(In United States dollars, except where noted otherwise)
TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum” or the "Company”) (TSX: FM) today reports results for the three months ended September 30, 2024 ("Q3 2024” or the "third quarter") of net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company of $108 million ($0.13 earnings per share) and adjusted earnings1 of $119 million ($0.14 adjusted earnings per share2).
"While it is pleasing to see continued strong operational performance from the Zambian operations during the third quarter, this was marred by a tragic accident in September resulting in the death of a colleague at Kansanshi. We continue to support the family and we remain committed to ensure the safety of our colleagues across the business. While ZESCO power restrictions continue, our Zambian team's proactive actions have resulted in minimal production impacts. The S3 Expansion continues to make good progress for production in the second half of 2025,” commented Tristan Pascall, Chief Executive Officer of First Quantum. "In Panama, we continue to engage with local authorities for the approval of the Preservation and Safe Management program for Cobre Panamá. With Cobre Panamá remaining in a state of preservation and safe management and the ongoing capital expenditures related to the S3 Expansion, we are continuing efforts to maintain the strength of the balance sheet and, as such, additional hedges were added during the quarter.”
Q3 2024 SUMMARY
In Q3 2024, First Quantum reported gross profit of $456 million, EBITDA1 of $520 million, net earnings attributable to shareholders of $0.13 per share, and adjusted earnings per share2 of $0.14. Relative to the second quarter of 2024 ("Q2 2024”), third quarter financial results improved due to higher copper and gold sales volumes along with stronger realized gold prices. Total copper production for the third quarter was 116,088 tonnes, a 13% increase from Q2 2024. Copper C1 cash cost3 was $1.57 per lb in the third quarter, a decrease of 9% quarter-over-quarter.
There were a number of developments during the third quarter that are also detailed in this news release:
- 2024 Guidance for copper production has narrowed to the top end of previous guidance, while gold production guidance has increased. Copper C1 cash cost3 guidance has narrowed to the low end of previous guidance.
- During the quarter, the Company entered into additional derivative contracts. More than half of planned production and sales remains exposed to spot copper prices through the period until the end of 2025.
- On October 15, 2024, FQM Trident signed a $425 million unsecured term loan facility with a maturity date of September 2028 to replace the previous Trident facility that was scheduled to mature in December 2025.
- While Zambia's energy crisis persisted in the third quarter, operational adjustments minimized the effect on copper production. Minimal operational interruptions are expected heading into the fourth quarter of 2024.
- As part of the ongoing board renewal program, the Company is pleased to announce the appointments of Ms. Juanita Montalvo and Mr. Hanjun ("Kevin") Xia to its Board of Directors with immediate effect.
1 EBITDA and adjusted earnings (loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. See "Regulatory Disclosures”.
2 Adjusted earnings (loss) per share is a non-GAAP ratio which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. See "Regulatory Disclosures”.
3 C1 cash cost (C1) is a non-GAAP ratio, which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. See "Regulatory Disclosures”
Q3 2024 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Total copper production for the third quarter was 116,088 tonnes, a 13% increase from Q2 2024 as a result of higher production at the Zambian operations. While Zambia's energy crisis persisted in the third quarter, First Quantum's proactive sourcing of supplementary power minimized disruptions, allowing normal operations to continue for most of the quarter. The impact of higher costs associated with the imported power was mitigated by strong gold by-product credits during the quarter. Copper C1 cash cost1 was $0.16 per lb lower quarter-over-quarter at $1.57 per lb, reflecting higher copper production, along with lower fuel costs. Copper sales volumes totalled 112,094 tonnes, approximately 3,994 tonnes lower than production due to the timing of shipments.
- Kansanshi reported the highest quarterly copper production since the fourth quarter of 2021. Copper production of 49,810 tonnes in Q3 2024 was 8,303 tonnes higher than the previous quarter as continued mining discipline resulted in higher feed grades on the mixed and oxide circuits. During the quarter, the sulphide and mixed mills were swapped to increase the throughput of mixed material which contained higher grades. Gold production of 31,659 ounces for the third quarter of 2024 was the highest quarterly production since the first quarter of 2022. Copper C1 cash cost1 of $1.29 per lb was $0.22 lower quarter-over-quarter due to improved production volumes. Production guidance for 2024 has increased to 155,000 - 165,000 tonnes of copper from 130,000 - 150,000 tonnes while gold production guidance has increased to 90,000 - 100,000 ounces from 65,000 - 75,000 ounces. A swap of the mixed and sulphide mills will continue in the fourth quarter in order to maximize mixed grade through the mills. Fourth quarter gold production is expected to be lower than the third quarter due to lower grades.
