Victor Gobitz
Analyst · Morgan Stanley
Thank you, Rodrigo. Good morning to all, and thank you for attending this conference call. We are pleased to present the results of the third quarter of 2019 from Compania de Minas Buenaventura. We have prepared a PowerPoint presentation, which is available in our webpage. Before we go forward, please take a moment to review the cautionary statements found on Slide number 2.Moving on to Slide 3. Highlights were as follows. Buenaventura generated $12 million in additional EBITDA through the company's De-Bottlenecking Program. Through this program, Buenaventura is increasing the efficiency of its Tambomayo, Uchucchacua, El Brocal and Orcopampa mines.In this third quarter, the EBITDA from our direct operations was $55.8 million compared to $60.8 million reported in the third quarter of 2018, primarily due to a reduction in production and volumes sold at the companies of Orcopampa and La Zanja mines. However, this represents a continuous positive sequential quarterly trends.This third quarter, EBITDA was negatively affected in the amount of $10 million due to a one-off event related to the headcount reduction at Orcopampa and more than expected inventory generated at Tambomayo mines.In the third quarter, the adjusted EBITDA, including associated companies, reached $158.5 million compared to $150.8 million in the third quarter of 2018.In this third quarter, capital expenditures were $28 million compared to $18.5 million for the same period in 2018.In this third quarter, net income was $4.5 million compared to a net income of minus $10.3 million for the same period in 2018.Our portfolio of greenfield projects continued progressing well. In San Gabriel, our gold project, and Trapiche, our copper project, we have achieved pre-feasibility stage in this third quarter. Buenaventura expects to declare ore reserves in the first quarter of 2020.At Yanacocha, Quecher Main is on budget and should achieve commercial production by fourth quarter of this year.Cerro Verde's third quarter was primarily affected by the social unrest related to a copper project in the region, which restricted the workforce’s access to the mine and the replacement of consumables. Due to this, the processing plant treated stockpiles, which negatively affected grades and recoveries. A dividend payment of $0.27 per share was approved by Buenaventura's Board.Moving on to Slide 4. We are showing our strategic map where we use, as usual, the capital B from the logo of Buenaventura as a visual index for the following slides. In the coming slides, we shall discuss the financial results of the company.Moving on to Slide 5, Financial Highlights. Total revenues during the third quarter were $230 million, which is 14% lower in comparison to the third quarter in 2018. This was primarily due to a decrease in volumes sold of gold and silver.The EBITDA from our direct operations in the third quarter of 2019 was $55.8 million, which is 8% lower in comparison to the same quarter last year, mainly due to the reduction in volumes sold at the company's Orcopampa and La Zanja as budgeted.EBITDA, including our affiliates, in the third quarter was $158.5 million, which is 5% higher in comparison to the third quarter of 2018.The cumulative EBITDA including associates as of September 2019 is $444.2 million, which is 14% lower in comparison to the same period of 2018.And the net income in the third quarter of this year was $4.5 million compared to a net income of minus $10.3 million a year ago. In the case of our first 9 months of the year, net income was $41.5 million, which is 30% lower than the same period of 2018.The CapEx has increased to $28 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the $18.5 million in 2018. During the first 9 months of the year, the CapEx was $64.3 million, an 8% decrease compared to the same period of 2018. It is in line with our budget target as reported at the beginning of the year. The free cash flow in the third quarter of 2019 was $11 million. So during the first 9 months of this year, the free cash flow was $7 million.Moving on to Slide 6. As you can see in this slide, we have included the updated estimates related to key financial figures including the new estimates mentioned before. The new guidance for total revenues ranges between $850 million and $950 million. The updated guidance for EBITDA from direct operations is now between $220 million and $260 million. The EBITDA including associates has not been modified. The new guidance for net income is between $70 million and $90 million. The guidance for the estimated CapEx remains the same. And the free cash flow has been updated to a range between $70 million and $100 million.Moving on to Slide 7. In this slide, you can see the upward trend of the EBITDA from our direct operations, which is forecast to reach in the range of $220 million and $260 million. On the lower part of this slide, there are 3 graphs, showing the decreasing trend of the unit cost per metric ton in the mines as a result of the implementation of the De-Bottlenecking Program. In the case of El Brocal, the cause of decrease in this quarter was due to mechanical issues of its processing plants.Moving on to Slide 8. Here again, you can see the capital B as a visual index for analyzing the results of our portfolio of operations.Moving on to Slide 9 and 10, attributable production. Total gold attributable production in the third quarter of 2019 was 121,000 ounces, which is 25% lower than the figure reported in the same quarter last year. In the first 9 months of 2019, total gold attributable production was 350,000 ounces, 22% lower than the same period in 2018. This reduction is mainly explained by lower production coming from Orcopampa.Silver attributable production for this quarter was 5 million ounces, which shows a decrease of 25% compared to the figure reported in the third quarter of 2018. In the first 9 months of 2019, silver production was 14.5 million ounces, which is 31% lower than the total silver production in the same period of 2018. This decrease is mainly explained by low production in Uchucchacua as a result of the workers' union strike at the beginning of January and also lower silver grade than expected.In third quarter of this year, 13,100 metric tons of zinc was produced, 15% lower in comparison to the third quarter of 2018. During the first 9 months of this year, 42,000 metric tons of zinc was produced, which is 12% lower compared to the first 9 months of 2018. The decrease was mainly due to low production of Uchucchacua and El Brocal mines.In the case of lead, production was 9,200 metric tons in the third quarter of this year, which is 17% lower in comparison to the third quarter of 2018. For the first 9 months of this year, lead production was 30,400 metric tons, 7% greater than the lead production in the first 9 months of the previous year.Finally, our copper attributable production for the second quarter of the year was 28,200 metric tons, an 11% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2018. In the case of the first 9 months of 2019, total copper attributable production was 84,600 metric tons, 6% lower than the same period of 2018.Moving on to Slide 11, the all-in sustaining costs for our Layec operations in the third quarter of the current year decreased to $914 per ounce of gold, 10% lower in comparison to the same period a year ago. The cost of applicable sales in the third quarter of 2019 were as follows: For gold, $1,030 per ounce, which is 21% higher than a year ago. For silver, $11.76 per ounce, which is 16% higher than a year ago. For lead, $1,147 per metric ton, which is 5% lower than a year ago. For copper, $4,987 per metric ton, which is 13% lower in comparison to a year ago. Finally, in the case of zinc, the cost applied to sales was $1,566 per metric ton, which is 47% higher than a year ago.Moving on to Slide 12, the De-Bottlenecking Program. As a result of the company's De-Bottlenecking Program, in general terms, the company was reduced, production was reduced, but this had been offset by lower operating cost resulting in increased profitability in terms of and at the same time, lowering cost and extending life of mine.In the specific case of El Brocal, the cost reduction program is in line with expectations. However, this was negatively affected by a one-off event related to mechanical issues at its processing facilities which affected the results in this third quarter. This will be normalized by the end of 2019 this year.Finally, costs of Buenaventura's Orcopampa operations have not yet been stabilized due to a one-off event in the year related to the headcount reduction of Buenaventura and contracted employees. This should be also normalized by the end of this year.Moving on to Slide 13. Once again, you can see our capital B from our logo used for analyzing in more detail the updated information regarding our portfolio of projects.Moving on to Slide 14. Here we are presenting in 1 snapshot the current development level for each one of our projects.Moving on to Slide 15, it is important to highlight the following details. In San Gabriel, our gold project, we have completed pre-feasibility studies with Ausenco, and we are aiming at declaring our reserves by the first quarter of 2020. We are already starting the permitted, the permit process to build its processing facility, and we have delayed the permit related to reinforced social acceptance. And we expect to reach both permits by the first half of 2020.In the case of Trapiche, our copper project, this project has already completed the pre-feasibility studies. We are aiming to declare, as well, reserves by the first quarter of 2020. The Environmental Impact Assessment is in progress, and we expect to complete it by the first quarter of 2021. The permit related to social previous consultation is expected to be reached in the second quarter of 2021.And in the case of Rio Seco, our chemical plant, the pre-feasibility stage is expected to be complete in the first half of 2020. The Environmental Impact Assessment is in progress. And we are already running our pilot test program, applying FL Smith's technology. We intend to unlock the value of our copper portfolio with this project.And in the case of Tantahuatay sulfides project, we expect to reach the pre-feasibility stage by the first half of 2020. We are currently preparing the Environmental Impact Assessment process with initial documentation and also we have started the basic engineering for the tailing dam facilities.Moving on to Slide 19. Thank you for your attention, and we'll hand up the call back to the operator to open the line for questions.Operator, please go ahead.