WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(CCNMatthews - Nov. 10, 2006) - HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) -
Q3 2006 Financial Highlights
- Earnings up 624% to $169.4 million, or $1.37 per share
- Operating cash flow, before non-cash working capital changes, up 401% to $166.0 million, or $1.35 per share
- Revenue up 105% to $346.2 million
- Total assets exceed $1.0 billion
- Cash (less debt) $239.9 million
- Cash cost per pound of zinc sold, net of by-product credits "negative" US$0.82
Q3 2006 Corporate Highlights
- Agreements finalized with Murgor Resources
- Option agreement to acquire 100% of the Jason lead/zinc mineral property
- Additional pillar ore to be mined at Trout Lake
- $7.5 million received from ScoZinc sale
- Early warrant transaction successfully completed
- Zinc and copper production on target for 2006
- New three-year Collective Bargaining Agreements, subsequent to quarter end
HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) ("HudBay") announces a 624% increase
in earnings to $169.4 million (including a net $17.8 million tax
benefit) or $1.37 per share on revenue of $346.2 million for the third
quarter ended September 30, 2006 (Q3 2006) compared to earnings of $23.4
million on revenue of $169.3 million for the third quarter 2005 (Q3
2005). In addition, operating cash flow, before non-cash working capital
changes, for Q3 2006 increased to $166.0 million compared to $33.2
million for Q3 2005.
"We are very pleased with the further strengthening of our financial
position," said Peter Jones, HudBay President and Chief Executive
Officer. "Our Q3 2006 production and costs together with excellent metal
prices, have produced exceptional financial results, as we move toward
the end of 2006."
The following bracketed values denote the comparative figures for Q3 2005.
Q3 2006 Financial Highlights
Total revenue for Q3 2006 was $346.2 million ($169.3 million) from
sales of 29,588 tonnes of zinc (29,500) including sales to Zochem;
23,343 tonnes of cathode copper (19,800); 20,901 ounces of gold (21,800)
and 313,117 ounces of silver (309,500).
During Q3 2006, gross realized metal prices averaged US$1.58/lb. for
zinc (US$0.61/lb.); US$3.58/lb. for copper (US$1.79/lb.); US$675/oz.
for gold (US$445/oz.) and US$12.35/oz. for silver (US$7.15/oz.) and the
Canadian to US dollar exchange rate averaged $1.12 per US$1.00 ($1.20).
Operating costs for Q3 2006 were $173.5 million ($125.4 million), an
increase of approximately 38% versus the same period in 2005. The
increase is due largely to higher HBMS employee profit sharing expenses
and increases in concentrate purchase costs.
For Q3 2006, HudBay recorded a net tax benefit of $17.8 million, of
which $26.7 million was related to the increase in the tax asset offset
by other current and future taxes of $8.9 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 higher metal price projections. One year of projection is
considered appropriate due to the uncertainties of future metals prices
and exchange rates.
For Q3 2006, HudBay's cash cost, net of by-product credits, per
pound of zinc sold, was negative US$0.82 (positive US$0.10). (Please see
the MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 for a
reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure).
Nine Months Financial Highlights
For the first nine months of 2006, earnings increased by 865% to
$398.2 million or $4.00 per share, compared to $41.3 million for the
first nine months of 2005. In addition, operating cash flow, before
non-cash working capital changes, for the first nine months of 2006
increased by 277% to $342.3 million, compared to $90.8 million for the
same period in 2005.
Total revenue for the first nine months of 2006 was $815.9 million
($479.0 million) - an increase of 70% - from sales of 79,534 tonnes of
zinc (85,052 tonnes) including sales to Zochem; 59,494 tonnes of copper
(60,409 tonnes); 60,809 ounces of gold (73,728 ounces) and 899,597
ounces of silver (963,350 ounces). Sales volumes for copper and zinc
were lower due to the planned plant shutdowns and a contractual change
with our joint venture marketing company, as detailed in the second
quarter, however significantly higher metals prices more than offset the
slight decrease in production volumes.
