Published: May 03, 2010
Stillwater Mining Reports Profit for First Quarter 2010
Stillwater Mining Company (NYSE: SWC)
-- Higher PGM prices realized in 2010
-- Recycling business steadily strengthening
-- Retained prior production and cost guidance for 2010
Stillwater Mining Company today reported net profit for the 2010 first
quarter of $13.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, on revenues of $133.5
million. This compares to a first quarter 2009 net loss of $11.7 million,
or $0.12 per fully diluted share, on revenues of $85.8 million. Higher
realized PGM prices, higher volumes sold and lower production costs all
contributed to the net profit for the first quarter of 2010.
The Company mines palladium and platinum from two underground mines located
in south-central Montana. The mines produced a total of 129,000 ounces of
palladium and platinum during the first quarter 2010, an increase of 3.4%
from the 124,800 ounces produced during the first quarter 2009. Production
at the Company's Stillwater Mine increased to 96,300 ounces during the
first quarter of 2010 from the 92,900 ounces in the first quarter of 2009,
while the East Boulder Mine production increased to 32,700 ounces from
31,900 ounces for the same period in 2009.
Production costs also improved during first quarter 2010 compared to the
year earlier. Total cash costs (a non-GAAP measure defined below) averaged
$364 per ounce in the first quarter of 2010, 10% below total cash costs of
$405 per ounce for the same period in 2009. The Stillwater Mine's total
cash costs averaged $339 per ounce in the first quarter of 2010, 12% better
than the $387 per ounce achieved in the first quarter of 2009. The East
Boulder mine costs averaged $439 per ounce during 2010 first quarter, 3.5%
better than $455 per ounce during first quarter 2009. These decreases were
the result of continued good mine production in the first quarter of 2010
following restructuring measures taken at the end of 2008 and stronger
recycling and by-product credits.
With regard to sales, combined sales realizations continued to improve
during first quarter 2010 for mined palladium and platinum ounces and
averaged $644 per ounce, higher than the $510 per ounce realized in first
quarter 2009. The total quantity of mined metals sold increased to 135,100
ounces in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 115,000 ounces sold during
the same period in 2009.
The Company's smelting and refining complex in Columbus, Montana processes
mine concentrates and recycles spent catalyst materials received from third
parties. A portion of the recycling material is purchased for the Company's
own account and the balance is toll processed on behalf of others. In
total, the Company processed recycling material containing 119,300 ounces
of platinum, palladium and rhodium through the smelter and refinery during
first quarter 2010, up more than 200% from the 38,600 ounces recycled
during first quarter 2009. The higher volume in 2010 is the result of
higher PGM prices and the correspondingly stronger incentive to collect
material for recycling. The recycling segment had net income for the first
quarter of 2010 of $2.9 million (including financing income), compared to
income of $1.2 million in first quarter 2009.
Francis R. McAllister, Stillwater Chairman and CEO, commented, "I am
pleased to report that during the first quarter of 2010 Stillwater's
operations continued to benefit from the changes we implemented at the end
of 2008 when PGM prices fell off. During 2009, we saw dramatic improvements
in mining productivity and reductions in mining costs that have improved
the Company's competitive position. Over the same period, prices for
platinum and palladium have steadily recovered, as demonstrated by the
first quarter's $644 per ounce average sales realization. The stronger PGM
prices have also reinvigorated our recycling business, increasing the
economic incentive for collectors to gather up spent catalytic converters,
thus making more recycling material available in the marketplace. As a
result, both segments of our business have seen sharply improved
performance recently.
"Despite the relatively good production rates and cost performance during
the first quarter of 2010, we have concluded to leave our public guidance
for the full year 2010 unchanged at this time -- that is, 515,000 ounces of
mined palladium and platinum at an average combined total cash cost of $360
per ounce and capital expenditures of $50 million. Engineering assessments
of mining conditions for the balance of the year suggest that ore grades
are likely to be a little lower on average than during the first quarter,
and some localized mining conditions may prove more challenging. This is
primarily a consequence of timing and is not especially indicative of any
longer-term trend. Our total cash cost guidance for the full year remains
at $360 per ounce, as we expect higher expense for royalties and taxes and
slightly lower production volumes to be offset by increased credits from
higher by-product sales and growth in recycling volumes. Despite leaving
our public guidance unchanged at this time, we currently are considering a
modest increase in 2010 capital spending for tactical projects that would
be intended to yield some future increases in production. The amounts being
considered would increase spending for 2010 by 12% to 15%.
"The Company's overall strategic focus for the past several years has been
directed toward improved safety performance and toward preparing the
Company for the expiration of our supply agreements with Ford and General
Motors. These contracts have included guaranteed minimum selling prices, or
"floor prices," for platinum and palladium that have cushioned the Company
from the full effect of downward pricing cycles in PGMs. With the loss of
the General Motors agreement in July 2009 and the expiration of the Ford
contract coming at the end of 2010, this price protection may end. While it
is possible we may be able to negotiate similar contractual provisions in
the future, our efforts have been to prepare for otherwise and have
included working to reduce our mining costs per ounce, promoting new
markets for palladium, our principal product, and growing the recycling
business as an alternate source of income. We also have marshaled financial
resources in an effort to see us through periods of weak prices without
having to cut back operations. We are pleased with our progress to date on
all these fronts.
At the same time, we are very cognizant that the world economic environment
can shift very quickly, as we have witnessed over the past two years. The
Company must be in a position to react decisively to changes -- whether
favorable or unfavorable -- in demand for our products and in commodity
markets generally. The substantial improvements we have seen over the past
year in palladium and platinum prices make us optimistic in outlook, but we
will proceed judiciously in making any significant strategic changes until
we are convinced that these new pricing levels are sustainable."
Mr. McAllister continued, "On the optimistic side, we have provided a
perspective on the longer-term outlook for palladium prices in our 2009
Annual Report to Shareholders, which is available in the Investor Relations
section of our website, www.stillwatermining.com. The Annual Report
includes a section entitled "The Case for Palladium" which makes an
argument that palladium demand is likely to grow along with worldwide
automotive production -- now recovering from its weakness in 2008 and 2009
-- while palladium supply is likely to be constrained in the future. That
dynamic, if it unfolds as projected, should be favorable for the future
price of palladium. However, history also has clearly shown that the
markets for platinum and palladium are volatile, and I recognize that
undoubtedly we will see PGM pricing cycles continuing into the future.
Consequently, we are continuing to focus on added improvements to our own
operations -- namely, our mining and recycling businesses -- where our
efforts to improve cost performance and to expand recycling already have
strengthened our competitive position. Our fundamental challenge as a
Company is to maintain a solid financial base that will sustain us during
market downturns, while also positioning ourselves to benefit fully when
prices are strong."
Cash Flow and Liquidity
At March 31, 2010, the Company's available cash and cash equivalents
(excluding $38.1 million of restricted cash) totaled $155.1 million, down
$11.5 million from December 31, 2009. When combined with the Company's
available-for-sale investments, the total of available cash and investments
at March 31, 2010, was $220.6 million, up $19.4 million from $201.2 million
since the beginning of 2010. The change in cash and investments during the
first quarter reflected relatively strong cash flow from operations, offset
in part by increases in working capital associated with higher metals
prices. Working capital associated with the recycling business, comprised
of product inventories and related recycling advances, increased to $36.5
million at March 31, 2010 from $29.0 million at the end of 2009. The growth
in recycling working capital during the 2010 first quarter reflected both
increasing PGM prices and some recovery in recycling volumes processed. If
these inventories and advances are also considered as an element of
liquidity, then the Company's resulting available liquidity was $257.1
million at March 31, 2010, as compared to $230.2 million at the end of the
2009.
Net cash provided by operating activities (which includes changes in
working capital) totaled $29.8 million in the 2010 first quarter compared
to $13.3 million first quarter 2009. The increase between years reflected
much higher sales volumes and higher average realized prices in 2010 for
PGMs.
Capital expenditures in first quarter 2010 totaled $10.7 million compared
to $12.2 million during the same period last year.
Outstanding debt at March 31, 2010, was $196.0 million, essentially
unchanged from December 31, 2009. The Company's total debt includes $166.5
million outstanding in the form of convertible debentures due in 2028 and
$29.5 million of Exempt Facility Revenue Bonds due in 2020.
First Quarter Results - Details
In the first quarter of 2010, the Company's mining operations produced
129,000 ounces of palladium and platinum, including 96,300 ounces from the
Stillwater Mine and 32,700 ounces from the East Boulder Mine. For the
comparable quarter of 2009, the Stillwater Mine produced 92,900 ounces and
the East Boulder Mine 31,900 ounces of palladium and platinum. The 3.4%
increase in total output between 2010 and 2009 is mostly a result of
improved mining efficiencies.
