Hudbay Delivers Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results and Provides Annual Guidance
- Record quarterly and annual revenue of $602.2 million and $1,690.0 million, respectively, in 2023.
- 35% increase in operating cash flow in Q4 compared to Q3.
- 2023 copper, gold, and silver production increased by 26%, 41%, and 13%, respectively, compared to 2022.
- Consolidated cash costs and sustaining cash costs improved in 2023.
- Significant increase in adjusted EBITDA in Q4.
- Deleveraging efforts with debt repayments and increased liquidity.
- Focus on growth initiatives and operational improvements post-acquisition.
- 2024 guidance includes increased copper production but slightly lower gold production.
- Record copper recoveries at Constancia and improved recoveries at Stall mill.
- Successful execution of largest annual exploration program in Snow Lake.
- Continued focus on reducing discretionary spending and capital expenditures.
- Net earnings impacted by non-cash losses related to revaluation.
- Financial discipline and debt reduction strategies in place for future growth.
- Net earnings and earnings per share impacted by non-cash losses in Q4.
- Consolidated cash costs and sustaining cash costs increased compared to 2022.
- Slightly lower gold production forecasted for 2024.
- Decrease in cash generated from operating activities in 2023.
- Net earnings impacted by non-cash mark-to-market losses in 2023.
- Lower zinc sales volumes in 2023 due to planned mine closure.
- 2024 cash costs expected to be higher than 2023.
Insights
The financial results of Hudbay Minerals Inc. illustrate a robust performance with record revenues and operating cash flow, which are critical indicators of the company's financial health and operational efficiency. The significant increase in operating cash flow before changes in non-cash working capital by 35% quarter-over-quarter is particularly notable, as it suggests an improvement in the company's ability to generate cash from its core business activities. The reduction in net debt by $94.5 million during the quarter also signals a commitment to improving the balance sheet and reducing financial risk, potentially increasing investor confidence.
Furthermore, the reported net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.6x, down from 2.0x at the end of 2022, indicates a stronger financial position and may be favorably viewed by credit rating agencies and investors. This ratio is often used as a measure of a company's ability to service its debt and a lower ratio suggests improved creditworthiness. The company's focus on deleveraging and disciplined capital allocation is likely to resonate positively with the market, particularly given the current global emphasis on financial sustainability and resilience.
From a market perspective, Hudbay's positive production results and cost management reflect well on its operational capabilities and strategic direction. The company's ability to exceed its 2023 consolidated production guidance for all metals is a strong signal to the market of Hudbay's reliability and operational control. The record gold production and increase in copper production by 26% and 41%, respectively, compared to 2022, are particularly significant because they may contribute to a favorable supply outlook in the face of global demand for these commodities.
The announcement of increased annual guidance for copper production in 2024 by 19% compared to 2023 could further stimulate investor interest, as copper is a key industrial metal with growing demand, particularly in the context of electrification and renewable energy projects. However, the forecasted slight decrease in gold production for 2024 may require careful market analysis to understand the potential impact on revenue, considering gold's status as a hedge against inflation and a source of significant by-product credits.
Operationally, Hudbay's focus on optimizing its mining operations, such as the Pampacancha satellite pit in Peru and the Lalor mine in Manitoba, is evident in the improved grades and recoveries leading to increased production. The successful acquisition and integration of the Copper Mountain mine also demonstrate Hudbay's strategic growth approach. The technical report released for Copper Mountain, which outlines the expected average annual copper production and cost estimates over the mine life, provides valuable insights into the long-term value proposition of this asset.
Moreover, the company's advancements in exploration and development, particularly in the Snow Lake region, underscore its commitment to organic growth. The exploration program and the development of the 1901 deposit near the Lalor mine could potentially enhance Hudbay's resource base and extend the life of its operations, which is a critical aspect for long-term sustainability in the mining sector.
TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hudbay Minerals Inc. (“Hudbay” or the “company”) (TSX, NYSE: HBM) today released its fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results, and announced 2024 annual production and cost guidance. All amounts are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. All production and cost amounts reflect the Copper Mountain mine on a
Delivering Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year Operating and Financial Results
- Achieved record quarterly and annual revenue of
$602.2 million and$1,690.0 million , respectively, with strong consolidated copper production of 45,450 tonnes and record consolidated gold production of 112,776 ounces in the fourth quarter from continued higher grades at the Pampacancha deposit in Peru and the Lalor mine in Manitoba and the contributions of the newly acquired Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia. - Delivered a significant increase in operating cash flow before change in non-cash working capital to
$246.5 million in the fourth quarter, a35% increase compared to$182.0 million in the third quarter, which was meaningfully higher than prior quarters. - Achieved 2023 consolidated production guidance for all metals. Full year 2023 copper production of 131,691 tonnes, gold production of 310,429 ounces and silver production of 3,575,234 ounces increased by
26% ,41% and13% , respectively, compared to 2022. - Consolidated 2023 cash costi and sustaining cash costi were better than expected and significantly outperformed the 2023 guidance range. Full year 2023 consolidated cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, were
$0.80 and$1.72 , respectively, increasing by7% and17% , respectively, compared to 2022. - Consolidated cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, in the fourth quarter, were
$0.16 and$1.09 , respectively, improving by85% and42% , respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2023. - Peru operations benefited from continued higher grades at the Pampacancha satellite pit, resulting in 33,207 tonnes of copper production and 49,418 ounces of gold production in the fourth quarter. Full year copper production was within 2023 guidance ranges while gold production exceeded the top end of guidance. Peru cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, in the fourth quarter improved to
$0.54 , and full year cash costs significantly improved over 2022 levels and achieved the low end of the 2023 annual cost guidance range. - Manitoba operations produced 59,863 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter, a quarterly record as higher gold and copper grade zones were mined at Lalor and the New Britannia mill processed significantly higher amounts of gold ore. Full year gold production was well within the 2023 guidance range and exceeded recent expectations of being positioned at the lower end of the range. Manitoba cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product creditsi, was
$434 during the fourth quarter and full year cash costs were within the 2023 annual guidance range. - British Columbia operations produced 8,508 tonnes of copper at a cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, of
$2.67 in the fourth quarter. Full year production and cash costs were within Hudbay's post-acquisition guidance ranges. Operational stabilization plans continue to be implemented at the Copper Mountain mine with a focus on opening additional mining faces, optimizing ore feed to the plant and improving plant reliability. - Fourth quarter net earnings and earnings per share were
$33.5 million and$0.10 , respectively. After adjusting for a non-cash loss of$34.0 million related to a quarterly revaluation of a closed site environmental reclamation provision and a non-cash revaluation loss of$9.0 million related to the gold prepayment liability, among other items, fourth quarter adjusted earningsi per share were$0.20 . - Cash and cash equivalents increased by
$4.6 million to$249.8 million during the fourth quarter due to strong operating cash flows bolstered by higher copper and gold prices and sales volumes enabling a$94.5 million reduction in net debti during the quarter.
Strong Operating Performance Driving Free Cash Flow Generation with Continued Financial Discipline
- Executed on planned higher production levels and achieved continued operating and capital cost efficiencies to generate significant free cash flow in the fourth quarter.
- Achieved adjusted EBITDAi of
$274.4 million in the fourth quarter, the highest quarterly level over the last five years and a44% increase from the previous recent high in the third quarter of 2023. - Completed
$90 million in debt repayments during the fourth quarter with a$30 million net reduction in the company’s revolving credit facility balance and a$59.7 million redemption of the remaining Copper Mountain bonds, well ahead of the 2026 maturity to increase financial flexibility and lower financing costs. Deleveraging efforts continued into the first quarter of 2024 with an additional$10 million repayment of the company’s revolving credit facility balance in January 2024. - Increased cash and total liquidity by
$34.1 million to$573.7 million compared to the end of the third quarter. Net debti reduced to approximately$1,038 million during the fourth quarter, which together with higher levels of adjusted EBITDA, improved the net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratioi to 1.6x compared to 2.0x at the end of 2022. - Delivered annual discretionary spending reduction targets for 2023 with lower growth capital and exploration expenditures compared to 2022. As a result of a continued focus on discretionary spending reductions, total capital expenditures for 2023 (excluding Copper Mountain) of approximately
$243 million were$57 million lower than original guidance levels, a further decrease from the$30 million in reductions announced in the third quarter.
Executing on Growth Initiatives
- Post-acquisition plans to stabilize the Copper Mountain operations are underway with a focus on mining fleet ramp-up activities, accelerated stripping and increasing mill reliability. Achieved the targeted
$10 million in annualized corporate synergies as of January 2024. - Released a NI 43-101 technical report for the Copper Mountain mine in December 2023, which contemplates average annual copper production of 46,500 tonnes in the first five years, 45,000 tonnes in the first ten years and 37,000 tonnes over the 21-year mine life. Average cash costs and sustaining cash costs over the mine life are expected to be
$1.84 and$2.53 per pound of copperi, respectively. Several opportunities to further increase production, improve costs and extend mine life are being evaluated for future mine plans. - Achieved record copper recoveries of
87.4% at the Constancia mill in the fourth quarter of 2023 as a result of the successful completion of the recovery improvement program in the second quarter, on time and on budget. - Achieved higher copper recoveries above
90% and gold recoveries above65% at the Stall mill in the second half of 2023 because of the successful ramp up of the Stall mill recovery improvement project in the second quarter, on time and on budget. - The New Britannia mill achieved record throughput levels averaging 1,650 tonnes per day in 2023 and 1,800 tonnes per day in the fourth quarter, exceeding its original design capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day due to the successful implementation of process improvement initiatives.
- Commenced largest annual exploration program in Snow Lake consisting of geophysical surveys and drill campaigns testing the newly acquired Cook Lake claims, former Rockcliff properties and near-mine exploration at Lalor.
- Advancing a development and exploration drift at the 1901 deposit in Snow Lake, located within 1,000 metres from the underground ramp access to the Lalor mine, with a focus on confirming the optimal mining method for the base metal and gold lenses and converting the inferred mineral resources in the gold lenses to mineral reserves.
- Continuing to evaluate the Flin Flon tailings reprocessing opportunity through advancing metallurgical test work studies and analyzing metallurgical technologies.
"We had a strong end to the year with increased copper production, record gold production and record financial performance in the fourth quarter, resulting in the successful achievement of our annual guidance metrics,” said Peter Kukielski, President and Chief Executive Officer. “2023 was a year of execution and delivery as we realized the higher grades in Peru, achieved record gold production in Manitoba and enhanced our operating base with the addition of the Copper Mountain mine. We continued to demonstrate financial discipline in 2023 through reduced discretionary spending to drive free cash flow generation and debt reduction. These 2023 achievements are a testament to our outstanding team, which continues to deliver the plan while always operating safely and efficiently. Our commitment to continued financial discipline, together with our resilient operating platform, will allow us to prudently advance and unlock value from our leading organic pipeline of brownfield expansion and greenfield exploration and development opportunities.”
2024 Annual Guidance and Outlook
- Consolidated copper production is forecast to increase by
19% to 156,500 tonnesii in 2024, compared to 2023, with continued higher grades in Peru and a full year of British Columbia production. - Consolidated gold production is forecast to decrease slightly to 291,000 ouncesii in 2024, compared to 2023, due to higher than planned gold grades being mined in Peru in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a deferral of high grade gold zones in Peru to 2025. Total gold production in Peru over the 2023 to 2025 period is expected to be higher than previous guidance levelsii.
- Consolidated cash cost, net of by-product creditsi, in 2024 is expected to be within a range of
$1.05 and$1.25 per pound of copper, higher than 2023 as a result of lower gold by-product credits and a full year of contributions from British Columbia. - Total capital expenditures are expected to be
$335 million in 2024, reflecting lower expenditures in Peru, Manitoba and Arizona, offset by higher expenditures in British Columbia associated with accelerated stripping to access higher grades and a reclassification of costs from operating to capitalized stripping versus the recent technical report. - Exploration expenditures are expected to increase in 2024 as the company executes its largest-ever exploration program in the Snow Lake region, which is being partially funded by a critical minerals premium flow-through financing that was completed in the fourth quarter.
- Continued focus on reducing discretionary spending in 2024 with total growth capital expenditures
23% lower than 2023.
Summary of Fourth Quarter Results
Consolidated copper production in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 45,450 tonnes, an
Cash generated from operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by
Net earnings and earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2023 were
Adjusted net earningsi and adjusted net earnings per sharei in the fourth quarter of 2023 were
In the fourth quarter of 2023, consolidated cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, was
Consolidated all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, was
As at December 31, 2023, total liquidity increased to
Summary of Full Year Results
Hudbay achieved its 2023 consolidated production guidance for all metals. On a business unit stand-alone basis, Peru exceeded the top end of the gold production guidance range, Manitoba exceeded the top end of the copper production guidance range and Copper Mountain exceeded the top end of the silver production guidance range for the portion of 2023 since acquisition. Consolidated copper, gold and silver production for the full year 2023 increased by
Consolidated cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, in 2023 was
Cash generated from operating activities decreased to
Net earnings and earnings per share for 2023 were
Consolidated Financial Condition ( | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 249,794 | 245,217 | 225,665 | |
Total long-term debt | 1,287,536 | 1,377,443 | 1,184,162 | |
Net debt1 | 1,037,742 | 1,132,226 | 958,497 | |
Working capital2 | 135,913 | 128,463 | 76,534 | |
Total assets | 5,312,634 | 5,250,596 | 4,325,943 | |
Equity3 | 2,096,811 | 2,044,684 | 1,571,809 | |
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA1,4 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
1 Net debt and net debit to adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the "Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures" section of this news release.
