All amounts in Canadian dollars unless indicated otherwise TORONTO, Feb. 12 /CNW/ -
<<
Highlights
- Lower net income per share
Net income per share of $1.32 this quarter was lower than the same
period in 2006, mainly because of lower realized Canadian dollar
denominated base metal prices. The copper price was down 15 percent
at C$2.70 per pound compared to C$3.16 per pound in the prior year
quarter. The zinc price was down 55 percent at C$1.08 per pound
compared to C$2.42 per pound. This included negative settlement
adjustments, which reduced sales by $17 million this quarter.
- Strong production this quarter
Copper and zinc production was strong
this quarter partly because of record production levels at Cayeli.
Cayeli was producing ore this quarter at an annualized rate of more
than 1.1 million tonnes.
- Strong operating cash flow per share
Operating cash flow was $76 million or $1.58 per common share
compared to $81 million or $1.69 per share for the same period in
2006.
- 2008 production estimates
We expect copper production to increase by approximately 40 percent
in 2008 to 112,000 tonnes once Las Cruces begins production and gold
production to increase by 28 percent to 285,000 ounces because of
higher grades mined at Troilus and Ok Tedi. We expect zinc production
to be slightly lower in 2008 at 79,000 tonnes.
- Las Cruces remains on target
Las Cruces is on target to achieve first copper production from its
metallurgical plant in the fourth quarter of 2008. Capital cost
estimates to complete the project remain unchanged. Negotiations are
well underway with smelters to sell 130,000 tonnes of high grade ore
starting in May.
- Work advancing on Cerattepe
Construction work at Cerattepe is progressing well and we expect
production to start in the second quarter of 2009, subject to the
court decisions on the status of the project's operating licences and
related matters.
- Revised capital and operating costs for Petaquilla
The front-end engineering and design study for Petaquilla has revised
the capital cost estimates to $3.5 billion and cash costs to
US $0.85 per pound of copper produced. A project review team is
currently studying opportunities to reduce the capital costs.
Key financial data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
(thousands,
except per
share amounts)
Sales
Gross sales $224,773 $258,911 -13% $1,103,698 $1,087,869 +1%
Net income
Net income $63,645 $97,420 -35% $417,609 $420,653 -1%
Net income
per share $1.32 $2.02 -35% $8.65 $8.73 -1%
Cash flow
Cash flow
provided by
operating
activities $76,325 $81,360 -6% $427,351 $438,129 -2%
Cash flow
provided by
operating
activities
per share (1) $1.58 $1.69 -6% $8.85 $9.09 -2%
Capital
spending $93,989 $45,759 +105% $345,892 $132,799 +160%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING
HIGHLIGHTS
Production(2)
Copper
(tonnes) 21,700 20,400 +6% 79,300 81,300 -2%
Zinc (tonnes) 26,000 21,300 +22% 85,100 74,400 +14%
Gold (ounces) 57,200 64,100 -11% 223,300 246,900 -10%
Cash costs
Copper(US $
per pound)(3) $0.29 $(0.25) +216% $0.20 $0.20 -
Gold (US $
per ounce)(3) $552 $406 +36% $421 $365 +15%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
as at as at
December 31 December 31
FINANCIAL CONDITION 2007 2006
-----------------------------------
Current ratio 5.6 to 1 5.1 to 1
Long-term debt to total capitalization 18% 10%
Net working capital balance (millions) $855 million $666 million
Cash balance (millions) $841 million $640 million
Shareholders' equity (millions) $1,392 million $1,073 million
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Calculated as cash flow provided by operating activities divided by
average shares outstanding for the respective period.
(2) Inmet's share.
(3) Cash cost per pound of copper and cash cost per ounce of gold are
non-gaap measures - see Supplementary financial information on
pages 31, 33 and 34.
Fourth quarter press release
Where to find it
Our financial results .......................... 4
Key changes in 2007 ............................ 5
Understanding our performance .................. 5
Earnings from operations ..................... 7
Corporate costs .............................. 11
Results of our operations ...................... 14
Cayeli ....................................... 14
Pyhasalmi .................................... 16
Troilus ...................................... 18
Ok Tedi ...................................... 20
Status of our development projects ............. 22
Las Cruces ................................... 22
Cerattepe .................................... 24
Petaquilla ................................... 25
Managing our liquidity ......................... 26
Financial condition ............................ 27
Accounting changes ............................. 28
Managing risk .................................. 30
Supplementary financial information ............ 33
Quarterly review ............................... 35
Consolidated financial statements .............. 36
In this press release, Inmet means Inmet Mining Corporation and we, us and
our mean Inmet and/or its subsidiaries and joint ventures. This year refers to
calendar year 2007 and this quarter refers to the three months ended December
31, 2007.
Forward looking information
Securities regulators encourage companies to disclose forward-looking
information to help investors understand a company's future prospects. This
press release contains statements about our future financial condition,
results of operations and business.
These are "forward-looking" because we have used what we know and expect
today to make a statement about the future. Forward-looking statements usually
include words such as may, expect, anticipate, believe or other similar words.
We believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are
reasonable. However, actual events and results could be substantially
different because of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business
or events that happen after the date of this press release. You should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. As a general policy, we do
not update forward-looking statements except as required by securities laws
and regulations.
Our financial results
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(thousands,
except
per share
amounts) three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS
FROM
OPERATIONS(1)
Cayeli $36,138 $42,214 -14% $223,892 $192,524 +16%
Pyhasalmi 28,149 46,172 -39% 138,582 140,260 -1%
Troilus 345 740 -53% 9,828 5,545 +77%
Ok Tedi 28,441 28,431 - 182,774 192,091 -5%
Other (491) (576) -15% (1,953) (1,944) -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
92,582 116,981 -21% 553,123 528,476 +5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEVELOPMENT
AND
EXPLORATION
Corporate
development
and
exploration (3,510) (4,136) -15% (9,083) (9,754) -7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATE
COSTS
General and
administra-
tion (12,622) (6,128) +106% (20,298) (13,740) +48%
Investment
and other
income 5,968 17,972 -67% 36,454 47,757 -24%
Interest
expense (407) (425) -4% (1,693) (1,619) +5%
Income and
capital
taxes (18,339) (26,679) -31% (140,694) (130,467) +8%
Non-
controlling
interest (27) (165) -84% (200) - +100%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(25,427) (15,425) +65% (126,431) (98,069) +29%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $63,645 $97,420 -35% $417,609 $420,653 -1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic net
income per
share $1.32 $2.02 -35% $8.65 $8.73 -1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted net
income per
share $1.32 $2.02 -35% $8.64 $8.71 -1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted
average
shares
outstanding 48,282 48,278 - 48,279 48,212 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Gross sales less smelter processing charges and freight, cost of
sales, depreciation and provisions for mine rehabilitation.
