Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO) (“Ero” or
the “Company”) is pleased to announce its operating and financial
results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.
Management will host a conference call tomorrow, Friday, August 2,
2024, at 11:30 a.m. eastern time to discuss the results. Dial-in
details for the call can be found near the end of this press
release.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Company reached a major inflection point with the
successful production of first saleable copper concentrate at the
Tucumã Project in early Q3 2024. Ramp up to commercial production
is now underway
- Second quarter copper production was 8,867 tonnes at C1 cash
costs(*) of $2.16 per pound of copper produced
- Gold production during the quarter was 16,555 ounces at C1 cash
costs(*) and All-in Sustaining Costs ("AISC")(*) of $428 and $842,
respectively, per ounce produced
- Second quarter financial results were bolstered by stronger
metal prices and a favorable exchange rate environment, which also
contributed to another quarter of record gross profit at the
Xavantina Operations
- Net loss attributable to the owners of the Company of $53.2
million, or $0.52 per share on a diluted basis
- Adjusted net income attributable to the owners of the
Company(*) of $18.6 million, or $0.18 per share on a diluted
basis
- Adjusted EBITDA(*) of $51.5 million
- Available liquidity at quarter-end was $169.8 million,
including $44.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, $100.0
million of undrawn availability under the Company's senior secured
revolving credit facility, and $25.0 million of undrawn
availability under the copper prepayment facility, entered into in
May 2024
(*) These are non-IFRS measures and do not have
a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and might not be
comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other
issuers. Please refer to the Company’s discussion of Non-IFRS
measures in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2024 and the Reconciliation of
Non-IFRS Measures section at the end of this press release.
- The Company is reaffirming full-year production and copper cash
cost guidance and updating other 2024 guidance ranges to reflect H1
2024 performance, including exceptional year-to-date unit costs at
the Xavantina Operations driven by elevated gold grades
- Gold C1 cash cost guidance is being reduced to $450 to $550
(from $550 to $650) per ounce of gold produced, and AISC guidance
is being lowered to $900 to $1,000 (from $1,050 to $1,150) per
ounce of gold produced
- Full-year capital expenditure guidance is being narrowed to
$303 to $348 million (from $299 to $349 million)
"With the Tucumã Project ramping up to
commercial production and the Xavantina Operations continuing to
deliver exceptional operating results, we are on track to achieve
record copper and gold production this year," said David Strang,
Chief Executive Officer. "At the same time, gold prices continue to
test new highs while gross profit margins in our copper business
are benefiting from a historically tight concentrate market.
"This is an incredibly exciting time for our
Company as the investments we've made over the last several years
begin to yield tangible returns. Our team's hard work and
dedication have positioned us to capitalize on these favorable
market conditions and crystallize value for our shareholders."
SECOND QUARTER REVIEW
- Mining & Milling Operations
- The Caraíba Operations processed 957,692 tonnes of ore grading
1.03% copper, producing 8,867 tonnes of copper in concentrate for
the quarter after metallurgical recoveries of 90.2%
- Mill throughput continued to benefit from the successful
completion of the Caraíba mill expansion in late 2023 with tonnes
processed up 12.2% quarter-on-quarter and 17.9% compared to Q4
2023
- Higher processed tonnage contributed to a 9.6% increase in
copper production quarter-on-quarter
- The Xavantina Operations processed 40,446 tonnes of ore grading
14.00 grams per tonne, producing 16,555 ounces of gold in the
quarter after metallurgical recoveries of 91.0%
- Organic Growth Projects
- During the quarter and subsequent to quarter-end, the Company
achieved several important milestones at the Tucumã Project,
including the successful production of first saleable copper
concentrate, which exceeded process design concentrate grade
targets
- Production levels are projected to reach 80% of design mill
capacity and 80% of design recovery rates by the end of Q3
2024
- At the Caraíba Operations, main shaft sinking at the Pilar
Mine's new external shaft is progressing on schedule, with a
projected depth of approximately 600 meters expected to be reached
by year-end
Figure 1: Crushed ore stockpile
at the Tucumã Project (June 2024).
Figure 2: Aerial view of the
Tucumã Project's process plant, including ball mill, flotation and
filtration (center), concentrate shed (bottom), and crushed ore
stockpile (right) (July 2024).
Figure 3: Night-time aerial
view of the Tucumã Project's process plant, including ball mill,
flotation and filtration, taken during the first 24-hour shift of
continuous mill operations (July 2024).
Figure 4: Mining of high-grade
sulphide ore at the Tucumã Project (July 2024).
