Photo credit: Bilyonaryo - Philex Mining Corporation
Philex Mining Corporation, one of the oldest and largest gold and copper producers in Southeast Asia, and an advocate of right and principled mining, announced the completion of its financial results for Y2022.
The Company added Php190 million Core Net Income in 4Q2022 to the Php1.543 billion core net income for the first nine months ended September 30, 2022, which resulted to a full year core net income at Php1.733 billion as realized Gold and Copper prices recovered from its decline during 3Q2022, while the Peso to US$ exchange rate appreciated by 3%.
Favorable metal prices and foreign exchange rate kept operating revenues and core net income within safe levels. Operating revenues slightly declined by 5.4% to Php9.262 billion in 2022 from Php9.797 billion in 2021. Operating revenues in 4Q2022 at Php2.203 billion was lower compared to Php2.576 billion in 4Q2021. Revenues during the first half of the year cushioned the impact of the lower revenues in 4Q2022 to the total revenues for the year 2022. Realized Gold prices were also in the highest levels during 1H2022 reaching $1,897 per ounce in 1Q2022, while Copper reached $4.58 per pound.
PRODUCTION
Tonnage milled for 4Q2022 was at 1.878 million tonnes, slightly higher than the 1.873 million tonnes in 3Q2022, but lower than the 1.972 million tonnes of 4Q2021. The total tonnage milled in 2022 reached 7.432 million tonnes, 6.5% lower than the 7.946 million tonnes for 2021. Gold ore grades declined by 5.6% while Copper ore grades improved by 2.1%. Gold output in 4Q2022 reached 11,211 ounces adding to the 37,356 ounces for the three quarters ended September 2022, ending the year with 48,567 ounces, lower by 12% than the 55,149 ounces gold output for 2021. Copper output for 4Q2022 was 6.061 million pounds adding to the 19.025 million pounds produced for the first three quarters of 2022 and ending the full year Copper output at 25.086 million pounds, slightly lower than the 26.200 million pounds 2021 output.
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES AND EBITDA
Operating cost and expenses were slightly up by almost 8% at Php7.120 billion for 2022 compared to the Php6.598 billion for 2021.This was largely attributable to the increases in operating costs that started during 3Q2022 due to the increase in the cost of materials and supplies and logistics expenses influenced by inflationary pressures and depreciation of the Peso against US$ during 2022.The increasing trend in coal prices in the global market directly impacted and increased the operating costs of the Company’s power provider that resulted to higher power costs charged to the Company beginning 4Q2022. The 4Q2022 operating costs and expenses increased by 11% to Php2.002 billion compared to Php1.800 billion in 3Q2022 and higher by 14% when compared to the same period in 2021 at Php1.755 billion.
The higher operating cost and expenses in 2022 negatively impacted EBITDA level for 2022 reaching to only Php3.524 billion compared to Php4.317 billion in 2021.This is the combined effect of 5.4% lower revenues and 8% increase in operating cost and expenses.
With our performance in 2022, the Board declared a cash dividend of 2 centavos (Php0.02) per common share aggregating to Php116 million, to shareholders on record as of March 13, 2023, which will be paid on March 24, 2023, as Philex preserves cash surplus as part of the initial capital for the development of Silangan Project.
OUTLOOK
The change in administration brought about by the 2022 national and local elections and, with it, government pronouncement on support for the mining industry somehow tempered the impact of the continued threat of COVID-19, the disruption to global supply chain with the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the spectre of a global recession.
The volatility of the copper and gold prices and the fluctuation in the foreign exchange rate likewise alleviated the situation. This was also the year that the company continuously implemented maintenance and repairs of its ageing mill equipment, thus, allowing the company to prepare for any eventuality. Resilience was really the name of the game.
Towards the end of the year, the results of confirmatory drilling and technical studies identified additional mineable reserves that can be mined up to December 31, 2027, thus extending the life of mine of Padcal up to 2027.
For 2023, the Company will continue to pursue relentless improvements to sustain this possible mine life extension and will also look for other business opportunities particularly near Padcal mine. The Company will likewise explore more participation in the “green metals space” particularly with nickel and its importance to global energy transition.
At the start of this year, a term sheet was signed between the Company and Macawiwili Gold Mining and Development Co., Inc. (“MGMDCI”) that outlined the parties’ clear intentions to explore commercial, financial, and technical avenues in preparation for possible shares acquisition by the 4 Company in MGMDCI primarily focusing on MGMDCI’s properties adjacent to the existing Padcal mine.
MGMDCI has over 800 hectares of contract area under its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (“MPSA”) located adjacent to the Company’s existing Padcal mine.
In 3Q2022, the Company completed the stock rights offering as part of the funding plan for the financing of the Silangan project. On the other hand, wholly owned subsidiary, Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc. (“SMMCI”) is in the final stages of the debt syndication process to raise additional funding to complete the funding requirement of the Silangan project. Further, the development works in the Silangan project is in full swing and the decline portal will be completed by the end of March and its completion will pave the way for the start of the ground woks on the access decline to the ore body. The tunnel driving will commence in the beginning of 2Q2023 and will trigger the start of the mine development.
“We went into 2022 knowing fully well what we were up against,” says Eulalio B. Austin, Jr., Philex president and CEO. “We did not expect the global uncertainty to wane, but we were cautiously optimistic that 2022 would be another good year for Philex. There had been operational challenges, coupled with the high levels of global inflation, the volatility of currencies and of metal prices, but with careful planning and adaptation to the changes in business conditions, we were able to achieve our targets.”
Austin adds that “the untiring efforts and cooperation of the women and men of Philex were greatly appreciated, and we expect the same coming into 2023. The lines were drawn and our agility to adapt to the changing situations will spell the difference. We can change our directions, but never our destination.”
“As I keep telling our employees,” Austin emphasized, “the best is yet to come for Philex Mining.”
“The consensus is that global growth would slow down in 2023,” according to Philex chairman, Manuel V. Pangilinan. “This is undoubtedly an impact still of the war in Ukraine and the collateral adverse inflationary effect on food, power, and fuel. Our country will not be spared from this deceleration, but perhaps lesser than other economies. The main hurdles would be inflation and interest rates.”
“That being said, we still expect Philex Mining to grow in 2023. The recent signing of the term sheet with MGMDCI coupled with the completed confirmatory drillings that successfully identified additional mineable reserves that extended the Padcal mine life from 2024 to 2027 are both good starts to what looks like a promising year. Add to this the expected developmental milestones in our ongoing Silangan project and the continued government support and it will be an exciting year for all of us.”
“We continue to pool our efforts together, do things the right way to the best of our abilities, and keep believing in ourselves and in the Almighty.”
Article courtesy of the Philippine Stock Exchange
