TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Nov. 10, 2005) - HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) -
Highlights during the quarter:
- Earnings jumped 169% over 2nd quarter of 2005 to $23.4 million or EPS of $0.28
- Sales revenue increased 7.0% over 2nd quarter of 2005 to $169.3 million
- Total ore production advanced 0.8% over 2nd quarter of 2005 to 660,044 tonnes
- $10.0 million exploration drilling program continues
- Cash position of $125.9 million
- Third quarter since acquisition of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., Limited
Highlights subsequent to end of the quarter:
- Completed exercise of option to acquire White Pine Copper Refinery
- Announced expected reopening of Balmat Mine in New York State with first ore early second quarter of 2006
- Evaluation of provisions for closure and reclamation completed as described on page 12
HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) (HudBay) earned $23.4 million or
$0.28 per share in the third quarter of 2005, compared to $8.7 million
or $0.11 per share in the second quarter of 2005. This marked the third
full quarter of operations since the acquisition of Hudson Bay Mining
and Smelting Co., Limited (HBMS) on December 21, 2004.
"Our results during the quarter were solid and we are particularly
pleased with our improvements in sales revenues and net earnings," said
Peter Jones, President and CEO, HudBay Minerals.
Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, HudBay announced that
through its wholly owned subsidiary Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co.,
Limited (HBMS), it has exercised an option to acquire 100% ownership of
White Pine Copper Refinery Inc. (White Pine), a Michigan-based copper
refinery. The acquisition is expected to close in late 2005 or early
2006. The purchase price to be paid for White Pine is US$13 million,
subject to certain adjustments.
HudBay also announced that through its wholly owned St. Lawrence
Zinc Company, LLC (SLZ), it expects to reopen Balmat No. 4 Zinc Mine in
the Balmat zinc mining district of New York state.
"White Pine has processed the copper anode produced by HBMS into
refined copper cathode for a number of years and this will continue
after the acquisition," said Mr. Jones.
"Balmat is a readily available zinc source and will be accretive to
HudBay's performance when it is expected to produce first ore early in
the second quarter of 2006," he added.
Summarized Financial Results
The following table sets out summary consolidated financial
information for the Company at and for the three-month periods
("quarters") ended September 30 and June 30, as well as the nine-month
periods ended September 30, 2005, and 2004:
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Three months ended Nine months
Sept 30 June 30 Sept 30 ended September 30
----------------------------------------------------
2005 2005 2004(1)(2) 2005 2004(1)(2)
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($000s except per share amounts)
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Statement of
operations:
Sales 169,264 158,188 - 478,977 -
Earnings (loss) 23,405 8,691 (3,281) 41,277 (7,062)
Earnings (loss)
per common
share (3):
Basic $0.28 $0.11 $(0.48) $0.51 $(1.10)
Diluted $0.28 $0.11 na(4) $0.51 na(4)
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As at
----------------------------------
Sept 30 June 30 Sept 30
----------------------------------
2005 2005 2004
----------------------------------
($000s)
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Balance sheet:
Cash and cash
equivalents 125,880 123,967 2,951
Total assets 694,766 695,427 13,535
Working capital 195,371 190,670 146,079
Total long term debt
and capital leases,
excluding current
portion 223,366 235,076 1,839
Shareholders' equity 214,963 189,914 9,104
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(1) Excludes results of HBMS.
(2) Restated to give effect to change in accounting policy related to
expensing of exploration costs, consistent with HBMS practice.
(3) As of November 7, 2005, there were 84,257,012 common shares of
the Company issued and outstanding, as well as 1,091,132,785
warrants (pre-consolidated at 30 warrants per one common share)
exercisable for a maximum of 36,371,092 common shares. In
addition, options exercisable for 1,247,378 common shares were
outstanding.
(4) The conversion of stock options and warrants to calculate fully
diluted was not done for 2004 as the conversion would have been
anti-dilutive.------------------------
Operational Review
Mines and Concentrators
Production at the 777 mine for the quarter ended September 30, 2005
increased by 6.2% compared to the previous quarter, consistent with
plans to ramp up production to a rate of 1.35 million tonnes per year by
January 1, 2006. Compared to the second quarter of 2005, Konuto Lake
mine production was down 7.9% in the third quarter as expected given the
planned closure of the mine at the end of November 2005. Total
production from all mines increased by 0.8% in the third quarter of 2005
as compared to the second quarter, while copper and zinc metal content
decreased by 3.5% and 6.0% respectively, primarily as a result of mining
lower zinc grade areas of the Chisel North mine, and a change in the
mine plan at the Trout Lake mine necessary to accommodate an area of the
mine requiring rehabilitation of the ground support system.
On a unit cost basis, total mine operating costs increased by
approximately 1.6% in the third quarter of 2005 as compared to the
second quarter. The increase was primarily associated with additional
operating development costs at the Trout Lake and Chisel North mines
that were largely offset by similar decreases in capital development.
For the third quarter of 2005, Flin Flon concentrator throughput
increased by approximately 4.6% compared to the second quarter, with the
increase primarily reflecting the maintenance shutdown taken in the
second quarter. Both copper head grade and recovery improved marginally
in the third quarter. Zinc head grade declined in the third quarter
largely as a result of the change in the Trout Lake mine plan as noted
above. The lower head grade resulted in a decrease in zinc recovery in
the concentrator for the quarter. Gold recovery was lower in the third
quarter due to summer temperatures increasing process water temperature.
