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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FORM 20-F
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
OR
.. TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-14370
COMPAÑÍA DE MINAS BUENAVENTURA S.A.A.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
BUENAVENTURA MINING COMPANY INC.
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
REPUBLIC OF PERU
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
CARLOS VILLARAN 790
SANTA CATALINA, LIMA 13, PERU
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
|
Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common shares, nominal (par) value of four Peruvian Nuevos Soles per share American Depositary Shares (ADSs) representing one Common share each |
|
New York Stock Exchange Inc.٭ Lima Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange Inc.** |
٭ Not for trading but only in connection with the registration of ADSs pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Commission |
_________________
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Common shares nominal (par) value of S/.4.00 per share 137,444,962*
Investment shares nominal (par) value of S/.4.00 per share 372,320
*Prior to May 3, 2002, the Company had Series A common shares, Series B common shares and Investment shares. Since that date, following the redesignation of Series B common shares as Series A common shares and thereafter of Series A common shares as Common shares, the Company has Common shares and Investment shares.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
x No ..Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17
.. Item 18 xTABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ITEM 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers *
ITEM 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable *
ITEM 4. Information on the Company *
ITEM 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects *
ITEM 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees *
ITEM 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions *
ITEM 8. Financial Information *
ITEM 9. The Offer and Listing *
ITEM 10. Additional Information *
ITEM 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk *
ITEM 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities *
ITEM 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies *
ITEM 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds *
ITEM 15. Controls and Procedures *
ITEM 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert *
ITEM 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services *
ITEM 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees *
ITEM 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers 152
ITEM 17. Financial Statements *
Presentation of Financial Information
As used in this Form 20-F (the "Annual Report" or the "Form 20-F"), unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company" or "Buenaventura" means Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, references to "$", "US$", "Dollars" and "U.S. Dollars" are to United States Dollars, and references to "S/.", "Nuevo Sol" or "Nuevos Soles" are to Peruvian Nuevos Soles, the legal currency of the Republic of Peru ("Peru").
Buenaventura and its subsidiaries maintain their financial books and records in Nuevos Soles and present their financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Peru ("Peruvian GAAP"). See Note 39 to the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 (the "Company Financial Statements") beginning at page F-53 for a description of the significant differences between the accounting principles followed by the Company under Peruvian GAAP and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"), and Note 40 to the Company Financial Statements for a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income and shareholders' equity for the periods covered. Pursuant to the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), this Annual Report includes certain separate financial statements and other financial information of Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. ("Yanacocha"). Yanacocha maintains its financial books and records in U.S. Dollars and presents its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See Note 17 to the audited financial statements of Yanacocha as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 (the "Yanacocha Financial Statements") beginning at page F-90 for a description of the significant differences between the accounting principles followed by Yanacocha under U.S. GAAP and Peruvian GAAP, and for a reconciliation to Peruvian GAAP of net income and partners' equity for the periods covered. Pursuant to Peruvian GAAP, financial data for all periods in the financial statements of the Company included herein have been adjusted for inflation using the Indice de Precios al por Mayor a Nivel Nacional (National Wholesale Price Index for Peru, or "IPM") published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (Nati onal Institute of Statistics, or "INEI"). See Note 2(a) to the Company Financial Statements. Unless otherwise specified, financial data regarding the Company is presented herein in accordance with Peruvian GAAP and in constant Nuevos Soles as of December 31, 2004, and financial data regarding Yanacocha is presented herein in accordance with U.S. GAAP and in U.S. Dollars.
The Company Financial Statements record the Company's investment in Yanacocha in accordance with the equity method. The Company's interest in Yanacocha has been calculated at 43.65 percent for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, as described in "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-The Company-General" and Note 12 to the Company Financial Statements.
In 1989, the Peruvian accounting standards board approved the inclusion in the financial statements of each Peruvian company of the Resultado por Exposición a la Inflación ("Result from Exposure to Inflation"), which seeks to account for the effects of inflation or deflation by adjusting the value of non-monetary assets and liabilities by a factor corresponding to the inflation or deflation rate during the period covered by the financial statements. Monetary assets and liabilities are not adjusted. The net result of the adjustment is reflected in the "Result from Exposure to Inflation" line item of the income statement. This requirement was applied to the Company in 1991 and thereafter. See Note 2(a) to the Company Financial Statements. The inflation adjustment factors used in the calculation of the Result from Exposure to Inflation since 1991 are a function of the IPM. The IPM increased by 3.8 percent in 2000, decreased by 2.2 percent in 2001, increased by 1.7 percent in 2002, increased by 2.0 percent in 2003 and increased by 4.9 percent in 2004.
In 2004, the Peruvian Accounting Standards Board adopted Resolution No. 031-2004-EF/93.01, suspending the restatement of the financial statements to recognize the effect of inflation effective January 1, 2005. The Company's restated financial statement balances as of December 31, 2004 will be considered the initial financial statement balances as of January 1, 2005.
Exchange Rates
This Annual Report contains translations of certain Nuevo Sol amounts into Dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. These translations should not be construed as representations that the Nuevo Sol amounts actually represent such equivalent Dollar amounts or could be converted into Dollars at the rate indicated as of the dates mentioned herein or at all. Unless otherwise indicated, such Dollar amounts have been translated from Nuevos Soles at an exchange rate of S/.3.283 = US$1.00, the average of the market exchange rates for the purchase and sale of Dollars on December 31, 2004. The translation of amounts expressed in nominal or constant Nuevos Soles with purchasing power as of a specified date by the then-prevailing exchange rate may result in presentation of Dollar amounts that differ from the Dollar amounts that would have been obtained by translating nominal or constant Nuevos Soles with purchasing power as of another specified date by the prevailin g exchange rate on that specified date. See "Item 3. Key Information-Exchange Rates" for information regarding the average rates of exchange between the Nuevo Sol and the Dollar for the periods specified therein.
Certain amounts and percentages have been rounded for presentation purposes and may not sum exactly.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report contain "forward-looking" information (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including those concerning the Company's and Yanacocha's costs and expenses, results of exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing market prices of gold, silver and other metals mined, the success of joint ventures, estimates of future exploration, development and production, subsidiaries' plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and Peruvian political, economic and legal developments. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's view with respect to the Company's and Yanacocha's future financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report, including but not limited to those discussed under "Item 3. Key Information-Risk Factors".
ITEM 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Selected Financial Data
Company Selected Financial Information and Operating Data
The following information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Company Financial Statements including the Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected financial information as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, and for the three years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, is derived from the Company Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. The report of Medina, Zaldivar, Paredes & Asociados (a member firm of Ernst & Young International) on the Company's 2003 and 2004 Financial Statements appears elsewhere in this Annual Report. The Company Financial Statements are prepared and presented in accordance with Peruvian GAAP, which differ in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 39 to the Company Financial Statements provides a description of the principal differences between Peruvian GAAP and U.S. GAAP as such differences relate to the Company, and Note 40 to the Company Financial Statements provides a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of the Company's net income for the years ended 2002, 2003 and 2004, and shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2003 and 2004. The selected financial information as of December 31, 2000 and 2001 and for the years then ended has been derived from the Company's financial statements as of and for the years then ended, which have been audited by Medina, Zaldivar y Asociados (a member firm of Andersen Worldwide), who have ceased operations. The operating data presented below is derived from the Company's records and has not been subject to audit. The financial information and operating data presented below should be read in conjunction with "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-The Company" and the Company Financial Statements and the related Notes thereto and other financial information included in this Annual Report.
|
As of and for the year ended December 31, |
|||||||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2004 |
||
|
(In thousands of constant S/.)(1) |
|
(In thousands of US$)(1)(2) |
|||||
Income statement data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Peruvian GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net sales |
414,154 |
486,428 |
575,707 |
735,306 |
908,441 |
276,711 |
||
Income realized from sale of future production |
- |
- |
- |
- |
68,837 |
20,968 |
||
Royalties income |
56,106 |
59,030 |
82,350 |
116,857 |
128,889 |
39,260 |
||
Total revenues |
470,260 |
545,458 |
658,057 |
852,163 |
1,106,167 |
336,939 |
||
Costs of operation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating costs |
(262,610) |
(271,615) |
(273,686) |
(302,572) |
(338,074) |
(102,977) |
||
Exploration and development costs in operational mining sites |
(33,341) |
(63,659) |
(77,660) |
(85,715) |
(127,169) |
(38,736) |
||
Depreciation and amortization |
(34,376) |
(39,857) |
(43,195) |
(49,118) |
(59,473) |
(18,115) |
||
Total costs of operation |
(330,327) |
(375,131) |
(394,541) |
(437,405) |
(524,716) |
(159,828) |
||
Gross margin |
139,933 |
170,327 |
263,516 |
414,758 |
581,451 |
177,111 |
||
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Exploration costs in non-operational mining sites |
(43,968) |
(51,847) |
(40,309) |
(59,255) |
(88,241) |
(26,878) |
||
General and administrative |
(68,034) |
(67,600) |
(79,298) |
(123,161) |
(76,866) |
(23,413) |
||
Royalties to third parties |
(10,322) |
(14,202) |
(14,681) |
(25,142) |
(24,918) |
(7,590) |
||
Selling |
(31,051) |
(28,171) |
(24,314) |
(25,776) |
(17,839) |
(5,435) |
||
Amortization of mining concessions and goodwill |
(6,520) |
(15,995) |
(17,441) |
(15,578) |
(15,598) |
(4,749) |
||
Royalties to the Peruvian government |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(6,639) |
(2,022) |
||
Assets impairment loss and write-off |
- |
(24,985) |
(1,634) |
(4,691) |
(2,889) |
(880) |
||
Total operating expenses |
(159,895) |
(202,800) |
(177,677) |
(253,603) |
(232,990) |
(70,967) |
||
Operating income (loss) |
(19,962) |
(32,473) |
85,839 |
161,155 |
348,461 |
106,144 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other income (expenses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Share in affiliated companies |
298,008 |
214,185 |
353,963 |
557,558 |
575,858 |
175,406 |
||
Gain (loss) from change in the fair value of derivative instruments |
- |
- |
- |
(647,218) |
14,629 |
4,456 |
||
Interest income |
6,943 |
14,523 |
9,215 |
7,785 |
12,132 |
3,694 |
||
Realized gain (loss) in derivative instruments------- |
44,243 |
63,432 |
44,760 |
(20,812) |
(73,403) |
(22,359) |
||
Gain (loss) from exposure to inflation |
2,660 |
1,742 |
(3,312) |
321 |
(22,483) |
(6,849) |
||
Interest expense |
(9,646) |
(18,966) |
(16,702) |
(8,687) |
(7,515) |
(2,289) |
||
Loss from sale of subsidiary's shares |
- |
- |
(7,069) |
- |
- |
- |
||
Other, net |
80,602 |
13,141 |
2,954 |
(12,804) |
(13,505) |
(4,114) |
||
Total other income (expenses), net |
422,810 |
288,057 |
383,809 |
(123,857) |
485,713 |
147,945 |
||
Income before workers' profit sharing, income tax, minority interest and cumulative effect of accounting change |
402,848 |
255,584 |
469,648 |
37,298 |
834,174 |
254,089 |
||
Provision for workers' profit sharing |
(4,647) |
(738) |
(1,613) |
62,887 |
(18,356) |
(5,591) |
||
Provision for income tax |
(29,261) |
(26,689) |
(26,859) |
198,286 |
(101,997) |
(31,068) |
||
Income before minority interest and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
368,940 |
228,157 |
441,176 |
298,471 |
713,821 |
217,430 |
||
Minority interest |
(34,386) |
4,249 |
(25,461) |
(51,023) |
(28,171) |
(8,581) |
||
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change--------.. |
334,554 |
232,406 |
415,715 |
247,448 |
685,650 |
208,849 |
||
Cumulative effect of accounting change |
(68,023) |
- |
- |
(72,295) |
- |
- |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income |
266,531 |
232,406 |
415,715 |
175,153 |
685,650 |
208,849 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income per share(3) |
2.11 |
1.84 |
3.27 |
1.38 |
5.39 |
1.64 |
||
Net income per ADS(3) |
2.11 |
1.84 |
3.27 |
1.38 |
5.39 |
1.64 |
||
Dividends per share |
0.29 |
0.39 |
0.59 |
1.25 |
1.10 |
0.33 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Average number of shares outstanding |
126,252,152 |
126,602,016 |
127,236,219 |
127,236,219 |
127,236,219 |
127,236,219 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
U.S. GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating income (loss) |
(23,252) |
(7,758) |
84,870 |
225,071 |
330,973 |
100,823 |
||
Net income |
257,795 |
172,728 |
43,576 |
179,036 |
688,897 |
209,838 |
||
Net income per share(3) |
2.04 |
1.36 |
0.34 |
1.41 |
5.41 |
1.65 |
||
Net income per ADS (3) |
2.04 |
1.36 |
0.34 |
1.41 |
5.41 |
1.65 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance sheet data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Peruvian GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total assets |
1,739,664 |
2,021,456 |
2,339,563 |
3,220,818 |
3,571,395 |
1,087,845 |
||
Total debt |
112,815 |
269,101 |
184,516 |
139,382 |
64,513 |
19,651 |
||
Shareholders' equity |
1,418,175 |
1,615,159 |
1,982,061 |
1,699,649 |
2,180,133 |
664,067 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
U.S. GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total assets |
1,715,950 |
2,015,474 |
2,322,771 |
3,211,020 |
3,556,680 |
1,083,363 |
||
Shareholders' equity |
1,383,932 |
1,516,374 |
1,508,853 |
1,690,157 |
2,165,887 |
659,728 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating data (unaudited):(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Production: |
||||||||
Gold (oz.) |
131,475 |
208,874 |
277,490 |
319,427 |
357,562 |
- |
||
Silver (oz.) |
10,736,024 |
12,473,284 |
13,346,374 |
13,813,658 |
15,095,562 |
- |
||
Proven and probable reserves |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Gold (oz.) |
246,861 |
206,232 |
592,102 |
870,345 |
931,924 |
- |
||
Silver (oz.) |
63,856,169 |
59,967,350 |
72,119,422 |
92,817,825 |
95,862,405 |
- |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
____________________
(1) Except per share, per ADS, outstanding shares and operating data.
(2) Translated into U.S. Dollars at the rate of S/.3.283=US$1.00, the average of the market exchange rates for the purchase and sale of U.S. Dollars as of December 31, 2004 as published by the Superintendencia de Bancos y Seguros (Superintendency of Banks and Insurance or "SBS").
(3) Income per share has been calculated for each year as net income divided by average number of shares outstanding during the year. Until December 31, 2001, average shares outstanding included Series A Shares, Series B Shares and Investment Shares; income per ADS was calculated on the basis of two Series B Shares per ADS. On April 30, 2002, the Company approved the redesignation of the Series B Shares as Series A Shares and the immediate redesignation thereafter of Series A Shares as Common Shares. As of April 30, 2002, the total number of Common Shares and Investment Shares outstanding was 137,444,962, including 10,585,130 treasury
(4) The amounts in this table reflect the total operating data for the Company and each of its consolidated subsidiaries for each year, 2000 through 2004. As of December 31, 2004, the Company's ownership percentages for the relevant companies were as follows: Condesa, 100%; Conenhua, 100%; Inminsur, 78.04%; Colquijirca, 59.90%; Chaupiloma, 60.0% and Cedimin, 100%. As of December 31, 2004, Minera Paula, which as of October 22, 2004 was 100% owned by the Company, was merged with and into Cedimin and is no longer a separate legal entity.
Yanacocha Selected Financial Information and Operating Data
The following table presents selected financial information and operating data for Yanacocha at the dates and for each of the periods indicated. This information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Yanacocha Financial Statements, which have been audited by Dongo-Soria Gaveglio y Asociados (a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers). The report of Dongo-Soria Gaveglio y Asociados on the Yanacocha Financial Statements appears elsewhere in this Annual Report. The Yanacocha Financial Statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which differ in certain respects from Peruvian GAAP. Note 17 to the Yanacocha Financial Statements provides a description of the principal differences between U.S. GAAP and Peruvian GAAP, as such differences relate to Yanacocha, as well as a reconciliation to Peruvian GAAP of Yanacocha's net income for the years ended 2002, 2003 and 2004 and partners' equity as of December 31, 2 003 and 2004. The operating data presented below, which is based on 100 percent of Yanacocha's production and reserves, is derived from Yanacocha's records and has not been subject to audit. The financial information presented below should be read in conjunction with "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Yanacocha" and the Yanacocha Financial Statements and the related Notes thereto and other financial information included in this Annual Report.
|
As of and for the year ended December 31, |
||||||||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
||||
|
(In thousands of US$)(1) |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Income statement data: |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
U.S. GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenues |
491,791 |
517,800 |
713,398 |
1,036,370 |
1,249,882 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Costs applicable to sales |
(172,778) |
(241,991) |
(312,980) |
(377,214) |
(450,825) |
||||
Depreciation and depletion |
(58,122) |
(73,484) |
(114,769) |
(146,822) |
(179,441) |
||||
Exploration costs |
(10,349) |
(12,020) |
(11,121) |
(13,574) |
(35,236) |
||||
General and administrative costs |
(1,087) |
(3,589) |
(4,682) |
(5,126) |
(4,986) |
||||
Other expenses |
(10,317) |
(8,641) |
160 |
(18,126) |
(6,135) |
||||
Total operating expenses |
(252,653) |
(339,725) |
(443,392) |
(560,862) |
(676,623) |
||||
Operating income |
239,138 |
178,075 |
270,006 |
443,541 |
573,259 |
||||
Interest expense and other |
(1,475) |
(4,036) |
(7,473) |
(1,055) |
(1,392) |
||||
Pre-tax income |
237,663 |
174,039 |
262,533 |
474,453 |
571,867 |
||||
Income tax provision |
(43,066) |
(40,242) |
(64,611) |
(121,688) |
(181,563) |
||||
Net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principles |
194,597 |
133,797 |
197,922 |
352,765 |
390,304 |
||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net |
(4,986) |
0 |
0 |
(32,353) |
0 |
||||
Net income and comprehensive income |
189,611 |
133,797 |
197,922 |
320,412 |
390,304 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Peruvian GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Operating income |
162,786 |
97,209 |
281,274 |
475,894 |
605,019 |
||||
Net income |
136,734 |
80,927 |
220,847 |
313,143 |
427,975 |
||||
Balance sheet data: |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
U.S. GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total assets |
762,119 |
962,555 |
1,055,280 |
1,146,041 |
1,207,748 |
||||
Total debt |
141,277 |
198,301 |
114,954 |
67,356 |
37,316 |
||||
Partners' equity |
409,431 |
533,228 |
680,458 |
700,870 |
811,174 |
||||
Peruvian GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total assets |
516,450 |
638,107 |
868,992 |
974,630 |
1,091,571 |
||||
Partners' equity |
256,035 |
326,962 |
574,085 |
587,228 |
735,203 |
||||
Operating data (unaudited): |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Gold produced (oz.) |
1,795,398 |
1,902,489 |
2,285,584 |
2,851,143 |
3,017,303 |
||||
Gold proven and probable reserves (thousands of oz.) |
36,553 |
34,173 |
32,605 |
31,709 |
32,257 |
||||
Average cash production cost (US$ |
96 |
123 |
134 |
129 |
146 |
________________
(1) Except operating data.
(2) Operating cash cost per ounce of gold sold is defined as the total of costs applicable to sales less non-cash provisions for reclamation and remediation costs. Operating cash is comprised of operating costs, management fees, royalty expenses, selling expenses, write-off of assets, workers' profit participation costs and credits for by-product sales. Operating cash cost is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures provided by other companies. When analyzing operating performance, investors should use operating cash cost in addition to, and not as an alternative to, cost of sales. Operating cash cost per ounce is derived from historical statements of income and is presented as supplemental information because management believes it provides additional information to evaluate operations. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Yanacocha-Operating Results-Non-GAAP information reconciliation".
Exchange Rates
The following table sets forth the high and low month-end rates and the average and end-of-period offered rates for the sale of Nuevos Soles in U.S. Dollars for the period indicated, as published by the SBS. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Nuevos Soles.
Exchange Rates
(Nuevos Soles per US$)(1)
Year |
High (2) |
Low (2) |
Average (3) |
Period end (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
2000 |
3.531 |
3.487 |
3.493 |
3.525 |
2001 |
3.623 |
3.434 |
3.506 |
3.444 |
2002 |
3.644 |
3.433 |
3.517 |
3.514 |
2003 |
||||
2004 |
3.499 |
3.277 |
3.413 |
3.277 |
2004 |
High (5) |
Low (5) |
Average (6) |
Period end (7) |
December |
3.302 |
3.263 |
3.276 |
3.277 |
2005 |
|
|
|
|
January |
3.282 |
3.258 |
3.266 |
3.260 |
February |
3.262 |
3.255 |
3.258 |
3.256 |
March |
3.262 |
3.255 |
3.258 |
3.259 |
April |
3.260 |
3.254 |
3.257 |
3.256 |
May (through May 25, 2005) |
3.258 |
3.250 |
3.254 |
3.254 |
___________________
(1) Expressed in nominal (not inflation adjusted) Nuevos Soles.
(2) Highest and lowest of the twelve month-end exchange rates for each year based on the offered rate.
(3) Average of month-end exchange rates based on the offered rate.
(4) End of period exchange rates based on the offered rate.
(5) Highest and lowest of the exchange notes based on the offered rate on the last day of each month.
(6) Average of the exchange rates based on the offered rate on the last date of each day in the relevant month.
(7) The exchange rate based on the offered rate on the last day of each relevant month.
Source: SBS
On May 25, 2005, the offered rate for Dollars as published by the SBS was S/.3.254 = US$1.00.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Risk Factors
Factors Relating to the Company
Dependence on Joint Ventures
An integral part of the Company's operations is the participation in joint venture projects with experienced mining companies. At the date of this Annual Report, the Company was participating in several joint operating agreements, joint ventures and other joint exploration and mining enterprises and companies, including Yanacocha. Joint venture projects benefit the Company by providing a source of outside funds for exploration of mining rights, by giving the Company access to the holdings of outside parties without the risk and costs of outright acquisition and by expanding the Company's senior management, geologists and engineers scope of knowledge and experience as a result of increased contact with their counterparts from other organizations. The Company can be highly dependent upon its partners, co-venturers or other shareholders in a joint venture carrying out their obligations under the applicable joint venture agreement or joint operating agreement. Such partners, co-vent urers and other shareholders in a joint venture may contribute capital to cover the expenses of the joint venture project or provide critical technological expertise and/or management and organizational expertise. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Overview" for a description of how the Company and Newmont Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Newmont Mining"), have joined together to participate in Yanacocha and how Yanacocha is dependent upon Newmont Peru Limited, Peruvian Branch ("Newmont Peru") to provide management and other expertise to the Yanacocha project. If, however, a partner, a co-venturer or in certain cases another shareholder does not carry out its obligations under the applicable joint venture agreement, joint operating agreement, by-laws or shareholders agreement, the value of the Company's investment in the joint venture could be adversely affected and the Company could incur significant expense in enforcing its rights or pursuing remedies. There can be no assurance t hat the Company's current or future partners will fulfill their obligations under such agreements. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha" and "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Business Overview-Exploration".
Investment in International Operations
Foreign operations are subject to certain risks inherent in conducting business abroad, including, among others, exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, devaluations or supply restrictions, exchange control regulations, government policies, price and wage controls, taxation, intervention, social instability and other political, economic or diplomatic developments beyond the Company's control. There can be no assurance that the Company's foreign exploration activities will not be adversely affected in the future.
The Company is carrying out exploration activities in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico and Spain. In recent years, Argentina has suffered a prolonged economic crisis. The economic conditions in Argentina have not affected the Company and the Argentine economy has improved in recent months. However, there can be no assurance as to when the Argentine economy will recover or if the crisis will continue and whether the Company may be affected in the future.
Prices of Gold and Silver
Because the Company's revenues are derived primarily from the sale of ore concentrates containing gold and silver, and Yanacocha's revenues are derived primarily from the sale of gold and silver, the prices the Company and Yanacocha obtain for gold and silver and ore concentrates containing such metals, and the Company's and Yanacocha's earnings, are directly related to world market prices for such metals. Such prices have historically fluctuated widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control, including the overall demand for and worldwide supply of gold, silver and other metals; the availability and price of competing commodities, international economic trends, currency exchange fluctuations, expectations of inflation, actions of commodity markets participants, consumption and demand patterns and political events in major producing countries. Although the Company engages in hedging activities, such as forward sales and option contracts, to minimize its exposu re to fluctuations in the prices of gold, silver and other metals, there can be no assurance that hedging activities will protect the Company from price fluctuations in such metals, see "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk". For information on gold and silver prices for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2004, see "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Business Overview-Sales of Metal Concentrates". On December 31, 2004 and April 29, 2005, the morning fixing price for gold on the London Bullion Market was US$438.00 per ounce and US$435.70 per ounce, respectively. On December 31, 2004 and April 29, 2005, the afternoon fixing spot price of silver on the London market (the "London Spot") was US$6.82 per ounce and US$6.98 per ounce, respectively.
Impact of Government Regulation
The Company's and Yanacocha's activities in Peru depend on mining concessions for exploration and development (hereafter referred to as "mining concessions") being obtained from the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines ("MEM"), in the case of the Company, and through the assignment of concessions granted to a related entity by the Peruvian government, in case of Yanacocha. In addition, the Company's and Yanacocha's activities in Peru depend on provisional permits, obtained from the MEM, for exploration and/or development rights of the area of the claim (hereafter referred to as "provisional permits," and together with mining concessions, hereafter referred to as "mining rights"), and/or processing concessions, obtained from the MEM, for treatment of mining ores (hereafter referred to as "processing concessions"), as well as compliance by the Company and Yanacocha with certain agreements entered into with the Peruvian government. Under Peru's current legal and regulatory regime, the Co mpany's mining rights have an indefinite term and Yanacocha's assigned mining rights have a term of 20 years, contingent upon payment of the annual concession fee for each mining right, with an option to renew for an additional term of 20 years. The mining rights are maintained by meeting a minimum annual level of production or investment and by the annual payment of a concession fee. A fine is payable for the years in which minimum production or investment requirements are not met. In addition if, in any year, the concession fee is not paid, payment may be made the following year within the term provided for making such payment. Any payment made will be applied to the prior year if such prior year was not paid. Failure to pay such concession fees or fines for two consecutive years could result in the loss of one or more of the mining rights. However, mining and processing concessions will not lapse if the administrative authority failed to issue a resolution declaring the termination of the concession withi n the first five years following the date on which such payment failure occurred. The Company's and Yanacocha's processing concessions enjoy the same duration and tenure as the mining rights, subject to payment of a fee based on nominal capacity for the processing plant. Failure to pay such processing fees or fines for two consecutive years could result in the loss of the processing concessions. The Company is, and Yanacocha has informed the Company that Yanacocha is, current in the payment of all amounts due in respect to its mining and processing concessions.
On June 24, 2004, the Peruvian Congress approved Law 28258 - Mining Royalties Law. This law established a mining royalty that owners of mining concessions must pay to the Peruvian government for the exploitation of metallic and non-metallic resources. The mining royalties are calculated on a sliding scale with rates ranging from 1 to 3 percent over the value of mineral concentrates based on international market prices. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Mining Royalties". The Company made its first payment of the mining royalty pursuant to Law 28258 in 2004. Yanacocha was exempt from this payment pursuant to its Mining Law Stabilization Agreements under the General Mining Law with the Peruvian government. There can be no assurance that the Peruvian government will not impose additional mining royalties on the Company or Yanacocha in the future or that such mining royalties will not have an adverse effect on the Company's or Yanacocha's results of operations or financial condition.
Environmental and other Regulatory Matters
The Company's and Yanacocha's exploration, mining, milling, smelting and refining activities are also subject to a number of Peruvian laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations. Additional matters subject to regulation include, but are not limited to, concession fees, transportation, production, water use and discharges, power use and generation, use and storage of explosives, surface rights, housing and other facilities for workers, reclamation, taxation, labor standards, mine safety and occupational health.
The Company anticipates additional laws and regulations will be enacted over time with respect to environmental matters. The development of more stringent environmental protection programs in Peru could impose constraints and additional costs on the Company's and Yanacocha's operations and require the Company and Yanacocha to make significant capital expenditures in the future. Although the Company believes it is substantially in compliance, and Yanacocha has advised the Company that Yanacocha is substantially in compliance, with all applicable environmental regulations, there can be no assurance that future legislative or regulatory developments will not have an adverse effect on the business or results of operations of the Company or Yanacocha. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Environmental Matters" and "-Permits" and "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Regulation, Permitting and Environmental Matters".
Hedging
The Company engages in gold, silver and zinc price hedging activities, such as forward sales and options contracts, to minimize its exposure to fluctuations in the prices of such metals. Buenaventura is not required to place collateral with respect to derivative instruments and there are no margin calls associated with such contracts. Credit risk is minimized by dealing with major financial institutions. See "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk". The intended effect of hedging transactions is to lock in a minimum sales price for future production at the time of the transactions, thereby reducing the impact on the Company of a future fall in such metals' prices. However, no assurances can be given as to whether, when or at what prices or cost the Company will be able to enter into hedging transactions and whether the Company's hedging activities will effectively protect the Company from adverse consequences of price fluctuations. The effect of some hedgin g transactions will be to eliminate or limit to some extent revenues that the Company would otherwise receive as a result of increases in the price of gold, silver and zinc. A forward sale of gold, for example, would mean the Company would not realize any additional revenues above the gold price specified in the contract. The Company's profitability could be adversely affected if for any reason, its production of gold is unexpectedly interrupted for a significant period of time and as a result it is unable to produce sufficient gold to cover any forward sales commitments it may have made. No assurance can be given that the Company will employ these or other hedging techniques in the future or that these or other hedging techniques, if employed, will be successful or achieve their desired effect.
Yanacocha has generally not engaged in, and is currently not engaged in, gold price hedging activities, such as forward sales or option contracts, to minimize its exposure to fluctuations in the price of gold. No assurance can be given, however, that Yanacocha will not enter into hedging transactions in the future or that such transactions, if entered into, will have the desired effect.
Speculative Nature of Precious Metals Exploration and Development
Precious metals exploration, particularly gold exploration, is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks and frequently is unsuccessful. There can be no assurance that the Company's or Yanacocha's precious metals exploration efforts will be successful. Once mineralization is discovered, it may take a number of years from the initial phases of drilling before production is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of production may change. Substantial expenditures are required to establish proven and probable ore reserves through drilling, to determine metallurgical processes to extract the metals from the ore and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. As a result of these uncertainties, no assurance can be given that the Company's or Yanacocha's exploration programs will result in the expansion or replacement of current production with new proven and probable ore reserves.
Development projects have no operating history upon which to base estimates of proven and probable ore reserves and estimates of future cash operating costs. Such estimates are, to a large extent, based upon the interpretation of geologic data obtained from drill holes and other sampling techniques, and feasibility studies which derive estimates of cash operating costs based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and processed, the configuration of the ore body, expected recovery rates of the mineral from the ore, comparable facility and equipment operating costs, anticipated climatic conditions and other factors. As a result, it is possible that actual cash operating costs and economic returns based upon development of proven and probable ore reserves may differ significantly from those originally estimated. Moreover, significant decreases in actual over expected prices may mean reserves, once found, will be uneconomical to produce. It is not unusual in new mining operatio ns to experience unexpected problems during the start-up phase. The Company utilizes a three-year average historic price of US$350 per ounce of gold and US$5.25 per ounce of silver to calculate its proven and probable ore reserves.
Capital Intensive Nature of Precious Metals Exploration and Development
Precious metals exploration and development requires substantial capital expenditures for the exploration, extraction, production and processing stages and for machinery, equipment and experienced personnel. There can be no assurance that the Company or Yanacocha will generate sufficient cash flow and/or that it will have access to sufficient external sources of funds in the form of outside investment or loans to continue exploration and development activities at the same or higher levels than in the past.
Reserves Estimates
The proven and probable ore reserve figures presented in this Annual Report are estimates of the Company and Yanacocha, and there can be no assurance that the indicated level of recovery of gold, silver and certain other metals will be realized. Reserve estimates may require revision based on actual production experience. Market price fluctuations of gold, silver and these other metals, as well as increased production costs or reduced recovery rates, may render proven and probable ore reserves containing relatively lower grades of mineralization uneconomic to exploit and may ultimately result in a restatement of proven and probable ore reserves. Moreover, short-term operating factors relating to the reserves, such as the processing of different types of ore or ore grades, could adversely affect the Company's or Yanacocha's profitability in any particular accounting period. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-Property, Plants and Equipment-The Company's Property-Reserves" and "Item 4. Information on the Company-Property, Plants and Equipment-Yanacocha's Properties-Reserves".
Replacement of Reserves
As the Company produces gold, silver, zinc and other metals, it depletes its ore reserves for such metals. To maintain production levels, the Company must replace depleted reserves by exploiting known ore bodies or locating new deposits. Success in exploration for gold, silver and the other metals the Company produces is very uncertain and there is a risk that the Company's depletion of reserves will not be off-set by new discoveries.
Industry Risks
The business of mining, smelting and refining gold, silver and other metals is generally subject to a number of risks and hazards, including industrial accidents, labor disputes, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, changes in the regulatory environment, environmental hazards and weather and other natural phenomena such as earthquakes. Such occurrences could result in damage to, or destruction of, mining properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in mining, monetary losses and possible legal liability. The Company and Yanacocha each maintain insurance against risks that are typical in the mining industry in Peru and in amounts that the Company and Yanacocha believe to be adequate but which may not provide adequate coverage in certain circumstances. Insurance against certain risks (including certain liabilities for environmental pollution or other hazards as a result of exploration and production) is not generally available to the Company or Yanacocha or to other companies within the industry.
Labor Matters
The Company has not experienced a strike since 1993, which is indicative of the good relations between the Company and its employees. However, there can be no assurance that this situation will continue and that the Company will not experience strikes or other labor-related work stoppages that could have a material adverse effect on its operations and or operating results in the future. Yanacocha has not experienced strikes and in 2004 entered into its first collective bargaining agreement with Workers' Union of Minera Yanacocha SRL (the "Union"), which was created and registered before the Peruvian Labor Ministry on December 9, 2003. Yanacocha has informed the Company that it considers its relations with its employees to be good. However, there can be no assurance that this situation will continue and that Yanacocha will not experience strikes or other labor-related work stoppages that could have a material adverse effect on its operations or its operating results. See "Item 6. Directors, Senior Mana gement and Employees-Employees" and "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Employees".
Political and Social Perception
The Company's and Yanacocha's exploration, development and production activities are potentially subject to political and social risks. Over the past several years, the Company and Yanacocha have been the target of local political protests, including community protests at the Company's La Zanja project and a blockade of the road in protest of drilling activities at Yanacocha's Cerro Quilish mine. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-History and Development-Joint Venture Exploration Projects-La Zanja" and "Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Legal Proceedings". There can be no assurance that these incidents will not continue, or that similar incidents will not occur, or that the continuation or intensification of community protests would not adversely affect the Company's or Yanacocha's exploration, development and production activities or the Company's or Yanacocha's results of operations or financial condition.
Investment Company Act
The Company owns a 43.65 percent partnership interest in Yanacocha. This partnership interest may constitute "investment securities" for purposes of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act").
Under the Investment Company Act, an investment company is defined in relevant part to include (i) any company that is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities and (ii) any company that owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40 percent of such company's total assets (exclusive of certain items) on an unconsolidated basis. Issuers that are investment companies within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, and which do not qualify for an exemption from the provisions of such act, are required to register with the Commission and are subject to substantial regulations with respect to capital structure, operations, transactions with affiliates and other matters. If the Company were deemed to be an investment company and did not qualify for an exemption from the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the Company would be required to register with t he Commission and would be subject to such regulations, which would be unduly burdensome and costly for the Company and possibly adversely impact the Company.
The Company received an order from the Commission on April 19, 1996 declaring it to be primarily engaged in a business other than that of an investment company and, therefore, not an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. The Company intends to conduct its operations and maintain its investments in a manner, and will take appropriate actions as necessary, to ensure it will not be deemed to be an investment company in the future. The Commission, however, upon its motion or upon application, may find that the circumstances that gave rise to the issuance of the order no longer exist, and as a result may revoke such order. There can be no assurance that such order will not be revoked.
Factors Relating to Peru
Exposure to Peruvian Political Risk
All of the Company's and Yanacocha's operations are conducted in Peru. Accordingly, the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and Yanacocha could be affected by changes in economic or other policies of the Peruvian government or other political, regulatory or economic developments in Peru.
During the past several decades, Peru has had a history of political instability that has included military coups and a succession of regimes with differing policies and programs. Past governments have frequently played an interventionist role in the nation's economy and social structure. Among other things, past governments have imposed controls on prices, exchange rates and local and foreign investment as well as on limitations on imports, have restricted the ability of companies to dismiss employees, have expropriated private sector assets (including mining companies) and have prohibited the remittance of profits to foreign investors.
During the 1980s, government policies restricted the ability of the Company, among other things, to repatriate funds and import products from abroad. In addition, currency exchange rates were strictly controlled, and all exports sales were required to be deposited in Peru's Banco Central de Reserva (the "Central Bank"), where they were exchanged from U.S. Dollars to Peruvian currency at less-than-favorable rates of exchange. These policies generally affected the results of operations of the Company. Controls on repatriation of funds limited the ability of the Company's shareholders to receive dividends outside of Peru, but did not limit the ability of the Company's shareholders to receive distributions of earnings in Peru. See "Item 10. Additional Information-Exchange Controls".
In July 1990, Alberto Fujimori was elected president, and his administration implemented a broad-based reform of Peru's political system, economy and social conditions, aimed at stabilizing the economy, restructuring the national government by reducing bureaucracy, privatizing state-owned companies, promoting private investment, developing and strengthening free markets, institutionalizing democratic representation and enacting programs for the strengthening of basic services related to education, health, housing and infrastructure. As part of Fujimori's program of reform, the Peruvian Congress was dissolved in April 1992, and a democratically elected congressional body was reestablished in November 1992. A new Constitution was enacted and ratified in the fourth quarter of 1993.
In April 1995, Fujimori was elected to a second five-year term of office as provided by the Constitution enacted in 1993. During Fujimori's second term, inflation continued to decrease and GDP increased.
On May 28, 2000, as a result of an election run-off with Alejandro Toledo, a former Peruvian business school professor, Fujimori was reelected to a third five-year term of office with approximately 74 percent of the votes counted. After several national and international institutions charged the elections were unfair and political scandals involving several government officials, Fujimori called for new elections to be held in 2001. Amid increasing pressure on Fujimori to resign, on November 19, 2000, Fujimori resigned his post from Tokyo, Japan, and has not returned to Peru since then. The Peruvian Congress appointed Valentin Paniagua as interim President. New elections were subsequently held on April 8, 2001 and a run-off election was held on June 3, 2001, in which Alejandro Toledo was elected President.
President Toledo's government has largely retained the economic policies of the previous government, focusing on promoting private investment, privatizing state-owned companies in various sectors including energy, mining and public services.
Risks of Inflation, Reduced Economic Growth and Currency Devaluation
Over the past several decades, Peru has experienced periods of high inflation, slow or negative economic growth and substantial currency devaluation. The inflation rate in Peru, as measured by the Indice de Precios al Consumidor ("IPC") and published by INEI, has fallen from a high of 7,649.7 percent in 1990 to 3.7 percent in 2000, -0.1 percent in 2001, 1.5 percent in 2002, 2.5 percent in 2003 and 3.5 percent in 2004. The Peruvian currency has been devalued numerous times during the last 20 years. The devaluation rate has decreased from a high of 4,019.3 percent in 1990 to 0.5 percent in 2000, -2.3 percent in 2001, 2.0 percent in 2002, -1.5 percent in 2003 and -5.2 percent in 2004. The Company's revenues and operating expenses are primarily denominated in U.S. Dollars. If inflation in Peru were to increase without a corresponding devaluation of the Nuevo Sol relative to the U.S. Dollar, the financial position and results of operations of the Company, and the market price of the Common Shares and the American Depository Shares ("ADSs"), could be affected. Although the Peruvian government's stabilization plan has significantly reduced inflation, and the Peruvian economy has experienced strong growth in recent years, there can be no assurance that inflation will not increase from its current level or that such growth will continue in the future at similar rates or at all.
Among the economic circumstances that could lead to a devaluation would be the decline of Peruvian foreign reserves to inadequate levels. Peru's foreign reserves at December 31, 2004 were US$12.6 billion as compared to US$10.2 billion at December 31, 2003. There can be no assurance that Peru will be able to maintain adequate foreign reserves to meet its foreign currency denominated obligations, or that Peru will not devalue its currency should its foreign reserves decline. See "Item 3. Key Information-Exchange Rates".
Peru's current account deficit is being funded partially by foreign direct investment. There can be no assurance that foreign direct investment will continue at current levels, particularly if adverse political or economic developments in Peru arise, a development that may also contribute to devaluation pressure.
Exchange and Investment Controls
Peruvian law currently imposes no restrictions on the ability of companies operating in Peru to transfer foreign currency from Peru to other countries, to convert Peruvian currency into foreign currency or foreign currency into Peruvian currency or to remit dividends abroad or on the ability of foreign investors to liquidate their investment and repatriate their capital. Prior to 1991, Peru had restrictive exchange controls and exchange rates. During the latter part of the 1980s, exchange restrictions prevented payment of dividends to the Company's shareholders in the United States in U.S. Dollars. Accordingly, should such or similar controls be instituted, dividends paid to holders of Common Shares and, consequently, holders of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), could be affected. There can be no assurance that the Peruvian government will continue to permit such transfers, remittances or conversion without restriction. See "Item 10. Additional Information-Exchange Controls".
Corporate Disclosure and Accounting Standards
The Company prepares its financial statements using Peruvian GAAP, which differ in certain material respects from U.S. GAAP. Thus, the presentation of Peruvian financial statements and reported earnings may not be comparable to those companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See Note 39 to the Company Financial Statements for a description of the significant differences between Peruvian GAAP and U.S. GAAP, as such differences relate to the Company, and Note 40 for a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of the Company's net income and shareholders' equity for the period included therein. In addition, since the Company is not a United States registrant, information regarding the Company may not be as readily disseminated into the market.
Enforceability of Civil Liabilities
The Company is organized under the laws of Peru. A significant majority of the Company's directors and officers reside outside the United States (principally in Peru). All or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons or the Company are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or the Company or to enforce against them in federal or state courts in the United States judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. The Company has been advised by its Peruvian counsel, that there is uncertainty as to the enforceability, in original actions in Peruvian courts, of liabilities predicated solely under the United States federal securities laws and as to the enforceability in Peruvian courts of judgments of United States courts obtained in actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United Stat es federal securities laws.
Factors Relating to the Common Shares and ADSs
Voting Rights; Effective Control by Principal Shareholders
The aggregate percentage of the economic interest of the outstanding share capital of the Company held by Alberto Benavides de la Quintana, the Company's Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer, and certain members of his immediate and extended family and their spouses (collectively, the "Benavides Family") as of April 30, 2005 was 26.82 percent. Because of the significant ownership interest the Benavides family holds in the Company and because the Investment Shares do not have voting rights, the Benavides Family has the power to elect a significant number of the outstanding directors and has a significant influence over the outcome of substantially all matters to be decided by a vote of shareholders. In addition, under the terms of the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement dated May 3, 2002, as further amended and restated as of November 12, 2003, among the Company, The Bank of New York, as depositary (the "Depositary"), and the owners and beneficial owners of ADSs (the "Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement") relating to the Company's ADRs, if holders of ADRs do not provide the Depositary with timely instructions for the voting of Common Shares represented by such ADRs, the Depositary will be deemed to be instructed to give a person designated by the Company, which will likely be Alberto Benavides de la Quintana, a discretionary proxy to vote such shares, unless the Company informs the Depositary that the Company does not wish such proxy to be given.
Fewer and Less Well Defined Shareholders' Rights
The Company's shareholders have fewer and less well-defined rights under applicable Peruvian law than they might have as shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction of the United States or certain other countries.
Shares Eligible for Future Sale
Sales of a substantial number of shares of the Company by Alberto Benavides de la Quintana and certain other members of the Benavides Family could materially and adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Shares and ADSs. There is no contractual restriction on the disposition of shares of the Company's share capital by its shareholders, including the Benavides Family. Furthermore, under the Ley General de Sociedades Peruana (the "Peruvian Companies Law"), any restriction on the free sale of shares in a sociedad anónima abierta, such as the Company, is null and void.
Possible Inability of ADS Holders to Exercise Preemptive Rights
Holders of the ADSs are, under Peruvian law, entitled to exercise preemptive rights and accretion rights on the Common Shares underlying the ADSs in the event of any future capital increase by the Company unless (x) the increase is approved, expressly stating that the shareholders have no preemptive rights to subscribe and pay for the Shares to be issued in such increase, by holders of Common Shares, holding at least 40 percent of the Common Shares, at a properly called meeting with a proper quorum and (y) the increase is not designed to improve directly or indirectly the shareholding of any shareholder. However, United States holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise through the Depositary for the ADSs the preemptive rights and accretion rights for Common Shares underlying their ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), is effective with respect to such rights or an exemption from the registration requirement thereunder is available. Any such rights offering would have a dilutive effect upon shareholders who are unable or unwilling to exercise their rights. The Company intends to evaluate, at the time of any rights offering the costs and potential liabilities associated with any registration statement as well as the benefits to it of enabling the holders of ADSs to exercise such rights and will then make a decision as to whether to file such a registration statement. Therefore, no assurance can be given that any such registration statement would be filed. To the extent that holders of ADSs are unable to exercise such rights because a registration statement has not been filed and no exemption from such registration statement under the Securities Act is available, the Depositary will, to the extent practicable, sell such holders' preemptive rights or accretion rights and distribute the net proceeds thereof, if any, to the holders of ADSs and such holders' equity interest in the Company would be diluted proportionat ely. The Depositary has discretion to make rights available to holders of ADSs or to dispose of such rights and to make any net proceeds available to such holders. If, by the terms of any rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary is not able to make such rights or such net proceeds available to any holder of ADSs, the Depositary may allow the rights to lapse.
THE COMPANY
History and Development
Overview
Buenaventura is Peru's largest publicly-traded precious metals company. The Company is engaged in the mining, processing, development and exploration of gold, silver and, to a lesser extent, other metals, in Peru. The Company currently operates three mines (Julcani, Orcopampa and Uchucchacua) and has controlling interests in three mining companies which have controlling interests in the Antapite, Colquijirca, Ishihuinca, Shila and Paula mines. Effective March 2001, the Company temporarily suspended operations and discontinued exploration efforts at the Recuperada mine. In April 2004, the Company elected to resume exploration efforts at the Esperanza vein of the Recuperada mine due to an increase in the price of metals. The Company also owns an electric power transmission company and an engineering services consulting company and has minority interests in several other mining companies, including a significant ownership interest in Yanacocha, a Peruvian partnership that opera tes South America's largest gold mine. In 2004, the Julcani, Uchucchacua, Orcopampa, Antapite, Colquijirca, Ishihuinca, Shila and Paula mines produced 357,562 ounces of gold, 15,095,562 ounces of silver and 70,925 short tons of metallic zinc. Yanacocha produced 3,017,302 ounces of gold and 3,479,435 ounces of silver. The Company's equity share of production in 2004 was 1,642,812 ounces of gold, 14,274,458 ounces of silver and 28,216 short tons of metallic zinc, including 1,317,052 ounces of gold and 1,518,773 ounces of silver for Yanacocha. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company's net sales were S/.972.2 million (US$297.7 million), and its net income was S/.685.6 million (US$208.8 million).
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A., a sociedad anónima abierta (open stock company) under the laws of Peru, was originally established in 1953 as a sociedad anónima (company) under the laws of Peru, and currently operates under the laws of Peru. The Company's registered office is located at Carlos Villarán 790, Santa Catalina, Lima 13, Perú, telephone no. 5-11-419-2538. The Company's Internet Website address is http://www.buenaventura.com. The information on the Company's website is not a part of, nor incorporated into this document.
History
During its first 25 years, the Company's efforts focused on the exploration and development of silver mines. During this period, the Company built up its principal mines in Peru, commencing with the purchase of the Julcani mine in 1953. The Company commenced exploration of the Orcopampa mine in 1962 and operations in 1965. The Company began exploring the Uchucchacua mine site in 1960 and, after operating a pilot project in the area in the early 1970s with successful results, built an ore processing plant at the mine site, which began operations in 1975.
Because of political uncertainties in Peru in the mid-1970s, the Company explored mining possibilities in other countries in South America, including Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia and Argentina. Exploration and development began on a small scale at the Toachi mine near Quito, Ecuador, but this project was discontinued in 1981 due to border disputes between Peru and Ecuador. At that time, the Company also decided to discontinue its exploration outside Peru and to intensify efforts in Peru.
Following a sharp increase in silver prices, which peaked in 1980, the Company initiated a program to explore for gold and, to a lesser extent, other metals in Peru to reduce its dependence on silver since the Company believed the high price of silver could not be sustained. Faced with declining silver prices throughout the 1980s, the Company expanded silver output to reduce its cash flow while at the same time continuing its exploration efforts for other metals. Exploration of gold anomalies in the Yanacocha district began in 1983 and an expansion of the Orcopampa mine (which had operated since 1967 as a silver-producing mine) to enable the Company to develop newly-discovered gold veins began in 1984 and was concluded in 1999. In 2002, after an intense exploration program of the Orcompampa mine, gold production was commenced at the Chipmo vein. New gold mining operations commenced at the Ishihuinca mine in the early 1980s and at the Antapite mine in 2001. However, Peru's economic and poli tical crisis during the 1980's, which led to the imposition of exchange controls, restrictions on imports of supplies, lack of capital and international credit and the increasing incidence of terrorism, adversely affected mining companies in Peru, including the Company.
Since the late 1980s, the Company has continued its efforts to decrease its exposure to silver price fluctuations and has pursued a plan to increase its overall precious metals production and production efficiency. The Company has continued to expand its mineral resource base through the implementation of acquisition, development and exploration programs designed to increase its production and reserves of gold. As part of this strategy, the Company acquired an equity interest in Yanacocha and conducted exploration leading to the discovery of gold mineralization and subsequent production of gold in Orcopampa, Shila, Ishihuinca, Antapite and other mines. These initiatives have transformed the Company from primarily a silver producer into primarily a gold producer, based on allocated revenue. In 2004, gold, silver and other metals accounted for 84.25 percent, 10.54 percent and 5.21 percent, respectively of the Company's equity share of production value in its consolidated subsidiaries and Yan acocha.
On January 14, 1992, the Company, through its 100 percent owned subsidiary, Compañía Minera Condesa S.A. ("Condesa"), together with Newmont Second Capital Corporation ("Newmont Second"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Newmont Mining, and Société d'Etudes, de Recherches et d'Exploitations Miniéres ("Serem"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bureau de Recherches et D'Etudes Geologiques ("BRGM"), the geological and mining bureau of the French government, formed Yanacocha to continue exploration and development of the deposits at a mining site in the Cajamarca area. At that time, Yanacocha was 38 percent owned by Newmont Second, 24.7 percent owned by Serem, 32.3 percent owned by Condesa and 5 percent owned by The International Finance Corporation ("IFC"), the branch of the World Bank that promotes private investments. Since then, the Company has increased its participation in Yanacocha to 43.65 percent, and Newmont Second has increased its participation in Yanacocha to 51.35 percent, with IFC continuing to own 5 percent.
In October 2000, the Company and Newmont Mining agreed to consolidate their properties in Cajamarca, northern Peru, in Yanacocha. Under the consolidation plan and according to agreements signed in December 2000, the Company sold several assets to Yanacocha, including assets formerly owned by Minas Conga, the China Linda lime plant, mining rights, aerial land and other machinery and equipment and inventories. See "-Property, Plants and Equipment-Yanacocha's Properties-Operating Properties". The Company received approximately US$9 million in connection with this sale. Yanacocha and the Company also entered into an administration agreement setting forth that the Company would manage the China Linda lime plant until December 18, 2010, for a monthly fee of US$10,000 plus reimbursement of all incurred costs. However, in December 2001, Yanacocha terminated the agreement and the Company ceased to manage the China Linda plant. As a result of the termination, the Company received a payment of $ 1,800,000 from Yanacocha.
Redesignation of the Company's Shares and ADSs
At a shareholder meeting of the Company held on April 30, 2002, following special meetings of the Company's Series A shareholders and Series B shareholders on the same date (the "Special Meetings"), amendments to the Company's estatutos (the "Company By-laws") were approved pursuant to the Special Meetings to effect the redesignation of each outstanding Series B Share as one Series A Share and the immediate redesignation thereafter of each Series A Share as one Common Share (the "Redesignation"). The Redesignation was effective May 3, 2002. At that date, the Company had Common Shares with a nominal par value of S/.4.00 per share and Investment Shares also with a nominal par value of S/.4.00 per share. The Common Shares represent 100 percent of the outstanding share capital of the Company. The Investment Shares have no voting rights and are not, under Peruvian law and accounting rules, characterized as share capital.
The Company's ADSs have traded on the New York Stock Exchange Inc. (the "New York Stock Exchange") since May 15, 1996. Prior to the Redesignation, each of the Company's ADSs represented two Series B Shares. In connection with the Redesignation, the Company submitted a technical original listing application to the New York Stock Exchange dated April 25, 2002 (the "Application") for the redesignation of the Company's ADSs representing non-voting Class B Shares to ADSs representing voting Common Shares and the reservation of additional ADSs issuable upon redesignation of Class B Shares as Class A Shares and immediate redesignation thereafter of Class A Shares as Common Shares. The New York Stock Exchange approved the Application prior to the date of Redesignation and on May 3, 2002, each of the Company's ADSs has represented two Common Shares. From and after that date, the Company has Common Shares with a nominal par value of S/.4.00 per share. On November 3, 2003, the Company submitted a supplemental listing application to the New York Stock Exchange to modify the ratio of the Company's ADSs and on November 12, 2003 the Company's ratio of Common Shares per ADSs was modified from two Common Shares per ADS to one Common Share per ADS.
Recent Developments
On March 15, 2005, the Company executed a joint venture agreement with Río Narcea Gold Mines, S.A., Naraval Gold S.R.L. and Río Narcea Gold Mines, Ltd. (collectively "Grupo RN") whereby the Company will acquire a 51 percent equity interest in the Santa Marina exploration project, which is located 2 kilometers north of the El Valle mine on the Río Narcea gold belt in Asturias, Spain, through its 100 percent subsidiary Minera Santa Marina del Norte S.L. ("Santa Marina"). The Santa Marina project is operated by Santa Marina. The Company has agreed, pursuant to the joint venture agreement, to invest 2,200,000 Euros by March 15, 2007 to develop the Santa Marina project. Upon such investment, Grupo RN will transfer certain mining rights with respect to the Santa Marina exploration project in exchange for a 49 percent interest in Santa Marina. In addition, upon receipt of notice by Grupo RN affirming the completion of the Company's initial investment, the Compa ny has a three month option to increase their equity interest in Santa Marina to 70 percent for an additional investment of 2,400,000 Euros over a two year period from such exercise.
On March 16, 2005, the Company, the Sumitomo Group, Phelps Dodge Corporation, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, Cyprus Metals Company, Cyprus Climax Metals Company and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A. ("Cerro Verde") entered into an agreement whereby, subject to certain closing conditions, the Company agreed to increase its ownership interest in Cerro Verde up to 20 percent and the Sumitomo Group agreed to acquire an ownership interest in Cerro Verde of between 21 and 25 percent in connection with a US$850 million expansion of the Cerro Verde copper operations to mine a primary sulfide ore body. Phelps Dodge will retain a majority interest in Cerro Verde. Cerro Verde intends to effect the increase of the Company's and the Sumitomo Group's ownership interests pursuant to a capital increase. See "-Intermediate Holding Companies; Subsidiaries and Equity Participations-Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A.".
Business Strategy
The Company's strategy is to strengthen its position as one of Peru's leading gold and silver mining companies by expanding its reserves and production. The Company is currently engaged in an active exploration and mine development program and participates in several joint ventures. Further, the Company seeks to increase the efficiency and capacity of its mining operations. The Company is aware of its social and environmental responsibilities and aims to excel in the prevention, mitigation and rehabilitation of mining-related disturbances.
Maintaining an Active Exploration Program
The Company views an active exploration program as its primary means to obtain new reserves. As of April 30, 2005, through an intensive exploration program, the Company holds, either directly or in conjunction with joint venture partners, 368,031 hectares of mining rights, excluding an additional 151,742 hectares in mining properties which consolidate production units, making it a major holder of mining rights in Peru. During 2004 the Company spent approximately US$14.48 million primarily on mining exploration-related investments in Peru, concentrating on the exploration and development of precious metals deposits in the following mining projects: Los Pircos, La Zanja, Mesa de Plata, Tantahuatay, Marcapunta, Pampa Andino, Aguas Verdes, Jatun Orcco, Huancavelica, JV Puquio, Poracota, Altiplano Perú, Arenizo, Crucero and Patagonia. In 2005, the Company intends to concentrate on the Los Pircos, La Zanja, Mesa de Plata, Tantahuatay, Volcánicos Oyotún, Cordillera Orient al, Pampa Andino, Huancavelica, Cofradía, Minasnioc, JV Puquio, Trapiche, Poracota, Soras, Arenizo, Altiplano, Bolivia, Argentina and Santa Marina exploration projects. The 2004 explorations program was financed by internal funds as well as a US$5.42 million contribution by Newmont, Minera ABX Exploraciones S.A. ("ABX"), Southern Peru Copper Corporation ("SPCC"), Gold Fields Peru S.A. ("Gold Fields") and Minera Peñoles de Peru S.A. ("Peñoles").
Participation in Joint Ventures
In addition to managing and operating precious metals mines, Buenaventura participates in exploration joint ventures with mining partners to reduce risks, gain exposure to new technologies, support high mine development costs and diversify revenues to include other metals. See "-Business Overview-Exploration". The Company believes that maintaining its focus on mining operations complements its joint-venture strategy because the engineering and geological expertise gained from such operations enhances the Company's ability to participate in and contribute to those joint-venture projects that offer the greatest potential.
The Company engages in gold, silver and zinc price hedging activities, such as forward sales and option contracts, to minimize its exposure to fluctuations in the prices of such metals. See "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" and "Item 3. Key Information-Risk Factors-Factors Relating to the Company-Hedging".
Capital Expenditures
The Company's capital expenditures in the past three years have related principally to the acquisition of new assets, construction of new facilities and renewal of plant and equipment. Capital expenditures relating to exploration and development are not included herein and are discussed separately in "-Business Overview-Exploration". Set forth below is information concerning capital expenditures incurred by the Company in respect to each of its principal operating mines and by category of expenditure:
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
Julcani |
US$ 45 |
US$ 33 |
US$ 22 |
|
Uchucchacua |
3,123 |
3,122 |
2,418 |
|
Orcopampa |
6,126 |
9,272 |
6,391 |
|
Recuperada |
- |
- |
94 |
|
Ishihuinca |
184 |
362 |
641 |
|
Shila |
814 |
798 |
39 |
|
Paula |
99 |
126 |
579 |
|
Huallanca |
- |
_ |
|
|
Colquijirca |
1,207 |
998 |
4,328 |
|
Antapite |
3,574 |
2,038 |
5,496 |
|
Conenhua |
1,784 |
92 |
7,624 |
|
Total |
US$16,956 |
US$16,841 |
US$27,632 |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Machinery and equipment |
US$2,740 |
1,880 |
8,756 |
Infrastructure |
5,559 |
1,951 |
3,710 |
Mining |
3,774 |
2,005 |
3,073 |
Milling* |
1,762 |
4,879 |
10,208 |
Transportation |
219 |
152 |
339 |
Communications |
175 |
196 |
427 |
Environmental |
2,063 |
5,264 |
903 |
Other |
664 |
514 |
215 |
Total |
US$16,956 |
US$16,841 |
US$27,632 |
|
|
|
|
___________________
* Includes capital expenditures of
US$3.1 million in 2003 and US$3.6 million in 2004 for the Orcopampa tailing dam construction and US$3.0 million in 2004 for the Antapite tailing dam construction.The Company financed its capital expenditures in 2002, 2003 and 2004 with internally-generated funds and borrowings under its lines of credit. See Notes 17 and 20 to the Company Financial Statements.
The Company has budgeted approximately US$23 million and US$10 million for capital expenditures in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Exploration expenses in non-operating units are expected to be US$16.5 million and US$16.5 million in 2005 and 2006, respectively. To fund its planned capital expenditures program, the Company plans to use internally-generated funds. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-The Company-Liquidity and Capital Resources".
The Company's ongoing projects include (i) the construction of a new cyanidation plant at the Uchucchacua mining unit at an estimated cost of US$8.8 million and (ii) the Nazareno and Prometida area drilling projects to provide access to 0.7 million ounces of gold at lower levels of the Prosperidad, Lucy Piso, Prometida and Nazareno veins at an estimated cost of US$8.7 million. The significant increase in capital expenditures for 2004 was mainly due to an investment of US$7.6 million for the construction of the Callalli-Ares transmission line, US$3.6 million for the construction of the Orcopampa tailing dam and US$3.0 million for the construction of the Antapite tailing dam.
The Company continuously evaluates opportunities to expand its business within Peru, as well as in other countries as opportunities arise, and expects to continue to do so in the future. The Company may in the future decide to acquire part or all of the equity of, or undertake joint ventures or other transactions with, other companies involved in the same business as the Company or in related other businesses. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will decide to pursue any such new activity or transaction.
Business Overview
Production
The Company principally produces refined gold and different types of metal concentrates that it distributes and sells internationally, including silver-lead concentrate, silver-gold concentrate, zinc concentrate and lead-gold-copper concentrate. The following table sets forth the production of the Antapite, Julcani, Uchucchacua, Orcopampa, Recuperada (which temporarily ceased operations effective March 2001), Ishihuinca, Paula, Huallanca (which was sold in March 30, 2002), Colquijirca and Shila mines by type of product for the last three years, calculated in each case on the basis of 100 percent of the applicable mine's production.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Gold (oz.)(1) |
277,490 |
319,427 |
357,562 |
Silver (oz.) |
13,346,374 |
13,813,658 |
15,095,562 |
Zinc (ST)(2) |
72,147 |
67,949 |
70,925 |
Lead (ST) |
27,433 |
29,209 |
35,965 |
Copper (ST) |
360 |
298 |
169 |
___________
(1) Throughout this Annual Report, "oz" refers to troy ounces of a fineness of 999.9 parts per 1,000, equal to 31.0134 grams.
(2) Throughout this Annual Report, "ST" refers to short tons, each weighing 2,000 avoirdupois pounds.
Exploration
The Company views exploration as its primary means of generating growth value for shareholders and typically maintains a portfolio of active exploration projects for mineral resources in Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico and Spain at various stages of investigation. The Company currently holds, either directly or in conjunction with joint venture partners, 368,031 hectares of mining rights as part of its exploration program; this area excludes an additional 151,742 hectares in mining properties which consolidate production units. The Company invested approximately US$14.48 million in exploration for mineral resources during 2004, including 24,455 meters of exploratory diamond drilling, primarily in the La Zanja, Pampa Andino, Jatun Orcco, Arenizo, Poracota, Soras and Chilacocha prospects. In addition, the joint venture partners invested US$5.42 million in 11,619 meters of exploratory diamond drilling in the Aguas Verdes, Marcapunta, Incapacha and Minasnioc prospects.
Relying on its own field reconnaissance of satellite image color anomalies and in light of geochemical data recently published by the Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico ("INGEMMET"), the Company has shifted its exploration focus inside Peru to the central eastern Andean Region called Cordillera Oriental. As a result, while the Company continues exploration in Cajamarca, Cerro de Pasco and Huancavelica as its high-priority target regions, it has renewed prospecting and exploration efforts during 2004 for gold and silver in Ayacucho, for gold and copper in Apurímac and Cusco, for copper, gold and zinc in Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertdad, and for gold in Junin. The Company is also exploring for precious metal epithermal deposits in the Altiplano region and continues evaluating prospects in Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina and Spain.
In 2005 the Company expects to invest a minimum of approximately US$15.0 million, respectively, in exploration and development activities. All exploration and development programs at the Company's principal mines are separate and expressed as part of mine cost structure. Exploration and development expenditures include all of the costs associated with manpower and activities such as geologists, contractors, engineering, drilling equipment, metallurgical testing and economic feasibility studies. Management for the exploration division prepares programs and budgets for individual projects each year and the Company allocates, through approval of the board, an amount to finance such exploration and development activities in those projects considered worthwhile. In light of the nature of mining exploration and in order to maintain flexibility to take advantage of opportunities, the Company allocates budgeted amounts by property or project, only in the case of high geological prospectivity as de cided by management. The Company also allocates non-budgeted amounts over the course of the year to new projects based on the Company's needs and its geologists' periodic evaluations of the progress of each opportunity and its potential for development.
An integral part of the Company's exploration program is the participation in joint ventures with experienced mining companies, including Newmont Peru, ABX, SPCC, Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. ("TCL"), Gold Fields and Peñoles, as well as certain of their affiliates. The benefits of joint ventures include greater investment in the exploration of the Company's mining rights from the funds contributed by the partners, access to the assets of the partners without the costs and risks of outright acquisition, increased exposure to new exploration technologies and expansion of knowledge and sharing of experiences of the Company's management, geologists and engineers. In these exploration joint ventures, the Company may be either the designated operator, an equity participant, the manager or a combination of these and other functions. The Company does not generally conduct significant research and development activities other than investments in exploration as described herein. Funding has provi ded for university-based research and training of geological staff, with the objective of improving the appraisal of the Company's properties, presently carried out at the Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, with research on mineral zoning at Uchucchacua, and at the Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, with research on metallogenetic fertility of Circumpacific magmas, and at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, with research on regional distribution of cooper deposits in northern Peru.
The following table lists the Company's current exploration projects, its effective participation in each project, its partners with respect to each project, the total hectares as of April 30, 2005, observed mineralization of each project and the total exploration expenditures (in millions of US$) during 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Exploration Projects(1)(2) |
Company's |
Principal Partners |
Property |
Observed Mineralization |
Total Exploration Expenditures During 2002 |
Total Exploration Expenditures During 2003 |
Total Exploration Expenditures During 2004 |
|||
Joint Venture Projects: |
at December 31, 2004 |
|
Total |
BVN'S |
Total |
BVN'S |
Total |
BVN'S |
||
Colquirrumi |
99.99% |
Espro, Col |
11,728 |
Silver, zinc & lead |
1.50 |
1.11 |
1.55 |
1.14 |
0.38 |
0.38 |
La Zanja(3) |
53.06% |
Newmont |
32,500 |
Gold, copper |
0.38 |
0.21 |
3.47 |
1.84 |
5.84 |
3.10 |
Lancones(4) |
100.00% |
None |
4,600 |
Copper, gold |
0.09 |
0.02 |
0.02 |
0.01 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Los Pircos(5) |
100.00% |
None |
11,808 |
Gold & silver |
0.40 |
0.10 |
1.73 |
0.00 |
0.38 |
0.38 |
Minasnioc(6) |
60.00% |
ABX |
23,600 |
Gold & silver |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.18 |
0.00 |
0.95 |
0.21 |
Patagonia(7) |
0.00% |
None |
0 |
Gold |
0.47 |
0.23 |
1.41 |
0.74 |
0.45 |
0.45 |
Poracota(8) |
0.00% |
SWG, TCL |
6,674 |
Gold & silver |
0.28 |
0.28 |
1.51 |
1.51 |
2.45 |
2.45 |
Puquio |
40.00% |
Gold Fields |
18,073 |
Gold & silver |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.37 |
0.05 |
1.03 |
0.12 |
Salpo |
0.00% |
None |
0 |
Gold & silver |
0.30 |
0.30 |
1.74 |
1.74 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Samana |
50.00% |
Newmont |
7,300 |
Gold |
0.15 |
0.15 |
0.20 |
0.20 |
0.09 |
0.09 |
Aguas Verdes |
20.00% |
Peñoles |
3,800 |
Gold & copper |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.71 |
0.15 |
Tantahuatay |
40.00% |
SPCC, ESPRO |
17,722 |
Gold & copper |
1.12 |
0.45 |
0.52 |
0.52 |
1.08 |
0.61 |
Company's Projects: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Ccarhuarazo |
100.00% |
None |
0 |
Silver & gold |
0.54 |
0.54 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Huancavelica |
100.00% |
None |
47,068 |
Gold, silver, zinc |
0.49 |
0.49 |
1.06 |
1.06 |
0.47 |
0.47 |
Pampa Andino |
100.00% |
None |
18,900 |
Gold & silver |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.28 |
0.28 |
1.08 |
1.08 |
Jatun Orco |
100.00% |
None |
20,700 |
Gold & silver |
0.69 |
0.69 |
1.13 |
1.13 |
1.18 |
1.18 |
Altiplano Peru (Franja Sur) |
100.00% |
None |
36,587 |
Gold & silver |
0.53 |
0.53 |
0.64 |
0.64 |
0.38 |
0.38 |
Soras |
100.00% |
None |
23,167 |
Gold & silver |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
Arenizo |
* |
None |
3,150 |
Gold & silver |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.30 |
1.30 |
Cedimin(9) |
100.00% |
None |
55,186 |
Gold, silver, copper |
2.57 |
2.57 |
2.73 |
2.73 |
0.31 |
0.31 |
Others(10) |
100.00% |
None |
25,468 |
Various |
0.92 |
0.92 |
2.81 |
1.45 |
1.68 |
1.68 |
|
|
|
368,031 |
|
10.43 |
8.59 |
22.41 |
15.10 |
19.90 |
14.48 |
_________________
(1) The table does not include projects abandoned by the Company, consolidated mining units or those placed on hold prior to 2003.
(2) In addition to these projects, the Company continues to conduct exploration at all of its operating mines and its subsidiaries.
(3) At December 31, 2003, Newmont Peru's interest in the project was diluted to 46.94 percent.
(4) At March 11, 2004, BHP-B decided to withdraw from the project.
(5) At March 25, 2004, Meridian Peru SAC decided to withdraw from the project.
(6) The Company is in the process of increasing its interest in the project, thereby diluting ABX's interest.
(7) In August 2004, the Company withdrew from the project.
(8) The Company has an option to acquire a 50 percent interest at the first stage and an additional 25 percent in the project upon the fulfillment of certain conditions.
(9) Includes Mesa de Plata, Crucero and others.
(10) Includes Generative Exploration, Marcapunta, Estrella del Norte and others.
* The Arenizo project is owned by Inminsur, which is 78.04 percent owned by the Company and 21.96 percent owned by Brandon Properties Inc., a Panamanian corporation.
The following is a brief summary of current exploration activities conducted by the Company directly and through joint ventures that are believed to represent the best prospects for the discovery of new reserves. There can be no assurance, however, that any of the Company's current exploration projects will result in viable mineral production or that any of the mineralization identified to date will ultimately result in an increase in the Company's ore reserves. Non-reserve mineralization or mineral resources as indicated by diamond drilling have been included in the Company's Annual Report 2004 from the Los Pircos, La Zanja, Tantahuatay, Marcapunta, Jatun Orcco, Pampa Andino and Poracota exploration projects.
Joint Venture Exploration Projects
Colquirrumi. The Colquirrumi project, a silver, zinc and lead project, is wholly owned by Compañía Minera Colquirrumi S.A. ("Colquirrumi"). Consisting of 11,728 hectares, the project is located in the Hualgayoc district and commenced operations in March 1973 with mining and drilling for zinc and lead ore. Since 1991, the project has engaged in a mineral exploration program. On April 20, 2004, a capital increase, through the creation of Series A Common Shares and Series B Common Shares, was authorized at an extraordinary meeting of shareholders. The Series A Common Shares and Series B Common Shares will receive 90 percent and 10 percent, respectively, of the profits or losses of the Colquirrumi. As of May 28, 2004, the Company is the sole shareholder of the Series A Common Shares and holds a 99.99 percent interest in Colquirrumi. On February 24, 2005, the Company executed a joint venture agreement with Gold Fields to explore the Hualgayoc district, including cer tain areas within the Colquirrumi project.
La Zanja. Sociedad Minera Coshuro S.A. ("Coshuro") controls 23,904 hectares and the Company controls 8,596 hectares of mineralized ground in the La Zanja project, which is located 35 kilometers north-west of Cajamarca. Originally, the La Zanja project was part of the Northern Peru joint venture exploration project, which was 35 percent owned by the Company and 65 percent owned by Newmont Peru. The Company executed a carve-out agreement with Newmont Peru on August 1, 2000, providing for the eventual dilution of Newmont Peru's interest in the project. The project, which is operated by the Company, consists of the San Pedro Sur and Pampa Verde superficial gold and silver oxide deposits, amenable to low-strip open pits and heap-leach operation. Reserves are drill proven, indicated and inferred at 18.8 million metric tons with an average grade of 1.1 grams of gold per ton. The Company has not yet tested deep oxide nor sulfide ore potential in other prospects within the property. In 2002, the Company advanced in the acquisition of 115 hectares in surface rights and also performed large column tests to prove amenability to cyanide leaching in heaps. During 2003, the Company acquired an additional 910 hectares in surface rights, conducted an airborne electromagnetic survey of 30,000 hectares, and conducted a drilling campaign at the Pampa Verde deposit, the Alcaparrosa prospect and the San Pedro Norte deposit. During 2004, the Company invested US$5.8 million in the La Zanja project to conduct metallurgical and feasibility studies, to drill 4,504 meters at the Pampa Verde deposit, 2,933 meters at the Turmalina prospect, 1,113 meters at the Campana prospect, 1,194 meters at the San Pedro Sur deposit, 458 meters at the Pampa Verde Sur prospect and 190 meters at the C. Buitre prospect, and to conduct 3,268 meters of sterilization drilling in the Pampa Bramadero area with mineralization out of reserves indicated at 18.1 million of metric tons with an average grade of 1.1 grams of gold per ton. As o f December 31, 2004, the Company owned a 53.06 percent interest in La Zanja and Newmont Peru's interest was diluted to 46.94 percent. Newmont Peru elected to maintain a 46.94 percent interest in La Zanja for 2003 and 2004. On November 16, 2004, during a community protest at the La Zanja project, a warehouse was set on fire which resulted in the loss of 25 km of drill cores worth US$150,000 that were stored in the warehouse.
Lancones. The Lancones project was a joint venture which is 40 percent owned by Cía. Minera Totoral S.A. ("Minera Totoral") and 60 percent owned by BHP BILLITON World Exploration Inc. ("BHP-B"). Consisting of approximately 4,600 hectares of mineralized land, the project was located in northern Peru and southern Ecuador. At March 11, 2004, BHP-B decided not to pursue further exploration work in the Lancones project and to terminate the joint venture agreement. The Company did not develop the Lancones project in 2004.
Los Pircos. The Los Pircos project was a joint venture with Meridian Gold Company ("MDG"). Consisting of 11,808 hectares, the project is located east of Chiclayo in the Western Cordillera of Cajamarca, approximately 690 kilometers northwest of the city of Lima. On March 25, 2004 MDG withdrew from project and, since that time, the Company has operated the project with the primary objective of exploring and developing precious metal veins of epithermal character. To date, the Company has located, mapped and sampled five principal veins, which have shown strong anomalous gold and silver values. The principal vein, the Diana vein, has a central section of 380 meters with average widths of 2.10 meters and grades of 8 grams of gold per ton and 300 grams of silver per ton. First pass drilling with a total 3,566 meters in 2002 over the Diana vein system indicated resources of 203,680 metric tons at 18.3 grams per ton of gold and 17.4 ounces per ton of silver in veins with an average thickne ss of 2 meters. During 2003, MDG conducted 5,073 meters of diamond drilling of the Diana, Maribel, Juana Sofia, Milagros, Andrea and Rosa Victoria veins and Lucero area, and an 18.5 kilometers electromagnetic survey of the Los Pircos vein system to define the depth of vein continuity. During 2004, the Company focused on renewing its surface rights permits, which were secured in March 2005, to ensure the continuation of its exploration activities at the Diana and Maribel veins.
Minasnioc. The Minasnioc project was a joint venture with ABX and Compañía Minera Ares S.A.C., a company owned by the Hochschild Group ("MHC"). In August 2004, ABX withdrew as operator of the Minasnioc project and since that date, the Company's has been the operator of the project. The Company currently has a 60 percent interest and is in the process of acquiring additional interests in the project, thereby diluting ABX's interest. The Minasnioc project is a 23,600 hectares high sulfidation epithermal prospect located in southern Peru, in the Huancavelica region, 310 kilometers southeast of Lima. The first-pass 2003 drilling campaign by ABX confirmed the presence of low-grade gold mineralization hosted in volcanic rocks, mainly following a stratabound pattern. In the last quarter of 2004, the Company invested US$205,555 in exploration and the construction of new camp facilities. The Company detected the presence of gold enriched veins and plans to conduct additi onal drilling and underground activity as well as increase its interest in the Minasnioc Project in 2005.