During the first nine months of 2006, gross realized metal prices
averaged US$1.34/lb. for zinc (US$0.61/lb.); US$3.15/lb. for copper
(US$1.61/lb.); US$603/oz. for gold (US$439/oz.) and US$10.97/oz. for
silver (US$7.17/oz.) and the Canadian to US dollar exchange rate
averaged $1.13 per US$1.00 ($1.22).
Operating costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $434.4 million ($357.2 million).
For the first nine months of 2006, HudBay recorded a net tax benefit
of $90.4 million, of which $107.0 million was related to the increase
in the tax asset offset by other current and future taxes of $16.6
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 the first nine months of 2006, HudBay's cash cost, net of
by-product credits, per pound of zinc sold, was negative US$0.52
(positive US$0.13). (Please see the MD&A for the nine months ended
September 30, 2006 for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure).
Q3 2006 Corporate Highlights
More than 97.2% of HudBay's formerly publicly traded warrants were
exercised for common shares in connection with the proposal made to
warrantholders for the early exercise of their warrants. HudBay
subsequently received gross proceeds of $104.9 million ($39.6 million
received prior to June 30, 2006, and $65.3 million received during Q3
2006) from the early warrant exercise.
In July, HudBay completed the sale of 100% of the outstanding shares of ScoZinc Limited, to Acadian Gold Corporation.
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. This was finalized in
September.
HudBay also announced plans to mine additional ore production from
pillars at its Trout Lake mine in northern Manitoba. Contractors are
expected 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
HudBay expects 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 $1.0 million.
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, a new three-year Collective
Bargaining Agreement was established, which is retroactive to the start
of 2006.
For further information, please see attached hereto, HudBay's
management discussion and analysis for the quarter ended September 30,
2006, and selected financial information for the quarters ended
September 30, 2006 and 2005. A copy of HudBay's consolidated financial
statements for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006
and 2005, as well its MD&A for the quarter ended September 30,
2006, are available under the profile of HudBay 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 Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information", within the
meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking
information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to
future income tax assets, possible joint venture arrangements with
Murgor, plans to mine additional ore at the Trout Lake Mine and increase
mine output and the possible acquisition of the Jason property. Often,
but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use
of forward-looking words like "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 information is based on the
opinions and estimates of management as of the date of such information
is provided and is 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 information,
including but not limited to 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 information, 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 information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking information. HudBay does not undertake to
update any forward-looking information, 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 Nine months ended
September 30 September 30
------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 346,203 $ 169,264 $ 815,893 $ 478,977
Expenses:
Operating 173,533 125,366 434,362 357,189
General and
administrative 4,431 3,130 12,603 11,364
Stock-based
compensation 1,221 591 5,295 1,945
Depreciation and
amortization 16,552 13,618 47,743 39,570
Accretion of asset
retirement
obligation 636 655 1,955 1,956
Exploration 1,961 3,930 8,966 7,715
Foreign exchange
loss 3,101 2,850 1,808 2,176
------------------------------------------------------------------
201,435 150,140 512,732 421,915
------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings 144,768 19,124 303,161 57,062
Interest expense (1,679) (5,375) (9,712) (16,763)
Foreign exchange
gain (loss) on long
term debt (168) 10,973 6,329 6,878
Gain on derivative
instruments (note 11) 4,737 1,544 18,289 2,089
Premium on long-term
debt prepayment (1,356) - (13,608) -
Interest and other
income 4,238 1,243 7,382 2,348
Gain on divestiture
of ScoZinc (note 1) 1,655 - 1,655 -
Amortization of
deferred financing
fees (613) (353) (5,681) (1,060)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before
income tax 151,582 27,156 307,815 50,554
Tax benefit
(expense) (note 9) 17,799 (3,751) 90,388 (9,277)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings for the
