WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(CCNMatthews - May 12, 2006) - HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) -
Q1 2006 Financial Highlights
- Net earnings $76.0 million or $0.89 per basic share
- Operating cash flow $78.0 million or $0.91 per basic share
- Net debt $79.9 million
- Revenue $208.0 million
- Cash cost, net of by-product credits US$0.05/lb. of zinc sold
Q1 2006 Production Highlights Compared to Q1 2005
- Zinc production up 700 tonnes to 29,906 tonnes
- Copper in anode production up 3,000 tonnes to 23,700 tonnes
- Gold production up 3% to 26,511 ozs.
- Silver production up 15% to 390,230 ozs.
Q1 Corporate Highlights
- White Pine Copper Refinery purchase completed
- Balmat zinc mine reopening project - on schedule
- Exploration land holdings increased by 94,000 hectares
HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) ("HudBay") announced today an
eight-fold increase in net earnings to $76.0 million or $0.89 per basic
share on revenue of $208 million for the first quarter ended March 31,
2006. This compares to net earnings of $9.2 million on revenue of $151.5
million for the first quarter of 2005.
"We are delighted with the results reported today," said Peter
Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of HudBay. "The results
show growth and achievement at HudBay and our strong financial position
at year end 2005 has further improved in the first quarter of 2006."
Production of all metals was higher than in the same quarter in
2005, including zinc at 29,906 tonnes (29,206)(1); copper in anode at
23,686 tonnes (20,697); gold at 26,511 ozs. (25,774); and silver at
390,230 ozs. (338,294).
(1) Values shown in brackets following this footnote are for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
Total revenue for the quarter was $208.0 million ($151.5) from sales
of 30,172 tonnes of zinc, (27,097) including sales to Zochem; 11,200
tonnes of zinc oxide (10,300); 18,932 tonnes of copper (20,382); 14,846
ounces of gold (25,397) and 232,456 ounces of silver (331,644). During
the quarter, sales of copper and contained gold and silver were less
than production due mainly to a planned copper inventory increase
related to a scheduled copper smelter shutdown.
Over the quarter, gross realized prices averaged US$1.08/lb. for
zinc (US$0.62); US$2.33/lb. for copper (US$1.49); US$532/oz. for gold
(US$426) and US$9.29/oz. for silver (US$7.23). For the quarter, the
Canadian to US dollar exchange rate averaged Cdn$1.15 per US$1.00
(Cdn$1.23).
Operating costs for the first quarter were $121.9 million ($117.7).
For the quarter, HudBay's cash cost, net of by-product credits, per pound of zinc sold, was US$0.05 (US$0.21).
On January 1, 2006 HudBay completed the purchase of White Pine
Copper Refinery Inc., a Michigan-based copper refinery for $17.9 million
and also during the first quarter, our Balmat zinc mine reopening
project continued on schedule.
Events Subsequent to the End of the First Quarter
In April, HudBay announced that it had repurchased, through the open
market, an additional US$30 million of its 9 5/8% senior secured notes
due January 5, 2012. Note repurchases then totaled US$50 million,
leaving a balance of US$125 million of these notes outstanding.
Also in April, HudBay entered into an agreement with a syndicate of
investment dealers led by GMP Securities L.P., for the sale of 1.46
million flow-through common shares at a price of $13.75 per share on an
underwritten private placement basis for aggregate gross proceeds to the
Company of approximately $20 million. The private placement was
successfully completed on April 25 and proceeds will be used for
exploration and development on HudBay's Canadian properties.
In April, HudBay also filed a preliminary short form prospectus respecting its warrants, in each of the provinces of Canada.
For further information, please see attached hereto, HudBay's
management discussion and analysis for the quarter ended March 31, 2006,
and selected financial information for the quarters ended March 31,
2006 and 2005. A copy of HudBay's consolidated financial statements for
the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, as well its MD&A for the
quarter ended March 31, 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 and metals 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.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements", within the
meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the
business, operations and financial performance and condition of HudBay.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements
with respect to the future price of zinc, copper, gold and silver, the
estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral
reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future
production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing
of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities,
permitting time lines, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements
for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations,
environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes
or claims, limitations on insurance coverage, increased electricity,
heavy fuel oil and natural gas cost risk, inflation risks and risks
associated with the re-opening of the Balmat mine. 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 state 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 but not
limited to: risks
related to the integration of acquisitions; risks related to
international operations; risks related to joint venture operations;
actual results of current exploration activities; actual results of
current reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations;
changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future
commodity prices; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery
rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as
anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining
industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in
the completion of development or construction activities, 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 that are incorporated
by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities
laws.
