UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(x) Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 1996
( ) Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
For the transition period from _______ to ________
Commission File Number 1-8736
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
A Delaware Corporation
IRS Employer Identification No. 94-2934609
650 California Street
San Francisco, California 94108-2788
Telephone: (415) 981-8150
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No ______
__________
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 31, 1996 was
146,672,000.
Page 1
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
A. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amount)
September 30, December 31,
1996 1995
----------------- -----------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and equivalents $ 64,709 $ 145,957
Short-term investments 164,457 66,416
Receivables 43,750 58,046
Inventories:
Finished products 19,684 13,498
Ore and in-process 35,781 26,027
Supplies 30,038 30,454
Deferred income and mining taxes 20,521 20,521
Other 6,947 7,798
----------------- -----------------
Total current assets 385,887 368,717
----------------- -----------------
Property, plant and equipment - at cost 1,960,253 1,697,737
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (941,446) (850,961)
----------------- -----------------
Property, plant and equipment - net 1,018,807 846,776
----------------- -----------------
Investments and other assets
Noncurrent investments 35,797 46,188
Other assets 57,720 59,952
----------------- -----------------
Total investments and other assets 93,517 106,140
----------------- -----------------
Total Assets $ 1,498,211 $ 1,321,633
================= =================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 30,233 $ 35,170
Accrued liabilities:
Payroll and other compensation 26,831 26,925
Reclamation 13,402 12,383
Other 14,122 14,629
Income and other taxes payable 21,572 9,314
----------------- -----------------
Total current liabilities 106,160 98,421
----------------- -----------------
Long-term liabilities
Long-term debt 185,000 185,000
Other long-term obligations 109,920 120,418
----------------- -----------------
Total long-term liabilities 294,920 305,418
----------------- -----------------
Deferred income and mining taxes 241,975 189,925
Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries 91,229 92,012
Shareholders' equity
Capital stock, $1 par value per share:
Preferred - 10,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding
Common - 250,000 shares authorized; shares outstanding:
1996 -146,672; 1995 - 140,541 146,672 140,541
Other shareholders' equity 617,255 495,316
----------------- -----------------
Total shareholders' equity 763,927 635,857
----------------- -----------------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 1,498,211 $ 1,321,633
================= =================
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
B. Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
1996 1995 1996 1995
--------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Revenues
Gold and ore sales $ 171,468 $ 164,176 $ 541,691 $ 502,301
Sulphur and oil sales 7,212 9,334 23,005 31,701
Interest income 3,317 4,085 11,246 12,686
Equity earnings (61) 1,223 686 1,684
Other income 1,747 2,610 11,355 8,578
--------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
183,683 181,428 587,983 556,950
--------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Costs and Expenses
Production costs 113,548 119,356 361,504 355,625
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 28,178 25,240 83,539 73,866
Administrative and general expense 8,841 8,926 27,804 28,977
Exploration expense 11,951 7,221 29,527 19,387
Interest expense 2,682 2,551 7,974 8,324
Other expense 285 404 1,304 2,155
--------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
165,485 163,698 511,652 488,334
--------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Income Before Taxes and Minority Interests 18,198 17,730 76,331 68,616
Income and Mining Taxes (9,104) (7,883) (37,709) (33,091)
Minority Interests (1,667) (4,902) (10,766) (12,841)
--------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net Income $ 7,427 $ 4,945 $ 27,856 $ 22,684
=============== ============== ============== ==============
Net Income Per Share $ 0.05 $ 0.04 $ 0.19 $ 0.16
=============== ============== ============== ==============
Average Shares Used in the Computation 146,672 137,949 146,190 137,891
=============== ============== ============== ==============
Dividends Per Common Share $ 0.05 $ 0.05 $ 0.15 $ 0.15
=============== ============== ============== ==============
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
C. Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited)
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
1996 1995
---------------- ----------------
Cash Flows from Operations
Net income $ 27,856 $ 22,684
Reconciliation to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 83,539 73,866
Deferred taxes, minority interests and other 33,523 46,838
Gains on disposals of assets (3,260) (4,956)
Effect of changes in operating working capital items 9,895 (13,785)
---------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by operations 151,553 124,647
---------------- ----------------
Investment Activities
Increase in short-term investments (98,041) (8,348)
Additions to property, plant and equipment (85,759) (58,142)
Proceeds from asset sales 14,918 10,554
Purchase of HGAL minority interests (6,435) -
Purchase of interest in Snip mine (39,279) -
Investment in Navan Resources plc - (24,000)
Other 2,547 (144)
---------------- ----------------
Net cash used in investment activities (212,049) (80,080)
---------------- ----------------
Financing Activities
Common shares issued 2,355 2,286
Dividends paid - Homestake (22,008) (20,685)
- Prime minority interests (1,099) -
---------------- ----------------
Net cash used in financing activities (20,752) (18,399)
---------------- ----------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents (81,248) 26,168
Cash and equivalents, January 1 145,957 105,701
---------------- ----------------
Cash and equivalents, September 30 $ 64,709 $ 131,869
================ ================
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should
be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto,
which include information as to significant accounting policies, in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1995.
