BASE METALS

Teck operating costs rose 13% in first quarter

Toronto-listed diversified miner Teck Resources saw its year-on-year costs increase 13% in the first quarter of this year, around half of which was due to higher diesel prices at its operations and transport costs.

 Teck Resources sees costs rise

Teck Resources sees costs rise

The firm's diesel price had increased 52% over the period.

Other key supplies were also fanning costs higher, it said.

"The increases in the cost of certain key supplies, including mining equipment, fuel, tires and explosives, are being driven largely by price increases for underlying commodities such as steel, crude oil and natural gas," the firm said.  

"While our underlying key mining drivers remain relatively stable, inflationary pressures on diesel prices and other key input costs, as well as profit-based compensation and royalties continue to put upward pressure on our unit cost and capitalized stripping guidance through 2022." 

Inflation in Canada is running at its highest level in more than 30 years.

The firm has operations in Canada, the US, Peru and Chile.

The firm benefitted from rising commodity prices in the first three months of the year. 

Adjusted profit attributable to shareholders was a quarterly record C$1.6 billion or C$3.02 per share in the first quarter, compared to C$326 million and C$0.61 a year earlier.  

"We had an exceptional start to 2022 with continued high commodity prices driving record-setting financial results across our business," said chief executive Don Lindsay. 

Its copper business unit gross profit increased 23% from a year ago, supported by an average realised copper price of US$4.51 per pound and copper sales volumes of 69,300 tonnes.

Its zinc business unit gross profit increased 98% from a year ago, supported by an average realised zinc price of US$1.65 per pound and quarterly zinc in concentrate sales volumes of 168,700 tonnes. 

The firm's main Quebrada Blanca phase 2 copper project in Chile was 82% complete and on course to produce first copper in the fourth quarter, the firm said.

The firm made no change in its previously announced production guidance for this year. 

Teck shares were trading 0.97% or C$0.49 higher at C$51.00.

 

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