Capstone Copper Reports First Quarter 2025 Results
All amounts in US$ unless otherwise indicated
Q1 2025 OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
-
Consolidated total copper production for Q1 2025 was 53,796 tonnes at C1 cash costs
1
of
$2.59 /lb. Sulphide copper production for Q1 2025 was 45,950 tonnes at C1 cash costs1 of$2.23 /lb compared to 30,841 tonnes at$2.55 /lb in Q1 2024, largely driven by contributions from Mantoverde sulphides following the successful ramp-up in 2024. Mantoverde sulphides produced 16,268 tonnes of copper at C1 cash costs1 of$1.53 /lb in Q1 2025. -
Net loss attributable to shareholders of
$6.8 million , or$(0.01) per share for Q1 2025 compared to net loss attributable to shareholders of$4.8 million , or$(0.01) per share for Q1 2024. -
Adjusted net income attributable to shareholders
1
of
$8.1 million , or$0.01 per share for Q1 2025, compared toadjusted net loss attributable to shareholders1 of$4.5 million in Q1 2024. -
Record adjusted EBITDA
1
more than doubled to
$179.9 million for Q1 2025 from$80.1 million for Q1 2024, primarily due to increased sulphide copper production and higher realized copper price of$4.36 /lb compared to$3.85 /lb. -
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital of
$166.1 million in Q1 2025 compared to$62.1 million in Q1 2024. -
Net debt1 of
$788.1 million as atMarch 31, 2025 modestly increased from$742.0 million as atDecember 31, 2024 , driven by a working capital draw of$46.0 million largely related to a build-up of accounts receivables, in addition to non-recurring payments of$34.6 million for the final installment payment relating to the 2021 consolidation of the 100% interest inSanto Domingo and$10.0 million to repurchase a royalty atSanto Domingo . Total available liquidity1 of$1,044.5 million as atMarch 31, 2025 , comprising of$344.5 million of cash and short-term investments, and$700.0 million of undrawn amounts on the corporate revolving credit facility. -
Completion of an offering of an upsized
$600 million of 6.750% senior unsecured notes due 2033. The Company intends to apply the net proceeds of the offering to repay project financing debt at itsMantoverde S.A. subsidiary, to pay down outstanding debt on the Company's senior secured revolving credit facility, and for general corporate purposes. -
Repurchased a 2.0% net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty held on the
Santo Domingo project from Empresa Nacional de Mineria (“ENAMI”) for cash consideration of$10 million . The ENAMI royalty applied to certain concessions atSanto Domingo which covered approximately 26% of the Mineral Reserve mine plan per the 2024 Feasibility Study. -
The Company reiterates the 2025 guidance of 220,000 to 255,000 tonnes of copper production at
$2.20 to$2.50 per pound cash costs1. Total 2025 sustaining and expansionary capital expenditure guidance of$315 million , plus an additional$210 million for capitalized stripping and$25 million for exploration, is also reaffirmed. -
The CHESS Depository Interests (“CDI”) of the Company were added to the S&P/ASX 200 Index by the
S&P Dow Jones Indices prior to ASX market open onMarch 24, 2025 .
1 These are Non-GAAP performance measures. Refer to the section titled “Non-GAAP and Other Performance Measures”.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
Refer to Capstone's Q1 2025 MD&A and Financial Statements for detailed operating results.