Patagonia. The Patagonia project was a joint venture between the Company, Yamana Resources Inc., Yamana Resources Ltd., Recursos Yamana Ltd., Recursos Yamana S.A. (the owner of the mining concessions) and Lorenzon Ltd. (a company owned by the Hochschild Group ("MHC")). The project consisted of 127,927 hectares and was located in southern Argentina, 60 kilometers northeast from the Anglo Gold Cerro Vanguardia gold mine in the Santa Cruz province. To date, the Patagonia project had two main prospective areas identified; namely Martinetas and La Paloma. During 2003, the Company and MHC invested US$1.4 million in a 2,020 meter diamond drilling campaign over two sets of gold bearing veins in the Martinetas prospect, which indicated resources of 141,300 metric tons at 15.6 grams per ton of gold with an average thickness of 1.1 meters, and a 2,172 meter diamond drilling campaign in the La Paloma prospect, which indicated resources of 206,250 metric tons at 9.8 grams per ton of gold with an average thickness of 1.8 meters. In 2004 the Company conducted an intensive survey to discover new prospective areas in the regions outside the Martinetas and La Paloma prospects, which had negative results. In August 2004, the Company decided to discontinue its investment in the Patagonia project and withdrew from the joint venture.
Poracota. The Poracota project, operated by the Company pursuant to an agreement with Minas Poracota S.A. ("Minas Poracota"). Minas Poracota is a joint venture between Southwestern Resources Corp. ("SWG") and TCL. The project encompasses 6,674 hectares and is located 20 kilometers west of the Orcopampa mine in southern Peru, owned by Minas Poracota S.A. (a subsidiary of Minera del Suroeste S.A.C.). The Company has an option to acquire a 50 percent interest in Minas Poracota S.A. with a US$4.6 million payment to SWG. The Company has agreed to invest US$0.4, US$1.0 and US$1.6 million in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively, to exercise a second option for an additional 25 percent interest from TCL. Thereafter, the Company may exercise an option to acquire a 50 percent interest of Minas Poracota S.A. The Company holds claims for 16,300 hectares in the Soras region, located between the Poracota project and the Orcopampa mine. The epithermal high sulfidation system comprises two main areas: Huamanihuayta and Perseverancia. In 2003, the Company invested US$1.5 million in the Poracota project, which included an 87.2 kilometer magnetic survey and a 7,314 meter diamond drilling campaign. During 2003 and 2004, the drilling campaign in the Huamanihuayta area indicated resources of 1,750,000 metric tons at 11 grams per ton of gold with an average thickness of 5 to 6 meters in two sub-horizontal veins, Manto Dorado and Manto Aguila. The Manto Dorado vein included resources of 693,785 metric tons at 10.6 grams per ton of gold with an average thickness of 6.0 meters and the Manto Aguila vein included resources of 801,687 metric tons at 10.0 grams per ton of gold with an average thickness of 5.2 meters. In 2004, the Company invested US$2.45 million in 967 meters of underground workings and a 5,250 meter diamond drilling campaign. In addition, the Company invested US$2.95 million for the construction of a 30.5 kilometer gravel road to connect the Poracota project to the Orcopampa mine. In 2005, the Compan y plans to advance its exploration efforts with 1,600 meters of underground workings, conduct 5,300 meters of diamond drilling and conduct metallurgical and pilot tests.
Puquio. The Puquio generative project is a joint venture with Gold Fields that encompasses 18,073 hectares of hydrothermally altered and mineralized volcanic terrain in the Ayacucho region 500 kilometers southeast of Lima. The project is operated by Gold Fields, which has a 60 percent effective participation. In 2003, US$370,000 was invested to review selected anomalies detected by rock-geochemistry and satellite imagery. In 2004, Gold Fields invested US$430,000 in the Incapacha prospect to conduct 2,500 meters of diamond drilling, 3,000 of reverse circulation drilling and an electromagnetic survey, which had negative results. In addition, Gold Fields also invested US$162,000 to evaluate the Titanca, Tampa Tampa, Condoray and Ñayca prospects in 2004. The Incapacha property was explored with 2,492 meters of drilling with disappointing results. In 2005, Gold Fields plans to conduct 2,500 meters of diamond drilling at the Ñayca prospect.
Salpo. Grupo Wiese owns mining concessions that encompass 6,271 hectares in northern Peru, 70 kilometers east from Trujillo, through Minera Salpo S.A. The Company had an option to acquire a 51 percent interest of Minera Salpo S.A. if it invests US$2.0 million in exploration. Salpo is a historical mining district characterized by epithermal veins rich in gold and silver. In 2002, the Company reopened mines along the Salpo and Milluachaqui veins to conduct mapping and sampling, that have demonstrated 4 to 6 grams of gold per ton and 15 to 20 ounces of silver per ton in a thickness of 0.6 to 1.0 meters. During 2003, the Company invested US$1.7 million in drilling and exploration activities, including 3,424 meters of diamond drilling and drifting of 731 meters, which indicated resources of 20,000 metric tons at 6.4 grams per told of gold and 3.2 ounces per ton of silver with an average width of 1.0 meters. After a total investment of US$2.1 million, the Company decided not to exercise i ts option to acquire an additional 51 percent interest in Minera Salpo S.A. due to the disappointing results of exploration efforts and, on October 31, 2003, withdrew from the joint venture. The Company has performed environmental remediation efforts prior to returning the consolidated mining properties to Minera Salpo S.A.
Samana. The Samana project, which is operated by the Company, is a carve-out of the former Ayacucho joint venture with Newmont Peru. The Company and Newmont Peru executed the carve-out agreement on December 6, 2000, providing for the eventual dilution of Newmont Peru's interest in the project. Following the Company's investment of US$884,000, Newmont Peru will decide whether to maintain its diluted participation in the project or repurchase its participation interest in the project. Consisting of 7,300 hectares, the project is located in the high plateaus of Ayacucho, 35 kilometers northwest of Puquio. During the period from 1996 to 1999, Newmont Peru performed geological mapping, rock-chip sampling, trenching and 1,200 meters of diamond drilling. The existence of a low-grade, superficial, disseminated gold and silver oxide deposit was tested and eventually disregarded. Thereafter, the Company undertook the evaluation of smaller but higher-grade mineralized breccias. The 2001-2002 e xploration campaign focused on accessing 200 meters of the Osiris breccia by tunneling to conduct detailed evaluation of grade, thickness and continuity of this tabular structure. In addition, the Company performed three short diamond drill holes which proved the persistence of this potential ore shoot 50 to 100 meters below surface, with a thickness ranging between 2 and 20 meters and grades fluctuating between 5 and 6 grams of gold per ton in oxides. During 2003, the Company invested US$0.2 million in 1,190 meters of diamond drilling over the east side of the Osiris breccia. This drilling campaign indicated the presence of limited resources and after having invested, in the aggregate, US$922,274, the Company has decided to discontinue its investment in the Samana project.
Aguas Verdes. The Aguas Verdes project, operated by Peñoles, consists of 3,800 hectares in the Ayacucho region. The Company has a 20 percent interest and Peñoles has the remaining 80 percent interest in the project. During 2004, Peñoles invested US$560,000 for an aggregate of US$710,000 in 3,267 meters of diamond drilling and 12,500 meters of geophysical lines over the Aguas Verdes and Molino copper and gold enriched skarn bodies with disappointing results. Peñoles has decided not conduct additional exploration in 2005. The Company does not intend to conduct an exploration program in the Aguas Verdes project in 2005.
Tantahuatay. The Tantahuatay project, a gold copper project, is wholly owned by Compañía Minera Coimolache S.A. ("Coimolache"), an entity which is 40.1 percent owned by the Company, 44.2 percent owned by SPCC, and 15.7 percent owned by ESPRO S.A.C., a Peruvian-based holding company. Since January 2003, the project has been managed and operated by an independent mining engineer, Ing. Amado Yataco, appointed by the Company. The area of the project consists of over 17,722 hectares of potentially mineralized ground. The Tantahuatay project is located 30 kilometers northwest of Yanacocha in the Hualgayoc district, 950 kilometers north of the city of Lima. Two of the five outcropping gold anomalies have drill-indicated geological resources of 600,000 ounces of gold and 7 million ounces of silver. Tantahuatay 2 was infill-drilled during 2002 and hosts a measured and drill-indicated mineral resource of 274,000 ounces of gold. The studies have been focused in the oxide zone onl y. Cyanidation column tests have been realized with encouraging results, which indicate rapid extractions in the order of 80 to 90 percent, by low-concentration cyanide leaching. After infill-drilling is finished in the Ciénaga deposit, a feasibility study will be finalized to address viability of a 15,000 tons per day open-pit/heap leach operation. The Company is focusing its efforts on resolving community issues and obtaining permits and licenses to continue its exploration and enhance support of its infill drilling and feasibility studies for both oxides and sulfides targets.
Company Exploration Projects
Ccarhuarazo. The Ccarhuarazo project, located 40 kilometers north of Puquio, in the department of Ayacucho in south-central Peru, and consisting of 15,187 hectares was operated by the Company until December 2002. Inversiones Minera La Familia owns the southern 3,201 hectares of the project. The Company had an agreement with La Familia to jointly develop the area, which consists of a volcanic center with epithermal veins and breccias with copper-silver-gold mineralization. During 2002, 1,188 meters were drilled in 10 holes over the veins systems. Due to disappointing results, the Company transferred its properties and information in the Ccarhuarazo project to Minera Argento S.A.C. in 2003. The Company performed environmental remediation efforts prior to delivering the property to Minera Argento S.A.C. The agreement with Inversiones Mineras La Familia S.A.C. was terminated on January 10, 2003.
Huancavelica Project. The Huancavelica project is wholly owned and operated by the Company. Consisting of 47,068 hectares, the project is located in several prospects of the Huancavelica region. The Company initiated exploration efforts in 1994 with the purpose of identifying base-metal skarns and/or disseminated precious metal deposits along the Cenozoic volcanic belt. During 2003, the Pampa Andino prospect was separated from the Huancavelica project. In 2004, the Company invested US$473,000 to evaluate several prospective areas, including the Cofradía, Yuracjasa, Dorita Sur and Llipina prospects. At the end of 2004, the Cofradía prospect was separated from the Huacavelica project. The Company plans to continue to evaluate several prospective areas in 2005.
Pampa Andino. The Pampa Andino project is owned by Minera Totoral S.A ("Totoral"). Consisting of 18,900 hectares and located 175 kilometers south east of Lima, on the border between the Ica and Huancavelica regions, the project is operated by the Company. The Company owns 16,000 hectares of the Pampa Andino project and Totoral owns the remaining 2,900 hectares, which the Company is in the process of acquiring. The Pampa Andino project is a low sulfidation epithermal vein system and is the outcome of a regional exploration program designed to focus on gold exploration in Huancavelica. In 2003, the Company invested US$0.3 million in 2,726 meters of diamond drilling over the Rosita and Claudia veins. In 2004, the Company invested US$1.1 million in 300 meters of diamond drilling and 1,563 meters of underground workings, initially identifying 15,700 metric tons at 15.0 grams per ton of gold and 21 ounces per ton of silver at the Rosita vein. During 2005, the Company plans t o continue diamond drilling and extending underground workings.
Jatun Orcco. The Jatun Orcco project is wholly owned and operated by the Company. Consisting of 20,700 hectares of mining properties, the project is located 20 kilometers north of the Antapite mine in the headwaters of the Ica valley. The Jatun Orcco project is the outcome of a regional exploration program designed to focus on gold exploration in Huancavelica. Epithermal veins, located in the Jatun Orcco Norte, Jatun Orcco Sur and Karla prospects, have sporadic high-grade gold and silver leakage anomalies. During 2003, the Company's exploration efforts included a US$1.1 million investment in an advanced exploration program of 1,276 meters to test for grade continuity along the Mercedes and Capicúa veins in the Jatun Orcco Sur prospect. The results indicated resources of 16,330 metric tons at 16.9 grams per ton of gold and 6.6 ounces per ton of silver with an average width of 1.1 meters. In 2004, the Company continued its exploration efforts, investing US$1.2 mil lion in 1,703 meters of tunneling and 1,710 meters of diamond drilling in the Jatun Orco Sur prospect. In March 2005, the Company transferred its mining rights to Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. ("Inminsur"), who will operate the project going forward.
Altiplano Peru. The Franja Sur project, renamed the Altiplano Peru project in 2004, is wholly owned and operated by the Company. Consisting of 36,587 hectares, the project is located in the Apurimac, Arequipa, Cusco and Puno regions of volcanic rocks and carbonate terrains of south-eastern Peru. After regional reconnaissance and selection of mineralized areas, the Company conducted initial mapping, sampling and drilling at several project sites, including the Pichacani prospect which has demonstrated a strong mercury and tellurium anomaly in a high sulfidation epithermal system. During 2003, the Company invested US$0.6 million to explore the Pichacani prospect, which had disappointing results. In 2004, the Company conducted first pass drilling with a total of 591 meters drilled in the Chilacocha epithermal prospect located in the Apurimac region. Due to disappointing results, the Company has decided to cease activity in the Chilacocha prospect after engaging in environmental remedia tion efforts. In 2005, the Company plans to continue its exploration activities in the Apurimac, Cusco, Puno and Ayacucho region.
Soras. The Soras project is wholly-owned by the Company and located adjacent, to the east, of the Poracota project. The Soras project encompasses 23,167 hectares of hydrothermally altered and mineralized volcanic terrain in the Arequipa region. In 2004, the Company identified two main mineralized structures, the Soraya and Soraya 1 veins, with ore grades of up to 26 grams per ton of gold. First pass drilling at 347.5 meters identified two narrow gold intercepts with grades of 16 and 36 grams per ton of gold with high silver and copper grades. In 2005, the Company plans to conduct additional drilling and underground workings to contoured mineralization.
Arenizo. The Arenizo project is owned by Inminsur, which is 78.04 percent owned by the Company and 21.96 percent owned by Brandon Properties Inc., a Panamanian corporation. The Arenizo project encompasses 3,150 hectares of hydrothermally altered and mineralized volcanic terrain in the Arequipa region. In 2003, the Company invested US$60,000 in superficial exploration efforts which identified the Anita, María and Nelly quartz veins. In 2004, the Company invested US$1.3 million in exploration efforts, focusing on 886.7 meters of underground workings and 3,544 meters of diamond drilling in the Anita, María and Nelly veins, which have indicated a resource of 7,305 metric tons at 9.54 grams per ton of gold with an average thickness of 1.20 meters. In 2005, the Company plans to conduct additional underground workings and geological mapping of Maria and Nelly veins.
Cedimin. Cedimin S.A.C. is wholly owned by the Company and controls 55,186 hectares of owned and leased mining concessions. During 2002, Cedimin invested US$2.5 million in exploration. As of January 2, 2003, Minera Shila S.A.C. merged with and into Cedimin and is no longer a separate legal entity. As a result of this merger, mining activities at Cedimin increased significantly compared to its exploration activities. In addition, on October 22, 2004, Cedimin acquired a 100 percent equity interest in Inversiones Mineras Aureas S.A.C. ("Mineras Aureas"), which had a 49 percent interest in Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. ("Minera Paula"). As a result of this acquisition, Minera Paula became wholly owned by the Company. As of December 31, 2004, Mineras Aureas and Minera Paula merged with and into Cedimin and are no longer separate legal entities.
Competition
The Company believes that competition in the metals market is based primarily upon cost. The Company competes with other mining companies and private individuals for the acquisition of mining concessions and leases in Peru and for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees.
Sales of Metal Concentrates
All of the Company's metal production is sold to smelters, traders and banks, either in concentrate or metal form, such as gold-silver concentrate, silver-lead concentrate, zinc concentrate, lead-gold-copper concentrate and gold bullion. The Company's concentrates sales are made under one to three-year, U.S. Dollar-denominated contracts, pursuant to which the selling price is based on world metal prices as follows: generally, in the case of gold and silver-based concentrates, the London Spot settlement prices for gold, less certain allowances, and the London Spot or the United States Commodities Exchange settlement price for silver, less certain allowances; and, in the case of base-metal concentrates, such as zinc, lead and copper, the London Metals Exchange settlement prices for the specific metal, less certain allowances. Sales prices vary according to formulas that take into account agreed contactual average prices for a quotational period, generally being the month of, the mont h prior to, or the month following the scheduled month of shipment or delivery according to the terms of the contracts.
The historical average annual prices for gold and silver per ounce and the Company's average annual gold and silver prices per ounce for each of the last five years are set forth below:
|
Gold |
Silver |
||
|
Average Annual Market Price |
Average Annual Company Price(1) |
Average Annual Market Price |
Average Annual Company Price(1) |
|
US$/oz. (2) |
US$/oz. |
US$/oz.(3) |
US$/oz. |
2000 |
279.03 |
275.39 |
4.95 |
4.95 |
2001 |
270.99 |
270.80 |
4.37 |
4.36 |
2002 |
309.97 |
309.39 |
4.60 |
4.65 |
2003 |
363.51 |
364.88 |
4.88 |
4.91 |
2004 |
409.21 |
373.78 |
6.65 |
6.51 |
2005 (through April 30, 2005) |
427.83 |
376.68 |
7.01 |
7.02 |
____________
(1) The average annual Company price includes only the consolidated average annual price from the Julcani, Uchucchacua, Orcopampa, Recuperada, Colquijirca, Ishihuinca and Shila mines.
(2) Average annual gold prices are based on the London PM fix as provided by Metals Week.
(3) Average annual silver prices are based on London Spot prices.
Most of the sales contracts the Company enters into with its customers state a specific amount of metal or concentrate the customer will purchase. The Company has sales commitments from various parties for virtually all of its estimated 2005 production; however, concentrates not sold under any of the Company's contracts may be sold on a spot sale basis to merchants and consumers.
Sales and Markets
The following table sets forth the Company's total revenues from the sale of gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper in the past three fiscal years:
|
As of and for the year ended December 31 (1) |
|||||
Product |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
(In thousands of constant S/. as of December 31, 2004) |
(In thousands of US$) |
||||
Gold |
286,777 |
436,541 |
455,506 |
76,422 |
118,149 |
132,064 |
Silver |
192,441 |
201,301 |
319,791 |
54,718 |
54,482 |
92,716 |
Lead |
35,724 |
47,255 |
97,582 |
10,290 |
12,789 |
28,292 |
Zinc |
143,735 |
153,275 |
187,563 |
40,869 |
41,483 |
54,379 |
Copper |
1,777 |
1,586 |
1,193 |
505 |
429 |
346 |
________________
(1) Does not include refinery charges and penalties incurred in 2004, 2003 and 2002 of S/.164,447 (US$47,678) , S/.145,985 (US$39,511) and S/.145,043 (US$41,241), respectively.
The Company sold its concentrates to 15 customers in 2004. Approximately 45 percent, 48 percent and 54 percent of the Company's concentrate sales in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively, were sold outside Peru. Set forth below is a table that shows the percentage of sales of concentrate from the Company's mines, and of sales of gold bullion that were sold to the Company's various customers from 2002 to 2004.
Percentage of Concentrates and Gold Bullion Sales |
||||
|
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Export Sales: |
|
|
|
|
Umicore |
|
- |
1.24 |
1.64 |
S.A. Sogem N.V. |
|
1.05 |
0.36 |
--- |
Johnson Matthey |
|
31.27 |
36.38 |
44.74 |
Trafigura |
|
0.67 |
- |
1.64 |
Hochschild |
|
1.39 |
1.86 |
0.54 |
Glencore |
|
4.72 |
3.36 |
1.72 |
Metaleurop |
|
1.57 |
- |
--- |
Noranda |
|
2.55 |
2.67 |
0.88 |
Pechiney |
|
1.27 |
2.13 |
1.77 |
Marc Rich |
0.59 |
0.45 |
0.42 |
|
Transamine |
|
- |
- |
1.02 |
Total Export Sales |
45.08 |
48.45 |
54.37 |
|
Domestic Sales: |
|
|
|
|
Cormin |
|
34.16 |
32.52 |
11.81 |
Doe Run |
|
11.75 |
10.05 |
14.75 |
BHL |
|
3.56 |
2.81 |
9.69 |
Cajamarquilla |
|
2.04 |
1.69 |
2.19 |
Procesadora Sudamericana |
|
0.42 |
0.61 |
0.74 |
Ayssa |
|
2.99 |
3.87 |
6.45 |
Total Domestic Sales |
54.92 |
51.55 |
45.63 |
|
Total Sales |
|
100 |
100 |
100 |
Under the terms of the Doe Run S.R.L. ("Doe Run") sales contract dated February 3, 2005, the Company is required to supply Doe Run with approximately 1,900 wet metric tons ("WMTs") of Julcani's silver-lead concentrates in 2005. The price of the concentrates supplied under the contract is based on specified market prices minus deductions.
Under the terms of the Consorcio Minero S.A. ("Cormin") sales contract dated January 28, 2005, the Company is required to supply Cormin with approximately 7,000 WMTs of Uchucchacua silver-lead concentrates from January 2005 to December 2005. The price of the concentrate supplied under the contract is based on specified market quotations minus deductions.
Under the terms of the Cormin sales contract dated January 13, 2005, the Company is required to supply Cormin with approximately 3,000 WMTs in 2004, 6,000 to 9,000 WMTs in 2005 and 7,000 to 10,000 WMTs in 2006 of Uchucchacua zinc concentrates from December 2004 to December 2006. The price of the concentrate supplied under the contract is based on specified market quotations minus deductions.
Under the terms of the BHL Perú S.A.C. ("BHL") sales contract, dated March 30, 2004, the Company is required to supply BHL with approximately 5,000 WMTs per year of Uchucchacua silver-lead concentrates in 2004 and 2005. The price of the concentrate supplied under the contract is based on specified market quotations minus deductions.
Under the terms of the BHL sales contract dated March 30, 2004, the Company is required to supply BHL with approximately 5,000 WMTs in 2004 and 8,000 WMTs in 2005 of Uchucchacua's zinc concentrates. The price of the concentrates supplied under the contract is based on specified market quotations minus deductions.
Under the terms of the Doe Run sales contract dated February 14, 2004, the Company is required to supply Doe Run with a minimum of 15,000 WMTs per year of Uchucchacua silver-lead concentrates to be delivered during 2004 and 2005. The price of the concentrate supplied under the contract is based on specified market quotations minus deductions.
Under the terms of the AYS S.A. ("Ayssa") sales contract dated February 14, 2004, the Company is required to supply Ayssa with approximately 5,000 WMTs in 2004 and 8,000 WMTs in 2005 of Uchucchacua's zinc concentrates. The price of the concentrate supplied under the contract is based on specified market quotations minus deductions.
The Company also sells refined gold, which is derived from its operations at Orcopampa, Shila and Ishihuinca, processed at its industrial plants at Orcopampa and at a local smelter in Lima, to one customer, Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company ("Johnson Matthey"), which further refines the gold. Under the terms of the Johnson Matthey sales contract, the Company supplies Johnson Matthey, at Johnson Matthey's option, with gold assaying in excess of 75 percent gold and approximately 20 percent silver, monthly from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005. The price of the gold supplied under the contract is determined based on, for the gold content, the quotation for gold at the London Gold Market PM fixing in U.S. Dollars, and for the silver content, the quotation for silver at the London Silver Market spot fixing in U.S. Dollars, minus, in each case, certain minimum charges, as well as charges for customs clearance and treatment of the gold (which varies depending on its gold and silver conte nt). The contract also provides that the Company may elect to have its material toll refined at Johnson Matthey's Royston U.K. works and returned to the Company's account for sale to third parties. Under the terms of the contract, the Company is responsible for delivering the gold to Johnson Matthey's designated flight at the Lima airport.
On December 31, 2003, the Company replaced four derivative contracts with sales contracts requiring physical delivery of gold over future periods that do not extend beyond 2012. Under the terms of the contracts, the Company will realize capped prices ranging from US$332 to US$451 per ounce. These contracts are accounted as normal sales contracts. See "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk".
In addition, the Company sells zinc and lead derived from its operations at the Colquijirca mine through Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. ("El Brocal"). The Company sells the zinc concentrates from the Colquijirca mine under the terms of the following contracts: (1) pursuant to a contract dated January 22, 2001, the Company is required to supply Glencore with approximately 27,500 WMTs per year in 2001 and 2002, and with approximately 20,000 to 30,000 WMTs per year in 2003 and 2004; (2) pursuant to a contract dated January 22, 2001 the Company is required to supply Cormin/Trafigura Beheer B.V. with approximately 35,000 WMTs per year in 2001 and 2002, with approximately 20,000 to 30,000 WMTs in 2003 and with 20,000 to 35,000 WMTs in 2004; and (3) pursuant to a contract dated December 10, 1997, the Company is required to supply Metaleurop Commercial S.A.S. with approximately 20,000 WMTs per year during 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Company sells the lead concentrates from the Colquijirca min e under the terms of the following contracts: (1) pursuant to a contract dated January 22, 2001, the Company is required to supply Glencore with approximately 15,000 WMTs per year in 2001 and 2002, and with approximately 10,000 to 15,000 WMTs per year in 2003 and 2004; and (2) pursuant to a contract dated February 26, 2001, the Company is required to supply Cormin/Trafigura with approximately 10,000 WMTs per year in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Normal Sales Contracts
Company entered into transactions that closed out approximately two thirds of its outstanding derivative contracts in December 2003. These contracts were replaced with a series of sales contracts requiring physical delivery of the same quantity of gold over future periods that do not extend beyond 2012. See "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk".
Hedging
The Company engages in gold, silver and zinc price hedging activities, such as forward sales and options contracts, to minimize its exposure to fluctuations in the prices of such metals. Currently, the Company only hedges for risk management purposes and does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. See "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" and Note 35 the Company Financial Statements.
Regulatory Framework
Mining and Processing Concessions
In Peru, as in many other countries, the government retains ownership of all subsurface land and mineral resources. The surface land, however, is owned by the individual landowners. The Company's right to explore, develop, extract, process and/or produce silver, gold and other metals is granted by the Peruvian government in the form of mining and processing concessions. The rights and obligations of holders of mining concessions, provisional permits and processing concessions are currently set forth in the General Mining Law (Single Unified Text, 1992, Supreme Decree 014-92-EM), which is administered by the MEM.
In order to obtain a mining concession prior to 1991, a prospective claimant filed a mining claim with the MEM and obtained from it a provisional permit to explore and/or develop the area of the claim. Thereafter, the MEM would issue a technical and legal report on the claimed area and the mining concession would be granted. In 1991, however, a new system was established for granting new mining concessions, based on Universal Transversal Mercator Coordinates ("UTM Coordinates") to map the mining concessions and provisional permits on Peru's land area. Under the new system, no provisional permits are granted, and therefore filers of mining claims filed after 1991 must obtain a mining concession before they may explore and/or develop the areas claimed. A holder of a provisional permit, granted with respect to claims over an area claimed before 1991 who follows proper procedures to comply with the new 1991 system, however, is permitted to continue to explore and/or develop the area cla imed.
Following implementation of the new system in 1991, there was a period of transition during which pre-1991 provisional permits and mining concessions could be brought into compliance with the new grid coordinate system by following certain specified procedures. Some conflicts developed regarding recognizing new mining concessions, identifying the exact location of old mining claims and placing old mining claims into the established UTM Coordinates, which slowed down the period of transition. To address such conflicts, in May 1996, the Mining Properties Mapping Law was enacted. The Mining Properties Mapping Law established a new mapping system to identify the land area of mining claims and to set forth a procedure to resolve such conflicts and to recognize the rights held by holders of mining concessions and provisional permits claimed from colonial times until 1991. Under this law, to establish mining concessions claimed from colonial times to 1991, the MEM publishes provisional UTM Coordi nates with respect to such mining concessions in El Peruano ("El Peruano"), the official gazette of Peru, and requests that any objections to such provisional UTM Coordinates be made to the MEM within 90 days of such publication. A similar procedure has been established for provisional permits claimed from colonial times to 1991; however, an owner of such provisional permit must establish the area subject to such provisional permit in UTM Coordinates and, once such land area is established, MEM publishes such provisional UTM Coordinates in El Peruano, requesting that any objections to such provisional permit be made to the MEM within 120 days of such publication and before the granting of the mining concession. Mining concessions applied for after 1991 under the UTM Coordinates system have been placed into the new mapping system and do not have to follow the procedure described above.
Mining concessions have an indefinite term, subject to payment of (a) an annual concession fee of US$3 per hectare claimed and (b) an annual fine if a minimum annual production of US$100 per hectare is not achieved before the expiration of the sixth year, counted from the year in which the title of the concession is granted, of US$6 per hectare will be payable starting in the seventh year following the year in which the title of the concession was granted until the year in which such minimum annual production is achieved; and if the failure to comply with the minimum annual production continues after the eleventh year following the year in which the title of the concession was granted, the penalty will increase to US$20 per hectare starting in the twelfth year counted since the year in which the title of the concession was granted. The fine may be avoided, however, by demonstrating investments in the mining rights during the previous year of amounts more than ten times greater than the fin e to be paid. In order to calculate the production of and investment in each mining right, the titleholder may create an operating unit (Unidad Económica Administrativa) provided the mining rights are all within a radius of five kilometers. If, in any year, the concession fee is not paid, payment may be made the following year within the term provided for making such payment. Any payment made will be applied to the prior year if such prior year was not paid. Failure to pay such concession fees or fines for two consecutive years could result in the loss of one or more of the mining rights. However, mining and processing concessions will not lapse if the administrative authority failed to issue a resolution declaring the termination of the concession within the first five years following the date on which such payment failure occurred. Processing concessions have an indefinite term, subject to payment of a fee based on nominal capacity for the processing plant. No other payments or royalties are required by the Peruvian government for the Company to maintain mining and exploration property rights in full force and effect. As of 2002, the annual concession fee and the annual fine will be calculated pursuant to the provisions of the General Mining Law and of Supreme Decree No. 010-2002-EM, effective since March 10, 2002. The Company paid approximately US$2.0 million, US$2.1 million and US$2.5 million in fees for mining rights for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively, approximately US$4,687, US$7,984 and US$8.4 million in fees for processing concessions, respectively, and is current in the payment of all amounts due in respect of its mining rights and processing concessions.
As of April 30, 2005, the Company, directly and indirectly, through subsidiaries or in conjunction with joint venture partners, owns and administers approximately 795,863 hectares devoted to mineral exploration and mining operations. Mining rights related to the current operations are provisional permits or mining concessions. Almost all of the mining rights related to the current operations already are provisional permits or mining concessions. The mining rights and processing concessions are in full force and effect under applicable Peruvian laws. The Company believes that it is in compliance with all material terms and requirements applicable to the mining rights and processing concessions and that it is not subject to any condition, occurrence or event that would cause the revocation, cancellation, lapse, expiration or termination thereof, except that the Company may, from time to time, allow to lapse, revoke, cancel or terminate mining rights and processing concessions that are not ma terial to the conduct of its business. The principal mining rights and processing concessions are (i) with respect to the Company's mines, new applications filed for provisional permits and mining concessions at Julcani, Uchucchacua, Orcopampa, Colquijirca, Ishihuinca, Antapite, Paula and Shila; and (ii) with respect to the Company's current exploration projects, new applications filed for mining concessions, the provisional permits and the mining concessions at the Tantahuatay project, the Ayacucho project, the Totoral project and the Huancavelica project. The principal processing concessions are the processing concessions of the concentrators at Julcani, Uchucchacua, Orcopampa, Colquijirca, Ishihuinca, Antapite, Paula and Shila.
Both mining concessions and provisional permits claimed before 1991 conferred on their holders the right to explore and develop the underground mineral resources, and it is often the case that the titleholders of these mining rights are not the owners of the land surface. Since October 1996, pursuant to Peruvian regulations, all operators of new mining areas in Peru are required to have an agreement with the owners of the land surface above the mining rights or to establish an easement upon such surface for mining purposes pursuant to General Mining Law, Article 7 of Law No. 26505, as amended by Law No. 26570 and the regulations to such Article 7 contained in Supreme Decree 017-96-AG, as amended by Supreme Decree No. 015-2003-AG. The Company has been actively pursuing the acquisition of the land surface or obtaining easements relating to land positions containing prospective geological exploration targets, deposits that can be exploited in the future or areas that would be considered for p lant or facility sites.
On December 19, 1998, Special Law No. 27015, the Law Regulating Mining Concessions in Urban Areas and Urban Expansion Areas was released. Law No. 27015 was amended by Law No. 27560, released on November 24, 2001 (Law No. 27015 as amended by Law No. 27560, the "Urban Mining Concessions Law"). Regulations pursuant to the Urban Mining Concessions Law were set forth in Supreme Decree No. 007-99-EM published on March 22, 1999, which was abrogated and replaced by Supreme Decree No. 008-2002-EM, dated as of February 21, 2002 (the "Regulations"). Under the Urban Mining Concessions Law, metallic or non-metallic mining concessions will be granted in areas that have been or are designated as urban areas by means of municipal ordinances issued by the Provincial Municipality pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Regulations for the Territorial Conditioning, Urban Development and Environment approved by Supreme Decree No. 007-85-VC, unless the grant of such title or concession is expressly authori zed by a special law. Such Supreme Decree was abrogated by Article 2 of Supreme Decree No. 027-2003-Vivienda, published on October 6, 2003, which contains the Regulations for the Territorial Conditioning, Urban Development and Environment currently in effect.
The granting of titles to metallic and non-metallic mining concessions in an area designated as an urban expansion area by means of municipal ordinances in force as of the date of filing of an application for a mining concession requires authorization through a Ministerial Resolution. The issuance of a Ministerial Resolution requires the receipt of a resolution of the Cabinet of the applicable Provincial Municipality, which will be issued within a period of sixty days. If the opinion is negative or if no opinion is issued, the application for the mining concession will be rejected. Any change from a metallic concession to a non-metallic concession and vice versa will be subject to these same requirements.
Applications for concessions in urban expansion areas will be presented on the basis of increments of 10 to 100 hectares under the UTM Coordinates system.
A mining concession in an urban expansion area, whether metallic or non-metallic, will be granted for a term of 10 years, renewable for like terms under the procedures set forth above for the grant of the initial concession. In both urban areas or urban expansion areas the only legally valid easements for mining purposes are those which are entered into directly with the owner of the surface area.
In order to begin exploration activities, holders of mining concessions in urban areas or urban expansion areas must comply with the provisions of the Environmental Regulations for Mining Exploration Activities set forth in Supreme Decree No. 038-98-EM. To begin development activities, holders of mining concessions in urban areas or urban expansion areas must comply with the Regulations of Title Fifteenth of the General Mining Law, Regulations for Environmental Protection of the Mining and Metallurgical Activities set forth in Supreme Decree No. 016-93-EM, as amended and supplemented by Supreme Decrees Nos. 059-93-EM, 029-99-EM and 022-2002-EM, as well as with the provisions contained in the Safety and Hygienic Regulations for Mining Activities set forth in Supreme Decree No. 046-2001-EM published on July 26, 2001, as amended by Supreme Decree No. 018-2003-EM published on May 30, 2003. Failure to comply the provisions of the Regulations may be punished with a fine or by the tempo rary suspension of mining activities. If the failure continues, the mining concession may be revoked.
Law No. 27474 was published on June 6, 2001, and replaced Law No. 25763, the purpose of which was to ensure that mining, power and hydrocarbons obligations be audited by auditing companies duly registered with the MEM. Pursuant to Law No. 27474 and its Regulations approved by Supreme Decree No. 049-2001-EM, as amended by Supreme Decree No. 018-2003-EM, the MEM is now in charge of auditing the fulfillment of the obligations contained in the General Mining Law and its Regulations, including technical, economic, financing and administrative obligations, as well as safety and environmental obligations. The MEM may perform audits either with its own personnel or through individuals or companies registered with the MEM to provide external audit services.
Environmental Matters
On September 8, 1990, a new regime of environmental laws, codified in Legislative Decree 613, was enacted in Peru. On June 2, 1992, new environmental laws, codified in Title 15 of the General Mining Law, relating to the mining industry were enacted. These laws and the related regulations significantly increased the level of environmental regulation previously in effect in Peru and established standards as well as guidelines with respect to particulate emissions in the air, water quality, exploration, tailings and water discharges, among other requirements.
The MEM monitors environmental compliance and sets specific environmental standards. In particular, the MEM has established standards for emissions or discharges of liquid and gas effluents. The MEM also approves the environmental impact assessments and programs for environmental control.
The MEM has issued regulations that establish maximum permissible levels of emissions of liquid effluents approved by Ministerial Resolution No. 011/96-EM/VMM. Generally, holders of mining rights and processing plants that were in operation prior to May 2, 1993 have a maximum of 10 years to comply with the maximum permissible levels; in the meantime, they must prepare their Programas de Adecuación y Manejo Ambiental (Environmental Adaptation and Management Schedules or "PAMAs") to comply with more stringent maximum permissible levels. Under Peruvian environmental regulations that were passed in 1993, a company that initiated operations prior to May 2, 1993, as is the case for the Company and most of its affiliated companies, was required to file with the Peruvian government a Preliminary Environmental Evaluation, or Evaluación Ambiental Preliminar ("EVAP") for each of its mining units to disclose any pollution problems in its operations and, thereaft er, to submit a follow-up filing of a PAMA to detail explanations of how such companies will comply with these less stringent maximum permissible levels for liquid effluents and other environmental problems. Companies must correct the pollution problems relating to their mining activities within five years and relating to their processing plants within five or ten years, depending on the type of processing plant. These companies must allocate no less than one percent of their annual sales to redress the problems identified in their EVAPs and contemplated in their PAMAs. Mining and plant processing activities that began after May 2, 1993 or had at that time a specific environmental program will be required to file and obtain approval for an Environmental Impact Study ("EIS") before being authorized to operate. Mining and plant processing activities that began after May 2, 1993 are required to comply with the more stringent maximum permissible levels for liquid effluents from the initiation of their operations. Exploration activities, classified as either initial, intermediate and advanced, are also subject to heightened compliance requirements. Unlike initial exploration projects, which do not require MEM approval, intermediate exploration projects must submit a Sworn Declaration ("SD"), after which MEM has 20 calendar days to raise objections to such SD. If no objection is raised, the SD will be deemed approved. Furthermore, advanced exploration projects are required to submit an Environmental Assessment ("EA"), which incorporates technical, environmental and social matters. If objections are not raised by MEM to the EA, such EA is deemed approved. Commitments assumed by the mining company in the SDs and EAs are obligatory for such mining companies and enforceable by MEM.
Many of the Company's mining rights and processing plants were in operation prior to May 2, 1993, and the Company is in substantial compliance with the interim maximum permissible levels. EVAPs for Julcani, Uchucchacua, Orcopampa, Recuperada, Ishihuinca and Shila were all accepted between August and September 1995. The EISs for Huallanca and Paula were approved in 1998 and February 2001, respectively. Between November 2002 and April 2003, the MEM approved and verified the PAMAs for all these entities, issuing an approving resolution for each respective mining unit.
The EAs for the La Zanja, Los Pircos, Tantahuatay and Samana exploration projects were approved in July 2001, August 2001, December 2000 and December 2001 respectively. EAs for Jatun Orcco, Ccarhuarazo, Salpo and Poracota were all accepted in 2003.
In October 2001, Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. ("Conenhua") completed the construction of two transmission lines, one between Trujillo and Cajamarca and the other between Cajamarca Norte and La Pajuela, and of a substation in Cajamarca Norte, in order to provide electricity to Yanacocha and the city of Cajamarca. The final concessions for the two transmission lines were granted by Supreme Resolution No. 165-2001-EM in October 2001.
In 2001, the Company submitted an EIS for a transmission line from Ares to Huancarama, which will connect Orcopampa with the national electricity grid. Orcopampa was connected to the Peruvian national electricity grid on September 12, 2002 and Minera Shila S.A.C. was connected on April 9, 2003.
Except as described above, there are no material legal or administrative proceedings pending against the Company with respect to any environmental matters.
Law No. 28090, Law that Rules the Closing of Mines (Ley que Regula el Cierre de Minas), was published on October 14, 2003, establishing the obligations and procedures that mining companies will follow to prepare, submit and execute the plan for the closing of mines (the "Plan") and the granting of environmental guarantees to secure compliance with the Plan. Pursuant to Law No. 28090, as amended by Law No. 28507 published on May 8, 2005, the Company is required to (i) submit a Plan to the MEM within one year following approval of the EIS or PAMA, or in case of mining or processing concessions in operations, one year after the Regulations to such Law No. 28090 become effective; (ii) inform the MEM semi-annually of any progress on the conditions established in the Plan; (iii) perform the Plan consistent with the schedule approved by the MEM during the life of the concession; and (iv) grant an environmental guarantee that covers the estimated amount of the Plan. The guarantee may be in cash, trusts, and any other guarantee contemplated in the Banking Law. On November 24, 2003, Ministerial Resolution No. 627-2003-MEM/DM was published to create the Registry for Authorized Entities to Elaborate the Closing of Mines and the Beneficial Plants (Registro de Entidades Autorizadas a Elaborar Planes de Cierre de Mina y de Plantas de Beneficio). Only the entities recorded in such registry are allowed to prepare the Plan. Pursuant to Law No. 28507, the Regulations to Law No. 28090 will be issued in a sixty-day term as of May 8, 2005.
Law No. 28271, Law that Rules the Mining Liabilities of the Mining Activities (Ley que Regula los Pasivos Ambientales de la Actividad Minera), was published on July 6, 2004 to regulate the identification of liabilities in mining activity and financial responsibility for remediation, in each case to mitigate any negative impact mining may have with respect to the health of the population, environment and property. The technical office of the MEM will identify environmental liabilities, mining companies responsible for abandoned mining facilities, mining works and residue deposits that may be linked to such environmental liabilities and holders of inactive mining concessions with mining liabilities. Holders of inactive mining concessions with environmental mining liabilities will be required to submit a plan for the closing of the mine or the cancellation of its mining concession within one year from their identification and notification as holders of inactive mining concessions with environmental mining liabilities. In addition, holders will enter into environmental remediation agreements with the MEM, acting through the Environmental General Department, to perform any studies and work necessary to control and mitigate the risk and effects of any contamination, which will be financed by the Fondo Nacional del Ambiente - FONAM. A plan for the closing of a mine must be performed within three years of its approval by the Environmental General Department.
The Company anticipates additional laws and regulations will be enacted over time with respect to environmental matters. The development of more stringent environmental protection programs in Peru could impose constraints and additional costs on the Company's operations, and the Company would be required to make significant additional capital expenditures in the future. Although the Company believes that it is substantially in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations of which it is now aware, there is no assurance that future legislation or regulatory developments will not have an adverse effect on its business or results of operations.
Permits
Management believes that the Company's mines and facilities have all necessary material permits. All future exploration and development projects require or will require a variety of permits. Although the Company believes the permits for these projects can be obtained in a timely fashion, permitting procedures are complex, time-consuming and subject to potential regulatory delay. The Company cannot predict whether it will be able to renew its existing permits or whether material changes in existing permitting conditions will be imposed. Non-renewal of existing permits or the imposition of additional conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
Insurance
The Company maintains a comprehensive insurance program designed to address the specific risks associated with its operations, in addition to covering the normal insured risks encountered by major mining companies.
The Company's insurance program is provided through the local Peruvian insurance market and includes employers' liability, comprehensive third party general liability, comprehensive automobile liability, all risk property on a replacement basis, including transit risks, business interruption insurance and mining equipment.
Mining Royalties
Article 20 of Law No. 26821, Ley Orgánica para el Aprovechamiento Sostenible de los Recursos Naturales, establishes that private companies must pay compensation to the Peruvian government for the economic use of natural resources. Law No. 28258, published on June 24, 2004 and amended by Law No. 29323, created a mining royalty (regalia minera) that holders of mining concessions must pay on a monthly basis to the Peruvian government for the exploitation of metallic and non-metallic resources. The royalty, which is the compensation referred to in Article 20 of Law No. 26821, Ley Orgánica para el Aprovechamiento Sostenible de los Recursos Naturales, is not considered a tax. However, it will be included in the scope of the Mining Law Stabilization Agreements and mining companies that are taxpayers and are party to such Stabilization Agreements will not have to pay this compensation or royalty during the life of their Stabilization Agreements. Although the Company is not party to a Stabilization Agreement, Yanacocha has entered into Mining Law Stabilization Agreements under the General Mining Law with the Peruvian government. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Yanacocha-Operating Results".
The royalty is calculated on revenue from sales of product (based on the international market price) less certain refining and transportation expenses. The mining royalty to be paid for ore concentrates with a value (i) up to US$60 million per year, is 1 percent of such value, (ii) between US$60 million and US$120 million per year, is 2 percent of such value and (ii) in excess of US$120 million per year, is 3 percent of such value. The MEM will publish the international market price of minerals and in the event that a mineral does not have an international market price, the mining royalty will be 1 percent of the mining component.
Organizational Structure
At May 26, 2005, the Company conducted its mining operations directly and through various majority-owned subsidiaries, controlled companies and other affiliated companies as described in the following organizational chart.
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A
Corporate Structure
Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA |
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-------------------- |
- |
-------------------------- |
- |
------------------------ |
- |
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- |
- |
----- |
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100% |
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100% |
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Buenaventura Ingenieros |
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Cia. Minera Condesa |
- |
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- |
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78.04% |
Inminsur |
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99.99% |
55.17% |
43.65% |
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Contacto Corredores de seguros |
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Cedimin |
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Minera Yanacocha |
- |
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- |
9.17% |
Cerro Verde |
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44.83% |
Cedimin |
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40% |
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40% |
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7.68% |
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Minas Conga |
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Chaupiloma |
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Cia de Minas Buenaventura |
- |
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- |
45.90% |
Coshuro |
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20% |
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Minas Conga |
- |
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- |
59.90% |
Colquijirca |
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0.01% |
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51.06% |
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Conenhua |
- |
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- |
2.25% |
Minera El Brocal |
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- |
99.99% |
Minera Colquirrumi |
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- |
100% |
Metalurgica Los Volcanes |
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- |
99.99% |
Conenhua |
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- |
40.09% |
Minera Coimolache |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
- |
20% |
Chaupiloma |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
- |
10.00% |
Ferrovias |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
- |
53.06% |
La Zanja |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
- |
60% |
Minasnioc |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
- ----------- |
Santa Marina |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100% |
Intermediate Holding Companies, Subsidiaries and Equity Participations
Compañía Minera Condesa S.A.
Condesa, wholly owned by the Company, is a mining and facilities holding company with direct and indirect ownership participation in two mining-related entities, Cedimin and Yanacocha, and in exploration projects conducted by Minas Conga and Conenhua. See "-Business Overview-Exploration". As a partner in Yanacocha, Condesa shares responsibility for the investments made in the Yanacocha mine and through its investment in Cedimin receives return dividend revenues. See "-S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca" below. Condesa also holds a 7.68 percent interest in the Company.
Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C.
Cedimin, wholly owned by the Company, is a mining and facilities holding company. At December 31, 2004, Cedimin held a 40 percent participation in Minas Conga, and a 40 percent interest in Chaupiloma. See "-The Company-History and Development" and "-S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca" below. See "-The Company-History and Development" for a description of the legal proceedings in the Peruvian courts concerning the ownership of certain shares of Cedimin originally held by BRGM. Through its direct ownership in Chaupiloma, Cedimin receives a portion of the royalty revenues paid by Yanacocha to Chaupiloma equal to such ownership interest.
As of January 2, 2003, Minera Shila S.A.C. merged with and into Cedimin. Due to Buenaventura's and Condesa's, Cedimin's shareholders, interests in Minera Shila prior to the merger, their interests in Cedimin increased from 0.0009 percent and 99.9991 percent, respectively, to 44.83 percent and 55.17 percent, respectively, after the merger. In addition, on October 22, 2004, Cedimin acquired a 100 percent equity interest in Inversiones Mineras Aureas S.A.C. ("Mineras Aureas"), which had a 49 percent interest in Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. ("Minera Paula"). As a result of this acquisition, Minera Paula became wholly owned by the Company. As of December 31, 2004, Mineras Aureas and Minera Paula merged with and into Cedimin and are no longer separate legal entities.
S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca
Chaupiloma is a Peruvian limited liability company that holds all of the mining rights for the areas mined by Yanacocha and Minas Conga. Chaupiloma receives a royalty that is calculated as a percentage of the total revenues of Yanacocha. The Company, Cedimin and Newmont Peru own a 20 percent interest, a 40 percent interest and a 40 percent interest, respectively, in Chaupiloma. The Company, directly and indirectly, through its interest in Cedimin, owns a 60 percent interest in Chaupiloma.
Consorcio Energético Huancavelica S.A.
Conenhua is an electrical transmission company that provides a significant portion of the electrical needs of the Company through its transmission facilities. The Company owns 100 percent of Conenhua and manages its operations. Conenhua obtained the concession for power transmission in the Huancavelica area in 1983, enabling the Company to buy energy from Electro Perú and to transmit electric power to the Company's mining facilities through its own facilities. The provinces of Huancavelica, Angaraes, Acobamba and Castrovirreyna are now connected to the system. Conenhua also provides electric power to other mining companies in the area. In 2004, Conenhua sold 11.6 million kilowatt hours ("kWh") in Huancavelica. Revenues generated by Conenhua benefit the Company in the form of operational costs savings at the rate of US$0.11 per kWh regarding thermoelectric generation costs. Conenhua has become the operator of Paragsha II-Ucchuchacua, the power line which provides electricity to t he Ucchuchacua mine and two other mines and, in 2004, Conenhua provided 104.4 million kWh to those mines. In 2003, Conhehua agreed to provide Inminsur with electricity, including electrical power service and maintenance and, in 2004, Conenhua provided 15.1 million kWh to Inminsur. In 2004, Conenhua provided 280.0 million kWh to Yanacocha. Conenhua's revenues in 2004 amounted to US$8.8 million.
Buenaventura Ingenieros S.A.
Buenaventura Ingenieros S.A. ("BISA"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has provided mining sector geological, engineering, design and construction consulting services for the last 23 years. During this time, BISA has consulted in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Ecuador on a range of projects, operations and expansions. In 1995, BISA created an environmental services group. BISA owns a 99.99 percent interest in Contacto Corredores de Seguros S.A., an insurance brokerage company that provides insurance brokerage and related services to the Company and its affiliates. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, BISA participated in 117, 170 and 194 projects, respectively, for domestic and international mining industry customers in Latin America, including the preparation of Environmental Impact Studies and Environmental Adaptation Programs. In 2004, BISA's revenues amounted to US$8.1 million.
Sociedad Minera Coshuro S.A.
Coshuro, which began operations in December 1995, was created jointly by the Company and Newmont Peru to conduct gold mining exploration in the Yanacocha volcanic belt. Coshuro was 35 percent owned by the Company until December 20, 2000, on which date Newmont Peru transferred 10.9 percent of its interest in the Coshuro to the Company. On August 13, 2002, Sociedad Minera Coshuro S.A. authorized the separation and transfer to the Company of all of the mining concessions granted to Coshuro pursuant to the Separation Agreement dated September 25, 2000. The mining concessions were transferred to Minera La Zanja S.R.L. ("Minera La Zanja"), incorporated in July 2004, in which the Company held a 35 percent interest. After July 2004, Minera La Zanja conducted a capital increase whereby the Company's interest in Minera La Zanja increased to 53.06 percent. As a result, the Company currently holds a 45.9 percent interest in Coshuro.
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. / Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A.
The Colquijirca mine is wholly owned by El Brocal. El Brocal was formed in 1956 and is engaged in the extraction, concentration and sale of concentrates of polymetallic minerals, mainly zinc, lead and silver. At December 31, 2002, the Company held a 59.02 percent interest in Inversions Colquijirca and a 32.83 percent interest in El Brocal's mining properties. Other unrelated mining investors hold the balance of the share capital of Inversiones Colquijirca. In January 2003, El Brocal conducted a US$1 million capital increase to finance the exploration of the Marcapunta deposit, reduction of the arsenic content and enhancement of the gold content of the deposit's copper resources. The Company participated in this capital share increase by exercising its and TCL's interest in El Brocal, through each of their interests in Inversiones Colquijirca, to invest approximately S/.1,500,000. As a result, the Company's interest in Inversiones Colquijirca increased from 59.02 percent to 59.90 percen t.
Ferrovías Central Andino S.A.
The Company holds 10 percent of Ferrovías Central Andino S.A. ("Ferrovías"), a railroad company, pursuant to a concession granted to a consortium of several companies in April 2000. Among the other companies holding interests in the share capital of Ferrovías are Railroad Development Corporation, Cemento Andino S.A., Commonwealth Development Corporation and others. Ferrovías will provide transportation for concentrates from El Brocal's mining operations at a lower cost.
Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A.
The Company holds a 9.17 percent interest in Cerro Verde, which owns the Cerro Verde copper deposit located approximately 1,100 kilometers southeast of Lima. The Peruvian government previously owned and operated the mine. In November 1993, the Cerro Verde operation was privatized. Cyprus Amax (now Phelps Dodge Corporation ("Phelps Dodge")) bought 91.7 percent and, pursuant to Peruvian privatization laws, the employees of Cerro Verde purchased approximately 8.3 percent of the shares of Cerro Verde. Cyprus Amax paid US$35.44 million for its equity interest in Cerro Verde and made a US$485 million capital commitment to finance the development of the facilities. In 2002, Cerro Verde obtained ISO 14001 certification. Phelps Dodge is currently the operator and senior partner (82.5 percent) of Cerro Verde. In 2004, the mine produced 88,502 metric tons of copper cathodes, compared to 87,336 metric tons produced in 2003. It is estimated that Cerro Verde contains over 7.1 million met ric tons of recoverable copper and over 20,000 hectares of mining concessions in its mining district.
On March 16, 2005, the Company, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, Summit Global Management B.V., Phelps Dodge, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, Cyprus Metals Company, Cyprus Climax Metals Company and Cerro Verde entered into an agreement whereby, subject to certain closing conditions, the Company agreed to increase its ownership interest in Cerro Verde up to 20.1 percent and Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation and Summit Global Management B.V. (the "Sumitomo Group") agreed to acquire an ownership interest in Cerro Verde of between 21.0 and 24.99 percent. Phelps Dodge will retain a majority interest in Cerro Verde. Cerro Verde intends effect an increase in the Company's and the Sumitomo Group's ownership interests pursuant to a capital increase. Actual ownership percentages are contingent upon the number of shareholders who own shares of Cerro Verde, which are traded on the Lima Stock Exchange.
The Company expects to invest, from internally generated funds, up to approximately US$175 million in Cerro Verde, which will partially finance a US$850 million expansion of the Cerro Verde operation to mine a primary sulfide ore body. Mining of the primary sulfide ore body is expected to begin in late 2006. Cerro Verde currently produces approximately 100,000 metric tons of copper per year, which is expected to increase to 300,000 metric tons per year following the expansion.
YANACOCHA
Overview
Founded in Peru in 1992, Yanacocha is the largest gold producer in Latin America. Yanacocha produced 3,017,302 ounces of gold in 2004, its eleventh full year of operations. Yanacocha's operations are located in the Andes mountains in Northern Peru in the area of Cajamarca, located approximately 900 kilometers north of Lima and 45 kilometers north of the City of Cajamarca at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. As of December 31, 2004, Yanacocha's proven and probable reserves (excluding Minas Conga's proven and probable reserves) were estimated to be 23.5 million ounces of gold representing a 25.8 percent decrease over Yanacocha's proven and probable reserves, which were estimated to be 31.7 million ounces of gold as of December 31, 2003. The decrease in reserves of gold was mainly due to the depletion of 3.9 million ounces of gold due to mining, the reclassification of 4.2 million ounces of gold reserves (3.9 million ounces from the Cerro Quilish deposit and 0.3 million oun ces from the Cerro Negro deposit) to Mineralized Material not in Reserve ("NRM") and an increase of 1.6 million ounces of gold reserves, partially off-set by the depletion of 1.7 million ounces of gold reserves, due to an increases in the price of gold, increased costs, increased royalties for new pits and updated grade and recovery models. As of December 31, 2004, Minas Conga's proven and probable reserves were estimated to be 8.7 million ounces of gold and 2.2 billion pounds of copper. Minas Conga reported no proven and probable reserves as of December 31, 2003. The increase in reserves of gold and copper was due to the reclassification of gold to NRM. Therefore, as of December 31, 2004, Yanacocha's total proven and probable reserves (including Minas Conga) were estimated to be 32.3 million ounces of gold, representing a 1.7% percent increase over Yanacocha's total proven and probable reserves, which were estimated to be 31.7 million ounces of gold as of December 31, 2003. Yanacocha's total proven and prob able reserves of copper were 2.2 billion pounds as of December 31, 2004.
The Commission terms a subset of global resources as NRM. During 2004, certain NRM material at Minas Conga was recategorized as reserve material. Proven and probable reserves are based on extensive drilling, sampling, mine modeling and metallurgical testing from which economic feasibility has been determined. Under the Management Contract (as defined below), Newmont Peru, in conjunction with Yanacocha, calculates Yanacocha's reserves by methods generally applied within the mining industry and in accordance with existing regulations. Reserves represent estimated quantities of proven and probable ore that, under present and anticipated conditions, may be economically mined and processed. As of December 31, 2004, Yanacocha's gold NRM was 5.9 million ounces, representing a 64 percent increase from Yanacocha's gold NRM of 3.6 million ounces as of December 31, 2003. Newmont Peru has not quoted silver reserves at Yanacocha for the last year due to recovery issues.
Yanacocha has the right to use mining rights with respect to 176,208 hectares of land. Chaupiloma holds certain of the mining rights with respect to these hectares and has assigned the mining rights related to 108,089 hectares to Yanacocha, covered by 183 mining concessions and five provisional permits. Although Chaupiloma has not assigned the mining rights to the remaining hectares to Yanacocha, Chaupiloma permits Yanacocha to explore these hectares. Of the 183 mining concessions assigned to Yanacocha, approximately 17 are currently used in mining operations and the remaining mining concessions are being explored by Yanacocha. See "-Mining and Processing Concessions". Yanacocha has acquired all surface rights with respect to 15,230 hectares of surface land covering its Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, San Jose, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua (which includes the Cerro Negro deposit) mining operations, and a majority of the Cerro Quilish deposit. In addition, Yanacocha has acquired 4,522 hectares of surface rights with respect to the Minas Conga deposit.
In 1994, its first full year of production, Yanacocha produced 304,552 ounces of gold. In 2000, Yanacocha produced 1,795,398 ounces of gold, 1,902,489 ounces in 2001, 2,285,584 ounces in 2002, 2,851,143 ounces in 2003 and 3,017,303 ounces in 2004. Yanacocha expects production to decrease by 3 percent from the 2004 production level to 2,932,000 ounces in 2005. Yanacocha believes that it was one of the world's lowest cash cost gold producers in 2004, with a cash cost per ounce of gold sold of US$146. Yanacocha's cash cost per ounce of gold sold was US$129 in 2003, US$134 in 2002, US$123 in 2001 and US$96 in 2000.
Yanacocha expects production of silver to increase 2 percent from the 2004 production level to 3,563,254 million ounces in 2005. Yanacocha reduces the cash cost of gold with sales of silver, which is considered a by-product. Silver production was 24,467 ounces in 1993, Yanacocha's first full year of production, 1,536,587 ounces in 2000, 1,466,172 ounces in 2001, 1,921,670 ounces in 2002, 3,035,275 ounces in 2003 and 3,479,436 ounces in 2004.
Yanacocha is owned 51.35 percent by Newmont Mining, through its wholly owned subsidiary Newmont Second, 43.65 percent by the Company through its 100 percent owned subsidiary Condesa, and 5 percent by IFC. Yanacocha is managed by Newmont Peru. See "-Management of Yanacocha-General Manager/Management Agreement". Since 1992, aggregate capital contributions of US$2.3 million have been made by Condesa, Newmont Second and IFC to Yanacocha. Although Yanacocha did not pay dividends during its development years, 1992 through 1994, cash dividends were distributed from 1995 to 1999. In 2000, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$60 million in dividends in respect of 2000 earnings and increased its property, plant and equipment reinvestment program by US$71 million. The reinvestment program totaled US$193 million at December 31, 2000, which amount was capitalized during 2001. In 2001, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$10 million in dividends in respect of 2000 earnings and electe d to reinvest US$80 million from 2001 profits based on a new reinvestment program for the years 2001 to 2004. In December 2001, the MEM approved the 1998 reinvestment program (increased in 1999) for US$206.5 million. As a result, an additional US$13.5 million was capitalized. In 2002, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$50.7 million in dividends in respect of 2001 earnings and elected to reinvest US$80 million from 2002 profits. In 2003, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$300 million in dividends in respect of 2002 earnings and elected to reinvest US$29.6 million from 2003 profits. See the Statements of Changes in Partners Equity in the Yanacocha Financial Statements on page F-70 and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Yanacocha-Operating Results". In 2004, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$280 million in dividends in respect of 2003 earnings and completed all investments under its reinvestment program from 2000-2004. Undistributed earnings associated with the reinvestment program are presented as restricted earnings as of December 2002, 2003 and 2004.
On October 31, 1999, pursuant to a public deed, Yanacocha changed its legal structure from a corporation to a partnership, changing its name from "Minera Yanacocha S.A." to "Minera Yanacocha S.R.L." As a result, Yanacocha (i) cannot have more than 20 partners; (ii) its capital stock is represented in participations; (iii) is not required to maintain a legal reserve (see Note 11 to Yanacocha Financial Statements); and (iv) will not receive a different income tax treatment under Peruvian law than it did as a corporation.
Capital Expenditures
Yanacocha's capital expenditures from its formation in 1992 through 2004 have related principally to the development of the Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, San José, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua mining operations, the construction of the two plants at Carachugo and Yanacocha that include a leach solution processing facility and a smelter at each plant, the construction of four carbon column plants at Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua, the acquisition of both new and used mining equipment, the construction of two dams, and the expansion of the four leach pads for the Carachugo and Maqui Maqui mining operations and for the Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua mining sites. Yanacocha's capital expenditures from its formation through December 31, 2004 totaled approximately US$1,640.1 million, including capital expenditures of US$145.8 million in 2002, US$194.2 million in 2003 and US$237.2 million in 2004. Capital expenditures in 2004 included an investment of US$93.5 million for mine and leach pa d development, US$20.4 million for environmental site and regional water management projects, US$36.8 million for mining equipment and US$86.5 million for work related to other ongling expansions. Capital expenditures in 2003 included an investment of US$93.2 million for mine and leach pad development, US$24.4 million for environmental site and regional water management projects, US$30.3 million for mining equipment and US$46.3 million for work related to other ongoing expansions. Capital expenditures in 2002 included an investment of US$85.9 million for leach pad expansions, US$16.7 million for mining development, US$14.3 million for environmental projects and US$12.9 million for carbon column and refinery development and other replacement capital. See "-The Company-History and Development".
Yanacocha anticipates that its capital expenditures for 2005 will be approximately US$263.7 million (including the capitalized exploration costs referred to above), which Yanacocha plans to use primarily in the completion of the leach pad expansion at La Carachugo (Stage 10), the initiation of additional leach pad expansions at La Quinua (Stage 5) and Yanacocha (Stage 7), the continuation of the site wide management plan to control sediment and chemistry, the continuation of the implementation of membrane technology in excess water treatment plants, the commencement of the Yanacocha Mill Project and Minas Conga Project, the construction of the Laguna Compuertas dam and the La Quinua chemical and matellurgical laboratory, the acquisition of heavy mining equipment and miscellaneous mining equipment, and the construction of carbon column facilities at Carachugo as part of the inventory reduction plan. The Yanacocha Gold Mill facility ("YGM") will provide a process alternative to exploit high grade oxide ore and sulfide ores which are not amenable to heap leaching though a grinding circuit classification, followed by pre-leach thickening, a 24 hour leaching process, and counter current decantation. Since YGM will be located within the current Minera Yanacocha operating area, it will maximize utilization of existing infrastructure at La Quinua. Minas Conga currently consists of two gold-copper porphyry deposits located northeast of Minera Yanacocha's operating area in the provinces of Celendin, Cajamarca and Hualgayoc. This project, incorporated to reserves in 2004, added 8.7 million ounces of gold and 2.2 billion pounds of copper to reserves in 2004.
Yanacocha expects that it will meet its working capital, capital expenditure and exploration and development requirements for the next several years from internally-generated funds, cash on hand and financing from banks and financial institutions. There can be no assurance that sufficient funding will be available to Yanacocha from internal or external sources to finance future working capital, capital expenditures and exploration and development requirements, or that external funding will be available for such purposes on terms or at prices favorable to Yanacocha. A very significant decline in the price of gold would be reasonably likely to affect the availability of such sources of liquidity. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Yanacocha-Exploration and Development Costs; Capital Expenditures".
Description of Yanacocha's Operations
As of December 31, 2004, Yanacocha's business operations included five separate open-pit mines, Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, Cerro Yanacocha, San José and La Quinua, of which only two, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua, are currently in operation. Yanacocha's business operations also include a 410 million ton-capacity leach pad at the Carachugo mining site; a 60 million ton-capacity leach pad at the Maqui Maqui mining site; a 460 million ton-capacity leach pad at the Cerro Yanacocha mining site; a 400 million ton-capacity leach pad at the La Quinua mining site; two solution ponds and a storm water pond at the base of each leach pad. The Yanacocha site has two extra solution ponds attached to stage 6 plus a raw water pond to store excess solution during the wet season and La Quinua has an additional solution pond attached to stage 4 and processing plants at each of Pampa Larga, Yanacocha Norte and La Quinua. Primary smelting operations are now carried out at Yanacocha Norte, with the original sme lter at Pampa Larga remaining on a stand-by basis. Six water treatment plants (one a reverse osmosis facility) for excess process solution, and three plants for treatment of mine de-watering and dump run-off are spread across these facilities. The Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, San José, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua mining areas began operations in August 1993, October 1994, January 1996, the last quarter of 1997 and October 2001, respectively. The Carachugo and San José mining operations are located within two kilometers of each other and share the same leach pad and solution ponds. The same processing plant (including a Merrill Crowe and carbon processing facility) and water treatment plants are shared by the Carachugo and Maqui Maqui mining operations. The Maqui Maqui mining operation, which is five kilometers from the Carachugo mining area, has its own leach pad and solution ponds. The Cerro Yanacocha mining operation has its own leach pad, solution ponds and processing plant (including a Merrill Crowe and carbon processing facility), but shares the smelter with the Carachugo mining operation. The La Quinua mining operation (which includes Cerro Negro deposit production) has a leach pad, solution ponds and carbon processing facilities. Finally, La Quinua shares its Merrill Crowe processing facilities and smelter with Yanacocha Norte. The Maqui Maqui and San Jose open-pit mines temporarily ceased mining operations in 2000 and 2002, respectively. However, Maqui Maqui has reported new reserves and San Jose has increased reserves as a result of an increase in the base price for proven and probable reserve estimates, from US$325 in 2003 to US$350 in 2004.
At Carachugo and Cerro Yanacocha, ore is mined by a sequence of drilling, blasting, loading and hauling to the leach pads. The mined ore is not crushed or pre-treated because the ore is porous and readily percolates barren solution and is in an oxide rather than sulfide material. Therefore, ore is transported directly from the open-pit mines as run-of-mine ore to the Carachugo leach pad, in the case of the Carachugo and San José mining operations, and to the Cerro Yanacocha and Carachugo leach pads in the case of the Cerro Yanacocha mining operation. This allows for relatively rapid and inexpensive gold production because crushing or additional oxidation processing costs are not incurred. As of May 2004, the same mining process is conducted at La Quinua, except specific controls are placed on the percent of fine grained material that can be loaded onto each leach pad cell for permeability purposes. Prior to May 2004, the La Quinua mining process involved the addition of cement and a belt agglomeration process. At both of the current mining operations, waste is dumped in nearby specially conditioned areas. Ore is heap-leached and the resulting pregnant solution is collected in each leach pad's solution ponds. Pregnant solution is pumped to the corresponding processing plant located near the Carachugo or Yanacocha leach pad. In order to enhance processing capacity, carbon column plants have been constructed at Pampa Larga, La Quinua and Yanacocha. Pregnant solution is enriched at this stage and then pumped to the Yanacocha Norte or Pampa Larga Merrill Crowe processing plants. At the processing plant, the gold is extracted using the Merrill Crowe zinc precipitation process, and the resulting gold concentrate is then smelted, producing doré bars currently assaying approximately 52 percent gold and 45 percent silver. The doré bars are transported from the processing plant by an outside security firm and refined outside of Peru. See "-Transportation and Refining". Barren soluti on from the processing plants is pumped back to the Cerro Yanacocha, La Quinua, Maqui Maqui and Carachugo leach pads for use in further heap-leaching. The leaching process is generally a closed system; however, during periods of high rainfall, additional water enters the process. This water is treated at facilities located at Yanacocha Norte and Pampa Larga, which have been designed to discharge water meeting drinking water standards for agriculture and livestock as set out by the Peruvian Ministry of Health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Nevada Regulations and World Bank guidelines. See "-Regulation, Permitting and Environmental Matters".
Electric power for Yanacocha's operations is currently provided by a local power company. Yanacocha can also rely on its own twenty diesel generators which have an aggregate power generation capacity of 16,000 kilowatts ("kw"). In addition, Yanacocha has been connected to the Peruvian national electricity grid since the end of 1997. Yanacocha currently receives its supply of electric power through a 220 kilovolt ("kV") power line originating in Trujillo, which is owned by Buenaventura and has the capacity to provide up to 150 megawatts ("MW") to Yanacocha (although current contracted demand is limited to 42MW). In addition, a 60 kV power line routed through Cajamarca permits Yanacocha to receive up to 15 MW. This power line is used only in emergencies. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects".
Water for Yanacocha's operations is collected from rainfall and wells. All excess water used by Yanacocha undergoes water treatment at the water treatment plant described above. Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for the years shown for each of Yanacocha's mining operations that were then in operation:
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Mining Operations: |
|||||
Ore mined (dry short tons): |
|||||
Cerro Yanacocha |
27,395,912 |
53,831,585 |
97,660,028 |
78,201,929 |
73,551,712 |
Carachugo |
34,912,518 |
23,321,305 |
5,301,915 |
101,150 |
- |
Maqui Maqui |
3,754,305 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
La Quinua |
- |
4,066,142 |
45,779,942 |
68,555,909 |
63,714,676 |
San José |
16,961,576 |
3,519,248 |
114,089 |
- |
- |
Total ore mined (dry short tons) |
83,024,311 |
84,738,280 |
148,855,974 |
146,858,989 |
137,266,389 |
Average gold grade of ore mined |
|||||
(oz./dry short ton) |
|||||
Cerro Yanacocha |
0.032 |
0.029 |
0.021 |
0.024 |
0.022 |
Carachugo |
0.032 |
0.033 |
0.019 |
0.014 |
- |
Maqui Maqui |
0.033 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
San José |
0.030 |
0.037 |
0.024 |
- |
- |
La Quinua |
- |
0.018 |
0.028 |
0.031 |
0.029 |
Total average gold grade of ore |
0.031 |
0.030 |
0.023 |
0.027 |
0.025 |
Gold Production (oz.): |
|||||
Cerro Yanacocha |
610,183 |
954,406 |
903,581 |
813,132 |
740,087 |
Carachugo |
788,111 |
904,192 |
585,249 |
826,920 |
701,491 |
Maqui Maqui |
43,025 |
37,974 |
30,998 |
64,335 |
45,612 |
San José |
354,079 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
La Quinua |
- |
5,917 |
765,756 |
1,146,756 |
1,530,112 |
Total gold (oz.) |
1,795,398 |
1,902,489 |
2,285,584 |
2,851,143 |
Exploration
Yanacocha's exploration activities encompass 176,408 hectares of land. Chaupiloma holds the mining rights with respect to these hectares and has assigned the mining rights relating to 108,089 hectares to Yanacocha, covered by 183 mining concessions and four provisional permits. Although Chaupiloma has not assigned to Yanacocha the mining rights to the remaining hectares, Chaupiloma permits Yanacocha to explore these hectares. See "-Mining and Processing Concessions".
Exploration expenditures amounted to approximately US$11.1 million, US$12.8 million and US$35.2 million in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. These expenditures have resulted in the identification of several deposits, which have been advanced to reserves and non-reserve mineralized material, including Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, San José, Cerro Yanacocha, La Quinua (which includes Cerro Negro), Cerro Quilish, Chaquicocha, El Tapado, Corimayo, Antonio and Quecher. Exploration and development continue at Corimayo and Antonio to define the limits of these oxide mineralization systems and to determine the extent of high-grade mineralization in these bodies. Oxide mineralization has also been identified on the surface and in drill holes at Antonio where development and exploration activities will advance this new discovery. Lastly, exploration funds have been used to identify deep sulfide mineralization beneath the oxide deposits at El Tapado, Corimayo, Antonio and Chaquicocha. In 2005, expl oration efforts will focus on Chaquicocha to ensure that this sulfide deposit is characterized as NRM by the end of 2005.
Yanacocha's exploration and development expenditures include all of the costs associated with exploration activities such as drilling, geologists and metallurgical testing. Yanacocha prepares a budget for each year and allocates an amount for exploration and development activities. In light of the nature of mining exploration and in order to maintain flexibility to take advantage of opportunities that may arise, Yanacocha does not allocate the budgeted amount by property or project. Rather, Yanacocha allocates the budgeted amount over the course of the year to each project based on Yanacocha's needs and its geologists' periodic evaluations of the progress of each project and its potential for development.
Yanacocha intends to continue to develop the Cerro Yanacocha, La Quinua and Chaquicocha gold deposit projects and the Minas Conga gold-copper deposit project over the next several years, while continuing to explore the remainder of the Yanacocha district along with the adjacent Minas Conga and Solitario mineral holdings. For 2005, Yanacocha's estimated expenditures are US$24.8 million for exploration and development which will be expensed, and an additional US$3.4 million for development activities for ore bodies that are currently classified as reserves that will be capitalized. This budgeted amount will be expended mainly on the Corimayo, Cerro Yanacocha, La Quinua (which includes Cerro Negro), Antonio and Minas Conga deposits along with an extensive oxide exploration program in Yanacocha's properties.
In 2000, one drill hole at Corimayo was the most successful in Yanacocha's history, resulting in 1,400 feet of 0.1 ounce of gold per ton with one segment of 143 feet at 0.43 ounce per ton material. Significant sulfide materialization, both copper and gold, also was discovered at Cerro Yanacocha and Chaquicocha. Activities in 2001 and 2002 resulted in the identification of a continuous, high-grade zone at Corimayo, which can be traced for at least 600 meters in a north-south direction and contains a significant volume of oxide material with grades of 5 to 20 grams per metric ton common through this zone. At the end of 2003, Corimayo contained 3.0 million ounces of reserve and 0.5 million ounces of non-reserve (oxide) material and Antonio and Quecher contained 0.11 and 0.04 million ounces, respectively, of reserve. In 2004, exploration efforts focused on the exploration and development of near-surface oxide deposits at Cerro Quilish, including Cerro Negro, and Chaquicocha, and the expansion of the Antonio deposit and the Guiliana prospect, located north of the Yanacocha Norte pit. Exploration and development of gold-dominant sulfide mineralization continues beneath known oxide deposits at Yanacocha Sur, Chaquicocha, Tapado, Corimayo, Antonio and Maqui Maqui. In 2004, development drilling at Minas Conga added 8.7 million ounces of gold and 2.23 billion pounds of copper from the Chailhuagon and Perol deposits. In 2005, Yanacocha will focus on converting high-value inferred mineralization to at the Chailhuagon and Perol deposits to reserves and converting the Amaro deposit to NRM.
Transportation and Refining
The doré bars produced at Yanacocha's operations in Peru are transported to refineries outside of Peru (currently, the United States). The refining and off-shore portion of the transportation is conducted via an arrangement with Bank of Nova Scotia. The off-shore transportation is subcontracted to an outside security firm, Securicor International Services USA Inc. ("Securicor"). Yanacocha has an arrangement with a local security firm, Hermes Transportes Blindados S.A. ("Hermes") for domestic transportation. Under the terms of this arrangement, the risk of loss with respect to the doré bars produced by Yanacocha transfers from Yanacocha to Hermes when the doors of the security transport vehicle at Yanacocha's mine site are closed and the doré bars have been signed for by a representative of Hermes' transporting company. Hermes is responsible for transporting, storing, guarding and delivering the doré bars from Yanacocha's mine site to and until the Lima airport loading o f the doré bars onto an international carrier.
Securicor is responsible for transporting, storing, guarding and delivering the doré bars from loading of the doré bars at the Lima airport to a strong-room vault at the Johnson Matthey refinery in Salt Lake City, the United States. Liability for any damage to or loss of doré shipments while under Securicor's custody at the mine site or in transport to the delivery point is assumed by Securicor, up to a maximum of US$100 million per shipment. Accordingly, Yanacocha limits its shipments to US$100 million in value, with the average shipment being US$20 million in value.