2 Working capital is determined as total current assets less total current liabilities as defined under IFRS and disclosed on the consolidated financial statements.
3 Equity attributable to owners of the company.
4 Net debt to adjusted EBITDA for the 12 month period.
Consolidated Financial Performance | Three Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||
Revenue | 602,189 | 480,456 | 321,196 | |
Cost of sales | 405,433 | 374,057 | 251,520 | |
Earnings (loss) before tax | 80,982 | 84,149 | (14,287) | |
Earnings (loss) | 33,528 | 45,490 | (17,441) | |
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share | $/share | 0.10 | 0.13 | (0.07) |
Adjusted earnings per share1 | $/share | 0.20 | 0.07 | 0.01 |
Operating cash flow before change in non-cash working capital | $ millions | 246.5 | 182.0 | 109.1 |
Adjusted EBITDA1 | $ millions | 274.4 | 190.7 | 124.7 |
Year Ended | ||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||
Revenue | 1,690,030 | 1,461,440 | ||
Cost of sales | 1,297,469 | 1,184,552 | ||
Earnings before tax | 151,830 | 95,815 | ||
Earnings | 69,543 | 70,382 | ||
Basic and diluted earnings per share | $/share | 0.22 | 0.27 | |
Adjusted earnings per share1 | $/share | 0.23 | 0.10 | |
Operating cash flow before change in non-cash working capital | $ millions | 570.0 | 391.7 | |
Adjusted EBITDA1 | $ millions | 647.8 | 475.9 | |
1 Adjusted (loss) earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section. |
Consolidated Production and Cost Performance5 | Three Months Ended | |||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||
Contained metal in concentrate and doré produced1 | ||||||
Copper | tonnes | 45,450 | 41,964 | 29,305 | ||
Gold | ounces | 112,776 | 101,417 | 53,920 | ||
Silver | ounces | 1,197,082 | 1,063,032 | 795,015 | ||
Zinc | tonnes | 5,747 | 10,291 | 6,326 | ||
Molybdenum | tonnes | 397 | 466 | 344 | ||
Payable metal sold | ||||||
Copper | tonnes | 44,006 | 39,371 | 25,415 | ||
Gold2 | ounces | 104,840 | 74,799 | 47,256 | ||
Silver2 | ounces | 1,048,877 | 748,955 | 559,306 | ||
Zinc3 | tonnes | 7,385 | 7,125 | 8,230 | ||
Molybdenum | tonnes | 468 | 426 | 421 | ||
Consolidated cash cost per pound of copper produced4 | ||||||
Cash cost | $/lb | 0.16 | 1.10 | 1.08 | ||
Sustaining cash cost | $/lb | 1.09 | 1.89 | 2.21 | ||
All-in sustaining cash cost | $/lb | 1.31 | 2.04 | 2.41 | ||
Year Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||
Contained metal in concentrate and doré produced1 | ||||||
Copper | tonnes | 131,691 | 104,173 | |||
Gold | ounces | 310,429 | 219,700 | |||
Silver | ounces | 3,575,234 | 3,161,294 | |||
Zinc | tonnes | 34,642 | 55,381 | |||
Molybdenum | tonnes | 1,566 | 1,377 | |||
Payable metal sold | ||||||
Copper | tonnes | 124,996 | 94,473 | |||
Gold2 | ounces | 276,893 | 213,415 | |||
Silver2 | ounces | 3,145,166 | 2,978,485 | |||
Zinc3 | tonnes | 28,779 | 59,043 | |||
Molybdenum | tonnes | 1,462 | 1,352 | |||
Consolidated cash cost per pound of copper produced4 | ||||||
Cash cost | $/lb | 0.80 | 0.86 | |||
Sustaining cash cost | $/lb | 1.72 | 2.07 | |||
All-in sustaining cash cost | $/lb | 1.92 | 2.26 | |||
1 Includes production results from the Copper Mountain mine following the June 20, 2023 acquisition completion date. Production results from the Copper Mountain mine represents the period from June 20, 2023 acquisition completion date through to the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. Includes | ||||||
2 Includes total payable gold and silver in concentrate and in doré sold. | ||||||
3 Metal reported in concentrate is prior to deductions associated with smelter contract terms. | ||||||
4 For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, this metric includes payable zinc in concentrate sold. For the three months ended December 31, 2022, this metric also included refined zinc metal and payable zinc in concentrate sold. For the year ended December 31, 2023, this metric includes payable zinc in concentrate sold. For the year ended December 31, 2022, this metric also included payable refined zinc metal sold. | ||||||
5 Cash cost, sustaining cash cost and all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section of this news release. | ||||||
Peru Operations Review
Peru Operations | Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||
Constancia ore mined1 | tonnes | 973,176 | 1,242,198 | 5,614,918 | 9,265,954 | 25,840,435 | |||
Copper | % | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.32 | 0.35 | |||
Gold | g/tonne | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | |||
Silver | g/tonne | 2.26 | 2.91 | 3.48 | 2.53 | 3.40 | |||
Molybdenum | % | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | |||
Pampacancha ore mined | tonnes | 5,556,613 | 5,894,013 | 3,771,629 | 14,756,416 | 8,319,250 | |||
Copper | % | 0.56 | 0.53 | 0.37 | 0.51 | 0.33 | |||
Gold | g/tonne | 0.32 | 0.30 | 0.29 | 0.33 | 0.29 | |||
Silver | g/tonne | 4.84 | 4.22 | 3.84 | 4.28 | 4.06 | |||
Molybdenum | % | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | |||
Total ore mined | tonnes | 6,529,789 | 7,136,211 | 9,386,547 | 24,022,370 | 34,159,685 | |||
Strip ratio2 | 1.26 | 1.36 | 0.97 | 1.51 | 1.13 | ||||
Ore milled | tonnes | 7,939,044 | 7,895,109 | 7,795,735 | 30,720,929 | 30,522,294 | |||
Copper | % | 0.48 | 0.43 | 0.41 | 0.39 | 0.34 | |||
Gold | g/tonne | 0.25 | 0.21 | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.09 | |||
Silver | g/tonne | 4.20 | 3.75 | 3.93 | 3.62 | 3.58 | |||
Molybdenum | % | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | |||
Copper recovery | % | 87.4 | 85.2 | 85.1 | 84.2 | 85.0 | |||
Gold recovery | % | 77.6 | 74.8 | 69.6 | 71.8 | 63.6 | |||
Silver recovery | % | 78.0 | 73.2 | 66.5 | 70.0 | 65.7 | |||
Molybdenum recovery | % | 33.6 | 37.2 | 37.7 | 35.8 | 34.8 | |||
Contained metal in concentrate | |||||||||
Copper | tonnes | 33,207 | 29,081 | 27,047 | 100,487 | 89,395 | |||
Gold | ounces | 49,418 | 40,596 | 20,860 | 114,218 | 58,229 | |||
Silver | ounces | 836,208 | 697,211 | 655,257 | 2,505,229 | 2,309,352 | |||
Molybdenum | tonnes | 397 | 466 | 344 | 1,566 | 1,377 | |||
Payable metal sold | |||||||||
Copper | tonnes | 31,200 | 27,490 | 23,789 | 96,213 | 79,805 | |||
Gold | ounces | 38,114 | 32,757 | 15,116 | 97,176 | 49,968 | |||
Silver | ounces | 703,679 | 460,001 | 411,129 | 2,227,419 | 2,045,678 | |||
Molybdenum | tonnes | 468 | 426 | 421 | 1,462 | 1,352 | |||
Combined unit operating cost3,4,5 | $/tonne | 12.24 | 12.20 | 13.64 | 12.47 | 12.78 | |||
Cash cost5 | $/lb | 0.54 | 0.83 | 1.34 | 1.07 | 1.58 | |||
Sustaining cash cost5 | $/lb | 1.21 | 1.51 | 2.09 | 1.81 | 2.35 | |||
1 Reported tonnes and grade for ore mined are estimates based on mine plan assumptions and may not reconcile fully to ore milled. 2 Strip ratio is calculated as waste mined divided by ore mined. 3 Reflects combined mine, mill and general and administrative ("G&A") costs per tonne of ore milled. Reflects the deduction of expected capitalized stripping costs. 4 Excludes approximately 5 Combined unit costs, cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section of this news release. | |||||||||
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Peru operations produced 33,207 tonnes of copper, 49,418 ounces of gold, 836,208 ounces of silver and 397 tonnes of molybdenum. Fourth quarter 2023 production of copper, gold and silver increased
Total ore mined in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by
Ore milled during the fourth quarter of 2023 was consistent with the prior quarter. Milled copper and gold grades increased by
Recoveries of copper, gold and silver during the fourth quarter of 2023 were
Ore mined during 2023 was
Combined mine, mill and G&A unit operating costsi in the fourth quarter were slightly higher than the third quarter primarily due to the costs associated with the scheduled semi-annual plant maintenance shutdown. Combined mine, mill and G&A unit operating costsi for the full year 2023 were
Peru’s cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, in the fourth quarter of 2023 was
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, for the fourth quarter and for the year ended 2023 were
Manitoba Operations Review
Manitoba Operations | Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||
Lalor | ||||||||
Ore mined | tonnes | 372,384 | 367,491 | 369,453 | 1,526,729 | 1,516,203 | ||
Gold | g/tonne | 5.92 | 5.08 | 4.00 | 4.74 | 4.00 | ||
Copper | % | 1.04 | 1.02 | 0.73 | 0.86 | 0.73 | ||
Zinc | % | 2.20 | 3.31 | 2.17 | 3.00 | 3.14 | ||
Silver | g/tonne | 28.92 | 27.80 | 19.37 | 24.51 | 21.96 | ||
New Britannia | ||||||||
Ore milled | tonnes | 165,038 | 146,927 | 141,142 | 596,912 | 542,269 | ||
Gold | g/tonne | 8.03 | 6.93 | 6.11 | 6.76 | 6.28 | ||
Copper | % | 1.46 | 1.22 | 0.91 | 1.03 | 0.81 | ||
Zinc | % | 0.85 | 0.90 | 0.67 | 0.84 | 0.80 | ||
Silver | g/tonne | 27.97 | 23.88 | 22.09 | 25.11 | 20.97 | ||
Gold recovery - concentrate | % | 58.1 | 64.7 | 56.6 | 60.0 | 60.3 | ||
Copper recovery - concentrate | % | 91.6 | 97.4 | 89.3 | 93.3 | 90.7 | ||
Silver recovery - concentrate | % | 61.0 | 63.2 | 55.4 | 60.7 | 60.6 | ||
Stall Concentrator | ||||||||
Ore milled | tonnes | 228,799 | 255,516 | 204,350 | 965,567 | 968,638 | ||
Gold | g/tonne | 4.22 | 3.70 | 2.50 | 3.45 | 2.86 | ||
Copper | % | 0.73 | 0.77 | 0.61 | 0.74 | 0.71 | ||
Zinc | % | 3.20 | 4.88 | 3.43 | 4.36 | 4.70 | ||
Silver | g/tonne | 28.63 | 28.82 | 19.24 | 24.19 | 22.81 | ||
Gold recovery | % | 67.5 | 67.8 | 62.4 | 64.8 | 58.0 | ||
Copper recovery | % | 92.0 | 93.9 | 89.0 | 90.4 | 87.2 | ||
Zinc recovery | % | 78.5 | 82.6 | 90.1 | 82.2 | 86.6 | ||
Silver recovery | % | 61.8 | 64.9 | 56.6 | 61.4 | 56.8 | ||
Total contained metal in concentrate and doré1 | ||||||||
Gold | ounces | 59,863 | 56,213 | 33,060 | 187,363 | 161,471 | ||
Copper | tonnes | 3,735 | 3,580 | 2,258 | 12,154 | 14,778 | ||
Zinc | tonnes | 5,747 | 10,291 | 6,326 | 34,642 | 55,381 | ||
Silver | ounces | 255,579 | 264,752 | 139,758 | 851,723 | 851,942 | ||
Total payable metal sold | ||||||||
Gold2 | ounces | 63,635 | 36,713 | 32,140 | 171,297 | 163,447 | ||
Copper | tonnes | 3,687 | 2,925 | 1,626 | 10,708 | 14,668 | ||
Zinc3 | tonnes | 7,385 | 7,125 | 9,230 | 28,779 | 59,043 | ||
Silver2 | ounces | 246,757 | 197,952 | 148,177 | 728,304 | 932,807 | ||
Combined unit operating cost4,5 | C$/tonne | 216 | 217 | 241 | 217 | 195 | ||
Gold cash cost5 | $/oz | 434 | 670 | 922 | 727 | 297 | ||
Gold sustaining cash cost5 | $/oz | 788 | 939 | 1,795 | 1,077 | 1,091 |
1 Doré includes sludge, slag and carbon fines in three months ended December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023.