|
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2024 |
Sulphide business |
|
|
Copper production (tonnes) |
|
|
Mantoverde2 |
16,268 |
— |
Mantos Blancos |
12,272 |
9,163 |
|
10,886 |
15,672 |
Cozamin |
6,524 |
6,006 |
Total sulphides |
45,950 |
30,841 |
C1 cash costs 1 ($/pound) produced |
|
|
Mantoverde2 |
1.53 |
— |
Mantos Blancos |
2.23 |
2.98 |
|
3.84 |
2.53 |
Cozamin |
1.28 |
1.93 |
Total sulphides |
2.23 |
2.55 |
|
|
|
Cathode business |
|
|
Copper production (tonnes) |
|
|
Mantoverde2 |
6,272 |
9,476 |
Mantos Blancos |
1,574 |
1,804 |
Total cathodes |
7,846 |
11,280 |
C1 cash costs 1 ($/pound) produced |
|
|
Mantoverde2 |
4.81 |
3.82 |
Mantos Blancos |
3.96 |
3.43 |
Total cathodes |
4.64 |
3.76 |
|
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
Copper production (tonnes) |
53,796 |
42,121 |
C1 cash costs 1 ($/pound) produced |
2.59 |
2.88 |
Copper sold (tonnes) |
53,134 |
40,996 |
Realized copper price1 ($/pound) |
4.36 |
3.85 |
2 Mantoverde shown on a 100% basis ( |
Sulphide Business
Q1 2025 sulphide production of 45,950 tonnes of copper in concentrate was 49% higher than 30,841 tonnes in Q1 2024. This was mainly due to the commencement of sulphide production at Mantoverde and higher sulphide production at Mantos Blancos following the successful ramp-up of the concentrator, both in the second half of 2024, partially offset by lower production at
Q1 2025 sulphide C1 cash costs1 of
Cathode Business
Q1 2025 cathode production of 7,846 tonnes of copper was 30% lower than 11,280 tonnes in Q1 2024, mainly driven by lower production from Mantoverde cathodes driven by lower oxide grades, planned maintenance, and a nationwide power outage in
Q1 2025 cathode C1 cash costs of
Consolidated Production
Q1 2025 consolidated production of 53,796 tonnes of copper was 28% higher than 42,121 tonnes in Q1 2024, mainly driven by increased copper production from the sulphide business.
Q1 2025 consolidated C1 cash costs1 of
Q1 2025 copper production of 22,540 tonnes was 138% higher than Q1 2024 mainly due to copper in concentrate production of 16,268 tonnes, partially offset by lower cathode production mainly driven by lower oxide copper grades as a result of mine sequence (0.30% in Q1 2025 versus 0.36% in Q1 2024) and lower heap recoveries driven by ore characteristics.
In Q1 2025, Mantoverde's new sulphide concentrator delivered strong operational performance despite a planned 5-day maintenance shutdown and a nationwide power outage in
Q1 2025 combined C1 cash costs1 were
Q1 2025 copper production of 13,846 tonnes, composed of 12,272 tonnes of copper in concentrate from sulphide operations and 1,574 tonnes of cathodes, was 26% higher than Q1 2024, due to higher sulphide mill throughput (19,141 tpd in Q1 2025 versus 14,214 tpd in Q1 2024) due to the successful concentrator ramp-up in 2024 and higher sulphides feed grades as a result of mine sequence (0.89% in Q1 2025 versus 0.87% in Q1 2024).
Since the installation of new equipment in the tailings handling area in Q3 2024, Mantos Blancos sulphide operations have exceeded the plant's nameplate milling capacity in November (average 20,271 tpd), December (20,007 tpd), January (20,628 tpd), and March (20,005 tpd). Operations in February (16,540 tpd) were impacted by a planned maintenance shutdown and the previously mentioned nationwide power outage in
Combined Q1 2025 C1 cash costs1 of
Q1 2025 copper production was 31% lower than Q1 2024 on lower mill throughput (49,597 tpd in Q1 2025 versus 52,458 tpd in Q1 2024), due to unscheduled downtime, lower feed grade tied to current quarter mine plan sequence (0.28% in Q1 2025 versus 0.36% in Q1 2024) and lower recoveries (83.2% Q1 2025 versus 87.7% Q1 2024) due to higher acid soluble ratio and lower grade ore. In line with sustaining capital guidance, over the next two quarters twelve new haul trucks will be incrementally delivered and assembled, to complement the new shovel received at the end of 2024. The new trucks will be used to drive incremental material movement in the mine.
