Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2014

 

or

 

o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from        to        

 

Commission File Number: 1-14066

 

SOUTHERN COPPER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

13-3849074

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

1440 East Missouri Avenue Suite 160 Phoenix, AZ

 

85014

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (602) 264-1375

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

Large accelerated filer

x

 

 

Accelerated filer  

o

 

Non-accelerated filer

o

 

 

Smaller reporting company  

o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o  No x

 

As of April 30, 2014 there were outstanding 833,443,471 shares of Southern Copper Corporation common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Southern Copper Corporation (“SCC”)

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

Part I. Financial Information:

 

 

 

Item. 1

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

5

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7-26

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

27-41

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

42-43

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and procedures

44

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

45

 

 

 

Part II. Other Information:

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

46

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

46

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

46

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

46

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

47-48

 

 

 

 

Signatures

49

 

 

 

 

List of Exhibits

50-51

 

 

 

Exhibit 15

Independent Accountants’ Awareness Letter

1

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

1

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

1

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

1

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

1

 

 

 

Exhibit 101

Financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 Formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in detail.

 

Submitted electronically with this report

 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Southern Copper Corporation

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share
amounts)

 

Net sales (including sales to related parties, see note 7)

 

$

1,354,383

 

$

1,623,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion shown separately below)

 

641,894

 

722,749

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

24,498

 

25,374

 

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

110,453

 

90,572

 

Exploration

 

14,611

 

10,324

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

791,456

 

849,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

562,927

 

773,983

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(65,140

)

(65,290

)

Capitalized interest

 

24,603

 

12,239

 

Other income (expense)

 

(4,206

)

848

 

Interest income

 

4,537

 

5,969

 

Income before income taxes

 

522,721

 

727,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes (including royalty taxes: 2014 - $25,641 and 2013 - $3,933)

 

204,162

 

238,879

 

Net income before equity earnings of affiliate

 

318,559

 

488,870

 

Equity earnings of affiliate, net of income tax

 

6,038

 

8,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

324,597

 

497,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest

 

1,208

 

1,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to SCC

 

$

323,389

 

$

495,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per common share amounts attributable to SCC:

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings - basic and diluted

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.59

 

Dividends paid

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.24

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

833,792

 

845,551

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Southern Copper Corporation

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

3 Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net income

 

$

324,597

 

$

497,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax: - Amortization of actuarial gain net of income tax (2014: $65 and 2013: $80)

 

(152

)

(187

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

$

324,445

 

$

496,846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interest

 

$

1,208

 

$

1,641

 

Comprehensive income attributable to SCC

 

$

323,237

 

$

495,205

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Southern Copper Corporation

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,473,101

 

$

1,672,695

 

Short-term investments

 

273,010

 

208,268

 

Accounts receivable trade

 

523,155

 

533,226

 

Accounts receivable other (including related parties 2014 - $37,450 and 2013 - $ 38,062)

 

84,697

 

64,552

 

Inventories

 

749,940

 

693,942

 

Deferred income tax

 

145,722

 

84,377

 

Other current assets

 

139,753

 

158,990

 

Total current assets

 

3,389,378

 

3,416,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, net

 

6,685,506

 

6,476,168

 

Leachable material

 

441,240

 

395,177

 

Intangible assets, net

 

109,860

 

110,219

 

Related parties receivable

 

161,244

 

161,244

 

Deferred income tax

 

217,513

 

180,707

 

Equity method investment

 

63,180

 

57,142

 

Other assets

 

196,827

 

199,322

 

Total assets

 

$

11,264,748

 

$

10,996,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable (including related parties 2014 -$39,488 and 2013 - $28,373)

 

$

502,307

 

$

500,737

 

Accrued income taxes

 

47,619

 

 

Accrued workers’ participation

 

180,495

 

192,371

 

Accrued interest

 

88,911

 

70,787

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

33,565

 

19,689

 

Total current liabilities

 

852,897

 

783,584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

4,205,188

 

4,204,915

 

Deferred income taxes

 

246,655

 

244,875

 

Other liabilities and reserves

 

73,928

 

76,000

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

151,982

 

124,835

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

4,677,753

 

4,650,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

8,846

 

8,846

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,347,339

 

3,340,349

 

Retained earnings

 

3,618,190

 

3,394,827

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

6,087

 

6,239

 

Treasury stock, at cost, common shares

 

(1,275,403

)

(1,216,599

)

Total Southern Copper Corporation stockholders’ equity

 

5,705,059

 

5,533,662

 

Non-controlling interest

 

29,039

 

28,158

 

Total equity

 

5,734,098

 

5,561,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

11,264,748

 

$

10,996,029

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Southern Copper Corporation

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

3 Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

324,597

 

$

497,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

110,453

 

90,572

 

Equity earnings of affiliate, net of dividends received

 

(3,414

)

(8,163

)

Loss (gain) on currency translation effect

 

(5,688

)

13,894

 

(Benefit) for deferred income taxes

 

(84,320

)

(5,745

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided from (used for) operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(10,074

)

79,664

 

Inventories

 

(102,061

)

(31,115

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

69,313

 

64,510

 

Other operating assets and liabilities

 

35,954

 

(106,178

)

Net cash provided from operating activities

 

334,760

 

594,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(323,726

)

(316,798

)

Purchase of short-term investments, net

 

(64,742

)

(70,190

)

Loan repaid by related party

 

 

10,573

 

Sale of property

 

294

 

224

 

Net cash used for investing activities

 

(388,174

)

(376,191

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid to common stockholders

 

(100,026

)

(202,932

)

Repurchase of common shares

 

(52,479

)

 

Distributions to non-controlling interest

 

(302

)

(472

)

Other

 

273

 

258

 

Net cash used for financing activities

 

(152,534

)

(203,146

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

6,354

 

(12,273

)

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(199,594

)

2,862

 

Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period

 

1,672,695

 

2,459,488

 

Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period

 

$

1,473,101

 

$

2,462,350

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Southern Copper Corporation

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

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 March 31, 2014, Grupo Mexico through its wholly-owned subsidiary Americas Mining Corporation (“AMC”) owned 82.5% of the Company’s capital stock.  The condensed 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.

 

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2014 and the results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  The December 31, 2013 balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2013 and notes included in the Company’s 2013 annual report on Form 10-K.

 

NOTE 2 — SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

 

Short-term investments were as follows ($ in millions):

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Trading securities

 

$

267.3

 

$

202.6

 

Weighted average interest rate

 

1.87

%

3.78

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

 

$

5.7

 

$

5.7

 

Weighted average interest rate

 

0.41

%

0.42

%

Total

 

$

273.0

 

$

208.3

 

 

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 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, included corporate bonds and asset and mortgage backed obligations.  As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were not material.

 

Related to these investments the Company earned interest, which was recorded as interest income in the condensed 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 condensed consolidated statement of earnings.

 

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The following table summarizes the activity of these investments by category (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Trading:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest earned

 

$

1.4

 

$

0.6

 

Unrealized gain (loss) at the end of the period

 

$

2.2

 

$

3.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest earned

 

(*

)

(*

)

Investment redeemed

 

$

 

$

 

 


(*) Less than $0.1 million.

 

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES:

 

Inventories were as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

March 31,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory, current:

 

 

 

 

 

Metals at lower of average cost or market:

 

 

 

 

 

Finished goods

 

$

103.4

 

$

84.2

 

Work-in-process

 

339.3

 

305.4

 

Supplies at average cost

 

307.2

 

304.3

 

Total current inventory

 

$

749.9

 

$

693.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory, long-term:

 

 

 

 

 

Leach stockpiles

 

$

441.2

 

$

395.2

 

 

In the first quarter 2014 and 2013 total leaching costs capitalized as long-term inventory of leachable material amounted to $86.1 million and $68.2 million, respectively.  Leachable material inventories recognized in cost of sales amounted to $39.2 million and $26.7 million for the first quarter 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

NOTE 4 — INCOME TAXES:

 

The income tax provision and the effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2014 and 2013 were as follows ($ in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Income tax provision

 

$

204.1

 

$

238.8

 

Effective income tax rate

 

39.1

%

32.8

%

 

These provisions include income taxes for Peru, Mexico and the United States.  The increase in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 from the same period in the prior year is primarily due to the new Mexican royalty tax instituted for 2014, which added 5.1% to the first quarter effective rate.

 

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or “FASB,” issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2013-11 on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The update clarifies that unrecognized tax benefits related to a net operating loss carryforward, or similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward, should generally be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013.  Accordingly in this quarter we have presented applicable uncertain tax positions as reductions to deferred income tax assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014.

 

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Royalty mining charge:

 

Peruvian operations: In 2011, the Peruvian congress approved an amendment to the mining royalty charge.  The new mining 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 $7.7 million and $10.6 million of royalty charge in the first quarter 2014 and 2013, respectively, of which $1.6 million and $3.9 million, respectively, were included in income taxes.

 

Mexican operations:  In December 2013, the Mexican government enacted a new law which, among other things, established a mining royalty charge of 7.5% on taxable EBITDA and an additional royalty charge of 0.5% on the net sales value of gold, silver and platinum.  These charges became effective January 2014 and the Company has accrued $24.0 million of royalty taxes as part of the income tax provision for the first quarter 2014.

 

Special Mining taxes:

 

In 2011, the Peruvian government enacted a tax for the mining industry.  This tax is based on operating income and its rate ranges from 2% to 8.4%. It begins at 2% for operating income margin up to 10% and increases by 0.4% of operating income for each additional 5% of operating income until 85% of operating income is reached.  The Company has accrued $12.0 million and $15.5 million of special mining tax as part of the income tax provision for the first quarter 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes

 

In the first quarter 2014, there were no changes in the Company’s uncertain tax positions.

 

NOTE 5 — PROVISIONALLY PRICED SALES:

 

At March 31, 2014, the Company has recorded provisionally priced sales of copper at average forward prices per pound, and molybdenum at the March 31, 2014 market price per pound.  These sales are subject to final pricing based on the average monthly London Metal Exchange (“LME”), or New York Commodities Exchange (“COMEX”), copper prices and Dealer Oxide molybdenum prices in the future month of settlement.

 

Following are the provisionally priced copper and molybdenum sales outstanding at March 31, 2014:

 

Copper
(million lbs.)

 

Priced at

 

Month of
Settlement

 

73.1

 

$

 3.03

 

April and May 2014

 

 

Molybdenum
(million lbs.) 

 

Priced at

 

Month of
Settlement

 

8.0

 

$

 10.80

 

April to June 2014

 

 

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.

 

NOTE 6 - 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 reviews 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 $27.8 million. Through March 2014, the Company has provided guarantees of $14.2 million.  The closure cost recognized for this liability includes the cost, as outlined in its closure plans, of dismantling the Toquepala and Cuajone

 

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concentrators, the smelter and refinery in Ilo, and the shops and ancillary facilities at the three units, including the Ilo marine trestle. In the last quarter of 2012, the Company submitted updates to the closure plans for Toquepala, Cuajone and Ilo in accordance with the law. As a result of these revised plans, the Company adjusted its asset retirement obligation.

 

In 2010, the Company announced to the Mexican federal environmental authorities the closure of the copper smelter plant at San Luis Potosi. The Company initiated a program for plant demolition and soil remediation.  In January 2014, the Company approved an increase of the budget in $26.7 million to a total of $62.4 million, of which the Company has spent $36.4 million through March 31, 2014. Plant demolition and construction of a confinement area at the south of the property were completed in 2012 and the Company expects to complete soil remediation and the construction of a second confinement by the end of 2014 which was authorized by PROFEPA.  The Company expects that once the site is remediated, the Company will decide if it will sell the property or promote an urban development to generate a net gain on the disposal of the property.

 

In 2012, the Company decided to recognize an estimated asset retirement obligation for its mining properties in Mexico as part of its environmental commitment.  Even though, there is currently no enacted law, statute, ordinance, or written or oral contract requiring the Company to carry out mine closure and environmental remediation activities, the Company considers that a constructive obligation presently exists based on, among other things, the remediation caused by the closure of the San Luis Potosi smelter in 2010.  Consequently, according to ASC- 410-20 on December 31, 2012 the Company recorded an asset retirement obligation of $25.1 million and increased net property by $20.3 million. The overall cost recognized for mining closure includes the estimated costs of dismantling concentrators, smelter and refinery plants, shops and other facilities.

 

The following table summarizes the asset retirement obligation activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Balance as of January 1

 

$

124.8

 

$

122.3

 

Changes in estimates

 

26.7

 

 

Additions

 

 

 

Payments

 

(1.5

)

(1.9

)

Accretion expense

 

2.0

 

1.8

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$

152.0

 

$

122.2

 

 

NOTE 7 — 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 and 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.

 

Receivable and payable balances with related parties are shown below (in millions):

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

Related parties receivable current:

 

 

 

 

 

Grupo Mexico and affiliates

 

$

0.8

 

$

0.8

 

Mexico Generadora de Energia S. de R.L. (“MGE”)

 

27.0

 

18.8

 

Compania Perforadora Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V.

 

0.9

 

0.7

 

Compania Minera Coimolache S.A.

 

7.2

 

17.2

 

Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates

 

1.6

 

0.6

 

 

 

$

37.5

 

$

38.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related parties receivable non-current:

 

 

 

 

 

MGE

 

$

161.2

 

$

161.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related parties payable:

 

 

 

 

 

Grupo Mexico and affiliates

 

$

4.1

 

$

3.3

 

MGE

 

15.5

 

14.4

 

Asarco LLC

 

13.9

 

6.2

 

Higher Technology S.A.C.

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

Breaker S.A. de C.V and affiliates (“Breaker”)

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

Sempertrans and affiliates

 

 

0.1

 

Mexico Transportes Aereos S.A. de C.V. (“Mextransport”)

 

0.2

 

0.6

 

Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates

 

0.4

 

 

Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A. de C.V.

 

5.0

 

3.3

 

 

 

$

39.5

 

$

28.3

 

 

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Purchase and sale activity:

 

Grupo Mexico and its affiliates:

 

The following table summarizes the purchase and sale activities with Grupo Mexico and its affiliates in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in millions):

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Purchase activity

 

 

 

 

 

Grupo Mexico and affiliates

 

$

3.5

 

$

3.5

 

Asarco LLC.

 

15.1

 

32.9

 

Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A de C.V.

 

5.3

 

5.8

 

Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V. and affiliates

 

47.2

 

9.3

 

MGE

 

48.9

 

 

Cia Perforadora Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V and affiliates

 

1.2

 

0.6

 

Total Purchases

 

$

121.2

 

$

52.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales activity

 

 

 

 

 

Asarco LLC

 

$

 

$

36.6

 

Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos, S.A. de C.V.

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

Cia Perforadora Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V and affiliates

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

MGE

 

24.3

 

0.1

 

Total Sales

 

$

24.6

 

$

37.0

 

 

Grupo Mexico, the Company’s 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 paying for these services in the future.

 

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 Desarrollo S.A. de C.V. and its affiliates and for drilling services provided by Compania Perforadora Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V. The three companies are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

 

The Company’s Mexican operations purchased from Asarco scrap and other residual copper mineral, and from MGE power. Both companies are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

 

The Company paid fees for engineering, construction and consulting services provided by subsidiaries of Mexico Proyectos y Desarrollos S.A. de C. V., a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico.

 

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

 

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million to the Company’s Mexican operations partially reducing the total debt.  At December 31, 2012, the outstanding balance of $184.0 million was restructured as subordinated debt of MGE with an interest rate of 5.75%.  MGE will repay its debt to the Company using a percentage of its profits until such time as the debt is satisfied.  At March 31, 2014 the remaining balance of the debt was $161.2 million and was recorded as non-current related party receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  Related to this loan the Company received $2.3 million of interest in the first quarter of 2014.

 

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 first quarter of 2014. MGE is currently waiting the authorization for interconnection with the Mexican electrical system to start operations in the second plant. MGE began supplying power to the Company in December 2013. It is expected that MGE will supply a portion of its power output to third-party energy users. See also Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies, Other commitments.

 

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 to MGE, all subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico.

 

Companies with relationships to the controlling group:

 

The following tables summarize the purchase and sales activities with other Larrea family companies in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in millions):

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Mextransport:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase activity

 

$

0.6

 

$

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales activity

 

$

0.1

 

$

0.1

 

 

The Larrea family controls a majority of the capital stock of Grupo Mexico, and has extensive interests in other businesses, including aviation and real estate.  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 and air transportation.

 

Companies with relationships to SCC executive officers:

 

The following table summarizes the purchase activity with companies with relationships to SCC executive officers´ families in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in millions):

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Higher Technology S.A.C.

 

$

0.3

 

$

0.3

 

Servicios y Fabricaciones Mecanicas S.A.C.

 

0.3

 

0.1

 

Sempertrans France Belting Technology

 

0.3

 

0.1

 

Breaker

 

0.9

 

0.8

 

Total purchases

 

$

1.8

 

$

1.3

 

 

The Company purchased industrial materials from Higher Technology S.A.C and paid fees for maintenance services provided by Servicios y Fabricaciones Mecanicas S.A.C. Mr. Carlos Gonzalez, the son of SCC’s Chief Executive Officer, has a proprietary interest in these companies.

 

The Company purchased industrial material from Sempertrans France Belting Technology, in which Mr. Alejandro Gonzalez is employed as a sales representative.  Also, the Company purchased industrial material from PIGOBA, S.A. de C.V., a company in which Mr. Alejandro Gonzalez has a proprietary interest. Mr. Alejandro Gonzalez is the son of SCC’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Company purchased industrial material and services from Breaker, a company in which Mr. Jorge Gonzalez, son-in-law of SCC’s Chief Executive Officer, has a proprietary interest.

 

Equity Investment in Affiliate: The Company has a 44.2% participation in Coimolache S.A. (“Coimolache”), which it accounts for on the equity method. Coimolache owns Tantahuatay, a gold mine located in the northern part of Peru.  To support the cost of the development of Tantahuatay, the Company loaned $56.6 million to Coimolache.  Conditions and balance of the loan as of March 31, 2014 are as follows (in millions):

 

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Loan

 

Total loan granted

 

$

56.6

 

Interest rate

 

6 months Libor + 3% (approximately 3.35)%

 

Remaining balance at March 31, 2014

 

$

7.2

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Interest earned

 

$

0.1

 

$

0.4

 

 

NOTE 8 — 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. 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 components of the net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Service cost

 

$

0.3

 

$

0.3

 

Interest cost

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(0.9

)

(0.9

)

Amortization of net actuarial gain

 

(0.2

)

(0.2

)

Amortization of net loss (gain)

 

(*

)

(*

)

Net periodic benefit costs

 

$

(0.5

)

$

(0.5

)

 


(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

 

Post-retirement Health care plan

 

Peru: The Company adopted a post-retirement health care plan for retired salaried employees eligible for Medicare in 1996. The plan is unfunded. 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.”

 

Mexico: Through 2007, the Buenavista unit provided health care services free of charge to employees and retired unionized employees and their families through its own hospital at the Buenavista unit. In 2011, the Company signed an agreement with the Secretary of Health of the State of Sonora to provide these services to its retired workers and their families.

 

The components of the net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Interest cost

 

$

0.3

 

$

0.4

 

Amortization of net loss (gain)

 

(*

)

(*

)

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

 

(*

)

(*

)

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

0.3

 

$

0.4

 

 


(*) amount is lower than $0.1 million

 

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NOTE 9 — 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 other features, water recovery systems to conserve water and minimize 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.

 

Environmental capital expenditures in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Peruvian operations

 

$

9.8

 

$

1.8

 

Mexican operations

 

6.4

 

10.5

 

 

 

$

16.2

 

$

12.3

 

 

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 commitments, 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 assurance for future closure and reclamation. In accordance with the requirements of this law the Company’s closure plans were approved by MINEM. As part of the closure plans, the Company is providing guarantees to ensure that sufficient funds will be available for the asset retirement obligation. See Note 6, “Asset retirement obligation,” for further discussion of this matter.

 

In 2008, the Peruvian government enacted environmental regulations establishing more stringent air quality standards (“AQS”) for daily sulfur dioxide (“SO2”) concentration for the Peruvian territory. These regulations, as amended in 2013, recognize distinct zones/areas, such as atmospheric basins, with significant population density and industrial activity. As part of these regulations the MINAM was required to carry-out a 12 month ambient air monitoring period, prior to January 1, 2014, to establish SO2 levels. Those areas with a mean 24-hour concentration of SO2 equal to or less than 20 micrograms per cubic meter (“ug/m3”) are required to develop programs to maintain this level of compliance. Those areas or cities which are in excess of the mean 24-hour SO2 concentration of 20 ug/m3 will be required to establish an Action Plan to address this problem and are required to achieve the 20 ug/m3 AQS in the future and meanwhile they are required to achieve mean 24-hour AQS equal to 80 ug/m3 of SO2. MINAM has established three atmospheric basins that require further attention to comply with these new air quality standards. The Ilo basin is one of these three areas and the Company’s smelter and refinery are part of the area.  A supreme decree issued on April 8, 2014, indicates that the Company should review its compliance with the regulations and develop a modification plan to reach compliance.  The plan must be reported to the government within one year, or by April 8, 2015.

 

In 2013, the Peruvian government enacted new soil environmental quality standards (“EQS”) applicable to any existing facility or project that generates or could generate risk of soil contamination in its area of operation or influence. A March 2014 supreme decree further developed and modified the procedures for the application of this EQS. Under this rule the Company has twelve months to identify contaminated sites in and around its facilities and present a report of identified contaminated sites. If such sites exist, the Company must submit for approval a decontamination plan within 24 months from the date it is notified by the authority. This decontamination plan shall include remediation actions and schedule and compliance deadlines. Also, under this rule, if deemed necessary, the Company may request a one year extension, given sound justification. 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 said results.  Non-compliance with this obligation or with decontamination goals will carry penalties according to existing sanction scale.  During compliance schedule, however, companies cannot be penalized for non-compliance with the soil EQS.

 

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.

 

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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. PROFEPA may initiate administrative proceedings against companies that violate environmental laws, which in the most extreme cases may result in the temporary or permanent closing of non-complying facilities, the revocation of operating licenses and/or other sanctions or fines. Also, according to the federal criminal code, PROFEPA must inform corresponding authorities regarding environmental non-compliance.

 

In January 2011, Article 180 of the General Law was amended. This amendment, gives 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, natural resources, flora, fauna or human health, because it will be sufficient to argue that the harm may be caused. In addition in 2011, amendments to the Civil Federal Procedures Code (“CFPC”) were published in the Official Gazette and are now in force. 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 June 2013, the Environmental Liability Federal Law was published in the Official Gazette and became effective one month thereafter. The law establishes general guidelines in order to determine which environmental actions will be considered to cause environmental harm that will give rise to administrative responsibilities (remediation or compensations) and criminal responsibilities. Also economic fines could be established.

 

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 expenditures.

 

Litigation matters:

 

Garcia Ataucuri and Others against SCC’s Peruvian Branch:

 

In April 1996, the Branch was served with a complaint filed in Peru by Mr. Garcia Ataucuri and approximately 900 former employees seeking the delivery of a substantial number of “labor shares” (acciones laborales) plus dividends on such shares, to be issued to each former employee in proportion to their time of employment with SCC’s Peruvian Branch, pursuant to a former Peruvian mandated profit sharing law.

 

The labor share litigation is based on claims of former employees for ownership of labor shares that the plaintiffs state that the Branch did not issue during the 1970s until 1979 under the said former Peruvian mandated profit sharing law. In 1971, the Peruvian government enacted legislation providing that mining workers would have a 10% participation in the pre-tax profits of their employing enterprises. This participation was distributed 40% in cash and 60% in an equity interest of the enterprise. In 1978, the equity portion, which was originally delivered to a mining industry workers’ organization, was set at 5.5% of pre-tax profits and was delivered, mainly in the form of “labor shares” to individual workers. The cash portion was set at 4.0% of pre-tax earnings and was delivered to individual employees also in proportion to their time of employment with the Branch. In 1992, the workers’ participation was set at 8%, with 100% payable in cash and the equity participation was eliminated from the law. In relation to the issuance of “labor shares” by the Branch in Peru, the Branch is a defendant in the following lawsuits:

 

1)                   Mr. Garcia Ataucuri seeks delivery, to himself and each of the approximately 900 former employees of the Peruvian Branch, of the 3,876,380,679.65 old soles or 38,763,806.80 “labor shares” (acciones laborales), as required by Decree Law 22333 (a former profit sharing law), to be issued proportionally to each former employee in accordance with the time of employment of such employee with SCC’s Branch in Peru, plus dividends on such shares. The 38,763,806.80 labor shares sought in the complaint, with a face value of 100.00 old soles each, represent 100% of the labor shares issued by the Branch during the 1970s until 1979 for all of its employees during that period. The plaintiffs do not represent 100% of the Branch´s eligible employees during that period.

 

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It should be noted that the lawsuit refers to a prior Peruvian currency called “sol de oro” or old soles, which was later changed to the “inti”, and then into today´s “nuevo sol.” Due to a past period of high inflation between 1985 and 1990, one billion of old soles is equivalent to today’s one nuevo sol.

 

After lengthy proceedings before the civil courts in Peru on September 19, 2001, on appeal by the Branch, the Peruvian Supreme Court annulled the proceedings noting that the civil courts lacked jurisdiction and that the matter had to be decided by a labor court (the “2000 appeal”).

 

In October 2007, in a separate proceeding initiated by the plaintiffs, the Peruvian Constitutional Court nullified the September 19, 2001 Peruvian Supreme Court decision and ordered the Supreme Court to decide again on the merits of the case accepting or denying the 2000 appeal.

 

In May 2009, the Supreme Court rejected the 2000 appeal of the Branch affirming the adverse decision of the appellate civil court and lower civil court. While the Supreme Court has ordered SCC’s Peruvian Branch to deliver the labor shares and dividends, it has clearly stated that SCC’s Peruvian Branch may prove, by all legal means, its assertion that the labor shares and dividends were distributed to the former employees in accordance with the profit sharing law then in effect, an assertion which SCC’s Peruvian Branch continues to make. None of the court decisions state the manner by which the Branch must comply with the delivery of such labor shares or make a liquidation of the amount to be paid for past dividends and interest, if any.

 

On June 9, 2009, SCC’s Peruvian Branch filed a proceeding of relief before a civil court in Peru seeking the nullity of the 2009 Supreme Court decision and, in a separate proceeding, a request for a precautionary measure. The civil court rendered a favorable decision on the nullity and the precautionary measure, suspending the enforcement of the Supreme Court decision, for the reasons indicated above and other reasons. In February 2012, the Branch was notified that the civil court had reversed its prior decisions. On appeal by the Peruvian Branch the Superior Court affirmed the lower court’s decisions regarding the nullity of the 2009 Supreme Court decision and the precautionary measure.  As a result, the nullity of the precautionary measure became final and is not appealable. However, the nullity of the 2009 Supreme Court decision was appealed by the Branch before the Constitutional Court.  On April 10, 2014, the Constitutional Court denied the Company’s appeal and affirmed the lower court’s decision.  In view of this, SCC´s Peruvian Branch continues to analyze the manner in which the Supreme Court decision may be enforced and what financial impact, if any, said decision may have.

 

2)                   In addition, there are filed against SCC’s Branch the following lawsuits, involving approximately 800 plaintiffs, which seek the same number of labor shares as in the Garcia Ataucuri case, plus interest, labor shares resulting from capital increases and dividends: Armando Cornejo Flores and others v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed May 10, 2006); Alejandro Zapata Mamani and others v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed June 27, 2008); Edgardo Garcia Ataucuri, in representation of 216 of SCC’s Peruvian Branch former workers, v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed May 2011); Juan Guillermo Oporto Carpio v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed August 2011); Rene Mercado Caballero v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed November 2011); Enrique Salazar Alvarez and others v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed December 2011); Indalecio Carlos Perez Cano and others v. SCC Peruvian Branch (filed March 2012); Jesus Mamani Chura and others v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed March 2012); Armando Cornejo Flores, in representation of 37 of SCC’s Peruvian Branch former workers v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed March 2012), Porfirio Ochochoque Mamani and others v. SCC´s Peruvian Branch (filed July 2012); Alfonso Flores Jimenez and others v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed July 2013) and Micaela Laura Alvarez de Vargas and others v. SCC’s Peruvian Branch (filed August 2013). SCC’s Peruvian Branch has answered the complaints and denied the validity of the claims.

 

SCC’s Peruvian Branch asserts that the labor shares were distributed to the former employees in accordance with the profit sharing law then in effect. The Peruvian Branch has not made a provision for these lawsuits because it believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted in the complaints. Additionally, the amount of this contingency cannot be reasonably estimated by management at this time.

 

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, the Company is party to the following lawsuits:

 

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a)             Exploraciones de Concesiones Metalicas S.A.C. (“Excomet”): In August 2009, a lawsuit was filed against SCC’s Branch by the former stockholders of 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.  As of March 31, 2014, the case remains in the discovery stage.

 

b)             Sociedad Minera de Responsabilidad Limitada Virgen Maria de Arequipa (SMRL Virgen Maria): In August 2010, a lawsuit was filed against SCC’s Branch and others by SMRL Virgen Maria, a company which until July 2003 owned the mining concession Virgen Maria.  SMRL Virgen Maria sold this mining concession in July 2003 to Excomet (see a) above).  The plaintiff alleges that the sale of the mining concession Virgen Maria to Excomet is null and void because the persons who attended the shareholders’ meeting of SMRL Virgen Maria, at which the purchase was agreed upon, were not the real owners of the shares.  The plaintiff is also pursuing the nullity of all the subsequent acts regarding the mining property (acquisition of the shares of Excomet by SCC’s Branch, noted above, and the sale of this concession to SCC’s Branch by Excomet). In October 2011, the civil court dismissed the case on the grounds that the claim had been barred by the statute of limitations.  Upon appeal by the plaintiffs, the superior court remanded the proceedings to the lower court, ordering the issuance of a new decision.  On June 25, 2013, the lower court dismissed the case due to procedural defects. Upon appeal by the plaintiff, on December 2, 2013 the Superior Court reversed the lower court’s decision due to procedural defects and ordered the issuance of a new resolution.  As of March 31, 2014, the case remains pending without further developments.

 

c)              Omar Nunez Melgar: In May 2011, Mr. Omar Nunez Melgar commenced a lawsuit against the Peruvian Mining and Metallurgical Institute and MINEM challenging the denial of his request of a new mining concession that conflicted with SCC’s Branch’s Virgen Maria mining concession.  SCC’s Branch has been made a party to the proceedings as the owner of the Virgen Maria concession.  SCC’s Branch has answered the complaint and denied the validity of the claim.  As of March 31, 2014, the case remains pending without further developments.

 

The Company asserts that the lawsuits are without merit and is vigorously defending against these lawsuits.

 

Special Regional Pasto Grande Project (“Pasto Grande Project”)

 

In the last quarter of 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 also with proper governmental authorization, since 1995.  SCC’s Peruvian Branch asserts that the lawsuit is without merit and is vigorously defending against the lawsuit. Upon a motion filed by the Peruvian Branch the lower court has included the Ministry of Energy and Mines (“MINEM”) as a defendant in this lawsuit.  MINEM has answered the complaint and denied the validity of the claim. As of March 31, 2014, the case remains pending without further developments.

 

Labor matters:

 

In recent years the Company has experienced a positive labor environment in its operations in Mexico and Peru which is allowing an increase in productivity as well as helping to achieving the goals of its capital expansion program.

 

Peruvian operations

 

Approximately 67% of the Company’s 4,451 Peruvian employees were unionized at March 31, 2014, represented by seven separate unions. Three of these unions, one at each major production area, represent the majority of the Company´s workers. Also, there are four smaller unions, representing the balance of workers.  The Company conducted negotiations with the unions whose collective bargaining agreements expired in 2012. In the first quarter of 2013, the Company signed three-year agreements with all the unions. The agreements included, among other things, annual salary increases of 6.5%, 5% and 5% for each of the three years.

 

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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”) led by Napoleon Gomez Urrutia to other less politicized unions.

 

However, the workers of the San Martin and Taxco mines, however, who are still under the National Mining Union, 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, on January 27, 2011, the Company filed a court petition 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 March 31, 2014, the case remains pending without further developments.

 

On August 1, 2013, the National Union of Workers Engaged in Exploration, Exploitation and Processing of Mines in the Mexican Republic, which is the union operating at Mexicana del Cobre and IMMSA, filed a new petition before the labor authorities to replace the National Mining Union at the San Martin mine, because it believes that it represents more workers at the San Martin mine than the National Mining Union. As of March 31, 2014, the resolution of this case is pending.

 

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 of the Taxco mine (including 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 requested that the federal labor court review the procedure. After several legal proceedings on January 25, 2013, the Company filed a new proceeding before the labor court on the basis of the Supreme Court decision in the San Martin case, 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 Taxco. As of March 31, 2014, this case is pending resolution.

 

It is expected that operations at these mines will remain suspended until these labor issues are resolved.

 

In view of these length strikes, the Company has reviewed the carrying value of the San Martin and Taxco mines to ascertain whether impairment exists. The Company concluded that the assets located at these mines are not impaired.

 

Other legal matters:

 

The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to its operations, but the Company 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 Contingencies:

 

Tia Maria:

 

Tia Maria, a Peruvian investment project, was suspended by governmental action in April 2011 in light of protests and disruptions carried out by a small group of activists who alleged, among other things, that the project would result in severe environmental contamination and the diversion of agricultural water resources.

 

The Company prepared a new EIA study taking into account local community concerns and new government guidance. The Company considers that this new EIA will alleviate the concerns previously raised by the Tia Maria project’s neighboring communities, provide them with an independent source of information and reaffirm the validity of the Company’s assessment of the project.

 

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In the fourth quarter 2013 the Company successfully held the two workshops and the public hearing required as part of the EIA approval process and also submitted the new EIA for the Tia Maria project to MINEM.  The Company is in the process of responding to comments received from the governmental authorities and other stakeholders in January 2014 and expects to receive approval of this study by the end of the second quarter 2014 and resume work on the project, with the goal of production start-up late in 2016. However, no assurances can be given as to the specific timing of each such approval.

 

The Company has legal and valid title to the Tia Maria mining concessions and the over-lapping surface land in the area. None of above noted activities have in any way challenged, revoked, impaired or annulled the Company´s legal rights to the Tia Maria mining concessions and/or the over-lapping surface land titles acquired in the past. All the Company’s property rights on these areas are in full force.

 

In view of the delay in this project, the Company has reviewed the carrying value of this asset to ascertain whether impairment exists. Total spending on the project, through March 31, 2014, was $535.4 million of which $189.5 million has been reassigned to other Company operations.  The Company does not believe that impairment exists.

 

Other commitments:

 

Peruvian Operations

 

Power purchase agreement - Enersur

 

In 1997, SCC signed a power purchase agreement with an independent power company, Enersur S.A. under which SCC agreed to purchase all of its power needs for its current Peruvian operations from Enersur for twenty years, through April 2017.

 

Toquepala Concentrator Expansion

 

In connection with the EIA for the Toquepala expansion project, some community groups raised concerns related to water usage and pollution. As a result of these issues the Peruvian government started discussions with the local communities and the regional authorities to resolve this impasse. In February 2013, the Company reached a final agreement with the province of Candarave, one of the provinces neighboring the Toquepala unit, which commits the Company to funding S/.255 million (approximately $100 million) for development projects in the province.  In the second quarter of 2013, the Company made a first contribution of S/.45 million (approximately $17 million) to the development fund of the Candarave province   The Company continued working with the authorities of the Candarave province and in June 2013 signed an agreement with the National Water Authority, local authorities and the Candarave Board of Water Users for the hydrogeological study of the Locumba river basin in order to improve the water utilization in the province.

 

In November 2013, the Company reached a final agreement with the Jorge Basadre province which commits the Company to fund S/.100 million (approximately $36 million) for social development projects in the province. In addition, the Company has agreed to fund various other social programs with the use of advance income tax payments.

 

The contributions to Candarave and Jorge Basadre provinces are contingent upon receiving approval for the project and will be expended through the life of the Toquepala expansion project. With these agreements the Company is close to establishing accords with the principal communities and interested parties in the area.

 

On April 16, 2014 we successfully held the public hearing required as a pre-condition for approval of the project’s EIA. We are now waiting for comments and questions from the governmental authorities and other stakeholders and expect to get approval of the EIA by the third quarter of 2014.  However, no assurance can be given as to the specific timing of such approval.

 

Mexican operations

 

Power purchase agreement - MGE

 

MGE, a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, has completed the construction of one of the two power plants in Mexico designed to supply power to some of the Company’s Mexican operations.  It is expected that MGE will supply approximately 12% of its power output to third-party energy users.  In 2012, the Company signed a power purchase agreement with MGE, whereby MGE will supply the Company with power through 2032.  The first plant was completed in June 2013 and the second in the first quarter of 2014.  MGE is currently waiting the authorization for the interconnection with the Mexican electrical system to start operations in the second plant.  MGE began to supply power to the Company in December 2013.

 

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Commitment for Capital projects

 

As of March 31, 2014 the Company has committed $235 million for the expansion programs at the Mexican operations, These funds are scheduled to be expended in the next twelve months,

 

Tax contingency matters:

 

Tax contingencies are provided for under ASC 740-10-50-15 Uncertain tax positions (see Note 4, “Income taxes”).

 

NOTE 10 — 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.

 

Financial information is regularly prepared for each of the three segments and the results of the Company’s operations are regularly reported to the Senior Management Officers on the segment basis.  The Senior Management Officers of the Company focus 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.

 

Financial information relating to Southern Copper’s segments is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

Mexican 
Open-Pit

 

Mexican 
IMMSA Unit

 

Peruvian 
Operations

 

Corporate, other 
and eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales outside of segments

 

$

648.0

 

$

96.1

 

$

610.3

 

 

$

1,354.4

 

Intersegment sales

 

 

 

24.4

 

 

 

$

(24.4

)

 

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)

 

229.4

 

84.5

 

323.1

 

4.9

 

641.9

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

8.6

 

3.7

 

11.2

 

1.0

 

24.5

 

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

54.7

 

7.8

 

47.2

 

0.8

 

110.5

 

Exploration

 

0.8

 

5.0

 

2.0

 

6.8

 

14.6

 

Operating income

 

$

354.5

 

$

19.5

 

$

226.8

 

$

(37.9

)

562.9

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36.0

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.2

)

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(204.1

)

Equity earnings of affiliate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.0

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.2

)

Net income attributable to SCC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

323.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditure

 

$

255.2

 

$

9.1

 

$

57.8

 

$

1.6

 

$

323.7

 

Property, net

 

$

3,764.7

 

$

380.8

 

$

2,454.2

 

$

85.8

 

$

6,685.5

 

Total assets

 

$

6,314.9

 

$

863.0

 

$

3,428.5

 

$

658.3

 

$

11,264.7

 

 

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

Mexican 
Open-Pit

 

Mexican 
IMMSA Unit

 

Peruvian 
Operations

 

Corporate, other 
and eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales outside of segments

 

$

862.6

 

$

89.9

 

$

670.5

 

 

$

1,623.0

 

Intersegment sales

 

 

32.0

 

 

$

(32.0

)

 

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation, amortization and depletion)

 

380.7

 

73.1

 

313.0

 

(44.1

)

722.7

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

8.8

 

3.8

 

12.1

 

0.7

 

25.4

 

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

40.3

 

6.7

 

41.4

 

2.2

 

90.6

 

Exploration

 

0.9

 

6.1

 

2.3

 

1.0

 

10.3

 

Operating income

 

$

431.9

 

$

32.2

 

$

301.7

 

$

8.2

 

774.0

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(47.2

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(238.8

)

Equity earnings of affiliate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.2

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.6

)

Net income attributable to SCC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

495.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditure

 

$

259.6

 

$

17.9

 

$

39.3

 

$

 

$

316.8

 

Property, net

 

$

2,693.8

 

$

359.7

 

$

2,213.9

 

$

81.8

 

$

5,349.2

 

Total assets

 

$

4,647.5

 

$

892.7

 

$

3,210.2

 

$

1,811.6

 

$

10,562.0

 

 

NOTE 11 — STOCKHOLDERS´EQUITY:

 

Treasury Stock:

 

Activity in treasury stock in the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Southern Copper common shares

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$

1,011.0

 

$

729.8

 

Purchase of shares

 

52.5

 

 

Stock dividend

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

1,063.5

 

729.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent Company (Grupo Mexico) common shares

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

205.6

 

189.0

 

Other activity, including dividend, interest and currency translation effect

 

6.3

 

12.4

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

211.9

 

201.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock balance as of March 31,

 

$

1,275.4

 

$

931.2

 

 

Southern Copper Common Shares:

 

At March 31, 2014 and 2013, there were in treasury 51,152,615 and 39,045,536 SCC’s common shares, respectively.

 

SCC share repurchase program:

 

In 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $500 million share repurchase program. On July 28, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase of the share repurchase program to $1 billion and on October 17, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an additional increase to $2 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.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Number of

 

Maximum Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Shares Purchased as

 

Shares that May Yet

 

 

 

Period

 

Total Number of

 

Price Paid

 

Part of Publicly

 

Be Purchased Under

 

Total Cost

 

From

 

To

 

Shares Purchased

 

per Share

 

Announced Plan

 

the Plan @ $29.11 (*)

 

($ in millions)

 

2008:

 

 

 

28,510,150

 

$

13.49

 

28,510,150

 

 

 

$

384.7

 

2009:

 

 

 

4,912,000

 

14.64

 

33,422,150

 

 

 

71.9

 

2010:

 

 

 

15,600

 

29.69

 

33,437,750

 

 

 

0.5

 

2011:

 

 

 

9,034,400

 

30.29

 

42,472,150

 

 

 

273.7

 

2012:

 

 

 

4,442,336

 

33.17

 

46,914,486

 

 

 

147.3

 

2013:

 

 

 

10,245,000

 

27.47

 

57,159,486

 

 

 

281.4

 

2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

01/01/14

 

01/31/14

 

1,768,000

 

28.06

 

58,927,486

 

 

 

49.6

 

03/01/14

 

03/21/14

 

106,079

 

27.04

 

59,033,565

 

 

 

2.9

 

Total first quarter

 

 

 

1,874,079

 

28.00

 

 

 

 

 

52.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total purchased

 

 

 

59,033,565

 

$

20.53

 

 

 

27,070,666

 

$

1,212.0

 

 


(*) NYSE closing price of SCC common shares at March 31, 2014

 

As a result of the repurchase of shares of SCC’s common stock, Grupo Mexico’s direct and indirect ownership was 82.5% as of March 31, 2014.

 

Parent Company common shares:

 

At March 31, 2014 and 2013 there were in treasury 72,814,824 and 76,394,108 of Grupo Mexico’s common shares, respectively.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan:

 

2007 Plan: In January 2007, the Company offered to eligible employees a stock purchase plan (the “Employee Stock Purchase Plan”) through a trust that acquires shares of Grupo Mexico stock for sale to its employees, employees of subsidiaries, and certain affiliated companies.  The purchase price is established at the approximate fair market value on the grant date.  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 one share for every ten shares purchased by the employee.

 

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/termination 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.

 

The stock based compensation expense for the first quarter 2014 and 2013, under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the unrecognized compensation expense as of March 31, 2014 and 2013 under this plan were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Stock based compensation expense

 

$

0.5

 

$

0.5

 

Unrecognized compensation expense

 

$

1.6

 

$

3.7

 

 

The unrecognized compensation expense under this plan is expected to be recognized over the remaining nine month period.

 

The following table presents the stock award activity of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Shares

 

Unit Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

 

Outstanding shares at January 1, 2014

 

4,449,599

 

$

1.16

 

Granted

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(40,632

)

$

1.16

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Outstanding shares at March 31, 2014

 

4,408,967

 

$

1.16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares at January 1, 2013

 

6,955,572

 

$

1.16

 

Granted

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(2,349,157

)

$

1.16

 

Forfeited

 

(29,639

)

$

1.16

 

Outstanding shares at March 31, 2013

 

4,576,776

 

$

1.16

 

 

2010 Plan:  During 2010, the Company offered to eligible employees a new stock purchase plan (the “New Employee 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 $2.05) for the initial subscription.  The terms of the New Employee Stock Purchase Plan are similar to the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

The stock based compensation expense for the first quarter 2014 and 2013, under the New Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the unrecognized compensation expense as of March 31, 2014 and 2013 under this plan were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Stock based compensation expense

 

$

0.1

 

$

0.1

 

Unrecognized compensation expense

 

$

2.5

 

$

3.0

 

 

The unrecognized compensation expense under this plan is expected to be recognized over the remaining four year and nine month period.