The information furnished in this report reflects all adjustments
which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement
of the results for the interim periods. Except as described in notes 2
through 6, such adjustments consist of items of a normal recurring
nature. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of results for the full year.
All dollar amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise
indicated.
2. In the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company made an unconditional offer
to acquire the 18.5% of Homestake Gold of Australia Limited ("HGAL")
it did not already own. Homestake offered 0.089 of a Homestake share
or A$1.90 in cash for each of the 109.6 million HGAL shares owned by
the public. Through December 31, 1995 a total of 38.9 million HGAL
shares were acquired at a cost of $59.1 million, including $42.4
million for 2.6 million newly issued shares of the Company, $14.5
million in cash and $2.2 million of transaction expenses. At December
31, 1995 Homestake owned 88.1% of the shares of HGAL. The acquisition
was completed in the first quarter of 1996 when the remaining 70.7
million publicly held HGAL shares were acquired at a cost of $105.8
million, including $99.3 million for 6.0 million newly issued shares
of the Company, $5.0 million in cash and $1.5 million of tranaction
expenses. The total purchase price to acquire all of the 18.5% of HGAL
held by the minority shareholders was $164.9 million, including $141.7
million for 8.5 million newly issued shares of the Company, $19.5
million in cash and $3.7 million of transaction expenses.
The acquisition of the HGAL minority interests was accounted for as a
purchase. For accounting purposes, the HGAL shares acquired in the
fourth quarter of 1995 and in the first quarter of 1996 are assumed to
have been acquired effective as of December 31, 1995 and January 1,
1996, respectively. Based upon the total purchase price of $164.9
million, the excess of the purchase price paid over the net book value
of the minority interests acquired was $140.7 million. Substantially
all of the excess purchase price is attributable to mineral property
interests and is being amortized in accordance with the Company's
accounting policies for mineral properties.
On a pro forma basis, assuming that the acquisition of the HGAL
minority interests occurred on January 1, 1995, revenues, net income
and net income per share for the nine months ended September 30, 1995
have been estimated at $555.9 million, $19.7 million and $0.13 per
share, respectively. This pro forma information includes adjustments
which are based on available information and certain assumptions that
management of the Company believes are reasonable in the circumstances.
The pro forma information does not purport to represent what the
results of operations actually would have been had the acquisition of
the HGAL minority interests occurred on January 1, 1995 or to project
the results of operations for any future date or period.
3. On April 30, 1996 the Company's 50.6%-owned subsidiary, Prime Resources
Group Inc. ("Prime"), purchased Cominco Ltd.'s ("Cominco") 60% interest
in the Snip mine in British Columbia, Canada for $39.3 million in cash.
The purchase price included Cominco's share of the mine's working
capital. Prime now owns 100% of the Snip mine.
4. In June 1996, the Company paid $51.4 million (A$65 million) to Gold
Mines of Kalgoorlie Limited ("GMK") to purchase all rights and
entitlements under the disproportionate sharing arrangement covering
gold production from a portion of the Super Pit operation in
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The Company now shares equally with GMK
in all gold produced at the Kalgoorlie operations.
5
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
5. In March 1996, the Company received proceeds of $5.5 million from a
litigation recovery. A portion of the proceeds related to income taxes,
and accordingly, income tax expense was reduced by $2.6 million. The
remaining balance of $2.9 million was credited to other income.
Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 includes a
gain of $2.7 million on the sale of the Company's 28% equity interest
in the Torres silver mining complex. Proceeds from this sale totaled
$6.0 million.
6. In July 1996, Homestake and Corporacion Nacional del Cobre Chile
("Codelco"), a state-owned mining company in Chile, formed a new
company, Agua de la Falda S.A. ("La Falda") to explore near
Homestake's El Hueso mine in northern Chile. La Falda will develop the
Manto Agua de la Falda orebody, which contains 250,000 ounces of oxide
reserves, and continue drilling and metallurgical testing of the much
larger Jeronimo deposit, which contains geologic mineralization of
over one million ounces. Homestake owns 51% of the corporation and
Codelco owns 49%. Codelco and Homestake have contributed property
interests in the area to the new company. In addition, Codelco
contributed the existing El Hueso plant, which had been under lease to
Homestake. Homestake also has contributed $5.1 million for
exploration, including $3.7 million of exploration and development
expenditures incurred prior to the formation of La Falda. Minority
interests for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996
includes $2.0 million in recognition of Codelco's interest in 1996
exploration expenses for La Falda.
