Lundin Mining First Quarter Results

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired - April 24, 2013) - Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN)(OMX:LUMI) (“Lundin Mining” or the “Company”) today reported net earnings of $50.1 million ($0.09 per share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Cash flows of $45.8 million were generated from operations, not including the Company’s attributable cash flows of $43.6 million from Tenke Fungurume.

Paul Conibear, President and CEO commented, “Our focus on operational execution continues in 2013. We remain on track to meet our annual production guidance targets and are well positioned to continue to improve our strong balance sheet throughout the year.

Tenke was clearly the highlight of the quarter, as copper production set another quarterly record and we received cash returns of $45 million from the operation. Based on current metal prices and operating conditions, we expect to continue to receive meaningful amounts of cash distributions from Tenke throughout the remainder of the year.

We are also pleased to announce the closing of the acquisition of the Kokkola cobalt refinery during the quarter. The acquisition will enable immediate entry and value-added vertical integration to the refined cobalt market and will help maximize the value of the cobalt resources at Tenke.”

Operational Highlights

Wholly-owned operations: Production and costs were in line with expectations for copper and nickel for the quarter. Zinc and lead production were lower than expected and Zinkgruvan’s cash costs were higher than expected for the quarter; however, the Company expects to make up for this shortfall in the balance of the year.

• Neves-Corvo produced 14,314 tonnes of copper and 10,263 tonnes of zinc in the first quarter of 2013. This was record production for zinc in the quarter. Copper production was on target and excellent plant recoveries were achieved. Cash costs per pound of copper sold were $1.83/lb for the quarter, largely in-line with guidance despite the lower than expected zinc by-product credits.
• At Zinkgruvan, backfill system problems necessitated a change to underground mine sequencing which impacted both the volume of ore mined and head grades for zinc and lead. Backfill system issues have since been resolved. Copper production hit a new quarterly record of 1,146 tonnes. Cash costs per pound of zinc sold were $0.42/lb for the quarter, largely impacted by lower by-product credits and the lower volume of zinc produced and sold.
• At Aguablanca, ore milled, grades and plant recoveries for both nickel and copper were slightly better than expectations. Cash costs per pound of nickel sold were better than guidance, at $4.66/lb.

Tenke: Tenke achieved a quarterly record in mining, milling and copper production.

• First quarter production amounted to 54,462 tonnes of copper cathode aided by record throughput, excellent copper mill feed grades and high plant recoveries.
• Attributable operating cash flow from Tenke for the first quarter of 2013 was $43.6 million.
• Excess operating cash flows of $45.0 million were distributed to the Company in the first quarter of 2013.
• Operating cash costs were $1.23/lb of copper sold.
• Phase II expansion, which included optimizing the current plant and increasing mine, mill and processing capacity, was completed, highlighted by the commissioning of the balance of the expanded electrowinning tankhouse. A second sulphuric acid plant is under development and is expected to be operational by 2015.

Financial Highlights

• Operating earnings for the first quarter of 2013 were $68.1 million, a decrease of $37.3 million from the $105.4 million reported in the comparable quarter of 2012. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower sales volume at Neves-Corvo and Zinkgruvan ($18.3 million) and lower metal prices and price adjustments from prior period sales ($27.0 million), partially offset by earnings at Aguablanca following the restart of operations ($15.1 million).
• For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, sales of $188.2 million decreased $24.6 million from the first quarter of prior year ($212.8 million) mainly due to lower sales volumes at Neves-Corvo and Zinkgruvan, as well as lower realized copper and zinc prices.
• Average London Metal Exchange (“LME”) metal prices for copper and nickel for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 were lower (5% and 12%, respectively) than that of the comparable quarter in the prior year, while lead prices increased 10% and zinc prices remained flat.
• Operating costs (excluding depreciation) of $113.5 million in the current quarter were higher than the prior year comparative quarter ($99.8 million) reflecting a full quarter of production at Aguablanca. This was partially offset by lower volumes sold at Neves-Corvo, Zinkgruvan and Galmoy.
• Net earnings of $50.1 million ($0.09 per share) for the current quarter were $8.2 million lower than the $58.3 million ($0.10 per share) reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Earnings were impacted by:
  • lower operating earnings primarily due to lower realized metal prices and prior period price adjustments ($37.3 million); and
  • higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense ($10.7 million), reflecting restart of production at Aguablanca; offset by
  • higher net other income ($25.7 million) representing an increase in foreign exchange gain ($10.8 million) and proceeds from an insurance claim relating to Aguablanca’s ramp failure in 2010 ($15.1 million); and
  • higher income from equity investment in Tenke Fungurume ($6.3 million).
• Cash flow from operations for the current quarter was $45.8 million compared to $51.3 million in the first quarter of 2012. The comparative decrease is attributable to lower net earnings in the current quarter.

