MONTREAL, July 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (“Turquoise Hill” or the “Company”) today announced increased gold production guidance and other updates to 2020 guidance, its second quarter 2020 production for Oyu Tolgoi and provided updates on underground development, COVID-19, liquidity and funding and responded to Pentwater’s allegations
Q2’ 2020 Highlights
Gold production guidance for 2020 has increased to a range of 155,000 – 180,000 ounces from 120,000 – 150,000 ounces, while Copper production remains on track to achieve guidance of 140,000 to 170,000 tonnes.
C1 cost guidance range is being lowered to $1.60 - $2.00 from $1.80 - $2.20 per pound of copper due to the positive impact from the increased 2020 gold production forecast.
Due to cash cost reduction initiatives, the 2020 operating cash cost range has been lowered to $780 million - $830 million from $800 million - $850 million.
The 2020 open pit sustaining capital range has been reduced to $70 million - $90 million from $80 million - $100 million.
Shaft 2 maintenance was successfully completed utilising remote presence technology.
Q2’ 2020 Production
Q2’ 2020 mill throughput was 7% lower due to higher scheduled maintenance hours versus the same period last year, as well as the processing of harder ore from the southwest pit.
Copper production of 36,495 tonnes, a decrease of 7% vs Q2’ 2019, due to higher scheduled maintenance hours as well as processing of harder ore.
Gold production of 31,150 ounces, a decrease of 57% vs Q2’ 2019 due to planned processing of lower headgrade ore primarily driven by the transition from Phase 4a to lower grade sources of Phase 4b and stockpiles as well as lower milled tonnes.
On a sequential basis both Copper and Gold head grade and production increased from Q1’ 2020 as open pit mining moved deeper into higher grade Phase 4b and Phase 6b ore.
Open Pit, Underground Development, and COVID-19
The Oyu Tolgoi open pit has continued to operate uninterrupted.
Sales increased in the second quarter with the easing of COVID-19 trucking restrictions within China and improved border access.
Work on the Oyu Tolgoi underground continued, achieving strong productivity in underground advancement during Q2’ 2020 (1,8301eqm in June, average monthly 1,8311eqm for the quarter).
Despite record underground development progress, the unprecedented circumstances of COVID-19 had an impact on the underground project in Q2’ 2020 due to continued restrictions on mine site access for teams from Oyu Tolgoi, Rio Tinto and our construction partners.
Shafts 3 and 4 continued on care and maintenance during Q2’ 2020, and this is expected to continue until expert service providers can return to site to complete technical commissioning of specialised equipment and commence sinking activities. Work also slowed on some essential underground material handling infrastructure, in particular the construction of primary crusher one, which has now returned to 24 hour shifts following a period of day shift only. Personnel numbers on site have been limited in order to manage the risks around COVID-19.
Routine Shaft 2 rope shortening was successfully completed in May with remote presence technology from the vendor used to assist onsite teams to safely perform the task. Payload and speeds are back to planned levels and people and materials movement via the service hoist continue to operate normally.
_______________________
1
Total underground development metres exclude conveyor to surface progress.
Liquidity Outlook
As at June 30, 2020, Turquoise Hill has $1.5 billion of available liquidity, which under current projections is expected to be sufficient to meet the requirements of the Company, including its operations and underground development, into early 2022. This expectation has improved due mainly to lower estimated LIBOR rates on project finance interest payments, continued focus on operating cost savings and other optimisation efforts as well as updated assumptions regarding the impacts of COVID-19. As announced by the Company on July 2, 2020, Turquoise Hill has decided to defer further discussions with Rio Tinto regarding possible interim funding arrangements in light of its improved liquidity outlook. If it becomes prudent to do so, the Company may re-engage with Rio Tinto and / or third parties regarding possible interim funding.
Going forward, Turquoise Hill’s liquidity outlook will continue to be impacted, either positively or negatively, by various factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, including:
changes in commodity prices and other market-based assumptions;
open pit operating performance as well as the successful implementation (or otherwise) of related optimisation efforts;
further and / or unanticipated impacts on operations and underground development related to COVID-19;
the manner in which the amended Power Source Framework Agreement (PSFA) is ultimately implemented; and
developments in the ongoing dispute with the Mongolian Tax Authority, relating to which formal international arbitration proceedings were initiated.
Turquoise Hill continues to monitor its liquidity outlook and will provide updates as and when circumstances require.
Incremental Funding Update
In addition to its available liquidity, Turquoise Hill has recently updated its long-term cash flow projections, which incorporate the following:
the updated Panel 0 mine design announced on May 13, 2020;
the amendment to the PSFA announced on June 28, 2020, under which Oyu Tolgoi LLC agreed to prioritise a State Owned Power Plant (SOPP) to be developed and financed by the Government of Mongolia (previous projections assumed an Oyu Tolgoi led, coal-fired power plant at Tavan Tolgoi (TTPP) with an estimated total project cost of up to $924 million);
2020 Oyu Tolgoi Feasibility Study announced on July 2, 2020;
further updates to expected near-term impacts of COVID-19;
the Company’s current commodity price assumptions, which are broadly in line with market consensus estimates; and
expected open pit operating performance and the implementation of current optimisation efforts.