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
|
|
2024 - Q2 |
|
|
2024 - Q1 |
|
|
2023 - Q2 |
|
2024 - YTD |
|
|
2023 - YTD |
Operating Highlights |
|
Copper (Caraíba Operations) |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore Processed (tonnes) |
|
957,692 |
|
|
853,371 |
|
|
840,821 |
|
1,811,063 |
|
|
1,613,369 |
Grade (% Cu) |
|
1.03 |
|
|
1.08 |
|
|
1.55 |
|
1.05 |
|
|
1.45 |
Cu Production (tonnes) |
|
8,867 |
|
|
8,091 |
|
|
12,004 |
|
16,958 |
|
|
21,331 |
Cu Production (000 lbs) |
|
19,548 |
|
|
17,838 |
|
|
26,464 |
|
37,386 |
|
|
47,027 |
Cu Sold in Concentrate (tonnes) |
|
8,706 |
|
|
9,461 |
|
|
11,612 |
|
18,167 |
|
|
21,076 |
Cu Sold in Concentrate (000 lbs) |
|
19,192 |
|
|
20,859 |
|
|
25,600 |
|
40,051 |
|
|
46,465 |
Cu C1 cash cost(1)(2) |
$ |
2.16 |
|
$ |
2.30 |
|
$ |
1.66 |
$ |
2.23 |
|
$ |
1.76 |
Gold (Xavantina Operations) |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore Processed (tonnes) |
|
40,446 |
|
|
37,834 |
|
|
34,377 |
|
78,280 |
|
|
70,140 |
Grade (g / tonne) |
|
14.00 |
|
|
16.38 |
|
|
13.20 |
|
15.15 |
|
|
12.51 |
Au Production (oz) |
|
16,555 |
|
|
18,234 |
|
|
12,333 |
|
34,789 |
|
|
24,776 |
Au C1 cash cost(1) |
$ |
428 |
|
$ |
395 |
|
$ |
492 |
$ |
411 |
|
$ |
464 |
Au AISC(1) |
$ |
842 |
|
$ |
797 |
|
$ |
1,081 |
$ |
819 |
|
$ |
1,013 |
Financial
Highlights ($ in millions, except per share amounts) |
Revenues |
$ |
117.1 |
|
$ |
105.8 |
|
$ |
104.9 |
$ |
222.9 |
|
$ |
205.9 |
Gross profit |
|
43.3 |
|
|
31.2 |
|
|
39.4 |
|
74.5 |
|
|
79.5 |
EBITDA(1) |
|
(36.2 |
) |
|
17.8 |
|
|
58.6 |
|
(18.4 |
) |
|
106.6 |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
|
51.5 |
|
|
43.3 |
|
|
45.8 |
|
94.8 |
|
|
90.2 |
Cash flow from operations |
|
14.7 |
|
|
17.2 |
|
|
55.5 |
|
31.9 |
|
|
71.8 |
Net (loss) income |
|
(53.4 |
) |
|
(6.8 |
) |
|
29.9 |
|
(60.2 |
) |
|
54.4 |
Net (loss) income attributable to owners of the Company |
|
(53.2 |
) |
|
(7.1 |
) |
|
29.6 |
|
(60.4 |
) |
|
53.7 |
Per share (basic) |
|
(0.52 |
) |
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
0.32 |
|
(0.59 |
) |
|
0.58 |
Per share (diluted) |
|
(0.52 |
) |
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
0.32 |
|
(0.59 |
) |
|
0.58 |
Adjusted net income attributable to owners of the Company(1) |
|
18.6 |
|
|
16.8 |
|
|
22.3 |
|
35.4 |
|
|
44.7 |
Per share (basic) |
|
0.18 |
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
0.24 |
|
0.34 |
|
|
0.48 |
Per share (diluted) |
|
0.18 |
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
0.24 |
|
0.34 |
|
|
0.48 |
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments |
|
44.8 |
|
|
51.7 |
|
|
180.4 |
|
44.8 |
|
|
180.4 |
Working (deficit) capital(1) |
|
(57.6 |
) |
|
(28.6 |
) |
|
140.7 |
|
(57.6 |
) |
|
140.7 |
Net debt(1) |
|
482.0 |
|
|
415.1 |
|
|
246.5 |
|
482.0 |
|
|
246.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss)
attributable to owners of the Company, adjusted net income (loss)
per share attributable to owners of the Company, net (cash) debt,
working capital, copper C1 cash cost, copper C1 cash cost including
foreign exchange hedges, gold C1 cash cost and gold AISC are non-
IFRS 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. Please refer to the Company’s
discussion of Non-IFRS measures in its Management’s Discussion and
Analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and the
Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures section at the end of this
press release.(2) Copper C1 cash cost including foreign exchange
hedges was $2.16 in Q2 2024 (Q2 2023 - $1.55) and $2.22 in YTD 2024
(YTD 2024 - $1.68).
2024 PRODUCTION AND COST
GUIDANCE(*)
The Company is reaffirming its consolidated
copper production guidance of 59,000 to 72,000 tonnes in
concentrate, with production expected to be weighted towards H2
2024 largely due to the projected ramp-up of production at the
Tucumã Project. Contributions from the Tucumã Project, combined
with significantly lower concentrate treatment and refining
charges, as well as a more favorable USD to BRL exchange rate, are
expected to result in lower consolidated copper C1 cash costs in H2
2024 compared to H1 2024. As a result, the Company is reaffirming
its full-year consolidated copper C1 cash cost guidance range of
$1.50 to $1.75 per pound of copper produced.