Upon delivery by Securicor to the refiner, Johnson Matthey, the refiner assumes all risk of loss and damage to the doré bars. Prior to assaying, the doré bars are transported to the refinery where they are melted, weighed and sampled in the presence of a representative of Alfred Knight Ltd., a professional assayer retained by Yanacocha. Each of the refiner and Alfred Knight, on behalf of Yanacocha, takes samples from the melted doré to assay. Alfred Knight independently assays Yanacocha's sample at its laboratory. The refiner and Alfred Knight then exchange assay results and use the arithmetic mean of the results for a settlement assay. If the results of Alfred Knight's and the refiner's assays differ by more than a certain amount, then a mutually agreed upon third party assayer will determine the final result assay.
The output from refineries such as Johnson Matthey is London Good Delivery gold and silver. Yanacocha is charged a predetermined fee for the refinement. Yanacocha enters into two-year refining arrangements because management believes that in the current increasingly competitive marketplace, it will be able to negotiate better pricing in each future year. Further, if marketplace fundamentals shift, Yanacocha is confident that it can readily secure longer-term refining arrangements.
Sales of Gold
Yanacocha's gold sales are made through a monthly open-bidding process in which Yanacocha auctions its production corresponding to the next four to six weeks. This bidding process is set up by Yanacocha before each month with approximately 10 financial institutions and trading firms. Yanacocha collects bids and confirms sales. The gold is typically deemed sold the date of departure from Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima and revenue is recognized when the price is determinable, the product has been delivered and transfer of title to the customer and collection of the sales price is reasonably assured. If a portion of gold remains unsold, it is sold four or five days later. Silver is sold on the spot market approximately once a month to creditworthy traders. Cash from such sales is received into a collection account in London and, prior to July 2004, transferred to the Bank of New York against orders to the refiners for deliveries of the gold and silver to the purchasers in connection wit h a May 1997 US$100 million asset securitization financing transaction backed by Yanacocha's sales receivables (the "Yanacocha Receivables Securitization").
Delivery is made once a week and payments are collected the day of confirmation. The payment price for the gold consists of (i) the market price at the confirmation of the sale and (ii) a small premium established pursuant to the bidding process.
Since 1994, Yanacocha has consistently sold to five or six financial institutions and trading firms at each auction. Such buyers are market makers and active participants in precious metal markets.
Employees
At December 31, 2004, Yanacocha had 2,313 employees. Compensation received by Yanacocha's employees includes base salary and other non-cash benefits such as a health program and term life insurance. In addition, pursuant to the profit sharing plan mandated by Peruvian labor legislation, employees at Yanacocha are entitled to receive eight percent of the annual pre-tax profits of their employers (the "Employee Profit Sharing Amount"), four percent of such profits to be distributed based on the number of days each employee worked during the preceding year and the remaining four percent of such profits to be distributed among the employees based on their relative salary levels. Effective January 1, 1997, the annual payment to each employee under the profit sharing plan cannot exceed 18 times such employee's monthly salary, and any difference between the Employee Profit Sharing Amount and the aggregate amount paid to employees must be contributed by Yanacocha to the Fondo Nacional d e Capacitación Laboral de Promoción del Empleo (FONDO EMPLEO), a public fund to be established to promote employment and employee training.
Under Peruvian law, Yanacocha may dismiss workers for cause by following certain formal procedures. Yanacocha may dismiss a worker without cause, provided that Yanacocha pays such worker a layoff indemnification in an amount equal to one and a half month's salary for each full year worked plus the pro rata portion for any uncompleted year, not to exceed, in the aggregate, 12 months' salary. Several decisions adopted by the Peruvian Constitutional Court, holding that an employee is entitled for reinstatement if no cause for dismissal is expressed by the employer or for failure to present evidence supporting the employer's grounds, have limited Yanacocha's ability to dismiss a worker without cause. Although Yanacocha has informed that Company that it cannot determine how judicial interpretation will develop, Yanacocha is of the view that the Constitutional Proceedings Code, enacted May 31, 2004, may eliminate employee reinstatement. However, all employees are entitled to a severance payment upon termination of their employment, regardless of the reason for such termination, equal to one month's salary for each full year worked plus the pro rata portion for any uncompleted year. Pursuant to the Peruvian labor laws enacted in 1991, Yanacocha deposits funds for severance payments in a bank account selected by each employee and for the benefit of such employee, in both May and November of each year.
Yanacocha's employees receive the benefit of one of two types of pension arrangements. All workers can choose to enroll in the system of the Oficina de Normalización Previsional (the Public Pension System, or "ONP") or in a privately-managed system of individual contribution pension funds ("AFPs"). Yanacocha is required to withhold 13 percent from the salary of each employee enrolled in the ONP system and pay such amount to the ONP system, and withhold between 11.5 percent and 12 percent from the salary of each employee enrolled in the AFP system and pay such amount to the respective AFP. Yanacocha has no liability for the performance of these pension plans.
In addition, Yanacocha pays to ES SALUD (the new social security agency) nine percent of its total payroll for general health services for all employees. Law No. 26790 also requires Yanacocha to provide private insurance representing an average payment equal to 1.55 percent of the payroll of covered employees for employment-related incapacity and death for blue collar employees and other employees exposed to mining-related hazards. As of December 1, 2004, Yanacocha is no longer required to pay a total of 1.7 percent of its total payroll for the Extraordinary Solidarity Tax.
Yanacocha has entered into arrangements with independent contractors who are responsible for the security services and staffing for several operational and administrative areas. During 2004, independent contractors employed an average of 6,565 persons who worked at Yanacocha's operations. Yanacocha has experienced no strikes and in 2004 entered into its first collective bargaining agreement with Workers' Union of Minera Yanacocha SRL (the "Union"), which was created and registered before the Peruvian Labor Ministry on December 9, 2003. Because the Union had 578 members as of December 31, 2004, a minority of Yanacocha's employees, the collective bargaining agreement only applies to the Union's members.
Since commencement of operations, Yanacocha's rate of turnover has been less than ten percent per year. Yanacocha has informed the Company that it considers its relations with its employees to be good.
Social Development
Since its formation,Yanacocha has been attentive to its relationship with the community in the fields of social relations and development.
During 2004, the External Affairs Management, an internal department within Yanacocha, through its Community Relations and Rural Development Management Offices and its Community Development Management Office, established social development programs that address 74 rural communities and the city of Cajamarca. To implement these programs and their projects, Yanacocha developed active relationships with domestic and foreign institutions and organizations, including the Ministry of Health, Education and Agriculture, FONDO EMPLEO, Nestlé Perú, Antares, Adaminya, Asodel, Foncreagro, Cenfotur, Aprec, Asociación Yanacocha and Pronaturaleza, among others. In 2004, Yanacocha invested up to US$7.1 million in its social development programs.
In addition, in accordance with the agreements executed with municipality and regional government authorities in 2003, Yanacocha invested approximately US$2.6 million in 2004 for the construction of roads, the extension of a regional hospital, supporting projects for local assistance for municipality and regional government and enhancing educational infrastrucutre in Cajamarca. Moreover, in 2004 Yanacocha signed an agreement with municipality and regional government authorities to provide US$4.3 million for projects to be completed in 2005.
Since 1993, Yanacocha has invested nearly US$42 million (including the total investment made by Yanacocha in social development programs) in educational, health, social infrastructure (schools and medical posts) and productive infrastructure projects (rural electrification, roads, transformation plants, business promotion programs, local tourist programs, livestock and agricultural assistance programs).
During 2004, Yanacocha allocated US$1.9 million to "Asociacion Los Andes de Cajamarca", previously called "Fondo Cajamarca Sostenible", a civil association, for responsible and sustainable development programs in 2004, focusing on livestock, tourism, handicrafts, agricultural business and construction.
Security
Yanacocha has 52 employees on its payroll and employs one expatriate and a security force of over 311 persons with respect to its mining operations, including 52 persons with respect to the processing plant, 12 persons with respect to its headquarters in Lima and 7 persons with respect to the road to the coast. No terrorist incidents have been recorded against Yanacocha's personnel or property at its mining operations or at its headquarters in Lima.
Mining and Processing Concessions
The majority of the mining concessions that have been assigned by Chaupiloma to Yanacocha were claimed prior to 1991. Chaupiloma is owned 40 percent by Newmont Peru and 60 percent by the Company directly and through its affiliate Cedimin.
Yanacocha's exploration activities encompass 176,408 hectares of land. Chaupiloma holds the mining rights with respect to these hectares and has assigned the mining rights relating to 108,089 hectares to Yanacocha, which are covered by 183 mining concessions and provisional permits. Although Chaupiloma has not assigned the mining rights to the remaining hectares to Yanacocha, Chaupiloma permits Yanacocha to explore these hectares. Currently, 17 of the mining concessions assigned to Yanacocha are being utilized for mining operations. They are Chaupiloma Uno, Chaupiloma Dos, Chaupiloma Tres, Chaupiloma Cuatro, Chaupiloma Cinco, Chaupiloma Seis, Chaupiloma Once, Chaupiloma Doce, Chaupiloma Trece, Chaupiloma Catorce, Chaupiloma Veintiuno, Chaupiloma Veintiuno A2, Chaupiloma Cuarentaidos, Chaupiloma Cincuentaicuatro, El Sol No. 4, La Providencia and Mirtha III. The Carachugo and the San José mining operations are located on the mining concessions of Chaupiloma Tres, Chaupil oma Cuatro and Chaupiloma Cinco; the Maqui Maqui mining operation is located on the mining concessions of Chaupiloma Seis and Chaupiloma Doce; the Cerro Yanacocha minig operation is located on the Chaupiloma Uno, Chaupiloma Dos and Chaupiloma Tres mining concessions and the La Quinua mining operation is located on the Chaupiloma Dos, Chaupiloma Once, Chaupiloma Catorce, Chaupiloma Veintiuno, Chaupiloma Cuarentidos, Chaupiloma Cincuenticuatro, Mirtha III, La Providencia, Chaupiloma Trece, Chaupiloma Veintiuno A2 and El Sol No. 4 mining concessions. Chaupiloma has assigned 183 mining concessions to Yanacocha pursuant to several assignments of mining rights, both with an initial term of 20 years expiring in 2012, 2021 and 2023, renewable upon Yanacocha's request for an additional 20-year term. Yanacocha pays a royalty to Chaupiloma for the right to mine five of the mining concessions of 3 percent of the net sale value of all ore extracted from these mining concessions after deducting refinery and transport cost s. For 2004, Yanacocha paid royalties of US$37.9 million to Chaupiloma. The other mining concessions and provisional permits have been assigned to Yanacocha by Chaupiloma on comparable terms.
According to Peruvian mining law, the assignee in an assignment of mining concessions assumes all the duties and rights of the holder of the concession. Management of Yanacocha believes that the mining concessions assigned to Yanacocha are in full force and effect under applicable Peruvian laws and that Yanacocha is in compliance with all material terms and requirements applicable to the mining concessions and is not experiencing any condition, occurrence or event known to it that would cause the revocation, cancellation, lapsing, expiration or termination thereof, except that Yanacocha and Chaupiloma may, from time to time, remake, cancel, terminate or allow to lapse mining concessions assigned to Yanacocha that are not material to the conduct of Yanacocha's business.
Yanacocha has been actively pursuing the acquisition of the land surface or obtaining easements relating to land positions containing prospective geological exploration targets, deposits that can be developed in the future or areas that would be considered for plant or facility sites. To date, Yanacocha has acquired all the surface rights with respect to 13,400 hectares of the surface land covering its Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, San José, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua (which includes the Cerro Negro deposit) mining operations, and a majority of the Cerro Quilish deposit. In addition, Yanacocha has acquired 4,283 hectares of surface rights with respect to the Minas Conga. See "-The Company-History and Development".
In addition, Yanacocha is subject to the Urban Mining Concessions Law which was released on
December 19, 1998. See "-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Mining and Processing Concessions".
Yanacocha has two processing concessions from MEM for its processing plant. The processing concession has an indefinite term, subject to the payment of a fee based on nominal capacity for the processing plant. Yanacocha paid approximately US$0.13 million in fees for the two processing concessions for the year ended December 31, 2004 and is current in the payment of all amounts due in respect of its two processing concessions.
Although payment of a royalty is required by the Peruvian government, Yanacocha is currently exempt from such requirement due to stability contracts entered into to maintain in full force and effect its rights to the properties it is mining or exploring.
Regulation, Permit and Environmental Matters
Yanacocha is subject to the full range of governmental regulation and supervision generally applicable to companies engaged in business in Peru, including mining laws, labor laws, social security laws, public health, consumer protection laws, environmental laws, securities laws and antitrust laws. See "-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Mining and Processing Concessions" and "-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Environmental Matters" for a general description of Peruvian regulations of mining companies and environmental obligations. See "-Mining and Processing Concessions" above for a discussion of Peruvian regulations relating to the mining and processing concessions utilized by Yanacocha in its mining operations.
Yanacocha is required to submit certain documentation with respect to Yanacocha's plans and operations for the review and approval of various Peruvian government entities, including the MEM, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. Yanacocha is required to file and obtain approval of an EIS for each of its mining operations before being authorized to operate such mine. EISs for the Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, San José, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua (including Cerro Negro) mining operations have been approved. Pursuant to current Peruvian regulations, Yanacocha also submits supplemental EISs each time a project's production rate is expanded by more than 50 percent. In 2004, Yanacocha filed an EIS to expand its operations at Carachugo. After an EIS is approved and the mine is placed in operation, a governmental-accredited environmental auditing firm is required to audit the operation two times per year. Each of the Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, San José, Cerro Yanacocha an d La Quinua (including Cerro Negro) mining operations has been and continues to be audited as required and no material pollution problems have been identified.
Yanacocha's corporate policy is to operate in compliance with all material applicable laws and regulations and adopt and adhere to standards that are protective of both human health and the environment at the facilities it builds and operates. Additionally, Yanacocha has agreed to several environmental covenants in loans with the IFC that require Yanacocha to comply with relevant World Bank environmental guidelines and World Bank occupational health and safety guidelines, and such covenants are monitored annually by IFC. See "-Trust Certificates and IFC Loan Documents".
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," effective January 1, 2003, which established a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. Accordingly, on January 1, 2003, Yanacocha recorded the estimated present value of reclamation liabilities ("asset retirement obligation" or "ARO") and increased the carrying amount of the related asset to be retired in the future. Yanacocha allocates the carrying amount of the related asset to expense over the life of the related assets, adjusting for changes resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate. At January 1, 2003, Yanacocha recorded approximately US$50 million for the carrying amount of the related asset, net, an increase of approximately US$72.1 million to ARO, an increase of US$7.9 million to deferred tax liabilities, and an increase of US$2.3 million to deferred profit sharing liabilities.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 143, estimated future reclamation costs were based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Such costs for active mines were accrued and charged over the expected operating lives of the mines using the unit of production method based on proven and probable reserves. Future remediation costs for inactive mines were accrued based on management's best estimate at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at a site. Such cost estimates included, where applicable, ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates were reflected in earnings in the period an estimate was revised.
Yanacocha has informed the Company that Yanacocha's management believes that its operations are conducted in accordance with all material applicable laws and regulations. All future exploration and development projects require or will require a variety of permits. Although procedures for permit applications and approvals are customarily faster in Peru than in the United States, permitting procedures are still complex, time-consuming and subject to potential regulatory delay.
Yanacocha has informed the Company that Yanacocha's management does not believe that existing permitting requirements or other environmental protection laws and regulations applicable to Yanacocha will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations. However, Yanacocha's management recognizes the possibility that additional, more stringent environmental laws and regulations may be enacted in Peru, which could result in significant additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions or delays associated with the development and operation of Yanacocha's properties. Neither the Company nor Yanacocha can predict whether Yanacocha will be able to renew its existing permits or whether material changes in existing permit conditions will be imposed. Non-renewal of existing permits or the imposition of additional conditions with respect to Yanacocha could have a material adverse effect on Yanacocha's financial condition or results of operations.
Yanacocha has informed the Company that Yanacocha's management believes that it is in compliance with all material regulations and international standards concerning safety.
Insurance
Yanacocha maintains a comprehensive insurance program designed to address the specific risks associated with its operations, in addition to covering the normal insured risks encountered by major mining companies.
Yanacocha's insurance program consists of a "Primary Program" and an "Umbrella/Excess Program". Coverage under the Primary Program is provided through the local Peruvian insurance market and includes employers' liability, comprehensive third party general liability, comprehensive automobile liability, all risk property on a replacement basis, including transit risks, business interruption insurance and mining equipment. Coverage under the Umbrella/Excess Program is provided through Newmont Mining's master worldwide insurance program and addresses claims that the Primary Program cannot, or will not, cover. During 2004 and 2003, Yanacocha received US$1.0 million and US$1.3 million, respectively, from its insurance program in connection with the mercury spill and expects to receive further insurance payments to cover most of the remediation expenses Yanacocha incurred as a result of the accident.
Trust Certificates and IFC Loan Documents
In 1997, Yanacocha issued debt through the sale of US$100 million Series A Trust Certificates to various institutional investors. The proceeds from the Yanacocha Receivables Securitization were primarily used to finance the Cerro Yanacocha project. In June 2004, the Trust Certificates were paid in full.
In order to finance the La Quinua project, Yanacocha obtained a credit facility from IFC. Pursuant to an agreement dated December 22, 1999, IFC agreed to extend to Yanacocha a loan in the amount of up to US$20 million (Tranche A) to be repaid no later than December 15, 2009, and a second loan in the amount of up to US$80 million (Tranche B) to be repaid no later than December 15, 2006. As of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, US$30 million, US$40 million and US$50 million, respectively, was outstanding under this credit facility. This credit facility is available on a revolving basis and contains financial covenants similar to the previous IFC loans. These covenants consist of affirmative and negative covenants, including, but not limited to the restriction on paying dividends if after giving effect to such payment (a) the current liquidity ratio is less than 1.2:1, (b) the debt to equity ratio is no greater than 70:30, (c) the trailing four quarters debt service coverage ratio is less than 1.3:1, or (d) the reserve coverage ratio is less than 2.0:1. During the revolving period, an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.375 percent for Tranche A and LIBOR plus 2.5 percent for Tranche B, will be paid quarterly.
In June 2004, Yanacocha amended its US$40 million line of credit with Banco de Crédito del Perú to extend the term of the credit facility to June 2007, reduce the applicable interest rate and increase the facility to US$50 million. The amended credit facility has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.65 percent through June 2005 and LIBOR plus 2 percent thereafter. The interest rate under the previous agreement was LIBOR plus 0.75 percent through June 2004. During 2004, Yanacocha borrowed and repaid US$65.5 million in the aggregate. There was no amount outstanding under this line of credit at December 31, 2004.
In June 2004, Yanacocha entered into a US$20 million credit facility with BBV Banco Continental, which expires in June 2005. The credit facility has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.7 percent. There was no amount outstanding as of December 31, 2004.
All Yanacocha debt is secured by substantially all of Yanacocha's property, plant and equipment. Yanacocha's financing agreements contain certain covenants that limit indebtedness and distribution of earnings. In addition, Yanacocha must maintain certain financial ratios as provided in the financing agreements. At December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, Yanacocha was in compliance with these covenants.
By-Laws of Yanacocha
Yanacocha is governed by the Peruvian Companies Law and the estatutos (the combined articles of incorporation and by-laws) of Yanacocha (the "Yanacocha By-Laws").
Control Over Major Corporate Events
Pursuant to the Peruvian Companies Law and the Yanacocha By-Laws (including applicable quorum requirements), without the affirmative vote of the partners of Yanacocha representing at least 51 percent of the voting shares, none of the following may occur: (i) an increase or decrease in Yanacocha's capital, (ii) the issuance of any debentures, (iii) any sale of an asset whose book value is at least 50 percent of the paid in capital relating to such asset, (iv) any amendment to the Yanacocha By-Laws in order to change its business form, (v) the merger, consolidation, dissolution or liquidation of Yanacocha or (vi) any other amendment of the Yanacocha By-Laws.
Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement among Newmont Second, Condesa, Compagnie Miniére Internationale Or S.A. and IFC, dated as of August 16, 1993, as amended by a General Amendment Letter, dated August 17, 1994, any member of the Executive Committee of Yanacocha who wishes to propose that Yanacocha's Executive Committee authorize Yanacocha to take a Significant Action (as defined below) must (i) give written notice to each partner of such proposal prior to consideration thereof at a meeting of the Executive Committee and (ii) refrain from voting to approve such Significant Action until (x) the Executive Committee has received the consent of 80 percent of the partners of Yanacocha (a partner is deemed to have consented if no objection is received from such partner within 30 days after being notified) or (y) the Executive Committee has received the consent of at least 51 percent of the partners of Yanacocha and 45 days have elapsed since the member of the Executive Commi ttee who proposed the Significant Action has responded in writing to objections received from objecting partners. "Significant Action" means (i) a disposal or sale of more than 20 percent by value of Yanacocha's fixed assets, (ii) any planned shutdown or cessation of Yanacocha's mining activities that is planned to last for more than one year, (iii) any capital expenditure by Yanacocha exceeding US$20 million, (iv) any disposal or sale by Yanacocha of the mining rights covered by certain concessions or (v) the approval of the development of a project in the area owned by Yanacocha (other than the Carachugo mine and processing facilities).
Preemptive Rights
The Peruvian Companies Law and the Yanacocha By-Laws provide preemptive rights to all partners of Yanacocha. In the event of a capital increase, any partner has a preemptive right to pay its pro rata share of such increase in order to maintain such partner's existing participation in Yanacocha.
In the event of a proposed transfer, exchange or sale, either voluntary or involuntary, of participation (collectively, the "Offered Participation") of one or more partners, any partner has a right to acquire the Offered Participation in proportion to its holdings of partners' capital. In the event that not all of the partners wish to exercise this right or some indicate their decision to acquire a smaller share than that to which they are entitled, the other partners will be entitled to an increase, and, consequently, the remaining participation will be distributed among them in proportion to such partners' capital participation and within the maximum limit of the participation they have stated their intention to acquire. Finally, any Offered Participation remaining unsubscribed by the partners must first be offered to Yanacocha before they may be offered to third parties.
Legal Proceedings
Choropampa.
In June 2000, a transport contractor of Yanacocha spilled approximately 151 kilograms of elemental mercury near the town of Choropampa, Peru, which is located 53 miles southwest of the mine. Elemental mercury is a by-product of gold mining and was sold to a Lima firm for use in medical instrumentation and industrial applications. A comprehensive health and environmental remediation program was undertaken by Yanacocha. In August 2000, Yanacocha paid under protest a fine of 1,740,000 Nuevos Soles (approximately $0.5 million) to the Peruvian government. Yanacocha entered into settlement agreements with a number of individuals impacted by the incident. In addition, it has entered into agreements with three of the communities impacted by this incident to provide a variety of public works as compensation for the disruption and inconvenience caused by the incident.On September 10, 2001, Yanacocha and other defendants were named in a lawsuit by over 900 Peruvian citizens in the Denver District Court for the State of Colorado in connection with the elemental mercury spill. This action seeks compensatory and punitive damages based on claims associated with the elemental mercury spill incident. This action was dismissed by the Denver District Court on May 22, 2002 and this ruling was reaffirmed by the Court on July 30, 2002. Plaintiffs' attorneys appealed this dismissal and in November 2003, the Colorado Court of Appeals remanded the matter for further review to the Denver District Court. In January 2004, Newmont and the other defendants filed a writ of Cetiorari requesting the Colorado Supreme Court to review the matter. In February 2005, Yanacocha filed an answer in the Denver District Court for the State of Colorado.
In July 2002, other lawsuits were instituted against Yanacocha and various other defendants in the Denver District Court for the State of Colorado and in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, by approximately 140 additional Peruvian plaintiffs and by the same plaintiffs who filed the September 2001 lawsuit. These actions also seek compensatory and punitive damages based on claims associated with the mercury spill incident. These lawsuits remain stayed pending further judicial action. In February 2005, Yanacocha filed a response to the complaint.
Additional lawsuits relating to the mercury spill incident were filed against Yanacocha in the local courts of Cajamarca, Peru, in May 2002 by over 900 Peruvian citizens. A significant number of the plaintiffs in these lawsuits previously have entered into settlement agreements with Yanacocha. In December 2003, the Superior Court in Cajamarca granted a resolution upholding the validity of certain challenged settlement agreements. This ruling has been appealed to the Peruvian Supreme Court.
Neither the Company nor Yanacocha can reasonably predict the final outcome of any of the above-described lawsuits.
As of December 31, 2004, Yanacocha has expensed approximately US$7.0 million for public works, remediation efforts, personal and community compensation and the fine, net of insurance refunds. Yanacocha cannot predict the likelihood of any additional expenditure related to this matter.
Cerro Quilish. The Provincial Municipality of Cajamarca enacted an ordinance declaring Cerro Quilish and its watershed to be a reserved and protected natural area. Cerro Quilish is an ore deposit which contains reserves of 3.854 million ounces and is located in the same watershed as the city of Cajamarca. Yanacocha challenged this ordinance on the grounds that, under Peruvian law, local governments lack authority to create such areas. The case was heard in early 2003, and on April 30, 2003, the Constitutional Tribunal held that because Yanacocha had acquired the mining concessions in the Cerro Quilish area many years prior to the adoption of the contested ordinance, its rights were not impacted by the ordinance. On May 8, 2003, the Constitutional Tribunal reaffirmed its ruling in this matter.
However, the Tribunal has required Yanacocha to complete and Yanacocha is committed to completing a full environmental impact study, conducted by independent and certified organizations or institutions, prior to initiating any development at Cerro Quilish, and will adopt mitigation measures necessary to protect the quality and quantity of the water supply of the City of Cajamarca. While the central government has the primary responsibility and the necessary technical expertise to regulate this matter, Yanacocha is also committed to working with the local government and other affected stakeholders in completing the required studies and designing and implementing any necessary mitigation measures.
On July 16, 2004, Yanacocha obtained the approval of its EA by the MEM, and was granted an exploration permit for Cerro Quilish. Although exploration activities began July 29, 2004, exploration activities were suspended on September 2, 2004 due to public opposition, which included a sustained blockade of the road between the City of Cajamarca and the mine site, to the exploration activities. During September 2004, individuals from the Cajamarca region conducted a sustained blockade of the road between the City of Cajamarca and the mine site, in protest of these exploration activities. Yanacocha suspended all drilling activities at Cerro Quilish and the blockade was resolved. At the request of Yanacocha, the Cerro Quilish drilling permit was revoked in November 2004. Yanacocha has reassessed the challenges involved in obtaining required permits for Cerro Quilish primarily related to increased community concerns. Based upon this reassessment, Yanacocha has reclassified 3.9 million ounces (1. 98 million equity ounces) of gold from proven and probable reserves to mineralized material not in reserves as of December 31, 2004.
Other than the legal proceeding described above, Yanacocha is involved in certain legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business, none of which individually or in the aggregate is material to Yanacocha or its operations. For information regarding the legal proceedings relating to the ownership of Yanacocha's equity, see "-The Company-History".
Management of Yanacocha
Executive Committee
Pursuant to the Yanacocha By-Laws, Yanacocha's Executive Committee consists of six members, all of whom are appointed by the partners of Yanacocha. Wayne W. Murdy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Newmont Mining Corporation has been appointed Chairman of Yanacocha's Executive Committee and Alberto Benavides de la Quintana, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, has been appointed as the Vice Chairman of Yanacocha's Executive Committee. The Vice Chairman has the power to preside over the meetings of Yanacocha's Executive Committee in the Chairman's absence. The members of the Executive Committee are elected for a three-year term but may continue in their positions until the next election takes place and the newly elected members accept their positions. Alternate members are elected in the same manner as members and can act in the place of a member with all of their authority when the member is unavailable except that an alternate member may not act as e ither Chairman or Vice Chairman of Yanacocha's Executive Committee. The Chairman has the right to cast the deciding vote in the event of a deadlock among Yanacocha's Executive Committee.
General Manager/Management Agreement
The Yanacocha By-Laws provide that the Yanacocha Partner's Meeting has the power to appoint and remove the Manager of Yanacocha; the Executive Committee has the power to appoint and revoke other officers of Yanacocha, determine their duties and compensation and grant and revoke powers of attorney. Newmont Peru was named as Yanacocha's Manager according to a publicly filed deed, and it continues to hold that position. Newmont Peru's duties as Manager are defined in the Management Contract (the "Management Contract"), dated February 28, 1992, as amended, between Yanacocha and Newmont Peru. Pursuant to the Management Contract, Newmont Peru is responsible for managing, conducting and controlling the day-to-day operations of Yanacocha and keeping Yanacocha's Executive Committee informed of all operations through the delivery of various written reports. The Management Contract was amended as of December 19, 2000. The amendment extends the term of the Management Contract for a period of 20 ye ars starting at the date of amendment and provides that it may be extended for additional terms of 20 years upon request by Newmont Peru. Newmont Peru, however, may cancel the Management Contract by giving six months' prior notice to Yanacocha. The Management Contract will be deemed terminated if, due to reasons attributable to bad management of Yanacocha, except for reasons beyond its control, Newmont Peru is unable to substantially complete the agreed work programs. In exchange for its services as Manager, Newmont Peru receives remuneration of US$2 per ounce of gold production and its equivalent for copper production paid on a quarterly basis, which amount is expected to cover the overhead and administrative expenses for the management of the operations. Also, Newmont Peru may charge Yanacocha for the salaries of employees of Newmont Peru or its affiliates who are directly involved in the operation of Yanacocha. In 2004, Yanacocha accrued fees of US$6.1 million owed to Newmont Peru and its affiliates under the Management Contract.
Control Over Major Corporate Events
See "-By-Laws of Yanacocha" above for a description of certain provisions of Peruvian law and of the Yanacocha By-Laws relating to control over major corporate events.
Preemptive Rights and Rights of First Refusal
See "-By-Laws of Yanacocha" above for a description of certain provisions of Peruvian law and of the Yanacocha By-Laws relating to preemptive rights and rights of first refusal.
Property, Plants and Equipment
The Company's Property
Introduction
The Company operates three mines (Julcani, Uchucchacua and Orcopampa) and has controlling interests in three mining companies which have controlling interests in the Ishihuinca, Antapite, Shila, Paula and Colquijirca mines. The Company also owns an electric power transmission company, an engineering services consulting company and has minority interests in several other mining companies including a significant ownership interest in Yanacocha. See "-The Company-Organizational Structure" and "-Intermediate Holding Companies, Subsidiaries and Equity Participations".
Effective March 2001, the Company temporarily suspended operations and decided to discontinue exploration efforts at the Recuperada mine and, as a result, all activity at the mine was temporarily suspended. In April 2004, the Company elected to resume exploration efforts at the Esperanza vein of the Recuperada mine due to an increase in the price of metals. Until March 30, 2002, the Company held, indirectly through Condesa and Cedimin, a 100 percent interest in Minera Huallanca. On such date, the Company transferred this interest to BHL-Perú S.A.C. through the sale of all of its shares in Minera Huallanca for US$2 million. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Critical Accounting Estimates". As of January 2, 2003, Minera Shila S.A.C. merged with and into Cedimin, increasing Buenaventura's and Condesa's, Cedimin's shareholders, their interests in Cedimin increased from 0.0009 percent and 99.9991 percent, respectively, to 44.83 percent and 55.17 percent, res pectively, after the merger. In addition, on October 22, 2004, Cedimin acquired a 100 percent equity interest in Mineras Aureas, which had a 49 percent interest in Minera Paula. As a result of this acquisition, Minera Paula became wholly owned by the Company. As of December 31, 2004, Mineras Aureas and Minera Paula merged with and into Cedimin and are no longer separate legal entities.
The Company's mining operations are located throughout Peru. The Company's Julcani mine is located in the province of Angaraes in the department of Huancavelica, approximately 500 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima. The Company's Uchucchacua mine is located in the province of Oyón in the department of Lima, approximately 265 kilometers northeast of the city of Lima. The Company's Orcopampa mine is located in the province of Castilla in the department of Arequipa, approximately 1,350 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima. The Company's Recuperada mine is located in the province of Huancavelica, in the department of Huancavelica, approximately 500 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima. The Ishihuinca mine, which is operated by a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, is located in the province of Caravelí in the department of Arequipa, approximately 780 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima. The Antapite mine, which is operated by a majority-owned subsidiary o f the Company, is located in the province of Huaytara in the department of Huancavelica, approximately 434 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima. The Shila mine, which is operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is located in the province of Castilla in the department of Arequipa, approximately 1,350 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima and 100 kilometers south of the Company's Orcopampa mine. The Paula mine, which is operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is located in the province of Castilla, approximately 1,400 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima and 140 kilometers south of the Orcopampa mine. The Colquijirca mine, which is operated by a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, is located approximately 285 kilometers east of Lima and 10 kilometers south of the city of Cerro de Pasco. The Yanacocha mine, in which the Company has a 43.65 percent interest, is located in the province and department of Cajamarca, approximately 900 kilometers north of Lima.
Operating Properties
Orcopampa
The Orcopampa mine is wholly owned and operated by the Company. The Company leases the rights to the mining concessions of Orcopampa from a group of private investors. This lease, which was renewed in September 2003 and expires in 2043, stipulates a payment from the Company equal to 10 percent of its net sales revenues. Operations started in the Orcopampa mine in 1965. In 2004, the Company made lease payments of US$6.6 million. The Company operated Orcopampa as a silver mine until the late 1980s, when the Company also began to mine gold-bearing veins. In December 1996, Orcopampa S.A., then owner and operator of the Orcopampa mine, merged into the Company. As a result of the merger, Orcopampa S.A. assigned, and the Company assumed, the right to the mining concessions of Orcopampa. At December 31, 2004, the net total fixed assets of Orcopampa were approximately S/.120.5 million (US$36.7 million).
The Orcopampa mine is located in the province of Castilla in the department of Arequipa, approximately 1,350 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima at an altitude of between 3,800 and 4,500 meters above sea level. Access is by a 192-kilometer unpaved public road, which connects to the Pan American highway, and by airstrip.
Mining at Orcopampa is conducted underground using mechanized cut-and-fill. Ore is processed at a mill located at Orcopampa. Until February 2004, the mill had a rated capacity of 1,200 dry short tons ("DST") per day and utilized both bulk flotation and gravity concentration processes.
Until February 2004, flotation concentrates were exported to different smelters around the world, while gravity concentrates were and are treated at Los Volcanes, a small cyanidation plant located next to the Orcopampa mill which has been in operation since 1989. Until the end of 2001, Los Volcanes produced gold/silver electrolytic precipitates which were smelted and refined in Lima and then sold to Johnson Matthey. During the second half of 2001, the Company installed a Merrill-Crowe circuit and a smelter which began operations in December of that year, allowing the Company to produce doré bars from the gold and silver precipitate produced in the cyanidation plant of Los Volcanes during 2002.
Positive results of exploration conducted in the Nazareno and Prometida veins, changes in the characteristics of the ore and results from metallurgical tests performed in 2002 have suggested the replacement of the flotation process with direct cyanidation of the ore. In January 2003, the Company initiated construction of a cyanidation circuit which commenced operations on a continuous basis in March 2004 and therefore eliminated the production of flotation concentrates. The cyanidation circuit includes a 70 foot thickener, six agitator tanks to which cyanide and activated carbon are added (Carbon in Leach process), and a carbon desorption circuit which includes an electrolytic cell for the recovery of gold and silver as precipitate. The Electrolytic and Merrill Crowe precipitates are smelted into doré bars prior to shipment.
Electric power is generated and supplied by a 3,900 kw hydroelectric plant and power line, connected to the Peruvian national electricity grid on September 12, 2002, owned by the Company and, when water is scarce, by a 3,976 kw diesel generator. Water for operations at Orcopampa is obtained from a lake and three rivers.
In 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Company continued exploration activities in the Nazareno vein, and 21 drill holes explored in the western and eastern section of the vein confirm that economically viable mineralization extends over that area. Another 7 drill holes explored in the eastern part of the Prometida vein indicate good ore shoots in both the Prometida and Nazareno veins. In addition, the development of the Prometida and Nazareno veins has led to the discovery of new mineral reserves and, in 2004, mineral reserves increased 23 percent in gold content reaching 1,080,890 DST of mineral with a minimum grade of 0.614 ounces of gold per short ton and 0.2 percent ounces of silver per short ton with a metallic content of 663,666 ounces of gold. To facilitate ventilation and access to the eastern region of Prometida, where ongoing reserve measurement and estimation efforts are being carried out, the Company finished construction of the "Mario" ramp. In addition, the Company has commenced construction on two additional ramps to facilitate access to ore reserves and resources at lower levels.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for the periods shown for Orcopampa, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
||||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Mining Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore mined (ST) |
255,350 |
349,350 |
350,951 |
393,210 |
431,241 |
Average gold grade (oz./t) |
0.405 |
0.451 |
0.527 |
0.504 |
0.518 |
Average silver grade (oz./t) |
1.50 |
0.63 |
0.13 |
0.20 |
0.34 |
Average copper grade |
0.03% |
0.013% |
- |
- |
- |
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz.) |
96,843 |
145,910 |
160,017 |
180,725 |
211,388 |
Silver (oz.) |
292,986 |
156,600 |
28,378 |
63,135 |
97,359 |
Copper (ST) |
59 |
40 |
- |
- |
- |
Recovery rate (gold) (%) |
90.4 |
92.6 |
86.5 |
86.5 |
93.7 |
Recovery rate (silver) (%) |
75.9 |
70.9 |
62.2 |
77.3 |
64.9 |
The increase in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 gold production was mainly due to the Company's exploration activities in the Nazareno vein and the development of the Prometida, Prosperidad and Lucy Piso veins. In 2004, the increase in gold production is primarily due to a considerable increase in the recovery of gold.
Uchucchacua
The Uchucchacua mine is wholly owned and operated by the Company. Operations started in 1975, and Uchucchacua is currently the Company's largest producer of silver. At December 31, 2004, the net total fixed assets of Uchucchacua were approximately S/.74.5 million (US$22.7 million).
Uchucchacua is located in the province of Oyón in the department of Lima, approximately 265 kilometers northeast of the city of Lima at an altitude of between 4,000 and 5,000 meters above sea level. Access is by an unpaved road, 145 kilometers in length, which connects to the Pan American highway.
Mining at Uchucchacua is conducted underground utilizing cut-and-fill stopping, shrinkage stopping, and sublevel stopping methods. Ore is processed at a mill located at Uchucchacua. The mill, which has a rated capacity of 2,250 DST per day and which had a 97.7 percent utilization rate in 2004, utilizes differential flotation to obtain a lead-silver concentrate and a zinc concentrate.
Electric power is generated by a Company-owned 3,400 kw hydroelectric plant and a 3,025 kw diesel generator. The Company utilizes a power line connecting Uchucchacua to the Peruvian national electricity grid and has electrical distribution facilities within the Uchucchacua mine. Water for operations at Uchucchacua is obtained from three lakes.
In 2001, the Company started construction to deepen the Luz shaft for the purpose of improving the extraction and transportation infrastructure of the mine. Construction continued in 2002 and the Company commenced operation of the Luz shaft in July 2003. During 2003, the Company completed the construction of a new 1.7 kilometers drainage tunnel, the Patón tunnel, which measures 4.5 kilometers from a point close to Lake Patón up to the main shaft and serves to explore the veins of the Plomopampa and Casualidad zones. On December 6, 2003, the Patón tunnel was connected to the Carmen mine. In addition to facilitating drainage, the Patón tunnel also improves ventilation and the output of hydroelectric power, reducing electric energy purchased from the national grid for pumping and ventilation by 7.2 MWH, electric energy generation by 1.6 MWH and decreasing the use of fuel-driven generator sets at peak hours. The implementation of the tunnel results in an annu al savings of US$1 million.
At the end of 2003, the Company commenced evaluating the possibility of recovering the silver value still contained in the final tails produced in the concentrator plants. Metallurgical investigations indicated that an additional five to eight percent of the silver value could be recovered by a cyanide leach of the silver bearing pyrite concentrate previously obtained by flotation of the final tails. Further metallurgical evaluations performed during 2004 indicated that cyanide leaching is very effective when applied to a bulk zinc-silver concentrate obtained by flotation of the lead-silver final tails flotation circuit. After cyanidation, a zinc concentrate may still be produced from the cyanidation residue. Due to encouraging results in the last quarter of 2004, the Company commenced engineering studies and the construction of a 300 metric tons per day cyandiation circuit, which is expected to commence operations by January 2006.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for the periods shown for Uchucchacua, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
||||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Mining Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore mined (ST) |
725,775 |
743,290 |
744,690 |
747,190 |
795,036 |
Average silver grade (oz./t) |
16.0 |
17.47 |
16.94 |
17.20 |
16.79 |
Average zinc grade (%) |
1.54 |
1.61 |
1.53 |
1.40 |
1.48 |
Average lead grade (%) |
1.06 |
1.20 |
1.19 |
1.09 |
1.13 |
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
Silver (oz.) |
8,710,424 |
9,780,260 |
9,387,091 |
9,575,605 |
9,832,393 |
Zinc (ST) |
7,344 |
7,789 |
7,759 |
6,216 |
7,477 |
Lead (ST) |
6,845 |
8,010 |
7,718 |
7,218 |
8,042 |
Recovery rate (silver) (%) |
74.8 |
75.3 |
74.4 |
74.4 |
73.67 |
The increase in silver production in 2004 was a consequence of the further development and exploitation of the Rosario ore body at the Carmen Mine and the Magaly and Rossana ore bodies at the Socorro mine.
Julcani
The Julcani mine is wholly owned and operated by the Company. The Company acquired Julcani in 1953 as its first operating mine. In November 1999, due to the depletion of gold and silver reserves, the Company was forced to suspend production in Julcani and carry out exploration activities only. In 2000, the Company started to carry out the actions required by the Environmental Shutdown Plan, or Plan de Cierre Ambiental, and undertook only limited exploration and minimal development efforts primarily in the Herminia zone in 2001. As a result, ore mined in the Herminia zone was primarily milled to produce copper and lead concentrates until 2003. In 2003, the Company initiated an exploration program in the Acchilla area. In 2004, the Company continued the exploration and initiated exploitation of ore with positive results. At December 31, 2004, total estimated ore reserves were 102,626 DST with 22.42 ounces of silver and 1.7 percent of lead per short ton. At December 31, 2004, the n et total fixed assets of Julcani were approximately S/.0.6 million (US$0.2 million).
Julcani is located in the province of Angaraes in the department of Huancavelica, approximately 500 kilometers southeast of Lima at an altitude of between 4,200 and 5,000 meters above sea level. Access is by a 195 kilometer unpaved public road, which connects to a paved public road, and by airstrip.
Run of mine ore is processed in a concentrator plant located 50 meters from the mine entrance. The ore is crushed and ground, and bulk flotation is used thereafter to obtain a silver-gold-lead concentrate. The plant has a rated capacity of 300 DST per day and had a 61.8 percent utilization rate in 2004.
Electric power is generated by three Conenhua hydroelectric plants. Power generation capacity from these plants is 800 kw (Huapa), 1,200 kw (Tucsipampa) and 760 kw (Ingenio), respectively. The Company also relies on the Peruvian national electricity grid through Electro Perú, Peru's national electric utility, for its remaining electrical power. Water for operations of Julcani is obtained from a creek, two springs and a lake.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for the periods shown for Julcani, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
||||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Mining Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore mined (ST) |
5,300 |
38,500 |
61,500 |
37,650 |
58,900 |
Average gold grade (oz./t) |
0.010 |
0.019 |
0.021 |
0.016 |
0.002 |
Average silver grade (oz./t) |
19.2 |
20.2 |
15.28 |
15.33 |
18.50 |
Average lead grade |
0.60 |
0.44 |
0.49 |
0.83 |
1.68 |
Average copper grade (%) |
0.37 |
0.60 |
0.51 |
0.40 |
0.17 |
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz.) |
30 |
452 |
820 |
415 |
59 |
Silver (oz.) |
95,077 |
715,216 |
833,481 |
526,516 |
1,019,743 |
Lead (ST) |
28 |
132 |
77 |
225 |
854 |
Copper (ST) |
17 |
191 |
271 |
104 |
83 |
Recovery rate (gold) (%) |
56.8 |
61.8 |
63.5 |
68.9 |
50.7 |
Recovery rate (silver) (%) |
92.9 |
92.0 |
88.7 |
91.2 |
93.7 |
The significant increase in silver production in 2004 reflected the increase in ore mined at Julcani as a result of new exploration of the Acchilla area.
Colquijirca
The Colquijirca mine is wholly owned by El Brocal. El Brocal was formed in 1956 and is engaged in the extraction, concentration and sale of concentrates of polymetallic minerals, mainly zinc, lead and silver. At of December 31, 2002, the Company held a 59.02 percent interest in Inversiones Colquijirca and a 32.83 percent interest in El Brocal's mining properties. Other unrelated mining investors hold the balance of the share capital of Inversiones Colquijirca. In January 2003, El Brocal conducted a US$1 million capital increase to finance the exploration of the Marcapunta deposit, reduction of the arsenic content and enhancement of the gold content of the deposit's copper resources. The Company participated in this capital share increase by exercising its and TCL's interest in El Brocal, through each of their interests in Inversiones Colquijirca, to invest approximately S/.1,500,000. As a result, the Company's interest in Inversiones Colquijirca increased from 59.02 percent to 59.90 pe rcent.
In addition, as a result of the stock dividends, which in the aggregate were equivalent to S/.2.9 million, distributed by the Company in November 2002 in the form of El Brocal shares, Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. became a sociedad anónima abierta (open stock company) in 2003. At December 31, 2004, the net total fixed assets of El Brocal were approximately S/.55.7 million (US$17.0 million).
The Colquijirca mine is located 285 kilometers east of the city of Lima and 10 kilometers south of the city of Cerro de Pasco. El Brocal produces zinc and lead/silver concentrates. The Colquijirca mine consists of three important polymetallic deposits: the Tajo Norte deposit, which contains zinc, silver and lead ore; the Marcapunta deposit, which contains an auriferous mineralization in breccia oxides, a non-arsenic copper chalcosite mineralization, and an arsenic copper enargite mineralization as a continuation of the mineralized mantles of the Marcapunta Norte; and the San Gregorio deposit, which contains zinc.
Mining is conducted through the open-pit method. El Brocal's zinc concentrate typically contains 50 percent zinc, while its lead concentrate typically contains 60 percent lead. The concentrates are sold locally and also exported to Europe and Asia (primarily Korea and China) for refining. El Brocal is currently completing necessary permitting requirements to expand the mill located at Colquijirca to increase treatment capacity to 4,000 DST per day and such increase is estimated to be fully commissioned by the third quarter of 2005. The mill had a 100 percent utilization rate in 2004.
The Colquijirca mine primarily relies on a power line, connected to the Peruvian national electricity grid in November 2002, for its electrical power.
El Brocal is continuing with its waste removal campaign at the Tajo Norte deposit to increase the extraction of ore and to permit the eventual joining of the Principal and Mercedes Norte open pit mines. In 2001, El Brocal initiated an intensive exploration program, financed by a capital increase in 2002 at the Marcapunta deposit, to confirm mineral resources and find possible extensions. In 2002, exploration revealed gold-bearing arsenic copper resources in the Marcapunta deposit. El Brocal's production greatly increased in 2003 to 1,409,104 short tons of ore, a growth of 6.5 percent from 2002. In 2004, El Brocal achieved a record ore throughput of 1,492,554 DST, representing a 5.9% increase from 2003.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for the Colquijirca mine calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
||||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Mining Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore mined (ST) |
1,059,067 |
1,218,742 |
1,322,942 |
1,409,104 |
1,492,569 |
Average silver grade (oz./t) |
3.4 |
4.2 |
2.59 |
2.93 |
3.23 |
Average zinc grade (%) |
5.50 |
5.50 |
5.94 |
5.55 |
5.82 |
Average lead grade (%) |
2.30 |
2.20 |
2.24 |
2.32 |
2.89 |
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
Silver (oz.) |
1,833,432 |
3,453,796 |
2,420,034 |
2,895,735 |
3,399,130 |
Zinc (ST) |
46,546 |
50,034 |
60,968 |
61,733 |
63,448 |
Lead (ST) |
17,143 |
16,918 |
19,484 |
21,766 |
27,069 |
Recovery rate (silver) in zinc (%) |
29.55 |
26.29 |
28.07 |
26.67 |
26.07 |
Recovery rate (zinc) (%) |
79.30 |
74.61 |
77.63 |
78.89 |
73.0 |
Recovery rate (silver) in lead (%) |
51.02 |
44.88 |
42.71 |
43.49 |
44.46 |
Recovery rate (lead) (%) |
70.67 |
64.06 |
65.85 |
66.50 |
62.82 |
The increase in silver production in 2004 was mainly due to the higher head grades in ore reserves and increased ore production in 2004.
Ishihuinca
In 1985, the Company purchased 51.0 percent of Inminsur, the owner and operator of the Ishihuinca mine. As a result of subsequent purchases of shares of Inminsur, the Company currently owns 78.04 percent of Inminsur. Inminsur has leased the rights to the mining concessions of Ishihuinca from a third party. The lease agreement, which expires in 2015, stipulates payment by Inminsur to the lessor of a royalty of 7 percent of the price of the concentrates sold. In 2004, Ishihuinca paid US$650,000 in royalties. At December 31, 2004, the net total fixed assets of Ishihuinca were approximately S/.6.5 million (US$1.9 million).
The Ishihuinca mine is located in the province of Caravelí in the department of Arequipa, approximately 780 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level. Access is by the Pan American highway.
Mining is conducted underground utilizing the conventional cut-and-fill stopping method. Ore is processed at a mill located at Ishihuinca. The mill, which has a rated capacity of 200 DST per day and which had a 75 percent utilization rate in 2004, utilizes bulk flotation and gravity concentration processes. The bulk flotation process produces a copper/gold concentrate, which is exported to a smelter, and a gold bearing pyrite concentrate. The gravity concentrates, from the gravity concentration processes, are treated by cyanidation and vat leaching. The dissolved gold obtained from the cyanidation of the gold bearing pyrite concentrate and gravity concentrate is precipitates on zinc dust (Merrill-Crowe process) and the resulting cyanidation electrolytic precipitates are refined in Lima and then sold to Johnson Matthey. The mill at the Ishihuinca mine was last modernized and expanded to operate at its current capacity in 1993.
Electric power is generated by three electric generators, with a capacity of 709 kw, 804 kw and 800 kw, respectively. Water for operations at Ishihuinca is obtained from nearby wells.
Exploration conducted in 2002 and 2003 indicated economically viable mineralization at Ishihuinca, suggesting that, although ore deposits at the mine seemed depleted, it may still contain reserves that warrant aggressive exploration. In 2003, the Company initiated an exploration program in the Córdova area, located 2 kilometers north of the Company's Ishihuinca operations with positive results. In 2004, the Company identified the Prolongación Córdova vein in the Cordova area with with underground workings of 2,110 meters and an estimated 5,765 metric tons at 14.56 grams per ton of gold with an average thickness of 0.85 meters. In 2005, the Company plans to conduct additional underground workings.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for the periods shown for Ishihuinca, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
||||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Mining Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore mined (ST) |
42,418 |
20,337 |
38,416 |
57,463 |
60,213 |
Average gold grade (oz./t) |
0.282 |
0.560 |
0.480 |
0.508 |
0.474 |
Average copper grade (%) |
0.34 |
0.28 |
0.31 |
0.41 |
0.345 |
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz.) |
9,895 |
9,770 |
15,694 |
25,287 |
24,505 |
Copper (ST) |
128 |
46 |
89 |
194 |
169 |
Zinc (ST) |
46,546 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Lead (ST) |
17,143 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Recovery rate (gold) (%) |
82.86 |
85.70 |
85.11 |
86.62 |
85.80 |
The increase in the production of gold in 2002 was mainly due to the increase in the grade of gold produced since 2001. The increase in production in 2003 was mainly due to higher levels of tonnage placed in leach pads and the higher level of head grade of ore placed. In 2004, despite increased levels of tonnage placed in leach pads, the quantity of gold recovered decreased due to a reduction in the grade of ore placed.
Antapite
The Antapite mine is wholly owned by the Company. However, the Company has leased the mine until July 2015 to Inminsur, which is 78.04 percent owned by the Company and 21.96 percent owned by Brandon Properties Inc., a Panamanian corporation. Brandon Properties Inc. acquired 280,824 shares and 335,754 shares, collectively representing 21.96 percent, of Inminsur from Bernando Alvarez Calderon and Boris de la Piedra, respectively on December 26, 2003. At December 31, 2004, the net total fixed assets of Antapite were approximately S/.68.3 million (US$20.8 million).
Antapite is located in the province of Huaytará, in the department of Huancavelica, approximately 434 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima at an altitude of approximately 3,400 meters above sea level. The mine is accessed primarily by the Panamerican Highway and local roads. The Antapite mine consists of 20,800 hectares and Inminsur has identified epithermal vein gold deposits containing an estimated 400,000 tons of gold ore, with average grades of 0.5 ounces per ton. The Zorro Rojo and Reyna veins are the main source of ore reserves and development efforts are focused on these veins. Inminsur has initiated exploration of the Pampeñita and Antapite veins, which run parallel and close to the Zorro Rojo vein, and is also conducting exploration to confirm the presence of important drill intersections in the Reyna vein located two kilometers from the Zorro Rojo vein.
Mining is conducted underground utilizing the conventional cut-and-fill stopping method. Ore is processed at a cyanidation plant located at Antapite. The plant, which was completed in June 2001 with capacity for 300 DST per day, has had capacity of 450 DST per day since May 2003. The plant had a 100 percent utilization rate in 2004.
The Antapite mine obtains approximately 98.5 percent of its electric power through the Peruvian national electricity grid and the remaining power through Electrical Supplier Machine Sultzer. Water for operations at Antapite is obtained from an underground drainage system.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for the periods shown for Antapite, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
|||
|
2001 (1) |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Mining Operations: |
|
|
|
|
Ore mined (ST) |
60.178 |
121,161 |
155,494 |
179,785 |
Average gold grade (oz./t) |
0.64 |
0.60 |
0.59 |
0.57 |
Average silver grade (oz./t) |
1.60 |
1.33 |
0.94 |
0.74 |
Production: |
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz.) |
34,607 |
72,380 |
84,361 |
97,137 |
Silver (oz.) |
55,304 |
98,121 |
91,492 |
86,162 |
Recovery rate (gold) (%) |
89.4 |
92.90 |
91.80 |
94.40 |
Recovery rate (silver) (%) |
57.5 |
60.00 |
62.50 |
64.50 |
_______________
(1) Mining operations started in July 2001.
The increase in 2004 in gold production was mainly due to higher levels of tonnage placed in leach pads.
Shila
Minera Shila S.A.C. ("Minera Shila") owned 100 percent of the Shila mining operation and held, directly and indirectly, through Condesa, a 100 percent equity interest in Minera Shila. As of January 2, 2003, Minera Shila merged with and into Cedimin and is no longer a separate legal entity. Cedimin operates the Shila mine, which began production in 1989. At December 31, 2004, the net total fixed assets of the Shila mining operation were approximately S/.10.4 million (US$3.2 million).
In December 2000, Ampato was integrated into Minera Shila and is no longer a separate legal entity. As a result, Cedimin now holds the properties formerly held by Ampato, including 936.3 hectares of mining rights in the Arhuiera community (Orcopampa district). The Shila mine will continue to explore gold and silver veins in this mining area.
The Shila mine is located in the province of Castilla in the department of Arequipa, approximately 1,350 kilometers southeast of Lima and 25 kilometers south of the Orcopampa mining operation at an altitude of between 4,650 and 5,400 meters above sea level. Access is by a 250-kilometer unpaved road.
Due to the high cost of transportation and smelting of the concentrates, the Company installed a small cyanidation plant at the Shila mine, which entered into operation in August of 2001 with a net capacity of 3,200 MT per year.
Mining is conducted underground utilizing the conventional cut-and-fill stopping method. Ore is processed at a mill located at the Shila mine with a rated capacity of 250 DST per day. The mill had a 45.72 percent utilization rate in 2004. The mill utilizes bulk flotation and gravity concentration processes. Flotation concentrates are exported to smelters. Gravity concentrates are treated by cyanidation and vat leaching at the Shila mine, and the resulting cyanidation electrolytic precipitates are refined in Lima and then sold to Buenaventura and BHL. The mill at the Shila mine was last modernized and expanded to operate at its current capacity in 2000.
Electric power for Shila is provided by four diesel generators, two with a capacity of 650 kw, one with a capacity of 1,135 kw and one with a capacity of 1,600 kw, and power line, connected to the Peruvian national electricity grid on April 9, 2003. Water for operations at Shila is obtained from runoff from a snow peak.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for the periods shown for Shila, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
||||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Mining Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore mined (ST) |
51,670 |
52,633 |
52,015 |
50,085 |
41,151 |
Average gold grade (oz./t) |
0.47 |
0.47 |
0.45 |
0.38 |
0.38 |
Average silver grade (oz./t) |
7.4 |
7.9 |
11.7 |
13.80 |
17.50 |
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz.) |
23,510 |
23,618 |
21,947 |
17,772 |
14,086 |
Silver (oz.) |
346,469 |
350,969 |
479,415 |
592,261 |
587,181 |
Recovery rate (gold) (%) |
97.30 |
96.10 |
93.35 |
94.10 |
90.0 |
Recovery rate (silver) (%) |
90.20 |
86.60 |
78.78 |
85.70 |
81.3 |
The decrease in 2004 in gold production was mainly due to a reduction in the quantity of ore milled.
Paula
Minera Paula owned 100 percent of the Paula mining operation. Prior to October 22, 2004, Minera Aureas S.A. held a 49 percent interest in Minera Paula and the Company held the remaining 51 percent interest through Cedimin. On October 22, 2004, Cedimin acquired a 100 percent equity interest in Inversiones Mineras Aureas S.A.C. ("Mineras Aureas") and Minera Paula became wholly owned by the Company. As of December 31, 2004, Mineras Aureas S.A.C. and Minera Paula merged with and into Cedimin and are no longer separate legal entities. As of January 1, 2005, Paula's operating data will be consolidated with Shila's operating data. As of December 31, 2004, the net total fixed assets of Minera Paula were approximately S/.3.0 million (US$0.9 million).
The Paula mine is located in the province of Castilla in the department of Arequipa, approximately 1,400 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima and 140 kilometers south of the Orcopampa mining operation, at an altitude of between 5,000 and 5,400 meters above sea level. Access is by a 300 kilometer highway from Arequipa.
Mining is conducted underground utilizing the conventional fill ascending method. After being processed at the Shila processing plant, the concentrates are sold to the Company and then are treated by cyanidation and vat leaching. The resulting precipitates are refined in Lima and then sold to Johnson Matthey. The Shila processing plant was last modernized and expanded to operate at its current capacity in 2000.
Two diesel generators, each with an 65 kw installed capacity provide Minera Paula with electric power. The water for operations at Paula is obtained from runoff from a snowpeak.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for Paula, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
|||||
Mining Operations: |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Ore mined (ST) |
8,006 |
9,689 |
9,512 |
14,880 |
16,831 |
|
Average gold grade (oz./t) |
0.79 |
0.88 |
0.62 |
0.73 |
0.645 |
|
Average silver grade (oz./t) |
6.90 |
6.91 |
5.33 |
4.83 |
4.83 |
|
Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz.) |
6,057 |
8,175 |
6,632 |
10.867 |
10,387 |
|
Silver (oz.) |
48,255 |
59,309 |
54,658 |
68,914 |
73,594 |
|
Recovery rate (gold) (%) |
92.80 |
95.30 |
93.40 |
95.80 |
94.80 |
|
Recovery rate (silver) (%) |
84.10 |
88.60 |
86.90 |
91.40 |
89.00 |
____________
The increase in silver production in 2004 was mainly due to higher levels of tonnage placed in leach pads and the higher level of head grade of ore placed.
Huallanca
Minera Huallanca owns the Pucarrajo mining operation. Minera Huallanca was a wholly owned subsidiary of Cedimin until March 31, 2002, on which date the Company sold its interest in Minera Huallanca to BHL-Perú S.A.C.
The Pucarrajo mine is located in the province of Bolognesi, in the department of Ancash, approximately 441 kilometers northeast of the city of Lima at an altitude of between 4,300 and 4,700 meters above sea level. Access to the mine is by a 350 kilometer paved highway.
Mining is conducted underground by the mechanical dynamic reduction method. The minerals are processed in a concentration mill located 8 kilometers from the mine. The mill, which has a treatment capacity of 500 DST per day, produces lead, silver and zinc concentrates that are exported to smelters overseas. The mill had a 82.8 percent utilization rate until March 2002.
Electric power is generated by a diesel power generator with a 650 kw capacity and water for the operations is obtained from small lakes in the area.
Set forth below are certain unaudited operating data for Minera Huallanca, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of the mine's production.
|
Year Ending December 31, |
|||
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining Operations: |
|
|
|
|
Ore mined (ST) |
95,660 |
146,079 |
41,080 |
|
Average silver grade (oz./t) |
4.33 |
2.54 |
2.57 |
|
Average zinc grade |
8.95% |
8.60% |
8.95% |
|
Average lead grade |
2.03% |
0.94% |
0.52% |
|
Production: |
|
|
|
|
Silver (oz.) |
312,262 |
215,498 |
45,196 |
|
Zinc (ST) |
7,027 |
11,590 |
3,420 |
|
Lead (ST) |
1,536 |
1,083 |
154 |
|
Recovery rate (silver) (%) |
67.58 |
58.10 |
42.81 |
|
Recovery rate (zinc) (%) |
90.44 |
92.25 |
93.02 |
|
Recovery rate (lead) (%) |
87.11 |
78.87 |
72.09 |
____________
(1) Data until March 31, 2002, when the Company sold its interest in Huallanca.
Reserves
The Company calculates its ore reserves by methods generally applied within the mining industry and in accordance with Commission Regulation S-X, Rule 4-10. All mineral reserves are estimated quantities of proven and probable ore that under present and anticipated conditions may be economically mined and processed.
The proven and probable ore reserve figures presented in this Annual Report are estimates of the Company and Yanacocha, and no assurance can be given that the indicated level of recovery of gold, silver and certain other metals will be realized. See "Item 3. Key Information-Risk Factors-Reserves Estimates".
The term "proven reserves" means ore reserves for which (a) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes, and grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling, and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established. The term "probable reserves" means ore reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.
The following table lists the proven and probable ore reserves at December 31, 2004 for each mining operation in which the Company has at least a 50 percent interest as well as the average grade of such ore, calculated on the basis of 100 percent of each mine's reserves and US$350 per ounce of gold and US$5.25 per ounce of silver.
Proven and Probable Ore Reserves at December 31, 2004(1)
|
Julcani |
Uchucchacua |
Orcopampa |
Colquijirca |
Ishihuinca |
Antapite |
Shila |
Paula |
Total/Average |
Ore Reserves (ST) |
102,625 |
3,961,710 |
1,080,890 |
9,730,660 |
65,863 |
478,437 |
13,712 |
73,986 |
15,507,883 |
Grade: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz./t) |
- |
- |
0.614 |
- |
0.439 |
0.412 |
0.344 |
0.507 |
0.060 |
Silver (oz./t) |
22.42 |
17.02 |
0.25 |
2.60 |
- |
- |
15.10 |
3.50 |
6.18 |
Copper (%) |
0.17 |
- |
- |
0.07 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.045 |
Zinc (%) |
- |
1.99 |
- |
6.02 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4.29 |
Lead (%) |
1.17 |
1.51 |
- |
2.28 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1.82 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz.) |
- |
- |
663,666 |
- |
28,914 |
197,116 |
4,717 |
37,511 |
931,924 |
Silver (oz.) |
2,300,853 |
67,428,304 |
270,223 |
25,397,023 |
- |
- |
207,051 |
258,951 |
95,862,405 |
Copper (ST) |
174 |
- |
- |
6,811 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6,985 |
Zinc (ST) |
- |
78,838 |
- |
585,786 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
664,624 |
Lead (ST) |
1,201 |
59,822 |
- |
221,859 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
282,882 |
______________
Seven underground mines and one open pit mine, Colquijirca, comprise the Company's mining operations. Since establishing significant amount of reserves in underground mines requires costly and extensive exploration programs, the Company, in order to control costs, has traditionally pursued an exploration and development program in its mines designed to establish an amount of reserves sufficient to permit the steady production of minerals over an extended period of time. The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of production of ore, gold and silver and the average grade of gold and silver for each of the Company's eight mines for the ten-year period ended December 31, 2004, calculated in each case on the basis of 100 percent of the relevant mine's production.
|
Julcani |
Uchucchacua |
Orcopampa |
Colquijirca |
Ishihuinca |
Antapite |
Shila |
Paula |
Total |
Ore mined |
58,900 |
795,036 |
431,242 |
1,492,569 |
60,213 |
179,785 |
41,151 |
16,831 |
3,075,727 |
Gold produced (oz.) |
59 |
- |
211,388 |
- |
24,505 |
97,137 |
14,086 |
10,387 |
357,562 |
Average Gold Grade |
0.002 |
- |
0.513 |
- |
0.474 |
0.570 |
0.380 |
0.645 |
0.123 |
Silver produced (oz.) |
1,019,743 |
9,832,393 |
97,359 |
3,399,130 |
- |
86,162 |
587,181 |
73,594 |
15,095,562 |
Average silver |
18.50 |
16.79 |
0.34 |
3.23 |
- |
0.74 |
17.5 |
4.83 |
6.61 |
Yanacocha's Properties
Operating Properties
For operating data (including ore mined, average gold grade of ore mined and gold production) for each of Yanacocha's operating properties and a description of how ore is processed and the source of electricity and water for each of Yanacocha's operating properties, see "-Yanacocha-Overview" and "-Description of Yanacocha's Operations".
Carachugo
Carachugo is a 90-hectare gold deposit with a leach pad that covers approximately 332 hectares. Carachugo, Yanacocha's first mine, commenced operations in August 1993. Mining is conducted by the open-pit method. Carachugo has one ore processing facility.
Maqui Maqui
Maqui Maqui is a 75-hectare gold deposit with a leach pad covering 67 hectares, located five kilometers northeast of the Carachugo pit. Mining operations at Maqui Maqui began in October 1994 and used the open-pit mining method. Although mining operations at Maqui Maqui ceased in September 2000, gold recovery from the leach pad continues.
San José
San José is a 100-hectare gold deposit, located one a half kilometers southwest of the Carachugo pit, that shares the leach pad located at Carachugo. Mining operations at San José began in January 1996 and used the open-pit mining method. Mining operations at San José temporarily ceased in the last quarter of 2002.
Cerro Yanacocha
Cerro Yanacocha is a 247-hectare gold deposit (ultimate pit) with a leach pad covering approximately 315 hectares. The Cerro Yanacocha pit is located two kilometers northwest of the Carachugo pit. Operations began in the fourth quarter of 1997 using the open-pit mining method and include a Merrill Crowe-type processing facility.
La Quinua
La Quinua is a 376-hectare gold deposit (ultimate pit) with a leach pad covering 336 hectares. The La Quinua pit is located three kilometers southwest of the Yanacocha pit. Operations began in the fourth quarter of 2001 using the open-pit mining method and all ore processing occurs at the Yanacocha plant following treatment at the La Quinua carbon column facility.
The La Quinua mining operation includes Cerro Negro, a 15 hectare gold deposit (ultimate pit) which is located six kilometers southwest of the La Quinua pit. Cerro Negro utilizes the La Quinua leach pad. Operations began in the second quarter of 2004 using the open-pit mining method and all ore processing occurs at the Yanacocha plant following treatment at the La Quinua carbon column facility.
China Linda
In October 1999, the Company commenced lime production at the China Linda plant, which is located 12 kilometers to the northeast of the Yanacocha installations, in Cajamarca. Access to the plant from Yanacocha is by a ten kilometer private, unpaved road. The Company had 100 percent ownership of China Linda until December 19, 2000, at which date the plant became Yanacocha's property pursuant to the unitization of the Company's and Newmont Mining's properties in Northern Peru. In January 2002, Yanacocha took over the operation of the China Linda plant. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-History and Development". Lime is used in the gold and silver mining process to regulate the alkalinity of the cyanide solutions in the leaching process and for pH control in water treatment applications. Currently, the plant has a production capacity of 66,000 tons of lime per year. Additionally, construction gravel is obtained as a sub-product.
Reserves
Proven and probable reserves are based on extensive drilling, sampling, mine modeling and metallurgical testing from which economic feasibility is determined. Under the Management Contract, Newmont Mining, in conjunction with Yanacocha, calculates Yanacocha reserves by methods generally applied within the mining industry and in accordance with the regulations of the Commission. Reserves represent estimated quantities of proven and probable ore that under present and anticipated conditions may be economically mined and processed.
The following table lists Yanacocha's proven and probable reserves and the average grade of ore as of December 31 for 2000 through 2004. The table also includes proven and probable reserves for the district of Yanacocha and Minas Congas, along with average grade of ore. Calculations with respect to the estimates of proven and probable reserves are based on a gold price of US$350 per ounce as of December 31, 2004, US$325 per ounce as of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 and US$300 per ounce as of December 31, 2000. Minas Conga's copper reserves for 2004 were calculated at a price of $0.90 per pound as of December 31, 2004. The district of Yanacocha's and Minas Conga's proven and probable reserves represent the total quantity of ore to be extracted from the deposits, allowing for mining efficiencies and ore dilution. Ounces of gold and pounds of copper in the district of Yanacocha's and Minas Conga's proven and probable reserves are calculated prior to any losses during metallurgical treatmen t.
Proven and Probable Reserves at December 31, 2004 |
Proven and Probable Reserves at December 31, 2003 |
Proven and Probable Reserves at December 31, 2002 |
|||||||
Tonnage(1) (thousands of dry short tons) |
Average Gold Grade (oz./dry short ton) |
Ounces Contained (thousands of ounces) |
Tonnage(1) (thousands ofdry short tons) |
Average Gold Grade (oz./dry short ton) |
Ounces Contained (thousands of ounces) |
Tonnage(1) (thousands ofdry short tons) |
Average Gold Grade (oz./dry short ton) |
Ounces Contained (thousands of ounces) |
|
Maqui Maqui----.. |
5,694 |
0.025 |
141 |
||||||
Quecher |
- |
- |
- |
1,128 |
0.037 |
43 |
- |
- |
- |
Antonio |
- |
- |
- |
2,186 |
0.050 |
109 |
- |
- |
- |
Cerro Quilish |
- |
- |
- |
143,431 |
0.027 |
3,855 |
135,481 |
0.027 |
3,690 |
Cerro Negro |
253 |
0.031 |
8 |
20,329 |
0.032 |
643 |
19,034 |
0.033 |
626 |
Carachugo |
66,405 |
0.042 |
2,777 |
63,976 |
0.043 |
2,762 |
71,795 |
0.040 |
2,898 |
San José |
10,818 |
0.020 |
213 |
9,475 |
0.021 |
198 |
6,054 |
0.022 |
131 |
Cerro Yanacocha |
257,363 |
0.032 |
8,328 |
311,979 |
0.031 |
9,783 |
366,868 |
0.029 |
10,807 |
La Quinua |
275,157 |
0.027 |
7,388 |
372,739 |
0.025 |
9,395 |
419,597 |
0.027 |
11,491 |
Corimayo |
58,425 |
0.051 |
3,006 |
54,442 |
0.054 |
2,955 |
21,661 |
0.056 |
1,220 |
In process |
60,860 |
0.028 |
1,685 |
67,363 |
0.029 |
1,966 |
58,682 |
0.030 |
1,742 |
Subtotal Yanacocha/avg |
734,974 |
0.032 |
23,547 |
1,047,049 |
0.030 |
31,710 |
1,099,172 |
0.030 |
32,605 |
Subtotal Minas Conga/avg. |
371,110 |
0.023 |
8,711 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Total/average |
1,106,084 |
0.029 |
32,257 |
1,047,049 |
0.030 |
31,710 |
1,099,172 |
0.030 |
32,605 |
Proven and Probable Reserves at December 31, 2001 |
Proven and Probable Reserves at December 31, 2000 |
||||||||
Tonnage(1) (thousands of dry short tons) |
Average Gold Grade (oz./dry short ton) |
Ounces Contained (thousands of ounces) |
Tonnage(1) (thousands of dry short tons) |
Average Gold Grade (oz./dry short ton) |
Ounces Contained (thousands of ounces) |
||||
Cerro Quilish |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||
Cerro Negro |
137,736 |
0.027 |
3,700 |
118,888 |
0.027 |
3,251 |
|||
Carachugo |
19,494 |
0.032 |
631 |
23,976 |
0.028 |
682 |
|||
Maqui Maqui |
76,986 |
0.039 |
2,993 |
141,460 |
0.033 |
4,732 |
|||
San José |
6,484 |
0.021 |
139 |
7,589 |
0.025 |
192 |
|||
Cerro Yanacocha |
486,001 |
0.027 |
13,045 |
23,388 |
0.019 |
453 |
|||
La Quinua |
456,766 |
0.027 |
12,533 |
534,946 |
0.026 |
14,058 |
|||
In process |
- |
- |
- |
455,522 |
0.026 |
12,039 |
|||
Subtotal Yanacocha/avg |
1,183,467 |
0.028 |
33,041 |
1,305,769 |
0.027 |
35,407 |
|||
Subtotal Minas Conga /avg |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||
Total/avg |
1,183,467 |
0.028 |
33,041 |
1,305,769 |
0.027 |
35,407 |
|||
_____________________
As of December 31, 2004, Yanacocha's proven and probable reserves (excluding Minas Conga's proven and probable reserves) were estimated to be 23.5 million ounces of gold, a 25.8 percent decrease from Yanacocha's proven and probable reserves at December 31, 2003, which were estimated to be 31.7 million ounces of gold. The decrease in reserves of gold was mainly due to the depletion of 3.9 million ounces of gold due to mining, the reclassification of 4.2 million ounces of gold reserves (3.9 million ounces from the Cerro Quilish deposit and 0.3 million ounces from the Cerro Negro deposit) as Mineralized Material not in Reserve ("NRM") and an increase of 1.6 million ounces of gold reserves, partially off-set by the depletion of 1.7 million ounces of gold reserves, due to an increases in the price of gold, increased costs, increased royalties for new pits and updated grade and recovery models. As of December 31, 2004, Minas Conga's proven and probable reserves were estimated to be 8.7 million ounces of gold and 2.2 billion pounds of copper. Minas Conga reported no proven and probable reserves as of December 31, 2003. The increase in reserves of gold and copper was due to the reclassification of gold to NRM. Therefore, as of December 31, 2004, the district of Yanacocha's total proven and probable reserves (including Minas Conga) were estimated to be 32.3 million ounces of gold, representing a 1.7% percent increase over the district of Yanacocha's total proven and probable reserves, which were estimated to be 31.7 million ounces of gold as of December 31, 2003. The Yanacocha District's total proven and probable reserves of copper were 2.2 billion pounds as of December 31, 2004.
As of December 31, 2004, Yanacocha's gold NRM was 5.9 million ounces, representing a 64 percent increase from Yanacocha's gold NRM of 3.6 million ounces as of December 31, 2003. Newmont Mining has not quoted silver reserves at Yanacocha for the last year due to recovery issues.
Based on the current recovery rate and estimated production levels in 2005, Yanacocha's proven and probable reserves as of December 31, 2004 will be depleted by 2016 unless Yanacocha continues to add to its reserves. Yanacocha expects to add to its reserves by further exploration and development of its non-reserve mineralized material. Yanacocha's management believes that its prospective land positions and mining concessions provide it with potential for future exploration and growth in its non-reserve mineralized material and reserves. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Yanacocha-Exploration and Development Costs; Capital Expenditures".
ITEM 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
THE COMPANY
Introduction
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company Financial Statements as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The Company Financial Statements are prepared and presented in accordance with Peruvian GAAP, which differ in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 39 to the Company Financial Statements provides a description of the principal differences between Peruvian GAAP and U.S. GAAP, as such differences relate to the Company, and Note 40 to the Company Financial Statements provides a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of the Company's net income for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2003 and 2004. The Company presents its financial statements in constant Nuevos Soles.
Operating Results
General
Overview. The Company was established in 1953 and is one of Peru's leading producers of gold, silver and other metals. The Company's consolidated financial statements comprise all the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, which include: (i) the Julcani, Uchucchacua and Orcopampa mining units; (ii) the Colquijirca, Antapite, Ishihuinca, Shila and Paula mines, which are owned through consolidated subsidiaries; (iii) Chaupiloma, which receives a royalty payment from Yanacocha; (iv) Condesa, which is mainly a holding company for investments in the Company, Yanacocha and other affiliated mining companies; (v) Conenhua, which is mainly engaged in the transmission of electric power to Yanacocha and other mining companies; and (vi) several other subsidiaries.
Yanacocha. A substantial part of the Company's net income before income tax was derived from its equity interest in Yanacocha. The Company has a 43.65 percent equity participation in Yanacocha through Condesa. The Company's interest in Yanacocha's partnership's equity is accounted for under the equity method and is included under the caption "Investments" on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. According to International Accounting Standard 27, the Company makes the appropriate adjustments to the Yanacocha Financial Statements prepared under Peruvian GAAP for like transactions and events in order to determine its equity share in Yanacocha.
Results of operations. The primary factors affecting the Company's results of operations are (i) the amount of gold, silver and zinc produced and sold by the Company; (ii) prevailing world market prices for gold, silver and zinc; (iii) commercial terms with respect to the sale of ore concentrates; (iv) the Company's operating expenses; and (v) the exchange rate between the Nuevo Sol and the U.S. Dollar, as the revenues of the Company are almost entirely denominated in U.S. Dollars, while the Company's operating expenses are primarily denominated in Nuevos Soles.
Gold, silver and zinc price hedging. The Company's revenues and earnings are strongly influenced by world market prices for gold, silver and zinc that fluctuate widely and over which the Company has no control. Depending upon the metal markets and other conditions, the Company may from time to time hedge its gold, silver and zinc sales in order to decrease its exposure to fluctuations in the price of these metals. Since 1998, the Company's hedging strategy has focused on long-term position-taking on the price of precious metals.
The Company regularly examines its strategy with regard to hedging. The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Commercial Deputy Manager of the Company coordinate the Company's day-to-day hedging activities according to a policy established with the Board of Directors. See "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk", "Item 3. Key Information-Risk Factors-Factors Relating to the Company-Hedging" and Note 35 to the Company Financial Statements.
Operating costs and expenses. Operating costs and expenses consist of (i) operating costs, which are direct production costs, the major component of operating expenses; (ii) exploration and development costs in operational mining sites; (iii) depreciation and amortization expenses; (iv) exploration costs in non-operational mining areas; (v) general and administrative expenses, which principally consist of personnel expenses; (vi) royalties, which consist of payments to third parties and the Peruvian government to operate leased mining rights; (vii) selling expenses, which principally consist of freight expenses; and (viii) assets impairment loss and write-off.
Inflation and devaluation of the Nuevo Sol. As the revenues of the Company are almost entirely denominated in U.S. Dollars, a devaluation of the Nuevo Sol would result in an increase of the Company's revenues when measured in Nuevos Soles. As the operating expenses are primarily denominated in Nuevos Soles, high inflation rates would likely result in an increase of the Company's costs when measured in Nuevos Soles. Therefore, when inflation in Peru is not off-set by a corresponding devaluation of the Nuevo Sol relative to the U.S. Dollar, the Company's financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected.
Until December 31, 2004, Peruvian GAAP required the restatement of assets and liabilities into constant Nuevos Soles as of the date of the latest consolidated balance sheet. Thus, holding of net monetary assets would result in a loss from exposure to inflation due to the decreased purchasing power of monetary assets in an inflationary environment (a gain in a deflationary environment). Conversely, a net monetary liability position would result in a gain from exposure to inflation (a loss in a deflationary environment). From 2000 to 2004, the Company held a net monetary liability position. In 2004, the Peruvian Accounting Standards Board adopted Resolution No. 031-2004-EF/93.01, suspending the restatement of the financial statements to recognize the effect of inflation effective January 1, 2005. The Company's restated balances as of December 31, 2004 will be considered the initial balances as of January 1, 2005.
Although Peru's currency has remained stable against the U.S. Dollar since 2000, devaluation has occurred in the past. In periods of devaluation, holding a net monetary asset position in a foreign currency would result in an exchange gain (exchange loss in periods of revaluation), while holding a net monetary liability position in a foreign currency would result in an exchange loss (exchange gains in periods of revaluation). From 2000 to 2004, the Company held a net monetary liability position.
The effect of inflation on the consolidated statements of income incorporates both (i) the loss or gain from exposure to inflation of the Company's net monetary position and (ii) the exchange gain or loss resulting from holding a net position in U.S. Dollars. In each of the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the effects from exposure to inflation of the Company's net monetary position were partially off-set by the exchange losses or gains resulting from translating the net U.S. Dollar liability or asset position into Nuevos Soles.
Effective January 1, 2005, the Company will have gains or losses depending on devaluation or revaluation of the Nuevo Sol versus the U.S. Dollar, and the Company's net monetary position in U.S. Dollars. See Notes 2(p) and 5 to the Company Financial Statements.
Until December 31, 2004, Peruvian GAAP required that financial statements be restated to reflect the effects of inflation or deflation. Consequently, financial data for all periods in the Company Financial Statements and throughout this document, except as otherwise noted, have been restated in constant Nuevos Soles as of December 31, 2004 to reflect changes in the IPM as published by INEI. See Note 2(a) to the Company Financial Statements. The following table shows the main indicators of inflation and devaluation in Peru for the last five years:
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Inflation (%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer Price Index(1) |
3.7 |
(0.1) |
1.5 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
Wholesale Price Index(2) |
3.8 |
(2.2) |
1.7 |
2.0 |
4.9 |
Devaluation (%)(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
Nuevo Sol vs. US$ |
0.5 |
(2.3) |
2.0 |
(1.5) |
(5.2) |
___________
(1) Measures changes in the IPC as published by INEI from December of the previous year to December of the indicated year.
(2) Measures changes in the IPM as published by INEI from December of the previous year to December of the indicated year.
Net income and net distributable income. Under Peruvian law, each company is required to establish a legal reserve of at least 20 percent of its paid-in capital on an unconsolidated basis. An annual contribution of at least 10 percent of net income must be made until such legal reserve equals 20 percent of paid-in capital. The legal reserve may off-set losses or be capitalized. However, following any instance in which the reserve is used, Peruvian law calls for mandatory replenishment of the reserve.
Royalties. Royalty expenses consist mainly of payments made by the Company and Inminsur pursuant to leasing agreements relating to mining rights for the Orcopampa and Ishihuinca mines, respectively. Specifically, the Company pays to the lessor a royalty of 10 percent of the value of the concentrates produced, and Inminsur pays a royalty of 7 percent of the price of the concentrates sold.
In addition, on June 24, 2004, the Peruvian Congress approved Law 28258 - Mining Royalties Law. This law established a mining royalty that owners of mining concessions must pay to the Peruvian government for the exploitation of metallic and non-metallic resources. The mining royalties are calculated on a sliding scale with rates ranging from 1 percent to 3 percent over the value of mineral concentrates based on international market prices. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Mining Royalties". The Company made its first payment of the mining royalty pursuant to Law 28258 in 2004.
Environmental protection laws and related regulations. The Company's business is subject to Peruvian laws and regulations relating to the exploration and mining of mineral properties, as well as the possible effects of such activities upon the environment. The Company conducts its operations substantially in accordance with such laws and regulations.
According to environmental regulations set forth by the MEM, the Company submitted EVAPs for its operating mines in 1995. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Environmental Matters". Based on the results of the EVAPs, Environmental Adaptation and Management Schedules ("PAMAs") were prepared and submitted to the MEM in 1996 and approved by the MEM in 1997.
Pursuant to the environmental regulations, mines were given a five or ten-year period to comply with the agreements reflected in each PAMA. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Environmental Matters". Upon completion of the project and agreement with regard to the financial investment, a final report of execution is submitted to the MEM and the MEM designates a group of independent companies, registered with MEM, to conduct an audit of each PAMA. Thereafter, the MEM issues a resolution recognizing compliance with the relevant mine's PAMA and completion of the adjustment process. Resolutions for each of the Company's mines were issued between November 2002 and April 2003 and have thereafter been inspection audits each semester.
Throughout this process, the Company has been in substantial compliance with applicable maximum emission levels and other legal requirements. In addition, Law No. 28090 providing for the closing of mines was published on October 14, 2003. Pursuant to Law No. 28507, the Regulations to Law No. 28090 will be issued in a sixty-day term as of May 8, 2005. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Regulatory Framework-Environmental Matters".
In 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Company spent approximately US$1.0, US$1.2 and US$1.4 million, respectively, in connection with environmental protection measures. The Company estimates that capital expenditures needed to comply with environmental regulations will be approximately US$1.3 million in each of 2005 and 2006. This amount will be used on items such as new equipment and the construction of new processing plants and leaching fields, as well as the implementation of a program to minimize the environmental impact and improve the quality of mining residues. There are currently no legal or administrative proceedings against the Company for violation of environmental protection laws or other environmental regulations in Peru that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
Critical Accounting Estimates
What follows is a discussion of the Company's application of critical accounting policies that require the management of the Company (the "Management") to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made, and where different estimates that Management reasonably could have used in the current period - or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period - would have a material impact on our financial statements. Management has identified the following accounting estimates as critical:
The Company also has certain accounting policies that it considers to be important, such as its policies for investments carried at fair value, recording stock appreciation rights, revenue recognition and exploration costs, that do not meet the definition of critical accounting estimates as they do not require Management to make estimates or judgments that are subjective or highly uncertain.
Management has discussed the development and selection of the Company's critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company reviews and evaluates the impairment of its long-lived assets if an event occurs that indicates that the book value of such assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss represents the amount by which the book value of an asset exceeds the higher of its net selling price or use value. The value-in-use of an asset is generally calculated as the present value of estimated future cash flows expected to be earned from continual use of the asset and from its disposal at the end of its useful life. An impairment loss recognized in a previous year may be adjusted if there is any indication that the estimates used when the impairment loss was recognized should be adjusted to reflect a more favorable cash flow scenario. Future cash flow assumptions include, but are not limited to, estimates of recoverable ounces and tons of ore and metal, prices (which include current and historical prices, price trends and related factors), production levels and capital costs, all based on mine plans. Such future cash flow assumptions are valid when estimated but may change significantly when new information becomes available. Any difference between assumptions and actual market conditions could have an important effect on the Company's financial condition and results of the operations.
In 2004, Management evaluated the impairment of the long-lived assets of the Ishihuinca and Shila gold mining units due to higher production costs and the depletion of their reserves. As a result of this evaluation, no impairment loss resulted. Management used future cash flow estimates to evaluate the impairment of long-lived assets for this year. These estimates incorporate the Company's own assumptions about the use of the assets, prices and exclude interest charges and income tax. Management believes such assumptions are reasonable in relation to the assumptions used by the Company in developing other information.
Management has conducted a sensibility test based on a one percent reduction of future cash flow estimates. Pursuant to this analysis, an impairment loss of approximately S/.0.5 million would result.
Useful life of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation is calculated under the straight-line method of accounting. The table set forth below reflects the estimated years of useful life for property, plant and equipment and mining units:
Property, Plant and Equipment |
Estimated Years of Useful Life |
|
|
Buildings, constructions and other |
10 to 20 |
Machinery and equipment |
10 |
The Company's estimated years of useful life for its mining units, assuming current production levels and market prices, are as follows:
Mining units |
Estimated Years of Useful Life |
|
|
Uchucchacua |
8 |
Orcopampa |
6 |
Colquijirca |
7 |
Antapite |
10 |
Ishihuinca |
4 |
Shila |
4 |
Paula |
4 |
Certain of the Company's depreciable assets, primarily buildings and constructions, have a useful life in excess of the current productive life of the mines because such assets may be transferred to another mine or converted to another uses when production at the mine where it is currently used ceases. In addition, the expected productive life of the mine is normally higher than the current life derived from the proven and probable reserves at year-end. Rather than exploring and developing long-term reserves, the Company focuses on sustaining current reserves.
The Company is depreciating all the Colquijirca mining operation's assets (S/.55.7 million) for a period not exceeding the life of the mine, which is eight years. Management believes that all reserves will be fully depleted by 2010.
Amortization of capitalized mining costs
The Company capitalizes mine development and mineral land costs incurred after Management has identified proven and probable reserves. Upon commencement of production, the Company amortizes these costs over their expected lives, based on proven and probable reserves and other factors.
The process of estimating quantities of reserves is complex, requiring subjective decisions in the evaluation of all available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data. The data for a given ore body may also change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors, including, but not limited to, additional development activity, evolving production history and the continual reassessment of the viability of production under various economic conditions.
A material revision to existing reserve estimates could occur because of, among other things: revisions to geological data or assumptions; changes in assumed prices; and results of drilling and exploration activities. The Company makes every effort to ensure that reported reserve estimates represent the most accurate assessment possible. However, because of the subjective decisions Management has to make, as well as variances in available data for each ore body, these estimates are generally uncertain.
Changes in reserve quantities, including changes resulting from gold, silver, zinc and lead price assumptions, would cause corresponding changes in amortization expense in periods subsequent to the revision, and could result in impairment of the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment and capitalized mining costs.
The Company estimates reserves assuming a US$350 per ounce gold price, a US$5.25 per ounce silver price, a US$1,050 per metric ton zinc price and a US$550 per metric ton lead price.
In addition to changes in gold, silver, zinc and lead prices, reserve quantities can also change for other reasons, including but not limited to, new drilling results, changes in production costs and changes in geological assumptions. The mines where amortization charges would be most significantly affected by changes in reserve estimates are Uchucchacua, Orcopampa, Colquijirca and Antapite. These mines generally have the largest amounts of property, plant and equipment subject to depreciation and the highest per ounce amortization charges.
Deferred stripping costs
The Company has deferred certain mining costs incurred in the expansion of the Tajo Norte area, which has an estimated life of eight years, to reasonably match revenues and production costs. These mining costs, commonly referred to as "deferred stripping" costs, are incurred in mining activities associated with the removal of waste rock. The deferred accounting stripping method is generally accepted in the mining industry when mining operations have diverse grades and waste-to-ore ratios; however, some mining companies expense waste removal costs as incurred. If the Company were to expense stripping costs as incurred, there could be greater volatility in the Company's period-to-period results of operations. In order to calculate the amount of deferred stripping cost to record as normal period expense, the Company's management obtains a coefficient by dividing the estimated tons of waste material to move by the estimated tons of mineral to be extracted during the useful life of the rela ted area. The estimated coefficient is significantly affected by changes in geological assumptions. The actual coefficient was 8.94/1 in 2004 and 11.13/1 in 2003. Costs related to additional quantities of waste that must be moved to obtain 1 metric ton of mineral are deferred when the actual waste material extracted is higher than the estimate; likewise, these costs are amortized when actual waste mineral extraction is lower than the estimate. The amortization of the deferred stripping costs will be reflected in the consolidated statement of income over the life of the Tajo Norte area, based on proven and probable reserves, so that no unamortized balance remains when the mine is closed. Management expects to begin the amortization of the deferred stripping costs in 2006.
FASB unanimously ratified, at its meeting on March 30, 2005, the consensus reached at the March 17, 2003 Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") meeting that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of the inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. This consensus, which is mandatory pursuant to U.S. GAAP, is effective January 1, 2006, with early adoption permitted. The effect of initially applying this consensus should be accounted for in a manner similar to a cumulative-effect adjustment. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-The Company-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Recent Accounting Pronouncements". The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company's financial position or results from operations.
Deferred income tax asset
Effective Income Tax Rate - 2004
The Company's income tax expense of S/.102.0 million in 2004 differed from the Company's income tax benefit of S/.198.3 million in 2003 mainly as a result of the following:
(a) Non-taxable income. According to current tax regulations, equity participation in affiliates, including the receipt of dividends, are not taxable (permanent item). In 2004, the Company reduced its income tax expense by S/.158.9 million compared to a S/.138.5 million reduction in 2003 due to its equity participation.
(b) Non-deductible expenses. Pursuant to current tax regulations, the loss (negative fair value) on derivative instruments entered into with investment banks is not deductible to the extent it is generated abroad (permanent item). In 2004, the Company increased its income tax basis by S/.16.2 million compared to an increase of S/.55.3 million in 2003, due to the non-deductible expense originated by the Company's derivative contracts.
(c) Valuation Allowance. For each deferred tax asset, Management evaluates the likelihood that all or a portion of the asset will not be realized. This evaluation is based on, among other things, expected levels of future taxable income. If, based on the weight of available evidence, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, the Company records a valuation allowance against it. In 2004, the Company reversed a valuation allowance of S/.4.6 million. In 2003, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of S/.2.6 million and reversed a valuation allowance of S/.43.5 million.
Effective Income Tax Rate - 2003
The Company's income tax benefit of S/.198.3 million in 2003 differed from the Company's income tax expense of S/.116.7 million in 2002 mainly as a result of the following:
(a) Non taxable income. In 2003, the Company reduced its income tax expense by S/.138.5 million compared to a S/.87.9 million reduction in 2002 due to its equity participation.
(b) Non-deductible expenses. In 2003, the Company increased its income tax basis by S/.55.3 million due to the non-deductible expense originated by the Company's derivative contracts. In 2002, there was no tax effect because, according to Peruvian GAAP at December 31, 2002, the Company did not account for the negative fair value of derivate instruments outstanding. Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted IAS 39 Recognition and Measurement, which requires the recognition of the fair value of the derivative instruments in the financial statements.
(c) Change of tax status of derivative contracts. As indicated above, the loss on derivative contracts are permanent items for income tax purposes.
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted IAS 39, recording the initial effect of the fair value of all derivative contracts in retained earnings (loss). In December 2003, the Company revised the terms of approximately two thirds of its derivative contracts to qualify them as sales contracts; pursuant to this revision, the related loss (negative fair value) became a temporary difference under current Peruvian tax regulations. The income tax effect on the loss recorded in retained earnings has been recorded as a S/.77.9 million benefit for the year because the change of status of a permanent to a temporary item occurred in December 2003.
(d) Change in income tax rate. Effective January 1, 2004, the current income tax rate is 30 percent. Prior to December 31, 2003, such rate was 27 percent. In 2003, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of S/.16.6 million due to this modification. There was no effect in 2002.
(e) Valuation Allowance. For each deferred tax asset, Management evaluates the likelihood that all or a portion of the asset will not be realized. This evaluation is based on, among other things, expected levels of future taxable income. If, based on the weight of available evidence, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, the Company records a valuation allowance against it. In 2003, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of S/.2.6 million for deferred tax assets. In addition, the Company reversed a valuation allowance of S/.43.5 million in 2003.
The need to record valuation allowances related to the Company's deferred tax assets depends on the following factors: the Company's (i) long-term estimate of future average realized metal prices, (ii) levels of production, (iii) proven and probable reserves, and (iv) the extent to which tax credits can yield a tax benefit in the future. Significant changes in these and other factors could have a material impact on the amount of valuation allowances recorded and on income tax expense.
Accrual for mine closing costs
Estimated future mine closing costs are based primarily on legal and regulatory requirements. Prior to December 31, 2002, the Company recorded closing costs at the end of a mine's life when such amount could be fairly estimated. As of January 1, 2003, the Company records closing costs when a legally enforceable obligation arises to close a mine. These future costs are estimated by independent parties in accordance with current environmental protection regulation.
Upon recognition of a liability, recorded at fair value, related asset retirement costs should be capitalized and allocated to expense over the useful life of the asset. This accounting treatment resulted in an increase of S/.3.5 million and of S/.5.1 million for net property, plant and equipment and development costs, respectively, recognition of an accrual for mine closing costs of S/.51.2 million; and recognition of a cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle that reduced net income and shareholders' equity by S/.72.3 million in 2003 (see Note 3(a) to the Company Financial Statements). The Company will incur additional depreciation expense over the estimated useful life of the asset and accretion expense to accrete the discounted value of the accrual.
Fair value of derivative instruments
The Company has futures and options derivative instruments as of December 31, 2004. Fair value estimates are recognized on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 35 to the Company Financial Statements. These estimates are made by independent parties pursuant to relevant market information, such as future prices of gold, silver and zinc, volatility factors, and interest rates. Changes in assumptions and market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.
The Company
(a) Outstanding derivative contracts
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company recognizes derivative instruments as assets or liabilities, measured at their fair value, in its consolidated balance sheets pursuant to IAS 39, "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement".
Management's intention is to use derivative instruments to hedge fluctuations in metal prices, mainly gold and silver, and not for trading purposes. However, the Company does not meet all the criteria established in IAS 39 to account for the derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. The criteria refer to formal documentation and testing of the effectiveness of the derivative instruments. Therefore, according to IAS 39, the Company has recorded a charge of S/.458.2 million to retained earnings in connection with the initial adoption of IAS 39 and a loss of S/.647.2 million due to the changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments occurred during 2003. During 2004, the Company recorded a gain of S/.14.6 million due to changes in the fair value of derivative instruments.
(b) Normal sale contracts
To minimize future fluctuations in the consolidated results of operations, the Company entered into transactions that closed out approximately two thirds of its outstanding derivative contracts in December 2003. These contracts were replaced with a series of sales contracts requiring physical delivery of gold over future periods that do not extend beyond 2011. Under the terms of the contracts, the Company will realize capped prices ranging from US$332 to US$451 per ounce of gold. The fair value of these contracts, S/.710.0 million, was calculated immediately prior to their execution and recorded as deferred revenue in the consolidated balance sheet for 2003. Such amount will be included as revenue as delivery occurs in 2004 through 2011. These contracts are accounted for as normal sales contracts.
As of December 31, 2004, deferred revenue from sale of future production is S/.643.7 million.
(c) Reduction of derivative instruments portfolio
In addition to converting derivative instruments into normal sales contracts in January 2004, the Company reduced its derivative instruments portfolio by 120,000 ounces of gold. This reduction resulted in a payment of S/.36.8 million.
(d) Settled derivative contract
Settled derivative contracts resulted in a loss of S/.73.4 million in 2004 compared with a loss of S/.20.8 million in 2003, reflected as "realized loss in derivative instruments" in the consolidated statements of income.
Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. ("El Brocal")
(a) Outstanding derivative contracts
El Brocal has entered into future contracts (zinc and silver) that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. Upon adopting IAS 39, El Brocal prepared formal documentation of its future contracts and tested their effectiveness. El Brocal has tested the effectiveness of such contracts on a quarterly basis thereafter to determine if they still qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. As of December 31, 2004, El Brocal has no derivative contracts: all derivative contracts were previously settled or replaced with a series of sales contracts requiring physical delivery in 2004 and 2005.
(b) Settled derivative contracts
Settled derivative contracts resulted in a loss of S/.21.1 million in 2004 compared with a gain of S/.5.4 million in 2003, reflected as "net sales" in the consolidated statements of income.
Contingencies
Contingent liabilities, when identified, are assessed as either remote, possible or probable. Contingent liabilities are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when it is probable that future events will confirm them and when their amount can be reasonably estimated. Contingent liabilities deemed as possible are only disclosed, together with a possible debit range, when determinable, in notes to the financial statements.
Contingent assets are not recognized in the financial statements; however, they may be disclosed in notes to the financial statements if it is probable that such contingent assets will be realized.
Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
Net sales. Net sales increased 23.5 percent from S/.735.3 million in 2003 to S/.908.4 million in 2004 due to the following:
(a) An increase in the price and volume sold of gold, silver, lead and zinc during 2004. The following tables reflect the average realized price and volume sold of gold, silver, lead and zinc for 2003 and 2004:
Price |
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
2004 |
Variation |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold |
US$/Oz |
364.88 |
373.78 |
2.4% |
Silver |
US$/Oz |
4.91 |
6.51 |
32.6% |
Lead |
US$/MT |
532.04 |
908.79 |
70.8% |
Zinc |
US$/MT |
814.37 |
1,026.01 |
25.9% |
Volume |
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
2004 |
Variation |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold |
Oz |
323,801 |
353,317 |
9.1% |
Silver |
Oz |
11,105,174 |
14,252,144 |
28.3% |
Lead |
MT |
24,038 |
31,131 |
29.5% |
Zinc |
MT |
50,933 |
53,001 |
4.00% |
(i) Gold. The volume of gold sold increased 9.1 percent from 323,801 ounces in 2003 to 353,317 ounces in 2004, principally due to an increase in production at the Orcopampa and Antapite mines. Production at the Orcopampa mine increased as a result of intense exploration activities in the Nazareno and Prometida veins, and a considerable increase in the recovery of gold from 86.5% in 2003 to 93.7% in 2004.
(ii) Silver. Sales of silver increased 28.3 percent from 11,105,174 ounces in 2003 to 14,254,144 ounces in 2004 mainly due to increased production at the Uchucchacua mine as a result of further development and exploitation of the Rosario ore body in the Carmen area and at the Magaly and Rossana ore bodies in the Socorro area. This increase was also attributed to the shipment of 672,156 ounces of silver that were delayed in 2003.
(b) The Company recognized a loss of S/.20.2 million in 2004 compared to a gain of S/.5.4 million in 2003, through Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A., on hedging transactions entered into with well-known investment banks.
Realized income from sale of future production. To minimize future fluctuations in the consolidated results of operations, the Company entered into transactions that closed out approximately two thirds of its outstanding derivative contracts in December 2003. These contracts were replaced with a series of sales contracts requiring physical delivery of gold over future periods that do not extend beyond 2011. Under the terms of the contracts, the Company's revenue will be capped between US$332 to US$451 per ounce. The fair value of these contracts, S/.710.0 million, was calculated immediately prior to their execution and recorded as deferred revenue in 2003 and will be included as part of total revenues as delivery occurs in 2004 through 2011. In 2004, the Company recognized revenues of S/.68.9 million related to ounces of gold delivered in connection with these contracts.
Royalty income. Royalty income increased 10.3 percent from S/.116.9 million in 2003 to S/.128.9 million in 2004 due to a 20.6 percent increase in Yanacocha's sales of gold from US$1,036 million in 2003 to US$1,250 million in 2004, which was partially off-set by the revaluation of the local currency.
Total costs of operation. Total costs of operation increased 10.9 percent from S/.437.4 million in 2003 to S/.524.7 million in 2004 due to the following:
(a) Operating costs, which include costs for labor (including contractor and personnel expenses), supplies and other, increased 11.7 percent from S/.302.6 million in 2003 to S/.338.0 million in 2004 as a result of the increase in gold production at the Antapite and Orcopampa mines and an increase in silver production at the Uchucchacua and Colquijirca mines.
(b) Depreciation and amortization costs increased 21.2 percent from S/.49.1 million in 2003 to S/.59.5 million in 2004 due mainly to the additional depreciation of equipment acquired in 2004 and full depreciation of assets acquired in 2003. In addition, depreciation and amortization costs increased due to a S/.5.6 million charge as a result of the recognition of mine closure costs. See Note 3(a) to the Company Financial Statements.
(c) Exploration and development costs in operational mining sites increased 48.4 percent from S/.85.7 million in 2003 to S/.127.2 million in 2004 due principally to an increase of S/.15.2 million in exploration activities focused on seeking additional reserves at the Uchucchacua mine, and an increase of S/.15 million in amortization of development costs, which includes an additional amortization of S/.10.8 million due to the re-estimation of the mine closure liability at December 31, 2004. See Note 26 to the Company Financial Statements.
Total operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased 8.1 percent from S/.253.6 million in 2003 to S/.233.0 million in 2004, due to changes in the following components:
(a) Exploration costs in non-operational mining areas increased 48.7 percent from S/.59.3 million in 2003 to S/.88.2 million in 2004 due to higher expenditures in exploration areas, including 24,455 meters of exploratory diamond drilling, primarily in the La Zanja, Pampa Andino, Jatun Orcco, Arenizo, Poracota, Soras and Chilacocha projects. In addition, the Company, together with its joint venture partners, conducted 11,619 meters of exploratory diamond drilling in the Aguas Verdes, Marcapunta, Incapacha and Minasnioc prospects.
(b) General and administrative expenses decreased 37.5 percent from S/.123.2 million in 2003 to S/.76.9 million in 2004 due mainly to the decrease of long-term officers' compensation (stock appreciation rights) from S/.49.6 million in 2003 to S/.2.1 million in 2004 as a result of the decrease of the Company's stock price from S/.98.10 as of December 31, 2003 to S/.78.21 as of December 31, 2004. See Note 28 to the Company Financial Statements.
(c) Royalty expenses to third parties decreased 0.8 percent from S/.25.1 million in 2003 to S/.24.9 million in 2004 despite increased sales due to a modification of the Royalty Contract. In 2004, the Company and Sindicato Minero Orcopampa modified certain terms of the Royalty Contract to provide that Sindicato Minero Orcopampa will calculate royalty expenses pursuant to production value, which is based on net sales until December 31, 2003. See Note 37(b) to the Company Financial Statements.
(d) Selling expenses decreased 30.8 percent from S/.25.8 million in 2003 to S/.17.8 million in 2004 due to lower freight expenses of S/.12.9 million in 2004 compared to S/.18.4 million in 2003. The construction of a cyanidation circuit at the Orcopampa mining unit, that commenced operations in March 2004 with a utilization rate of 100 percent, permitted the Company to increase gold and silver recoveries, as well as to eliminate costs related to transportation of concentrates, since all gold and silver will be shipped as doré bars.
(e) Amortization of mining concessions and goodwill was S/.15.6 million in 2003 and 2004 due to similar production levels in the Colquijirca, El Brocal and Minera Paula mining units. See Note 16 to the Company Financial Statements.
(f) In 2004, the Peruvian government established a mining royalty that owners of mining concessions should pay for the exploitation of metallic and non-metallic resources. Royalties to the Peruvian government were paid S/.6.6 million in 2004. See Note 19(d) to the Company Financial Statements.
Operating income. As a result of the foregoing, operating income increased 116.2 percent from S/.161.2 million in 2003 to S/.348.4 million in 2004.
Share in affiliated companies. Income from share equity investment in affiliated companies increased 3.3 percent from S/.557.6 million in 2003 to S/.575.9 million in 2004, principally due to Yanacocha's increased net earnings. The Company's income from its interest in Yanacocha increased 3.06 percent from S/.558.1 million in 2003 to S/.575.2 million in 2004 due mainly to (i) an increase in price per ounce realized on gold sales from US$363 per ounce in 2003 to US$411 per ounce in 2004, and (ii) an increase in volume of gold sold from 2.9 million in 2003 to 3.0 million ounces in 2004, which were off-set in part with an increase in cash cost per ounce from US$129 in 2003 to US$147 in 2004.
Gain (loss) from change in the fair value of derivative instruments. Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted IAS 39 "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement" which requires that derivatives instruments be measured at their fair value. See "-Critical Accounting Estimates" and Note 35 to the Company Financial Statements.
Interest income. Interest income increased 55.1 percent from S/.7.8 million in 2003 to S/.12.1 million in 2004 due to increased income on investment funds of S/.3.2 million held in Compass Group. The Company maintained S/.86.9 million in investment funds as of December 31, 2004 compared to S/.54.9 million as of December 31, 2003.
Realized gain (loss) in derivative instruments. Realized loss in derivative instruments increased 252.9 percent from S/.20.8 million in 2003 to S/.73.4 million in 2004 due to the increase in the price of gold per ounce. The Company uses derivative contracts to hedge movement in the market prices of precious metals.
Gain (loss) from exposure to inflation. The gain (loss) from exposure to inflation decreased from a gain of S/.0.3 million in 2003 to a loss of S/.22.4 million in 2004 due mainly to (i) the revaluation of the local currency against the U.S. Dollar of 5.2 percent in 2004 (revaluation of 1.5 percent in 2003) and, (ii) the currency inflation of 4.9 percent in 2004 (2.0 percent in 2003). The Company held a net liability position in U.S. Dollars and in Nuevos Soles in 2004 and in 2003.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased 13.8 percent from S/.8.7 million in 2003 to S/.7.5 million in 2004 due mainly to the reduced indebtedness in 2004 compared to 2003. See Notes 17 and 20 to the Company Financial Statements.
Workers' profit sharing. Workers' profit sharing changed from income of S/.62.9 million in 2003 to an expense of S/.18.4 million in 2004. This amount is calculated applying a percentage to the taxable basis. See "Critical Accounting Estimates - Income Tax".
Income tax. Income tax changed from income of S/.198.3 million in 2003 to an expense of S/.102.0 million in 2004. See "Critical Accounting Estimates - Income Tax".
Minority interest. Minority interest expense decreased 44.7 percent from S/.51.0 million in 2003 to S/.28.2 million in 2004 due mainly to La Zanja's net loss in 2004. La Zanja is currently engaged in exploration activities and all exploration costs are charged to results of operations in the applicable year.
Net income. As a result of the foregoing, net income increased 291.4 percent from S/.175.2 million in 2003 to S/.685.7 million in 2004. As a percentage of net sales, net income was 75.5 percent in 2004, compared with 23.8 percent in 2003.
Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
Net sales. Net sales increased 27.72 percent from S/.575.7 million in 2002 to S/.735.3 million in 2003 due to the following:
(a) An increase in the price of gold, silver, lead and zinc and in the volume of gold sold during 2003. The following tables reflect the average realized price and volume sold of gold, silver, lead and zinc for 2002 and 2003:
Price |
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2002 |
2003 |
Variation |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold |
US$/Oz |
309.39 |
364.88 |
17.9% |
Silver |
US$/Oz |
4.65 |
4.91 |
5.6% |
Lead |
US$/MT |
444.84 |
532.04 |
19.6% |
Zinc |
US$/MT |
778.56 |
814.37 |
4.6% |
Volume |
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2002 |
2003 |
Variation |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold |
Oz |
247,010 |
323,801 |
31.0% |
Silver |
Oz |
11,401,413 |
11,105,174 |
-2.6% |
Lead |
MT |
23,081 |
24,038 |
4.1% |
Zinc |
MT |
52,493 |
50,933 |
-2.9% |
(i) The volume of gold sold increased 31.0 percent from 247,010 ounces in 2002 to 323,801 ounces in 2003, principally due to an increase in production at the Orcopampa and Antapite mines which reached 180,725 ounces and 84,261 ounces, respectively, in 2003 compared to 160,017 ounces and 72,742 ounces, respectively, in 2002. Production at Orcopampa increased as a result of the exploration activities and development in the Nazareno vein, where additional reserves were discovered, as well as the development of the Prometida, Prosperidad and Lucy Piso veins. Antapite's increased production is mainly due to plant and facility (cyanidation and oxygen plants) improvements.
(ii) Sales of silver decreased 2.6 percent from 11,401,413 ounces in 2002 to 11,105,174 ounces in 2003 mainly due to a delay in shipments at year-end which resulted in a decrease in sales of 672,156 ounces in 2003.
(b) The Company recognized a gain of S/.5.1 million in 2003 compared to S/.7.2 million in 2002, through Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A., on hedging transactions entered into with well-known investment banks.
Royalty income. Royalty income increased 41.9 percent from S/.82.4 million in 2002 to S/.116.9 million in 2003 due mainly to Yanacocha's increased sales of gold, which were US$714.8 million in 2002 compared to US$1,036.4 million in 2003.
Total costs of operation. Total costs of operation increased 10.9 percent from S/.394.5 million in 2002 to S/.437.4 million in 2003 due to the following:
(a) Operating costs, which include costs for labor (including contractor and personnel expenses), supplies and other, increased 10.6 percent from S/.273.7 million in 2002 to S/.302.6 million in 2003 as a result of the increase in gold production at the Antapite and Orcopampa mines.
(b) Depreciation and amortization costs increased 13.7 percent from S/.43.2 million in 2002 to S/.49.1 million in 2003 due mainly to the additional depreciation of equipment acquired in 2003 and full depreciation of assets acquired in 2002.
(c) Exploration and development costs in operational mining sites increased 10.3 percent from S/.77.7 million in 2002 to S/.85.7 million in 2003 due principally to an increase in exploration activities focused on seeking additional reserves at the Antapite (S/.3.6 million) and Orcopampa (S/.4.6 million) mines. As a result of these exploration activities, Antapite's and Orcopampa's reserves increased 19 percent and 77 percent, respectively.
Total operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 42.7 percent from S/.177.7 million in 2002 to S/.253.6 million in 2003, due to changes in the following components:
(a) General and administrative expenses increased 55.3 percent from S/.79.3 million in 2002 to S/.123.2 million in 2003 due mainly to the increase in long-term officers' compensation (stock appreciation rights) from S/.6.7 million in 2002 to S/.49.6 million in 2003, as explained in Note 28 to the Company Financial Statements.
(b) Exploration costs in non-operational mining areas increased 47.2 percent from S/.40.3 million in 2002 to S/.59.3 million in 2003 due to higher expenditures in exploration areas under joint operation, including drilling activities in the Huancavelica, La Zanja and Poracota projects. The La Zanja project is expected to start operations in 2005 and produce an average of 100,000 ounces per year.
(c) Royalty expenses increased 70.8 percent from S/.14.7 million in 2002 to S/.25.1 million in 2003 due mainly to increased sales of gold from the Orcopampa mine from S/.141.1 million in 2002 to S/.230.9 million in 2003.
(d) Selling expenses increased 6.2 percent from S/.24.3 million in 2002 to S/.25.8 million in 2003 due to higher freight expenses of S/.18.4 million in 2003 compared to S/.16.7 million in 2002 as a result of an increase in freight tariffs and in the volume sold of concentrates.
(e) Amortization of mining concessions and goodwill. Amortization of mining concessions and goodwill decreased 10.3 percent from S/.17.4 million in 2002 to S/.15.6 million in 2003 due to a decrease in the amortization of the mining concession of Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. by S/.1.4 million in 2003 as a result of the increase in proven and probable reserves as of December 31, 2003. See Note 16 to the Company Financial Statements.
(f) Assets impairment loss and write-off increased 193.8 percent from S/.1.6 million in 2002 to S/.4.7 million in 2003 mainly due to the write-off of idle assets of Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. and Compañía Minera Colquirrumi S.A.
Operating income. As a result of the foregoing, operating income increased 87.8 percent from S/.85.8 million in 2002 to S/.161.1 million in 2003.
Share in affiliated companies. Income from share equity investment in affiliated companies increased 57.5 percent from S/.354.0 million in 2002 to S/.557.6 million in 2003, principally due to Yanacocha's increased net earnings. The Company's income from its interest in Yanacocha increased 57.7 percent from S/.353.8 million in 2002 to S/.558.1 million in 2003 due mainly to (i) an increase in price per ounce realized on gold sales from US$311 per ounce in 2002 to US$363 per ounce in 2003, (ii) an increase in volume of gold sold from 2,291,967 ounces in 2002 to 2,858,680 ounces in 2003, and (iii) a decrease in the cash cost per ounce from US$134 in 2002 to US$129 in 2003.
Gain (loss) from change in the fair value of derivative instruments. Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted IAS 39 "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement" which requires that derivatives instruments be measured at their fair value. See "-Critical Accounting Estimates" and Note 35 to the Company Financial Statements.
Realized gain (loss) in derivative instruments. The Company recognized a loss of S/.20.8 million in 2003 compared to the gain of S/.44.8 million in 2002 on derivative contracts. The Company uses these contracts to hedge movement in the market prices of precious metals.
Gain (loss) from exposure to inflation. The gain (loss) from exposure to inflation increased 109.1 percent from a loss of S/.3.3 million in 2002 to a gain of S/.0.3 million in 2003 due mainly to (i) the revaluation of the local currency against the U.S. Dollar of 1.5 percent in 2003 (devaluation of 2.0 percent in 2002) and (ii) the currency inflation of 2.0 percent (1.7 percent in 2002). The Company held a net liability position in U.S. Dollars and in Nuevos Soles in 2003 and in 2002.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased 47.9 percent from S/.16.7 million in 2002 to S/.8.7 million in 2003 due mainly to the reduced indebtedness in 2003 compared to 2002. See Notes 17 and 20 to the Company Financial Statements.
Loss from sale of subsidiary's shares. On March 30, 2002, the Company sold its participation interest in Minera Huallanca S.A.C. (Huallanca) to BHL - Peru S.A.C for US$2.0 million. Of this amount, US$1.5 million will be paid in three equal semi-annual installments terminating on September 30, 2004 and the remaining US$0.5 million will be paid on September 30, 2006, provided that between September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2006: (i) the level of economic reserves allows Huallanca to produce 15,000 metric tons per month of mineral and (ii) the average price of zinc is higher than US$1,050 per metric ton in that period. If these conditions are not met, the final price of the transaction will be reduced to US$1.5 million. This transaction generated a loss amounting to S/.7.1 million assuming a sales price of US$1.5 million.
Other income and expense, net. Other income (expenses), net decreased 533.4 percent from an income of S/.3.0 million in 2002 to an expense of S/.12.8 million 2003 due mainly to an accretion expense of S/.4.7 million related to the accrual for mine closing costs and administrative penalties of S/.1.7 million.
Workers' profit sharing. Workers' profit sharing changed from an expense of S/.1.6 million in 2002 to income of S/.62.9 million in 2003. This amount is calculated applying a percentage to the taxable basis. See "-Critical Accounting Estimates".
Income tax. Income tax changed from an expense of S/.26.9 million in 2002 to income of S/.198.3 million in 2003. See "-Critical Accounting Estimates".
Minority interest. Minority interest expense increased 100.0 percent of S/.25.5 million in 2002 to S/.51.0 million in 2003 due mainly to (i) an increased expense in minority interest in S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca from S/.23 million in 2002 to S/.33.1 million in 2003 as a result of increased royalties from Yanacocha, and (ii) increased expenses in minority interest in Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. by S/.8.6 million and Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. by S/.6.1 million due to a higher net income in these subsidiaries in 2003 compared to 2002.
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle due to mine closing costs. Effective January 1, 2003, the Company and Yanacocha, its affiliate, revised its accounting policy for the accrual for mine closing costs. The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle, net of workers' profit sharing, income tax and minority interest, originated an expense of S/.72.3 million in 2003. See Note 3 to the Company Financial Statements.
Net income. As a result of the foregoing, net income decreased 57.8 percent from S/.415.7 million in 2002 to S/.175.1 million in 2003. As a percent of net sales, net income was 72.2 percent in 2002, compared with 23.8 percent in 2003.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2004, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of S/.614.9 million compared to S/.398.6 million at December 31, 2003.
Cash provided by operating activities
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities were S/.680.1 million in 2004, S/.686.3 million in 2003 and S/.190.3 million in 2002.
Cash provided by operating activities for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003. The decrease in net cash flow provided by operating activities in 2004 compared with 2003 was mainly attributable to: (i) increased collection from customers (S/.885.6 million in 2004 compared with S/.733.6 million in 2003), and (ii) increased royalties paid by Yanacocha (S/.120.1 million in 2004 compared with S/.112.4 million in 2003) in connection with an increase of Yanacocha's sales as a result of increases in price and volume of gold sold in 2004. These increased operating cash flows were more than off-set by (i) a decrease in the collection of dividends (S/.482.0 million in 2003 compared to S/.419.8 million in 2004), (ii) increased payments to suppliers and third parties (S/.347.1 million in 2003 compared to S/.388.7 million in 2004), as a result of the increase in the operating activities in the mining units, (iii) increased payments of exploration activities (S/.128.7 million in 200 3 compared to S/.172.2 million in 2004) primarily from the Uchucchacua mine and exploratory diamond drilling in the Company's projects (La Zanja, Pampa Andino, Jatun Orco, Poracota, Soras) and joint venture projects (Aguas Verdes, Marcapunta, Incapacha and Minasnioc); and (iv) increased payments to employees (S/.101.6 million in 2003 compared to S/.119.6 million in 2004) as a result of the increase in gold production at the Antapite and Orcopampa mines and an increase in silver production at the Uchucchacua and Colquijirca mines.
Cash provided by operating activities for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. The increase in net cash flow provided by operating activities in 2003 compared with 2002 was mainly attributable to: (i) increased dividends and royalties paid by Yanacocha (S/.83.1 million and S/.80.6 million in 2002 compared to S/.482.0 million and S/.112.4 million in 2003, respectively) in connection with an increase of Yanacocha's sales as a result of the increase in price and volume of gold sold in 2003, and (ii) increased revenues from customers (S/.566.6 million in 2002 compared to S/.733.6 million in 2003). These increased operating cash flows were partially off-set by: (i) increased payments to suppliers and third parties (S/.289.8 million in 2002 compared to S/.347.1 million in 2003); (ii) increased payments of exploration activities, primarily from the Orcopampa and Antapite mines (S/.98.6 million in 2002 compared to S/.128.7 million in 2003; and (iii) increased payments of roya lties (S/.13.3 million in 2002 compared to S/.26.0 million in 2003) mainly to Sindicato Minero Orcompampa S.A. See Note 37(b) to the Company Financial Statements.
Cash used in investing activities
Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities were S/.273.7 million in 2004, S/.179.3 million in 2003, and S/.52.3 million in 2002.
Cash used in investing activities for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003. The increase in net cash flow used in investing activities in 2004 compared with 2003 was mainly attributable to: (i) payments of S/.73.4 million in connection with derivative instruments settled in 2004 compared to payments of S/.20.8 million in 2003; (ii) a S/.24.3 million decrease in local currency time deposits; and (iii) an increase in acquisitions of property, plant and equipment (S/.67.8 million in 2003 compared to S/.96.5 million in 2004) related principally to the construction of tailing dams at the Orcopampa, Antapite and Colquijirca mines and a cyanidation plant at the Orcopampa mine. These increases in net cash outflows were off-set by a reduction in outflow for the investment in 2004 of S/.34.7 million in a variable-fixed income fund compared to an investment of S/.53.1 million in 2003. See Note 7 to the Company Financial Statements.
Cash used in investing activities for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. The increase in net cash flow used in investing activities in 2003 compared with 2002 was mainly attributable to: (i) the investment in 2003 of S/.53.1 million in a variable-fixed income fund (see Note 7 to the Company Financial Statements); (ii) payments of S/.20.8 million in connection with derivatives instruments settled in 2003 compared to S/.44.8 million of proceeds recognized during 2002; and (iii) the increase in development expenditures (S/.24.0 million in 2002 compared to S/.38.5 million in 2003) related to the construction of the Patón tunnel in the Uchucchacua mining unit and the development of the "Rampa Mario" project in the Orcopampa mining unit which will allow a better access to the Prometida vein.
Cash used in financing activities
Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities were S/.214.3 million in 2004, S/.204.3 million in 2003 and S/.133.4 million in 2002.
Cash used in financing activities for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003. The increase in net cash flow used in financing activities in 2004 compared with 2003 was mainly attributable to repayments of long-term debt of S/.76.7 million in 2004 compared to S/.22.2 million in 2003, see Note 20 to the Company Financial Statements. This increased cash used in financing activities was off-set by: (i) a decrease in net payments of bank loans from S/.22.9 million in 2003 to S/.10.3 million in 2004; (ii) a decrease in payments of dividends from S/.159.2 million in 2003 to S/.139.5 million in 2004; and (iii) long-term debt proceeds of S/.12.1 million. These proceeds were used to repay long-term debt with Banco de Crédito del Perú and Teck Cominco Metals Ltd., see Note 20 to the Company Financial Statements.
Cash used in financing activities for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. The increase in net cash flow used in financing activities in 2003 compared with 2002 was attributable to (i) increased payments of dividends of S/.72.3 million in 2002 compared to S/.159.2 million in 2003, and (ii) long-term debt payments of S/.12.1 million in 2002 compared to S/.22.2 million in 2003. The increase in net cash flow was off-set by a decrease in net payments of bank loans of S/.74.2 million in 2002 compared to S/.22.9 million in 2003, and the proceeds from the sale of treasury ADS of S/.25.9 million.
Exploration and Development Costs; Capital Expenditures
Total capital expenditures and exploration and development costs for 2005 and 2006 (excluding exploration and development costs at the Company's principal mines, which are included as part of their cost of production) are estimated to be approximately US$39.5 million and US$26.5 million, respectively. These budgeted expenditures include the following projects: the construction of the new cyanidation plant at Uchucchacua, drilling at increased depths at Orcopampa and general exploration projects. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-History and Development-Capital Expenditures". Exploration and development costs at locations other than the Company's principal mines are estimated to be approximately US$16.5 million in 2005 and US$16.5 million in 2006. Exploration and development costs, including such costs at the Company's principal mines are estimated to be approximately US$38.7 million. These exploration and development costs include all of the costs associated with exploration activities such as drilling, equipment and geological and metallurgical testing. Exploration and development expenditures for 2005 and 2006 relate primarily to the development of the following mining units and projects: La Zanja, Tantahuatay, Huancavelica, Poracota, Los Pircos, Pampa Andino, Trapiche, Santa Marina, Minasnioc, Cofradia and others. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Business Overview-Exploration".
The Company undertook in EVAPs filed with the Peruvian government in March 1995 to make capital expenditures in respect of environmental projects. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Company incurred capital expenditures in connection with these environmental projects of approximately US$1.1, US$1.2 and US$1.4 million, respectively. The Company expects to incur in capital expenditures in respect of environmental projects of approximately US$1.3 million in each of 2005 and 2006. The Company's capital spending plans under the PAMAs were approved by the Peruvian government. The development of more stringent environmental protection programs in Peru could impose additional costs and other constraints on the Company's operations. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-Business Overview-Regulatory Framework-Environmental Matters".
The Company expects that it will meet its working capital, capital expenditure and exploration and development expense requirements for the next several years from internally generated funds, cash on hand and dividends received from its investments in non-consolidated mining operations, including Yanacocha. Additional financing, if necessary for the development of any project, is expected to be obtained from borrowings under bank loans and the issuance of debt securities. There can be no assurance, however, that sufficient funding will be available to the Company from the internal or external sources to finance any future capital expenditure program, or that external funding will be available to the Company for such purpose on terms or at prices favorable to the Company. A very significant decline in the prices of gold and silver would be reasonably likely to affect the availability of such sources of liquidity. In addition, if the Company funds future capital expenditures from internal ca sh flow, there may be less funds available for the payment of dividends.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
FASB unanimously ratified, at its meeting on March 30, 2005, the consensus reached at the March 17, 2003 EITF meeting that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of the inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. The EITF determined that post-production stripping costs are a component of mineral inventory costs, which are subject to the provisions of AICPA Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43, Restatement and Revision of Accounting Research Bulletins, Chapter 4, "Inventory Pricing" (ARB 43). In the mining industry, the costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access mineral deposits are referred to as "stripping costs." In addition, the EITF held that post-production stripping costs should be considered costs of extracted minerals and recognized as a component of inventory to be recog nized in costs of sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of the inventory. Additionally, capitalization of such costs would be appropriate only to the extent inventory exists at the end of a reporting period. This consensus, which is mandatory pursuant to U.S. GAAP, is effective January 1, 2006, with early adoption permitted, may represent a significant change in practice for those companies that currently expense post-production stripping costs as incurred or capitalize post-production stripping costs and amortize those deferred costs over the life of the mine or another determinative period. The effect of initially applying this consensus should be accounted for in a manner similar to a cumulative-effect adjustment. Upon adoption, an entity should recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying this consensus consistent with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes. However, pro forma information will not be required upon adoption. Alterna tively, companies are not prohibited from restating prior period financial statements issued. Entities that elect early adoption of the guidance in this consensus for an interim period must report the effects of this change in interim financial statements in accordance with the provisions of FASB Statement No. 3, Reporting Accounting changes in Interim Financial Statements. The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company's financial position or results from operations.
In March 2005, FASB issued FASB Interpretation N.47 ("FIN 47") of FASB Statement 143, Asset Retirement Obligations, which was issued in June 2001. FASB issued the Interpretation to address diverse accounting practices that have developed with regard to the timing of liability recognition for legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control on the entity. According to the Interpretation, uncertainty about the timing and (or) method of settlement of a condition asset retirement obligations should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005 (December 31, 2005, f or calendar year-end companies). Retrospective application of interim financial information is permitted, but is not required. Early adoption of this Interpretation is encouraged. The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company's financial position or results from operations.
YANACOCHA
Introduction
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Yanacocha Financial Statements as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The Yanacocha Financial Statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Note 17 to the Yanacocha Financial Statements provides a description of the principal differences between U.S. GAAP and Peruvian GAAP, as such differences relate to Yanacocha, and provides a reconciliation to Peruvian GAAP of Yanacocha's net income for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and partners' equity as of December 31, 2003 and 2004. Yanacocha presents its financial statements in U.S. Dollars.
Operating Results
Overview
Yanacocha, the largest gold producer in Latin America, was established in Peru in January 1992, and commenced production activities in August 1993. Yanacocha's operations are located in the Andes mountains in Northern Peru, in the area of Cajamarca which is located approximately 600 kilometers north of Lima and 45 kilometers north of the City of Cajamarca, at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level.
The primary factors affecting Yanacocha's results of operations are (i) prevailing world market prices for gold, (ii) the amount of gold produced and sold by Yanacocha and (iii) Yanacocha's cash costs.
Yanacocha's exploration activities encompass 176,408 hectares of land. Chaupiloma holds the mining rights with respect to these hectares and has assigned the mining rights relating to 108,089 hectares to Yanacocha, covered by 183 mining concessions and four provisional permits. Although Chaupiloma has not assigned to Yanacocha the mining rights to the remaining hectares, Chaupiloma permits Yanacocha to explore these hectares. Of the 183 mining concessions assigned to Yanacocha, approximately 17 are currently used in mining operations and the remaining mining concessions are being explored by Yanacocha. Yanacocha has acquired all the surface rights with respect to 15,230 hectares of the surface land covering its Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, San José, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua (which includes the Cerro Negro deposit) mining operations and a majority of the Cerro Quilish deposit. In addition, Yanacocha has acquired 4,522 hectares of surface rights with respect to the Minas Conga deposit .
Yanacocha is owned 51.35 percent by Newmont Mining, through its wholly owned subsidiary Newmont Second, 43.65 percent by the Company through its 100 percent owned subsidiary Condesa, and 5 percent by IFC. Yanacocha is managed by Newmont Peru Limited Sucursal del Peru ("Newmont Peru"). See "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Management of Yanacocha-General Manager/Management Agreement". Since 1992, aggregate capital contributions of US$2.3 million have been made by Condesa, Newmont Second and IFC to Yanacocha. Although Yanacocha did not pay dividends during its development years, 1992 through 1994, cash dividends were distributed from 1995 to 1999. In 2000, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$60 million in dividends in respect of 2000 earnings and increased its property, plant and equipment reinvestment program by US$71 million. The reinvestment program totaled US$193 million at December 31, 2000, which amount was capitalized during 2001. In 2001, Yanacocha paid an aggre gate amount of US$10 million in dividends in respect of 2000 earnings and elected to reinvest US$80 million from 2001 profits based on a new reinvestment program for the years 2001 to 2004. In December 2001, the MEM approved the 1998 reinvestment program (increased in 1999) for US$206.5 million. As a result, an additional US$13.5 million was capitalized. In 2002, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$50.7 million in dividends in respect of 2001 earnings and elected to reinvest US$80 million from 2002 profits. In 2003, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$300 million in dividends in respect of 2002 earnings and elected to reinvest US$29.6 million from 2003 profits. See the Statements of Changes in Partners Equity in the Yanacocha Financial Statements on page F-70. In 2004, Yanacocha paid an aggregate amount of US$280 million in dividends in respect of 2003 earnings and completed all of investments under its reinvestment program from 2000-2004. Undistributed earnings associated with the reinvestment pro gram are presented as restricted earnings as of December 2002, 2003 and 2004. See the Statements of Changes in Partners Equity in the Yanacocha Financial Statements on page F-70 and "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Overview".
On October 31, 1999, pursuant to a public deed, Yanacocha changed its legal structure from a corporation to a partnership, changing its name from "Minera Yanacocha S.A." to "Minera Yanacocha S.R.L." As a result, Yanacocha (i) cannot have more than 20 partners; (ii) its capital stock is represented in participations; (iii) is not required to maintain a legal reserve (see Note 11 to Yanacocha Financial Statements); and (iv) will not receive a different income tax treatment under Peruvian law than it did as a corporation.
Gold prices. Yanacocha's revenues and earnings are strongly influenced by world market prices for gold. Such prices have historically fluctuated widely and are affected by numerous factors. Yanacocha has not engaged in gold price hedging activities, such as forward sales or option contracts, to minimize its exposure to fluctuations in the price of gold.
Cost applicable to sales. Cost applicable to sales include: (i) operating costs, consisting primarily of direct production costs such as mining and treatment of the ore, which are the most significant components of cost applicable to sales, (ii) employee profit sharing of 8 percent of pre-tax profits calculated in accordance with Peruvian generally accepted accounting principles, (iii) royalties of 3 percent of the quarterly net sale value of all gold and silver extracted from the mining concessions payable to Chaupiloma after deducting refinery and transport costs, (iv) management fees payable to Newmont Peru, the operator of Yanacocha, (v) selling expenses and (vi) other costs.
Income tax. The uniform income tax rate in Peru was 27 percent of Peruvian taxable income until December 31, 2003. Effective January 1, 2004, the income tax rate in Peru is 30 percent of taxable income (Yanacocha, as explained below, has a stabilized corporate tax rate of 30 percent, excluding income from the La Quinua mine which had a tax rate of 27 percent until December 31, 2003 and 29 percent as of January 1, 2004) and for financial statement purposes is calculated for Yanacocha in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Pursuant to Supreme Decree No.027-98-EF, mining companies can obtain a tax benefit in the form of an investment credit, by effectively reinvesting non-distributed earnings into capital expansion projects that increase the company's productivity. This investment credit is based on 80 percent of amounts reinvested and is obtained by application to and approval by the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Yanacocha has entered into Mining Law Stabilization Agreements under the General Mining Law with the Peruvian government. A Mining Law Stabilization Agreement is a standardized agreement prepared by the MEM, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Central Bank and other Peruvian governmental ministries. Such agreements (i) provide stabilized corporate tax rates, (ii) grant the ability to obtain VAT credit, (iii) provide full access to foreign currency and guarantee treatment in all foreign exchange matters as is given to Peruvian nationals, (iv) protect against foreign exchange controls and (v) grant the right to freely dispose of and export mineral products. Yanacocha has entered into such agreements with regard to the following mines: Carachugo/San Jose, Maqui Maqui, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua. Pursuant to these agreements, the income tax rate in Peru is 30 percent of taxable income, excluding income from the La Quinua mine which had a tax rate of 27 percent until December 31, 2 003 and 29 percent as of January 1, 2004.
Critical Accounting Policies
Yanacocha has furnished the Company with a discussion of Yanacocha's critical accounting policies or methods used in the preparation of its financial statements. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially impact results under different assumptions and conditions. Note 2 to the Yanacocha Financial Statements includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of Yanacocha's Financial Statements. The following is a brief discussion of the identified critical accounting policies and the estimates and judgments made by Yanacocha.
Stockpiles, Ore on Leach Pads and Inventories
As described below, costs that are incurred in, or that benefit, the productive process are accumulated as stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories. Stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories are carried at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value represents the estimated future sales price of the product based on prevailing and long-term metals prices, less the estimated costs to complete production and sell the product. Write-downs of stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories resulting from net realizable value impairments are reported as a component of costs applicable to sales. The current portion of stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories is determined based on the expected amounts to be processed within the next twelve months. Stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories not expected to be processed within the next twelve months are classified as long-term.
Stockpiles. Stockpiles represent coarse ore that has been extracted from a mine and is available for further processing. Stockpiles are measured by estimating the number of tons added and removed from the stockpile, the number of contained units such as contained ounces or pounds (based on assay data) and the estimated recovery percentage (based on the expected processing method). Stockpile ore tonnage is verified by periodic surveys. Costs are allocated to a stockpile based on the relative value of material stockpiled and processed using current mining costs incurred up to the point of stockpiling the ore, including applicable overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to mining operations and removed at each stockpile's average cost per recoverable unit.
Ore on Leach Pads. The recovery of gold from certain oxide ores is efficiently achieved through the heap leaching process. Under this method, ore is placed on leach pads where it is permeated with a chemical solution, which dissolves the gold contained in the ore. The resulting "pregnant" solution, which is included as in-process inventory, is processed further in the processing plant where the gold is recovered. For accounting purposes, costs are added to leach pads based on current mining costs, including applicable depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to mining operations. Cost are removed from the leach pad as ounces are recovered in circuit at the leach plant based on the average cost per recoverable ounce of gold on the leach pad.
The engineering estimates of recoverable gold on the leach pads are calculated from the quantities of ore placed on the pads (measured tons added to the leach pads), the grade of ore placed on the leach pads (based on assay data) and a recovery percentage (based on the leach process and ore type). In general, the leach pad production cycles project recoveries of approximately 90 percent to 95 percent of the placed recoverable ounces in the first year of leaching, declining each year thereafter until the leaching process is complete.
Although the quantities of recoverable gold placed on the leach pads are reconciled by comparing the grades of ore placed on the leach pads to the quantities of gold actually recovered (metallurgical balancing), the nature of the leaching process inherently limits the ability to precisely monitor inventory levels. As a result, the metallurgical balancing process is constantly monitored and the engineering estimates are refined based on actual results over time. Historically, Yanacocha's operating results have not been materially impacted by variations between the estimated and actual recoverable quantities of gold on its leach pads. At December 31, 2004, the weighted-average cost per recoverable ounce of gold on leach pads was US$151 per ounce. Variations between actual and estimated quantities resulting from changes in assumptions and estimates that do not result in write-downs to net realizable value are accounted for on a prospective basis. The ultimate recovery of gold from a pad will not be known until the leaching process is concluded. Based on current mine plans, Yanacocha expects to place the last ton of ore on its leach pads in 2014. Including the estimated time required for residual leaching, rinsing and reclamation activities, Yanacocha expects that its leaching operations will terminate within approximately ten years following the date that the last ton of ore is placed on the leach pad.
The current portion of leach pad inventories is determined based on engineering estimates of the quantities of gold at the balance sheet date that are expected to be recovered during the next twelve months.
In-process Inventory
In-process inventories represent materials that are currently in the process of being converted to a saleable product. Yanacocha's conversion process is leach in-circuit. In-process material is measured based on assays of the material fed to the process and the projected recoveries of the respective plants. In-process inventories are valued at the average cost of the material fed to the process attributable to the source material coming from the mines, stockpiles and/or leach pads plus the in-process conversion costs, including applicable depreciation relating to the process facilities, incurred to that point in the process.
Precious Metals Inventory
Precious metals inventories include gold doré and/or gold bullion. Precious metals that result from Yanacocha's mining and processing activities are valued at the average cost of the respective in-process incurred prior to the refining process, plus applicable refining costs.
Property, Plant and Mine Development
Yanacocha's key judgments under its property, plant, and mine development policy include the estimation of the useful lives of its various asset types, the election to utilize certain methods for recording depreciation, management's judgment regarding appropriate capitalization or expensing of costs related to these assets, and the determination that no impairment exists
Expenditures for new facilities or expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing facilities are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the estimated productive lives of such facilities, which do not exceed the related estimated mine lives of such facilities based on proven and probable reserves.
Mineral exploration costs are expensed as incurred. When it has been determined that a mineral property can be economically developed as a result of establishing proven and probable reserves, costs incurred prospectively to develop such property are capitalized as incurred and are amortized using the units-of-production ("UOP") method over the estimated life of the ore body based on the estimated recoverable ounces mined from proven and probable reserves. These costs include costs to further delineate the ore body and remove overburden to initially expose the ore body. The process of determining proven and probable reserves and determining the estimated life of an ore body requires engineering estimates. Such estimates have been computed using methods consistent with industry practice, which primarily utilize geologic interpretations and minimum grade thresholds. Cut-off grades and pit limits have been defined based on the results of Lerchs-Grossman pit limit analysis.
Major development costs incurred after the commencement of production are amortized using the UOP method based on estimated recoverable ounces mined from proven and probable reserves. To the extent that these costs benefit the entire ore body, they are amortized over the estimated life of the ore body.
Ongoing development expenditures to maintain production are charged to operations as incurred. Repair and maintenance costs incurred in connection with major maintenance activities are charged to operations as incurred.
Interest expense allocable to the costs of developing mining properties and to constructing new facilities is capitalized until assets are ready for their intended use.
Mineral interests
Mineral interests are recorded at fair value at the time acquired, in property, plant and mine development and represent mineral use rights regardless of whether Yanacocha owns the related surface rights ("mining concessions"). Yanacocha's mineral assets represent mineral use rights related to production, development or exploration stage properties, and the value of such assets is primarily driven by the nature and amount of mineral interests believed to be contained, or potentially contained, in such properties. Such mineral asset values consider certain estimates of recoverable minerals from exploration mineral stage interest which are risk adjusted based on management's relative confidence in such materials. Production stage mineral interests represent interests in operating properties that contain proven and probable reserves. Development stage mineral interests represent interests in properties under development that contain proven and probable reserves. Exploration stage mineral interests represent interests in properties that are believed to potentially contain (i) other mineralized material such as inferred material within pits; measured, indicated and inferred material with insufficient drill spacing to qualify as proven and probable reserves; and inferred material in close proximity to proven and probable reserves; (ii) around-mine exploration potential such as inferred material not immediately adjacent to existing reserves and mineralization but located within the immediate mine infrastructure; (iii) other mine-related exploration potential that is not part of measured, indicated or inferred material and is comprised mainly of material outside of the immediate mine area; or (iv) greenfields exploration potential that is not associated with any other production, development or exploration stage property, as described above. Yanacocha's mining concessions are enforceable regardless of whether proven and probable rese rves have been established. In addition, these mining concessions provide for both the right to explore and exploit. However, Yanacocha must first obtain the respective exploration and exploitation permits, which are generally granted in due course. Yanacocha may retain mining concessions indefinitely by paying annual fees and, during exploitation, complying with production obligations or paying assessed fines. Mining concessions are freely assignable or transferable.
Asset Impairment
Yanacocha reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the asset. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on discounted estimated future cash flows. Future cash flows are estimated based on quantities of recoverable minerals, expected gold and other commodity prices (considering current and historical prices, price trends and related factors), production levels and cash costs of production and capital, all based on life-of-mine plans. The term "recoverable minerals" refers to the estimated amount of gold and other minerals that will be obtained from proven and probable reserves and all related exploration stage mineral interests after taking into account losses during ore processing and treatment. In estimating future c ash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of cash flows from other asset groups. All assets at an operating segment are considered together for purposes of estimating future cash flows. Assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to risks and uncertainties.
Reclamation and Remediation Costs (Asset Retirement Obligations)
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 143 "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations", which established a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. The statement was adopted on January 1, 2003, when Yanacocha recorded the estimated present value of reclamation liabilities and increased the carrying amount of the related asset which resulted in a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of US$32.4 million, net of US$10.2 million in taxes. See Note 9 to the Yanacocha Financial Statements. Reclamation costs are allocated to expense over the life of the related assets and are adjusted for changes resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate. Accounting and reclamation and remediation obligations require management to make estimates as to future costs Yanacocha will incu r to complete the reclamation and remediation work required for a mine to comply with existing laws and regulations. Actual costs incurred in future periods could differ from estimated amounts. Additionally, future changes to environmental laws and regulations could increase the extent of reclamation and remediation work required to be performed by Yanacocha. Any such increase in future costs could materially impact the amounts charged to operations for reclamation and remediation.
Prior to adoption of SFAS No. 143, estimated future reclamation costs were based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Such costs related to active mines were accrued and charged over the expected operating lives of the mines using the UOP method based on proven and probable reserves. Future remediation costs for inactive mines were accrued based on management's best estimate at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at a site. Such cost estimates included, where applicable, ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates were reflected in earnings in the period an estimate was revised.
Income Tax and Profit Sharing
Yanacocha accounts for income tax and legally required profit sharing using the liability method, recognizing certain temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of Yanacocha's liabilities and assets and the related income tax basis for such liabilities and assets. This method generates a net deferred income tax liability and profit sharing liability or net deferred income tax asset and profit sharing asset for Yanacocha as of the end of the year, as measured by the statutory tax and profit sharing rates in effect as enacted. Yanacocha derives its deferred income tax charge or benefit and profit sharing charge or benefit by recording the change in the net deferred income tax liability and profit sharing liability or net deferred income tax asset and profit sharing asset balance for the year, based on Peruvian income tax and profit sharing rates.
Yanacocha's deferred income tax assets include certain future tax benefits. Yanacocha records a valuation allowance against any portion of those deferred income tax assets when it believes, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized. Estimates of future taxable income are based on forecasted cash flows and the application of existing tax laws. See "-Asset Impairment for a discussion of the factors that could cause future cash flows to differ from estimates. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ significantly from estimates, Yanacocha's ability to realize deferred tax assets recorded at the balance date could be impacted. Additionally, future changes in tax laws could limit the Yanacocha's ability to obtain future tax benefits represented by its deferred tax assets recorded at the reporting date.
Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
Sales
Sales increased 21 percent from US$1,036.4 million in 2003 to US$1,249.9 million in 2004, due principally to an increase of 6 percent in production and an increase of 13 percent in price per ounce of gold. The average price per ounce of gold increased from US$363 in 2003 to US$411 in 2004, which resulted in a total sales increase of approximately US$213.5 million for the year. Increased production resulted in a 6 percent increase in the quantity of gold sold, from 2,858,680 ounces in 2003 to 3,039,873 ounces in 2004. Production by mine was as follows:
Mine |
2004 |
2003 |
|
Ounces |
Ounces |
Yanacocha |
740,087 |
813,132 |
La Quinua |
1,530,112 |
1,146,757 |
Carachugo |
701,491 |
826,920 |
Maqui - Maqui |
45,612 |
64,334 |
|
3,017,302 |
2,851,143 |
The increase in production in ounces of gold produced in 2004 compared to 2003 was mainly attributed to an increase in the recovery of gold due to improved performance at the processing plants, additional works and increased innovation at leaching pads; partially off-set by a decrease in the leach tons placed from 131.8 million dry metric tons at December 31, 2003 to 121.1 million dry metric tons at December 31, 2004 and a lower grade of ore mined from 0.93 grams per ton at December 31, 2003 to 0.85 grams per ton at December 31, 2004.
Costs applicable to sales
Costs applicable to sales increased 20 percent from US$377 million in 2003 to US$451 million in 2004, due primarily to higher operating costs mainly attributed to the increase in cost of diesel, consumption of cyanide and personnel, as well as increased royalties and workers profit participation expenses, partially off-set by higher by-product credits. Cash costs per ounce of gold increased 13.9 percent from US$129 in 2003 to US$147 in 2004, primarily as a result of a higher operating cost per ounce of US$119 in 2004 compared to US$104 in 2003, and as result of higher workers' profit participation costs due to a higher applicable net taxable income, which was partially off-set by an increased by-product metal sales credit from an increase in silver ounces sold. Operating costs increased from US$316.3 million in 2003 to US$348.9 million in 2004. Operating costs consist primarily of drilling, blasting, loading and hauling costs which increased in 2004 primarily as a result of an increase in fuel price to an average of US$2.38 per gallon in 2004 compared to US$1.93 per gallon in 2003. Additional increases in operating costs resulted from the greater consumption of critical items such as cyanide and lime (as per inventory reduction plan), electricity, increase of personnel cost related to new employees hired and greater expense on donations and charitable contributions as part of the social responsibility plan.
The increase in the royalty expense paid to S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca (equivalent to 3 percent of net sales) was directly related to the increase in sales revenues. Royalty expense was US$37.9 million in 2004 compared to US$31.7 million in 2003. Workers profit participation expense is calculated based on taxable income and in accordance with Peruvian labor legislation. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Employees." This increase in workers profit participation expense is directly related to the increase of net taxable income. Workers' participation was US$53.9 million in 2004 and US$44.5 million in 2003.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased 22 percent from US$146.8 million in 2003 to US$179.4 million in 2004. This increase was attributable principally to the decrease in the volume of inventories, which results in a lower amount of capitalized depreciation and a higher amount charged to the results of the year. Yanacocha also incurred an additional depreciation expense of US$5.9 million in connection with its asset retirement cost as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 143.
Other expenses
Other expenses decreased in 2004 primarily due to a US$4.2 million write-down of part of the agglomeration plant of La Quinua. In 2003, other expenses included an adjustment for asset retirement cost of US$16.6 million related to the Maqui Maqui mine.
Interest expense and other income
Interest expense and other income increased 27 percent to US$1.4 million in 2004 from US$1.1 million in 2003. This increase was due primarily to lower other income in 2004 and lower interest expense in 2004 as a result of a lower debt position (US$37.0 million in 2004 compared to US$67.0 million in 2003).
Income tax provision
The increase in income tax provision was directly related to Yanacocha's increase in taxable income. The net effective tax rate was 31.7 percent in 2004 compared to 25.6 percent in 2003. The statutory rate for both years was a blend of 30 percent.
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
As explained above under Critical Accounting Policies, Yanacocha adopted SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations", on January 1, 2003 and recorded the estimated present value of reclamation liabilities ("asset retirement obligation" or "ARO") and increased the carrying amount of the related asset to be retired in the future. Yanacocha allocates the carrying amount of the related asset to expense over the life of the related assets, adjusting for changes resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate. At January 1, 2003, Yanacocha recorded approximately US$50 million for the carrying amount of the related asset, net, an increase of approximately US$72.1 million to ARO, an increase of US$7.9 million to deferred tax liabilities, and an increase of US$2.3 million to deferred profit sharing liabilities. As of December 31, 2004, Yanacocha recorded an increase of US$10.7 million in the ARO for the Carac hugo mine. A net increase of US$3.9 million was recorded for the other mines.
ARO corresponds primarily to activities to be performed in the restoration of the mines and related areas once the gold extraction process has been finished. The principal activities that Yanacocha plans to perform for each mine include the operation of water treatment plants, demolition work, re-vegetation work, earth work and rinsing of the leach pad areas.
At December 31, 2004 the ARO per mine was composed as follows:
Mine |
ARO |
(in thousands of US$) |
|
Maqui Maqui |
21,554 |
Carachugo |
35,747 |
La Quinua |
22,703 |
Cerro Yanacocha |
26,726 |
China Linda |
302 |
107,031 |
Net Income
As a consequence of the foregoing, net income increased 22 percent from US$320.4 million in 2003 to US$390.3 million in 2004. As a percent of sales, net income increased from 30.9 percent in 2003 to 31.2 percent in 2004.
Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
Sales
Sales increased 45 percent from US$713.4 million in 2002 to US$1,036.4 million in 2003, due principally to an increase of 24.7 percent in production and an increase of 17 percent in price per ounce of gold. The average price per ounce of gold increased from US$311 in 2002 to US$363 in 2003, which resulted in a total sales increase of approximately US$149 million for the year. Increased production resulted in a 25 percent increase in the quantity of gold sold, from 2,291,967 ounces in 2002 to 2,858,680 ounces in 2003. Production by mine was as follows:
Mine |
2003 |
2002 |
|
Ounces |
Ounces |
Yanacocha |
813,132 |
903,581 |
La Quinua |
1,146,757 |
765,756 |
Carachugo |
826,920 |
585,250 |
Maqui - Maqui |
64,334 |
30,997 |
|
2,851,143 |
2,285,584 |
The increase in production at the La Quinua and Carachugo mines was due to higher levels of tonnage placed in leach pads, the higher level of head grade of ore placed and the improved grade of the pregnant solution from carbon columns contributions.
Costs applicable to sales
Costs applicable to sales increased 21 percent from US$313 million in 2002 to US$377 million in 2003, due primarily to higher operating cost, royalties and workers profit participation cost. Cash costs per ounce of gold decreased 3.8 percent from US$134 in 2002 to US$129 in 2003, primarily as a result of a lower operating cost per ounce of US$115 in 2002 compared to US$104 in 2003, and as result of an improved grade in ore mined and contributions of additional carbon columns at La Quinua and Cerro Yanacocha. This decrease was partially off-set by an increased workers participation cost per ounce of gold due to a higher applicable net taxable income. Operating costs increased from US$302.5 million in 2002 to US$316.3 million in 2003. Operating costs consist primarily of blasting, loading and hauling costs which increased in 2003 primarily as a result of an increase in fuel price to an average of US$1.83 per gallon in 2003 compared to US$1.43 per gallon in 2002. Additional increases in o perating costs resulted from the increase in costs associated with Yanacocha's assistance to the City of Cajamarca.
The increase in the royalty expense paid to S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca (equivalent to 3 percent of net sales) was directly related to the increase in sales revenues. Royalty expense was US$31.7 million in 2003 compared to US$21.6 million in 2002. Workers profit participation expense is calculated based on taxable income and in accordance with Peruvian labor legislation. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Employees." This increase in workers profit participation expense is directly related to the increase of net taxable income. Workers' participation was US$44.5 million in 2003 and US$24.1 million in 2002.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased 28 percent from US$114.8 million in 2002 to US$146.8 million in 2003. This increase was attributable principally to leach pad expansion at the La Quinua (Stage 3) and Carachugo (Stage 9) mines, whose assets were depreciated for the entire year 2003. Yanacocha also incurred an additional depreciation expense of US$9.5 million in connection with its asset retirement cost as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 143. In addition, Yanacocha capitalized less depreciation into inventory in 2003 than 2002 as a result of increased production and other additions to the property, plant and equipment contributed to the increase in depreciation.
Other expenses
Other expenses increased primarily due to the write-off of US$16.6 million for asset retirement cost related to the Maqui Maqui mine. This write-off was off-set by a US$1.3 million insurance payment received in connection with a settlement related to the remediation costs incurred in connection with mercury spill in 2000. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Legal Proceedings". In addition, the insurance payment was off-set by US$0.9 million in remediation costs incurred for public environmental clean-up and fines associated with general remediation liabilities.
Interest expense and other income
Interest expense and other income decreased 86 percent to US$1.1 million in 2003 from US$7.5 million in 2002. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in Yanacocha's debt position from US$115 million in 2002 to US$67.0 million in 2003 and an increase in the amount of interest capitalized in 2003 to US$4.5 million from US$3.0 million in 2002 as a result of increased capital investments in construction.
Income tax provision
The increase in income tax provision was directly related to Yanacocha's increase in taxable income. The net effective tax rate was 25.6 percent in 2003 compared to 24.6 percent in 2002. The statutory rate for both years was a blend of 30 percent and 27 percent. The difference in the effective rate was a result of investment credits.
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
As explained above under Critical Accounting Policies, Yanacocha adopted SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations", on January 1, 2003 and recorded the estimated present value of reclamation liabilities ("asset retirement obligation" or "ARO") and increased the carrying amount of the related asset to be retired in the future. Yanacocha allocates the carrying amount of the related asset to expense over the life of the related assets, adjusting for changes resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate. At January 1, 2003, Yanacocha recorded approximately US$50 million for the carrying amount of the related asset, net, an increase of approximately US$72.1 million to ARO, an increase of US$7.9 million to deferred tax liabilities, and an increase of US$2.3 million to deferred profit sharing liabilities. As of December 31, 2003, Yanacocha recorded a decrease of US$26.4 million in ARO for the Cerro Yana cocha mine and an increase of US$16.6 million in the ARO for the Maqui Maqui mine. A net decrease of US$0.8 million was recorded for the other mines.
The ARO corresponds primarily to activities to be performed in the restoration of the mines and related areas once the gold extraction process has been finished. The principal activities that Yanacocha plans to perform for each mine include the operation of water treatment plants, demolition work, re-vegetation work, earth work and rinsing of the leach pad areas.
At December 31, 2003 the ARO per mine was composed as follows:
Mine |
ARO |
(in thousands of US$) |
|
Maqui Maqui |
25,111 |
Carachugo |
25,606 |
La Quinua |
17,929 |
Cerro Yanacocha |
22,773 |
China Linda |
329 |
91,748 |
Net Income
As a consequence of the foregoing, net income increased 62 percent from US$197.9 million in 2002 to US$320.4 million in 2003. As a percent of sales, net income increased from 27.7 percent in 2002 to 30.9 percent in 2003.
Non-GAAP information reconciliation
Operating cash cost per ounce of gold sold is defined as the total of costs applicable to sales less non-cash provisions for reclamation and remediation costs. Operating cash is comprised of operating costs, management fees, royalty expenses, selling expenses, write off of assets, workers' profit participation costs and credits for by-product sales. Operating cash cost is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures provided by other companies. When analyzing operating performance, investors should use Operating cash cost in addition to, and not as an alternative to, cost of sales. Operating cash cost per ounce is derived from historical statements of income and is presented as supplemental information because management believes it provides additional information to evaluate operations. A reconciliation of Yanacocha's operating cash cost per ounce to U.S. GAAP cost of sales is presented below.
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|||||
US$ |
c/ per unit |
US$ |
c/ per unit |
US$ |
c/ per unit |
||
Cost applicable to sales (U.S. GAAP) |
450,825 |
148.3 |
377,214 |
132.0 |
312,980 |
136.6 |
|
Accretion expense |
(6,025) |
(2.0) |
(6,534) |
(2.3) |
(6,876) |
(3.0) |
|
Other operating costs |
608 |
0.2 |
(688) |
(0.3) |
943 |
0.4 |
|
Cash costs |
445,408 |
146.5 |
369,992 |
129.4 |
307,047 |
134.0 |
|
Total ounces sold |
3,039,873 |
2,858,680 |
2,291,967 |
||||
Operating cash cost per ounce |
146 |
129 |
134 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash provided by operating activities
At December 31, 2004, Yanacocha had cash and cash equivalents of US$69.8 million, substantially all of which were held in U.S. Dollars, as compared to US$46.4 million and US$46.8 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002 respectively. The 2003 figure excludes cash and cash equivalents in the Bank of New York established in connection with the Yanacocha Receivables Securitization. These funds were restricted and a portion was held in escrow for payment of Yanacocha's next interest and principal installments. In June 2004, the Trust Certificates issued in connection with the Yanacocha Receivables Securitization were paid in full, and at December 31, 2004, no restricted funds were held.
Yanacocha's operations generated a net cash flow of US$548.2 million in 2004, US$553.6 million in 2003 and US$320.0 million in 2002. The increase in net cash flow provided by operating activities in 2004 is primarily attributable to the increase in production and sales of gold, partially off-set by higher cash costs and income tax pre-payments. The increase in net cash flow in operating activities in 2003 was attributable to the increase in gold prices and gold ounces sold partially off-set by higher cash costs.
Cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was US$231.4 million in 2004, US$205.7 million in 2003 and US$146.7 million in 2002. Investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures associated with the expansions of the La Quinua (stage 4) and Cerro Yanacocha (stage 6) leach pads. Yanacocha invested US$22.2 million and US$14.5 million, respectively, in 2004 for these projects. In addition, Yanacocha invested US$13.1 million in the construction of the new carbon column plant and stripping circuit for Carachugo mine, US$36.9 million in new mining equipment, US$20.4 for environmental and regional water management projects and the remaining balance in other ongoing expansion work. In 2003, investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures associated with the expansions of the La Quinua (stage 2 & 4) and Cerro Yanacocha (stages 5 & 6) leach pads. Yanacocha invested US$40.6 million and US$32 million, respectively, in 2003 for these projects. In addition, Yanacoch a invested US$18.3 million in the construction of two new carbon column plants for each of La Quinua and Cerro Yanacocha mines, US$30.3 million in new mining equipment, US$24.4 for environmental and regional water management projects and the remaining balance in other ongoing expansion work. For 2002, principal capital expenditures were related to leach pad expansions (US$69.2 million), environmental expenditures (US$14.3 million), carbon column plant and new refinery (US$12.9 million) and other replacement capital.
Cash used in financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities was US$293.4 million in 2004, US$348.4 million in 2003 and US$136.9 million in 2002. In 2004, financing activities consisted basically of the repayments of long-term debt of US$95.5 million and dividends distributed to partners of US$280 million, slightly off-set by proceeds from debt of US$65.5 million. In 2003, financing activities consisted principally of the payment of long-term debt of US$47.6 million and dividend payments to partners of US$300.0 million. In 2002, financing activities consisted principally of the payments of dividends to partners of US$50.7 million and repayments of long-term debt of US$111.9 million, which was off-set by proceeds from long-term debt of US$28.8 million.
Exploration and Development Costs; Capital Expenditures
Yanacocha's exploration and development costs during the period from 1992 through 2004 were financed with a combination of internally generated funds, advances from partners and loans from DEG and IFC. For 2005, Yanacocha plans to spend approximately US$24.8 million on exploration and development that will be expensed and an additional US$3.4 million that will be capitalized and that relates to exploration activities for ore bodies that are currently classified as reserves. These exploration and development costs include all of the costs associated with exploration activities such as drilling services (which are subcontracted), geologists and metallurgical testing. Yanacocha is also planning to invest US$12.2 million to develop the Minas Conga ore body. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Exploration."
Yanacocha's capital expenditures from its formation in 1992 through 2004 were financed with a combination of internally generated funds, advances from shareholders, loans from DEG and IFC and proceeds from the Yanacocha Receivables Securitization (see Note 10 to the Yanacocha Financial Statements). Such capital expenditures have related principally to the development of the Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua mining operations, the construction of the two plants at Carachugo and Yanacocha that include a leach solution processing facility and a smelter at each plant, the construction of four carbon column plants, at Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua, the acquisition of both new and used mining equipment, the construction of two dams, the construction of one agglomeration plant at La Quinua, and the expansion of the leach pads for the Carachugo, Maqui Maqui, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua mining operations. Yanacocha's capital expenditures from its formation through December 31, 2004 totaled approximately US$1,640.1 million.
Yanacocha expects that it will meet its working capital, capital expenditure and exploration and development requirements for the next several years from internally generated funds, cash on hand, borrowings from banks and financial institutions. Yanacocha expects that it will not need additional financing if the price of gold remains over US$250 per ounce. There can be no assurance that sufficient funding will be available to Yanacocha from internal or external sources to finance future working capital, capital expenditures and exploration and development requirements, or that external funding will be available for such purpose on terms or at prices favorable to Yanacocha. A very significant decline in the price of gold would be reasonably likely to affect the availability of such sources of liquidity.
Yanacocha anticipates that its capital expenditures for 2005 will be approximately US$263.9 million (including the capitalized exploration costs referred to above).
Research and Development
The Company is a mining exploration, development and production company and does not engage in research and development activities.
Trend Information
The Company's Trend Information
Other than as disclosed in this Annual Report, the Company is not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events which are reasonably likely to have a material effect upon the Company's net sales or revenues, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause reported financial information to not necessarily be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
For the Company's exploration activities, there is no production, sales or inventory in a conventional sense. The Company's financial success is dependent upon the extent to which it is capable of discovering mineralization and the economic viability of developing exploration properties. The development of such properties may take years to complete and the resulting income, if any, cannot be determined with certainty. Further, the sales value of mineralization discovered by the Company is largely dependent upon factors beyond the Company's control, including the market value at any given time of the metals produced.
Yanacocha's Trend Information
Other than as disclosed in this Annual Report, Yanacocha has informed the Company that it is not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events which are reasonably likely to have a material effect upon Yanacocha's net sales or revenues, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause reported financial information to not necessarily be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company's Off-Balance Sheet Information
There are no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company's financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.
Yanacocha's Off-balance Sheet Information
There are no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on Yanacocha's financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The Company's Contractual Obligations
The following table shows the Company's contractual obligations as of December 31, 2004:
|
|
Payments Due By Period (in millions of Nuevos Soles) |
|||
|
|
Less than |
1-3 |
4-5 |
After 5 |
|
Total |
1 year |
years |
years |
years |
Long-Term Debt-------------... |
110.5 |
67.1 |
43.4 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Contractual Cash Obligations------.. |
110.5 |
67.1 |
43.4 |
N/A |
N/A |
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had no other commercial commitments.
Yanacocha's Contractual Obligations
The following table shows Yanacocha's contractual obligations as of December 31, 2004:
|
|
Payments Due By Period |
|||
|
|
Less than |
1-3 |
4-5 |
After 5 |
|
Total |
year |
years |
years |
years |
Long-Term Debt |
32,582 |
13,333 |
17,176 |
2,073 |
N/A |
Capital Lease Obligations |
7,316 |
4,156 |
3,160 |
N/A |
N/A |
Reclamation and Remediation Liability |
107,031 |
4,312 |
26,646 |
11,544 |
64,529 |
Open purchase orders |
42,213 |
42,213 |
- |
- |
- |
Other Long-Term Obligations (*) |
59,625 |
20,361 |
21,642 |
11,084 |
6,538 |
Total Contractual Cash Obligations |
248,767 |
84,375 |
68,624 |
24,701 |
71,067 |
___________
(*) Other long-term contracts include deferred workers compensation obligations, power and fuel supply contract commitments and fuel and inventory obligations.
Long-term debt reflects two IFC credit facilities for US$10 million, including estimated interest based on the December 2004 rate of 4.9%, and US$20 million, including estimated interest based on the December 2004 rate of 5.0%, respectively, which are collateralized by certain of Yanacocha's assets.
Board of Directors and Senior Management
The Board of Directors of the Company is responsible for policy decisions and overall direction of the Company and other corporate matters in accordance with the Company By-laws and the Peruvian Companies Law. The Company's executive officers oversee the business of the Company and are responsible for the execution of the policy decisions of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, which must be comprised of seven members, is elected at the annual obligatory meeting of shareholders (the "Annual Obligatory Meeting") for a three year term. The last election took place on March 25, 2005, and the next election is scheduled for March 2008. See Item 10. "Additional Information-Memorandum and Articles of Association".
The Company's current directors and executive officers are as follows:
Name |
Position |
Date First Appointed |
Current |
Directors |
|
|
|
Alberto Benavides de la Quintana (1) |
Chairman of the Board |
1980 |
March 2008 |
Norman Anderson |
Director |
1994 |
March 2008 |
Luis Coleridge |
Director |
2000 |
March 2008 |
Aubrey Laurence Paverd |
Director |
2002 |
March 2008 |
Felipe Ortiz-de-Zevallos |
Director |
2003 |
March 2008 |
Roque Benavides Ganoza(2) |
Director |
2004 |
March 2008 |
Germán Suárez Chávez(3) |
Director |
2005 |
March 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers |
|
|
|
Roque Benavides Ganoza (1) |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
2001 |
|
Carlos E. Gálvez Pinillos |
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
2001 |
|
Raúl Benavides Ganoza (1) |
Business Development Vice President |
1997 |
|
Mario Santillán Farje |
Operations Vice President |
1992 |
|
José Miguel Morales Dasso (1) |
General Counsel |
1970 |
|
César E. Vidal |
Explorations Vice President |
1996 |
|
Carlos Humberto Rodríguez Calle |
Comptroller |
1975 |
|
_______________
(1) Alberto Benavides de la Quintana is the father of Roque Benavides Ganoza and Raúl Benavides Ganoza, the father-in-law of José Miguel Morales Dasso and the brother of Jorge Benavides de la Quintana.
(2) Roque Benavides Ganoza replaced Jorge Benavides de la Quintana, who was a Director until July 2004
(3) Germán Suárez replaced Carlos Plenge Washburn, who was Director until March 2005.
Set forth below is biographical information concerning members of the management of the Company:
Alberto Benavides de la Quintana, Founder, Chairman and member of the Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Alberto Benavides served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1953 to February 2001 and as a director of the Company from 1953 to 1964 and from 1971 to the present, serving as Chairman since 1980. He has been Vice Chairman of Yanacocha's Executive Committee since 1992. He also has served as a director of numerous other mining and mining-related companies that are subsidiaries of the Company. He spent 17 years (1944-1952 and 1964-1971) with Cerro de Pasco Corporation, a Delaware corporation engaged in the mining business that has since been expropriated by the Peruvian government and renamed Centromín Perú, where he was in various management and executive positions involved in the exploration and geology of mines in Peru, including serving as President from 1964 to 1971. He served as President of the Privatization Comm ittee for Centromín from 1992 to 1994 and as director of the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (the Central Reserve Bank of Peru) from 1992 to 2000. He received a B.S. degree in Engineering from the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (National University of Engineering, or "UNI") in Peru in 1941 and an M.S. in Geology from Harvard University in 1944 and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School in 1971.
Norman Anderson, Director and member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Anderson has been a director of the Company since 1994. He is currently President of Anderson & Associates, a Canadian consulting firm. In 1991, he was elected Chairman of the Board of International Corona Corporation, a Canadian gold mining company that has since merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of Homestake Company, a U.S. mining company. From 1980 to 1986, he was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of TCL. He was employed from 1970 to 1973 by AMAX Inc., a company that has since merged with Cyprus Minerals Company to create Cyprus Amax, and from 1953 to 1970 by TCL. He is currently a Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EuroZink Mining Corporation and is a director or officer of other minor mining companies. Mr. Anderson graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.S. in Geological Engineering in 1953.
Luis Coleridge, Director, Financial Expert, Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Coleridge was elected director of the Company on March 29, 2000. He is presently an independent business consultant. A retired partner of Arthur Andersen & Co., Mr. Coleridge's career spanned 33 years, in which he rose to the position of Managing Partner of Peruvian operations and retired in 1997. He was also professor of accounting and auditing at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos ("UNMSM") and other Peruvian universities and colleges. Mr. Coleridge graduated from UNMSM with a B.S. degree in 1962 and completed post-graduate studies in Economics in 1964.
Aubrey Laurence Paverd, Director and member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Dr. Paverd is currently a private consultant based in Melbourne, Australia. From 1994 to 2000, he held the position of Group Executive Exploration with North Ltd., a diversified mining company with gold and base metal mines in Australia, Europe, North and South America. His career with Newmont Mining Corporation spanned 21 years. Beginning as Chief Geologist South Africa in 1973, rising through the positions of Chief Geologist Tsumeb Corporation Ltd., Namibia, a subsidiary of Newmont, to assistant to the Vice President of Exploration in New York in 1979, Director of Foreign Exploration in 1981 and ultimately Vice President of Exploration when he left Newmont in 1994. Mr. Paverd was also a lecturer in geology at Rhodes University during 1972 and 1973 and worked as a field and mining geologist in Australia and Zambia during the period from 1962 to 1969. He received B.S. (Hons) and M.S. degree s from Rhodes University in 1961 and 1966 respectively and a Ph.D. from the University of James Cook North Queensland in 1972. Mr. Paverd is currently also a director of Randgold Resources Ltd., a London listed West African gold mining company.
Felipe Ortiz-de-Zevallos, Director and member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Ortiz has been a director of the Company since August 2003. Mr. Ortiz received a degree in Industrial Engineering from The National Engineering University in 1968, received an M.S. in Administration and Information Technology from the University of Rochester in 1970 and completed the Owner/President Management program at Harvard in 1996.
Roque Benavides Ganoza, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Benavides has been a director of the Company since July 2004 and was the Chief Financial Officer of the Company from 1985 to February 2001, when he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that time, he served as Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of the Company from 1980 to 1985 and as a Project Engineer of the Company from 1977 to 1979. Mr. Benavides also has been an alternate member of the Executive Committee of Yanacocha since 1992 and was the General Manager of Recuperada S.A., formerly a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that has since merged with the Company, from 1981 to 1996. He currently is serving as an executive officer of the Company and as a director of seven of the nineteen mining and mining-related subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company. He also has served as a director of the Socied ad Nacional de Minería, Petróleo y Energía (National Association of Minerals, Petroleum and Energy) since 1988, serving as Chairman of the Board from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Benavides served as chairman of the Confederación Nacional de Instituciones Empresariales Privadas (National Confederation of Private Companies, or CONFIEP) from 1999 to March 2001. In 2001, Mr. Benavides was appointed Vice Chairman of the World Gold Council. Mr. Benavides received a B.S. in Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Pontifical Catholic University of Peru) in Lima, Peru in 1977 and an M.B.A. from Henley, The Management College of Brunnel University in 1980, completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School in 1985 and the Advanced Management Program at Templeton College of Oxford University in 1997.
German Suárez Chávez, Director and member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Suárez has been a director of the Company since March 2005. Mr. Suárez is an economist who was employed by the Central Bank from 1964 to 1990. From 1979 to 1980, Mr. Suárez represented Brazil and Peru at the International Monetary Fund ("IMF") and from 1981 to 1980 he served as an Official of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Mr. Suárez served as Chairman of Banco de la Nacion from 1990 to 1992 and Chairman of the Central Bank of Peru from 1992 to 2001. He has also served as a representative of Banco de la Nación at Bladex, Extebandes and Arlabank, a member of the board of directors of Latin American Reserves Fund, and currently is member of the board of directors of La Pampilla Refinery (Relapasa) and Credicorp Ltd. From 1993 to 2001, he served as Governor of the IMF and Alternate Governer of the Inter-American Development. From 2000 to 2001 Mr. Suárez served as Chairman of the IMF G-24. Mr. Suárez graduated from UNMSM with a B.S. in Economics in 1965 and received an M.A. in Economics from Columbia University in 1969.
Carlos E. Gálvez Pinillos, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gálvez was the Deputy Manager, Finance and Information Systems, from 1985 to February 2001, when he was appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. As of March 2003, Mr. Gálvez is also an alternate member of Executive Committee of Yanacocha. He served as Deputy Manager of the Company's Treasury from 1980 to 1985, and as Treasurer from 1978 to 1980. Mr. Gálvez has also served as director of the Colquirrumi and Coimolache, subsidiaries of the Company, and was appointed director of Conenhua in 2000, director of El Brocal in 2002, director of Contacto S.A. in 2005, and an alternate member of the Executive Committee of Yanacocha in 2003. He also has served as director of the Sociedad de Minería, Petróleo y Energía del Perú (Mining, Petroleum and Energy Society of Peru) since 2000. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gálvez served as Managerial Adjunct for Finance and Credit from 1977 to 1978 at Banco Minero del Perú (Mining Bank of Peru). He has also served as a board member of the Comité de Operación Económica del Sistema Eléctrico Nacional (Committee of Economic Operation of the National Electric System). Mr. Gálvez received his B.A. in Economics from the Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal in 1976, his M.B.A. from the University of the Pacific in 1980 and completed the Program for Management Development at The Harvard Business School in 1997.
Raúl Benavides Ganoza, Business Development Vice President. Mr Benavides has been the Business Development Vice President of the Company since 1992. He is also currently an alternate member of the Executive Committee of Yanacoha (1992-to date) and board member of several of the Company's subsidiaries. From 1984 to 1996 he was Manager of the Orcopampa mine. Prior to that time, Mr Benavides was a Manager of Operations from 1983 to 1984 and Chief of Mining from 1980 to 1983 at Colquirrumi. Since 1995, he has been a professor of mining administration at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Mr. Benavides also has served as Vice President of the Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas (Institute of Mining Engineering) since 1994 and was also the President of the Instituto de Seguridad Minera del Perú (Mining Safety Institute of Peru) from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Benavides was a member of the Consulting Board for the National Occupational Safety Ass ociation from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Benavides received a B.S. in Mining Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1980, an M.S. in Mineral Engineering-Management from Pennsylvania State University in 1984 and completed the Advanced Management Program at The Harvard Business School in 2001.
Mario Santillán Farje, Operations Vice President. Mr. Santillán has been manager of the Company since 1992. Prior to that time, Mr. Santillán served as Vice Manager of Operations of the Company from 1982 to 1992, Superintendent of the Company's Julcani mine from 1977 to 1982, Superintendent of the Company's Orcopampa mine from 1974 to 1977 and Division Chief/Captain of the Company's Julcani mine from 1970 to 1974. From 1968 to 1970, he was Chief of Mining at Mina Yuritala, a Peruvian mining company. He is a member of the Colegio de Ingenieros del Perú (Engineering Association of Peru) and is currently a director in the Executive Council of the Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas del Perú (Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers). He received a B.S. in Mining Engineering from UNI in 1968 and also studied advanced courses in mining at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, UNI, the Universidad del Pac&ia cute;fico (University of the Pacific) in Peru and the Colorado School of Mines.
José Miguel Morales Dasso, General Counsel. Mr. Morales has been General Counsel to the Company since 1973. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Morales served as an alternate member of the Executive Committee of Yanacocha. Mr. Morales has also served as a member of the Executive Committee of Yanacocha since 1995. Mr. Morales currently serves as a director of seven of the nineteen mining and mining-related subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company. In addition, he has served as a director of the Instituto Nacional de Derecho de Minería y Petróleo (National Institute of Mining and Petroleum Law), serving as its President from 1989 to 1990 and as a director of the Sociedad de Minería y Petróleo del Perú (Mining and Petroleum Society of Peru) since 1998, serving as its vice chairman since 2000. He has been a director of the following non-mining related companies: Almacenera del Perú S.A. from 1992, Inversiones Cosepa S.A. from 1979, Hotel Costa del Pacífico S.A. from 1994 and El Pacífico-Peruana Suiza Compañía de Seguros from 1979. Since 1973, he also has been a partner of Estudio Aurelio García Sayán-Abogados, a Lima law firm. In February 2003, Mr. Morales was elected president of the Sociedad Nacional de Minería, Petróleo y Energía (National Association of Minerals, Petroleum and Energy). On January 31, 2005, Mr. Morales ended his tenure as President of Sociedad Nacional de Minería, Petróleo y Energía and was elected on March 16, 2005 President of Confederación Nacional de Instituciones Empresariales Privadas (National Confederation of Private Companies, or CONFIEP) until 2007. Mr. Morales received his law degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú in 1968 and completed the Sloan Program at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business in 1976.
César E. Vidal, Explorations Vice President. Mr. Vidal has been Explorations Vice President of the Company since the beginning of 1996. Mr. Vidal also currently serves as director of El Brocal and Coimolache. From 1981 to 1987, he served as a geologist for BISA. Prior to joining the Company, from 1991 to 1995, he served as an independent economic geologist consultant to several mining companies, including the Company. From 1987 to 1991, he served as the chief geologist for Perubar S.A., a Peruvian zinc mining company. Mr. Vidal received his B.S. in Geology from UNI in 1977, a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Liverpool in 1980 and certification as an engineering geologist in Peru from UNI in 1984. He also was a post-doctoral research fellow at the Universität Heidelberg (the University of Heidelberg) from 1985 to 1986.
Carlos Humberto Rodríguez Calle, Comptroller. Mr. Rodríguez has served as Comptroller of the Company since 1984 and as Secretary of the Company's Audit Committee. In February 2003, Mr. Rodríguez was elected as Compliance and Ethics Officer of the Company. He also served as Comptroller at Cyanamid Peruana S.A., a Peruvian chemical and pharmaceutical company, from 1965 to 1975, and as General Accountant at Petrolera Amotape S.A., a Peruvian oil company devoted to exploration and development of oil, from 1963 to 1964. Mr. Rodríguez received his B.S. in Economic and Commercial Sciences and Accounting from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú in 1972. In 1988, Mr. Rodríguez obtained a degree in Management from Universidad de Piura.
Compensation
During the year ended December 31, 2004, the aggregate amount of compensation paid by the Company to all directors and executive officers was approximately S/.17.1 million, including director's fees accrued in 2003 and paid in 2004. The Company does not disclose to its shareholders or otherwise make available public information as to the compensation of its individual directors or executive officers.
The Company has a long-term stock appreciation program, with a term of ten years once initiated, that allows certain executives to receive a cash remuneration equivalent to any excess of the market value at a future date over a stated price of a stated number of the Company's ADSs. This program is in effect as long as the executives are employed by the Company at the settlement date of the program. See Note 19(b) to the Company Financial Statements.
Board Practices
The Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, composed entirely of independent directors as defined in Section 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange's Listed Company Manual, is responsible for assisting the Board of Directors in the appointment of independent auditors, upon delegation of such responsibility by the shareholders at the general meeting of shareholders ("General Meeting"), and reviewing the scope of internal and external audits. The Audit Committee also reviews compliance with internal control systems, reviews the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements, reviews financial statements before their presentation to the Comisión Nacional Supervisora de Empresas y Valores (National Supervisory Commission of Business and Securities, or "CONASEV"), the Bolsa de Valores de Lima (Lima Stock Exchange) and the Commission and maintains the integrity of the preparation of audits. The members of the Audit Committee are currently Messrs. Coleridge, Ortiz-de-Zevallos and S uárez.
The Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is responsible for evaluating executive performance and approving executive compensation, including compensation of the chief executive officer and any stock option compensation plans. The members of the Compensation Committee are currently Messrs. Benavides de la Quintana, Ortiz-de-Zevallos and Suárez.
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating/Corporate Committee is responsible for preparing the proposals for the general meetings in respect of the composition of the Board of Directors along with the director remuneration to be approved by the shareholders, and monitoring issues and practices related to corporate governance and to propose necessary actions in respect thereof. The members of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are currently Messrs. Anderson, Coleridge, Paverd, Ortiz-de-Zevallos , Benavides Ganoza and Suárez.
Employees
At December 31, 2004, the Company, together with its subsidiaries, had 1,984 employees, of which 1,089 were on the Company's payroll. In addition, the Company has entered into arrangements with independent contractors, which employed 1,808 persons who worked at the Company's operations. Although the total number of employees has decreased since December 31, 1997, the Company has sought to strengthen its workforce by implementing a qualifications-based hiring policy and, with respect to employees working in the mines, reducing the average age of the workforce. As of December 31, 2004, the average tenure of the permanent laborers of the Company at the Julcani, Uchucchacua, Orcopampa and Recuperada mines (the only mines for which the Company has long-term historical records) was approximately 18 years.
Of the Company's 1,089 permanent employees, approximately 70 percent are members of eight different labor unions (three unions and one labor union committee for clerical workers and three unions and one labor union committee for permanent laborers), which represent all clerical workers and laborers in collective bargaining negotiations with the Company. Each of the labor unions is a company-based union with an affiliation to a national union. Administrative personnel are not represented by unions. Labor relations for unionized and non-unionized employees in the Company's production facilities, including compensation and benefits, are governed by collective bargaining agreements, the terms and length of which are negotiated throughout the year as the various collective bargaining agreements come up for renewal. These collective bargaining agreements are typically one year in length, and set wages for the applicable period and include increases as negotiated and certain other employee benefi ts, such as overtime, bonuses and family benefits.
Compensation received by the Company's employees includes salary, other cash payments (such as overtime, vacation pay and bonuses including, but not limited to, high altitude and underground mining bonuses) and non-cash benefits. Non-cash benefits include medical insurance, life insurance and training programs for workers and administrative staff. For mine and processing plant workers, benefits also include transportation services, meals or food allowances, education for children of the Company's employees and housing, hospitals and a full range of social services for the Company's permanent employees and their families at townsites near its mines in compliance with mining regulations. The Company voluntarily provides power, water and sewage services for the camp and houses of the workers as well as for certain towns nearby. In addition, pursuant to a profit-sharing plan mandated by Peruvian labor legislation, employees of mining companies in Peru are entitled to receive the Employee Profi t Sharing Amount, four percent of such profits to be distributed based on the number of days each employee worked during the preceding year and the remaining four percent of such profits to be distributed among the employees based on their relative salary levels. Effective January 1, 1997, the annual payment to each employee under the profit sharing plan cannot exceed 18 times such employee's monthly salary, and any difference between the Employee Profit Sharing Amount and the aggregate amount paid to employees must be contributed by the Company to the Fondo Nacional de Capacitación Laboral de Promoción del Empleo (FONDO EMPLEO), a fund to be established to promote employment and employee training.
Under Peruvian law, the Company may dismiss workers for cause by following certain formal procedures. The Company may dismiss a worker without cause, provided that the Company pays such worker a layoff indemnification in an amount equal to one and a half month's salary for each full year worked plus the pro rata portion for any uncompleted year, not to exceed in the aggregate 12 months' salary. Several decisions adopted by the Peruvian Constitutional Court, holding that an employee is entitled for reinstatement if no cause for dismissal is expressed by the employer or for failure to present evidence supporting the employer's grounds, have limited the Company's ability to dismiss a worker without cause. However, all employees are entitled to a severance payment upon termination of their employment, regardless of the reason for such termination, equal to one month's salary for each full year worked plus the pro rata portion for any uncompleted year. Pursuant to the Peruvian labor laws enacte d in 1991, the Company deposits funds for severance payments in a bank account selected by each employee and for the benefit of such employee, in both May and November of each year.
The Company's permanent employees receive the benefit of one of two types of pension arrangements. All workers can choose to enroll in the ONP or in AFPs. The Company is required to withhold from each of the salaries of the employees enrolled in the ONP system approximately 13 percent of such employee's salary, and pay such amount to the ONP system and withhold from the salary of each employee enrolled in the AFP system between 11.5 percent and 12 percent of such employee's salary, and pay such amounts to the respective AFP. The Company has no liability for the performance of these pension plans. The Company also pays to the employees of the independent contractors an amount of money sufficient to cover the employers' costs with respect to severance and pension payments.
In addition, the Company pays to ES SALUD nine percent of its total payroll for general health services for all permanent employees. Prior to May 1997, the Company was required to pay to ES SALUD one percent of its payroll of blue collar employees for employment-related illness and accidents (the "Workers Compensation Fund Payment"). In addition, Law No. 26790 also requires the Company to provide private insurance representing an average payment equal to 1.30 percent of the payroll of covered employees for employment-related incapacity and death for blue collar employees and other employees exposed to mining-related hazards. As of December 1, 2004, the Company is no longer required to pay a total of 2 percent of its total payroll for the Extraordinary Solidarity Tax.
The Company has not experienced any strikes during the past five years.
Share Ownership
At April 30, 2005, directors and executive officers of the Company, as a group, owned 25,192,228 Common Shares, representing a percent beneficial ownership of Common Shares of 18.33 percent. The directors and executive officers of the Company do not own any Investment Shares.
Major Shareholders
At April 30, 2005, the Company had outstanding 137,444,962 Common Shares, including 10,565,130 treasury shares, and 372,320 Investment Shares. The Common Shares are voting securities. The table below sets forth certain information concerning ownership of (i) the Common Shares and Investment Shares and (ii) the aggregate Common Shares and Investment Shares, as of April 30, 2005 with respect to each shareholder known to the Company to own more than 2.5 percent of the outstanding Common Shares and with respect to all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
Control of the Company*
Shareholder |
Number of |
Percentage Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares(2) |
Number of Investment Shares |
Percentage Beneficial Ownership of Investment Shares |
Number of Common Shares |
Percentage Beneficial Ownership of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benavides |
36,849,869 |
26.81 |
42,128 |
11.32 |
36,891,997 |
26.77 |
Fidelity Management & Research Co. |
9,775,245 |
7.12 |
- |
- |
9,775,245 |
7.10 |
Cia Minera Condesa S.A. |
10,565,130 |
7.69 |
30,988 |
8.33 |
10,596,118 |
7.69 |
Merrill Lynch IIF-World Gold Fund |
5,000,000 |
3.64 |
- |
- |
5,000,000 |
3.63 |
Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Ltd. (U.K.). |
8,805,590 |
6.41 |
- |
- |
8,805,590 |
6.39 |
AFP, Nueva Vida |
4,106,120 |
2.99 |
- |
- |
4,106,120 |
2.98 |
AFP, Integra |
4,106,453 |
2.99 |
- |
- |
4,106,453 |
2.98 |
AFP Horizonte. |
3,728,397 |
2.72 |
- |
- |
3,728,397 |
2.71 |
Directors and Executive |
25,192,228 |
18.33 |
3,257 |
0.88 |
25,195,485 |
18.29 |
________________
(1) Includes Common Shares directly or indirectly owned by Alberto Benavides de la Quintana and certain members of his immediate and extended family and their spouses.
(2) The beneficial ownership of Common Shares adds up to more than 100 percent due to participation by certain members of the Benavides Family as Directors and/or Executive Officers of the Company.
* At April 30, 2005.
As of April 30, 2005, the Company estimates that 64,766,666 ADSs are held in the United States which represent approximately 47 percent of Common Shares outstanding. The number of institutional record holders of the Company's Common Shares (or of ADSs representing its Common Shares) in the United States was fifteen institutions at April 30, 2005.
Except as otherwise disclosed herein, no director, senior officer, principal shareholder or any associate or affiliate thereof, had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the beginning of the Company's last financial year that has materially affected the Company, or in any proposed transaction that would materially affect the Company. Except as otherwise disclosed herein, the Company has entered into no transactions with parties that are not "related parties" but who would be able to negotiate terms not available on an arm's-length basis. The Company enters, from time to time in the ordinary course of business, into management, exploration, mine development, engineering and employment contracts with joint venture companies in which one or more of its direct or indirect subsidiaries holds equity or partnership interests.
Chaupiloma is owner of the mining rights developed by Yanacocha and received a 3 percent royalty on quarterly sales, after deducting refinery and transportation costs. Royalties amounted to S/.82,350,000, S/.116,857,000 and S/.128,889,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively, and are presented as royalty income in the consolidated statements of income.
Condesa received cash dividends from Yanacocha of approximately S/.83,070,000, S/.482,025,000 and S/.414,911,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
In March of 2002, Buenaventura Ingenieros S.A. signed a technical service agreement with Yanacocha to perform a number of specialized activities and services. Pursuant to the agreement, the services performed will be related to the construction of mining projects and will include completion of analysis and studies, work plan design, and functions related to planning, monitoring and administrating the infrastructure projects required by Yanacocha in its operations. This contract expired on December 31, 2004 and was renewed in January, 2005 under the same terms. The revenues related to this service contract amounted to approximately S/.10,176,000 for the year-ended December 31, 2004 and S/.11,408,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003.
In November 2000, Conenhua signed an agreement with Yanacocha for the construction and operation of a 220 kw transmission line between Trujillo and Cajamarca, a 60 kw transmission line between Cajamarca and La Pajuela, and the Cajamarca Norte substation; this agreement also encompassed activities necessary to enlarge the Trujillo substation. Pursuant to this contract, the construction work was completed in October 2001. Concurrently, Yanacocha and the Company singed a 10-year agreement covering electric energy transmission and infrastructure operation beginning in November 2001. In exchange for Buenaventura operating and managing the transmission project, Yanacocha will pay an annual fee of US$3.7 million. The revenues for these services amounted to approximately S/.13,265,000 in 2004 (S/.14,282,000 in 2003).
Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Consolidated Financial Statements
See "Item 19. Exhibits" for a list of financial statements filed under Item 18.
Other Financial Information
Legal Proceedings
Other than the legal proceeding relating to Yanacocha described in "Item 4. Information on the Company-Yanacocha-Legal Proceedings" and as described below, the Company and Yanacocha are each parties to certain other legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, is material.
In or about March 2005, the Company entered into a settlement of litigation filed February 2, 2002, by Patrick Maugein against Newmont Mining Corporation, Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. and certain affiliated corporate entities and named individuals. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, was dismissed by the district court on January 15, 2004, and was pending on appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. As a result of the settlement, on or about March 25, 2005, that appeal has been dismissed with prejudice. A description of the claims brought in the lawsuit may be found in Item 8, Other Financial Information, Legal Proceedings, in the Company's Form 20-F, filed June 2, 2004.
Dividends and Dividends Policy
The Company can distribute three kinds of dividends: (i) cash dividends, which are paid out of the Company's net distributable income for each year, (ii) stock dividends that are akin to stock splits rather than distributions of earnings, which are issued for the purpose of adjusting the book value per share of the Company's stock, and (iii) stock dividends for the purpose of capitalizing profits, in each case as described in more detail below. All shares outstanding and fully paid are entitled to share equally in any dividend declared based on the portion of the capital of the Company represented by such share. Shares of capital stock, which are only partially paid participate in a dividend or distribution in the same proportion that such shares have been paid at the time of the dividend or distribution. No cash dividend may be declared in respect of a given year unless the Company has earned net distributable income in respect of such year. However, a company may declare dividends du ring the year. The Company may make interim provisional payments to shareholders in respect of net distributable income for the current fiscal year, which are referred to as "provisional dividends", as explained below.
The Board of Directors, following the end of each fiscal year, makes a recommendation to the annual obligatory shareholders' meeting regarding the amount and timing of payments, if any, to be made as dividends on the Company's Common Shares and Investment Shares.
The dividend policy establishes that dividends will be not less than 20 percent of the Company's net profits. In principle there are two kinds of dividend payments: the interim dividends which are approved by the Board and are generally paid during the fourth quarter of the year, and the final dividend payment which will be paid in accordance with the general shareholders' meeting resolutions. However, the amount and timing of such payments is subject to the final approval at such annual obligatory shareholders' meeting and Board meeting of the Company, as well as to the availability of earnings to distribute. According to Peruvian Corporate Laws, there is an exception that permits holders of at least 20 percent of total Common Shares outstanding, require that not less than 50 percent of the after-tax profits of the Company during the previous year and legal reserve allocation be paid out in the form of dividends.
Available earnings are subject to the following priorities. First, the mandatory employee profit sharing of eight percent of pre-tax profits (which may differ from pre-tax profits determined under Peruvian GAAP due to different depreciation treatment and different adjustments of non-taxable income and/or non-deductible expenses) is paid. Next, remaining earnings are taxed at the standard corporate income tax rate, which is 30 percent since January 1, 2004. Not less than ten percent of such after-tax net profits must then be allocated to a legal reserve, which is not available thereafter except to cover future losses or for use in future capitalizations. Amounts reserved are nevertheless included in taxable income. The obligation to fund this reserve continues until the reserve constitutes 20 percent of the paid-in share capital. In addition, the holders of Common Shares can allocate any portion of the net profits to any special reserve. The remainder of the net profits is available for dis tribution to shareholders. Any dividend approved by a shareholders' meeting of the Company after December 31, 2002 is subject to an additional withholding tax at the rate of 4.1 percent of the total amount of dividends distributed to the shareholders who either are (i) individuals, whether domiciled or non-domiciled in Peru, or (ii) a non-domiciled company or entity. Dividends paid to domiciled companies or entities are not subject to such withholding tax. If any tax or other governmental charge will become payable by Banco Wiese Sudameris of Lima Peru, as custodian, the Depositary or the Company with respect to any ADR or any deposited securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ADR, such tax or other governmental charge will be payable by the owner or beneficial owner of such ADR to the Depositary.
Dividends on issued and outstanding Common Shares and Investment Shares are distributed in accordance with the proportion of the total capital represented by such respective shares. Dividends are distributed pro rata in accordance with the number of Common Shares or Investment Shares. Accordingly, any dividend declared would be apportioned 99.73 percent to the holders of Common Shares and 0.27 percent to the holders of Investment Shares. This proportion will not change in the future except and to the extent holders of Common Shares and Investment Shares exercise their preemptive rights disproportionately in any future issuance of Common Shares and Investment Shares, or the Company issues Common Shares without preemptive rights in accordance with Article 259 of the Peruvian Companies Law.
Holders of Common Shares and Investment Shares are not entitled to interest on dividend payments.
Holders of ADRs are entitled to receive dividends with respect to the Common Shares underlying the ADSs evidenced by such ADRs, subject to the terms of the related Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, to the same extent as owners of Common Shares.
To the extent that the Company declares and pays dividends on the Common Shares, owners of the ADSs on the relevant record date are entitled to receive the dividends payable in respect of the Common Shares underlying the ADSs, subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement. Cash dividends are paid to the Depositary in Nuevos Soles and, except as otherwise described under the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, are converted by the Depositary into U.S. Dollars and paid to owners of ADRs net of currency conversion expenses. Under the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, and will if the Company so requests, distribute stock dividends in the form of additional ADRs evidencing whole ADSs resulting from a dividend or free distribution of Common Shares by the Company received by the Depositary. Cash dividends paid with respect to the Common Shares and amounts distributed with respect to ADSs are currently subject to Peruvian withholding income tax of 4.1 percent. See "Item 10. Additional Information-Taxation-Peruvian Tax Considerations".
The Company issues stock dividends for value per share of the Company's stock. The book value of the Company's share capital is based on the nominal (par) value of each share but is adjusted to account for inflation; thus, in inflationary periods, the Company's book value will increase while its nominal value will remain constant. In order to adjust the book value of each share to equal or approximate its nominal value, the Company periodically issues new shares that are distributed as stock dividends to each existing shareholder in proportion to such shareholder's existing holdings, unless it increases the nominal value of the existing shares. These stock dividends (which under the Peruvian income tax law are not considered dividends) do not change a stockholder's percentage of interest in the Company. In addition, the Company may from time to time capitalize profits and, in such case, it has to distribute stock dividends representing the profits capitalized.
Dividends not collected within ten years will be retained by the Company, increasing its legal reserve, and the right to collect such dividends will expire.
Under Peruvian law, each company may make formal cash distributions only out of net distributable income (calculated on an individual, unconsolidated basis and demonstrated by a balance sheet at any given time). The Company, however, may pay provisional dividends. Payment of provisional dividends will be approved on the basis of financial statements which show the existence of net distributable income obtained during the current fiscal year. In the event that, following such an interim provisional payment, the Company suffers a loss or if it finishes its fiscal year with a net income that is lower than the amount of provisional dividends paid during such fiscal year, it could legally require all shareholders (including holders of ADRs) to return such payment to the Company with interest. However, it has been and continues to be the Company's policy not to require shareholders to return such payment of provisional dividends, but rather to cover such contingency through a "dividends paid in advance" account to be off-set by future net distributable income.
The following table sets forth the amounts of interim and final cash dividends and the aggregate of cash dividends paid with respect to the years 2000 through 2001. Cash dividends with respect to these years were paid per Series A Share, Series B Share and ADS. Effective on May 3, 2002, the Company redesignated its Series B Shares and Series A Shares as Common Shares and each of the Company's ADSs, which previously represented two Series B Shares, represented two Common Shares. Effective November 12, 2003, the Company modified the ratio of the Company's ADSs from two Common Shares per ADS to one Common Share per ADS. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-History and Development-History-Redesignation of the Company's Shares and ADSs":
Year ended December 31, |
Per Series A Share(1) |
Per Series B Share(1) |
Per ADSs(1) |
Per Investment Share(1) |
||||||||
|
Interim |
Final |
Total |
Interim |
Final |
Total |
Interim |
Final |
Total |
Interim |
Final |
Total |
2000 |
0.1100 |
0.2550 |
0.3650 |
0.1100 |
0.2550 |
0.3650 |
0.2200 |
0.5100 |
0.7300 |
0.1100 |
0.2550 |
0.3650 |
2001 |
0.1100 |
0.2100 |
0.3200 |
0.1100 |
0.2100 |
0.3200 |
0.2200 |
0.4200 |
0.6400 |
0.1100 |
0.2100 |
0.3200 |
________________
(1) Interim and final dividend amounts are expressed in nominal Nuevos Soles as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively.
The following table sets forth the amounts of interim and final cash dividends and the aggregate of cash dividends paid with respect to the 2002, 2003 and 2004. Dividends with respect to such year were paid per Common Share and ADS.
Year ended December 31, |
Per Common Share |
Per ADSs |
Per Investment Share |
||||||
|
Interim |
Final |
Total |
Interim |
Final |
Total |
Interim |
Final |
Total |
2002(1) |
0.3202 |
0.303 |
0.6232 |
0.6404 |
0.606 |
1.2464 |
0.3202 |
0.3030 |
0.6232 |
2003(2) |
0.5453 |
0.5453 |
1.0906 |
|
1.0906 |
0.5453 |
|
0.5453 |
|
2003(2) |
0.3282 |
0.5536 |
0.8818 |
0.3282 |
0.5536 |
0.8818 |
0.3282 |
0.5536 |
0.8818 |
2004 |
0.5312 |
0.585 |
1.1162 |
0.5312 |
0.585 |
1.1162 |
0.5312 |
0.585 |
1.1162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition to the above mentioned cash dividends, in November 2002, the Company distributed stock dividends, which in the aggregate were equivalent to S/.2.8 million, in the form of El Brocal shares. In August 2003, the Company distributed an extraordinary stock dividend as of S/.0.5453 per share.
Minority Shareholders
Law No. 28370, published on October 30, 2004, included in the Peruvian Companies Law certain provisions for the protection of the minority shareholders that were formerly contained in Law No. 26985. Pursuant to Article 262-A of the Peruvian Companies Law, the Company will publish within sixty days after the Annual Obligatory Shareholders Meeting the total number and value of any shares not claimed by shareholders, the name of such shareholders, the share quote in the securities market for such shares; the total amount of uncollected dividends; and where shares and dividends pending claim are available for the minority shareholders. The publication must be made in the official gazette "El Peruano" and on the Company's website. Article 262-B describes the procedure to request share certificates and/or dividends. Pursuant to Article 262-C, the Company is required to submit to CONASEV the list of shareholders that have and have not picked-up their share certificates and/or have or have not collected their dividends within 60 days of the required publication in El Peruano. Article 262-F contains the procedure to solve any claim that the minority shareholders may file.
Significant Changes
No significant change in the Company's financial affairs has occurred since the date of the annual financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Offer and Listing Details
Not applicable.
Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
Trading Markets
Effective on May 3, 2002, the Company redesignated its Series B Shares and Series A Shares as Common Shares. From such date, each of the Company's ADSs, which previously represented two Series B Shares, represented two Common Shares. Effective November 12, 2003, the Company modified the ratio of the Company's ADSs from two Common Shares per ADS to one Common Share per ADS. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-History and Development-History-Redesignation of the Company's Shares and ADSs". Accordingly, since May 3, 2002, the Common Shares and ADSs representing the Common Shares (each ADS representing two Common Shares) have been listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BVN". In addition, the Common Shares are listed and traded on the Lima Stock Exchange. The Investment Shares have been listed and traded on the Lima Stock Exchange since 1979.
At April 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the share capital with respect to the Common Shares was S/.549,779,848 represented by 137,444,962 shares and the share capital with respect to the Investment Shares was S/.1,489,280 represented by 372,320 shares. The Common Shares represent 100 percent of the outstanding share capital of the Company. The Investment Shares have no voting rights and are not, under Peruvian law and accounting rules, characterized as share capital. At April 30, 2005, there were 1,167 owners of record of the Common Shares and 1,161 owners of record of the Investment Shares.
Historical Information
The Series B Shares and the ADSs which represented the Series B Shares (each ADS represented two Series B Shares) were listed, and the ADSs were traded, on the New York Stock Exchange from May 31, 1996 until May 2, 2002, under the symbol "BVN". In addition, the Series B Shares were listed and traded on the Lima Stock Exchange from May 15, 1996 until May 2, 2002. The ADSs which represented the Series B Shares were issued under the terms of a Deposit Agreement dated May 20, 1996, among the Company, The Bank of New York, as depositary, and the owners and beneficial owners of ADSs. The Series A Shares were listed and traded on the Lima Stock Exchange since 1971.
The creation of the Series B Shares was authorized at an extraordinary meeting of shareholders held on March 20, 1996. At that meeting, outstanding common shares were renamed as Series A Shares, and a capital increase of a new class of common shares, designated Series B Shares, was approved. On May 31, 1996, the Series B Shares began trading on the Lima Stock Exchange and on May 15, 1996, the ADSs began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. On November 26, 1997, the Company consummated the Series A Exchange Offer, pursuant to which it exchanged 32,472,952 Series A Shares for an equal number of Series B Shares. Immediately prior to the Series A Exchange Offer, there were 98,995,000 Series A Shares and 19,154,617 Series B Shares. Upon consummation of the exchange, there were 66,522,048 Series A Shares and 51,627,569 Series B Shares.
On December 10, 1998, the Company consummated an exchange offer pursuant to which it exchanged 18,666,198 Labor Shares (now known as Investment Shares) for 18,666,198 Series B Shares. On December 3, 1999, the Company commenced an exchange offer, pursuant to which it offered to exchange on a one-for-one basis, all outstanding Series A Shares and Investment Shares for its Series B Shares (the "Redemption and Exchange Offer"). The Redemption and Exchange Offer terminated, in accordance with its terms, on January 13, 2000. As a result of the Redemption and Exchange Offer, 23,433,294 Series A Shares and 629,147 Investment Shares were tendered for redemption and/or exchange and accepted by the Company and were exchanged for equal numbers of Series B Shares. At December 31, 1999 (prior to the consummation of the Redemption and Exchange Offer), the share capital with respect to the Series A Shares was S/.66,522,048 represented by 66,522,048 shares; the share capital with respect to the Series B Sh ares was S/.70,293,767 represented by 70,293,767 shares; and the share capital with respect to the Investment Shares was S/.1,011,467 represented by 1,001,467 shares. Following the consummation of the Redemption and Exchange Offer, the share capital with respect to the Series A Shares was S/.43,088,754 represented by 43,088,754 shares; the share capital with respect to the Series B Shares was S/.94,356,208 represented by 94,356,208 shares and the share capital with respect to the Investment Shares was S/.372,320 represented by 372,320 shares.
Trading Information
For the periods indicated prior to April 30, 2005, the table below sets forth the trading volume and the high and low closing prices of the Common Shares and Investment Shares in Nuevos Soles. The table also includes for the same periods the trading volume and the high and low closing prices of the ADSs representing the Common Shares in U.S. Dollars from the date after the redesignation of the Company's Series B Shares and Series A Shares as Common Shares on May 3, 2002. See "Item 4. Information on the Company-The Company-History and Development-History-Redesignation of the Company's Shares and ADSs":
|
|
Common Shares (1) |
ADSs (2) |
Investment Shares (1) |
|||||||
|
|
Trading Volume |
High |
Low |
Trading Volume |
High |
Low |
Trading Volume |
High |
Low |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
(in nominal S/. per share) |
(in millions) |
(in US$per ADS) |
(in millions) |
(in nominal S/. per share) |
||||
Annual highs and lows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
2002 (after May 3, 2002) |
8.18 |
50.64 |
31.00 |
51.26 |
30.77 |
20.11 |
0.15 |
35.67 |
22.87 |
|
|
2003 |
4.56 |
99.07 |
42.90 |
66.99 |
44.02 |
24.04 |
0.13 |
49.34 |
26.68 |
|
|
2004 |
2.21 |
101.17 |
69.36 |
109.38 |
29.45 |
19.62 |
0.18 |
69.90 |
50.93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly highs and lows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
1st quarter |
1.27 |
48.79 |
42.90 |
13.38 |
28.14 |
24.04 |
0.03 |
28.67 |
26.68 |
|
|
2nd quarter |
1.49 |
51.18 |
46.47 |
11.12 |
29.92 |
26.58 |
0.03 |
29.17 |
27.22 |
|
|
3rd quarter |
1.15 |
66.66 |
57.87 |
13.80 |
39.17 |
32.87 |
0.03 |
33.84 |
29.01 |
|
|
4th quarter |
0.65 |
99.07 |
78.39 |
28.69 |
44.02 |
28.74 |
0.04 |
49.34 |
41.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st quarter |
1.28 |
101.17 |
80.67 |
32.97 |
29.45 |
22.89 |
0.06 |
60.75 |
50.93 |
|
|
2nd quarter |
0.40 |
88.36 |
69.36 |
24.10 |
25.90 |
19.62 |
0.05 |
64.00 |
55.67 |
|
|
3rd quarter |
0.22 |
79.41 |
70.90 |
19.40 |
23.66 |
20.47 |
0.02 |
62.00 |
59.34 |
|
|
4th quarter |
0.31 |
82.80 |
74.43 |
32.91 |
25.41 |
21.32 |
0.05 |
69.90 |
62.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monthly highs and lows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January |
0.09 |
73.18 |
69.60 |
6.77 |
22.67 |
20.75 |
0.01 |
65.65 |
60.00 |
|
|
February |
0.17 |
75.55 |
66.00 |
6.98 |
23.35 |
20.01 |
0.01 |
63.62 |
63.00 |
|
|
Marych |
0.20 |
80.75 |
70.10 |
11.66 |
25.01 |
21.10 |
0.01 |
63.62 |
63.00 |
|
|
April |
0.17 |
75.50 |
68.90 |
7.34 |
24.00 |
20.82 |
0.02 |
63.00 |
61.00 |
_______________
(1) Source: Lima Stock Exchange
(2) Source: Bloomberg
(3) Information for the month of May provided from May 1, 2002.
For the periods indicated prior to May 3, 2002, the table below sets forth the trading volume and the high and low closing prices of the Series A Shares, Series B Shares and Investment Shares in Nuevos Soles. The table also includes for the same periods the trading volume and the high and low closing prices of the ADSs representing the Series B Shares in U.S. Dollars. During 2000 and 2001, the Series A Shares were traded on the Lima Stock Exchange on approximately 54.80 percent and 0.71 percent, respectively, and the Series B Shares on approximately 27.92 percent and 20.36 percent, respectively, of each respective year's trading days, and the Investment Shares were traded on the Lima Stock Exchange on approximately zero percent and 18.83 percent of each respective year's trading days. The following information is not restated in constant Nuevos Soles:
|
|
Series A Shares (1) |
Series B Shares (1) |
ADSs (2) |
Investment Shares (1) |
||||||||
|
|
Trading Volume |
High |
Low |
Trading Volume |
High |
Low |
Trading Volume |
High |
Low |
Trading Volume |
High |
Low |
|
|
(in millions) |
(in nominal S/. per share) |
(in millions) |
(in nominal S/. per share) |
(in millions) |
(in US$per ADS) |
(in millions) |
(in nominal S/. per share) |
||||
Annual highs and lows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 |
23.61 |
33.67 |
20.25 |
26.34 |
34.93 |
20.29 |
17.63 |
22.25 |
10.37 |
0.68 |
25.71 |
20.90 |
|
2001 |
0.30 |
28.17 |
22.67 |
19.20 |
36.15 |
24.23 |
29.25 |
21.16 |
13.68 |
0.06 |
26.44 |
18.80 |
|
2002 (prior to May 3, 2002) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly highs and lows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st quarter \ |
0.05 |
24.66 |
22.67 |
5.96 |
28.26 |
24.23 |
5.90 |
16.23 |
13.68 |
0.01 |
22.83 |
20.95 |
|
2nd quarter |
0.13 |
25.85 |
23.99 |
3.88 |
30.87 |
27.21 |
7.67 |
17.80 |
14.96 |
0.01 |
23.58 |
22.66 |
|
3rd quarter |
0.06 |
28.17 |
26.66 |
6.03 |
35.18 |
30.11 |
8.93 |
20.31 |
17.11 |
0.03 |
26.44 |
22.85 |
|
4th quarter |
0.06 |
26.83 |
25.12 |
3.33 |
36.15 |
31.65 |
6.75 |
21.16 |
18.27 |
0.01 |
20.93 |
18.80 |
2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st quarter |
0.18 |
37.47 |
31.00 |
3.78 |
44.69 |
37.69 |
11.74 |
26.12 |
21.79 |
0.04 |
30.86 |
22.87 |
|
2nd quarter (through May 3, 2002) |
0.25 |
46.87 |
45.48 |
1.34 |
47.50 |
45.94 |
13.96 |
30.77 |
25.68 |
0.05 |
35.67 |
31.51 |
_______________
(1) Source: Lima Stock Exchange
(2) Source: The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
Dilution
Not applicable.
Share Capital
Not applicable.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Organization and Register
The Company was formed on September 7, 1953 by public deed as a Peruvian sociedad anónima. However, in May of 1998, the Company By-laws were changed to conform with the new Peruvian Companies Law. The term of existence is indefinite and its principal place of business is Lima, Peru.
The Company is managed by the General Meeting, the Board of Directors and the management.
Objectives and Purposes
The legal purpose of the Company is to engage in mining operations and related activities either directly or through majority-owned subsidiaries and controlled companies. Likewise, it may hold shares of companies performing mining operations.
Directors
The Board of Directors, which must be comprised by seven members, is elected at the Annual Obligatory Meeting. Any changes in the Board of Directors require the approval of the shareholders. The removal of the Board of Directors must be approved at a shareholders' meeting, attended by holders of 75 percent of the Common Shares in the first summons and 70 percent of the Common Shares in the second summons, by resolution approved by, at least, two thirds of the total number of Common Shares outstanding. In the case of resignation of Directors, the Board of Directors may appoint substitute Directors who will serve until the next shareholders' meeting.
Directors are elected as a group for a term of three years and may be reelected indefinitely. Pursuant to Article 29 of the Company By-laws, Directors are not required to be shareholders of the Company. The Board of Directors, in their first meeting after the Annual Obligatory Meeting that elects them, must choose from among its members a Chairman and a Vice Chairman. The Peruvian Companies Law requires that all companies (sociedades anónimas) provide for the representation of minority shareholders on their Boards of Directors. To that effect, each Common Share of the Company gives the holder the right to as many votes as there are directors to be elected. Each holder may pool his votes in favor of one person or distribute them among various persons. Those candidates for the Board who receive the most votes are elected directors.
The Board of Directors meets when called by the Chairman of the Board, who is appointed by the Board. The Board of Directors is validly convened when all Directors are present and unanimously agree to carry out the meeting for the purpose of transacting the business that has been proposed.
The Company By-laws do not contain any provisions related to a director's power to vote on matters in which the director is materially interested. However, Article 180 of the Peruvian Companies Law requires a director with an interest that conflicts with that of the Company on a specific matter to disclose such interest to the Company and abstain from participating in the deliberation and decision of the said matter. A director that contravenes such requirement is liable for the damages suffered by the Company and can be removed by the Board of Directors or a shareholders' meeting upon the request of any shareholder or any member of the Board.
The Company By-laws also do not contain any provisions with respect to the power of the Directors to vote upon matters relating to their own compensation. Nevertheless, Article 30 of the Company By-laws requires that the Board of Directors receive compensation of no more than 4 percent of the profits of each fiscal year after making deductions for workers' profit sharing, taxes, reinvestment of profits for tax benefits and legal reserves. This amount will be submitted for ratification by the General Meeting during the annual obligatory meeting, at which time it approves the balance sheet, taxes, reinvestment of profits for tax benefits and legal reserves.
The Company By-laws contain no provision relating to the directors' power to borrow from the Company. However, Article 179 of the Peruvian Companies Law provides that directors of a company may enter into an agreement with such company only in the event that the agreement relates to operations the company performs in the regular course of business. Further, a company may provide a loan to a director or grant securities in his favor only in connection with operations that the company usually performs with third parties. Agreements, credits, loans or guarantees that do not meet the requirements set forth above require prior approval from at least two thirds of the members of the company's Board of Directors. Directors are jointly liable to the company and the company's creditors for contracts, credit, loans or securities executed or granted without complying with Article 179 of the Peruvian Companies Law.
Neither the Company By-laws nor the Peruvian Companies Law contain age limit requirements for the retirement or non-retirement of directors.
Shares and Voting Rights
The Company has two classes of shares, the Common Shares and the Investment Shares. The Common Shares represent 100 percent of the outstanding share capital of the Company. The Investment Shares have no voting rights and are not, under Peruvian law and accounting rules, characterized as share capital.
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share, with the exception of the election of the Board of Directors, where each such holder is entitled to one vote per share per nominee. Each holder's votes may be cast all for a single nominee or distributed among the nominees at the holder's discretion. Holders of Common Shares may attend and vote at shareholder meetings either in person or through a proxy. Additionally, holders of Common Shares have the right to participate in the distribution of dividends and shareholder equity resulting from liquidation. The Company By-laws do not establish a maximum time limit for the payment of the dividends. However, according to Article 232 of the Peruvian Companies Law, the right to collect past-due dividends in the case of public companies that are sociedades anónimas abiertas, as is the Company, expires at 10 years from the date on which the payment was due in accordance with the dividend declaration.
The Company's share capital may be increased by holders of Common Shares at a shareholder meeting. Capital reductions may be voluntary or mandatory and must be approved by holders of Common Shares at a shareholder meeting. Capital reductions are mandatory when accumulated losses exceed 50 percent of capital to the extent such accumulated losses are not off-set by accumulated earnings and capital increases within the following fiscal year. Capital increases and reductions must be communicated to CONASEV, the Lima Stock Exchange and the Superintendencia Nacional de Administración Tributaria (SUNAT) and published in the official gazette El Peruano and in a widely circulated newspaper in the city in which the Company is located.
The Investment Shares do not represent the Company's stock obligations. Holders of Investment Shares are neither entitled to exercise voting rights nor to participate in shareholder meetings. However, Investment Shares confer upon the holders thereof the right to participate in the dividends distributed according to their nominal value, in the same manner as Common Shares.
Changes in the Rights of Shareholders
The Company By-laws do not contain special provisions relating to actions necessary to change the rights of holders of the classes of shares. However, Article 88 of the Peruvian Companies Law establishes that all shares of a same class must have the same rights and obligations, and that in the event that the Company decides to establish different rights and obligations it must create a different class of shares, which creation will be agreed upon by the General Meeting in accordance with the requirements for modification of the Company By-laws. The Common Shares are the only class of shares representing the 100 percent share capital of the Company and, therefore, each share has the same rights and obligations of each other share. These requirements are described under "-Shares and Voting Rights" above.
The rights of any class of shares may not be reduced except in accordance with the Peruvian Companies Law.
Shareholders' Meetings
Pursuant to Peruvian law and the Company By-Laws, the Annual Obligatory Meeting must be held during the three-month period after the end of each fiscal year. Additional General Meetings may be held during the year. Because the Company is a sociedad anónima abierta, it is subject to the special control of CONASEV, as provided in Article 253 of the Peruvian Companies Law. If the Company does not hold the Annual Obligatory Meeting during the three-month period after the end of each fiscal year or any other shareholder meeting required by the Peruvian Companies Law or the Company By-Laws, CONASEV will directly, or at the request of at least one shareholder of the Common Shares, call for such a meeting, which will take place in a reasonable period of time. Other shareholder meetings are convened by the Board of Directors when deemed convenient for the Company or when it is requested by the holders of at least five percent of the Common Shares. If, at the request of holders of five percent of the Common Shares, the shareholder meeting is not convened by the Board of Directors within 15 business days of the receipt of such request, CONASEV will call for such meeting. In CONASEV calls for a shareholders meeting, CONASEV will indicate the place, time and hour of the meeting, the agenda and the person who will preside. If it is a meeting other than the Annual Obligatory Meeting or a shareholder meeting required by the Peruvian Companies law or the Company By-Laws, the agenda will contain those matters requested by the shareholders who requested the meeting. Resolución CONASEV No. 111-2003-EF-94.10 approved provisions related to the right of the minority shareholders to obtain information regarding a sociedad anónima abierta such as the Company and to request CONASEV to call a shareholders meeting it is not called by the sociedad anónima abierta upon request. Notwithstanding the notice requirements as described in the preced ing two sentences, any shareholder meeting will be deemed called and legally installed, provided that the shareholders representing all of the voting shares are present, and provided that every present shareholder, whether or not such shareholder has paid the full price of such shareholder's shares, agrees to hold the shareholder meeting and accepts the business to be discussed therein. Holders of Investment Shares have no right to request the Board to convene shareholder meetings.
Since the Company is a sociedad anónima abierta, notice of shareholders' meetings must be given by publication of a notice, with the publication occurring at least 25 days prior to any shareholders' meeting, in El Peruano and in a widely circulated newspaper in the city in which the Company is located. The notice requirement may be waived at the shareholder meeting by holders of 100 percent of the outstanding Common Shares. According to Article 25 of the Company By-Laws and Article 257 of the Peruvian Companies Law, shareholder meetings called for the purpose of considering a capital increase or decrease, the issuance of obligations, a change in the Company By-Laws, the sale in a single act of assets with an accounting value that exceeds 50 percent of the capital stock of the Company, the merger, division, reorganization, transformation or dissolution of the Company, are subject to a first, second and third quorum call, each of the second and third quorum to occur upon the fa ilure of the preceding one. A quorum for the first call requires the presence of shareholders holding 50 percent of the total voting shares of the Company. For the second call, the presence of shareholders holding at least 25 percent of the total voting shares of the Company constitutes a quorum, and for the third call there is no quorum requirement. These decisions require the approval of the majority of the voting shares represented at the shareholder meeting. General Meetings convened to consider all other matters are subject to a first and second quorum call, the second quorum call to occur upon the failure of the first quorum.
In the case of shareholder meetings called for the purpose of considering the removal of members of the Board of Directors, at least 75 percent and 70 percent of the total number of Common Shares outstanding are required to be represented at the shareholder meeting on the first quorum call and second quorum call respectively. Provided such quorum is attained, the affirmative vote of no less than two thirds of the total number of Common Shares outstanding is required to effect the removal of members of the Board of Directors. The special quorum and voting requirements described above cannot be modified at a shareholder meeting called for the purpose of considering the removal of members of the Board of Directors.
Under the Company By-Laws, the following actions are to be taken at the annual obligatory shareholders' meetings: approval of the Company's balance sheets, profit and loss statements and annual reports; approval of management performance; allocation of profits; election of external auditors; election of the members of the Board of Directors; and any other matters submitted by the Board of Directors. The following actions are to be taken at the same annual shareholders' meetings if the quorum and majority requirements are met or at any other shareholders' meeting: any amendment of the Company By-Laws; any decision to increase or reduce capital; any decision to issue debt; initiating investigations or requesting auditor's reports; liquidating the Company or merging, consolidating, dissolving, or changing its business form or structure.
In accordance with Article 21 of the Company By-laws, only those holders of Common Shares whose names are inscribed in the Share Register not less than 10 days in advance of a meeting will be entitled to attend shareholder meetings and to exercise their rights.
Limitations on the Rights of Nonresident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations in the Company By-laws or the Peruvian Companies Law on the rights of nonresident or foreign shareholders to own securities or exercise voting rights on the securities of the Company.
Change in Control
There are no provisions in the Company By-laws that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company.
Disclosure of Share Holdings
There are no provisions in the Company By-laws governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed. However, according to Regulation No. 630-97-EF/94.10 of the CONASEV, when a person or financial group acquires in one act or various successive acts, a percentage considered significant (more than 25 percent) of the shares with voting rights of a company, it is necessary to follow a special procedure called an Oferta Pública de Adquisición, or Takeover Bid, that has the effect of alerting the other shareholders and the market that a person or financial group has acquired a significant percentage of a company's voting shares. In addition, the Company must inform CONASEV and the Lima Stock Exchange of any transfer of more than 5 percent of paid-in-capital of the Company.
Changes in the Capital
The Company By-laws do not establish special conditions for increases or reductions of capital that are more stringent than is required by the Peruvian Companies Law. Furthermore, the Peruvian Companies Law forbids sociedades anónimas abiertas, such as the Company, from including in their by-laws stipulations limiting the transfer of their shares or restraining their trading in other ways.
Corporate Governance
In November 2003, the Commission approved changes to the New York Stock Exchange's listing standards related to the corporate governance practices of listed companies. Under these rules, listed foreign private issuers, like the Company, must disclose any significant ways in which their corporate governance practices differ from those followed by United States domestic companies under the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") listing standards.
There are significant differences in the corporate governance practices followed by the Company as compared to those followed by United States domestic companies under the NYSE's listing standards. The NYSE listing standards provide that the board of directors of a United States domestic listed company must consist of a majority of independent directors and that certain committees must consist solely of independent directors. Under Peruvian corporate governance practices, a Peruvian company is not required to have a majority of the members of the board of directors be independent.
The listing standards for the NYSE also require that United States domestic companies have an audit committee, a nominating/corporate governance committee and a compensation committee. Each of these committees must consist solely of independent directors and must have a written charter that addresses certain matters specified in the listing standards. Peruvian corporate governance practices permit the Board of Directors of a Peruvian company to form special governance bodies in accordance with the needs of such company and does not require that these special governance bodies be composed partially or entirely of independent directors. Buenaventura maintains three committees, which include the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The Board of Directors of Buenaventura has determined that Buenaventura's Audit Committee is composed entirely of independent directors, as defined in the NYSE's Listed Company Manual.
The NYSE's listing standards also require United States domestic companies to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. In July 2002, CONASEV and a committee composed by regulatory agencies and associations prepared and published a list of suggested corporate governance guidelines called "Principles of Good Governance for Peruvian Companies." These principles are disclosed on Conasev web page: http://www.conasev.gob.pe. The Company's code of business conduct and ethics establishes the Company's principles of good corporate governance and, as indicated in "Item 16B. Code of Ethics," is posted on the Company's website.
Material Contracts
On March 16, 2005, the Company, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, Summit Global Management B.V., Phelps Dodge Corporation, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, Cyprus Metals Company, Cyprus Climax Metals Company and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A. entered into a participation agreement (the "Participation Agreement") whereby, subject to certain closing conditions, the Company agreed to increase its ownership interest in Cerro Verde up to 20.1 percent and Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation and Summit Global Management B.V. (the "Sumitomo Group") agreed to acquire an ownership interest in Cerro Verde of between 21.0 and 24.99 percent in connection with a US$850 million expansion of the Cerro Verde operation to mine a primary sulfide ore body. Phelps Dodge will retain a majority interest in Cerro Verde. Cerro Verde intends to effect an increase in the Company's and the Sumitomo Group's ownership interests pursuant to three capital increases for an aggregate of 122,746,713 shares. The Company expects to invest, from internally generated funds, up to approximately US$175 million in Cerro Verde, which will partially finance the expansion of the Cerro Verde operation. Actual ownership percentages are contingent upon the number of shareholders who own shares of Cerro Verde, which are traded on the Lima Stock Exchange. The Participation Agreement has been filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Annual Report.
Exchange Controls
Since August 1990, there have been no exchange controls in Peru and all foreign exchange transactions are based on free market exchange rates. Prior to August 1990, the Peruvian foreign exchange market consisted of several alternative exchange rates. Additionally, during the last two decades, the Peruvian currency has experienced a significant number of large devaluations, and Peru has consequently adopted, and operated under, various exchange rate control practices and exchange rate determination policies, ranging from strict control over exchange rates to market determination of rates. Current Peruvian regulations on foreign investment allow the foreign holders of equity shares of Peruvian companies to receive and repatriate 100 percent of the cash dividends distributed by such companies. Such investors are allowed to purchase foreign exchange at free market currency rates through any member of the Peruvian banking system and transfer such foreign currency outside Peru with out restriction.
Taxation
The following summarizes the material Peruvian and United States tax consequences under present law of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs or Common Shares. The discussion is not a full description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase ADSs or Common Shares. In particular, this discussion deals only with holders that hold ADSs or Common Shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency. The summary does not address the tax treatment of certain investors that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks, securities dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, persons that will hold ADSs or Common Shares as a position in a "straddle" or "conversion transaction" for tax purposes and holders of ten percent or more of the voting shares of the Company. There is no tax treaty currently in effect between Peru and the United States, except for a treaty to exchange tax information. The information to be exchanged is defined in such treaty as any data or declaration that may be relevant or essential to the administration and application of taxes. Accordingly, the discussions below of Peruvian and U.S. tax considerations are based on the domestic law of each of Peru and the United States which are subject to change and possibly with retroactive effect.
As used herein, "Peruvian holder" means an owner of ADSs or Common Shares that is (i) an individual domiciled in Peru, (ii) a business entity created under the laws of Peru, or (iii) a Peruvian branch, agency or permanent establishment of a non-Peruvian individual or entity. "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of ADSs or Common Shares that is (i) a United States citizen or resident, (ii) a domestic corporation or partnership, (iii) a trust subject to the control of a U.S. fiduciary and the primary supervision of a U.S. court or (iv) estate the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source.
Peruvian Tax Considerations
Cash Dividends and Other Distributions
Cash dividends paid with respect to the Common Shares and amounts distributed with respect to ADSs are currently subject to Peruvian withholding income tax, at a rate of 4.1 percent of the dividend paid, when the dividend is paid to shareholders that are: (i) individuals, whether domiciled or non-domiciled in Peru or (ii) non-domiciled companies or entities. Distributions of additional Common Shares representing profits, distribution of shares which are not distribution of earnings or profits, as well as distribution of preemptive rights with respect to Common Shares that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all shareholders of the Company generally will not be subject to Peruvian income or withholding taxes.
Capital Gains
Pursuant to Article 19, paragraph l, item 1, of the Peruvian Income Tax Law, as amended by Legislative Decree 945 effective since January 1, 2004, capital gains resulting from the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Common Shares are exempted from Peruvian income tax if (i) in the case of individuals, the transaction is effect on or before December 31, 2006; and (ii) in the case of shareholders other than individuals, the transaction is effected on a Peruvian stock exchange (floor session) on or before December 31, 2006. Legislative Decree 945 also amended Article 2 of the Peruvian Income Tax Law to define: (i) capital gains as any revenue coming from the sale of capital assets; and (ii) capital assets as those assets whose purpose is not to be traded in the regular course of business of the owner of the assets. This definition of capital gains could imply that the gains effected from the sale or disposition o f Common Shares on the Peruvian stock exchange (floor session) are not exempted from Peruvian income tax if such Common Shares are deemed not to be capital assets as defined in Article 2 of the Preuvian Income Tax Law. However, Article 2 of the Peruvian Income Tax Law also provides that the sale of shares and similar securities is an operation which produces capital gains. Therefore, capital gains resulting from the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Common Shares are exempted from Peruvian income tax if the seller is an individual and the transaction is effected on or before December 31, 2006 or, if the seller is not an individual, the transaction is effected on a Peruvian stock exchange (floor session) on or before December 31, 2006. There is no assurance that this exemption will be extended beyond December 31, 2006.
An entity organized in Peru will be subject to Peruvian tax on capital gains from sales of Common Shares after December 31, 2006 or from any sale on or before such date not effected on a Peruvian stock exchange. In addition, if Common shares sold or disposed of on a Peruvian stock exchange are deemed not to be capital assets, they will not produce capital gains for purposes of enjoying the exemption described above. The amount of any taxable capital gain will be the excess of the sale price of the Common Shares over the price of Common Shares when acquired by the holder adjusted by the effects of inflation.
An individual holder will be taxed on capital gains from the sale or other disposition of Common Shares only if (a) such individual (i) in the case of an individual domiciled in Peru, "customarily transacts in shares or other securities" or (ii) in the case of an individual not domiciled in Peru, "customarily transacts in shares issued by Peruvian companies" and (b) the sale of such shares (i) is made on or before December 31, 2006 and is not effected on a Peruvian stock exchange or (ii) is effected after December 31, 2006, unless the first paragraph of Article 2 of the Peruvian Income Tax Law, as amended by Legislative Decree 945, is interpreted to deem that Common Shares are not capital assets and therefore they do not produce capital gains for purposes of enjoying the exemption described above. For this purpose, an individual "customarily transacts in shares or other securities" if such p erson makes at least ten purchases and at least ten sales of shares or other securities during the taxable year, and an individual "customarily transacts in shares issued by Peruvian companies" if such person makes at least ten purchases and at least ten sales of shares issued by Peruvian companies during the taxable year. The amount of any taxable gain will be the excess of the sale price of the Common Shares over the price of Common Shares when acquired by the holder.
Individuals and entities who are not domiciled in Peru, as well as Peruvian agencies, branches or other permanent establishments of individuals or entities not otherwise domiciled in Peru, will not be subject to Peruvian tax on capital gains from the sale or disposition of ADSs, whether effected on a Peruvian Stock Exchange or elsewhere, nor from the deposit or withdrawal of Common Shares in exchange for ADSs effected through a Peruvian Stock Exchange. For Peruvian tax purposes domicile would, in general, be indicated by a permanent business presence in Peru.
Other Considerations
No Peruvian estate or gift taxes are imposed on the gratuitous transfer of ADSs or Common Shares. No stamp, transfer or similar tax applies to any transfer of Common Shares, except for commissions payable by seller and buyer to the Lima Stock Exchange (0.15 percent of value sold), fees payable to CONASEV (0.05 percent of value sold), brokers' fees (about 0.05 percent to 1 percent of value sold) and added taxes (at the rate of 19 percent) on commissions and fees. Any investor who sells its Common Shares on the Lima Stock Exchange will incur these fees and taxes upon purchase and sale of the Common Shares.
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
Assuming the obligations contemplated by the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement are being performed in accordance with its terms, holders of ADSs (or ADRs evidencing ADSs) generally will be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as the owners of the Common Shares represented by those ADSs.
Cash Dividends and Other Distributions
Cash dividends paid with respect to Common Shares or Common Shares represented by ADSs generally are includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary income. Dividends generally are treated as foreign source income. Dividends paid to a U.S. Holder that is a corporation are not eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. New tax legislation signed into law on May 28, 2003, provides for a maximum 15 percent U.S. tax rate on the dividend income of an individual U.S. holder with respect to dividends paid by a domestic corporation or "qualified foreign corporation" if certain holding period requirements are met. A qualified foreign corporation generally includes a foreign corporation if (i) its shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. or (ii) it is eligible for benefits under a comprehensive US income tax treaty. Clause (i) will apply with respect to ADSs if such ADSs are readily tradeable on an established securitie s market in the U.S. The ADSs are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. As a result, the Company believes it should be treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to payouts to its ADS holders and, therefore, dividends paid to an individual U.S. holder with respect to ADSs should be taxed at a maximum rate of 15 percent. The maximum 15 percent tax rate is effective with respect to dividends included in income during the period beginning on or after January 1, 2003, and ending December 31, 2008. Dividends paid in Nuevos Soles are includible in a United States dollar amount based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt (which, in the case of ADSs, will be the date of receipt by the Depositary) whether or not the payment is converted into U.S. Dollars at that time. Any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or conversion of the Nuevos Soles for a different amount of U.S. Dollars will be United States source ordinary income or loss. Distributions to U.S. Holders of additional C ommon Shares or preemptive rights with respect to Common Shares that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all shareholders of the Company generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax but in other circumstances may constitute a taxable dividend.
A U.S. Holder will be entitled to a foreign tax credit for Peruvian withholding taxes that are imposed, subject to generally applicable limitations and restrictions. In the case of U.S. individuals for whom the reduced rate of tax on dividends applies, such limitations and restrictions will appropriately take into account the rate differential under rules similar to section 904(b)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their application to the particular circumstances of such holder.
A non-U.S. Holder generally is not subject to United States Federal income or withholding tax on dividends paid with respect to Common Shares or Common Shares represented by ADSs, unless such income is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States.
Capital Gains
U.S. Holders will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Common Shares (or preemptive rights with respect to such shares) held by the U.S. Holder or by the Depositary. U.S. Holders will not recognize gain or loss on deposits or withdrawals of Common Shares in exchange for ADSs or on the exercise of preemptive rights. Any gain recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as United States source income. Consequently, in the case of a disposition of Common Shares (which, unlike a disposition of ADRs, may be taxable in Peru), the U.S. Holder may not be able to claim the foreign tax credit for any Peruvian tax imposed on the gain unless it has sufficient foreign source income from other sources against which it can apply the credit. Generally, gain of loss will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period for such Common Shares or ADSs exceeds one year. Long-term capital gain for an individual U.S. Holder is generally s ubject to a reduced rate of tax. With respect to sales occurring on or after May 6, 2003, but before January 1, 2009, the long-term capital gain tax rate for an individual U.S. Holder is 15 percent. For sales occurring before May 6, 2003, or after December 31, 2008, under current law the long-term capital gain rate for an individual U.S. Holder is 20 percent.
A non-U.S. Holder of ADSs or Common Shares will not be subject to United States income or withholding tax on gain from the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Common Shares unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States or (ii) the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for at least 183 days during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
The Company believes it is not and will not become a passive foreign investment company for United States Federal income tax purposes. A foreign corporation is a passive foreign investment company (a "PFIC") in any taxable year in which, after taking into account the income and assets of certain subsidiaries pursuant to the applicable look-through rules, either (i) at least 75 percent of its gross income is passive income or (ii) at least 50 percent of the average value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income.
If the Company were a PFIC in any year during which a U.S. Holder owned ADSs or Common Shares, the Company would not be treated as a "qualified foreign corporation" for purposes of qualifying dividends paid to a U.S. Holder for the preferential 15 percent maximum U.S. tax rate noted above and the U.S. Holder would be subject to additional taxes on any excess distributions received from the Company and any gain realized from the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Common Shares (regardless of whether the Company continued to be a PFIC). A U.S. Holder has an excess distribution to the extent that distributions on ADSs or Common Shares during a taxable year exceed 125 percent of the average amount received during the three preceding taxable years (or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder's holding period for the ADSs or Common Shares). To compute the tax on an excess distribution or any gain, (i) the excess distribution or the gain is allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder's holding period for the AD Ss or Common Shares, (ii) the amount allocated to the current taxable year is taxed as ordinary income and (iii) the amount allocated to other taxable years is taxed at the highest applicable marginal rate in effect for each year and an interest charge is imposed to recover the deemed benefit from the deferred payment of the tax attributable to each year.
If the Company were a PFIC, U.S. holders of interests in a holder of ADSs or Common Shares may be treated as indirect holders of their proportionate share of the ADSs or Common Shares and may be taxed on their proportionate share of any excess distribution or gain attributable to the ADSs or Common Shares. An indirect holder also must treat an appropriate portion of its gain on the sale or disposition of its interest in the actual holder as gain on the sale of the ADSs or Common Shares.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividends in respect of the ADSs or Common Shares and the proceeds from the sale, exchange, or redemption of the ADSs or Common Shares may be reported to the United States Internal Revenue Service and a backup withholding tax may apply to such amounts unless the holder (i) is a domestic corporation (which may be required to establish its exemption by carrying its status on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9), (ii) in the case of a U.S. Holder other than a corporation, provides an accurate taxpayer identification number in the manner required by applicable law, (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. Holder, provides a properly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN; or other successor Form, or (iv) otherwise establishes a basis for exemption. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder generally will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder's United States Federal income tax liability.
Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
Documents on Display
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with these requirements, the Company files annual reports and other information to the Commission. These materials, including this Annual Report on Form 20-F and the exhibits thereto, may be inspected and copied at the Commission's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Commission's regional offices at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279-0001. Copies of the materials may be obtained from the Public Reference Room of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Commission's Public Reference Room by calling the Commission in the United States at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. Form 20-F reports and some of the other information submitted by the Company to the Commission may be accessed through this web site.
Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The following discussion contains forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are out of the Company's control. The Company's primary market risks are related to fluctuations in the prices of gold, silver, zinc and lead. To a lesser extent, the Company is subject to market risk related to fluctuations in US$/Nuevo Sol exchange rates and to market risk related to interest rate fluctuation on its cash balances and on borrowings under its credit facilities.
Gold, silver and zinc hedging and sensitivity to market price
The Company's revenues and expenses are to a great extent influenced by world market prices for gold, silver and zinc that fluctuate widely and over which the Company has no control. Depending upon the metal markets and other conditions, the Company from time to time hedges its gold, silver and zinc sales in order to decrease its exposure to fluctuations in the price of these metals. Until 1998, the Company pursued a limited hedging and options strategy, locking in metals prices on a medium-term basis when the Company considered market prices attractive. However, in 1998 the Company adopted a new hedging strategy, in order to focus on long-term position-taking on the price of precious metals.
The Company is engaged in gold, silver and zinc price hedging activities, such as forward sales and options contracts. The Company hedges for risk management purposes only and does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. See Note 35 to the Company Financial Statements.
Forward sales agreements obligate the Company to sell gold, silver or zinc at a specified price on a specified date. Put options provide the buyer with the right, but not the obligation, to sell gold, silver or zinc at the contract price. Call options provide the buyer with the right, but not the obligation to purchase gold, silver or zinc at the contract price.
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted IAS 39, "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement". The Company does not meet all the criteria established in IAS 39 to account for all the prevailing derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. The criteria refer to formal documentation and testing of the effectiveness of the derivative instruments. The Company's subsidiary, Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A., has entered into future contracts (zinc and silver) that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. Upon adopting IAS 39, El Brocal prepared formal documentation of its future contracts and tested their effectiveness. El Brocal has tested the effectiveness of such contracts on a quarterly basis thereafter to determine if they still qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. Therefore, the Company recognized revenues of S/.44,760,000 in 2002, losses of S/.20,812,000 in 2003 and losses of S/.73,403,000 in 2004 in connection with derivative operations settled in these years, whic h are reflected as "realized gain (loss) in derivative instruments" in the consolidated statements of income, and the subsidiary El Brocal recognized revenues of S/.7,585,000 in 2002, S/.5,405,000 in 2003 and losses of S/.20,158,000, in 2004 in connection with hedging operations settled in these years, which are reflected as "net sales" in the consolidated statements of income.
At December 31, 2004 the estimated fair value of the net hedging position (price hedging activities) was negative by S/.338,779,000. Fair value estimates are made at the balance sheet date, based upon relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties in significant matters of judgment. Changes in assumptions and market conditions could significantly affect these estimates. Factors used in determining the fair value of gold, silver, zinc and other metals call options are the contracted sales price of gold, silver, zinc or other metals to current spot price and the probability of movements in the price of gold, silver, zinc or other metals over the term of the option. As at December 31, 2004, the combination of the current spot price and the probability of future price changes has had a significant effect on the fair value of gold, silver, zinc or other metals call options sold. However, the e ffect of the probability of future price changes on the fair value estimate diminishes over the life of the option.
To minimize future fluctuations in the consolidated results of operations, the Company entered into transactions that closed out approximately two thirds of its outstanding derivative contracts in December 2003. These contracts were replaced with a series of sales contracts requiring physical delivery of the same quantity of gold over future periods that do not extend beyond 2012. Under the terms of the contracts, the Company will realize capped prices ranging from US$332 to US$451 per ounce. The fair value of these contracts, S/.710,682,000, was calculated immediately prior to their execution and recorded as "deferred revenue from sale of future production" in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2003. In 2004 Buenaventura delivered 198,000 ounces of gold as part of the sale contracts above mentioned. As a consequence Buenaventura recognized revenues of S/.68,837,000 in the caption "realized revenue from sale of future production" in the consolidated statements of income as o f December 31, 2004. Buenaventura is committed to sell 1,844,000 ounces of gold at prices ranging from US$332 to US$451 per ounce until December 2011. These contracts are accounted for as normal sales contracts..
The tables below are expressed in ounces of gold and in US$/oz.
Gold Forward Sales Contracts. The Company had the following gold forward sales contracts at December 31, 2004:
|
Expected Maturity/Transaction Date |
|||||||
Gold Forward Sales Contracts |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
After 2009 |
Total |
Fair Value US$ |
Ounces |
80,000 |
80,000 |
80,000 |
80,000 |
40,000 |
- |
360,000 |
* |
Average price US$/oz |
343.00 |
343.00 |
343.00 |
343.00 |
343.00 |
- |
343.00 |
|
Fixed forward sales contracts provide for delivery of a specified number of ounces at a specified price and date. They are marked to market with the change reflected in income.
Gold Call Option Contracts. The Company had the following gold call options contracts at December 31, 2004:
Expected Maturity/Transaction Date |
||||||||
Gold Call Option Contracts |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
After 2009 |
Total |
Fair Value US$ |
Ounces |
84,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
120,000 |
60,000 |
105,000 |
489,000 |
* |
Average price US$/oz |
375.00 |
350.00 |
348.75 |
382.50 |
345.00 |
345.00 |
360.43 |
|
Fixed purchased call option contracts generate the obligation to sell a specified number of ounces at a specified strike price; they are marked to market with the change reflected in income.
Gold Convertible Put Option Contracts. The Company had the following gold convertible put option contracts at December 31, 2004:
|
Expected Maturity/Transaction Date |
|||||||
Gold Convertible Put Option Contracts |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
After 2009 |
Total |
Fair Value |
Knock-in contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces |
120,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Average price US$/oz |
300.00 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Knock-out contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Ounces |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
52,500 |
202,500 |
|
Average price US$/oz |
345.00 |
345.00 |
345.00 |
345.00 |
345.00 |
345.00 |
345.00 |
|
Knock-out/knock-in option contracts are contingent bought put options that might terminate (or knock-out) or convert (or knock-in) to bought put options, depending on certain market conditions. Referred contingent option contracts are marked to market with changes reflected in income.
Normal Sales. The Company had the following normal sales contracts outstanding at December 31, 2004:
|
Expected Maturity/Transaction Date |
|||||||
Normal Sales |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
After 2009 |
Total |
Fair Value |
Ounces |
208,000 |
308,000 |
328,000 |
188,000 |
263,000 |
549,000 |
1'844,000 |
|
Average price - cap US$/oz |
340.72 |
337.89 |
337.53 |
341.65 |
381.50 |
421.82 |
369.74 |
|
(*) The fair value of gold forward sales contracts, gold call option contracts and gold convertible put option contracts accounted for US$100,741,574 at December 31, 2004.
The Company regularly examines its strategy with regard to hedging. The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Commercial Deputy Manager of the Company coordinate the Company's day-to-day hedging activities.
Hedging Contracts
As of April 30, 2005, the Company had entered into the following hedging contracts:
As part of this transaction, the Company sold gold calls with a strike price of US$350 per ounce for 2,000 ounces per month commencing January 2003 through December 2005.
As part of this transaction the Company is required to sell to the buyer 60,000 ounces of gold per year or 15,000 ounces of gold per quarter at a price of US$385 per ounce between March 2004 and December 2005, and 15,000 ounces of gold per quarter at a price of US$420 per ounce between March and December 2008, at the buyer's option on each decision date (end of December 2003, end of December 2004, end of December 2007, and for quarterly maturities of the year following the exercise of the option).
If the buyer exercises its option, it will pay to the Company a bonus premium of US$250,000 annually on the last business day of 2003, 2004 and 2007 and the Company will also own put options for 120,000 ounces of gold per year or 30,000 ounces per quarter at a price of US$300 per ounce between March 2004 and December 2005, and between March and December 2008.
(4) A contract for the sale of 30,000 ounces of gold per year, or 7,500 ounces of gold per quarter, at a fixed price of US$345 per ounce, with quarterly maturities from January 2005 through July 2012. If the gold price is below US$279.50 per ounce between January 2003 and July 2007, the outstanding gold ounces of this period will be cancelled. However, if the gold price at the end of a quarter is greater than US$345 per ounce between January 2008 and July 2011, greater than US$396 per ounce between January 2011 and October 2011, greater than US$404 per ounce between January 2012 and October 2012, the Company is required to sell to the buyer in that quarter, twice the volume of ounces previously settled for that maturity. The buyer has the right but not the obligation to terminate separately, no later than 15 calendar days prior to the maturity of the nearest option maturity, the gold options maturing from October 2007 to July 2008, from October 2008 to July 2009, from October 2009 to Ju ly 2010, from October 2010 to July 2011, and from October 2011 to October 2012.
(5) As of December 31, 2003, the Company restructured a contract for the sale of 310,000 ounces of gold at a fixed price of US$332 per ounce, with quarterly maturities from June 2003 through March 2008 (5,000 ounces per quarter for 2003, 12,500 ounces for March 2004 and 7,500 ounces for the remaining quarters of 2004, 10,000 ounces per quarter for 2005, 22,500 ounces per quarter for 2006, 25,000 ounces per quarter for 2007, and 30,000 ounces for March 2008). If, however, the price of gold two business days before the end of a quarter is higher than US$332 per ounce, the Company is instead required in that quarter to sell to the buyer twice the volume of ounces previously settled for that maturity.
Pursuant to the restructuring, the Company will deliver physical gold as follows: 25,000 ounces of gold for March 2004 and 15,000 ounces of gold per quarter for the remaining quarters of 2004, 20,000 ounces of gold per quarter for 2005, 50,000 ounces of gold per quarter for 2006, 50,000 ounces of gold per quarter for 2007, and 60,000 ounces of gold for March 2008. If on the pricing date the gold price is greater than US$332 per ounce, then the contract price will equal US$332 per ounce for that value date. If on the pricing date the gold price is below US$332 per ounce, then the contract price for that value date will be US$332 per ounce for 50 percent of the scheduled volume, while the applicable gold price for the other 50 percent will be the market price.
(6) As of December 31, 2003, the Company restructured a contract for the sale of 60,000 ounces of gold per year or 15,000 ounces of gold per quarter at a fixed price of US$347.50 per ounce, with quarterly renewals for up to eight years, commencing March 2004 through December 2011 if the gold price is above US$290 per ounce.
Pursuant to the restructuring, the Company will deliver physical gold according to the referred quarterly volumes and maturities for March 2004 through December 2011 Under this variable contract price Bullion trades, if on the pricing date the gold price is greater than US$ 290 per ounce, then the contract price will equal US$347.50 per ounce for that value date. If on the pricing date, the gold price is at or below US$290 per ounce the contract price for that value date and all subsequent volume dates will be equal to the gold price on the relevant price date minus US$0.10.
(7) As of December 31, 2003, the Company restructured a contract for the sale of 30,000 ounces of gold per year, or 7,500 ounces of gold per quarter, at a fixed price of US$345 per ounce, with quarterly maturities, commencing in March 2003 through December 2009 if the gold price is above US$265 per ounce (if, however, the price of gold three business days before the end of a quarter is higher than US$345 per ounce, the Company is instead required in that quarter to sell to the buyer 9,500 ounces of gold at US$345 per ounce).
Pursuant to the restructuring, the Company will deliver physical gold as follows: 17,000 ounces of gold per quarter, from March 2004 until December 2009. For each gold delivery, the amount to be paid to the Company for each ounce of gold delivered to the counterparty's London account will be determined on the contract's expiration date as follows: (i) if the price of gold on the contract's expiration date is at or above US$345 per ounce, and gold has not traded at or below US$265 per ounce at any time prior to the contract's expiration date the gold price will be equal US$345 per ounce; (ii) if gold trades at or below US$265 per ounce at any time prior to the contract's expiration date then the gold price will be the market price; and (iii) if gold on the contract's expiration date is below US$345 per ounce, and gold has not traded at or below US$265 per ounce at any time then 7,500 ounces of delivered gold will be paid at US$345 per ounce, and 9,500 ounces of delivered gold will be paid a t the market price.
(8) On December 31, 2003, the Company restructured a contract for the sale of calls for 20,000 ounces of gold per month at the strike price of US$400 per ounce for the period from January 2008 through December 2008, together with 27,000 ounces of gold per month at the strike price of US$415 per ounce for the period from January 2009 through December 2009.
Pursuant to the restructuring, as of December 22, 2004, the Company will deliver physical gold according to the following volumes and maturities: 27,000 ounces of gold per month or 135,000 ounces in total for the period January 2009 through May 2009; 20,000 ounces of gold per month or 240,000 ounces in total for the period January 2010 through December 2010; and 27,000 ounces of gold per month or 189,000 ounces in total for the period June 2011 through December 2011. If on the pricing date, the bullion reference price is greater than US$415, US$436 or US$451 per ounce during 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, then the maximum contract price will either be US$415, US$436 or US$451 per ounce for the value date. If on the pricing date, the bullion reference price is below US$415, US$436 or US$436 per ounce during 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, then the contract price will be the market price.
As of December 31, 2004, El Brocal has no open hedging positions pending settlement. However, pursuant to a contract with Trafigura Beheer B.V., El Brocal must deliver zinc concentrates to Cormin Peru S.A. at the price fixed. El Brocal is required to deliver 1,809 metric tons at a fixed price of US$929 in March 2005, 1,736 metric tons at a fixed price of US929 in April 2005, 1,736 metric tons at a fixed price of US$927 in May 2005 and 1,736 metric tons at a fixed price of US$935 in June 2005.
Exchange Rate Sensitivity
The Company entered into a forward currency exchange contract for US$7,414,000, at rates ranging between S/.3.554 to S/.3.589 per U.S. Dollar and with stated maturities similar to time deposits. See Note 6 to the Company Financial Statements. In 2004, this forward currency exchange contract generated a loss of approximately S/.1,818,000 (S/.2,436,000 in 2003) due to a lower market exchange rate compared to the contract exchange rate. At December 31, 2004, the fair value of this contract was S/.2,182,000 (S/.737,000 at December 31, 2003) and is presented as "other current liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 31 to the Company Financial Statements.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
As of December 31, 2004, the Company's subsidiary, Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. entered into an interest rate contract that swapped 90 days LIBOR for a fixed annual rate of 3.05 percent on a nominal value of US$4,583,333; this swap agreement has a stated maturity of September 2006. During 2003, the liquidation of this liability and other swap operations generated a loss of approximately S/.718,000, which is presented as part of financial expenses, in the Statements of Income. During 2004, this operation generated a loss of approximately S/.254,000, explained by the drop of the Libor with respect to the fixed rate. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had a liability of S/.293,000 in connection with the fair value of these contracts, which is recorded as derivative instruments in the Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2004, the fair value of these contracts was insignificant.
ITEM 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
Not applicable.
ITEM 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not applicable.
ITEM 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
As of December 31, 2004, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon and as of the date of our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, proces sed, summarized and reported as and when required.
Changes in internal controls.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Luis Coleridge Alcántara is the Audit Committee financial expert as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F. The Board of Directors has also determined that Mr. Coleridge and each of the other members of the Audit Committee are "independent directors" as defined in Section 303A.02 of the NYSE's Listed Company Manual.
We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller, or persons performing similar functions, as well as all other employees. Our code of business conduct and ethics is posted on, and we intend to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from our code of business conduct and ethics on, our website which is located at http://www.buenaventura.com. The information on the Company's website is not a part of, nor incorporated into, this document.
Ernst & Young has served as the Company's independent public accountant for each of the fiscal years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, for which audited financial statements appear in this annual report on Form 20-F. The auditor is elected annually at the General Meeting. The Audit Committee proposed at the General Meeting that Ernst & Young be elected as the independent auditor for 2005.
The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional services and other services rendered by Ernst & Young for 2003 and 2004.
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
2003 |
2004 |
Audit Fees |
US$252,118 |
US$313,270 |
Audit-Related Fees |
─ |
US$70,000 |
Tax Fees |
US$87,225 |
US$82,000 |
All Other Fees |
─ |
─ |
Audit Fees. Audit fees in the above table are the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements, the review of our quarterly financial statements and statutory and regulatory audits.
Audit-related Fees. The Company had no audit-related fees for 2003 for financial accounting and reporting consultations. In 2004, audit-related fees were incurred in connection with a quality assurance review of the initial implementation of the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Tax Fees. Tax fees in the above table are fees billed by Ernst & Young for services based upon existing facts and prior transactions in order to document, compute, and obtain government approval for amounts included in tax filings such as value-added tax return assistance, transfer pricing documentation and requests for technical advice from taxing authorities.
Other Fees. The Company had no Other Fees for 2003 and 2004.
Audit Committee Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
The Company's Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding pre-approval of audit services provided by our independent auditors (the "Policy"). In accordance with the Policy, the Audit Committee must pre-approve the provision of services by the Company's independent auditor for all audit and non-audit services prior to commencement of the specified service. The requests for pre-approval are submitted to the Audit Committee by the Chief Financial Officer and following approval by audit committee members and engagement letter is executed. The Audit Committee approved all audit, tax and audit-related fees in 2004.
ITEM 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
For the year ended December 31, 2004, neither the Company nor any person acting on the Company's behalf made any purchase of the Company's common shares.
Not applicable.
Please refer to Item 19.
|
Page |
(a) Index to Financial Statements and Schedules |
|
COMPAÑIA DE MINAS BUENAVENTURA S.A.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
|
|
|
Report of Independent Auditors |
F-1 |
Consolidated financial statements |
|
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 |
F-2 |
Consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
F-3 |
Consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
F-4 |
Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
F-5 |
Notes to the consolidated financial statements |
F-7 |
|
|
MINERA YANACOCHA S.R.L. |
|
|
|
Report of the Independent Auditors |
F-67 |
Financial statements |
|
Balance sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 |
F-68 |
Statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
F-69 |
Statements of changes in Partners' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
F-70 |
Statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2003 |
F-71 |
Notes to the financial statements |
F-72 |
|
|
(b) Index to Exhibits |
|
|
|
1.1 By-Laws (Estatutos) of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A., as amended April 30, 2002 (incorporated by reference from Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on June 25, 2003) |
|
1.2 By-Laws (Estatutos) of Minera Yanacocha S. R. L., as amended October 18, 1999 (incorporated by reference from Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on June 25, 2003) |
|
4.1 Participation Agreement among Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, Summit Global Management B.V., Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A., Phelps Dodge Corporation, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, Cyprus Metals Company, Cyprus Climax Metals Company and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A. dated March 16, 2005 |
|
11 Code of Conduct and Ethics (incorporated by reference from Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on June 25, 2003) |
|
12.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
12.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
13.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
13.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
COMPAÑÍA DE MINAS BUENAVENTURA S.A.A.
By: /S/ CARLOS E. GÁLVEZ PINILLOS
Carlos E. Gálvez Pinillos
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: May 27, 2005
Index to the Financial Statements
Page
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. and subsidiaries
Report of Independent Auditors, issued by Ernst & Young F-1
Consolidated financial statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003
and 2004 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2002,
2003 and 2004 F-5
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
Minera Yanacocha S.R.L.
Report of the Independent Auditors F-67
Financial statements
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 F-68
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 F-69
Statements of Changes in Partners' Equity for the year ended December 31,
2002, 2003 and 2004 F-70
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 F-71
Notes to the Financial Statements F-72
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (a Peruvian company) and subsidiaries (together, the Company) as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The financial statements of Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. (an equity accounted affiliated entity in which the Company has a 43.65 percent interest) have been audited by other auditors, whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Minera Yanacocha S.R.L., is based solely on the report of the other auditors. In the consolidated financial stateme nts of the Company, the investment and share in the net income of Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. amount to approximately S/1,101.0 million and S/1,152.2 million at December 31, 2003 and 2004, and S/361.5 million, S/515.7 million and S/583.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of the auditors of Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of the auditors of Minera Yanacocha S.R.L., the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Peru, which differ in certain respects from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (see notes 39 and 40 to the consolidated financial statements).
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the IAS 39, Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement, and together with its affiliate Minera Yanacocha S.R.L., modified its accounting policy to record its long-lived assets retirement obligations, see notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Countersigned by:
/S/ VICTOR BURGA_____
Víctor Burga
C.P.C. Register No.14859
Lima, Peru
February 18, 2005, except for notes 39 and 40,
as to which the date is March 31, 2005
|
Note |
2003 |
2004 |
2004 |
|
Note |
2003 |
2004 |
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
US$(000) |
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
US$(000) |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders' equity, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
Bank loans |
17 |
23,461 |
13,150 |
4,005 |
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts payable |
18 |
52,699 |
61,188 |
18,638 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
6 |
398,551 |
614,862 |
187,287 |
Other current liabilities |
19 |
86,125 |
142,696 |
43,465 |
Investment funds |
7 |
54,881 |
86,971 |
26,491 |
Derivative instruments |
35 |
99,893 |
70,927 |
21,604 |
Trade accounts receivable |
8 |
74,266 |
97,061 |
29,565 |
Current portion of long-term debt |
20 |
70,453 |
36,332 |
11,067 |
Other accounts receivable, net |
9 |
23,471 |
12,248 |
3,731 |
Deferred income from sale of future production |
35 |
68,841 |
74,937 |
22,826 |
Accounts receivable from affiliates |
38 |
37,698 |
46,078 |
14,035 |
Total current liabilities |
|
401,472 |
399,230 |
121,605 |
Inventories, net |
10 |
77,232 |
69,353 |
21,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of prepaid tax and expenses |
11 |
45,544 |
40,471 |
12,327 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities |
19 |
76,853 |
74,030 |
22,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative instruments |
35 |
307,826 |
267,852 |
81,588 |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
20 |
45,468 |
15,031 |
4,578 |
Total current assets |
|
711,643 |
967,044 |
294,561 |
Deferred income from sale of future production |
35 |
641,122 |
568,772 |
173,248 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
1,472,741 |
1,324,915 |
403,569 |
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest |
21 |
48,428 |
66,347 |
20,209 |
Long - term accounts receivable |
9 |
5,008 |
4,574 |
1,393 |
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid tax and expenses |
11 |
7,552 |
14,059 |
4,282 |
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in shares |
12 |
1,443,035 |
1,531,347 |
466,447 |
Shareholders' equity, net |
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
13 |
408,132 |
452,214 |
137,745 |
Capital stock, net of treasury shares of |
|
|
|
|
Mine development costs, net |
14 |
123,821 |
143,258 |
43,636 |
S/49,659,000 in 2003 and 2004 |
22 |
596,755 |
596,755 |
181,771 |
Deferred stripping costs |
15 |
56,056 |
56,056 |
17,075 |
Investment shares, net of treasury shares of |
|
|
|
|
Mining concessions and goodwill, net |
16 |
168,130 |
157,544 |
47,988 |
S/66,000 in 2003 and 2004 |
|
1,683 |
1,683 |
513 |
Deferred income tax and workers' profit sharing asset, net |
32 |
297,441 |
245,299 |
74,718 |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
610,659 |
610,659 |
186,006 |
Total assets |
|
3,220,818 |
3,571,395 |
1,087,845 |
Legal reserve |
|
99,286 |
129,276 |
39,378 |
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings |
|
217,874 |
734,982 |
223,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative translation loss |
|
(29,395) |
(148,513) |
(45,237 ) |
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative unrealized gain on investments in shares carried at fair value |
|
209,130 |
256,331 |
78,078 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders' equity, net |
|
1,699,649 |
2,180,133 |
664,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity, net |
|
3,220,818 |
3,571,395 |
1,087,845 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets
|
Note |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2004 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
US$(000) |
|||
Operating revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net sales |
24 |
575,707 |
735,306 |
908,441 |
276,711 |
|||
Income realized from sale of future production |
35 |
- |
- |
68,837 |
20,968 |
|||
Royalties income |
38 |
82,350 |
116,857 |
128,889 |
39,260 |
|||
Total revenues |
|
658,057 |
852,163 |
1,106,167 |
336,939 |
|||
Costs of operation |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Operating costs |
25 |
273,686 |
302,572 |
338,074 |
102,977 |
|||
Exploration and development costs in operational mining sites |
26 |
77,660 |
85,715 |
127,169 |
38,736 |
|||
Depreciation and amortization |
13(c ) |
43,195 |
49,118 |
59,473 |
18,115 |
|||
Total costs of operation |
|
394,541 |
437,405 |
524,716 |
159,828 |
|||
Gross margin |
|
263,516 |
414,758 |
581,451 |
177,111 |
|||
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Exploration costs in non-operational mining sites |
27 |
40,309 |
59,255 |
88,241 |
26,878 |
|||
General and administrative |
28 |
79,298 |
123,161 |
76,866 |
23,413 |
|||
Royalties to third parties |
37(b ) |
14,681 |
25,142 |
24,918 |
7,590 |
|||
Selling |
29 |
24,314 |
25,776 |
17,839 |
5,435 |
|||
Amortization of mining concessions and goodwill |
16 |
17,441 |
15,578 |
15,598 |
4,749 |
|||
Royalties to the Peruvian Government |
19(d ) |
- |
- |
6,639 |
2,022 |
|||
Asset impairment loss and write-off |
|
1,634 |
4,691 |
2,889 |
880 |
|||
Total operating expenses |
|
177,677 |
253,603 |
232,990 |
70,967 |
|||
Operating income |
|
85,839 |
161,155 |
348,461 |
106,144 |
|||
Other income (expenses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Share in affiliated companies |
12(b ) |
353,963 |
557,558 |
575,858 |
175,406 |
|||
Gain (loss) from change in the fair value of derivative instruments |
35 |
- |
(647,218) |
14,629 |
4,456 |
|||
Interest income |
30 |
9,215 |
7,785 |
12,132 |
3,694 |
|||
Realized gain (loss) in derivative instruments |
35 |
44,760 |
(20,812 ) |
(73,403 ) |
(22,359 ) |
|||
Gain (loss) from exposure to inflation |
2(a ) |
(3,312 ) |
321 |
(22,483 ) |
(6,849 ) |
|||
Interest expense |
30 |
(16,702 ) |
(8,687 ) |
(7,515 ) |
(2,289 ) |
|||
Loss from sale of subsidiary's shares |
|
(7,069 ) |
- |
- |
- |
|||
Other, net |
31 |
2,954 |
(12,804 ) |
(13,505 ) |
(4,114 ) |
|||
Total other income (expenses), net |
|
383,809 |
(123,857 ) |
485,713 |
147,945 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Income before workers' profit sharing, income tax, minority interest and cumulative effect of accounting change |
|
469,648 |
37,298 |
834,174 |
254,089 |
|||
Provision for workers' profit sharing |
32(a ) |
(1,613 ) |
62,887 |
(18,356 ) |
(5,591 ) |
|||
Provision for income tax |
32(a ) |
(26,859 ) |
198,286 |
(101,997 ) |
(31,068 ) |
|||
Income before minority interest and cumulative effect of accounting change |
|
441,176 |
298,471 |
713,821 |
217,430 |
|||
Minority interest |
21 |
(25,461 ) |
(51,023 ) |
(28,171 ) |
(8,581 ) |
|||
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change |
|
415,715 |
247,448 |
685,650 |
208,849 |
|||
Cumulative effect of accounting change for mine closing costs |
3 |
- |
(72,295 ) |
- |
- |
|||
Net income |
|
415,715 |
175,153 |
685,650 |
208,849 |
|||
Basic and diluted earnings per share before cumulative effect of accounting change, stated in Peruvian nuevos soles and U.S. dollars |
33 |
3.27 |
1.95 |
5.39 |
1.64 |
|||
Cumulative effect of accounting change for mine closing costs |
|
- |
(0.57 ) |
- |
- |
|||
Basic and diluted earnings per share, stated in nuevos soles and U.S. dollars |
33 |
3.27 |
1.38 |
5.39 |
1.64 |
|||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding |
|
127,236,219 |
127,236,219 |
127,236,219 |
127,236,219 |
|
Capital stock, net of treasury shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares |
Common shares |
Investment shares |
Additional paid-in capital |
Legal reserve |
Retained earnings |
Cumulative translation gain (loss) |
Cumulative unrealized gain on investments in shares carried at fair value |
Cumulative unrealized loss on derivative instruments |
Total |
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Balance as of January 1st, 2002 |
126,235,832 |
181,777 |
533 |
552,019 |
39,563 |
835,067 |
6,315 |
- |
- |
1,615,274 |
Declared and paid dividends, note 22(f) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(75,292 ) |
- |
- |
- |
(75,292 ) |
Capitalization of retained earnings, notes 22(a) |
- |
448,520 |
1,216 |
- |
- |
(449,736) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Transfer to legal reserve |
- |
- |
- |
- |
41,974 |
(41,974 ) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Gain from sale of ADR's, note 22(e) |
644,000 |
925 |
- |
24,267 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
25,192 |
Purchase of Investment shares |
- |
- |
(14) |
(146) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(160 ) |
Cumulative gain for translation of investment in Minera Yanacocha S.R.L., maintained through Compañía Minera Condesa S.A., note 22(g) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,054 |
- |
- |
1,054 |
Increase of nominal value of treasury shares maintained by subsidiary |
- |
(34,467) |
(52) |
34,519 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Net income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
415,715 |
- |
- |
- |
415,715 |
Balance as of December 31, 2002 |
126,879,832 |
596,755 |
1,683 |
610,659 |
81,537 |
683,780 |
7,369 |
- |
- |
1,981,783 |
Declared and paid dividends, note 22(f) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(159,164) |
- |
- |
- |
(159,164 ) |
Investments in shares maintained at fair value, |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(5,957 ) |
- |
209,130 |
- |
203,173 |
Loss in the initial valuation of derivative instruments, |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(458,189) |
- |
- |
- |
(458,189) |
Gain in the initial valuation of derivative instruments classified as hedging instruments held by subsidiary, |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,742 |
1,742 |
Loss from change in the fair value of derivative instruments classified as hedging instruments held by subsidiary, |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(8,085) |
(8,085 ) |
Transfer to legal reserve |
- |
- |
- |
- |
17,749 |
(17,749 ) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Cumulative loss for translation of investment in Minera Yanacocha S.R.L., mantained through Compañía Minera Condesa S.A., note 22(g) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(36,764 ) |
- |
- |
(36,764 ) |
Net income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
175,153 |
- |
- |
- |
175,153 |
Balance as of December 31, 2003 |
126,879,832 |
596,755 |
1,683 |
610,659 |
99,286 |
217,874 |
(29,395 ) |
209,130 |
(6,343) |
1,699,649 |
Declared and paid dividends, note 22(f) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(139,464) |
- |
- |
- |
(139,464 ) |
Investments in shares maintained at fair value, |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
47,201 |
- |
47,201 |
Change in the fair value of derivative instruments of Subsidiary, note 35(a) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
5,303 |
5,303 |
Transfer to legal reserve |
- |
- |
- |
- |
29,990 |
(29,990) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Other |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
912 |
- |
- |
- |
912 |
Cumulative loss for translation of investment in Minera Yanacocha S.R.L., maintained through Compañía Minera Condesa S.A., note 22(g) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(119,118) |
- |
- |
(119,118 ) |
Net income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
685,650 |
- |
- |
- |
685,650 |
Balance as of December 31, 2004 |
126,879,832 |
596,755 |
1,683 |
610,659 |
129,276 |
734,982 |
(148,513) |
256,331 |
(1,040) |
2,180,133 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2004 |
||||
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
US$(000) |
||||
(Note 4) |
|||||||
Operating activities |
|||||||
Collection from customers |
566,562 |
733,646 |
885,646 |
269,767 |
|||
Collection of dividends |
83,098 |
482,025 |
419,782 |
127,865 |
|||
Collection of royalties |
80,560 |
112,354 |
120,136 |
36,593 |
|||
Collection of interest |
9,243 |
8,827 |
11,909 |
3,627 |
|||
Payments to suppliers and third parties |
(289,828 ) |
(347,109) |
(388,709) |
(118,401 ) |
|||
Payments of exploration expenditures |
(98,612 ) |
(128,684) |
(172,215) |
(52,457 ) |
|||
Payments to employees |
(102,048 ) |
(101,629) |
(119,594) |
(36,428 ) |
|||
Payments of income tax |
(30,872 ) |
(38,509) |
(44,478 ) |
(13,547 ) |
|||
Payments of royalties |
(13,337 ) |
(25,976) |
(27,248 ) |
(8,299 ) |
|||
Payments of interest |
(14,457 ) |
(8,686) |
(5,170 ) |
(1,574 ) |
|||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
190,309 |
686,259 |
680,059 |
207,146 |
|||
Investing activities |
|||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(66,508 ) |
(67,814) |
(96,507 ) |
(29,396 ) |
|||
Collections (payments) from derivative instruments settled, net |
44,760 |
(20,812) |
(73,403 ) |
(22,359 ) |
|||
Development expenditures |
(23,998 ) |
(38,504) |
(38,611 ) |
(11,761 ) |
|||
Increase of investment fund |
- |
(53,068) |
(34,735 ) |
(10,580 ) |
|||
Decrease on time deposit in local currency |
- |
- |
(24,255 ) |
(7,388 ) |
|||
Payments by purchase of investments in shares |
(11,927 ) |
(4,663) |
(8,084 ) |
(2,463 ) |
|||
Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment |
1,008 |
2,464 |
1,595 |
486 |
|||
Proceeds from sale of investments in shares |
4,323 |
3,059 |
330 |
101 |
|||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(52,342 ) |
(179,338 ) |
(273,670 ) |
(83,360 ) |
|||
Financing activities |
|||||||
Payments of dividends, note 22(f) |
(72,265 ) |
(159,164) |
(139,464) |
(42,481 ) |
|||
Decrease of bank loans, net |
(74,218 ) |
(22,921) |
(10,311 ) |
(3,141 ) |
|||
Proceeds from long-term debt |
- |
- |
12,147 |
3,700 |
|||
Payments of long-term debt |
(12,125 ) |
(22,213) |
(76,705 ) |
(23,364 ) |
|||
Proceeds from sale of ADR |
25,192 |
- |
- |
- |
|||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(133,416 ) |
(204,298) |
(214,333) |
(65,286 ) |
|||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year |
4,551 |
302,623 |
192,056 |
58,500 |
|||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
91,377 |
95,928 |
398,551 |
121,398 |
|||
Cash and cash equivalents at year-end |
95,928 |
398,551 |
590,607 |
179,898 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2004 |
||||
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
US$(000) |
||||
(Note 4) |
|||||||
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities |
|||||||
Net income |
415,715 |
175,153 |
685,650 |
208,849 |
|||
Add (deduct) |
|||||||
Depreciation |
46,245 |
54,124 |
61,694 |
18,793 |
|||
Provision for deferred income tax and workers' profit sharing, see note 32 (a) |
3,552 |
(301,980) |
37,840 |
11,526 |
|||
Amortization of development costs |
15,762 |
17,439 |
33,503 |
10,205 |
|||
Minority interest |
25,461 |
51,023 |
28,171 |
8,581 |
|||
Loss (gain) from exposure to inflation |
3,312 |
(321 ) |
22,483 |
6,848 |
|||
Amortization of mining concessions and goodwill |
17,441 |
15,578 |
15,598 |
4,749 |
|||
Accretion expense |
- |
4,724 |
7,056 |
2,149 |
|||
Asset impairment loss and write-off |
1,634 |
4,691 |
2,889 |
880 |
|||
Officers' compensation, note 19 |
6,744 |
49,594 |
2,135 |
650 |
|||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
329 |
5,952 |
1,146 |
349 |
|||
Net cost of retired plant and equipment |
8,502 |
6,490 |
754 |
230 |
|||
Share in affiliated companies, net of dividends |
(270,865 ) |
(75,533 ) |
(160,947 ) |
(49,024 ) |
|||
Income from sale of future production |
- |
- |
(68,837 ) |
(20,968 ) |
|||
Loss (gain) from change in the fair value of derivative instruments |
- |
647,218 |
(14,629 ) |
(4,456 ) |
|||
Gain from change in the fair value of investment fund |
- |
(1,813 ) |
(5,022 ) |
(1,530 ) |
|||
Gain on sale of plant and equipment |
(898 ) |
(2,133 ) |
(157 ) |
(48 ) |
|||
Loss (gain) on sale of shares |
1,412 |
(267 ) |
(51 ) |
(16 ) |
|||
Cumulative effect of accounting change |
- |
72,295 |
- |
- |
|||
Write-off development costs |
- |
7,742 |
- |
- |
|||
Loss from sale of subsidiary's shares |
7,069 |
- |
- |
- |
|||
Net changes in assets and liabilities accounts |
|||||||
Decrease (increase) of operating assets - |
|||||||
Trade and other accounts receivable |
(73,849 ) |
(16,019 ) |
(22,259 ) |
(6,779 ) |
|||
Deferred stripping costs |
(12,500 ) |
(14,329 ) |
- |
- |
|||
Prepaid taxes and expenses |
1,645 |
(6,432 ) |
(48,952 ) |
(14,910 ) |
|||
Inventories |
641 |
558 |
5,097 |
1,553 |
|||
Increase (decrease) of operating liabilities - |
|||||||
Trade accounts payable and other current liabilities |
(7,043 ) |
(7,495 ) |
96,897 |
29,515 |
|||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
190,309 |
686,259 |
680,059 |
207,146 |
|||
Transactions that do not affect cash flows: |
|
||||||
Payment of dividends through common shares of Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A., note 22(f) |
3,028 |
- |
- |
- |
|||
Increase of the book value of long-lived assets |
- |
8,658 |
24,842 |
7,567 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (hereafter "Buenaventura") is a public company incorporated in 1953. It is engaged in the exploration (individually and in association with third parties), extraction, concentration and commercialization of polymetallic ores.
Buenaventura operates two mining units in Peru (Uchucchacua and Orcopampa) and has a controlling interest in three Peruvian mining companies that own the Colquijirca, Antapite, Ishihuinca, Shila and Paula mines. In addition, the Company holds direct and indirect interests in a number of other mining companies; the most important of such interests is in Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. (hereafter "Yanacocha"), an entity in which the Company owns 43.65 percent of outstanding stock through Compañía Minera Condesa S.A. (hereafter "Condesa"), see note 12. Buenaventura also owns an electric power distribution company and a mining engineering services consulting company.
In 1999 and 2001, Buenaventura decided to suspend exploitation activities in the Julcani and Huachocolpa mines, respectively, and only continue to carry out exploration activities. Mineral found in Julcani during exploration activities is treated and sold.
As of December 31, 2003 and 2004, the number of employees at Buenaventura and its subsidiaries (together "the Company"), is as follows:
|
2003 |
2004 |
Officers |
56 |
78 |
Employees |
907 |
868 |
Workers |
1,133 |
1,038 |
|
2,096 |
1,984 |
Buenaventura's legal address is Avenida Carlos Villaran 790, Santa Catalina, Lima, Peru.
The 2004 consolidated financial statements have been approved by Management and will be presented for the approval of the Directors and Shareholders at the times established by Law. In Management's opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements will be approved without modifications in the Board of Directors' and Shareholders' meetings to be held during the first quarter of 2005.
Consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2003 were approved in the Shareholders' meeting held on March 26, 2004.
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the following subsidiaries:
|
Ownership percentages as of December 31, |
|
|||
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
||
Subsidiaries |
Direct |
Indirect |
Direct |
Indirect |
Business Activities |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
Buenaventura Ingenieros S.A. |
100.00 |
- |
100.00 |
- |
Provides advisory and engineering services related to the mining industry. |
Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C. - CEDIMIN |
44.83 |
55.17 |
44.83 |
55.17 |
Holds investments in S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca, Minas Conga S.R.L., and other affiliated companies engaged in mining activities. Also, it is engaged in the extraction, concentration and commercialization of gold bars and concentrates. |
Compañía Minera Condesa S.A. |
99.99 |
- |
99.99 |
- |
Holds investments in Buenaventura, Yanacocha and other affiliated companies engaged in mining activities. |
Compañía Minera Colquirrumi S.A. (i) |
73.63 |
- |
90.00 |
- |
Extraction, concentration and commercialization of polymetallic ores, principally zinc and lead. Currently is also engaged in electric power sales. |
Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
99.99 |
0.01 |
99.99 |
0.01 |
Transmission of electric power to mining companies. |
Contacto Corredores de Seguros S.A. |
- |
99.99 |
- |
99.99 |
Placement of insurance contracts and provision of administrative and technical services in insurance matters. |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
59.90 |
- |
59.90 |
- |
Extraction, concentration and commercialization of polymetallic ores, principally zinc and lead, through its subsidiary Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
78.04 |
- |
78.04 |
- |
Extraction, concentration and commercialization of gold bars and concentrates. |
Metalúrgica Los Volcanes S.A. |
100.00 |
- |
100.00 |
- |
Treatment of minerals and concentrates. |
Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. (ii) |
- |
51.00 |
- |
- |
Extraction, concentration and commercialization gold bars. |
Minas Conga S.R.L. |
- |
60.00 |
- |
60.00 |
Owner of mining rights. |
S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca |
20.00 |
40.00 |
20.00 |
40.00 |
Owner of the mining concessions explored and exploited by Yanacocha. |
Minera La Zanja S.R.L. |
- |
- |
53.06 |
- |
Prospection, exploration and exploitation of mineral rights. Currently is engaged in exploration activities. It was incorporated in January 2004. |
(i) The Shareholders' Meeting of Compañía Minera Colquirrumi held on April 20, 2004 approved to capitalize the debts with its shareholders, with the purpose of reducing its capital stock, off setting its accumulated losses, and creating Series A and Series B shares. As a result, the Company owns the 99.99% of Series A shares of Compañía Minera Colquirrumi, which represents an equity investment of 90% (73.63% as of December 31, 2003).
(ii) Effective October 22, 2004, Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C. - CEDIMIN acquired 100% of the capital stock of Inversiones Mineras Aureas S.A.C., which owned 49% of Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. The Shareholders' Meetings of CEDIMIN, Inversiones Mineras Aureas S.A.C. and Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. held in 2004, approved the merger of these companies. Effective December 31, 2004, Inversiones Mineras Aureas S.A.C. and Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. were merged by CEDIMIN. The merger was recorded under the purchase method. The fair values of the assets and liabilities of the merged companies were not significantly different from their book values at the date of the merger.
In the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements, Management has followed International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) effective in Peru as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, which differ in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). A description of these differences and their effects on net income and shareholers' equity is set forth in Notes 39 and 40. The consolidated financial statements arise from the statutory consolidated financial statement presentation and include certain additional disclosures in order to conform more closely to the form and content of financial statements required by the Securities and Exchange Commision of the United States of America (the "SEC"). To the date of the consolidated financial statements, the Peruvian Accounting Standards Board has approved the use of IAS 1 to 41, and the Interpretations 1 to 33.
The main accounting principles and practices used in accounting for the transactions and in preparing the consolidated financial statements are:
The consolidated financial statements are restated to reflect the effect of the changes in the acquisition power of the Peruvian currency, in accordance with the methodology approved by the Peruvian Accounting Standards Board. This methodology requires the adjustment of the non-monetary items in the consolidated financial statements considering their origin date and applying the corresponding Wholesale Price Indexes. Monetary items and foreign currency-denominated items are not restated because they are stated in currency of acquisition power at the balance sheet dates. The results from exposure to inflation are separately presented in the statements of income and mainly include the exchange difference loss originated by the foreign currency-denominated items. In years 2002, 2003 and 2004, the exchange difference losses were S/6,246,000, S/472,000 and S/12,636,000, respectively.
The variations of the acquisition power of the Peruvian currency, according to the Wholesale Price Indexes, were 1.7%, 2% and 4.9% for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Through Resolution No. 031-2004-EF/93.01, the Peruvian Accounting Standards Board suspended, effective year 2005, the restatement of the financial statements to recognize the inflation effect. The restated balances as of December 31, 2004 will be considered as initial balances as of January 1, 2005. Effective 2005, the tax authorities have adopted this accounting treatment for calculating the income tax.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in Peru requires Management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Buenaventura and the accounts of those subsidiaries in which it possesses more than 50 percent equity participation and/or exercises control. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. The minority interest is presented separately in the consolidated balance sheets and in the consolidated statements of income.
See companies included in the consolidated financial statements in Note 1.
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash on hand and deposited in banks. For preparing the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash balances and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, and time deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated sales price obtainable in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and estimated selling and distribution expenses. Cost is determined using the weighted average method.
The accrual for obsolescence is based on an item-by-item analysis completed by the Company's management and related amounts are charged to expense in the period in which the obsolescence is deemed to have occurred.
Until December 31, 2002, investments in which the Company's interest is lower than 20 percent were stated at cost, less any permanent value impairment. Effective January 1, 2003, the Company has adopted IAS 39, Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement. Under the requirements of this standard, such investments must be recorded at fair value and changes in such value must be separately presented in the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity. The Company has recorded a charge to retained earnings by S/5,957,000, corresponding to the initial adoption of this standard. The corresponding dividends are credited to income when declared.
Investments in entities in which the Company's ownership is greater than 20 percent but less than 50 percent are accounted for by the equity method, recognizing the Company's proportionate share in the results of the affiliates in the consolidated statements of income. The measurement and reporting currency of affiliates is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol, with the exception of Yanacocha whose measurement and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The translation of the financial statements of Yanacocha results in exchange differences arising from translating (a) income and expense items at the exchange rates prevailing on the individual transaction dates, (b) assets and liabilities at the closing exchange rate, and (c) equity accounts at the historical exchange rates. The net exchange difference is classified in equity until further disposal of the net investment.
The purchase method is used to record business acquisitions. Under this method, the assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded at fair value and any excess of the amount paid over the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired is recognized in the balance sheet as a mining concession (in the case of a mining company) or goodwill (in the case of a company engaged in other activities).
For companies in which the Company's ownership is between 20 and 50 percent, any amount paid in excess of book value of the shares is reported in the Investment caption. The Company presents in this caption amounts paid over the book value of Yanacocha shares, and amortizes this amount using the units-of-production method based on proven and probable reserves, see Note 12(g).
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment loss. Maintenance and minor repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures that result in future economic benefits, beyond those originally contemplated in standards of performance for the existing assets, are capitalized.
Depreciation is calculated under the straight-line method of accounting considering the following estimated useful lives:
|
Years |
Buildings, constructions and other |
10 and 20 |
Machinery and equipment |
5 and 10 |
Transportation units |
5 |
Furniture and fixtures |
8 and 10 |
Mineral rights are amortized using the units-of-production method.
The useful life assigned and the depreciation method chosen by the Company are reviewed periodically to ensure that the method and the depreciation period are consistent with the economic benefit and life expectations for use of property, plant and equipment items.
Exploration costs are charged to expense as incurred. When it is determined that a mineral property can be economically developed, the costs incurred to develop it, including the costs to further delineate the ore body and remove overburden to initially expose the ore body, are capitalized. In addition, expenditures that increase significantly the economic reserves in the mining units under exploitation are capitalized. Mine development costs are amortized using the units-of-production method, based on proven and probable reserves. On-going development expenditures to maintain production are charged to operations as incurred.
The Company has entered into joint venture agreements with other mining companies for the purpose of exploring potential mining sites. The associated exploration costs are recognized using the pro-rata share method.
The mining concessions balance corresponds to the amounts paid in excess of fair value of net assets acquired in the purchase of Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C. - CEDIMIN (Cedimin), Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. (Colquijirca), Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. (El Brocal), Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. (Conenhua) and Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. (Paula). The mining concession balances corresponding to Colquijirca, El Brocal and Paula are amortized using the units-of-production method, while the balances corresponding to Cedimin and Conenhua are amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 15 and 10 years, respectively.
Annually, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of mining concessions and assesses whether any potential impairment issues exist respective to recoverability. If it is evident that the mining concessions and the goodwill are impaired, the Company provides for the impairment loss in the consolidated statements of income.
The Company reviews for and evaluates the potential impact of impairment on its assets when events or changes in circumstance occur that indicate the book value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the book value of an asset exceeds the higher of its net selling price or value in use. The value in use of an asset is generally calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows expected to be earned from continual use of the asset and from its disposal at the end of its useful life. An impairment loss recognized in a previous year is reversed if events or changes occur that indicate the estimates used when the impairment loss was recognized should be adjusted to reflect a more favorable cash flow scenario. The future cash flow assumptions used include, among other items, estimates of recoverable ounces and metric tons, estimates of realizable prices and costs, and estimates of production quantities. Assumptions in which estimated future cash flows are based are subject to risk and uncertainty. Differences between assumptions and market conditions and/or the Company's development profile could have a material effect on the financial situation and results of operations of the Company.
An accrual is recognized only when the Company has a present obligation (legal or implicit) as a result of a past event, it is probable that resources of the Company will be required to settle the obligation, and the related amount can be reasonably estimated. Accruals are revised periodically and are adjusted to reflect the best available information at the date of the consolidated balance sheets.
See note 3(a) for further information about the accounting change.
The subsidiary El Brocal has deferred certain costs incurred in the expansion of Tajo Norte mining site (the expected life of Tajo Norte is 8 years) with the intent to reasonably match revenues and production costs. Those costs are commonly referred as "deferred stripping costs" and are incurred in mining activities that are associated with the removal of waste rock.
The deferred accounting stripping method used by El Brocal is generally accepted in the mining industry where mining operations have diverse grades and waste-to-ore ratios; however, some mining companies expense waste removal costs as incurred. If El Brocal were to expense stripping costs as incurred, there could be greater volatility in the period-to-period results of operations.
In order to calculate the amount of deferred stripping cost to record as normal period expense, Management obtains a coefficient by dividing the estimated tons of waste material to move by the estimated tons of mineral to be extracted during the useful life of the related area. This coefficient is estimated to be 8.69 MT of waste material requiring to be moved to obtain 1 MT of extracted mineral (8.18 MT of waste material requiring to be moved to obtain 1 MT of extracted mineral as of December 31, 2003). As of December 31, 2004, the actual coefficient was 8.94 (11.13 as of December 31, 2003).
Costs related to additional quantities of waste that must be moved to obtain 1 MT of mineral are deferred when the actual waste material extracted is higher than the estimate; likewise, these costs are amortized when actual waste mineral extraction is lower than the estimate. The amortization of the deferred stripping costs will be reflected in the consolidated statements of income over the life of the Tajo Norte area, based on proven and probable reserves, so that no unamortized balance remains at mine closure (there were no amortization expenses in prior years and in the current year). Management expects to begin the amortization of the deferred stripping costs in 2006.
Sales of concentrates are recorded at the time of shipment in the case of export sales or, when the concentrates physically pass to the customer's warehouse for domestic sales. Sales are recorded at estimated value according to preliminary billings. The sales amount is then adjusted in the period in which final billings are released. When it is evident that the quotations to be used in the final billings are lower than those used in preliminary billings, the excess is reversed in the period in which final prices are known.
Sales of ounces of gold are recorded at the time of the delivery and passage of the title rights of such ounces to the client.
Costs and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.
Transactions occurring in a foreign currency are recorded in local Peruvian currency by applying to the foreign currency amount the exchange rate at the transaction date. Exchange gains and losses resulting from differences between the closing exchange rate and the exchange rate used to initially record transactions, are recognized in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which they arise, see Note 5, and are presented in the caption "gain (loss) from exposure to inflation".
The current income tax and workers' profit sharing balances are calculated and recorded pursuant to current legal regulations effective in Peru. Following the balance sheet liability method, the Company recognizes the effect of temporary differences between book and tax basis of assets and liabilities to the extent that such differences result in a deferred tax liability. Should a deferred asset arise, it is not recognized unless it is more likely than not that it will be recoverable.
Loss contingencies are recorded in the financial statements when they are probable of occurrence and they can be fairly determined. In other cases, they are only disclosed in notes to the financial statements. The loss contingencies with probability of resulting in a real loss can be classified as follows:
- Probable: a contingency that generates an actual obligation and therefore, must be accrued.
- Possible: a contingency whose result is uncertain due to its current status and therefore, must not be accrued but disclosed.
- Remote: a contingency with a reduced probability of occurrence and therefore, must not be accrued or disclosed.
Contingent assets are not recognized in the financial statements until their realizability is certain; however, they are disclosed in notes to the financial statements if it is probable that such contingent assets will be realized.
Until December 31, 2002, the Company disclosed in notes to the consolidated financial statements the fair value of the derivative instruments. Effective January 1, 2003, IAS 39, Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement, is in force. Following we describe the changes resulting from the adoption of this standard:
- The fair value of derivative contracts qualifying as cash flow hedges are reflected as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. To the extent these hedges are effective in offsetting forecasted cash flows from the sale of production, changes in fair value are deferred in an equity account. Amounts deferred in such account are reclassified to Sales when the underlying production is sold. The effect of the initial adoption of this standard by the subsidiary El Brocal resulted in a credit to the equity account "unrealized loss on derivative instruments" of S/1,742,000.
- The fair value of derivative contracts not qualifying as cash flow hedges are reflected as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair values are recorded in the caption "gain (loss) from Change in the Fair Value of Derivative Instruments" in the consolidated statements of income. The effect of the initial adoption of this standard resulted in a charge to retained earnings of 2003 by S/458,189,000.
- The value of derivative contracts qualifying as normal sales are initially deferred in the consolidated balance sheets and then recognized in income in the years in which the Company makes a physical delivery of the committed ounces of gold and tonnes of minerals, see note 35.
The Company has common and investment shares under treasury. The nominal values of these shares, restated by inflation, are presented net of the capital stock and investment shares amounts. The difference between the nominal values restated by inflation and the cost of such shares is presented as a reduction in the additional capital caption of the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity.
The effect of the dividends income arising from the treasury shares held by a subsidiary are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated based on the weighted average number of common and investment shares outstanding at the date of the consolidated balance sheets; treasury shares have been excluded from the calculation.
Figures presented in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 have been inflation adjusted to reflect the change in the National Wholesale Price index (IPM) at December 31, 2004, using an inflation factor of 1.049.
In order to improve the presentation of its consolidated financial statements, the Company made the following reclassications in year 2004:
- The "amortization of mining concessions and goodwill" caption is now presented as operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income. This caption was presented as Other income (expense) in year 2003.
- Mineral rights of S/13,965,000 as of December 31, 2003 is now presented as part of Property, Plant and Equipment. Until December 31, 2003, this amount was presented in a separate caption.
As of today, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has completed its review process of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and has issued new accounting standards. These standards are internationally in force effective January 1, 2005; however, they are pending of approval by the Peruvian Accounting Standards Board. The Company is in process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of the revised IAS and the new IFRS issued.
Following we present a summary of the main changes:
(i) Improvement project of the IASB -
As part of this Project, 15 standards were reviewed with the objective of reducing or eliminating alternative treatments, redundancies and conflicts within the standards, as well as to achieve US GAAP convergence and to carry out other improvements. This project modified the following IAS:
- IAS 1 (revised in 2003): it modifies the presentation of the minority interest and other disclosures.
- IAS 8, 10, 16, 17, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33 and 40 (revised in 2003) and IAS 39 (revised in 2004): these standards do not contain changes that could significantly affect the consolidated financial statements or the accounting policies of the Company.
- IAS 21 (revised in 2003): it incorporates guides and requisites to determine the functional currency of the entities.
- IAS 24 (revised in 2003): it will affect the identification of the related parties and some other disclosures with related parties.
(ii) As part of the revision of the standard of business combinations, the IASB issued IFRS 3, Business Combinations. Additionally, it revised IAS 36, Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and IAS 38, Intangible Assets.
(iii) New International Financial Reporting Standards:
IFRS 2 - Share-based payments
IFRS 3 - Business Combinations
This IFRS replaces IAS 22, Business Combinations, and the related interpretations (SIC 9, 22 and 28). According to the provisions of IFRS 3:
- Goodwill is not subject to amortization beginning January 1, 2005;
- Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2004 will be eliminated by reducing the corresponding cost;
- Effective January 1, 2006, goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test.
IFRS 4 - Insurance contracts
IFRS 5 - Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations
IFRS 6 - Exploration and Evaluation of Mineral Resources
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company and its affiliate, Yanacocha, made an accounting change related to the provision for mine closure. Following, we describe the accounting changes, and the cumulative effect as of January 1, 2003:
The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle, net of the workers' profit sharing, income tax and minority interest, was a loss of S/20,711,000; this amount is presented in the caption "cumulative effect of accounting change for mine closing costs" in the consolidated statements of income.
|
2002 |
|
S/(000) |
Operating revenues |
|
Net sales |
575,707 |
Royalties income |
82,350 |
Total revenues |
658,057 |
Costs of operation |
|
Operating costs |
273,786 |
Exploration and development costs in operational mining sites |
78,661 |
Depreciation |
43,510 |
Total cost of operation |
395,957 |
Gross margin |
262,100 |
Total operating expenses |
160,236 |
Operating income |
101,864 |
Other income (expenses) |
|
Share in affiliated companies |
334,654 |
Accretion expense |
(4,017 ) |
Other |
12,405 |
Total other income, net |
343,042 |
Income before workers' profit sharing, income tax and minority interest |
444,906 |
Provision for workers' profit sharing |
(1,476) |
Provision for income tax |
(26,383 ) |
Income before minority interest |
417,047 |
Minority interest |
(24,976 ) |
Net income |
392,071 |
Basic and diluted earnings per share |
3.08 |
The consolidated financial statements are stated in Peruvian Nuevos Soles. U.S. dollar amounts are included solely for the convenience of the reader, and were obtained by dividing Peruvian Nuevos Soles amounts by the exchange rate for selling U.S. dollars at December 31, 2004 (S/3.283 to US$1), as published by the Superintendencia de Banca y Seguros (Superintendent of Bank and Insurance, or "SBS"). The convenience translation should not be construed as a representation that the Peruvian Nuevos Soles amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the foregoing or any other rate of exchange.
Translations to foreign currency are completed using exchange rates prevailing in the market. As of December 31, 2004, the average exchange rate in the market for U.S. dollar transactions was S/3.280 for buying and S/3.283 for selling (S/3.461 for buying and S/3.464 for selling as of December 31, 2003).
As of December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company had the following assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency:
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
US$(000) |
US$(000) |
Assets |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
88,723 |
161,786 |
Investment funds |
15,116 |
26,515 |
Trade and other accounts receivable (including current portion) |
23,485 |
30,699 |
Account receivable from affiliates |
10,117 |
13,923 |
|
137,441 |
232,923 |
Liabilities |
|
|
Bank loans |
6,443 |
3,900 |
Trade accounts payable |
7,038 |
12,703 |
Derivative instruments |
112,203 |
103,192 |
Other current liabilities |
1,271 |
5,516 |
Long-term debt (including current portion) |
35,322 |
15,807 |
|
162,277 |
141,118 |
Net asset (liability) position |
(24,836 ) |
91,805 |
The translation of foreign currency assets and liabilities in 2004 resulted in a net loss of S/12,636,000 (S/472,000 in 2003). These amounts are included in the consolidated statements of income as "gain (loss) from exposure to inflation."
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
2,105 |
2,893 |
|
Demand deposit accounts |
16,731 |
108,102 |
|
Saving accounts |
559 |
- |
|
Time deposits |
|
|
|
In local currency |
73,052 |
- |
|
In foreign currency (b) |
306,104 |
479,612 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash balances included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
398,551 |
590,607 |
|
Time deposits in local currency with an original maturity of more than 90 days (c) |
- |
24,255 |
|
|
398,551 |
614,862 |
- US$60,000,000 with annual interest rates ranging from 1.98% to 2.67%, and maturities from 18 to 30 days.
- US$86,000,000 with annual interest rates ranging from 1.96% to 2.15% and maturities from 18 to 90 days.
|
2003 |
|
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
|
S/(000) |
|
|
|
|
Variable-investsment fund |
54,881 |
|
52,155 |
Investment fund in process of liquidation (b) |
- |
|
34,816 |
|
54,881 |
|
86,971 |
As of December 31, 2003 and 2004, this caption includes variable investment funds under the administration of Compass Group S.A., which are carried at fair value. The change in the fair value of the investment funds held during 2004 was S/5,022,000 (S/1,813,000 during 2003) and has been accounted for as a financial income in the consolidated statements of income, see note 30.
This item is made up as follows:
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
BHL Perú S.A.C. |
3,379 |
18,209 |
Consorcio Minero S.A. |
44,249 |
17,411 |
Mitsui & Co. Precious Metals |
|
16,334 |
Johnson Matthey |
- |
16,292 |
Doe Run Perú S.R.L. |
13,059 |
13,092 |
A y S S.A. |
3,998 |
8,479 |
Refinería de Cajamarquilla S.A. |
1,774 |
2,479 |
Other |
7,807 |
4,765 |
|
74,266 |
97,061 |
Trade accounts receivable are denominated in U.S. dollars, have current maturity, do not earn interest and do not have specific guarantees.
In order to facilitate the collection of the long-term debt maintained with Banco de Crédito del Perú and BBVA Banco Continental, El Brocal has gave up to these entities the cash inflows from two clients.
In Management's opinion, there is no need to record an allowance for doubtful accounts at the date of the consolidated balance sheets.
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Other accounts receivable |
8,573 |
12,287 |
Claims to Tax Authorities (b) |
4,048 |
4,048 |
Advances to suppliers and third parties |
14,844 |
3,305 |
Loans to employees and officers |
1,712 |
1,896 |
Interest receivable |
1,246 |
1,769 |
Account receivable from BHL - Perú S.A.C., related to sale of |
|
|
Minera Huallanca S.A.C.'s shares |
2,265 |
- |
Advances given to a contractor (GyM S.A.) |
1,800 |
- |
Accounts receivable from Compañía Minera El Palomo S.A. |
8,366 |
- |
|
42,854 |
23,305 |
Allowance for doubtful accounts (c) |
(14,375 ) |
(6,483 ) |
|
28,479 |
16,822 |
Non current portion |
(5,008) |
(4,574) |
Current portion |
23,471 |
12,248 |
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Beginning balance |
10,916 |
11,066 |
14,375 |
Accrual for the year, note 28 |
329 |
5,952 |
1,146 |
Result from exposure to inflation |
(179 ) |
298 |
(672 ) |
Write-off |
- |
(2,941 ) |
(8,366 ) |
Ending balance |
11,066 |
14,375 |
6,483 |
In Management's opinion, the allowance for doubtful accounts is sufficient to cover bad debt risk at the date of the consolidated balance sheets.
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Spare parts and supplies |
50,303 |
54,311 |
Products in process |
6,968 |
17,574 |
Finished products |
26,579 |
6,975 |
|
83,850 |
78,860 |
Slow moving and obsolescence supplies reserves (b) |
(6,618) |
(9,507) |
|
77,232 |
69,353 |
The Company expects to use its supplies inventory in the normal course of operations. An immaterial amount related to supplies with slow turnover is classified as a current asset within this caption.
The inventories to be shipped by El Brocal guarantee certain loans maintained by this subsidiary, see note 17.
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Beginning balance |
6,081 |
6,285 |
6,618 |
Accrual for the year |
204 |
624 |
2,889 |
Write - off |
- |
(291 ) |
- |
Ending balance |
6,285 |
6,618 |
9,507 |
In Management's opinion, the reserve above created is sufficient to cover the risks of slow moving and obsolete supplies at the date of the consolidated balance sheets.
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Value added tax credit |
17,276 |
21,772 |
Income tax credit |
28,988 |
14,497 |
Additional income tax prepayment |
- |
11,451 |
Pre-paid insurance |
3,790 |
2,812 |
Others |
3,042 |
3,998 |
|
53,096 |
54,530 |
Current portion |
(45,544 ) |
(40,471 ) |
Non current portion (b) |
7,552 |
14,059 |
|
Equity ownership |
Amount |
||
|
2003 |
2004 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
% |
% |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Investments carried at fair value |
|
|
|
|
Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A. (d) |
9.17 |
9.17 |
223,399 |
270,600 |
Ferrovías Central Andino S.A. |
10.00 |
10.00 |
2,207 |
2,207 |
Others |
|
|
2,233 |
925 |
|
|
|
227,839 |
273,732 |
Equity method investments (c) |
|
|
|
|
Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. (f) |
43.65 |
43.65 |
|
|
Equity share |
|
|
1,101,045 |
1,152,188 |
Mining concession, net (g) |
|
|
113,850 |
103,866 |
|
|
|
1,214,895 |
1,256,054 |
Others |
|
|
301 |
1,561 |
|
|
|
1,215,196 |
1,257,615 |
|
|
|
1,443,035 |
1,531,347 |
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. |
353,873 |
558,103 |
575,188 |
Others |
90 |
(545 ) |
670 |
|
353,963 |
557,558 |
575,858 |
Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.
Minera Yanacocha S.R.L.
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Yanacocha's equity at beginning of year |
1,914,543 |
2,554,932 |
2,547,851 |
Participation percentage |
43.65 % |
43.65 % |
43.65 % |
Company's participation in Yanacocha's |
835,698 |
1,115,228 |
1,112,137 |
Elimination of intercompany gains (*) |
(13,170 ) |
(12,130 ) |
(11,092 ) |
Balance of investment at beginning |
822,528 |
1,103,098 |
1,101,045 |
Participation in Yanacocha's income |
361,546 |
567,282 |
583,268 |
Participation in the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
- |
(51,584 ) |
- |
Dividends received, note 12(h) |
(83,070 ) |
(482,025) |
(414,911) |
Realization of intercompany gains (*) |
1,040 |
1,038 |
1,904 |
Cumulative translation gain (loss) |
1,054 |
(36,764 ) |
(119,118) |
Balance at year-end |
1,103,098 |
1,101,045 |
1,152,188 |
(*) The elimination of related inter-company gains corresponds to profits generated in past years, and is presented net of the investment in Yanacocha for reporting purposes. The Company increases the investment and recognizes a gain in the share in affiliated companies as Yanacocha depreciates and amortizes the acquired assets.
The participation in Yanacocha's income in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 is mainly originated by higher sales (quantity and quotation), offset by increases of cash cost per ounce sold, as shown below:
Year |
Sales |
Average quotation |
Quantity of ounces sold |
Cash costs per ounce sold |
|
US$(000) |
US$ |
(in million) |
US$ |
2002 |
714,813 |
311 |
2.29 |
134 |
2003 |
1,036,370 |
363 |
2.86 |
129 |
2004 |
1,249,882 |
411 |
3.04 |
147 |
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Balance at beginning of year |
124,067 |
113,850 |
Amortization |
(10,217 ) |
(9,984 ) |
Balance at year-end |
113,850 |
103,866 |
Economic activity -
Yanacocha is engaged in the exploration for and exploitation of gold in the open pit mines of Carachugo, San José, Maqui Maqui, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua; all mines are located in the department of Cajamarca, Peru. Chaupiloma is the legal owner of the mineral rights on the mining concessions exploited by Yanacocha.
Summary financial information based on the Yanacocha financial statements -
Presented below is certain summary financial information extracted from the Yanacocha financial statements and adjusted to conform to accounting practices and principles of the Company, which are substantially similar to the principles used by Yanacocha in preparing its financial statements under U.S. GAAP:
A summary of Yanacocha balance sheet data as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and statements of income data for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 (includes 100 percent of Yanacocha's operations) is shown below. Just for the convenience of the reader, the U.S. dollar amounts of Yanacocha (its functional currency) have been translated into Nuevos Soles using an exchange rate of S/3.283 to US$1.
Balance Sheet
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Total assets |
3,762,453 |
4,171,866 |
Total liabilities |
1,461,496 |
1,301,952 |
Shareholders' Equity |
2,300,956 |
2,663,084 |
Statements of income
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Total revenues |
2,342,086 |
3,402,403 |
4,103,363 |
Operating income |
886,430 |
1,561,093 |
1,877,439 |
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
649,778 |
1,158,127 |
1,281,368 |
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
- |
(106,215) |
- |
Net income |
649,778 |
1,051,913 |
1,281,368 |
Dividends paid by Yanacocha -
Cash dividends paid by Yanacocha to Condesa were S/83,070,000 in 2002, S/482,025,000 in 2003 and S/414,911,000 in 2004.
