EX-99.1 2 a07-12614_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

11811 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 2500, Phoenix, AZ 85028, U.S.A.
Phone: (602) 494-5328 - Fax: (602) 494-5317

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Investor Relations (602) 494-5328

Southern Copper Corporation Reports

First Quarter 2007 Results

Phoenix, April 26, 2007- Southern Copper Corporation (SCC) (NYSE and LSE: PCU)

2007 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

·                  First quarter 2007 net sales increased by $237.0 million when compared to the first quarter of 2006 and amounted to $1,358.3 million, an increase of 21.1%.

·                  EBITDA during the first quarter of 2007 rose by $193.2 million to $878.0 million and was equivalent to 64.6% of sales, compared to an EBITDA of $684.8 million, equivalent to 61.1% of sales, in the first quarter of 2006.

·                  First quarter 2007 net income increased to $563.5 million from $421.6 million in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 33.7% and amounted to $1.914 per fully diluted share, compared to $1.432 per fully diluted share for the first quarter of 2006, due principally to higher copper prices.

·                  Copper production in the first quarter of 2007 increased by more than 6% compared to first quarter of 2006 while at the same time we successfully contained operating cost pressures.

·                  Capital expenditures, including exploration expense amounted to $91.4 million during the first quarter of 2007, a 38.1% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2006, due principally to the completion of the Ilo smelter modernization in January 2007.

·                  On April 26, 2007 the Board of Directors authorized a dividend of $1.50 per share to be paid on June 1, 2007 to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2007.

1




·                  The LME and COMEX copper price averaged $2.69 and $2.70 per pound in the 2007 first quarter, respectively, compared to $2.24 and $ 2.25 in the first quarter of 2006.   Metals Week dealer oxide molybdenum price for the first quarter of 2007 averaged $25.81 per pound, compared to $22.25 per pound in the first quarter of 2006.

·                  After giving effect to first quarter 2007 capital and exploration spending of $91.4 million and dividend distribution of $500.6 million, net debt (debt minus cash) remained practically the same at the end of March 2007 and amounted to $259.3 million compared to $225.3 million at the end of 2006.  At the same time stockholders’ equity in the first quarter of 2007 increased by 1.3% and amounted to $3.7 billion as of March 31, 2007, and increased by 17.5% over the last twelve months.

·                  During April 2007, we entered into copper collar contracts to protect 8.4 million pounds per month, for each of the months June 2007 through December 2007 at zero collar cost, with a floor price of $3.18 per pound and a ceiling price of $4.04 per pound.

2




SUMMARY FINANCIAL TABLE

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Var.

 

%

 

 

 

(in millions, except per share amounts and %s)

 

Copper sold - pounds

 

366.5

 

334.0

 

32.5

 

9.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

1,358.3

 

$

1,121.3

 

$

237.0

 

21.1

%

Cost of Sales

 

466.6

 

406.9

 

59.7

 

14.7

%

Operating Income

 

787.4

 

632.7

 

154.7

 

24.5

%

EBITDA GAAP (1)

 

878.0

 

684.8

 

193.2

 

28.2

%

EBITDA Margin

 

64.6

%

61.1

%

3.5

%

5.7

%

Net earnings

 

563.5

 

421.6

 

141.9

 

33.7

%

Earnings per share

 

1.914

 

1.432

 

0.482

 

33.7

%

Capital expenditures

 

$

85.0

 

$

143.1

 

$

(58.1

)

(40.6

)%


(1)             Reconciliation of net earnings to EBITDA GAAP

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net earnings

 

$

563.5

 

$

421.6

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

1.6

 

1.7

 

Income taxes

 

235.9

 

199.9

 

Interest expense

 

29.8

 

22.9

 

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

74.1

 

53.1

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

(21.9

)

(9.3

)

Capitalized interest

 

(5.0

)

(5.1

)

EBITDA

 

$

878.0

 

$

684.8

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Var.