2 Includes total payable precious metals in concentrate and doré sold.
3 Includes refined zinc metal and payable zinc in concentrate sold.
4 Reflects combined mine, mill and G&A costs per tonne of ore milled.
5 Combined unit operating cost, cash cost and sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section of this news release.
The Manitoba operations produced a record 59,863 ounces of gold during the fourth quarter of 2023, along with 3,735 tonnes of copper, 5,747 tonnes of zinc and 255,579 ounces of silver. Production of gold and copper increased by
In Manitoba, the company continues to focus on improvement initiatives aimed at supporting higher production levels, minimizing dilution and enhancing metal recoveries at the Snow Lake operations. A significant focus continues to be placed on improving the quality of ore production at Lalor mine, employing techniques such as stope redesigns, grade control practices prior to blasting, assaying blasthole cuttings and implementing mine design adjustments to mitigate dilution. These proactive measures have successfully reduced the inclusion of waste rock in the mining cycle and increased gold, copper, and silver grades during the fourth quarter.
Optimization of development drift size has led to a
Additionally, the company advanced optimization initiatives at New Britannia mill to achieve higher throughput rates by prioritizing process improvements and seamlessly integrating additional gold ore feed from the Lalor mine. This reallocation of ore has led to reduced feed to Stall mill, prompting a careful evaluation of lower tonnage set points to optimize plant operations. The team has also started exploring opportunities to share maintenance services with New Britannia during shutdown periods which, if successful, would reduce overall contractor requirements.
At Lalor, Hudbay achieved higher development advance rates during the fourth quarter compared to prior quarters of 2023. A comprehensive review of the long-range mine plan for zone 40 has led to significantly reduced future capital development needs by transitioning to a more selective mining method, thereby enhancing the reserve grade for this mining front. Lalor ore mined during the fourth quarter increased by
Total ore mined at the Manitoba operations in 2023 was
The Stall mill processed slightly less ore in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter, due to more ore being sent to New Britannia as the mill exceeded design throughput. After the commissioning of the Stall mill recovery improvement project in the second quarter of 2023, the operations continue to focus on optimizing circuits to achieve targeted recoveries by reducing primary grind size, refining the flotation circuit balance and mass pull and reagent selection. These adjustments have proven highly effective, resulting in notably higher recoveries for copper above
Process improvement initiatives at New Britannia have been successfully implemented with minimal capital outlays, enabling the company to reach progressively higher production targets during the fourth quarter. The New Britannia mill averaged approximately 1,800 tonnes per day in the fourth quarter, approximately
Combined mine, mill and G&A unit operating costsi in the fourth quarter of 2023 slightly decreased compared to the third quarter reflecting lower overall costs partially offset by lower total ore milled. Combined mine, mill and G&A unit operating costs for the full year 2023 were C
Manitoba’s cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product creditsi, has trended lower throughout 2023, averaging
Sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product creditsi, for the fourth quarter of 2023 was
British Columbia Operations Review
British Columbia Operations5 | Three Months Ended | Year Ended5 | |||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2023 | |||
Ore mined1 | tonnes | 2,627,398 | 3,792,568 | 6,975,389 | |
Waste mined | tonnes | 14,032,093 | 11,233,917 | 26,634,805 | |
Strip ratio2 | 5.34 | 2.96 | 3.82 | ||
Ore milled | tonnes | 3,261,891 | 3,158,006 | 6,862,152 | |
Copper | % | 0.33 | 0.36 | 0.35 | |
Gold | g/tonne | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.07 | |
Silver | g/tonne | 1.36 | 1.40 | 1.36 | |
Copper recovery | % | 78.8 | 80.9 | 79.69 | |
Gold recovery | % | 54.1 | 56.1 | 55.88 | |
Silver recovery | % | 73.8 | 71.3 | 72.96 | |
Total contained metal in concentrate | |||||
Copper | tonnes | 8,508 | 9,303 | 19,050 | |
Gold | ounces | 3,495 | 4,608 | 8,848 | |
Silver | ounces | 105,295 | 101,069 | 218,282 | |
Total payable metal sold | |||||
Copper | tonnes | 9,119 | 8,956 | 18,075 | |
Gold | ounces | 3,091 | 5,329 | 8,420 | |
Silver | ounces | 98,441 | 91,002 | 189,443 | |
Combined unit operating cost3,4 | C$/tonne | 20.90 | 24.88 | 21.38 | |
Cash cost4 | $/lb | 2.67 | 2.67 | 2.50 | |
Sustaining cash cost4 | $/lb | 3.93 | 3.39 | 3.41 | |
1 Reported tonnes and grade for ore mined are estimates based on mine plan assumptions and may not reconcile fully to ore milled. | |||||
2 Strip ratio is calculated as waste mined divided by ore mined. | |||||
3 Reflects combined mine, mill and G&A costs per tonne of ore milled. Reflects the deduction of expected capitalized stripping costs. | |||||
4 Combined unit operating cost, cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section of this news release. 5 Includes | |||||
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the British Columbia operations produced 9,119 tonnes of copper, 3,091 ounces of gold and 98,441 ounces of silver. Hudbay achieved the post-acquisition 2023 production guidance for copper and gold and exceeded the post-acquisition guidance for silver.
Total ore mined at Copper Mountain in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 2.6 million tonnes, less than initially planned but production was supplemented with stockpile rehandle of 1.5 million tonnes. The mine operations team has initiated a fleet production ramp up plan to capture the full value of idle capital equipment at the Copper Mountain site. This plan entailed remobilization of the mining fleet from 14 trucks to 28 trucks by the end of 2023, allowing for increased waste removal during the fourth quarter. The company continues to focus on hiring additional haul truck drivers, and a fully trained complement of truck drivers are expected to be in place in the first half of 2024. The utilization of the full truck fleet enabled additional 2023 pre-stripping to access higher head grades.
Benefitting from stabilization initiatives within the comminution circuit, the mill processed 3.3 million tonnes of ore during the fourth quarter reflecting average mill availability of
Maintenance practices to improve mill availability continue to be a key pillar of the company’s stabilization initiatives. These include the implementation of improved maintenance management processes planned for the first half of 2024 and a change in the maintenance organizational structure which was completed in the fourth quarter of 2023. Beyond maintenance practices, material handling and transportation in the comminution circuit, particularly in the winter months, have a significant impact on mill performance. Work has begun to analyze the trade-off among the various alternatives to further enhance mill performance.
Milled copper grades during the fourth quarter of 2023 averaged
Combined mine, mill and G&A unit operating costsi in the fourth quarter of 2023 were C
British Columbia’s cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, in the fourth quarter of 2023 were
Advancing Copper Mountain Mine Stabilization Plans
Since completing the acquisition of Copper Mountain on June 20, 2023, Hudbay has been focused on advancing stabilization plans, including opening up the mine by adding additional mining faces and re-mobilizing idle haul trucks, optimizing the ore feed to the plant and implementing plant improvement initiatives.
On December 5, 2023, the company released its first NI 43-101 technical report in respect of the
Hudbay's stabilization plans are focused on improving reliability and driving sustainable long-term value:
- Increased mining activities - Commenced a fleet ramp-up plan to remobilize idle haul trucks. The plan entails remobilization of the mining fleet from 14 trucks to 28 trucks by the end of 2023. A fully trained complement of truck drivers is expected to be in place in the first half of 2024. Once the fleet ramp up plan is complete, the company expects to have improved flexibility in the Copper Mountain mine with additional mining faces.
- Accelerated stripping to access higher grades – Hudbay has commenced a campaign of accelerated stripping over the next three years to enable access to higher grade ore and to mitigate the substantially reduced stripping undertaken by Copper Mountain over the four years prior to completion of the acquisition. The accelerated stripping program is expected to improve operating efficiencies and lower unit operating costs.
- Improved mill throughput and recoveries - Hudbay’s mine plan assumes a mill ramp up to its nominal capacity of 45,000 tonnes per day in 2025. An expansion to the permitted capacity of 50,000 tonnes per day is planned in 2027. The mine plan assumes approximately
$23 million in growth capital spending over 2025 and 2026 in connection with the mill expansion. Hudbay intends to improve mill recoveries with a more consistent ore feed grade, changes to the flotation reagents and replacement of key pumps. - Operating efficiencies and corporate synergies - Hudbay's stabilization plans are expected to generate more than
$20 million in annual operating efficiencies over the next three years, compared to Copper Mountain's performance in 2022, through improvements in copper recovery, higher throughput rates and lower combined unit operating costs. In addition, Hudbay has realized the targeted$10 million in annual corporate synergies and is on track to exceed the target. - Ensure stabilization of near-term cash flows – Recently entered into copper hedging contracts representing approximately
25% of expected Copper Mountain production in 2024 as a prudent measure to secure cash flows during the stabilization period.
The mine plan is based on a revised resource model and was constructed using consistent methods applied at the Constancia, Copper World and Mason deposits. The mineral reserve estimates total 367 million tonnes at a copper grade of
There are several opportunities to further increase production, improve costs and extend mine life for Copper Mountain. While these opportunities have not been considered in the technical report as they are not yet at the level of required engineering, the company is advancing studies to evaluate the potential for these to be reflected in future mine plans.
Please see “Qualified Person and NI 43-101” for further details regarding the technical and scientific information included in the technical report.
Delivered Brownfield Capital Projects On Time and On Budget
The Constancia mill achieved record copper recoveries of
After the commissioning of the Stall mill recovery improvement project in the second quarter of 2023, subsequent optimization activities proved highly effective, resulting in notably higher recoveries for copper above
The total growth capital expenditures in 2023 associated with the completion of these recovery improvement projects were in line with the company's guidance of
The New Britannia mill has consistently achieved higher throughput levels, averaging 1,650 tonnes per day in 2023 and approximately 1,800 tonnes per day in the fourth quarter, significantly exceeding its original design capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day. The company has successfully implemented process improvement initiatives that required minimal capital outlays in pursuit of higher output that aligns with increased gold production from the Lalor mine.
Generating Free Cash Flow with Increased Production and Continued Financial Discipline
Hudbay delivered a second successive quarter of positive free cash flow during the fourth quarter of 2023 as it executed the plan for higher copper and gold production from Pampacancha and higher gold production at Lalor, both driven by higher grades. The company continues to expect to see strong production levels throughout 2024 from sustained higher grades in Peru and Manitoba, along with additional production from the recently acquired Copper Mountain mine.
During the fourth quarter, Hudbay completed
During the fourth quarter, Hudbay continued to take steps to ensure free cash flow generation and continued financial discipline into 2024 and 2025. To this end, the company entered into forward sales contracts at Copper Mountain for a total of 3,600 tonnes of 2024 copper production over the twelve-month period from May 2024 to April 2025 at an average price of
Hudbay successfully delivered on its annual discretionary spending reduction targets for 2023. As a result of continued financial discipline and capital cost efficiencies achieved, total capital expenditures of approximately
Senior Management Team Appointments
In November 2023, Hudbay promoted Luis Santivañez to Vice President, South America. Mr. Santivañez joined Hudbay in Peru in 2018 and was promoted to General Manager of the South America operations in 2022. Mr. Santivañez has over 20 years of experience at global mining companies working across Peru, Central America and Australia. Under his leadership, the Constancia operations have delivered a successful ramp up at Pampacancha, navigated through a period of politically driven social unrest in Peru and further enhanced the company's partnerships with the local communities.
In January 2024, Hudbay appointed John Ritter as Vice President, British Columbia Business Unit. Mr. Ritter brings a diverse background with over 30 years of experience in technical, operational and senior leadership roles at global mining companies. He was most recently the General Manager of the New Afton mine in B.C and has strong ties with the local community near the Copper Mountain mine. His focus on operational excellence and value-creating improvements will be instrumental as he leads the stabilization and optimization plans at the Copper Mountain mine.
Advancing Permitting at Copper World
The first key state permit required for Copper World, the Mined Land Reclamation Plan, was initially approved by the Arizona State Mine Inspector in October 2021 and was subsequently amended to reflect a larger private land project footprint. This approval was challenged in state court, but the challenge was dismissed in May 2023 as having no basis. In late 2022, Hudbay submitted the applications for an Aquifer Protection Permit and an Air Quality Permit to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The company expects to receive these two outstanding state permits in 2024.
Hudbay intends to initiate a minority joint venture process prior to commencing a definitive feasibility study, which will allow the joint venture partner to participate in the final Copper World project design and the funding of definitive feasibility study activities. The opportunity to sanction Copper World is not expected until late 2025 based on current estimated timelines. The decision to sanction Copper World will ultimately be evaluated against other competing investment opportunities as part of Hudbay’s capital allocation process.
Hudbay released results of the de-risked and enhanced Copper World pre-feasibility study for Phase I in September 2023, which demonstrated a simplified mine plan with an extended 20-year mine life requiring only state and local permits, an after-tax net present value (
Snow Lake Exploration
Hudbay continues to compile results from ongoing infill drilling at Lalor, which will be incorporated into the next annual mineral reserve and resource estimate update expected to be announced in March 2024.