Key changes in 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended see
(millions) December 31 December 31 page
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS
Sales
Lower metal prices denominated in
Canadian dollars $(96) $(73) 7
Higher sales volumes 33 47 8
Costs
Lower smelter processing charges
and freight 44 69 9
Higher operating costs, including costs
that vary with income and cash flows (5) (15) 10
Other - (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in earnings
from operations, compared to 2006 $(24) $25
CORPORATE COSTS
Change in taxes from change in income 10 10 13
Change in tax rates (1) (20) 13
Corporate bonus (6) (6) 11
Gain on sale of Wolfden - 12 12
Gain on sale of Izok recorded in the
previous year - (25) 12
Interest income 4 18 12
Foreign exchange (10) (18) 12
Other (7) 1 12
------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in net income, compared to 2006 $(34) $(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Understanding our performance
Metal prices
The following table shows the average metal prices, in US dollars and
Canadian dollars, we realized (the prices we realize include finalization
adjustments - see Gross sales on page 7).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
US dollar
metal prices
Copper
(per pound) US $2.75 US $2.77 -1% US $3.22 US $3.21 -
Zinc
(per pound) US $1.10 US $2.12 -48% US $1.39 US $1.54 -10%
Gold
(per ounce) US $664 US $525 +26% US $594 US $514 +16%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian dollar
metal prices
Copper
(per pound) C $2.70 C $3.16 -15% C $3.45 C $3.64 -5%
Zinc
(per pound) C $1.08 C $2.42 -55% C $1.49 C $1.75 -15%
Gold
(per ounce) C $651 C $599 +9% C $636 C $581 +9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange rates
Canadian dollar revenue and earnings were lower this quarter and for the
year compared to the same periods last year because of the significant
increase in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar. This
lowered gross sales by $37 million this quarter and by $56 million for the
year. It also lowered net income this quarter by $22 million and $37 million
for the year.
The following table shows the average exchange rates we realized.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange rates
1 US$ to C$ $0.98 $1.14 -14% $1.07 $1.13 -5%
1 euro to C$ $1.42 $1.47 -3% $1.46 $1.42 +3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treatment charges and freight
Treatment charges are one component of smelter processing charges. We also
pay smelters for content losses and price participation. Copper treatment
charges were lower in 2007 than they were in 2006 because of more favourable
contract terms with smelters. Zinc treatment charges, as expected, have been
significantly higher in 2007 than they were in 2006, but lower price
participation more than offset these charges.
The following table shows the average smelter processing charges we
realized.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treatment
charges
Copper (per
dry metric
tonne of
concentrate) US $58 US $90 -36% US $60 US $88 -32%
Zinc (per dry
metric tonne
of concen-
trate) US $295 US $125 +136% US $258 US $110 +135%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price
participation
Copper (per
pound) US $0.05 US $0.17 -71% US $0.08 US $0.16 -50%
Zinc (per
pound)(1) US $(0.05) US $0.40 -113% US $0.01 US $0.29 -97%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freight
charges
Copper (per
dry metric
tonne of
concen-
trate) US $41 US $47 -13% US $44 US $42 +5%
Zinc (per
dry metric
tonne of
concen-
trate) US $36 US $21 +71% US $29 US $16 +81%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Zinc price participation is based on a zinc price of US $1,400 per
tonne in 2007.
Statutory tax rates
The following table shows the statutory tax rates for each of our taxable
operating mines.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory tax rates
Cayeli 27% 20% +7%
Pyhasalmi 26% 26% -
Ok Tedi 37% 37% -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The increase in tax rate at Cayeli in 2007 is because we have returned to
accruing for withholding taxes on net income in anticipation of dividend
payments.
EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS
We calculate earnings from operations by taking the revenues generated
from the sale of metals, less the costs associated with those sales, and
subtracting depreciation charges for capital investments and provisions for
mine rehabilitation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
(thousands) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross sales $224,773 $258,911 -13% $1,103,698 $1,087,869 +1%
Smelter
processing
charges (43,902) (65,005) -32% (206,478) (240,605) -14%
Cost of sales:
Direct
production
costs (79,588) (72,255) +10% (295,896) (280,186) +6%
Inventory
changes 2,239 6,544 -66% (3,264) 3,042 -207%
Provisions
for mine
rehabilita-
tion and
other non-
cash charges (1,460) (2,157) -32% (9,264) (8,072) +15%
Depreciation (9,480) (9,057) +5% (35,673) (33,572) +6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from
operations $92,582 $116,981 -21% $553,123 $528,476 +5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross sales revenues were 13 percent lower this quarter ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
(thousands) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross sales by
operation
Cayeli $81,088 $87,867 -8% $418,694 $370,561 +13%
Pyhasalmi 58,672 88,170 -33% 260,246 273,848 -5%
Troilus 27,317 26,365 +4% 108,378 103,880 +4%
Ok Tedi(1) 57,696 56,509 +2% 316,380 339,580 -7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$224,773 $258,911 -13% $1,103,698 $1,087,869 +1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross sales by
metal
Copper $120,705 $127,092 -5% $627,424 $638,209 -2%
Zinc 53,246 83,677 -36% 280,713 266,114 +5%
Gold 38,313 35,577 +8% 150,228 141,385 +6%
Other 12,509 12,565 - 45,333 42,161 +8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$224,773 $258,911 -13% $1,103,698 $1,087,869 +1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Our 18 percent share of Ok Tedi's sales.
... because copper and zinc prices were lower
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
(millions) December 31 December 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower copper prices, denominated in C$ $(24) $(40)
Lower zinc prices, denominated in C$ (75) (49)
Higher gold prices and other metal prices,
denominated in C$ 3 16
Higher sales volumes 62 89
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in gross sales,
compared to 2006 $(34) $16
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
We record sales using the metal price received for sales settled during
the reporting period. For sales that have not been settled, we use an estimate
based on the month we expect the sale to settle and the metal's forward price
at the end of the reporting period. We recognize the difference between our
estimate and the final price received by adjusting our gross sales in the
period we settle the sale (finalization adjustment).
