For a full discussion of results, the audited Consolidated Financial
Statements, Management's Discussion & Analysis, and mine
statistics, please visit the Company's website, www.hudbayminerals.com.
Highlights
-
Net earnings of $15.8 million and operating cash flow of $38.8 million
in the fourth quarter of 2008 despite sharply lower metal prices;
- Full year net earnings of $73.4 million, or $0.54 per share;
- Total cash of $704.7 million, debt of $3.8 million at year-end 2008;
- Copper and zinc production for 2008 in line with targets, with gold and silver production higher than expectations;
- New gold mineralization discovered at Lalor, and release of NI 43-101 technical report on deposit; and,
- Completed acquisition of Skye Resources Inc. significantly expanded development pipeline.
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Mar 4, 2009 (Marketwire via COMTEX News
Network) -- HudBay Minerals Inc. ("HudBay", "the company") (TSX:HBM)
today released its fourth quarter and annual 2008 financial results. Net
earnings in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $15.8 million compared with
$28.5 million in 2007. Earnings in the fourth quarter were
significantly impacted by sharply lower copper and zinc prices, offset
in part by a foreign exchange gain in the fourth quarter in 2008.
Notwithstanding the difficult economic conditions, HudBay's Manitoba
operations continued to generate strong results, with operating cash
flow of $38.8 million before changes in non-cash working capital
generated in the fourth quarter. HudBay maintained one of the strongest
balance sheets in its Canadian peer group, with $700.9 million in cash
(less debt) at December 31, 2008.
"The fourth quarter of 2008 was
unprecedented in terms of the deterioration in metals prices and the
economic
environment," said Allen J. Palmiere, HudBay's chief executive officer.
"Throughout this period of uncertainty, HudBay's management and board of
directors have remained focused on HudBay's strategic priorities of
growth by acquisition, organic growth, operational efficiency, and the
maintenance of our financial strength.
"We pursued our
acquisition strategy through the proposed acquisition of Lundin Mining.
We advanced our organic growth potential through the announcement of new
gold mineralization at the Lalor deposit. And operationally, we
delivered strong operating performance from our key production assets
and made the difficult but necessary decisions to suspend construction
on the Fenix Project and operations at Snow Lake. HudBay's management
and board of directors continue to work to ensure that the company not
only weathers the current economic storm, but emerges into the
eventual recovery stronger than before."
Financial Highlights
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($000s except per Three Months Ended Dec.31 Year Ended Dec.31
share amounts) ---------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue 178,781 242,596 981,894 1,269,841
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before tax 24,614 31,722 169,651 365,456
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings 15,819 28,459 73,353 227,139
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA (1,2) 46,300 72,014 292,249 483,066
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating cash flow (2,3) 38,805 83,809 234,661 477,890
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic EPS (4) 0.10 0.22 0.54 1.79
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash, cash equivalents
and short-term
investments 704,668 757,574 704,668 757,574
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 1,918,353 1,551,627 1,918,353 1,551,627
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization, loss on derivative instruments, exploration, interest and
other income, asset impairment losses and share of losses of equity
investee.
(2) EBITDA and operating cash flow before changes in non-cash working
capital are non-GAAP performance measures and may not be comparable to
similar data presented by other mining companies. See "Non-GAAP
Performance Measures" in our Management's Discussion and Analysis for
the year ended December 31, 2008.
(3) Operating cash flow before changes in non-cash working capital.
(4) Earnings per share.
2009 Guidance
Production
As a result of suspended
operations at the Balmat and Chisel North mines, zinc production will be
lower in 2009 than in 2008. In addition to its own concentrates, the
company also expects to process less purchased copper concentrates in
2009 than in 2008, resulting in lower copper, gold and silver
production.
---------------------------------------------------------------
From
Total (1) HudBay Sources
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc (000s tonnes) 90 - 110 75 - 90
Copper (2) (000s tonnes) 50 - 60 45 - 55
Gold (2) (000s oz.) 80 - 95 80 - 95
Silver (2) (000s oz.) 1,000 - 1,200 850 - 950
---------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes metal produced from HudBay's own concentrates and metal
produced from concentrate purchased from others.
(2) Production excludes recycled spent anode and represents non-recycled
anode production only.
Capital Expenditures
In response to weak metal prices, HudBay
has taken steps to reduce its capital expenditure budget, while ensuring
the production capacity of the existing assets is sustained. HudBay's
capital program in 2009 is expected to be approximately $122.0 million,
consisting of sustaining capital of $71.9 million, expenditures
associated with the preparations for future sale of concentrates of
$23.7 million, and growth capital of $6.9 million for the Lalor Project
and $19.5 million for the Fenix Project, including $9.4 million of
carryover from 2008 to wind down the construction project. This capital
program will support ongoing strong levels of production from the
Company's mines and processing facilities.