 

%

 

 

 

(in millions, except per share amounts and %s)

 

Total debt at end of period

 

$

1,528.2

 

$

1,172.1

 

$

356.1

 

30.4

%

Total debt to capitalization ratio

 

29.1

%

27.0

%

2.1

%

7.8

%

Total cash and marketable securities at end of period

 

$

1,268.9

 

$

775.6

 

$

493.3

 

63.6

%

Net debt (debt minus cash)

 

$

259.3

 

$

396.5

 

$

(137.2

)

(34.6

)%

Production data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper mined (lbs)

 

378.4

 

353.9

 

24.5

 

6.9

%

Molybdenum mined (lbs)

 

8.1

 

7.6

 

0.5

 

6.6

%

Silver mined (oz)

 

4.5

 

4.2

 

0.3

 

7.1

%

Zinc mined (lbs)

 

71.3

 

76.3

 

(5.0

)

(6.6

)%

 

3




Southern Copper Corporation, reports net earnings of $563.5 million, or diluted earnings per share of $1.914, for the first quarter of 2007 compared with $421.6 million, or diluted earnings per share of $1.432, for the first quarter of 2006.

Net sales were $1,358.3 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared with $1,121.3 million in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 21.1%.   The average prices for all our metals were higher in the first quarter of 2007 than the comparable period of 2006. See price chart on page 6.

Mine copper production amounted to 378.4 million pounds in the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 6.9% compared with the first quarter of 2006.  This increase of 24.5 million pounds included 14.6 million pounds from the Mexican open pit operations, 8.5 million pounds from the Peruvian open pit mines and 1.4 million pounds from the Mexican underground mines.

The increase of 14.6 million pounds in production from the Mexican open-pit mines included 9.1 million pounds from the La Caridad mine and 5.5 million pounds from the Cananea mine.  The increase at La Caridad was from an increase in throughput and an increase in mill recovery. This increase was reduced somewhat by a decrease in ore grade. The 2006 production was reduced by an illegal work stoppage, which began in the first quarter of 2006 and lasted into the third quarter. The increase of 5.5 million pounds at the Cananea mine was the result of higher ore grades and higher PLS grades.  The increased production at the Peruvian mines came from the Cuajone mine, which increased by 9.9 million pounds, and was the result of higher ore grades in the 2007 period. Production at Toquepala, the other Peruvian mine, decreased by 1.7 million pounds primarily due to lower mill recoveries as a result of treating ore with higher oxide content.  Additionally, Peruvian SX/EW production increased by 0.3 million pounds due to higher PLS grades.  The increase of 1.4 million pounds at the Mexican underground mines was due principally to an increase of 1.0 million pounds at the San Martin mine.  In the first quarter of 2006, production at the San Martin mine was reduced due to an illegal work stoppage.

Molybdenum production increased to 8.1 million pounds in the first quarter of 2007 from 7.6 million pounds in the first quarter of 2006.  This 6.6% increase in production was the result of an increase of 1.8 million pounds in the Mexican production, due to higher ore grades at the La Caridad mine net of a decrease of 1.3 million pounds in the Peruvian operations due to lower grade and recovery at the Toquepala mine.

Mine zinc production decreased 5.0 million pounds in the first quarter of 2007 to 71.3 million pounds compared with 76.3 million the first quarter of 2006. This 6.6% decrease in production was due to lower average ore grades and recovery.

Commenting on the Company’s results, for the first quarter of 2007, Mr. German Larrea, Chairman of SCC said, “Earnings for the first quarter of 2007 amounted to $563.5 million, an increase of $141.9 million over the first quarter of 2006 and is attributable to the continued robust prices for most of our metals and to an increase of more than 6% in copper production.  We have continued to focus on cost containment and expect 2007 to be another rewarding year for the Company.

4




Oscar Gonzalez Rocha, Executive President and CEO, reported on the Company’s modernization program, the Ilo smelter modernization project was completed on January 31, 2007.  While the environmental aspects of the smelter are operating as required, we have encountered some delays in getting the smelter to full capacity and as a consequence we have been selling some concentrates.  As of March 31, 2007, smelter production reached 80% of capacity and we anticipate reaching full capacity in the second quarter of 2007.  With the completion of this project we have fulfilled our total obligation under the Environmental Compliance and Management Program (PAMA).  Investment for all steps of the PAMA was over $600 million.