Unit cost for the Flin Flon concentrator increased by approximately
2.6% in the third quarter of 2005 as compared to the second quarter,
with the increase arising primarily from a non-recurring repair to a
coarse ore bin.
For the third quarter of 2005, Snow Lake concentrator throughput
increased to match mine production from the Chisel North mine, and the
throughput increased by approximately 5.1% compared to the second
quarter. Zinc recovery reduced marginally as a result of lower zinc head
grade from the mine. Unit cost for the concentrator decreased by
approximately 8.6% in the third quarter of 2005 as compared to the
second quarter, with the decrease resulting primarily from the
additional throughput.
Metallurgical Plants
Copper production for the third quarter of 2005 decreased by
approximately 1.6% compared to the second quarter. On a unit cost basis,
operating costs were approximately 8.3% higher in the third quarter of
2005 as compared to the second quarter, with the increase largely
related to increased costs for heavy fuel oil.
For the third quarter of 2005, operating costs in the zinc plant, on
a total dollar basis, were approximately 2% lower than the second
quarter of 2005; however, on a unit cost basis, third quarter costs
increased by approximately 10% relative to the second quarter as zinc
production decreased by approximately 3,400 tonnes (or 11.7%). This
decrease related to planned downtime for general plant maintenance and
the replacement of a cellhouse transformer, together with repair work in
the oxygen plant and a period of less than full oxygen supply.
Quarterly Information
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial
information for each of the eight most recently completed quarters. Note
that the results reflect the acquisition of HBMS as of December 21,
2004.
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2005 2004 2003
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Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4
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(In $000s, except per share information)
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Net
Revenue 169,264 158,188 151,525 13,308 6 7 6 5
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Earnings
(loss) 23,405 8,691 9,181 (2,891)(3,281)(2,083)(1,664)(3,429)
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Per
Common
Share
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Basic 0.28 0.11 0.12 (0.18) (0.48) (0.30) (0.29) (0.65)
Diluted(1) 0.28 0.11 0.12 na na na na na
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(1) Based on the treasury method of calculating fully diluted shares
outstanding.
Results of Operations
With the exception of ten days in December 2004, HudBay had no
production and was essentially a development stage enterprise. As such,
discussion and analysis of 2005 compared to 2004 has been limited, and
additionally, a comparison of results achieved in the second and third
quarters of 2005 has been provided.
Quarter Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to Quarter Ended June 30, 2005
Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $23.4
million compared to $8.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
Total sales revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was
$169.3 million from sales of approximately 19,800 tonnes of copper, and
29,500 tonnes of zinc which included 8,300 tonnes sold to our Zochem
division for use in the production of zinc oxide. In the third quarter
of 2005, Zochem had sales of approximately 10,700 tonnes of zinc oxide.
Revenues for the quarter also included sales of approximately 21,800
ounces of gold, and 309,500 ounces of silver. Over the quarter, gross
realized prices averaged US$1.80/lb copper, US$0.62/lb zinc, US$446/troy
oz gold, and US$7.16/troy oz silver. The Canadian to US dollar exchange
rate averaged Cdn $1.20 per US $1.00 for the quarter.
Total sales for the third quarter of 2005 improved by 7.0% compared
to the second quarter largely as a result of a decrease in inventory at
Considar Metal Marketing ("CMM"), our joint venture marketing company,
and a 14.6% improvement in copper price, which more than offset a 4,700
ounce reduction in gold sales. Approximately one-half of the gold sales
decrease arose from lower output from the Flin Flon concentrator, and
the balance from processing less copper concentrate from owned mines
compared to purchased concentrates in the copper smelter. Additional
purchased copper concentrate was treated in the third quarter as
suppliers increased deliveries to HBMS in order to make up for minor
shortfalls against contractual deliveries in the first and second
quarters.
Operating expenses in the third quarter of 2005, of $125.4 million,
increased by approximately 9.9% compared to the second quarter of $114.1
million. This increase primarily related to a $10.8 million increase in
the cost of purchased copper concentrate treated, which arose as a
result of the additional volume treated, as well as a significant
increase in copper price over the quarter. For the quarter ended
September 30, 2005, operating costs in the mines and concentrators
increased by approximately 2.8% compared to the previous quarter. This
increase resulted from additional operating development activity, and
was offset by a similar decrease in capital development.
General and administrative ("G&A") expense for the quarter ended
September 30, 2005 was $3.1 million compared to $4.6 million for the
quarter ended June 30, 2005. Costs for the third quarter of 2005 were
lower as total G&A expenses for the previous two quarters included
approximately $1.6 million of non-recurring expenses.
The previously announced program of exploration on the Company's
lands in Manitoba and Saskatchewan continued during the quarter. The
program provides for $10 million of planned exploration in the Flin Flon
Greenstone Belt during 2005 and the first quarter of 2006, of which
approximately $3.9 million has been spent as of September 30, 2005. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2005, exploration expenditures of
$7.7 million as shown on the income statement include $3.9 million
relating to flow-through activity, $3.0 million for Balmat feasibility
costs, and $0.8 million of other costs (primarily Flin Flon area non
flow-through related).
