Buenaventura Announces First Quarter 2025 Results for Production and Volume Sold per Metal

Rhea-AI Summary

Buenaventura (NYSE: BVN) has released its Q1 2025 production and sales results. The company's total gold production including associated operations reached 31,483 ounces, against a 2025 guidance of 122.6k-144.4k ounces. Silver production totaled 3.5M ounces, with Yumpag being the largest contributor at 2.2M ounces.

Notable operational highlights include Tambomayo exceeding gold and silver projections due to higher ore volumes, while Uchucchacua faced challenges with lead and zinc output falling below guidance due to lower grades. The company achieved strong average realized prices: Gold at $2,943/oz, Silver at $32.22/oz, and Copper at $9,292/MT.

Yumpag demonstrated exceptional performance, surpassing Q1 projections through access to high-grade stopes. El Brocal maintained steady copper and gold production, with silver outperforming guidance due to strategic mining of high-silver content blocks.

Positive

• Tambomayo exceeded gold and silver production projections
• Yumpag outperformed silver production guidance with high-grade stopes
• El Brocal's silver production exceeded guidance due to higher grades
• Strong realized prices across all metals ($2,943/oz gold, $32.22/oz silver)

Negative

• Uchucchacua's lead and zinc production missed guidance due to lower grades
• Julcani's silver output fell below estimates due to lower processed volumes
• Current production rate suggests potential challenge meeting full-year guidance targets

Insights

Mining Industry Analyst

Buenaventura's Q1 production shows mixed results with silver outperforming while lead/zinc lag; on track for annual targets with strong metal prices.

Buenaventura's Q1 2025 production results reveal a mixed but generally solid performance across its Peruvian mining portfolio. The company has completed approximately 25% of its annual production guidance for most metals, indicating it's broadly on track despite some operational challenges.

The standout performer was silver production, which exceeded expectations at multiple operations including Yumpag, La Zanja, Coimolache, and El Brocal. Particularly impressive was Yumpag, delivering 2.28 million ounces in Q1 alone, benefiting from higher-than-expected grades in high-grade stopes. At this pace, Yumpag could potentially exceed its annual guidance of 7.3-7.8 million ounces.

Gold production appears largely on schedule across most operations, with 27,918 ounces from direct operations representing about 24% of the midpoint of annual guidance. Orcopampa remains the primary gold contributor with 14,295 ounces, performing in line with expectations.

The weakest performance areas were in lead and zinc production, particularly at Uchucchacua where both metals underperformed due to lower grades and increased dilution from softer ground conditions. Lead production is tracking at only 21% of annual guidance midpoint, while zinc is at about 22% - both indicating potential challenges in meeting annual targets without operational improvements.

What's particularly encouraging for investors is the strong pricing environment, with gold realizing $2,943 per ounce and silver at $32.22 per ounce - excellent prices that should translate to robust revenue despite some production shortfalls. Copper prices at $9,292 per metric ton are also providing favorable economics for El Brocal's output.

The San Gabriel project notably remains on schedule for Q4 production initiation, potentially adding 10,000-15,000 gold ounces in late 2025, which could help offset any shortfalls elsewhere in the portfolio.

Financial Analyst

Buenaventura's Q1 shows strength in precious metals pricing while production tracking to guidance; financial impact appears neutral to slightly positive.

Analyzing Buenaventura's Q1 2025 production metrics reveals a financial picture that's generally aligned with expectations, with some notable bright spots in silver production and metals pricing that could translate to revenue outperformance despite volume challenges in base metals.

The company's realized metal prices represent a significant positive driver for quarterly revenue. Gold at $2,943 per ounce and silver at $32.22 per ounce reflect historically strong pricing environments. With 26,412 gold ounces sold from direct operations, this translates to approximately $77.7 million in gold revenue alone. Similarly, the 3.54 million silver ounces sold would generate roughly $114 million in silver revenue.

Copper sales of 11,400 metric tons at $9,292/MT would contribute approximately $105.9 million, making it nearly as significant as silver to the revenue mix. The combined lead and zinc sales at current prices would add approximately $20 million in additional revenue.

When examining operational efficiency, Yumpag stands out as the potential margin leader this quarter. Its substantial 2.28 million ounces of silver production significantly exceeds the quarterly pace needed to hit annual guidance, suggesting either favorable ore sequencing this quarter or potential for guidance increases later this year.

The underperformance in lead and zinc production presents a minor concern, though these metals contribute less significantly to overall revenue than the precious metals and copper. The operational issues at Uchucchacua involving softer ground and higher dilution could raise some cost concerns if they persist.

From a quarterly sequencing perspective, the production figures suggest Buenaventura is broadly on track to meet annual guidance, with approximately 22-26% of annual targets achieved in Q1 across most metals. This indicates that operations are running at a sustainable pace without obvious signs of production difficulties that would jeopardize annual targets.

LIMA, Peru--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (“Buenaventura” or “the Company”) (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Peru’s largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company, today announced 1Q25 results for production and volume sold.

Production per Metal

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2025	2025 Guidance (1)
Gold ounces produced
El Brocal		4,627	15.5k - 18.5k
Orcopampa		14,295	45.0k - 50.0k
Tambomayo		3,034	12.5k - 15.5k
Julcani		1,880	7.5k - 9.5k
La Zanja		4,082	18.0k - 21.0k
San Gabriel (4)		-	10.0k - 15.0k
Total Direct Operations (2)		27,918	108.5k - 129.5k
Coimolache		13,343	50.0k - 55.0k
Total incl. Associated (3)		31,483	122.6k - 144.4k
Silver ounces produced
El Brocal		437,733	1.1M - 1.4M
Uchucchacua		452,176	2.7M - 3.2M
Yumpag		2,275,799	7.3M - 7.8M
Orcopampa		5,109	-
Tambomayo		161,393	1.2M - 1.5M
Julcani		339,744	1.5M - 1.8M
La Zanja		6,682	-
Total Direct Operations (2)		3,678,636	13.8M - 15.7M
Coimolache		89,568	0.2M - 0.3M
Total incl. Associated (3)		3,545,714	13.5M - 15.3M
Lead metric tons produced
Uchucchacua		3,127	16.0k - 18.0k
Tambomayo		503	-
Julcani		127	0.8k - 1.0k
Total Direct Operations (2)		3,757	16.8k - 19.0k
Zinc metric tons produced
Uchucchacua		5,272	23.0k - 26.0k
Tambomayo		527	1.0k - 1.3k
Total Direct Operations (2)		5,799	24.0k - 27.3k
Copper metric tons produced
El Brocal		12,063	55.0k - 60.0k
Julcani		119	-
Tambomayo		16	-
Total Direct Operations (2)		12,198	55.0k - 60.0k

1.	2025 projections are considered to be forward-looking statements and represent management’s good faith estimates or expectations of future production results as of April 2025.
2.	Considers 100% of Buenaventura’s operating units, 100% of La Zanja and 100% of El Brocal.
3.	Considers 100% of Buenaventura’s operating units, 100% of La Zanja, 61.43% of El Brocal and 40.094% of Coimolache.
4.	4Q25 targeted production initiation remains unchanged, subject to final permitting and required approvals

Volume Sold per Metal

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Gold ounces sold
El Brocal	2,668
Orcopampa	14,746
Tambomayo	2,691
Julcani	1,674
La Zanja	4,633
Total Direct Operations (1)	26,412
Coimolache	11,430
Total incl. Associated (2)	29,965
Silver ounces sold
El Brocal	359,921
Uchucchacua	496,799
Yumpag	2,187,357
Orcopampa	6,483
Tambomayo	145,701
Julcani	320,277
La Zanja	24,865
Total Direct Operations (1)	3,541,403
Coimolache	78,726
Total incl. Associated (2)	3,434,146
Lead metric tons sold
Uchucchacua	2,936
Yumpag	39
Tambomayo	386
Julcani	109
Total Direct Operations (1)	3,470
Zinc metric tons sold
Uchucchacua	4,362
Tambomayo	432
Total Direct Operations (1)	4,794
Copper metric tons sold
El Brocal	11,324
Tambomayo	66
Julcani	9
Total Direct Operations (1)	11,400

1.	Considers 100% of Buenaventura’s operating units, 100% of La Zanja and 100% of El Brocal.
2.	Considers 100% of Buenaventura’s operating units, 100% of La Zanja, 61.43% of El Brocal and 40.094% of Coimolache.

Average realized prices⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Gold (US$/Oz)	2,943
Silver (US$/Oz)	32.22
Lead (US$/MT)	1,893
Zinc (US$/MT)	2,812
Copper (US$/MT)	9,292

1.	Considers Buenaventura consolidated figures.
2.	Realized prices include both provisional sales and final adjustments for price changes.

Commentary on Operations

Tambomayo:

• Gold and silver production slightly exceeded projections for the first quarter 2025, primarily due to higher than expected ore volumes processed.
• Zinc and lead production also exceeded expectations due to increased processed ore volumes and higher-than-anticipated ore grades from stopes in the bottom section of the mine.

Orcopampa:

• 1Q25 gold and silver were in line with expectations.

La Zanja:

• 1Q25 gold production was in line with expectations.
• Silver production exceeded 1Q25 projections due to higher than anticipated solubility.

Coimolache:

• 1Q25 gold production was in line with expectations.
• Silver production exceeded 1Q25 projections due to higher than anticipated silver grades.

Julcani:

• Silver output for 1Q25 was below estimates, primarily due to lower processed volumes from the Achilla area, as well as reduced grades from the Estela area as a result of increased dilution resulting from softer ground in the majority of the new stopes.
• Gold production was in line with expectations.

Uchucchacua:

• Silver production was in line with 1Q25 expectations.
• Lead and zinc output did not meet guidance due to lower-than-expected grades, attributable to changes in the mining sequence and softer ground that resulted in higher dilution.

Yumpag:

• Silver production exceeded 1Q25 projections, driven by higher grades from early access to high-grade stopes.

El Brocal:

• Copper and gold production was in line with expectations for 1Q25.
• Silver production outperformed guidance, due to higher than budgeted silver grades as part of a short-term plan prioritizing mining blocks with high silver content.

Company Description
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Peru’s largest, publicly traded precious and base metals Company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru. The Company is engaged in the exploration, mining development, processing and trade of gold, silver and other base metals via wholly-owned mines and through its participation in joint venture projects. Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa*, Uchucchacua*, Julcani*, Tambomayo*, La Zanja*, El Brocal and Coimolache).

The Company owns 19.58% of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer (a partnership with Freeport-McMorRan Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation).

(*) Operations wholly owned by Buenaventura.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking information (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including those concerning Cerro Verde’s costs and expenses, results of exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing market prices of gold, silver, copper and other metals mined, the success of joint ventures, estimates of future explorations, development and production, subsidiaries’ plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and Peruvian political, economic, social and legal developments. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s view with respect to Cerro Verde’s future financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors discussed elsewhere in this Press Release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250416760589/en/

Contacts in Lima:

Daniel Dominguez, Chief Financial Officer

(511) 419 2540

Sebastián Valencia, Head of Investor Relations

(511) 419 2591

sebastian.valencia@buenaventura.pe

Contact in New York:

Barbara Cano, InspIR Group

1 (646) 452 2334

barbara@inspirgroup.com

Website: buenaventura.com/en/inversionista/

Source: Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.

FAQ

What was Buenaventura's (BVN) gold production in Q1 2025?

Buenaventura's total gold production including associated operations was 31,483 ounces in Q1 2025, with direct operations contributing 27,918 ounces.

How much silver did BVN's Yumpag mine produce in Q1 2025?

Yumpag produced 2,275,799 ounces of silver in Q1 2025, exceeding projections due to access to high-grade stopes.

What were BVN's average realized metal prices in Q1 2025?

BVN's average realized prices were $2,943 per gold ounce, $32.22 per silver ounce, and $9,292 per metric ton of copper.

When is BVN's San Gabriel project expected to start production?

San Gabriel is targeted to initiate production in Q4 2025, subject to final permitting and required approvals.