ITEM 1. BUSINESS
THE COMPANY
Southern Copper Corporation ("SCC", "Southern Copper" or the "Company") is one of the largest integrated copper producers in the world. Our major production includes copper, molybdenum, zinc and silver. All of our mining, smelting and refining facilities are located in Peru and Mexico and we conduct exploration activities in those countries and in Argentina, Chile and Ecuador. See Item 2 "Properties-Review of Operations" for maps of our principal mines, smelting facilities and refineries. Our operations make us one of the largest mining companies in Peru and Mexico. We believe we have the largest copper reserves in the world. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1952 and have conducted copper mining operations since 1960. Since 1996, our common stock has been listed on both the New York and Lima Stock Exchanges.
Our Peruvian copper operations involve mining, milling and flotation of copper ore to produce copper concentrates and molybdenum concentrates; the smelting of copper concentrates to produce blister and anode copper; and the refining of anode copper to produce copper cathodes. As part of this production process, we also produce significant amounts of molybdenum concentrate and sulfuric acid. Our precious metals plant at the Ilo refinery produces refined silver, gold, and other materials. Additionally, we produce refined copper using solvent extraction/electrowinning technology ("SX-EW"). We operate the Toquepala and Cuajone open-pit mines high in the Andes Mountains, approximately 860 kilometers southeast of the city of Lima, Peru. We also operate a smelter and refinery west of the Toquepala and Cuajone mines in the coastal city of Ilo, Peru.
Our Mexican operations are conducted through our subsidiary, Minera Mexico S.A. de C.V. ("Minera Mexico"), which we acquired in 2005. Minera Mexico engages primarily in the mining and processing of copper, molybdenum, zinc, silver, gold and lead. Minera Mexico operates through subsidiaries that are grouped into three separate units. Mexicana de Cobre S.A. de C.V. (together with its subsidiaries, the "La Caridad" unit) operates La Caridad, an open-pit copper mine, a copper ore concentrator, a SX-EW plant, a smelter, refinery and a rod plant. The La Caridad refinery has a precious metals plant which produces refined silver, gold and other materials. Operadora de Minas e Instalaciones Mineras S.A de C.V. (the "Buenavista unit") operates Buenavista, an open-pit copper mine, which is located at the site of one of the world's largest copper ore deposits, two copper concentrators and three SX-EW plants. Industrial Minera Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (together with its subsidiaries, the "IMMSA unit") operates five underground mines that produce zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold, a coal mine and a zinc refinery.
We utilize modern, state of the art mining and processing methods, including global positioning systems and computerized mining processes. Our operations have a high level of vertical integration that allows us to manage the entire production process, from the mining of the ore to the production of refined copper rod and other products and most related transport and logistics functions, using our own facilities, employees and equipment.
The sales prices for our products are largely determined by market forces out of our control. Our management, therefore, focuses on cost control and production enhancement to remain profitable. We endeavor to achieve these goals through capital spending programs, exploration efforts and cost reduction programs. Our focus is to remain profitable during periods of low copper prices and on maximizing results in periods of high copper prices. For additional information on the sale prices of the metals we produce, please see "Metal Prices" in this Item 1.
Currency Information:
Unless stated otherwise, all our financial information is presented in U.S. dollars and any reference herein to "U.S. dollars", "dollars", or "$" are to U.S. dollars; references to "sol", "soles" or "S/", are to Peruvian soles; and references to "peso", "pesos", or "Ps.", are to Mexican pesos.
Unit Information:
Unless otherwise noted, all tonnages are in metric tons. To convert to short tons, multiply by 1.102. All ounces are troy ounces. All distances are in kilometers. To convert to miles, multiply by 0.621. To convert hectares to acres, multiply by 2.47.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The following chart describes our organizational structure, starting with our controlling stockholders, as of December 31, 2017. For clarity of presentation, the chart identifies only our main subsidiaries and eliminates intermediate holding companies.
We are a majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. ("Grupo Mexico"). At December 31, 2017, Grupo Mexico through its wholly-owned subsidiary Americas Mining Corporation ("AMC") owned 88.9% of our capital stock. Grupo Mexico's principal business is to act as a holding company for the shares of other corporations engaged in the mining, processing, purchase and sale of minerals and other products and railway and other related services.
We conduct our operations in Peru through a registered branch (the "SPCC Peru Branch", "Branch" or "Peruvian Branch"). The SPCC Peru Branch comprises substantially all of our assets and liabilities associated with our copper operations in Peru. The SPCC Peru Branch is not a corporation separate from us and, therefore, obligations of SPCC Peru Branch are direct obligations of SCC and vice-versa. It is, however, an establishment, registered pursuant to Peruvian law, through which we hold assets, incur liabilities and conduct operations in Peru. Although it has neither its own capital nor liability separate from us, it is deemed to have equity capital for purposes of determining the economic interests of holders of our investment shares (See Note 13 "Stockholders´ Equity" of our consolidated financial statements).
In April 2005, we acquired Minera Mexico, from Americas Mining Corporation ("AMC"), a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, our controlling stockholder. Minera Mexico is a holding company and all of its operations are conducted through subsidiaries that are grouped into three units: (i) the La Caridad unit (ii) the Buenavista unit and (iii) the IMMSA unit. We own 99.96% of Minera Mexico.
In 2008, our Board of Directors ("BOD") authorized a $500 million share repurchase program that has since been increased by the BOD and is currently authorized to $3 billion. Pursuant to this program, through December 31, 2017 we have purchased 119.5 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $2,918.4 million. These shares are available for general corporate purposes. We may purchase additional shares from time to time, based on market conditions and other factors. This repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified or discontinued at any time.
REPUBLIC OF PERU AND MEXICO
Our revenues are derived primarily from our operations in Peru and Mexico. Risks related to our operations in both countries include those associated with economic and political conditions, the effects of currency fluctuations and inflation, the effects of government regulations and the geographic concentration of our operations.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information that issuers (including Southern Copper Corporation) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC's website is www.sec.gov.
Our website is www.southerncoppercorp.com. Beginning with the Form 8-K dated March 14, 2003, we have made available on this website, free of charge, our annual, quarterly and current reports, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our website also includes the Company's Corporate Governance guidelines and the charters of our principal Board Committees. However, the information found on our website is not part of this or any other report.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Forward-looking statements in this report and in other Company statements include information regarding expected commencement dates of mining or metal production operations, projected quantities of future metal production, anticipated production rates, operating efficiencies, costs and expenditures, including taxes, as well as projected demand or supply for the Company's products. Actual results could differ materially depending upon certain factors, including the risks and uncertainties relating to general U.S. and international economic and political conditions, the cyclical and volatile prices of copper, other commodities and supplies, including fuel and electricity, the availability of materials, insurance coverage, equipment, required permits or approvals and financing, the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions, lower than expected ore grades, water and geological problems, the failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications, failure to obtain financial assurance to meet closure and remediation obligations, labor relations, litigation and environmental risks, as well as political and economic risk associated with foreign operations. Results of operations are directly affected by metal prices on commodity exchanges, which can be volatile.
Additional business information follows:
COPPER BUSINESS
Copper is an important component in the world's infrastructure. It is the third most widely used metal, after iron and aluminum. Copper has unique chemical and physical properties, including high ductility, malleability, thermal and electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion that has made it a superior material for use in electrical and electronic products, including power transmission and generation, which accounts for about three quarters of copper global use, telecommunications, building construction, transportation and industrial machinery. Copper is also an important metal in non-electrical applications such as plumbing and roofing and, when alloyed with zinc to form brass, in many industrial and consumer applications.
Copper is an internationally traded commodity with prices principally determined by the major metal exchanges, the Commodities Exchange, or "COMEX", in New York and the London Metal Exchange or "LME." Copper is usually found in nature in association with sulfur. Pure copper metal is generally produced from a multistage process, beginning with the mining and concentrating of low-grade ores containing copper sulfide minerals, and followed by smelting and electrolytic refining to produce a pure copper cathode. An increasing share of copper is produced from acid leaching of oxidized ores. Copper is one of the oldest metals ever used and has been one of the most important materials in the development of civilization.
BUSINESS REPORTING SEGMENTS:
Our management views Southern Copper as having three reportable segments and manages it on the basis of these segments.
The three segments identified are groups of individual mines, each of which constitutes an operating segment with similar economic characteristics, type of products, processes and support facilities, regulatory environments, employee bargaining contracts and currency risks. In addition, each mine within the individual group earns revenues from similar types of customers for their products and services and each group incurs expenses independently, including commercial transactions between groups.
Inter-segment sales are based on arm's length prices at the time of sale. These may not be reflective of actual prices realized by the Company due to various factors, including additional processing, timing of sales to outside customers and transportation cost. Added to the segment data is information regarding the Company's sales. The segments identified by the Company are:
1.Peruvian operations, which include the Toquepala and Cuajone mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, including a precious metals plant, industrial railroad and port facilities that service both mines. Sales of its products are recorded as revenue of our Peruvian mines. The Peruvian operations produce copper, with production of by-products of molybdenum, silver and other materials.
2.Mexican open-pit operations, which include the La Caridad and Buenavista mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, including a precious metals plant and a copper rod plant and support facilities that service both mines. Sales of its products are recorded as revenue of our Mexican mines. The Mexican open-pit operations produce copper, with production of by-products of molybdenum, silver and other materials.
3.Mexican underground mining operations, which include five underground mines that produce zinc, copper, lead, silver and gold, a coal mine that produces coal and coke, and a zinc refinery. This group is identified as the IMMSA unit and sales of its products are recorded as revenue of the IMMSA unit.
Financial information is regularly prepared for each of the three segments and the results are reported to Senior management on a segment basis. Senior management focuses on operating income and on total assets as measures of performance to evaluate different segments and to make decisions to allocate resources to the reported segments. These are common measures in the mining industry.
Segment information is included in Item 2 "Properties," under the captions-"Metal Production by Segments" and "Ore Reserves." More information on business segment and segment financial information is included in Note 17 "Segment and Related Information" of our consolidated financial statements.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM AND EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
For a description of our capital investment program, see Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Capital Investment Program" and for our exploration activities, see Item 2 "Properties-Explorations Activities."
PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS AND MARKETS
Copper is primarily used in the building and construction industries, in the power generation and transmission industry, in electrical and electronic products and, to a lesser extent, in industrial machinery and equipment, consumer products and in the automotive and transportation industries. Molybdenum is used to toughen alloy steels and soften tungsten alloy and is also used in fertilizers, dyes, enamels and reagents. Silver is used for photographic, electrical and electronic products and, to a lesser extent, in brazing alloys and solder, jewelry, coinage, silverware and catalysts. Zinc is primarily used as a coating on iron and steel to protect against corrosion and is also used to make die cast parts, in the manufacturing of batteries and in the form of sheets for architectural purposes.
Our marketing strategy and annual sales planning emphasize developing and maintaining long-term customer relationships. Thus acquiring annual or other long-term contracts for the sale of our products is a high priority. Generally, 80% to 90% of our metal production is sold under annual or longer-term contracts. Sales prices are determined based on the prevailing commodity prices for the quotation period according to the terms of the contract.
We focus on the ultimate end-user customers as opposed to selling on the spot market or to trading companies. In addition, we devote significant marketing efforts to diversifying our sales both by region and by customer base. We also strive to provide superior customer service, including timely deliveries of our products. Our ability to consistently fulfill customer demand is supported by our substantial production capacity.
For additional information on sales please see "Revenue recognition" in Note 2 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and Note 17 "Segment and Related Information" of our consolidated financial statements.
METALS PRICES
Prices for our products are principally a function of supply and demand and, with the exception of molybdenum, are established on COMEX and LME. Prices for our molybdenum products are established by reference to the publication Platt's Metals Week. Our contract prices also reflect any negotiated premiums and the costs of freight and other factors. From time to time, we have entered into hedging transactions to provide partial protection against future decreases in the market price of metals and we may do so under certain market conditions. For a further discussion of our products market prices, please see Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Metal Prices."
The table below shows the high, low and average COMEX and LME per pound copper prices during the last 10 years:
The per pound COMEX copper price during the last 5 and 10 year periods averaged $2.79 and $3.05, respectively. The per pound LME copper price during the last 5 and 10 year periods also averaged $2.79 and $3.05, respectively.
The table below shows the high, low and average per-pound, except silver, which is per ounce, market prices for our three principal by-products during the last 10 years:
The per ounce COMEX silver price during the last 5 and 10 year periods averaged $18.53 and $20.89, respectively. The per pound Platt's Metals Week Dealer Oxide molybdenum price during the last 5 and 10 year periods averaged $8.54 and $12.56, respectively. The per pound LME zinc price during the last 5 and 10 year periods averaged $1.00 and $0.94, respectively.
COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS
Competition in the copper market is based primarily on price and service basis, with price being the most important factor when supplies of copper are ample. Our products compete with other materials, including aluminum and plastics. For additional information, see Item 1A
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Every investor or potential investor in Southern Copper Corporation should carefully consider the following risk factors.
Financial risks
Our financial performance is highly dependent on the price of copper and the other metals we produce.
Our financial performance is significantly affected by the market prices of the metals that we produce, particularly the market prices of copper, molybdenum, zinc and silver. Historically, these prices have been subject to wide fluctuations and are affected by numerous factors out of our control, including international economic and political conditions, levels of supply and demand, the availability and costs of substitutes, inventory levels maintained by users, actions of participants in the commodities markets and currency exchange rates. In addition, the market prices of copper and certain other metals have on occasion been subject to rapid short-term changes.
In the last three years, approximately 80% of our revenues came from the sale of copper, 5% came from molybdenum and 9% came from silver and zinc. Please see the distribution of our revenues per product on Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" caption "Results of operations-net sales" on page 80.
See also historical average price of our products on Item 1 Business caption "Metals prices".
We cannot predict whether metals prices will rise or fall in the future. Future declines in metals prices, and in particular copper, will have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition. In very adverse market conditions, we might consider curtailing or modifying some of our mining and processing operations.
Our business requires levels of capital investments which we may not be able to maintain.
Our business is capital intensive. Specifically, the exploration and exploitation of copper and other metal reserves, mining, smelting and refining costs, the maintenance of machinery and equipment and compliance with laws and regulations require significant capital investments. We must continue to invest capital to maintain or increase the amount of copper reserves that we exploit and the amount of copper and other metals we produce. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our production levels to generate sufficient cash, or that we have access to sufficient financing to continue our exploration, exploitation and refining activities at or above present levels.
Restrictive covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness and the indebtedness of our Minera Mexico subsidiary may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies.
Our financing instruments and those of our Minera Mexico subsidiary include financial and other restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our and Minera Mexico's abilities to incur additional debt and sell assets. If either we or our Minera Mexico subsidiary do not comply with these obligations, we could be in default under the applicable agreements which, if not addressed or waived, could require repayment of the indebtedness immediately. Our Minera Mexico subsidiary is further limited by the terms of its outstanding notes, which also restrict the Company's applicable incurrence of debt and liens. In addition, future credit facilities may contain limitations on our incurrence of additional debt and liens, on our ability to dispose of assets, or on our ability to pay dividends to our common stockholders.
We may not pay a significant amount of our net income as cash dividends on our common stock in the future.
We distributed a significant amount of our net income as dividends since 1996. Our dividend practice is subject to change at the discretion of our Board of Directors at any time. The amount that we pay in dividends is subject to a number of factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, tax considerations, future prospects, legal restrictions, contractual restrictions in credit agreements, limitations imposed by the government of Peru, Mexico or other countries where we have significant operations and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. In light of our capital investment program and global economic conditions, it is possible that future dividend distributions will be reduced from the levels of recent years.
Our ability to recognize the benefits of deferred tax assets is dependent on future cash flows and taxable income.
Through 2017 the Company recognized the expected future tax benefit from deferred tax assets when the tax benefit was considered to be more likely than not of being realized, otherwise, a valuation allowance was applied against deferred tax assets. Assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets requires management to make significant estimates related to expectations of future taxable income and existing tax laws.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("the Act") was enacted into U.S. tax law on December 22, 2017 and contains many significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws. The Company also adopted SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 ("SAB 118"). Accordingly, the accounting for the effect of the Act is based on the Company's best estimate, which may require adjustment. However, the Company was able to make reasonable estimates of certain effects and therefore, recorded a provisional $785.9 million non-cash tax expense for the estimated effects of the Act. These adjustments were related to the valuation allowance for foreign tax credits, and other US deferred tax assets, revaluation of our deferred tax assets due to the rate change from 35% to 21% and the transition tax on the repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings. The ultimate impact may differ from the Company´s estimate due to changes in estimates or further clarification of the new law.
Operational risks
Our actual reserves may not conform to our current estimates of our ore deposits and we depend on our ability to replenish ore reserves for our long-term viability.
There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the calculation of reserves. Until reserves are actually mined and processed, the quantity of ore and grades must be considered as estimates only. The proven and probable ore reserves data included in this report are estimates prepared by us based on evaluation methods generally used in the mining industry. We may be required in the future to revise our reserves estimates based on our actual production. We cannot assure you that our actual reserves conform to geological, metallurgical or other expectations or that the estimated volume and grade of ore will be recovered. Market prices of our metals, increased production costs, reduced recovery rates, short-term operating factors, royalty charges and other factors may render proven and probable reserves uneconomic to exploit and may result in revisions of reserves data from time to time. Reserves data are not indicative of future results of operations. Our reserves are depleted as we mine. We depend on our ability to replenish our ore reserves for our long-term viability. We use several strategies to replenish and increase our ore reserves, including exploration and investment in properties located near our existing mine sites and investing in technology that could extend the life of a mine by allowing us to cost-effectively process ore types that were previously considered uneconomic. Acquisitions may also contribute to increase ore reserves and we review potential acquisition opportunities on a regular
basis. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue with our strategy to replenish reserves indefinitely.
Our operations are subject to risks, some of which are not insurable.
The business of mining, smelting and refining copper, zinc and other metals is subject to a number of risks and hazards, including industrial accidents, labor disputes, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, changes in the regulatory environment, environmental hazards, weather and other natural phenomena, such as seismic activity. Such occurrences could result in damage to, or destruction of, mining operations resulting in monetary losses and possible legal liability. In particular, surface and underground mining and related processing activities present inherent risks of injury to personnel and damage to equipment. We maintain insurance against many of these and other risks, which in certain circumstances may not provide adequate coverage. Insurance against certain risks, including certain liabilities for environmental damage or hazards as a result of exploration and production, is not generally available to us or other companies within the mining industry. Nevertheless recent environmental legal initiatives have considered future regulations regarding environmental damage insurance. In case such regulations come into force, we will have to analyze the need to obtain such insurance. We do not have, and do not intend to obtain, political risk insurance. These or other uninsured events may adversely affect our financial condition and the results of operations.
Changes in the demand level for our products and copper sales agreements could adversely affect our revenues.
Our financial results are subject to fluctuations on the level of industrial and consumer demand for the refined, semi-refined metal products and concentrates we sell, as well as global economic slow-downs or recessions. Also, changes in technology, industrial processes, concerns over weaknesses in the global economy and consumer habits may affect the level of demand to the extent that those increase or decrease the need for our metal products. Likewise, our revenues could be adversely affected by events of force majeure that could have a negative impact on our sales agreements. These events include acts of nature, labor strikes, fires, floods, wars, transportation delays, government actions or other events that are beyond the control of the parties of the agreement.
Interruptions of energy supply or increases in energy costs, shortages of water supply, critical parts, equipment, skilled labor and other production costs may adversely affect our results of operations.
We require substantial amounts of fuel oil, electricity, water and other resources for our operations. Fuel, gas and power costs constituted approximately 31%, 30% and 32% of our total production cost in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We rely upon third parties for our supply of the energy resources consumed in our operations so that prices for and availability of energy resources may be subject to change or curtailment, due to, among other things, new laws or regulations, imposition of new taxes or tariffs, interruptions in production by suppliers, worldwide price levels and market conditions. Regarding water consumption, although each operation currently has sufficient water rights to cover its operational demands, the loss of some or all water rights for any of our mines or operations, in whole or in part, or shortages of water to which we have rights could require us to curtail or shut down mining production and could prevent us from pursuing expansion opportunities. In addition, future shortages of critical parts, equipment and skilled labor could adversely affect our operations and development projects.
Our Company is subject to health and safety laws which may restrict our operations, result in operational delays or increase our operating costs and adversely affect our financial results of operations.
We are required to comply with occupational health and safety laws and regulations in Peru and Mexico where our operations are subject to periodic inspections by the relevant governmental
authorities. These laws and regulations govern, among others, health and safety work place conditions, including high risk labor and the handling, storage and disposal of chemical and other hazardous substances. We believe our operations are in compliance in all material respects with applicable health and safety laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate. Compliance with these laws and regulations and new or existing regulations that may be applicable to us in the future could increase our operating costs and adversely affect our financial results of operations and cash flows.
Our efforts are focused on the health and safety of our workforce in order to consistently improve performance and compliance through the implementation of occupational health programs, adequate training and safety incentives at our operations. Despite the Company's efforts, we are not exempt from accidents. These are reported to Mexican and Peruvian authorities as required. Regarding non-fatal accidents, in the last three years, the Company's Dart rate (rate to measure workplace injuries severe enough to warrant Day Away from work, job Restrictions and/or job Transfers) was much lower than the MSHA Dart rate (the MSHA Dart rate is published by the U.S.'s Mine Safety and Health Administration, and is used as an industry benchmark). In 2017, 2016 and 2015 we had two, six and one fatalities, respectively, in Mexico and Peru. The amounts paid to the Mexican and Peruvian authorities for reportable accidents did not have an adverse effect on our results. Under Mexican and Peruvian law penalties and fines for safety violations are generally monetary, but in certain cases may lead to the temporary or permanent shutdown of the affected facility or the suspension or revocation of permits or licenses. Also, violations of security and safety laws and regulations in our Peruvian operations can be considered a crime, punishable with a sentence of up to 10 years of prison.
Our metals exploration efforts are highly speculative in nature and may be unsuccessful.
Metals exploration is highly speculative in nature. It involves many risks and is frequently unsuccessful. Once mineralization is discovered, it may take a number of years from the initial phases of drilling until production is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of production may change. Substantial expenditures are required to establish proven and probable ore reserves through drilling, to determine metallurgical processes to extract the metals from the ore and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. We cannot assure you that our exploration programs will result in the expansion or replacement of current production with new proven and probable ore reserves.
Development projects have no operating history upon which we can base estimates of proven and probable ore reserves and estimates of future cash operating costs. Estimates are, to a large extent, based upon the interpretation of geological data obtained from drill holes and other sampling techniques, and feasibility studies that derive estimates of cash operating costs based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and processed, the configuration of the ore body, expected recovery rates of the mineral from the ore, comparable facility and equipment operating costs, anticipated climatic conditions and other factors. As a result, actual cash operating costs and economic returns based upon development of proven and probable ore reserves may differ significantly from those originally estimated. Moreover, significant decreases in actual or expected prices may mean reserves, once found, will be uneconomical to produce.
We may be adversely affected by challenges relating to slope stability.
Our open-pit mines get deeper as we mine them, presenting certain geotechnical challenges including the possibility of slope failure. If we are required to decrease pit slope angles or provide additional road access to prevent such a failure, our stated reserves could be negatively affected. Furthermore, hydrological conditions relating to pit slopes, renewal of material displaced by slope failures and increased stripping requirements could also negatively affect our stated reserves. We have taken actions in order to maintain slope stability, but we cannot assure you that we will not have to take additional action in the future or that our actions taken to date will be sufficient. Unexpected
failure or additional requirements to prevent slope failure may negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition, as well as have the effect of diminishing our stated ore reserves.
We may be adversely affected by labor disputes.
In the last several years we have experienced a number of strikes or other labor disruptions that have had an adverse impact on our operations and operating results. As of December 31, 2017, unions represented approximately 71.8% of our workforce. Currently, we have labor agreements in effect for our Mexican and Peruvian operations.
During 2017, the Unified Labor Union of SPCC workers and one of Toquepala's unions held three separate strikes. The Company estimates that the loss of copper production resulting from the 2017 strikes was not significant and our sales contracts were not affected.
Our Taxco and San Martin mines in Mexico have been on strike since July 2007. It is expected that operations at these mines will remain suspended until these labor issues are resolved.
We cannot assure you when these strikes will be settled, or that in the future we will not experience strikes or other labor related work stoppages that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our mining or metal production projects may be subject to additional costs due to community actions and other factors.
In recent years, worldwide mining activity has been pressured by neighboring communities for financial commitments to fund social benefit programs and infrastructure improvements. Our projects in Peru are not exempt from these pressures. Our Tia Maria project in Peru has experienced delays while trying to resolve issues with community groups.
It appears that it is becoming a part of the Peruvian mining environment that in order to obtain acceptance from local communities for projects in their localities, demands for substantial investments in community infrastructure and upgrades must be met in order to proceed with the mining projects.
We are confident that we will move forward with the Tia Maria project. However, we cannot assure you when and that we will not continue to incur additional costs for community infrastructure and upgrades in order to obtain the approval of current or future mining projects.
Environmental, regulatory response to climate change, and other regulations may increase our costs of doing business, restrict our operations or result in operational delays.
Our exploration, mining, milling, smelting and refining activities are subject to a number of Peruvian and Mexican laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations, and certain industry technical standards. Additional matters subject to regulation include, but are not limited to, concession fees, transportation, production, water use and discharge, power use and generation, use and storage of explosives, surface rights, housing and other facilities for workers, reclamation, taxation, labor standards, mine safety and occupational health.
Environmental regulations in Peru and Mexico have become increasingly stringent over the last decade and we have been required to dedicate more time and money to compliance and remediation activities. Furthermore, the Mexican authorities have become more rigorous and strict in enforcing Mexican environmental laws. We expect additional laws and regulations will be enacted over time with respect to environmental matters.
Please refer to Note 12 "Commitments and Contingencies-Environmental matters" of our financial statements for further information on this subject.
The potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain, and would be particular to the geographic location of our facilities. These may include changes in rainfall patterns, water shortages, changing sea levels, changing storm patterns and intensities, and changing temperatures. These effects may adversely impact the cost, production and financial performance of our operations.
We are aware of fluctuations in weather patterns in the areas where we operate. Aligned with government efforts, we are working in measuring its carbon footprint in order to reduce any contribution to greenhouse gases generated by our operations. Similarly, we evaluate our water demand, as weather changes may result in increase/decrease scenarios that affect our needs.
The development of more stringent environmental protection programs in Peru and Mexico and in relevant trade agreements could impose constraints and additional costs on our operations requiring us to make significant investments in the future. We cannot assure you that current or future legislative, regulatory or trade developments will not have an adverse effect on our business, properties, operating results, financial condition or prospects.
Our mining and metal production projects may subject us to new risks.
Our Company is in the midst of a large expansion program, which may subject us to additional risks of industrial accidents. While we believe our contractors employ safety standards and other procedures to ensure these projects are completed with proper governance, it is possible that the increased activity occurring at our sites could cause accidents of an environmental nature or danger to human life.
In August 2014, our new SX-EW plant in Mexico had an industrial accident caused by a rock slide, coupled with a construction defect in the seal of a pipe at the new leaching system containment dam, which caused a spill of copper sulfate solution in to the Bacanuchi River, a tributary of the Sonora River. As a result of this accident the Company absorbed charges of $126.2 million through 2017. In addition, there are a number of collective action lawsuits and civil action lawsuits, filed against the Company in Mexico´s federal courts and the state courts of Sonora. A number of constitutional lawsuits have also been filed against various governmental authorities and against the Company. These lawsuits are seeking damages and requesting remedial actions to restore the environment. The Company believes that it is not possible to determine the extent of the damages sought and considers the lawsuits without merit. However the Company cannot offer any assurances that the outcome of these lawsuits will not have an adverse effect on the Company.
While this is an unusual event in the Company's history, we cannot offer assurance that an accident related to our project development program will not occur again in the future and cause environmental damage or damage that causes harm or loss of life.
Our business depends upon information technology systems which may be adversely affected by disruptions, damage, failure and risks associated with implementation and integration.
Our operations depend upon information technology systems which may be subject to disruption, damage or failure from different sources, including, without limitation, installation of malicious software, computer viruses, security breaches, cyber-attacks and defects in design. In recent years, cybersecurity incidents have increased in frequency and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and the corruption of data. We believe that we have implemented appropriate preventative measures to mitigate potential risks by implementing a certified IT service management system with the necessary controls that are frequently reviewed and tested, including a risk matrix that considers all the possible threats with an impact and probability analysis, actions to avoid or mitigate them and the corresponding
testing plan. However, given the unpredictability of the timing, nature and scope of information technology disruptions, we could potentially be subject to manipulation or improper use of our systems and networks, operational delays, the compromising of confidential or otherwise protected information, destruction or corruption of data, security breaches, financial losses from remedial actions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition or results of operations.
Other risks
Applicable law restricts the payment of dividends from our Minera Mexico subsidiary to us.
Our subsidiary, Minera Mexico, is a Mexican company and, as such, may pay dividends only out of net income that has been approved by the shareholders. Shareholders must also approve the actual dividend payment, after mandatory legal reserves have been created and losses for prior fiscal years have been satisfied. These legal constraints may limit the ability of Minera Mexico to pay dividends to us, which in turn, may have an impact on our ability to pay stockholder dividends or to service debt.
Global and local market conditions, including the high competitiveness in the copper mining industry, may adversely affect our profitability.
