WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(CCNMatthews - Aug. 11, 2006) - HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) -
Q2 2006 Financial Highlights
- Net earnings of $152.8 million, $1.71 per basic share, from revenue of $261.7 million
- Operating cash flow of $98.3 million or $1.10 per basic share
- Cash - less debt of $28.6 million
- Net earnings include net tax recovery of $58.2 million
- Cash cost per pound of zinc sold, net of by-product credits, negative US $0.95
Q2 2006 Corporate Highlights
- Balmat zinc mine achieved first concentrate production
- Planned shutdowns of smelter and zinc plant completed successfully
- Repurchased US$98.2 million of US dollar senior secured notes
- Increased credit facility commitment to $50 million (undrawn)
- $20 million for exploration & development received from issue of flow-through shares
- Incentivized early warrant exercise program, initiated
- CMM agency arrangement completed for Zinc and Zinc Oxide
HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) ("HudBay") announces an exceptional
1,659% increase in net earnings to $152.8 million (including a net $58.2
million tax recovery) or $1.71 per basic share on revenue of $261.7
million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 (Q2 2006) compared to
net earnings of $8.7 million on revenue of $158.2 million for the
second quarter 2005 (Q2 2005). In addition, operating cash flow for Q2
2006 increased to $98.3 million, compared to $32.9 million for Q2 2005.
"Our net earnings growth of 1,659%, or 988% excluding the net tax
recovery this quarter, was exceptional, despite lower quarterly sales
volumes from planned shutdowns and the completion of the Considar Metals
Marketing ("CMM") agency changeover," said Peter Jones, President and
Chief Executive Officer of HudBay. "The Q2 2006 results, including the
strong operating cash flow, shifts HudBay to positive cash, after
deducting debt, and places us in a powerful financial position as we
evaluate growth opportunities."
The following bracketed values denote the comparative figures for Q2 2005.
Q2 2006 Financial Highlights
Total revenue for Q2 2006 was $261.7 million ($158.2 million) from
sales of 19,774 tonnes of zinc (28,465) including sales to Zochem;
10,852 tonnes of zinc oxide (10,577); 17,218 tonnes of copper (20,210);
25,062 ounces of gold (26,520) and 354,024 ounces of silver (322,231).
For Q2 2006, compared to Q2 2005, sales of copper and zinc were lower
due to a copper smelter and zinc plant planned shutdown and sales of
zinc were also lower due to the completion of the contractual change
with CMM to an agency arrangement.
During Q2 2006, gross realized metal prices averaged US$1.55/lb. for
zinc (US$0.59/lb.); US$3.50/lb. for copper (US$1.57/lb.); US$593/oz.
for gold (US$441/oz.) and US$10.95/oz. for silver (US$7.13/oz.) and the
Canadian to US dollar exchange rate averaged C$1.12 per US$1.00
(C$1.24).
Operating costs for Q2 2006 were $138.9 million ($114.1 million).
For Q2 2006, HudBay recorded a net tax recovery of $58.2 million, of
which $68.0 million was related to the increase in the tax asset offset
by other current and future taxes of $9.8 million. The tax asset has
been adjusted to reflect the future income tax assets at an amount
HudBay considers more likely than not to be realized, and the increase
resulted from significantly higher metal price projections. One year of
projection is considered appropriate due to the uncertainties of future
metals prices and exchange rates.
For Q2 2006, HudBay's cash cost, net of by-product credits, per
pound of zinc sold, was negative US$0.95 (positive US$0.09). (Please see
the MD&A for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 for a reconciliation
of this non-GAAP measure.)
H1 2006 Financial Highlights
In the first six months of 2006 (H1 2006), net earnings increased by
1,180% to $228.8 million or $2.62 per basic share, compared to $17.9
million for the first half of 2005. In addition, operating cash flow for
H1 2006 increased to $176.3 million, compared to $57.7 million for H1
2005.