The Company is reaffirming its increased
full-year gold production guidance range of 60,000 to 65,000
ounces. While slightly lower production is projected to result in
higher unit costs in H2 2024 compared to H1 2024, the Company is
lowering its 2024 gold cost guidance to reflect exceptional
year-to-date unit cost performance. Full-year gold C1 cash cost
guidance is now $450 to $550 (originally $550 to $650) per ounce of
gold produced, and AISC guidance has been reduced to $900 to $1,000
(from $1,050 to $1,150) per ounce of gold produced.
The Company's cost guidance for 2024 assumes a
foreign exchange rate of 5.00 BRL per USD, a gold price of $1,900
per ounce and a silver price of $23.00 per ounce.
|
Original Guidance |
Updated Guidance |
Consolidated Copper Production (tonnes) |
|
|
Caraíba Operations |
42,000 - 47,000 |
Low End of Range |
Tucumã Operations |
17,000 - 25,000 |
Unchanged |
Total |
59,000 - 72,000 |
Unchanged |
Consolidated Copper C1 Cash
Costs(1)Guidance |
|
|
Caraíba Operations |
$1.80 - $2.00 |
Unchanged |
Tucumã Operations |
$0.90 - $1.10 |
Unchanged |
Total |
$1.50 - $1.75 |
Unchanged |
The Xavantina Operations |
|
|
Au Production (ounces) |
55,000 - 60,000 |
60,000 - 65,000 |
Gold C1 Cash Cost(1)Guidance |
$550 - $650 |
$450 - $550 |
Gold AISC(1)Guidance |
$1,050 - $1,150 |
$900 - $1,000 |
* Guidance is based on certain estimates and
assumptions, including but not limited to, mineral reserve
estimates, grade and continuity of interpreted geological
formations and metallurgical performance. Please refer to the
Company’s most recent Annual Information Form and Management of
Risks and Uncertainties in the MD&A for complete risk factors.
(1) Please refer to the section titled "Alternative Performance
(Non-IFRS) Measures" within the MD&A.
2024 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
GUIDANCE(*)
The Company is narrowing its full-year capital
expenditure guidance range to $303 to $348 million (from $299 to
$349 million).
The 2024 capital expenditure guidance assumes an
exchange rate of 5.10 USD:BRL for the Tucumã Project based on
allocated foreign exchange hedges with a weighted average ceiling
and floor of 5.10 and 5.23 USD:BRL, respectively. All other capital
expenditures assume an exchange rate of 5.00 USD:BRL. Figures
presented in the table below are in USD millions.
|
Original Guidance |
|
Updated Guidance |
Caraíba Operations |
|
|
|
Growth |
$80 - $90 |
|
$70 - $80 |
Sustaining |
$100 - $110 |
|
$90 - $100 |
Total, Caraíba Operations |
$180 - $200 |
|
$160 - $180 |
Tucumã Project |
|
|
|
Growth |
$65 - $75 |
|
$85 - $90(1) |
Capitalized Ramp-Up Costs |
$4 - $6 |
|
$8 - $10(2) |
Sustaining |
$2 - $5 |
|
$2 - $5 |
Total, Tucumã Project |
$71 - $86 |
|
$95 - $105 |
Xavantina Operations |
|
|
|
Growth |
$3 - $5 |
|
$3 - $5 |
Sustaining |
$15 - $18 |
|
$15 - $18 |
Total, Xavantina Operations |
$18 - $23 |
|
$18 - $23 |
Consolidated Exploration Programs |
$30 - $40 |
|
$30 - $40 |
Company Total |
|
|
|
Growth |
$148 - $170 |
|
$158 - $175 |
Capitalized Ramp-Up Costs |
$4 - $6 |
|
$8 - $10 |
Sustaining |
$117 - $133 |
|
$107 - $123 |
Exploration |
$30 - $40 |
|
$30 - $40 |
Total, Company |
$299 - $349 |
|
$303 - $348 |
(*) Guidance is based on certain estimates and
assumptions, including but not limited to, mineral reserve
estimates, grade and continuity of interpreted geological
formations and metallurgical performance. Please refer to the
Company’s most recent Annual Information Form and Management of
Risks and Uncertainties in the MD&A for complete risk factors.
(1) Includes approximately $11.7 million of taxes deemed
non-recoverable. (2) Includes capitalized mining costs that were
accelerated by over two months due to the early completion of
pre-strip activities. This additional capital is expected to result
in lower operating costs in H2 2024.
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
The Company will hold a conference call on Friday,
August 2, 2024 at 11:30 am Eastern time (8:30 am Pacific time) to
discuss these results.