7. During 1994, the Company entered into forward sales for 183,200 ounces
of gold it expected to produce at the Nickel Plate mine during 1995 and
1996. The purpose of the forward sales program was to allow for
recovery of the Company's remaining investment in the mine and provide
for estimated reclamation costs. Gold sales for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 1996 include sales under this program of
24,900 ounces and 70,000 ounces at average prices of $427 per ounce and
$421 per ounce, respectively. Gold sales for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1995 include sales under this program of 22,500
ounces and 65,400 ounces at average prices of $400 per ounce and $394
per ounce, respectively. As of September 30, 1996 all sales and
obligations under this forward sales program had been completed.
8. Under the Company's foreign currency protection program, the Company
has entered into a series of foreign currency option contracts which
established trading ranges within which the United States dollar may be
exchanged for foreign currencies by setting minimum and maximum
exchange rates.
At September 30, 1996 the Company had forward currency contracts
outstanding as follows:
Amount Covered Exchange Rates to U.S. Dollars Expiration
Currency (U.S. Dollars) Minimum Maximum Dates
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian $ 110,100,000 0.67 0.77 1996-1998
Australian 49,400,000 0.76 0.81 1996-1997
------------------
$ 159,500,000
9. In the third quarter of 1995, the Company acquired for $24 million a
10% interest (fully-diluted) in Navan Resources plc ("Navan"), an
Irish public company, and an option to acquire from Navan up to a 50%
interest in Navan BV, which in turn owns 68% of Bimak AD ("Bimak").
Bimak is the owner of the Chelopech gold/copper processing operations
located 45 miles east of Sofia, Bulgaria. In March 1996, the Company
exercised its option which will permit Homestake to acquire up to a
50% interest in Navan BV by investing an additional $48.0 million. The
Company initially will advance up to $12.0 million, subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions, principally receipt of certain
permits from the Bulgarian government for the expansion of mining at
Chelopech from 500,000 to 750,000 metric tons per year and for
construction of a roaster. Investment of the remaining $36 million is
6
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
conditional upon subsequent approval by the Bulgarian government,
Navan and Homestake of a further mine and mill expansion and the
securing of expansion financing. To date, pending satisfaction of
certain of the conditions, no amounts have been advanced in respect of
this option.
10. In September 1996, the Company replaced its credit agreement with a new
United States/Canadian/Australian cross-border credit facility
providing a total availability of $275 million. The Company will pay a
commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of this
facility. The credit facility is available through September 20, 2001
and provides for borrowings in United States dollars, Canadian dollars,
Australian dollars, gold loans or a combination of these. The credit
agreement requires a minimum consolidated net worth of $500 million. No
amounts have been borrowed under this credit agreement.
11. Effective January 1, 1996 the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. ("SFAS") 121, "Accounting for the Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of." SFAS
121 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable
intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable, and, if deemed impaired, measurement and recording of an
impairment loss be based on the fair value of the asset which generally
will be computed using discounted cash flows. Based on the carrying
values and estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the Company's
long-lived assets, the Company did not record a cumulative effect upon
adopting SFAS 121.
12. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act ("CERCLA") imposes heavy liabilities on persons who discharge
hazardous substances. The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA")
publishes a National Priorities List ("NPL") of known or threatened
releases of such substances.
An 18-mile stretch of Whitewood Creek in the Black Hills of South
Dakota was a site on the NPL. The EPA asserted that discharges of
tailings by mining companies, including the Company, have contaminated
soil and water for more than 100 years. In 1990, the Company signed a
consent decree with the EPA requiring that the Company perform remedial
work on the site and continue long-term monitoring. The on-site
remedial work has been completed and the consent decree was terminated
on January 10, 1996. The Company estimates that the remaining cost of
monitoring will be approximately $1 million. The EPA deleted the site
from the NPL on August 13, 1996.
The Company's former uranium millsite near Grants, New Mexico is
listed on the NPL. The EPA asserted that leachate from the tailings
contaminated a shallow aquifer used by some of the residents in
adjacent residential subdivisions. The Company paid the costs of
extending the municipal water supply to all of the homes in the subdi-
visions and continues to operate a water injection and collection
system that has significantly improved the quality of the aquifer. The
Company has decommissioned and disposed of the mills and has covered
the tailings impoundments at the site. The total future cost for
reclamation, remediation, monitoring and maintaining compliance at the
Grants site is estimated to be $21 million.
Title X of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (the "Act") and subsequent
amendments to the Act authorized appropriations of $335 million to
cover the Federal Government's share of certain costs of reclamation,
decommissioning and remedial action for by-product material (primarily
tailings) generated by certain licensees as an incident of uranium
sales to the Federal Government. Reimbursement is subject to compliance
with regulations of the Department of Energy ("DOE"), which were issued
in 1994. Pursuant to the Act, the DOE is responsible for 51.2% of the
past and future costs of reclaiming the Grants site in accordance with
Nuclear Regulatory Commission license requirements. The accompanying
balance sheet at September 30, 1996 includes a receivable of $14.3
million for the DOE's share of reclamation expenditures made by the
Company through 1995. The Company believes that its share of the
estimated remaining cost of reclaiming the Grants facility, net of
estimated proceeds from
7
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
the ultimate disposals of related assets, is fully provided in the
financial statements at September 30, 1996.