Additionally, the Company’s crushing and conveying project at the Toquepala mine is in full production.  The primary crusher and associated overland conveying system are fully operational; construction of the operating ramp had placed 41.8 millions tons of material and will be completed in the second quarter of 2007.  The project is 99.8% complete.  We will construct a new SX/EW plant at the Cananea mine with a 33,000 mtpy capacity.   Proposals for an engineering, procurement and construction management contract have been received and are being analyzed.  In conjunction with this project, the Company is developing a crushing and conveying system project with a 15 million mtpy capacity.

Xavier Garcia de Quevedo, Executive President and COO, reported on the expansion projects at the Cananea mine, the concentrator expansion is under a technical and economic evaluation.  The expanded concentrator would have an additional milling capacity of 35,000 tons per year and would begin production in the year 2009.  In parallel, due to improving molybdenum grades, the Company also plans to build a molybdenum plant to produce concentrates with approximately 4,000 tons of molybdenum content.

Additionally, Mr. German Larrea commented on the Company’s exploration activities. In particular he referred to the pre-feasibility study at Los Chancas, a copper-molybdenum property in southern Peru that is in progress and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2007.  Additionally, we have contracted a consulting firm to prepare a feasibility study for Tia Maria, a copper oxide deposit in the department of Arequipa, Peru.  This study should be completed by the third quarter of 2007 in order to develop this project.

5




 

 

 

LME

 

COMEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metals Price

 

Copper

 

Copper

 

Zinc

 

Silver

 

Gold

 

Molybdenum

 

Average

 

($/lb)

 

($/lb)

 

($/lb)

 

($/Oz)

 

($/oz)

 

($/lb)

 

1Q 2007

 

2.69

 

2.70

 

1.57

 

13.29

 

650.27

 

25.81

 

1Q 2006

 

2.24

 

2.25

 

1.02

 

9.70

 

553.98

 

22.25

 

Var. 1Q-07 vs. 1Q-06

 

20.1

%

20.0

%

53.9

%

37.0

%

17.4

%

16.0

%

Average 2006

 

3.05

 

3.09

 

1.49

 

11.54

 

604.34

 

24.38

 


Source: Silver — COMEX; Gold and Zinc — LME; Molybdenum — Metals Week Dealer Oxide.

 

Metal Production and Sales

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper (000s pounds)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mined

 

378,400

 

353,900

 

6.9

%

Smelted

 

241,600

 

321,100

 

(24.8

)%

Refined

 

248,800

 

338,900

 

(26.6

)%

Rod

 

59,100

 

69,100

 

(14.5

)%

Sales

 

366,500

 

334,000

 

9.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (000s ounces)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mined

 

4,500

 

4,200

 

7.1

%

Refined

 

2,700

 

3,200

 

(15.6

)%

Sales

 

4,400

 

4,800

 

(8.3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Molybdenum (000s pounds)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mined

 

8,100

 

7,600

 

6.6

%

Sales

 

8,000

 

7,300

 

(9.6

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc (000s pounds)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mined

 

71,300

 

76,300

 

(6.6

)%

Refined

 

47,000

 

10,100

 

365.3

%

Sales

 

65,600

 

79,700

 

(17.7

)%

 

6




Southern Copper Corporation

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

VAR %

 

 

 

(in thousands, except for per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales:

 

$

1,358,337

 

$

1,121,291

 

21.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and depletion shown separately below)

 

466,645

 

406,944

 

14.7

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

23,799

 

24,016

 

(0.9

)%

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

74,098

 

53,103

 

39.5

%

Exploration

 

6,418

 

4,573

 

40.3

%

Total operating costs and expenses

 

570,960

 

488,636

 

16.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

787,377

 

632,655

 

24.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(29,806

)

(22,907

)

30.1

%

Capitalized interest

 

4,966

 

5,095

 

(2.5

)%

Gain on derivative instruments

 

1,507

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

14,979

 

(978

)

(1,631.6

)%

Interest income

 

21,928

 

9,305

 

135.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and minority interest

 

800,951

 

623,170

 

28.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

235,902

 

199,872

 

18.0

%

Minority interest

 

1,591

 

1,723

 

(7.7

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

563,458

 

$

421,575

 

33.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per common share amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings—basic and diluted

 

$

1.914

 

$

1.432

 

33.7

%

Dividends paid

 

$

1.700

 

$

1.375

 

23.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding (Basic and diluted)

 

294,461

 

294,456

 

 

 

 

7




Southern Copper Corporation

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited)

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2006

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and marketable securities

 

$

1,268,850

 

$

1,302,778

 

$

775,627

 

Accounts receivable

 

502,701

 

606,426

 

359,790

 

Inventories

 

456,636

 

413,652

 

436,148

 

Prepaid taxes and other assets

 

107,215

 

120,021

 

67,544

 

Total current assets

 

2,335,402

 

2,442,877

 

1,639,109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, net

 

3,555,408

 

3,538,295

 

3,414,357

 

Leachable material, net

 

240,968

 

231,516

 

199,612

 

Intangible assets, net

 

117,542

 

118,107

 

120,157

 

Other assets, net

 

34,133

 

45,619

 

42,369

 

Total assets

 

$

6,283,453

 

$

6,376,414

 

$

5,415,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

10,000

 

$

10,000

 

$

10,000

 

Accounts payable

 

278,462

 

271,064

 

210,180

 

Income taxes

 

164,203

 

226,047

 

322,875

 

Due to affiliates

 

4,552

 

3,581

 

7,378

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

8,369

 

Accrued workers’ participation

 

232,639

 

299,892

 

138,541

 

Interest

 

21,894

 

37,140

 

4,681

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

15,450

 

11,847

 

82,034

 

Total current liabilities

 

727,200

 

859,571

 

784,058

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

1,518,172

 

1,518,111

 

1,162,135

 

Deferred income taxes

 

180,108

 

194,759

 

181,267

 

Other liabilities

 

116,642

 

111,196

 

101,980

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

12,424

 

12,183

 

11,461

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

1,827,346

 

1,836,249

 

1,456,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

13,796

 

13,989

 

11,516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

665,203

 

678,630

 

690,808

 

Accumulated comprehensive income

 

3,049,908

 

2,987,975

 

2,472,379

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

3,715,111

 

3,666,605

 

3,163,187

 

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders’ equity

 

$

6,283,453

 

$

6,376,414

 

$

5,415,604

 

 

8




Southern Copper Corporation

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

563,458

 

$

421,575

 

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

74,098

 

53,103

 

Capitalized leachable material

 

(20,461

)

 

Minority interest

 

1,591

 

1,723

 

Cash provided from (used for) operating assets and liabilities

 

(85,030

)

(58,958

)

Other, net

 

14,941

 

20,214

 

Net cash provided from operating activities

 

548,597

 

437,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(85,030

)

(143,117

)

Other, net

 

1,171

 

(1,811

)

Net cash used for investing activities

 

(83,859

)

(144,928

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(500,584

)

(404,877

)

Distributions to minority interest

 

(1,759

)

(2,985

)

Other

 

61

 

658

 

Net cash used for financing activities

 

(502,282

)

(407,204

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and marketable securities

 

3,616

 

14,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and marketable securities

 

(33,928

)

$

(100,376

)

 

9




 

Company Profile

Southern Copper Corporation is one of the largest integrated copper producers worldwide and holds the largest copper reserves of any listed company in the world.  We are a NYSE and Lima Stock Exchange (LSE) listed company that is 75.1% owned by Grupo Mexico, a Mexican company listed on the Mexican stock exchange.  The remaining 24.9% ownership interest is held by the international investment community.  We operate mining units and metallurgical facilities and we conduct exploration activities in Peru, Mexico and Chile.

Conference call

The Company’s first quarter earnings conference call and web cast presentation will be held on Monday, April 30, 2007 beginning at 11:30 hrs. (EST — New York) (10:30hrs Lima and Mexico City time).

To participate:

Dial-in number:

 

866-371-3858 in the U.S.
832-445-1647 outside the U.S.

Conference ID:

 

5162436

Leader:

 

J. Eduardo Gonzalez, Chief Financial Officer

Conference call name:

 

“Southern Copper First Quarter 2007 Results”

 

 

 

 

 

###

This news release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  In addition to the risks and uncertainties noted in this news release, there are certain factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made.  These factors include those listed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s most recently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K.  The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

10