Sales from mine production totaled 135,100 ounces in the first quarter of
2010 at an overall average realization of $644 per ounce, compared to
114,600 at $510 per ounce in the first quarter of 2009. The Company's
average realization on palladium sales from mine production was $413 per
ounce in the 2010 first quarter, compared to $364 per ounce in the same
period of 2009. The comparable average realization on platinum, net of
contractual price caps, was $1,428 per ounce in the first quarter of 2010,
up markedly from $952 per ounce in the 2009 first quarter.
In the 2010 first quarter, total cash costs, after by-product and recycling
credits, were $364 per ounce, a 10% improvement over the first quarter 2009
average of $405 per ounce. These decreases were the result of continued
good mine production in the first quarter of 2010 following restructuring
measures taken at the end of 2008 and stronger recycling and by-product
credits compared to last year's first quarter.
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company processed about 119,300
ounces of PGMs from recycled catalytic materials. By comparison, in the
first quarter of 2009 the Company processed about 38,600 ounces of recycled
material. The Company processes both recycled material it purchases from
third parties and material it toll processes on behalf of others for a fee.
The substantial increase in volumes processed in 2010 is attributable to
higher PGM prices and the associated stronger incentive to collect material
for recycling, as well as to new business arrangements.
Revenues for the first quarter 2010 totaled $133.5 million, up 55.6% from
$85.8 million realized in the first quarter of 2009. Proceeds from sales of
mined PGMs totaled $95.2 million (including by-product revenues) in the
2010 first quarter, up from $62.3 million in the same quarter of 2009.
Recycling revenues increased to $33.7 million in the first quarter of 2010
from $21.5 million in the 2009 first quarter. Higher realized PGM prices
and higher volumes sold contributed to the increased revenue in both
segments. Resales at cost of finished metal purchased in the open market
generated $4.6 million in revenue during the first quarter of 2010,
compared to $2.0 million during the same period in 2009.
Costs of metals sold (before depreciation and amortization expense)
increased to $93.5 million in the 2010 first quarter from $72.3 million in
the first quarter of 2009. Mining costs included in costs of metals sold
increased to $57.9 million in the 2010 first quarter from $49.9 million in
the 2009 first quarter, reflecting the higher volumes of ounces sold.
Recycling costs, largely comprised of the cost to purchase spent catalytic
materials for processing, totaled $31.0 million in the first quarter of
2010, compared to $20.4 million in the first quarter of 2009, mostly
reflecting greater recycling volumes processed and sold during the first
quarter 2010. The cost to purchase 10,000 ounces of palladium for resale
added $4.6 million to first quarter 2010 costs, compared to $2.0 million
for 9,600 ounces bought during first quarter 2009.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $18.5 million in the
2010 first quarter from $17.2 million in the same period of 2009. The
increase is attributable to the higher production volumes during the first
quarter of 2010, increasing 2010 amortization rates.
General and administrative ("G&A") costs increased to $6.9 million in the
first quarter of 2010 from $6.7 million in the 2009 first quarter,
reflecting slightly higher compensation rates for 2010.
The net profit of $13.4 million recorded for the first quarter 2010
included, by business segment, $19.1 million of income from mining
operations and $2.9 million income from recycling activities (including
financing income), less corporate costs including $6.9 million of G&A
expense, about $1.5 million of unallocated net interest expense and a $0.2
million income tax provision.
The net loss of $11.7 million for the first quarter of 2009 included, by
business segment, $4.7 million of loss from mining operations and $1.2
million of income from recycling activities (including financing income),
less corporate costs including $6.7 million of G&A expense and about $1.2
million of unallocated net interest income. The 2009 first quarter loss
also included a $0.3 million loss for asset-related expenses.
Stillwater Mining Company will host its 2010 first quarter results
conference call in conjunction with its annual meeting of shareholders, to
be convened at approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 4,
2010. The conference call dial-in numbers are 800-230-1074 (U.S.) and
612-288-0329 (International). The conference call will simultaneously be
webcast on the Internet via the Company's website at
www.stillwatermining.com. To access the conference call on the Company's
website, go to the Investor Relations section under Presentations and click
on the link to the conference call. A replay of the conference call will be
available on the Company's website or by a telephone replay, numbers (800)
475-6701 (U.S.) and (320) 365-3844 (International), access code 155708,
through May 11, 2010, ending at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Stillwater Mining Company is the only U.S. producer of palladium and
platinum and is the largest primary producer of platinum group metals
outside of South Africa and the Russian Federation. The Company's shares
are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWC. Information
on Stillwater Mining can be found at its Website: www.stillwatermining.com.