Exploration Expenditures
In
addition, HudBay has also reduced its planned exploration expenditures
from the $45.7 million incurred in 2008 to
$20.0 million planned for 2009, consistent with the weaker economic
environment. Of this amount, $6.9 million is expected to be spent in
2009 on the Lalor Project.
Financial and Operating Results
Net Earnings
For
the fourth quarter, net earnings were $15.8 million, reflecting a $12.7
million decrease from the fourth quarter of 2007. Significant variances
affecting net earnings for the quarter were:
- Lower revenues decreased earnings before tax by $63.8 million;
- Lower operating costs increased earnings before tax by $4.5 million;
- Changes in foreign exchange gains and losses increased earnings before tax by $37.3 million;
-
Decreases in other expenses increased earnings before tax by $1.6
million, mainly due to decreases in depreciation, depletion and
amortization of $5.3 million, partially offset by increases in general
and
administrative expense of $3.4 million, which arose largely due to
merger and acquisition activities;
- Lower asset impairment losses increased earnings before tax by $17.0 million;
- Other items decreased earnings before tax by $3.7 million, largely due to lower interest and other income; and
-
Higher tax expenses decreased net earnings by $5.6 million despite
lower earnings before tax. Income tax expenses in the fourth quarter of
2007 reflected the recognition of previously unrecognized tax assets,
which resulted in a lower effective tax rate.
For the full year
2008 net earnings of $73.4 million reflected a $153.7 million decrease
from 2007. Significant variances affecting net earnings were:
- Lower revenues decreased earnings before tax by $287.9 million;
- Lower operating costs increased earnings before tax by $45.1 million;
- Changes
in foreign exchange gains and losses increased earnings before tax by $64.9 million;
-
Increases in other expenses decreased earnings before tax by $6.6
million. This was largely due to increases in general and administrative
expense of $12.4 million, which arose mainly from executive retirement
and severance costs of $6.0 million and merger and acquisition
activities, partially offset by decreases in depreciation, depletion and
amortization of $6.4 million;
- Higher asset impairment losses decreased earnings before tax by $10.3 million;
-
As a result of equity accounting arising from HudBay's pre-acquisition
ownership of HMI Nickel, the Company's share of losses incurred by HMI
Nickel during the period prior to acquisition decreased earnings before
tax by $3.9 million;
- Other items increased earnings before tax
by $2.9 million, including decreases in
exploration expenses of $7.5 million following the decision to
capitalize Lalor Project exploration costs and decreases in interest and
other income of $7.5 million; and
- Lower tax expenses increased
net earnings by $42.0 million and resulted mainly from lower earnings
before tax in 2008. Income tax expenses in 2007 reflected the
recognition of previously unrecognized tax assets, which resulted in a
lower effective tax rate.
Production and Sales
Zinc
production in the fourth quarter of 2008 was lower than 2007 mainly as a
result of the suspension of operations at the Balmat mine. Although
production of copper from domestic sources rose in the fourth quarter of
2008 compared to the prior year, this was more than offset by lower
volumes of purchased copper concentrate. Gold production increased as
higher amounts of domestic copper were treated and silver production
also increased, primarily from a specific purchased concentrate source.
For
the fourth quarter of 2008, HudBay's cash cost of zinc sold, net of
by-product credits from copper, precious metals, zinc oxide and other
associated revenue, was US$0.17/lb, excluding Balmat and HMI Nickel.
(Please refer to "Non-GAAP Performance Measures" on page 45 of HudBay's
2008 MD&A.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Dec. 31 Year Ended Dec. 31
----------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc (1) tonnes 25,943 31,383 125,323 126,269
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper (2) tonnes 18,859 23,194 74,682 89,995
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold (2) troy oz. 30,102 26,222 108,527 102,587
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Silver (2) troy oz. 702,173 385,698 2,293,862 1,446,738
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Sold
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc (3) tonnes 25,807 34,313 126,172 132,994
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper tonnes 18,272 18,558 77,021 87,003
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold troy oz. 32,760 18,680 103,511 96,847
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Silver troy oz. 667,035 247,077 1,870,179 1,270,791
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Production includes Balmat payable metal in concentrate shipped.
(2) Production in 2008 excludes recycled spent anode and represents
non-recycled anode production only.
(3) Zinc sales include sales to HudBay's Zochem facility and the Balmat
payable metal in concentrate shipped (including to HBMS).