We made the following finalization adjustments for sales recorded in the
third quarter of 2007 that were settled in the fourth quarter:
- we decreased copper sales by $14 million
- we decreased zinc sales by $3 million.
These sales were recorded at a price of US $3.64 per pound for copper and
US $1.40 per pound for zinc. The average LME price for copper this quarter was
US $3.28 per pound and for zinc was US $1.20 per pound. The copper price
fluctuated widely between US $2.85 per pound and US $3.77 per pound.
At the end of this quarter, the following sales had not been settled:
- 36 million pounds of copper provisionally priced at US $3.02 per
pound
- 16 million pounds of zinc provisionally priced at US $1.07 per pound.
The finalization adjustment we record for these sales will depend on the
actual price we receive on final settlement, which can range from one to
five months after we initially record the sale.
Higher sales volumes of copper and zinc reduced the impact
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales volumes
Copper
(tonnes) 21,000 18,400 +14% 82,900 79,300 +5%
Zinc (tonnes) 24,400 16,100 +52% 87,200 70,000 +25%
Gold (ounces) 57,900 59,600 -3% 234,200 241,900 -3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our sales volumes are directly affected by the amount of production from
our mines, and our ability to ship to our customers.
Sales this quarter were in line with production compared to the same
period last year when shipping at Cayeli and Ok Tedi was delayed from the
fourth quarter to the first quarter of 2007.
Production
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
Inmet's December 31 December 31 objective
share 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper (tonnes)
Ok Tedi 8,700 8,800 -1% 30,400 35,000 -13% 31,300
Cayeli 9,100 7,700 +18% 32,500 30,400 +7% 33,600
Pyhasalmi 3,300 3,200 +3% 13,600 13,000 +5% 13,000
Las Cruces - - - - - - 27,000
Troilus 600 700 -14% 2,800 2,900 -3% 7,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
21,700 20,400 +6% 79,300 81,300 -2% 111,900
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc (tonnes)
Cayeli 13,600 12,100 +12% 46,200 38,700 +19% 47,800
Pyhasalmi 12,400 9,200 +35% 38,900 35,700 +9% 30,900
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
26,000 21,300 +22% 85,100 74,400 +14% 78,700
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold (ounces)
Troilus 33,700 39,300 -14% 138,400 147,900 -6% 163,200
Ok Tedi 23,500 24,800 -5% 84,900 99,000 -14% 121,300
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
57,200 64,100 -11% 223,300 246,900 -10% 284,500
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pyrite (tonnes)
Pyhasalmi 182,000 177,000 +3% 486,000 512,000 -5% 505,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This quarter:
- copper production was higher than the same period last year because
of higher throughput and grades at Cayeli
- zinc production was higher mainly because of higher grades and higher
throughput at Cayeli and Pyhasalmi
- gold production was lower because throughput was down at both Troilus
and Ok Tedi.
2008 outlook for sales
We expect sales of all metals for the year to be consistent with our 2008
production estimates, as shown in the chart above. The increase in copper
production reflects the expected start of production at Las Cruces.
The total amount we will receive in Canadian dollars will be affected by
US dollar denominated metal prices and the exchange rate between the US dollar
and the Canadian dollar.
Smelter processing charges and freight were substantially less this year
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
(thousands) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smelter
processing
charges and
freight by
operation
Cayeli $19,756 $26,959 -27% $94,700 $99,462 -5%
Pyhasalmi 15,384 26,035 -41% 62,081 75,342 -18%
Troilus 1,798 2,898 -38% 7,989 11,112 -28%
Ok Tedi(1) 6,964 9,113 -24% 41,708 54,689 -24%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$43,902 $65,005 -32% $206,478 $240,605 -14%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smelter
processing
charges and
freight by
metal
Copper $19,910 $28,508 -30% $97,071 $126,347 -23%
Zinc 20,682 33,807 -39% 97,141 104,111 -7%
Other 3,310 2,690 +23% 12,266 10,147 +21%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$43,902 $65,005 -32% $206,478 $240,605 -14%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smelter
processing
charges by type
and freight
Copper treat-
ment and
refining
charges $7,577 $12,094 -37% $33,439 $51,941 -36%
Zinc treat-
ment charges 13,444 4,319 +211% 46,058 16,610 +177%
Copper price
participation 2,461 7,019 -65% 13,763 27,650 -50%
Zinc escala-
tion clauses (2,535) 14,211 -118% 2,529 43,958 -94%
Content
losses 15,062 18,361 -18% 74,112 68,078 +9%
Other (163) 2,030 -108% 4,369 6,709 -35%
Freight 8,056 6,971 +16% 32,208 25,659 +26%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$43,902 $65,005 -32% $206,478 $240,605 -14%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Our 18 percent share of Ok Tedi's smelter processing charges and
freight.
>>
Copper treatment charges were lower this quarter and for the year compared to 2006 because of more favourable contract terms with smelters. Zinc smelter processing charges were lower in the fourth quarter and for the year despite higher sales volumes, because the lower zinc price reduced our price participation charges. 2008 outlook for smelter processing charges and freight Copper treatment and refining charges have been on a downward trend since 2005 and we expect this trend to continue as all forecasts point to a third consecutive year of concentrate deficits. We sell approximately 90 percent of our copper concentrate under long-term contracts. We are estimating long-term treatment costs of US $50 per dry metric tonne and spot treatment costs as low as US $25 per dry metric tonne. We also expect there will continue to be little to no price participation. The output of zinc concentrates has increased over the year, which has created a large surplus in the zinc concentrate market. We therefore expect to see another increase in zinc treatment charges in 2008 to about US $325 per dry metric tonne. Price escalation/de-escalation is expected to continue for zinc concentrates. This should be approximately US $0.10 per dry metric tonne for zinc prices greater than US $3,000 per tonne ($1.36 per pound), and (US $0.06) per dry metric tonne for zinc prices less than US $3,000 per tonne. Production will begin at Las Cruces in 2008. For the first five months, Las Cruces plans to sell crushed ore and incur smelter processing charges. The costs associated with smelting this material are expected to be higher than at our other operations because of the impurity levels in this ore. We expect copper cathode production to start in the fourth quarter. This copper cathode will be sold directly to buyers, bypassing the smelters and eliminating smelter and refining treatment charges.