The planned 2024 exploration program is Hudbay’s largest Snow Lake program in the company’s history and it is currently underway with plans to continue testing the deep extensions of the gold and copper zones at Lalor and complete follow up drilling at the Lalor Northwest target. The 2024 program will also explore the newly acquired Cook Lake claims and the former Rockcliff claims located within trucking distance of the existing Snow Lake processing infrastructure. As previously disclosed, both the Cook Lake and former Rockcliff claims were acquired by the company as part of transactions completed in 2023. A majority of the Cook Lake and former Rockcliff claims have been untested by modern deep geophysics, which was the discovery method for the Lalor deposit. Hudbay’s 2024 exploration program includes a large geophysics program consisting of surface electromagnetic surveys using cutting-edge techniques that enable the team to detect targets at depths of almost 1,000 metres below surface. The company is exploring its newly expanded land package in hopes of finding a new anchor deposit to maximize and extend the life of the Snow Lake operations beyond 2038.
The company also expects to advance a development and exploration drift at the 1901 deposit located within 1,000 metres of the haulage ramp to Lalor. The program is expected to take place over 2024 and 2025 with the development of an access drift, drill platforms and diamond drilling to further confirm the optimal mining method to extract the base metal and gold lenses and to convert the inferred mineral resources in the gold lenses to mineral reserves.
Advancing Metallurgical Test Work for the Flin Flon Tailings Reprocessing Opportunity
Hudbay identified the opportunity to reprocess Flin Flon tailings, with initial confirmatory drilling completed in 2022 indicating higher zinc, copper and silver grades than predicted from historical mill records while confirming the historical gold grade. In 2023, Hudbay advanced metallurgical test work and evaluated metallurgical technologies, including the signing of a test work co-operation agreement with Cobalt Blue Holdings (“COB”) examining the use of COB technology to treat Flin Flon tailings. Initial results from preliminary roasting test work were encouraging in converting more than
Peru Exploration Update
The company continues to execute a limited drill program and technical evaluations at the Constancia deposit to confirm the economic viability of adding an additional mining phase to the current mine plan that would convert a portion of the mineral resources to mineral reserves. The results from this drill program and technical and economic evaluations are expected to be incorporated in the annual mineral reserve and resource estimate update in March 2024.
Hudbay controls a large, contiguous block of mineral rights with the potential to host satellite mineral deposits in close proximity to the Constancia processing facility, including the past producing Caballito property and the highly prospective Maria Reyna property. The company commenced early exploration activities at Maria Reyna and Caballito after completing a surface rights exploration agreement with the community of Uchucarcco in August 2022. A drill permit application was submitted for the Maria Reyna property in November 2023, and a similar application for the Caballito property is planned for the first half of 2024. In parallel, Hudbay continues to advance community engagement activities. Surface mapping and geochemical sampling confirm that both Caballito and Maria Reyna host sulfide and oxide rich copper mineralization in skarns, hydrothermal breccias and large porphyry intrusive bodies.
Progressing Towards Climate Change Commitments
In December 2022, Hudbay announced its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions by 2050 and the adoption of interim 2030 GHG reduction targets to support this commitment. While the company’s operations are well-positioned in the lower half of the global GHG emissions curve for copper operations, Hudbay recognizes its role in mitigating climate change and that copper and the metals Hudbay produces play an important role in the world’s transition to a greener future. Hudbay’s GHG emissions reduction plan includes pursuing a
In 2023, the company made significant progress towards its climate change goals, including:
- Peru Renewable Power Supply Agreement - During the first quarter of 2023, Hudbay signed a new 10-year power purchase agreement with ENGIE Energía Perú for access to a
100% renewable energy supply to Constancia. The agreement will come into effect in January 2026 following the conclusion of Constancia's existing power supply agreement. Total Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions company-wide at Hudbay’s current operations are expected to decline by40% during the life of the contract, positioning the company well to achieve its50% reduction target by 2030. - Electric Shovel at Copper Mountain - In September 2023, Hudbay commissioned a new Komatsu PC8000 electric shovel at the Copper Mountain mine, which reduces carbon intensity by displacing existing diesel shovel production.
- Renewable Diesel at Copper Mountain - In 2023, Hudbay tested the use of renewable diesel in two of its non-trolley assist haul trucks at Copper Mountain in an effort to further reduce GHG emissions. The test results were promising and the company subsequently entered into renewable diesel contracts for approximately
80% of the expected fuel to be purchased in 2024. - Electric Scooptram at Lalor - In the first quarter of 2023, Hudbay initiated the trial of an electric Epiroc scooptram ST14 SG at the Lalor mine, which reduces carbon intensity by lowering emissions and reduces the temperature in the lower areas of the mine to improve ventilation. The trial was successful and, in the third quarter, a second electric scooptram was added to the fleet.
2024 Key Objectives and Annual Guidance
Hudbay’s key objectives for 2024 are to:
- Enhance Hudbay’s position to deliver its leading copper growth pipeline;
- Deliver copper production growth and maintain strong gold production from its diversified operating platform to generate strong cash flow;
- Execute stabilization plan at Copper Mountain to drive improved operating performance and achieve operating synergies;
- Maintain continued focus on financial discipline as the company progresses towards achieving deleveraging targets by managing discretionary spending and generating strong returns on invested capital;
- Evaluate the viability of an additional mining phase at Constancia that could convert a portion of mineral resources to mineral reserves;
- Evaluate opportunities to utilize excess capacity at the Stall mill in Snow Lake to enhance production and achieve greater economies of scale;
- Progress de-risking of the Copper World project through final state permitting activities and a potential joint venture partnership to prudently advance the three pre-requisites plan required for sanctioning;
- Execute the large exploration program on the expanded land package in Snow Lake to target new discoveries;
- Advance plans to drill the prospective Maria Reyna and Caballito properties near Constancia;
- Assess economic viability of various metallurgical technologies for the reprocessing of Flin Flon tailings;
- Advance exploration partnership with Marubeni to explore for new discoveries within trucking distance of the Flin Flon processing facilities;
- Continue to identify and evaluate opportunities to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with the company’s climate change commitments and global decarbonization goals;
- Assess growth opportunities that meet Hudbay’s stringent strategic criteria and allocate capital to pursue those opportunities that create sustainable value for the company and its stakeholders; and
- As always, continue to operate safely and sustainably, aligned with Hudbay’s purpose to ensure that the company’s activities have a positive impact on its people, its communities and its planet.
Hudbay’s annual production and operating cost guidance, along with its annual capital and exploration expenditure forecasts are discussed in detail below.
Production Guidance
Contained Metal in Concentrate and Doré1 | 2024 Guidance | Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023 | 2023 Guidance | |
Peru | ||||
Copper | tonnes | 98,000 - 120,000 | 100,487 | 91,000 - 116,000 |
Gold | ounces | 76,000 - 93,000 | 114,218 | 83,000 - 108,000 |
Silver | ounces | 2,500,000 - 3,000,000 | 2,505,229 | 2,210,000 - 2,650,000 |
Molybdenum | tonnes | 1,250 - 1,500 | 1,566 | 1,300 - 1,600 |
Manitoba | ||||
Gold | ounces | 170,000 - 200,000 | 187,363 | 175,000 - 205,000 |
Zinc | tonnes | 27,000 - 35,000 | 34,642 | 28,000 - 36,000 |
Copper | tonnes | 9,000 - 12,000 | 12,154 | 9,000 - 12,000 |
Silver | ounces | 750,000 - 1,000,000 | 851,723 | 750,000 - 1,000,000 |
British Columbia | ||||
Copper | tonnes | 30,000 - 44,000 | 19,050 | 18,500 - 20,500 |
Gold | ounces | 17,000 - 26,000 | 8,848 | 8,000 - 10,000 |
Silver | ounces | 300,000 - 455,000 | 218,282 | 190,000 - 210,000 |
Total | ||||
Copper | tonnes | 137,000 - 176,000 | 131,691 | 118,500 - 148,500 |
Gold | ounces | 263,000 - 319,000 | 310,429 | 266,000 - 323,000 |
Zinc | tonnes | 27,000 - 35,000 | 34,642 | 28,000 - 36,000 |
Silver | ounces | 3,550,000 - 4,455,000 | 3,575,234 | 3,150,000 - 3,860,000 |
Molybdenum | tonnes | 1,250 - 1,500 | 1,566 | 1,300 - 1,600 |
1 Metal reported in concentrate and doré is prior to refining losses or deductions associated with smelter terms. | ||||
On a consolidated basis, Hudbay successfully achieved 2023 production guidance for all metals. On a business unit stand-alone basis, Peru exceeded the top end of the gold production guidance range, Manitoba exceeded the top end of the copper production guidance range, while British Columbia exceeded the top end of the silver production guidance range for the portion of 2023 since the acquisition of the Copper Mountain mine.
In 2024, consolidated copper production is forecast to increase to 156,500 tonnesii, an increase of approximately
2024 copper production in Peru is expected to increase by
In Manitoba, 2024 gold production is anticipated to be 185,000 ouncesii, consistent with 2023 production as the company expects the high gold grades and recoveries to continue into 2024. The production guidance anticipates Lalor operating at 4,500 tonnes per day and an increase in New Britannia mill throughput to 1,800 tonnes per day given the mill has been consistently operating above its 1,500 tonnes per day nameplate capacity. Zinc production for 2024 is expected to be 31,000 tonnesii, a
In British Columbia, 2024 copper production is expected to be 37,000 tonnesii, in line with the technical report for Copper Mountain issued in December 2023.
Hudbay will release its updated three-year production outlook together with its annual mineral reserve and resource update in March 2024.
Cash Cost Guidance
Copper remains the primary revenue contributor on a consolidated basis, and therefore, consolidated cost guidance has been presented as cash cost per pound of copper produced. The company has also provided cash cost guidance for each of its operations based on their respective primary metal contributors.
Cash cost1 | 2024 Guidance | Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023 | 2023 Guidance | |
Peru cash cost per pound of copper2 | $/lb | 1.25 - 1.60 | 1.07 | 1.05 - 1.30 |
Manitoba cash cost per ounce of gold3 | $/oz | 700 - 900 | 727 | 500 - 800 |
British Columbia cash cost per pound of copper2 | $/lb | 2.00 - 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.40 - 2.85 |
Consolidated cash cost per pound of copper | $/lb | 1.05 - 1.25 | 0.80 | 0.80 - 1.10 |
Consolidated sustaining cash cost per pound of copper | $/lb | 2.00 - 2.45 | 1.72 | 1.80 - 2.25 |
1 Cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product credits, and cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product credits, are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section of this news release.
2 Peru and British Columbia cash cost per pound of copper contained in concentrate assumes by-product credits are calculated using the gold and silver deferred revenue drawdown rates in effect on December 31, 2023 for the streamed ounces in Peru and the following commodity prices:
3 Manitoba cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product credits, contained in concentrate and doré assumes by-product credits are calculated using the following commodity prices:
Copper cash cost in Peru is expected to increase to
Gold cash cost in Manitoba is expected to increase by
Copper cash cost in British Columbia is expected to decrease by
Consolidated copper cash cost and consolidated sustaining cash cost in 2024 are both expected to be higher than 2023 results due to lower by-product credits and a full year of contributions from British Columbia.
