Q1 2020 Production Report and General Update

RNS Number : 3710L

Glencore PLC

30 April 2020

 

GLENCORE PLC
NEWS RELEASE

Baar, 30 April 2020

First Quarter 2020 Production Report and General Update

Glencore Chief Executive Officer, Ivan Glasenberg:

"The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for individuals, governments and companies alike. Disruptions to our business have, to date, been manageable and the majority of our assets are operating relatively normally, a credit to our people that have stepped up to the challenge of a changed working environment, especially those who continue to carry out their work on site at our industrial assets - Glencore's frontline. Some industrial assets have been temporarily suspended, generally in line with national and regional lockdowns. Our updated full year production guidance reflects these impacts.

"A rigorous focus on optimising our asset portfolio has helped to preserve solid levels of overall Industrial Asset free cash flow generation in the current operating environment. Focussed cost control, lower energy costs, favourable movements in producer currencies and higher precious metals' by-product credits, have underpinned reductions in forecast full year unit cash costs for our key commodity departments. Copper unit costs are now guided lower to 105c/lb, zinc unit costs 39% lower at 14c/lb and thermal coal guided unit cash costs are $3/t lower at $42/t. We also expect a c$1.0 to $1.5 billion reduction in 2020 capex compared to our original 2020 guidance of $5.5 billion.

"Furthermore, notwithstanding global macroeconomic / demand headwinds , the volatile and complex commodity trading environment has provided opportunities for our Marketing business, such that, to date, we have generated annualised earnings within our $2.2 to $3.2 billion p.a. long-term guidance range.

"Given our strong liquidity position and resilient business model, we are well positioned to navigate the current challenges. We recognise the uncertainty caused by the current environment and endeavour to support our stakeholders, as appropriate."

Production from own sources - Total¹

		Q1 2020	Q1 2019	Change %
Copper  - excl. African Copper	kt	226.0	225.4	-
Copper  -  African Copper, in development/optimisation phases	kt	67.3	95.3	(29 )
Copper	kt	293.3	320.7	(9 )
Cobalt	kt	6.1	10.9	(44 )
Zinc	kt	295.6	262.3	13
Lead	kt	61.7	73.9	(17 )
Nickel	kt	28.2	27.1	4
Gold	koz	199	202	(1 )
Silver	koz	7,778	7,620	2
Ferrochrome	kt	388	402	(3 )
Coal - coking	mt	1.8	2.6	(31 )
Coal - semi-soft	mt	1.6	1.0	60
Coal - thermal	mt	28.5	29.6	(4 )
Coal	mt	31.9	33.2	(4 )
Oil (entitlement interest basis)	kbbl	1,806	1,145	58

1  Controlled industrial assets and joint ventures only. Production is on a 100% basis, except as stated later in this report.

COVID-19 situation report and outlook

• The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for all of us, including our colleagues, families, local communities and society at large. As a responsible operator, our top priority is to protect the safety and health of our people and the communities that host our businesses.

• Glencore operates more than 180 sites and offices in over 35 countries. The scale and diversity of our operations means that the impact of the virus varies by location. In addition, many of our operations are located in remote areas with limited public health care systems. Our teams are working closely with governments, health agencies and others key responders to provide effective local solutions.

• We have introduced a number of precautionary measures across our offices and industrial assets in response to COVID-19. This includes the implementation of enhanced hygiene and cleaning measures, application of social distancing and identification of higher risk groups. Our goal is to operate only when we can keep our people safe and healthy, while safeguarding jobs and providing support to our local communities. A near-total restriction on non-essential travel has been implemented as well as remote working, where possible.

• The majority of our industrial assets continue to operate relatively normally, accounting for the various changed practices noted above. Various operations have been temporarily suspended, where national/regional lockdowns or other circumstances have dictated such.