Legal proceedings -
See note 37(c).
|
Beginning balance |
Additions |
Retirements |
Sales |
Transfers |
Ending balance |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land |
6,237 |
413 |
- |
- |
259 |
6,909 |
Mineral rights |
22,741 |
722 |
- |
- |
- |
23,463 |
Buildings, constructions and other |
387,970 |
2,960 |
(14) |
(888) |
5,886 |
395,914 |
Machinery and equipment |
546,155 |
24,626 |
(886) |
(13,622) |
28,836 |
585,109 |
Transportation units |
29,812 |
356 |
(82) |
(2,115) |
1,802 |
29,773 |
Furniture and fixtures |
16,655 |
210 |
(4) |
(287) |
376 |
16,950 |
Work in progress (d) |
26,033 |
67,220 |
- |
- |
(37,159) |
56,094 |
Mine closure costs, notes 3 |
6,954 |
10,688 |
- |
- |
- |
17,642 |
|
1,042,557 |
107,195 |
(986) |
(16,912) |
- |
1,131,854 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mineral rights |
8,776 |
2,045 |
- |
- |
- |
10,821 |
Buildings, constructions and other |
192,127 |
15,764 |
- |
(382) |
- |
207,509 |
Machinery and equipment |
399,913 |
34,244 |
(164) |
(12,974) |
- |
421,019 |
Transportation units |
20,469 |
2,392 |
(68) |
(1,831) |
- |
20,962 |
Furniture and fixtures |
9,406 |
883 |
- |
(287) |
- |
10,002 |
Mine closure costs, notes 3 |
3,734 |
5,593 |
- |
- |
- |
9,327 |
|
634,425 |
60,921 |
(232) |
(15,474) |
- |
679,640 |
Net cost |
408,132 |
|
|
|
|
452,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Inventories |
1,884 |
817 |
44 |
Operating costs |
43,195 |
49,118 |
59,473 |
Exploration costs in non-operative mining |
2,229 |
479 |
- |
Other, net, note 31 |
- |
2,643 |
1,404 |
|
47,308 |
53,057 |
60,921 |
|
Balance as of January 1st, 2004 |
Additions |
Balance as of December 31, 2004 |
|||
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|||
Cost |
|
|
|
|||
Uchucchacua |
91,528 |
3,293 |
94,821 |
|||
Orcopampa |
28,831 |
31,850 |
60,681 |
|||
Antapite |
56,812 |
3,468 |
60,280 |
|||
Ishihuinca |
16,624 |
- |
16,624 |
|||
Mine closing costs, notes 3 |
7,784 |
14,154 |
21,938 |
|||
|
201,579 |
52,765 |
254,344 |
|||
Accumulated amortization of: |
|
|
|
|||
Uchucchacua |
37,095 |
8,599 |
45,694 |
|||
Orcopampa |
10,297 |
8,261 |
18,558 |
|||
Antapite |
12,390 |
5,108 |
17,498 |
|||
Ishihuinca |
14,956 |
513 |
15,469 |
|||
Mine closure costs, notes 3 and 19 (c) |
3,020 |
10,847 |
13,867 |
|||
|
77,758 |
33,328 |
111,086 |
|||
Net cost |
123,821 |
|
143,258 |
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Exploration and development costs in operational mining sites, note 26 |
14,985 |
15,806 |
30,854 |
Exploration costs in non-operational mining areas |
- |
- |
2,145 |
Operating costs |
- |
639 |
266 |
Inventories |
994 |
238 |
63 |
|
15,979 |
16,683 |
33,328 |
The movements of deferred stripping costs during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 were as follows:
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Beginning balance |
41,727 |
56,056 |
Additions |
14,329 |
- |
Ending balance |
56,056 |
56,056 |
|
Balance as of January 1, 2004 |
Additions |
Retirements |
Balance as of December 31, 2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Cost |
|
|
|
|
Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C.- CEDIMIN |
175,837 |
- |
(381 ) |
175,456 |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
42,476 |
- |
- |
42,476 |
Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
9,113 |
- |
- |
9,113 |
Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. |
5,549 |
- |
- |
5,549 |
Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. |
- |
5,393 |
- |
5,393 |
|
232,975 |
5,393 |
(381 ) |
237,987 |
Accumulated amortization |
|
|
|
|
Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C. - CEDIMIN |
43,261 |
10,859 |
- |
54,120 |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
18,149 |
3,212 |
- |
21,361 |
Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
1,920 |
994 |
- |
2,914 |
Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. |
1,515 |
533 |
- |
2,048 |
|
64,845 |
15,598 |
|
80,443 |
Net cost |
168,130 |
|
|
157,544 |
Bank loans, contracted in U.S. dollars, consist of:
Annual interest rate |
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. |
|
|
|
Banco Interamericano de Finanzas-BIF |
4.45% (3.72% as of December 31, 2003) |
1,635 |
3,283 |
Banco de Crédito del Perú |
Between 3.69% and 3.81% |
5,959 |
- |
Banco Internacional del Perú-Interbank |
Between 3.71% and 4.48% |
4,905 |
- |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
|
|
|
Banco de Crédito del Perú |
2.66 % |
10,539 |
9,521 |
Other subsidiaries |
|
423 |
346 |
|
|
23,461 |
13,150 |
As of December 31, 2003 and 2004, this caption is mainly conformed by pre and post-export loans obtained from various domestic banks. The loans obtained by El Brocal are guaranteed by the related shipments of concentrate inventories, and have current maturities. The loan obtained by Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. does not have specific guarantees.
The weighted average annual interest rates on bank loans were 4.24 percent and 3.37 percent during 2003 and 2004, respectively. The weighted average annual interest rate was 9.33 percent at December 31, 2003 and 3.12 percent at December 31, 2004.
This item is made up as follows:
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Local suppliers |
49,957 |
49,767 |
Foreign suppliers |
2,742 |
11,421 |
|
52,699 |
61,188 |
Trade accounts payable are mainly originated by the acquisition of materials and supplies. These obligations are stated in local and foreign currency, have current maturities and do not accrue interest. No guarantees have been granted.
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Accrual for mine closing costs (c) |
51,202 |
67,521 |
Stock appreciation rights (b) |
57,463 |
47,047 |
Income tax payable |
- |
25,143 |
Other taxes payable |
28,500 |
20,072 |
Remuneration and similar benefits payable |
3,865 |
7,202 |
Accounts payable to a joint venture partner |
- |
9,435 |
Workers' profit sharing payable |
5,507 |
11,738 |
Royalties payable to the Peruvian Government |
- |
6,639 |
Accrual for labor contingencies |
- |
3,140 |
Royalties payable to third parties, note 37(b) |
4,620 |
2,513 |
Accrual for exchange difference loss related to a forward contract, note 35 (b) |
773 |
2,182 |
Dividends payable |
1,838 |
1,467 |
Other liabilities, each individually less than S/1,500,000 |
9,210 |
12,627 |
|
162,978 |
216,726 |
Long - term portion |
|
|
Stock appreciation rights |
(48,151) |
(32,444) |
Accrual for mine closing |
(28,702) |
(39,881) |
Others |
- |
(1,705) |
|
(76,853) |
(74,030) |
Current portion |
86,125 |
142,696 |
The Company has a program under which certain executives earn a cash bonus equal to that executive's allotted number of shares multiplied by the difference between the market value at a future date of the Company's shares and the base price on the executive's share. This program remains in effect as long as the executive works for the Company at each program's settlement date.
The measurement is made at the end of each reporting period based on the current market price of the shares. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period established in each program.
The number of shares units which will be granted to executives subject to the stock appreciation rights bonus in future years, are as follows:
Years |
Number of shares |
2004 |
94,900 |
2005 |
150,300 |
2006 |
192,700 |
2007 |
217,100 |
2008 |
190,900 |
2009 |
193,000 |
Thereafter |
388,600 |
|
1,427,500 |
In 2004, the Company recorded an expense amounting to S/2,135,000 in connection with this program (S/6,744,000 and S/49,594,000 in 2002 and 2003, respectively), which is recorded in the "general and administrative" caption in the consolidated statements of income.
Movements within the accrual for mine closing costs follow:
|
S/(000) |
Balance as of January 1, 2003 |
7,453 |
Disbursements |
(3,637) |
Cumulative effect of accounting change |
40,679 |
Accretion expense, note 31 |
4,724 |
Loss from exposure to inflation |
1,983 |
Balance as of December 31, 2003 |
51,202 |
Disbursements |
(5,691) |
Revision in estimated cash flows |
21,019 |
Accretion expense, note 31 |
7,056 |
Gain from exposure to inflation |
(6,065) |
Balance as of December 31, 2004 |
67,521 |
On December 31, 2004, the Company revised its estimate to reflect an increase in marketplace rates as well as additional activities included in studies completed by independent parties, in accordance with current environmental protection regulations, see note 37 (a).
On June 24, 2004, the Peruvian Congress approved Law 28258 - Mining Royalties Law. This law established a mining royalty that owners of mining concessions should pay for the exploitation of metallic and non-metallic resources. The mining royalties will be calculated with rates ranging from 1% to 3% over the mineral concentrates value or equivalent, according to the quoted market price published by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. The corresponding ruling was approved on November 15, 2004, and is effective June 26, 2004.
Royalties amounted to S/6,639,000 in 2004 and would be paid in a five-months period, beginning on February 28, 2005.
|
Guarantee |
Annual interest rate |
Final maturity |
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
|
|
|
|
|
Banco de Crédito del Perú |
Guaranteed by Buenaventura |
4.5% |
September 2005 |
72,675 |
22,981 |
Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
|
|
|
|
|
BBVA Banco Continental |
Guaranteed by Buenaventura |
Three - month Libor plus 1.2% (3.76% as of December 31, 2004) |
April 2005 |
19,319 |
4,323 |
Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. (c) |
|
|
|
|
|
BBVA Banco Continental |
Pledge over machinery and equipment for US$1,000,000; and cash flows from collections of a client. |
Three - month Libor plus 2.35% (4.91% as of December 31, 2004) |
November 2009 |
- |
12,147 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banco de Crédito del Perú |
Pledge over machinery and equipment for US$5,822,000; and cash flows from collections of two clients |
Three - month Libor plus 3.75% (6.31% as of December 31, 2004) |
September 2006 |
18,320 |
10,533 |
Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. |
No specific guarantees |
Three - month Libor plus 6% (7.16% as of December 31, 2003) |
December 2006 |
5,494 |
- |
Banco de Crédito Leasing |
Leased property |
5.00% |
June 2007 |
- |
1,037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
113 |
342 |
|
|
|
|
115,921 |
51,363 |
Current Portion |
|
|
|
(70,453) |
(36,332 ) |
Long-term portion |
|
|
|
45,468 |
15,031 |
Year ended December 31, |
Amount |
|
S/(000) |
2006 |
7,524 |
2007 |
2,651 |
2008 |
2,428 |
2009 |
2,428 |
|
15,031 |
The minority interest liability shown in the consolidated balance sheets consists of:
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
27,762 |
50,337 |
S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca |
14,227 |
15,655 |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
8,722 |
14,165 |
Minera La Zanja S.R.L. |
- |
(13,111 ) |
Other |
(2,283 ) |
(699 ) |
|
48,428 |
66,347 |
Minority interest income (expense) is presented in the consolidated statements of income and consists of:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Minera La Zanja S.R.L. |
- |
- |
19,723 |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
(1,884) |
(10,439 ) |
(7,906) |
S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca |
(23,121 ) |
(33,175 ) |
(34,951 ) |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
(1,719 ) |
(7,905 ) |
(5,444 ) |
Other |
1,263 |
496 |
407 |
|
(25,461 ) |
(51,023 ) |
(28,171 ) |
The holders of Company's common shares are entitled to exercise voting rights that represent the 100 percent of its outstanding share capital.
The Mandatory Annual Shareholders' meeting held on March 26, 2002, decided to increase the Company's capital stock from S/137,444,962 to S/549,779,848 (from S/197,894,000 to S/646,414,000, in constant values as of December 31, 2004) through the capitalization of a portion of retained earnings as of December 31, 2001, and by increasing the nominal value of the common shares - Series A and B from S/1 to S/4. From the capitalized amount of S/412,334,886 (approximately S/448,520,000 in constant values as of December 31, 2004), S/129,266,262 corresponds to common shares - Series A and S/283,068,624 to common shares - Series B.
The Shareholders' Meeting held on April 30, 2002 approved the re-designation of common shares - Series B as common shares - Series A, and then immediately approved the re-designation of common shares - Series A as common shares. As a consequence, since May 3, 2002, the Company's capital stock is comprised of 137,444,962 common shares with a nominal value of S/4 each.
In October 28, 2003, the Board of Directors decided to modify the ADR's program with the Bank of New York. Effective November 12, 2003, each ADR corresponds to one common share; formerly, each ADR corresponded to two common shares.
As explained in note 2(t), the nominal value of treasury shares adjusted by inflation is presented net of the capital stock. The detail of the capital stock as of December 31, 2004 follows:
|
Number of shares |
Nominal |
Result from exposure to inflation |
Capital |
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Common shares |
137,444,962 |
549,780 |
96,634 |
646,414 |
Treasury shares |
(10,565,130) |
(42,261 ) |
(7,398 ) |
(49,659 ) |
|
126,879,832 |
507,519 |
89,236 |
596,755 |
As a result of the restatement of the 2004 financial statements for inflation at December 31, 2004, the Company is permitted to issue additional common shares for a total value of S/96,634,000.
The investment shares are not entitled to exercise voting rights and do not represent the Company's stock obligation. However, investment shares confer upon the holders thereof the right to participate in the dividends distributed.
The Annual Shareholders' meeting mentioned in paragraph (a) above, also decided to increase the investment shares account from S/372,320 to S/1,489,280 (from S/533,000 to S/1,749,000, in constant values of December 31, 2004), by increasing the nominal value of investment shares from S/1 to S/4, concurrent with the capitalization of a portion of retained earnings equal to S/1,116,960 (S/1,216,000 in constant value as of December 31, 2004). As a consequence, effective May 3, 2002, there are 372,320 investment shares with a nominal value of S/4 each.
As explained in note 2(t), the nominal value of investment shares held in treasury adjusted by inflation is presented net of the investment shares. The detail of the investment shares as of December 31, 2004 follows:
|
Number of shares |
Nominal |
Result from exposure to inflation |
Investment shares |
|
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Investment shares |
372,320 |
1,489 |
260 |
1,749 |
Investment shares held in treasury |
(15,933 ) |
(63 ) |
(3) |
(66 ) |
|
356,387 |
1,426 |
257 |
1,683 |
As a result of the restatement of the 2004 financial statements for inflation at December 31, 2004, the Company is permitted to issue additional investment shares for a total value of S/260,000.
The additional capital of the Company includes the following as of December 31, 2004:
- The premium received on the issuance of Series B common shares for S/546,835,000.
- The income from the sale of ADR for S/30,286,000, and
- The difference between constant nominal values of treasury shares (common and investment), held by the subsidiary Condesa, and the cost of such shares for S/33,538,000.
According to the Ley General de Sociedades (General Corporations Law), applicable to individual and unconsolidated financial statements, a minimum of 10 percent of distributable income in each year, after deducting income tax, shall be transferred to a legal reserve, until such reserve is equal to 20 percent of capital stock. This legal reserve may be used to offset losses or may be capitalized; however, if used to offset losses or if capitalized, the reserve must be replenished with future profits.
As explained in note 2(t), the values of treasury shares are presented net of the capital stock, investment shares and additional capital accounts.
In the first quarter of 2002, Condesa sold to third parties an additional 322,000 ADR (equivalent to 644,000 common shares) for approximately S/25,192,000, which is presented in the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity.
The information about declared and paid dividends in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 is as follows:
Meeting Board |
Date |
Declared |
Dividends |
|
|
S/ |
S/ |
Dividends 2002 |
|
|
|
Mandatory Annual Shareholders' meeting |
March 26, 2002 |
31,637,000 |
0.23 |
Board of Directors |
October 22, 2002 |
46,891,000 |
0.34 |
Board of Directors |
October 22, 2002 |
3,028,000 |
(*) |
|
|
81,556,000 |
|
Dividends 2003 |
|
|
|
Mandatory Annual Shareholders' meeting |
March 31, 2003 |
44,198,000 |
0.32 |
Board of Directors |
July 31, 2003 |
80,280,000 |
0.58 |
Board of Directors |
October 28, 2003 |
47,771,000 |
0.35 |
|
|
172,249,000 |
|
Dividends 2004 |
|
|
|
Mandatory Annual Shareholders' meeting |
March 26, 2004 |
77,823,000 |
0.56 |
Board of Directors |
October 28, 2004 |
73,208,000 |
0.53 |
|
|
151,031,000 |
|
(*) Equivalent to S/2.19 per common share of El Brocal.
During 2002, 2003 and 2004, the dividends paid to the subsidiary Condesa for Buenaventura's shares amount to S/6,264,000, S/13,085,000 and S/11,567,000, respectively. These amounts reduce the amounts of declared and paid dividends in the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity.
This amount corresponds to the exchange differences that arise as a result of applying the methodology described in Note 2(f) when translating the financial statements of Yanacocha from U.S. dollars to Peruvian Nuevos Soles. These exchange differences will be presented in equity until the related investment is disposed of.
Non - domiciled companies in Peru and individuals must pay an additional tax of 4.1 percent over received dividends.
Effective January 1, 2005, the following tax modifications are in force:
- It has been established a Temporary Tax on Net Assets, which will be in force until December 31, 2006. This tax can be used as credit against the income tax prepayments.
- For income tax purposes, especially for calculating the income tax, the financial statements shall not be adjusted for inflation.
Entity |
Years open to review by tax authorities |
Buenaventura |
2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Buenaventura Ingenieros S.A. |
2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 |
Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C. - CEDIMIN |
2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 |
Compañía Minera Condesa S.A. |
2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Compañía Minera Colquirrumi S.A. |
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Contacto Corredores de Seguros S.A. |
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.A. |
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Metalúrgica Los Volcanes S.A. |
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Minera Paula 49 S.A.C. |
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
Minas Conga S.R.L. |
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 |
S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca |
2002, 2003 and 2004 |
The income tax of Buenaventura for 2000 was reviewed by the Tax Administration. As a consequence, Buenaventura received an assessment that modifies the tax loss carryforward. The main issue is that the Company considered certain revenues (dividends and equity participation) as taxable for determining the tax loss carryforward. In opinion of the Company's legal advisors, the assessment does not have solid grounds. It is expected that the Company obtains a favorable opinion in the administrative process initiated against the assessment.
Due to various possible interpretations of current legislation, it is not possible to determine whether or not future reviews will result in tax liabilities for the Company. In the event that additional taxes payable, interest and surcharges result from tax authority reviews, they will be charged to expense in the period assessed and payment is deemed probable. However, in the opinion of Management, there are no issues that may result in significant tax contingencies for the Company and any additional tax assessment would not be significant to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2004.
In the opinion of Yanacocha's Management and its legal advisors, there are no issues that may result in significant tax contingencies.
The Company's revenues primarily result from the sale of precious metal concentrates, including silver-lead, silver-gold, zinc and lead-gold-copper concentrates and ounces of gold. The following table shows net sales by geographic region:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Peru |
327,768 |
383,180 |
437,411 |
North America |
38,202 |
28,793 |
50,736 |
Europe |
175,916 |
289,597 |
424,614 |
Asia |
20,976 |
26,065 |
15,838 |
Oceania |
5,260 |
2,266 |
- |
|
568,122 |
729,901 |
928,599 |
Income (expense) from hedging transactions, note 35(a) |
7,585 |
5,405 |
(20,158 ) |
|
575,707 |
735,306 |
908,441 |
|
|
|
|
In 2004, the Company's three largest customers accounted for 20%, 16% and 13%, respectively, of total sales (35%, 28% and 11% of total sales in 2003). As of December 31, 2004, 48% of the trade accounts receivable is related to these customers (77% as of December 31, 2003). Some of these customers have sale contracts with the Company that guarantee them the production output from specified Company mines at prices based on market quotations or previously agreed (see note 35, Normal Sale Contracts). Currently, the production of the mining units of the Company is subject to such sale agreements; these agreements have various maturity dates but do not extend beyond December 31, 2011.
This item is made up as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Contractors |
89,354 |
115,313 |
122,803 |
Supplies |
69,769 |
74,359 |
84,327 |
Personnel expenses |
60,297 |
67,134 |
82,893 |
Other |
54,266 |
45,766 |
48,051 |
|
273,686 |
302,572 |
338,074 |
This item is made up as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Exploration expenses |
|
|
|
Uchucchacua |
21,402 |
22,926 |
38,111 |
Orcopampa |
17,493 |
21,883 |
22,628 |
Antapite |
9,589 |
12,967 |
13,817 |
Ishihuinca |
2,420 |
4,129 |
6,843 |
Shila |
4,970 |
5,034 |
4,708 |
Julcani |
2,690 |
1,627 |
4,191 |
Paula |
2,241 |
1,301 |
3,446 |
Other |
1,870 |
42 |
2,571 |
|
62,675 |
69,909 |
96,315 |
Amortization of development costs, note 14(b) |
14,985 |
15,806 |
30,854 |
77,660 |
85,715 |
127,169 |
This item is made up as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
In areas external to the mining sites |
|
|
|
Joint ventures |
29,893 |
45,797 |
81,812 |
In mining sites |
|
|
|
Huachocolpa |
5,153 |
1,948 |
4,507 |
Julcani |
1,732 |
4,295 |
- |
Paula |
- |
2,876 |
- |
Antapite |
1,889 |
- |
- |
|
8,774 |
9,119 |
4,507 |
|
|
|
|
Studies and project expenses |
1,642 |
4,339 |
1,922 |
|
40,309 |
59,255 |
88,241 |
This item is made up as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Personnel expenses |
35,023 |
29,493 |
31,802 |
Professional fees |
14,907 |
16,673 |
18,569 |
Board members' remuneration |
3,056 |
3,859 |
4,655 |
Insurance |
1,576 |
1,730 |
2,164 |
Officers' compensation, note 19(b) |
6,744 |
49,594 |
2,135 |
Supplies |
1,554 |
943 |
1,649 |
Accrual for doubtful receivables, |
329 |
5,952 |
1,146 |
Rentals |
883 |
989 |
890 |
Maintenance |
793 |
750 |
668 |
Other expenses |
14,433 |
13,178 |
13,188 |
|
79,298 |
123,161 |
76,866 |
This item is made up as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Freight |
16,714 |
18,425 |
12,913 |
Sundry services |
5,516 |
6,231 |
3,412 |
Others |
2,084 |
1,120 |
1,514 |
|
24,314 |
25,776 |
17,839 |
This item is made up as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Interest income |
|
|
|
Interest on deposits |
9,070 |
5,639 |
5,726 |
Change in the fair value of the investment fund |
- |
1,813 |
5,022 |
Interest on loans |
145 |
333 |
1,384 |
|
9,215 |
7,785 |
12,132 |
Interest expense |
|
|
|
Interest on loans |
(15,473 ) |
(7,361 ) |
(4,609 ) |
Others |
(1,229 ) |
(1,326 ) |
(2,906 ) |
|
(16,702 ) |
(8,687 ) |
(7,515 ) |
This item is made up as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Other revenues |
|
|
|
Dividends received from Cerro Verde |
- |
- |
4,871 |
Gain from sale of supplies |
3,079 |
2,871 |
- |
Gain from insurance recoverability |
- |
- |
273 |
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment |
1,732 |
1,175 |
259 |
Other |
6,276 |
2,989 |
287 |
|
11,087 |
7,035 |
5,690 |
|
|
|
|
Other expeneses |
|
|
|
Accretion expense, notes 3 and 19 (c) |
- |
4,724 |
7,056 |
Labor contingencies |
- |
- |
3,199 |
Additional taxes |
1,540 |
1,246 |
2,232 |
Depreciation, note 13 (c) |
- |
2,643 |
1,404 |
Project for social development in the department of Huancavelica |
808 |
1,313 |
925 |
Loss from sale of supplies to third parties, net |
- |
- |
805 |
Administrative penalties |
- |
1,657 |
817 |
Employee termination bonuses |
1,537 |
1,046 |
- |
Accrual for impairment loss on investments |
1,513 |
874 |
- |
Other |
2,735 |
6,336 |
2,757 |
|
8,133 |
19,839 |
19,195 |
Net |
2,954 |
(12,804 ) |
(13,505 ) |
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|
|
|
|
Expense (benefit) for |
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca |
21,528 |
30,683 |
37,509 |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
- |
6,543 |
12,642 |
Buenaventura |
- |
- |
10,345 |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
- |
- |
8,368 |
Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
- |
- |
2,126 |
Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C. - CEDIMIN |
- |
- |
1,051 |
Minera Shila S.A.C. |
2,321 |
- |
- |
Other |
323 |
1,283 |
620 |
|
24,172 |
38,509 |
72,661 |
Deferred |
|
|
|
Buenaventura |
- |
(228,834) |
21,582 |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
2,669 |
(4,916 ) |
7,370 |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
- |
(2,798 ) |
- |
Minera Shila S.A.C. |
18 |
- |
- |
Other |
- |
(247 ) |
384 |
|
2,687 |
(236,795) |
29,336 |
Total |
26,859 |
(198,286) |
101,997 |
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|
|
|
|
Expense (benefit) for workers's profit sharing (i) |
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
|
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
- |
2,111 |
3,664 |
Buenaventura |
- |
- |
2,998 |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
- |
- |
2,426 |
Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
- |
- |
373 |
Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C. - CEDIMIN |
- |
- |
305 |
Minera Shila S.A.C. |
748 |
- |
- |
Other |
- |
187 |
86 |
|
748 |
2,298 |
9,852 |
Deferred |
|
|
|
Buenaventura |
- |
(62,896 ) |
6,256 |
Inversiones Colquijirca S.A. |
859 |
(1,425 ) |
2,136 |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
- |
(811 ) |
112 |
Minera Shila S.A.C. |
6 |
- |
- |
Other |
- |
(53) |
- |
|
865 |
(65,185 ) |
8,504 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
1,613 |
(62,887 ) |
18,356 |
(i) In accordance with Peruvian legislation, mining companies that have more than 20 employees should accrue an amount equal to 8 percent of annual taxable income to be distributed under an employee profit-sharing plan. As of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca and Compañía Minera Condesa S.A. have less than 20 employees.
|
|
Credit (debit) to the consolidated statements of income |
|
|
|||
|
Balance as of January 1st, 2004 |
Income tax |
Workers' profit sharing |
Result from exposure to inflation |
Balance as of |
||
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
||
Deferred asset |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred income from sale of future production |
252,746 |
(18,149) ) |
(5,253) ) |
(11,766) ) |
217,578 |
||
Accrual for mining closing |
14,808 |
2,873 |
830 |
(842)) |
17,669 |
||
Officers' compensation |
17,142 |
(3,428) ) |
(994) ) |
(798) ) |
11,922 |
||
Exploration expenses |
11,046 |
582 |
169 |
(285) ) |
11,512 |
||
Impairment of property, plant and equipment |
6,281 |
(116) ) |
(34) ) |
(291) ) |
5,840 |
||
Unrealized gain with affiliates |
4,837 |
(352) ) |
(102) ) |
(224) ) |
4,159 |
||
Tax loss carryforward |
30,056 |
(18,927) ) |
(5,925) ) |
(1,237) ) |
3,967 |
||
Slow moving and obsolescence supplies reserve |
4,089 |
(692) ) |
(201) ) |
(105) ) |
3,091 |
||
Royalties payable to the Peruvian government |
- |
1,927 |
559 |
- |
2,486 |
||
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable |
1,845 |
21 |
6 |
(86) ) |
1,786 |
||
Accrual for labor contingencies |
- |
1,199 |
348 |
- |
1,547 |
||
Other |
3,214 |
325 |
93 |
(90) ) |
3,542 |
||
|
346,064 |
(34,737) ) |
(10,504) ) |
(15,724) ) |
285,099 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Less - Allowance for deferred asset recoverability |
(20,358) ) |
4,641 |
1,783 |
1,195 |
(12,739) ) |
||
|
325,706 |
(30,096) |
(8,721) |
(14,529) |
272,360 |
||
Deferred liability |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred stripping costs |
(19,956) ) |
- |
- |
- |
(19,956) ) |
||
Other |
(8,309) ) |
760 |
217 |
227 |
(7,105) ) |
||
|
(28,265) ) |
760 |
217 |
227 |
(27,061) ) |
||
|
297,441 |
(29,336) ) |
(8,504) ) |
(14,302) ) |
245,299 |
The Company has not recorded a deferred income tax and workers' profit sharing liability originated by the excess of the book basis over the tax basis of the investments in shares due to the following:
- In the case of the affiliate Cerro Verde (recorded at fair value): under any circumstance - dividend distribution or sale of the investment - the reversal of the basis difference will not be taxable. As mentioned before, dividends distributions are income tax exempt. On the other hand, Cerro Verde S.A. is a company that quotes its shares in the Lima Stock Exchange and, in accordance with the Peruvian tax regulations, any gain or losses arising from the disposition of these shares are not taxable.
- In the case of the affiliate Yanacocha, Buenaventura's management has the intention and ability of maintaining the investment until the date of the depletion of its gold and silver reserves; in this sense, it considers that the temporary difference will be reverted through future dividends, which are not taxable. On the other hand, Buenaventura's management has the ability of reversing the temporary difference, by other form different than dividends distributions, without any tax effect.
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Income before income tax and workers' profit sharing |
469,648 |
37,298 |
834,174 |
Effective combined rate |
32.84 % |
32.84 % |
35.60 % |
Expected income tax and workers' profit sharing according effective combined rate |
154,232 |
12,249 |
296,966 |
Permanent differences |
|
|
|
Share in affiliated companies (i) |
(116,242) |
(183,102) |
(205,005) |
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments (ii) |
- |
66,250 |
(5,208 ) |
Realized loss in derivative instruments (ii) |
- |
6,835 |
26,131 |
Effect of fair value of derivative contracts turned into normal sales contracts (iii) |
- |
(94,794) |
- |
Change in valuation allowance |
(6,145) |
(53,944) |
- |
Effect on change in tax rate (iv) |
- |
(21,978) |
- |
Other permanent items |
(3,373) |
7,311 |
7,469 |
|
(125,760) |
(273,422) |
(176,61 ) |
Income tax and workers' profit sharing expense (benefit) |
28,472 |
(261,173) |
120,353 |
(i) According to current Peruvian tax regulations, the equity participation in affiliates, including dividends received, are not taxable.
(ii) According to current Peruvian tax regulations, the loss on derivative instruments is not deductible to the extent it is generated abroad.
(iii) Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted IAS 39, recording the initial effect of the fair value of all derivative contracts in the equity account: retained earnings (loss). In December 2003, the Company modified certain conditions of its derivative contracts to qualify them as sales contracts; pursuant to this revision, the related loss (negative fair value) became a temporary difference under current Peruvian tax regulations. The income tax effect on the loss recorded in retained earnings has been recorded as a benefit of the year because the change of status of a permanent, to a temporary item occurred in December 2003.
(iv) Effective April 1, 2004, the statutory income tax rate in Peru is 30 percent. Until December 31, 2003, the income tax rate was 27 percent.
The computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 is presented below:
|
For the year ended December 31, 2002 |
For the year ended December 31, 2003 |
For the year ended December 31,2004 |
||||||
|
Net income (numerator) |
Shares (denominator) |
Earnings |
Net income |
Shares (denominator) |
Earnings |
Net income |
Shares (denominator) |
Earnings |
|
S/ |
|
S/ |
S/ |
|
S/ |
S/ |
|
S/ |
Basic and diluted income per share before the cumulative effect of accounting change |
415,715,000 |
127,236,219 |
3.27 |
247,448,000 |
127,236,219 |
1.95 |
685,650,000 |
127,236,219 |
5.39 |
Cumulative effect of accounting change for mining closing costs |
- |
127,236,219 |
- |
(72,295,000) |
127,236,219 |
(0.57) |
- |
127,236,219 |
- |
Basic and diluted net income per share |
415,715,000 |
127,236,219 |
3.27 |
175,153,000 |
127,236,219 |
1.38 |
685,650,000 |
127,236,219 |
5.39 |
The number of shares to be used as the denominator in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 was determined as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Common shares |
137,444,962 |
137,444,962 |
137,444,962 |
Investment shares |
372,320 |
372,320 |
372,320 |
|
137,817,282 |
137,817,282 |
137,817,282 |
Less - Treasury shares |
(10,581,063) |
(10,581,063) |
(10,581,063) |
|
127,236,219 |
127,236,219 |
127,236,219 |
International Accounting Standard (IAS) 14, revised, requires enterprises to disclose financial information by business and/or geographical segment. Companies should consider their organizational and management structure and their internal financial reporting system when identifying segments. Segments are generally defined by the manner in which the Company presents data to high-level management for their use in evaluating each units past performance. Management bases their decisions on and evaluates business development in terms of the mining segments' performance. The electric, mining consulting and insurance segments are not significant and, therefore, are not considered in the making of decisions or in the evaluation of business development. Management therefore considers that the Company's only reportable segment is mining.
Derivative contracts
Buenaventura holds contracts of derivative instruments with the intention to hedge the fluctuations in metal prices; however, the Company does not meet all the criteria stated in IAS 39 to account for the derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. In addition, the subsidiary El Brocal maintains contracts of derivative instruments that qualify as cash flows hedges.
The table below presents a summary of the commodity derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2004:
Metal |
Quantity (ounces) |
Price range |
Period |
|
|
Minimal |
Maximum |
(US$/Oz) |
|
Gold |
52,500 (i) |
849,000 |
343 to 366.7 |
January 2005 - July 2011 |
Silver |
500,000 (ii) |
3,200,000 |
5.84 to 6.16 |
January 2005 - August 2006 |
(i) Guaranteed with an average price of US$345 per ounce only and when gold price is above US$285.00 per ounce.
(ii) Guaranteed with a minimum price of US$6.00 per ounce (only and when silver price is above US$4.00 per ounce.
Related to the derivative instruments contracts maintained during 2003 and 2004, Buenaventura and El Brocal recorded the following:
- In January 2003, Buenaventura charged S/458,189,000 to retained earnings and El Brocal credited S/1,742,000, net of minority interest, to the equity account of "cumulative unrealized loss on derivative instruments" in connection with initial adoption of IAS 39.
- In 2004, Buenaventura recognized a gain of S/14,629,000 (a loss of S/647,218,000 in 2003) due to the changes in the fair value occurred during this period, which is separately presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
- In 2004, El Brocal credited S/5,303,000 (a charge of S/8,085,000 in 2003), net of minority interest, to the equity account "Cumulative unrealized loss on derivative instruments", due to the changes in fair value occurred during those periods.
- In 2004, Buenaventura recognized expenses of S/36,566,000 (income of S/44,760,000 and expenses of S/20,812,000, in 2002 and 2003, respectively), in connection with derivative operations settled during this period. In addition, Buenaventura recognized expenses of S/36,837,000 for the reduction of the Company's hedge book exposure in 120,000 ounces of gold during the first quarter of 2004. These amounts are presented in the caption "realized loss on derivative instruments" of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
In addition, the liability presented in the consolidated balance sheets for S/70,927,000 and S/267,852,000 as current and non-current portions, respectively, corresponds to the fair value of derivative instruments of Buenaventura as of December 31, 2004 (S/99,893,000 and S/307,826,000 as current and non-current portions, respectively, as of December 31, 2003).
Normal sale contracts of gold
Effective December 30 and 31, 2003, Buenaventura modified the terms of certain derivative instruments contracts in order to qualify them as normal sale contracts. The fair value of these contracts at the date prior to the modification of terms amounted to S/709,963,000 and was presented as "deferred revenue from sale of future production" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003. Since this date, such amount will be credited to sales as delivery of the committed ounces of gold occurs.
In 2004, Buenaventura delivered 198,000 ounces of gold as part of the sale contracts above mentioned. As a consequence, Buenaventura recognized revenues of S/68,837,000 that are separately presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income as part of Total Revenues.
As of December 31, 2004 Buenaventura is committed to sell 1,844,000 ounces of gold at prices ranging from US$332 to US$451 per ounce until December 2011.
Buenaventura has entered into a forward currency exchange contract for US$7,414,000, at rates ranging from S/3.554 to S/3.589 per U.S. dollar, and stated maturities similar to time deposits, see note 6. In 2004, this operation has generated a loss for approximately S/1,818,000 (S/2,436,000 in 2003), basically resulting from a lower market exchange currency rate compared to the agreed exchange rate. The fair value of this contract as of December 31, 2004 amounts to S/2,182,000 (S/773,000 as of December 31, 2003) and is presented in the caption "other current liabilities" of the Consolidated Balance Sheets, see note 19.
The information about fair value of the financial instruments, including derivatives, is presented below:
- Current monetary assets and liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturities of these financial instruments.
- The fair value of the investment held in Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A. is S/270,600,000 as of December 31, 2004 (S/223,399,000 as of December 31, 2003).
- The estimated fair value of the long-term debt kept by El Brocal and Inminsur is similar to its book value, as the terms and interest rates are from the market.
- The estimated fair value of the derivative contracts is S/338,779,000 and is based on quotations received from the Company's counter-parties, see note 35.
The Company's mining and exploration activities are subject to environmental protection standards. In order to comply with these standards, the Company has presented preliminary studies covering of environmental and Environmental Adjustment and Management Programs (PAMA) for each of the mining units. The Ministry of Energy and Mines has approved the PAMAs related to Uchucchacua, Julcani, Orcopampa, Colquijirca, Ishihuinca, Huachocolpa, Shila and Paula, as well as the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) of Antapite. As of December 31, 2004, the activities as defined in the PAMAs respective to the Uchucchacua, Julcani, Orcopampa, Colquijirca and Ishihuinca mining units had been completed.
On October 14, 2003, the Congress issued the Law 28090 which regulates the procedures and commitments that the mining activities must follow in order to elaborate, file and implement a mining site closing plan, as well as establishes the constitution of a guarantee to assure the compliance of the committed plan. At the date of the report, the corresponding regulation is pending to be issued.
The Company has obtained the right to operate in certain areas through the execution of land lease contracts, as shown below:
Leaseholder |
Leasing company |
Year in which the contracts end |
Royalties |
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. |
Sindicato Minero Orcopampa S.A. (Arequipa) |
2043 |
10% of the valorized production, subject to certain conditions. |
Inversiones Mineras del Sur S.A. |
El Futuro de Ica S.R.L. (Arequipa) |
2015 |
7% of concentrate revenues. |
Royalty expenses, which are included in the operating expenses section of the Consolidated Statements of Income, are allocated among the mineral rights lease contracts, as follows:
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Sindicato Minero Orcopampa S.A. |
13,561 |
22,869 |
22,706 |
El Futuro de Ica S.R.L. |
1,120 |
2,273 |
2,212 |
|
14,681 |
25,142 |
24,918 |
Royalties payable amount to S/2,513,000 as of December 31, 2004 (S/4,620,000 as of December 31, 2003), see Note 19(a).
Damages claimed by a French citizen -
In February of 2002, the Company and its subsidiariy Compañía Minera Condesa S.A.C. (Condesa), together with Newmont Mining, Newmont Second and certain individual persons, were defendants in an action initiated by a French citizen, with jurisdiction before the District Court of the state of Colorado in the United States. The plaintiff alleges that he was engaged as an advisor to Normandy respective to a lawsuit that concluded in October of 1998, and that such lawsuit separately motivated the execution of a Global Transaction Agreement in 2000 between the Company, BRGM, Mine Or, Normandy and their related entities (SEREM). The Global Transaction Agreement provided for full and permanent revocation and annulment of any preferential rights on the shares of Compañía de Exploraciones, Desarrollo e Inversiones Mineras S.A.C. - CEDIMIN. in exchange for a one-time payment of US$80 million by the Company, of which the Company paid US$40 million.
The plaintiff asserts that he was injured because Normandy had promised to pay him a commission based fee if he was able to increase the amount of the Company's payment as ordered by the Court, which did not occur, and seeks damages of not less than US$25 million plus interest, in addition to unspecified punitive damages that could increase the amount by threefold. Additionally, the plaintiff alleges violations of the federal RICO statute and similar provisions of Colorado law, interference with contract rights, defamation and other damages.
The defendants have filed various motions to dismiss the action; however, rather than responding to these motions for dismissal, the plaintiff has filed another demand. The Company and Condesa have presented motions to reject the new demand. On January 15, 2004, the judge Richard P. Matsch of the District Colorado Court dismissed the demands. On February 15, 2004 the plaintiff appealed the opinion of the judge to the Federal Court of the United States of America - Tenth Circuit (Colorado). At the date of this report, it is not possible to predict when the court will rule on the motions.
In Management's and legal advisors' opinion, the final outcome of this process will not have a significant adverse effect on the Company's financial statements as of December 31, 2004.
Other -
From time to time in the normal course of its activities, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings of a diverse nature. Management believes that any possible loss, which may result from these lawsuits, will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial position.
Mercury spill in Choropampa -
In June, 2000 a Yanacocha's contractor spilled approximately 11 liters of mercury nearby Choropampa, located at 84.8 kilometers from Yanacocha. As a result of the accident, September 10, 2001, 900 Peruvian citizens sue Yanacocha and other persons involved at the District Court of the state of Colorado, United States of America (hereinafter "the Court"). The plaintiffs demand compensations by the damages originated by this spill. In May 22, 2002 the Court misestimated the demand, which was ratified later in June 30, 2002. The plaintiffs appealed this resolution.
In July 2002, a new demand was presented against Yanacocha and other subsidiaries of Newmont Mining Corporation at the same Court, by other 140 Peruvian citizens who added themselves to the original demand, demanding similar compensations to those of the first demand. This new demand is in suspense until the appeal of the first one is defined. To this date, Yanacocha considers that it is not possible to predict the final result of these demands and believes that any effect related to them would not be significant to its financial statements.
Arbitration with a contractor -
In June of 2004, as part of the process of conciliation with a Yanacocha contractor, the Management of this Company decided to pay an indemnification of US$2.5 million. With this payment, Yanacocha concluded the process of arbitration initiated in November, 2003, related to the contractual dispute in the civil construction made in Carachugo. The original amount of the reclamation was of approximately US$12 million.
S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca ("Chaupiloma") -
Chaupiloma is the legal owner of the mineral rights on the mining concessions exploited by Yanacocha, and receives a 3 percent royalty on the net sales of Yanacocha. In 2004, royalties earned amounted to S/128,889,000 (S/82,350,000 and S/116,957,000 in 2002 and 2003, respectively) and are presented as "royalty income" in the consolidated statements of income.
Compañía Minera Condesa S.A. ("Condesa") -
During 2004, Compañía Minera Condesa S.A. received cash dividends from Yanacocha for approximately S/414,911,000 (S/83,070,000 and S/482,025,000 in 2002 and 2003, respectively).
Buenaventura Ingenieros S.A. ("Bisa") -
In March of 2002, Buenaventura Ingenieros S.A. signed a technical service agreement with Yanacocha to perform a number of specialized activities and services. Pursuant to the agreement, the services performed will be related to the construction of mining projects and will include completion of analysis and studies, work plan design, and functions related to planning, monitoring and administrating the infrastructure projects required by Yanacocha in its operations. This contract will expire on December 31, 2004 and was renewed in January, 2005 under the same terms. In 2004, the revenues related to this service contract amounted to approximately S/10,176,000 (S/11,408,000 in 2003).
The profit between Bisa and Yanacocha is not significant and, therefore, has not been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. ("Conenhua") -
In November of 2000, Conenhua signed an agreement with Yanacocha for the construction and operation of a 220 kW transmission line between Trujillo and Cajamarca, a 60 kW transmission line between Cajamarca and La Pajuela, and the Cajamarca Norte substation; this agreement also encompassed activities necessary to enlarge the Trujillo substation. Pursuant to this contract, the construction work finished in October 2001. Concurrently, Yanacocha and the Company signed a 10-year agreement covering electric energy transmission and infrastructure operation beginning November 2001. In exchange for Buenaventura operating and managing the transmission project, Yanacocha will pay an annual fee of US$3.7 million. During 2004, the revenues for these services amounted to approximately S/13,265,000 in 2004 (S/14,282,000 in 2003).
The profit between Conenhua and Yanacocha is not significant and, therefore, has not been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
|
2002 |
2003 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. |
36,761 |
45,708 |
Other |
937 |
370 |
|
37,698 |
46,078 |
On February 18, 2005, the Company issued its consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Peruvian GAAP. Subsequent to that date, the Company has prepared the information in notes 39 and 40 realating to the nature and effect of differences between Peruvian GAAP and U.S. GAAP.
Restatement of financial statements for general price level changes
Peruvian GAAP - Peruvian GAAP require the restatement of assets and liabilities into constant Peruvian Nuevos Soles as of the date of the latest financial statements presented. All non-monetary assets and liabilities and income statement amounts have been restated to reflect changes in the Peruvian wholesale price index, from the date the assets were acquired or the liabilities were incurred to the year-end. The purchasing power gain (loss) included in income (loss) reflects the effect of Peruvian inflation on the monetary liabilities of the Company during the year, net of the loss resulting from the effect of inflation on monetary assets held. See Note 2(a).
U.S. GAAP - Under U.S. GAAP, account balances and transactions are stated in the units of currency of the period when the transactions are originated. This accounting model is commonly known as the historical cost basis of accounting. SEC rules establish that foreign private issuers that prepare their financial statements in a reporting currency that comprehensively includes the effects of price level changes are not required to eliminate such effects in the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. Therefore, the U.S. GAAP reconciliation of net income and shareholders' equity shown in Note 40 does not reflect as a difference the effect of the general price level restatement.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Peruvian GAAP - Up to December 31, 2000, impairment loss of long-lived assets was not mandatory under Peruvian GAAP; therefore, Peruvian corporations did not recognize any impairment loss as of that date. Effective January 1st, 2001, impairment loss of long-lived assets is recognized according to International Accounting Standard (IAS) 36, "Impairment of Assets". See Note 2(k).
Impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the book value of an asset exceeds the higher of its net selling price or value in use. The value in use of an asset is generally calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows expected to be earned from continual use of the asset and from its disposal at the end of its useful life. An impairment loss recognized in a previous year is reversed if events or changes occur that indicate the estimates used when the impairment loss was recognized should be adjusted to reflect a more favorable cash flow scenario.
U.S. GAAP - Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard N.144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" superseded SFAS 121. SFAS 144 establishes a single accounting model, based on the framework of SFAS 121 ("Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of"), for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale.
Under SFAS 144, an impairment loss is measured as the amount by which asset-carrying value exceeds fair value. Fair value is generally determined using estimated cash flows analysis. Impairment is considered to exist if total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the asset. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on discounted estimated future cash flows. Once recognized, an impairment loss is not reversed.
Share in Yanacocha
Peruvian GAAP - Under Peruvian GAAP, specifically IAS 28 - Accounting for Investments in Associates, the investor's financial statements are usually prepared using uniform accounting policies for like transactions and events in similar circumstances. In many cases, if an associate uses accounting policies other than those adopted by the investor for like transactions and events in similar circumstances, appropriate adjustments are made to the associate's financial statements when they are used by the investor in applying the equity method. Under Peruvian GAAP, the Company recognizes the equity participation in Yanacocha using the financial statements of this entity prepared under U.S. GAAP due to these statements recognize the appropriate adjustments to reflect the current accounting policies of Buenaventura.
In addition, Buenaventura maintains the payment made in excess over the book value of Yanacocha's shares (recorded as mining concession within the investment caption) in Peruvian Nuevos Soles, its reporting currency.
U.S. GAAP - The consolidated results and shareholders' equity include the share in Yanacocha obtained from Yanacocha's financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Under U.S. GAAP, the mining concession in Yanacocha must be kept in the same functional and reporting currency of this entity, that is U.S. dollars, and not in Peruvian Nuevos Soles. The effect of amortizing the mining concession using the U.S. dollars basis instead of Peruvian Nuevos Soles originates reconciliation items, in results of operations and in comprehensive income, see Note 40.
Deferred Income Tax
Peruvian GAAP-When an enterprise makes a distinction between current and non-current assets and liabilities in its financial statements, it should not classify deferred tax assets (liabilities) as current assets (liabilities).
U.S.GAAP - Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or non-current based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes.
Workers' profit sharing
Peruvian GAAP - Workers' profit sharing expense (income) is separately presented in the consolidated statements of income in a similar way as income tax expense (income). Also, deferred workers' profit sharing asset (liability) is separately presented in the consolidated balance sheets in a similar way as deferred tax assets (liabilities).
U.S. GAAP - The common practice is to recognize the workers' profit sharing expense (income) as part of operating expense (income). Also, deferred workers' profit sharing assets (liabilities) shall be classified as current or non-current based on the classification of the related assets or liability for financial reporting purposes.
Available-for-sale investments
Peruvian GAAP - Until December 31, 2002 investments in which the Company's interest is lower than 20 percent (Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.) were stated at cost, less any permanent impairment. Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted IAS 39, "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement". Under IAS 39, such investments must be recorded at fair value, with the resulting unrealized gain or loss recorded directly to a separate component of equity until realized, at which time the gain or loss is recorded in income.
If the decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the individual security is written down to fair value as a new cost basis and the amount of the write-down is included in earnings (that is, accounted for as a realized loss). The new cost basis is not changed for subsequent recoveries in fair value.
U.S. GAAP - The investments must be classified, according to management's intent, into one of the following categories: trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale investments should be marked-to-fair value, with the resulting unrealized gain or loss recorded directly to a separate component of equity until realized, at which time the gain or loss is recorded in income.
If the decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the individual security is written down to fair value as a new cost basis and the amount of the write-down is included in earnings (that is, accounted for as a realized loss). The new cost basis is not changed for subsequent recoveries in fair value.
The U.S. GAAP difference is only related to the 2002 year, when the available-for-sale investments were recorded at cost (under Peruvian-GAAP) and not at fair value. As of December 31, 2003 and 2004, the investment in Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A. is presented at fair value; therefore, there is no U.S. GAAP difference as of December 31, 2003 and 2004.
Mining concessions
Peruvian GAAP -Net cost of mining concessions are presented in a separate caption of the consolidated balance sheets.
U.S. GAAP - In March 2004, the EITF 04-2 reached to the consensus that mineral rights are tangible assets, and, accordingly, the Company has accounted for its mining concessions as part of property, plant and equipment.
Amortization of goodwill
Peruvian GAAP - In 2001, Buenaventura paid an amount in excess of the book value of the shares of its subsidiary Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A., (Conenhua is not a mining company) and amortizes such excess (goodwill) using the straight-line method over a 10-year period.
U.S. GAAP - Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142, "Goodwill and other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), effective January 1, 2002, requires, among other things, the discontinuance of amortization related to goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets. These assets will then be subject to an impairment test at least annually, and in the case of the Company is at year-end.
Capitalization of interest
Peruvian GAAP - Interest costs during asset construction are not capitalized.
U.S. GAAP - Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 34 "Capitalization of Interest Cost" ("SFAS 34"), states that a portion of interest paid during periods in which assets were constructed or developed must be capitalized. It is assumed that the proceeds of loans outstanding during construction periods were used to fund the construction.
No allocation of the interest paid relating to assets constructed or developed was included in the reconciliation presented in Note 40 as the interest to be allocated was not material (accumulated effect of S/702,000 as of December 31, 2004).
Derivative financial instruments
Peruvian GAAP - The Company uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate certain market risks to which the Company is exposed. Until December 31, 2002, the Company disclosed the fair value of derivative instruments in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Effective January 1, 2003, the Company recognizes derivative instruments as assets or liabilities, measured at their fair value, in its consolidated balance sheets pursuant to IAS 39, "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement". Changes in the derivative's fair value will be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Gains and losses on derivative hedging instruments must be recorded in either a separate caption of equity or current earnings, depending on the nature of the instrument. See Note 2(s).
U.S. GAAP - SFAS N.133 requires recognition of all derivative instruments on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities and measurement at fair value. Changes in the derivative's fair value will be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Gains and losses on derivative hedging instruments must be recorded in either other comprehensive income or current earnings, depending on the nature of the instrument.
The U.S. GAAP difference is related to years prior to 2003, when derivative financial instruments were not recorded at fair value under Peruvian GAAP. As of December 31, 2003 and 2004, these financial instruments are recorded at fair value under Peruvian GAAP and U.S. GAAP; therefore, there is no U.S. GAAP difference as of December 31, 2003 and 2004.
Joint Ventures
Peruvian GAAP - See accounting policy in note 2(i) to the consolidated financial statements.
U.S. GAAP - The Company is party to joint venture agreements with other companies in the mining industry for purposes of exploring potential mine sites and accounts for its interests using under proportional consolidation. Such interests would have been accounted for under USGAAP using the equity method. However, as allowed in Item 17 (c) (2) (vii) of Form 20-F, the Company has elected to omit the differences in classification that may result from such arrangement for any joint venture that is an operating entity and that is jointly controlled, by contractual agreements, by all parties with equity interest in the entity.
The following is a summary of the adjustments to net income for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and to shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 that would be required if U.S. GAAP had been applied instead of Peruvian GAAP in the consolidated financial statements:
|
For the years ended December 31, |
||||
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
||
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
||
Income before cumulative effect of accounting change according to the financial statements prepared under Peruvian GAAP |
415,715 |
247,448 |
685,650 |
||
Items increasing (decreasing) reported net income |
|
|
|
||
Fair value of derivative instruments |
(334,639) |
- |
- |
||
Write-down of an available-for-sale investment to fair value |
(5,957 ) |
- |
- |
||
Depreciation originated by the impaired long-lived assets |
644 |
779 |
709 |
||
Share in Yanacocha's equity - restated, see (a) |
(35,782 ) |
- |
- |
||
Share in Yanacocha's equity - mining concession |
578 |
1,031 |
1,875 |
||
Amortization of goodwill of Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
933 |
909 |
994 |
||
Effect of U.S. GAAP adjustments on minority interest (b) |
2,084 |
47 |
(78 ) |
||
Deferred income tax and workers' profit sharing assets, net (c) |
- |
1,117 |
(253 ) |
||
Net adjustments |
(372,139 ) |
3,883 |
3,247 |
||
Net income before cumulative effect of accounting change under U.S. GAAP |
43,576 |
251,331 |
688,897 |
||
Cumulative effect of accounting change from mine closing costs |
- |
(72,295 ) |
- |
||
Net income under U.S. GAAP |
43,576 |
179,036 |
688,897 |
||
Other comprehensive income (loss) - |
|
|
|
||
Cumulative translation adjustment |
(7,570 ) |
(39,612 ) |
(127,119) |
||
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments |
- |
209,130 |
47,201 |
||
Fair value of derivative instruments classified as hedging instruments |
- |
(8,085) |
5,303 |
||
Other |
- |
- |
912 |
||
Total comprehensive income under U.S. GAAP |
36,006 |
340,469 |
615,194 |
||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) under U.S. GAAP |
|
|
|
||
Cumulative translation adjustment |
(1,255 ) |
(40,867) |
(167,986) |
||
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments |
(6,914 ) |
202,216 |
249,417 |
||
Fair value of derivative instruments classified as hedging instruments |
- |
(8,085) |
(2,782) |
||
Other |
- |
- |
912 |
||
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) under U.S. GAAP |
(8,169 ) |
153,264 |
79,561 |
||
Basic and diluted income per share before cumulative effect of accounting change under U.S. GAAP |
0.34 |
1.98 |
5.41 |
||
Cumulative effect of accounting change from mine closing costs |
- |
(0.57 ) |
- |
||
Basic and diluted income per share under U.S. GAAP |
0.34 |
1.41 |
5.41 |
In addition, in 2002, the SEC challenged the accounting treatment for inventories followed by the Principal and Yanacocha, consisting of charging the depreciation directly to expenses and not allocating to inventories. Before issuing the 2002 financial statements, the SEC requested the Principal and Yanacocha to restate their prior financial statements. The effects in Buenaventura were as follows: S/14,726,000 of increased retained earnings as of January 1, 2000, and increased income of S/12,339,000 and S/7,968,000 in 2000 and 2001, respectively.
In 2002, the Company considered these restatements when determining the share in Yanacocha under Peruvian GAAP; consequently, there is no difference in the accounting treatment between Peruvian GAAP and US GAAP as of December 31, 2002. The reconciliation of net income of 2000 and 2001, and shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2001 shows the amounts not recognized under Peruvian GAAP in and as of those years.
- Fair value of derivative instruments: The loss (negative fair value) on derivative instruments entered into with investment banks is not deductible to the extent it is generated abroad (permanent item).
- Share in Yanacocha's equity: The equity participation in affiliates, including dividends received, are not taxable. See note 32(b).
The impairment of long-lived assets generates a temporary difference under current Peruvian tax regulations.
The amounts shown in the net income reconciliation are presented before tax, except for the share in Yanacocha. The tax effect of each item, except the share in Yanacocha, is included in the deferred income tax and workers' profit sharing line item.
|
At December 31, |
|
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity according to the financial statements prepared under Peruvian GAAP |
1,699,649 |
2,180,133 |
Items increasing (decreasing) reported shareholders' equity |
|
|
Impairment of long-lived assets recorded under U.S. GAAP |
(33,931 ) |
(33,931 ) |
Depreciation originated by the impaired long-lived assets |
11,010 |
11,719 |
Impairment of long-lived assets recorded under Peruvian GAAP |
19,786 |
19,786 |
Amortization of goodwill of Consorcio Energético de Huancavelica S.A. |
1,842 |
2,836 |
Share in Yanacocha's - mining concession |
1,609 |
3,484 |
Cumulative translation adjustment - Yanacocha's mining concession |
(11,472 ) |
(19,473 ) |
Effect of U.S. GAAP adjustments on minority interest related to the impairment of long-lived assets |
547 |
469 |
Deferred income tax and workers' profit sharing assets |
1,117 |
864 |
Net adjustments |
(9,492) |
(14,246) |
Shareholders' equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP |
1,690,157 |
2,165,887 |
The following is a roll forward of the components of shareholders' equity under U.S. GAAP:
|
S/(000) |
|
|
Shareholders' equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP at December 31, 2002 |
1,508,853 |
Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP |
179,035 |
Declared and paid dividends |
(159,164) |
Unrealized gains, on investments |
209,130 |
Loss from change in fair value of derivative instruments classified as hedging instruments |
(8,085 ) |
Cumulative translation adjustment |
(39,612 ) |
Shareholders' equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP at December 31, 2003 |
1,690,157 |
Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP |
688,897 |
Declared and paid dividends |
(139,464) |
Unrealized gains on investments |
47,201 |
Amortization of deferred hedge loss |
682 |
Change in fair value of derivative instruments classified as hedging instruments |
4,621 |
Cumulative translation adjustment |
(127,119) |
Other |
912 |
Shareholders' equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP at December 31, 2004 |
2,165,887 |
With regard to the consolidated balance sheets and statements of income, the following captions determined under U.S. GAAP would have been:
|
At December 31, |
|
|
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
|
|
Assets - |
|
|
Current portion of deferred income tax and workers' profit sharing, net |
38,040 |
23,402 |
Investments in shares |
1,433,406 |
1,515,358 |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
462,779 |
601,133 |
Goodwill, net |
9,034 |
9,034 |
Total current assets |
|
|
Non-current portion of deferred income tax and workers' profit sharing assets, net |
260,518 |
222,761 |
Total assets |
3,211,020 |
3,556,680 |
Liabilities - |
|
|
Total liabilities |
1,472,741 |
1,324,915 |
Minority interest |
47,882 |
65,878 |
|
For the years ended December 31, |
|||||
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|||
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
Consolidated Statements of Income |
|
|
|
|||
Depreciation and amortization |
(40,407 ) |
(46,409) |
(58,764 ) |
|||
Assets impairment loss and write-off |
- |
(4,691) |
- |
|||
Total operating costs and expenses |
(573,187 ) |
(627,091) |
(776,367 ) |
|||
Operating income |
84,870 |
225,071 |
329,800 |
|||
Share in affiliated companies, net |
318,758 |
558,589 |
577,733 |
|||
Loss on derivative instruments, net |
(289,880 ) |
(668,030) |
(58,774 ) |
|||
Write-down of an available-for-sale investment to fair value |
(5,957) |
- |
- |
|||
Income tax benefit (expense) |
(26,859 ) |
199,151 |
(102,230 ) |
|||
Effect of change in tax law |
- |
16,688 |
- |
|||
Other current and deferred taxes |
(26,859 ) |
182,463 |
(102,230 ) |
The expense (benefit) for income tax and workers' profit sharing is as follows:
|
For the years ended December 31, |
||
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
Expense (benefit) for income tax |
|
|
|
Current |
24,172 |
38,509 |
72,661 |
Deferred |
2,687 |
(237,660) |
29,569 |
Total |
26,859 |
(199,151) |
102,230 |
Expense (benefit) for workers' profit sharing |
|
|
|
Current |
748 |
2,298 |
9,852 |
Deferred |
865 |
(65,436 ) |
8,524 |
Total |
1,613 |
(63,138 ) |
18,376 |
|
|
|
|
Income tax and workers' profit sharing expense (benefit) |
28,472 |
(262,289) |
120,606 |
The tax effects of significant temporary differences are as follows:
|
|
Debit (credit) to the consolidated statements of income |
|
|
|||
|
Balance as of January 1st, 2004 |
Income tax |
Workers' profit sharing |
Result from exposure to inflation |
Balance as of December 31, 2004 |
||
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
||
Deferred income from sale of future production |
252,746 |
(18,149 ) |
(5,253 ) |
(11,766 ) |
217,578 |
||
Mine closing costs |
14,808 |
2,873 |
830 |
(842 ) |
17,669 |
||
Stock Appreciation Rights |
17,142 |
(3,428 ) |
(994 ) |
(798 ) |
11,922 |
||
Exploration expenses |
11,046 |
582 |
169 |
(285 ) |
11,512 |
||
Impairment of property, plant and equipment |
7,398 |
(300 ) |
(50 ) |
(344 ) |
6,704 |
||
Unrealized gain with affiliates |
4,837 |
(352 ) |
(102 ) |
(224 ) |
4,159 |
||
Tax loss carryforward |
30,056 |
(18,927 ) |
(5,925 ) |
(1,237 ) |
3,967 |
||
Slow moving and obsolescence supplies reserve |
4,089 |
(692 ) |
(201 ) |
(105 ) |
3,091 |
||
Royalties payable to the Peruvian Government |
- |
1,927 |
559 |
- |
2,486 |
||
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable |
1,845 |
21 |
6 |
(86 ) |
1,786 |
||
Allowance for labor contingencies |
- |
1,199 |
348 |
- |
1,547 |
||
Other |
3,214 |
325 |
93 |
(90 ) |
3,542 |
||
|
347,181 |
(34,921 ) |
(10,520 ) |
(15,777 ) |
285,963 |
||
Less - Allowance for deferred asset recoverability |
(20,358 ) |
4,641 |
1,783 |
1,195 |
(12,739 ) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
326,823 |
(30,280 ) |
(8,737 ) |
(14,582 ) |
273,224 |
||
Deferred liability |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Mineral stripping costs |
(19,956 ) |
- |
- |
- |
(19,956 ) |
||
Other |
(8,309 ) |
760 |
217 |
227 |
(7,105 ) |
||
|
(28,265 ) |
760 |
217 |
227 |
(27,061 ) |
||
|
298,558 |
(29,520 ) |
(8,520 ) |
(14,355 ) |
246,163 |
The reconciliation of the income tax and workers' profit sharing provision computed at the statutory Peruvian effective combined rate to the provision for income tax and workers' profit sharing recorded on an U.S. GAAP basis in the consolidated statements of income is as follows:
|
For the years ended December 31, |
||
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
S/(000) |
|
|
|
|
Income before income tax according to U.S. GAAP |
93,811 |
103,154 |
819,376 |
Workers' profit sharing expense (benefit) (a) |
1,613 |
(63,137 ) |
18,376 |
Income tax and workers' profit sharing according to U.S. GAAP |
95,424 |
40,017 |
837,752 |
|
|
|
|
Statutory effective combined rate |
32.84 % |
32.84 % |
35.60 % |
Expected income tax and workers' profit sharing provision in accordance with U.S. GAAP |
31,337 |
13,142 |
298,240 |
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation items |
|
|
|
Share in affiliated companies (b) |
(104,680) |
(183,441) |
(205,673) |
Effect on fair value of derivative instruments |
109,895 |
73,085 |
20,923 |
Effect of fair value of derivative contracts turned into normal sales recorded on shareholders' equity |
- |
(94,794 ) |
- |
Change in valuation allowance |
(6,145 ) |
(56,217 ) |
- |
Effect of change in tax law |
- |
(22,064 ) |
- |
Other permanent items |
(1,935 ) |
8,000 |
7,116 |
|
(2,865 ) |
(275,431) |
(177,634) |
Income tax and workers' profit sharing expense (benefit) |
28,472 |
(262,289) |
120,606 |
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
FIN 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
In January 2003, FASB issued FASB Interpretation N.46 ("FIN 46"), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which provides guidance on identification and reporting for entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights. FIN 46 defines such entities as variable interest entities ("VIEs"). A FASB Staff Position issued in October 2003 deferred the effective date of FIN 46 to the first interim or annual period ending after December 15, 2003 for entities created before February 1, 2003 if certain criteria are met. Subsequently, during December 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46R which replaces the original interpretation. Application of this revised interpretation is required in financial statements for companies that have interests in VIEs or potential VIEs commonly referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 15, 2003. Application for all other types of entities is required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004. Based on a referral from the EITF, the board agreed to add to its agenda a project to provide guidance on the variability to be considered when determining whether an interest is a variable interest in a potential variable interest entity. FIN 46 did not have any impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations at December 31, 2004, or for the year then ended.
At the March 30, 2005 meeting, the FASB unanimously ratified the consensus reached at the March 17, 2003 EITF meeting that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of the inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. The EITF reached a consensus that post-production stripping costs are a component of mineral inventory cost subject to the provisions of AICPA Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43, Restatement and Revision of Accounting Research Bulletins, Chapter 4, "Inventory Pricing" (ARB 43). In the mining industry, the costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access mineral deposits are referred to as "stripping costs." It is the accounting for costs incurred during the production stage of the mine, or the post-production stripping costs, that are addressed in Issue 04-6. Based upon this consensus, post-production stripping costs should be co nsidered costs of the extracted minerals under a full absorption costing system and recognized as a component of inventory to be recognized in costs of sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of the inventory. Additionally, capitalization of such costs would be appropriate only to the extent inventory exists at the end of a reporting period. This consensus may represent a significant change in practice for those companies that currently expense post-production stripping costs as incurred or capitalize post-production stripping costs and amortize those deferred costs over the life of the mine or another determinative period. The guidance in this consensus is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, an entity should recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying this consensus consistent with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes. However , pro forma information will not be required upon adoption. Alternatively, companies are not prohibited from restating prior period financial statements issued. Entities that elect to early adopt the guidance in this consensus during an interim period, must report the effects of this change in interim financial statements in accordance with the provisions of FASB Statement No. 3, Reporting Accounting changes in Interim Financial Statements. The company is evaluating the impact of this standard, on the Company's financial position or results from operation.
In March 2005, FASB issued FASB Interpretation N.47 ("FIN 47") of FASB Statement 143, Asset Retirement obligations, which was issued in June 2001. The FASB issued the Interpretation to address diverse accounting practices that have developed with regard to the timing of liability recognition for legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. According to the Interpretation, uncertainty about the timing and (or) method of settlement of a condition asset retirement obligations should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard, on the Company's financial position or results from operati on.
Recent Developments
On March 15, 2005, the Company executed a joint venture agreement with Río Narcea Gold Mines, S.A., Naraval Gold S.R.L. and Río Narcea Gold Mines, Ltd. (collectively "Grupo RN") whereby the Company will acquire a 51 percent equity interest in the Santa Marina exploration project, which is located 2 kilometers north of the El Valle mine on the Río Narcea gold belt in Asturias, Spain, through its 100 percent subsidiary Minera Santa Marina del Norte S.L. ("Santa Marina"). The Santa Marina project is operated by Santa Marina. The Company has agreed, pursuant to the joint venture agreement, to invest 2,200,000 Euros by March 15, 2007 to develop the Santa Marina project. Upon such investment, Grupo RN will transfer certain mining rights with respect to the Santa Marina exploration project in exchange for a 49 percent interest in Santa Marina. In addition, upon receipt of notice by Grupo RN affirming the completion of the Company's initial investment, the Company has a th ree month option to increase their equity interest in Santa Marina to 70 percent for an additional investment of 2,400,000 Euros over a two year period from such exercise.
On March 16, 2005, the Company, the Sumitomo Group, Phelps Dodge Corporation, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, Cyprus Metals Company, Cyprus Climax Metals Company and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A. ("Cerro Verde") entered into an agreement whereby, subject to certain closing conditions, the Company agreed to increase its ownership interest in Cerro Verde up to 20 percent and the Sumitomo Group agreed to acquire an ownership interest in Cerro Verde of between 21 and 25 percent in connection with a US$850 million expansion of the Cerro Verde copper operations to mine a primary sulfide ore body. Phelps Dodge will retain a majority interest in Cerro Verde. Cerro Verde intends to effect the increase of the Company's and the Sumitomo Group's ownership interests pursuant to a capital increase.
MINERA YANACOCHA S.R.L.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003
CONTENTS
Report of the independent registered Public Accounting Firm F-67
Balance sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 F-68
Statements of income for each of the three years ended December 31, 2004 F-69
Statements of changes in partners' equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2004 F-70
Statements of cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2004 F-71
Notes to the financial statements F-72
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
February 7, 2005
To the Partners and the Executive Committee of
Minera Yanacocha S.R.L.
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements of income, of changes in partners' equity and of cash flows, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes exami ning, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in Peru. The application of the latter would have affected the determination of net income for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 and the determination of partners' equity and financial position at December 31, 2004 and 2003 to the extent summarized in Note 17 to the financial statements.
As explained in Note 2 to the financial statements, as of January 1, 2003 the Company changed the method to determine its remediation and retirement liability. The resulting cumulative effect of this change amounting to approximately $32.4 million was charged to income of year 2003.
Countersigned by
/S/ LUIS W MONTERO___(partner)
Luis W. Montero
Peruvian Public Accountant
Registration No.17729
MINERA YANACOCHA S.R.L.
BALANCE SHEETS
|
At December 31, |
|
|
2004 |
2003 |
|
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 69,798 |
$ 46,391 |
Restricted funds |
- |
16,672 |
Receivables (Note 3) |
34,659 |
35,680 |
Inventories (Note 4) |
48,404 |
46,985 |
Ore on leach pads (Note 5) |
88,447 |
132,031 |
Current assets |
241,308 |
277,759 |
Property, plant and mine development, net (Note 6) |
882,946 |
794,527 |
Long-term ore on leach pads (Note 5) |
73,496 |
69,045 |
Long-term stockpiles (Note 5) |
6,925 |
3,258 |
Other long-term assets |
3,073 |
1,452 |
Total assets |
$ 1,207,748 |
$ 1,146,041 |
LIABILITIES |
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 10) |
$ 16,156 |
$ 30,012 |
Accounts payable |
24,779 |
25,983 |
Accrued liabilities (Note 7) |
36,556 |
22,192 |
Related parties (Note 13) |
18,809 |
10,097 |
Workers' profit sharing (Note 8) |
28,447 |
23,158 |
Income taxes payable |
46,283 |
91,812 |
Current portion of reclamation and remediation liabilities (Note 9) |
4,312 |
6,105 |
Current portion of deferred workers' profit sharing (Note 8) |
2,825 |
2,825 |
Current portion of deferred income tax liabilities (Note 12) |
1,041 |
16,852 |
Deferred revenue |
105 |
531 |
Current liabilities |
179,313 |
229,567 |
Long-term debt (Note 10) |
21,160 |
37,344 |
Reclamation and remediation liabilities (Note 9) |
102,719 |
85,643 |
Deferred workers' profit sharing (Note 8) |
18,381 |
20,813 |
Deferred income tax liabilities (Note 12) |
69,683 |
71,804 |
Other long term liabilities |
5,318 |
- |
Total liabilities |
396,574 |
445,171 |
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16) |
|
|
PARTNERS' EQUITY (Note 11) |
|
|
Partners' contributions |
208,616 |
208,616 |
Additional contributions |
226 |
226 |
Restricted earnings |
189,600 |
189,600 |
Retained earnings |
412,732 |
302,428 |
Total partners' equity |
811,174 |
700,870 |
Total liabilities and partners' equity |
$ 1,207,748 |
$ 1,146,041 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
MINERA YANACOCHA S.R.L.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
|
Year ended December 31, |
||
|
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
(in thousands of US dollars) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ 1,249,882 |
$ 1,036,370 |
$ 713,398 |
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses |
|
|
|
Costs applicable to sales (exclusive of depreciation, |
|
|
|
depletion and amortization shown separately below) |
450,825 |
377,214 |
312,980 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
179,441 |
146,822 |
114,769 |
Exploration, research and development |
35,236 |
13,574 |
11,121 |
General and administrative |
4,986 |
5,126 |
4,682 |
Other |
6,135 |
18,126 |
(160) |
|
676,623 |
560,862 |
443,392 |
Other income (expense) |
|
|
|
Interest and other income |
860 |
1,560 |
1,415 |
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest of |
|||
$2,016, $4,559 and $3,035, respectively |
(2,252) |
(2,615) |
(8,888) |
|
(1,392) |
(1,055) |
(7,473) |
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes and cumulative effect of |
|
|
|
a change in accounting principle |
571,867 |
474,453 |
262,533 |
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense (Note 12) |
(181,563) |
(121,688) |
(64,611) |
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of a change |
|
|
|
in accounting principle |
390,304 |
352,765 |
197,922 |
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, |
|
|
|
net of tax of $10.2 million in 2003 |
- |
(32,353) |
- |
|
|
|
|
Net income |
$ 390,304 |
$ 320,412 |
$ 197,922 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
MINERA YANACOCHA S.R.L.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' EQUITY
|
Partners' Contributions |
Additional Contributions |
Restricted Earnings |
Retained Earnings |
Total |
|
|
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at January 1, 2002 |
$ 208,616 |
$ 226 |
$ 80,000 |
$ 244,386 |
$ 533,228 |
Appropriation of retained earnings |
- |
- |
80,000 |
(80,000) |
- |
Distributions of profits to the partners |
- |
- |
- |
(50,692) |
(50,692) |
Net income |
- |
- |
- |
197,922 |
197,922 |
Balances at December 31, 2002 |
208,616 |
226 |
160,000 |
311,616 |
680,458 |
Appropriation of retained earnings |
- |
- |
29,600 |
(29,600) |
- |
Distributions of profits to the partners |
- |
- |
- |
(300,000) |
(300,000) |
Net income |
- |
- |
- |
320,412 |
320,412 |
Balances at December 31, 2003 |
208,616 |
226 |
189,600 |
302,428 |
700,870 |
Distributions of profits to the partners |
- |
- |
- |
(280,000) |
(280,000) |
Net income |
- |
- |
- |
390,304 |
390,304 |
Balances at December 31, 2004 |
$ 208,616 |
$ 226 |
$ 189,600 |
$ 412,732 |
$ 811,174 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
MINERA YANACOCHA S.R.L.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
Year ended December 31, |
|||
|
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
|
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
Net income |
$ 390,304 |
$ 320,412 |
$ 197,922 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
179,441 |
146,822 |
114,769 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
(17,932) |
(26,504) |
13,089 |
|
Deferred profit sharing |
(2,433) |
(5,189) |
(773) |
|
Accretion of reclamation obligations |
6,025 |
6,534 |
- |
|
Revision in reclamation estimate |
(2,351) |
16,615 |
- |
|
Write-off of material and supplies |
- |
3,165 |
667 |
|
Write-off of property, plant and mine development |
6,610 |
3,462 |
- |
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net |
- |
32,353 |
- |
|
Other |
- |
- |
838 |
|
(Increase) decrease in operating assets: |
|
|
|
|
Inventories, ore on leach pads and stockpiles |
14,212 |
(25,938) |
(42,586) |
|
Other assets |
(601) |
(954) |
9,368 |
|
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
(19,286) |
88,576 |
23,595 |
|
Reclamation liabilities |
(5,386) |
(5,700) |
3,032 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
548,153 |
553,654 |
319,921 |
|
Investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
Additions to property, plant and mine development |
(231,378) |
(205,682) |
(146,691) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
(231,378) |
(205,682) |
(146,691) |
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from debt |
65,500 |
- |
28,850 |
|
Repayments of debt |
(95,540) |
(47,598) |
(111,853) |
|
Restricted funds |
16,672 |
(824) |
(3,160) |
|
Distributions of profits to the partners |
(280,000) |
(300,000) |
(50,692) |
|
Net cash used in financing activities |
(293,368) |
(348,422) |
(136,855) |
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
23,407 |
(450) |
36,375 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
46,391 |
46,841 |
10,466 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
$ 69,798 |
$ 46,391 |
$ 46,841 |
|
|
|
|
|
See Note 14 for supplemental cash flow information.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
MINERA YANACOCHA S.R.L.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003
Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. (the "Company"), formerly Minera Yanacocha S.A., was incorporated in Peru on January 14, 1992 and began its operations in 1993. The Company is engaged in the exploration and production of gold under the mining concessions owned by S.M.R.L. Chaupiloma Dos de Cajamarca ("Chaupiloma").
The Company is owned 51.35% by Newmont Second Capital Corporation, a 100% indirectly owned subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corporation ("Newmont"), 43.65% owned by Cia. Minera Condesa S.A., which is 100% owned by Cia. de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ("Buenaventura") and 5% owned by the International Finance Corporation.
The majority partners of the Company (or their affiliates) also own the majority interest in Chaupiloma. In accordance with a mining lease, amended effective January 1, 1994, the Company pays Chaupiloma a 3% royalty based on quarterly production sold at current market prices, after deducting refinery and transportation costs. The royalty agreement expires in 2012, which can be extended at the Company's option.
Located in the Cajamarca province of Peru, the Company's operation consists of five separate open pit mines: the Carachugo, San José, Maqui Maqui, Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua mines. Reclamation and/or backfilling activities in the mining areas of Carachugo, San José and Maqui Maqui are currently underway. Cerro Yanacocha and La Quinua are still active pits. Gold-bearing ores are transported to one of four leach pads for gold recovery using conventional heap-leaching cyanidation, followed by Merrill-Crowe zinc precipitation and smelting where a final doré product is poured. The doré is then shipped offsite for refining and is sold in worldwide gold markets.
Proven and probable reserves contained approximately 32.3 million (unaudited) and 31.7 million (unaudited) ounces of gold at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively and 2.2 billion (unaudited) pounds of copper at December 31, 2004.
During 2004, the Minas Conga project which currently consists of two gold-copper porphyry deposits located northeast of the Minera Yanacocha operating area in the provinces of Celendin, Cajamarca and Hualgayco was added to reserves. This development project added 8.7 (unaudited) million ounces of gold and 2.2 billion (unaudited) pounds of copper to reserves.
The Company has reassessed the challenges involved in obtaining required permits for Cerro Quilish primarily related to increased community concerns. Based upon this reassessment, the Company has reclassified 3.9 million (unaudited) ounces of gold from reserves to non-reserve mineralization as discussed in Note 16.
During 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company sold 3.04 million, 2.86 million and 2.29 million ounces of gold, respectively.
Gold mining requires the use of specialized facilities and technology. The Company relies heavily on such facilities and technology to maintain production levels. Also, the cash flow and profitability of the Company's operations are significantly affected by the market price of gold. Gold prices can fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control.
In the fourth quarter of 2000, two of the Company's partners unitized their holdings in northern Peru into the Company. Under the unitization plan, the Company spent $45.7 million for mining claims, land, and a lime plant. The agreements signed to formalize the unitization contain certain commitments described in Note 16.
Use of Estimates
The Company's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of the Company's financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of management estimates and assumptions relate to mineral reserves that are the basis for future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization calculations; environmental, reclamation and closure obligations; estimates of recoverable gold and other minerals in stockpile and leach pad inventories; asset impairments; write-downs of inventory to net realizable value; employee benefit liabilities; reserves for continge ncies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on the Company's historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Currency
The accompanying financial statements are stated in U.S. dollars, the Company's functional currency, since almost all its transactions are traded, collected and paid in such currency. All amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand ($000) unless otherwise stated. Transactions in other currencies are recorded in United States dollars based on exchange rates prevailing at the time of such transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in other currencies are translated into the United States dollar at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates, and any resulting gains or losses are reflected in current earnings.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances and deposits in banks. Because of the short maturity of these balances, the carrying amounts approximate their fair value.
Stockpiles, Ore on Leach Pads and Inventories
As described below, costs that are incurred in, or benefit, the productive process are accumulated as ore on leach pads, stockpiles and inventories. Stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories are carried at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value represents the estimated future sales price of the product based on prevailing and long-term metals prices, less the estimated costs to complete production and bring the product to sale. Write-downs of stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories resulting from net realizable value impairments are reported as a component of Costs applicable to sales. The current portion of stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories is determined based on the expected amounts to be processed within the next twelve months. Stockpiles, ore on leach pads and inventories not expected to be processed within the next twelve months are classified as long-term. The major classifications are as follows:
Stockpiles
Stockpiles represent coarse ore that has been extracted from a mine and is available for further processing. Stockpiles are measured by estimating the number of tons added and removed from the stockpile, the number of contained units such as contained ounces or pounds (based on assay data) and the estimated recovery percentage (based on the expected processing method). Stockpile ore tonnages are verified by periodic surveys. Costs are allocated to a stockpile based on relative values of material stockpiled and processed using current mining costs incurred up to the point of stockpiling the ore, including applicable overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to mining operations and removed at each stockpile's average cost per recoverable unit.
Ore on Leach Pads
The recovery of gold from certain oxide ores is efficiently achieved through the heap leaching process. Under this method, ore is placed on leach pads where it is permeated with a chemical solution, which dissolves the gold contained in the ore. The resulting "pregnant" solution, which is included as in-process inventory, is processed further in the processing plant where the gold is recovered. For accounting purposes, costs are added to leach pads based on current mining costs, including applicable depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to mining operations. Cost are removed from the leach pad as ounces are recovered in circuit at the leach plant based on the average cost per recoverable ounce of gold on the leach pad.
The engineering estimates of recoverable gold on the leach pads are calculated from the quantities of ore placed on the pads (measured tons added to the leach pads), the grade of ore placed on the leach pads (based on assay data) and a recovery percentage (based on the leach process and ore type). In general, the leach pad production cycles project recoveries of approximately 90% to 95% of the placed recoverable ounces in the first year of leaching, declining each year thereafter until the leaching process is complete.
Although the quantities of recoverable gold placed on the leach pads are reconciled by comparing the grades of ore placed on the pads to the quantities of gold actually recovered (metallurgical balancing), the nature of the leaching process inherently limits the ability to precisely monitor inventory levels. As a result, the metallurgical balancing process is constantly monitored and the engineering estimates are refined based on actual results over time. Historically, the Company's operating results have not been materially impacted by variations between the estimated and actual recoverable quantities of gold on its leach pads. At December 31, 2004, the weighted-average cost per recoverable ounce of gold on leach pads was $151 per ounce. Variations between actual and estimated quantities resulting from changes in assumptions and estimates that do not result in write-downs to net realizable value are accounted for on a prospective basis. The ultimate recovery of gold from a pad will n ot be known until the leaching process is concluded. Based on current mine plans, the Company expects to place the last ton of ore on its leach pads in 2014. Including the estimated time required for residual leaching, rinsing and reclamation activities, the Company expects that its leaching operations will terminate within approximately ten years following the date that the last ton of ore is placed on the leach pad.
The current portion of leach pads is determined based on engineering estimates of the quantities of gold at the balance sheet date that are expected to be recovered during the next twelve months.
In-process Inventory
In-process inventories represent materials that are currently in the process of being converted to a saleable product. The Company's conversion process is leach in-circuit. In-process material is measured based on assays of the material fed to the process and the projected recoveries of the respective plants. In-process inventories are valued at the average cost of the material fed to the process attributable to the source material coming from the mines, stockpiles and/or leach pads plus the in-process conversion costs, including applicable depreciation relating to the process facilities, incurred to that point in the process.
Precious Metals Inventory
Precious metals inventories include gold dore and/or gold bullion. Precious metals that result from the Company's mining and processing activities are valued at the average cost of the respective in-process incurred prior to the refining process, plus applicable refining costs.
Materials and Supplies
Materials and supplies are valued at the lower of weighted-average cost or net realizable value. Cost includes applicable taxes and freight.
Property, Plant and Mine Development
Expenditures for new facilities or expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing facilities are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the estimated productive lives of such facilities, which do not exceed the related estimated mine lives, of such facilities based on proven and probable reserves.
Mineral exploration costs are expensed as incurred. When it has been determined that a mineral property can be economically developed as a result of establishing proven and probable reserves, costs incurred prospectively to develop such property are capitalized as incurred and are amortized using the units-of-production ("UOP") method over the estimated life of the ore body based on the estimated recoverable ounces mined from proven and probable reserves. These costs include costs to further delineate the ore body and remove overburden to initially expose the ore body.
Major development costs incurred after the commencement of production are amortized using the UOP method based on estimated recoverable ounces mined from proven and probable reserves. To the extent that these costs benefit the entire ore body, they are amortized over the estimated life of the ore body.
Ongoing development expenditures to maintain production are charged to operations as incurred. Repair and maintenance costs incurred in connection with major maintenance activities are charged to operations as incurred.
Interest expense allocable to the costs of developing mining properties and to constructing new facilities is capitalized until assets are ready for their intended use.
Mineral interests
Mineral interests are recorded at fair value at the time acquired, in Property, plant and mine development and represent mineral use rights regardless of whether the Company owns the related surface rights ("mining concessions"). The Company's mineral assets represent mineral use rights related to production, development or exploration stage properties, and the value of such assets is primarily driven by the nature and amount of mineral interests believed to be contained, or potentially contained, in such properties. Production stage mineral interests represent interests in operating properties that contain proven and probable reserves. Development stage mineral interests represent interests in properties under development that contain proven and probable reserves. Exploration stage mineral interests represent interests in properties that are believed to potentially contain (i) other mineralized material such as inferred material within pits; measured, indicated and inferred mater ial with insufficient drill spacing to qualify as proven and probable reserves; and inferred material in close proximity to proven and probable reserves; (ii) around-mine exploration potential such as inferred material not immediately adjacent to existing reserves and mineralization but located within the immediate mine infrastructure; (iii) other mine-related exploration potential that is not part of measured, indicated or inferred material and is comprised mainly of material outside of the immediate mine area; or (iv) greenfields exploration potential that is not associated with any other production, development or exploration stage property, as described above. The Company's mining concessions are enforceable regardless of whether proven and probable reserves have been established. In addition, these mining concessions provide for both the right to explore and exploit. However, the Company must first obtain the respective exploration and exploitation permits, which are generally granted in due course. The Company may retain mining concessions indefinitely by paying annual fees and, during exploitation, complying with production obligations or paying assessed fines. Mining concessions are freely assignable or transferable.
Asset Impairment
The Company reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the asset. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on discounted estimated future cash flows. Future cash flows are estimated based on quantities of recoverable minerals, expected gold and other commodity prices (considering current and historical prices, price trends and related factors), production levels and cash costs of production and capital, all based on life-of-mine plans. The term "recoverable minerals" refers to the estimated amount of gold and other minerals that will be obtained from proven and probable reserves and all related exploration stage mineral interests after taking into account losses during ore processing and treatment. In estimating future cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of cash flows from other asset groups. All assets at an operating segment are considered together for purposes of estimating future cash flows. Assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to risks and uncertainties.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when the price is determinable, the product has been delivered and transfer of title to the customer and collection of the sales price is reasonably assured. Revenues from silver sales are credited to Costs applicable to sales as a by-product credit.
Reclamation and Remediation Costs (Asset Retirement Obligations)
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 143 "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations", which established a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. The statement was adopted on January 1, 2003, when the Company recorded the estimated present value of reclamation liabilities and increased the carrying amount of the related asset which resulted in a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $32.4 million, net of $10.2 million in taxes (see Note 9). Reclamation costs are allocated to expense over the life of the related assets and are adjusted for changes resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate.
Prior to adoption of SFAS No. 143, estimated future reclamation costs were based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Such costs related to active mines were accrued and charged over the expected operating lives of the mines using the UOP method based on proven and probable reserves. Future remediation costs for inactive mines were accrued based on management's best estimate at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at a site. Such cost estimates included, where applicable, ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates were reflected in earnings in the period an estimate was revised.
Income Tax and Profit Sharing
The Company accounts for income tax and legally required profit sharing using the liability method, recognizing certain temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of the Company's liabilities and assets and the related income tax basis for such liabilities and assets. This method generates a net deferred income tax liability and profit sharing liability or net deferred income tax asset and profit sharing asset for the Company as of the end of the year, as measured by the statutory tax and profit sharing rates in effect as enacted. The Company derives its deferred income tax charge or benefit and profit sharing charge or benefit by recording the change in the net deferred income tax liability and profit sharing liability or net deferred income tax asset and profit sharing asset balance for the year, based on Peruvian income tax and profit sharing rates.
The Company's deferred income tax assets include certain future tax benefits. The Company records a valuation allowance against any portion of those deferred income tax assets when it believes, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS 151 "Inventory Cost-an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4", which clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs and wasted material as current period costs. It also requires that allocations of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The Statement applies to inventory costs incurred in the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company has not determined the impact, if any, on the Company's financial position or results from operations.
A committee of the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") discussed the accounting for deferred stripping costs incurred during production but did not reach a consensus in 2004. The Task Force considered the recommendation that stripping costs incurred during production are a mine development cost that should be capitalized as an investment in the mine and attributed to the proven and probable reserves benefited in a systematic and rational manner. However, the Task Force directed the FASB staff to develop additional guidance about what constitutes a systematic and rational manner of attributing the capitalized costs to proven and probable reserves benefited. The Company cannot predict whether the deliberations of the EITF will ultimately modify or otherwise result in new accounting standards or interpretations thereof that differ from the Company's current practices.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to 2004 presentations. These reclassifications had no material effect on previously reported presentations of assets and liabilities, net income, cash flows or shareholders' equity.
At December 31, |
||
2004 |
2003 |
|
Value added tax credit |
$ 16,958 |
$ 14,845 |
Claims for tax refunds |
9,449 |
17,157 |
Other |
8,252 |
3,678 |
$ 34,659 |
$ 35,680 |
During 2004 the Company finalized a number of prior year tax assessments with the Peruvian tax authorities. As a result of these settlements, the claims for tax refunds were reduced by $7.6 million in 2004. The majority of this reduction arose due to an accrued tax liability established in 2003 being offset against the claims for tax refunds, following the relinquishment of certain tax claims by the Peruvian tax authorities as part of the settlements.
At December 31, |
||
2004 |
2003 |
|
In-process |
$ 20,184 |
$ 14,702 |
Precious metals |
565 |
4,239 |
Materials and supplies |
27,655 |
28,044 |
$ 48,404 |
$ 46,985 |
|
At December 31, |
||
2004 |
2003 |
|
Current - Ore on leach |
$ 88,447 |
$ 132,031 |
Long-term |
||
Stockpiles |
$ 6,925 |
$ 3,258 |
Ore on leach pads |
73,496 |
69,045 |
$ 80,421 |
$ 72,303 |
|
|
|
At December 31, 2004 |
At December 31, 2003 |
|||||
|
Original Depreciable Life (in years) |
Cost |
Accumulated Depreciation Depletion and Amortization |
Net Book Value |
Cost |
Accumulated Depreciation Depletion and Amortization |
Net Book Value |
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
||
Land |
|
17,856 |
- |
17,856 |
14,935 |
- |
14,935 |
|
Buildings and equipment |
Useful life of buildings (12-25 years), Leach pads (5 years) and equipment (7 years) and 5 years for all remaining asset |
1,289,758 |
( 696,720) |
593,038 |
1,096,306 |
(558,223) |
538,083 |
|
Mine development |
UOP based on grams mined (8-21 years) |
235,863 |
( 72,212) |
163,651 |
197,052 |
(56,396) |
140,656 |
|
Mineral interests |
UOP for producing property (12 years) |
33,991 |
( 2,927) |
31,064 |
33,990 |
(2,127) |
31,863 |
|
Asset retirement cost |
Based on the related assets (5 to 15 years) |
72,742 |
( 41,971) |
30,771 |
49,352 |
(36,116) |
13,236 |
|
Construction-in-progress |
|
46,566 |
- |
46,566 |
55,754 |
- |
55,754 |
|
|
|
1,696,776 |
( 813,830) |
882,946 |
1,447,389 |
(652,862) |
794,527 |
|
Leased assets included above in property, plant and mine development |
5 years |
30,193 |
( 23,756) |
6,437 |
30,193 |
(17,818) |
12,375 |
|
At December 31, 2004 |
At December 31, 2003 |
||||
|
Gross Carrying Value |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Book Value |
Gross Carrying Value |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Book Value |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
Mineral interests: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production stage |
8,432 |
( 2,568) |
5,864 |
8,432 |
(1,840) |
6,592 |
Development stage |
20,298 |
( 174) |
20,124 |
- |
- |
- |
Exploration stage |
5,261 |
( 185) |
5,076 |
25,558 |
(287) |
25,217 |
Total |
33,991 |
( 2,927) |
31,064 |
33,990 |
(2,127) |
31,863 |
On March 31, 2004, the EITF ratified EITF Issue No.04-2, "Whether Mining Rights are Tangible or Intangible Assets" to address the inconsistency in the classification of mineral rights as tangible or intangible assets. EITF 04-2 provides that certain mineral use rights have characteristics of assets other than intangible assets and are considered tangible assets which should be accounted for based on their substance. The effects of adopting this EITF are accounted for prospectively. As a result, the Company has reclassified all of its mineral interests from Mineral interests and other intangible assets to Property, plant and mine development, net in its balance sheets and ceased amortization on exploration stage mineral interests prior to the commencement of production effective April 1, 2004.
As of December 31, 2004, the Company maintains in its accounting records assets for $32.5 million related to the agglomeration plant at La Quinua, net of depreciation and $2.5 million in spares parts associated with the plant and recorded in 2004 a $4.1 million impairment for assets with no projected future value. It is anticipated that these remaining assets will be utilized in the construction of a gold mill planned for completion in between 2006 and 2007.
As of December 31, 2003, based on a cash flow analysis of the most recent estimated costs associated with retirement, reclamation and remediation to be incurred, a decrease of $27.2 million in the estimated asset retirement cost was computed. In addition, the Company recorded in Other expenses a write-off of $16.6 million related to impaired capitalized assets at the Maqui-Maqui mine.
At December 31, |
||
2004 |
2003 |
|
Payroll |
$ 3,175 |
$ 2,200 |
Taxes other than income |
2,235 |
3,944 |
Withholding income tax |
1,086 |
2,688 |
Capital projects accruals |
11,014 |
5,168 |
Operating cost accruals |
18,887 |
6,016 |
Other |
159 |
2,176 |
$ 36,556 |
$ 22,192 |
|
In accordance with Peruvian legislation, the Company maintains an employee profit sharing plan equal to 8% of annual taxable income. Distributions to employees under the plan are based 50% on the number of days that each employee worked during the preceding year and 50% on proportionate annual salary levels.
In 2004, the workers' profit sharing amounted to $53.9 million which has been included in the costs applicable to sales in the statement of profit and loss ($44.5 million in 2003). This expense is deductible for income tax purposes.
Peruvian law limits payments of annual profit sharing per employee to eighteen months salary but continues to base total profit sharing on 8% of taxable income, notwithstanding the per employee limitation. Supreme Decree N.009-98-TR, published on August 6, 1998, provides that the excess of total profit sharing for the year over aggregate profit sharing payable to all employees be paid to the Fondo Nacional de Capacitación Laboral y de Promoción del Empleo - FONCALPROEM. This entity, created by Legislative Decree N.892, is responsible for managing this fund, which is intended for future training or employment generation in Peru. The Company made payments to FONCALPROEM in 2004 for $13.2 million ($0.9 million in 2003).
The Company's mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. The Company conducts its operations so as to protect the public health and environment and believes its operations are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations, but cannot predict the amount of such future expenditures. Estimated future reclamation costs are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements.
The following is a reconciliation of the total liability for asset retirement obligations (ARO) (in thousands):
Balance January 1, 2003 |
$ 29,427 |
Impact of adoption of SFAS No. 143 |
72,095 |
Additions, change in estimates and other |
( 10,608) |
Liabilities settled |
( 5,700) |
Accretion expense |
6,534 |
Balance December 31, 2003 |
$ 91,748 |
Additions, change in estimates and other |
14,643 |
Liabilities settled |
( 5,386) |
Accretion expense |
6,026 |
Balance December 31, 2004 |
$ 107,031 |
The ARO corresponds primarily to activities to be performed in the restoration of the mines and related areas once the gold extraction process has been finished. The main activities that the Company plans to perform for each mine include the operation of water treatment plants, revegetation, and earth work.
Increases in the asset retirement obligation in 2004 relate primarily to the expanded mining operations and new facilities at Yanacocha and La Quinua and the related projected remediation and reclamation costs for this expansion.
On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." As a result, the reclamation and remediation liability increased by $72.1 million for the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation, deferred profit sharing increased by $2.3 million for the legally required profit sharing and the deferred income tax liability increased by $7.9 million, Property, plant and mine development, net increased by $49.9 million and a $32.4 million charge was recorded for the Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax.
On a pro forma basis, the liabilities for asset retirement obligations would have been $101.5 million at December 31, 2002, if SFAS No. 143 had been applied at the beginning of 2002.
The table below presents the proforma effect of the accounting change for year ended December 31, 2002 as if the change had been in effect for that period:
Increase/(decrease) to net income
As reported |
$ 197,922 |
Costs applicable to sales (exclusive of depreciation, depletion, and |
659 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
( 7,502) |
Income tax benefit |
2,395 |
Loss before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle |
( 4,448) |
Pro forma |
$ 193,474 |
At December 31, |
||
2004 |
2003 |
|
International Finance Corporation |
$ 30,000 |
$ 40,000 |
Trust Certificates |
- |
16,000 |
Newmont Perú SRL |
6,553 |
9,777 |
Mobil Oil del Perú S.A. |
702 |
1,094 |
Others |
61 |
485 |
37,316 |
67,356 |
|
(16,156) |
(30,012) |
|
Current portion |
$ 21,160 |
$ 37,344 |
Scheduled minimum long-term debt repayments are $16.2 million in 2005, $15.2 million in 2006, $2.0 million in 2007, $2.0 million in 2008 and $2.0 million in 2009.
International Finance Corporation ("IFC")
$100 million Credit Facility: In December 1999, the Company entered into a $100 million credit facility (a $20 million A Tranche and a $80 million B Tranche) with the IFC. At December 31, 2004, $30 million was outstanding in total, with $10 million outstanding under the A Tranche and $20 million outstanding under the B Tranche. The A Tranche had a five-year revolving availability period and converted into a five-year term loan in December 2004. The B Tranche had a three-year revolving availability period and converted to a four-year term loan in December 2002. Initial drawdowns under the loan were used for development of the La Quinua project; however, the loan accommodated repayments during the revolving availability period and subsequent borrowings were used for other purposes. Interest applicable to the A Tranche is LIBOR plus 2.375%. Interest applicable to the B Tranche is LIBOR plus 2.5%. Certain of the Company's assets secure the loan.
The A Tranche interest rate was 4.9% and 3.5% at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The weighted-average rate was 3.8% and 4.3% for 2004 and 2003, respectively. The B Tranche interest rate was 5.0% and 3.4% at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The weighted average rate was 4.0% and 3.7% for 2004 and 2003, respectively. Using prevailing interest rates on similar instruments, the estimated fair value of this debt approximated the carrying value at December 31, 2004 and 2003.
Trust Certificates
The Company issued debt in 1997 through the sale of $100 million 8.4% Series A Trust Certificates to various institutional investors. In June 2004, the Trust Certificates were paid in full. At December 31, 2003, $16.0 million was outstanding under the financing. Interest on the Certificates was fixed at 8.4% and repayments occurred quarterly through June 2004. The Certificates were collateralized by certain of Minera Yanacocha's assets, certain restricted funds and also were specifically collateralized by future gold sales, through a trust agreement with the Bank of New York.
Newmont Peru SRL
In October 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with Newmont Peru SRL, formerly known as "Newmont Peru Limited, Sucursal del Perú" (100% indirectly owned subsidiary of Newmont) for the lease of haulage and drilling equipment, with a purchase option for all or part of the leased equipment. The lease is accounted for as a capital lease and is subject to monthly rental payments through September 2006. The interest rate is 16% for all periods. Fair market value can not be practicably determined due to the lack of available market information.
Banco de Crédito del Perú
In June 2004, Yanacocha amended its $40 million line of credit with Banco De Crédito del Perú to extend the term of the facility to June 2007, reduce the applicable interest rate and increase the facility to $50 million. The interest rate is LIBOR plus 0.65% through June 2005 and LIBOR plus 2% thereafter. The interest rate under the previous agreement was LIBOR plus 0.75% through June 2004. The weighted-average interest rate was 2.8% for 2002. During 2004, the Company in the aggregated borrowed $65.5 million and repaid $65.5 million. There was no outstanding amount under this credit line at December 31, 2004 and 2003.
Banco Continental
In June 2004, the Company entered into a $20 million credit facility with BBV Banco Continental that expires in June 2005. The interest rate is LIBOR plus 0.7%. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2004. During the year no amounts were borrowed under this revolving line of credit.
Mobil Oil del Perú S.A.
The Company has an installment purchase agreement with Mobil Oil del Perú S.A. for the purchase of certain fueling station assets through 2006. The interest rate for 2004 and 2003 and at December 31, 2004 and 2003 was 9.1%. Fair market value can not be practicably determined due to the lack of available market information.
Restricted Funds
Under terms of the Trust Certificates loan, the Company maintained an escrow account for the next interest and principal installment due. As of December 31, 2003, such amount totaled $16.7 million and the escrow account amounts are included in restricted funds. As the Trust Certificates were fully paid in June 2004, the escrow accounts were closed in 2004.
Compliance with Covenants
The financing agreements contain certain covenants that limit indebtedness and distributions of earnings to partners, among others. In addition, the Company must maintain certain financial ratios as provided in the financing agreements. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
Partners Contributions
Partners' contributions represent 714,960,104 common partnership interests with a par value of one Peruvian Nuevo sol each, fully subscribed and paid. Such partnership interest includes 402,880,019 that are owned by foreign investors.
On December 31, 2001, the partners approved the capitalization of $206.5 million (equivalent to S/.710,360,000) from restricted earnings to partners' contributions related to the 1998 and 1999 Reinvestment Programs (Note 11). The Company cannot reduce its partners' contributions within four consecutive years following the related capitalization.
Under current Peruvian regulations, there is no restriction on remittance of dividends or repatriation of foreign investment, except as discussed in sections below.
The legal structure of the Company is that of a Limited Liability Partnership. The main characteristics of such structure are: (i) the number of partners cannot exceed 20, (ii) the capital is represented by partnership interest, and (iii) there is no obligation to create a legal reserve.
Restricted Earnings
As explained in Note 12, $189.6 million of earnings were restricted as a result of the application of the 2001-2004 Reinvestment Program.
Retained Earnings
Effective January 1, 2003, distribution of earnings for partners other than legal entities domiciled in Peru are subject to a withholding tax of 4.1%.
Tax Stabilization Agreements
The Company has entered into the following tax stabilization agreements, each with a term of 15 years:
Mine |
Effective |
Date of the |
Tax regimes |
Carachugo/San José |
January 1, 1995 |
May 19, 1994 |
October 29, 1999 |
Maqui Maqui |
January 1, 1997 |
September 12, 1994 |
May 6, 1994 |
Cerro Yanacocha |
January 1, 2000 |
September 16, 1998 |
May 22, 1997 |
La Quinua |
January 1, 2004 |
August 25, 2003 |
August 25, 2003 |
These agreements guarantee the Company's use of the tax regimes shown in the table above and permit maintenance of its accounting records in U.S. dollars.
Management has determined the taxable income according to its understanding, and that of its legal advisors, of the applicable tax legislation. This legislation requires adding to and deducting from income shown in the financial statements, those items that the referred legislation recognizes as taxable and non-taxable, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 the income tax rate was 30% except for La Quinua mine for which a 27% income tax rate applied for 2003 and a 29% income tax rate for 2004 and future years.
Peruvian Income Tax and Workers Participation
The current income tax and the workers' profit sharing (Note 8) have been determined as follows:
Year ended December 31, |
|||
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
Income before workers' profit sharing and income tax in accordance with Peruvian GAAP Plus: |
$ 659,662 |
$ 487,472 |
$ 303,446 |
Reclamation liability |
3,134 |
54,785 |
6,876 |
Non-deductible expenses |
13,760 |
9,796 |
5,978 |
Income tax recorded as other expenses |
20,318 |
8,030 |
- |
Provision for obsolescence of inventories |
1,392 |
3,500 |
- |
Other |
4,469 |
11,359 |
1,388 |
43,073 |
87,468 |
14,242 |
|
Less: |
|||
Depreciation of mine development and of mineral interests |
(22,118) |
(12,231) |
(10,763) |
Reclamation liability |
(5,386) |
(5,700) |
(3,844) |
Others |
(2,016) |
(674) |
(1,701) |
|
|
|
|
(29,520) |
(18,605) |
(16,308) |
|
|
|
|
|
Base to calculate the workers' profit sharing |
673,215 |
556,335 |
301,380 |
Workers' profit participation (8%) |
(53,857) |
(44,507) |
(24,110) |
|
|
|
|
Sub-total |
619,358 |
511,828 |
277,270 |
Tax benefit on reinvested earnings |
- |
(23,680) |
(96,000) |
Taxable income |
$ 619,358 |
$ 488,148 |
$ 181,270 |
Income tax (30%) |
$ 185,807 |
$ 146,444 |
$ 54,381 |
Credit for charitable donations |
(1,260) |
(348) |
(416) |
Adjustment due to the income tax rate applicable to La Quinua mine |
(3,098) |
(5,934) |
(2,443) |
Net income tax |
$ 181,449 |
$ 140,162 |
$ 51,522 |
Reinvestment of Earnings
Pursuant to Supreme Decree N.027-98-EF, mining companies can obtain a tax benefit ("Investment Credit") by effectively reinvesting non-distributed earnings into capital expansion projects that increase the Company's productivity ("Reinvestment Program"). Investment Credits, based on 80% of amounts reinvested, are obtained by application to and approval by the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
On March 4, 2003, the Company received a resolution from the Ministry of Energy and Mine (MEM) dated February 28, 2003, in which it approved the reinvestment program for the years 2002-2004 for an amount of $189.6 million.
The Company received a subsequent resolution from the MEM dated June 27, 2003, with the following rulings: a) amended the years to be included in the reinvestment program (from 2001 to 2004) and b) confirmed that the investment that would be part of the program between 2002 and 2004 amounts to $189.6 million.
As of December 31, 2003, the Company transferred from retained earnings to restricted earnings $189.6 according with the above reinvestment program approved, as follows: $29.6 million in 2003, $80 million in 2002, and $80 million in prior years which reinvestment tax credit reduced the current income tax by $7.1 million, $7.1 million and $19.2 million in 2004, 2003, and 2002 respectively.
Undistributed earnings associated with these investment credits are presented as restricted earnings as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.
Income tax - Reconciliation from Peru Tax Return to U.S. GAAP and Tax Balance Sheets
The Company's income tax provision consisted of the following:
|
Year ended December 31, |
||
|
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
|
|
|
Current Peru tax return |
$ 181,449 |
$ 140,162 |
$ 51,552 |
Income tax recorded as other expenses for Peru GAAP |
18,046 |
8,030 |
- |
Current US GAAP |
199,495 |
148,192 |
51,522 |
Deferred |
(17,932) |
(26,504) |
$ 13,089 |
Total |
$ 181,563 |
$ 121,688 |
$ 64,611 |
Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory Peruvian corporate income tax rate of 30 percent to pre-tax income as a result of the following:
|
Year ended December 31, |
||
|
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
|
|
|
Income before income tax provision |
$ 571,867 |
$ 474,453 |
$ 262,533 |
Peruvian statutory rate |
30% |
30% |
30% |
Income tax at statutory rate |
171,560 |
142,336 |
78,760 |
2001 investment credit |
(7,104) |
(7,104) |
(28,800) |
2001 deferred investment credit |
- |
(7,776) |
14,880 |
Income tax recognized through refilling of tax returns |
8,993 |
3,615 |
- |
Income tax recognized through SEAP |
- |
2,257 |
- |
Difference due to the income tax |
(3,098) |
(5,934) |
(2,443) |
Difference due to change for |
- |
(7,512) |
- |
Income tax from tax disputes |
5,394 |
- |
- |
Other |
5,818 |
1,806 |
2,214 |
Total income tax expense |
$ 181,563 |
$ 121,688 |
$ 64,611 |
Components of deferred income tax liabilities and assets were as follows:
At December 31, |
||
2004 |
2003 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities - |
||
Property, plant and mine development costs |
$ 93,879 |
$ 98,529 |
Inventories |
5,368 |
8,800 |
Benefit by reinvesting |
- |
7,104 |
Debt issuance costs |
245 |
432 |
Other |
(139) |
- |
99,353 |
114,865 |
|
Deferred tax asset - |
||
Reclamation costs |
(22,171) |
(16,381) |
Deferred profit sharing |
(6,362) |
(8,198) |
Other |
( 96) |
(1,630) |
(28,629) |
(26,209) |
|
Net deferred tax liability |
$ 70,724 |
$ 88,656 |
Current deferred tax liabilities |
1,041 |
16,852 |
Non-current deferred tax liabilities |
69,683 |
71,804 |
Net deferred tax liability |
$ 70,724 |
$ 88,656 |
The Company has the following obligation to related parties:
At December 31, |
||
2004 |
2003 |
|
Chaupiloma |
$ 10,701 |
$ 7,613 |
Newmont Peru SRL |
3,486 |
2,484 |
Newmont SF Chile |
44 |
- |
Newmont International Services |
2,910 |
- |
Newmont Mining Corporation |
1,668 |
- |
Current portion |
$ 18,809 |
$ 10,097 |
Management, exploration, mine development, engineering and employment services are provided pursuant to contracts with affiliated companies. The corresponding charges totaled $36.1 million, $31.1 million and $14.1 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The outstanding balances for these services are disclosed in the above table.
As described in Note 1, the Company pays Chaupiloma a 3% royalty on quarterly production sold at current market prices, after deducting refinery and transportation costs. Royalty expense totaled $37.9 million, $31.7 million and $21.6 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities included the following cash payments:
|
Year ended December 31, |
||
|
2004 |
2003 |
202 |
|
|
|
|
Income taxes paid |
$ 232,018 |
$ 85,822 |
$ 11,582 |
Interest paid |
$ 3,711 |
$ 6,453 |
$ 11,336 |
The adoption of SFAS 143, for the year ended December 31, 2003, resulted in non-cash increases to property, plant and mine development and reclamation and remediation liability of $50 million and $72 million, respectively.
The Company is not economically dependent on a limited number of customers for the sale of its product because gold can be sold through various commodity market traders worldwide. In 2004, sales to two customers accounted for $860.1 million and $349.4 million which represents 97% of total annual sales. In 2003, sales to two customers accounted for $446.7 million and $431.5 million which represents 84% of total annual sales. Virtually all gold sales were made outside of Peru.
Tax contingencies
As is customary, the tax returns of the Company are subject to review by the various Peruvian taxing authorities. At present, the income taxing authorities are reviewing the Company's tax filings for the years 1998 through 2001. In connection with this review, the taxing authorities have identified certain adjustments with which the Company and its advisors do not agree. In the fourth quarter of 2004 a $11.5 million payment was made to the income taxing authorities principally to stop the running of interest and penalties on proposed adjustments that are timing in nature. Other matters in dispute also relate to the timing of certain income tax deductions. The Company has established an accrued liability for financial reporting purposes in an amount that represents management's best judgment concerning the amount that is required to be included in its income tax expense as a result of the current tax review. In the opinion of management, the resolution of the income tax controversy will not have a material impact on the financial condition or liquidity of the Company.
The Company charged $17.3 million to 2004 income from total tax assessment of $35.0 million. The payments to the Tax Administration during 2004 related to these tax contingencies amounted to $11.5 million.
Peruvian Mining Royalty
During the second quarter of 2004, the government of Peru enacted legislation to establish a sliding scale mining royalty of up to 3% based on the volume of mine production. The royalty is calculated on revenue from sales of product less certain refining and transportation expenses. While the Peruvian royalty became effective during the second quarter of 2004, it does not apply to those projects that had stabilization agreements prior to the adoption of the royalty law. Virtually all of the Company's production is derived from projects that were stabilized prior to the enactment of the royalty legislation. However, pending amendment or successful legal challenges to the validity of the royalty legislation, future production from non-stabilized projects could be burdened by this royalty.
Reinvestment program
As of June 30, 2004, the Company completed all of its investments under the Reinvestment Program 2000 - 2004. As of December 31, 2004, the filing before the Mining and Energy Ministry requesting the audit of the investment incurred is pending.
Unitization of Properties
In December 2000, as a result of the unitization plan mentioned in Note 1, the Company signed several asset transfer and mining lease agreements with related entities. The main conditions are:
Legal Proceedings
In June 2000, a transport contractor of the Company spilled approximately 151 kilograms of mercury near the town of Choropampa, Peru, which is located 53 miles (85 kilometers) southwest of the mine. Elemental mercury is a by-product of gold mining and was sold to a Lima firm for use in medical instrumentation and industrial applications. A comprehensive health and environmental remediation program was undertaken by the Company. In August 2000, the Company paid under protest a fine of 1,740,000 new Peruvian soles (approximately $0.5 million) to the Peruvian Government. The Company entered into settlement agreements with a number of individuals impacted by the incident. In addition, it has entered into agreements with three of the communities impacted by this incident to provide a variety of public works as compensation for the disruption and inconvenience caused by the incident. As a result, of the incident, the Company, from the date of the spill, has incurred approximat ely $7.0 million net of insurance refunds. The Company cannot predict the likelihood of any additional expenditure related to this matter.
In September 2001, the Company and other defendants were named in a lawsuit by over 900 Peruvian citizens in Denver District Court of the State of Colorado. This action seeks compensatory and punitive damages based on claims associated with the mercury spill incident. This action was dismissed by the Denver District Court in May 2002. The Colorado Court of Appeals reversed the lower court ruling and the Colorado Supreme Court declined to review the matter. In February 2005, the Company answered the complaint in Denver District Court of the State of Colorado.
In July 2002, Yanacocha and other defendants were served with other lawsuits in the Denver District Court for the State of Colorado and in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, by approximately 140 additional Peruvian plaintiffs and by the same plaintiffs who filed the September 2001 lawsuit. These actions also seek compensatory and punitive damages based on claims associated with the mercury spill incident near the town of Choropampa. These lawsuits remain stayed pending further judicial action.
In May 2002, additional lawsuits related to the Choropampa incident were filed against the Company in two of the local courts of Cajamarca in Peru by over 900 Peruvian citizens. A significant number of the plaintiffs in these lawsuits previously have entered into settlement agreements with the Company. In December 2003, the Superior Court of Cajamarca granted a resolution upholding the validity of certain of the settlement agreements. This ruling has been appealed to the Peruvian Supreme Court. The Company is not able to reasonably predict the final outcome of any of the described lawsuits.
The Company is involved in a dispute with the Provincial Municipality of Celendin regarding the authority of that governmental body to regulate the development of the Minas Conga ore deposit. In 2004, the Municipality of Celendin enacted a similar ordinance to that enacted by the Municipality of Cajamarca with regard to Cerro Quilish, as described below, declaring the area around Minas Conga to be a mining-free reserve and naturally protected area. As in the Cerro Quilish case, the Company has challenged this ordinance on the grounds that, under Peruvian law, local governments lack the authority to create such areas, denying the rights granted by the Company's mining concessions. Based on the precedent established by the Constitutional Tribunal's treatment of the Cerro Quilish Municipal ordinance, it is reasonable to believe that a similar finding protecting the Company's rights will be made as to the Celendin ordinance.
From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings of a kind normal to its business. It does not believe that adverse decisions in any pending or threatened proceedings or that amounts which it may be required to pay by reason thereof will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
Other contingencies - Cerro Quilish
The Company was involved in a dispute with the Provincial Municipality of Cajamarca regarding the authority of that governmental body to regulate the development of the Cerro Quilish ore deposit At December 31, 2003 contained reserves of approximately 3.9 million ounces of gold. This material has been moved to non reserve mineralization as of December 31, 2004, see Note 1. Cerro Quilish is located in the same watershed in which the City of Cajamarca is located. The Municipality enacted an ordinance declaring Cerro Quilish and its watershed to be a reserve and naturally protected area. The Company challenged this ordinance on the grounds that, under Peruvian law, local governments lack authority to create such areas. The Peruvian Constitutional Tribunal heard the case in early 2003 and ruled on April 7, 2003. The ruling established that the Company's rights were not impacted by the ordinance; that the Company would complete a full environmental impact study prio r to initiating any development at Cerro Quilish; and, adopt mitigation measures necessary to protect the quality and quantity of the water supply of the City of Cajamarca. In July 2004 the Company received a drilling permit and commenced exploration activities on the Cerro Quilish deposit. During September 2004, individuals from the Cajamarca region conducted a sustained blockade of the road between the City of Cajamarca and the mine site, in protest of these exploration activities. The Company suspended all drilling activities at Cerro Quilish and the blockade was resolved. In November 2004, in recognition of the communities' concerns, the Company requested and received the revocation of its Cerro Quilish drilling permit.
The Company's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), which differ in certain respects from principles generally accepted in Peru (Peruvian GAAP). Such differences involve certain methods of measuring the amounts shown in the financial statements, as well as additional disclosures required. The effects of these measurement differences are reflected in the reconciliation below and principally relate to items discussed in the following paragraphs:
The Company did not capitalize depreciation costs as a component of stockpile, ore on leach pads, or inventory prior to 2002 as required under U.S. GAAP. Beginning January 1, 2002, the Company began to capitalize depreciation as a component of stockpile, ore on leach pads and inventories. Under U.S. GAAP, in accordance with APB 20 "Accounting Changes", the correction of an error is retroactively reflected as a prior period adjustment. Under Peruvian GAAP, such corrections are reflected in the current year statement of income as a cumulative charge. Accordingly, a corresponding adjustment for this different treatment, as well as that resulting from the difference of the amounts capitalized due to the difference disclosed in ii) below, are reflected in the income statement and equity reconciliations from U.S. GAAP to Peruvian GAAP.
There are certain difference in the accounting treatment of fixed assets under U.S. GAAP financial statements presented and Peruvian GAAP. These differences include the types of costs capitalized and depreciation and amortization periods and are summarized as follows:
(a) Under U.S. GAAP, certain project supervision costs and contractor costs associated with the acquisition of assets are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method over the life of the project. Under Peruvian GAAP, project supervision costs are capitalized as intangible and amortized in one year and contractor cost associated with the acquisition of fixed assets are expensed as incurred.
(b) Under U.S. GAAP mine development costs are capitalized as tangible assets and amortized using the units-of-production method. For Peruvian GAAP, beginning in 2002, mine development costs are capitalized as intangibles and amortized using the units-of-production method. Until December 31, 2001, such costs were capitalized and amortized in one year.
(c) Under U.S. GAAP, cost of leach pads are amortized using the straight-line method over five years. For Peruvian GAAP, cost of leach pads are amortized using the units-of-production method.
Under U.S. GAAP certain permissible debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related debt. Under Peruvian GAAP, all debt issuance costs were charged to expense as incurred.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, under SFAS 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", which designates the asset and liability method as the accounting method for taxes, Yanacocha recognizes certain temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of the Company's liabilities and assets an the related tax basis. Under Peruvian GAAP, income tax is determined in accordance with applicable legal regulations and assets and/or liabilities for temporary differences relating to income taxes are recognized. In the case of the Company, the income tax items included in the reconciliation provided below originated substantially by the Peruvian GAAP reconciliation items.
Under U.S. GAAP, the Company recognizes a liability for temporary differences between book and tax income relating to workers profit sharing, similar to that recognized relating to income taxes.
Under Peruvian GAAP, workers share in the profits of Yanacocha corresponds to 8% of taxable income. Assets and/or liabilities for temporary differences relating to profit sharing are recognized; therefore, the profit sharing items included in the reconciliation below, is originated substantially by the Peruvian GAAP reconciliation items.
Under U.S. GAAP, the Company recognizes revenue when the price is determinable and upon delivery and transfer of title of gold to the customer. In addition, revenues from silver sales are credited to costs applicable to sales as a by-product credit. Under Peruvian GAAP, revenue, including gold and silver, is recognized, net of transportation and refining costs, when dore is delivered to the shipper.
Reconciliation between Net Income and Partners' Equity determined under U.S.GAAP and PERUVIAN GAAP
The following is a summary of the adjustments to net income for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and to partners' equity as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 which would be required if Peruvian GAAP had been applied instead of U.S. GAAP in the financial statements:
|
Year ended December 31, |
||
|
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
|
|
|
Net income according to the financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP |
$ 390,304 |
$ 320,412 |
$ 197,922 |
|
|
|
|
Restatement of financial statements Prepared under U.S.GAAP: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items increasing (decreasing) reported net income: |
|
|
|
i) Capitalization of depreciation charges as a component of inventories |
23,102 |
(39,476 ) |
17,227 |
ii) Different depreciation rates and fixed assets charged to expenses |
38,996 |
43,167 |
(8,413 ) |
iii) Debt issuance costs |
623 |
838 |
838 |
ii) Capitalized compensation |
676 |
676 |
676 |
iv) Deferred income tax |
(13,527 ) |
(16,741 ) |
4,183 |
v) Deferred workers' profit sharing |
(3,219 ) |
(4,613 ) |
1,165 |
vi) Revenue recognition |
(8,980 ) |
8,880 |
7,249 |
Net adjustment |
37,671 |
(7,269 ) |
22,925 |
|
|
|
|
Net income in accordance with Peruvian GAAP |
$ 427,975 |
$ 313,143 |
$ 220,847 |
|
At December 31, |
|
|
2004 |
2003 |
|
|
|
Partners' equity according to the financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP |
$ 811,174 |
$ 700,870 |
|
|
|
Items increasing (decreasing) reported partners' equity: |
|
|
i) Capitalization of depreciation charges in inventories |
(18,584 ) |
(41,686 ) |
ii) Different depreciation rates and fixed assets charged to expenses |
(96,188 ) |
(135,184 ) |
iii) Debt issuance costs |
(817 ) |
(1,440 ) |
ii) Capitalized compensation |
(1,352 ) |
(2,028 ) |
iv) Deferred income tax |
30,032 |
43,559 |
v) Deferred workers' profit sharing |
9,407 |
12,626 |
vi) Revenue recognition |
1,531 |
10,511 |
Net adjustment |
(75,971 ) |
(113,642) |
|
|
|
Partners' equity according to the financial statements prepared under Peruvian GAAP |
$ 735,203 |
$ 587,228 |
In connection with the differences between US GAAP and Peruvian GAAP in the classification of certain line items in the balance sheets and the statements of profit and loss, the following significant captions would have been presented under Peruvian GAAP:
|
At December 31, |
|
|
2004 |
2003 |
|
|
|
Balance sheets |
|
|
Current assets |
$ 231,762 |
$ 227,656 |
Total assets |
$ 1,091,571 |
$ 974,630 |
Total liabilities |
$ 356,369 |
$ 387,402 |
|
Year ended December 31, |
||
|
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
|
|
|
Statement of profit and loss |
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ 1,265,321 |
$ 1,059,427 |
$ 720,647 |
Income before workers' profit sharing and income tax |
$ 659,662 |
$ 487,472 |
$ 303,446 |
Exhibit 4.1
among
SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
(a Japanese corporation),
SUMITOMO CORPORATION
(a Japanese corporation),
SUMMIT GLOBAL MANAGEMENT B.V.
(a Dutch corporation),
COMPAÑIA DE MINAS BUENAVENTURA S.A.A.
(a Peruvian sociedad anónima abierta),
PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION
(a New York corporation),
CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS COMPANY
(a Delaware corporation),
CYPRUS METALS COMPANY
(a Delaware corporation),
CYPRUS CLIMAX METALS COMPANY
(a Delaware corporation),
and
SOCIEDAD MINERA CERRO VERDE S.A.A.
(a Peruvian sociedad anónima abierta)
Dated as of March 16, 2005
2. General Capital Increase and Special Dividend *
2.1. Authorization of General Capital Increase and Special Dividend *
2.2. Conduct of General Capital Increase *
2.3. Initial Sale and Purchase of Preemptive Rights; First Round *
3. Actions at the First and Final Closings *
4.1. Expenses Incurred in Connection with the Preparation of the Transaction Documents *
5.1. Representations Regarding Cerro Verde *
5.2. Representations Regarding PDC *
5.3. Representations Regarding the PD Participant *
5.4. Representations Regarding SC and SMM *
5.5. Representations Regarding SGM and the Sumitomo Participant *
6.1. No Sale of Interest in the Participants *
6.3. Beneficial Ownership of PDC Common Stock *
6.4. Covenants Regarding the Sumitomo Participant *
6.5. Actions to Cause Closing, etc. *
6.7. Competition; Business Opportunities *
7.1. Conditions to Obligations of SMM, SC, SGM and the Sumitomo Participant *
7.2. Conditions to Obligations of Cerro Verde, the PD Participant Parents and the PD Participant *
7.3. Consequences of Failure to Satisfy Conditions to Closing *
Exhibit List
Exhibit 1 Dividend Distribution Policy
Exhibit 2 New Cerro Verde Estatutos (Spanish and English)
Exhibit 3 Form of Shareholders Agreement
Schedule List
Schedule A Mining Concessions
Schedule 5.1(c)(ii) Compliance with Other Instruments and Laws
Schedule 5.1(c)(iii) Government Authorizations, Permits and Licenses
Schedule 5.1(d) Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.1(e) Taxes
Schedule 5.1(f) Labor Matters
Schedule 5.1(g)(ii) Legal Proceedings; Competing Claims
Schedule 5.1(i) Financial Statements
Schedule 5.1(l) Absence of Changes and Events
Schedule 5.1(m) Title to Assets, Mining and Beneficiation Concessions and Other Rights
Schedule 5.1(n) Related Party Transactions and Commitments
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT, dated as of March 16, 2005, among SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD., a Japanese corporation ("SMM"), SUMITOMO CORPORATION, a Japanese corporation ("SC"), SUMMIT GLOBAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a Dutch corporation ("SGM"), COMPAÑIA DE MINAS BUENAVENTURA S.A.A., a Peruvian sociedad anónima abierta ("BVN"), PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("PDC"), CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("CAMC"), CYPRUS METALS COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("CMC"), CYPRUS CLIMAX METALS COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("CCMC" or the "PD Participant") and SOCIEDAD MINERA CERRO VERDE S.A.A., a Peruvian sociedad anónima abierta ("Cerro Verde").
WHEREAS, Cerro Verde currently has 227,309,099 shares of common voting stock, par value U.S.$0.5409 per share ("Common Stock"), outstanding (the "Current Outstanding Shares");
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Cerro Verde (the "Board") has approved the development of a primary sulfide ore body beneath the oxide ore body located within the mining concessions owned by Cerro Verde identified in Schedule A hereto, which shall be processed into copper concentrate as a final product at new facilities that are to be developed generally as described in the Cerro Verde Primary Sulfide Feasibility Study, dated May 2004, prepared by Fluor Canada Ltd., as modified by the Project Update, dated September 2004 (the "Feasibility Study"), with such changes to such facilities as the Board determines, in its good faith reasonable judgment, to be necessary or advisable and which do not substantially alter the basic nature and scope of such facilities (the "Sulfide Project");
WHEREAS, in connection with obtaining the financing necessary to implement the Sulfide Project, Cerro Verde is contemplating (i) an equity financing in the form of a general capital increase (the "General Capital Increase") involving the issuance of 122,746,913 additional shares of Common Stock (the "Capital Increase Shares") at the Per Share Price (as defined below) to be consummated after the closing conditions set forth in section 7.1 of this Agreement, as such conditions may have been modified or waived by the Sumitomo Participant (the "Capital Increase Closing Conditions"), have been satisfied or waived; and (ii) debt financings to finance the development and completion of the Sulfide Project and to provide an appropriate amount of working capital for the operation of the Sulfide Project;
WHEREAS, in connection with the General Capital Increase, each Holder of Record on the date set by the shareholders of Cerro Verde at the Shareholders Meeting (as defined below) will receive preemptive rights ("Preemptive Rights") to subscribe for up to a number of Capital Increase Shares equal to such shareholder's Respective Share (as defined below) multiplied by the aggregate number of Capital Increase Shares;
WHEREAS, BVN owns 20,833,367 Current Outstanding Shares, which represent approximately 9.2% of the Current Outstanding Shares (the "Current BVN Shares"), and believes it is in the best interests of Cerro Verde to develop the Sulfide Project and to engage Minera Phelps Dodge del Perú S.A.C., a Peruvian sociedad anónima cerrada and indirect subsidiary of PDC ("MPDP"), to assist such development and serve as the Operator on terms and conditions to be set forth in an operator's agreement that shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Cerro Verde, MPDP, SMM, SC and BVN (the "Operator's Agreement");
WHEREAS, BVN and the other parties hereto wish for BVN to increase its equity investment in Cerro Verde to up to 20.1% of the Common Stock by participating in the General Capital Increase on the terms and conditions contemplated herein;
WHEREAS, SC owns 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of SGM, and as of the First Closing Date, SMM will own 80% of the outstanding capital stock of the Sumitomo Participant, SGM will own 20% of the outstanding capital stock of the Sumitomo Participant and the Sumitomo Parties wish to make an investment in Cerro Verde with the understanding that MPDP, an indirect subsidiary of PDC, will serve as Operator on the terms and conditions set forth in the Operator's Agreement;
WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish for the Sumitomo Participant to make an equity investment of up to 24.99% of the Common Stock by participating in the General Capital Increase on the terms and conditions contemplated herein;
WHEREAS, SMM and Cerro Verde wish to arrange a ten-year concentrate sales agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Cerro Verde and SMM, under which SMM would agree to purchase each year up to 50% of all copper concentrates produced by the Sulfide Project, including copper concentrates produced by third parties under any toll agreements providing for the treatment of ore mined by Cerro Verde (the "SMM Concentrate Agreement");
WHEREAS, PDC owns 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of CAMC; CAMC owns 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of CMC; CMC owns 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the PD Participant; and the PD Participant owns 187,500,306 Current Outstanding Shares, which represent approximately 82.5% of the Current Outstanding Shares; and
WHEREAS, subject to the consummation of the General Capital Increase on the Final Closing Date (as defined below), Cerro Verde intends to pay the Special Dividend (as defined below) on such date to the Holders of Record of Current Outstanding Shares;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
.
AAA: the meaning given in section 10.6(b) of this Agreement.
Affiliate: with respect to a particular Person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.
Agreement: this Participation Agreement, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
Board: the meaning given in the second recital of this Agreement.
Business Day: any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, national holiday in the United States, the Netherlands or the Republic of Peru or day on which either state or national banking institutions in the State of Arizona or the State of New York or banking institutions in the Netherlands or the Republic of Peru are not open for the conduct of normal banking business.
BVL: Bolsa de Valores de Lima.
BVN: Compañía De Minas Buenaventura S.A.A., a Peruvian sociedad anónima abierta.
BVN First Round Rights: the meaning given in section 2.3(c)(i) of this Agreement.
BVN Shares: the Capital Increase Shares that BVN has agreed to acquire on the Final Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement.
BVN Shortfall: the meaning given in section 2.5(a)(i) of this Agreement.
Call Exercise Notices: the meaning given in section 2.5(b)(ii) of this Agreement.
CAMC: Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, a Delaware corporation.
Capital Increase Closing Conditions: the meaning given in the third recital of this Agreement.
Capital Increase Shares: the meaning given in the third recital of this Agreement.
CAVALI: Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones de Lima ICLV S.A.
CCMC: Cyprus Climax Metals Company, a Delaware corporation.
Cerro Verde: Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A., a Peruvian sociedad anónima abierta.
Claimant: the meaning given in section 10.6(b) of this Agreement.
Closing Conditions: the meaning given in section 7.1 of this Agreement.
CMC: Cyprus Metals Company, a Delaware corporation.
Committed Capital Increase Shares: with respect to any Person, Capital Increase Shares that such Person has committed to purchase by validly exercising a Preemptive Right in the General Capital Increase.
Common Stock: the meaning given in the first recital of this Agreement.
CONASEV: Comisión Nacional Supervisora de Empresas y Valores.
Confidential Information: the meaning given in section 9.1 of this Agreement.
Current BVN Shares: the meaning given in the fifth recital of this Agreement.
Current Outstanding Shares: the meaning given in the first recital of this Agreement.
Damages: the meaning given in section 8.3(a).
Defendant: the meaning given in section 10.6(b) of this Agreement.
Direct Claim Notice: the meaning given in section 8.4(b) of this Agreement.
El Peruano: the Peruvian official gazette published daily by Editora Peru, a private company fully owned and controlled by the Peruvian government.
Excess Sumitomo Participant Shares: the meaning given in section 2.5(a)(ii) of this Agreement.
Feasibility Study: the meaning given in the second recital of this Agreement.
Final Allocation: the meaning given in section 2.6 of this Agreement.
Final Closing: the meaning given in section 3.2 of this Agreement.
Final Closing Date: the meaning given in section 3.2 of this Agreement.
Financial Statements: the meaning given in section 5.1(i) of this Agreement.
First Closing: the meaning given in section 3.1 of this Agreement.
First Closing Date: the meaning given in section 3.1 of this Agreement.
First Round: the meaning given in section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.
First Round Trading Period: the meaning given in section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.
Full Completion: final completion of the Sulfide Project as set forth in the Project Debt Agreements.
Fully Diluted Respective Share: with respect to any holder of Common Stock or Preemptive Rights, the percentage interest of such holder in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that will be outstanding immediately after the Final Closing.
General Capital Increase: the meaning given in the third recital of this Agreement.
Holder of Record: a Participant or Person registered with CAVALI as an owner of Current Outstanding Shares on any Record Date.
Indemnitee: the meaning given in section 8.4 of this Agreement.
Indemnitor: the meaning given in section 8.4 of this Agreement.
Liability Threshold Amount: the meaning given in section 8.3(a) of this Agreement.
Material Adverse Effect: any change or effect that is materially adverse to (a) the financial condition, properties, assets, business or results of operations of Cerro Verde taken as a whole or (b) the ability of Cerro Verde to achieve Full Completion of the Sulfide Project; provided, that any adverse change in or effect resulting from (i) regulatory, economic or political conditions (including acts of war, declared or undeclared, armed hostilities and terrorism) in Peru having general application and effect on the mining industry or generally in Peru, (ii) Peruvian or international financial or securities markets or prevailing interest rates, (iii) international market prices of copper generally, or (iv) the announcement of this Agreement or any Other Transaction Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents or in the Project Debt Agreements, shall not constitute a Material Adverse Effect.
MPDP: Minera Phelps Dodge del Perú S.A.C., a Peruvian sociedad anónima cerrada.
New Cerro Verde Estatutos: the meaning given in section 2.1(c)(v) of this Agreement.
Operator: Minera Phelps Dodge del Perú S.A.C., Peruvian sociedad anónima cerrada and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PDC, which shall act as operator pursuant to the Operator's Agreement, or any entity which shall replace such corporation as operator pursuant to the terms thereof.
Operator's Agreement: the meaning given in the fifth recital of this Agreement.
Other Transaction Documents: the Shareholders Agreement, the SMM Concentrate Agreement and the Operator's Agreement.
Participants: the PD Participant, the Sumitomo Participant, BVN and any Person which becomes a party to the Shareholders Agreement and a participant in accordance with the provisions of section 9 or 10 of the Shareholders Agreement.
PDC: Phelps Dodge Corporation, a New York corporation.
PD Closing Conditions: the meaning given in section 2.1(c)(vii)(E).
PD Participant: Cyprus Climax Metals Company, a Delaware corporation.
PD Participant Parents: PDC, CAMC and CMC.
PD Participant Shortfall: the meaning given in section 2.5(a)(iv) of this Agreement.
PD Reallocation Call Options: the meaning given in section 2.5(b)(ii) of this Agreement.
PD Reallocation Shares: the meaning given in section 2.5(b)(i) of this Agreement.
Per Share Price: U.S.$3.6074 per share of Common Stock.
Person: any individual, corporation, partnership, association, public body, governmental authority or other entity.
Peruvian GAAP: accounting principles generally accepted in the Republic of Peru.
Preemptive Right: the meaning given in the fourth recital of this Agreement.
Preemptive Right Certificate: the meaning given in the fourth recital of this Agreement.
Project Debt Agreements: the definitive agreements providing for indebtedness for money borrowed or incurred by Cerro Verde to finance the development and completion of the Sulfide Project and to provide an appropriate amount of working capital for the operation of the Sulfide Project.
Qualified Directors: the meaning given in the New Cerro Verde Estatutos.
Record Date: a date set by Cerro Verde's shareholders at a shareholders meeting or, upon appropriate delegation of authority, by Cerro Verde's Board of Directors, in accordance with applicable Peruvian law, to determine which shareholders will be entitled to the benefit of a specified corporate action.
Respective Share: with respect to any holder of Common Stock, the percentage interest of such holder of Common Stock in the aggregate number of Current Outstanding Shares.
SC: Sumitomo Corporation, a Japanese corporation.
Second Round: the meaning given in section 2.4(a) of this Agreement.
Second Round Distribution: the meaning given in section 2.4(a) of this Agreement.
Second Round Preemptive Rights: the meaning given in section 2.4(a) of this Agreement.
SGM: Summit Global Management B.V., a Dutch corporation.
Shareholders Agreement: a shareholders agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.
Shareholders Meeting: the meaning given in section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.
Six Month LIBOR Rate: the rate per annum equal to (i) the rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/32 of 1% per annum) appearing on Moneyline Telerate Markets Page 3750 (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) on June 28, 2005 for a six-month term, minus (ii) 50 basis points.
SMM: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., a Japanese corporation.
SMM Concentrate Agreement: the meaning given in the ninth recital of this Agreement.
Special Board Meeting: the meaning given in section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.
Special Dividend: an amount, which shall be determined by the Board prior to the Final Closing Date and, subject to the consummation of the General Capital Increase on the Final Closing Date, paid on the Final Closing Date to Holders of Record of Current Outstanding Shares, equal to the sum of (a) U.S.$45.0 million plus (b) an amount equal to the product of (i) the total number of pounds of copper cathode produced by Cerro Verde between April 30, 2004 and the Final Closing Date, and (ii) the difference between the average copper cathode price per pound between April 30, 2004 and the Final Closing Date and U.S.$0.90 per pound; provided, that in any case, the Special Dividend shall be reduced by an amount that the Board in its discretion may deem to be required to ensure that on the Final Closing Date the sum of (x) Cerro Verde's net working capital, plus (y) costs incurred in connection with the Sulf ide Project that should be classified under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as construction in progress, shall be no less than U.S.$40.0 million and in no event shall the aggregate amount of the Special Dividend exceed the amount of distributable earnings approved by the shareholders of Cerro Verde in accordance with applicable law.
Stability Agreement: the meaning given in section 5.1(o) of this Agreement.
Subsidiary: with respect to any Person (the "Parent"), any other Person (other than a natural person), whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or ownership interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Parent or by one or more of its respective Subsidiaries.
Sulfide Project: the meaning given in the second recital of this Agreement.
Sumitomo First Round Rights: the meaning given in section 2.3(c)(i) of this Agreement.
Sumitomo Participant: SMM Cerro Verde Netherlands B.V., a Dutch corporation.
Sumitomo Participant Parents: SGM, SMM and SC.
Sumitomo Participant Shortfall: the meaning given in section 2.5(a)(iii) of this Agreement.
Sumitomo Parties: the meaning given in section 6.9(b) of this Agreement.
Sumitomo Shares: the Capital Increase Shares that the Sumitomo Participant has agreed to acquire on the Final Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement.
Taxes: the meaning given in section 2.1(c)(vii)(E) of this Agreement.
Third Party Claim Notice: the meaning given in section 8.4(a) of this Agreement.
Transaction Documents: this Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the SMM Concentrate Agreement and the Operator's Agreement.
Unsubscribed Shares: the meaning given in section 2.1(c)(vii)(A) of this Agreement.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. If, after the conclusion of the Second Round, Cerro Verde determines (i) pursuant to section 2.5(a) that there would be a BVN Shortfall and/or a Sumitomo Participant Shortfall and (ii) that there are Unsubscribed Shares, upon the approval of the Board, Cerro Verde shall, to the extent available and on terms and conditions determined by the Board take the following action on the Final Closing Date:
If any Unsubscribed Shares remain outstanding after the Final Allocation, Cerro Verde may in its discretion, offer to one or more third parties, any remaining Unsubscribed Shares on terms and conditions determined by the Board.
.
. The following transactions shall take place at the offices of Rodrigo, Elias & Medrano, Av. San Felipe 758, Lima, Peru on the date (the "First Closing Date") that the Sumitomo Participant exercises the Sumitomo First Round Rights (the "First Closing"):
. On the date determined by the Board acting pursuant to the delegation of authority contemplated in section 2.1(c)(vii) or, in the absence of such delegation, the shareholders of Cerro Verde in accordance with applicable Peruvian law (the "Final Closing Date"), (i) the Sumitomo Participant shall (x) determine in its good faith and reasonable judgment whether the Capital Increase Closing Conditions have been satisfied or waived and (y) evidence such determination by delivering a written notice to the Board as of such date and (ii) the Board shall determine on or prior to the Final Closing Date whether the PD Closing Conditions have been satisfied or waived as of such date. If (A) the Sumitomo Participant determines in its good faith and reasonable judgment that the Capital Increase Closing Conditions have been satisfied or waived as of such date and (B) the Board determines that the PD Closing Conditions have been satisfied or waived as of such date, the Gener al Capital Increase shall be consummated and the following transactions shall take place at the offices of Rodrigo, Elias & Medrano, Av. San Felipe 758, Lima, Peru (the "Final Closing"):
.
. Each party hereto shall assume and bear all expenses, costs and fees incurred or assumed by such party or any of its Affiliates in the preparation and execution of the Transaction Documents, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated.
.
. Cerro Verde, the PD Participant and the PD Participant Parents hereby represent and warrant to each of BVN, SMM, SC, SGM and the Sumitomo Participant as follows:
. PDC hereby represents and warrants to each of BVN, SMM, SC, SGM and the Sumitomo Participant as follows:
. The PD Participant Parents and the PD Participant each hereby represents and warrants to each of BVN, SMM, SC, SGM and the Sumitomo Participant as follows:
. SC and SMM each hereby represents and warrants to each of BVN, PDC, CAMC, CMC, the PD Participant and Cerro Verde as follows:
. Each of the Sumitomo Participant Parents hereby represents and warrants to each of BVN, PDC, CAMC, CMC, the PD Participant and Cerro Verde as follows:
. BVN hereby represents and warrants to each of PDC, CAMC, CMC, the PD Participant, the Sumitomo Participant, each of the Sumitomo Participant Parents and Cerro Verde as follows:
.
. As of the First Closing Date and at all times thereafter, PDC shall own directly or indirectly 100% of each class of the outstanding capital stock of the PD Participant. As of the First Closing Date and at all times thereafter, SMM and SC shall own directly or indirectly 100% of each class of the outstanding capital stock of the Sumitomo Participant and SC shall own directly or indirectly 100% of each class of each class of the outstanding capital stock of SGM.
. Neither PDC, SMM, SC nor SGM, as the case may be, may grant or permit to exist any lien, charge or encumbrance on, or other security interest in, the stock of the PD Participant, the Sumitomo Participant or BVN, except to the extent required by any Project Debt Agreements.
. From the date hereof until the expiration of an eighteen-month period following the date when BVN, SMM, SGM, SC or PDC shall have ceased to hold any direct or indirect ownership interest in Cerro Verde, without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of PDC, BVN, SMM, SGM and SC shall not, and shall not permit any Affiliate to, acquire beneficial ownership (as defined as of the date hereof in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of any common shares of PDC, if, after any such acquisition, BVN, SMM and SC and any of its Affiliate would hold or control, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of more than two percent of the common shares of PDC then outstanding.
.
. Prior to the Final Closing, other than as set forth in section 2 or 3, the PD Participant Parents, the Sumitomo Participant Parents, the Sumitomo Participant, the PD Participant, BVN and Cerro Verde shall not engage in any transaction: (i) involving the issuance, sale, purchase, transfer or other disposition of Current Outstanding Shares or Preemptive Rights; or (ii) that could result in either (a) the PD Participant ceasing to hold at least a 53.56% direct or indirect equity interest in Cerro Verde, or (b) any person other than the Sumitomo Participant or BVN or their respective Affiliates acquiring a direct or indirect equity interest in Cerro Verde greater than 16.0%. Other than with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, prior to the Final Closing, the PD Participant, the Sumitomo Participant and BVN shall notify the other parties hereto in writing of any issuan ce, sale, purchase, transfer or other disposition of shares of Current Outstanding Shares. Prior to the Final Closing upon acquiring any equity interest in the Sumitomo Participant, neither SGM nor SMM shall sell or otherwise transfer any direct or indirect equity interest in the Sumitomo Participant.
. Subject to section 9 below, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent any party hereto or any Affiliate of any such party, at any time and without notice to or agreement by any other such party, from entering into or continuing any business, whether or not competitive with Cerro Verde, or acquiring or exploiting mining rights, whether or not in the vicinity of any property owned by Cerro Verde and no party hereto shall have any obligation to offer business or other opportunities to Cerro Verde or to any other party hereto.
. From the date hereof until the Final Closing Date, except to the extent otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Feasibility Study or the Project Debt Agreements, Cerro Verde shall, and PDC and the PD Participant shall cause Cerro Verde to, conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact Cerro Verde's assets, mining and beneficiation concessions and water rights, business and relationships with its management, employees, suppliers, customers, creditors, agents and other Persons with whom it has a business relationship.
.
. The obligation of the Sumitomo Participant to exercise the Sumitomo First Round Rights and pay to Cerro Verde the aggregate Per Share Price with respect thereto pursuant to section 3.1(b) on the First Closing Date and the obligations of each of the Sumitomo Participant, SMM, SC and SGM to take the actions required to be taken by each of such parties at the Final Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the First Closing Date and Final Closing Date, as applicable, of each of the following conditions (the "Closing Conditions"), any of which may be waived in whole or in part by SMM, SC, SGM and the Sumitomo Participant, as applicable:
. The obligations of Cerro Verde, the PD Participant Parents and the PD Participant to take the actions required to be taken by each of such parties at the First Closing and Final Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the First Closing Date and the Final Closing Date, as applicable, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived in whole or in part by Cerro Verde, PDC, the PD Participant Parents and the PD Participant, as applicable):
. If (i) the Sumitomo Participant delivers written notice to the Board on the Final Closing Date in its good faith and reasonable judgment stating that the Capital Increase Closing Conditions have not been satisfied or waived as of such date, (ii) the Board determines on or prior to the Final Closing Date that the PD Closing Conditions have not been satisfied or waived as of such date, or (iii) unless otherwise agreed by the Sumitomo Participant, the Final Closing shall not have occurred by September 30, 2005, the Board shall cause Cerro Verde to and Cerro Verde shall:
.
. Each of the parties hereto shares the mutual objective of causing the Final Closing to occur as soon as possible and shall use all reasonable efforts to cause the Final Closing to occur by June 30, 2005; provided that if the Final Closing shall not have been consummated on or before September 30, 2005 or such other date as the parties may mutually agree, any party hereto may thereafter terminate this Agreement effective upon written notice to each other party hereto.
.
.
. A party entitled to indemnification hereunder shall herein be referred to as an "Indemnitee." A party obligated to indemnify an Indemnitee hereunder shall herein be referred to as an "Indemnitor."
.
. Each of the parties hereto shall hold all information concerning Cerro Verde and all information concerning any other party hereto not otherwise available to the public through no act or omission of such other party (collectively, "Confidential Information") in strict confidence and shall not disclose such information without the prior written consent of each party hereto to anyone other than directors, officers, employees, accountants, consultants and representatives of such party and its Affiliates; provided that any such third party shall first execute a confidentiality agreement with each party hereto containing provisions substantially equivalent to this section 9 or such party shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, use best efforts to ensure that any such third party holds such information in strict confidence as contemplated by this section 9. Each party hereto shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, use best efforts to ensure that other third parties will not gain access to any Confidential Information through any act or omission on its part. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in connection with compliance with law, the conduct of the business or operations of Cerro Verde, the possible sale of an equity interest in Cerro Verde to a third party, or the possible sale or treatment of concentrates to or by a third party, the PD Participant Parents, the PD Participant and Cerro Verde and their respective Affiliates may disclose Confidential Information not involving information about BVN, SMM, SC, SGM and the Sumitomo Participant without notice to any of the other parties hereto, (ii) SMM, SC, SGM and the Sumitom o Participant and their respective Affiliates may disclose Confidential Information not involving information about PDC or Cerro Verde to any Japanese corporation engaged in copper concentrate smelting that expresses an interest in the purchase or treatment of Cerro Verde concentrates; provided that prior to making any such disclosure pursuant to this clause (ii) such party shall give written notice (identifying the third party being provided the Confidential Information and describing the general nature of such disclosure) to and secure the written consent of PDC and (iii) any party hereto or any Affiliate thereof may disclose Confidential Information to any governmental agency or the export-import bank or developmental authority of the home country of the ultimate parent of such party if it believes in good faith that such disclosure is required by applicable law, by governmental policy in such home country or by policy of such export-import bank or developmental authority; provided, that prior to making any such disclosure pursuant to this clause (iii) such party shall, unless prohibited by such governmental agency, give written notice (identifying such agency and describing the general nature of such disclosure) to, and consult with, each other party hereto. All obligations under this section 9 shall terminate at the Final Closing upon the execution of the Shareholders Agreement (but shall remain in full force and effect in the event this Agreement terminates pursuant to section 8).
. Each of the parties hereto agrees that Confidential Information concerning Cerro Verde should not be disclosed to any such party or their Affiliates where because of a potential conflict of interest between such party (or Affiliates) and Cerro Verde, such disclosure could reasonably be expected to result in an adverse effect, directly or indirectly, on Cerro Verde. Accordingly, each party hereto may decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Confidential Information to any party where it has a good faith belief that disclosure may involve such a potential conflict of interest.
.
. Any notice, advice, election, request, order, demand or other direction required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and in the English language, and (unless some other mode of giving the same is specified or accepted in writing by the recipient) shall be effective (a) when personally delivered during normal business hours to the addressee at the address designated for such delivery, (b) on the date of receipt specified in any return receipt if it shall have been deposited in the mails, certified or registered with return receipt requested and postage thereon fully prepaid, or sent by prepaid overnight courier, in each case addressed to such address or (c) on the day it shall have been given by facsimile transmission (with written confirmation of receipt) to such address, whichever of the foregoing shall first occur. Until otherwise specified by notice, the addresses for a ny such notice, advice, election, request, order, demand or other direction shall be:
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
11-3, 5-Chome, Shimbashi
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105
Japan
Attention: General Manager, Mineral Resources Division
Telecopier (Fax): (81)-3-3436-7997
Sumitomo Corporation
1-8-11, Harumi
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8610
Japan
Attention: General Manager, Nonferrous Metals and Raw Materials Department
Telecopier (Fax): (81)-3-5166-6423
c/o Sumitomo Corporation
1-8-11, Harumi
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8610
Japan
Attention: General Manager, Nonferrous Metals and Raw Materials Department
Telecopier (Fax): (81)-3-5166-6423
if to the Sumitomo Participant, to it at:
SMM Cerro Verde Netherlands B.V.
c/o Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
11-3, 5-Chome Shimbashi,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105
Japan
Attention: General Manager, Mineral Resources Division
Telecopier (Fax): (81)-3-3436-7997
Cia. De Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
Carlos Villaron 790
Urb. Santa Catalina
Lima 13, Peru
Attention: President
Telecopier (Fax): (51)-1-471-7349
Phelps Dodge Corporation
One N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone: (602) 366-8100
Telecopier (Fax): (602) 366-7321
if to CAMC, to it at:
One N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Attention: General Counsel
Telecopier (Fax): (602) 366-7321
One N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Attention: General Counsel
Telecopier (Fax): (602) 366-7321
if to the PD Participant, to it at:
One N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Attention: General Counsel
Telecopier (Fax): (602) 366-7321
if to Cerro Verde, to it at:
Av. Alfonso Ugarte #304
Cercado, Arequipa, Peru
Attention: General Manager
Telecopier (Fax): 054-28-33-76
. This Agreement and the exhibits hereto constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior oral and written discussions, representations and understandings.
. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any party hereto or set of circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to any other party or set of circumstances shall not be affected unless the provisions held invalid shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining portions of this Agreement.
. This Agreement and (unless otherwise expressly provided) all amendments and supplements to, and all consents and waivers pursuant to, this Agreement shall in all respects be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws rules thereof to the extent they are not mandatorily applicable by statute and would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
.
. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns hereunder.
. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not a part of this Agreement.
. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original; such counterparts together shall constitute but one Agreement.
. Except as contemplated by section 6.6, neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by any party hereto.
[End of Text; Signature Pages Follow on Page S-1]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.
SUMITOMO METAL MINING
CO., LTD.
By: /S/ ICHIRO ABE
Name: Ichiro Abe
Title: Executive Officer, General Manager of Mineral
Resources Division
By: /S/ MITSUHIKO YAMADA
Name: Mitsuhiko Yamada
Title: Corporate Officer, General Manager Mineral
Resources Division
By: /S/ TAKESHI OKUBO
Name: Takeshi Okubo
Title: Managing Director
By: /S/ KALIDAS V. MADHAYPEDDI
Name: Kalidas V. Madhavpeddi
Title: Senior Vice President
By: /S/ KALIDAS V. MADHAYPEDDI
Name: Kalidas V. Madhavpeddi
Title: Senior Vice President
By: /S/ TIMOTHY SNYDER
Name: Timothy R. Snider
Title: President
By: /S/ TIMOTHY SNYDER
Name: Timothy R. Snider
Title: President
SOCIEDAD MINERA CERRO VERDE S.A.A.
By: /S/ JEFF MONTEITH
Name Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A.
Title: Jeff Monteith, Contralor
COMPAÑIA DE MINAS BUENAVENTURA S.A.A.
By: /S/ ROQUE BENAVIDES
Name: Roque Benavides
Title: President and CEO
Exhibit 12.1
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Roque Benavides Ganoza, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the company and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by other within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c) Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the company's most recent fiscal quarter (the company's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the company's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the audit committee of company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: May 27, 2005
/S/ ROQUE BENAVIDES GANOZA
Roque Benavides Ganoza
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 12.2
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Carlos E. Gálvez Pinillos, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the company and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by other within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c) Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the company's most recent fiscal quarter (the company's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the company's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the audit committee of company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: May 27, 2005
/S/ CARLOS E. GÁLVEZ PINILLOS
Carlos E. Gálvez Pinillos
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 13.1
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Sections 1350(a) and (b)), the undersigned hereby certifies as follows:
1. I am the Chief Executive Officer of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (the "Company").
2. (A) The Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 2004 accompanying this Certification, in the form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); and
(B) The information in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: May 27, 2005
/S/ ROQUE BENAVIDES GANOZA
Roque Benavides Ganoza
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 13.2
Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Sections 1350(a) and (b)), the undersigned hereby certifies as follows:
1. I am the Chief Financial Officer of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (the "Company").
2. (A) The Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 2004 accompanying this Certification, in the form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); and
(B) The information in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: May 27, 2005
/S/ CARLOS E. GÁLVEZ PINILLOS
Carlos E. Gálvez Pinillos
Chief Financial Officer
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