<<
Direct production costs and cost of sales
Our cost of sales was higher this year...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
(thousands) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct production
costs by
operation
Cayeli $23,913 $20,741 +15% $86,978 $72,517 +20%
Pyhasalmi 13,589 12,915 +5% 50,043 47,826 +5%
Troilus 21,173 19,793 +7% 77,643 76,973 +1%
Ok Tedi(1) 20,913 18,806 +11% 81,232 82,870 -2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total direct
production
costs 79,588 72,255 +10% 295,896 280,186 +6%
Inventory
change (2,239) (6,544) -66% 3,264 (3,042) +207%
Reclamation,
accretion and
other non-cash
expenses 1,460 2,157 -32% 9,264 8,072 +15%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost of
sales $78,809 $67,868 +16% $308,424 $285,216 +8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Our 18 percent share of Ok Tedi's direct production costs.
...mainly because of higher labour and consumable costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
(millions) December 31 December 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volume $2 $1
Labour costs 3 9
Consumables 3 11
Costs that vary with income and cash flow (1) (5)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in direct production costs,
compared to 2006 $7 $16
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation is higher for the year
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
(thousands) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation by
operation
Cayeli $2,635 $1,872 +41% $8,857 $7,418 +19%
Pyhasalmi 1,881 2,333 -19% 8,439 8,617 -2%
Troilus 2,620 2,838 -8% 10,120 10,912 -7%
Ok Tedi 2,344 2,014 +16% 8,257 6,625 +25%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$9,480 $9,057 +5% $35,673 $33,572 +6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
Depreciation this year included a full year of the shaft development at Cayeli, compared to only four months in 2006. Ok Tedi has increased depreciation because of the spending on mine equipment replacements and other sustaining capital over the last few years. 2008 outlook for depreciation We expect depreciation to be higher in 2008 because production at Las Cruces will begin and Ok Tedi will begin depreciating the capital for its mine waste tailings project. Depreciation is estimated at about $50 million for 2008. CORPORATE COSTS This includes general and administration costs, taxes and interest. We also record income from investments in this category, as well as income we receive from other transactions. General and administration costs almost 50 percent higher General and administration costs are largely for management remuneration, governance and corporate development. Inmet has not granted stock options to management since 2001. In recognition of this, the Board determined that the 2007 performance bonus should reflect not only the performance of the 2007 corporate objectives but also the creation of long-term shareholder value that has been achieved by management, particularly over the past five years. Costs in 2007 were $7 million higher than in 2006 mainly because of the higher performance bonus. 2008 outlook for general and administration Our general and administration costs have been increasing over the last few years mainly because of performance-based bonuses. Our long-term incentive plans should result in more consistent general and administration costs in the future. In December 2007, the Board approved a new management performance share unit plan. Units awarded under the plan are redeemable for Inmet common shares issued from treasury on a one-to-one basis upon the successful completion of specified growth projects. 500,000 Inmet common shares have been reserved for issuance under the plan. An initial award, comprised of three tranches totaling 215,000 units relating to completion of the Las Cruces, Cerattepe and Petaquilla projects, has been made. The plan is subject to shareholder approval, which will be sought at Inmet's Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (ASM) to be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. Details of the plan will be set out in the management proxy circular to be mailed to shareholders in connection with the ASM. For 2008, we expect general and administration costs of approximately $15 million.
<<
Investment income was lower in the quarter because of foreign exchange
losses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
(thousands) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain on sale of Izok $- $- $- $23,905
Gain on sale of Wolfden - - 11,730 -
Interest income 9,703 5,479 32,647 14,199
Dividend income and royalty 1,677 5,700 5,748 5,700
Foreign exchange gain (loss) (2,969) 7,137 (14,519) 3,770
Settlement of pension
liability (2,034) - (2,034) -
Other (409) (344) 2,882 183
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$5,968 $17,972 $36,454 $47,757
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
In 2006, we sold our interest in the Izok development property to Wolfden Resources Inc., and recorded a gain of $23.9 million. In exchange, we received 13.5 million common shares of Wolfden and 9.5 million common shares of Premier Gold Mining Ltd. In May 2007, we disposed of our shares in Wolfden to Zinifex Canadian Enterprises Inc. for cash proceeds of $51.4 million or $3.81 per share, and recorded a gain of $11.7 million. Interest income was higher this quarter and this year compared to the same periods last year because of higher cash balances in 2007. We recorded a foreign exchange loss of $3.0 million this quarter and $14.5 million this year because we revalued some of our foreign currency denominated accounts and cash balances, and recognized deferred foreign exchange losses from dividends from Ok Tedi. We recorded foreign exchange gains on the revaluation of intergroup loans in 2006. 2008 outlook for investment and other income Investment and other income is affected by cash balances, interest rates and exchange rates. We plan to repatriate approximately $300 million in cash from Cayeli in the first half of the year. Assuming US dollar parity to the Canadian dollar we would expect to record a foreign exchange loss of about $30 million in the first half of 2008. We also plan to repatriate Pyhasalmi's 2007 distributable earnings in the second quarter of 2008. These earnings were accumulated at an average exchange rate of C $1.46 to the euro. If this exchange does not change significantly, the foreign exchange impact should be minimal. Because Ok Tedi distributes its earnings more frequently, the effect of repatriation is normally not significant. At December 31, 2007, we only held cash of (euro) 5 million in Canada that could be affected by foreign exchange gains or losses.
<<
Income tax expense was lower in the quarter because of lower earnings
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
(thousands) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cayeli $5,956 $4,036 +48% $46,445 $25,846 +80%
Pyhasalmi 6,200 10,863 -43% 30,911 32,078 -4%
Ok Tedi 10,822 9,580 +13% 65,745 69,893 -6%
Las Cruces 32 - +100% 286 - +100%
Corporate (4,671) 2,200 -312% (2,693) 2,650 -202%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$18,339 $26,679 -31% $140,694 $130,467 +8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax expense has fluctuated with earnings. At Corporate, we increased our
Future income tax asset and recorded a recovery of $5 million in earnings in
anticipation of higher earnings at Troilus next year because of the rising
price of gold. We adjust our corporate tax asset when it is more likely than
not that we will recover our tax loss pools. At Cayeli, the statutory tax rate
was higher this year because we have returned to accruing for withholding
taxes on net income in anticipation of dividend payments. The following table
shows Cayeli's tax expense in more detail:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended December 31 year ended December 31
(millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current and future income
tax expense $5 $4 $36 $36
Withholding tax expense 1 - 10 -
Reduction in tax rate - 2006 - - - (10)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$6 $4 $46 $26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cayeli's effective tax rate was 16 percent in the quarter; lower than its
statutory rate of 27 percent because of foreign exchange losses in their
Turkish lira tax accounts. The 2006 tax expense includes the impact of a rate
reduction. In June 2006, the Turkish government enacted tax legislation that
reduced Cayeli's corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 30 percent effective
January 1, 2006.
