Buenaventura Announces First Quarter 2023 Results for Production and Volume Sold per Metal

Rhea-AI Summary

Compañia de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A (NYSE: BVN), Peru’s leading precious metals mining company, released its 1Q23 production results. Highlights include:

• Gold Production: Orcopampa (19,996 oz), Tambomayo (10,600 oz), Coimolache (6,536 oz), El Brocal (4,421 oz).
• Silver Production: Uchucchacua (0 oz), Yumpag (0 oz), El Brocal (436,678 oz), Tambomayo (394,305 oz), Julcani (417,887 oz).
• Copper Production: El Brocal (12,238 MT).
• Production exceeded expectations at El Brocal; however, silver production at Uchucchacua and Yumpag was halted due to issues. Overall, gold production was aligned with forecasts, while silver and lead experienced temporary setbacks.

Buenaventura aims to recover slower production in upcoming quarters and remains optimistic about 2023 guidance.

Positive

• 1Q23 gold production at El Brocal exceeded projections.
• Lead and zinc production outperformed expectations due to improved metallurgical performance.
• Incremental recovery expected in subsequent quarters across various projects.

Negative

• Uchucchacua and Yumpag reported zero silver production.
• Silver production at Julcani was affected by a February 2023 operational suspension due to protests.
• Coimolache reported slower gold production ramp-up.

LIMA, Peru--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Compañia 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 1Q23 results for production and volume sold.

1Q23 Production per Metal (100% basis)
	1Q23 (Actual)		2023 Guidance (1)(2)(3)
Gold (Oz.)
Orcopampa	19,996		72k - 80k
Tambomayo	10,600		35k - 40k
Coimolache	6,536		60k - 65k
El Brocal	4,421		24k - 26k
Silver (Oz.)
Uchucchacua	0		0.7M - 1.0M
Yumpag	0		1.6M - 1.8M
El Brocal	436,678		2.7M - 3.0M
Tambomayo	394,305		1.9M - 2.2M
Julcani	417,887		2.6M - 2.8M
Lead (MT)
El Brocal	0		7.5k - 8.3k
Uchucchacua	0		1.4k - 1.5k
Yumpag	0		0.3k - 0.4k
Tambomayo	1,324		2.9k - 3.2k
Zinc (MT)
El Brocal	0		23.0k - 25.0k
Uchucchacua	0		2.0k - 2.2k
Yumpag	0		-
Tambomayo	1,552		4.8k - 5.3k
Copper (MT)
El Brocal	12,238		45.0k - 50.0k

1. Above 2023 projections are considered forward-looking statements and represent management’s good faith estimates or expectations of future production results as of February 2023.
2. 2023 Uchucchacua and Yumpaq Guidance is subject to permit approval to begin production.
3. El Brocal stockpiled ore mined from its open pit during the 1Q23. Lead and zinc ore will be treated at the processing plant starting in 2Q23. The underground mine will operate continuously throughout 2023.

1Q23 Comments

Tambomayo:

• Gold production was in line with expectations for 1Q23.
• 1Q23 silver production was below projections as a short-term mining reschedule resulted from a temporary cement (used for shotcrete) supply disruption in Arequipa city. However, this was partially offset by increased lead and zinc production during the quarter with higher than anticipated head grade and improved metallurgical performance.

Orcopampa:

• Gold production was in line with expectations for 1Q23.

Coimolache:

• 1Q23 gold production was slightly below quarterly projections due to slower than expected production ramp-up during the quarter as leach pad percolation time exceeded expectations. Percolation remains in progress and related gold processing has been deferred to subsequent quarters with the expected return to the previously projected schedule in the 2Q23.
• Coimolache is expected to recover gold production in subsequent quarters and therefore remains on track to meet 2023 Guidance.

Julcani:

• 1Q23 silver production was below projections due to the February 2023 suspension of operations related to anti-government protests which adversely impacted production and mine development. Operations were fully reestablished on February 16, 2023.
• Julcani is expected to recover silver production in subsequent quarters and therefore remains on track to meet 2023 Guidance.

Yumpag:

• Construction and operational permitting process have continued as per the expected schedule.
• 4Q23 targeted production initiation remains unchanged and subject to approval of the final permit required to operate.

Uchucchacua:

• Exploration and mine development continue as planned. The 2H23 target to resume production remains unchanged.

El Brocal:

• 1Q23 gold, silver and copper production exceeded first quarter 2023 projections due to earlier than expected production from high-grade areas within the underground mine as well as increased metallurgical recoveries.
• Ore mined from the open pit during the 1Q23 was stockpiled, according to plan. Open pit ore will begin processing in the 2Q23.

1Q23 Payable Volume Sold

1Q23 Volume Sold per Metal (100% basis)
	1Q23 (Actual)
Gold (Oz.)
Orcopampa	20,326
Tambomayo	9,360
Coimolache	6,854
El Brocal	2,595
Silver (Oz.)
Uchucchacua	130,642
Yumpag	0
El Brocal	379,158
Tambomayo	370,299
Julcani	412,890
Lead (MT)
El Brocal	88
Uchucchacua	0
Yumpag	0
Tambomayo	1,189
Zinc (MT)
El Brocal	38
Uchucchacua	0
Yumpag	0
Tambomayo	1,269
Copper (MT)
El Brocal	11,748
Realized Metal Prices*
	1Q23 (Actual)
Gold (Oz)	1,915
Silver (Oz)	22.5
Lead (MT)	2,139
Zinc (MT)	2,004
Copper (MT)	8,972
*Buenaventura consolidated figures.

Appendix

1. 1Q23 Production per Metal (100% basis)
	1Q23 (Actual)
Gold (Oz.)
La Zanja	3,051
Silver (Oz.)
Orcopampa	7,618
La Zanja	6,630
Coimolache	25,485
Lead (MT)
Julcani	106
2. 1Q23 Volume Sold per Metal (100% basis)
	1Q23 (Actual)
Gold (Oz.)
La Zanja	3,211
Silver (Oz.)
Orcopampa	6,699
La Zanja	10,942
Coimolache	24,909
Lead (MT)
Julcani	94

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/20230413005762/en/

In Lima:

Daniel Dominguez, Chief Financial Officer

+51 (511) 419 2540

Gabriel Salas, Head of Investor Relations

+51 (511) 419 2591 / Gabriel.salas@buenaventura.pe

Company Website: www.buenaventura.com.pe/ir

In NY:

Barbara Cano

+1 (646) 452 2334

barbara@inspirgroup.com

 

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

FAQ

What were the 1Q23 gold production figures for BVN?

In 1Q23, Buenaventura's gold production included Orcopampa (19,996 oz), Tambomayo (10,600 oz), Coimolache (6,536 oz), and El Brocal (4,421 oz).

How did silver production perform in the first quarter of 2023?

Uchucchacua and Yumpag reported zero silver production, while El Brocal produced 436,678 oz. Overall, silver production was below projections.

What impact did the protests have on BVN's production?

Protests led to the suspension of operations at Julcani in February 2023, adversely affecting silver production.

What is the expected recovery for BVN's production in 2023?

Buenaventura expects to recover slower production across various projects and remains optimistic about meeting its 2023 guidance.