Tenke Fungurume

• The expanded milling facility increased average daily production, with throughput averaging approximately 14,600 metric tonnes of ore per day during the first quarter of 2013, exceeding the 14,000 metric tonnes of ore per day expanded design capacity. Average throughput for the first quarter was approximately 2,400 metric tonnes of ore per day higher than the comparable quarter from the previous year.
• For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, Tenke produced 54,462 tonnes of copper and sold 53,583 tonnes at an average realized price of $3.40/lb. During the current quarter, 2,540 tonnes of cobalt in hydroxide were produced and 2,555 tonnes were sold at an average realized price of $7.28/lb.
• Cash cost¹ of $1.23/lb of copper for the quarter was slightly lower than the $1.25/lb reported in the prior year comparable quarter, primarily reflecting the benefit of higher sales volumes, partly offset by lower cobalt credits. For 2013, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (“Freeport”) has revised cash cost guidance to $1.18/lb, from $1.03/lb, due primarily to reduced cobalt by-product credits.
• During the quarter, $17.0 million was spent on the Company’s attributable share of Tenke’s capital requirements which was funded by the excess cash flow from operations.
• Cash distributions of $45.0 million were received from Tenke during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 (Q1-2012: nil).

Corporate Highlights

• On March 29, 2013, the Company announced completion of the acquisition of 24% of the Kokkola cobalt refinery located in Finland and the related sales and marketing business (“Kokkola” or “joint venture”), which will provide direct-end market access for the cobalt hydroxide production from Tenke.

The Company holds an effective 24% ownership interest in the joint venture, with Freeport holding a 56% ownership interest and being the operator of the joint venture, and La Générale des Carrières et des Mines, the Congolese state mining company, holding a 20% interest in Kokkola.

The initial consideration paid was $355 million, which included $34 million of acquired cash. Under the terms of the agreement, there is the potential for additional consideration of up to $110 million over a period of three years, contingent upon the achievement of revenue-based performance targets. Lundin Mining’s share of initial acquisition costs, including acquired cash, was $116.3 million based on a 30%/70% split with Freeport, which amounts will be repaid prior to any shareholder advances.

Financial Position and Financing

• Net cash¹ position at March 31, 2013 was $199.4 million compared to $265.1 million at December 31, 2012 and $242.3 million at March 31, 2012.
• The $65.7 million decrease in net cash during the quarter was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Kokkola ($116.3 million) and investments in mineral properties, plant and equipment ($36.6 million), partially offset by cash flow from operations of $45.8 million and distributions from Tenke of $45.0 million.
• Net cash balance at April 24, 2013 is approximately $214 million.

Outlook

2013 Production and Cost Guidance

• Production and cash cost guidance for 2013 for the Company’s wholly-owned operations remains unchanged. Freeport forecasts increased copper production at Tenke, up from 44,650 to 47,300 tonnes of cathode (Lundin Mining’s attributable share), along with increased unit costs, as noted herein.

1. Cash costs remain dependent upon exchange rates (forecast at EUR/USD:1.30, USD/SEK:6.50) and metal prices (forecast at Cu: $3.50, Zn: $0.90, Pb: $1.00,Ni: $7.50, Co: $12.00).
2. Freeport has provided 2013 sales and C1 cash cost guidance. The sales guidance is assumed to approximate Tenke’s production.

2013 Capital Expenditure Guidance

Capital expenditures for 2013 are expected to be $285 million (unchanged from previous guidance), as described below:

• Sustaining capital in European operations - $110 million, consisting of approximately $70 million for Neves-Corvo and $40 million for Zinkgruvan.
• New investment capital in European operations - $60 million, consisting of approximately $30 million for Lombador Phase I, $9 million for an industrial dam at Neves-Corvo, $13 million for Zinkgruvan’s ore dressing plant and other improvement initiatives.
• New investment in Tenke - $115 million, estimated by the Company as its share of the remaining Phase II expansion costs, exploration and Phase III and IV expansion related initiatives and sustaining capital funding for 2013. All of the capital expenditures are expected to be self-funded by cash flow from Tenke operations. Assuming current metal prices and operating conditions prevail, the Company expects to continue to receive regular distributions from Tenke for the remainder of 2013.

About Lundin Mining

Lundin Mining Corporation is a diversified base metals mining company with operations in Portugal, Sweden and Spain, producing copper, zinc, lead and nickel. In addition, Lundin Mining holds a 24% equity stake in the world-class Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Kokkola cobalt refinery located in Finland.

On Behalf of the Board,

Paul Conibear, President and CEO

Forward Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the Ontario Securities Act. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to foreign currency fluctuations; risks inherent in mining including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, ground control problems and flooding; risks associated with the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company’s expectations; the potential for and effects of labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or shortages of labour or interruptions in production; actual ore mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution and metallurgical and other characteristics; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; commodity price fluctuations; uncertain political and economic environments; changes in laws or policies, foreign taxation, delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described under Risk Factors Relating to the Company’s Business in the Company’s Annual Information Form and in each management’s discussion and analysis. Forward-looking information is, in addition, based on various assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long-term price of copper, zinc, lead and nickel; that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour and that the political environment where the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Lundin Mining Corporation
Sophia Shane
Investor Relations North America
+1-604-689-7842

Lundin Mining Corporation
John Miniotis
Senior Business Analyst
+1-416-342-5565

Lundin Mining Corporation
Robert Eriksson
Investor Relations Sweden
+46 8 545 015 50
www.lundinmining.com