Date: |
Friday, August 2, 2024 |
Time: |
11:30 am Eastern time (8:30 am Pacific time) |
Dial in: |
Canada/USA Toll Free: 1-844-763-8274, International:
+1-647-484-8814Please dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the start of
the call or pre-register using this link to bypass the
live operator queue |
Webcast: |
To access the webcast, click here |
Replay: |
Canada/USA: 1-855-669-9658, International: +1-412-317-0088For
country-specific dial-in numbers, click here |
Replay Passcode: |
6135252 |
Reconciliation of Non-IFRS
Measures
Financial results of the Company are presented
in accordance with IFRS. The Company utilizes certain alternative
performance (non-IFRS) measures to monitor its performance,
including copper C1 cash cost, copper C1 cash cost including
foreign exchange hedges, gold C1 cash cost, gold AISC, EBITDA,
adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income attributable to owners of the
Company, adjusted net income per share, net (cash) debt, working
capital and available liquidity. These performance measures have no
standardized meaning prescribed within generally accepted
accounting principles under IFRS and, therefore, amounts presented
may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other mining
companies. These non-IFRS measures are intended to provide
supplemental information and should not be considered in isolation
or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in
accordance with IFRS.
For additional details please refer to the
Company’s discussion of non-IFRS and other performance measures in
its Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2024 which is available on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca, and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Copper C1 cash cost and copper C1 cash
cost including foreign exchange hedges
The following table provides a reconciliation of
copper C1 cash cost to cost of production, its most directly
comparable IFRS measure.
Reconciliation: |
2024 - Q2 |
2024 - Q1 |
2023 - Q2 |
2024 - YTD |
2023 - YTD |
Cost of production |
$ |
41,945 |
|
$ |
42,227 |
|
$ |
37,767 |
|
$ |
84,172 |
|
$ |
74,052 |
|
Add (less): |
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation costs & other |
|
1,283 |
|
|
1,252 |
|
|
1,733 |
|
|
2,535 |
|
|
3,072 |
|
Treatment, refining, and other |
|
4,058 |
|
|
5,170 |
|
|
7,954 |
|
|
9,228 |
|
|
14,417 |
|
By-product credits |
|
(3,431 |
) |
|
(2,440 |
) |
|
(3,704 |
) |
|
(5,871 |
) |
|
(6,514 |
) |
Incentive payments |
|
(1,174 |
) |
|
(1,199 |
) |
|
(1,129 |
) |
|
(2,373 |
) |
|
(2,366 |
) |
Net change in inventory |
|
(468 |
) |
|
(3,893 |
) |
|
1,323 |
|
|
(4,361 |
) |
|
138 |
|
Foreign exchange translation and other |
|
21 |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
(13 |
) |
|
14 |
|
|
2 |
|
C1 cash costs |
|
42,234 |
|
|
41,110 |
|
|
43,931 |
|
|
83,344 |
|
|
82,801 |
|
(Gain) loss on foreign exchange hedges |
|
46 |
|
|
(276 |
) |
|
(2,842 |
) |
|
(230 |
) |
|
(3,774 |
) |
C1 cash costs including foreign exchange
hedges |
$ |
42,280 |
|
$ |
40,834 |
|
$ |
41,089 |
|
$ |
83,114 |
|
$ |
79,027 |
|
Mining |
$ |
27,881 |
|
$ |
25,256 |
|
$ |
25,794 |
|
$ |
53,137 |
|
$ |
49,004 |
|
Processing |
|
7,927 |
|
|
7,177 |
|
|
7,643 |
|
|
15,104 |
|
|
14,197 |
|
Indirect |
|
5,799 |
|
|
5,947 |
|
|
6,244 |
|
|
11,746 |
|
|
11,697 |
|
Production costs |
|
41,607 |
|
|
38,380 |
|
|
39,681 |
|
|
79,987 |
|
|
74,898 |
|
By-product credits |
|
(3,431 |
) |
|
(2,440 |
) |
|
(3,704 |
) |
|
(5,871 |
) |
|
(6,514 |
) |
Treatment, refining and other |
|
4,058 |
|
|
5,170 |
|
|
7,954 |
|
|
9,228 |
|
|
14,417 |
|
C1 cash costs |
|
42,234 |
|
|
41,110 |
|
|
43,931 |
|
|
83,344 |
|
|
82,801 |
|
(Gain) loss on foreign exchange hedges |
|
46 |
|
|
(276 |
) |
|
(2,842 |
) |
|
(230 |
) |
|
(3,774 |
) |
C1 cash costs including foreign exchange
hedges |
$ |
42,280 |
|
$ |
40,834 |
|
$ |
41,089 |
|
$ |
83,114 |
|
$ |
79,027 |
|
Costs per pound |
|
|
|
|
|
Total copper produced (lb, 000) |
|
19,548 |
|
|
17,838 |
|
|
26,464 |
|
|
37,386 |
|
|
47,027 |
|
Mining |
$ |
1.42 |
|
$ |
1.42 |
|
$ |
0.97 |
|
$ |
1.42 |
|
$ |
1.04 |
|
Processing |
$ |
0.41 |
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
$ |
0.30 |
|
Indirect |
$ |
0.30 |
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
By-product credits |
$ |
(0.18 |
) |
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
$ |
(0.16 |
) |
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
Treatment, refining and other |
$ |
0.21 |
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
$ |
0.30 |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
Copper C1 cash costs |
$ |
2.16 |
|
$ |
2.30 |
|
$ |
1.66 |
|
$ |
2.23 |
|
$ |
1.76 |
|
(Gain) loss on foreign exchange hedges |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
Copper C1 cash costs including foreign exchange
hedges |
$ |
2.16 |
|
$ |
2.28 |
|
$ |
1.55 |
|
$ |
2.22 |
|
$ |
1.68 |
|
Gold C1 cash cost and gold
AISC
The following table provides a reconciliation of
gold C1 cash cost and gold AISC to cost of production, its most
directly comparable IFRS measure.