Total revenue for the first six months of 2006 was $469.7 million
($309.7 million) from sales of 49,946 tonnes of zinc (55,562) including
sales to Zochem; 36,150 tonnes of copper (40,592); 39,908 ounces of gold
(51,917) and 586,480 ounces of silver (653,875). As noted in the Q2
financial highlights, for H1 2006, compared to H1 2005, sales of copper
and zinc were lower due to the copper smelter and zinc plant planned
shutdowns, and sales of zinc were also lower due to the completion of
the contractual change with CMM to an agency arrangement.
During H1 2006, gross realized metal prices averaged US$1.26/lb. for
zinc (US$0.60/lb.); US$2.89/lb. for copper (US$1.53/lb.); US$567/oz.
for gold (US$434/oz.) and US$10.25/oz. for silver (US$7.18/oz.) and the
Canadian to US dollar exchange rate averaged C$1.14 per US$1.00
(C$1.24).
Operating costs for the six months ended June 30, 2006 were $260.8 million ($231.8 million).
For H1 2006, HudBay recorded a net tax recovery of $72.6 million, of
which $80.3 million was related to the increase in the tax asset offset
by other current and future taxes of $7.7 million. The tax asset has
been adjusted to reflect the future income tax assets at an amount
HudBay considers more likely than not to be realized, and the increase
resulted from significantly higher metal price projections. One year of
projection is considered appropriate due to the uncertainties of future
metals prices and exchange rates.
For H1 2006, HudBay's cash cost, net of by-product credits, per
pound of zinc sold, was negative US$0.34 (positive US$0.15).(Please see
the MD&A for the six months ended June 30, 2006 for a reconciliation
of this non-GAAP measure.)
Q2 2006 Corporate Highlights
As previously announced, the Balmat zinc mine in New York state
achieved production of zinc concentrate, as planned, late in Q2 2006.
The planned shutdown of the copper smelter, which had a production
equivalent impact of approximately 25 days, as well as the annual
routine shutdown of the zinc plant, which had a production equivalent
impact of 10 days, were completed successfully during the quarter. Mines
and concentrators continued to operate normally.
As previously announced, during Q2 2006, HudBay repurchased, through
the open market, a total US$98.2 million of its US dollar senior
secured notes, leaving a balance of US$56.8 million as at June 30, 2006.
During Q2 2006, the CMM agency arrangement was extended to include
zinc, zinc oxide and other associated products. Previous to this
contractual change, HudBay recognized 50% of its consolidated sales when
its metal was shipped from the Flin Flon operations and was sold to
CMM. Under the agency contractual arrangement, HudBay will retain title
to its metals until sold to third party customers. The associated
one-time change in sales at the Flin Flon location to the third-party
customer arrangement for zinc was approximately 3 to 4 weeks. The impact
for zinc oxide and other products was minimal.
Early in Q2 2006, as previously announced HudBay sold 1.46 million
flow-through common shares at a price of $13.75 per share for aggregate
gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $20 million. The proceeds
will be used for exploration and development on HudBay's Canadian
properties.
Also in Q2 2006, as previously announced, HudBay initiated an early
warrant exercise transaction which was approved by votes of more than
98% in favour at meetings held of its shareholders and warrantholders.
As a result, the 30-day period, during which warrantholders would
receive an incentive for the early exercise of HudBay's publicly traded
warrants, commenced on June 5, 2006 with an expiry date of July 5, 2006.
Events Subsequent to End of Q2 2006
More than 97.2% of HudBay's publicly traded warrants were exercised
for common shares from the proposal made to warrantholders for early
exercise of their warrants. HudBay has subsequently received gross
proceeds of $104.9 million ($39.6 million received prior to June 30,
2006, and $65.3 million received subsequent to June 30, 2006) from the
early warrant exercise.
Early in July, HudBay completed the sale of 100% of the outstanding
shares of ScoZinc Limited, to Acadian Gold Corporation for $7.5 million
plus adjustments.
Also in July, HudBay's wholly owned subsidiary, Hudson Bay
Exploration and Development Company Limited ("HBED"), entered into a
Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Murgor Resources Inc. ("Murgor") whereby
HBED would option to Murgor four mineral properties for purchase. Two
large exploration properties are also included in the LOI whereby joint
ventures may be formed between the two companies.
HudBay also announced that it plans to mine additional ore
production from pillars at its Trout Lake mine in northern Manitoba. It
plans to use contractors to mine 42,000 tons of selected pillar ore from
the Trout Lake mine mineral reserves, of approximately 1.4% copper and
5.4% zinc and to increase the mine output from 441,400 tons to 483,750
tons, during the second half of 2006.
In addition, HudBay also entered into an exclusive option agreement
whereby it may acquire 100% of the Jason lead/zinc mineral property in
the Yukon from MacPass Resources Limited, for C$1.0 million.
For further information, please see attached hereto, HudBay's
management discussion and analysis for the quarter ended June 30, 2006,
and selected financial information for the quarters ended June 30, 2006
and 2005. A copy of HudBay's consolidated financial statements for the
three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, as well its
MD&A for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, are available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and on the HudBay website at www.hudbayminerals.com.
About HudBay Minerals Inc.
HudBay Minerals Inc. is an integrated mining company that operates
mines, concentrators and a metal production complex in northern Manitoba
and Saskatchewan. The company also owns a zinc oxide production
facility in Ontario, the White Pine copper refinery in Michigan, and the
Balmat zinc mine in New York state.
HudBay is a member of the S&P/TSX Composite Index.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements", within the
meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to
possible joint venture arrangements with Murgor, plans to mine addition
ore at the Trout Lake Mine and the possible acquisition of the Jason
property. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified
by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", or
"does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or
"believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that
certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or
"will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements
are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or
achievements of HudBay, to be materially different from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements, including risks
associated with the mining industry such as economics government
regulation, environmental and reclamation risks, title disputes or
claims, success of exploration activities, risks associated with joint
ventures, future commodity prices, costs of production, possible
variations in ore reserves, resources, grade or recovery rates, failure
of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents,
labour disputes, capital expenditures, conclusions of economic
evaluations as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled
"Risk Factors" in HudBay's Annual Information Form for the year ended
December 31, 2005, available on www.sedar.com. Although HudBay has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements,
there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated,
estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements
will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. HudBay does not undertake to update any forward-looking
statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 261,727 $ 158,188 $ 469,690 $ 309,713
Expenses:
Operating 138,942 114,110 260,829 231,823
General and administrative 6,318 5,947 12,246 9,588
Depreciation and
amortization 15,649 13,228 31,191 25,952
Accretion of asset
retirement obligation 659 649 1,319 1,301
Exploration 3,871 3,216 7,005 3,785
Foreign exchange (gain) (25) (424) (1,293) (674)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165,414 136,726 311,297 271,775
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings 96,313 21,462 158,393 37,938
Interest expense (3,279) (5,735) (8,033) (11,388)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
on long term debt 7,321 (2,765) 6,497 (4,095)
Gain (loss) on derivative
instruments (note 10) 9,221 (1,819) 13,552 545
Premium on long-term debt
prepayment (12,252) - (12,252) -
Interest and other income 1,972 635 3,144 1,105
Amortization of deferred
financing fees (4,706) (366) (5,068) (707)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income tax 94,590 11,412 156,233 23,398
Tax recovery (expense)
(note 8) 58,246 (2,721) 72,589 (5,526)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings for the period $ 152,836 $ 8,691 $ 228,822 $ 17,872
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 1.71 $ 0.11 $ 2.62 $ 0.22
Diluted $ 1.30 $ 0.11 $ 2.03 $ 0.22
Weighted average number
of common shares
outstanding
Basic 89,335,965 81,388,858 87,375,369 79,646,755
Diluted 117,203,669 81,959,645 112,702,524 80,133,777
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings (deficit),
beginning of period $ 154,718 $ 2,695 $ 78,732 $ (6,486)
Earnings for the period 152,836 8,691 228,822 17,872
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings, end
of period $ 307,554 $ 11,386 $ 307,554 $ 11,386
------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
June 30, 2006 December 31, 2005
(Unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 113,440 $ 141,660
Accounts receivable 95,646 44,698
Inventories 155,503 116,596
Prepaid expenses 5,541 3,625
Current portion of fair value
of derivatives 13,222 4,483
Future income tax asset (note 8) 106,500 26,200
------------------------------------------------------------------------
489,852 337,262
Property, plant and equipment 431,480 378,207
Other assets (note 4) 7,991 13,284
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 929,323 $ 728,753
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities $ 122,353 $ 91,930
Interest payable on long-term debt 2,797 8,004
Current portion of other liabilities
(note 5) 27,842 28,211
------------------------------------------------------------------------
152,992 128,145
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt (note 6) 69,912 191,493
Pension obligations 46,129 46,743
Other employee future benefits 63,142 61,250
Asset retirement obligations 30,739 29,219
Obligations under capital leases 7,019 9,011
Future income tax liabilities 3,982 1,666
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 373,915 $ 467,527
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity:
Share capital:
Common shares (note 9 (a)) 217,995 143,611
Warrants (note 9 (a)&(b)) 17,271 28,931
Contributed surplus 12,697 10,015
Cumulative translation adjustment (109) (63)
Retained earnings 307,554 78,732
------------------------------------------------------------------------
555,408 261,226
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 929,323 $ 728,753
------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities:
Earnings for the period $ 152,836 $ 8,691 $ 228,822 $ 17,872
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and
amortization 15,649 13,228 31,191 25,952
Tax expense (recovery) (66,705) 3,468 (81,643) 5,470
Unrealized foreign
exchange (gain) loss (5,861) 2,045 (5,343) 3,131
Amortization of deferred
financing costs 4,706 366 5,068 707 Accretion expense on asset
retirement obligation 659 649 1,319 1,301
Stock-based compensation 1,823 1,354 4,074 1,354
Unrealized portion of
change in fair value
of derivative (3,837) 2,869 (6,996) 1,631
Other (942) 181 (190) 241
Change in non-cash
working capital (note 11) (13,974) 5,157 (65,822) 8,235
------------------------------------------------------------------------
84,354 38,008 110,480 65,894
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Repayment of debt
obligations (114,350) (2,000) (115,518) (2,000)
Issuance of common shares,
net of costs 16,958 9,232 16,958 17,901
Proceeds on exercise of
stock options 2,568 - 3,748 -
Proceeds on exercise of
warrants 40,019 - 44,288 -
Repayments of obligations
under capital leases (950) (916) (1,886) (384)
Deferred financing cost - (217) - (350)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(55,755) 6,099 (52,410) 15,167
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Additions to property,
plant and equipment (41,155) (18,292) (68,158) (35,590)
Acquisition of White
Pine Copper Refinery,
Inc., net of cash
acquired (note 3) - - (17,041) -
Decrease in restricted
cash - - - 13,000
Additions to
environmental deposits 48 (21) 63 (21)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(41,107) (18,313) (85,136) (22,611)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign exchange (loss)
gain on cash held in
foreign currency (1,416) 720 (1,154) 964
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in cash and
cash equivalents (13,924) 26,514 (28,220) 59,414
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period 127,364 97,453 141,660 64,553
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents,
end of period $ 113,440 $ 123,967 $ 113,440 $ 123,967
------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
To view the Management's Discussion and Analysis, please click the following link:
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/hbmmda0811.pdf
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Don Bain
Director, Investor Relations
(204) 949-4272
(204) 942-8177 (FAX)
don.bain@hbms.ca
www.hudbayminerals.com