This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the
United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United
States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public
offering of securities that may be made in the United States will be
made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from the issuer and
that will contain detailed information about the company and management,
as well as financial statements.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and
per share amounts)
Three months ended
March 31
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2006 2005
(Unaudited)
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Revenue $ 207,963 $ 151,525
Expenses:
Operating 121,887 117,713
General and administrative 5,928 3,641
Depreciation and amortization 15,542 12,724
Accretion of asset retirement obligation 660 652
Exploration 3,134 569
Foreign exchange (gain) (1,268) (250)
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145,883 135,049
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Operating earnings 62,080 16,476
Interest expense (4,754) (5,653)
Foreign exchange (loss) on long term debt (824) (1,330)
Gain on derivative instruments (note 10) 4,331 2,364
Interest and other income 1,172 470
Amortization of deferred financing fees (362) (341)
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Earnings before income tax 61,643 11,986
Tax recovery (expense) (note 8) 14,343 (2,805)
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Earnings for the period $ 75,986 $ 9,181
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Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.89 $ 0.12
Diluted $ 0.70 $ 0.12
Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding
Basic 85,392,988 78,547,993
Diluted 108,179,593 79,202,545
See the financial statements as filed on SEDAR.
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
Three months ended
March 31
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005
(Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings (deficit),
beginning of period $ 78,732 $ (6,486)
Earnings for the period 75,986 9,181
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Retained earnings, end of period $ 154,718 $ 2,695
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See the financial statements as filed on SEDAR.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
March 31, 2006 December 31, 2005
(Unaudited)
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Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 127,364 $ 141,660
Accounts receivable 87,286 44,698
Inventories 132,329 116,596
Prepaid expenses 3,920 3,625
Current portion of fair value
of derivatives 8,623 4,483
Future income taxes 38,500 26,200
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398,022 337,262
Property, plant and equipment 405,974 378,207
Other assets (note 4) 11,781 13,284
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$ 815,777 $ 728,753
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Liabilities and Shareholders Equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities $ 102,338 $ 91,930
Interest payable on long-term debt 3,630 8,004
Current portion of other
liabilities (note 5) 29,389 28,211
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135,357 128,145
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Long-term debt (note 6) 191,326 191,493
Pension obligations 44,853 46,743
Other employee future benefits 62,357 61,250
Asset retirement obligations 29,919 29,219
Obligations under capital leases 8,022 9,011
Future income tax liabilities 2,688 1,666
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$ 474,522 $ 467,527
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Shareholders equity:
Share capital:
Common shares 147,588 143,611
Warrants 27,203 28,931
Contributed surplus 11,804 10,015
Cumulative translation adjustment (58) (63)
Retained earnings 154,718 78,732
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341,255 261,226
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$ 815,777 $ 728,753
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See the financial statements as filed on SEDAR.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Three months ended
March 31
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005
(Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities:
Earnings for the period $ 75,986 $ 9,181
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization 15,542 12,724
Tax expense (recovery) (14,939) 2,002
Unrealized foreign exchange gain 518 1,086
Amortization of deferred financing costs 362 341
Accretion expense on asset
retirement obligation 660 652
Stock-based compensation 2,251 -
Unrealized portion of change in fair
value of derivative (3,159) (1,363)
Other 752 60
Change in non-cash working capital (note 11) (51,847) 3,203
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26,126 27,886
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Financing activities:
Repayment of senior secured notes (1,168) -
Issuance of common shares, net of costs - 8,669
Proceeds on exercise of stock options 1,180 -
Proceeds on exercise of warrants 4,269 -
Repayments of obligations under capital
leases (936) (919)
Deferred financing cost - (133)
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3,345 7,617
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Investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment (27,003) (15,847)
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 15 -
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(44,029) (2,847)
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Foreign exchange gain on cash held in
foreign currency 262 244
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Change in cash and cash equivalents (14,296) 32,900
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
of period 141,660 64,553
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 127,364 $ 97,453
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See the financial statements as filed on SEDAR.
To view the Management's Discussion and Analysis please click on the following link:
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/hbmamda.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