• The assets that have been principally impacted are noted below:
 

Jurisdiction	Asset	Commodity	Expected impact in 2020
Canada (Quebec)	Raglan	Nickel	Operations stopped late March. Now recommenced and in process of being ramped up. Impact is less than one month of output
Canada (Quebec)	Matagami	Zinc	Operations stopped late March. Now recommenced and in process of being ramped up. Direct impact is less than one month of output
Chad	Oilfields	Oil	On care and maintenance since mid-April
Colombia	Cerrejon JV	Coal	Mining operations ramped down from late March. See below
Colombia	Prodeco	Coal	On care and maintenance since late March. See below
DRC	Katanga	Copper / cobalt	Acid plant project commissioning delayed from H1 2020 to H2 2020. No impact on 2020 production
Kazakhstan	Kazzinc	Zinc	Zhairem mine development to be completed, but delivery to market of expected zinc production being intentionally delayed to 2021
New Caledonia	Koniambo	Nickel	The planned maintenance shutdown on one production line (of two) was extended, with restart delayed by approximately two months
Peru	Antamina JV	Copper and zinc	Operations were initially halted for a two-week period from 13 April. This has now been extended, with restart timing subject to Antamina being able to ensure the workforce's ongoing health and wellbeing
South Africa	Ferroalloys production	Chrome and vanadium	All mining and smelting operations were suspended for the duration of the lockdown, a staggered start-up is currently in progress
South Africa	SA Coal	Coal	Major complexes supplying domestic power and exports continued to operate. A smaller complex was temporarily closed
South Africa	Astron Energy	Oil refining	The planned Q1 refinery maintenance turnaround has been extended
Zambia	Mopani	Copper	Operating scenarios under discussion with the Zambian government.

• Colombian coal - given the continued pressure on European coal pricing, production volumes are at risk of further reduction.

• Volcan - excluded from Glencore's production statistics due to our relatively small equity interest (c.23%). Operations were suspended on 19 March due to national government restrictions in Peru, and will restart when such restrictions are lifted.

Production guidance and updated financial outlook

• Full year 2020 production guidance, including accounting for latest expected business interruptions due to COVID-19 noted above, is set out below, with further remarks on page 19.

					Actual FY		Previous guidance		Current guidance		2020 weighting
					2019		2020		2020		H1	H2
Copper - excl. African Copper	kt				1,001		975 ± 25		975 ± 20		47%	53%
Copper - African Copper	kt				370		325 ± 25		280 ± 25		50%	50%
Copper	kt				1,371		1,300 ± 50		1,255 ± 45		48%	52%
Cobalt	kt				46		29 ± 4		28 ± 2		48%	52%
Zinc	kt				1,078		1,265 ± 30		1,160 ± 30	1	50%	50%
Nickel	kt				121		125 ± 5		122 ± 5		46%	54%
Ferrochrome	kt				1,438		1,340 ± 25		1,000 ± 25		47%	53%
Coal	mt				140		135 ± 4		132 ± 3		47%	53%
Oil	mbbl				5.5		6.5 ± 0.2		See below	2	n.a.	n.a.

1  Excludes Volcan
2 Oil updated guidance under review, but will be materially lower as the field operations in Chad have been suspended, relating to COVID-19 disruption in international 
   mobility,  transportation and supply chains

• Industrial Assets unit cost guidance updated for changes to production and current producer currency levels, energy costs and by-product pricing, is as follows:
 

					Actual FY		Previous guidance		Current guidance		FYE 2020 split
					2019		2020		2020		H1	H2
Copper - excl. African Copper	c/lb				81		82		83	1	90	78
Copper	c/lb				148		120		105	1	116	94
Zinc - excl. gold credit	c/lb				47		58		58	2	65.1	50
Zinc	c/lb				13		23		14	2	27	1
Nickel - excl. Koniambo	c/lb				277		227		240		220	257
Nickel	c/lb				398		351		382		391	372
Coal	$/t				45		45		42		44	40

1  Copper unit cost guidance excludes costs associated with non-operating or significantly curtailed assets, including those on care and maintenance. In this regard, an     
   estimated combined approximately $400 million of net operating costs is expected to be incurred in relation to Mopani, Mutanda, Alumbrera and Polymet in 2020.     
   Comparable to previous guidance, the 120c/lb cost would have been 106c/lb, plus approximately $300 million of net operating costs associated with the non-operating or     
   significantly curtailed assets

2 Excludes Volcan.

• Industrial Assets capex for 2020 now expected to be in the $4.0-4.5 billion range (previous guidance: $5.5 billion) reflecting some assets curtailing production levels (with associated capex savings), various deferrals and lower equivalent USD costs due to generally weaker producer currencies and lower input costs, particularly through oil price changes.

• Our Marketing business is delivering annualised Adjusted EBIT performance within our through the cycle long-term guidance range of $2.2 to $3.2 billion p.a.