- Sentinel reported copper production of 58,412 tonnes in Q3 2024, approximately 4,817 tonnes higher than the previous quarter as improved throughput levels benefitted from better performance of the in-pit crushers as well as improved fragmentation of the ore. Copper C1 cash cost1 of $1.86 per lb was lower than the preceding quarter as a result of higher production volumes. Copper production guidance for 2024 has narrowed to 220,000 - 230,000 tonnes from 220,000 - 250,000 tonnes. Mining performance and throughput is expected to further improve over the remainder of the year with the ongoing development of Stage 3 (Western Cut-back) which will enable improved mining productivities due to the increased availability of softer material on shorter haul cycles. The improvement in fragmentation experienced in the third quarter that led to improved crushing and milling rates is expected to continue for the remainder of the year. The development of the Stage 1 sump is on schedule to be completed during October 2024 along with other site works in preparation for the upcoming wet season.
- Enterprise had its first full quarter of commercial production, producing 4,827 tonnes of nickel during the third quarter, a decrease from 6,147 tonnes in Q2 2024. The plant has been stable and achieved record throughput in August 2024. The plant was shut down for the last nine days of September due to power supply restrictions in order to prioritize power for the copper circuit. Plant operations resumed in October. Production guidance for 2024 for Enterprise remains unchanged at 17,000 - 20,000 contained tonnes of nickel. Good progress has been made in preparation for the wet season and securing of the south wall. The focus for the remainder of the year will be on increasing mobile equipment reliability through supporting the contractor uplift maintenance practices in order to increase mining volumes.
- Cobre Panamá remains in a phase of preservation and safe management ("P&SM") with production halted and production guidance suspended. During the quarter, the process plant assets inspection frequency was changed from 28 to 56 days, while the equipment start-up frequency remains unchanged at 14 days to ensure equipment preservation through dynamic lubrication and monitoring asset conditions. All the major ultra-class mobile equipment is in a maintenance cycle that adheres to the original equipment manufacturer's long-term storage recommendations and includes periodic inspections as well as scheduled startups. In addition to asset preservation, a key focus continues to be on maintaining the environmental stability for all areas of the site and compliance with the environmental and social impact study for the project, which remains in force. The costs for the P&SM program in the third quarter were approximately $13 million per month, which included labour, maintenance spares, contractor's services, electricity, and other general expenses. During the quarter, activities on site were further curtailed with reduction in active equipment for the tailings management facility and open pit maintenance. For the remainder of the year, P&SM expenses are expected to be $11 - $13 million per month, depending on the level of environmental stability and asset integrity programs. The Company is actively managing the P&SM costs of Cobre Panamá and will adjust the level of employment and cost of these activities according to the conditions on the ground in Panama. Approximately 121 thousand dry metric tonnes of copper concentrate remain onsite.
1 C1 cash cost (C1) is a non-GAAP ratio, which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. See "Regulatory Disclosures”
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Financial results continue to be impacted by Cobre Panamá being in a phase of P&SM, however, the third quarter benefitted from higher copper and gold sales volumes along with stronger gold prices.
- Gross profit for the third quarter of $456 million was $123 million higher than Q2 2024, while EBITDA1 of $520 million for the same period was $184 million higher.
- Cash flows from operating activities of $260 million ($0.31 per share2) for the quarter were $137 million lower than Q2 2024.
- Net debt3 increased by $154 million during the quarter, attributable mainly to planned capital expenditures at Kansanshi and an increase in net working capital, taking the net debt3 level to $5,591 million, with total debt at $6,284 million as at September 30, 2024.
1 EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. See "Regulatory Disclosures”.
2 Cash flows from operating activities per share is a non-GAAP ratio, which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. See "Regulatory Disclosures”.
3 Net debt is a supplementary financial measure which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. See "Regulatory Disclosures”.
HEDGING PROGRAM
During the quarter, and consistent with the approach outlined in the second quarter results of 2024, the Company entered into derivative contracts, in the form of additional unmargined zero cost copper collars, as protection from downside price movements, financed by selling price upside beyond certain levels on a matched portion of production. More than half of planned production and sales remains exposed to spot copper prices through the period until the end of 2025.
At October 22, 2024, the Company had zero cost copper collar contracts for 245,400 tonnes at weighted average prices of $4.18 per lb to $5.01 per lb outstanding with maturities to December 2025.
FQM TRIDENT FACILITY
At Trident, on October 15, 2024, FQM Trident signed a $425 million unsecured term loan facility (the "FQM Trident Facility”) with a maturity date of September 2028 to replace the previous Trident facility that was scheduled to mature in December 2025. Repayments on the FQM Trident Facility will commence in March 2026 and are due every six months thereafter. This action is in line with the Company's prudent management of its debt maturities.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
| QUARTERLY | |||||||||
| Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2023 | |||||||
| Sales revenues | 1,279 | 1,231 | 2,029 | ||||||
| Gross profit | 456 | 333 | 660 | ||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company | 108 | (46 | ) | 325 | |||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share | $0.13 | ($0.06 | ) | $0.47 | |||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $0.13 | ($0.06 | ) | $0.47 | |||||
| Cash flows from operating activities3 | 260 | 397 | 594 | ||||||
| Net debt1 | 5,591 | 5,437 | 5,637 | ||||||
| EBITDA1,2 | 520 | 336 | 969 | ||||||
| Adjusted earnings (loss)1 | 119 | (13 | ) | 359 | |||||
| Adjusted earnings (loss) per share3 | $0.14 | ($0.02 | ) | $0.52 | |||||
| Cash cost of copper production excluding Cobre Panamá (C1) (per lb)3,4 | $1.57 | $1.73 | $1.66 | ||||||
| Total cost of copper production excluding Cobre Panamá (C3) (per lb)3,4 | $2.54 | $2.83 | $2.60 | ||||||
| Copper all-in sustaining cost excluding Cobre Panamá (AISC) (per lb)3,4 | $2.35 | $2.71 | $2.54 | ||||||
| Cash cost of copper production (C1) (per lb)3,4 | $1.57 | $1.73 | $1.42 | ||||||
| Total cost of copper production (C3) (per lb)3,4 | $2.59 | $2.87 | $2.29 | ||||||
| Copper all-in sustaining cost (AISC) (per lb)3,4 | $2.42 | $2.82 | $2.02 | ||||||
| Realized copper price (per lb)3 | $4.24 | $4.39 | $3.70 | ||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company | 108 | (46 | ) | 325 | |||||
| Adjustments attributable to shareholders of the Company: | |||||||||
| Adjustment for expected phasing of Zambian value-added tax ("VAT”) | (17 | ) | (27 | ) | (15 | ) | |||
| Loss on redemption of debt | - | - | - | ||||||
| Total adjustments to EBITDA1 excluding depreciation2 | 32 | 71 | 61 | ||||||
| Tax adjustments | - | 6 | (12 | ) | |||||
| Minority interest adjustments | (4 | ) | (17 | ) | - | ||||
| Adjusted earnings (loss)1 | 119 | (13 | ) | 359 | |||||
2 Adjustments to EBITDA in 2024 principally relate to impairment expense, restructuring expense and foreign exchange losses (2023 - royalties, restructuring expenses and foreign exchange losses).
3 Adjusted earnings (loss) per share, realized metal prices, copper all-in sustaining cost (copper AISC), copper C1 cash cost (copper C1) and total cost of copper (copper C3) are non-GAAP ratios, which do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. See "Regulatory Disclosures”.
4 Excludes the sale of copper anode produced from third-party concentrate purchased at Kansanshi. Sales of copper anode attributable to third-party concentrate purchases were 7,537 tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2024, (11,228 tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2023).
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
| QUARTERLY | ||||||
| Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2023 | ||||
| Copper production (tonnes)1 | 116,088 | 102,709 | 221,550 | |||
| Cobre Panamá | - | - | 112,734 | |||
| Kansanshi | 49,810 | 41,507 | 39,600 | |||
| Sentinel |
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