period $ 169,381 $ 23,405 $ 398,203 $ 41,277
------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 1.37 $ 0.28 $ 4.00 $ 0.51
Diluted $ 1.33 $ 0.28 $ 3.38 $ 0.51
Weighted average
number of common
shares outstanding
Basic 123,318,115 83,782,135 99,487,949 81,020,128
Diluted 127,270,583 84,064,498 117,690,202 81,495,026
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30 September 30
-------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings
(deficit),
beginning of
period $ 307,554 $ 11,386 $ 78,732 $ (6,486)
Earnings for the
period 169,381 23,405 398,203 41,277
-------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings,
end of period $ 476,935 $ 34,791 $ 476,935 $ 34,791
-------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
September 30, 2006 December 31, 2005
(Unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash
equivalents $ 311,011 $ 141,660
Accounts receivable 119,829 44,698
Inventories 151,299 116,596
Prepaid expenses 9,959 3,625
Current portion of
fair value of
derivatives 7,898 4,483
Future income tax
asset (note 9) 133,200 26,200
---------------------------------------------------------
733,196 337,262
Property, plant and
equipment (note 4) 434,474 378,207
Other assets (note 5) 5,981 13,284
---------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,173,651 $ 728,753
---------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and
Shareholders'
Equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $ 151,568 $ 91,930
Interest payable on
long-term debt 1,012 8,004
Current portion of
other liabilities
(note 6) 27,500 28,211
---------------------------------------------------------
180,080 128,145
Long-term debt (note 7) 57,120 191,493
Pension obligations 41,092 46,743
Other employee
future benefits 64,215 61,250
Asset retirement
obligations 30,612 29,219
Obligations under
capital leases 6,023 9,011
Future income tax
liabilities 2,300 1,666
---------------------------------------------------------
$ 381,442 $ 467,527
---------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders'
equity:
Share capital:
Common shares
(note 10 (a)) 301,455 143,611
Warrants
(note 10 (a)&(b)) 393 28,931
Contributed surplus 13,534 10,015
Cumulative
translation
adjustment (108) (63)
Retained earnings 476,935 78,732
---------------------------------------------------------
792,209 261,226
---------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,173,651 $ 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 Nine months ended
September 30 September 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by
(used in):
Operating
activities:
Earnings for the
period $ 169,381 $ 23,405 $ 398,203 $ 41,277
Items not affecting
cash:
Depreciation and
amortization 16,552 13,618 47,743 39,570
Tax expense
(benefit) (28,384) 3,225 (110,027) 8,695
Unrealized foreign
exchange gain
(loss) 6,410 (6,211) 1,067 (3,080)
Amortization of
deferred financing
costs 613 354 5,681 1,061
Accretion expense on
asset retirement
obligation 636 655 1,955 1,956
Stock-based
compensation 1,221 591 5,295 1,945
Unrealized portion
of change in fair
value
of derivative 5,321 (699) (1,675) 932
Gain on divestiture
of ScoZinc (1,655) - (1,655) -
Other (4,108) (1,775) (4,298) (1,534)
Change in non-cash
working capital
(note 12) 3,034 (11,349) (62,788) (3,114)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
169,021 21,814 279,501 87,708
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing
activities:
Repayment of debt
obligations (13,128) - (128,646) (2,000)
Issuance of common
shares, net of
costs (320) 1,113 16,638 19,014
Proceeds on exercise
of stock options 1,077 - 4,825 -
Proceeds on exercise
of warrants 65,440 - 109,728 -
Repayments of
obligations under
capital leases (963) (912) (2,849) (1,296)
Deferred financing
cost - - - (350)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
52,106 201 (304) 15,368
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing
activities:
Additions to
property, plant and
equipment (24,725) (15,396) (92,883) (50,986)
Acquisition of White
Pine Copper
Refinery, Inc.,
net of cash acquired
(note 3) - - (17,041) -
Divestiture of
ScoZinc 7,412 - 7,412 -
Decrease in
restricted cash - - - 13,000
Additions to
environmental
deposits (1) 55 62 34
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(17,314) (15,341) (102,450) (37,952)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange
rate changes on
cash and
equivalents (6,242) (4,761) (7,396) (3,797)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in cash and
cash equivalents 197,571 1,913 169,351 61,327
Cash and cash
equivalents,
beginning of
period 113,440 123,967 141,660 64,553
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash
equivalents, end of
period $ 311,011 $ 125,880 $ 311,011 $ 125,880
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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/hbmmda1.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