Capital Expenditure Guidance
Capital Expenditures (in $ millions) | 2024 Guidance4 | Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023 | 2023 Revised Guidance5 | 2023 Original Guidance |
Sustaining capital1 | ||||
Peru2 | 130.0 | 132.1 | 150.0 | 160.0 |
Manitoba | 55.0 | 55.8 | 60.0 | 75.0 |
British Columbia – sustaining capital | 35.0 | 30.22 | 33.02 | - |
British Columbia – capitalized stripping2 | 70.0 | |||
Total sustaining capital | 290.0 | 218.1 | 243.0 | 235.0 |
Growth capital | ||||
Peru | 2.0 | 12.1 | 10.0 | 10.0 |
Manitoba3 | 10.0 | 13.5 | 15.0 | 15.0 |
British Columbia | 5.0 | 1.2 | 2.0 | - |
Arizona | 20.0 | 21.3 | 25.0 | 30.0 |
Total growth capital | 37.0 | 48.1 | 52.0 | 55.0 |
Capitalized exploration | 8.0 | 7.8 | 10.0 | 10.0 |
Total capital expenditures | 335.0 | 274.0 | 305.0 | 300.0 |
Note: Excludes capitalized costs not considered to be sustaining or growth capital expenditures. 1 Sustaining capital guidance excludes right-of-use lease additions and additions as a result of equipment financing arrangements. 2 Includes capitalized stripping costs. 3 Partially funded by approximately 4 Capital expenditures are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of 1.35 C$/US$. 5 Capital expenditure guidance reflects revised guidance issued with third quarter results, including lower anticipated capital spend in Manitoba and Peru, and new British Columbia guidance. | ||||
2023 total capital expenditures, excluding British Columbia, were
Total capital expenditures are expected to be
Peru’s sustaining capital expenditures in 2024 are expected to decrease to
Manitoba’s sustaining capital expenditures in 2024 are expected to be consistent with the lower 2023 spending, primarily due to a continued focus on streamlining costs and less mine capital development with increased post pillar mining. Manitoba’s growth capital spending of
Manitoba spending guidance excludes approximately
In British Columbia, sustaining capital expenditures in 2024 are expected to be
Arizona growth capital spending of
Exploration Guidance
Exploration Expenditures (in $ millions) | 2024 Guidance | Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023 | 2023 Guidance |
Peru1 | 17.0 | 15.2 | 15.0 |
Manitoba2 | 23.0 | 10.4 | 15.0 |
British Columbia | 2.0 | 3.9 | — |
Arizona and other | 1.0 | 2.4 | — |
Total exploration expenditures | 43.0 | 31.9 | 30.0 |
Capitalized spending | (8.0) | (7.8) | (10.0) |
Total exploration expense | 35.0 | 24.1 | 20.0 |
1 2023 exploration guidance excludes
2 Partially funded by approximately
Total expected exploration expenditures of
In Peru, 2024 exploration activities will continue to focus on permitting and drill preparation for the Maria Reyna and Caballito properties near Constancia. In Manitoba, the company has initiated the largest exploration program in its history in Snow Lake focused on testing the deep extensions of the gold and copper zones at Lalor, the Lalor Northwest target, the newly acquired Cook Lake claims and the former Rockcliff properties. The company intends to complete geophysical surveys on the new land package in the Snow Lake area to generate additional targets with plans to start drilling those targets later in 2024. A portion of the 2024 Manitoba exploration program will be funded by
Dividend Declared
A semi-annual dividend of C
Website Links
Hudbay:
Management’s Discussion and Analysis:
https://www.hudbayminerals.com/MDA0224
Financial Statements:
https://www.hudbayminerals.com/FS0224
Conference Call and Webcast
Date: | Friday, February 23, 2024 |
Time: | 11:00 a.m. ET |
Webcast: | www.hudbay.com |
Dial in: | 1-416-764-8650 or 1-888-664-6383 RapidConnect |
Qualified Person and NI 43-101
The technical and scientific information in this news release related to the company’s material mineral projects has been approved by Olivier Tavchandjian, P. Geo, Senior Vice President, Exploration and Technical Services. Mr. Tavchandjian is a qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
For a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources at Hudbay's material properties, as well as data verification procedures and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates of scientific and technical information may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing or other relevant factors, please see the technical reports for the company’s material properties as filed by Hudbay on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures
Adjusted net earnings (loss), adjusted net earnings (loss) per share, adjusted EBITDA, net debt, cash cost, sustaining and all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, cash cost and sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold produced, combined unit costs and ratios based on these measures are non-IFRS performance measures. These measures do not have a meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS and are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate these measures differently.
Management believes adjusted net earnings (loss) and adjusted net earnings (loss) per share provides an alternate measure of the company’s performance for the current period and gives insight into its expected performance in future periods. These measures are used internally by the company to evaluate the performance of its underlying operations and to assist with its planning and forecasting of future operating results. As such, the company believes these measures are useful to investors in assessing the company’s underlying performance. Hudbay provides adjusted EBITDA to help users analyze the company’s results and to provide additional information about its ongoing cash generating potential in order to assess its capacity to service and repay debt, carry out investments and cover working capital needs. Net debt is shown because it is a performance measure used by the company to assess its financial position. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA is shown because it is a performance measure used by the company to assess its financial leverage and debt capacity. Cash cost, sustaining and all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced are shown because the company believes they help investors and management assess the performance of its operations, including the margin generated by the operations and the company. Cash cost and sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold produced are shown because the company believes they help investors and management assess the performance of its Manitoba operations. Combined unit cost is shown because Hudbay believes it helps investors and management assess the company’s cost structure and margins that are not impacted by variability in by-product commodity prices.
The following tables provide detailed reconciliations to the most comparable IFRS measures.
Adjusted Net Earnings (Loss) Reconciliation
Three Months Ended | |||||||
(in $ millions) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||
Profit (loss) for the period | 33.5 | 45.5 | (17.4 | ) | |||
Tax expense | 47.5 | 38.7 | 3.1 | ||||
Profit (loss) before tax | 81.0 | 84.2 | (14.3 | ) | |||
Adjusting items: | |||||||
Mark-to-market adjustments 1 | 12.7 | 1.3 | 10.7 | ||||
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | 4.2 | (0.6 | ) | 0.2 | |||
Inventory adjustments | 1.4 | — | — | ||||
Premium paid on redemption of notes | 2.2 | — | — | ||||
Re-evaluation adjustment - environmental provision3 | 34.0 | (32.4 | ) | 13.5 | |||
Acquisition related costs | — | 0.1 | — | ||||
Evaluation expenses | — | — | 0.1 | ||||
Insurance recovery | (4.2 | ) | — | — | |||
Value-added-tax recovery | (3.9 | ) | — | — | |||
Write off fair value of the Copper Mountain Bonds | (1.0 | ) | — | — | |||
Restructuring charges 2 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | ||||
Loss on disposal of investments | — | — | 0.5 | ||||
Post-employment plan curtailment | — | — | (2.4 | ) | |||
Loss on disposal of plant and equipment and non-current assets | 6.6 | — | 0.4 | ||||
Changes in other provisions (non-capital) 4 | — | — | 5.8 | ||||
Adjusted earnings (loss) before income taxes | 134.1 | 54.9 | 15.5 | ||||
Tax expense | (47.5 | ) | (38.7 | ) | (3.1 | ) | |
Tax impact on adjusting items | (14.8 | ) | 8.2 | (9.8 | ) | ||
Adjusted net earnings | 71.3 | 24.4 | 2.6 | ||||
Adjusted net earnings ($/share) | 0.20 | 0.07 | 0.01 | ||||
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions) | 349.1 | 346.7 | 262.0 |
1 Includes changes in fair value of the gold prepayment liability, Canadian junior mining investments, other financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and share-based compensation expenses.
2 Includes closure cost for the Flin Flon operations in 2022 and restructuring charges for British Columbia in 2023.
3 Changes from movements to environmental reclamation provisions are primarily related to the Flin Flon operations, which were fully depreciated as of June 30, 2022, as well as other Manitoba and British Columbia non-operating sites.
4 Includes changes in other provisions related to corporate restructuring costs and costs which do not pertain to operations.
Year Ended | ||||
(in $ millions) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||
Profit for the period | 69.5 | 70.4 | ||
Tax expense | 82.3 | 25.4 | ||
Profit before tax | 151.8 | 95.8 | ||
Adjusting items: | ||||
Mark-to-market adjustments 1 | 21.4 | 3.0 | ||
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | 5.3 | (5.4 | ) | |
Inventory adjustments | 2.3 | 3.6 | ||
Variable consideration adjustment - stream revenue and accretion | (5.0 | ) | (1.9 | ) |
Premium paid on redemption of notes | 2.2 | — | ||
Impairment - Arizona | — | 95.0 | ||
Re-evaluation adjustment - environmental provision3 | (11.4 | ) | (133.5 | ) |
Acquisition related costs | 6.9 | — | ||
Evaluation expenses | — | 7.9 | ||
Insurance recovery | (4.2 | ) | (5.7 | ) |
Value-added-tax recovery | (3.9 | ) | — | |
Write off fair value of the Copper Mountain Bonds | (1.0 | ) | — | |
Restructuring charges 2 | 2.9 | 10.6 | ||
Loss on disposal of investments | 0.7 | 3.6 | ||
Post-employment plan curtailment | — | (2.4 | ) | |
Loss (gain) on disposal of plant and equipment and non-current assets | 7.4 | (6.3 | ) | |
Changes in other provisions (non-capital) 4 | — | 5.8 | ||
Adjusted earnings before income taxes | 175.4 | 70.1 | ||
Tax expense | (82.3 | ) | (25.4 | ) |
Tax impact on adjusting items | (20.6 | ) | (18.3 | ) |
Adjusted net earnings | 72.5 | 26.4 | ||
Adjusted net earnings ($/share) | 0.23 | 0.10 | ||
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions) | 310.8 | 261.9 |
1 Includes changes in fair value of the gold prepayment liability, Canadian junior mining investments, other financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and share-based compensation expenses.
2 Includes closure cost for the Flin Flon operations and restructuring charges for British Columbia in 2023.
3 Changes from movements to environmental reclamation provisions are primarily related to the Flin Flon operations, which were fully depreciated as of June 30, 2023, as well as other Manitoba and British Columbia non-operating sites.
4 Includes changes in other provisions related to corporate restructuring costs and costs which do not pertain to operations.
Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
Three Months Ended | |||||||
(in $ millions) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||
Profit (loss) for the period | 33.5 | 45.5 | (17.4 | ) | |||
Add back: | |||||||
Tax expense (recovery) | 47.5 | 38.7 | 3.1 | ||||
Net finance expense | 48.9 | 30.9 | 36.7 | ||||
Other expenses | 10.6 | 8.9 | 18.5 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 121.9 | 113.8 | 79.4 | ||||
Amortization of deferred revenue and variable consideration adjustment | (26.5 | ) | (16.8 | ) | (10.4 | ) | |
235.9 | 221.0 | 109.9 | |||||
Adjusting items (pre-tax): | |||||||
Re-evaluation adjustment - environmental provision | 34.0 | (32.4 | ) | 13.5 | |||
Inventory adjustments | 1.4 | — | — | ||||
Post-employment plan curtailment | — | — | (2.4 | ) | |||
Share-based compensation expense 1 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 3.7 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 274.4 | 190.7 | 124.7 |
1 Share-based compensation expenses reflected in cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses.
Year Ended | ||||
(in $ millions) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||
Profit (loss) for the period | 69.5 | 70.4 | ||
Add back: | ||||
Tax expense | 82.3 | 25.4 | ||
Net finance expense | 145.3 | 118.5 | ||
Other expenses | 38.2 | 32.6 | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 391.7 | 337.6 | ||
Amortization of deferred revenue and variable consideration adjustment | (77.3 | ) | (73.2 | ) |
649.8 | 511.3 | |||
Adjusting items (pre-tax): | ||||
Impairment losses | — | 95.0 | ||
Re-evaluation adjustment - environmental provision | (11.4 | ) | (133.5 | ) |
Inventory adjustments | 2.3 | 3.6 | ||
Post-employment plan curtailment | — | (2.4 | ) | |
Share-based compensation expenses 1 | 7.1 | 1.9 | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | 647.8 | 475.9 |
1 Share-based compensation expenses reflected in cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses.
Net Debt Reconciliation
(in $ thousands) | ||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||
Total long-term debt | 1,287,536 | 1,377,443 | 1,184,162 | |
Less: Cash and cash equivalents | 249,794 | 245,217 | 225,665 | |
Net debt | 1,037,742 | 1,132,226 | 958,497 | |
(in $ millions, except net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio) | ||||
Net debt | 1,037.7 | 1,132.2 | 958.5 | |
Adjusted EBITDA (12 month period) | 647.8 | 498.5 | 475.9 | |
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA | 1.6 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
Trailing Adjusted EBITDA | Three Months Ended | LTM1 | ||||||||
(in $ millions) | Sep. 30, 2023 | Jun. 30, 2023 | Mar. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | ||||||
Profit (loss) for the period | 45.5 | (14.9 | ) | 5.4 | (17.4 | ) | 18.6 | |||
Add back: | ||||||||||
Tax expense (recovery) | 38.7 | (15.8 | ) | 12.0 | 3.1 | 38.0 | ||||
Net finance expense | 30.9 | 30.5 | 35.0 | 36.7 | 133.1 | |||||
Other expenses | 8.9 | 13.9 | 5.0 | 18.5 | 46.3 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 113.8 | 88.7 | 67.4 | 79.4 | 349.3 | |||||
Amortization of deferred revenue and variable consideration adjustment | (16.8 | ) | (18.1 | ) | (15.9 | ) | (10.4 | ) | (61.2 | ) |
Adjusting items (pre-tax): | ||||||||||
Re-evaluation adjustment - environmental provision | (32.4 | ) | (4.7 | ) | (8.2 | ) | 13.5 | (31.8 | ) | |
Inventory adjustments | - | 0.9 | - | - | 0.9 | |||||
Post-employment plan curtailment | - | - | - | (2.4 | ) | (2.4 | ) | |||
Share-based compensation expenses2 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 7.7 | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 190.7 | 81.2 | 101.9 | 124.7 | 498.5 |
1 LTM (last twelve months) as of September 30, 2023.
2 Share-based compensation expense reflected in cost of sales and administrative expenses.
Copper Cash Cost Reconciliation
Consolidated | Three Months Ended | ||
Net pounds of copper produced1 | |||
(in thousands) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Peru | 73,209 | 64,112 | 59,628 |