2008 outlook for income tax expense
For 2008, we are expecting our statutory tax rate at Cayeli to be
24 percent. We are not expecting any further changes in statutory tax rates at
our other operations in 2008.
Results of our operations
Cayeli
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes of ore
milled (000's) 277 246 +13% 1,046 933 +12% 1,100
Tonnes of ore
milled per
day 3,000 2,700 +13% 2,900 2,600 +12% 3,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grades (percent)
copper 4.2 3.8 +11% 3.8 3.9 -3% 3.8
zinc 6.8 6.6 +3% 6.3 5.7 +11% 6.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mill recoveries
(percent)
copper 79 82 -4% 82 84 -2% 81
zinc 72 74 -3% 73 73 - 72
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production
(tonnes)
copper 9,100 7,700 +18% 32,500 30,400 +7% 33,600
zinc 13,600 12,100 +12% 46,200 38,700 +19% 47,800
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
tonne of ore
milled (C$) $86 $84 +2% $83 $78 +6% $71
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
Cayeli achieved record performance Cayeli was producing ore this quarter at an annualized rate of more than 1.1 million tonnes. This was not only 13 percent higher than in the same period last year, but the highest production rate Cayeli has experienced. Lower mill recoveries in the quarter and the year were a result of the difficult ore mineralogy. Metallurgical performance is impacted by the ore types and relative quantities of these ores delivered to the mill. Through the year we improved our ability to characterize the ore and predict metallurgy, and we will continue with improvements in this area during 2008. 2008 outlook for production and costs Cayeli expects to complete improvements to its ore pass system in 2008, allowing it to mine and process 1.1 million tonnes of ore in 2008. The ore will come from all areas of the mine as the emphasis on the lower mine continues to increase. Ore pass performance is critical for efficient material flow. Development in 2008 will focus on access and level development of the lower mine ore blocks. This will allow the mine to operate at its maximum production rate of 1.2 million tonnes in 2009 and beyond. We expect costs to be in line with 2007 results. On a unit basis we are seeing the benefit of higher throughput and a stronger Canadian dollar relative to Cayeli's US dollar costs. This benefit could be offset if the Turkish lira also continues to strengthen against the US dollar increasing Turkish lira based costs such as labour.
<<
Financial review
Higher sales volumes increase operating earnings and cash flow
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions of
Canadian dollars three months ended year ended
unless otherwise December 31 December 31
stated) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales analysis
Copper sales (tonnes) 9,400 7,700 33,600 29,300
Zinc sales (tonnes) 11,500 5,600 48,200 34,500
---------------------------------------------
Gross copper sales $55 $54 $253 $238
Gross zinc sales 23 32 155 126
Other metal sales 3 2 11 7
---------------------------------------------
Gross sales 81 88 419 371
Smelter processing charges
and freight (20) (27) (95) (100)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $61 $61 $324 $271
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost analysis
Tonnes of ore milled
(thousands) 277 246 1,047 933
Direct production costs
(per tonne) $86 $84 $83 $78
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct costs of production $24 $21 $87 $73
Change in inventory (2) (4) 1 (4)
Depreciation and other
non-cash costs 3 2 12 10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating costs $25 $19 $100 $79
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings $36 $42 $224 $192
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating cash flow $51 $23 $215 $173
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table below shows what contributed to the change in operating earnings
and operating cash flow between this year and 2006.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
(millions) December 31 December 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower metal prices, denominated in
Canadian dollars $(52) $(37)
Higher sales volumes from higher
production 22 43
Lower smelter processing charges 25 34
Higher operating costs from higher
labour and consumable costs (1) (7)
Other - (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in operating earnings,
compared to 2006 (6) 32
(Higher) lower tax expense 3 (8)
Changes in working capital 28 14
Other 3 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in operating cash flow, compared
to 2006 $28 $42
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The change in working capital this quarter and for the year is from lower
accounts receivable mainly because of the lower sales price used to value year
end receivables.
Capital spending higher than 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital
spending $2,100 $4,300 -51% $17,700 $15,000 +18% $23,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shaft extension was completed in the third quarter and almost half of
the capital spending in the year ($7 million) has been for that project.
2008 outlook for capital spending
Cayeli expects to spend $23 million in 2008 on a water filtration plant,
ventilation raise, mine equipment and other equipment replacements.
Pyhasalmi
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes of ore
milled (000's) 358 346 +3% 1,377 1,372 +1% 1,370
Tonnes of ore
milled per
day 3,900 3,800 +3% 3,770 3,750 +1% 3,750
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grades (percent)
copper 1.0 1.0 - 1.0 1.0 - 1.0
zinc 3.8 2.9 +31% 3.1 2.8 +11% 2.5
sulphur 40 38 +5% 40 39 +3% 41
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mill recoveries
(percent)
copper 96 95 +1% 96 95 +1% 94
zinc 92 92 - 92 93 -1% 90
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production
(tonnes)
copper 3,300 3,200 +3% 13,600 13,000 +5% 13,000
zinc 12,400 9,200 +35% 38,900 35,700 +9% 30,900
pyrite 182,000 177,000 +3% 486,000 512,000 -5% 505,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
tonne of ore
milled (C$) $38 $37 +3% $36 $35 +3% $36
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
Pyhasalmi delivers strong results Pyhasalmi delivered a solid performance during the year mining higher grade zinc than in 2006. 2008 outlook for production and costs Pyhasalmi expects to mine 1.4 million tonnes of 1 percent copper and 2.5 percent zinc in 2008, and produce 13,000 tonnes of copper and 30,900 tonnes of zinc. These estimates are lower than 2007 results because of the grade of the remaining ore. To maintain throughput and increase efficiency in both the mine and mill, Pyhasalmi plans to make improvements to the ore-pass system and replace key drilling equipment, as well as the primary mill motor and mill flotation cells. A new mill motor will allow speed to be adjusted more easily, which will increase throughput capacity in the grinding circuit and reduce energy costs. This could increase mill throughput by about five percent. We expect costs to be maintained at similar levels in 2008.