In 1983, the state of New Mexico made a claim against the Company for
unspecified natural resource damages resulting from the Grants
tailings. The state of South Dakota made a similar claim in 1983 with
respect to the Whitewood Creek tailings. The Company denies all
liability for damages at the two CERCLA sites. The two states have
taken no action to enforce the 1983 claims.
In addition to the above, the Company is party to legal actions and
administrative proceedings and is subject to claims arising in the
ordinary course of business.
The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of the above matters
will not have a material adverse impact on its financial condition or
results of operations.
8
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
(Unless specifically stated otherwise, the following information relates to
amounts included in the consolidated financial statements including the
Company's interests in mining partnerships accounted for using the equity
method, without reduction for minority interests. Effective January 1, 1996
Homestake adopted the "Gold Institute Production Cost Standard" for reporting of
per ounce production costs. All per ounce production costs in this Form 10-Q are
presented on this basis.)
Results of Operations
Homestake recorded net income of $7.4 million or $0.05 per share during the
third quarter of 1996 compared to net income of $4.9 million or $0.04 per share
during the third quarter of 1995. The increase in third quarter earnings
reflects higher sales volumes, lower production costs and an increase in the
average realized gold price, partially offset by higher exploration costs and
higher depreciation charges. Year-to-date 1996 net income of $27.9 million or
$0.19 per share compares to year-to-date 1995 net income of $22.7 million or
$0.16 per share. The increased 1996 year-to-date earnings reflect higher
production and sales volumes and a higher average realized gold price, partially
offset by increased exploration costs and lower returns from the Main Pass 299
sulphur operations. In addition, the 1996 year-to-date results include $5.5
million of proceeds ($4.9 million after tax) from a litigation recovery.
Gold production increased by 30,700 ounces to 484,100 ounces during the third
quarter of 1996 from 453,400 ounces produced during the third quarter of 1995.
Revenues from gold and ore sales totaled $171.5 million during the 1996 third
quarter compared to $164.2 million during the prior year's third quarter. During
the third quarter of 1996, 472,600 ounces were sold at an average realized price
of $388 per ounce compared to 457,000 ounces sold at an average price of $385
per ounce during the third quarter of 1995. Finished gold inventories increased
by 11,500 ounces during the 1996 third quarter compared to a decrease of 3,600
ounces during the 1995 third quarter.
Domestic production decreased to 173,100 ounces during the third quarter of 1996
from 188,000 ounces during the third quarter of 1995, primarily due to lower
production at the McLaughlin mine in California, partially offset by production
increases at the Homestake mine in South Dakota and at the Round Mountain mine
in Nevada. At the McLaughlin mine, production decreased to 38,500 ounces during
the 1996 third quarter compared to 62,900 ounces during the 1995 third quarter
as the ore body has now been mined out. Mining operations and production from
the autoclaves ceased in June 1996. For the next seven years, the remaining
lower-grade stockpiled ore will be processed through the carbon-in-pulp circuit.
Total cash costs were $243 per ounce during the 1996 third quarter compared to
$260 per ounce during the 1995 third quarter. Production at the Homestake mine
was 98,000 ounces during the third quarter of 1996 compared to 90,400 ounces
during the third quarter of 1995. The increase in production was attributable to
a 9% increase in tons milled. As a result, total cash costs decreased to $305
per ounce during the 1996 third quarter from $315 per ounce during the 1995
third quarter. Homestake's share of production from the Round Mountain mine
increased by 44% to 29,700 ounces during the third quarter of 1996 from 20,600
ounces produced during the third quarter of 1995. The higher gold production
reflects an increase in tons processed due to the expanded leaching capacity at
the dedicated heap leach pads. Total cash costs were $252 per ounce for both the
1996 and 1995 third quarters.
Overall foreign gold production during the 1996 third quarter increased by 17%
to 311,000 ounces over the prior year's third quarter, primarily due to
increases at the Snip and Eskay Creek mines in Canada and at the Kalgoorlie
operations in Western Australia, partially offset by the cessation of mining
activities at the Nickel Plate mine in Canada. Prime Resources Group Inc.
("Prime"), a 50.6%-owned subsidiary of Homestake, became the sole owner of the
Snip mine on April 30, 1996 when it purchased Cominco Ltd.'s ("Cominco") 60%
interest in this mine for $39.3 million. Homestake's share of production from
the Snip mine increased to 36,800 ounces during the third quarter of 1996
compared to 13,100 ounces produced during
9
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
the third quarter of 1995. Excluding the effects of the purchase of Cominco's
60% interest, production at the Snip mine increased by 13%, primarily due to
productivity improvements in the mining of conventional stopes as well as higher
ore grades. As a result, total cash costs per ounce decreased to $163 per ounce
during the 1996 third quarter from $188 per ounce during the 1995 third quarter.