For the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a
foreign exchange loss of $2.9 million compared to a gain of $0.4 million
in the previous quarter. This relates primarily to the change in the
value of the Company's cash balance which is held largely in US$
deposits, and was converted to Canadian dollars at a quarter end
exchange rate of Cdn $1.16 per US $1.00, compared to a rate of Cdn $1.22
per US $1.00 for the previous quarter.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2005, operating earnings was
$19.1 million compared to $21.5 million for the three months ended June
30, 2005. The unfavourable variance of $2.4 million can be summarized
broadly as follows: increased sales of $11.1 million plus miscellaneous
net cost reductions of $0.7 million, offset by increased concentrate
purchases of $10.9 million and non-cash foreign exchange losses of $3.3
million.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a
foreign exchange gain on long-term debt of $11.0 million compared to a
loss of $2.8 million in the previous quarter. This gain was a result of
the change in US$ denominated debt as valued at month end exchange
rates.
In the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a $1.5
million gain on derivative instruments compared to a $1.8 million loss
for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. The derivatives are forward
contracts placed in conjunction with CMM fixed price sales contracts.
Unexpired contracts are valued based on month end market price compared
to the forward price.
In the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a
non-cash tax expense of $3.2 million compared to an expense of $2.7
million in the quarter ended June 30, 2005. The Company has sufficient
tax pools to shelter income and does not anticipate significant cash
income taxes in the foreseeable future.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2005, net earnings was $23.4
million compared to $8.7 million for the three months ended June 30,
2005. The net $14.7 million variance can be summarized broadly as
follows: increased sales of $11.1 million, foreign exchange gains $10.5
million, derivative gains $3.4 million, and miscellaneous cost
reductions of $0.6 million, offset by a $10.9 million increase in
concentrate purchase cost.
Quarter Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to Quarter Ended September 30, 2004
Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $23.4
million compared with a loss of $3.3 million for the quarter ended
September 30, 2004.
Total sales revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was
$169.3 million from sales of metals produced. The Company had no metal
sales in the third quarter of 2004.
Operating costs for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 increased
to $125.4 million from $0.9 million for the quarter ended September 30,
2004. Costs in the third quarter of 2004 primarily related to care and
maintenance costs of the Balmat Mine acquired in September 2003 but also
included care and maintenance costs of the Gays River property.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $41.3
million compared with a loss of $7.1 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004. Total sales revenue for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 was $479.0 million. The Company had no metal sales in
the first nine months of 2004. Operating costs for the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 increased to $357.2 million from $2.6 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Costs in the first nine
months of 2004 primarily related to care and maintenance of the Balmat
and Gays River properties.
Cash Cost per Pound of Zinc Sold
HudBay's total cash cost net of by-product credits for the quarter
ended September 30, 2005 was US$0.15 per pound of zinc sold. The Company
had no metal sales in the same quarter of 2004.
Non GAAP Reconciliation of Cash Cost per Pound of Zinc Sold, Net of By-Product Credits
HudBay Minerals Inc. Three Three Three Nine
Months Months Months Months
Ended Ended Ended Ended
March 31, June 30, Sept 30, Sept 30,
2005 2005 2005 2005
------------------------------------------------
($000) ($000) ($000) ($000)
Expenses C$135,049 C$136,726 C$150,140 421,915
Non-cash operating costs
Depreciation and
amortization (12,724) (13,228) (13,618) (39,570)
Stock-based compensation 0 (1,354) (591) (1,945)
Accretion and other
non-cash (652) (649) (655) (1,956)
Foreign exchange gain
(loss) 250 424 (2,850) (2,176)
------------------------------------------------
121,923 121,919 132,426 376,268
Less: By-product
credits(1) (106,263) (111,408) (120,812) (338,483)
------------------------------------------------
Cash cost net of
by-products C$15,660 C$10,511 C$11,614 C$37,785
Exchange rate
(C$/U.S$)(2) 1.227 1.244 1.200 1.223
------------------------------------------------
Cash cost net of
by-products US$12,763 US$8,449 US$9,682 US$30,894
Zinc sales (000 lbs) 59,739 62,754 65,015 187,508
Cash cost per pound of
zinc, net of
by-product credits US$0.21 US$0.13 US$0.15 US$0.16
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Exploration cost
per pound US$0.04 US$0.05 US$0.03
------------------------------------------------
Cash cost per
pound of zinc, net
of by-product
credits and
excluding
exploration US$0.21 US$0.09 US$0.10 US$0.13
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
(1) By-product credits include revenues from sale of copper, gold,
silver, the premium on zinc oxide sales and the Company's
proportionate share of by-product sales by its marketing joint
venture.
(2) Weighted average exchange rate for sales during the period.
The above table shows a US 2.0 cent per pound net increase in the cash
cost per pound of zinc for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 compared
to the quarter ended June 30, 2005. The change is comprised of
favourable variances of approximately US 0.4 cents from additional sales
volume, and US 18.8 cents from increased by-product credits.
Unfavourable variances include approximately US 15.4 cents increase in
copper concentrate purchases, a US 2.4 cent net increase in all other
operating costs, and a US 3.4 cent exchange impact on Canadian dollar
costs.
The calculation of cash cost per pound of zinc is strongly
influenced by by-product metal prices, which may fluctuate going
forward.
In the future, the Company will report the cash cost per pound of
zinc excluding exploration costs as these are not deemed to be a current
cash cost of producing zinc.