• As previously announced, Glencore's revolving credit facilities have been refinanced and extended, effective 22 May 2020, on the same commercial terms as our 2019 facilities. These comprise:

-  a $9.975 billion 12-month facility, with a 12-month term-out option at Glencore's discretion; and

-  a $4.65 billion 5-year revolving credit facility.

Q1 production highlights

• For the most part, the disruptions noted above took effect close to or after 31 March. Q1 production was therefore largely unaffected by them.

• Own sourced copper production of 293,300 tonnes was 27,400 tonnes (9%) lower than Q1 2019. No production was reported in the quarter for Mutanda (on care and maintenance) and Mopani (Q1 smelter restart processed 5.0kt (of 10.6kt) of copper contained concentrates produced and reported in H2 2019, while the smelter underwent a major multi-month rebuild).

• Own sourced zinc production of 295,600 tonnes was 33,300 tonnes (13%) higher than Q1 2019, mainly relating to the Antamina joint venture, the Iscaycruz mine in Peru that restarted in Q3 2019 and higher grades from Canada.

• Own sourced nickel production of 28,200 tonnes was 1,100 tonnes (4%) higher than Q1 2019, reflecting the offsetting effects of disruptions in the base period at INO and Koniambo, and maintenance in the current period at Murrin Murrin.

• Attributable ferrochrome production of 388,000 tonnes was 14,000 tonnes (3%) lower than Q1 2019.

• Coal production of 31.9 million tonnes was 1.3 million tonnes (4%) lower than Q1 2019, mainly reflecting operating challenges in South Africa and mining sequencing in the Australian coking portfolio, partly offset by higher Australian thermal coal production.

• Entitlement interest oil production of 1.8 million barrels was 0.7 million barrels (58%) higher than in Q1 2019, primarily reflecting the drilling campaign in Chad and, from Q3 2019, the Bolongo field in Cameroon.

To view the full report please click:

https://www.glencore.com/dam:jcr/9c31e323-e61c-4034-a424-f08a12a5ecc0/GLEN_2020-Q1_ProductionReport.pdf  

For further information please contact:

Investors
Martin Fewings		t: [phone]		m: [phone]		[e-mail]
Maartje Collignon		t: [phone]		m: [phone]		[e-mail]
Media
Charles Watenphul		t: [phone]		m: [phone]		[e-mail]

www.glencore.com

Glencore LEI: 2138002658CPO9NBH955

Notes for Editors

Glencore is one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 responsibly-sourced commodities that advance everyday life. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial activities are supported by a global network of more than 30 marketing offices.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 160,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. 

Important notice concerning this document including forward looking statements

This document contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward looking statements" which are prospective in nature. These forward looking statements may be identified by the use of forward looking terminology, or the negative thereof such as "outlook", "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "continues", "assumes", "is subject to", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "aims", "forecasts", "risks", "intends", "positioned", "predicts", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words or comparable terminology and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "shall", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current predictions, expectations, beliefs, opinions, plans, objectives, goals, intentions and projections about future events, results of operations, prospects, financial condition and discussions of strategy.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Glencore's control. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and may and often do differ materially from actual results. Important factors that could cause these uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in the last published annual report and half-year report, both of which are freely available on Glencore's website.

For example, our future revenues from our assets, projects or mines will be based, in part, on the market price of the commodity products produced, which may vary significantly from current levels. These may materially affect the timing and feasibility of particular developments. Other factors include (without limitation) the ability to produce and transport products profitably, demand for our products, changes to the assumptions regarding the recoverable value of our tangible and intangible assets, the effect of foreign currency exchange rates on market prices and operating costs, and actions by governmental authorities, such as changes in taxation or regulation, and political uncertainty.

Neither Glencore nor any of its associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this document will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which only speak as of the date of this document.

Except as required by applicable regulations or by law, Glencore is not under any obligation and Glencore and its affiliates expressly disclaim any intention, obligation or undertaking, to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This document shall not, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the business or affairs of Glencore since the date of this document or that the information contained herein is correct as at any time subsequent to its date.

No statement in this document is intended as a profit forecast or a profit estimate and past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. This document does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for any securities.

The companies in which Glencore plc directly and indirectly has an interest are separate and distinct legal entities. In this document, "Glencore", "Glencore group" and "Group" are used for convenience only where references are made to Glencore plc and its subsidiaries in general. These collective expressions are used for ease of reference only and do not imply any other relationship between the companies.  Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer collectively to members of the Group or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

 

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