Taseko Reports $48 Million of Adjusted EBITDA IN the First Quarter 2017
*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release.
TASEKO REPORTS $48 MILLION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA IN THE FIRST
QUARTER 2017
This release should be read with the Company’s Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis
("MD&A"), available at www.tasekomines.com and filed on www.sedar.com. Except where otherwise noted, all
currency amounts are stated in Canadian dollars. Taseko’s 75% owned Gibraltar Mine is located north of the City
of Williams Lake in south-central British Columbia. Production volumes stated in this release are on a 100% basis
unless otherwise indicated.
May 3, 201 7, Vancouver, BC – Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO; NYSE MKT: TGB) ("Taseko" or the
"Company") reports the results for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Russell Hallbauer, President and CEO of Taseko, commented, “Gibraltar’s strong production performance in the
first quarter translated into another quarter of great financial results. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $47.9 million,
up from ($4.5) million in the same period last year, due to higher copper and molybdenum production, improved
pricing for both metals and stable mine operating costs . Over the last two quarters, our adjusted EBITDA has
exceeded $90 million and we expect these favourable results to continue in the coming quarters.”
“Also, during the first quarter we sold a silver stream for $44 million which strengthened our balance sheet and we
ended the quarter with a cash balance of $149 million, up 130% in the last six months . More importantly, our net
debt was reduced by $65 million during the first quarter. The reduced net debt and expected further reductions in
the quarters ahead, provides us with added financial flexibility and numerous options to deal with our debt which
is maturing in 24 months,” continued Mr. Hallbauer.
“Total operating costs (C1)* were down another 10% in the first quarter to US$1.33 per pound. Better than expected
grade and strong molybdenum production and sales combined with consistent site spending were the major
contributors in the low cost per pound,” concluded Mr. Hallbauer.
First Quarter Highlights
Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization* were $53.4 million, a 15% increase
over the fourth quarter of 2016 due to increased production, lower unit costs and higher metal prices;
Net income for the period was $16.5 million or $0.07 per share and adjusted net income* was $15.3 million
($0.07 per share);
Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter was $47.9 million;
The Company’s cash balance at March 31, 2017 was $149.3 million;
Site operating costs, net of by-product credits* were US$1.00 per pound produced and total operating costs
(C1)* were US$1.33 per pound produced, down 44% and 37%, respectively, from the first quarter of 2016;
.
Copper production at Gibraltar (100% basis) was 41.3 million pounds and molybdenum production was 0.9
million pounds;
Total sales for the first quarter were 40.8 million pounds of copper and 0.9 million pounds of molybdenum;
and
In March the Company completed a US$33 million streaming agreement with Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.
(“Osisko”) for Taseko’s 75% share of payable silver production from the Gibraltar Mine.
HIGHLIGHTS
Financial Data Three months ended March 31,
(Cdn$ in thousands, except for per share amounts) 2017 2016 Change
Revenues 104,389 58,183 46,206
Earnings (loss) from mining operations before depletion and amortization* 53,427 (304) 53,731
Earnings (loss) from mining operations 43,850 (13,814) 57,664
Net income (loss) 16,479 (1,515) 17,994
Per share - basic (“EPS”) 0.07 (0.01) 0.08
Adjusted net income (loss)*
15,254 (18,083) 33,337
Per share - basic (“adjusted EPS”)* 0.07 (0.08) 0.15
EBITDA* 49,145 11,002 38,143
Adjusted EBITDA* 47,934 (4,492) 52,426
Cash flows provided by (used for) operations 79,765 (4,106) 83,871
Operating Data (Gibraltar - 100% basis) Three months ended March 31,
2017 2016 Change
Tons mined (millions) 21.8 21.5 0.3
Tons milled (millions) 7.3 7.5 (0.2)
Production (million pounds Cu) 41.3 28.8 12.5
Sales (million pounds Cu) 40.8 30.5 10.3
*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release.
.