Operating Costs
Nine
Quarter Quarter Quarter Months
Ended Ended Ended Ended
Mar 31, June 30, Sept 30, Sept 30,
2005 2005 2005 2005
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Mines
Trout Lake $/tonne 36.39 31.49 34.81 34.20
Konuto $/tonne 40.32 34.81 31.94 35.74
777 $/tonne 42.20 36.07 32.33 36.47
Chisel North $/tonne 36.28 37.56 47.62 40.56
----------------------------------------
Total mines $/tonne 39.16 34.55 35.09 36.16
Concentrators
Flin Flon $/tonne 8.21 7.68 7.88 7.92
Snow Lake $/tonne 16.51 17.30 15.82 16.53
Metallurgical Plants
Zinc Plant $/lb Zn 0.25 0.25 0.28 0.26
Copper Smelter $/lb Cu 0.24 0.24 0.26 0.25
Non-Gaap
Reconciliation
of Operating
Expenses
($000):
Mines:
Trout Lake C$000 7,754 6,926 7,338 22,018
Konuto 3,510 3,132 2,648 9,290
777 10,136 9,488 9,029 28,653
Chisel North 3,141 3,084 4,147 10,372
Concentrators:
Flin Flon 4,538 4,290 4,605 13,433
Snow Lake 1,414 1,375 1,322 4,111
Metallurgical Plants:
Zinc Plant 16,015 16,005 15,646 47,666
Copper Smelter 10,770 11,226 11,970 33,966
Other:
Purchased Concentrate
Treated 34,555 32,747 43,606 110,908
Anode Freight
& Refining 6,313 5,931 5,713 17,957
Services
& Administration 6,059 6,186 7,024 19,269
Care & Maintenance 820 1,122 878 2,820
Zochem (excluding
zinc purchases
from HBMS) 4,131 4,279 3,081 11,491
Other(1) 8,557 8,319 8,359 25,235
----------------------------------------
Total Operating
Expenses, per
financials 117,713 114,110 125,366 357,189
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
(1) Includes profit sharing, changes in domestic inventory, share of
CMM, and miscellaneous minor provisions.
Cash Flows, Liquidity, and Capital Resources
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the three and nine
month periods ended September 30, 2005, and 2004:
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Three months ended Nine months
Sept 30 June 30 Sept 30 ended September 30
----------------------------------------------------
2005 2005 2004(1)(2) 2005 2004(1)(2)
($000s) ($000s) ($000s) ($000s) ($000s)
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Operating
activities
Earnings (loss)
for the period 23,405 8,691 (3,281) 41,277 (7,062)
Items not
affecting cash 9,758 24,160 1,184 49,545 1,434
Net change in
non-cash items (11,349) 5,157 1,144 (3,114) 1,028
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Cash generated
by (required
for) operating
activities 21,814 38,008 (953) 87,708 (4,600)
Cash generated by
(required for)
investing
activities (15,341) (18,313) 35 (37,952) (2,415)
Cash generated
by financing
activities 201 6,099 778 15,368 7,852
Foreign exchange
loss on cash
held in foreign
currency (4,761) 720 - (3,797) -
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Increase in cash
and short term
deposits 1,913 26,514 (139) 61,327 838
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(1) Excludes results of HBMS.
(2) Restated to give effect to change in accounting policy relating
to expensing of exploration costs, consistent with HBMS practice,
and to retroactively adopt recommendations under Section 3110,
Asset Retirement Obligations.
With the exception of ten days in December 2004, HudBay had no
production and was essentially a development stage enterprise. As such,
discussion and analysis of 2005 compared to 2004 has been limited, and
additionally, a comparison of results achieved in the second and third
quarters of 2005 has been provided.
Quarter Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to Quarter Ended June 30, 2005
As of September 30, 2005, HudBay had cash and cash equivalents of
$125.9 million compared to $124.0 million as at June 30, 2005. As at
September 30, 2005, there were outstanding letters of credit in the
amount of $35.2 million. This is unchanged from the letters of credit
outstanding as at June 30, 2005.
Cash flow from operating activities totaled $21.8 million for the
quarter ended September 30, 2005 compared to $38.0 million for the
quarter ended June 30, 2005. The decrease in cash flow from operations
resulted primarily from increased sales of $11.1 million and net
miscellaneous items of $0.3 million that were offset by interest
payments of $11.5 million on long term debt and $1.2 million on capital
leases, a decrease of $10.9 million relating to increased concentrate
purchase costs net of changes in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, and an increase of approximately $4 million in prepaid
expenses (primarily insurance).
In the third quarter of 2005, a net total of $15.3 million was
required for investing activities, which related largely to mine
development and other sustaining capital expenditures at HBMS. This
compares to $18.3 million required for investment in development and
other sustaining capital in the second quarter of 2005. The decrease in
the third quarter relates to a decrease in capital development activity
at the Trout Lake and Chisel North mines, which has been offset by
additional operating development. As planned, the third quarter decrease
in investing activities primarily relates to equipment purchases
rescheduled for next quarter.
Financing activities in the third quarter of 2005 generated $0.2
million which included approximately $1.1 million proceeds from the
exercise of warrants, net of a $0.9 million repayment under capital
lease obligations. Financing activities in the second quarter of 2005
generated $6.1 million, which included flow through share funding of
exploration activities.
As at September 30, 2005, HudBay had long-term financial debt
(excluding the current portion) of $213.4 million compared to $224.1 as
at June 30, 2005. The change in the amount outstanding arises from a
change in the quarter-end exchange rate used to convert US$ denominated
debt. The Company will consider, from time to time, reducing debt
through various means including open market purchases of senior secured
notes.
Net cash flow for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $1.9
million compared to $26.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
Decreases in cash flow included $12.0 million interest on long term debt
and capital leases, an $8.1 million decrease in financing (primarily
relating to the flow through funding done in the second quarter, with
none in the third), a $10.9 million decrease relating to increased
concentrate purchase costs net of changes in accounts payable and
accrued liabilities, a $4.0 million increase in prepaid expenses and
other assets (primarily insurance), $1.7 million in reduced copper sales
volume (arising from an inventory increase associated with repairs to
an anode vessel in the smelter), and $2.6 million in reduced gold sales
volume as discussed above. Offsetting increases in cash flow included
$8.9 million related to copper price, $2.9 million from reduced capital
expenditure, $2.0 million government debt repayment (in previous
quarter), and $1.6 million in reduced G&A and other costs.
New cash requirements for the near term include approximately US$13
million plus adjustments, to be incurred in late 2005 or early 2006, for
the purchase of the White Pine Refinery, and an estimated US$20 million
for the start-up of the Balmat mine, of which approximately US$10
million is expected to be spent in the first five months of the project.
Quarter Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to Quarter Ended September 30, 2004
As of September 30, 2005, HudBay had cash and cash equivalents of
$125.9 million compared to $3.0 million as at September 30, 2004. As at
September 30, 2005, there were outstanding letters of credit in the
amount of $35.2 million, secured by an equal amount of cash, while there
were no outstanding letters of credit in 2004.
Cash flow from operations totaled $21.8 million for the quarter
ended September 30, 2005. This relates primarily to HBMS operations,
which contributed $17.0 million, and compares with $1.0 million cash
required for operating activities in the same period in 2004 when the
Company incurred a loss of $3.3 million primarily in relation to
management fees, mine care and maintenance activities and debenture
interest expense.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
Cash flow from operations totaled $87.7 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2005. This relates primarily to HBMS operations,
which contributed $91.1 million, and compares with $4.6 million cash
required for operating activities in the same period in 2004 when the
Company incurred a loss of $7.1 million primarily in relation to
management fees, mine care and maintenance activities and debenture
interest expense.
Interim Financial Condition
Financial Condition at September 30, 2005 Compared to Financial Condition as at December 31, 2004
With the exception of the items discussed below, the financial
condition of the Company as at September 30, 2005 is not materially
different from that as at December 31, 2004:
- Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2005 increased by $61.3 million compared to December 31, 2004.
- Restricted cash decreased by $13 million as funds placed in trust
for the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan as financial assurance
for the Company's asset retirement obligations were replaced with
letters of credit that are also supported by cash in an equivalent
amount.
- Working capital improved by $49.3 million, reflecting the improved
cash position net of $13.0 million of restricted cash and routine
fluctuations in other working capital items.
- Common share capital increased by $20.8 million, which included
$11.4 million from exercise of warrants and $10.0 million from
flow-through shares net of $0.6 million share issue costs,
- HudBay's contractual obligations at September 30, 2005 are
materially unchanged from December 31, 2004 except that, for the mutual
benefit of both parties, the evergreen concentrate purchase agreement
with Compania Minera Dona Ines de Collahuasi was terminated effective
June 30, 2005. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company purchased 40,000
dmt of copper concentrate per year. The termination of the agreement,
which would otherwise have expired in 2008, is not expected to impact
the Company's ability to obtain copper concentrate for its Flin Flon
smelter.
- In October 2005, the Company announced its intention to acquire
100% ownership of White Pine Copper Refinery Inc., through HBMS, by
exercising an option held by its joint venture marketing company
Considar Metal Marketing Inc. (CMM). The acquisition is expected to
close in late 2005 or early 2006.
- Pursuant to a previous commitment to exchange HBMS' outstanding 9
5/8% Senior Secured Notes due January 15, 2012 (issued on December 21,
2004 in a private placement), a prospectus was filed in Ontario and a
registration statement on Form F-10 (for which that prospectus formed a
part) was filed with the SEC. The Form F-10 registration statement
registered the exchange of HBMS' outstanding notes for 9 5/8% Senior
Secured Exchange Notes due January 15, 2012 under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act of 1933"). The
terms of the exchange notes are identical in all material respects to
those of the previously outstanding notes, except that the exchange
notes are not subject to the same transfer restrictions. The exchange
offer was both commenced and completed during the quarter ended
September 30, 2005. 100% of the notes were exchanged.
- The Company has received a commitment from the Bank of Nova Scotia
to establish a revolving credit facility in the total amount of C$50
million. The first $25 million is committed, with the remainder
contingent upon meeting certain conditions precedent. The facility is
expected to close before the end of the year.
Risk Management
The Company uses forward exchange or currency collar contracts to
limit the effects of movements in exchange rates on foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities and future anticipated transactions.
At September 30, 2005 the Company held US dollar put options giving it
the right, but not the obligation, to sell up to US$56.9 million in
equal quarterly amounts at $1.20482 per US dollar, from October 2005 and
continuing to January 2009.
From time to time the Company maintains price protection programs
and conducts commodity price risk management to reduce risk through the
use of financial instruments. Through its joint venture interest in CMM,
the Company manages risk associated with forward physical sales that
are made on a fixed price basis regarding zinc and zinc oxide and,
accordingly, enters into forward zinc purchase contracts. These
contracts effectively offset the Company's forward sales price
commitments. In the current environment of strong base metal market
prices, the Company has benefited from full exposure to metal price
movements, and will consider implementing protection to limit the
effects of future price changes.