<<
Financial review
Higher sales volumes increase operating earnings
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions of
Canadian dollars three months ended year ended
unless otherwise December 31 December 31
stated) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales analysis
Copper sales (tonnes) 3,300 3,700 14,000 13,500
Zinc sales (tonnes) 12,800 10,500 38,900 35,500
Pyrite sales (tonnes) 133,000 131,000 509,000 495,000
---------------------------------------------
Gross copper sales $21 $27 $105 $103
Gross zinc sales 30 52 125 140
Other metal sales 8 9 30 31
---------------------------------------------
Gross sales 59 88 260 274
Smelter processing charges
and freight (16) (26) (62) (76)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $43 $62 $198 $198
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost analysis
Tonnes of ore milled
(thousands) 358 346 1,377 1,372
Direct production costs
(per tonne) $38 $37 $36 $35
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct costs of production $13 $13 $50 $48
Change in inventory - 1 (1) 1
Depreciation and other
non-cash costs 2 2 10 9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating costs $15 $16 $59 $58
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings $28 $46 $139 $140
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating cash flow $5 $38 $109 $109
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table below shows what contributed to the change in operating earnings
and operating cash flow between this year and 2006.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
(millions) December 31 December 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower metal prices, denominated in
Canadian dollars $(38) $(31)
Higher sales volumes 6 12
Lower smelter processing charges and
freight 14 20
Higher operating costs from foreign exchange - (2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in operating earnings,
compared to 2006 (18) (1)
Lower tax expense because of lower
earnings 4 1
Changes in working capital (21) -
Other 1 -
--------------------------------
Decrease in operating cash flow,
compared to 2006 $(34) -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The change in working capital in the quarter is mainly because of the
timing in paying tax instalments.
Minimal capital spending in 2007 and some deferred until 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
(thousands) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 Change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital
spending $1,400 $2,100 -33% $3,500 $5,500 -36% $12,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 outlook for capital spending
We expect to spend $12 million in 2008, mainly for mine and mill
equipment. In addition the replacement of certain mill equipment expected to
have been spent in 2007 should be spent in 2008.
TROILUS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes of ore
milled (000's) 1,440 1,645 -12% 6,000 6,500 -8% 6,600
Tonnes of ore
milled per
day 15,700 17,900 -12% 16,500 17,900 -8% 18,100
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strip ratio 1.5 1.1 +36% 1.1 1.5 -27% 1.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grades
gold
(grams/tonne) 0.89 0.90 -1% 0.87 0.86 +1% 0.93
copper
(percent) 0.06 0.05 +20% 0.05 0.05 - 0.11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mill
recoveries
(percent)
gold 82 82 - 82 82 - 83
copper 89 87 +2% 88 87 +1% 92
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production
gold
(ounces) 33,700 39,300 -14% 138,400 147,900 -6% 163,200
copper
(tonnes) 600 700 -14% 2,800 2,900 -3% 7,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
tonne of ore
milled (C$) $15 $12 +25% $13 $12 +8% $12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
Mill throughput did not meet expectation Throughput was below 2006 levels and below our target because of several factors, including harder than expected ore from the 87 pit, mechanical failures and a lack of overall pump capacity in the mill. As a result, gold production was lower than the prior year. Copper production was consistent between periods because of improved recoveries. In January 2008, Troilus completed its program to upgrade the primary ball mill pumps to 1,500 horse power and secondary ball mill pumps to 1,000 horsepower. These investments should improve our productivity in 2008. 2008 outlook for production and costs Gold and copper grades will increase significantly in 2008 as we return to mining in the bottom of the 87 pit after completion of the J-4 pit. The mine will continue with its present plan of open pit mining and stockpile recovery. The J4 pit is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2008 while the 87 pit will continue to be mined into the second quarter of 2009. Stockpile recovery will begin in 2009. We have increased our obligation for mine rehabilitation, which is scheduled to start in 2009, and will accrue the additional accretion and depreciation over the next two years. We will also start accruing termination costs in 2008 for employees we expect to remain with the mine until the end of its life. These two items together will add approximately $4 million to costs in 2008.
<<
Financial review
Higher gold prices helped earnings
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions of
Canadian dollars three months ended year ended
unless otherwise December 31 December 31
stated) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales analysis
Gold sales (ounces) 36,100 38,800 142,200 144,100
Copper sales (tonnes) 800 700 2,900 2,900
---------------------------------------------
Gross gold sales $22 $22 $85 $78
Gross copper sales 4 4 21 24
Other metal sales 1 1 2 2
---------------------------------------------
Gross sales 27 27 108 104
Smelter processing charges
and freight (2) (3) (8) (11)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $25 $24 $100 $93
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost analysis
Tonnes of ore milled
(thousands) 1,440 1,645 6,000 6,500
Direct production costs
(per tonne) $15 $12 $13 $12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct costs of production $21 $20 $78 $77
Change in inventory 1 - 1 (2)
Depreciation and other
non-cash costs 3 3 11 12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating costs $25 $23 $90 $87
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings $- $1 $10 $6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating cash flow $5 $5 $15 $17
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table below shows what contributed to the change in operating earnings
and operating cash flow between this year and 2006.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
(millions) December 31 December 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Higher metal prices denominated in
Canadian dollars $1 $5
Lower smelter processing charges 1 3
Higher operating costs (2) (4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in operating earnings,
compared to 2006 - 4
Changes in working capital (1) (5)
Other 1 (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in operating cash flow,
compared to 2006 $- $(2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The change in working capital is mainly a result of higher accounts
receivable. The increase is because of new payment terms for the smelter,
which began in 2007 and higher gold prices.
Modest capital spending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
(thousands) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$300 $300 - $1,700 $2,200 -23% $1,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Troilus spent $1.7 million this year on some mill improvements designed to
improve throughput volumes and metal recoveries, and a tailings dam lift.