Revenue
Total revenue for Q4 2008 was $178.8 million, compared
to $242.6 million in 2007. Revenues in the fourth quarter reflect a
lower average realized zinc price (US $0.62/lb compared with US $1.29/lb
in Q4 2007), and a lower average realized copper price (US $1.78/lb
compared with US $3.23/lb in Q4 2007). These factors were partially
offset by the impact of a weaker Canadian dollar and higher gold and
silver sales volumes.
Full year revenue was $981.9 million in
2008, down from $1,269.8 million in 2007. 2008 revenues reflect a lower
average realized zinc price (US $0.93/lb compared with US $1.56/lb in
2007), a lower average realized copper price (US $3.13/lb compared with
US $3.27/lb in 2007), lower copper sales volumes due to recycling of
spent anode and reduced purchased concentrate production, and
appreciation of the Canadian dollar compared to 2007.
Partially offsetting these factors was a higher average realized gold
price and higher silver sales volumes.
Realized Metal Prices (1) and Exchange Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
HudBay Realized HudBay Realized
Prices (1) Prices (1)
Q4 2008 Three Months Ended 2008 Year Ended
Average ------------------ Average ----------------
Prices Dec 31 Dec 31 Prices Dec 31 Dec 31
(2) 2008 2007 (2) 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prices in US$
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc US$/lb. 0.54 0.62 1.29 0.85 0.93 1.56
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper US$/lb. 1.77 1.78 3.23 3.16 3.13 3.27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold US$/troy oz. 795 764 758 872 845 682
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Silver US$/troy oz. 10.20 10.09 13.84 15.02 13.85 13.39
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prices in C$
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc C$/lb. 0.65 0.75 1.26 0.91 0.97 1.68
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper C$/lb. 2.15 2.12 3.12 3.37 3.26 3.51
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold C$/troy oz. 963 928 739 930 907 733
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Silver C$/troy oz. 12.36 12.23 13.53 16.03 14.76 14.42
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange
rate US$1 to C$ 1.21 1.20 0.97 1.07 1.05 1.08
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Realized prices are before refining and treatment charges and only on
the sale of finished metal, excluding metal in concentrates.
(2) London Metals Exchange ("LME") average for zinc, copper and gold prices,
London Spot US equivalent for silver prices. HudBay's copper sales
contracts are primarily based on Comex copper prices.
Expenses
For the fourth quarter of 2008, operating expenses
were $155.6 million, $4.5 million lower than for the same quarter last
year. The lower expenses reflect lower sales volumes caused mainly by
lower volumes of purchased concentrates, decreasing copper prices
resulting in gains on provisional pricing adjustments on purchased
concentrate, lower net profits interest expenses associated with the
Callinan agreement and lower profit sharing expenses. These reductions
were partially offset by the impact of a weaker Canadian dollar on U.S.
dollar denominated operating costs, costs associated with HMI Nickel,
which was acquired in August 2008 and higher processing costs.
For
the full year, operating expenses were $685.6 million, $45.1 million
lower than for 2007. Lower expenses were due mainly to lower sales
volumes related to reduced purchased concentrate volumes,
lower profit sharing expenses and lower costs for purchased zinc
concentrate. These were partially offset by higher costs of purchased
copper concentrates, higher mining and processing costs, costs
associated with HMI Nickel and higher net profits interest expenses
associated with the Callinan agreement.
Estimated Mineral Reserves (1) (January 1, 2009)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
777
Proven 4,392,700 2.42 26.95 3.15 4.13
Probable 10,039,800 2.25 30.22 2.14 4.83
Trout Lake
Proven 1,094,700 1.12 11.84 1.82 3.75
Probable 532,900 2.20 10.51 2.58 3.24
Chisel North
Proven 284,300 - - - 8.74
Probable 208,100 - - - 8.90
---------------
Total Proven 5,771,700 2.05 22.76 2.74 4.29
Total Probable 10,780,800 2.20 28.66 2.12 4.83
---------------
Total Reserves 16,552,500 2.15 26.60 2.34 4.64
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Diluted, recovered and economically tested.
The 2009 estimated mineral reserves have been prepared under the
supervision of Rob Carter P.Eng. Senior Mining Analyst who is employed
by HBMS and who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and Kim Proctor,
B.Sc., P.Geo., who is employed by HBMS as Superintendent, Mining
Technical Services and who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
Mineral
reserves associated with the 777 and Trout Lake mines declined in 2008
as a result of depletion from mining. Reserves at the Balmat mine have
been reclassified to resources. Reserves at the Chisel North mine
decreased as a result of depletion from mining and a review of mine
planning assumptions and the likely recovery from certain zones, which
led to the reclassification of some reserves to resource.