British Columbia2 | 18,755 | 20,510 | — |
Manitoba | 8,234 | 7,893 | 4,978 |
Net pounds of copper produced | 100,198 | 92,515 | 64,606 |
Consolidated | Year Ended | ||
Net pounds of copper produced1 | |||
(in thousands) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |
Peru | 221,536 | 197,082 | |
British Columbia2 | 41,995 | — | |
Manitoba | 26,795 | 32,580 | |
Net pounds of copper produced | 290,326 | 229,662 |
1 Contained copper in concentrate.
2 Includes
Consolidated | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
Cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | $/lb | ||||||||||
Mining | 89,587 | 0.89 | 104,547 | 1.13 | 79,759 | 1.23 | |||||||
Milling | 90,763 | 0.91 | 88,021 | 0.95 | 65,591 | 1.02 | |||||||
G&A | 38,937 | 0.39 | 36,107 | 0.39 | 21,269 | 0.33 | |||||||
Onsite costs | 219,287 | 2.19 | 228,675 | 2.47 | 166,619 | 2.58 | |||||||
Treatment & refining | 35,665 | 0.36 | 32,882 | 0.36 | 19,968 | 0.31 | |||||||
Freight & other | 32,273 | 0.32 | 26,853 | 0.29 | 22,055 | 0.34 | |||||||
Cash cost, before by-product credits | 287,225 | 2.87 | 288,410 | 3.12 | 208,642 | 3.23 | |||||||
By-product credits | (271,738 | ) | (2.71 | ) | (187,023 | ) | (2.02 | ) | (138,990 | ) | (2.15 | ) | |
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 15,487 | 0.16 | 101,387 | 1.10 | 69,652 | 1.08 |
Consolidated | Year Ended | ||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
Cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | |||||||||
Mining | 332,007 | 1.14 | 330,250 | 1.44 | |||||||
Milling | 309,692 | 1.07 | 269,055 | 1.17 | |||||||
Refining (zinc) | — | — | 32,755 | 0.14 | |||||||
G&A | 122,574 | 0.42 | 125,454 | 0.55 | |||||||
Onsite costs | 764,273 | 2.63 | 757,514 | 3.30 | |||||||
Treatment & refining | 113,712 | 0.39 | 68,936 | 0.29 | |||||||
Freight & other | 94,668 | 0.33 | 79,815 | 0.35 | |||||||
Cash cost, before by-product credits | 972,653 | 3.35 | 906,265 | 3.94 | |||||||
By-product credits | (741,288 | ) | (2.55 | ) | (708,334 | ) | (3.08 | ) | |||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 231,365 | 0.80 | 197,931 | 0.86 |
Consolidated | Three Months Ended | ||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||||
Supplementary cash cost information | $/lb1 | $/lb1 | $/lb1 | ||||||
By-product credits2: | |||||||||
Zinc | 18,474 | 0.18 | 17,099 | 0.18 | 24,744 | 0.38 | |||
Gold3 | 216,178 | 2.16 | 129,954 | 1.41 | 76,336 | 1.18 | |||
Silver3 | 22,698 | 0.23 | 16,724 | 0.18 | 9,592 | 0.15 | |||
Molybdenum & other | 14,388 | 0.14 | 23,246 | 0.25 | 28,318 | 0.44 | |||
Total by-product credits | 271,738 | 2.71 | 187,023 | 2.02 | 138,990 | 2.15 | |||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | |||||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 15,487 | 101,387 | 69,652 | ||||||
By-product credits | 271,738 | 187,023 | 138,990 | ||||||
Treatment and refining charges | (35,665 | ) | (32,882 | ) | (19,968 | ) | |||
Share-based compensation expense | 301 | 149 | 490 | ||||||
Inventory adjustments | 1,402 | — | 7 | ||||||
Post employment plan curtailment | — | — | (2,384 | ) | |||||
Change in product inventory | 29,326 | 3,374 | (16,425 | ) | |||||
Royalties | 1,032 | 1,253 | 1,750 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization4 | 121,812 | 113,753 | 79,408 | ||||||
Cost of sales5 | 405,433 | 374,057 | 251,520 |
1 Per pound of copper produced.
2 By-product credits are computed as revenue per consolidated financial statements, amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume adjustments.
3 Gold and silver by-product credits do not include variable consideration adjustments with respect to stream arrangements. Variable consideration adjustments are cumulative adjustments to gold and silver stream deferred revenue primarily associated with the net change in mineral reserves and resources or amendments to the mine plan that would change the total expected deliverable ounces under the precious metal streaming arrangement. For the three months ended December 31, 2023, September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 the variable consideration adjustments amounted to nil.
4 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold.
5 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements excluding impairment adjustments.
Consolidated | Year Ended | |||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||
Supplementary cash cost information | $/lb1 | $/lb1 | ||||
By-product credits2: | ||||||
Zinc | 74,842 | 0.26 | 224,043 | 0.98 | ||
Gold3 | 525,637 | 1.80 | 353,478 | 1.53 | ||
Silver3 | 68,701 | 0.24 | 62,252 | 0.27 | ||
Molybdenum & other | 72,108 | 0.25 | 68,561 | 0.30 | ||
Total by-product credits | 741,288 | 2.55 | 708,334 | 3.08 | ||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 231,365 | 197,931 | ||||
By-product credits | 741,288 | 708,334 | ||||
Treatment and refining charges | (113,712 | ) | (68,936 | ) | ||
Share-based compensation expense | 589 | 420 | ||||
Inventory adjustments | 2,308 | 3,553 | ||||
Post employment plan curtailment | — | (2,384 | ) | |||
Change in product inventory | 38,405 | (3,125 | ) | |||
Royalties | 5,569 | 11,144 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization4 | 391,657 | 337,615 | ||||
Cost of sales5 | 1,297,469 | 1,184,552 |
1 Per pound of copper produced.
2 By-product credits are computed as revenue per consolidated financial statements, including amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume adjustments.
3 Gold and silver by-product credits do not include variable consideration adjustments with respect to stream arrangements. Variable consideration adjustments are cumulative adjustments to gold and silver stream deferred revenue primarily associated with the net change in mineral reserves and resources or amendments to the mine plan that would change the total expected deliverable ounces under the precious metal streaming arrangement. For the year ended December 31, 2023 the variable consideration adjustments amounted income of
4 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold.
5 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
Peru | Three Months Ended | ||
(in thousands) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Net pounds of copper produced1 | 73,209 | 64,112 | 59,628 |
1 Contained copper in concentrate.
Peru | Year Ended | ||
(in thousands) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |
Net pounds of copper produced1 | 221,536 | 197,082 |
1 Contained copper in concentrate.
Peru | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
Cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | $/lb | ||||||||||
Mining | 30,336 | 0.41 | 33,875 | 0.53 | 41,647 | 0.70 | |||||||
Milling | 50,199 | 0.69 | 46,996 | 0.73 | 50,723 | 0.85 | |||||||
G&A | 24,909 | 0.34 | 20,912 | 0.33 | 14,817 | 0.25 | |||||||
Onsite costs | 105,444 | 1.44 | 101,783 | 1.59 | 107,187 | 1.80 | |||||||
Treatment & refining | 19,626 | 0.27 | 19,143 | 0.30 | 11,962 | 0.20 | |||||||
Freight & other | 20,854 | 0.28 | 17,040 | 0.26 | 15,607 | 0.26 | |||||||
Cash cost, before by-product credits | 145,924 | 1.99 | 137,966 | 2.15 | 134,756 | 2.26 | |||||||
By-product credits | (106,227 | ) | (1.45 | ) | (84,793 | ) | (1.32 | ) | (54,563 | ) | (0.92 | ) | |
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 39,697 | 0.54 | 53,173 | 0.83 | 80,193 | 1.34 |
Peru | Year Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||||||
Cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | ||||||||
Mining | 122,651 | 0.55 | 137,546 | 0.70 | ||||||
Milling | 198,062 | 0.90 | 195,152 | 0.99 | ||||||
G&A | 77,154 | 0.35 | 63,015 | 0.32 | ||||||
Onsite costs | 397,867 | 1.80 | 395,713 | 2.01 | ||||||
Treatment & refining | 66,469 | 0.30 | 39,587 | 0.20 | ||||||
Freight & other | 62,745 | 0.28 | 50,284 | 0.25 | ||||||
Cash cost, before by-product credits | 527,081 | 2.38 | 485,584 | 2.46 | ||||||
By-product credits | (289,112 | ) | (1.31 | ) | (173,488 | ) | (0.88 | ) | ||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 237,969 | 1.07 | 312,096 | 1.58 |
Peru | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
Supplementary cash cost information | $/lb1 | $/lb1 | $/lb1 | ||||||||||
By-product credits2: | |||||||||||||
Gold3 | 77,517 | 1.05 | 51,459 | 0.80 | 19,934 | 0.33 | |||||||
Silver3 | 14,322 | 0.20 | 10,088 | 0.16 | 7,025 | 0.12 | |||||||
Molybdenum | 14,388 | 0.20 | 23,246 | 0.36 | 27,604 | 0.47 | |||||||
Total by-product credits | 106,227 | 1.45 | 84,793 | 1.32 | 54,563 | 0.92 | |||||||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | |||||||||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 39,697 | 53,173 | 80,193 | ||||||||||
By-product credits | 106,227 | 84,793 | 54,563 | ||||||||||
Treatment and refining charges | (19,626 | ) | (19,143 | ) | (11,962 | ) | |||||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 85 | 45 | 95 | ||||||||||
Change in product inventory | 8,048 | 4,137 | (15,685 | ) | |||||||||
Royalties | 1,456 | 1,015 | 1,656 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization4 | 85,722 | 80,625 | 58,256 | ||||||||||
Cost of sales5 | 221,609 | 204,645 | 167,116 |
1 Per pound of copper produced.
2 By-product credits are computed as revenue per consolidated financial statements, including amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume adjustments.
3 Gold and silver by-product credits do not include variable consideration adjustments with respect to stream arrangements.
4 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold.
5 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements.
Peru | Year Ended | |||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||
Supplementary cash cost information | $/lb1 | $/lb1 | ||||
By-product credits2: | ||||||
Gold3 | 169,915 | 0.77 | 68,630 | 0.35 | ||
Silver3 | 47,328 | 0.21 | 41,671 | 0.21 | ||
Molybdenum | 71,869 | 0.33 | 63,187 | 0.32 | ||
Total by-product credits | 289,112 | 1.31 | 173,488 | 0.88 | ||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 237,969 | 312,096 | ||||
By-product credits | 289,112 | 173,488 | ||||
Treatment and refining charges | (66,469 | ) | (39,587 | ) | ||
Inventory adjustments | — | (558 | ) | |||
Share-based compensation expenses | 145 | 77 | ||||
Change in product inventory | 28,128 | (31,348 | ) | |||
Royalties | 5,615 | 5,367 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization4 | 275,647 | 211,043 | ||||
Cost of sales5 | 770,147 | 630,578 |
1 Per pound of copper produced.
2 By-product credits are computed as revenue per consolidated financial statements, including amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume adjustments.
3 Gold and silver by-product credits do not include variable consideration adjustments with respect to stream arrangements.
4 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold.
5 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
British Columbia | Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |
(in thousands) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2023 |
Net pounds of copper produced1 | 18,755 | 20,510 | 41,995 |
1 Contained copper in concentrate.
British Columbia | Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
Cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | $/lb | ||||||||||
Mining | 19,015 | 1.01 | 29,251 | 1.43 | 48,266 | 1.15 | |||||||
Milling | 25,218 | 1.35 | 24,102 | 1.17 | 49,320 | 1.17 | |||||||
G&A | 5,643 | 0.30 | 5,050 | 0.25 | 10,693 | 0.25 | |||||||
Onsite costs | 49,876 | 2.66 | 58,403 | 2.85 | 108,279 | 2.57 | |||||||
Treatment & refining | 4,850 | 0.26 | 4,905 | 0.24 | 9,755 | 0.23 | |||||||
Freight & other | 4,654 | 0.25 | 3,693 | 0.18 | 8,347 | 0.20 | |||||||
Cash cost, before by-product credits | 59,380 | 3.17 | 67,001 | 3.27 | 126,381 | 3.00 | |||||||
By-product credits | (9,286 | ) | (0.50 | ) | (12,234 | ) | (0.60 | ) | (21,520 | ) | (0.51 | ) | |
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 50,094 | 2.67 | 54,767 | 2.67 | 104,861 | 2.49 |
British Columbia | Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2023 | ||||||||
Supplementary cash cost information | $/lb | $/lb | $/lb | |||||||
By-product credits2: | ||||||||||
Gold | 6,876 | 0.37 | 10,120 | 0.50 | 16,996 | 0.40 | ||||
Silver | 2,410 | 0.13 | 2,114 | 0.10 | 4,524 | 0.11 | ||||
Total by-product credits | 9,286 | 0.50 | 12,234 | 0.60 | 21,520 | 0.51 | ||||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 50,094 | 54,767 | 104,861 | |||||||
By-product credits | 9,286 | 12,234 | 21,520 | |||||||
Treatment and refining charges | (4,850 | ) | (4,905 | ) | (9,755 | ) | ||||
Change in product inventory | 8,469 | 3 | 8,472 | |||||||
Royalties | (424 | ) | 237 | (187 | ) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization3 | 5,489 | 6,255 | 11,744 | |||||||
Cost of sales4 | 68,064 | 68,591 | 136,655 |
1 Per pound of copper produced.
2 By-product credits are computed as revenue per consolidated financial statements, including amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume adjustments.
3 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold.