Our industry is cyclical by nature and fluctuates with economic cycles. Therefore, we are subject to the risks arising from adverse changes in domestic and global economic and political conditions, such as lower levels of consumer and corporate confidence, decreased business investment, increased unemployment, reduced income and asset values in many areas, currency volatility and limited availability of credit and access to capital. Additionally, we face competition from other copper mining and producing companies around the world; significant competition exists to acquire properties producing or capable of producing copper and other metals as well as consolidation among some of our main competitors that make them more diversified than we are.
We cannot assure you that changes in market conditions, including competition, will not adversely affect us to compete in the future on the basis of price or other factors with companies that may benefit from future favorable trading or other arrangements.
We are controlled by Grupo Mexico, which exercises control over our affairs and policies and whose interests may be different from yours.
At December 31, 2017, Grupo Mexico owned indirectly 88.9% of our capital stock. Certain of our and Minera Mexico's officers and directors are also directors and/or officers of Grupo Mexico and/or of its affiliates. We cannot assure you that the interests of Grupo Mexico will not conflict with our minority stockholders.
Grupo Mexico has the ability to determine the outcome of substantially all matters submitted for a vote to our stockholders and thus exercises control over our business policies and affairs, including the following:
• the composition of our Board of Directors and, as a result, any determinations of our Board with respect to our business direction and policy, including the appointment and removal of our officers;
• determinations with respect to mergers and other business combinations, including those that may result in a change of control;
• whether dividends are paid or other distributions are made and the amount of any dividends or other distributions;
• sales and dispositions of our assets;
• the amount of debt financing that we incur; and
• the approval of capital projects.
We cannot assure you that increased financial obligations of Grupo Mexico or AMC resulting from financings or for other reasons will not result in our parent corporations obtaining loans, increased dividends or other funding from us.
In addition, we have in the past engaged in, and expect to continue to engage in, transactions with Grupo Mexico and its other affiliates which are related party transactions and may present conflicts of interest. For additional information regarding the share ownership of, and our relationships with, Grupo Mexico and its affiliates, see Note 16 "Related Party Transactions."
Unanticipated litigation or negative developments in pending litigation or with respect to other contingencies may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are currently, and may in the future become, subject to litigation, arbitration or other legal proceedings with other parties. If decided adversely to the Company, these legal proceedings, or others that could be brought against us in the future, may adversely affect our financial position or prospects. For further detailed discussion of pending litigation, please see Note 12 "Commitment and Contingencies-Litigation matters".
International Risks
We are a company with substantial assets located outside of the United States. We conduct production operations in Peru and Mexico and exploration activities in these countries as well as in Chile, Argentina and Ecuador. Accordingly, in addition to the usual risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, our business may be adversely affected by political, economic and social uncertainties in each of these countries. Such risks include possible expropriation or nationalization of property, confiscatory taxes or royalties, possible foreign exchange controls, changes in the national policy toward foreign investors, extreme environmental standards, etc.
Our insurance does not cover most losses caused by the above described risks. Consequently, our production, development and exploration activities in these countries could be substantially affected by factors out of control, some of which could materially and adversely affect our financial position or results of operations.
Risks Associated with Doing Business in Peru and Mexico
There is uncertainty as to the termination and renewal of our mining concessions.
Under the laws of Peru and Mexico, mineral resources belong to the state and government and concessions are required in both countries to explore for or exploit mineral reserves. In Peru, our mineral rights derive from concessions from Ministry of Energy and Mines ("MINEM") for our exploration, exploitation, extraction and/or production operations. In Mexico, our mineral rights derive from concessions granted, on a discretionary basis, by the Ministry of Economy, pursuant to Mexican mining law and regulations thereunder.
Mining concessions in both Peru and Mexico may be terminated if the obligations of the concessioner are not satisfied. In Peru, we are obligated to pay certain fees for our mining concession. In Mexico, we are obligated, among other things, to explore or exploit the relevant concession, to pay any relevant fees, to comply with all environmental and safety standards, to provide information to the Ministry of Economy and to allow inspections by the Ministry of Economy. Any termination or unfavorable modification of the terms of one or more of our concessions, or failure to obtain renewals
of such concessions subject to renewal or extensions, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and prospects.
Peruvian economic and political conditions may have an adverse impact on our business.
A significant part of our operations are conducted in Peru. Accordingly, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be affected by changes in economic or other policies of the Peruvian government or other political, regulatory or economic developments in the country. During the past several decades, Peru has had a succession of regimes with differing policies and programs. Past governments have frequently intervened in the nation's economy and social structure. Among other actions, past governments have imposed controls on prices, exchange rates and local and foreign investments, as well as limitations on imports, have restricted the ability of companies to dismiss employees and have prohibited the remittance of profits to foreign investors.
In more recent years Peru has had political and social stability. The Peruvian government's economic policies reduced inflation and the Peruvian economy has experienced significant growth.
Because we have significant operations in Peru, we cannot provide any assurance that political developments and economic conditions in Peru and/or other factors will not have a material adverse effect on market conditions, prices of our securities, our ability to obtain financing and our results of operations and financial condition.
Mexican economic and political conditions, as well as drug-related violence, may have an adverse impact on our business.
The Mexican economy is highly sensitive to economic developments in the United States, mainly because of its high level of exports to this market. Gross domestic product grew by 2.3% in 2016, 1.7% in 2017 and is expected to grow 2.3% in 2018. Other risks in Mexico are increases in taxes on the mining sector and higher royalties as was enacted in 2013. As has occurred in other metal producing countries, the mining industry may be perceived as a source of additional fiscal revenue.
In addition, security institutions in Mexico are under significant stress, as a result of drug-related violence. This situation creates potential risks especially for transportation of minerals and finished products, which affect a small part of our production. However, drug-related violence has had a limited impact on our operations as it has tended to concentrate outside our areas of production. If this were to change, the potential risks to our operations might increase.
Because we have significant operations in Mexico, we cannot provide any assurance that political developments and economic conditions as well as drug-related violence, in Mexico will not have a material adverse effect on market conditions, prices of our securities, on our ability to obtain financing, and on our results of operations and financial condition.
Peruvian inflation and fluctuations in the sol exchange rate may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Although the U.S. dollar is our functional currency and our revenues are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, as we operate in Peru, portions of our operating costs are denominated in Peruvian soles. Accordingly, when inflation or deflation in Peru is not offset by a change in the exchange rate of the sol, our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and the market price of our common stock could be affected.
Over the past several years, Peru has experienced one of its best economic periods. Inflation in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was 1.5%, 3.2% and 4.4%, respectively. The value of the sol has appreciated against the U.S. dollar 3.4% and 1.6% in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and it has depreciated 14.2% in 2015. Although the Peruvian government's economic policy reduced inflation and the economy has
experienced significant growth in recent years, we cannot assure you that inflation will not increase from its current level or that such growth will continue in the future at similar rates or at all. Additionally a global financial economic crisis, could negatively affect the Peruvian economy.
To manage the volatility related to the risk of currency rate fluctuations, we may enter into forward exchange contracts. We cannot assure you, however, that currency fluctuations will not have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Mexican inflation, restrictive exchange control policies and fluctuations in the peso exchange rate may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Although all of our Mexican operations' sales of metals are priced and invoiced in U.S. dollars, a substantial portion of its costs are denominated in pesos. Accordingly, when inflation in Mexico increases without a corresponding depreciation of the peso, the net income generated by our Mexican operations is adversely affected. The annual inflation rate in Mexico was 6.8% in 2017, 3.4% in 2016 and 2.1% in 2015.
At the same time, the peso has been subject in the past to significant volatility, which may not have been proportionate to the inflation rate and may not be proportionate to the inflation rate in the future. The value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar increased by 4.5% in 2017, and decreased by 20.1% in 2016 and 16.9% in 2015.
The Mexican government does not currently restrict the ability of Mexican companies or individuals to convert pesos into dollars or other currencies. While we do not expect the Mexican government to impose any restriction or exchange control policies in the future, it is an area we closely monitor. We cannot assure you the Mexican government will maintain its current policies with regard to the peso or that the peso's value will not fluctuate significantly in the future. The imposition of exchange control policies could impair Minera Mexico's ability to obtain imported goods and to meet its U.S. dollar-denominated obligations and could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Developments in the United States, Europe and emerging market countries may adversely affect the Company business, our common stock price and our debt securities.
The business and market value of securities of companies with significant operations in Peru and Mexico is, to varying degrees, affected by the economic policies and market conditions in the United States, Europe and emerging market countries. Although economic policies and conditions in such countries may significantly differ from economic conditions in Peru or Mexico, as the case may be, the business community reactions to developments in any of these countries may adversely effect the Company business or the market value or trading price of the securities, including debt securities, of issuers that have significant operations in Peru or Mexico.
In addition, in recent years economic conditions in Mexico have increasingly become correlated to U.S. economic conditions. Therefore, changes in economic policies and conditions in the United States could also have a significant adverse effect on Mexican economic conditions, affecting our business, the price of our common stock or debt securities. In 2017, the United States, Canada and Mexico began a discussion leading towards an update of the North American Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA"). As of January 2018, six rounds of discussions have taken place and more than thirty issues are being discussed.
We cannot assure you that the market value or trading prices of our common stock and debt securities, will not be adversely affected by events in the United States or elsewhere, including in emerging market countries.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We were incorporated in Delaware in 1952. Our corporate offices in the United States are located at 1440 East Missouri Avenue Suite 160, Phoenix, Arizona 85014. Our Phoenix telephone number is (602) 264-1375. Our corporate offices in Mexico are located in Mexico City and our corporate offices in Peru are located in Lima. Our website is www.southerncoppercorp.com. We believe that our existing properties are in good condition and suitable for the conduct of our business.
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
The following maps set forth the locations of our principal mines, smelting facilities and refineries. We operate open-pit copper mines in the southern part of Peru-at Toquepala and Cuajone-and in Mexico, at La Caridad and Buenavista. We also operate five underground mines that produce zinc, copper, silver and gold, as well as a coal mine and a coke oven.
EXTRACTION, SMELTING AND REFINING PROCESSES
Our operations include open-pit and underground mining, concentrating, copper smelting, copper refining, copper rod production, solvent extraction/electrowinning ("SX-EW"), zinc refining, sulfuric acid production, molybdenum concentrate production and silver and gold refining. The extraction and production process are summarized below.
OPEN-PIT MINING
In an open-pit mine, the production process begins at the mine pit, where waste rock, leaching ore and copper ore are drilled and blasted and then loaded onto diesel-electric trucks by electric shovels. Waste is hauled to dump areas and leaching ore is hauled to leaching dumps. The ore to be milled is transported to the primary crushers.
UNDERGROUND MINING
In an underground mine, the production process begins at the stopes, where copper, zinc and lead veins are drilled and blasted and the ore is hauled to the underground crusher station. The crushed ore is then hoisted to the surface for processing.
CONCENTRATING
The copper ore with a copper grade over 0.4% from the primary crusher or the copper, zinc and lead-bearing ore from the underground mines is transported to a concentrator plant where gyratory
crushers break the ore into sizes no larger than three-quarter of an inch. The ore is then sent to a mill section where it is ground to the consistency of fine powder. The finely ground ore is mixed with water and chemical reagents and pumped as a slurry to the flotation separator where it is mixed with certain chemicals. In the flotation separator, reagent solutions and air pumped into the flotation cells cause the minerals to separate from the waste rock and bubble to the surface where they are collected and dried.
If the bulk concentrated copper contains molybdenum, it is first processed in a molybdenum plant as described below under "Molybdenum Production."
COPPER SMELTING
Copper concentrates are transported to a smelter, where they are smelted using a furnace, converter and anode furnace to produce either blister copper (which is in the form of cakes with air pockets) or copper anodes (which are cleaned of air pockets). At the smelter, the concentrates are mixed with flux (a chemical substance intentionally included for high temperature processing) and then sent to reverberatory furnaces producing copper matte and slag (a mixture of iron and other impurities). Copper matte contains approximately 65% copper. Copper matte is then sent to the converters, where the material is oxidized in two steps: (i) the iron sulfides in the matte are oxidized with silica, producing slag that is returned to the reverberatory furnaces, and (ii) the copper contained in the matte sulfides is then oxidized to produce copper that, after casting, is called blister copper, containing approximately 98% to 99% copper, or anodes, containing approximately 99.7% copper. Most of the blister and anode production is sent to the refinery and the remainder is sold to customers.
COPPER REFINING
Anodes are suspended in tanks with a solution containing water, sulfuric acid and copper sulfate. A weak electrical current is passed through the anodes and chemical solution and the dissolved copper is deposited on very thin starting sheets to produce copper cathodes containing approximately 99.99% copper. During this process, silver, gold and other metals (for example, palladium, platinum and selenium), along with other impurities, settle on the bottom of the tank (anodic muds). This anodic mud is processed at a precious metal plant where selenium, silver and gold are recovered.
COPPER ROD PLANT
To produce copper rod, copper cathodes are first smelted in a furnace and then dosified in a casting machine. The dosified copper is then extruded and passed through a cooling system that begins solidification of copper into a 60×50 millimeter copper bar. The resulting copper bar is gradually stretched in a rolling mill to achieve the desired diameter. The rolled bar is then cooled and sprayed with wax as a preservation agent and collected into a rod coil that is compacted and sent to market.
SOLVENT EXTRACTION/ELECTROWINNING ("SX-EW")
A complementary processing method is the leaching and SX-EW process. During the SX-EW process, low-grade sulfides ore and copper oxides are leached with sulfuric acid to allow copper content recovery. The acid and copper solution is then agitated with a solvent that contains chemical additives that attract copper ions. As the solvent is lighter than water, it floats to the surface carrying with it the copper content. The solvent is then separated using an acid solution, freeing the copper. The acid solution containing the copper is then moved to electrolytic extraction tanks to produce copper cathodes.
MOLYBDENUM PRODUCTION
Molybdenum is recovered from copper-molybdenum concentrates produced at the concentrator. The copper-molybdenum concentrate is first treated with a thickener until it becomes slurry with 60% solids. The slurry is then agitated in a chemical and water solution and pumped to the flotation separator. The separator creates a froth that carries molybdenum to the surface but not the copper mineral (which is later filtered to produce copper concentrates containing approximately 27% copper). The molybdenum froth is skimmed off, filtered and dried to produce molybdenum concentrates of approximately 58% contained molybdenum.
ZINC REFINING
Metallic zinc is produced through electrolysis using zinc concentrates and zinc oxides. Sulfur is eliminated from the concentrates by roasting and the zinc oxide is dissolved in sulfuric acid solution to eliminate solid impurities. The purified zinc sulfide solution is treated by electrolysis to produce refined zinc and to separate silver and gold, which are recovered as concentrates.
SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION
Sulfur dioxide gases are produced in the copper smelting and zinc roasting processes. As a part of our environmental preservation program, we treat the sulfur dioxide emissions at two of our Mexican plants and at our Peruvian processing facilities to produce sulfuric acid, some of which is, in turn, used for the copper leaching process, with the balance sold to mining and fertilizer companies located principally in Mexico, Peru, United States and Chile.
SILVER AND GOLD REFINING
Silver and gold are recovered from copper, zinc and lead concentrates in the smelters and refineries, and from slimes through electrolytic refining.
KEY PRODUCTION CAPACITY DATA
All production facilities are owned by us. The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2017, the locations of production facilities by reportable segment, the processes used, as well as the key production and capacity data for each location:
ktpd = thousands of tons per day
ktpy = thousands of tons per year
Tpy = tons per year
(1)Our estimates of actual capacity under normal operating conditions with allowance for normal downtime for repairs and maintenance and based on the average metal content for the relevant period.
(2)The Taxco and San Martin mines have been on strike since July 2007.
(3)At December 31, 2017, the coal reserves for the Nueva Rosita coal plant were 94.9 million tons with average sulfur content of 1.38% and a BTU content of 10,022 per pound.
(4)In some cases, real production exceeds the nominal capacity due to higher grades and recovery rates.
PROPERTY BOOK VALUE
At December 31, 2017, net book values of property are as follows (in millions):
SUMMARY OPERATING DATA
The following table sets out certain operating data underlying our financial and operating information for each of the periods indicated.
SLOPE STABILITY:
Peruvian Operations
The Toquepala and Cuajone pits are approximately 825 meters and 930 meters deep, respectively. Under the present mine plan configuration the Toquepala pit will reach a depth of 1,635 meters and the Cuajone pit will reach a depth of 1,290 meters. The deepening pits present us with a number of geotechnical challenges. Perhaps the foremost concern is the possibility of slope failure, a possibility that all open-pit mines face. In the past, in order to maintain slope stability, we have decreased pit slope angles, installed additional or duplicate haul road access, and increased stripping requirements. We have also responded to hydrological conditions and removed material displaced by slope failures. To meet the geotechnical challenges relating to slope stability of the open-pit mines, we have taken the following steps:
In the late 1990s, we hosted round table meetings in Vancouver, B.C. with a group of recognized slope stability and open-pit mining specialists. The agenda for these meetings was principally a review of pit design for mines with greater than 700 meter depth. The discussions included practices for monitoring, data collection and blasting processes.
Based on the concepts defined at the Vancouver meetings, we initiated slope stability studies to define the mining of reserves by optimum design. These studies were performed by outside consultants and included slope stability appraisals, evaluation of the numerical modeling, slope performance and inter-ramp angle design and evaluation of hydrological conditions.
The studies were completed in 2000 and we believe we implemented the study recommendations. One of the major changes implemented was slope angle reduction at both mines, at Toquepala by an average of five degrees and at Cuajone by an average of seven degrees. Although this increased the waste included in the mineable reserve calculation, it also improved the stability of the pits.
Since 1998, a wall depressurization program has been in place in both pits. This consists of a horizontal drilling program, which improves drainage thereby reducing saturation and increasing wall stability. Additionally, a new blasting control program was put in place, implementing vibration monitoring and blasting designs of low punctual energy and pre-split techniques. Also a new slope monitoring system was implemented using reflection prisms, deformation inclinometers and piezometers for water level control, as well as real-time robotic monitoring equipment.
Toquepala:
In 2007, we installed 20 meter wide geotechnical berms every 10 benches at the Toquepala mine. We believe this will further strengthen the stability of the Toquepala pit. In October 2012, two interferometric radars were put in place to monitor slope stability at the Toquepala mine, and in September 2013, new full monitoring software (FMS360) was installed. These systems improve the reliability of instrumentation, the information quality for assessing the behavior of the slopes and anticipates the risks of instability.
In 2013, a mining consulting group began a study of dump stability at the Toquepala mine. This study assessed the current stability of the dumps and is developing a geotechnical campaign to obtain information to assess the stability of the future and final stages of the dumps. In 2016, the stability study was resumed by executing geophysical test and test pits for the characterization of the dumps. The execution of sonic perforations and complementary geophysical tests are currently pending. On December 2016, the consultants also presented the report "Slope Stability Analysis in Deposits of Waste and Leachable Material".
In 2016, the mining consultants presented the final report "Physical Stability of the Quebrada Honda tailings dam". This study consisted in the development of geotechnical investigations, static,
seismic and post-seismic stability analysis, filtration analysis, deformation analysis, liquefaction potential analysis and dynamic analysis.
In 2016, as part of the slope stability upgrade study, a geotechnical and hydrological oriented drill program of 3,470 meters was executed at the Toquepala mine. This program was conducted in order to complement the study and to get a better understanding of the behavior of the rock mass. The geotechnical drilling program involved 11 diamond drill holes, six geotechnical drills and five hydrogeological drills, all of them with geological and geotechnical logging. During the execution of these hydrogeological drills, permeability tests in the rock were executed as well as slug tests and constant load tests. Additionally, instrumentation was implemented with five vibrating wire piezometers for the monitoring of water table and to give support to the hydrogeological model. Also in 2016, the external mining consultants began the report for phase three of this study, which was concluded in 2017. They submitted and updated the block models of inter-ramp angles, the model of rock mass, the hydrogeological model and the 3D structural model. In addition, fieldwork continued on the "Slope Stability Analysis in Deposits of Waste and Leachable Material" study by executing geophysical tests, sampling and laboratory tests of soil mechanics. In recent years, we have destined efforts for the development of stability studies of slopes of the pit, dumps and leachable deposits and tailings; thus guaranteeing the safety of personnel and equipment, the continuity of the operations, and complying with Peruvian regulations.
Cuajone:
At the Cuajone mine, in 2007 in order to minimize the damage to the slopes caused by production blast vibrations, blasting control using three pre-split drills was implemented. Also, the slope monitoring system with reflection prisms has been replaced by a system using slope monitoring radar. In February 2012, the first radar equipment was put in service followed in August 2013 with the second radar installation and a geotechnical surveillance camera was added. This system improved the reliability and continuity of monitoring, improved the quality of information used to evaluate the performance of the slopes and helped better anticipate the risk of instability. The sub-surface deformation and the water level are still monitored with inclinometers and piezometers. In September 2012, we completed a program of oriented geotechnical drilling totaling 17,938 meters, and in May 2013 we completed a program of vertical geotechnical drilling totaling 2,814 meters, with hydraulic tests performed on rock and subsequently instrumented with inclinometers/piezometers. The geotechnical and hydraulic information obtained from the two programs will be used in the development of a geotechnical study for the new 15 year mine development plan (2015-2029). Also during 2013, we drilled 772 meters of sub-horizontal holes in order to drain the east slope of the pit. The geotechnical study for the new 15-year mine development plan was completed at the end of 2015 and the result of this study is the increase by an average of three degrees of the inter ramp angle and include 40 meters wide geotechnical berms for inter ramp heights above 150 meters. This study also contains recommendations for improving the stability of the pit slopes.
In 2013, the Board of Directors approved a project to improve slope stability at the south area of the Cuajone mine, which will remove approximately 148 million tons of waste material in order to improve the mine design without reducing our actual production level. As of December 31, 2017, 86.8 million tons of waste material have been removed. For further information see Item 7 "Management Discussion and Analysis-Capital Investment Program."
In 2017, we installed three vibration monitoring stations and ten digital extensometers to monitor surface deformations on waste dumps in real time. We also completed the detailed engineering for the construction of the coronation channel in the west Torata waste dump.
To increase the possibility of mining in the event of a slide, we have provided for two extraction ramps for each open-pit mine. While these measures cannot guarantee that a slope failure will not
occur, we believe that our mining practices are sound and that the steps taken and the ongoing reviews performed are a prudent methodology for open-pit mining.
Mexican operations
In 2004, our 15-year mine plan study for the La Caridad mine was awarded to an independent consulting firm to conduct a geotechnical evaluation. The purpose of the plan was to develop a program of optimum bench design and inter-ramp slope angles for the open-pit. The results of the evaluation presented by the consultants included a recommendation of a maximum average bench face angle of 72 degrees. Additionally, single benching was recommended for the upper sections of the west, south and east walls of the main pit. Likewise, double benching was recommended for the lower levels of the main pit and single benching for the upper slope segments that consist of either alluvial material, mine waste dumps or mineralized stockpile material. Alternatively, slopes in these types of materials, may be designed with an overall 37 degree slope. The geostructural and geotechnical parameters recommended were applied in the pit design for the new life of the mine plan for La Caridad mine prepared in 2015. This mine plan replaced the 15-year mine plan prepared in 2010. However, since final pit limits have not been yet established at La Caridad, all current pit walls are effectively working slopes. Geostructural and geotechnical data collected at the open-pit mine from cell-mapping and oriented-core drilling databases provided the basis for the geotechnical evaluation and recommendations. We continue to collect new information related to geotechnical data and other geology features from the mine pit and diamond drill hole, in order to ensure the structural security and also to improve the geotechnical data base for future studies.
At the Buenavista mine, we are following the recommendations of a geotechnical evaluation of design slope for the 15-year pit plan. This evaluation was prepared by an independent mine consulting firm. This evaluation included the determination of optimum pit slope design angles and bench design parameters for the proposed mine plan. The objective of the study was: (1) to determine optimum inter-ramp slope angles and bench design parameters for the 15-year plan and (2) to identify and analyze any potential major instability that could adversely impact mine operation. In 2012, we installed a radar system to monitor the walls of the mine.
The following recommendations were made for the Buenavista mine: inter-ramp slope design angles for the 15-year pit plan, for all of the 21 design sectors, defined on a rock-fabric-based catch bench analysis, using double bench, can range from 48° and 55°, and the inter-ramp slope angles are based on geometries that resulted from the back-break analysis using 80% reliability of achieving the required 7.5 meter catch bench width for a single bench configuration and 10.6 meter catch bench width for a double bench configuration. Preliminary observations suggest the 15-year pit walls may be relative free-draining, the back-break analysis assumed depressurized conditions of mine benches, and the inter-ramp stability analysis were performed for both, saturated and depressurized conditions.
A pit dewatering/depressurization plan for the Buenavista mine was also recommended to address the issues of open-pit drainage, dewatering plan and future slope depressurization. Phase I of the geohydrological study was completed by an independent consultant. The analysis included a preliminary assessment and work plan implementations.
In 2011, five wells for extraction and monitoring were drilled close to the mine. Also, we began a drilling program to monitor possible water filtration beyond the limits of the open-pit mine. All the information obtained from these well drilling programs has been analyzed and included in the hydrologic model. The open-pit dewatering program from the bottom benches also continued during 2012 with a drilling program of 3,797 meters in several monitoring wells in order to allow us to continue with the current mining plan.
In 2013, Buenavista continued the drilling program monitoring the extraction wells in the area of Increment (Phase) five of the mine and beyond the current limits of the open pit mine.
During 2013, the program to dewater the Buenavista pit bottom was continued in accordance with the short and medium term mine plans. Pumping from sumps located in Increment five, permitted mining of high grade copper blocks. Concurrent with this operational task, a geophysical study was conducted to determine the best locations for water extraction wells to control the inflow of water to the pit bottom and thus allow us to continue our mining operations. The water extracted is being used for various purposes, including road irrigation for dust mitigation. The geophysical investigation also permitted the location of underground workings and the filtration and seepage through fractures.
A total of 7,339 meters were drilled during 2013 for 30 extraction wells, three of these wells are located in the area of Increment (Phase) five. The rest were drilled at various locations outside of the current open pit mine limit.
In 2014, we continued collecting new geotechnical information from two exploration drilling projects; this data is available to analyze the geotechnical data base for new studies in accordance with slope angle for the open pit excavations. In the free face benches at the open pit mine operations, the cell-mapping were prepared to increment the geotechnical data base. Following the recommendations of geotechnical evaluation we continued monitoring the walls using the radar system.
Various studies are now being conducted by outside specialized consultants in order to establish long-range mine water management objectives and to implement recommendations for the efficient use of this resource.
METAL PRODUCTION BY SEGMENTS
Set forth below are descriptions of the operations and other information relating to the operations included in each of our three segments.
PERUVIAN OPERATIONS
Our Peruvian segment operations include the Cuajone and Toquepala mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, industrial railroad which links Ilo, Toquepala and Cuajone and the port facilities.
Following is a map indicating the approximate location of, and access to, our Cuajone and Toquepala mine complexes, as well as our Ilo processing facilities:
We have ongoing maintenance and improvement programs to ensure the satisfactory performance of our equipment. We believe all our Peruvian plant's equipment is in good physical condition and suitable for our operations.
Cuajone
Our Cuajone operations consist of an open-pit copper mine and a concentrator located in southern Peru, 30 kilometers from the city of Moquegua and 840 kilometers from Lima, at an altitude of 3,430 meters above sea level. Access to the Cuajone property is by plane from Lima to Tacna (1:40 hours) and then by highway to Moquegua and Cuajone (3:30 hours). The concentrator has a milling capacity of 90,000 tons per day. Overburden removal commenced in 1970 and ore production commenced in 1976. Our Cuajone operations utilize a conventional open-pit mining method to collect copper ore for further processing at the concentrator.
The table below sets forth 2017, 2016 and 2015 production information for our Cuajone operations:
Key:kt = thousand tons
x = Stripping ratio obtained dividing waste plus leachable material by ore mined.
Copper and molybdenum grades are referred to as total copper grade and total molybdenum grade, respectively.
Geology
The Cuajone porphyry copper deposit is located on the western flank of Cordillera Occidental, in the southern-most Andes Mountains of Peru. The deposit is part of a mineral district that contains additional known deposits, Toquepala, Quellaveco and Cerro Verde. The copper mineralization at Cuajone is typical of porphyry copper deposits and it can also be obtained molybdenum.
The Cuajone deposit is located approximately 30 kilometers north-west from the Toquepala deposit and is part of the Toquepala Group dated approximately 50 to 100 million years (Upper Cretaceous to Lower Tertiary). These rocks, part of the Toquepala Group, have been intruded by magmatic pulses between 50 and 70 million years, which some of them originated the Cuajone mineralization. Covering the previous sequence, there are the postmineral volcanics (Miocene) that partially cover the deposit. The deposit contains 43 rock types including, pre-mineral rocks, basaltic andesite, porphyritic rhyolite, Toquepala dolerite and intrusive rocks, including diorite, porphyritic latite, breccias and dikes. In addition, the following post-mineral rocks are present: the Huaylillas and Chuntacala formation that have been formed by conglomerates, tuffs sequence, traquites and agglomerates. These formations date nine to 23 million years. There is also the occurrence of Quaternary rocks formed by alluvial and colluvial mainly located in slopes of hills and streams.
The mineralogy is simple and is evenly distributed. It is mainly composed of copper minerals and iron such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4), pyrite (FeS2), chalcosine (Cu2S) and molybdenite (MoS2) with occasional presence of galena, sphalerite and tetraedrite.
Mine exploration
Exploration activities during the drill campaign in 2017 were as follows:
Concentrator
Our Cuajone operations use state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems at the concentrator, the crushing plant and the flotation circuit in order to coordinate inflows and optimize operations. Material with a copper grade over 0.35% is loaded onto rail cars and sent to the milling circuit, where giant rotating crushers reduce the size of the rocks to approximately one-half of an inch. The ore is then sent to the ball mills, which grind it to the consistency of fine powder. The finely ground powder is agitated in a water and reagents solution and is then transported to flotation cells. Air is pumped into the cells to produce foam for floating the copper and molybdenum minerals, but separating waste material called tailings. This copper-molybdenum bulk concentrate is then treated by inverse flotation where molybdenum is floated and copper is depressed. The copper concentrate is shipped by rail to the smelter at Ilo and the molybdenum concentrate is packaged for shipment to customers. Sulfides under 0.35% copper are considered waste.
Tailings are sent to thickeners where water is recovered. The remaining tailings are sent to the Quebrada Honda dam, our principal tailings storage facility.
A major mill expansion was completed in 1999 and the eleventh primary mill was put in operation in January 2008. In December 2013, the high pressure grinding roll was put in operation. At the end of 2016, the Larox filter press for molybdenum concentrate began operations. The new overland primary crusher and a new tailings thickener are expected to start operations in early 2018.
Toquepala
Our Toquepala operations consist of an open-pit copper mine and a concentrator. We also refine copper at the SX-EW facility through a leaching process. Toquepala is located in southern Peru, 30 kilometers from Cuajone and 870 kilometers from Lima, at an altitude of 3,220 meters above sea level. Access is by plane from Lima to the city of Tacna (1:40 hours) and then by the Pan-American highway to Camiara (1:20 hours) and by road to Toquepala (1 hour). The concentrator has a milling capacity of 60,000 tons per day. The SX-EW facility has a production capacity of 56,000 tons per year of LME grade A copper cathodes. Overburden removal commenced in 1957 and ore production commenced in 1960. Our Toquepala operations utilize a conventional open-pit mining method to collect copper ore for further processing in our concentrator.
The table below sets forth 2017, 2016 and 2015 production information for our Toquepala operations:
Key:kt = thousand tons
x = Stripping ratio obtained dividing waste plus leachable material by ore mined.
Copper and molybdenum grades are referred to as total copper grade and total molybdenum grade, respectively.
Geology
The Toquepala porphyry copper deposit is located on the western slopes of Cordillera Occidental, in the southern-most Andes Mountains of Peru. The deposit is part of a mineral district that contains two additional known deposits, Cuajone and Quellaveco.
The Toquepala deposit is in the southern region of Peru, located on the western slope of the Andes mountain range, approximately 120 kilometers from the border with Chile. This region extends into Chile and is home to many of the world's most significant known copper deposits. The deposit is in a territory with intrusive and eruptive activities of rhyolitic and andesitic rocks which are 70 million years old (Cretaceous-Tertiary) and which created a series of volcanic lava. The lava is composed of rhyolites, andesites and volcanic agglomerates with a western dip and at an altitude of 1,500 meters. These series are known as the Toquepala Group. Subsequently, different intrusive activities occurred which broke and smelted the rocks of the Toquepala Group. These intrusive activities resulted in diorites, granodiorites and dikes of porphyric dacite. Toquepala has a simple mineralogy with regular copper grade distribution. Economic ore is found as disseminated sulfurs throughout the deposit as
veinlets, replenishing empty places or as small aggregates. Ore minerals include chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), chalcosine (Cu2S) and molybdenite (MoS2). A secondary enrichment zone is also found with thicknesses between 0 and 150 meters.
Mine Exploration
Exploration activities during the drill campaign in 2017 were as follows:
Concentrator
Our Toquepala concentrator operations use state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems in order to coordinate inflows and optimize operations. Material with a copper grade over 0.40% is loaded onto rail cars and sent to the crushing circuit, where rotating crushers reduce the size of the rocks by approximately 85%, to less than one-half of an inch. The ore is then sent to the rod and ball mills, which grind it in a mix with water to the consistency of fine powder. The finely ground powder mixed with water is then transported to flotation cells. Air is pumped into the cells producing a froth, which carries the copper mineral to the surface but not the waste rock, or tailings. The bulk concentrate with sufficient molybdenum content is processed to recover molybdenum by inverse flotation. This final copper concentrate with a content of approximately 26.5% of copper is filtered in order to reduce moisture to 8.5% or less. Concentrates are then shipped by rail to the Ilo smelter.
Tailings are sent to thickeners where water is recovered. The remaining tailings are sent to the Quebrada Honda dam, our principal tailings storage facility.
SX-EW Plant
The SX-EW facility at Toquepala produces grade A LME electrowon copper cathodes of 99.999% purity from solutions obtained by leaching low-grade ore stored at the Toquepala and Cuajone mines. The leach plant commenced operations in 1995 with a design capacity of 35,629 tons per year of copper cathodes. In 1999, the capacity was expanded to 56,000 tons per year.
Copper oxides from Cuajone with a copper grade higher than 0.208%, with an acid solubility index higher than 43% and a cyanide solubility index higher than 17% are leached. In Toquepala, the copper sulfides cutoff grade is 0.153% and therefore material with a total copper grade between 0.153% and 0.300% are leached. Copper in solution produced at Cuajone is sent to Toquepala through an eight-inch pipe laid alongside the Cuajone-Toquepala railroad track.
Plant and equipment are supported by a maintenance plan and a quality management system to assure good physical condition and high availability. The SX-EW plant management quality system (including leaching operations) has been audited periodically since 2002 by an external audit company, and found to be in compliance with the requirements of the ISO 9001-2008 standard. In 2012, we obtained the certification OHSAS 18001 of our occupational health and safety system and the ISO14001-2004 for our environmental standards at the SX-EW plant.
Processing Facilities-Ilo
Our Ilo smelter and refinery complex is located in the southern part of Peru, 17 kilometers north of the city of Ilo, 121 kilometers from Toquepala, 147 kilometers from Cuajone and 1,240 kilometers from the city of Lima. Access is by plane from Lima to Tacna (1:40 hours) and then by highway to the city of Ilo (2:00 hours). Additionally, we maintain a port facility in Ilo, from which we ship our products and receive supplies. Products shipped and supplies received are moved between Toquepala, Cuajone and Ilo on our industrial railroad.
Smelter
Our Ilo smelter produces copper anodes for the refinery we operate as part of the same facility. Copper produced by the smelter exceeds the refinery's capacity and the excess is sold to other refineries around the world. In 2007, we completed a major modernization of the smelter. The nominal installed capacity of the smelter is 1,200,000 tons of concentrate per year.
Copper concentrates from Toquepala and Cuajone are transported by railroad to the smelter, where they are smelted using an ISASMELT furnace, converters and anode furnaces to produce copper anodes with 99.7% copper. At the smelter, the concentrates are mixed with flux and other material and sent to the ISASMELT furnace producing a mixture of copper matte and slag, which is tapped through a taphole to either of two rotary holding furnaces, where these smelted phases will be separated. Copper matte contains approximately 63% copper. Copper matte is then sent to the four Pierce Smith converters, where the material is oxidized in two steps: (1) the iron sulfides in the matte are oxidized with oxygen enriched air and silica is added producing slag that is sent to the slag cleaning furnaces, and (2) the copper contained in the matte sulfides is then oxidized to produce blister copper, containing approximately 99.3% copper. The blister copper is refined in two anode furnaces by oxidation to remove sulfur with compressed air injected into the bath. Finally, the oxygen content of the molten copper is adjusted by reduction with injection of liquefied petroleum gas with steam into the bath. Anodes, containing approximately 99.7% copper, are cast in two casting wheels. The smelter also can produce blister copper bars, especially when an anode furnace is in general repair.
The table below sets forth 2017, 2016 and 2015 production and sales information for our Ilo smelter plant:
Key:kt = thousand tons
The off gases from the smelter are treated to recover over 92% of the incoming sulfur received in the concentrates producing 98.5% sulfuric acid. The gas stream from the smelter with 11.34% SO2 is split between two plants: The No. 1 acid plant (single absorption/single contact) and the No. 2 plant (double absorption/double contact). Approximately, 16% of the acid produced is used at our facilities with the balance sold to third parties. We anticipate that our internal usage will be over 80% when the Tia Maria project begins operation.
The smelter also has two oxygen plants. Plant No. 1, with 272 tons per day of production capacity, and Plant No.2, with 1,045 tons per day of capacity.
In 2010, the Ilo smelter marine trestle started operation. This facility allows us to offload directly to offshore ships the sulfuric acid produced, avoiding hauling cargo through the city of Ilo. The 500 meter long marine trestle is the last part of the Ilo smelter modernization project. Currently all overseas shipments of sulfuric acid are being made using the marine trestle.
Refinery
The Ilo refinery consists of an electrolytic plant, a precious metal plant and a number of ancillary installations. The refinery is producing grade A copper cathode of 99.998% purity. The nominal capacity is 280,000 tons per year. Anodic slimes are recovered from the refining process and then sent to the precious metals facility to produce refined silver, refined gold and commercial grade selenium.
Anodes are suspended in tanks containing a solution of sulfuric acid and copper sulfate. A low voltage but high amperage electrical current is passed through the anodes, chemical solution and cathodes in order to dissolve copper which is deposited on initially very thin starting sheets increasing its thickness to produce high grade copper cathodes. During this process, silver, gold and other metals, including palladium, platinum and selenium, along with other impurities, settle on the bottom of the tank in the form of anodic slime. This anodic slime is processed in a precious metal plant where silver, gold and selenium are recovered.
The table below sets forth 2017, 2016 and 2015 production and sales information for our Ilo refinery and precious metals plants:
Key:kt = thousand tons
In addition to the processing facilities, the refinery has a production control section, a laboratory which provides sample analysis throughout the Company, a maintenance department, a desalinization plant and other support facilities.
Other facilities in Ilo are a coquina plant with a production capacity of 200,000 tons per year of seashells and a lime plant with a capacity of 80,000 tons per year. We also operate an industrial railroad to haul production and supplies between Toquepala, Cuajone and Ilo.
The industrial railroad's main equipment includes locomotives of different types and rolling stock with different types of cars and capacities. The track runs in a single 214 kilometer standard gauge line and supports a 30-ton axle load. The total length of the track system is around 257 kilometers including main yards and sidings. The infrastructure includes 27 kilometers of track under tunnels and one concrete bridge. The industrial railroad includes a car repair shop which is responsible for maintenance and repair of the car fleet. Annual tonnage transported is approximately 4.7 million tons.
MEXICAN OPERATIONS
Following is a map indicating the approximate locations of our Mexican mines and processing facilities:
MEXICAN OPEN-PIT SEGMENT
Our Mexican open-pit segment operations combine two units of Minera Mexico, La Caridad and Buenavista, which include La Caridad and Buenavista mine complexes and smelting and refining plants and support facilities, which service both complexes.
Following is a map indicating the approximate location of, and access to, our Mexican open-pit mine complexes, as well as our processing facilities:
We have ongoing maintenance and improvement programs to ensure the satisfactory performance of our equipment. We believe all our Mexican open-pit segment equipment is in good physical condition and suitable for our operations.
Buenavista
The Buenavista mining unit operates an open-pit copper mine, two concentrators and three SX-EW plants. It is located 100 air-kilometers northwest of La Caridad and 40 kilometers south of the Arizona, U.S.-Mexican border, at an altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level. It lies on the outskirts of the city of Cananea. Buenavista is connected by paved highways to the border city of Agua Prieta to the northeast, to the town of Nacozari in the southeast and to the town of Imuris to the west. Buenavista is also connected by railway to Agua Prieta and Nogales. A municipal airport is located approximately 20 kilometers to the northeast of Buenavista.
We have concluded our $3.5 billion investment program in Mexico and all of the projects of this program are in full operation. The program included a third SX-EW plant, completed in June 2014, with a rated annual capacity of 120,000 tons of copper. A new concentrator, completed in 2015, with an annual copper production capacity of 188,000 tons. The program includes two molybdenum plants with a combined annual capacity of 4,600 tons. The first plant was completed in 2013 and the second one, in 2016. Additionally, the program included the Crushing, Conveying and Spreading System for Leachable Ore (Quebalix IV), which has been completed on time and under budget and is currently operating steadily. This project will reduce mining costs as well as increase SX-EW copper recovery, allowing the Buenavista unit to reach its copper production capacity of 500,000 tons.
The original concentrator currently has a nominal milling capacity of 76,700 tons per day. The second concentrator began operations in 2015 with a nominal milling capacity of 100,000 tons per day. The SX-EW facilities have a cathode production capacity of 174,470 tons per year. The Buenavista ore body is considered one of the world's largest porphyry copper deposits. Buenavista is the oldest continuously operated copper mine in North America, with operations dating back to 1899. High grade ore deposits in the district were mined exclusively using underground methods. The Anaconda Company acquired the property in 1917. In the early 1940s, Anaconda started developing the first open-pit in Buenavista. In 1990, through a public auction procedure, Minera Mexico acquired 100% of the Buenavista mining assets for $475 million. Buenavista is currently applying conventional open-pit mining methods to extract copper ore for further processing in the concentrator.
The following table shows 2017, 2016 and 2015 production information for Buenavista:
Key:kt = thousand tons
x = Stripping ratio obtained dividing waste plus leachable material by ore mined.
The copper and molybdenum grade are total grade.
Geology
The Buenavista mining district lies on the southern cordilleran orogen, which extends from southern Mexico to northwestern United States. It also falls within the Basin and Range metallogenic province. Geological and structural features in the district are representative of large, disseminated type, porphyry copper deposits. A calcareous sedimentary sequence of lower Paleozoic age, lithologically correlated with a similar section in southeastern Arizona, uncomformably overlies Precambrian granite basement. The entire section was covered by volcanic rocks of Mesozoic age and later intruded by deep seated granodiorite batholith of Tertiary age, with further quartz monzonite porphyry differentiates of Laramide age.
Mineralization in the district is extensive covering a surface area of approximately 30 square kilometers. An early pegmatitic stage associated with bornite-chalcopyrite-molybdenite assemblage was followed by a widespread flooding of hydrothermal solutions with quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite. A pervasive quartz-sericite alteration is evident throughout the district's igneous rock fabric.
An extensive and economically important zone of supergene enrichment, with disseminated and stockworks of chalcocite (Cu2S), developed below the iron oxide capping. This zone coincides with the topography and has an average thickness of 300 meters. A mixed zone of secondary and primary
sulfides underlay the chalcocite blanket. The hypogene mineralization, principally chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), extensively underlies the ore body. Molybdenite occurs throughout the deposit and the content tends to increase with depth.
The Buenavista copper porphyry is considered world-class and unique. The deepest exploration results in the core of the deposit have confirmed significant increase in copper grades. Similar porphyry copper deposits usually contain lower grades at depth. The district is also unique for the occurrence of high-grade breccia pipes, occurring in clusters following the trend of the district.
Current dimensions of the mineralized ore body are 5x3 kilometers, and projects to more than one kilometer at depth. Considering the geological and economic potential of the Buenavista porphyry copper deposit, it is expected that the operation can support a sizeable increase in copper production capacity.
Mine Exploration
In-fill core drilling was conducted in 2011 at the Buenavista zinc-copper-silver deposit, including directional drilling for geotechnical purposes. A deep drilling campaign was initiated in 2011 to explore the extent of the deposit at depth, drilling a total of 3,860 meters in 2012. For short-term mine planning, 6,652 meters were drilled to confirm copper grade and metallurgical recoveries. Also, in 2011, a condemnation drilling program was initiated to define areas for future infrastructure, as well as areas where leach and waste dumps will be deposited. A total of 28,369 meters of core drilling were completed in 2011. A geohydrology program was initiated in 2011 to explore the possibility of groundwater sources within the mine limits, and a total of 29,750 meters of diamond drilling were drilled in 2012. In addition, 3,797 meters were drilled for water monitoring wells. We did not have a drilling campaign in 2013. In 2014, we performed a drilling program of 20,000 meters in order to verify the reserves. In 2015, we complied with our drilling program target of 15,000 meters to define reserves and to confirm copper and molybdenum grades. For 2018, we plan to drill 10,000 meters to further define reserves and confirm grades.
Concentrator
Buenavista uses state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems at the concentrators, the crushing plant and the flotation circuit in order to coordinate inflows and optimize operations. In the original concentrator, material with a copper grade over 0.38% is loaded onto trucks and sent to the milling circuit, where giant rotating crushers reduce the size of the ore to approximately one-half of an inch. The ore is then sent to the ball mills, which grind it to the consistency of fine powder. The finely ground powder is agitated in a water and reagents solution and is then transported to flotation cells. Air is pumped into the cells producing a froth, which carries the copper mineral to the surface but not the waste rock, or tailings. Recovered copper, with the consistency of froth, is filtered and dried to produce copper concentrates with an average copper content of approximately 24%. Concentrates are then shipped by rail to the smelter at La Caridad.
In the second concentrator, material with a copper grade over 0.57% is sent to a three-phase milling circuit, where the ore size is reduced to approximately one-half inch. The ore is then sent to a circuit of six ball mills, which grind it to the consistency of fine powder. The finely ground powder is agitated in a water and reagents solution and is then transported to flotation cells. Air is pumped into the cells producing a froth, which carries the copper mineral to the surface but not the waste rock, or tailings. Recovered copper, with the consistency of froth, is filtered and dried to produce copper concentrates with an average copper content of approximately 24%. Concentrates are then sent by trucks or by railroad to the La Caridad smelter or to the Guaymas port, at Sonora, for exporting.
As part of the expansion program for this unit, in 2013 we completed the construction of the first molybdenum plant with an annual production capacity of 2,000 tons of molybdenum contained in
concentrate. The plant was designed to process 1,500 tons of copper-molybdenum concentrates per day with a recovery of approximately 80%of copper and 50% of molybdenum content. The molybdenum plant consists of thickeners, homogenizer tanks, flotation cells, column cells and a holo-flite dryer. The second molybdenum plant obtained its first production lot in July 2016 and fully initiated operations in November 2016.
SX-EW Plant
The Buenavista unit operates a leaching facility and three SX-EW plants. All copper ore with a grade lower than the mill cut-off grade of 0.38%, but higher than 0.25%, is delivered to the leach dumps. A cycle of leaching and resting occurs for approximately five years in the run-of-mine dumps and three years for the crushed leach material.
There are three irrigation systems for the dumps and eleven dams for the pregnant leach solution (PLS). Plant I has four solvent extraction tanks with a nominal capacity of 18,000 liters per minute of PLS and 54 electrowinning cells and has a daily production capacity of 30 tons of copper cathodes with 99.999% purity. Plant II has five trains of solvent extraction with a nominal capacity of 62,000 liters per minute of PLS and 220 cells distributed in two bays and has a daily production capacity of 120 tons of copper cathodes with 99.9% purity. Plant III has three trains of solvent extraction with a nominal capacity of 167,100 liters per minute of PLS and 270 cells distributed in two bays and has a daily production capacity of 328 tons of copper cathodes with 99.9% purity. The plant produces copper cathodes of LME grade A. Please see "Capital Investment Program" under Item 7 for further information.
La Caridad
The La Caridad complex includes an open-pit mine, concentrator, smelter, copper refinery, precious metals refinery, rod plant, SX-EW plant, lime plant and two sulfuric acid plants.
La Caridad mine and mill are located about 23 kilometers southeast of the town of Nacozari in northeastern Sonora, at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. Nacozari is about 264 kilometers northeast of the Sonora state capital of Hermosillo and 121 kilometers south of the U.S.-Mexico border. Nacozari is connected by paved highway with Hermosillo and Agua Prieta and by rail with the international port of Guaymas, and the Mexican and United States rail systems. An airstrip with a reported runway length of 2,500 meters is located 36 kilometers north of Nacozari, less than one kilometer away from the La Caridad copper smelter and refinery. The smelter and the sulfuric acid plants, as well as the refineries and rod plant, are located approximately 24 kilometers from the mine. Access is by paved highway and by railroad.
The concentrator began operations in 1979, the molybdenum plant was added in 1982, the smelter in 1986, the first sulfuric acid plant in 1988, the SX-EW plant in 1995, the second sulfuric acid plant in 1997, the copper refinery in 1997, the rod plant in 1998, the precious metals refinery in 1999 and the dust and effluents plant in 2012.
The table below sets forth 2017, 2016 and 2015 production information for La Caridad:
Key:kt = thousand tons
x = Stripping ratio obtained dividing waste plus leachable material by ore mined
The copper and molybdenum grade are total grade.
Geology
The La Caridad deposit is a typical porphyry copper and molybdenum deposit as seen also in the southwestern basin of United States. The La Caridad mine uses a conventional open-pit mining method. The ore body is at the top of a mountain, which gives La Caridad the advantage of a relative low waste-stripping ratio, natural pit drainage and relative short haul for both ore and waste. The mining method involves drilling, blasting, loading and haulage of ore mill and waste to the primary crushers and the leach materials and waste to dumps, respectively.
La Caridad deposit is located in northeastern Sonora, Mexico. The deposit is situated near the crest of the Sierra Juriquipa, about 23 kilometers southeast of the town of Nacozari, Sonora, Mexico. The Sierra Juriquipa rises to elevations of around 2,000 meters in the vicinity of La Caridad and is one of the many north-trending mountain ranges in Sonora that form a southern extension of the basin and range province.
The La Caridad porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit occurs exclusively in felsic to intermediate intrusive igneous rocks and associated breccias. Host rocks include diorite and granodiorite. These rocks are intruded by a quartz monzonite porphyry stock and by numerous breccia masses, which contain fragments of all the older rock types.
Supergene enrichment consists of complete to partial chalcosite (Cu2S) replacement of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). The zone of supergene enrichment occurs as a flat and tabular blanket with an average diameter of 1,700 meters and thickness generally between 0 and 90 meters.
Economic ore is found as disseminated sulfurs within the central part of the deposit. Sulfide-filled breccia cavities are most abundant in the intrusive breccia. This breccia-cavity mineralization occurs as sulfide aggregates which have crystallized in the spaces separating breccia clasts. Near the margins of the deposit, mineralization occurs almost exclusively in veinlets. Ore minerals include chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), chalcosite (Cu2S) and molybdenite (MoS2).
Mine Exploration
The La Caridad ore body has been mined for over 35 years. The extent of the model area is approximately 6,000 meters by 4,000 meters with elevation ranging from 750 to 1,800 meters. Seventeen drilling campaigns have been conducted on the property since 1968. These campaigns drilled a total of 3,349 drill holes: 1,186 were diamond drill holes and 2,163 were reverse circulation. We have also drilled some hammer and percussion drill holes.
In 2008, La Caridad finished a large exploration program of 50,000 meters. The target was to reach to the 900 level in order to reduce the drilling space and to define the copper and molybdenum mineralization continuity and also carry out metallurgical testing for the flotation and leaching processes. There was no exploration program in 2009, 2011 and 2013. In 2012 we drilled 10,000 meters and further defined the extent of the copper and molybdenum mineralization. From 2014 to 2017 we drilled 96 diamond drill holes equivalent to 38,984 meters in order to define a high grade ore body located in the south western edge of the pit (Bella Union location).
Concentrator
La Caridad uses state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems at the concentrator, the crushing plant and the flotation circuit in order to coordinate inflows and optimize operations. The concentrator has a current capacity of 94,500 tons of ore per day.
Ore extracted from the mine with a copper grade over 0.30% is sent to the concentrator and is processed into copper concentrates and molybdenum concentrates. The copper concentrates are sent to the smelter and the molybdenum concentrate is sold to a Mexican customer. The molybdenum recovery plant has a capacity of 2,000 tons per day of copper-molybdenum concentrates. The lime plant has a capacity of 340 tons of finished product per day.
SX-EW Plant
Approximately 835.5 million tons of leaching ore with an average grade of approximately 0.243% copper have been extracted from the La Caridad open-pit mine and deposited in leaching dumps from May 1995 to December 31, 2017. All copper ore with a grade lower than the mill cut-off grade 0.30%, but higher than 0.15% copper, is delivered to the leaching dumps. In 1995, we completed the construction of a SX-EW facility at La Caridad that has allowed processing of this ore and certain leach ore reserves that were not mined and has resulted in a reduction in our copper production costs. The SX-EW facility has an annual design capacity of 21,900 tons of copper cathodes.
The plant has three trains of solvent extraction with a nominal capacity of 2,400 cubic meters per hour and 94 electrowinning cells distributed in one single electrolytic bay. The plant has a daily production capacity of 65 tons of copper cathodes with 99.999% purity.
Processing Facilities-La Caridad
Our La Caridad complex includes a smelter, an electrolytic copper refinery, a precious metal refinery, a copper rod plant and an effluent and dust treatment plant. The distance between this complex and the La Caridad mine is approximately 24 kilometers.
Smelter
Copper concentrates from Buenavista, Santa Barbara, Charcas and La Caridad are transported by rail and truck to the La Caridad smelter where they are processed and cast into copper anodes of 99.2% purity. Sulfur dioxide off-gases collected from the flash furnace, the El Teniente converter and conventional converters are processed into sulfuric acid at two sulfuric acid plants. Approximately 2% to 3% of this acid is used by our SX-EW plants and the balance is sold to third parties.
All of the anodes produced in the smelter are sent to the La Caridad copper refinery. The actual installed capacity of the smelter is 1,000,000 tons per year, a capacity that is sufficient to treat all the concentrates of La Caridad and almost 40.5% of total production of the OMIMSA I and OMIMSA II concentrators from Buenavista, and starting in 2010, the concentrates from the IMMSA mines, as we closed the San Luis Potosi smelter.
Other facilities in the smelter include two sulfuric acid plants with capacities of 2,625 and 2,135 tons per day, three oxygen plants each with a production capacity of 275 tons per day; and one power turbine which generates 11.5 MWh.
Refinery
La Caridad includes an electrolytic copper refinery that uses permanent cathode technology. The installed capacity of the refinery is 300,000 tons per year. The refinery consists of an anode plant with a preparation area, an electrolytic plant with an electrolytic cell house with 1,115 cells and 32 liberator cells, two cathode stripping machines, an anode washing machine, a slime treatment plant and a number of ancillary installations. The refinery is producing grade A (LME) and grade 1 (COMEX) copper cathode of 99.99% purity. Anodic slimes are recovered from the refining process and sent to the slimes treatment plant where additional copper is extracted. The slimes are then filtered, dried, packed and shipped to the La Caridad precious metals refinery to produce silver and gold.
Precious Metals Plant
The operations of the precious metal refinery begin with the reception of anodic slimes, which are dried in a steam dryer. After this, the dried slime is smelted and a gold and silver alloy is obtained, which is known as Dore. The precious metal refinery plant has a hydrometallurgical stage and a pyrometallurgical stage, besides a steam dryer, Dore casting system, Kaldo furnace, 20 electrolytic cells in the silver refinery, one induction furnace for fine silver, one silver ingot casting system and two reactors for obtaining fine gold. The process ends with the refining of the gold and silver alloy. We also recover commercial selenium from the gas produced by the Kaldo furnace process.
Copper Rod Plant
A rod plant at the La Caridad complex began operations in 1998 and reached its full annual operating capacity of 150,000 tons in 1999. The plant is producing eight millimeter copper rods with a purity of 99.99%.
Effluent and Dust Treatment Plant
In 2012, we started operating a dust and effluent plant with a treatment capacity of 5,000 tons of smelter dusts per year which will produce 1,500 tons of copper by-products and 2,500 tons of lead sulfates per year. This plant is designed to reduce dust emissions from La Caridad metallurgical complex.
The table below sets forth 2016, 2015 and 2014 production information for the La Caridad processing facilities:
Key:kt = thousand tons
Kg = kilograms
MEXICAN IMMSA UNIT
Our IMMSA unit (underground mining poly-metallic division) operates five underground mining complexes situated in central and northern Mexico and produces zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold, and has a coal mine. These complexes include industrial processing facilities for zinc, lead, copper and silver. All of IMMSA's mining facilities employ exploitation systems and conventional equipment. We believe that all the plants and equipment are in satisfactory operating condition. IMMSA's principal mining facilities include Charcas, Santa Barbara, San Martin, Santa Eulalia and Taxco.
The table below sets forth 2017, 2016 and 2015 production information for our Mexican IMMSA unit:
kt = thousand tons
(*)Weighted average annual operating days based on total material mined and milled in the three active mines: Charcas, Santa Barbara, and Santa Eulalia.
Charcas
The Charcas mining complex is located 111 kilometers north of the city of San Luis Potosi in the State of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Charcas is connected to the state capital by a paved highway of 130 kilometers. It was discovered in 1573 and operations in the 20th century began in 1911. The complex includes three underground mines (San Bartolo, Rey-Reina and La Aurora) and one flotation plant that produces zinc, lead and copper concentrates, with significant amounts of silver. The Charcas mine is characterized by low operating costs and good quality ores and is situated near the zinc refinery. Regarding its geology, economic ore is found as replacement sulfurs in carbonates host rock. The ore mineralogy is comprised predominantly of calcopyrite (CuFeS2), sphalerite (ZnS), galena (PbS) and silver minerals as diaphorite (Pb2Ag3Sb3S8). The Charcas mine is now Mexico's largest producer of zinc.
In October 2015, an earthquake damaged some underground facilities as well as the access to the mine. Consequently, normal mine operations were interrupted. In 2016, operations took place normally and a production compliance of 97% was reached.
Mine exploration in 2015 included 32,144 meters of surface drilling and 20,536 meters from underground stations, which increased our reserves by 3,089,797 tons. For 2016, it included 20,000 meters of surface drilling and 20,754 meters from underground stations, which increased our reserves by 1,778,728 tons. For 2017, it included 5,999 meters of surface drilling and 23,098 meters from underground stations, which increased our reserves by 2,004,577 tons. For 2018, 31,757 meters of diamond drilling are planned to identify additional reserves.
Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara mining complex is located approximately 26 kilometers southwest of the city of Hidalgo del Parral in southern Chihuahua, Mexico. The area can be reached via paved road from Hidalgo del Parral, a city on a federal highway. It was discovered in 1536 and mining activities in the 20th century began in 1913. Santa Barbara includes three main underground mines (San Diego, Segovedad and Tecolotes) and a flotation plant and produces lead, copper and zinc concentrates, with significant amounts of silver.
Regarding its geology, economic ore minerals include sphalerite (ZnS), marmatite (ZnFeS), galena (PbS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and tetrahedrite (CuFe12Sb4S13). Due to the variable characteristics of the ore bodies, four types of mining methods are used: shrinkage stoping, long-hole drilled open stoping, cut-and-fill stoping and horizontal bench stoping. The ore, once crushed, is processed in the flotation plant to produce concentrates.
Mine exploration in 2015 included 5,977 meters of surface drilling and 16,609 meters from underground stations, which increased our reserves by 1,135,750 tons. For 2016, it included 14,300 meters from underground stations, which increased our reserves by 1,416,756 tons. For 2017, it included 2,571 meters of surface drilling and 11,838 meters from underground stations, which increased our reserves by 613,872 tons. For 2018, 13,750 meters of diamond drilling are planned to identify additional reserves.
Santa Eulalia
The mining district of Santa Eulalia is located in the central part of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, approximately 26 kilometers east of the city of Chihuahua, and is connected to the city of Chihuahua by a paved road (highway no. 45). It was discovered in 1590 but exploitation began in 1870. The main mines in Santa Eulalia are The Buena Tierra mine and the San Antonio mine.
Regarding its geology, the mineralization corresponds in its majority to ore skarns: silicoaluminates of calcium, iron and manganese with variable quantities of lead, zinc, copper and iron sulfides. Economic ore include sphalerite (ZnS), galena (PbS) and small quantities of pyrargyrite (Ag3SbS3).
Mine exploration in 2015 included 3,014 meters from underground stations, which increased our reserves by 64,800 tons. For 2017, it included 936 meters from underground stations, which increased our reserves by 60,525 tons. For 2018, 5,053 meters of diamond drilling are planned to identify additional reserves.
In the third quarter of 2014, the Santa Eulalia mine suspended operations due to a flooding in the area brought on by the failure of a dike caused by excess water pressure. Production was restored in November 2015.
San Martin and Taxco
San Martin and Taxco have been on strike since July 2007. Please see Note 12 "Commitments and Contingencies-Labor matters" to our consolidated financial statements.
The San Martin mining complex is located in the municipality of Sombrerete in the western part of the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. It was discovered in 1555 and mining operations in the 20th century began in 1949. The complex includes an underground mine and a flotation plant. The ore body contains lead, copper and zinc concentrates, with significant amounts of silver.
The Taxco mining complex is located on the outskirts of the city of Taxco in the northern part of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. It was discovered in 1519 and mining activities in the 20th century began in 1918. The complex includes several underground mines (San Antonio, Guerrero and Remedios) and a flotation plant. The ore contains lead and zinc concentrates, with some amounts of gold and silver.
There was no mine exploration drilling in San Martin and Taxco during the three years ended December 31, 2017 because of the strikes.
Processing Facilities-San Luis Potosi
Our San Luis Potosi electrolytic zinc refinery is located in the city of San Luis Potosi, in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The city of San Luis Potosi is connected to our refinery by a major highway.
Zinc Refinery
The San Luis Potosi electrolytic zinc refinery was built in 1982 and was designed to produce 105,000 tons of refined zinc per year by treating up to 200,000 tons of zinc concentrate from our own mines, principally Charcas, which is located 113 kilometers from the refinery. The refinery produces special high grade zinc (99.995%), high grade zinc (over 99.9%) and zinc-based alloys with aluminum, lead, copper or magnesium in varying quantities and sizes depending on market demand. Refined silver and gold production is obtained from tolling services provided by a third party mining company.
The electrolytic zinc refinery has an acid plant, a steam recovery boiler and a roaster. There is also a calcine processing area with five leaching stages: neutral, hot acid, intermediate acid, acid, purified fourth and jarosite, as well as two stages for solution purifying.
The table below sets forth 2017, 2016 and 2015 production information for our San Luis Potosi zinc refinery:
kt = thousand tons
Nueva Rosita Coal and Coke Complex
The Nueva Rosita coal and coke complex began operations in 1924 and is located in the state of Coahuila, Mexico, on the outskirts of the city of Nueva Rosita near the Texas border. It includes (a) an underground coal mine, which has been closed since 2006; (b) an open-pit mine with a yearly capacity of approximately 350,000 tons of coal; (c) a coal washing plant with a capacity of 900,000 tons per year
that produces high quality clean coal; and d) a re-engineered and modernized 21 ovens coke facility capable of producing 100,000 tons of coke per year (metallurgical, nut and fine) of which, 95,000 tons are metallurgical coke. There is also a by-product plant to clean the coke gas oven in which tar, ammonium sulfate and light crude oil are recovered. There are also two boilers, which produce 80,000 pounds of steam that is used in the by-products plant. In September 2017, a decision was made to close the coke plant, and initiate the cleaning and remediation process.
Carbon mine exploration
In Coahuila, an intensive exploration program of diamond drilling has identified two additional areas, Esperanza with a potential for more than 30 million tons of "in place" mineralized coal and Guayacan with a potential for 15 million tons of "in place" mineralized coal, that could be used for a future coal-fired power plant. In 2015, we drilled 3,046 meters and increased our reserves by 465,509 tons. In 2016, we drilled 1,052 meters and finished the last stage of exploration in two areas for open pit, San Jose y Cuatro y medio, and increased reserves by 607,532. In 2017, we did not undertake exploration activites.
The table below sets forth 2017, 2016 and 2015 production information for our Nueva Rosita coal and coke complex:
kt = thousand tons
ORE RESERVES
Ore reserves are those estimated quantities of proven and probable material that may be economically mined and processed for extraction of their mineral content, at the time of the reserve determination. "Proven" (measured) reserves are reserves for which (a) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; (b) grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed samplings; and (c) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well-established. "Probable" (indicated) reserves are reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven (measured) reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven (measured) reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation. "Mineralized material," on the other hand, is a mineralized body that has been delineated by appropriately spaced drilling and/or underground sampling to support the reported tonnage and average grade of metal(s). Such a deposit does not qualify as a reserve until legal and economic feasibility are concluded based upon a comprehensive evaluation of unit costs, grade, recoveries and other material factors.
Our proven and probable ore reserve estimates are based on engineering evaluations of assay values derived from the sampling of drill holes and other openings. We believe that the samplings taken
are spaced at intervals close enough and the geological characteristics of the deposits are sufficiently well defined to render the estimates reliable. The ore reserves estimates include assessments of the resource, mining and metallurgy, as well as economic, marketing, legal, environmental, governmental, social and other necessary considerations.
Our Peruvian operations, including the Toquepala and Cuajone reserves, are classified into proven (measured), probable (indicated) and possible (inferred) categories based on a Relative Confidence Bound Index ("RCB Index") that measures our level of geologic knowledge and confidence in each block. The RCB index is a measure of relative confidence in the block grade estimate. This approach combines the local variability of the composites used to krig a block with the kriging variance and incorporates the use of confidence intervals in measuring uncertainty of the block estimates relative to each other. The final resource classification is then based on the distribution of these RCB values for blocks above 0.05% copper. It is the distribution that is used to find the breaks between proven/probable and probable/possible.
Our Mexican operations, including the Buenavista and La Caridad reserves, are calculated using a mathematical block model and applying the MineSight software system. The estimated grades per block are classified as proven and probable. These grades are calculated applying a three-dimensional interpolation procedure and the inverse distance squared. Likewise, the quadrant method or spherical search is implemented in order to limit the number of composites that will affect the block's interpolated value. The composites data is derived from the geological exploration of the ore body. In order to classify the individual blocks in the model, a thorough geostatistical variogram analysis is conducted, taking into consideration the principal characteristics of the deposit. Based on this block model classification, and with the implementation of the Lerch-Grossman algorithm, and the MineSight Pit Optimizer procedure, mineable reserves are determined. The calculated proven and probable reserves include those blocks that are economically feasible to mine by open-pit method within a particular mine design.
For the IMMSA unit, the basis for reserve estimations are sampling of mining operations and drilling exploration, geographical and topographic surveys, tracking down all the foregoing in the corresponding maps, measurement, calculation and interpretation based on the maps and reports from the mines, the mills and/or smelters. Mineral reserves are mineral stock which is estimated for extraction, to exploit if necessary, to sell or utilize economically, all or in part, taking into consideration the quotations, subsidies, costs, availability of treatment plants and other conditions which we estimate will prevail in the period for which reserves are being calculated. The reserves are divided into proven (85% reliable or more according to statistical studies) and probable (70%-80% reliable or more according to statistical studies) categories according to their level of reliability and availability. In order to comply with SEC regulations, proven reserves is a classification that can only be used for such mineral found on top of the last level of the mine (either mineral up to 15 meters below the last level or below the first 15 meters only with sufficient drilling (25 or 30 meters between each drill)).
Annually our engineering department reviews in detail the reserve computations. In addition, our engineering department reviews the computation when changes in assumptions occur. Changes can occur for price or cost assumptions, results in field drilling or new geotechnical parameters. We also engage third party consultants to review mine planning procedures.
Pursuant to SEC guidance, the reserves information in this report are calculated using average metals prices over the most recent three years unless otherwise stated. We refer to these three-year average metals prices as "current prices." Our current prices for copper are calculated using prices quoted by COMEX, and our current prices for molybdenum are calculated according to Platt's Metals Week. Unless otherwise stated, reserves estimates in this report use $2.50 per pound for copper and $7.07 per pound for molybdenum, both current prices as of December 31, 2017. The current prices for copper and molybdenum were $2.61 and $8.10 as of December 31, 2016 and $2.99 and $9.38 as of December 31, 2015, respectively.
For internal ore reserve estimation, our management uses long-term metal price assumptions for copper and molybdenum, which are intended to approximate average prices over the long term. At December 31, 2017, we consider $2.90 per pound of copper and $7.50 per pound of molybdenum. At December 31,2016, we considered $2.90 per pound of copper and $6.50 per pound of molybdenum.
The average metal prices over the last 10 and 15 years periods and the continued positive outlook for these metals have led us to use these prices. For other forecast and planning purposes, particularly related to merger and acquisition activities, our management considers other price scenarios. These changes, however, do not affect the preparation of our financial statements.
For the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, we have used reserve estimates based on current average prices as of the most recent three years then ended to determine amortization of mine development and intangible assets.
We periodically reevaluate estimates of our ore reserves, which represent our estimate as to the amount of unmined copper remaining in our existing mine locations that can be produced and sold at a profit. These estimates are based on engineering evaluations derived from samples of drill holes and other openings, combined with assumptions about copper market prices and production costs at each of our mines.
The persons responsible for ore reserve calculations are as follows:
Peruvian open-pit:
Cuajone mine-Edgar A. Peña Valenzuela, Mine Engineering Superintendent
Toquepala mine-Wilbert Perez, Mine Engineering Superintendent
Tia Maria project:
Jaime Arana Murriel, Investment Projects Leaching Manager
Mexican open-pit:
La Caridad Mine-Gilberto Quintana, Mine Manager (with support of Hexagon Mining)
Buenavista mine-Jesus Molinares, Engineering and Mine Planning Superintendent
IMMSA unit:
Santa Barbara-Raul Guerrero Valdez, Manager
Charcas-Juan J. Aguilar, Planning and Control Superintendent
Santa Eulalia-Jose Rovelo Saenz, Manager
Taxco-Jose M. Espinosa, Manager
San Martin-Maria I. Carrillo, Planning Manager
El Arco project:
Michelle P. Cerecer A., Planning Engineer (with support of Hexagon Mining)
El Pilar project:
Michelle P. Cerecer A., Planning Engineer (with support of Hexagon Mining)
Pilares project:
Michelle P. Cerecer A., Planning Engineer (with support of Hexagon Mining)
For more information regarding our reserve estimates, please see Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates-Ore Reserves."
Ore Reserves Estimated at Current Prices:
The table below details our estimated proven and probable copper and molybdenum reserves at December 31, 2017 based on the last three year average market prices following SEC guidance:
kt = Thousand tons
W= Waste, L= Leachable material; O= Ore.
(1)The Cuajone, Toquepala, Buenavista and La Caridad concentrator recoveries calculated for these reserves were 86.1%, 87.4%, 83.0%, and 82.5%, respectively, obtained by using recovery formulas according to the different milling capacity and geo-metallurgical zones.
(2)The IMMSA unit includes the Charcas, Santa Barbara, San Martin, Santa Eulalia and Taxco mines. Zinc and lead contained in ore reserves are as follows:
(3)Copper contained in ore reserves for open-pit mines is (i) the product of sulfide ore reserves and the average copper grade proven plus (ii) the product of sulfide ore reserves and the average copper grade probable plus (iii) the product of in-pit leachable reserves and the average copper grade. Copper contained in ore reserves for underground mines is the product of sulfide ore reserves and the average copper grade.
Metal Price Sensitivity:
In preparing the sensitivity analysis, we recalculated our reserves based on the assumption that current average metal prices were 20% higher and 20% lower, respectively, than the actual current average prices for year-end 2017. Reserve results of this sensitivity analysis are not proportional to the increase or decrease in metal price assumptions.
(1)Copper contained in ore reserves for open-pit mines is (i) the product of sulfide ore reserves and the average copper grade proven plus (ii) the product of sulfide ore reserves and the average copper grade probable plus (iii) the product of in-pit leachable reserves and the average copper grade. Copper contained in ore reserves for underground mines is the product of sulfide ore reserves and the average copper grade.
Internal Ore Reserves Estimates:
The table below details our proven and probable copper and molybdenum reserves as of December 31, 2017, estimated based on long-term price assumptions of $2.90 for copper and $7.50 for molybdenum. As discussed on page 51 the presentation of these internal ore reserve estimates are not compliant with SEC requirements, as the long-term price assumptions differ from the current prices used pursuant to SEC guidance. These internal ore reserve estimates do not affect the preparation of our financial statements.
(kt) = Thousand tons
W= Waste, L= Leachable material; O= Ore.
(1)The IMMSA unit includes the Charcas, Santa Barbara, San Martin, Santa Eulalia and Taxco mines. Zinc and lead contained in ore reserves are as follows:
Copper contained in ore reserves for open-pit mines is (i) the product of sulfide ore reserves and the average copper grade plus (ii) the product of in-pit leachable reserves and the average grade of copper. Copper contained in ore reserves for underground mines is the product of sulfide ore reserves and the average copper grade.
OVERVIEW OF BLOCK MODEL RECONCILIATION PROCESS
We apply the following block model to mill reconciliation procedure.
The following stages are identified at the Cuajone, Toquepala, Buenavista and La Caridad mines:
1.The mine geologists gather the necessary monthly statistical data from our information system ("SRP"), which provides ore tons milled and ore grades in the concentrator.
2.Mined areas are topographically determined and related boundaries are built.
3.Using the "interactive planner" option in our mining software (MineSight), ore tons and grades are calculated inside mined areas over the block model. At this point the current cut-off grade is considered.
4.In the final stage, accumulated tons mined, weighted average grade for ore material and leach is compared to data coming from our SRP system.
Tonnage and grade reconciliation for 2017 are as follows:
If the estimation error appears greater than 3%, a detailed evaluation is done to review the differences, which normally could result in more in-fill drilling, in order to better understand the geological characteristics (grade, rock type, mineralization and alteration) and the spacing of drill holes which are considered in the ore body zone.
AVERAGE DRILL-HOLE SPACING
The following is the average drill-hole spacing for proven and probable sulfide reserves as of December 31, 2017:
EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
We are engaged in ongoing extensive exploration to locate additional ore bodies in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador and Chile. We also conduct exploration in the areas of our current mining operations. We invested $28.8 million in exploration programs in 2017, $40.1 million in 2016 and $48.8 million in 2015 and we expect to spend approximately $67.1 million in exploration programs in 2018.
Currently, we have direct control of 44,182 hectares and 148,122 hectares of exploration concessions in Peru and in Mexico, respectively. We also currently hold 64,899 hectares, 36,387 hectares and 7,298 hectares of exploration concessions in Argentina, Chile and Ecuador, respectively.
Peru
Los Chancas. This property, located in the department of Apurimac in southern Peru, is a copper and molybdenum porphyry deposit. Current estimates indicate the presence of 545 million tons of mineralized material with a copper content of 0.59%, molybdenum content of 0.04% and 0.039 grams of gold per ton and 181 million tons of mineralized leachable material with a total copper content of 0.357%. In 2017, we continued with the development of social and environmental improvements for the local communities in order to conduct the environmental impact assessment, which will begin in the first months of 2018.
Other Peruvian Prospects. During 2017, we completed the explorations at the Tambillo project, located in Ayacucho, in southern Peru. We drilled a total of 5,000 meters. The results were not satisfactory; therefore, we decided not to continue with exploration in this project.
In addition, we explored several targets in the south coast of Peru to locate copper porfides, with a total of 5,530 meters of diamond drilling, which results are currently under evaluation.
For 2018, we will conduct a diamond drilling program of 15,000 meters at different prospects located on the coast of Peru, to confirm the existence of copper and copper-gold porphyry deposits. We also expect to conduct a diamond drilling program of 22,000 meters in mineralized zones with evidences of copper porfides, located on the western mountains of Peru. Additionally, we will continue with several prospection programs through Peruvian metallogenic zones.
Mexico
In addition to exploration and drilling programs at existing mines, we are currently conducting exploration to locate mineral deposits at various other sites in Mexico. The following are some of the more significant exploration projects:
Buenavista-Zinc. The Buenavista-Zinc site is located in the state of Sonora, Mexico and is part of the northwest Buenavista ore body. It is a skarn deposit containing zinc, copper, silver and lead sulfide mineralization. The deposit contains approximately 158 million tons of mineralized material, containing 1.76% of zinc, 0.54% of copper and 21 grams of silver per ton. In 2016, we reviewed the geological model of the deposit and the lithological description of prior drill holes, which were analyzed using infrared spectrometry. The results were included in the reserves database. Currently, we are working on a revised mine plan which we expect to conclude in 2018. In addition, we continue with the metallurgical flotation testing in order to further optimize the flotation circuit process.
The Chalchihuites. This is a skarn type deposit located in the state of Zacatecas, close to the San Martin mining unit. Drilling programs conducted between 1980 and 2014 identified 12.6 million of mineralized material with an average silver content of 110 grams per ton, 2.66% of zinc, 0.37% of lead and 0.67% of copper. Current results indicate that mineralization consists of a complex mixture of oxides and sulfides of silver, lead and zinc that requires additional metallurgical research. In 2017, we started a new drilling program of 21,000 meters in order to continue the metallurgical research and testing. To date, the program has a progress of 16,128 meters with 40 holes accomplished, and will be completed in 2018. This program has been carried out in compliance with QA/QC protocol that includes testing of specific density of the different rocks and mineralized types and geochemistry sampling.
Bella Union (La Caridad). This prospect is a mineralized copper and molybdenum breccia deposit; the site is located at less than one kilometer from the border of La Caridad pit. In 2016, we
conducted a drilling program of 21,730 meters to define the geometry of the deposit. The results allowed the identification of 63.3 million tons of mineralized material with an average of 0.43% of copper content and 0.04% of molybdenum. In 2017, a diamond drilling program of 15,000 meters was continued. During the year 9,448 meters were drilled, and 5,552 meters remain to be drilled in 2018. Once the drilling has been completed, the estimation of resources and reserves will be made to define the potential of the Bella Union project.
Campo Medio (Santa Eulalia). This prospect is located close to the west border of the Santa Eulalia mine. Preliminary geological surveying in the zone indicates the possible presence of replacement ore bodies in limestone, similar to ore bodies currently being mined at Santa Eulalia. During 2016, we completed a geochemical and geological survey of 800 hectares between the two currently operating mines and from which we obtained in the past more than 25 million metric tons of ore. The results obtained indicate the presence of potential mineralization in five different zones. In 2017, 1,000 geochemical samples were taken to define in more detail the five zones highlighted by the geological survey. The 2018 exploration program contemplates the surveying using an electrical geophysical method. With the results obtained from this study, a drilling program of 10,000 meters will be designed.
Chile
El Salado (Montonero). A copper-gold prospect located in the Atacama region, northern Chile is being explored for copper and molybdenum porphyry since 2014. In 2016, we conducted a diamond drilling program of 12,169 meters in order to define mineral classification. In 2017, we drilled a total of 9,939 meters and finished the conceptual study, which is currently under evaluation.
Resguardo de la Costa. An epithermal gold deposit located at southern Chañaral. In 2017, we conducted a diamond drilling program of 3,000 meters. The results were not satisfactory; therefore, we decided not to continue with exploration in this project.
Other Chilean Prospects. For 2018, we expect to conduct a diamond drilling program of 10,000 meters in copper-gold prospects located in the Antofagasta region at the north of Chile.
Ecuador
Chaucha. The Ruta del Cobre ("Copper Road") project is located west of Cuenca city and south of Guayaquil. The mineralization is characteristic of a copper-molybdenum porphyry system which is being explored since 2014. In 2016, we conducted a diamond drilling program of 25,081 meters, in compliance with the socioenvironmental regulations of Ecuador. This drilling allowed us to consolidate the information obtained for a better geological and economic interpretation. In 2017, we conducted a diamond drilling program of 12,980 meters, which has allowed us to consolidate information in order to begin the conceptual study for an initial economic evaluation of the project. This study was initiated towards the end of 2017 and is expected to continue during 2018.
Argentina
In 2011, we started exploration activities in Argentina. In 2015, we performed geological exploration in the Salta, Rio Negro and Neuquen provinces where we expected to locate copper porphyry with precious metals epithermal systems. In 2017, we performed prospection and geological evaluation work in the provinces of San Juan and Rio Negro. For 2018, we plan to conduct a diamond drilling program of 10,000 meters in order to continue with the exploration of the silver-gold epithermal systems, denominated the Caldera project, located in the Rio Negro province.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Reference is made to the information under the caption "Litigation Matters" in the consolidated financial statement Note 12 "Commitments and contingencies."
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
SCC COMMON STOCK:
SCC's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and the Lima Stock Exchange ("BVL"). SCC's common stock symbol is SCCO on both the NYSE and the BVL. At December 31, 2017, there were 985 holders of record of our common stock.
DIVIDEND AND STOCK MARKET PRICES:
The table below sets forth the cash dividends paid per share of capital stock and the high and low stock prices on both the NYSE and the BVL for the periods indicated.
For the year 2017
For the year 2016
On January 25, 2018, the Board of Directors ("BOD") authorized a dividend of $0.30 per share paid on February 27, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 13, 2018.
For a description of limitations on our ability to make dividend distributions, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-"Liquidity and Capital Resources" and Note 10 "Financing" to our consolidated financial statements.
DIRECTORS' STOCK AWARD PLAN
The following table sets forth certain information related to our shares held as treasury stock for the Directors' stock award plan at December 31, 2017:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
For additional information see Note 13-"Stockholders Equity-Directors' Stock Award Plan."
SCC COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN:
In 2008, our BOD authorized a $500 million share repurchase program that has since been increased by the BOD and is currently authorized to $3 billion. Pursuant to this program, the Company purchased common stock as shown in the table below. These shares are available for general corporate purposes. The Company may purchase additional shares of its common stock from time to time, based on market conditions and other factors. This repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified or discontinued at any time.
(1)NYSE closing price of SCC common shares at December 31, 2017.
There has not been any activity in the SCC share repurchase program since the third quarter of 2016. The NYSE closing price of SCC common shares at December 31, 2017 was $47.45 and the maximum number of shares that the Company could purchase at that price is 1.7 million shares.
As a result of the repurchase of shares of SCC's common stock, Grupo Mexico's direct and indirect ownership was 88.9% as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly change in the cumulative total returns on the Company's common stock against cumulative total return on the S&P 500 Stock Index and the S&P Metals and Mining Select Industry Index, for the five year period ending December 31, 2017. The chart below analyzes the total return on SCC's common stock for the period commencing December 31, 2012 and ending December 31, 2017, compared to the total return of the S&P 500 and the S&P Metals and Mining Select Industry Index for the same five-year period.
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return*
SCC Stock, S&P 500 Index and S&P Metals and Mining Select Industry Index**
*Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends
**The comparison assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2012
The foregoing Performance Graph and related information shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or "filed" with the SEC or subject to Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
FIVE-YEAR SELECTED FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL DATA
The selected historical financial data presented below as of and for the five years ended December 31, 2017, includes certain information that has been derived from our consolidated financial statements. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
(1)Please see copper and metal prices for the last 10 years on Item 1 "Business-Metal Prices" and sales volumes for the last three years on Item 7
Item 7 "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Segments Results Analysis."
(2)In the second quarter of 2015, the Company adopted ASU 2015-03 whereby debt issuance costs are presented net of the related debt. This adoption was applied on a retrospective basis. As a consequence, the long-term debt data and total liabilities for the years 2013 and 2014 have been modified to reflect this presentation.
(3)Please see Item 7 "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Capital Investment Programs."
(4)Represents closing Price divided by Earnings per share.
(5)Represents net sales less cost of sales (including depreciation, amortization and depletion), divided by net sales as a percentage.
(6)Represents operating income divided by sales as a percentage.
(7)Represents net income divided by net sales as a percentage.
(8)Net debt, which is a Non-GAAP measure, is defined as total debt minus cash,cash equivalents and short-term investments balance. Please see Item 7 "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Financing Section". During 2015, management decided to include short-term investments as a reduction to debt to arrive at net debt given that the Company can liquidate these investments at any time as needed. This change was applied on a retrospective basis for all years presented herein.
Net capitalization is defined as Net debt plus Equity.
Net debt/Net capitalization: represents net debt divided by net debt plus equity. Net debt to net capitalization is a Non-GAAP measure. This non-GAAP information should not be considered in isolation or as substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of our net debt to net capitalization ratio to total debt and capitalization as presented in the consolidated balance sheet is presented under the subheading "Non-GAAP
information reconciliation" in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
(9)Total capitalization is defined as Total debt plus Equity.
Total debt/Total capitalization: represents total debt divided by total debt plus equity.
(10)Represents earnings divided by fixed charges. Earnings are defined as earnings before income taxes and before adjustment for income or loss from equity investees, plus equity earnings of affiliate, fixed charges and amortization of interest capitalized, less interest capitalized. Fixed charges are defined as the sum of interest expense without the discount of capitalized interest, plus amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relates to and should be read together with our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. Therefore, unless otherwise noted, the discussion below of our financial condition and results of operations is for Southern Copper Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, "SCC," the" Company," "our," and "we") on a consolidated basis for all periods. Our financial results may not be indicative of our future results.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and operations. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. See Item 1 "Business-Cautionary Statement."
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Business: Our business is primarily the production and sale of copper. In the process of producing copper, a number of valuable metallurgical by-products are recovered, which we also produce and sell. Market forces outside of our control largely determine the sale prices for our products. Our management, therefore, focuses on value creation through copper production, cost control, production enhancement and maintaining a prudent capital structure to remain profitable. We endeavor to achieve these goals through capital spending programs, exploration efforts and cost reduction programs. Our aim is to remain profitable during periods of low copper prices and to maximize financial performance in periods of high copper prices.
We are one of the world's largest copper mining companies in terms of production and sales with our principal operations in Peru and Mexico. We also have an active ongoing exploration program in Chile, Argentina and Ecuador. In addition to copper, we produce significant amounts of other metals, either as a by-product of the copper process or in a number of dedicated mining facilities in Mexico.
In 2017, we invested $1,023.5 million in capital programs, along with $28.8 million in our exploration efforts. We believe this commitment to growth will continue to benefit our Company, our investors, our neighboring communities, and the countries in which we operate.
We believe we hold the world's largest copper reserve position. At December 31, 2017, our copper ore reserves, calculated at a copper price of $2.90 per pound, totaled 70.6 million tons of contained copper, at the following locations:
Outlook: Various key factors affect our outcome. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Changes in copper, molybdenum, silver and zinc prices: In 2017, the average LME and COMEX per pound copper prices were $2.80, approximately 27% higher than 2016. In 2017, per pound LME spot copper prices ranged from $2.48 to $3.27. Average zinc and molybdenum prices
increased in 2017 by 37.9% and 26.6%, respectively, compared to 2016. The average silver price decreased by 0.4% in 2017 compared to 2016.
•Sales structure: In the last three years, approximately 80% of our revenues came from the sale of copper, 5% from molybdenum, 5% from silver, 4% from zinc and 6% from various other products, including gold, sulfuric acid and other materials.
•Copper: During the last quarter, the LME copper price has increased significantly, from an average of $2.40 per pound in the fourth quarter of 2016 to $3.09 per pound in the fourth quarter of 2017 and up to an average of $3.21 per pound in January 2018. We believe this price improvement is the result of the synchronized economic growth recovery of the major economies.
We believe that the world economy is accelerating its growth to an expected 3.9% in 2018. China, the world's largest copper consumer with over 45% of the demand, is expected to continue its growth, in line with its estimated 6.8% GDP increase in 2017. For global refined copper demand in 2018, we expect growth of about 2.1%, which amounts to approximately 500,000 tons of new copper demand.
With respect to copper supply, we expect a weak response as a result of the consistent decline in investments by several companies in recent years. Additionally, labor unrest, excess government taxation and technical difficulties are further affecting production. As a result of these factors, we expect a supply growth of approximately 1% in 2018, yielding a copper market deficit this year which will give strong support for copper prices.
•Silver: We believe that silver prices will have support due to its industrial uses as well as being perceived as a value shelter in times of economic uncertainty. Silver represented 4.3% of our sales in 2017.
•Molybdenum: It was about 5.3% of our sales in 2017. Molybdenum prices averaged $8.72 per pound in the fourth quarter of 2017, which compares to $6.58 a year ago; a 32.5% increase. January 2018 prices averaged $11.54 per pound.
Molybdenum is mainly used for the production of special alloys of stainless steel that require significant hardness, corrosion and heat resistance. A new use for this metal is in lubricants and sulfur filtering of heavy oils and shale gas production.
•Zinc: It has very good long term fundamentals due to its significant industrial consumption and the expected production. Through 2017 zinc inventories have decreased over 50% in the major warehouses, improving this metal's price support. Zinc represented 4.9% of our sales in 2017.
•Production: In 2018, we will commence production at the new Toquepala concentrator and expect to be able to produce 931,000 tons of copper, a 6% increase from the 877,000 tons we produced in 2017.
We also expect to produce 17.5 million ounces of silver, about 10% higher than the 2017 production of 15.9 million ounces. In 2018, we expect to produce 84,600 tons of zinc from our mines, up 23% from 2017 production of 68,665 tons, as a result of the recovery of production at the Santa Eulalia and Santa Barbara mines. Additionally, we expect to produce 21,700 tons of molybdenum, an increase of 1.7% due to additional production from Buenavista and the recovery of our Peruvian operations.
•Cost: Our operating costs and expenses for the three-years ended December 2017 have increased in total in each of the years. Our comparison of costs for the three year period is as follows:
Operating costs and expenses in 2017 increased $220.0 million, compared to 2016, mainly due to higher cost of sales in all our operating segments, as well as higher depreciation, amortization and depletion at our Mexican operations. This was partially offset by lower depreciation, amortization and depletion at our Peruvian operations, lower exploration expenses and a $10.2 million credit related to a previously accrued environmental remediation cost at our Mexican operations which was reversed in the first quarter of 2017.
Operating costs and expenses in 2016 increased $184.1 million, compared to 2015, principally due to higher costs of sales at our Mexican operations resulting from the 18.3% increase in copper sales volume, higher depreciation, amortization and depletion on the new assets added to our operations at Buenavista. This was partially offset by lower environmental remediation and exploration expenses.
•US tax reform: In December 2017, new U.S. tax legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted into law and became effective January 1, 2018. The effect of the U.S. tax reform on the Company's financial statements was a provisional non-cash tax expense of $785.9 million. The reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% applied to the US deferred tax asset increased tax provision by $110.2 million, and the transition tax on the repatriated foreign earnings net of the related deemed paid tax credit increased the provision by $56.1 million. In addition, the Company anticipates that it will not be able to realize certain deferred tax assets due to the US tax reform, and related valuation allowances for these deferred tax assets increased the tax provision, as follows: $280.2 million for foreign tax credits, $174.1 million related to the US tax effect of Peruvian deferreds, and $165.3 million related to the US deferred tax asset calculated using a 21% tax rate.
•Capital investments: Capital investments were $1,023.5 million for 2017. This is 8.5% lower than in 2016, and represented 140% of net income. Our growth program to develop the full production potential of our Company is underway. In addition, the Buenavista expansion program was completed on time and under budget.
For 2018, the Board of Directors approved a capital investment program of $1,748.2 million. We are currently developing a new organic growth plan to increase our copper volume production to 1.5 million tons by 2025 with the development of new projects.
KEY MATTERS
We discuss below several matters that we believe are important to understand our results of operations and financial condition. These matters include (i) earnings, (ii) production, (iii) "operating cash costs" as a measure of our performance, (iv) metal prices, (v) business segments, (vi) the effect of inflation and other local currency issues and (vii) our capital investment and exploration program.
Earnings: The table below highlights key financial and operational data of our Company for the three years ended December 31, 2017 (in millions, except copper price and per share amounts):
Net sales in 2017 were higher than in 2016 by $1,274.7 million. This increase was mainly the result of higher metal prices and slightly higher sales volumes of copper (+1.8%) and zinc (+2.0%), partially offset by lower sales volumes of silver (-2.1%) and molybdenum (-1.7%). Net sales in 2016 were higher than in 2015, mainly as a result of higher sales volume of copper (+18.3%), silver (+18.9%) and zinc (+4.6%), partially offset by lower prices for copper and molybdenum.
The two largest components of operating costs and expenses are cost of sales and depreciation, amortization and depletion, both of which increased in each of the years in the periods above. In 2017, cost of sales increased by $218.7 million and depreciation, amortization and depletion increased by $24.0 million. The increase in cost of sales in 2017 was mainly due to inventory consumption, foreign currency effect and higher workers' participation expense. In 2016, cost of sales increased by $106.5 million and depreciation, amortization and depletion increased by $136.4 million. The increase in cost of sales in 2016 was due to higher copper sales volume, which increased by 18.3%. The increase in depreciation was mainly due to investment and maintenance capital acquisitions at most of our operations.
Net income attributable to SCC in 2017 was 6.2% lower than in 2016 mainly due to the one-time, non-cash income tax adjustment of $785.9 million as a result of the US income tax legislation enacted in the fourth quarter of 2017. See Note 7 "Income Taxes", of our consolidated financial statements.
Income before income taxes in 2017 was $2,302.7 million or 83.3% higher than 2016 income before taxes of $1,256.0 million. This improvement resulted from higher sales and cost reductions achieved in electricity (-8.0%), tires (-9.4%), and other cost elements.
Production: The table below highlights, mine production data of our Company for the three years ended December 31, 2017:
The table below highlights copper production data at each of our mines for the three years ended December 31, 2017:
2017 compared to 2016:
Copper mine production in 2017 decreased 2.6% to 1,933.4 million pounds from 1,984.1 million pounds in 2016. This decrease was due to:
• Lower production at the Cuajone mine due to lower ore grades and recoveries.
• Lower production at our Mexican mines, principally lower SX-EW production at the Buenavista mine due to lower PLS processed with a lower copper content.
• The decrease in production was partially offset by higher production at the Toquepala mine due to higher ore grades and recoveries.
Molybdenum production slightly decreased 1.9% in 2017 compared to 2016, principally due to lower production at our Peruvian operations as a result of lower grades and recoveries. This decrease was partially offset by the additional production from the Buenavista molybdenum plant at the second concentrator which started production in July 2016.
Silver mine production decreased 1.5% in 2017 as a result of lower production at our IMMSA mines partially offset by higher production at our open-pit mines in Mexico and Peru.
Zinc production decreased 7.2% in 2017 principally due to lower production at our Santa Eulalia and Santa Barbara mines due to lower mineral milled and lower grades.
2016 compared to 2015:
Mined copper in 2016 increased 346.1 million pounds, compared to 2015 production. This increase was due to:
• Higher production at our Buenavista mine due to the ramping up of the new concentrator and better concentrate grades and recoveries.
• Higher production at the La Caridad mine due to higher concentrate grades, partially offset by
• Lower production at the Cuajone and Toquepala mines due to lower ore grades and concentrate recoveries.
Molybdenum production decreased 3.6 million pounds in 2016, compared to 2015, principally due to lower production at our Peruvian mines because of lower grades. Silver production increased 2.9 million ounces in 2016 due to higher production at our Buenavista and IMMSA mines. Zinc production increased by 26.6 million pounds in 2016 due to a year of full production without the flooding problems that we encountered in prior years.
Operating Cash Costs: An overall benchmark used by us and a common industry metric to measure performance is operating cash costs per pound of copper produced. Operating cash cost is a non-GAAP measure that does not have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures provided by other companies. This non-GAAP information should not be considered in isolation or as substitute for measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of our operating cash cost per pound of copper produced to the cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion) as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings is presented under the subheading, "Non-GAAP Information Reconciliation" on page 87. We disclose operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, both before and net of by-product revenues.
We define operating cash cost per pound of copper produced before by-product revenues as cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion), plus selling, general and administrative charges, treatment and refining charges net of sales premiums; less the cost of purchased concentrates, workers' participation and other miscellaneous charges, including royalty charges, and the change in inventory levels; divided by total pounds of copper produced by our own mines.
In our calculation of operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, we exclude depreciation, amortization and depletion, which are considered non-cash expenses. Exploration is considered a discretionary expenditure and is also excluded. Workers' participation provisions are determined on the basis of pre-tax earnings and are also excluded. Additionally excluded from operating cash costs are items of a non-recurring nature and the mining royalty charge as it is based on various calculations of taxable income, depending on which jurisdiction, Peru or Mexico, is imposing the charge. We believe these adjustments will allow our management and stakeholders to see a presentation of our controllable cash cost, which we consider is one of the lowest of copper producing companies of similar size.
We define operating cash cost per pound of copper produced net of by-product revenues as operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, as defined in the previous paragraph, less by-product revenues and net revenue (loss) on sale of metal purchased from third parties.
In our calculation of operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product revenues, we credit against our costs the revenues from the sale of all our by-products, including, molybdenum, zinc, silver, gold, etc. and the net revenue (loss) on sale of metals purchased from third parties. We disclose this measure netting the by-product revenues in this way because we consider our principal business to be the production and sale of copper. As part of our copper production process, much of our by-products are recovered. These by-products, as well as the processing of copper purchased from third parties, are a supplemental part of our production process and their sales value contribute to cover part of our incurred fixed costs. We believe that our Company is viewed by the investment community as a copper company, and is valued, in large part, by the investment community's view of the copper market and our ability to produce copper at a reasonable cost.
We believe that both of these measures are useful tools for our management and our stakeholders. Our cash costs before by-product revenues allow us to monitor our cost structure and address with operating management areas of concern. The measure operating cash cost per pound of copper produced net of by-product revenues is a common measure used in the copper industry and is a useful management tool that allows us to track our performance and better allocate our resources. This measure is also used in our investment project evaluation process to determine a project's potential contribution to our operations, its competitiveness and its relative strength in different price scenarios. The expected contribution of by-products is generally a significant factor used by the copper industry in determining whether to move forward with the development of a new mining project. As the price of our by-product commodities can have significant fluctuations from period to period, the value of its contribution to our costs can be volatile.
Our operating cash cost per pound of copper produced, as defined above, is presented in the table below for the three years ended December 31, 2017:
Operating cash cost per pound of copper produced(1)
(In millions, except cost per pound and percentages)
(1)These are non-GAAP measures, see page 87 for reconciliation to GAAP measure.
(2)Net of metallurgical losses.
2017 compared to 2016:
Our cash cost per pound before by-product revenues in 2017 was $2,797.5, 0.6% higher than in 2016. This increase in operating cash cost was mainly the result of higher production costs.
However, our per pound cash cost for 2017, when calculated net of by-product revenues was 3.2% lower than in 2016. This was the result of higher prices for our major by-products and higher zinc sales volume.
2016 compared to 2015:
As seen on the chart above, our 2016 operating cash cost per pound of copper before by-product revenues was $0.21 per pound lower than in 2015, a decrease of 12.7%. This was due to lower costs per pound from production costs, as a result of higher production at a lower per-unit cost from the Buenavista projects, lower fuel costs and lower costs per pound from selling, general and administrative expenses and inventory change, partially offset by higher treatment and refining charges and premiums.
Our cash cost per pound for 2016 when calculated net of by-product revenues was $0.95 per pound, compared to $1.11 per pound in 2015, a decrease of 14.4%. The total value of by-products increased by $88.8 million in 2016, principally due to the higher sales volume and the higher sales prices for silver and zinc, reduced somewhat by decreases in molybdenum volume and sales prices.
Metal Prices: The profitability of our operations is dependent on, and our financial performance is significantly affected by, the international market prices for the products we produce, especially for copper, molybdenum, zinc and silver.
We are subject to market risks arising from the volatility of copper and other metals prices. Metal prices historically have been subject to wide fluctuations and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors, which affect each commodity to varying degrees, include international economic and political conditions, levels of supply and demand, the availability and cost of substitutes,
inventory levels maintained by producers and others and, to a lesser degree, inventory carrying costs and currency exchange rates. In addition, the market prices of certain metals have on occasion been subject to rapid short-term changes due to economic concerns and financial investments.
For 2018, assuming that expected metal production and sales are achieved, that 2017 tax rates are unchanged and giving no effect to potential hedging programs, metal price sensitivity factors would indicate the following change in estimated annual net income attributable to SCC resulting from metal price changes:
Business Segments: We view our Company as having three reportable segments and manage it on the basis of these segments. These segments are (1) our Peruvian operations, (2) our Mexican open-pit operations and (3) our Mexican underground operations, known as our IMMSA unit. Our Peruvian operations include the Toquepala and Cuajone mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, industrial railroad and port facilities that service both mines. Our Mexican open-pit operations include La Caridad and Buenavista mine complexes, the smelting and refining plants and support facilities, which service both mines. Our IMMSA unit includes five underground mines, a coal mine, and several industrial processing facilities.
Segment information is included in our review of "Results of Operations" in this item and also in Note 17 "Segment and Related Information" of our consolidated financial statements.
Inflation and Exchange Rate Effect of the Peruvian sol and the Mexican peso: Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar and our revenues are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. Significant portions of our operating costs are denominated in Peruvian sol and Mexican pesos. Accordingly, when inflation and currency devaluation/appreciation of the Peruvian and Mexican currency occur, our operating results can be affected. In recent years, we do believe such changes have not had a material effect on our results and financial position. Please see Item 7A
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Commodity price risk:
For additional information on metal price sensitivity, refer to "Metal Prices" in Part II, Item 7 of this annual report.
Open sales risk:
Our provisional copper and molybdenum sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separate from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of copper or molybdenum concentrates at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale. The embedded derivative, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, is marked to market through earnings each period prior to settlement. See Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements for further information about these provisional sales.
Foreign currency exchange rate risk:
Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Portions of our operating costs are denominated in Peruvian soles and Mexican pesos. Since our revenues are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, when inflation or deflation in our Mexican or Peruvian operations is not offset by a change in the exchange rate of the sol or the peso to the dollar, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be affected by local cost conversion when expressed in U.S. dollars. In addition, the dollar value of our net monetary assets denominated in soles or pesos can be affected by an exchange rate variance of the sol or the peso, resulting in a re-measurement gain or loss in our financial statements. Recent inflation and exchange rate variances for the three years ended December 31, 2017, are provided in the table below:
Change in monetary position:
Assuming an exchange rate variance of 10% at December 31, 2017, we estimate our net monetary position in Peruvian sol and Mexican peso would increase (decrease) our net earnings as follows:
The net monetary position is net of those assets and liabilities that are sol or peso denominated at December 31, 2017.
Short-term investments:
For additional information on our trading securities and available-for-sale investments, refer to Note 3 Short-term Investments in Part II, Item 8
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Southern Copper Corporation:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Southern Copper Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders´equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 and the related notes and schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 1, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza S.C.
Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
/s/ MIGUEL ANGEL ANDRADE LEVEN
C.P.C. Miguel Angel Andrade Leven
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2009
Mexico City, Mexico
March 1, 2018
Southern Copper Corporation
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Southern Copper Corporation
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Southern Copper Corporation
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Southern Copper Corporation
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
In 2015, the Company purchased all of the outstanding stock of Recursos Stingray de Cobre S.A de C.V for $100.0 million. In conjunction with the acquisition, liabilities were assumed as follows (in millions):
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Southern Copper Corporation
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1-DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:
The Company is a majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. ("Grupo Mexico"). At December 31, 2017, Grupo Mexico through its wholly-owned subsidiary Americas Mining Corporation ("AMC") owned 88.9% of the Company's capital stock. The consolidated financial statements presented herein consist of the accounts of Southern Copper Corporation ("SCC" or the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. The Company is an integrated producer of copper and other minerals, and operates mining, smelting and refining facilities in Peru and Mexico. The Company conducts its primary operations in Peru through a registered branch (the "Peruvian Branch" or "Branch" or "SPCC Peru Branch"). The Peruvian Branch is not a corporation separate from the Company. The Company's Mexican operations are conducted through subsidiaries. The Company also conducts exploration activities in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Principles of consolidation-
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries of which the Company has voting control, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 810 Consolidation. Such financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP").
Use of estimates-
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of ore reserves that are the basis for future cash flow estimates and amortization calculations; environmental reclamation, closure and retirement obligations; estimates of recoverable copper in mill and leach stockpiles; asset impairments (including estimates of future cash flows); unrecognized tax benefits; valuation allowances for deferred tax assets; and fair value of financial instruments. Management bases its estimates on the Company's historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue recognition-
Substantially all of the Company's copper and non-copper products are sold under annual or other longer-term contracts.
Revenue is recognized when title passes to the customer. The passing of title is based on terms of the contract, generally upon shipment. Copper and non-copper revenues are determined based on the monthly average of prevailing commodity prices according to the terms of the contracts. The Company provides allowances for doubtful accounts based upon historical bad debt and claims experience and periodic evaluation of specific customer accounts.
For certain of the Company's sales of copper and molybdenum products, customer contracts allow for pricing based on a month subsequent to shipping, in most cases within the following three months and occasionally in some cases a few additional months. In such cases, revenue is recorded at a
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
provisional price at the time of shipment. The provisionally priced copper sales are adjusted to reflect forward LME or COMEX copper prices at the end of each month until a final adjustment is made to the price of the shipments upon settlement with customers pursuant to the terms of the contract. In the case of molybdenum sales, for which there are no published forward prices, the provisionally priced sales are adjusted to reflect the market prices at the end of each month until a final adjustment is made to the price of the shipments upon settlement with customers pursuant to the terms of the contract.
These provisional pricing arrangements are accounted for separately from the contract as an embedded derivative instrument under ASC 815-30 "Derivatives and Hedging-Cash Flow Hedges." The Company sells copper in concentrate, anode, blister and refined form at industry standard commercial terms. Net sales include the invoiced value of copper, zinc, silver, molybdenum, sulfuric acid and other metals and the corresponding fair value adjustment of the related forward contract of copper and molybdenum.
Shipping and handling fees and costs-
Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are classified as sales. Amounts incurred for shipping and handling are included in cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion).
Cash and cash equivalents-
Cash and cash equivalents include bank deposits, certificates of deposit and short-term investment funds with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Short-term investments-
The Company accounts for short-term investments in accordance with ASC 320-10 "Investments Debt and Equity Securities-Recognition." The Company determines the appropriate classification of all short-term investments as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such classifications as of each balance sheet date. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, net of taxes, are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity, unless such loss is deemed to be other than temporary.
Inventories-
The Company principally produces copper and, in the production process, obtains several by-products, including molybdenum, silver, zinc, sulfuric acid and other metals.
Metal inventories, consisting of work-in-process and finished goods, are carried at the lower of average cost or market. Costs of work-in-process inventories and finished goods mainly include power, labor, fuel, operating and repair materials, depreciation, amortization, depletion, and other necessary costs related to the extraction and processing of ore, including mining, milling, concentrating, smelting, refining, leaching and chemical processing. Costs incurred in the production of metal inventories exclude general and administrative costs. Once molybdenum, silver, zinc and other by-products are
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NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
identified, they are transferred to their respective production facilities and the incremental cost required to complete production is assigned to their inventory value.
Work-in-process inventories represent materials that are in the process of being converted into a saleable product. Conversion processes vary depending on the nature of the copper ore and the specific mining operation. For sulfide ores, processing includes milling and concentrating and results in the production of copper and molybdenum concentrates.
Finished goods include saleable products (e.g., copper concentrates, copper anodes, copper cathodes, copper rod, molybdenum concentrate and other metallurgical products).
Supplies inventories are carried at the lower of average cost or market.
Long-term inventory-Ore stockpiles on leach pads.
The leaching process is an integral part of the mining operations carried out at the Company's open-pit mines. The Company capitalizes the production cost of leachable material at its Toquepala, La Caridad and Buenavista mines recognizing it as inventory. This cost includes mining and haulage costs incurred to deliver ore to leach pads, depreciation, amortization, depletion and site overhead costs. The estimates of recoverable mineral content contained in the leaching dumps are supported by engineering studies. As the production cycle of the leaching process is significantly longer than the conventional process of concentrating, smelting and electrolytic refining, the Company includes on its balance sheet current leach inventory (included in work-in-process inventories) and long-term leach inventory. Amortization of leachable material is recorded by the units of production method.
Property-
Property is recorded at acquisition cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Cost includes major expenditures for improvements and replacements, which extend useful lives or increase capacity and interest costs associated with significant capital additions. Maintenance, repairs, normal development costs at existing mines and gains or losses on assets retired or sold are reflected in earnings as incurred.
Buildings and equipment are depreciated on the straight-line method over estimated lives from five to 40 years or the estimated life of the mine if shorter.
Mine development-
Mine development includes primarily the cost of acquiring land rights to an exploitable ore body, pre-production stripping costs at new mines that are commercially exploitable, costs associated with bringing new mineral properties into production, and removal of overburden to prepare unique and identifiable areas outside the current mining area for such future production. Mine development costs are amortized on a unit of production basis over the remaining life of the mines.
There is a diversity of practices in the mining industry in the treatment of drilling and other related costs to delineate new ore reserves. The Company follows the practices outlined in the next two paragraphs in its treatment of drilling and related costs.
Drilling and other associated costs incurred in the Company's efforts to delineate new resources, whether near-mine or Greenfield are expensed as incurred. These costs are classified as mineral
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NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
exploration costs. Once the Company determines through feasibility studies that proven and probable reserves exist and that the drilling and other associated costs embody a probable future benefit that involves a capacity, singly or in combination with other assets, to contribute directly or indirectly to future net cash inflow, then the costs are classified as mine development costs. These mine development costs incurred prospectively to develop the property are capitalized as incurred, until the commencement of production, and are amortized using the units of production method over estimated life of the ore body. During the production stage, drilling and other related costs incurred to maintain production are included in production cost in the period in which they are incurred.
Drilling and other related costs incurred in the Company's efforts to delineate a major expansion of reserves at an existing production property are expensed as incurred. Once the Company determines through feasibility studies that proven and probable incremental reserves exist and that the drilling and other associated costs embody a probable future benefit that involves a capacity, singly or in combination with other assets, to contribute directly or indirectly to future net cash inflow, then the costs are classified as mine development costs. These incremental mine development costs are capitalized as incurred, until the commencement of production and amortized using the units of production method over the estimated life of the ore body. A major expansion of reserves is one that increases total reserves at a property by approximately 10% or more.
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not capitalize any drilling and related costs.
Asset retirement obligations (reclamation and remediation costs)-
The fair value of a liability for asset retirement obligations is recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred. The liability is measured at fair value and is adjusted to its present value in subsequent periods as accretion expense is recorded. The corresponding asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying value of the related long-lived assets and depreciated over the asset's useful life.
Intangible assets-
Intangible assets include primarily the excess amount paid over the book value for investment shares which are presented as mining concessions, and mining and engineering development studies. Intangible assets are carried at acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization and are amortized principally on a unit of production basis over the estimated remaining life of the mines. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.
Debt issuance costs-
Debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the treatment of a debt discount.
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NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
Ore reserves-
The Company periodically reevaluates estimates of its ore reserves, which represent the Company's estimate as to the amount of unmined copper remaining in its existing mine locations that can be produced and sold at a profit. Such estimates are based on engineering evaluations derived from samples of drill holes and other openings, combined with assumptions about copper market prices and production costs at each of the respective mines.
The Company updates its estimate of ore reserves at the beginning of each year. In this calculation, the Company uses current metal prices which are defined as the average metal price over the preceding three years. The current price per pound of copper, as defined, was $2.50, $2.61 and $2.99 at the end of 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The ore reserve estimates are used to determine the amortization of mine development and intangible assets.
Once the Company determines through feasibility studies that proven and probable reserves exist and that the drilling and other associated costs embody a probable future benefit that involves a capacity, singly or in combination with other assets, to contribute directly or indirectly to future net cash inflow, then the costs are classified as mine development costs and the Company discloses the related ore reserves.
Exploration-
Tangible and intangible costs incurred in the search for mineral properties are charged against earnings when incurred.
Income taxes-
Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes on temporary differences between the amount of taxable income and pretax financial income and between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the financial statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized and settled as prescribed in ASC 740 "Income taxes." As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets are reduced by any benefits that, in the opinion of management, are more likely not to be realized.
The Company's operations involve dealing with uncertainties and judgments in the application of complex tax regulations in multiple jurisdictions. The final taxes paid are dependent upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions and resolution of disputes arising from federal, state, and international tax audits. The Company recognizes potential liabilities and records tax liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions based on its estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. The Company follows the guidance of ASC 740 "Income taxes" to record these liabilities. (See Note 7 "Income taxes" of the consolidated financial statements for additional information). The Company adjusts these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances; however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from the Company's current estimate of the tax liabilities. If its estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than
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NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
the ultimate assessment, an additional charge to expense would result. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be less than the recorded amounts, the reversal of the liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period when the Company determines the liabilities are no longer necessary.
The Company classifies income tax-related interest and penalties as income taxes in the financial statements, as well as interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (the "Act"). The Act contains numerous provisions, the following of which most significantly impact the Company: (i) a decrease in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; (ii) a transition of the U.S. taxation of international operation from a worldwide system to a quasi-territorial system and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017, (iii) generally eliminates U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, requiring a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations and (iv) limitations on the use of foreign tax credits to reduce the U.S. income tax liability.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Act. The Company has adopted SAB 118. Accordingly, the provisions of the Act deemed most relevant to the Company have been considered in preparation of its financial statements as of December 31, 2017 based on the Company's best estimate. See further disclosure regarding the impacts of the Act and the adoption of SAB 118 in Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Foreign exchange-
The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar. As required by local law, both the Peruvian Branch and Minera Mexico maintain their books of accounts in Peruvian soles and Mexican pesos, respectively.
Foreign currency assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, except for non-monetary items such as inventory, property, intangible assets and other assets which are remeasured at historical exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are generally translated at actual exchange rates in effect during the period, except for those items related to balance sheet amounts that are remeasured at historical exchange rates. Gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement are included in earnings of the period.
Gains and (losses) resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in "Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)."
Asset impairments-
The Company evaluates long-term assets when events or changes in economic circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. These evaluations are based on business plans that are prepared using a time horizon that is reflective of the Company's expectations of metal prices over its business cycle. The Company is currently using a long-term average copper price and an average molybdenum price for impairment tests, reflective of what the Company believes is the lower level of the current price environment. The results of its impairment
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NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
tests using these long-term copper and molybdenum prices show no impairment in the carrying value of their assets.
In recent years testing using assumptions for long-term average prices have resulted in stricter evaluation for impairment analysis than would the higher three year average prices for copper and molybdenum prices. Should this situation reverse in the future with three year average prices below the long-term price assumption, the Company would assess the need to use the three year average prices in its evaluations. The Company uses an estimate of the future undiscounted net cash flows of the related asset or asset group over the remaining life to measure whether the assets are recoverable and measures any impairment by reference to fair value.
Other comprehensive income-
Comprehensive income represents changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" were, the unrecognized gain (loss) on employee benefit obligations and foreign currency translation adjustments.
Business segments-
Company management views Southern Copper as having three reportable segments and manages it on the basis of these segments. The segments identified by the Company are: 1) the Peruvian operations, which include the two open-pit copper mines in Peru and the plants and services supporting such mines, 2) the Mexican open-pit copper mines, which include La Caridad and Buenavista mine complexes and their supporting facilities and 3) the Mexican underground mining operations, which include five underground mines that produce zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold, a coal mine and a zinc refinery. Please see Note 17 "Segments and Related Information."
Senior management of the Company focus on operating income as measure of performance to evaluate different segments, and to make decisions to allocate resources to the reported segments. This is a common measure in the mining industry.
ADOPTION OF REVENUE RECOGNITION STANDARD
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606). The objective of the new revenue standard is to provide a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability within industries, across industries and across capital markets.
The core principle of the standard is that the Company should recognize revenue to represent the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
The Company should apply the following five steps to achieve the core principle:
Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations (promises) in the contract.
Step 3: Determine the transaction price.
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Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
The guidance also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. Additionally, the Company should disclose sufficient qualitative and quantitative information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.
In March 2016, The FASB issued ASU 2016-08 Revenue from Contracts with Customers-(Topic 606) Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net). This update clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. When another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, an entity is required to determine whether the nature of its promise is to provide the specified good or service itself (that is, the entity is a principal) or to arrange for that good or service to be provided by the other party (that is, the entity is an agent).
This revenue standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is not permitted. The Company has adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2018, applying the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, the results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 will be presented in the consolidated financial statements under the guidance, while prior period amounts will not be adjusted and will continue to be reported under the guidance in effect for those periods. Upon adoption by the Company, no cumulative effect adjustment is required to be recognized at January 1, 2018, as the adoption of the standard has not resulted in a change to the way the Company recognizes its revenue. The Company will apply the related disclosure requirements of the new standard beginning in 2018.
OTHER NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In January 2016, The FASB issued ASU 2016-01 "Financial instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" which requires entities to measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value and to recognize any changes in fair value in net income. This update also includes certain disclosure requirements. This update is effective in fiscal years, including interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, and upon adoption, an entity should apply the amendments with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at January 1, 2018. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company has completed its assessment of the adoption of this standard and has determined that it will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial information.
On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 "Leases" (Topic 842). This Update significantly modifies the accounting model of leases for lessees; as it requires them to recognize assets and liabilities in the balance sheet for virtually all leases. However, the classification of leases as finance leases or operating leases is maintained for lessees. In addition, for leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee can elect by class of underlying asset not to record assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, and recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The lessor accounting model for leases remains mostly unchanged from previous guidance, except for specific profit recognition requirements which were modified in order to align them to the new
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 2-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
revenue recognition standard issued by the FASB, and the lease classification criteria, to ensure consistency with those for a lessee.
The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this new standard on the consolidated financial information.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" This ASU amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities and requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. For available for sale debt securities, credit losses should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP, however Topic 326 will require that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down.
This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this new standard on the consolidated financial information.
Other ASUs issued by the FASB that are pending adoption as of December 31, 2017 are not anticipated to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3-SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:
Short-term investments were as follows ($ in millions):
Trading securities consist of bonds issued by public companies and are publicly traded. Each financial instrument is independent of the others. The Company has the intention to sell these bonds in the short-term.
Available-for-sale investments consist of securities issued by public companies. Each security is independent of the others and, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, included corporate bonds and asset and mortgage backed obligations. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were not material.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 3-SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS: (Continued)
Related to these investments the Company earned interest, which was recorded as interest income in the consolidated statement of earnings. Also the Company redeemed some of these securities and recognized gains (losses) due to changes in fair value, which were recorded as other income (expense) in the consolidated statement of earnings.
The following table summarizes the activity of these investments by category (in millions):
(*)Less than $0.1 million
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, contractual maturities of the available-for-sale debt securities are as follows (in millions):
NOTE 4-INVENTORIES:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 4-INVENTORIES: (Continued)
Total leaching costs added as long-term inventory of ore stockpiles in leach pads amounted to $513.9 million, $439.0 million and $506.9 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Long-term leaching inventories recognized as cost of sales amounted to $333.5 million, $316.6 million and $274.1 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
NOTE 5-PROPERTY:
Construction in progress increased in 2017 as a result of the spending on the Company expansion projects. For more detailed information, please see Item 7 "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Capital Investment Program."
Depreciation and depletion expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, amounted to $665.2 million, $639.1 million and $503.6 million, respectively.
NOTE 6-INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
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NOTE 6-INTANGIBLE ASSETS: (Continued)
Amortization of intangibles for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, amounted to $5.9 million, $8.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively. Estimated amortization are as follows:
Goodwill includes $17.0 million generated in 1997 as a result of purchasing a third party interest in the Buenavista mine. It also includes $24.9 million representing the amount of the purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired from El Pilar mine. This goodwill is attributable to future benefits that the Company expects to realize from the mine and will not be deductible for income tax purposes.
NOTE 7-INCOME TAXES:
Since March 2009, Grupo Mexico, through its wholly-owned subsidiary AMC, owns an interest in excess of 80% of SCC. Accordingly, SCC's results are included in the consolidated results of the Grupo Mexico subsidiary for U.S. federal income tax reporting. SCC provides current and deferred income taxes, as if it were filing a separate U.S. federal income tax return.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") was signed into law, making substantial changes to the 1986 Internal Revenue Code. Changes under the Act include, among others, a decrease in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, the transition of the U.S. taxation of international operation from a worldwide system to a quasi-territorial system, a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017, a general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, and a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations.
Although most provisions of the Act begin January 1, 2018, ASC 740 "Income Taxes" requires that the effects of tax law changes be recognized in the year and period of the law change and be reflected in the company's financial results. On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") to address the application of US GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. SAB 118 requires a company to reflect the income tax effects of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 "Income Taxes" is complete; if it is incomplete but the Company is able to determine a reasonable estimate, a provisional estimate must be provided in the financial statements. If a provisional estimate cannot be reasonably prepared, the Company should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provision of the tax law that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Act. Companies have one year from the enactment of the Act to finalize accounting for the impacts of the Act.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 7-INCOME TAXES: (Continued)
The Company adopted SAB 118 and accordingly, its accounting for the effect of the Act is based on its best estimate, which may require adjustment in 2018. However, the Company was able to make reasonable estimates of certain effects and, therefore, recorded a provisional $785.9 million non-cash tax expense for the estimated effects of the Act. These adjustments were related to the valuation allowances for foreign tax credits and other deferred tax assets, valuation of our net deferred tax assets due to the rate change from 35% to 21% and the transition tax on the repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings . The ultimate impact of the Act may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially. After the Company files its 2017 U.S. federal income tax return and finalizes certain tax positions it will conclude whether further adjustments are required to its net deferred tax assets or liabilities, current year foreign tax credits and any liability associated with the one-time mandatory tax on the repatriation of foreign earnings.
The Act also provides for two new taxes that become effective in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017: the Global Intangible Low Tax Income or GILTI tax and the Base Erosion Anti-Abuse or BEAT tax. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. FASB guidance released in January 2018 indicates that either accounting for deferred taxes related to GILTI inclusions or treating any taxes on GILTI inclusions as period cost are both acceptable methods subject to an accounting policy election. Our selection of an accounting policy with respect to the new GILTI tax rules will depend, in part, on analyzing our global income to determine whether we expect to have future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI and, if so, what the impact is expected to be. Because whether we expect to have future US inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI depends on not only our current structure and estimated future results of global operations but also our intent and ability to modify our structure and/or our business, we are not yet able to reasonably estimate the effect of this provision of the Tax Act. Therefore, we have not made any adjustments related to potential GILTI tax in our financial statements and have not made a policy decision regarding whether to record deferred taxes on GILTI. The BEAT tax is a 5% minimum tax for tax years beginning in 2018 (12.5% after 2025) and is calculated on a base equal to the Company's income determined without the tax benefit arising from base erosion payments. The erosion payments are a specifically defined set of deductible expenses. However, the provisions are unclear as to which payments should be characterized as base erosion payments. The tax reform prescribes that the Secretary issue Regulations to prevent the avoidance of the BEAT tax, which have still not been finalized. Additionally, the Company needs to evaluate any interaction between the GILTI and the BEAT taxes. Therefore, the Company is still is in the process of analyzing the provisions of these taxes and the effect they may or may not have on future results and financial reporting. Accordingly, for 2017, there is no change made to the accounting under ASC 740 and the Company is following current tax law with respect to these specific items.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 7-INCOME TAXES: (Continued)
The components of the provision for income taxes for the three years ended December 31, 2017, are as follows:
The source of income is as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 7-INCOME TAXES: (Continued)
The reconciliation of the statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate for the three years ended December 31, 2017, is as follows (in percentage points):
(1)Foreign tax at other than statutory rates, net of foreign tax credit benefit, also includes the effects of permanent differences in Peru and Mexico, that are determined at the local statutory rate.
The Company files income tax returns in three jurisdictions, Peru, Mexico and the United States. For the three years presented above, the statutory income tax rate for Mexico was 30% and 35% for the United States. The Peruvian tax rate was 29.5% for 2017 and 28% for 2016 and 2015. While the largest components of income taxes are the Peruvian and Mexican taxes, the Company is a domestic U.S. entity. Therefore, the rate used in the above reconciliation is the U.S. statutory rate. For all of the years presented, both the Peruvian branch and Minera Mexico filed separate tax returns in their respective tax jurisdictions. Although the tax rules and regulations imposed in the separate tax jurisdictions may vary significantly, similar permanent items exist, such as items which are nondeductible or nontaxable. Some permanent differences relate specifically to SCC such as the allowance in the United States for percentage depletion.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 7-INCOME TAXES: (Continued)
Deferred taxes include the U.S., Peruvian and Mexican tax effects of the following types of temporary differences and carryforwards:
U.S. Tax Matters-
As of December 31, 2017, the Company considers its ownership of the stock of Minera Mexico to be essentially permanent in duration. The excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of the investment in this stock is estimated to be at least $6.7 billion.
As of December 31, 2017, $517.7 million of the Company´s total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of $1,055.3 million was held by foreign subsidiaries. The cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments maintained in our foreign operations are generally used to cover local operating and investment expenses. At December 31, 2016, Minera Mexico determined that it had $470.5 million in earnings available for dividends to the United States. These earnings had not been remitted, but U.S. federal income tax, net of foreign tax credit was recognized in 2016 resulting in an increase tax of $45.7 million. At December 31, 2017, Minera Mexico had determined that it had earnings available for dividends to the United States of $555.5 million. The 2017 U.S. tax reform introduced a one-time transition tax that is based upon the Company's total accumulated post-1986 prescribed foreign earnings and profits ("E&P") estimated to be $8.9 billion, the majority of which was previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested and accordingly, no U.S. federal and state income taxes were provided. Upon enactment of the 2017 U.S. tax reform, the Company calculated and
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NOTE 7-INCOME TAXES: (Continued)
recorded a provisional tax amount of $181.1 million as a reasonable estimate for its one-time transition tax liability, which was completely offset by foreign tax credit carryforward utilization. Because of the complexities of tax reform and the transition tax calculation, the Company is still finalizing its calculation of the total accumulated post-1986 prescribed E&P for the applicable entities. Further, the transition tax is based in part on the amount of those earnings held in liquid and non-liquid E&P. Until the calculation of E&P is completed and the transition tax is finalized during 2018 it is not practicable to estimate any amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability, if any, to any additional outside basis differences in the Company's foreign subsidiaries. Earnings from the Company's Peruvian branch to the United States are not subject to transition taxes since they are taxed on a current basis, regardless of remittances.
At December 31, 2017, there were $485.8 million of foreign tax credits available for carryback or carryforward. These credits have a one year carryback and a ten year carryforward period and can only be used to reduce U.S. income tax on foreign earnings. There were no other unused U.S. tax credits at December 31, 2017. These credits expire as follows:
These foreign tax credits are presented above on a gross basis and have not been reduced here for any unrecognized tax benefits. These foreign tax credits have been adjusted to include the 2017 Net Operating Loss carryback in the U.S. jurisdiction, increasing foreign tax credits by approximately $15.9 million. In accordance with ASU 2013-11 the Company has recorded $205.7 million of an unrecognized tax benefit as an offset to the Company's deferred tax asset for foreign tax credits. The remaining foreign tax credits of $280.2 million are being re-valued to zero at December 31, 2017. It is the opinion of management that with the reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate to 21% and the tax rates in Mexico and Peru at 30% and higher, it is unlikely the excess foreign tax credits can be utilized. Additionally, foreign dividends will no longer be taxed in the U.S. thereby reducing the U.S. tax on the foreign source income that the credits can be used to offset.
Peruvian Tax Matters-
Royalty mining charge: The royalty charge is based on operating income margins with graduated rates ranging from 1% to 12% of operating profits, with a minimum royalty charge assessed at 1% of net sales. If the operating income margin is 10% or less, the royalty charge is 1% and for each 5% increment in the operating income margin, the royalty charge rate increases by 0.75%, up to a maximum of 12%. The minimum royalty charge assessed at 1% of net sales is recorded as cost of sales and those amounts assessed against operating income are included in the income tax provision. The Company has accrued $23.4 million, $16.8 million and $22.9 million of royalty charges in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, of which $2.5 million and $2.7 million were included in income taxes in 2017 and 2015, respectively; no amounts were included in income tax in 2016.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 7-INCOME TAXES: (Continued)
Peruvian special mining tax: This tax is based on operating income with graduated rates increasing from 2% to 8.4%. The Company recognized $23.3 million, $10.8 million and $18.1 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, with respect to this tax. These amounts are included as "income taxes" in the consolidated statement of earnings.
In December 2016, the Peruvian Government enacted income tax law changes to both the income tax and dividend tax rate that become effective on January 1, 2017. The rates are as follows:
The recalculation of the deferred tax liability for the Peruvian jurisdiction using the new tax rates did not have a material effect on the deferred tax liability or the financial statements of the Company.
Mexican Tax Matters-
In 2013, the Mexican Congress enacted tax law changes that became effective on January 1, 2014. Among other effects, the amounts that the subsidiary companies of Minera Mexico recorded during 2017 were:
• Mining royalty at the rate of 7.5% on taxable earnings before taxes: $87.8 million.
• Additional royalty of 0.5% over gross income from sales of gold, silver and platinum: $0.8 million.
• Income tax payable stemming from changes to tax consolidation: $0.3 million.
On October 2017, the Federation's Revenue Law for 2018 was approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. There are certain modifications that are worth highlighting:
i) The incentive of crediting of the special use and service tax to income tax. In the case of fuel, it includes purchased diesel for final consumption in certain mining equipment. The crediting of the special use and service tax was extended to the purchase of imported diesel.
ii) The Federal Revenue Law allows the deduction of statutory profit sharing paid, on advance monthly payments of income tax.
iii) The withholding rate applied by banks and other members of the financial system on interest will decrease from an annual rate of 0.58% to 0.46%.
iv) The obligation to provide certain information regarding relevant transactions will be incorporated to the Federation's Revenue Law for 2018 given the recent rulings issued by the Mexican Supreme Court. Taxpayers will be obligated to provide on a quarterly basis to the Mexican tax authorities information regarding financial derivative transactions, transactions with related parties, transactions related to the participation in the equity of other companies and changes of tax residence, corporate restructures and other similar transactions.
It is worth noting that there are no further amendments in connection with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting action plan.
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NOTE 7-INCOME TAXES: (Continued)
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits in 2017, 2016 and 2015, was as follows (in millions):
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $214.5 million and $304.0 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These amounts relate entirely to U.S. income tax matters. The Company has no unrecognized Peruvian or Mexican tax benefits.
The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the years 2011-2013 as part of the audit of the AMC consolidated tax group.
As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company's liability for uncertain tax positions included accrued interest and penalties of $1.9 million.
The following tax years remain open to examination and adjustment in the Company's three major tax jurisdictions:
Peru:
2012 and all subsequent years
U.S.:
2012 and all subsequent years
Mexico:
2012 and all subsequent years
Management does not expect that any of the open years will result in a cash payment within the upcoming twelve months ending December 31, 2018. The Company's reasonable expectations about future resolutions of uncertain items did not materially change during the year ended December 31, 2017.
NOTE 8-WORKERS' PARTICIPATION:
The Company's operations in Peru and Mexico are subject to statutory workers' participation.
In Peru, the provision for workers' participation is calculated at 8% of pre-tax earnings. The current portion of this participation, which is accrued during the year, is based on the Peruvian Branch's taxable income and is distributed to workers following determination of final results for the year. The annual amount payable to an individual worker is capped at the worker's salary for an 18 month period. Amounts determined in excess of the 18 months of worker's salary is no longer made as a payment to the worker and is levied first for the benefit of the "Fondo Nacional de Capacitacion Laboral y de Promocion del Empleo" (National Workers' Training and Employment Promotion Fund) until this entity receives from all employers in its region an amount equivalent to 2,200 Peruvian taxable units (approximately $2.7 million in 2017). Any remaining excess is levied as payment for the
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NOTE 8-WORKERS' PARTICIPATION: (Continued)
benefit of the regional governments. These levies fund worker training, employment promotion, entrepreneurship and various other programs.
In Mexico, workers' participation is determined using the guidelines established in the Mexican income tax law at a rate of 10% of pre-tax earnings as adjusted by the tax law.
The provision for workers' participation is allocated to "Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)" and to "selling, general and administrative" in the consolidated statement of earnings, proportional to the number of workers in the production and administrative areas, respectively. Workers' participation expense for the three years ended December 31, 2017 was as follows (in millions):
NOTE 9-ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION:
The Company maintains an estimated asset retirement obligation for its mining properties in Peru, as required by the Peruvian Mine Closure Law. In accordance with the requirements of this law, the Company's closure plans were approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines ("MINEM"). As part of the closure plans, the Company is required to provide annual guarantees over the estimated life of the mines, based on a present value approach, and to furnish the funds for the asset retirement obligation. This law requires a review of closing plans every five years. Currently and for the near-term future, the Company has pledged the value of its Lima office complex as support for this obligation. The accepted value of the Lima office building for this purpose is $36.9 million. Through January 2018, the Company has provided guarantees of $32.3 million. The closure cost recognized for this liability includes the cost, as outlined in its closure plans, of dismantling the Toquepala and Cuajone concentrators, the smelter and refinery in Ilo, and the shops and auxiliary facilities at the three units. In 2015, we added $12.5 million related to the Toquepala expansion closure plan. In 2017, according to Peruvian law requirements, the Cuajone mine closure plan was reviewed. As a result of this, an adjustment of $11.6 million was recorded.
In 2010, the Company announced to the Mexican federal environmental authorities its closure plans for the copper smelter plant at San Luis Potosi. The Company initiated a program for plant demolition and soil remediation with a budget of $66.2 million, which has been spent through December 31, 2017. Plant demolition and construction of a confinement area at the south of the property were completed in 2012. In accordance with remediation goals previously approved by environmental authorities, soil remediation and on-site encapsulation on a second confinement area of impacted soils have been completed. Confirmation sampling was successfully completed. On September 2, 2016, the environmental authorities approved the conclusion of the remediation effort for San Luis Potosi. The Company continues studying the possibilities for this property in order to decide whether to sell or develop the property. The overall cost recognized for mining closure in Mexico includes the estimated costs of dismantling concentrators, smelter and refinery plants, shops and other
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 9-ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION: (Continued)
facilities. In 2016, the Company added $9.5 million related to the Quebalix IV closure plan, a project that is part of the Buenavista expansion.
The following table summarizes the asset retirement obligation activity for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
NOTE 10-FINANCING:
Long-term debt (in millions):
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NOTE 10-FINANCING: (Continued)
The bonds, referred above as "Yankee bonds", contain a covenant requiring Minera Mexico to maintain a ratio of EBITDA to interest expense of not less than 2.5 to 1.0 as such terms are defined in the debt instrument. At December 31, 2017, Minera Mexico was in compliance with this covenant.
Between July 2005 and November 2012 the Company issued senior unsecured notes six times totaling $4.2 billion, as listed above. Interest on the notes is paid semi-annually in arrears. The notes rank pari passu with each other and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company's other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.
On April 20, 2015, the Company issued $2.0 billion of fixed-rate senior unsecured notes. This debt was issued in two tranches, $500 million due 2025 at an annual interest rate of 3.875% and $1.5 billion due 2045 at an annual interest rate of 5.875%. These notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally with all of its existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Net proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes, including the financing of the Company´s capital investment program. The notes were issued with an underwriters' discount of $20.2 million. Additionally, issuance costs of $11.8 million associated with these notes were paid and deferred. The unamortized balance of the discount and the costs are presented net of the carrying value of the debt issued and are amortized as interest expense over the life of the loan.
The indentures relating to the notes contain certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on liens, limitations on sale and leaseback transactions, rights of the holders of the notes upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, limitations on subsidiary indebtedness and limitations on consolidations, mergers, sales or conveyances. Certain of these covenants cease to be applicable before the notes mature if the Company obtains an investment grade rating. The Company obtained investment grade rating in 2005. The Company has registered these notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company may issue additional debt from time to time pursuant to certain of the indentures.
If the Company experiences a "Change of Control Triggering Event", the Company must offer to repurchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. A Change of Control Trigger Event means a Change of Control (as
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NOTE 10-FINANCING: (Continued)
defined) and a rating decline (as defined), that is, if the rating of the notes, by at least one of the rating agencies shall be decreased by one or more gradations.
At December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the notes.
Aggregate maturities of the outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2017, are as follows:
(*)Total debt maturities do not include the debt discount valuation account of $94.1 million.
NOTE 11-BENEFIT PLANS:
Post retirement defined benefit plans
The Company has two noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering former salaried employees in the United States and certain former expatriate employees in Peru (the "Expatriate Plan"). Effective October 31, 2000, the Board of Directors amended the qualified pension plan to suspend the accrual of benefits.
In addition, the Company's Mexican subsidiaries have a defined contribution pension plan for salaried employees and a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for union employees (the "Mexican Plan").
The components of net periodic benefit costs calculated in accordance with ASC 715 "Compensation retirement benefits," using December 31 as a measurement date, consist of the following:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 11-BENEFIT PLANS: (Continued)
The change in benefit obligation and plan assets and a reconciliation of funded status are as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 11-BENEFIT PLANS: (Continued)
The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, related to the defined benefit pension plan, net of income tax:
The following table summarizes the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income amortized and recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2017 and 2016, net of income tax:
The assumptions used to determine the pension obligations are:
(*)These rates are based on Mexican pesos as pension obligations are denominated in pesos.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 11-BENEFIT PLANS: (Continued)
The scheduled maturities of the benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years, and thereafter, are as follows:
Expatriate Plan
The Company's funding policy is to contribute amounts to the qualified plan sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 plus such additional amounts as the Company may determine to be appropriate.
Plan assets are invested in a group annuity contract with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ("MetLife"). The Contract invests in the MetLife General Account Payment Fund (the "Money Fund") and the MetLife Broad Market Core Bond Fund (the "Bond Fund") managed by BlackRock, Inc.
The Money Fund seeks to earn interest and maintain a $1.00 per share net asset value, by investing in U.S. Dollar-denominated money market securities.
The Bond Fund seeks to outperform the Bloomberg Barclays ® U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, net of fees, over a full market cycle. The Bond Fund invests in publicly traded, investment grade securities. These may include corporate securities, mortgage securities, treasuries and cash, agency securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and other investment vehicles adhering to the fund's investment objectives. These investments are classified as Level 1 because they are valued using quoted prices of the same securities as they consist of instruments which are publicly traded.
Plan assets are invested with the objective of maximizing returns with an acceptable level of risk and maintaining adequate liquidity to fund expected benefit payments. The Company's policy for determining asset mix-targets to meet investment objectives includes periodic consultation with recognized third party investment consultants.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is reviewed annually, taking into consideration asset allocations, historical returns and the current economic environment. Based on these factors the Company expects its assets will earn an average of 4.00% per annum assuming its long-term mix will be consistent with its current mix.
Mexican Plan
Minera Mexico's policy for determining asset mix targets includes periodic consultation with recognized third party investment consultants. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is
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NOTE 11-BENEFIT PLANS: (Continued)
updated periodically, taking into consideration assets allocations, historical returns and the current economic environment. The fair value of plan assets is impacted by general market conditions. If actual returns on plan assets vary from the expected returns, actual results could differ.
The plan assets are managed by three financial institutions, Scotiabank Inverlat S.A., Banco Santander and Banco Mercantil del Norte, S.A. 30% of the funds are invested in Mexican government securities, including treasury certificates and development bonds of the Mexican government. The remaining 70% is invested in common shares of Grupo Mexico.
The plan assets are invested without restriction in active markets that are accessible when required and are therefore considered as level 1, in accordance with ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurement."
These plans accounted for approximately 30% of benefit obligations. The following table represents the asset mix of the investment portfolio as of December 31:
The amount of contributions that the Company expects to pay to the plan during 2018 is $1.4 million, which excludes $3.4 million of pending payments to former Buenavista workers.
Post-retirement Health Care Plan:
United States: The Company adopted a post-retirement health care plan for retired salaried employees eligible for Medicare in 1996. The Company manages the plan and is currently providing health benefits to retirees. The plan is accounted for in accordance with ASC 715 "Compensation retirement benefits."
In Mexico, health services are provided by the Mexican Social Security Institute.
The components of net period benefit costs for the three years ended December 31, 2017 are as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 11-BENEFIT PLANS: (Continued)
The change in benefit obligation and a reconciliation of funded status are as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 11-BENEFIT PLANS: (Continued)
The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, related to the post-retirement health care plan, net of income tax:
The following table summarizes the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income amortized and recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2017 and 2016, net of income tax:
The discount rates used in the calculation of other post-retirement benefits and cost as of December 31 were:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 11-BENEFIT PLANS: (Continued)
The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years, and thereafter, are as follows:
Expatriate Health Plan
For measurement purposes for pre 65 year old participants, a 5.9% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2017 which gradually decrease to 4.2% in a 85 year period. For post 65 year old the annual rate of increase in the per capita cost for 2017 is 6.3% which is assumed to decrease gradually to 4.6%.
Assumed health care cost trend rates can have a significant effect on amounts reported for health care plans. However, because of the size of the Company's plan, a one percentage-point change in assumed health care trend rate would not have a significant effect.
Mexican Health Plan
For measurement purposes, a 4.5% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2017 and remains at that level thereafter.
An increase in other benefit cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amount of the reported obligations, as well as component cost of the other benefit plan. One percentage-point change in assumed other benefits cost trend rates would have the following effects:
NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Environmental matters:
The Company has instituted extensive environmental conservation programs at its mining facilities in Peru and Mexico. The Company's environmental programs include, among others, water recovery systems to conserve water and minimize the impact on nearby streams, reforestation programs to stabilize the surface of the tailings dams and the implementation of scrubbing technology in the mines to reduce dust emissions.
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NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
Environmental capital investments in years 2017, 2016 and 2015, were as follows (in millions):
Peruvian operations: The Company's operations are subject to applicable Peruvian environmental laws and regulations. The Peruvian government, through the Ministry of Environment ("MINAM") conducts annual audits of the Company's Peruvian mining and metallurgical operations. Through these environmental audits, matters related to environmental obligation, compliance with legal requirements, atmospheric emissions, effluent monitoring and waste management are reviewed. The Company believes that it is in material compliance with applicable Peruvian environmental laws and regulations. Peruvian law requires that companies in the mining industry provide assurances for future mine closure and remediation. In accordance with the requirements of this law, the Company's closure plans were approved by MINEM. See Note 9 "Asset retirement obligation," for further discussion of this matter. In accordance with the requirements of the law, in 2015 the Company submitted the closure plans for the Tia Maria project and for the Toquepala expansion. The process of review and approval of closure plans usually takes several months. In March 2016, MINEM approved the Mining Closure Plan for the Toquepala expansion project. The closure plan for the Tia Maria project was approved in February 2017. The Company, however, has not recorded a retirement obligation for the project as the construction permit has not been received, and work on the project is on hold. The Company believes that under these circumstances the recording of a retirement obligation is not appropriate. In December 2017, the Company submitted the mine closure plan update for the Cuajone operations, which is under review and evaluation by MINEM.
In 2008, the Peruvian government enacted environmental regulations establishing stringent air quality standards ("AQS") for daily sulfur dioxide ("SO2") in the air for the Peruvian territory. These regulations, as amended in 2013, recognized distinct zones/areas, as atmospheric basins. MINAM had established three atmospheric basins that required further attention to comply with the air quality standards. The Ilo basin was one of these three areas and the Company's smelter and refinery are part of the area.
In June 2017, MINAM enacted a supreme decree which defines new AQS for daily sulfur dioxide and gaseous mercury for the Peruvian territory, as well as monthly lead in particulate matter (PM10), in order to adopt standards similar to comparable countries and conform them to the technical capabilities available in Peru, while ensuring the protection of public health. This decree also considers criteria established by the World Health Organization and establishes a mean 24-hour AQS equal to 250 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) of SO2 to replace the current 24-hour AQS of 20 µg/m3 of SO2, effective since 2014. The decree also establishes a mean 24-hour AQS equal to 2 µg/m3 of gaseous mercury and a mean monthly AQS equal to 1.5 µg/m3 of lead in PM10.
The Company believes that these new AQS are appropriate for Peru and will allow Peruvian industry to be competitive with other countries. The Company has evaluated the potential impact of these new standards and expects that its adoption will not have a material impact on the financial
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NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
position of the Company, as currently the Company maintains a lower daily average level of µg/m3 of SO2, than those required by the new AQS.
In addition, in June 2017, MINAM enacted a supreme decree which establishes new quality standards for water in the Peruvian territory. The Company has reviewed this decree and considers that its adoption will not have a material impact on its financial position.
In 2013, the Peruvian government enacted soil environmental quality standards ("SQS") applicable to any existing facility or project that generates or could generate the risk of soil contamination in its area of operation or influence. In March 2014, MINAM issued a supreme decree, which establishes additional provisions for the gradual implementation of SQS. Under this rule the Company had twelve months to identify contaminated sites in and around its facilities and present a report of identified contaminated sites. These documents were submitted to MINEM for approval in April 2015. After MINEM's review, the documents for the Company's operations were fully approved in July 2017. The next step is for the Company to prepare a characterization study to determine the depth, extent and physio-chemical composition of the contaminated areas and define an appropriate remediation plan with time-frame for completion. In addition, the Company must submit for approval a Soil Decontamination Plan (SDP) within 30 months after being notified by the authority. This SDP must include remediation actions, a schedule and compliance deadlines. Also under this rule, if deemed necessary and given reasonable justification, the Company may request a one year extension for the decontamination plan.
Soil confirmation tests must be carried out after completion of decontamination actions (within the approved schedule) and results must be presented to authorities within 30 days after receiving such results. Non-compliance with this obligation or with decontamination goals will carry penalties, although no specific sanctions have been established yet. During compliance with this schedule, companies cannot be penalized for non-compliance with the SQS.
While the Company believes that there is a reasonable possibility that a potential loss contingency may exist, it cannot currently estimate the amount of the contingency. The Company believes that a reasonable determination of the loss will be possible once the characterization study and the SDP are substantially completed, which is expected for the first quarter of 2020. At that time the Company will be in a position to estimate the remediation cost. Further, the Company does not believe that it can estimate a reasonable range of possible costs until the noted studies have substantially progressed and therefore is not be able to disclose a range of costs that is meaningful.
Mexican operations: The Company's operations are subject to applicable Mexican federal, state and municipal environmental laws, to Mexican official standards, and to regulations for the protection of the environment, including regulations relating to water supply, water quality, air quality, noise levels and hazardous and solid waste.
The principal legislation applicable to the Company's Mexican operations is the Federal General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (the "General Law"), which is enforced by the Federal Bureau of Environmental Protection ("PROFEPA"). PROFEPA monitors compliance with environmental legislation and enforces Mexican environmental laws, regulations and official standards. It may also initiate administrative proceedings against companies that violate environmental laws, which in the most extreme cases may result in the temporary or permanent shutdown of non-complying facilities, the revocation of operating licenses and/or other sanctions or fines.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
In 2011, the General Law was amended, giving an individual or entity the ability to contest administrative acts, including environmental authorizations, permits or concessions granted, without the need to demonstrate the actual existence of harm to the environment as long as it can be argued that the harm may be caused. In addition, in 2011, amendments to the Civil Federal Procedures Code ("CFPC") were enacted. These amendments establish three categories of collective actions by means of which 30 or more people claiming injury derived from environmental, consumer protection, financial services and economic competition issues will be considered to be sufficient in order to have a legitimate interest to seek through a civil procedure restitution or economic compensation or suspension of the activities from which the alleged injury derived. The amendments to the CFPC may result in more litigation, with plaintiffs seeking remedies, including suspension of the activities alleged to cause harm.
In 2013, the Environmental Liability Federal Law was enacted. The law establishes general guidelines for actions to be considered to likely cause environmental harm. If a possible determination regarding harm occurs, environmental clean-up and remedial actions sufficient to restore environment to a pre-existing condition should be taken. Under this law, if restoration is not possible, compensation measures should be provided. Criminal penalties and monetary fines can be imposed under this law.
2014 accidental spill at Buenavista mine: In 2014, an accidental spill of approximately 40,000 cubic meters of copper sulfate solution occurred at a Buenavista mine leaching pond. This solution reached the Bacanuchi River and the Sonora River. The Company took immediate actions to contain the spill, and to comply with all necessary legal requirements. The Company hired contractors including environmental specialists and assigned more than 1,200 of its own personnel to clean the river. In addition, the Company developed a service program to assist the residents of the Sonora River region.
• Administrative proceedings: The National Water Commission, the Federal Commission for the Protection of Sanitary Risk and PROFEPA initiated administrative proceedings regarding the spill to determine possible environmental and health damages. On September 15, 2014, the Company executed an administrative agreement with PROFEPA, providing for the submission of a remediation action plan to the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales "SEMARNAT"). The general remediation program submitted to SEMARNAT was approved on January 6, 2015.
The Company also created a trust with a Mexican development bank, acting as a Trustee to support environmental remedial actions in connection with the spill, to comply with the remedial action plan and to compensate those persons adversely affected by the spill. The Company committed up to two billion Mexican pesos (approximately $150 million). A technical committee for the trust was created with representatives from the federal government, the Company and specialists assisted by a team of environmental experts to ensure the proper use of the funds. Along with the administrative agreement executed with PROFEPA, the trust served as an alternative mechanism for dispute resolution to mitigate public and private litigation risks.
On December 1, 2016, SEMARNAT issued its final resolution which held that all remediation actions contained in the remediation plan, had been fulfilled and that all requirements had been complied with, except for biological monitoring activities at the Sonora River that will continue until the first semester of 2019 pursuant to the plan. On January 26, 2017, PROFEPA issued its final resolution under which it declared all mitigation actions completed and its investigation
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
closed. In light of the above, the Company has obtained all necessary formal rulings from SEMARNAT and PROFEPA. On February 7, 2017, the Company closed the trust. As a result, $10.2 million of excess provision was credited to income in the first quarter of 2017. The total expense recorded for this accident in 2014 and 2015 was $136.4 million. Therefore, the remediation concerns raised by SEMARNAT and PROFEPA have been addressed.
• Other procedures: On August 19, 2014, PROFEPA, as part of the administrative proceeding initiated after the spill, announced the filing of a criminal complaint against Buenavista del Cobre S.A. de C.V. ("BVC"), a subsidiary of the Company, in order to determine those responsible for the environmental damages. The Company is vigorously defending itself against this complaint. As of December 31, 2017, the case remains pending resolution.
Through the first half of 2015, six collective action lawsuits were filed in federal courts in Mexico City and Sonora against two subsidiaries of the Company seeking economic compensation, clean up and remedial activities in order to restore the environment to its pre-existing conditions. Two of the collective action lawsuits have been dismissed by the court. The plaintiffs in the four remaining lawsuits are: Acciones Colectivas de Sinaloa, A.C. which established two collective actions, Defensa Colectiva A.C.; and Ana Luisa Salazar Medina et al. which has been granted a collective action certification. The remaining plaintiffs have requested cautionary measures on the construction of facilities for the monitoring of public health services and the prohibition of the closure of the Río Sonora Trust. As of December 31, 2017, these cases remain pending resolution.
Similarly, during 2015, eight civil action lawsuits were filed against BVC in the state courts of Sonora seeking damages for alleged injuries and for moral damages as a consequence of the spill. The plaintiffs in the state court lawsuits are: Jose Vicente Arriola Nunez et al; Santana Ruiz Molina et al; Andres Nogales Romero et al; Teodoro Javier Robles et al; Gildardo Vasquez Carvajal et al; Rafael Noriega Souffle et al; Grupo Banamichi Unido de Sonora El Dorado, S.C. de R.L. de C.V; and Marcelino Mercado Cruz. In 2016, three additional civil action lawsuits, claiming similar damages, were filed by Juan Melquicedec Lebaron; Blanca Lidia Valenzuela Rivera et al and Ramona Franco Quijada et al. In 2017, BVC was served with thirty-three additional civil action lawsuits, claiming similar damages. The lawsuits were filed by Francisco Javier Molina Peralta et al; Anacleto Cohen Machini et al; Francisco Rafael Alvarez Ruiz et al; Jose Alberto Martinez Bracamonte et al; Gloria del Carmen Ramirez Duarte et al; Flor Margarita Sabori et al; Blanca Esthela Ruiz Toledo et al; Julio Alfonso Corral Domínguez et al; Maria Eduwiges Bracamonte Villa et al; Francisca Marquez Dominguez et al; Jose Juan Romo Bravo et al; Jose Alfredo Garcia Leyva et al; Gloria Irma Dominguez Perez et al; Maria del Refugio Romero et al; Miguel Rivas Medina et al; Yolanda Valenzuela Garrobo et al; Maria Elena Garcia Leyva et al; Manuel Alfonso Ortiz Valenzuela et al; Francisco Alberto Arvayo Romero et al; Maria del Carmen Villanueva Lopez et al; Manuel Martin Garcia Salazar; Miguel Garcia Arguelles et al; Dora Elena Rodriguez Ochoa et al; Honora Eduwiges Ortiz Rodriguez et al; Francisco Jose Martinez Lopez et al; Maria Eduwiges Lopez Bustamante; Rodolfo Barron Villa et al, Jose Carlos Martinez Fernandez et al, Maria de los Angeles Fabela et al; Rafaela Edith Haro et al; Luz Mercedes Cruz et al; Juan Pedro Montaño et al; and Juana Irma Alday Villa. As of December 31, 2017, these cases remain pending resolution.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
During 2015, four constitutional lawsuits (juicios de amparo) were filed before Federal Courts against various authorities and against a subsidiary of the Company, arguing; (i) the alleged lack of a waste management program approved by SEMARNAT; (ii) the alleged lack of a remediation plan approved by SEMARNAT with regard to the August 2014 spill; (iii) the alleged lack of community approval regarding the environmental impact authorizations granted by SEMARNAT to one subsidiary of the Company; and (iv) the alleged inactivity of the authorities with regard of the spill in August 2014. The plaintiffs of these lawsuits are: Francisca Garcia Enriquez, et al which established two lawsuits, Francisco Ramon Miranda, et al and Jesus David Lopez Peralta et al. During the third quarter of 2016, four additional constitutional lawsuits, claiming similar damages were filed by Mario Alberto Salcido et al; Maria Elena Heredia Bustamante et al; Martin Eligio Ortiz Gamez et al; and Maria de los Angeles Enriquez Bacame et al. During the third quarter of 2017, BVC was served with another constitutional lawsuit filed by Francisca García Enriquez et al. As of December 31, 2017, these cases remain pending resolution.
It is not currently possible to determine the extent of the damages sought in these state and federal lawsuits but the Company considers that these lawsuits are without merit. Accordingly, the Company is vigorously defending against them. Nevertheless, the Company considers that none of the legal proceedings resulting from the spill, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.
The Company believes that all of its facilities in Peru and Mexico are in material compliance with applicable environmental, mining and other laws and regulations.
The Company also believes that continued compliance with environmental laws of Mexico and Peru will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, properties, result of operations, financial condition or prospects and will not result in material capital investments.
Litigation matters:
The "Virgen Maria" Mining Concessions of the Tia Maria Mining Project
The Tia Maria project includes various mining concessions, totaling 32,989.64 hectares. One of the concessions is the "Virgen Maria" mining concession totaling 943.72 hectares or 2.9% of the total mining concessions.
Related to the "Virgen Maria" mining concessions, in August 2009, a lawsuit was filed against SCC's Branch by the former stockholders of Exploraciones de Concesiones Metalicas S.A.C. ("Excomet"). The plaintiffs allege that the acquisition of Excomet's shares by the Branch is null and void because the $2 million purchase price paid by the Branch for the shares of Excomet was not fairly negotiated by the plaintiffs and the Branch. In 2005, the Branch acquired the shares of Excomet after lengthy negotiations with the plaintiffs, and after the plaintiffs, which were all the stockholders of Excomet, approved the transaction in a general stockholders' meeting. Excomet was at the time owner of the "Virgen Maria" mining concession. In October 2011, the civil court dismissed the case on the grounds that the claim had been barred by the statute of limitations. On appeal by the plaintiffs, the Superior Court reversed the lower court's decision and remanded it to the lower court for further proceedings. In August 2015, the lower court dismissed the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs had not proven the alleged unfairness of the negotiations. The plaintiffs appealed this resolution before the
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NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
Superior Court. In September 2016, the Superior Court confirmed the lower court's resolution and the plaintiffs filed an extraordinary appeal in order to have the case reviewed by the Supreme Court. In June 2017, the Supreme Court dismissed the extraordinary appeal filed by the plaintiffs. Therefore, the lawsuit ended favorably for the Company.
The Tia Maria Mining Project
There are four lawsuits filed against the Peruvian Branch of the Company related to the Tia Maria project. The lawsuits seek (i) to declare null and void the resolution which approved the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project; (ii) the cancellation of the project and the withdrawal of mining activities in the area and (iii) to declare null and void the mining concession application of the Tia Maria project. The lawsuits were filed by Messrs. Jorge Isaac del Carpio Lazo (filed May 22, 2015), Ernesto Mendoza Padilla (filed May 26, 2015), Juan Alberto Guillen Lopez (filed June 18, 2015) and Nicolas Belfiore Nicolini (filed November 13, 2015).
The del Carpio Lazio case was rejected by the court of first instance on November 14, 2016. The plaintiff filed an appeal before the Superior Court on January 3, 2017. On January 9, 2018, the lawyers of both parties presented their respective positions before the Appellate Court. As of February 20, 2018, the case remains pending resolution.
The Mendoza Padilla case was rejected by the lower court on July 8, 2015. This ruling was confirmed by the Superior Court on June 14, 2016. On July 12, 2016, the case was appealed before the Constitutional Court. As of December 31, 2017, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.
The Guillen Lopez case is currently before the lower court. As of December 31, 2017, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.
In the Belfiore Nicolini case, the court ruled partially in favor of the plaintiff. However, the Company filed an appeal to challenge said decision. As of February 20, 2018, the file was sent to the Appelllate Court for reviewing.
The Company asserts that these lawsuits are without merit and is vigorously defending against them. The potential contingency amount for these cases cannot be reasonably estimated by management at this time.
Special Regional Pasto Grande Project ("Pasto Grande Project")
In 2012, the Pasto Grande Project, an entity of the Regional Government of Moquegua, filed a lawsuit against SCC's Peruvian Branch alleging property rights over a certain area used by the Peruvian Branch and seeking the demolition of the tailings dam where SCC's Peruvian Branch has deposited its tailings from the Toquepala and Cuajone operations since 1995. The Peruvian Branch has had title to use the area in question since 1960 and has constructed and operated the tailing dams with proper governmental authorization, since 1995. Upon a motion filed by the Peruvian Branch, the lower court has included MINEM as a defendant in this lawsuit. MINEM has answered the complaint and denied the validity of the claim. As of December 31, 2017, the case remains pending resolution without further developments. SCC's Peruvian Branch asserts that the lawsuit is without merit and is vigorously defending against it. The amount of this contingency cannot be reasonably estimated by management at this time.
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NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
Carla Lacey and Barbara Siegfried, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated stockholders of Southern Copper Corporation, and derivatively on behalf of Southern Copper Corporation
A purported class action derivative lawsuit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery was served on the Company and its Directors in February 2016 relating to the 2012 capitalization of 99.999% of MGE by Controladora de Infraestructura Energetica Mexico, S.A. de C.V., an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico (the "CIEM Capitalization"), the Company's entry into a power purchase agreement with MGE in 2012 (the "MGE Power Purchase Agreement"), and the 2012 restructuring of a loan from the Company's Mexican Operations to MGE for the construction of two power plants to supply power to the Company's Mexican operations (the "MGE Loan Restructuring"). The action purports to be brought on behalf of the Company and its common stockholders. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the CIEM Capitalization, the MGE Power Purchase Agreement and the MGE Loan Restructuring were the result of breaches of fiduciary duties and the Company's charter. The Company has filed a response denying these allegations and is currently in the discovery process.
Labor matters:
Peruvian operations: 69% of the Company's 4,628 Peruvian employees were unionized at December, 2017. Currently, there are six separate unions, one large union and five smaller unions. In the first quarter of 2016, the Company signed three-year agreements with five unions. These agreements include, among other things, annual salary increases of 5% for each of the three years.
In April 2017, the Unified Labor Union of SPCC workers and one of Toquepala's unions began a strike, demanding a review of certain health and profit sharing benefits. The strike ended after 12 days. These two unions began illegal strikes in July and November 2017, that lasted five days and 21 days, respectively. The Company estimates that the loss of copper production resulting from the 2017 strikes was not significant and its sales contracts were not affected.
Mexican operations: In recent years, the Mexican operations have experienced a positive improvement of their labor environment, as its workers opted to change their affiliation from the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalurgicos y Similares de la Republica Mexicana (the "National Mining Union") to other less politicized unions.
However, the workers of the San Martin and Taxco mines, are still under the National Mining Union and have been on strike since July 2007. On December 10, 2009, a federal court confirmed the legality of the San Martin strike. In order to recover the control of the San Martin mine and resume operations, the Company filed a court petition on January 27, 2011 requesting that the court, among other things, define the termination payment for each unionized worker. The court denied the petition alleging that, according to federal labor law, the union was the only legitimate party to file such petition. On appeal by the Company, on May 13, 2011, the Mexican federal tribunal accepted the petition. In July 2011, the National Mining Union appealed the favorable court decision before the Supreme Court. On November 7, 2012, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the federal tribunal. The Company filed a new proceeding before the labor court on the basis of the Supreme Court decision, which recognized the right of the labor court to define responsibility for the strike and the termination payment for each unionized worker. A favorable decision of the labor court in this new proceeding would have the effect of terminating the protracted strike at San Martin. As of December 31, 2017, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.
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NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
In the case of the Taxco mine, following the workers refusal to allow exploration of new reserves, the Company commenced litigation seeking to terminate the labor relationship with workers at the mine (including termination of the related collective bargaining agreement). On September 1, 2010, the federal labor court issued a ruling approving the termination of the collective bargaining agreement and all the individual labor contracts of the workers affiliated with the Mexican mining union at the Taxco mine. The mining union appealed the labor court ruling before a federal court. In September 2011, the federal court accepted the union's appeal and remanded the case to the federal labor court for reconsideration. After several legal proceedings on January 25, 2013, the Company filed a new proceeding before the labor court. On June 16, 2014, the labor court denied the petition of the Company. The resolution issued by the labor court was challenged by the Company before a federal court. In August 2015, the Supreme Court decided to assert jurisdiction over the case and to rule on it directly. As of December 31, 2017, the case remains pending resolution without further developments.
It is expected that operations at these mines will remain suspended until these labor issues are resolved. In view of these lengthy strikes, the Company has reviewed the carrying value of the San Martin and Taxco mines to ascertain whether impairment exists. The Company concluded that there is a non-material impairment of the assets located at these mines.
Other legal matters:
The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to its operations, but does not believe that decisions adverse to it in any such proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.
Other commitments:
Peruvian Operations
Tia Maria:
On August 1, 2014, the Company received the final approval of Tia Maria´s Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA"). However, the issuance of the project´s construction permit has been delayed due to pressures from anti-mining groups. The Company continues working with community groups in order to resolve open issues concerning the project. The Company is also working jointly with the Peruvian Government to obtain the construction license for this 120,000 tons of SX-EW copper per year greenfield project. The Company expects the license to be issued in the first half of 2018.
Tia Maria´s project budget is approximately $1.4 billion, of which $353.9 million has been invested through December 31, 2017. When completed, it is expected to produce 120,000 tons of copper cathodes per year. This project will use state-of-the-art SX-EW technology with the highest international environmental standards. SX-EW facilities are the most environmentally friendly in the industry as they do not require a smelting process and consequently, no emissions are released into the atmosphere. The project will only use seawater, transporting this more than 25 kilometers to 1,000 meters above sea level, and includes a desalinization plant which will be constructed at a cost of $95 million. Consequently, the Tambo river water resources and the water resources from the wells in the area will be used solely for farming and human consumption.
The Company expects the project to generate 3,500 jobs during the construction phase. When in operation, Tia Maria will directly employ 600 workers and indirectly provide jobs to another 2,000.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
Through its expected twenty-year life, the project related services will create significant business opportunities in the Arequipa region.
In view of the delay in this project, the Company continues to review the carrying value of this asset to ascertain whether impairment exists. Should the Tia Maria project not move forward, the Company is confident that most of the project equipment will continue to be used productively, through reassignment to other mine locations operated by the Company. The Company believes that an impairment loss, if any, will not be material.
Toquepala Concentrator Expansion:
In April 2015, the construction permit for the Toquepala expansion project was approved by the MINEM. The project budget is $1.2 billion, of which $892.9 million has been expended through December 31, 2017. When completed, this expansion project is expected to increase annual production capacity by 100,000 tons of copper and 3,100 tons of molybdenum. The project has reached 87% progress and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2018.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
The Company has a corporate social responsibility policy to maintain and promote continuity of its mining operations and obtain the best results. The main objective of this policy is to integrate its operations with the local communities in the areas of influence of its operations by creating a permanent positive relationship with them, in order to develop the optimum social conditions and to promote sustainable development in the area. Accordingly, the Company has made the following commitments:
Tacna Region: In connection with the Toquepala concentrator expansion, the Company has committed to fund various social and infrastructure improvement projects in Toquepala's neighboring communities. The total amount committed for these purposes is S/ 445.0 million (approximately $132 million).
Moquegua Region: In the Moquegua region, the Company is part of a "development roundtable" in which the local municipal authorities, the community representatives and the Company discuss the social needs and the way the Company could contribute to sustainable development in the region. As part of this, the roundtable is discussing the creation of a Moquegua Region Development Fund for which the Company has offered a contribution of S/ 700 million (approximately $209 million). While final funding is not yet settled, the Company has committed to contribute S/ 108.5 million (approximately $32 million) in advance, which is being utilized in an educational project and S/ 48.4 million (approximately $14 million) for a residual water treatment plant in Ilo, a sea-wall embankment and a fresh water facility at El Algarrobal.
In addition, the Company has committed S/ 143.0 million (approximately $43 million) for the construction of five infrastructure projects in the Moquegua region under the "social investment for taxes" (obras por impuestos) program which allows the Company to use these amounts as an advance payment of taxes.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (Continued)
These commitments are subject to the continuity of the respective mine operations and, as such, are not considered to be present obligations of the Company. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a liability in its consolidated financial statements.
Power purchase agreements
• Electroperu S.A.: In June 2014, the Company entered into a power purchase agreement for 120 megawatt ("MW") with the state power company Electroperu S.A., under which Electroperu S.A. began supplying energy for the Peruvian operations for twenty years starting on April 17, 2017.
• Kallpa Generacion S.A. ("Kallpa"): In July 2014, the Company entered into a power purchase agreement for 120MW with Kallpa, an independent Israeli owned power company, under which Kallpa will supply energy for the Peruvian operations for ten years starting on April 17, 2017 and ending on April 30, 2027. In May 2016, the Company signed an additional power purchase agreement for a maximum of 80MW with Kallpa, under which Kallpa began supplying energy for the Peruvian operations related to the Toquepala Expansion and other minor projects for ten years starting on May 1, 2017 and ending after ten years of commercial operation of the Toquepala Expansion or on April 30, 2029; whichever occurs first. On August 16, 2017, Kallpa merged with Cerro del Aguila S.A. (another power generating company owned by the same economic group); the name of the merged entity is still Kallpa Generacion S.A. and both power purchase agreements signed with Kallpa have not been affected by the noted merger.
Mexican operations
Power purchase agreements:
• MGE: In 2012, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with MGE, an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, to supply power to some of the Company's Mexican operations through 2032. For further information, please see Note 16 "Related party transactions".
• Eolica el Retiro S.A.P.I. de C.V.: In 2013, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with Eolica el Retiro, S.A.P.I de C.V. a windfarm energy producer that is an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, to supply power to some of the Company´s Mexican operations. For further information, please see Note 16 "Related party transactions".
For an estimate of the Company's contractual obligations for power purchases, please see, "Contractual Obligations" under Item 7 "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
Commitment for Capital projects:
As of December 31, 2017, the Company has committed approximately $1,409.3 million for the development of its capital investment projects.
Tax contingency matters:
Tax contingencies are provided for under ASC 740-10-50-15 Uncertain tax position (see Note 7 "Income taxes").
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 13-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Treasury Stock:
Activity in treasury stock in the years 2017 and 2016 was as follows (in millions):
SCC shares of common stock in treasury:
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, treasury stock holds 111,567,617 shares and 111,579,617 shares of SCC's common stock with a cost of $2,768.7 million and $2,769.0 million, respectively. The shares of SCC's common stock held in treasury are used for Director's stock award plans and available for general corporate purposes.
SCC share repurchase program:
In 2008, the Company's Board of Directors ("BOD") authorized a $500 million share repurchase program that has since been increased by the BOD and is currently authorized to $3 billion. Pursuant to this program, the Company purchased common stock as shown in the table below. These shares are available for general corporate purposes. The Company may purchase additional shares of its common
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 13-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued)
stock from time to time, based on market conditions and other factors. This repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified or discontinued at any time.
(1)NYSE closing price of SCC common shares at December 31, 2017.
There has not been any activity in the SCC share repurchase program since the third quarter of 2016.
As a result of the repurchase of shares of SCC's common stock, Grupo Mexico's direct and indirect ownership was 88.9% as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Directors' Stock Award Plan:
The Company established a stock award compensation plan for certain directors who are not compensated as employees of the Company. Under this plan, participants will receive 1,200 shares of common stock upon election and 1,200 additional shares following each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter. 600,000 shares of Southern Copper common stock have been reserved for this plan. The Company's Board of Directors and the stockholders approved a one-year extension of the Plan until January 29, 2018. The fair value of the award is measured each year at the date of the grant. In 2017 and 2016 the stock based compensation expense under this plan equaled $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
The plan expired by its terms on January 29, 2018. A 5-year extension of the plan is being submitted for approval by the Company's stockholders at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The activity of this plan for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 13-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued)
Parent Company common shares:
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were in treasury 108,450,672 and 115,667,784 of Grupo Mexico's common shares, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
2010 Plan: During 2010, the Company offered to eligible employees a stock purchase plan through a trust that acquires series B shares of Grupo Mexico stock for sale to its employees, employees of subsidiaries, and certain affiliated companies. The purchase price was established at 26.51 Mexican pesos (approximately $1.28) for the initial subscription. Every two years employees were able to acquire title to 50% of the shares paid in the previous two years. The employees paid for shares purchased through monthly payroll deductions over the eight year period of the plan. At the end of the eight year period, the Company granted the participant a bonus of one share for every ten shares purchased by the employee.
The participants were entitled to receive dividends in cash for dividends paid by Grupo Mexico for all shares that were fully purchased and paid by the employee as of the date that the dividend is paid. If the participant had only partially paid for shares, the entitled dividends were used to reduce the remaining liability owed for purchased shares.
In the case of voluntary or involuntary resignation/termination of the employee, the Company paid to the employee the fair market sales price at the date of resignation/termination of the fully paid shares, net of costs and taxes. When the fair market sales value of the shares was higher than the purchase price, the Company applied a deduction over the amount to be paid to the employee based on a decreasing schedule specified in the plan.
In case of retirement or death of the employee, the Company rendered the buyer or his legal beneficiary, the fair market sales value as of the date of retirement or death of the shares effectively paid, net of costs and taxes.
The stock based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the remaining balance of the unrecognized compensation expense under this plan were as follows (in millions):
The plan ended in January 29, 2018.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 13-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued)
The following table presents the stock award activity of the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
2015 Plan: In January 2015, the Company offered to eligible employees a new stock purchase plan (the "New Employee Stock Purchase Plan") through a trust that acquires series B of shares of Grupo Mexico stock for sale to its employees, and employees of subsidiaries, and certain affiliated companies. The purchase price was established at 38.44 Mexican pesos (approximately $1.86) for the initial subscription, which expires on January 2023. Every two years employees will be able to acquire title to 50% of the shares paid in the previous two years. The employees will pay for shares purchased through monthly payroll deductions over the eight year period of the plan. At the end of the eight year period, the Company will grant the participant a bonus of 1 share for every 10 shares purchased by the employee. Any future subscription will be at the average market price at the date of acquisition or the grant date.
If Grupo Mexico pays dividends on shares during the eight year period, the participants will be entitled to receive the dividend in cash for all shares that have been fully purchased and paid as of the date that the dividend is paid. If the participant has only partially paid for shares, the entitled dividends will be used to reduce the remaining liability owed for purchased shares.
In the case of voluntary or involuntary resignation/termination of the employee, the Company will pay to the employee the fair market sales price at the date of resignation of the fully paid shares, net of costs and taxes. When the fair market sales value of the shares is higher than the purchase price, the Company will apply a deduction over the amount to be paid to the employee based on a decreasing schedule specified in the plan.
In case of retirement or death of the employee, the Company will render the buyer or his legal beneficiary, the fair market sales value as of the date of retirement or death of the shares effectively paid, net of costs and taxes.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 13-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued)
The stock based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the unrecognized compensation expense under this plan were as follows (in millions):
The following table presents the stock award activity of this plan for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
Executive Stock Purchase Plan:
Grupo Mexico also offers a stock purchase plan for certain members of its executive management and the executive management of its subsidiaries and certain affiliated companies. Under this plan, participants will receive incentive cash bonuses which are used to purchase shares of Grupo Mexico which are deposited in a trust.
Non-controlling interest:
For all the years presented, in the consolidated statement of earnings the income attributable to non-controlling interest is based on the earnings of the Company's Peruvian Branch.
The non-controlling interest of the Company's Peruvian Branch is for investment shares. These shares were generated by legislation in place in Peru from the 1970s through 1991; such legislation provided for the participation of mining workers in the profits of the enterprises for which they worked. This participation was divided between equity and cash. The investment shares included in the non-controlling interest on the consolidated balance sheets are the still outstanding equity distributions made to the Peruvian Branch's employees.
In prior years, the Company acquired some Peruvian investment shares in exchange for newly issued common shares of the Company and through purchases at market value. These acquisitions were accounted for as purchases of non-controlling interests. The excess paid over the carrying value was assigned to intangible assets and is being amortized based on production. As a result of these
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 13-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued)
acquisitions, the remaining investment shareholders hold a 0.71% interest in the Peruvian Branch and are entitled to a pro rata participation in the cash distributions made by the Peruvian Branch. The shares are recorded as a non-controlling interest in the Company's financial statements.
NOTE 14-FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT:
Subtopic 820-10 of ASC "Fair value measurement and disclosures-Overall" establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under Subtopic 820-10 are described below:
Level 1-Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2-Inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, but do not qualify as Level 1 inputs. (i.e., quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities).
Level 3-Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
The carrying amounts of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (other than accounts receivable associated with provisionally priced sales) and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Consequently, such financial instruments are not included in the following table that provides information about the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other financial instruments that are not measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in millions):
Long-term debt is carried at amortized cost and its estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy except for the cases of the Yankee bonds (in 2016 and 2017), the notes due 2020 and the notes due 2022 (in 2017), which qualify as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as they are based on quoted priced in market that are not active.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 14-FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT: (Continued)
Fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were calculated as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, as follows (in millions):
The Company's short-term trading securities investments are classified as Level 1 because they are valued using quoted prices of the same securities as they consist of bonds issued by public companies
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 14-FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT: (Continued)
and publicly traded. The Company's short-term available-for-sale investments are classified as Level 2 because they are valued using quoted prices for similar investments.
The Company's accounts receivables associated with provisionally priced copper sales are valued using quoted market prices based on the forward price on the LME or on the COMEX. Such value is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Molybdenum prices are established by reference to the publication Platt's Metals Week and are considered Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
NOTE 15-CONCENTRATION OF RISK:
The Company operates four open-pit copper mines, five underground poly-metallic mines, two smelters and eight refineries in Peru and Mexico and substantially all of its assets are located in these countries. There can be no assurances that the Company's operations and assets that are subject to the jurisdiction of the governments of Peru and Mexico will not be adversely affected by future actions of such governments. Much of the Company's products are exported from Peru and Mexico to customers principally in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America.
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable.The Company invests or maintains available cash with various banks, principally in the United States, Mexico, Europe and Peru, or in commercial papers of highly-rated companies. As part of its cash management process, the Company regularly monitors the relative credit standing of these institutions. At December 31, 2017, SCC had invested its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as follows:
(1)94.9% of the Company's cash is in U.S. dollars.
During the normal course of business, the Company provides credit to its customers. Although the receivables resulting from these transactions are not collateralized, the Company has not experienced significant problems with the collection of receivables.
The Company is exposed to credit loss in cases where the financial institutions with which it has entered into derivative transactions (commodity, foreign exchange and currency/interest rate swaps) are unable to pay when they owe funds as a result of protection agreements with them. To minimize the risk of such losses, the Company only uses highly-rated financial institutions that meet certain requirements. The Company also periodically reviews the creditworthiness of these institutions to ensure that they are maintaining their ratings. The Company does not anticipate that any of the financial institutions will default on their obligations.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 15-CONCENTRATION OF RISK: (Continued)
The Company's largest customers as percentage of accounts receivable and total sales were as follows:
NOTE 16-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
The Company has entered into certain transactions in the ordinary course of business with parties that are controlling shareholders or their affiliates. These transactions include the lease of office space, air transportation, construction services and products and services related to mining and refining. The Company lends and borrows funds among affiliates for acquisitions and other corporate purposes. These financial transactions bear interest and are subject to review and approval by senior management, as are all related party transactions. It is the Company's policy that the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors shall review all related party transactions. The Company is prohibited from entering or continuing a material related party transaction that has not been reviewed and approved or ratified by the Audit Committee.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 16-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: (Continued)
Receivable and payable balances with related parties are shown below (in millions):
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 16-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: (Continued)
Purchase and sale activity:
Grupo Mexico and affiliates:
The following table summarize the purchase and sale activities with Grupo Mexico and its affiliates in 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
Grupo Mexico, the parent and the majority indirect stockholder of the Company, and its affiliates provide various services to the Company. These services are primarily related to accounting, legal, tax, financial, treasury, human resources, price risk assessment and hedging, purchasing, procurement and logistics, sales and administrative and other support services. The Company pays Grupo Mexico for these services and expects to continue these services in the future.
In 2017, the Company made donations of $1.9 million to Fundacion Grupo Mexico, an organization dedicated to promoting the social and economic development of the communities close to the Company's Mexican operations.
The Company's Mexican operations paid fees for freight services provided by Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A de C.V., for construction services provided by Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and its affiliates, and for drilling services provided by Compañia Perforadora Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V. All of these companies are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.
The Company's Mexican operations purchased scrap and other residual copper mineral from Asarco, and power from MGE. Both companies are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 16-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: (Continued)
In 2005, the Company organized MGE, as a subsidiary of Minera Mexico, for the construction of two power plants to supply power to the Company's Mexican operations. In May 2010, the Company's Mexican operations granted a $350 million line of credit to MGE for the construction of the power plants. That line of credit was due on December 31, 2012 and carried an interest rate of 4.4%. In the first quarter of 2012, Controladora de Infraestructura Energetica Mexico, S. A. de C. V., an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, acquired 99.999% of MGE through a capital subscription of 1,928.6 million of Mexican pesos (approximately $150 million), reducing Minera Mexico's participation to less than 0.001%. As consequence of this change in control, MGE became an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico. Additionally, at the same time, MGE paid $150 million to the Company's Mexican operations partially reducing the total debt. The remaining balance was restructured as subordinated debt of MGE. In the third quarter of 2016, MGE repaid the outstanding balance of the debt. Related to this loan, the Company recorded interest income of $4.2 million and $9.2 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively.
In 2012, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with MGE, whereby MGE will supply some of the Company's Mexican operations with power through 2032. MGE completed construction of its first power plant in June 2013 and the second plant, in the second quarter of 2014. These plants are natural gas-fired combined cycle power generating units, with a net total capacity of 516.2 megawatts. The first plant began supplying power to the Company in December 2013, and the second plant began to supply power in June 2015. MGE is supplying 13.5% of its power output to third-party energy users.
On August 4, 2014, Mexico Generadora de Energia Eolica S. de R.L. de C.V, an indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, located in Oaxaca, Mexico, acquired Eolica el Retiro. Eolica el Retiro is a windfarm that has 37 wind turbines. This company started operations in January 2014 and started to sell power to IMMSA and other subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico in the third quarter of 2014. Eolica el Retiro is supplying approximately 27% of its power output to IMMSA.
The Company sold copper cathodes, rod and anodes, as well as sulfuric acid, silver, gold and lime to Asarco. In addition, the Company received fees for building rental and maintenance services provided to Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and its affiliates and to Perforadora Mexico S.A.P.I de C.V., and for natural gas and services provided by MGE, all subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 16-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: (Continued)
Companies with relationships with the controlling group:
The following table summarizes the purchase and sales activities with other Larrea family companies in 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
The Larrea family controls a majority of the capital stock of Grupo Mexico, and has extensive interests in other businesses, including transportation, real estate and entertainment. The Company engages in certain transactions in the ordinary course of business with other entities controlled by the Larrea family relating to the lease of office space, air transportation and entertainment.
The Company's Mexican operations paid fees for entertainment services provided by Boutique Bowling de Mexico S.A de C.V. and Operadora de Cinemas S.A. de C.V. Both companies are controlled by the Larrea family.
MexTransport provides aviation services to the Company's Mexican operations. In addition, the Company received fees for building rental provided to Mextransport. This is a company controlled by the Larrea family.
In addition, the Company received fees for building rental and maintenance services provided to Boutique Bowling de Mexico S.A de C.V., Operadora de Cinemas S.A. de C.V. and MexTransport.
Equity Investment in Affiliate: The Company has a 44.2% participation in Compañia Minera Coimolache S.A. ("Coimolache"), which it accounts for on the equity method. Coimolache owns Tantahuatay, a gold mine located in northern Peru.
It is anticipated that in the future the Company will enter into similar transactions with these same parties.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 16-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: (Continued)
Companies with relationships with SCC executive officers:
The following table summarizes the purchase activities with companies with relationships to SCC executive officers in 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
In 2016, the Company purchased industrial materials from Breaker S.A. de C.V., Breaker Peru S.A.C., and Pigoba S.A. de C.V. in which the SCC´s Chief Executive Officer´s sons, Carlos Gonzalez and Alejandro Gonzalez, and son-in-law, Jorge Gonzalez, have a proprietary interest. Also, the Company purchased industrial material from Higher Technology S.A.C. and paid fees for maintenance services provided by Servicios y Fabricaciones Mecanicas S.A.C., companies in which Carlos Gonzalez, the son of SCC´s Chief Executive Officer, had a proprietary interest through June 6, 2016.
Tax Agreement: On, February 28, 2017, AMC and the Company entered into a tax agreement, effective as of February 20, 2017, pursuant to which AMC, as the parent of the consolidated group of which the Company is a member and joins in the filing of a U.S. federal income tax return, (a) will be responsible for and discharge, any and all liabilities and payments due to the IRS on account of any incremental tax liabilities of the Company in connection with the potential adjustments being considered by the IRS in connection with the interest of the 2012 Judgment, (b) will not seek reimbursement, contribution or collection of any amounts of money or any other asset in connection therewith from the Company, and (c) will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company from any such liability, including the cost of such defense.
NOTE 17-SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION:
Company management views Southern Copper as having three reportable segments and manages it on the basis of these segments. The reportable segments identified by the Company are: the Peruvian operations, the Mexican open-pit operations and the Mexican underground mining operations segment identified as the IMMSA unit.
The three reportable segments identified are groups of mines, each of which constitute an operating segment, with similar economic characteristics, type of products, processes and support facilities, similar regulatory environments, similar employee bargaining contracts and similar currency risks. In addition, each mine within the individual group earns revenues from similar type of customers for their products and services and each group incurs expenses independently, including commercial transactions between groups.
Intersegment sales are based on arm's length prices at the time of sale. These may not be reflective of actual prices realized by the Company due to various factors, including additional
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 17-SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION: (Continued)
processing, timing of sales to outside customers and transportation cost. Added to the segment data is information regarding the Company's sales. The segments identified by the Company are:
1.Peruvian operations, which include the Toquepala and Cuajone mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, including a precious metals plant, industrial railroad and port facilities that service both mines. The Peruvian operations produce copper, with production of by-products of molybdenum, silver and other material.
2.Mexican open-pit operations, which include La Caridad and Buenavista mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, including a precious metals plant and a copper rod plant and support facilities that service both mines. The Mexican open-pit operations produce copper, with production of by-products of molybdenum, silver and other material.
3.Mexican underground mining operations, which include five underground mines that produce zinc, copper, silver and gold, a coal mine which produces coal and coke, and a zinc refinery. This group is identified as the IMMSA unit.
The Peruvian operations include two open-pit copper mines whose mineral output is transported by rail to Ilo, Peru where it is processed at the Company's Ilo smelter and refinery, without distinguishing between the products of the two mines. The resulting product, anodes and refined copper, are then shipped to customers throughout the world. These shipments are recorded as revenue of the Company's Peruvian mines.
The Mexican open-pit segment includes two copper mines whose mineral output is processed in the same smelter and refinery without distinguishing between the products of the two mines. The resultant product, anodes and refined copper, are then shipped to customers throughout the world. These shipments are recorded as revenues of the Company's Mexican open-pit mines.
The Company has determined that it is necessary to classify the Peruvian open-pit operations as a separate operating segment from the Mexican open-pit operations due to the very distinct regulatory and political environments in which they operate. The Company's senior management must consider the operations in each country separately when analyzing results of the Company and making key decisions. The open-pit mines in Peru must comply with stricter environmental rules and must continually deal with a political climate that has a very distinct vision of the mining industry as compared to Mexico. In addition, the collective bargaining agreement contracts are negotiated differently in each of the countries. These key differences result in the Company taking varying decisions with regards to open-pit operations in the two countries.
The IMMSA segment includes five mines whose minerals are processed in the same refinery. This segment also includes an underground coal mine. Sales of product from this segment are recorded as revenues of the Company's IMMSA unit. While the Mexican underground mines are subject to a very similar regulatory environment of the Mexican open-pit mines, the nature of the products and processes of two Mexican operations vary distinctly. These differences cause the Company's senior management to take a very different approach when analyzing results and making decisions regarding the two Mexican operations.
Financial information is regularly prepared for each of the three segments and the results of the Company's operations are regularly reported to senior management on the segment basis. Senior management of the Company focus on operating income and on total assets as measures of
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 17-SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION: (Continued)
performance to evaluate different segments and to make decisions to allocate resources to the reported segments. These are common measures in the mining industry.
Financial information relating to Company's segments is as follows:
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 17-SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION: (Continued)
(*)Corporate, other and eliminations includes $100.4 million purchase of the El Pilar mining property acquisition.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 17-SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION: (Continued)
SALES VALUE PER SEGMENT:
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 17-SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION: (Continued)
NET SALES AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
The geographic breakdown of the Company's sales for the three years ended December 31, 2017 were as follows (in millions):
PROVISIONAL SALES PRICE:
At December 31, 2017, the Company has recorded provisionally priced sales of copper at average forward prices per pound, and molybdenum at the year-end market price per pound. These sales are subject to final pricing based on the average monthly copper prices on the London Metal Exchange ("LME") or New York Commodities Exchange ("COMEX") and Dealer Oxide molybdenum prices in the future month of settlement.
Following are the provisionally priced copper and molybdenum sales outstanding at December 31, 2017:
Provisional sales price adjustments included in accounts receivable and net sales were as follows at December, 31 (in millions):
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 17-SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION: (Continued)
Management believes that the final pricing of these sales will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
LONG-TERM SALES CONTRACTS:
The following are the significant outstanding long-term contracts:
In 2013, a five year copper cathodes sales agreement was signed with Mitsui, with shipments beginning in 2015. Mitsui and the Company will negotiate market terms and conditions for annual contracts no later than November 30 of the year prior to shipment. The contract considers the following annual volumes of copper cathodes; 6,000 tons for 2015 and 48,000 tons for each of the years from 2016 through 2019. The contract volume would increase by 24,000 tons the year after Tia Maria reaches full production capacity. Failure to reach an agreement on market terms would cancel the annual contract but not the long-term agreement. Under the terms of the agreement all shipments would be to Asia and there are no exclusivity rights for Mitsui or commissions included. This contract may be renewed for additional five year periods, upon the agreement of both parties.
Under the terms of a sales contract with Molibdenos y Metales, S.A., SPCC Peru Branch is required to supply approximately 26,220 tons of molybdenum concentrates from 2017 through 2019. This contract may be extended for one more calendar year during each October to maintain a three year period unless either party decides to terminate the agreement. The sale price of the molybdenum concentrates is based on the monthly average of the high and low Metals Week Dealer Oxide quotation. The roasting charge deduction is agreed based on international market terms.
Under the terms of a sales contract with Molymex, S.A. de C.V., Operadora de Minas de Nacozari, S.A. de C.V. and Operadora de Minas e Instalaciones Mineras, S.A. de C. V. are required to supply at least the 80% of their molybdenum concentrates production from 2016 through 2019. The sale price of the molybdenum concentrate is based on the monthly average of the high and low Metals Week Dealer Oxide quotation. The roasting charge deduction is negotiated based on international market terms.
NOTE 18-QUARTERLY DATA (unaudited)
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 18-QUARTERLY DATA (unaudited) (Continued)
(1)Gross profit is the result of net sales less cost of sales (excluding depreciation, amortization and depletion) and less depreciation, amortization and depletion.
NOTE 19-SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
DIVIDENDS:
On January 25, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized a dividend of $0.30 per share paid on February 27, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 13, 2018.
MICHIQUILLAY PROJECT ACQUISITION:
On February 20, 2018, the Company won the public bidding process for the Michiquillay project in Cajamarca, Peru. The Company's tender proposed a price of $400 million and an annual royalty of 3% on net sales. Michiquillay is a mining project with 1,150 million tons of mineralized material with a copper content of 0.63%. The estimated capital investment is approximately $2,500 million and it is expected to start production in 2025 with a production of 225,000 tons of copper per year for an initial estimated mine life of more than 25 years.
SAN MARTIN STRIKE:
On February 28, 2018, the striking workers of the San Martín mine of IMMSA held an election to vote on the union that will hold the collective bargaining agreement at the San Martín mine. The Federacíon Nacional de Sindicatos Independientes (the National Federation of Independent Unions), won the vote by a majority. As a result, once the Federal Mediation and Arbitration Board issues a ruling recognizing the election results, IMMSA will be entitled to negotiate and enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the Federacíon Nacional de Sindicatos Independientes to end the strike that began in 2007 and resume operations at the San Martín Mine.
OTHER COMPANY INFORMATION:
ANNUAL MEETING
The annual stockholders meeting of Southern Copper Corporation will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at 9:00 am, Mexico City time, at Edificio Parque Reforma, Campos Eliseos 400, 9th Floor, Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec, Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11000, Mexico City, Mexico.
TRANSFER AGENT, REGISTRAR AND STOCKHOLDERS' SERVICES
Computershare
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310-1900
Phone: (866) 230-0172
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PROGRAM
SCC stockholders can have their dividends automatically reinvested in SCC common shares. SCC pays all administrative and brokerage fees. This plan is administered by Computershare. For more information, contact Computershare at (866) 230-0172.
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
The principal markets for SCC's common stock are the NYSE and the Lima Stock Exchange (BVL). SCC's common stock symbol is SCCO on both the NYSE and the Lima Stock Exchange.
OTHER SECURITIES
The Branch in Peru has issued, in accordance with Peruvian Law, "investment shares" (formerly named labor shares) that are quoted on the Lima Stock Exchange under symbols SPCCPI1 and SPCCPI2. Transfer Agent, registrar and stockholders services are provided by Credicorp Capital, Avenida EI Derby 055, Torre 4, Piso 10, Santiago de Surco, Cod postal 15039, Peru. Telephone (51-1)416-3333, Extensions 32478 and 32441.
OTHER CORPORATE INFORMATION
For other information on the Company or to obtain, free of charge, additional copies of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, contact the Investor Relations Department at:
East Missouri Avenue, Suite 160 Phoenix, Az. 85014, USA
Telephone: (602)264-1375
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION
USA
1440 East Missouri Ave, Suite 160
Phoenix, AZ 85014, USA
Phone: (602) 264-1375
Fax: (602) 264-1397
Mexico
Campos Eliseos 400
Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec
Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo
C.P. 11000-MEXICO
Phone: (5255) 1103-5000
Fax: (5255) 1103-5567
Peru
Av. Caminos del Inca 171
Urb. Chacarilla del Estanque
Santiago de Surco
Cod postal 15038-PERU
Phone: (511) 512-0440 Ext 3181
Fax: (511) 512-0492
Website: www.southerncoppercorp.com
Email address: southerncopper@southernperu.com.pe
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNT ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of December 31, 2017, the Company conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's disclosure committee and the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness and the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2017, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is:
1.Recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and
2.Accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that occurred during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting,
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission. Based on the evaluation made under this framework, management concluded that as of December 31, 2017 such internal control over financial reporting is effective.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 has been audited by Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza, S.C. member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is provided below.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Southern Copper Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Southern Copper Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, of the Company and our report dated March 1, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying "Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting" appearing in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness to future periods are
subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza, S.C.
Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
/s/ MIGUEL ANGEL ANDRADE LEVEN
C.P.C. Miguel Angel Andrade Leven
Mexico City, Mexico
March 1, 2018
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10, 11, 12, 13 AND 14
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Set forth below are the executive officers of the Company, their ages as of January 31, 2018 and their positions.
German Larrea Mota-Velasco has served as our Chairman of the Board since December 1999, Chief Executive Officer from December 1999 to October 2004 and as a member of our Board of Directors since November 1999. He has been Chairman of the board of directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Mexico (holding) since 1994. Mr. Larrea has been Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Ferroviario Mexicano S.A. de C.V (railroad company) since 1997. Mr. Larrea was previously Executive Vice Chairman of Grupo Mexico and has been a member of the board of directors since 1981. He is also Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Empresarios Industriales de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (holding) and Fondo Inmobiliario (real estate company), since 1992. He founded Grupo Impresa, a printing and publishing company in 1978, remaining as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 1989 when the company was sold. He is a director of the Consejo Mexicano de Negocios since 1999, was a director of Banco Nacional de Mexico, S.A. (Citigroup) from 1992 to 2015 and Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from 1999 to 2014.
Oscar Gonzalez Rocha has served as our President since December 1999 and our President and Chief Executive Officer since October 21, 2004. He has been our Director since November 1999. Mr. Gonzalez Rocha has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Americas Mining Corporation since November 1, 2014 and the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Asarco LLC (integrated US copper producer), an affiliate of the Company, since August 2010. Previously, he was our President and General Director and Chief Operating Officer from December 1999 to October 20, 2004. He has been a director of Grupo Mexico since 2002. He was General Director of Mexicana de Cobre, S.A. de C.V. from 1986 to 1999 and of Buenavista del Cobre S.A. de C.V. (formerly Mexicana de Cananea, S.A. de C.V.) from 1990 to 1999. He was an alternate director of Grupo Mexico from 1988 to April 2002. Mr. Gonzalez Rocha is a civil engineer with a degree from the Autonomous National University of Mexico ("UNAM") in Mexico City, Mexico.
Daniel Muñiz Quintanilla has been a Director of the Company since May 28, 2008. Effective April 28, 2016, he was elected to hold the office of Executive Vice President of the Company. Mr. Muñiz has been the Chief Financial Officer of Grupo Mexico since April 2007. Prior to joining Grupo Mexico, Mr. Muñiz was a practicing corporate-finance lawyer from 1996 to 2006. During this
time he worked at Cortés, Muñiz y Núñez Sarrapy; Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes; and Baker & McKenzie (London and Mexico City offices). He holds a Master's degree in Financial Law from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C., and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, Spain.
Raul Jacob Ruisanchez has served as our Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer since April 18, 2013. He was appointed Treasurer of the Company on April 28, 2016. He was our Comptroller from October 27, 2011 until April 18, 2013. He has held various positions focused primarily in financial planning, treasury, corporate finance, investor relations and project evaluation with the Company since 1992. In September 2011, he was appointed Director of Controller and Finance of the Company's Peruvian Branch and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southern Peru Limited, one of our subsidiaries. In 2017, 2016 and 2014, Mr. Jacob was considered by Institutional Investor among the top three Chief Financial Officers of the mining industry of Latin America. In 2010, he was ranked among the top three Investor Relations executives of the mining industry of Latin America by the same publication. From 2015 to through January 2017, he was Vice President of the Peruvian National Mining, Oil and Energy Association and President of its mining chapter. He is currently a member of its Executive Committee and Board. Mr. Jacob is currently a member of the consulting board of the MBA program (Finance) of the Universidad del Pacifico in Lima, Peru. Until March of 2010, he was President of the Strategic Studies Center of IPAE, an entrepreneurial association. Between 2004 and 2006, he was the President of the Finance Affairs Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce of Peru. Mr. Jacob holds an economics degree from Universidad del Pacifico, a Master's Degree from the University of Texas (Austin) and a Degree in International Business Management from the Stockholm School of Economics.
Julian Jorge Lazalde Psihas, our Secretary, has been a Director, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Asarco LLC since December 2009. Since October 2015 he is also General Counsel of Americas Mining Corporation, both subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V., the parent company of the Company. Mr. Lazalde was General Counsel of Asarco Inc., the predecessor of Asarco LLC, from September 2006 until December 2009. Mr. Lazalde holds a law degree from the Autonomous Institute of Mexico, known as ITAM, and has degrees from the Panamerican University in two special areas, tax law and commercial law.
Andres Carlos Ferrero Ghislieri, our General Counsel, has been a member of the Legal Department of our Peruvian Branch since December 1995. Prior to this, he served as a Technical Advisor to the World Bank's Energy and Mines Technical Assistance Loan (EMTAL) Project assigned to the National Society of Mining, Energy and Petroleum. He has also worked as a mining law consultant for the South African Government from May to October 2001. He was elected Superintendent of the Legal Affairs of the Peruvian Branch in March 2008. He is a member of the Board of Compañía Minera Los Tolmos, S.A. which is subsidiary of the Company's Peruvian Branch. He holds a law degree from the University of Lima, Peru and a Master of Law or LLM degree in Resources Law and Policy from Dundee University, United Kingdom.
Lina Vingerhoets Vilca, our Comptroller, has been the Assistant Comptroller of the Company since April 2015 and Controller of the Peruvian Branch of the Company since July 2015. Ms. Vingerhoets has worked for the Company's Peruvian Branch in various capacities since 1991. From 2013 to 2015, she was in charge of Internal Control. From 2006 to 2015, she was in charge of Accounting Quality and SEC reporting. In addition, she has held other positions in Financial Planning, Finance and Accounting with the Company's Peruvian Branch. Ms. Vingerhoets is a Peruvian certified public accountant and holds Accounting and MBA degrees from the Universidad del Pacifico, in Lima, Peru.
Edgard Corrales Aguilar has served as Vice President, Exploration since July 18, 2013. Mr. Corrales has been working with the Peruvian Branch of SCC since 1983 in various positions,
including as senior geologist of the Toquepala mine, head of the geology department of the Cuajone mine and manager of the exploration department of the Peruvian Branch of SCC. Currently he is Exploration Director of the Peruvian Branch of SCC and general manager of SCC's Branch in Chile. Mr. Corrales has a degree in geology and engineering from the Universidad Nacional San Agustin, Arequipa, Peru and has followed specialized studies at the Catholic University of Caracas, Venezuela and the MacKay School of Mines at the University of Reno, Nevada. He has also completed extensive studies in management at various universities in Peru.
Rafael Lopez Abad, our General Auditor, with 30 years of auditing experience, has been the Manager of Internal Audit of the Peruvian Branch of the Company since September 1994. Previously he was an auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst &Young. He is currently the President of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Peru. Mr. López Abad is a Peruvian certified public accountant with a degree from the University of Saint Martin of Porres, in Lima, Peru. He holds a Master's degree in Communication Science, or MSC, from the Peruvian National Engineering University (UNI), School of Mining Engineering and a post-graduate degree from the Superior School for Business Management, known as "Universidad ESAN". He teaches internal auditing post-graduate courses in various prestigious universities in Lima, Peru.
Information in response to the additional disclosure requirements specified by Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 will be included in a definitive proxy statement, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the 1934 Securities Exchange Act, as amended, prior to April 30, 2018, or will be provided by amendment to this Form 10-K, also to be filed no later than April 30, 2018.
The information contained in such definitive proxy statement is incorporated herein by reference, excluding the information under the caption "Compensation Committee Report," which shall not be deemed filed.
PART IV.
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SCHEDULE.
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.Financial Statements The following financial statements of Southern Copper Corporation and its subsidiaries are included at the indicated pages of the document as stated below:
2.Exhibits:
3.1
(a) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed on October 11, 2005.
(b) Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 2, 2006.
(c) Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 28, 2008.
3.2
By-Laws, as last amended on January 27, 2011.
4.1
Indenture governing $200 million 6.375% Notes due 2015, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, The Bank of New York and The Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A.
4.2
(a) Indenture governing $600 million 7.500% Notes due 2035, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, The Bank of New York and The Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A.
(b) Indenture governing $400 million 7.500% Notes due 2035, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, The Bank of New York, and The Bank of New York (Luxembourg) S.A.
4.3
Form of 6.375% Note (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.4
Form of New 7.500% Note (included in Exhibit 4.2(a)).
4.5
Form of New 7.500% Note (included in Exhibit 4.2(b)).
4.6
Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which $400 million of 5.375% Notes due 2020 and $1.1 billion of 6.750% Notes due 2040 were issued.
4.7
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.375% Notes due 2020 were issued.
4.8
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2010, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 6.750% Notes due 2040 were issued.
4.9
Form of 5.375% Notes due 2020.
4.10
Form of 6.750% Notes due 2040.
4.11
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2012, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 3.500% Notes due 2022 were issued.
4.12
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2012, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.250% Notes due 2042 were issued.
4.13
Form of 3.500% Notes due 2022.
4.14
Form of 5.250% Notes due 2042.
4.15
Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 23, 2015, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 3.875% Notes due 2025 were issued.
4.16
Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2015, between Southern Copper Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the 5.875% Notes due 2045 were issued.
4.17
Form of 3.875% Notes due 2025.
4.18
Form of 5.875% Notes due 2045.
10.1
Directors' Stock Award Plan of the Company, as amended through January 30, 2017.
10.2
Service Agreement entered into by the Company with a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V., assigned upon the same terms and conditions to Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. in February 2004.
10.3
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 21, 2004, by and among Southern Copper Corporation, SCC Merger Sub, Inc., Americas Sales Company, Inc., Americas Mining Corporation and Minera Mexico S.A. de C.V.
10.4
Tax Agreement entered into by the Company and Americas Mining Corporation, effective as of February 20, 2017.
12.1
Computation of financial ratios.
14.0
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by the Board of Directors on May 8, 2003 and amended on April 23, 2015.
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Company.
23.1
Consent of Registered Public Accounting Firm (Galaz, Yamazaki, Ruiz Urquiza, S.C., Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Limited).
31.1
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C., Section 1350. This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8328.
32.2
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C., Section 1350. This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8328.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
The exhibit listed as 10.1 is the management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.
Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015; (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015; (v) the Consolidated Statements of changes in equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged in detail. Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
3.Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (in millions):
Supplemental information
Southern Copper Corporation
Exhibit Index
Sequential
Exhibit
Number
Document Description
Page
Number
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document (submitted electronically with this report).
The exhibit listed as 10.1 is the management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.
Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015; (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015; (v) the Consolidated Statements of changes in equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged in detail. Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ OSCAR GONZALEZ ROCHA
Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 1, 2018
Pursuant to requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ GERMAN LARREA MOTA-VELASCO
German Larrea Mota-Velasco
Chairman of the Board, and Director
/s/ OSCAR GONZALEZ ROCHA
Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
/s/ RAUL JACOB RUISANCHEZ
Raul Jacob Ruisanchez
Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ LINA A. VINGERHOETS VILCA
Lina A. Vingerhoets Vilca
Comptroller (Principal Accounting Officer)
DIRECTORS
s/ GERMAN LARREA MOTA-VELASCO
German Larrea Mota-Velasco
/s/ OSCAR GONZALEZ ROCHA
Oscar Gonzalez Rocha
/s/ EMILIO CARRILLO GAMBOA
Emilio Carrillo Gamboa
/s/ DANIEL MUÑIZ QUINTANILLA
Daniel Muñiz Quintanilla
/s/ ALFREDO CASAR PEREZ
Alfredo Casar Perez
/s/ L. MIGUEL PALOMINO BONILLA
L. Miguel Palomino Bonilla
/s/ GILBERTO PEREZALONSO CIFUENTES
Gilberto Perezalonso Cifuentes
/s/ ENRIQUE CASTILLO SANCHEZ MEJORADA
Enrique Castillo Sanchez Mejorada
/s/ CARLOS RUIZ SACRISTAN
Carlos Ruiz Sacristan
/s/ XAVIER GARCIA DE QUEVEDO
Xavier Garcia de Quevedo
/s/ RAFAEL MAC GREGOR ANCIOLA
Rafael Mac Gregor Anciola
Date: March 1, 2018