Reconciliation: |
|
2024 - Q2 |
|
2024 - Q1 |
|
2023 - Q2 |
2024 - YTD |
|
2023 - YTD |
Cost of production |
|
$ |
7,580 |
|
|
$ |
7,255 |
|
|
$ |
5,657 |
|
$ |
14,835 |
|
|
$ |
11,764 |
|
Add (less): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive payments |
|
|
(226 |
) |
|
|
(443 |
) |
|
|
(311 |
) |
|
(669 |
) |
|
|
(718 |
) |
Net change in inventory |
|
|
(322 |
) |
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
936 |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
584 |
|
By-product credits |
|
|
(259 |
) |
|
|
(189 |
) |
|
|
(163 |
) |
|
(448 |
) |
|
|
(339 |
) |
Smelting and refining |
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
187 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
Foreign exchange translation and other |
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
|
|
(119 |
) |
|
447 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
C1 cash costs |
|
$ |
7,085 |
|
|
$ |
7,209 |
|
|
$ |
6,063 |
|
$ |
14,294 |
|
|
$ |
11,487 |
|
Site general and administrative |
|
|
1,350 |
|
|
|
1,353 |
|
|
|
1,338 |
|
|
2,703 |
|
|
|
2,570 |
|
Accretion of mine closure and rehabilitation provision |
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
216 |
|
Sustaining capital expenditure |
|
|
2,653 |
|
|
|
3,254 |
|
|
|
3,530 |
|
|
5,907 |
|
|
|
6,543 |
|
Sustaining lease payments |
|
|
1,908 |
|
|
|
2,122 |
|
|
|
1,740 |
|
|
4,030 |
|
|
|
3,400 |
|
Royalties and production taxes |
|
|
862 |
|
|
|
510 |
|
|
|
556 |
|
|
1,372 |
|
|
|
894 |
|
AISC |
|
$ |
13,946 |
|
|
$ |
14,540 |
|
|
$ |
13,338 |
|
$ |
28,486 |
|
|
$ |
25,110 |
|
Costs |
|
Mining |
$ |
3,705 |
|
$ |
3,820 |
|
$ |
3,017 |
|
$ |
7,525 |
|
$ |
5,584 |
|
Processing |
|
2,277 |
|
|
2,259 |
|
|
2,048 |
|
|
4,536 |
|
|
3,953 |
|
Indirect |
|
1,265 |
|
|
1,229 |
|
|
1,098 |
|
|
2,494 |
|
|
2,150 |
|
Production costs |
|
7,247 |
|
|
7,308 |
|
|
6,163 |
|
|
14,555 |
|
|
11,687 |
|
Smelting and refining costs |
|
97 |
|
|
90 |
|
|
63 |
|
|
187 |
|
|
139 |
|
By-product credits |
|
(259 |
) |
|
(189 |
) |
|
(163 |
) |
|
(448 |
) |
|
(339 |
) |
C1 cash costs |
$ |
7,085 |
|
$ |
7,209 |
|
$ |
6,063 |
|
$ |
14,294 |
|
$ |
11,487 |
|
Site general and administrative |
|
1,350 |
|
|
1,353 |
|
|
1,338 |
|
|
2,703 |
|
|
2,570 |
|
Accretion of mine closure and rehabilitation provision |
|
88 |
|
|
92 |
|
|
111 |
|
|
180 |
|
|
216 |
|
Sustaining capital expenditure |
|
2,653 |
|
|
3,254 |
|
|
3,530 |
|
|
5,907 |
|
|
6,543 |
|
Sustaining leases |
|
1,908 |
|
|
2,122 |
|
|
1,740 |
|
|
4,030 |
|
|
3,400 |
|
Royalties and production taxes |
|
862 |
|
|
510 |
|
|
556 |
|
|
1,372 |
|
|
894 |
|
AISC |
$ |
13,946 |
|
$ |
14,540 |
|
$ |
13,338 |
|
$ |
28,486 |
|
$ |
25,110 |
|
Costs per ounce |
|
|
|
|
|
Total gold produced (ounces) |
|
16,555 |
|
|
18,234 |
|
|
12,333 |
|
|
34,789 |
|
|
24,776 |
|
Mining |
$ |
224 |
|
$ |
209 |
|
$ |
245 |
|
$ |
216 |
|
$ |
225 |
|
Processing |
$ |
138 |
|
$ |
124 |
|
$ |
166 |
|
$ |
130 |
|
$ |
160 |
|
Indirect |
$ |
76 |
|
$ |
67 |
|
$ |
89 |
|
$ |
72 |
|
$ |
87 |
|
Smelting and refining |
$ |
6 |
|
$ |
5 |
|
$ |
5 |
|
$ |
5 |
|
$ |
6 |
|
By-product credits |
$ |
(16 |
) |
$ |
(10 |
) |
$ |
(13 |
) |
$ |
(12 |
) |
$ |
(14 |
) |
Gold C1 cash cost |
$ |
428 |
|
$ |
395 |
|
$ |
492 |
|
$ |
411 |
|
$ |
464 |
|
Gold AISC |
$ |
842 |
|
$ |
797 |
|
$ |
1,081 |
|
$ |
819 |
|
$ |
1,013 |
|
Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted
EBITDA
The following table provides a reconciliation of
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income, its most directly
comparable IFRS measure.
Reconciliation: |
2024 - Q2 |
2024 - Q1 |
2023 - Q2 |
2024 - YTD |
2023 - YTD |
Net (Loss) Income |
$ |
(53,399 |
) |
$ |
(6,830 |
) |
$ |
29,941 |
|
$ |
(60,229 |
) |
$ |
54,441 |
|
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
|
Finance expense |
|
4,565 |
|
|
4,634 |
|
|
5,995 |
|
|
9,199 |
|
|
12,521 |
|
Finance income |
|
(1,361 |
) |
|
(1,468 |
) |
|
(3,362 |
) |
|
(2,829 |
) |
|
(7,500 |
) |
Income tax (recovery) expense |
|
(8,267 |
) |
|
(1,853 |
) |
|
5,773 |
|
|
(10,120 |
) |
|
10,439 |
|
Amortization and depreciation |
|
22,294 |
|
|
23,296 |
|
|
20,239 |
|
|
45,590 |
|
|
36,745 |
|
EBITDA |
$ |
(36,168 |
) |
$ |
17,779 |
|
$ |
58,586 |
|
$ |
(18,389 |
) |
$ |
106,646 |
|
Foreign exchange loss (gain) |
|
70,454 |
|
|
18,996 |
|
|
(15,057 |
) |
|
89,450 |
|
|
(23,678 |
) |
Share based compensation |
|
6,075 |
|
|
6,545 |
|
|
4,909 |
|
|
12,620 |
|
|
9,926 |
|
Write-down of exploration and evaluation asset |
|
10,745 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
10,745 |
|
|
— |
|
Unrealized loss (gain) on copper derivatives |
|
436 |
|
|
(64 |
) |
|
(2,654 |
) |
|
372 |
|
|
(2,654 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
51,542 |
|
$ |
43,256 |
|
$ |
45,784 |
|
$ |
94,798 |
|
$ |
90,240 |
|
Adjusted net income attributable to
owners of the Company and Adjusted net income per share
attributable to owners of the Company
The following table provides a reconciliation of
Adjusted net income attributable to owners of the Company and
Adjusted EPS to net income attributable to the owners of the
Company, its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
Reconciliation: |
2024 - Q2 |
2024 - Q1 |
2023 - Q2 |
2024 - YTD |
2023 - YTD |
Net (loss)
income as reported attributable to the |
owners of the Company |
$ |
(53,247 |
) |
$ |
(7,141 |
) |
$ |
29,576 |
|
$ |
(60,388 |
) |
$ |
53,730 |
|
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
|
Share based compensation |
|
6,075 |
|
|
6,545 |
|
|
4,909 |
|
|
12,620 |
|
|
9,926 |
|
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) on USD |
|
|
|
|
|
denominated balances in MCSA |
|
48,517 |
|
|
11,257 |
|
|
(9,716 |
) |
|
59,774 |
|
|
(14,469 |
) |
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) on foreign exchange
derivative contracts |
|
16,006 |
|
|
9,304 |
|
|
(2,078 |
) |
|
25,310 |
|
|
(5,230 |
) |
Write-down of exploration and evaluation asset |
|
10,745 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
10,745 |
|
|
— |
|
Unrealized loss (gain) on copper derivative contracts |
|
434 |
|
|
(64 |
) |
|
(2,644 |
) |
|
370 |
|
|
(2,644 |
) |
Tax effect on the above adjustments |
|
(9,904 |
) |
|
(3,128 |
) |
|
2,205 |
|
|
(13,032 |
) |
|
3,413 |
|
Adjusted net income attributable to owners of the Company |
$ |
18,626 |
|
$ |
16,773 |
|
$ |
22,252 |
|
$ |
35,399 |
|
$ |
44,726 |
|
Weighted average number of common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
103,082,363 |
|
|
102,769,444 |
|
|
92,685,916 |
|
|
102,918,092 |
|
|
92,491,063 |
|
Diluted |
|
103,961,615 |
|
|
103,242,437 |
|
|
93,643,447 |
|
|
103,704,730 |
|
|
93,429,191 |
|
Adjusted EPS |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
0.18 |
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
Diluted |
$ |
0.18 |
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
Net (Cash) Debt
The following table provides a calculation of
net (cash) debt based on amounts presented in the Company’s
condensed consolidated interim financial statements as at the
periods presented.