Some statements contained in this news release are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and, therefore, involve uncertainties or risks that could cause
actual results to differ materially. These statements may contain words
such as "desires," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects,"
"intends," "estimates" or similar expressions. These statements are not
guarantees of the Company's future performance and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other important factors that could cause its actual
performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by these forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but
are not limited to, comments regarding the duration and overall effects of
the current worldwide financial and credit crises, the effects of
restructuring the Company's operations and maintaining a skilled work
force, the automotive market and the health of the automobile
manufacturers, expansion plans and realignment of operations, costs, grade,
production and recovery rates, permitting, labor matters, financing needs
and the terms of future credit facilities, capital expenditures, increases
in processing capacity, cost reduction measures, safety, timing for
engineering studies, and environmental permitting and compliance,
litigation and the palladium and platinum market, anticipated changes in
global supply and demand for PGM materials. Additional information
regarding factors that could cause results to differ materially from
management's expectations is found in the section entitled "Risk Factors"
in the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company intends that
the forward-looking statements contained herein be subject to the
above-mentioned statutory safe harbors. Investors are cautioned not to rely
on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to
update forward-looking statements.
Financial Statements and Key Factors Tables
Stillwater Mining Company
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------------
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Revenues
Mine production $ 95,199 $ 62,313
PGM recycling 33,650 21,473
Other 4,622 2,032
------------ ------------
Total revenues 133,471 85,818
Costs and expenses
Costs of metals sold
Mine production 57,863 49,860
PGM recycling 30,995 20,369
Other 4,622 2,027
------------ ------------
Total costs of metals sold 93,480 72,256
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
Mine production 18,457 17,120
PGM recycling 44 45
------------ ------------
Total depletion, depreciation and
amortization 18,501 17,165
------------ ------------
Total costs of revenues 111,981 89,421
Marketing 468 841
General and administrative 6,421 5,841
Loss on long-term investments - 119
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant
and equipment (217) 205
------------ ------------
Total costs and expenses 118,653 96,427
Operating income (loss) 14,818 (10,609)
Other income (expense)
Other 6 -
Interest income 401 658
Interest expense (1,633) (1,729)
------------ ------------
Income (loss) before income tax provision 13,592 (11,680)
Income tax provision (233) -
------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ 13,359 $ (11,680)
------------ ------------
Other comprehensive loss (194) (34)
------------ ------------
Comprehensive income (loss) $ 13,165 $ (11,714)
============ ============
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic 97,041 93,877
Diluted 98,117 93,877
Basic earnings (loss) per share
------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ 0.14 $ (0.12)
============ ============
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ 0.14 $ (0.12)
============ ============
Stillwater Mining Company
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
------------ ------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 155,135 $ 166,656
Investments, at fair market value 65,480 34,515
Inventories 95,460 88,967
Trade receivables 7,130 2,073
Deferred income taxes 19,230 18,130
Other current assets 7,186 8,680
------------ ------------
Total current assets $ 349,621 $ 319,021
------------ ------------
Property, plant and equipment (net of
$328,807 and $311,449 accumulated
depletion, depreciation and amortization) 351,434 358,866
Restricted cash 38,070 38,045
Other noncurrent assets 9,302 9,263
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 748,427 $ 725,195
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 12,545 $ 8,901
Accrued compensation and benefits 25,829 26,481
Property, production and franchise taxes
payable 9,434 10,405
Other current liabilities 4,177 3,689
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 51,985 49,476
------------ ------------
Long-term debt 195,985 195,977
Deferred income taxes 19,230 18,130
Accrued workers compensation 5,611 4,737
Asset retirement obligation 6,339 6,209
Other noncurrent liabilities 6,091 3,855
------------ ------------
Total liabilities $ 285,241 $ 278,384
------------ ------------
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000
shares authorized; none issued - -
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000
shares authorized; 97,681,577 and
96,732,185 shares issued and outstanding 977 967
Paid-in capital 678,069 674,869
Accumulated deficit (215,576) (228,935)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (284) (90)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 463,186 446,811
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $ 748,427 $ 725,195
============ ============
Stillwater Mining Company
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------------
2010 2009
------------ ------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss) $ 13,359 $ (11,680)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 18,501 17,165
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment - 5,485
Loss on long-term investments - 119
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and
equipment (217) 205
Asset retirement obligation 130 147
Stock issued under employee benefit plans 1,276 1,380
Amortization of debt issuance costs 245 264