Long
term metal prices, including premiums used to determine economic
viability of the 2009 mineral reserves were US$1 to
C$1.10, US$700/oz. gold, US$12.00/oz. silver, US$2.00/lb. copper and
US$0.85/lb. zinc. In addition, there are inferred mineral resources more
detailed discussion of reserve and disclosure of resources will follow
in the 2008 AIF.
---------------------------------------------
Fenix Project Tonnes Ni (%)
---------------------------------------------
Proven 8,700,000 1.81
Probable 32,700,000 1.58
--------------
Total Reserve 41,400,000 1.63
---------------------------------------------
As disclosed in Technical report filed on November 19, 2008.
There is no material change to the Fenix project mineral reserve and
resource. The project remains on suspension, as published in the
Company's third quarter 2008 results. For full disclosure on the Mineral
Reserve and Mineral Resource Statement, please refer to the November
19, 2008 Technical Report as filed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
Please
also see HudBay's consolidated financial statements and related notes
together with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Operations and
Financial Condition for the year ended December 31, 2008. A copy of
HudBay's consolidated financial statements for the years ended December
31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 as well as its MD&A for the year
ended December 31, 2008 are available under the profile of HudBay on
SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and on the HudBay website at www.hudbayminerals.com. Supplemental information on
HudBay's fourth quarter 2008 financial results is also available on the HudBay website.
Website Links
HudBay Minerals Inc.
www.hudbayminerals.com
Management's Discussion and Analysis:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/hbmmdaQ408.pdf
Financial Statements:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/hbmifsQ408.pdf
Fourth Quarter 2008 comparative financial statements:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/hbmComparativeFinancials2008.pdf
Conference Call and Webcast
Allen
J. Palmiere, chief executive officer,
Michael D. Winship, president and chief operating officer, and David S.
Bryson, vice president finance and chief financial officer, will host a
conference call to discuss the company's fourth quarter and year end
results on Thursday, March 5, 2009. The details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)
Webcast: www.hudbayminerals.com
Dial in: 416-644-3423 or 800-594-3790
Replay: 416-640-1917 or 877-289-8525
Replay Passcode: 21298189#
HudBay Minerals Inc.: Strength to Build the Future
HudBay
Minerals Inc. (TSX:HBM) is a Canadian integrated mining company with
assets in North and Central America principally focused on the
discovery, production and marketing of base metals. The company's
objective is to increase shareholder value through efficient operations,
organic growth and accretive acquisitions, all while maintaining its
financial strength. A member of the S&P/TSX Composite Index and the
S&P/TSX Global Mining Index, HudBay Minerals is committed to high
standards of corporate governance and sustainability.
Forward Looking Information
This
news release and its attachments contain "forward-looking information"
within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking
information includes but is not limited to information concerning
HudBay's 2009 guidance respecting
production, capital expenditures and exploration expenditures, potential
plans for Lalor and the Fenix nickel project, as well as HudBay's
exploration and development plans, and its strategies and future
prospects. Generally, forward-looking information 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", "understands" or "does not
anticipate", or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or
statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "may",
"could", "would", "might", or "will be taken", "occur", or "be
achieved". Forward-looking information is based on the views, opinions,
intentions and estimates of management at the date the information is
made, and is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety
of
risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events
or results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in
the forward-looking information (including the actions of other parties
who have agreed to do certain things and the approval of certain
regulatory bodies).
Many of these assumptions are based on
factors and events that are not within the control of HudBay and there
is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause
actual results or events to vary materially from results or events
anticipated by such forward-looking information include court and/or
other regulatory approval, action by an intervening party or parties,
future agreements reached with third parties, changes in market
conditions, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, risks relating to
international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency
exchange rates, changes in project parameters, the possibility of
project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour
disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant,
equipment or processes to operate as anticipated as well as those risk
factors discussed in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Results of Operations and Financial Condition for the year ended
December 31, 2008, which risks may cause actual results to differ
materially from any forward-looking statement.
Although HudBay
has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in
forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause
actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove
to
be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially
from those anticipated in such information. HudBay undertakes no
obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or
management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by
applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking information.
This news release and
the information contained herein does not constitute an offer of
securities for sale in the United States and securities may not be
offered or sold in the United States absent registration or exemption
from registration.
(HBM-F)
SOURCE: HudBay Minerals Inc.
HudBay Minerals Inc.
Annemarie Brissenden
Manager, Investor Relations
(416) 362-0615
Email: annemarie.brissenden@hudbayminerals.com
Website: www.hudbayminerals.com
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