Quadra FNX Mining Has Earnings Of $168 Million
VANCOUVER, BC - Quadra FNX Mining Ltd. reported that at the Robinson Mine in White Pine County, Nevada, first quarter production continued to be impacted by lower grades. Going forward, the benefits of a new, secondary access ramp and the completion of the mud removal from the bottom of the pit will, provide much greater operating flexibility and access to expected higher grades. These measures collectively are expected to lead to higher production in the second half of the year and overall production from Robinson is on track for 105 to 120 million pounds of copper.
The ramp up at Morrison continued as scheduled and combined copper production from all the Sudbury operations was slightly better than plan. At Franke in Chile, Quadra FNX took over mining operations and acquired much of the contractor's mining fleet. Copper production at Franke is expected to ramp up in the second half of the year benefiting from the transition to owner mining, the commissioning of the new stacking equipment and the measures taken to improve recoveries.. At Carlota, while initial results from the transition to conveyor stacking have been positive, copper production for the year is now expected to be in the 20 to 30 million pound range, approximately 5 to 10 million pounds below previous expectations.
Paul Blythe, President and CEO said, "Our strong financial results continue to be driven by a favourable copper price environment as well as increased copper production resulting from our expanded asset base. In the quarter we completed the sale of our Gold Wheaton shares for cash proceeds of $295 million and we have subsequently entered into a customary support agreement with respect to our equity holding in Far West Mining Ltd, from which we could potentially realize a pre-tax gain of approximately C$60 million." "Our underground operations remain on track and we continue to make progress at our open pit mines with the expectation of a stronger second half of the year. During this quarter, we continued to focus on completing the internal Sierra Gorda Financing Study and advanced our partnership and financing discussions. We are still driving towards having a partnership and financing structure in place by mid-2011 allowing us to commence construction and achieve production in 2014." Blythe said, "We also recently announced an inferred resource estimate for our Victoria project which has established this deposit as one of the most significant discoveries made in the Sudbury district in the past 40 years. Given the significance of this deposit, Quadra FNX is targeting the commencement of shaft sinking in 2012, with first production in 2017. Along with Sierra Gorda in Chile, Quadra FNX now has two long-life, low-cost development projects in mining friendly jurisdictions that will shape the future of our Company." The company also reported its first quarter 2011 financial and operational results. The Company recorded first quarter earnings of $168 million compared to earnings of $55 million for the previous year. The higher earnings in the current quarter were driven by a $134 million pre-tax gain on the disposition of Gold Wheaton shares, higher average copper prices and the inclusion of the Sudbury operations following the merger with FNX. These factors were partially offset by lower sales volumes at Robinson and Carlota. Adjusted earnings for the first quarter totalled $51.8 million compared to $55.3 million for the previous year. Unusual items included a gain related to the sale of Gold Wheaton shares, a loss on derivatives, a gain on marketable securities and a leach pad inventory write down. The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The company's address is Suite 2414, Four Bentall Centre, 1055 Dunsmuir Street, P.O. Box 49185, Vancouver, BC V7X 1K8, 604-689-8550, fax: 604-689-8556.