Based on these updated cash flow projections, Turquoise Hill’s incremental funding requirement (i.e., over and above its available liquidity) is currently expected to be at least $3.0 billion, which compares favorably to the at least $4 billion estimate provided in the Company’s Q1 2020 earnings release. The improvement in the updated projections is mainly from assuming a Mongolian-government funded SOPP instead of an OT-led TTPP, as contemplated by the recently signed PSFA Amendment. Additionally, Turquoise Hill currently estimates the base case for its incremental funding requirement to be $3.6 billion. The base case estimate, like the minimum estimate, incorporates principal repayments of $1.9 billion and interest and similar charges of $1.1 billion and does not assume any re-profiling of existing principal repayments or additional external financing. Compared to the base case estimate, the minimum estimate uses upside pricing and assumes the lower end of the development capital range noted below. Additionally, the incremental funding requirement will continue to be influenced by various factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, including:
the amount of development capital required to bring the Hugo North underground mine into production (the Panel 0 mine design anticipates a base case development capital cost of $6.8 billion, with a range of $6.6 billion to $7.1 billion; accordingly, assuming the upper or lower end of this range would have either a favorable or unfavorable impact on the base case incremental funding requirement);
the timing of sustainable first production and ramp-up profile and their impact on cash flows (the Panel 0 mine design anticipates a base case target of February 2023 for first sustainable production, with a target range between October 2022 and June 2023, inclusive of an allowance for schedule contingency; accordingly, assuming the upper or lower end of this range would have either a favorable or unfavorable impact on the base case incremental funding requirement);
the manner in which the amended PSFA is ultimately implemented (both the base case and the minimum estimates assume that the construction of SOPP will be financed by the Government of Mongolia, as contemplated by the PSFA Amendment; if one of the alternatives to SOPP available under the amended PSFA, such as an OT-based, coal-fired power plant, is ultimately implemented, this could significantly increase both the base case and the minimum incremental funding requirements);
changes to the amount of cash flow expected to be generated from open-pit operations, net of sustaining capital requirements;
further and / or unanticipated impacts on operations and underground development related to COVID-19;
changes in expected commodity prices and other market-based assumptions (upside and downside pricing sensitivities would have, respectively, a favorable or unfavorable impact on the base case incremental funding requirement); and
outcomes of the Definitive Estimate and potential optimisations to Panels 1 and 2.
More generally, any changes in the above factors will impact the incremental funding requirement and, as a result, the actual quantum of incremental funding required may be greater than the $3.6 billion base case estimate and such variance may be significant.
Under the terms of its existing project finance facility, Oyu Tolgoi LLC is permitted to arrange up to US$ 1.6 billion of supplemental senior debt, subject to meeting certain requirements relating to the tenor and amount / timing of debt service obligations of such supplemental senior debt and other customary conditions. Under the 2015 Financing Support Agreement, the incurrence of additional senior debt including this $1.6 billion by Oyu Tolgoi LLC is subject to Rio Tinto’s consent. Moreover, the Debt Service Undertaking and Completion Support Undertaking provided by Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto, respectively, in connection with Oyu Tolgoi LLC’s existing project finance facility would not extend to any additional senior debt without the consent of such parties.
Turquoise Hill intends to further progress its engagement with several key stakeholders, including Rio Tinto, to address the longer-term funding requirements of Oyu Tolgoi LLC. Turquoise Hill has (together with its financial and other advisors) already considered, evaluated and prioritised a range of financing options, including a possible re-profiling of Oyu Tolgoi LLC’s existing debt as well as the possibility of raising additional financing by Oyu Tolgoi LLC. Each of these options, if implemented, would have the effect of reducing the Company’s incremental funding requirement. However, successful implementation of such options is subject to achieving alignment and / or agreement with the relevant stakeholders (including Rio Tinto, existing lenders, any potential new lenders and the Government of Mongolia), market conditions and other factors.
Board Comments on Upcoming AGM and Pentwater’s misleading statements
Over the course of the past few months, Pentwater has made several misleading statements regarding the Company’s disclosures particularly as they relate to the funding requirements for the development of the OT project. The Company has previously provided full disclosure in its MD&A and the contents of this current release provide a complete update on the state of the Company’s liquidity position and funding requirements. The Company believes it is in the best interest of all stakeholders to share full and comprehensive information as it becomes available and has not concealed either positive or negative financial information. Such accusations are without merit and are merely part of a campaign where Pentwater has attempted to paint an inaccurate picture of the both the board and management of TRQ. We have not sought to partake in this media campaign and have elected to share the clear facts with our stakeholders as soon as practical. The board believes the disruptive actions taken by Matt Halbower on behalf of Pentwater coupled with the inattention to properly assess critical information demonstrate a lack of understanding of the mining industry and the complexities of the Oyu Tolgoi project. This highlight’s concerns that the Board had and reaffirms the decision to reject his candidacy. The independent directors along with proper governance measures that are in place ensure that minority shareholder interests are well represented and that any potential conflicts are appropriately managed.