Production of gold equivalent ounces at the Eskay Creek mine amounted to 87,500
payable ounces at a total cash cost of $176 per equivalent ounce during the
third quarter of 1996 compared to 79,000 payable ounces at a total cash cost of
$187 per equivalent ounce during the third quarter of 1995. A spot ore sale of
2,900 tons during the 1996 third quarter was the primary reason for the
increased production. The improved results also reflect an increase in the
silver grade, which has been consistently higher than projected.
Homestake Gold of Australia Limited's ("HGAL") share of production at the
Kalgoorlie operations increased by 28% to 91,900 ounces during the 1996 third
quarter from 72,000 ounces during the 1995 third quarter. The higher production
reflects an increase in tons milled and a higher ore grade. Correspondingly,
total cash costs decreased to $282 per ounce during the third quarter of 1996
from $300 per ounce during the prior year's third quarter, despite the adverse
effects of a stronger Australian dollar which increased the current quarter's
total cash costs by $18 per ounce.
The Company's consolidated total cash cost per ounce decreased to $245 during
the 1996 third quarter compared to $258 during the 1995 third quarter.
Year-to-date 1996 revenues from gold and ore sales totaled $541.7 million during
1996 compared to $502.3 million during 1995, reflecting higher gold sales
volumes and a higher average realized gold price. During 1996, 1,470,700 ounces
were sold at an average realized price of $393 per ounce compared to 1,397,300
ounces sold at an average price of $385 per ounce during 1995. The higher gold
sales volumes are primarily due to production increases at the Homestake, Eskay
Creek, Snip, Kalgoorlie, and Round Mountain operations, partially offset by
lower production due to the cessation of mining operations at the McLaughlin and
Nickel Plate mines in mid-1996. Total cash costs for the first nine months of
1996 decreased slightly to $249 per ounce from $252 per ounce for the first nine
months of 1995.
At the Main Pass 299 operations in the Gulf of Mexico, lower sulphur prices were
partially offset by higher oil prices during the third quarter of 1996, and the
combined operations recorded an operating profit of $0.4 million for the 1996
third quarter compared to $0.7 million in the third quarter of 1995.
Year-to-date 1996 revenues from Main Pass 299 were $23.0 million compared to
year-to-date 1995 revenues of $31.7 million and year-to-date 1996 operating
income declined to $1.5 million from year-to-date 1995 operating income of $4.1
million. In response to a weakening sulphur market, Main Pass 299 operations
have temporarily reduced production and sales volumes. Homestake's realized
sales price for sulphur is a blend of various market prices, including the Tampa
market, and is net of a 2.625% marketing fee. During the third quarter of 1996,
Homestake's realized price for sulphur decreased to $56 per ton from $64 per ton
in the second quarter of 1996 and $70 per ton during the prior year's third
quarter. During the third quarter of 1996, Homestake's cash production costs
were $52 per ton of sulphur and total production costs were $63 per ton of
sulphur. At December 31, 1995, based on reserve estimates, projected costs,
sales prices and production rates, the Main Pass 299 sulphur mine was estimated
to have an operating life in excess of 30 years. During calendar year 1995,
Homestake's average realized price of sulphur was $68 per ton. During the past
five years, sulphur prices (Tampa market) averaged approximately $70 per ton and
have ranged from a low of $51 per ton to a high of $90 per ton. The Company will
continue to evaluate the $111 million carrying value of its investment in the
Main Pass 299 sulphur mine in light of the current depressed market for sulphur.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased 12% to $28.2 million
during the 1996 third quarter from $25.2 million during the 1995 third quarter,
and depreciation, depletion
10
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
and amortization expense for the first nine months of 1996 was 13% above the
corresponding prior year's period. The increases primarily are due to higher
production, additional amortization related to the purchase of the HGAL minority
interests, and higher depreciation related to the purchase of Cominco's 60%
interest in the Snip mine.
Exploration expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996
increased significantly from the corresponding three and nine month periods of
1995. The increase primarily is due to increased activity in Chile, at the El
Foco project in Venezuela and at the Homestake mine Open Cut project, in
addition to exploration activity at the Eskay Creek and Snip mines and at the
White Pine and Mountain View projects in Nevada. The higher level of exploration
expenditures will continue through the remainder of 1996 and in 1997 as the
Company pursues numerous exploration targets and prospects.
The Company's general policy is to sell its production at current prices.
However, in certain limited circumstances, the Company will enter into forward
sales commitments for small portions of its gold production. During 1994, the
Company entered into forward sales for 183,200 ounces of gold it expected to
produce at the Nickel Plate mine during 1995 and 1996. The purpose of the
forward sales program was to allow for recovery of the Company's remaining
investment in the mine and provide for estimated reclamation costs. Gold sales
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996 include sales under this
program of 24,900 ounces and 70,000 ounces at average prices of $427 per ounce
and $421 per ounce, respectively. Gold sales for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1995 include sales under this program of 22,500 ounces and 65,400
ounces at average prices of $400 per ounce and $394 per ounce, respectively. As
of September 30, 1996 all sales and obligations under this forward sales program
had been completed.
A significant portion of the Company's operating expenses is incurred in
Australian and Canadian currencies. The Company's profitability is impacted by
fluctuations in these currencies' exchange rates relative to the United States
dollar. Under the Company's foreign currency protection program, the Company has
entered into a series of foreign currency option contracts which establish
trading ranges within which the United States dollar may be exchanged for
Australian and Canadian dollars. At September 30, 1996 the Company had a net
unrealized gain of $0.1 million on open contracts under this program.
Other income for the first nine months of 1996 includes $2.9 million related to
the litigation recovery, $2.1 million of royalty income, a $1.7 million gain on
the sale of certain exploration properties in Australia, and a net foreign
currency exchange gain of $1.4 million. Other income for the first nine months
of 1995 includes a $2.7 million gain on the sale of the Company's 28% interest
in the Torres mining complex in Mexico, a $1.9 million gain on the sale of
certain exploration properties in Australia and royalty income of $1.7 million.
Income and mining tax expense for the first nine months of 1996 includes a $2.6
million credit with respect to the litigation recovery relating to previously
paid income taxes. Excluding this credit, the Company's income and mining tax
rate for the first nine months of 1996 was 53% compared to 48% for the
comparable period of 1995. The Company's consolidated effective income and
mining tax rate will fluctuate depending on the geographical mix of pretax
income.
Minority interests in the income of consolidated subsidiaries decreased to $1.7
million during the third quarter of 1996 from $4.9 million during the third
quarter of 1995. The decrease is attributable to lower income, primarily as a
result of higher Canadian taxes in the 1996 period for Prime, and the minority
shareholder's interest in exploration expenses of the Company's newly-formed,
51%-owned subsidiary, Agua de la Falda S.A. (see "Liquidity and Capital
Resources" section below).
The following charts detail Homestake's gold production and total cash costs per
ounce by location, and consolidated revenue and production costs per ounce.
11
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Production
(Ounces in thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
Mine (Percentage interest) 1996 1995 1996 1995
- -------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Homestake (100) 98.0 90.4 306.5 291.5
McLaughlin (100) 38.5 62.9 153.3 178.8
Round Mountain (25) 29.7 20.6 78.4 63.7
Marigold (33) 4.0 6.8 16.8 17.5
Pinson (26) 2.9 3.8 7.7 9.1
Santa Fe (100) - 3.5 - 15.4
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total United States 173.1 188.0 562.7 576.0
Eskay Creek (100) (1,2) 87.5 79.0 281.7 245.1
Williams (50) 54.3 51.9 149.3 152.9
David Bell (50) 19.7 23.3 72.2 59.7
Quarter Claim (25) 2.9 1.8 8.5 5.6
Nickel Plate (100) 16.1 21.0 67.9 64.9
Snip (100) (2,3) 36.8 13.1 69.8 39.5
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total Canada 217.3 190.1 649.4 567.7
Kalgoorlie, Australia (50) 91.9 72.0 259.3 238.7
El Hueso, Chile (100) 1.8 3.3 6.7 16.5
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total Production 484.1 453.4 1,478.1 1,398.9
Less Minority Interests (61.5) (58.8) (173.7) (184.8)
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Homestake's Share 422.6 394.6 1,304.4 1,214.1
============= ============= ============= =============
Total Cash Costs
(Dollars per ounce)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
Mine (Percentage interest) 1996 1995 1996 1995
- -------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Homestake (100) $305 $315 $298 $303
McLaughlin (100) 243 260 239 237
Round Mountain (25) 252 252 253 251
Marigold (33) 343 205 282 245
Pinson (26) 347 272 392 325
Santa Fe (100) - 166 - 143
Eskay Creek (100) (1,2) 176 187 170 185
Williams (50) 197 213 228 222
David Bell (50) 203 160 170 198
Quarter Claim (25) 166 182 167 166
Nickel Plate (100) 383 416 342 374
Snip (100) (2,3) 163 188 175 173
Kalgoorlie, Australia (50) 282 300 309 282
El Hueso, Chile (100) 375 370 270 403
Weighted Average $245 $258 $249 $252
12
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
Per Ounce of Gold 1996 1995 1996 1995
- ----------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Revenue $388 $385 $393 $385
Per Ounce Costs
Cash Operating Costs (4) $238 $251 $242 $245
Other Cash Costs (5) 7 7 7 7
------------------------------ ------------------------------
Total Cash Costs 245 258 249 252
Noncash Costs (6) 60 54 58 51
------------------------------ ------------------------------
Total Production Costs $305 $312 $307 $303
============================== ==============================
<FN>
(1) Gold and silver are accounted for as co-products at Eskay Creek.
Silver is converted to gold equivalent, using the ratio of the silver
market price to the gold market price. These ratios were 76 ounces and
72 ounces of silver equals one ounce of gold for the three months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and 74 ounces of
silver equals one ounce of gold for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 and 1995. Eskay Creek production includes 48,400 (48,200 in
1995) payable ounces of gold and 3.0 million (2.2 million in 1995)
payable ounces of silver contained in ore sold to smelters in the
third quarter, and 160,100 (152,000 in 1995) payable ounces of gold
and 9.0 million (6.9 million in 1995) payable ounces of silver
contained in ore sold to smelters in the year-to-date period.
(2) For comparison purposes, total cash costs per ounce include estimated
third-party costs incurred by smelter owners and others to produce
marketable gold and silver.
(3) Includes ounces of gold contained in dore and concentrates. Prime's
ownership percentage in the Snip mine increased from 40% to 100%
effective April 30, 1996.
(4) Cash operating costs are costs directly related to the physical
activities of producing gold; includes mining, milling, third-party
smelting and in-mine drilling expenditures that are related to
production.
(5) Other cash costs are costs that are not directly related to, but may
result from, gold production; includes production taxes and royalties.
(6) Noncash costs are costs that typically are accounted for ratably over
the life of an operation; includes depreciation, depletion, final
reclamation and the amortization of the economic cost of property
acquisitions, but excludes amortization of SFAS 109 deferred tax
purchase adjustments relating to property acquisitions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash provided by operations totaled $151.6 million for the 1996 year-to-date
period compared to $124.6 million for the comparable period of 1995. Working
capital at September 30, 1996 amounted to $279.7 million, including $229.2
million of cash and equivalents and short-term investments.
Capital additions of $85.8 million during the first nine months of 1996 include
$54.3 million at the Kalgoorlie operations, primarily for the purchase of all
rights and entitlements under the disproportionate sharing arrangement, $9.5
million at the Homestake mine, primarily for numerous projects related to
improving the efficiency of the mine, $5.5 million at the Round Mountain mine,
primarily for the new gravity mill project, $4.5 million at the advanced stage
Ruby Hill project in Nevada, and $4.5 million at the McLaughlin mine for
construction of a tailings lift.
13
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
In the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company made an unconditional offer to
acquire the 18.5% of Homestake Gold of Australia Limited ("HGAL") it did not
already own. Homestake offered 0.089 of a Homestake share or A$1.90 in cash for
each of the 109.6 million HGAL shares owned by the public. Through December 31,
1995 a total of 38.9 million HGAL shares were acquired at a cost of $59.1
million, including $42.4 million for 2.6 million newly issued shares of the
Company, $14.5 million in cash and $2.2 million of transaction expenses. At
December 31, 1995 Homestake owned 88.1% of the shares of HGAL. The acquisition
was completed in the 1996 first quarter when the remaining 70.7 million publicly
held HGAL shares were acquired at a cost of $105.8 million, including $99.3
million for 6.0 million newly issued shares of the Company, $5.0 million in cash
and $1.5 million of transaction expenses. The total purchase price to acquire
all of the 18.5% of HGAL held by minority shareholders was $164.9 million,
including $141.7 million for 8.5 million newly issued shares of the Company,
$19.5 million in cash and $3.7 million of transaction expenses.
In March 1996, the Company exercised its option which will permit Homestake to
acquire from Navan Resources plc ("Navan") up to a 50% interest in Navan BV,
which in turn owns 68% of Bimak AD, the owner of the Chelopech gold/copper
operations in Bulgaria, by investing an additional $48.0 million. Homestake
acquired the option in 1995 in connection with its investment of $24.0 million
to acquire a 10% interest of Navan, an Irish public company with diverse mineral
interests in Europe. The Company initially will advance up to $12.0 million,
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, principally receipt of
certain permits from the Bulgarian government for the expansion of mining at
Chelopech from 500,000 to 750,000 metric tons per year and for construction of a
roaster. Investment of the remaining $36 million is conditional upon subsequent
approval by the Bulgarian government, Navan and Homestake of a further mine and
mill expansion and the securing of expansion financing. To date, pending
satisfaction of certain of the conditions, no amounts have been advanced in
respect of this option.
On April 30, 1996 Prime purchased Cominco's 60% interest in the Snip mine for
$39.3 million. The purchase included Cominco's share of the mine's working
capital. Prime now owns 100% of the Snip mine.
In June 1996, the Company paid $51.4 million (A$65 million) to Gold Mines of
Kalgoorlie Limited ("GMK") to purchase all rights and entitlements under the
disproportionate sharing arrangement covering gold production from a portion of
the Super Pit operation at the Kalgoorlie operations. The Company will now share
equally with GMK in all gold produced at the Kalgoorlie operations.
In July 1996, Homestake and Corporacion Nacional del Cobre Chile ("Codelco"), a
state-owned mining company in Chile, formed a new company, Agua de la Falda S.A.
("La Falda") to explore near Homestake's El Hueso mine in northern Chile. La
Falda will develop the Manto Agua de la Falda orebody, which contains 250,000
ounces of oxide reserves, and continue drilling and metallurgical testing of the
much larger Jeronimo deposit, which contains geologic mineralization of over one
million ounces. Homestake owns 51% of the corporation and Codelco owns 49%.
Codelco and Homestake have contributed property interests in the area to the new
company. In addition, Codelco contributed the existing El Hueso plant, which
had been under lease to Homestake. Homestake also has contributed $5.1 million
for exploration, including $3.7 million of exploration and development
expenditures incurred prior to the formation of La Falda. In addition, Homestake
will provide the next $10 million of capital, if necessary, for additional
exploration and development, including a $4.9 million loan to Codelco for its
share of this amount. This loan would be repayable out of Codelco's share of
future dividends from La Falda, with any remaining unpaid balance due by
December 31, 2005.
In September 1996, the Company replaced its credit agreement with a new United
States/Canadian/Australian cross-border credit facility providing a total
availability of $275 million. The Company will pay a commitment fee of 0.15% per
annum on the unused portion of
14
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
this facility. The credit facility is available through September 20, 2001 and
provides for borrowings in United States dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian
dollars, gold loans or a combination of these. The credit agreement requires a
minimum consolidated net worth of $500 million. No amounts have been borrowed
under this credit agreement.
Future results will be impacted by such factors as the market price of gold, the
Company's ability to expand its ore reserves and fluctuations of foreign
currency exchange rates. The Company believes that the combination of cash,
short-term investments, available lines of credit and future cash flows from
operations will be sufficient to meet its normal operating requirements and
anticipated dividends.
Other
In 1995, in connection with Homestake's acquisition of the minority interests in
Homestake Gold of Australia Limited, Homestake issued a financial forecast for
the year ended December 31, 1996. The forecast was required under applicable
Australian law. The forecast was based upon a variety of assumptions regarding
gold production, the price of gold, exchange rates and other significant
matters. Based on an assumed average gold price of $395 per ounce, the forecast
estimated 1996 after-tax net income of $30.2 million ($0.21 per share).
Homestake's earnings are very sensitive to changes in the price of gold.
Homestake's actual realized price during the first nine months of 1996 was $393
per ounce. The average price of gold during October 1996 was $381 per ounce. If
Homestake realizes an average price of gold of $385 per ounce for the last three
months of 1996, Homestake does not expect that there will be a material
difference between actual and forecasted net income or net income per share for
1996. If Homestake were to realize an average price of $380 per ounce (rather
than $385 per ounce) of gold for the last three months of 1996, Homestake
estimates that the effect on net income would be approximately $1.3 million,
with a comparable change in net income for each $5 change in the average
realized price of gold for the last three months of 1996. The foregoing does not
reflect any gain which may be recognized with respect to the earlier announced
pending sale of the Back River/George Lake properties in Canada or other
possible non-recurring events that might occur during the remainder of 1996.
The forecast also estimated a net increase in cash and equivalents, assuming no
net change in the amount of cash and equivalents temporarily invested in
short-term investments, for the 1996 year in the amount of $24.4 million.
Assuming there are no non-recurring events as discussed above, Homestake now
estimates that there will not be a material change between actual and forecasted
cash and equivalents and short-term investments at December 31, 1996. Higher
operating cash flows and the timing of exploration/development expenditures have
offset the funds expended on the purchase of all rights and entitlements under
the disproportionate sharing arrangement for $51.4 million and the purchase of
the 60% interest in the Snip mine for $39.3 million.
Certain of the foregoing statements and the forecast are forward looking
statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Cautionary
Statements noted in the Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.
15
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Part II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 5. - Other Information
Statements in this Form 10-Q regarding future or estimated reserves and other
mineralization; projected quantities and periods of future production;
production rates; production, capital and other costs; and other estimates of
future results or activity are forward looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from estimated results.
Actual results could differ materially depending on political events, labor
relations, currency fluctuations and other general economic conditions, market
prices for the Company's products, timing of permits and other government
approvals and requirements, changes in expected operating conditions, lower than
expected ore grades, unexpected ground and mining conditions, availability and
cost of materials and equipment, and risks generally inherent in the ownership
and operation of mining properties and investments in foreign countries. See the
Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, Item 5,
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995, for a more detailed discussion of
factors that may impact on expected future results.
Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits Method of Filing
11 - Computation of Earnings Per Share Filed herewith
electronically
27 - Financial Data Schedule Filed herewith
electronically
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
One report on Form 8-K has been filed by the Registrant since the
filing of the prior quarter's Form 10-Q. The report, dated September
20, 1996, noted that the Registrant had entered into a new credit
facility. The new Credit Agreement was filed as an Exhibit to the Form
8-K.
16
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY
Date: November 11, 1996 By: /s/ David W. Peat
----------------- --------------------
David W. Peat
Vice President and Controller
(Chief Accounting Officer)
17