4 As per consolidated financial statements.
Sustaining and All-in Sustaining Cash Cost Reconciliation
Consolidated | Three Months Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||
All-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced | | $/lb | $/lb | $/lb | |||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 15,487 | 0.15 | 101,387 | 1.10 | 69,652 | 1.08 | |
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 87,609 | 0.88 | 72,193 | 0.78 | 60,002 | 0.92 | |
Capitalized exploration | 5,150 | 0.05 | — | — | 11,500 | 0.18 | |
Royalties | 1,032 | 0.01 | 1,253 | 0.01 | 1,750 | 0.03 | |
Sustaining cash cost, net of by-product credits | 109,278 | 1.09 | 174,833 | 1.89 | 142,904 | 2.21 | |
Corporate selling and administrative expenses & regional costs | 12,727 | 0.13 | 10,971 | 0.12 | 11,876 | 0.19 | |
Accretion and amortization of decommissioning and community agreements1 | 8,967 | 0.09 | 3,309 | 0.03 | 722 | 0.01 | |
All-in sustaining cash cost, net of by-product credits | 130,972 | 1.31 | 189,113 | 2.04 | 155,502 | 2.41 | |
Reconciliation to property, plant and equipment additions: | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment additions | 53,680 | 77,454 | 76,933 | ||||
Capitalized stripping net additions | 41,221 | 21,762 | 15,169 | ||||
Total accrued capital additions | 94,901 | 99,216 | 92,102 | ||||
Less other non-sustaining capital costs2 | 19,945 | 37,968 | 41,850 | ||||
Total sustaining capital costs | 74,956 | 61,248 | 50,252 | ||||
Capitalized lease cash payments - operating sites | 8,708 | 7,199 | 5,848 | ||||
Community agreement cash payments | 2,274 | 1,953 | 2,854 | ||||
Accretion and amortization of decommissioning and restoration obligations3 | 1,671 | 1,793 | 1,048 | ||||
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 87,679 | 72,193 | 60,002 |
1 Includes accretion of decommissioning relating to non-productive sites, and accretion and amortization of current community agreements.
2 Other non-sustaining capital costs include Arizona capitalized costs, capitalized interest, capitalized exploration and growth capital expenditures.
3 Includes amortization of decommissioning and restoration PP&E assets and accretion of decommissioning and restoration liabilities related to producing sites.
Consolidated | Year Ended | ||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||
All-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | |||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 231,365 | 0.80 | 197,931 | 0.86 | |
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 255,924 | 0.88 | 255,725 | 1.11 | |
Capitalized exploration | 5,150 | 0.02 | 11,500 | 0.05 | |
Royalties | 5,569 | 0.02 | 11,144 | 0.05 | |
Sustaining cash cost, net of by-product credits | 498,008 | 1.72 | 476,300 | 2.07 | |
Corporate selling and administrative expenses & regional costs | 43,516 | 0.14 | 38,799 | 0.17 | |
Accretion and amortization of decommissioning and community agreements1 | 16,036 | 0.06 | 4,416 | 0.02 | |
All-in sustaining cash cost, net of by-product credits | 557,560 | 1.92 | 519,515 | 2.26 | |
Reconciliation to property, plant and equipment additions: | |||||
Property, plant and equipment additions | 212,261 | 259,281 | |||
Capitalized stripping net additions | 111,607 | 89,262 | |||
Total accrued capital additions | 323,868 | 348,543 | |||
Less other non-sustaining capital costs2 | 105,767 | 147,749 | |||
Total sustaining capital costs | 218,101 | 200,794 | |||
Capitalized lease cash payments - operating sites | 24,983 | 33,271 | |||
Community agreement cash payments | 6,706 | 9,486 | |||
Accretion and amortization of decommissioning and restoration obligations3 | 6,165 | 12,174 | |||
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 255,994 | 255,725 |
1 Includes accretion of decommissioning relating to non-productive sites, and accretion and amortization of current community agreements.
2 Other non-sustaining capital costs include Arizona capitalized costs, capitalized interest, capitalized exploration and growth capital expenditures.
3 Includes amortization of decommissioning and restoration PP&E assets and accretion of decommissioning and restoration liabilities related to producing sites.
Peru | Three Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | $/lb | |||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 39,697 | 0.54 | 53,173 | 0.83 | 80,193 | 1.34 | ||||
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 42,351 | 0.58 | 42,607 | 0.66 | 31,240 | 0.53 | ||||
Capitalized exploration1 | 5,150 | 0.07 | — | — | 11,500 | 0.19 | ||||
Royalties | 1,456 | 0.02 | 1,015 | 0.02 | 1,656 | 0.03 | ||||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced | 88,654 | 1.21 | 96,795 | 1.51 | 124,589 | 2.09 |
1 Only includes exploration costs incurred for locations near to existing mine operations.
Peru | Year Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | ||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 237,969 | 1.07 | 312,096 | 1.58 |
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 151,947 | 0.69 | 133,313 | 0.68 |
Capitalized exploration1 | 5,150 | 0.02 | 11,500 | 0.06 |
Royalties | 5,615 | 0.03 | 5,367 | 0.03 |
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced | 400,681 | 1.81 | 462,276 | 2.35 |
1 Only includes exploration costs incurred for locations near to existing mine operations.
British Columbia | Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2023 | |||||||||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced | $/lb | $/lb | $/lb | ||||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 50,094 | 2.67 | 54,767 | 2.67 | 104,861 | 2.49 | |||||
Royalties | (424 | ) | (0.02 | ) | 237 | 0.01 | (187 | ) | — | ||
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 24,063 | 1.28 | 14,487 | 0.71 | 38,550 | 0.92 | |||||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced | 73,733 | 3.93 | 69,491 | 3.39 | 143,224 | 3.41 |
Gold Cash Cost and Sustaining Cash Cost Reconciliation
Manitoba | Three Months Ended | |||
(in thousands) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |
Net ounces of gold produced1 | 59,863 | 56,213 | 33,060 |
1 Contained gold in concentrate and doré.
Manitoba | Year Ended | ||
(in thousands) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |
Net ounces of gold produced1 | 187,363 | 161,471 |
1 Contained gold in concentrate and doré.
Manitoba | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
Cash cost per ounce of gold produced | $/oz | $/oz | $/oz | ||||||||||
Mining | 40,236 | 673 | 41,421 | 737 | 38,112 | 1,153 | |||||||
Milling | 15,346 | 256 | 16,923 | 301 | 14,868 | 450 | |||||||
Refining (Zinc) | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
G&A | 8,385 | 140 | 10,145 | 180 | 6,452 | 195 | |||||||
Onsite costs | 63,967 | 1,069 | 68,489 | 1,218 | 59,432 | 1,798 | |||||||
Treatment & refining | 11,189 | 186 | 8,834 | 157 | 8,006 | 242 | |||||||
Freight & other | 6,765 | 113 | 6,120 | 109 | 6,448 | 195 | |||||||
Cash cost, before by-product credits | 81,921 | 1,368 | 83,443 | 1,484 | 73,886 | 2,235 | |||||||
By-product credits | (55,928 | ) | (934 | ) | (45,779 | ) | (814 | ) | (43,407 | ) | (1,313 | ) | |
Gold cash cost, net of by-product credits | 25,993 | 434 | 37,664 | 670 | 30,479 | 922 |
Manitoba | Year Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||||||
Cash cost per ounce of gold produced | $/oz | $/oz | ||||||||
Mining | 161,090 | 860 | 192,704 | 1,193 | ||||||
Milling | 62,310 | 333 | 73,903 | 458 | ||||||
Refining (zinc) | — | — | 32,755 | 203 | ||||||
G&A | 34,727 | 185 | 62,439 | 387 | ||||||
Onsite costs | 258,127 | 1,378 | 361,801 | 2,241 | ||||||
Treatment & refining | 37,488 | 200 | 29,349 | 181 | ||||||
Freight & other | 23,576 | 126 | 29,531 | 183 | ||||||
Cash cost, before by-product credits | 319,191 | 1,704 | 420,681 | 2,605 | ||||||
By-product credits | (183,056 | ) | (977 | ) | (372,783 | ) | (2,308 | ) | ||
Gold cash cost, net of by-product credits | 136,135 | 727 | 47,898 | 297 |
Manitoba | Three Months Ended | ||||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||||
Supplementary cash cost information | $/oz1 | $/oz1 | $/oz1 | ||||||
By-product credits2: | |||||||||
Copper | 31,489 | 526 | 24,158 | 430 | 15,382 | 465 | |||
Zinc | 18,473 | 308 | 17,099 | 304 | 24,744 | 748 | |||
Silver3 | 5,966 | 100 | 4,522 | 80 | 2,567 | 78 | |||
Other | — | — | — | — | 714 | 22 | |||
Total by-product credits | 55,928 | 934 | 45,779 | 814 | 43,407 | 1,313 | |||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | |||||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 25,993 | 37,664 | 30,479 | ||||||
By-product credits | 55,928 | 45,779 | 43,407 | ||||||
Treatment and refining charges | (11,189 | ) | (8,834 | ) | (8,006 | ) | |||
Inventory adjustments | 1,402 | — | 7 | ||||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 216 | 104 | 395 | ||||||
Past service curtailment | — | — | (2,384 | ) | |||||
Change in product inventory | 12,809 | (766 | ) | (740 | ) | ||||
Royalties | — | 1 | 94 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization4 | 30,601 | 26,873 | 21,152 | ||||||
Cost of sales5 | 115,760 | 100,821 | 84,404 |
1 Per ounce of gold produced.
2 By-product credits are computed as revenue per consolidated financial statements, amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume adjustments.
3 Silver by-product credits do not include variable consideration adjustments with respect to stream arrangements.
4 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold.
5 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
Manitoba | Year Ended | |||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||||
Supplementary cash cost information | $/oz1 | $/oz1 | ||||
By-product credits2: | ||||||
Copper | 91,126 | 487 | 122,785 | 760 | ||
Zinc | 74,842 | 399 | 224,043 | 1,388 | ||
Silver3 | 16,849 | 90 | 20,581 | 127 | ||
Other | 239 | 1 | 5,374 | 33 | ||
Total by-product credits | 183,056 | 977 | 372,783 | 2,308 | ||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||
Cash cost, net of by-product credits | 136,135 | 47,898 | ||||
By-product credits | 183,056 | 372,783 | ||||
Treatment and refining charges | (37,488 | ) | (29,349 | ) | ||
Inventory adjustments | 2,308 | 4,111 | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 444 | 343 | ||||
Past service curtailment | — | (2,384 | ) | |||
Change in product inventory | 1,805 | 28,223 | ||||
Royalties | 141 | 5,777 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization4 | 104,266 | 126,572 | ||||
Cost of sales5 | 390,667 | 553,974 |
1 Per ounce of gold produced.
2 By-product credits are computed as revenue per consolidated financial statements, amortization of deferred revenue and pricing and volume adjustments.
3 Silver by-product credits do not include variable consideration adjustments with respect to stream arrangements.
4 Depreciation is based on concentrate sold.
5 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
Manitoba | Three Months Ended | |||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of gold produced | $/oz | $/oz | $/oz | |||||
Gold cash cost, net of by-product credits | 25,993 | 434 | 37,664 | 670 | 30,479 | 922 | ||
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 21,195 | 354 | 15,100 | 269 | 28,762 | 870 | ||
Royalties | — | — | 1 | — | 94 | 3 | ||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of gold produced | 47,188 | 788 | 52,765 | 939 | 59,335 | 1,795 |
Manitoba | Year Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of gold produced | $/oz | $/oz | |||||
Gold cash cost, net of by-product credits | 136,135 | 727 | 47,898 | 297 | |||
Cash sustaining capital expenditures | 65,427 | 349 | 122,412 | 758 | |||
Royalties | 141 | 1 | 5,777 | 36 | |||
Sustaining cash cost per pound of gold produced | 201,703 | 1,077 | 176,087 | 1,091 |
Combined Unit Cost Reconciliation
Peru | Three Months Ended | |||||
(in thousands except ore tonnes milled and unit cost per tonne) | ||||||
Combined unit cost per tonne processed | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||
Mining | 30,336 | 33,875 | 41,647 | |||
Milling | 50,199 | 46,996 | 50,723 | |||
G&A1 | 24,909 | 20,912 | 14,817 | |||
Other G&A2 | (8,303 | ) | (5,440 | ) | (152 | ) |
97,141 | 96,343 | 107,035 | ||||
Less: Covid related costs | — | — | 689 | |||
Unit cost | 97,141 | 96,343 | 106,346 | |||
Tonnes ore milled | 7,939 | 7,895 | 7,796 | |||
Combined unit cost per tonne | 12.24 | 12.20 | 13.64 | |||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||
Unit cost | 97,141 | 96,343 | 106,346 | |||
Freight & other | 20,854 | 17,040 | 15,607 | |||
Covid related costs | — | — | 689 | |||
Other G&A | 8,303 | 5,440 | 152 | |||
Share-based compensation expenses | 85 | 45 | 95 | |||
Change in product inventory | 8,048 | 4,137 | (15,685 | ) | ||
Royalties | 1,456 | 1,015 | 1,656 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 85,722 | 80,625 | 58,256 | |||
