Queen's University in Canada.

Stephen Williams

Mr. Williams has joined Lundin Mining's senior leadership team as vice-president, investor relations. Mr. Williams is joining from Bluestone Resources, where he was the vice-president, corporate development and investor relations. Previously he was a member of the metals and mining investment banking team at Canaccord Genuity Corp., where he provided strategic advice to clients on acquisitions, mergers and equity financings.

Mr. Williams is a professional engineer by background having worked for Freeport-McMoRan in an operational and process development capacity. He holds a BASc in metallurgical engineering from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from the W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University.

About Lundin Mining Corp.

Lundin Mining is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company with projects and operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Sweden and the United States, primarily producing copper, zinc, gold and nickel.

Technical information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with the disclosure standards of National Instrument 43-101 and has been reviewed by Arman Barha, PEng, vice-president, technical services, a qualified person under NI 43-101. Mr. Barha has verified the data disclosed in this release and no limitations were imposed on his verification process.

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