We are pleased that Glass Lewis has endorsed our recommendations and has recommended that shareholders vote against the election of Matthew Halbower to the board of directors and against the proposal for minority shareholders electing directors. In its report issued this week, Glass Lewis stated that:
“We find that the Company’s governance framework and board composition appear to facilitate appropriate independence within the context of a controlled company, including appropriate safeguards to protect the interests of minority shareholders and to manage conflicts of interest with Rio.”
“The Dissident has failed to provide a convincing argument that the board suffers from a lack of independent directors or that the director selection process is actually controlled by Rio Tinto.”
“We believe Rio Tinto’s 50.8% equity stake in the Company provides it with a considerable financial interest that is aligned with the interest of minority shareholders.”
“In our view, the Company has clearly disclosed the ongoing nature of the evaluation of various aspects of the project as well as the associated risks and uncertainties.”
“While Turquoise Hill experienced a decline in shareholder value in recent years and has faced challenges developing the Oyu Tolgoi project, we do not believe the Dissident has made a credible argument that these issues are the result of mismanagement or poor oversight. We recognise that Oyu Tolgoi is a large complex project with considerable risks and development uncertainties and that the project’s cost overruns compare favourably with cost overruns at similar projects.”
We encourage shareholders to vote for TRQ’s nominees to the board at the upcoming Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders being held on Friday July 24, 2020, 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), at Crystal Pavilion Ballroom BC, Pan Pacific Hotel, located at 300- 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia (the “Meeting”). VOTE USING THE WHITE PROXY CARD prior to 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on July 22, 2020. If you have any questions regarding the forms, please contact the Corporation’s strategic shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale Advisors, at 1-888-370-3955 (toll free in North America), or at 416-867-2272 (collect outside North America), or by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. will be transmitting the Meeting via conference call. The conference call can be accessed through the following dial-in details: 416-764-8688 (Toronto), 778-383-7413 (Vancouver), 1-888-390-0546 (North American Toll-free), 08006522435 (United Kingdom), 1800076068 (Australia), or 8001013217 (Singapore). The Meeting will also be simultaneously webcast on Turquoise Hill’s website at www.turquoisehill.com. The conference call and webcast will provide an audio stream of the Meeting and will be in listen-only mode. An archived replay of the webcast will be available following the conclusion of the call. To access the replay, you can dial 416-764-8677 (Local) or 1-888-390-0541 (North America). The replay entry code for the Annual and Special Meeting call is 763863 #. The replay will be available through August 24, 2020.
Oyu Tolgoi Production Data
All data represents full production and sales on a 100% basis
2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H Full Year 2019 2019 2019 2020 2020 2020 2019 2019
Open pit material mined (‘000 tonnes) 24,408 24,844 28,122 26,834 23,218 50,052
48,351 101,316
Ore treated (‘000 tonnes) 10,394 10,040 11,088 10,889 9,645 20,534 19,649
40,777
Average mill head grades:
Copper (%) 0.46 0.37 0.42 0.42 0.47 0.45 0.51 0.45
Gold (g/t) 0.31 0.14 0.15 0.15 0.19 0.17 0.44 0.29
Silver (g/t) 1.20 1.03 1.06 1.14 1.22 1.18 1.23 1.13
Concentrates produced (‘000 tonnes) 180.6 131.3 152.6 164.5 169.9 334.4 390.7
674.6
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 21.7 21.7 21.6 21.4 21.5 21.4 21.8 21.7
Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper (‘000 tonnes) 39.2 28.4 32.9 35.2 36.5 71.7 85 146.3
Gold (‘000 ounces) 72 26 24 26 31 57 192 242
Silver (‘000 ounces) 238 191 190 214 212 426 486 867
Concentrate sold (‘000 tonnes) 225.3 157.0 157.5 125.9 194.3 320.2 410.3 724.7
Sales of metals in concentrates:
Copper (‘000 tonnes) 46.6 32.4 32.3 25.8 39.7 65.5 85.1 149.9
Gold (‘000 ounces) 116 35 25 20 31 51 213 274
Silver (‘000 ounces) 245 207 244 146 220 366 445 896
Metal recovery (%)
Copper 80.2 75.1 74.2 74.3 79.1 76.7 82.2 78.7
Gold 63.6 54.7 48.2 46.0 52.0 49.3 68.2 63.6
Silver 59.2 56.0 53.5 51.5 55.8 53.6 61.2 58.1
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information
Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Company’s beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute “forward looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements and information relate to future events or future etc. etc..
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SOURCE TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD |
