Agnico Eagle Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results: Solid Operating Performance; Meliadine Production Ramping Up Following Declaration of Commercial Production; Exploration Continues to Enhance Minesite and Pipeline Projects
Press Release
TORONTO, July 24, 2019 – Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM, TSX:AEM) (“Agnico Eagle” or the “Company”) today reported quarterly net income of $27.8 million, or $0.12 per share, for the second quarter of 2019. This result includes non-cash foreign currency translation gains on deferred tax liabilities of $5.9 million ($0.03 per share), derivative gains on financial instruments, mark-to-market and other adjustments of $3.3 million ($0.01 per share) and non-cash foreign currency translation losses of $4.1 million ($0.02 per share). Excluding these items would result in adjusted net income1 of $22.7 million or $0.10 per share for the second quarter of 2019. In the second quarter of 2018, the Company reported net income of $5.0 million or $0.02 per share.
Included in the second quarter of 2019 net income, and not adjusted above, is non-cash stock option expense of $3.3 million ($0.01 per share).
In the first six months of 2019, the Company reported net income of $64.8 million, or $0.28 per share. This compares with the first six months of 2018, when net income was $49.9 million, or $0.21 per share.
The increase in net income during the second quarter of 2019 compared to the prior year period was mainly due to lower amortization, lower income and mining taxes and higher realized gold prices, partially offset by lower gold sales volume (which does not include pre-commercial production ounces at Meliadine and Amaruq).
The increase in net income in the first six months of 2019 compared to the prior year period was mainly due to lower amortization and income and mining taxes, partially offset by lower gold sales volume (which does not include pre-commercial production ounces at Meliadine and Amaruq) and slightly lower realized gold prices.
In the second quarter of 2019, cash provided by operating activities was $126.3 million ($157.3 million before changes in non-cash components of working capital), as compared with the second quarter of 2018 when cash provided by operating activities was $120.1 million ($159.5 million before changes in non-cash components of working capital).
In the first six months of 2019, cash provided by operating activities was $275.0 million ($328.1 million before changes in non-cash components of working capital), as compared with the first six months of 2018 when cash provided by operating activities was $327.8 million ($340.1 million before changes in non-cash components of working capital).
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities, before changes in non-cash components of working capital, during the second quarter of 2019 compared to the prior year period was mainly due to lower gold sales volumes (which does not include pre-commercial production ounces at Meliadine and Amaruq), partially offset by higher realized gold prices and higher by-product revenue. Lower gold sales were mainly as a result of the expected lower gold production in the period due to reduced throughput levels at Meadowbank and mill maintenance shutdowns at LaRonde and Kittila.
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities, before changes in non-cash components of working capital, in the first six months of 2019 compared to the prior year period was mainly due to lower gold sales volumes (which does not include pre-commercial production ounces at Meliadine and Amaruq), lower by-product revenue and slightly lower realized gold prices, partially offset by lower costs. Lower gold sales were largely as a result of the expected lower gold production as described above.
“The second quarter of 2019 was another period of strong operating performance with production and costs tracking well with guidance. One of the key highlights in the quarter was the declaration of commercial production at our Meliadine mine in Nunavut”, said Sean Boyd, Agnico Eagle’s Chief Executive Officer. “With Meliadine ramping up to full production over the balance of the year and Amaruq on schedule to achieve commercial production in the third quarter of 2019, the Company is well positioned for a strong second half from both a financial and operational perspective”, added Mr. Boyd.
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