Cost of sales3 | 221,609 | 204,645 | 167,116 |
1 G&A as per cash cost reconciliation above.
2 Other G&A primarily includes profit sharing costs.
3 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
Peru | Year Ended | |||||
(in thousands except ore tonnes milled and unit cost per tonne) | ||||||
Combined unit cost per tonne processed | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||
Mining | 122,651 | 137,546 | ||||
Milling | 198,062 | 195,152 | ||||
G&A1 | 77,154 | 63,015 | ||||
Other G&A2 | (14,824 | ) | (414 | ) | ||
383,043 | 395,299 | |||||
Less: Covid related costs | — | 5,214 | ||||
Unit cost | 383,043 | 390,085 | ||||
Tonnes ore milled | 30,721 | 30,522 | ||||
Combined unit cost per tonne | 12.47 | 12.78 | ||||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||
Unit cost | 383,043 | 390,085 | ||||
Freight & other | 62,745 | 50,284 | ||||
Covid related costs | — | 5,214 | ||||
Other G&A | 14,824 | 414 | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 145 | 77 | ||||
Inventory adjustments | — | (558 | ) | |||
Change in product inventory | 28,128 | (31,348 | ) | |||
Royalties | 5,615 | 5,367 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 275,647 | 211,043 | ||||
Cost of sales3 | 770,147 | 630,578 |
1 G&A as per cash cost reconciliation above.
2 Other G&A primarily includes profit sharing costs.
3 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
British Columbia | Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||
(in thousands except unit cost per tonne) | ||||||
Combined unit cost per tonne processed | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2023 | |||
Mining | 19,015 | 29,251 | 48,266 | |||
Milling | 25,218 | 24,102 | 49,320 | |||
G&A1 | 5,643 | 5,050 | 10,693 | |||
Unit cost | 49,876 | 58,403 | 108,279 | |||
USD/CAD implicit exchange rate | 1.37 | 1.35 | 1.36 | |||
Unit cost - C$ | 68,168 | 78,566 | 146,734 | |||
Tonnes ore milled | 3,262 | 3,158 | 6,862 | |||
Combined unit cost per tonne - C$ | 20.90 | 24.88 | 21.38 | |||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||
Unit cost | 49,876 | 58,403 | 108,279 | |||
Freight & other | 4,654 | 3,693 | 8,347 | |||
Change in product inventory | 8,469 | 3 | 8,472 | |||
Royalties | (424 | ) | 237 | (187 | ) | |
Depreciation and amortization | 5,489 | 6,255 | 11,744 | |||
Cost of sales2 | 68,064 | 68,591 | 136,655 |
1 G&A as per cash cost reconciliation above
2 Other G&A primarily includes profit sharing costs.
3 As per consolidated financial statements.
Manitoba | Three Months Ended | |||||
(in thousands except tonnes ore milled and unit cost per tonne) | ||||||
Combined unit cost per tonne processed | Dec. 31, 2023 | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |||
Mining | 40,236 | 41,421 | 38,112 | |||
Milling | 15,346 | 16,923 | 14,868 | |||
G&A1 | 8,385 | 10,145 | 6,452 | |||
Less: Other G&A related to profit sharing costs | (1,522 | ) | (3,308 | ) | 1,939 | |
Unit cost | 62,445 | 65,181 | 61,371 | |||
USD/CAD implicit exchange rate | 1.36 | 1.34 | 1.36 | |||
Unit cost - C$ | 85,013 | 87,363 | 83,363 | |||
Tonnes ore milled | 393,837 | 402,443 | 345,492 | |||
Combined unit cost per tonne - C$ | 216 | 217 | 241 | |||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||
Unit cost | 62,445 | 65,181 | 61,371 | |||
Freight & other | 6,765 | 6,120 | 6,448 | |||
Other G&A related to profit sharing | 1,522 | 3,308 | (1,939 | ) | ||
Share-based compensation expenses | 216 | 104 | 395 | |||
Inventory adjustments | 1,402 | — | 7 | |||
Past service pension/Curtailment | — | — | (2,384 | ) | ||
Change in product inventory | 12,809 | (766 | ) | (740 | ) | |
Royalties | — | 1 | 94 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 30,601 | 26,873 | 21,152 | |||
Cost of sales2 | 115,760 | 100,821 | 84,404 |
1 G&A as per cash cost reconciliation above.
2 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
Manitoba | Year Ended | |||||
(in thousands except tonnes ore milled and unit cost per tonne) | ||||||
Combined unit cost per tonne processed | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | ||||
Mining | 161,090 | 192,704 | ||||
Milling | 62,310 | 73,903 | ||||
G&A1 | 34,727 | 62,439 | ||||
Less: G&A allocated to zinc metal production and other areas | — | (6,523 | ) | |||
Less: Other G&A related to profit sharing costs | (6,650 | ) | (20,075 | ) | ||
Unit cost | 251,477 | 302,448 | ||||
USD/CAD implicit exchange rate | 1.35 | 1.30 | ||||
Unit cost - C$ | 339,229 | 391,782 | ||||
Tonnes ore milled | 1,562,479 | 2,008,251 | ||||
Combined unit cost per tonne - C$ | 217 | 195 | ||||
Reconciliation to IFRS: | ||||||
Unit cost | 251,477 | 302,448 | ||||
Freight & other | 23,576 | 29,531 | ||||
Refined zinc | — | 32,755 | ||||
G&A allocated to zinc metal production | — | 6,523 | ||||
Other G&A related to profit sharing | 6,650 | 20,075 | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 444 | 343 | ||||
Inventory adjustments | 2,308 | 4,111 | ||||
Past service pension/Curtailment | — | (2,384 | ) | |||
Change in product inventory | 1,805 | 28,223 | ||||
Royalties | 141 | 5,777 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 104,266 | 126,572 | ||||
Cost of sales2 | 390,667 | 553,974 |
1 G&A as per cash cost reconciliation above.
2 As per IFRS consolidated financial statements, excluding impairment adjustments.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. All information contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “budget”, “guidance”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “strategy”, “target”, “intends”, “objective”, “goal”, “understands”, “anticipates” and “believes” (and variations of these or similar words) and statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” “occur” or “be achieved” or “will be taken” (and variations of these or similar expressions). All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by this cautionary note.
Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the company’s production, cost and capital and exploration expenditure guidance, expectations regarding reductions in discretionary spending and capital expenditures, the ability of the company to stabilize and optimize the Copper Mountain mine operation and achieve operating synergies, the fleet production ramp up plan and the accelerated stripping strategies at the Copper Mountain site, the ability of the company to complete business integration activities at the Copper Mountain mine, the estimated timelines and pre-requisites for sanctioning the Copper World project and the pursuit of a potential minority joint venture partner, expectations regarding the permitting requirements for the Copper World project (including expected timing for receipt of such applicable permits), the expected benefits of Manitoba growth initiatives, including the advancement of the development and exploration drift at the 1901 deposit; the anticipated use of proceeds from the flow-through financing completed during the fourth quarter of 2023, the company’s future deleveraging strategies and the company’s ability to deleverage and repay debt as needed, expectations regarding the company’s cash balance and liquidity, the company’s ability to increase the mining rate at Lalor, the anticipated benefits from completing the Stall recovery improvement program, expectations regarding the ability to conduct exploration work and execute on exploration programs on its properties and to advance related drill plans, including the advancement of the exploration program at Maria Reyna and Caballito, the ability to continue mining higher-grade ore in the Pampacancha pit and the company’s expectations resulting therefrom, expectations regarding the ability for the company to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the company’s evaluation and assessment of opportunities to reprocess tailings using various metallurgical technologies, expectations regarding the prospective nature of the Maria Reyna and Caballito properties, the anticipated impact of brownfield and greenfield growth projects on the company’s performance, anticipated expansion opportunities and extension of mine life in Snow Lake and the ability for Hudbay to find a new anchor deposit near the company’s Snow Lake operations, anticipated future drill programs and exploration activities and any results expected therefrom, anticipated mine plans, anticipated metals prices and the anticipated sensitivity of the company’s financial performance to metals prices, events that may affect its operations and development projects, anticipated cash flows from operations and related liquidity requirements, the anticipated effect of external factors on revenue, such as commodity prices, estimation of mineral reserves and resources, mine life projections, reclamation costs, economic outlook, government regulation of mining operations, and business and acquisition strategies. Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.
The material factors or assumptions that Hudbay has identified and were applied in drawing conclusions or making forecasts or projections set out in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to:
- the ability to achieve production, cost and capital and exploration expenditure guidance;
- the ability to achieve discretionary spending reductions without impacting operations;
- no significant interruptions to operations due to social or political unrest in the regions Hudbay operates, including the navigation of the complex political and social environment in Peru;
- no interruptions to the company’s plans for advancing the Copper World project, including with respect to timely receipt of applicable permits;
- the ability for the company to successfully complete the integration and optimization of the Copper Mountain operations, achieve operating synergies and develop and maintain good relations with key stakeholders;
- the ability to execute on its exploration plans, including the potential ramp up of exploration in respect of the Maria Reyna and Caballito properties;
- the ability to advance related drill plans;
- the success of mining, processing, exploration and development activities;
- the scheduled maintenance and availability of the company’s processing facilities;
- the accuracy of geological, mining and metallurgical estimates;
- anticipated metals prices and the costs of production;
- the supply and demand for metals the company produces;
- the supply and availability of all forms of energy and fuels at reasonable prices;
- no significant unanticipated operational or technical difficulties;
- the execution of the company’s business and growth strategies, including the success of its strategic investments and initiatives;
- the availability of additional financing, if needed;
- the company’s ability to deleverage and repay debt as needed;
- the ability to complete project targets on time and on budget and other events that may affect the company’s ability to develop its projects;
- the timing and receipt of various regulatory and governmental approvals;
- the availability of personnel for the company’s exploration, development and operational projects and ongoing employee relations;
- maintaining good relations with the employees at the company’s operations;
- maintaining good relations with the labour unions that represent certain of the company’s employees in Manitoba and Peru;
- maintaining good relations with the communities in which the company operates, including the neighbouring Indigenous communities and local governments;
- no significant unanticipated challenges with stakeholders at the company’s various projects;
- no significant unanticipated events or changes relating to regulatory, environmental, health and safety matters;
- no contests over title to the company’s properties, including as a result of rights or claimed rights of Indigenous peoples or challenges to the validity of the company’s unpatented mining claims;
- the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation and no significant unanticipated litigation;
- certain tax matters, including, but not limited to current tax laws and regulations, changes in taxation policies and the refund of certain value added taxes from the Canadian and Peruvian governments; and
- no significant and continuing adverse changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets (including commodity prices and foreign exchange rates).
The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to, risks related to the ongoing business integration of Copper Mountain and the process for designing, implementing and maintaining effective internal controls for Copper Mountain, the failure to effectively complete the integration and optimization of the Copper Mountain operations or to achieve anticipated operating synergies, political and social risks in the regions Hudbay operates, including the navigation of the complex political and social environment in Peru, risks generally associated with the mining industry and the current geopolitical environment, including future commodity prices, currency and interest rate fluctuations, energy and consumable prices, supply chain constraints and general cost escalation in the current inflationary environment, risks related to the renegotiation of collective bargaining agreements with the labour unions representing certain of our employees in Manitoba and Peru, uncertainties related to the development and operation of the company’s projects, the risk of an indicator of impairment or impairment reversal relating to a material mineral property, risks related to the Copper World project, including in relation to permitting, project delivery and financing risks, risks related to the Lalor mine plan, including the ability to convert inferred mineral resource estimates to higher confidence categories, dependence on key personnel and employee and union relations, risks related to political or social instability, unrest or change, risks in respect of Indigenous and community relations, rights and title claims, operational risks and hazards, including the cost of maintaining and upgrading the company's tailings management facilities and any unanticipated environmental, industrial and geological events and developments and the inability to insure against all risks, failure of plant, equipment, processes, transportation and other infrastructure to operate as anticipated, compliance with government and environmental regulations, including permitting requirements and anti-bribery legislation, depletion of the company’s reserves, volatile financial markets and interest rates that may affect the company’s ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, the failure to obtain required approvals or clearances from government authorities on a timely basis, uncertainties related to the geology, continuity, grade and estimates of mineral reserves and resources, and the potential for variations in grade and recovery rates, uncertain costs of reclamation activities, the company’s ability to comply with its pension and other post-retirement obligations, the company’s ability to abide by the covenants in its debt instruments and other material contracts, tax refunds, hedging transactions, as well as the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the company’s most recent Annual Information Form and under the heading “Financial Risk Management” in the company’s most recent management’s discussion and analysis, each of which is available on the company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and the company’s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov.
Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Hudbay does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.
Note to United States Investors
This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which may differ materially from the requirements of United States securities laws applicable to U.S. issuers.
About Hudbay
Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States.
Hudbay’s operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production. Hudbay’s growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.
The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: “We care about our people, our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better futures for communities.” Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.
For further information, please contact:
Candace Brûlé
Vice President, Investor Relations
(416) 814-4387
investor.relations@hudbay.com
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i Adjusted net earnings (loss) and adjusted net earnings (loss) per share; adjusted EBITDA; cash cost, sustaining cash cost and all-in sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product credits; cash cost and sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold produced, net of by-product credits; combined unit costs, net debt and any ratios based on these measures are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information and a detailed reconciliation, please see the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section of this news release.
ii Calculated using the mid-point of the guidance range.
iii Sourced from S&P Global, August 2023.
FAQ
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