Share based compensation 1,690 1,245
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories (6,935) 106
Trade receivables (5,057) 1,217
Accrued compensation and benefits (659) (586)
Accounts payable 3,644 (2,980)
Property, production and franchise taxes
payable 1,265 665
Workers compensation 874 (962)
Restricted cash (25) -
Other 1,672 1,473
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 29,763 13,263
------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures (10,727) (12,156)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant
and equipment 265 25
Purchases of investments (44,046) (3,986)
Proceeds from maturities of investments 12,973 11,874
------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (41,535) (4,243)
------------ ------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of common stock 251 -
------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) (11,521) 9,020
Balance at beginning of period 166,656 161,795
------------ ------------
Balance at end of period $ 155,135 $ 170,815
============ ============
Stillwater Mining Company
Key Factors
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
------------------------
2010 2009
----------- -----------
OPERATING AND COST DATA FOR MINE PRODUCTION
Consolidated:
Ounces produced (000)
Palladium 99 96
Platinum 30 29
----------- -----------
Total 129 125
=========== ===========
Tons milled (000) 278 264
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.51 0.51
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) 16 21
Sub-grade tons mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.19 0.18
Total tons milled (000) (1) 294 285
Combined mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.48 0.49
Total mill recovery (%) 91 91
Total operating costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 300 $ 355
Total cash costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 364 $ 405
Total production costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 505 $ 541
Total operating costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP)
(2) (8) $ 132 $ 156
Total cash costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 160 $ 177
Total production costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP)
(2)(8) $ 221 $ 237
Stillwater Mine:
Ounces produced (000)
Palladium 74 71
Platinum 22 22
----------- -----------
Total 96 93
=========== ===========
Tons milled (000) 179 180
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.57 0.56
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) 16 10
Sub-grade tons mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.18 0.17
Total tons milled (000) (1) 195 190
Combined mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.54 0.54
Total mill recovery (%) 92 92
Total operating costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 279 $ 343
Total cash costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 339 $ 387
Total production costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 467 $ 511
Total operating costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP)
(2)(8) $ 137 $ 167
Total cash costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 167 $ 189
Total production costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP)
(2)(8) $ 230 $ 250
Stillwater Mining Company
Key Factors (continued)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
------------------------
2010 2009
----------- -----------
OPERATING AND COST DATA FOR MINE PRODUCTION
(Continued)
East Boulder Mine:
Ounces produced (000)
Palladium 25 25
Platinum 8 7
----------- -----------
Total 33 32
=========== ===========
Tons milled (000) 99 84
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.37 0.41
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) - 11
Sub-grade tons mill head grade (ounce per ton) - 0.20
Total tons milled (000) (1) 99 95
Combined mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.37 0.38
Total mill recovery (%) 89 89
Total operating costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 363 $ 392
Total cash costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 439 $ 455
Total production costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 618 $ 627
Total operating costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP)
(2)(8) $ 120 $ 132
Total cash costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2)(8) $ 145 $ 154
Total production costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP)
(2)(8) $ 204 $ 212
Stillwater Mining Company
Key Factors (continued)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
(in thousands, where noted) March 31,
------------------------
2010 2009
----------- -----------
SALES AND PRICE DATA
Ounces sold (000)
Mine production:
Palladium (oz.) 104 86
Platinum (oz.) 31 29
----------- -----------
Total 135 115
----------- -----------
PGM recycling: (5)
Palladium (oz.) 19 8
Platinum (oz.) 14 8
Rhodium (oz.) 3 2
----------- -----------
Total 36 18
----------- -----------
Other: (6)
Palladium (oz.) 10 10
Platinum (oz.) - -
Rhodium (oz.) - -
----------- -----------
Total 10 10
----------- -----------
By-products from mining: (7)
Rhodium (oz.) 1 1
Gold (oz.) 2 2
Silver (oz.) 2 2
Copper (lb.) 261 172
Nickel (lb.) 312 129
Average realized price per ounce (3)
Mine production:
Palladium ($/oz.) $ 413 $ 364
Platinum ($/oz.) $ 1,428 $ 952
Combined ($/oz)(4) $ 644 $ 510
PGM recycling: (5)
Palladium ($/oz.) $ 365 $ 361
Platinum ($/oz.) $ 1,390 $ 1,048
Rhodium ($/oz) $ 1,864 $ 3,881
Other: (6)
Palladium ($/oz.) $ 462 $ 205
Platinum ($/oz.) $ - $ -
Rhodium ($/oz) $ - $ -
By-products from mining: (7)
Rhodium ($/oz.) $ 2,458 $ 1,173
Gold ($/oz.) $ 1,100 $ 926
Silver ($/oz.) $ 16 $ 13
Copper ($/lb.) $ 3.08 $ 1.34
Nickel ($/lb.) $ 8.21 $ 5.19
Average market price per ounce (3)
Palladium ($/oz.) $ 441 $ 199
Platinum ($/oz.) $ 1,563 $ 1,023
Combined ($/oz)(4) $ 697 $ 403
(1) Sub-grade tons milled includes reef waste material only. Total tons
milled includes ore tons and sub-grade tons only. See "Proven and
Probable Ore Reserves - Discussion" in the Company's 2009 Annual Report
on Form 10-K for further information.
(2) Total operating costs include costs of mining, processing and
administrative expenses at the mine site (including mine site overhead
and credits for metals produced other than palladium and platinum from
mine production). Total cash costs include total operating costs plus
royalties, insurance and taxes other than income taxes. Total
production costs include total cash costs plus asset retirement costs
and depreciation and amortization. Income taxes, corporate general and
administrative expenses, asset impairment write-downs, gain or loss on
disposal of property, plant and equipment, restructuring costs,
interest income and expense are not included in total operating costs,
total cash costs or total production costs. Operating costs per ton,
operating costs per ounce, cash costs per ton, cash costs per ounce,
production costs per ton and production costs per ounce are non-GAAP
measurements that management uses to monitor and evaluate the
efficiency of its mining operations. These measures of cost are not
defined under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Please see "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to Costs of Revenues"
and the accompanying discussion for additional detail.
(3) The Company's average realized price represents revenues, which include
the effect of any applicable agreement floor and ceiling prices,
hedging gains and losses realized on commodity instruments and
agreement discounts, divided by ounces sold. The average market price
represents the average London Bullion Market Association afternoon
postings for the actual months of the period.
(4) The Company reports a combined average realized and market price of
palladium and platinum at the same ratio as ounces that are produced
from the base metal refinery.
(5) Ounces sold and average realized price per ounce from PGM recycling
relate to ounces produced from processing of catalyst materials.
(6) Ounces sold and average realized price per ounce from other relate to
ounces purchased in the open market for resale. Ounces in the years
2006 and 2005 also included palladium ounces received in the Norilsk
Nickel transaction.
(7) By-product metals sold reflect contained metal. Realized prices reflect
net values (discounted due to product form and transportation and
marketing charges) per unit received.
(8) Operating, cash and production costs per ounce and per ton were not
revised for the retrospective application of the accounting change as
disclosed in Note 2, "Change in Inventory Cost Method for Recycling
Inventory", to the Company's unaudited financial statements included in
its March 31, 2010 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures to costs of revenues
The Company utilizes certain non-GAAP measures as indicators in assessing
the performance of its mining and processing operations during any period.
Because of the processing time required to complete the extraction of
finished PGM products, there are typically lags from one to three months
between ore production and sale of the finished product. Sales in any
period include some portion of material mined and processed from prior
periods as the revenue recognition process is completed. Consequently,
while costs of revenues (a GAAP measure included in the Company's Statement
of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss)) appropriately reflects the
expense associated with the materials sold in any period, the Company has
developed certain non-GAAP measures to assess the costs associated with its
producing and processing activities in a particular period and to compare
those costs between periods.
While the Company believes that these non-GAAP measures may also be of
value to outside readers, both as general indicators of the Company's
mining efficiency from period to period and as insight into how the Company
internally measures its operating performance, these non-GAAP measures are
not standardized across the mining industry and in most cases will not be
directly comparable to similar measures that may be provided by other
companies. These non-GAAP measures are only useful as indicators of
relative operational performance in any period, and because they do not
take into account the inventory timing differences that are included in
costs of revenues, they cannot meaningfully be used to develop measures of
profitability. A reconciliation of these measures to costs of revenues for
each period shown is provided as part of the following tables, and a
description of each non-GAAP measure is provided below.
Total Costs of Revenues: For the Company on a consolidated basis, this
measure is equal to consolidated costs of revenues, as reported in the
Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income/ (Loss). For the
Stillwater Mine, East Boulder Mine, and other PGM activities, the Company
segregates the expenses within costs of revenues that are directly
associated with each of these activities and then allocates the remaining
facility costs included in consolidated costs of revenues in proportion to
the monthly volumes from each activity. The resulting total costs of
revenues measures for the Stillwater Mine, East Boulder Mine and other PGM
activities are equal in total to consolidated costs of revenues as reported
in the Company's Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss).
Total Production Costs
(Non-GAAP): Calculated as total costs of revenues (for each mine or
consolidated) adjusted to exclude gains or losses on asset dispositions,
costs and profit from secondary recycling, and changes in product
inventories. This non-GAAP measure provides an indication of the total
costs incurred in association with production and processing in a period,
before taking into account the timing differences resulting from inventory
changes and before any effect of asset dispositions or secondary recycling
activities. The Company uses it as a comparative measure of the level of
total production and processing activities in a period, and may be compared
to prior periods or between the Company's mines. As noted above, because
this measure does not take into account the inventory timing differences
that are included in costs of revenues, it cannot be used to develop
meaningful measures of earnings or profitability.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total
Production Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) -- measured for each mine or
consolidated -- provides an indication of the cost per ton milled in that
period. Because of variability of ore grade in the Company's mining
operations, production efficiency underground is frequently measured
against ore tons produced rather than contained PGM ounces. And because ore
tons are first actually weighed as they are fed into the mill, mill feed is
the first point at which production tons are measured precisely.
Consequently, Total Production Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) is a general
measure of production efficiency, and is affected both by the level of
Total Production Costs (Non-GAAP) and by the volume of tons produced and
fed to the mill.
When divided by the total recoverable PGM ounces from production in the
respective period, Total Production Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) -- measured
for each mine or consolidated -- provides an indication of the cost per
ounce produced in that period. Recoverable PGM ounces from production are
an indication of the amount of PGM product extracted through mining in any
period. Because extracting PGM material is ultimately the objective of
mining, the cost per ounce of extracting and processing PGM ounces in a
period is a useful measure for comparing extraction efficiency between
periods and between the Company's mines. Consequently, Total Production
Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) in any period is a general measure of extraction
efficiency, and is affected by the level of Total Production Costs
(Non-GAAP), by the grade of the ore produced and by the volume of ore
produced in the period.
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP): This non-GAAP measure is calculated (for each
mine or consolidated) as total costs of revenues adjusted to exclude gains
or losses on asset dispositions, costs and profit from recycling
activities, depreciation and amortization and asset retirement costs and
changes in product inventories. The Company uses this measure as a
comparative indication of the cash costs related to production and
processing in any period. As noted above, because this measure does not
take into account the inventory timing differences that are included in
costs of revenues, it cannot be used to develop meaningful measures of
earnings or profitability.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total Cash
Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) -- measured for each mine or consolidated --
provides an indication of the level of cash costs incurred per ton milled
in that period. Because of variability of ore grade in the Company's mining
operations, production efficiency underground is frequently measured
against ore tons produced rather than contained PGM ounces. And because ore
tons are first weighed as they are fed into the mill, mill feed is the
first point at which production tons are measured precisely. Consequently,
Total Cash Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) is a general measure of
production efficiency, and is affected both by the level of Total Cash
Costs (Non-GAAP) and by the volume of tons produced and fed to the mill.
When divided by the total recoverable PGM ounces from production in the
respective period, Total Cash Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) -- measured for
each mine or consolidated -- provides an indication of the level of cash
costs incurred per PGM ounce produced in that period. Recoverable PGM
ounces from production are an indication of the amount of PGM product
extracted through mining in any period. Because ultimately extracting PGM
material is the objective of mining, the cash cost per ounce of extracting
and processing PGM ounces in a period is a useful measure for comparing
extraction efficiency between periods and between the Company's mines.
Consequently, Total Cash Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) in any period is a
general measure of extraction efficiency, and is affected by the level of
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP), by the grade of the ore produced and by the
volume of ore produced in the period.
Total Operating Costs (Non-GAAP): This non-GAAP measure is derived from
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP) for each mine or consolidated by excluding
royalty, tax and insurance expenses from Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP).
Royalties, taxes and insurance costs are contractual or governmental
obligations outside of the control of the Company's mining operations, and
in the case of royalties and most taxes, are driven more by the level of
sales realizations rather than by operating efficiency. Consequently, Total
Operating Costs (Non-GAAP) is a useful indicator of the level of production
and processing costs incurred in a period that are under the control of
mining operations. As noted above, because this measure does not take into
account the inventory timing differences that are included in costs of
revenues, it cannot be used to develop meaningful measures of earnings or
profitability.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total
Operating Cost per Ton Milled
(Non-GAAP) -- measured for each mine or consolidated -- provides an
indication of the level of controllable cash costs incurred per ton milled
in that period. Because of variability of ore grade in the Company's mining
operations, production efficiency underground is frequently measured
against ore tons produced rather than contained PGM ounces. And because ore
tons are first actually weighed as they are fed into the mill, mill feed is
the first point at which production tons are measured precisely.
Consequently, Total Operating Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) is a general
measure of production efficiency, and is affected both by the level of
Total Operating Costs (Non-GAAP) and by the volume of tons produced and fed
to the mill.
When divided by the total recoverable PGM ounces from production in the
respective period, Total Operating Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) -- measured
for each mine or consolidated -- provides an indication of the level of
controllable cash costs incurred per PGM ounce produced in that period.
Recoverable PGM ounces from production are an indication of the amount of
PGM product extracted through mining in any period. Because ultimately
extracting PGM material is the objective of mining, the cost per ounce of
extracting and processing PGM ounces in a period is a useful measure for
comparing extraction efficiency between periods and between the Company's
mines. Consequently, Total Operating Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) in any
period is a general measure of extraction efficiency, and is affected by
the level of Total Operating Costs (Non-GAAP), by the grade of the ore
produced and by the volume of ore produced in the period.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to Costs of Revenues
Three months ended
March 31,
(in thousands) 2010 2009
------------ ------------
Consolidated:
Reconciliation to consolidated costs of
revenues:
Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) $ 38,741 $ 44,338
Royalties, taxes and other 8,262 6,154
------------ ------------
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) $ 47,003 $ 50,492
Asset retirement costs 130 147
Depreciation and amortization 17,573 17,120
Depreciation and amortization (in inventory) 442 (241)
------------ ------------
Total production costs (Non-GAAP) $ 65,148 $ 67,518
Change in product inventories 4,691 (3,618)
Cost of PGM recycling 30,995 20,369
PGM recycling - depreciation 44 45
Add: Profit from PGM recycling 2,899 1,192
------------ ------------
Total consolidated costs of revenues (2) $ 103,777 $ 85,506
============ ============
Stillwater Mine:
Reconciliation to costs of revenues:
Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) $ 26,865 $ 31,825
Royalties, taxes and other 5,791 4,148
------------ ------------
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) $ 32,656 $ 35,973
Asset retirement costs 120 123
Depreciation and amortization 11,658 11,282
Depreciation and amortization (in inventory) 520 104
------------ ------------
Total production costs (Non-GAAP) $ 44,954 $ 47,482
Change in product inventories 469 (3,013)
Add: Profit from PGM recycling 2,165 909
------------ ------------
Total costs of revenues $ 47,588 $ 45,378
============ ============
East Boulder Mine:
Reconciliation to costs of revenues:
Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) $ 11,876 $ 12,513
Royalties, taxes and other 2,471 2,006
------------ ------------
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) $ 14,347 $ 14,519
Asset retirement costs 10 24
Depreciation and amortization 5,915 5,838
Depreciation and amortization (in inventory) (78) (345)
------------ ------------
Total production costs (Non-GAAP) $ 20,194 $ 20,036
Change in product inventories (400) (2,632)
Add: Profit from PGM recycling 734 283
------------ ------------
Total costs of revenues $ 20,528 $ 17,687
============ ============
PGM recycling and Other (1)
Reconciliation to costs of revenues:
Cost of open market purchases $ 4,622 $ 2,027
PGM recycling - depreciation 44 45
Cost of PGM recycling 30,995 20,369
------------ ------------
Total costs of revenues $ 35,661 $ 22,441
============ ============
(1) PGM recycling and Other include PGM recycling and metal purchased on
the open market for re-sale.
(2) Revenue from the sale of mined by-products are credited against gross
production costs for Non-GAAP presentation. Revenue from the sale of
mined by-products are reported on the Company's financial statements as
mined revenue and are included in consolidated costs of revenues. Total
costs of revenues in the above table have been reduced by approximately
$8.2 million and $3.9 million for the first quarter of 2010 and 2009,
respectively.
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