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
Gibraltar Mine (75% Owned)
Operating data (100% basis) Q1 2017 Q4 2016 Q3 2016 Q2 2016 Q1 2016
Tons mined (millions) 21.8 18.5 21.5 26.2 21.5
Tons milled (millions) 7.3 7.3 7.4 7.2 7.5
Strip ratio 2.4 1.1 1.0 2.4 1.7
Site operating cost per ton milled (CAD$) $8.59 $9.13 $9.47 $9.67 $9.59
Copper concentrate
Grade (%) 0.328 0.319 0.259 0.252 0.228
Recovery (%) 85.9 87.0 85.9 84.1 84.4
Production (million pounds Cu) 41.3 40.7 33.1 30.6 28.8
Sales (million pounds Cu) 40.8 40.4 29.8 30.3 30.5
Inventory (million pounds Cu) 5.9 5.6 5.4 2.1 1.9
Molybdenum concentrate
Production (thousand pounds Mo) 866 764 185 - -
Sales (thousand pounds Mo) 859 798 105 - -
Per unit data (US$ per pound produced)*
Site operating costs* $1.15 $1.23 $1.64 $1.77 $1.81
By-product credits* (0.15) (0.11) (0.06) (0.03) (0.03)
Site operating, net of by-product credits* $1.00 $1.12 $1.58 $1.74 $1.78
Off-property costs 0.33 0.36 0.31 0.33 0.33
Total operating costs (C1)* $1.33 $1.48 $1.89 $2.07 $2.11
OPERATIONS ANALYSIS
First quarter results
Gibraltar’s operating performance in the first quarter was in line with management’s expectation.
Gibraltar mill throughput was 7.3 million tons of ore. A total of 21.8 million tons were mined during the quarter, at a strip ratio
of 2.4 to 1.
Copper head grade increased to 0.328%, which is slightly better than planned as a result of higher grade ore encountered in the
current mining sequence. Copper recovery was 86% resulting in first quarter copper production of 41.3 million pounds, which
is an increase over the fourth quarter of 2016.
The molybdenum circuit continued to operate at design capacity in the period. A total of 0.9 million pounds of molybdenum
were produced, with recoveries averaging 51%.
Site operating costs per pound produced* decreased to US$1.15 in the first quarter of 2017 from US$1.23 in the fourth quarter
of 2016. The lower unit cost in the first quarter was a result of increased copper production and capitalized stripping allocation.
*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release.
.
OPERATIONS ANALYSIS – CONTINUED
Total site spending has been maintained at a consistent level in recent quarters. A total of $14.1 million of waste stripping costs
were capitalized in the quarter primarily related to the Pollyanna pit as well as waste stripping in the Granite pit. Site operating
cost per ton milled* was $8.59 in the first quarter of 2017, which is lower than recent quarters primarily due to the increas ed
capitalization of stripping costs.
By-product credits per pound produced* increased to US$0.15 in the first quarter of 2017 from US$0.11 in the fourth quarter
of 2016. The increase was a result of higher molybdenum prices and sales volume, partially offset by lower silver by -product
credits. The lower silver revenues are due to the new silver stream agreement with Osis ko which was effective from the
beginning of 2017.
Off-property costs per pound produced* were US$0.33 for the first quarter of 2017. The prior quarter off -property costs were
US$0.36 per pound as a higher portion of shipments were made to the Company’s joint venture partner at benchmark terms, as
opposed to Gibraltar’s normal treatment and refining costs which are lower than benchmark terms.
Total operating costs (C1) per pound* decreased to US$1.33, a 10% reduction from the fourth quarter of 2016.
GIBRALTAR OUTLOOK
Overall, Gibraltar has maintained a stable level of operations and management continues to focus on further improvements to
operating practices to reduce unit costs. The molybdenum plant continues to operate at design capacity, and molybdenum prices
have recently increased to nearly US$9.00 per pound from approximately US$7.50 per pound in the fourth quarter of 2016.
The Canadian to US dollar exchange rate is expected to remain at a range similar to previous quarters. A weak Canadian dollar
contributes to improved operating margins at Gibraltar as approximately 80% of mine operating costs are paid in Canadian
dollars.