OK TEDI
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
(100 percent) 2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes of ore
milled (000's) 6,300 6,700 -6% 25,800 27,600 -7% 25,300
Tonnes of ore
milled per
day 68,000 72,800 -6% 71,000 75,600 -7% 69,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strip ratio 1.5 1.4 +7% 1.3 1.6 -19% 1.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grades
copper
(percent) 0.9 0.9 - 0.8 0.8 - 0.8
gold
(grams/tonne) 1.0 0.9 +11% 0.9 0.9 - 1.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mill recoveries
(percent)
copper 87 86 +1% 86 86 - 85
gold 63 69 -9% 71 71 - 67
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production
copper
(tonnes) 48,400 49,100 -1% 169,200 194,400 -13% 174,000
gold
(ounces) 130,400 138,000 -6% 471,800 550,100 -14% 674,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
tonne of ore
milled (C$) $19 $16 +19% $18 $17 +6% $18
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
High fluorine ore lowered throughput this year Ok Tedi continued to mine skarn ores in the pit that contained high levels of fluorine. To reduce the impact, for most of the year Ok Tedi has been blending lower grade ore with lower levels of fluorine. Lowering throughput while blending the low grade ore brought the fluorine content in the concentrate back to acceptable levels. This had the effect, however, of reducing copper and gold head grades, lowering copper and gold production to below 2006 levels. Ok Tedi has developed a fluorine management plan, which includes solutions for the pit and the process plant, as well as a sales strategy for concentrate. The plan includes evaluating the possibility of separating the fluorine minerals from the concentrate using chemical reagents in the flotation circuit. The mine is also opening additional working faces in the pit, including areas that are expected to contain lower levels of fluorine. We expect these areas will be in production in early 2008. At that time, Ok Tedi should be in a position to blend the ore to bring down fluorine levels in the concentrate. Operating costs for Ok Tedi were higher in 2007 compared to 2006 because of lower tonnes of ore produced and higher labour, contractor and community payments. 2008 outlook for production and costs Ok Tedi expects a 43 percent increase in its gold production compared to 2007 because of the higher content of skarn ores in the mill feed. The fluorine situation is expected to improve in 2008 as Ok Tedi opens additional working faces in the pit. Recoveries for both copper and gold are still expected to be somewhat lower in 2008 compared to this year. Ok Tedi will mine a significantly higher portion of skarn ore in 2008 than it has in the past. Skarn ores are metallurgically more challenging and contain more sulphur than the porphyry ores that were predominantly mined in previous years. Skarn ores will significantly increase sulphur content in the mill feed (from three percent in 2007 to an average of eight percent in 2008). It is therefore crucial that the Mine Waste and Tailings Management Plant is commissioned by the middle of 2008, since it will remove most of the sulphur in the tailings stream and greatly reduce the environmental risk of acid rock drainage.
<<
Financial review
Sales were higher than production, making earnings comparable between
periods
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions of
Canadian dollars three months ended year ended
unless otherwise December 31 December 31
stated) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales analysis at 18%
Copper sales (tonnes) 7,600 6,400 32,500 33,600
Gold sales (ounces) 21,800 20,800 92,000 97,700
---------------------------------------------
Gross copper sales $40 $42 $248 $273
Gross gold sales 16 13 65 64
Other metal sales 1 1 3 3
---------------------------------------------
Gross sales 57 56 316 340
Smelter processing charges
and freight (7) (9) (41) (55)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $50 $47 $275 $285
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost analysis at 18%
Tonnes of ore milled
(thousands) 1,125 1,200 4,640 4,960
Direct production costs
(per tonne) $19 $16 $18 $17
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct costs of production $21 $19 $81 $83
Change in inventory (1) (3) 2 2
Depreciation and other
non-cash costs 2 3 9 8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating costs $22 $19 $92 $93
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings $28 $28 $183 $192
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating cash flow $23 $12 $98 $151
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table below shows what contributed to the change in operating earnings
and operating cash flow between this year and 2006.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
(millions) December 31 December 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower metal prices, denominated in
Canadian dollars $(7) $(10)
Higher (lower) sales volumes 5 (8)
Lower smelter processing charges 4 12
Lower variable compensation - 4
Higher operating costs (2) (7)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in operating earnings,
compared to 2006 - (9)
Decreased tax expense because of
lower earnings - 3
Changes in net working capital 11 (47)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in operating
cash flow, compared to 2006 $11 $(53)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The change in working capital this quarter is mainly because of lower tax
payments. For the year, accounts receivable is higher because of timing of
payments and higher taxes were paid in 2007 compared to 2006.
Capital spending was higher because of the mine waste management program
Ok Tedi's capital spending this quarter was mainly for the mine waste
management program.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(18 percent) three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
2007 2006 change 2007 2006 change 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital
spending $10,100 $4,500 +124% $31,500 $11,100 +184% $23,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 outlook for capital spending
Ok Tedi plans to spend $130 million (our 18 percent share is $23 million)
in 2008. Of the $130 million, it will spend an estimated $43 million on the
mine waste management program, $27 million for the pit drainage tunnel, and
the rest for mine equipment and other sustaining capital.
Status of our development projects
Las Cruces
Quarterly development update
Construction
By December 31, 2007 Las Cruces had completed the following:
- essentially all detailed engineering and procurement
- 51 percent of construction
- 71 percent of total physical progress.
>>
At the start of 2008, civil works are nearly complete, and the focus is shifting to mechanical work and piping installation. Electrical and instrumentation work is also well underway. Infrastructure projects to supply and store process water, provide power from the Spanish grid and divert a number of streams for environmental and safety reasons are essentially complete. Mining progress and direct ore shipping A total of 19.9 million bench cubic metres (bcms) of waste were removed from the mine this year, reaching a total of 27.8 million bcms for the project to date. A further 2.4 million bcms is to be removed before reaching ore in late April 2008. Mining costs to date have been 9 percent below budget because of more efficient blasting and haulage. Since the plant is not expected to be ready to process ore until the fourth quarter of 2008, Las Cruces plans to selectively mine and crush a subset of approximately 130,000 tonnes of the available ore that averages 14 percent copper, and then ship this ore directly to selected smelters. This should result in the production of approximately 18,000 tonnes of copper and should significantly mitigate the financial impact of the delay in construction. At the same time, ore will be stockpiled in preparation for the plant start-up in the fourth quarter. The build-up of the stockpile will permit blending of the ore to ensure optimal feed for start-up. Operating costs Most cost estimates for consumables are now supported by firm price quotations and contract values. We expect the life-of-mine operating costs for Las Cruces to be approximately (euro) 0.49 per pound of copper produced. On an annual basis they should range from (euro) 0.53 per pound in the early years, to (euro) 0.44 per pound in later years when the mine's strip ratio decreases. Environment Las Cruces continued its strict environmental management program this year and is pleased to report that there were no significant environmental incidents. Progressive reclamation also continues. Las Cruces' environmental management system became certified under ISO14001 this year. Community relations Las Cruces continues to have a very good relationship with the local communities. At the end of the year, almost 200 local residents were directly employed by Las Cruces or its contractors, and local groups are visiting the mine on a regular basis. 2008 outlook for development and operations Las Cruces construction should be complete by the end of the third quarter and copper production should begin in the fourth quarter. To date, (euro) 370 million has been spent or committed on the project, and we expect to spend the balance in 2008. Las Cruces will start generating revenue in 2008 as 130,000 tonnes of high grade copper ore are expected to be shipped to smelters beginning in May. Copper cathode production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter. The following table shows the spending made and required:
<<
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) Spending Lending Subsidies Funding
under received from
Tranche A project
of credit sponsors
facility
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to December 31 2007 (euro)263 (euro)87 (euro)6 (euro)197
2008 200 84 47 42
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(euro)463 (euro)171 (euro)53 (euro)239
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table shows expected production for 100 percent of
Las Cruces
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 2009
target target
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes of ore processed (thousands) 240 800
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strip ratio 28 32
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper grades (percent) 12 9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper production (tonnes) 27,000 64,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smelter processing charges and
freight for crushed ore sales (C $ per tonne) $277 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct production cost of ore
processed (C $ per tonne) $172 $150
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
CERATTEPE Quarterly development update All the necessary permits are in place for site construction, which began in the third quarter. We continue to maintain an active campaign of community dialogue and engagement to reinforce support for the project. The following work was underway this quarter: Underground rehabilitation and development Work on the decline was completed and the ramp was extended toward the ore zone. Development will continue in 2008 with anticipation of reaching the ore body in the first quarter of 2009. Aerial tramway We have selected the contractor to design, supply and install the ropeway. Engineering has begun and the tramway should be installed by the end of 2008. Cayeli mill expansion This is the single largest cost related to the project. The mill needs to increase its capacity from 1.2 million tonnes per year to 1.5 million tonnes per year. This requires a new grinding and flotation section as well as a small SAG mill and a ball mill. Basic engineering has been completed. 2008 outlook for development Subject to the outcome of current legal proceedings (see Managing Risk - Cerattepe legal proceedings), we will continue to move the project forward and hope to start production by the end of the first quarter of 2009. In all, engineering and construction are on track. The following table shows the spending to date and planned:
<<
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(millions) Spending
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to December 31 2007 $15
Option payments 9
2008 development (includes mill expansion at Cayeli) 44
2009 development 20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$88
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spending will continue to be funded with cash from Cayeli.
>>
PETAQUILLA Quarterly development update In May 2007, Teck Cominco, Petaquilla Copper and Inmet agreed to a work plan to accelerate the development of the Petaquilla copper deposit in Panama by completing the front-end engineering and design (FEED), progressing the social and environmental impact assessment, commencing marketing discussions with our potential customers and advancing financing discussions. The interim FEED study was completed and estimates that the capital cost required to develop the Petaquilla project would be US $3.5 billion (including a contingency of $515 million but not working capital or escalation). The capital cost estimate includes approximately $500 million for the construction of an oil-fired power plant and approximately $280 million for port facilities. Cash costs, including operating and realization costs net of by- product credits, in years 1 to 10 of the project are estimated to average US $0.85 per pound of copper produced. The study is based on the mine plan developed in 1998, which contemplates a 23-year mine life. The project includes a concentrator capable of processing 120,000 tonnes per day of ore. Construction is expected to take approximately 44 months from issuance of construction permits. Permitting would follow the submission of a social and environmental impact assessment, expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2008. Capital costs for the project have increased substantially over previously published estimates because of scope changes, including enhancements in erosion control, water management and other environmental protection measures, and increases in equipment and construction costs that have been affecting projects worldwide. Despite the increase in capital costs required to develop Petaquilla, the shareholders believe that the project still has the potential to be a world-class mining operation. Work is continuing on the FEED study. A project review team is currently studying opportunities to reduce the capital costs from the interim FEED study estimate. Several possible opportunities have already been identified in the area of the grinding circuit, power supply and port infrastructure. The project review team will evaluate these opportunities over the next six weeks and, where appropriate incorporate these changes into the capital cost estimate. Managing our liquidity
<<
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31
(millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Cayeli $51 $23 $215 $173
Pyhasalmi 5 38 109 109
Troilus 5 5 15 17
Ok Tedi 23 12 98 151
Corporate development and
exploration not included in
operation's cash flow (2) (1) (6) (3)
General and administration (13) (6) (20) (14)
Other 7 10 16 5
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76 81 427 438
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CASH FROM INVESTING AND FINANCING
Capital spending (94) (46) (346) (133)
Long-term borrowings, less
repayments 24 36 89 73
Funding from non-controlling
shareholder 16 4 56 13
Disposition of investments - - 50 2
Foreign exchange on cash held in
foreign currency 6 17 (51) 15
Other (2) (8) (24) (20)
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(50) 3 (226) (50)
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Increase in cash 26 84 201 388
Cash and short-term investments
Beginning of period 815 556 640 252
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End of period $841 $640 $841 $640
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CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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three months ended year ended
(millions) December 31 December 31
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Increased (decreased) earnings from
operations (see page 5) $(24) $25
Non-cash changes in operating earnings:
Decreased (increased) tax expense 6 (4)
Changes in working capital 21 (37)
Other (8) 5
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Decrease in operating cash flow,
compared to 2006 $(5) $(11)
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Operating cash flows are lower this quarter compared to 2006 because of
lower earnings offset by an increase in working capital from lower accounts
receivable at Cayeli. The change in working capital this year is largely due
to higher taxes paid in 2007 and lower payables at Cayeli.
2008 outlook for operating activities
Based on our outlook for metal prices and production, we expect our
operating cash flows to be in a similar range for 2008 for our operating mines
and we expect operating cash flows from the start of production at Las Cruces.
CASH FROM INVESTING AND FINANCING
Capital spending
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three months ended year ended
December 31 December 31 objective
(millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006 2008
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Cayeli $2 $4 $18 $15 $23
Pyhasalmi 2 2 3 6 12
Troilus - - 2 2 1
Ok Tedi 10 5 32 11 23
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