VANCOUVER, July 24 /CNW/ - Don Lindsay, President and CEO said, "We're
very pleased to report record earnings of $613 million for the second quarter
of 2006 and $1.1 billion for the first half of the year. These record
earnings, which occurred during what are normally our two weakest quarters of
zinc sales due to the seasonality of shipments from our Red Dog mine in
Alaska, were driven by the excellent commodity price environment."
"Over the last twelve months to June 30, we've generated $2.0 billion of
net earnings during a period when copper and zinc prices averaged US$2.29 per
pound and US$0.96 per pound respectively on the LME. Current prices for metals
have continued to be significantly higher than those in the previous twelve
months. This clearly shows the substantial future earnings potential of the
company should prices remain at these levels."
<<
Highlights and Significant Items
- Unaudited net earnings were a record $613 million or $2.95 per
share in the second quarter, up significantly from $225 million or
$1.11 per share in the second quarter of 2005, as a result of high
commodity prices and despite seasonally low sales volumes at Red
Dog.
- Cash flow from operations, before changes to non-cash working
capital items, was $669 million in the second quarter compared
with $332 million in the second quarter of 2005.
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) were $946 million in the second quarter compared with
$447 million a year ago.
- The company made an offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares
of Inco Limited, the world's second largest nickel producer, for
$6.4 billion in cash and 143 million Class B subordinate voting
shares. Among other conditions, the bid is subject to the lawful
termination of the support agreement between the Inco/Falconbridge
merger, and Inco's takeover bid for Falconbridge being withdrawn
or terminated. On July 21, 2006 the company extended the expiry
date of the offer to 8:00 p.m. on August 16, 2006, which coincides
with the date on which the Inco Shareholders' Rights plan will be
cease traded.
- In June 2006, the company reached agreement with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency under which the company will pay
for and conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study
with respect to metal contamination in the sediment of the Upper
Columbia River Basin (Lake Roosevelt).
- Elk Valley Coal ratified new collective agreements at Fording
River and Elkview operations during the second quarter, and all
the unionized operations in the Elk Valley now have multi-year
agreements in place.
- On June 1, 2006, the company completed the redemption of
$112 million principal amount of exchangeable debentures and the
company issued 11.5 million Class B subordinate voting shares.
- On June 29, 2006, the company's Class B subordinate voting shares
were listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
- The company increased its semi-annual dividend from $0.40 to $1.00
per share commencing with the July 4, 2006 dividend payment and
currently has one of the highest dividend yields in the industry.
- Despite normal seasonal inventory buildup at the Red Dog mine,
cash (including temporary investments) increased by $415 million
in the second quarter and totalled $3.6 billion at the end of
June. Debt to total debt and equity ratio was 22%.
>>
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of
Operations
This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations of Teck Cominco Limited is prepared as at July 24, 2006, and should
be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements of
Teck Cominco Limited and the notes thereto for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2006 and with the audited consolidated financial statements of Teck
Cominco Limited and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2005. In
this discussion, unless the context otherwise dictates, a reference to Teck
Cominco or the company refers to Teck Cominco Limited and its subsidiaries
including Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. and a reference to Teck Cominco Metals
refers to Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Additional
information relating to the company, including the company's annual
information form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Please
refer to the cautionary language on page 16.
Earnings
Unaudited net earnings in the second quarter were $613 million or $2.95
per share, up significantly from net earnings of $225 million or $1.11 per
share in the second quarter of 2005.
The significantly higher earnings in the second quarter were a result of
higher prices for the company's products. Average LME cash prices for copper
and zinc were US$3.27 and US$1.49 per pound respectively in the quarter, up
significantly from US$1.54 and US$0.58 per pound respectively in the second
quarter in 2005. Coal prices averaged US$116 per tonne in the second quarter
of 2006 compared with US$94 per tonne a year ago. A lower Canadian/U.S. dollar
exchange rate of 1.12 in the second quarter compared with 1.24 a year ago
partially offset the higher commodity prices.
Net earnings in the first half of the year were $1.1 billion, more than
doubling the net earnings of $430 million in the first half of 2005 as a
result of high commodity prices. Net earnings in the first two quarters of the
year are typically lower than the last two quarters, due to the seasonality of
shipments from the Red Dog mine in Alaska. Red Dog's zinc sales in the first
half of 2006 accounted for approximately 32% of its annual sales. Coal sales
volumes at Elk Valley Coal in the first half of 2006 were approximately 45% of
planned sales volumes for the year.
Earnings of $13 million from discontinued operation related to additional
proceeds on the sale of Cajamarquilla in 2004 as a result of the annual zinc
price exceeding US$0.454 per pound. These contingent payments may be
receivable until 2009.
Operating profit of $894 million in the second quarter increased by 120%
from $407 million in the same period in 2005, with significantly higher
profits from zinc and copper operations due to high metal prices. Partially
offsetting these higher prices were a weaker U.S. dollar, lower coal sales
volumes and lower molybdenum revenues compared with a year ago. With rising
metal prices, second quarter operating results included $107 million of
revenues from final concentrate pricing, which primarily related to copper and
zinc sales in the first quarter of 2006, compared with $6 million a year ago.
If the current high commodity prices are sustained, the company expects
to have significant future earnings. As an illustration, net earnings in the
twelve months ended June 30, 2006 were $1.8 billion excluding $200 million of
gain on sales of investments and non-recurring tax adjustments. The average
LME copper and zinc prices during this twelve month period were US$2.29 per
pound and US$0.96 per pound respectively. Current prices for metals have
continued to be significantly higher than those in the previous twelve months.
Cash Flow
Cash flow from operations, before changes to non-cash working capital
items, was $669 million in the second quarter compared with $332 million in
the second quarter of 2005 with higher profits from copper and zinc
operations.
Cash flow after non-cash working capital changes was $600 million
compared with $307 million in the second quarter of 2005. Net change in non-
cash working capital items of $69 million comprised mainly increases in raw
material inventory at Trail and production inventory at Red Dog.
Cash flow before non-cash working capital items was $1.1 billion for the
six months ended June 30, 2006 compared with $618 million in 2005.
Capital expenditures were $82 million in the second quarter including
investment on the Fort Hills oil sands project.
Revenues
Revenues are affected by sales volumes, commodity prices and currency
exchange rates. Comparative data for production and sales as well as revenues
are presented in the tables on pages 5 and 6. Average commodity prices and
Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate are presented in the table below.
<<
AVERAGE METAL PRICES AND EXCHANGE RATE
--------------------------------------
Twelve
months
Six months ended
Second Quarter ended June 30 June 30
-------------------- -------------------- --------
2006 2005 % Change 2006 2005 % Change 2006
-------------------- -------------------- --------
Copper (LME Cash -
US$/pound) 3.27 1.54 +112% 2.76 1.51 +83% 2.29
Zinc (LME Cash -
US$/pound) 1.49 0.58 +157% 1.26 0.59 +114% 0.96
Lead (LME Cash -
US$/pound) 0.50 0.45 +11% 0.53 0.45 +18% 0.49
Gold (LME PM fix -
US$/ounce) 629 427 +47% 591 427 +38% 527
Molybdenum
(realized
- US$/pound) 23 32 -28% 21 29 -28% 22
Coal (realized -
US$/tonne) 116 94 +23% 119 79 +51% 120
Cdn/U.S. exchange
rate (Bank of
Canada) 1.12 1.24 -10% 1.14 1.24 -8% 1.16
>>
Revenues from operations were $1.5 billion in the second quarter of 2006
compared to $1.0 billion in the same period a year ago. The increase over 2005
was due mainly to significantly higher prices for copper and zinc.
Sales of metal in concentrates are recognized in revenues when title
transfers and the rights and obligations of ownership pass to the customer,
which usually occurs upon shipment. However, final pricing may not be
determined until a subsequent date, which often occurs in the following
quarter. Accordingly, revenue in a quarter includes estimated prices for sales
occurring in the quarter and final pricing sales adjustments from sales that
occurred in previous periods. These final pricing adjustments result in
additional revenues in a rising price environment and reductions to revenue in
a declining price environment. The amount of additional revenues recognized by
the company on any price increases will be reduced by any price participation
deductions as provided in the smelting and refining agreements.
At March 31, 2006, the end of the previous quarter, outstanding
receivables included 137 million pounds of copper provisionally valued at
US$2.49 per pound and 157 million pounds of zinc provisionally valued at
US$1.22 per pound. During the second quarter, 108 million pounds of copper
included in the March 31, 2006 receivables were settled at an average final
price of US$3.23 per pound and 149 million pounds of zinc were settled at an
average final price of US$1.48 per pound.
At June 30, 2006, outstanding receivables included 158 million pounds of
copper provisionally priced at US$3.37 per pound and 74 million pounds of zinc
provisionally valued at US$1.48 per pound.
<<
PRODUCTION AND SALES (Note 1)
-----------------------------
Production Sales
------------------------- ------------------------
Second Year Second Year
Quarter to Date Quarter to Date
2006 2005 2006 2005 2006 2005 2006 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAIL METAL
OPERATIONS
Refined Zinc -
Thousand tonnes 73 72 147 143 74 68 149 136
Refined Lead -
Thousand tonnes 21 21 45 43 21 20 44 42
Surplus Power -
GW.h - - - - 291 301 540 495
MINE OPERATIONS
(Note 2)
Zinc - Thousand
tonnes
Red Dog 133 135 268 271 58 52 173 161
Antamina 10 12 16 26 6 11 14 26
Pend Oreille 11 13 20 23 11 13 20 23
Louvicourt - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
154 162 304 323 75 78 207 213
Copper - Thousand
tonnes
Highland Valley
Copper 42 41 78 79 42 48 86 94
Antamina 20 20 43 41 27 20 39 41
Louvicourt - 2 - 4 - 2 - 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------
62 63 121 124 69 70 125 139
Lead - Thousand
tonnes
Red Dog 28 23 58 44 - - 5 2
Pend Oreille 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
30 25 61 47 2 2 8 5
Molybdenum -
Thousand pounds
Highland
Valley
Copper 1,017 1,631 2,199 3,596 998 1,790 2,008 3,633
Antamina 791 723 1,720 1,357 922 863 1,946 1,733
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1,808 2,354 3,919 4,953 1,920 2,653 3,954 5,366
Gold - Thousand
ounces
Hemlo 52 59 105 121 49 56 105 121
Pogo (Note 3) 15 - 22 - 14 - 17 -
Other 3 4 6 8 3 4 5 8
---------------------------------------------------------------------
70 63 133 129 66 60 127 129
Coal - Thousand
tonnes
Elk Valley
Coal (Note 4) 2,190 2,673 4,484 5,200 2,305 2,487 4,325 4,647
Notes:
(1) The table presents the company's share of production and sales
volumes.
(2) Production and sales volumes of base metal mines refer to metals
contained in concentrate.
(3) Pogo operations have not reached commercial production levels and
the results from operations are not included in the company's
earnings.
(4) Results of the Elk Valley Coal Partnership represent the company's
40% direct interest in the Partnership commencing April 1, 2006,
39% from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 and 38% from April 1, 2004
to March 31, 2005.
REVENUES, DEPRECIATION AND OPERATING PROFIT
-------------------------------------------
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30
---------------------
Depreciation Operating
Revenues and Amortization Profit (Note 1)
-------------- ---------------- ---------------
Second Quarter Second Quarter Second Quarter
($ in millions) 2006 2005 2006 2005 2006 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc
Trail (including
power sales) $ 451 $ 265 $ 12 $ 11 $ 112 $ 38
Red Dog 146 38 8 7 102 9
Pend Oreille 29 15 4 5 16 -
Inter-segment sales
and other (120) (43) - 1 4 (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
506 275 24 24 234 46
Copper
Highland Valley Copper 421 260 9 17 326 145
Antamina 275 117 9 10 211 77
Louvicourt - 10 - 1 - 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
696 387 18 28 537 228
Gold
Hemlo 37 31 5 5 4 2
Coal
Elk Valley Coal
(Note 2) 307 301 10 7 119 131
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $1,546 $ 994 $ 57 $ 64 $ 894 $ 407
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
------------------------
Depreciation Operating
Revenues and Amortization Profit (Note 1)
-------------- ---------------- ---------------
Year to Date Year to Date Year to Date
($ in millions) 2006 2005 2006 2005 2006 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc
Trail (including
power sales) $ 814 $ 534 $ 23 $ 22 $ 183 $ 59
Red Dog 362 139 20 18 240 52
Pend Oreille 47 26 8 9 22 (1)
Inter-segment sales
and other (183) (70) - 1 (13) -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1,040 629 51 50 432 110
Copper
Highland Valley Copper 720 498 19 34 531 279
Antamina 386 233 15 19 301 150
Louvicourt - 20 - 3 - 11
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1,106 751 34 56 832 440
Gold
Hemlo 74 65 12 11 8 5
Coal
Elk Valley Coal
(Note 2) 599 477 17 15 246 171
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $2,819 $1,922 $ 114 $ 132 $1,518 $ 726
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
(1) Depreciation and amortization are deducted in calculating operating
profit.
(2) Results of the Elk Valley Coal Partnership represent the company's
40% direct interest in the Partnership commencing April 1, 2006,
39% from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 and 38% from April 1, 2004
to March 31, 2005.
Operations
Trail Smelter and Refineries (100%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
--------------- ---------------
100% 2006 2005 2006 2005
----
Zinc production (000's tonnes) 72.8 71.4 147.2 142.8
Lead production (000's tonnes) 21.1 21.1 44.6 42.6
Zinc sales (000's tonnes) 74.0 68.0 148.9 136.5
Lead sales (000's tonnes) 21.1 19.7 44.3 41.6
Surplus power sold (GW.h) 291 301 540 495
Power price (US$/megawatt hr) 28 46 39 49
Operating profit ($ millions)
- Metal operations 107 27 169 40
- Power sales 5 11 14 19
>>
At Trail metal operations, refined zinc production was slightly higher
than a year ago at 72,800 tonnes, while lead production remained the same as
last year.
The tin removal project in the drossing plant was commissioned in the
quarter allowing for improved indium production. Indium production increased
to 12,500 kilograms in the second quarter compared with 8,500 kilograms in
2005. The project is expected to increase indium production capacity to 75,000
kilograms per year and forecast production for 2006 is 52,000 kilograms.
Operating profit increased significantly to $107 million compared with
$27 million a year ago due to significantly higher zinc prices and higher
sales volumes for zinc and lead, partially offset by a weaker U.S. dollar.
Operating profit from surplus power sales in the second quarter was
$5 million compared with $11 million in 2005 due mainly to lower power prices
and the effect of a weaker U.S. dollar.
<<
Red Dog (100%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
--------------- ---------------
100% 2006 2005 2006 2005
----
Tonnes milled (000's) 780 741 1,539 1,452
Zinc grade (%) 20.4 21.7 21.0 21.9
Lead grade (%) 5.9 5.5 6.2 5.1
Zinc recovery (%) 83.8 83.8 83.0 85.2
Lead recovery (%) 61.3 58.5 60.0 59.8
Zinc production (000's tonnes) 133.2 134.4 268.6 270.8
Zinc sales (000's tonnes) 58.3 52.0 173.2 160.7
Lead production (000's tonnes) 28.0 23.7 57.6 44.4
Lead sales (000's tonnes) - - 4.6 1.8
Operating profit ($ millions) 102 9 240 52
>>
Mill throughput in the second quarter was 5% higher than a year ago as
throughput was restricted in 2005 due to high amounts of silica contained in
the ore. Zinc production in the second quarter was similar to a year ago as
the higher mill throughput was offset by lower ore grades.
Zinc sales volumes in the second quarter, usually the lowest quarter due
to the seasonality of shipments, were approximately 10% of the total annual
sales volumes from Red Dog. Sales in the first half of 2006 represented
approximately 32% of planned sales for the year.
Operating profits increased significantly to $102 million in the second
quarter due to zinc prices which more than doubled from the same period last
year.
The 2006 shipping season commenced on July 15, 2006 with planned
shipments of 1.0 million tonnes of zinc concentrate and 216,000 tonnes of lead
concentrate, similar to 2005. Zinc sales in the third and fourth quarter of
2006 are estimated to be 175,000 tonnes and 200,000 tonnes of metals in
concentrate respectively.
<<
Antamina (22.5%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
--------------- ---------------
100% 2006 2005 2006 2005
----
Tonnes milled (000's) 7,196 7,557 14,745 14,629
Copper grade (%) 1.43 1.35 1.45 1.38
Zinc grade (%) 0.88 1.08 0.74 1.12
Copper recovery (%) 90.7 88.7 90.6 89.4
Zinc recovery (%) 85.6 82.8 83.0 83.8
Copper production (000's tonnes) 89.4 91.8 190.6 183.7
Copper sales (000's tonnes) 87.7 88.3 172.3 180.6
Zinc production (000's tonnes) 44.1 54.2 70.4 114.0
Zinc sales (000's tonnes) 26.7 52.7 60.3 116.6
Molybdenum production (000's pounds) 3,513 3,213 7,642 6,030
Molybdenum sales (000's pounds) 4,095 3,833 8,648 7,700
Company's share of operating profit
($ millions) 211 77 301 150
>>
Mill throughput was 5% lower than a year ago due mainly to the processing
of harder ore types and a three-day shutdown of the mill in April due to
concerns related to water seepage from the tailings pond decant structure.
Copper production was slightly lower than a year ago, as the lower throughput
was partially offset by higher ore grades and improved mill recoveries due to
the type of ore processed in the quarter.
Molybdenum production in the second quarter increased by 9% compared with
last year due mainly to higher mill recoveries as a result of process
improvements implemented in 2005. The company's share of molybdenum revenues
were $22 million in the second quarter compared with $30 million a year ago
due mainly to a lower realized molybdenum price of US$21 per pound compared
with US$28 per pound in 2005.
The company's share of operating profits in the second quarter was
$211 million compared with $77 million a year ago due mainly to rising copper
prices that more than doubled from the same period last year. In addition,
some March shipments of copper concentrates were deferred and recognized as
sales in the second quarter when title was passed to the customers.
On June 28, 2006, the Peruvian Congress passed a law that requires all
mining companies to pay a new mining royalty of up to 3% of the value of sales
regardless of whether the company has been granted an exemption through a
mining stability agreement. If the new law is reaffirmed, Antamina will be
required to pay US$83 million with respect to 2004 and 2005 operations, and
US$42 million with respect to the first six months of 2006, of which the
company's share is 22.5%. Antamina management and its legal advisors are of
the opinion that the royalty is not payable due to the mining stability
agreement and are actively pursuing this matter. As a result, no provision has
been made in the financial statements.
<<
Highland Valley Copper (97.5%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
--------------- ---------------
100% 2006 2005 2006 2005
----
Tonnes milled (000's) 11,595 12,625 22,500 24,060
Copper grade (%) 0.419 0.382 0.394 0.382
Copper recovery (%) 90.5 88.1 90.9 88.3
Copper production (000's tonnes) 43.8 42.5 80.5 81.1
Copper sales (000's tonnes) 44.0 49.1 88.7 96.0
Molybdenum production (000's pounds) 1,044 1,673 2,256 3,689
Molybdenum sales (000's pounds) 1,025 1,836 2,060 3,726
Company's share of operating profit
($ millions) 326 145 531 279
>>
Copper production in the second quarter was slightly higher than a year
ago as higher ore grades and improved mill recoveries more than offset the
effect of lower mill throughput. Molybdenum production was 38% lower than the
second quarter of 2005 due mainly to lower ore grades and reduced mill
recoveries.
Copper sales in the second quarter were similar to production levels, but
were 10% lower than the same period a year ago as sales volumes in the second
quarter of 2005 were higher by drawing down on-hand inventory. Molybdenum
revenues in the second quarter declined significantly to $29 million compared
with $78 million a year ago due to a 44% reduction in sales volumes and a
lower realized price of US$25 per pound compared with US$34 per pound.
Operating profit was $326 million in the second quarter compared with
$145 million a year ago due to significantly higher copper prices and revenues
from final concentrate pricing of $62 million.
The push-back of the Valley East pit wall in extending the mine life to
2013 is progressing well. A revised mining plan has been developed to utilize
available Highmont ore as well as additional lower grade ore, which will
result in higher copper production in the transition period of 2008 and 2009.
Copper production is estimated to be 124,000 tonnes and 145,000 tonnes in 2008
and 2009 respectively, up from previous estimates of 114,000 tonnes and
132,000 tonnes. The average annual copper production in the following four
years is estimated to average 165,000 tonnes per year.
Highland Valley Copper is studying the economic viability of a push-back
of the Valley West pit wall to further extend the mine life to 2019. As part
of the study, the feasibility of building a copper refinery based on the
company's proprietary CESL hydrometallurgical technology is also being
evaluated. The feasibility study on the mine life extension is expected to be
completed in September and the study on the copper refinery is expected to be
completed in the fourth quarter of 2006. An application to the BC
Environmental Assessment office was filed in June to initiate the regulatory
environmental assessment process in order to shorten the project execution
time line should the outcome of the feasibility study be positive.
<<
Hemlo Gold Mines (50%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
--------------- ---------------
100% 2006 2005 2006 2005
----
Tonnes milled (000's) 837 890 1,646 1,784
Grade (g/tonne) 4.1 4.3 4.2 4.5
Mill recovery (%) 94.2 94.0 93.8 93.9
Production (000's ozs) 102.7 116.3 209.6 241.0
Sales (000's ozs) 98.2 113.2 209.8 241.6
Cash operating cost per ounce (US$) 478 318 443 317
Company's share of operating profit
($ millions) 4 2 8 5
>>
Gold production decreased by 12% to 102,700 ounces in the second quarter
compared with 2005 due to poor ground control conditions which restricted
mining activities in the quarter. Ore grades were slightly lower than a year
ago due to a greater proportion of ore mined from the lower grade Williams
pit. Cash operating costs increased to US$478 (C$536) per ounce in the second
quarter compared with US$318 (C$394) per ounce a year ago due in part to
increased mining costs, the effect of the lower production and a weaker U.S.
dollar.
The realized gold price in the second quarter was US$629 per ounce
compared with US$427 per ounce a year ago. The higher gold price was partially
offset by the higher operating costs and lower production resulting in
operating profits of $4 million in the second quarter compared with $2 million
last year.
<<
Elk Valley Coal Partnership (40%)
Three months Six months
ended June 30 ended June 30
--------------- ---------------
100% 2006 2005 2006 2005
----
Coal production (000's tonnes) 5,476 6,852 11,358 13,503
Coal sales (000's tonnes) 5,762 6,379 10,942 12,062
Average sale price (US$/tonne) 116 94 119 79
Average sale price (Cdn$/tonne) 133 121 138 103
Cost of product sold (Cdn$/tonne) 40 31 40 30
Transportation (Cdn$/tonne) 37 38 38 34
Company's share of operating profit
($ millions)(x) 119 131 246 171
(x) Results of the Elk Valley Coal Partnership represent the company's
40% direct interest in the Partnership commencing April 1, 2006, 39%
from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 and 38% from April 1, 2004 to
March 31, 2005.
>>
Coal production in the second quarter at Elk Valley Coal decreased by
1.4 million tonnes or 20% compared with the same period last year as
production has been curtailed to avoid a buildup of inventory due to lower
expected coal sales for 2006. The unit cost of product sold increased from a
year ago due to the continuing high cost of mining inputs, such as energy and
other consumables, as well as higher strip ratios during plant shutdown
periods and longer haul distances. Second quarter unit costs were also
adversely affected by lower production volumes and the one-time costs and
signing bonuses associated with new five-year labour agreements.
Coal sales volumes for the second quarter of 2006 were down 10% from the
same period in 2005, reflecting the termination of 2005 coal year contracts
with the majority of customers in China and several other customers not taking
deliveries of coal shipments as anticipated.
The average coal price of US$116 per tonne represented a mix of 2006 coal
year shipments priced at US$107 per tonne and residual 2005 coal year tonnes
priced at US$122 per tonne.
The company's 40% share of operating profit of $119 million in the second
quarter were lower than $131 million in the same period last year despite the
higher coal price, due to the increased operating costs and lower sales
volumes.
Due to market conditions, there can be a large variability in Elk Valley
Coal's sales volumes for calendar year 2006. Coal sales volumes for the
calendar year 2006 are estimated to be between 22 to 25 million tonnes, with
improved sales volumes expected in the second half compared with the first
half of 2006.
The pressures that led to rapidly increasing cost of product sold during
the second half of 2005 and into 2006 have eased. The unit cost of product
sold for the 2006 year are expected to be in the range of costs experienced
during the first half of 2006 provided the cost of key inputs, such as fuel
and consumables, remain at current levels. Transportation costs in the second
half of the year are also expected to be similar to those in the first half.
During the second quarter, Elk Valley Coal ratified new collective
agreements at Fording River and Elkview operations. Both collective agreements
cover a five-year term and all four unionized sites in the Elk Valley now have
long-term collective agreements with expiry dates ranging from May 2009
through April 2011. The collective agreement at the Cardinal River operation
expires in June 2007.
Elk Valley Coal and Westshore Terminals proceeded to arbitration in the
second quarter to determine if changes should be made to the loading rate
charged to Elkview operations effective April 1, 2005. The arbitrator's
decision received in July declined to grant relief and Elk Valley Coal is
reviewing the decision.
Mr. Boyd Payne will join Elk Valley Coal as President and Chief Executive
Officer in the third quarter. Mr. Payne was most recently Vice President,
Marketing for the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance. Mr. Jim Popowich will
retire following a transition period, after 37 years of service with Fording
Canadian Coal Trust and Elk Valley Coal and their predecessor companies.
Costs and Expenses
Interest expense of $24 million in the second quarter of 2006 was higher
than the $13 million recorded in the second quarter of 2005 mainly as a result
of the US$1.0 billion bond issue completed in September 2005.
Other income of $53 million in the second quarter included $38 million of
interest income and $12 million of investment income from the company's
holding of Fording Canadian Coal Trust units.
Income and resource taxes on pre-tax earnings of $887 million were
$287 million or 32%. This composite tax rate was lower than the Canadian
Statutory rate of 34% due mainly to the recording of a one-time benefit of $26
million related to the reduction of tax rates in Canada. Provincial mineral
taxes in Canada increased the overall tax rate for certain operations but
partially offsetting this was the effect of depletion allowances in Canada and
the United States.
Financial Position and Liquidity
Cash flow from operations, before changes to non-cash working capital
items, was $669 million in the second quarter compared with $332 million in
the second quarter of 2005 with higher profits from copper and zinc
operations. Cash flow after non-cash working capital changes was $600 million
compared with $307 million in the second quarter of 2005. Net change in
non-cash working capital items of $69 million included mainly increases in raw
material inventory at Trail and production inventory at Red Dog.
Capital expenditures in the second quarter were $62 million of which
$31 million was on sustaining capital expenditures and $31 million was for
development projects. Development expenditures comprised $15 million for the
Pogo gold project, $6 million for Trail power facilities upgrade and
$5 million for the Highland Valley Copper mine extension. Investment in the
Fort Hills oil sands project totalled $20 million in the second quarter.
On June 2, 2006 the company completed a series of transactions
culminating in the redemption of $112 million principal amount of exchangeable
debentures due 2024. In the course of these transactions, all outstanding
debentures were tendered for exchange and the company issued 11.5 million
Class B subordinate voting shares. The exchange did not affect the company's
earnings or cash flows from operating activities as the exchangeable
debentures were classified as part of shareholders' equity on the company's
balance sheet.
Despite normal inventory buildup at the Red Dog mine due to the
seasonality of its sales volumes, the company increased its cash (including
temporary investments) position by $415 million in the quarter to $3.6 billion
at June 30, 2006. Total long-term debt was $1.5 billion excluding the Inco
exchangeable debentures and the debt to total debt and equity ratio was 22%.
Debt due within the next five years is $138 million.
Pursuant to the company's offer to purchase all of the outstanding common
shares of Inco, the total cash required will be approximately $6.4 billion.
The company intends to finance the transaction with approximately $3.6 billion
of the cash requirement from cash on hand and a committed 12-month senior
non-revolving bridge term loan credit facility of approximately $3.6 billion
(US$3.2 billion).
The company also has bank credit facilities aggregating $1.0 billion.
Unused credit lines under these facilities amounted to $883 million at
June 30, 2006.
Corporate Development
On May 8, 2006 the company announced an offer to purchase all of the
outstanding common shares of Inco Limited (Inco). Under the terms of the offer
the company has offered $78.50 a share in cash or 0.9776 of a Class B
subordinate voting share and cash of $0.05 for each Inco common share, subject
to pro-ration based on the maximum amount of cash and shares available. At
full pro-ration, the offer had an implied value of $69.35 on the basis of the
closing price of Class B subordinate voting shares on July 21, 2006. The total
amount of cash available under the offer is limited to $6.4 billion and the
total number of Class B subordinate voting shares available is 143 million.
Under full pro-ration, Inco shareholders would be entitled to receive 0.6293
of a Class B subordinate voting share and $28 for each Inco share tendered.
The offer is subject to certain conditions including the lawful termination of
the support agreement between Inco and Falconbridge and the withdrawal or
termination of Inco's announced offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares
of Falconbridge without any shares of Falconbridge being acquired under Inco's
offer. Additional conditions include the absence of material adverse changes
and the acceptance of the offer by shareholders owning not less than 66 and
2/3% of the Inco shares on a fully diluted basis. If the company takes up and
pays for shares pursuant to the offer, the company intends to take steps to
acquire all of the remaining outstanding Inco shares. The offer was mailed to
Inco shareholders on May 23, 2006. On July 21, 2006 the company extended the
expiry date of the offer to 8:00 p.m. on August 16, 2006, which coincides with
the date on which the Inco Shareholders' Rights plan will be cease traded.
The resulting company would be broadly diversified with market leading
positions in zinc, nickel and metallurgical coal and significant presence in
copper, gold and other commodities. The company would have an extensive
portfolio of long-lived assets, a well sequenced growth profile and
substantial capacity to fund growth.
The Pogo gold mine made significant progress in commissioning the mine
and mill in the second quarter. The installation of the underground ore
conveying system is currently being commissioned. Optimization of the mill
grinding and flotation circuits is ongoing, with recovery currently at 85%.
The mill has reached its design rate of 2,500 tonnes per day for short periods
of time, but throughput is still limited by tailings filtration capacity and
associated bottlenecks with the paste backfill system, with the overall plant
currently operating at 60% of design capacity. Operational improvements are
still being made, with production expected to be between 60-70% of design
capacity until filter plant modifications are completed. A third pressure
filter has been ordered and is expected to arrive on site in the third
quarter, with installation scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.
With the addition of a third filter, modifications to the handling system for
transporting filtered tailings for use in paste backfilling may also be
required and various options are being assessed. Full production is expected
to be achieved after the third filter and other modifications are fully
operational in the first quarter of 2007. Operating income or loss is being
capitalized as part of development costs until commercial production is
achieved. The company's share of operating loss capitalized in the first half
of 2006 was $8 million.
The restart of the Lennard Shelf zinc operations, a 50/50 joint venture
with Falconbridge Limited, was approved in the second quarter. Detailed
planning for the refurbishment of the mill, shipping facility, camp and other
site infrastructure is underway. An underground mining contractor has been
selected and will begin mobilization in late July. The mining contractor will
initially establish development access to new areas of the Pillara mine to
enable definition diamond drilling and future production. Mill start-up is
anticipated in January 2007 with the first shipment of zinc concentrate
expected near the end of the first quarter in 2007. The Pillara mine has an
anticipated mine life of four years at an annual production rate of 70,000 to
80,000 tonnes per year of zinc in concentrate.
The Morelos project consists of three gold enriched skarn deposits
located in Guerrero State, Mexico. An inferred mineral resource of
30.65 million tonnes at 3.27 g/t gold has been identified to date based on
25,000 metres of drilling. A two phase in-fill drilling program is being
carried out concurrent with prefeasibility engineering activities. The
proposed project will consist of a mine and mill with a capacity to process
2.4 million tonnes of ore per year, producing an average of 235,000 ounces of
gold per year. Activities planned for 2006 include in-fill drilling, scope
definition, prefeasibility engineering and baseline environmental data
collection. Detailed feasibility level engineering is planned to start in late
2006. The conceptual project schedule is based on two years for permitting and
18 months for construction which could allow production to start in the third
quarter of 2009.
The company is also advancing other exploration and development projects
such as the Carrapateena copper exploration project in Australia and the Sante
Fe nickel project in Brazil. At Carrapateena, drilling has intersected
significant copper mineralization 300 metres northwest of the 2005 "discovery"
hole. Assays included 141 metres of 0.87% copper, including 49 metres of 1.27%
copper and drilling is continuing. On the Santa Fe and Ipora nickel laterite
properties in Brazil, nine drill rigs are currently operating. Detailed
drilling at 50 and 100 metre centres has been completed on the key Santa Fe
zones. Resource modeling, metallurgical testwork and scoping study project
estimations are underway.
The Fort Hills Energy Limited Partnership (Teck Cominco 15%) is expected
to announce the results of a preliminary cost estimate later this year when
project scope and development plans are scheduled to be finalized. Key mining
positions have been filled with Teck Cominco employees to utilize the
company's open pit mining expertise.
On May 12, 2006, the company announced the appointment of Mr. Peter
Kukielski as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer effective
July 15, 2006. Mr. Kukielski was most recently Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer at Falconbridge Limited. Prior to Falconbridge, Mr.
Kukielski held senior engineering and project management roles with BHP
Billiton and Fluor Corporation.
Outlook
Except as discussed above in relation to specific operations, there are
no significant changes expected in operating plans or production rates at the
company's operations for the balance of 2006.
The company reported record profits in the first half of 2006 due mainly
to significantly higher commodity prices. Current prices for metals remain
significantly higher than those in the first half of the year, which averaged
US$2.76 per pound for copper and US$1.26 per pound for zinc respectively on
the LME. Net earnings in the second half of the year will be strong should
these metal prices remain at the current levels.
Sensitivity of metal prices and the U.S. dollar exchange rate on earnings
based on the company's current 2006 production plan is as follows:
<<
Estimated Impact on
Change Annual After-tax Earnings
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Cdn$ millions)
Zinc US$0.01/lb $ 10
Lead US$0.01/lb $ 3
Copper US$0.01/lb $ 4
Gold US$10/oz $ 3
Coal US$1/tonne $ 7
Molybdenum US$1/pound $ 5
Power US$10/MW.h $ 7
Cdn$/US$ Cdn$0.01 $ 24
Note:
The effect on the company's earnings due to commodity price movements
will vary from quarter to quarter depending on sales volumes. On a
quarterly basis, commodity price changes will result in price
adjustments on outstanding receivables, which are not reflected in
these sensitivity estimates. The impact of the U.S. dollar exchange
rate will depend on the underlying commodity prices.
>>
The continuing strengthening of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S.
dollar has a negative impact on the company's earnings as the prices of the
company's products are denominated in U.S. dollars and a significant portion
of the company's operating costs are Canadian dollar based.
The company's capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately
$400 million for the year, including $190 million of sustaining capital
expenditures at the company's operations and $210 million on development
projects. The majority of the development costs will be spent on the Highland
Valley Copper mine life extension and the Fort Hills oil sands project.
Contingencies
Upper Columbia River Basin (Lake Roosevelt)
On November 11, 2004, the District Court for Eastern Washington State
denied a motion by TCML to dismiss, for want of jurisdiction, a citizen's suit
brought by two members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
(the "Tribes") supported by the State of Washington. On February 14, 2005, the
Federal Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit granted TCML's petition for
permission to appeal that decision and the District Court entered a stay of
proceedings (the "Stay") pending a final decision on the appeal. In September
2005, the District Court lifted the Stay to allow the State of Washington and
the Tribes to add the Tribes as an additional plaintiff and to file amended
complaints adding the State's and the Tribes' claims for natural resource
damages and cost recovery under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"). On September 29, 2005, the
individual plaintiffs also served notice of their intention to file suit under
the US Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") seeking injunctive
relief and costs.
On July 3, 2006, the 9th Circuit affirmed the District Court's denial of
TCML's motion to dismiss the citizen's suit. On July 17, 2006, TCML petitioned
the 9th Circuit for rehearing in accordance with the court's procedures.
The original citizen's suit was brought pursuant to Section 310(a)(i) of
CERCLA to enforce a unilateral administrative order issued by the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 11, 2003 (the "UAO")
purporting to require TCML to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility
study with respect to metal contamination in the sediments of the Upper
Columbia River and Lake Roosevelt. On June 2, 2006, TCML and its US affiliate,
Teck Cominco American Incorporated ("TCAI") entered into a Settlement
Agreement (the "Agreement") with the EPA and the United States under which
TCAI will pay for and conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study
(the "Studies") that, while not carried out under an administrative or
judicial order, will be consistent with the US National Contingency Plan. TCAI
agreed to provide US$1.1 million in annual funding to the EPA to facilitate
the full participation of the Tribes, the State and the US Department of
Interior. TCAI has placed US$20 million in escrow as financial assurance of
its obligations under the Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution of
the Agreement, the EPA withdrew the UAO. The recent decision of the 9th
Circuit will not affect the Agreement.
There can be no assurance that the agreement to conduct and fund the
studies and the withdrawal of the UAO will be sufficient to resolve the matter
or that TCML or its affiliates will not be faced with further liability in
relation to this matter. Until the studies are completed, it is not possible
to estimate the extent and cost, if any, of remediation that may be required.
Although the UAO has been withdrawn, the additional complaints filed by the
Tribes and the State are subject to the same jurisdictional arguments that
TCML raised in its motion to dismiss the original citizen's suit. The Tribes
and the State participated fully in the negotiation of the Agreement but are
not parties to it and the Agreement does not resolve their claims for natural
resource damages or response costs.
Competition Investigation
TCML, as the marketing agent for HVC, responded to an order issued in May
2003 pursuant to the Competition Act to produce documents relevant to the
marketing of custom copper concentrates. The order was part of an
industry-wide investigation involving major copper concentrate producers
commenced in Canada, the US and Europe. The United States Department of
Justice and the European Commission decided not to proceed with their
investigations and have closed their files on the case.
The company is co-operating in the continuing investigation in Canada.
There can be no assurance that the investigation will not result in further
regulatory action against the company or HVC in Canada or that the company or
HVC will not face prosecution or liability under the Competition Act or
otherwise in relation to the investigation. The company can also not predict
the course of the ongoing investigation in Canada or when the investigation
will be completed.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards, Change in Accounting Policies and
Restatement
Restatement of Cash Balance
To conform with current period presentation, cash and cash equivalents on
the December 31, 2005 balance sheet has been restated to remove money market
instruments with original maturity in excess of three months from the date of
acquisition from cash and cash equivalents and present them under the balance
sheet heading temporary investments. As a result, net changes in temporary
investments are now shown on the cash flow statement as an investing activity.
Comparative cash flow statements for the three and six months ended June 30,
2005 have also been restated to reflect a net decline in temporary
investments.
Deferred Stripping
Effective January 1, 2006, the company adopted CICA Emerging Issues
Committee Abstract 160 (EIC-160) "Stripping Costs Incurred in the Production
Phase of a Mining Operation". EIC-160 requires stripping costs to be accounted
for as variable production costs to be included in the costs of inventory
produced, unless the stripping activity can be shown to be a betterment of the
mineral property, in which case the stripping costs would be capitalized.
Betterment occurs when stripping activity increases future output of the mine
by providing access to additional sources of reserves. Capitalized stripping
costs are to be amortized on a unit of production basis over the proven and
probable reserves to which they relate.
Under the standard established by the EIC existing deferred stripping
costs may continued to be carried on the Balance Sheet and amortized on a unit
of production basis over the remaining life of the affected mines. As at
January 1, 2006, the opening balance of capitalized stripping cost was
$52 million. Mine expansion costs at Highland Valley Copper, which are
considered to be a betterment of the property and can be capitalized under the
new rules, totalled $13 million as at June 30, 2006.
Mineral Properties Costs
Effective January 1, 2006, the company amended its accounting policy on
the treatment of costs for the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of
mineral properties as follows:
Acquisition, exploration and evaluation costs are charged to earnings in
the year in which they are incurred, except where these costs relate to
specific properties for which resources as defined under National Policy
Statement 43-101 exist and it is expected that the expenditure can be
recovered by future exploitation or sale, in which case they are deferred. In
limited circumstances, significant costs of acquiring mineral properties are
capitalized when it is expected the expenditure will be recovered by future
exploitation or sale.
Previously, the company capitalized acquisition, exploration and
evaluation costs only when economically recoverable reserves as shown by
economic studies were believed to exist. This change has been applied
retroactively, but did not have any effect on reported earnings or retained
earnings.
Financial Instruments
In the second quarter of 2006, the company's commodity price and foreign
exchange hedging activities increased the company's revenues by $13 million.
The unrealized mark-to-market loss on hedging positions totalled $28 million
as at June 30, 2006.
<<
Quarterly Earnings and Cash Flow
($ in millions, except 2006 2005
per share data) --------------- -------------------------------
Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Revenues 1,546 1,273 1,343 1,150 994 928
Operating profit 894 624 686 550 407 319
Net earnings 613 448 510 405 225 205
Earnings per share $2.95 $2.19 $2.50 $2.00 $1.11 $1.01
Cash flow from continuing
operations (before changes
to working capital items) 669 461 555 476 332 286
($ in millions, except 2004
per share data) -------------------------------
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Revenues 1,051 925 777 675
Operating profit 384 325 215 171
Net earnings 285 120 116 96
Earnings per share $1.42 $0.62 $0.60 $0.51
Cash flow from continuing
operations (before changes
to working capital items) 403 329 197 180
>>
Outstanding Share Data
As at July 19, 2006 there were 210,630,282 Class B subordinate voting
shares and 4,673,453 Class A common shares outstanding. In addition, there
were outstanding 2,657,860 director and employee stock options with exercise
prices ranging between $6.39 and $66.40 per share. More information on these
instruments and the terms of their conversion is set out in Note 16 of the
company's 2005 year-end financial statements.
Important Notice
This document may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of
Teck Cominco's proposed tender offer for the shares of Inco. On May 23, 2006,
Teck Cominco has filed the following documents with Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") in connection with its offer to purchase all of the
outstanding common shares of Inco: (1) a Registration Statement on Form F-10
(containing an offer to purchase and a share takeover bid circular) and (2) a
tender offer statement on Schedule T-0.
Investors and shareholders are urged to read the Registration Statement,
the Schedule T-0 and any other relevant documents filed or that will be filed
with the SEC when they become available because they will contain important
information about the tender offer. These documents will be available without
charge on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov and may be obtained without charge
from the SEC at telephone number 800-SEC-0330. Free copies of these documents
can also be obtained by directing a request to Teck Cominco Limited, 600-200
Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, V6C 3L9, attention
Corporate Secretary, by telephone at (604) 687-1117, or by email to:
info(at)teckcominco.com.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains certain forward-looking information. This
forward-looking information, principally under the heading "Outlook", but also
elsewhere in this press release, includes estimates, forecasts, and statements
as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the size
and quality of the company's mineral reserves and mineral resources, future
trends for the company, the outcome and consequences of the company's offer
for Inco, the impact of the Peruvian royalty legislation, progress in
development of mineral properties, future production and sales volumes,
capital and mine production costs, demand and market outlook for commodities,
future commodity prices and treatment and refining charges, the outcome of
legal proceedings involving the company, and the financial results of the
company. This forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, risks
and uncertainties and actual results may vary materially.
Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, but are
not limited to, changes in commodity and power prices, changes interest and
currency exchange rates, acts of foreign governments and the outcome of legal
proceedings, inaccurate geological and metallurgical assumptions (including
with respect to the size, grade and recoverability of mineral reserves and
resources), unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of
plant, equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or
expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment,
government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial
disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health,
safety and environmental matters), political risk, social unrest, and changes
in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets.
Statements concerning future production costs or volumes, and the
sensitivity of the company's earnings to changes in commodity prices and
exchange rates are based on numerous assumptions of management regarding
operating matters, including that new collective bargaining agreements are
entered into at certain operations without labour disruption, that demand for
products develops as anticipated, that operating and capital plans will not be
disrupted by issues such as mechanical failure, unavailability of parts and
supplies, labour disturbances, interruption in transportation or utilities,
and that there are no material unanticipated variations in the cost of energy
or supplies.
Webcast
Teck Cominco will host an Investor Conference Call to discuss its Q2/2006
financial results on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 11 AM Eastern/8 AM Pacific
time. A live audio webcast of the conference call, together with supporting
presentation slides, will be available at the company's website at
www.teckcominco.com. The webcast is also available at www.newswire.ca and
www.q1234.com. The webcast will be archived at www.teckcominco.com.
<<
Teck Cominco Limited
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
(in millions of dollars, June 30 June 30
except per share data) 2006 2005 2006 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1(b) Note 1(b)
Revenues $ 1,546 $ 994 $ 2,819 $ 1,922
Operating expenses (595) (523) (1,187) (1,064)
Depreciation and amortization (57) (64) (114) (132)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit 894 407 1,518 726
Other expenses
General and administrative (16) (15) (40) (30)
Interest on long-term debt (24) (13) (51) (26)
Exploration (14) (14) (22) (19)
Research and development (6) (4) (10) (8)
Other income (Note 6) 53 19 173 50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
887 380 1,568 693
Provision for income and resource
taxes (287) (155) (520) (263)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings from continuing
operations 600 225 1,048 430
Net earnings from discontinued
operation (Note 13(b)) 13 - 13 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 613 $ 225 $ 1,061 $ 430
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share $2.95 $1.11 $5.15 $2.12
Basic earnings per share from
continuing operations $2.89 $1.11 $5.08 $2.12
Diluted earnings per share $2.83 $1.04 $4.89 $1.99
Diluted earnings per share from
continuing operations $2.77 $1.04 $4.83 $1.99
Weighted average shares outstanding
(millions) 207.6 202.4 205.6 202.0
Shares outstanding at end of period
(millions) 215.3 202.5 215.3 202.5
Teck Cominco Limited
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
(Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005 2006 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1(b), Note 1(b),
2(c) 2(c)
Operating activities
Net earnings from continuing
operations $ 600 $ 225 $ 1,048 $ 430
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization 57 64 114 132
Future income and resource taxes 9 52 30 80
Gain on sale of investments
and assets (5) (16) (76) (36)
Other 8 7 14 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
669 332 1,130 618
Net change in non-cash working
capital items (69) (25) (159) (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
600 307 971 616
Financing activities
Issuance of long-term debt 4 - 20 -
Repayment of long-term debt (1) - (211) (46)
Issuance of Class B subordinate
voting shares - 3 6 16
Dividends paid - (81) (81) (81)
Exchangeable debentures (8) (2) (8) (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) (80) (274) (113)
Investing activities
Decrease (increase) in temporary
investments 1,425 (100) 636 (366)
Property, plant and equipment (62) (73) (136) (135)
Investment in Fort Hills Energy
Limited Partnership (20) - (74) -
Investments and other assets (29) (1) (32) (7)
Proceeds from sale of investments
and assets 9 23 119 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1,323 (151) 513 (453)
Effect of exchange rate on cash
held in U.S. dollars (78) 3 (78) 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in cash and cash
equivalents 1,840 79 1,132 53
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 1,390 849 2,098 875
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period $ 3,230 $ 928 $ 3,230 $ 928
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teck Cominco Limited
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30 December 31
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1(b), 2(c)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,230 $ 2,098
Temporary investments 350 986
Accounts and settlements receivable 588 531
Inventories 759 668
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
4,927 4,283
Investments 705 666
Property, plant and equipment 3,475 3,516
Other assets 347 344
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 9,454 $ 8,809
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Dividends payable $ 215 $ 81
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 449 442
Current portion of long-term debt 34 213
Current income and resource taxes payable 134 261
Current portion of future income and
resource taxes 199 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1,031 1,115
Long-term debt 1,429 1,508
Other liabilities (Note 8) 660 667
Future income and resource taxes 801 888
Exchangeable debentures 248 248
Shareholders' equity (Note 9) 5,285 4,383
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 9,454 $ 8,809
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teck Cominco Limited
Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings
(Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005 2006 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings at beginning
of period $ 2,675 $ 1,253 $ 2,228 $ 1,049
Net earnings 613 225 1,061 430
Dividends declared (215) (81) (215) (81)
Interest on exchangeable
debentures, net of taxes (2) (1) (3) (2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings at end of
period $ 3,071 $ 1,396 $ 3,071 $ 1,396
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teck Cominco Limited
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
(a) These interim consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP using standards for
interim financial statements and do not contain all of the
information required for annual financial statements. These
statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of
application as the most recent annual financial statements.
Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the most
recent annual financial statements of the company.
(b) Certain other comparative figures have been reclassified to
conform with the presentation adopted for the current period.
2. ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICY
AND RESTATEMENT
(a) Deferred stripping
Effective January 1, 2006, the company adopted CICA Emerging
Issues Committee Abstract 160 (EIC-160) "Stripping Costs Incurred
in the Production Phase of a Mining Operation". EIC-160 requires
stripping costs to be accounted for as variable production costs
to be included in the costs of inventory produced, unless the
stripping activity can be shown to be a betterment of the mineral
property, in which case the stripping costs would be capitalized.
Betterment occurs when stripping activity increases future output
of the mine by providing access to additional sources of
reserves. Capitalized stripping costs would be amortized on a
unit of production basis over the proven and probable reserves to
which they relate.
The prospective application of this standard permits the existing
deferred stripping costs incurred in the production phase to be
viewed as the opening balance of capitalized stripping costs and
amortized on a unit of production basis over the remaining life
of the mine. As at January 1, 2006, the opening balance of
capitalized stripping costs was $52 million, which will be
amortized over the respective remaining life of mines. In respect
of the mine expansion at Highland Valley Copper, which is
considered to be a betterment of the property, the accumulated
deferred stripping cost as at June 30, 2006 was $13 million.
(b) Mineral properties costs
Effective January 1, 2006, the company amended its accounting
policy on the treatment of costs for the acquisition, exploration
and evaluation of mineral properties as follows:
Acquisition, exploration and evaluation costs are charged to
earnings in the year in which they are incurred, except where
these costs relate to specific properties for which resources as
defined under National Policy Statement 43-101 exist and it is
expected that the expenditure can be recovered by future
exploitation or sale, in which case they are deferred. In limited
circumstances, significant costs of acquiring mineral properties
are capitalized when it is expected the expenditure will be
recovered by future exploitation or sale.
Previously, the company capitalized acquisition, exploration and
evaluation costs only when economically recoverable reserves as
shown by economic studies were believed to exist. This change has
been applied retroactively, but did not have any effect on
reported earnings or retained earnings.
(c) Restatement of cash balance
To conform with current period presentation, cash and cash
equivalents on the December 31, 2005 balance sheet has been
restated to remove money market instruments with original
maturity in excess of three months from the date of acquisition
from cash and cash equivalents and present them under the balance
sheet heading temporary investments. As a result, net changes in
temporary investments are now shown on the cash flow statement as
an investing activity. Comparative cash flow statements for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2005 have also been restated
to reflect a net decline in temporary investments.
3. REDEMPTION OF EXCHANGEABLE DEBENTURES DUE 2024
On June 1, 2006 the company completed a series of transactions
culminating in the redemption of $112 million principal amount of
exchangeable debentures due 2024 which was recorded in shareholders'
equity. In the course of these transactions, all outstanding
debentures were tendered for exchange and the company issued
11,489,368 Class B subordinate voting shares. Since the debentures
form part of the company's shareholders' equity the exchange and the
related tax adjustments have no effect on net earnings and are
accounted for by adjustments to components of shareholders' equity.
The transactions resulted in a net increase in shareholders' equity
of $124 million as a result of a tax related adjustment.
4. INCO OFFER
On May 8, 2006 the company announced an offer to purchase all of the
outstanding common shares of Inco Limited (Inco). Under the terms of
the offer the company has offered $78.50 a share in cash or 0.9776 of
a Class B subordinate voting share and cash of $0.05 for each Inco
common share, subject to pro-ration based on the maximum amount of
cash and shares available. At full pro-ration, the offer had an
implied value of $69.35 on the basis of the closing price of Class B
subordinate voting shares on July 21, 2006. The total amount of cash
available under the offer is limited to $6.4 billion and the total
number of Class B subordinate voting shares available is 143 million.
Under full pro-ration, Inco shareholders would be entitled to receive
0.6293 of a Class B subordinate voting share and $28 for each Inco
share tendered. The offer is subject to certain conditions including
the lawful termination of the support agreement between Inco and
Falconbridge and the withdrawal or termination of Inco's announced
offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Falconbridge
without any shares of Falconbridge being acquired under Inco's offer.
Additional conditions include the absence of material adverse changes
and the acceptance of the offer by shareholders owning not less than
66 and 2/3% of the Inco shares on a fully diluted basis. If the
company takes up and pays for shares pursuant to the offer, the
company intends to take steps to acquire all of the remaining
outstanding Inco shares. The offer was mailed to Inco shareholders on
May 23, 2006. On July 21, 2006 the company extended the expiry date
of the offer to 8:00 p.m. on August 16, 2006, which coincides with
the date on which the Inco Shareholders' Rights plan will be cease
traded.
5. SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION
June 30 December 31
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) i) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash $ 91 $ 132
Money market investments with
maturities from the date of
acquisition of 3 months or less 3,139 1,966
---------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 3,230 $ 2,098
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ii) Temporary investments
Money market investments with
maturities from the date of
acquisition of
3-6 months $ 345 $ 911
6-12 months 5 75
---------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 350 $ 986
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005 2006 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Income and resource
taxes paid $ 195 $ 37 $ 473 $ 92
Interest paid $ 37 $ 2 $ 60 $ 24
6. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005 2006 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain on sale of investments
and assets $ 5 $ 13 $ 76 $ 33
Interest and investment income 38 10 75 18
Income from Fording Canadian
Coal Trust 12 11 27 18
Insurance proceeds 6 5 6 21
Non-hedge derivative gains
(losses) - (4) 2 (15)
Asset retirement obligation
expense for closed properties (4) (2) (6) (4)
Minority interests (9) (4) (15) (7)
Foreign exchange gain (losses) - (4) 3 (2)
Miscellaneous income (expense) 5 (6) 5 (12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 53 $ 19 $ 173 $ 50
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
7. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS EXPENSE
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30 June 30
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005 2006 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension plans $ 8 $ 10 $ 17 $ 20
Post-retirement benefit plans 6 4 11 9
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee future benefits
expense $ 14 $ 14 $ 28 $ 29
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
8. OTHER LIABILITIES
June 30 December 31
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligation and other post-
closure costs $ 400 $ 407
Accrued pension and post-retirement benefits 193 206
Minority interests 32 18
Other 35 36
---------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 660 $ 667
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
9. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(a) Components of shareholders' equity
June 30 December 31
(in millions of dollars) 2006 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Share capital $ 2,392 $ 2,155
Contributed surplus 63 61
Retained earnings 3,071 2,228
Cumulative translation adjustment (241) (168)
Exchangeable debentures due 2024 (Note 3) - 107
---------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 5,285 $ 4,383
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The cumulative translation adjustment represents the net unrealized
foreign exchange loss on the translation of the accounts of self-
sustaining foreign subsidiaries and any U.S. dollar denominated debt
which has been designated as hedges against these investments.
(b) Stock-based compensation
In February 2006, 355,400 share options were granted to employees.
These options have an exercise price of $66.40, a term of eight years
and vest in equal amounts over three years. The weighted average fair
value of Class B subordinate voting share options issued was
estimated at $23 per share option at the grant date using the Black-
Scholes option-pricing model. The option valuation was based on an
average expected option life of five years, a risk-free interest rate
of 4.11%, a dividend yield of 1.04% and an expected volatility of
35%.
In the first and second quarters of 2006 the company respectively
issued 127,165 and 22,525 Deferred and Restricted Share Units to
employees and directors. Deferred and Restricted Share Units issued
in the year vest immediately for directors and vest in three years
for employees. Total number of deferred and restricted share units
outstanding at the end of the period was 489,565.
The company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $8 million
to June 30, 2006 in respect of all outstanding options and share
units.
10. DERIVATIVES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT JUNE 30, 2006
Unrealized
Market
Value
Gain
2006 2007 2008 2009 Total (Loss)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Cdn$
millions)
Cash Flow Hedges
Gold (thousands of ozs)
Forward sales contracts - 44 44 43 131
Average price (US$/oz) - 350 350 350 350 $(42)
Forward sales contracts 26 8 - - 34
Average price (C$/oz) 520 520 - - 520 (6)
US dollars (millions)
Forward sales contracts (a) 78 - - - 78
Average exchange rate 1.44 - - - 1.44 26
Forward sales contracts (b) 710 - - - 710
Average exchange rate 1.11 - - - 1.11 (1)
Zinc (millions of lbs) (c)
Fixed forward purchase
commitments 11 - - - 11
Average price (US cents/lb) 1.05 - - - 1.05 5
Copper (millions of lbs) (d)
Fixed forward sales
commitments 1 - - - 1
Average price (US cents/lb) 2.36 - - - 2.36 (1)
---------
$(19)
Interest Rate Swap
Rate Rate Maturity Unrealized
Principal Amount Swapped Obtained Date Loss
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LIBOR September
US$100 million 7.00% plus 2.14% 2012 (5)
Notes:
(a) Included in the U.S. dollar forward sales contracts of
US$78 million is the company's share of forward sales contracts
held by the Elk Valley Coal Partnership of US$7 million.
(b) From time to time, the company purchases U.S. dollar short-term
money market investments. The company purchases the U.S. dollars
and at the same time sells U.S. dollars forward to match the
maturity of the investment. The unrealized gain or loss on the
U.S. dollar investments is offset by the unrealized gain or loss
on the foreign exchange contracts. The company does not apply
hedge accounting to these as the change in value of the contracts
substantially offsets the change in value of the U.S. dollar
investments. The change in market value of both of these items is
reported in the earnings for the period.
(c) From time to time, certain customers purchase refined zinc at
fixed forward prices from the company's smelter and refinery
operations. The forward purchase commitments for zinc are matched
to these fixed price sales commitments to customers. As the fixed
price sales commitments to customers contain a fixed premium
component, they are not considered to be sufficiently effective
under hedge accounting standards. Accordingly, the company is
unable to apply hedge accounting to zinc forward purchase
commitments and has recognized mark-to-market and realized gains
and losses in other income and expense.
(d) From time to time, the company purchases concentrates for resale
and undertakes hedging to offset the price risk when certain
terms of the purchases do not match with the related sale. As the
critical terms of the hedge are not matched sufficiently with the
terms of the concentrate sales, they are not considered to be
sufficiently effective under hedge standards. Accordingly, the
company is unable to apply hedge accounting to copper forwards
and has recognized the mark-to-market and realized gains and
losses in other income and expenses.
11. CONTINGENCIES
The company considers provisions for all its outstanding and pending
legal claims to be adequate. The final outcome with respect to
actions outstanding or pending as at June 30, 2006, or with respect
to future claims, cannot be predicted with certainty.
(a) Lake Roosevelt
On November 11, 2004, the District Court for Eastern Washington
State denied a motion by TCML to dismiss, for want of
jurisdiction, a citizen's suit brought by two members of the
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (the "Tribes")
supported by the State of Washington. On February 14, 2005, the
Federal Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit granted TCML's
petition for permission to appeal that decision and the District
Court entered a stay of proceedings (the "Stay") pending a final
decision on the appeal. In September 2005, the District Court
lifted the Stay to allow the State of Washington and the Tribes
to add the Tribes as an additional plaintiff and to file amended
complaints adding the State's and the Tribes' claims for natural
resource damages and cost recovery under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
("CERCLA"). On September 29, 2005, the individual plaintiffs also
served notice of their intention to file suit under the US
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") seeking
injunctive relief and costs.
On July 3, 2006, the 9th Circuit affirmed the District Court's
denial of TCML's motion to dismiss the citizen's suit. On
July 17, 2006, TCML petitioned the 9th Circuit for rehearing in
accordance with the court's procedures.
The original citizen's suit was brought pursuant to Section
310(a)(i) of CERCLA to enforce a unilateral administrative order
issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on
December 11, 2003 (the "UAO") purporting to require TCML to
conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study with
respect to metal contamination in the sediments of the Upper
Columbia River and Lake Roosevelt. On June 2, 2006, TCML and its
US affiliate, Teck Cominco American Incorporated ("TCAI") entered
into a Settlement Agreement (the "Agreement") with the EPA and
the United States under which TCAI will pay for and conduct a
remedial investigation and feasibility study (the "Studies")
that, while not carried out under an administrative or judicial
order, will be consistent with the US National Contingency Plan.
TCAI agreed to provide US$1.1 million in annual funding to the
EPA to facilitate the full participation of the Tribes, the State
and the US Department of Interior. TCAI has placed US$20 million
in escrow as financial assurance of its obligations under the
Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement,
the EPA withdrew the UAO. The recent decision of the 9th Circuit
will not affect the Agreement.
There can be no assurance that the agreement to conduct and fund
the studies and the withdrawal of the UAO will be sufficient to
resolve the matter or that TCML or its affiliates will not be
faced with further liability in relation to this matter. Until
the studies are completed, it is not possible to estimate the
extent and cost, if any, of remediation that may be required.
Although the UAO has been withdrawn, the additional complaints
filed by the Tribes and the State are subject to the same
jurisdictional arguments that TCML raised in its motion to
dismiss the original citizen's suit. The Tribes and the State
participated fully in the negotiation of the Agreement but are
not parties to it and the Agreement does not resolve their claims
for natural resource damages or response costs.
(b) Competition investigation
TCML, as the marketing agent for HVC, responded to an Order
issued in May 2003 pursuant to the Competition Act to produce
documents relevant to the marketing of custom copper
concentrates. The order was part of an industry-wide
investigation involving major copper concentrate producers
commenced in Canada, the US and Europe. The United States
Department of Justice and the European Commission decided not to
proceed with their investigations and have closed their files on
the case.
The company is co-operating in the continuing investigation in
Canada. There can be no assurance that the investigation will not
result in further regulatory action against the company or HVC in
Canada or that the company or HVC will not face prosecution or
liability under the Competition Act or otherwise in relation to
the investigation. The company can also not predict the course of
the ongoing investigation in Canada or when the investigation
will be completed.
(c) Mining royalty in Peru
On June 28, 2006, the Peruvian Congress passed a law that
requires all mining companies to pay a new mining royalty of up
to 3% of the value of sales regardless of whether the company has
been granted an exemption through a Mining Stability agreement.
If the new law is reaffirmed, Antamina will be required to pay
US$83 million with respect to 2004 and 2005 operations, and
US$42 million with respect to the first six months of 2006, of
which the company's share is 22.5%. Antamina and its legal
advisors are of the opinion that the royalty is not payable due
to the Mining Stability agreement and are pursuing this matter
actively. As a result, no provision has been made in the
financial statements.
12. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The company has six reportable segments: zinc-lead smelter and
refineries, zinc, copper, gold and coal mines, and corporate and
other. Revenue from refined lead, electrical power, fertilizers and
specialty metals earned at smelting operations are included in zinc
smelter revenue for segmented purposes. All revenue from a mine is
included in one segment based upon the principal product of the mine.
The corporate segment includes the company's investment, exploration
and development activities.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended June 30, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
Corpor-
Smelter & Zinc Copper Gold Coal ate &
($ in millions) Refineries Mines Mines Mines Mines Other Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment revenues 451 175 696 37 307 107 1,773
Less inter-segment
revenues - (105) (121) - - (1) (227)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 451 70 575 37 307 106 1,546
Operating profit 112 118 537 4 119 4 894
Interest expense - - (2) - (1) (21) (24)
Other corporate
income - - - - - 17 17
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
and discontinued
operation 112 118 535 4 118 - 887
Capital expenditures 13 10 12 19 4 4 62
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months ended June 30, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
Corpor-
Smelter & Zinc Copper Gold Coal ate &
($ in millions) Refineries Mines Mines Mines Mines Other Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment revenues 814 409 1,106 74 599 139 3,141
Less inter-segment
revenues - (199) (121) - - (2) (322)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 814 210 985 74 599 137 2,819
Operating profit 183 262 832 8 246 (13) 1,518
Interest expense - - (5) - (1) (45) (51)
Other corporate income - - - - - 101 101
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
and discontinued
operation 183 262 827 8 245 43 1,568
Total assets 1,514 1,773 1,494 383 666 3,624 9,454
Capital expenditures 23 17 52 26 10 8 136
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended June 30, 2005
-----------------------------------------------------
Corpor-
Smelter & Zinc Copper Gold Coal ate &
($ in millions) Refineries Mines Mines Mines Mines Other Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment revenues 265 53 387 31 301 88 1,125
Less inter-segment
revenues - (45) (86) - - - (131)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 265 8 301 31 301 88 994
Operating profit 38 9 228 2 131 (1) 407
Interest expense - - (3) - - (10) (13)
Other corporate
expense - - - - - (14) (14)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
and discontinued
operation 38 9 225 2 131 (25) 380
Capital expenditures 4 10 5 17 35 2 73
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months ended June 30, 2005
-----------------------------------------------------
Corpor-
Smelter & Zinc Copper Gold Coal ate &
($ in millions) Refineries Mines Mines Mines Mines Other Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment revenues 534 165 751 65 477 104 2,096
Less inter-segment
revenues - (87) (86) - - (1) (174)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues 534 78 665 65 477 103 1,922
Operating profit 59 51 440 5 171 - 726
Interest expense - - (7) - - (19) (26)
Other corporate
expense - - - - - (7) (7)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
and discontinued
operation 59 51 433 5 171 (26) 693
Total assets 1,322 1,468 1,205 289 600 1,634 6,518
Capital expenditures 20 16 9 32 55 3 135
13. OTHER
(a) Seasonality of sales
Due to ice conditions, the port serving the Red Dog mine is only
able to ship concentrates from July to October each year. As a
result, sales volumes are normally higher in the third and fourth
quarter of each year than the first and second quarters, which
can result in variability in the company's quarterly earnings.
(b) Discontinued operation
Pursuant to the agreement for sale of the Cajamarquilla zinc
refinery completed in December 2004, the company has recorded
additional consideration in respect of the annual zinc price
participation exceeding US$0.454 per pound. Zinc price
participation extends until 2009.
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