REVIEW OF PROJECTS
Taseko’s strategy has been to grow the Company by leveraging cash flow from the Gibraltar Mine to assemble and develop a
pipeline of projects. We continue to believe this will generate the best, long -term returns for shareholders. Our development
projects are located in British Columbia and Arizona and represent a diverse range of metals, including go ld, copper,
molybdenum and niobium. During the first quarter of 2017, total expenditure of $3.7 million was incurred on the Florence
Copper, Aley and New Prosperity projects. Taseko will continue to take a prudent approach to spending on development
projects.
*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release.
.
REVIEW OF PROJECTS – CONTINUED
Florence Copper
In January 2017, the Company announced that completed technical work on the Florence property has resulted in a significant
improvement in project economics. On February 28, 2017, the NI 43 -101 technical report documenting these results was filed
on www.sedar.com.
Florence Copper Technical Report Highlights:
Pre-tax net present value of US$920 million at a 7.5% discount rate;
Pre-tax internal rate of return of 44% with a 2.3 year payback;
Operating costs of US$1.10 per pound LME grade cathode copper;
Total life of mine production in excess of 1.7 billion pounds of copper;
Average annual production of 81 million pounds of copper for the life of mine;
21 year mine life;
Total pre-production capital cost of US$200 million; and
Long-term copper price of US$3.00 per pound.
The Florence Copper project is currently in the final stages of permitting for the Production Test Facility (“PTF”). The PTF
will include a well field comprised of thirteen (four injection and nine reco very) commercial scale production wells and
numerous monitoring, observation and point of compliance wells, and also an integrated solvent extraction and electrowinning
plant.
The Temporary Aquifer Protection Permit for the test facility was issued in August 2016 and was subject to an appeal. In March
2017, the Arizona Water Quality Appeals Board conducted a hearing on three remaining issues under appeal and dismissed the
appeal, upholding the permit.
In December 2016, the Company received the final Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) permit for the test facility from the
EPA. This permit is now going through an appeal process. Once the UIC permit is upheld the Company will have all of the
permits required for construction and operation of the PTF.
New Prosperity
The two Judicial Reviews initiated by Taseko were heard in federal court over a five day period in the week of January 30,
2017. Both Judicial Reviews focus on the principles of administrative and procedural fairness. Taseko’s allegation is th at the
Government of Canada, through the conduct of the environmental assessment and the decisions which resulted from it, failed
in their obligation to uphold those fundamental principles. A decision is expected from the court within six to nine months.
On February 12, 2016, Taseko announced that it had filed a civil claim in the BC Supreme Court against the Canadian federal
government. The claim seeks damages in relation to the February 25, 2014 decision concerning the New Prosperity Project in
that the Government of Canada and its agents failed to meet the legal duties that were owed to Taseko and that in doing so they
caused and continue to cause damages, expenses and loss to Taseko.
Taseko is proceeding with its request to amend the British Columbia en vironmental assessment certificate for the New
Prosperity Project. In addition, Taseko has filed a Notice of Work with the Ministry of Energy & Mines which will allow the
Company to gather information to advance mine permitting under the British Columbia M ines Act.
.
Note: Gibraltar is a contractual, unincorporated joint venture between Taseko Mines Limited (75% interest) and
Cariboo Copper Corp. (25% interest). All production and sales figures are reported on a 100% basis, unless
otherwise noted.
Taseko will host a conference call on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Pacific) to discuss these
results. The conference call may be accessed by dialing (877) 303-9079 in Canada and the United States, or (970) 315-0461
internationally. Alternatively, a live and archived webcast will also be available at tasekomines.com. The conference call will
be archived for later playback until May 11, 2017 and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 in Canada and the United
States, or (404) 537-3406 internationally and using the passcode 86614020.
For further information on Taseko, please see the Company's website at www.tasekomines.com or contact:
Brian Bergot, Vice President, Investor Relations – 778-373-4554, toll free 1-800-667-2114
Russell Hallbauer
President and CEO
No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information in this news release.
.
NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES
This document includes certain non -GAAP performance measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These
measures may differ from those used by, and may not be comparable to such measures as reported by, other issuers. The Company believes
that these measures are commonly used by certain investors, in conjunction with conventional IFRS measures, to enhance their understanding
of the Company’s performance. These m easures have been derived from the Company’s financial statements and applied on a consistent
basis. The following tables below provide a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure.
Total operating costs and site operating costs, net of by-product credits
Total costs of sales include all costs absorbed into inventory, as well as transportation costs. Site operating costs is calc ulated by removing
net changes in inventory and depletion and amortization and transportation costs from cost of sales. Site operating costs, net of by -product
credits is calculated by removing by -product credits from the site operating costs. Site operating costs, net of by -product credits per pound
are calculated by dividing the ag gregate of the applicable costs by copper pounds produced. Total operating costs per pound is the sum of
site operating costs, net of by-product credits and off-property costs divided by the copper pounds produced. By-product credits are calculated
based on actual sales of molybdenum (net of treatment costs) and silver during the period divided by the total pounds of copper prod uced
during the period. These measures are calculated on a consistent basis for the periods presented.
Three months ended
March 31,
(Cdn$ in thousands, unless otherwise indicated) – 75% basis 2017 2016
Cost of sales 60,539 71,997
Less:
Depletion and amortization (9,577) (13,510)
Net change in inventory 1,405 (1,087)
Transportation costs (5,217) (3,593)
Site operating costs 47,150 53,807
Less by-product credits:
Molybdenum, net of treatment costs (5,807) -
Silver, excluding amortization of deferred revenue (449) (916)
Site operating costs, net of by-product credits 40,894 52,891
Total copper produced (thousand pounds) 30,943 21,615
Total costs per pound produced 1.32 2.45
Average exchange rate for the period (CAD/USD) 1.32 1.37
Site operating costs, net of by-product credits (US$ per pound) 1.00 1.78
Site operating costs, net of by-product credits 40,894 52,891
Add off-property costs:
Treatment and refining costs of copper concentrate 8,456 6,314
Transportation costs 5,217 3,593
Total operating costs 54,567 62,798
Total operating costs (C1) (US$ per pound) 1.33 2.11
.
NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES – CONTINUED
Adjusted net income (loss)
Adjusted net income (loss) remove the effect of the following transactions from net income as reported under IFRS:
Unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments;
Unrealized foreign currency gains/losses; and
Non-recurring transactions, including related tax adjustments.
Management believes these transactions do not reflect the underlying operating performance of our core mining business and ar e not
necessarily indicative of future operating results. Furthermore, unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments, changes in the fair value of
financial instruments, and unrealized foreign currency gains/losses are not necessarily reflective of the underlying operatin g results for the
reporting periods presented.
Three months ended March 31,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017 2016
Net income (loss) 16,479 (1,515)
Unrealized loss on derivatives 1,466 701
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (2,677) (19,625)
Other non-recurring expenses* - 3,430
Estimated tax effect of adjustments (14) (1,074)
Adjusted net income (loss) 15,254 (18,083)
Adjusted EPS 0.07 (0.08)
* Other non-recurring expenses includes legal and other advisory costs associated with the special shareholder meeting, the proxy contest and related litigation,
and other non-recurring financing costs.
EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA represents net income before interest, income taxes, and depreciation. EBITDA is presented because it is an important supplemental
measure of our performance and is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies
in the industry, many of which present EBITDA when reporting their results. Issuers of “high yield” securities also present EBITDA because
investors, analysts and rating agencies consi der it useful in measuring the ability of those issuers to meet debt service obligations. The
Company believes EBITDA is an appropriate supplemental measure of debt service capacity, because cash expenditures on interes t are, by
definition, available to pay interest, and tax expense is inversely correlated to interest expense because tax expense goes down as deductible
interest expense goes up; depreciation is a non-cash charge.
Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a further supplemental measure of the Company’s performance and ability to service debt. Adju sted
EBITDA is prepared by adjusting EBITDA to eliminate the impact of a number of items that are not considered indicative of ong oing
operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding to EBITDA certain items of expense and deducting from EBITDA certain items of income that
are not likely to recur or are not indicative of the Company’s future operating performance consisting of:
Unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments;
Unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses; and
Non-recurring transactions.