Q1 2025 C1 cash costs1 of
Q1 2025 copper production was 9% higher than Q1 2024 due to higher grades (2.05% in Q1 2025 versus 1.98% in Q1 2024), consistent with the mine plan and higher mill throughput (3,641 tpd in Q1 2025 versus 3,447 tpd in Q1 2024). Recoveries were consistent with the same period previous year.
Q1 2025 C1 cash costs1 were
2025 Guidance
The Company reiterates its 2025 consolidated production, C1 cash cost1, capital expenditure, capitalized stripping and exploration expenditure guidance as follows: 220-255kt consolidated production of copper,
KEY UPDATES
The Company announced the results of its Mantoverde Optimized ("MV Optimized") Feasibility Study ("FS") on
Mantoverde Phase II
The Company is in the early stages of evaluating the next major phase of growth for Mantoverde, which could include the addition of an entire second processing line. There are 0.2 billion tonnes of Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources and 0.6 billion tonnes of Inferred sulphide Mineral Resources in addition to the reserves that are currently being considered as part of MV Optimized. In addition, exploration targets include the northern portion of the current Mantoverde pit and the northern extension (~10km long) of the projection of the prospective Atacama fault system, which are planned to assist in determining the location of key infrastructure and the economic viability of the project.
The 2024 FS for
The FS updated the level of engineering to
The Company is progressing partnership and financing discussions for the
In Q1 2025,
Mantoverde - Santo Domingo Pyrite Augmentation & Cobalt
A district cobalt plant for the MV-SD district is designed to unlock cobalt production while reducing sulphuric acid consumption and increasing heap leach copper production. The cobalt recovery process comprises a pyrite flotation step to recover cobaltiferous pyrite from the tailings streams at Mantoverde and
As currently envisioned, a smaller capacity plant will initially treat cobalt by-product streams from Mantoverde only, producing up to 1,500 tonnes per annum of cobalt, and following sanctioning of the
Mantos Blancos Phase II
The Company is currently evaluating the next phase of growth for Mantos Blancos, which is analyzing the potential to increase the concentrator plant throughput to at least 27,000 tpd and increase cathode production from the underutilized SX-EW plant. The sulphide concentrator plant expansion is expected to utilize existing and unused or underutilized process equipment, such as two idled ball mills, plus additional equipment for concentrate filtration, thickening and filtering of tailings. The increase in cathode production is being evaluated based on an opportunity to re-leach spent ore from historical leaching and flotation operations. The increase in cathode production would utilize existing SX-EW plant capacity, with the addition of a dynamic leach pad, agglomeration and stacking infrastructure. The Mantos Blancos Phase II study is expected toward the end of 2025.
PV District Growth
The Company continues to review and evaluate the consolidation potential of the
Corporate Exploration Update
Capstone Copper’s exploration team is predominantly focused on organic growth opportunities to expand Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves at all four mines and at the
At Mantoverde during Q1 2025, exploration activities focused on continuing ramping up exploration drilling activities with five rigs on site. The program considers a first phase of
At Mantos Blancos, infill drilling continued during Q1 2025, with a focus on phases 15, 16, and 23.
At Sierra Norte, work continued in Q1 2025, with the review and validation of the historical drilling database and the geological model of the deposit. Re-logging of representative cross sections and re-assay program are underway to generate an updated geological model and drilling database.
At Cozamin during Q1 2025, exploration drilling continued targeting step-outs up-dip and down-dip from the Mala Noche West Target, and also down-dip of other historical
Leadership Succession Plan
As previously announced the following leadership changes will take effect at the next Annual General Meeting of the Company on
-
John MacKenzie will transition from Chief Executive Officer and will be nominated to the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Capstone Copper Board of Directors; -
Cashel Meagher , current President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeedMr. MacKenzie as CEO ofCapstone Copper , and will also be nominated as a member of the Board; -
James Whittaker , current Senior Vice President, Head ofChile , will succeedMr. Meagher as COO. This facilitates a flattening of the organizational structure with all mine general managers reporting directly to the COO; -
Darren M. Pylot , founder ofCapstone Mining Corp. ("Capstone Mining") and current Chair of the Board, will end his term on the Board after over 20 years with Capstone Mining as a founder and CEO, and subsequently as Chair of the Board ofCapstone Copper .
On
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
Please refer to Capstone's Q1 2025 MD&A and Financial Statements for detailed financial results.
($ millions, except per share data) |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2024 |
||
Revenue |
533.3 |
|
339.9 |
|
|
|
|
||
Net loss |
(1.2 |
) |
(5.8 |
) |
|
|
|
||
Net loss attributable to shareholders |
(6.8 |
) |
(4.8 |
) |
Net loss attributable to shareholders per common share - basic and diluted ($) |
(0.01 |
) |
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
||
Adjusted net income (loss)1 |
8.1 |
|
(4.5 |
) |
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders per common share - basic and diluted |
0.01 |
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
||
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital |
166.1 |
|
62.1 |
|
|
|
|
||
Adjusted EBITDA1 |
179.9 |
|
80.1 |
|
|
|
|
||
Realized copper price1 |
||||
($/pound) |
4.36 |
|
3.85 |
|
($ millions) |
|
|
||
Net debt1 |
(788.1 |
) |
(742.0 |
) |
Attributable net debt1 |
(653.7 |
) |
(600.6 |
) |
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS
Capstone will host a conference call and webcast on
Dial-in numbers for the audio-only portion of the conference call are below. Due to an increase in call volume, please dial-in at least five minutes prior to the call to ensure placement into the conference line on time.
A replay of the conference call will be available until
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document may contain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable securities legislation.
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company's expectations or beliefs regarding future events. The Company's Sustainable Development Strategy goals and strategies are based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, the reliability of data sources; the biodiversity and climate-change consequences; availability and effectiveness of technologies needed to achieve the Company's sustainability goals and priorities; availability of land or other opportunities for conservation, rehabilitation or capacity building on commercially reasonable terms and the Company's ability to obtain any required external approvals or consensus for such opportunities; the availability of clean energy sources and zero-emissions alternatives for transportation on reasonable terms; availability of resources to achieve the goals in a timely manner, the Company's ability to successfully implement new technology; and the performance of new technologies in accordance with the Company's expectations.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, the success of the underground paste backfill and tailings filtration projects at Cozamin, the results of the
In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “approximately”, “believes”, “budget”, “estimates”, expects”, “forecasts”, “guidance”, intends”, “plans”, “scheduled”, “target”, or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results “be achieved”, “could”, “may”, “might”, “occur”, “should”, “will be taken” or “would” or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. In this document certain forward-looking statements are identified by words including “anticipated”, “expected”, “guidance” and “plan”. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, amongst others, risks related to inherent hazards associated with mining operations and closure of mining projects, future prices of copper and other metals, compliance with financial covenants, inflation, surety bonding, the Company's ability to raise capital, Capstone Copper’s ability to acquire properties for growth, counterparty risks associated with sales of the Company's metals, use of financial derivative instruments and associated counterparty risks, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, market access restrictions or tariffs, changes in
COMPLIANCE WITH NI 43-101
Unless otherwise indicated,
Disclosure Documents include the National Instrument 43-101 technical reports titled "
The disclosure of Scientific and Technical Information in this document was reviewed and approved by
Non-GAAP and Other Performance Measures
The Company uses certain performance measures in its analysis. These Non-GAAP performance measures are included in this MD&A because these statistics are key performance measures that management uses to monitor performance, to assess how the Company is performing, and to plan and assess the overall effectiveness and efficiency of mining operations. These performance measures do not have a standard meaning within IFRS Accounting Standards and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable to similar data presented by other mining companies. These performance measures should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for measures of performance in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards.
Some of these performance measures are presented in Highlights and discussed further in other sections of the MD&A. These measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding operating results because they exclude certain significant items that are not considered indicative of future financial trends either by nature or amount. As a result, these items are excluded from management assessment of operational performance and preparation of annual budgets. These significant items may include, but are not limited to, restructuring and asset impairment charges, individually significant gains and losses from sales of assets, share-based compensation, unrealized gains or losses, and certain items outside the control of management. These items may not be non-recurring. However, excluding these items from GAAP or Non-GAAP results allows for a consistent understanding of the Company's consolidated financial performance when performing a multi-period assessment including assessing the likelihood of future results. Accordingly, these Non-GAAP financial measures may provide insight to investors and other external users of the Company's consolidated financial information.
C1 Cash Costs Per Payable Pound of Copper Produced
C1 cash costs per payable pound of copper produced is a measure reflective of operating costs per unit. C1 cash costs is calculated as cash production costs of metal produced net of by-product credits and is a key performance measure that management uses to monitor performance. Management uses this measure to assess how well the Company’s producing mines are performing and to assess the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the mining operations and assumes that realized by-product prices are consistent with those prevailing during the reporting period.
All-in Sustaining Costs Per Payable Pound of Copper Produced
All-in sustaining costs per payable pound of copper produced is an extension of the C1 cash costs measure discussed above and is also a non-GAAP key performance measure that management uses to monitor performance. Management uses this measure to analyze margins achieved on existing assets while sustaining and maintaining production at current levels. Consolidated All-in sustaining costs includes sustaining capital and corporate general and administrative costs.
Net debt / Net cash
Net (debt) / Net cash is a non-GAAP performance measure used by the Company to assess its financial position and is composed of Long-term debt (excluding deferred financing costs and purchase price accounting ("PPA") fair value adjustments), Cost overrun facility from MMC, Cash and cash equivalents, Short-term investments, and excluding shareholder loans.
Attributable Net debt / Net cash
Attributable net (debt) / net cash is a non-GAAP performance measure used by the Company to assess its financial position and is calculated as net debt / net cash excluding amounts attributable to non-controlling interests.
Available Liquidity
Available liquidity is a non-GAAP performance measure used by the Company to assess its financial position and is composed of RCF credit capacity, Mantoverde DP facility capacity, the Senior Notes. cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. For clarity, Available liquidity does not include the Mantoverde
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders is a non-GAAP measure of Net loss attributable to shareholders as reported, adjusted for certain types of transactions that in the Company's judgment are not indicative of normal operating activities or do not necessarily occur on a regular basis.
EBITDA
EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure of net loss before net finance expense, tax expense, and depletion and amortization.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is non-GAAP measure of EBITDA before the pre-tax effect of the adjustments made to net loss (above) as well as certain other adjustments required under the RCF agreement in the determination of EBITDA for covenant calculation purposes.
The adjustments made to Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders and Adjusted EBITDA allow management and readers to analyze the Company's results more clearly and understand the cash-generating potential of the Company.
Sustaining Capital
Sustaining capital is expenditures to maintain existing operations and sustain production levels. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to GAAP segment MPPE additions is included within the mine site sections of this document.
Expansionary capital is expenditures to increase current or future production capacity, cash flow or earnings potential. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to GAAP segment MPPE additions is included within the mine site sections of this document.
Realized copper price (per pound)
Realized price per pound is a non-GAAP ratio that is calculated using the non-GAAP measures of revenue on new shipments, revenue on prior shipments, and pricing and volume adjustments. Realized prices exclude the stream cash effects as well as treatment and refining charges. Management believes that measuring these prices enables investors to better understand performance based on the realized copper sales in the current and prior periods.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250501761365/en/
437-788-1767
dsampieri@capstonecopper.com
(+61) 412-251-818
mslifirski@capstonecopper.com
416-831-8908
cstirling@capstonecopper.com
Source: