Ignacio Rosado
Analyst · Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Thank you, Rodrigo, and thanks to everyone for joining us this morning. Please let's move now to Slide #3, where we will begin our presentation.
Let me begin by saying that despite a still challenging environment, with significant volatility in commodity prices, persisting inflationary pressures and some unexpected events in Cerro Lindo, we generated solid results in the first quarter of 2023.
In mid-March, we experienced unusual heavy rains in Peru, which affected our Cerro Lindo mine. Nevertheless, we were able to resume the operation at normal level capacity at the end of March, ensuring all protocols and the safety of our employees.
Our net revenue for the quarter reached $667 million, 8% down year-over-year, mainly explained by lower metal prices, but partially improved by mining production and metal sales over the period. Our adjusted EBITDA was $133 million, 39% lower year-over-year, impacted by lower LME prices and byproducts contribution.
When compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, our adjusted EBITDA increased by 11%. In our new mine, Aripuanã, the ramp-up continues to progress. Our core focus is on plant stabilization, increasing throughput rates and improving concentrates rates and quality. We are aiming to reach nameplate capacity in the second half of this year.
In terms of exploration activities in our mines, we look with optimism to the initial results we had in the first quarter of 2023, especially in Aripuanã and Vazante, revealing results with high-grade thick intersections.
I would also like to emphasize our balance sheet, which remains solid despite the investment cycle we have gone through in the past years and the temporary pressure on working capital affecting our cash flow in the first quarter.
Finally, I want to highlight that we are advancing in the studies related to the integration project of the Cerro Pasco complex. This is a project with a strong potential to transform the underground Atacocha and El Porvenir operations into a flagship combined mine, not only through production increase, but by extending the life of the 2 assets. Finally, we maintain an optimistic view for the year, and we remain confident about the long-term fundamentals of our industry and our business.
Now moving to Slide #4. In Slide #4, regarding the operating performance of the Mining segment, you can see that zinc production in the first quarter increased to 75,000 tons up 13% year-over-year, mainly explained by an increase in treated ore volume and higher lead zinc average rates. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, zinc production was relatively flat. About the cash cost, even though we are keeping under control, our cash cost per ton of run of mine, our cash cost per pound in the first quarter of '23 increased to $0.43 compared to the $0.19 per pound in the first quarter of '22 and $0.20 per pound in the fourth quarter of last year. In both cases, the increase was mainly explained by lower byproducts contribution due to lower LME prices and the effects of the Cerro Lindo operation suspension.
Now moving to Slide #5. In Slide #5, regarding the operating performance of the Smelting segment, metal sales totaled 144,000 tons in the first quarter, down 14% from the fourth quarter of '22, mainly due to the lower comparable quarterly production and sales seasonality. Compared to the same period of last year, we were up 7%. About the cash cost per pound in the first quarter of this year, smelting cash cost decreased to $1.25 per pound compared to the $1.26 per pound in the first quarter of '22.
This slight decrease was mainly driven by lower raw material costs due to lower LME prices. When we compare the first quarter of '23 to the fourth quarter of '22, cash costs increased by 4% due to lower byproducts contribution and lower LME metal prices.
Now moving to Slide #6. Ramp-up activities at the Aripuanã mine continued to progress, and we are currently focused on steadily increasing the plant throughput rate, asset reliability and stability of concentrate grades and quality. During March, we had a planned stoppage at the plant to adjust some bottlenecks, such as pumping and piping system, and improve the drainage configuration, which presented limitations after the rainy season. These measures are contributing to the overall performance of the asset and, consequently, the stabilization of production, aiming to reach nameplate capacity in the second half of this year.
During the quarter, treated ore volume was 277,000 tons and zinc production reached 2,500 tons. Sustaining CapEx during the quarter was $15 million, mainly related to mining development and infrastructure. In our exploration activities in 2022 we added 8.3 million tons of mineral reserves, extending the life of Aripuanã by 3 years. In the first quarter of this year, these activities were focused on the Northwest extension of the Babaçu area with very positive results.
Now moving to Slide #7. In the first quarter of 2023, we executed over 12,000 meters of exploratory drilling in all of our mines and projects. Over 12,000 meters of infill drilling and over 2,000 meters from earlier-stage exploration projects drilled in Peru. At Cerro Lindo, the Pucasalla mineralized body continued to be extended to the Southeast. At Vazante, brownfield exploratory drilling in the extreme north area convinced mineralization with continuity at depth, which provides a good indication of the potential around the main infrastructure.
At Aripuanã, exploratory drilling has been focused on the Northwest extension of Babaçu where new drilling continues to confirm high-grade mineralization and exploration infill drilling at the Ambrex orebody is being successful for resource classification upgrade. Regarding the Pasco complex, exploration activities continue to focus on the extensions of mine bodies like Porvenir Sul and integration at El Porvenir, highlighted by high-grade new intersections.
Now moving to Slide #8. As I mentioned earlier, we are moving forward with the integration studies of the Atacocha and El Porvenir underground mines to create a robust strategic organic option for Nexa. The scope of the project included a sequence of investments with an emphasis on upgrading the Porvenir shaft, developing the integration of both the Atacocha and El Porvenir underground infrastructure and increasing the capacity of the Porvenir plant and Atacocha tailings dam. We are very confident in the potential of this project, and we expect to complete the studies in the second half of this year with submission for Board approval at the end of this year.
Now I would like to turn over the call to Jose Carlos del Valle, our CFO, who will present our financial results. Jose, please go ahead.
José Carlos del Valle Castro: Thank you, Ignacio. Good morning to everyone. I will continue on Slide 9. As you can see, beginning with the chart on your upper left, total consolidated net revenues for the first quarter decreased by 8% year-over-year, due mainly to lower LME metal prices. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, net revenues decreased by 14%, mainly as a result of lower metal sales volumes and impact of the Cerro Lindo temporary suspension. This was partially offset by higher LME metal prices.
In terms of adjusted EBITDA, consolidated adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2023 was $133 million, compared to $217 million in the first quarter of 2022 and to $120 million in the last quarter of last year.
We now move to Slide 10, where I will explain our results in further detail. In the Mining segment, net revenues for the first quarter of 2023 totaled $268 million, down 17% versus the same period of last year. This is explained mainly by the decrease in metal prices, lower sales volumes of copper concentrate and the higher TCs paid by our mines. These negative effects were partially offset by higher zinc, lead and silver sales volumes.
Regarding adjusted EBITDA, on your upper right, first quarter adjusted EBITDA for the Mining segment was $42 million, a reduction of 70% year-over-year. mainly driven by lower prices and higher TCs and the negative impact related to Aripuanã's higher unit costs during the ramp-up phase.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, adjusted EBITDA decreased by 47%. This was mainly driven by lower sales volumes in Cerro Lindo, which, as you already know, was affected by severe weather during early March, lower by total contribution and higher operational costs in Aripuanã, partially offset by an increase in Aripuanã's sales volumes.
Switching over to the Smelting segment. Net revenues in the first quarter of 2023 totaled $543 million, a decrease of 3% versus the first quarter of 2022, mainly driven by lower metal prices, offset by higher sales volumes. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, net revenues decreased by 10%, mainly due to lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher LME metal prices.
The Smelting segment's adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2023 totaled $89 million, up 9% from the first quarter of 2022. This is explained mainly by higher sales volumes, a positive impact of $26 million related to changes in market prices, which resulted in positive quotation period adjustments, which were partially offset by a decrease in byproduct contribution that was mainly explained by lower sulfuric acid prices and higher energy prices in Cajamarquilla.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, adjusted EBITDA for the Smelting segment increased by $43 million, mainly as a result of a positive price effect of $37 million related to changes in market prices that resulted in positive quotation period adjustments, the positive effect of variation in mark-to-market of inventories and higher LME metal prices, partially offset by lower byproduct contribution and lower sales volumes.
Now moving to Slide #11. On the top left of the slide, we can see that in the first quarter, we invested $56 million in CapEx, of which 100% was related to sustaining investments, including $15 million in Aripuanã. We expect disbursements for investments to accelerate in the upcoming quarters. And based on our projections for the year, we believe we will comply with the 2023 CapEx guidance of $310 million.
With regards to mineral exploration and project evaluation, we invested a total of $21 million in the first quarter, of which almost $12 million were related to mineral exploration and mine development. I would like to emphasize that as part of our long-term strategy, we are focusing our efforts on replacing and increasing mineral reserves and resources, supporting our organic growth. In this regard, it is important to mention that we are maintaining our guidance on the investment category, expecting to finish 2023 at about $110 million.
Let's move on to Slide 12. For the first quarter of 2023, and starting from our $133 million of adjusted EBITDA, we can see that cash flow provided by operations before working capital changes was $106 million. We then paid $57 million related to interest and taxes and $56 million in total CapEx for our current operations. We also paid dividends of $25 million to our shareholders. Additionally, there was a $6 million combined positive effect of loans and investments and FX impact. And finally, there was a working capital variation of $105 million, mainly due to the combined impacts of the Aripuanã ramp-up and the decrease in trade and confirming payables driven by higher payment volumes in the period.
We expect this to be reversed positively throughout the year. As a result of these effects, free cash flow in the first quarter of 2023 was negative in $132 million. We are confident that throughout 2023, with the completion of the Aripuanã ramp-up, and our ongoing efforts to be more productive and efficient, we will positively contribute to the company's free cash flow generation in 2023.
Now moving to Slide #13. In this slide, you can see that our liquidity remains robust, and we continue to report a sound balance sheet with an extended debt profile. By the end of the first quarter of 2023, our current available liquidity was approximately $675 million, including our undrawn revolving credit facility of $300 million. It is important to mention that as of March 31, the average maturity of our total debt was 4.4 years, with a 5.5% average cost of debt. Finally, our leverage, measured by net debt to adjusted EBITDA, was 1.9x compared with 1.5x at the end of the fourth quarter and to 1.4x a year ago.
Going to my last slide before I turn it over to Ignacio. In this slide, we show that in the first quarter of 2023, LME zinc price averaged $3,124 per ton, down 17% compared to the same period a year ago. We believe zinc demand remains positive in the mid and long term, driven by investments in infrastructure, in construction, in renewable energy and in auto sector, now boosted by sales of electric vehicles. On the supply side, a lack of feasible projects to fulfill demand requirements will continue to put positive pressure on prices.
Regarding copper, the LME price was down 11% compared to the first quarter of 2022 and up 12% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Copper prices like those of other metals have benefited from a weaker U.S. dollar and optimism of a Chinese economic recovery. In terms of demand, the metal will play a key role in the energy transition. On the supply side, volumes from greenfield and brownfield projects will materialize in 2024 and 2025, contributing to a mild temporary surplus in the market with long-term additional supply facing important challenges. Overall, the outlook for zinc and copper in the mid- to long term remains positive and supported by solid market fundamentals.
I now turn it over to Ignacio.