Closure and Environmental Reclamation Provisions
HBMS has completed an evaluation of the closure and reclamation
plans for its Manitoba and Saskatchewan operations and substantially
completed a review of other potential environmental costs to a
feasibility level of accuracy. The closure plans have been updated and
completed to the feasibility level of accuracy by a major Canadian
environmental engineering firm.
Based on the results of the evaluations to date, HudBay is satisfied
that current financial statement provisions for closure and
environmental reclamation obligations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
elsewhere, are adequate and appropriate. The HudBay financial statement
provision for closure and environmental reclamation has not been audited
by external auditors and may also be modified based on comments yet to
be received from the governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Accordingly changes to the provision may be necessary.
Balmat
Through its wholly owned subsidiary, St. Lawrence Zinc Company, LLC
("SLZ"), the Company expects to reopen the Balmat No 4 Zinc Mine (the
Mine) in the Balmat zinc mining district of New York state.
The Mine has been maintained to a high standard, during care and
maintenance, since 2001. The Mine includes a 3,200 ft. deep shaft,
underground development to five ore zones and extensive mining equipment
as well as a 5,000 ton per day concentrator. SLZ also owns
approximately 52,000 acres of exploration land in the Balmat district.
Based on mineral reserves, resources and a planned increase to
resources from an underground exploration program, the mine life will be
approximately eight years and have a capital cost of approximately
US$20 million. First ore production is planned within five months
building to full production of an estimated 635,000 tons per annum,
within 35 months. Operating costs including concentrate treatment are
expected to be US$0.40 per lb. of zinc while total costs including
capital is expected to be US$0.48 per lb. of zinc over the mine life and
based on a zinc price of US$0.56 per lb. for three years and US$0.50
per lb. thereafter produce a greater than 20% IRR after tax.
At November 1, 2005, HudBay recalculated the Mine's mineral reserves
and resources in compliance with National Instrument 43 - 101 based on
high grade selective mining. The mineral reserves are estimated at
1,858,532 tons at 11.2% zinc and mineral resources at 1,387,249 tons at
12.9% zinc. These results have been prepared under the guidance of Kim
J. Lau, B.Sc., P. Geo., a Senior Mineral Resource Analyst of HudBay's
wholly-owned subsidiary Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., Limited
(HBMS) and Gary M. Allen, M.Eng., P.Eng., employed as Manager Mines
Technical Services by HBMS. Both Ms. Lau and Mr. Allen are designated as
Qualified Persons with the ability and authority to verify the
authenticity and validity of this data.
At full production, the Mine will produce approximately 60,000 tons
of zinc metal in concentrates which are planned to be processed at the
Canadian Electrolytic Refinery in Valleyfield, Quebec with an option for
up to 40% of the concentrate to be treated at HudBay's zinc plant in
Flin Flon.
HBMS Production
A summary of production statistics for the third quarter of 2005, as
well as year-to-date data, together with comparative information for
2004 is shown in the following table:
Third Quarter Results Three months ended Nine months
Sep 30 June 30 Sep 30 ended Sep 30
-----------------------------------------------
2005 2005 2004 2005 2004
-----------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------
Mines:
Trout
Lake: Tonnes 210,802 219,913 239,340 643,769 689,467
Copper % 1.29 1.19 1.54 1.25 1.50
Zinc % 5.70 6.51 4.65 6.20 5.08
Gold g/tonne 1.57 1.43 1.48 1.52 1.46
Silver g/tonne 14.63 14.46 13.62 15.01 12.88
Konuto: Tonnes 82,895 89,986 84,453 259,943 252,277
Copper % 3.35 4.47 3.34 4.02 4.11
Zinc % 2.07 1.66 1.84 1.70 2.06
Gold g/tonne 1.33 1.84 2.01 1.64 1.99
Silver g/tonne 8.32 9.28 8.70 8.71 9.58
7 7 7: Tonnes 279,258 263,078 246,375 785,584 730,200
Copper % 2.28 2.16 2.56 2.22 3.01
Zinc % 4.34 4.54 5.20 4.22 4.59
Gold g/tonne 2.18 2.29 2.45 2.12 2.34
Silver g/tonne 23.93 25.93 25.37 23.56 23.77
Chisel
North: Tonnes 87,090 82,100 79,846 255,735 244,695
Copper % 0.21 0.22 0.15 0.19 0.15
Zinc % 8.31 9.08 9.52 9.01 10.36
Gold g/tonne 0.45 0.77 0.35 0.63 0.52
Silver g/tonne 21.15 36.20 21.85 27.11 27.17
Total
Mines: Tonnes 660,044 655,077 650,014 1,945,032 1,916,640
Copper % 1.83 1.91 1.99 1.88 2.25
Zinc % 5.01 5.37 5.09 5.17 5.17
Gold g/tonne 1.65 1.75 1.78 1.66 1.75
Silver g/tonne 18.63 21.08 18.44 19.21 18.42
Third Quarter Results Three months ended Nine months ended
Sep 30 June 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
----------------------------------------------
2005 2005 2004 2005 2004
----------------------------------------------
Concentrators:
Flin Flon
Concent-
rator: tonnes 584,362 558,919 566,324 1,696,110 1,626,176
Copper % 2.13 2.10 2.33 2.11 2.54
Zinc % 4.44 4.85 4.53 4.60 4.44
Gold g/tonne 1.85 1.87 1.99 1.81 1.92
Silver g/tonne 18.19 18.42 17.88 17.86 17.28
Copper
Concentrate
Produced tonnes 48,763 44,957 50,507 139,386 161,880
Grade % Cu 23.94 24.27 24.21 23.76 23.79
Zinc
Concentrate
Produced tonnes 42,488 44,366 40,632 126,302 112,977
Grade % Zn 51.40 52.10 50.86 51.31 50.31
Copper
recovery
to Cu Conc % 93.7 92.9 92.7 92.5 93.3
Gold
recovery
to Cu Conc % 71.8 78.3 65.2 75.7 66.6
Silver
recovery
to Cu Conc % 64.6 66.6 66.4 66.4 65.4
Zn
recovery
to Zn Conc % 84.1 85.3 80.6 83.0 78.8
Snow Lake
Concent-
rator: tonnes 83,570 79,496 84,805 248,698 242,273
Zinc % 8.26 9.09 9.63 9.00 10.36
Zinc
Concentrate
Produced tonnes 13,058 13,643 15,480 42,528 47,393
Grade % Zn 51.25 51.68 51.40 51.26 51.53
Zn
recovery
to Zn Conc % 96.9 97.5 97.4 97.4 97.3
Third Quarter Results Three months ending Nine months ending
Sep 30 June 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
----------------------------------------------
2005 2005 2004 2005 2004
----------------------------------------------
Smelter:
Copper
Concentrate
Treated:
Domestic tonnes 49,780 53,038 35,894 151,170 130,281
Purchased tonnes 28,212 26,057 15,023 83,108 70,497
----------------------------------------------
Total tonnes 77,992 79,095 50,917 234,278 200,778
Zinc Plant:
Zinc
Concentrate
Treated:
Domestic tonnes 51,339 58,105 58,306 168,254 162,777
Purchased tonnes 0 0 0 0 3,488
----------------------------------------------
Total tonnes 51,339 58,105 58,306 168,254 166,265
Metal
Produced:
From HBMS
Mines:
Copper tonnes 11,538 12,407 8,801 35,356 31,095
Zinc tonnes 25,733 29,162 29,146 84,072 80,080
Gold oz 22,759 27,177 16,018 75,133 51,391
Silver oz 205,144 232,797 145,944 652,551 456,118
From
Purchased
Concentrates:
Copper tonnes 9,182 8,652 5,300 27,121 23,890
Zinc tonnes 43 26 1 95 1,791
Gold oz 441 363 282 1,381 995
Silver oz 126,685 106,201 62,633 356,571 282,023
Total
Metal
Produced:
Copper tonnes 20,720 21,060 14,101 62,477 54,985
Zinc tonnes 25,775 29,188 29,147 84,168 81,871
Gold oz 23,200 27,540 16,300 76,514 52,386
Silver oz 331,829 338,998 208,577 1,009,122 738,141
HBMS Metal Sold:
Copper tonnes 19,800 20,200 13,300 60,400 53,100
Zinc, Incl
sales to
Zochem tonnes 29,500 28,500 28,800 85,100 83,800
Gold oz 21,800 26,500 15,300 73,700 50,200
Silver oz 309,500 322,200 193,000 963,400 700,900
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004.
(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
September December
30, 2005 31, 2004
(unaudited)
---------------------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents (note 9a) $ 125,880 $ 64,553
Accounts receivable 71,147 73,210
Inventories 90,937 100,282
Prepaid expenses and other assets 9,458 3,496
Current portion of fair value of
derivatives 2,886 3,418
Future income taxes 12,900 12,900
---------------------------
313,208 257,859
Investments 463 463
Property, plant and equipment (note 4) 370,078 358,662
Deferred financing costs and intangible
assets 8,890 10,152
Restricted cash - 13,000
Environmental deposits 1,755 1,789
Fair value of derivatives 372 772
---------------------------
$694,766 $642,697
---------------------------
---------------------------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable 61,679 64,669
Accrued liabilities 26,156 26,548
Interest payable on long-term debt 4,080 563
Current portion of obligations under
capital leases 3,774 3,338
Current portion of long-term debt 4,000 2,000
Current portion of pension obligation 16,042 12,650
Current portion of other employee future
benefits 2,106 2,012
---------------------------
117,837 111,780
Obligations under capital leases 9,987 11,719
Debt obligations (note 9a) 213,379 223,529
Pension obligation 49,925 57,437
Other employee future benefits 60,172 57,929
Asset retirement obligation 28,503 27,120
Other non-current liabilities - 417
---------------------------
479,803 489,931
---------------------------
---------------------------
Shareholders' equity
Common shares (note 5a) 141,368 120,138
Warrants (note 5b) 31,723 35,850
Contributed surplus (see note 5c) 7,144 3,288
Cumulative translation adjustments (63) (24)
Retained earnings (deficit) 34,791 (6,486)
---------------------------
214,963 152,766
---------------------------
$ 694,766 $ 642,697
---------------------------
---------------------------
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004
(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars except share
and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
----------------------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
----------------------------------------
Sales $169,264 $ - $478,977 $ -
----------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating 125,366 872 357,189 2,586
General and administrative 3,130 1,061 11,364 1,978
Stock-based compensation
(note 5c) 591 484 1,945 644
Depreciation and
amortization 13,618 40 39,570 115
Accretion 655 41 1,956 53
Exploration 3,930 417 7,715 1,315
Foreign exchange loss 2,850 - 2,176 -
----------------------------------------
150,140 2,915 421,915 6,691
----------------------------------------
Operating earnings (loss) 19,124 (2,915) 57,062 (6,691)
Other income 1,243 5 2,348 19
Amortization of deferred
financing costs (353) - (1,060) -
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
on long-term debt 10,973 (146) 6,878 (64)
Gain on derivative
instruments 1,544 - 2,089 -
Interest expense (5,375) (225) (16,763) (723)
----------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before taxes 27,156 (3,281) 50,554 (7,459)
Taxes (recovery) 3,751 - 9,277 (397)
----------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) for the
period $23,405 $(3,281) $41,277 $(7,062)
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic $ .28 $(.48) $ .51 $(1.10)
Diluted (note 5d) $ .28 note 5d $ .51 note 5d
Weighted average number of
commons shares outstanding
Basic 83,782,135 6,881,816 81,020,128 6,431,090
Diluted (note 5d) 84,064,498 note 5d 81,495,026 note 5d
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings (Deficit)
For the periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004
(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
---------------------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
---------------------------------------
Retained earnings (deficit) -
beginning of period
As previously stated $11,386 $(21,979) $(6,486) $(19,096)
Changes in accounting policies
Exploration - (1,487) - (589)
---------------------------------------
As restated 11,386 (23,466) (6,486) (19,685)
Earnings (loss) for the period 23,405 (3,281) 41,277 (7,062)
---------------------------------------
Retained earnings (deficit) -
end of period $34,791 $(26,747) $34,791 $(26,747)
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
---------------------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
---------------------------------------
Cash generated (utilized) by:
Operating activities
Earnings (loss) for the
period $ 23,405 $(3,281) $41,277 $(7,062)
Items not affecting cash
Depreciation and
amortization 13,618 40 39,570 115
Accretion of debt
component of
convertible
debentures - 156 - 489
Accretion on asset
retirement obligation 655 41 1,956 53
Non-cash interest 225 - 727 -
Future income taxes 3,225 - 8,695 (397)
Unrealized portion of
change in fair value
of derivative (699) - 932 -
Amortization of deferred
financing charges 354 499 1,061 499
Stock-based compensation 591 484 1,945 644
Unrealized foreign
exchange gain on debt (10,972) 32 (6,877) 32
Unrealized foreign
exchange loss on
cash held in
foreign currency 4,761 - 3,797 -
Net change in other
non-cash
operating items (2,000) (67) (2,261) -
---------------------------------------
33,163 (2,096) 90,822 (5,627)
Net change in non-cash
working capital
items (note 9c) (11,349) 1,144 (3,114) 1,028
---------------------------------------
21,814 (952) 87,708 (4,599)
---------------------------------------
Investing activities
Increase in environmental
deposits 55 45 34 (284)
Decrease (increase) in
restricted cash - - 13,000 -
Property, plant and
equipment expenditures (15,396) (10) (50,986) (2,131)
---------------------------------------
(15,341) 35 (37,952) (2,415)
---------------------------------------
Financing activities
Financing and
acquisition costs - (529) (350) (1,306)
Decrease in debenture
subscription receivable - - - 2,000
Issuance of common shares - - - 600
Proceeds on exercise of
stock options - - - 64
Proceeds on exercise of warrants - - - 104
Repayments of obligations under
capital lease (912) - (1,296) -
Repayment of debt obligations - - (2,000) -
Issuance of shares and warrants 1,113 1,307 19,014 6,390
---------------------------------------
201 778 15,368 7,852
---------------------------------------
Unrealized foreign exchange
loss on cash held in
foreign currency (4,761) - (3,797) -
---------------------------------------
Change in cash and cash
equivalents 1,913 (139) 61,327 838
Cash and cash equivalents
- beginning of period 123,967 3,091 64,553 2,114
---------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents
- end of period 125,880 2,952 125,880 2,952
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
About HudBay Minerals Inc.
HudBay Minerals Inc. is an integrated mining and metal producing
company that operates mines and concentrators in northern Manitoba and
Saskatchewan and a metal processing complex in Flin Flon, Manitoba. The
company also operates a zinc oxide production facility in Brampton,
Ontario and the former producing mines of Balmat in New York State and
Gays River in Nova Scotia that are being evaluated for re-opening.
Unless the context otherwise suggests, references to "we", "us",
"our" and similar terms, as well as references to the "Company", refer
to HudBay Minerals Inc. All figures are in Canadian dollars unless
otherwise noted
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein,
including without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future
plans and objectives are forward-looking statements that involve various
risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such
statements will prove accurate, and actual results and future events
could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the Company's expectations are disclosed in documents that we have
filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange and other
regulatory authorities.
Certain items of financial information in this press release,
including unit operating expenses, and cash cost per pound of zinc, net
of by-product credits are furnished to provide additional information
and are non-GAAP measures. As non-GAAP measures they do not have
standardized meanings nor are they necessarily comparable with similar
measures presented by other companies. These measures should not be
considered in isolation as a substitute for measures of performance
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
are not necessarily indicative of operating expenses as determined
under generally accepted accounting principles. These measures are
intended to provide investors with information about the cash generating
capabilities of the Company's operations. HudBay uses this information
for the same purpose. Mining operations are capital intensive. These
measures exclude capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are
discussed throughout the press release and the unaudited consolidated
financial statements.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Peter Jones
President & CEO
(204) 949-4261
peter.jones@hbms.ca
www.hudbayminerals.com