|
June 30,2024 |
|
March 31,2024 |
|
December 31,2023 |
|
June 30,2023 |
Current portion of loans and borrowings |
$ |
39,889 |
|
|
$ |
16,059 |
|
|
$ |
20,381 |
|
|
$ |
17,105 |
|
Long-term portion of loans and borrowings |
|
486,919 |
|
|
|
450,743 |
|
|
|
405,852 |
|
|
|
409,818 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
(44,773 |
) |
|
|
(51,692 |
) |
|
|
(111,738 |
) |
|
|
(124,382 |
) |
Short-term investments |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(56,011 |
) |
Net debt (cash) |
$ |
482,035 |
|
|
$ |
415,110 |
|
|
$ |
314,495 |
|
|
$ |
246,530 |
|
Working Capital and Available
Liquidity
The following table provides a calculation for
these based on amounts presented in the Company’s condensed
consolidated interim financial statements as at the periods
presented.
|
June 30,2024 |
|
March 31,2024 |
|
December 31,2023 |
|
June 30,2023 |
Current assets |
$ |
124,554 |
|
|
$ |
129,960 |
|
|
$ |
199,487 |
|
|
$ |
280,783 |
|
Less: Current liabilities |
|
(182,143 |
) |
|
|
(158,565 |
) |
|
|
(173,800 |
) |
|
|
(140,090 |
) |
Working (deficit) capital |
$ |
(57,589 |
) |
|
$ |
(28,605 |
) |
|
$ |
25,687 |
|
|
$ |
140,693 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
44,773 |
|
|
|
51,692 |
|
|
|
111,738 |
|
|
|
124,382 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
56,011 |
|
Available undrawn revolving credit facilities |
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
Available undrawn prepayment facilities(1) |
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Available liquidity |
$ |
169,773 |
|
|
$ |
156,692 |
|
|
$ |
261,738 |
|
|
$ |
330,393 |
|
(1) In May 2024, the Company entered into a $50.0
million non-priced copper prepayment facility arrangement. Through
the end of 2024, the Company has the option to increase the size of
the facility from $50.0 million to $75.0 million.
ABOUT ERO COPPER CORP
Ero is a high-margin, high-growth copper
producer with operations in Brazil and corporate headquarters in
Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The Company's primary asset is a 99.6%
interest in the Brazilian copper mining company, Mineração Caraíba
S.A. ("MCSA"), 100% owner of the Company's Caraíba Operations
(formerly known as the MCSA Mining Complex), which are located in
the Curaçá Valley, Bahia State, Brazil and include the Pilar and
Vermelhos underground mines and the Surubim open pit mine, and the
Tucumã Project (formerly known as Boa Esperança), an IOCG-type
copper project located in Pará, Brazil. The Company also owns 97.6%
of NX Gold S.A. ("NX Gold") which owns the Xavantina Operations
(formerly known as the NX Gold Mine), comprised of an operating
gold and silver mine located in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Additional
information on the Company and its operations, including technical
reports on the Caraíba Operations, Xavantina Operations and Tucumã
Project, can be found on the Company's website (www.erocopper.com),
on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). The
Company’s shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ERO”.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE
CONTACT
Courtney Lynn, SVP, Corporate Development,
Investor Relations & Sustainability (604) 335-7504
info@erocopper.com
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
AND STATEMENTS
This press release contains “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking
information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”).
Forward-looking statements include statements that use
forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “could”, “would”,
“will”, “should”, “intend”, “target”, “plan”, “expect”, “budget”,
“estimate”, “forecast”, “schedule”, “anticipate”, “believe”,
“continue”, “potential”, “view” or the negative or grammatical
variation thereof or other variations thereof or comparable
terminology. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not
limited to, statements with respect to the Company's expected
production, operating costs and capital expenditures at the Caraíba
Operations, the Tucumã Project and the Xavantina Operations;
estimated timing for certain milestones, including ramp-up of
production levels, at the Tucumã Project; expected progress at the
new external shaft at the Caraíba Operations; expectations related
to foreign exchange rates as well as copper concentrate treatment
and refining charges; and any other statement that may predict,
forecast, indicate or imply future plans, intentions, levels of
activity, results, performance or achievements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a
variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could cause actual results, actions, events, conditions,
performance or achievements to materially differ from those
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including,
without limitation, risks discussed in this press release and in
the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December
31, 2023 (“AIF”) under the heading “Risk Factors”. The risks
discussed in this press release and in the AIF are not exhaustive
of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking
statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results, actions, events,
conditions, performance or achievements to differ materially from
those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause results, actions, events, conditions,
performance or achievements to differ from those anticipated,
estimated or intended.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee
of future performance. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve
statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and the
Company’s actual results, achievements or other future events or
conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the
forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties
and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to
herein and in the AIF under the heading “Risk Factors”.
The Company’s forward-looking statements are
based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of
management on the date the statements are made, many of which may
be difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control. In
connection with the forward-looking statements contained in this
press release and in the AIF, the Company has made certain
assumptions about, among other things: favourable equity and debt
capital markets; the ability to raise any necessary additional
capital on reasonable terms to advance the production, development
and exploration of the Company’s properties and assets; future
prices of copper, gold and other metal prices; the timing and
results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of any
mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; the geology of the
Caraíba Operations, the Xavantina Operations and the Tucumã Project
being as described in the respective technical report for each
property; production costs; the accuracy of budgeted exploration,
development and construction costs and expenditures; the price of
other commodities such as fuel; future currency exchange rates and
interest rates; operating conditions being favourable such that the
Company is able to operate in a safe, efficient and effective
manner; work force continuing to remain healthy in the face of
prevailing epidemics, pandemics or other health risks, political
and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental, regulatory
and third party approvals, licenses and permits on favourable
terms; obtaining required renewals for existing approvals, licenses
and permits on favourable terms; requirements under applicable
laws; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and
capital goods markets; availability of equipment; positive
relations with local groups and the Company’s ability to meet its
obligations under its agreements with such groups; and satisfying
the terms and conditions of the Company’s current loan
arrangements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions
inherent in forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the
date of this press release, these assumptions are subject to
significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory,
competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and
other factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions,
results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company
cautions that the foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.
Other events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ
materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or
implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this press
release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements
will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events
could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-
looking statements.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are
made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims
any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or results or
otherwise, except as and to the extent required by applicable
securities laws.
CAUTIONARY NOTES REGARDING MINERAL RESOURCE AND
MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES
Unless otherwise indicated, all reserve and
resource estimates included in this press release and the documents
incorporated by reference herein have been prepared in accordance
with National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of
Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) — CIM Definition
Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the
CIM Council, as amended (the “CIM Standards”). NI 43-101 is a rule
developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that
establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of
scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.
Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from
the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”), and reserve and resource information
included herein may not be comparable to similar information
disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, this press release and the
documents incorporated by reference herein use the terms “measured
resources,” “indicated resources” and “inferred resources” as
defined in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards.
Further to recent amendments, mineral property
disclosure requirements in the United States (the “U.S. Rules”) are
governed by subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) which differ
from the CIM Standards. As a foreign private issuer that is
eligible to file reports with the SEC pursuant to the
multi-jurisdictional disclosure system (the “MJDS”), Ero is not
required to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under the
U.S. Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under NI 43-101
and the CIM Standards. If Ero ceases to be a foreign private issuer
or loses its eligibility to file its annual report on Form 40-F
pursuant to the MJDS, then Ero will be subject to the U.S. Rules,
which differ from the requirements of NI 43-101 and the CIM
Standards.
Pursuant to the new U.S. Rules, the SEC
recognizes estimates of “measured mineral resources”, “indicated
mineral resources” and “inferred mineral resources”. In addition,
the definitions of “proven mineral reserves” and “probable mineral
reserves” under the U.S. Rules are now “substantially similar” to
the corresponding standards under NI 43-101. Mineralization
described using these terms has a greater amount of uncertainty as
to its existence and feasibility than mineralization that has been
characterized as reserves. Accordingly, U.S. investors are
cautioned not to assume that any measured mineral resources,
indicated mineral resources, or inferred mineral resources that Ero
reports are or will be economically or legally mineable. Further,
“inferred mineral resources” have a greater amount of uncertainty
as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally
or economically. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of
“inferred mineral resources” may not form the basis of feasibility
or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. While the above
terms under the U.S. Rules are “substantially similar” to the
standards under NI 43-101 and CIM Standards, there are differences
in the definitions under the U.S. Rules and CIM Standards.
Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral
resources that Ero may report as “proven mineral reserves”,
“probable mineral reserves”, “measured mineral resources”,
“indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral resources”
under NI 43-101 would be the same had Ero prepared the reserve or
resource estimates under the standards adopted under the U.S.
Rules.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/19e07d18-843c-43a6-84ac-74dc05a7d4a7
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2d1d8ae-f52d-4b56-8c6f-5e66e1fd8bc7
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72efbe24-9324-4de3-9742-b9ca9c387f1d
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d8313f0-a46b-4a86-9291-6a124b00048c
Ero Copper (NYSE:ERO)
過去 株価チャート
から 10 2024 まで 11 2024
Ero Copper (NYSE:ERO)
過去 株価チャート
から 11 2023 まで 11 2024