 

The following table presents the stock award activity of the New Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Unit Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares at January 1, 2014

 

3,012,464

 

$

2.05

 

Granted

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(249,446

)

$

2.05

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Outstanding shares at March 31, 2014

 

2,763,018

 

$

2.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares at January 1, 2013

 

2,944,742

 

$

2.05

 

Granted

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(22,638

)

$

2.05

 

Outstanding shares at March 31, 2013

 

2,922,104

 

$

2.05

 

 

NOTE 12 — NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

 

The following table presents the non-controlling interest activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Balance as of January 1,

 

$

28.2

 

$

24.0

 

Net earnings

 

1.2

 

1.6

 

Dividend paid

 

(0.3

)

(0.5

)

Other

 

(0.1

)

 

Balance as of March 31,

 

$

29.0

 

$

25.1

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 13 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

 

Subtopic 810-10 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 810-10 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 condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in millions):

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2014

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

 

 

Carrying Value

 

Fair Value

 

Carrying Value

 

Fair Value

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

$

4,205.2

 

$

4,233.5

 

$

4,204.9

 

$

4,088.8

 

 

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.

 

Fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were calculated as follows as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value at Measurement Date Using:

 

 

 

Description

 

Fair Value as
of March

31, 2014

 

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant other
observable
inputs

(Level 2)

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs

(Level 3)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short term investment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Trading securities

 

$

267.3

 

$

267.3

 

 

 

 

 

- Available for sale debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

0.4

 

 

 

$

0.4

 

 

 

Asset backed obligations

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

Mortgage backed securities

 

5.2

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Derivatives - Not classified as hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provisionally priced sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

 

221.3

 

221.3

 

 

 

 

 

Molybdenum

 

86.7

 

86.7

 

 

 

Total

 

$

581.0

 

$

575.3

 

$

5.7

 

$

 

 

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Fair Value at Measurement Date Using:

 

 

 

Description

 

Fair Value
as of

December
31, 2013

 

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets

(Level 1)

 

Significant other
observable inputs

(Level 2)

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs

(Level 3)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short term investment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Trading securities

 

$

202.6

 

$

202.6

 

 

 

 

 

- Available-for-sale debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

0.4

 

 

 

$

0.4

 

 

 

Asset backed securities

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

Mortgage backed securities

 

5.2

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Derivatives - Not classified as hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provisionally priced sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

 

53.9

 

53.9

 

 

 

 

 

Molybdenum

 

100.2

 

100.2

 

 

 

Total

 

$

362.4

 

$

356.7

 

$

5.7

 

$

 

 

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 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 14 - ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

 

The following Updates to the Accounting Standards Codification are effective beginning in the first quarter of 2014:

 

ASU No. 2013-04: On February 28, 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04 “Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” The objective of this update is to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance (e.g. debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings) is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP.

 

The amendments require all entities to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the following:

 

· The amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors, and

 

· Any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors.

 

It is also required that an entity discloses the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations.

 

These changes are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance in 2014, it did not have material impact on the results and financial condition of the Company.

 

ASU No. 2013-05: In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05 an update of Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830) to clarify the treatment of cumulative translation adjustments when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. The updated guidance resolves the diversity in practice for the treatment of business combinations achieved in stages in a foreign entity.

 

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Table of Contents

 

These changes are effective prospectively for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance in 2014 and it did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial position of the Company.

 

ASU No. 2013-11: In July 2013 the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11 “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (Topic 740 Income Taxes). The updated guidance requires an entity to net its unrecognized tax benefits against the deferred tax assets for all same jurisdiction net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforwards. A gross presentation will be required only if such carryforward are not available or would not be used by the entity to settle any additional income tax resulting from disallowance of the uncertain tax position. The update is effective prospectively for fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter 2014. See Note 4 Income taxes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Part I

 

Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion provides information that management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the condensed consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Southern Copper Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, “SCC”, “the Company”, “our”, and “we”).  This item should be read in conjunction with our interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in this quarterly report.  Additionally, the following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

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 active ongoing exploration programs 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.

 

Outlook:  Various key factors will affect our outcome.  These include, but are not limited to, some of the following:

 

·                  Changes in copper and molybdenum prices:  The average LME copper price was $3.19 per pound in the first quarter of 2014 about 11.4% lower than in the first quarter of 2013. Average silver and molybdenum prices in the first quarter of 2014 decreased 32% and 12%, respectively, over average prices in the first quarter of 2013. During the first quarter of 2014 per pound LME spot copper prices ranged from $2.92 to $3.37 and averaged $3.19, as compared to an average of $3.24 in the last quarter of 2013.  The LME spot price for copper closed at $3.01 per pound on March 31, 2014.

 

·                  Sales structure: In the first quarter of 2014, approximately 77.7% of our revenue came from the sale of copper, 8.7% from molybdenum, 4.7% from silver, 3.9% from zinc and 5.0% from various other products, including gold, sulfuric acid and other materials.

 

·                  Copper: During the first quarter of 2014, we have seen a softness in copper prices, which have slightly decreased (-1.5%) when compared to the fourth quarter 2013. We believe the copper market’s positive fundamentals will prevail in the near future. As of April 25, 2014, inventories at the three major warehouses (LME, COMEX and Shanghai) have decreased by 146,000 tons or 29% from their position at the beginning of 2014.

 

As we have indicated in the past, a current driver for the world economy is the synchronized growth expected for the United States, Europe and Japan, which together represent about 54% of the world GDP and consume directly about 31% of the world’s refined copper production.

 

Regarding the world’s main copper consumer, China, we believe that the sustained recovery of the major economies in conjunction with a Chinese demand rebound in the second quarter of 2014 is consistently reducing the probability of an oversupply in 2014 of refined copper, our main product.

 

On the supply side, despite some evidence of a possible market oversupply for the coming quarters, we think that there are several structural factors, such as scrap scarcity, delays in projects startups, technical problems, labor unrest and other issues will continue to affect new projects supply, scrap production and existing operations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

We believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of the strong fundamentals of the copper market. We believe that our aggressive investment program of organic growth, aimed at increasing production from our current capacity to approximately 1.2 million tons by 2017 will lead to further benefits in the coming years.

 

Molybdenum: Our most significant by-product, represented 8.7% of our sales in the first quarter of 2014. In this quarter we saw stable molybdenum demand. Regarding the supply, we are expecting a 10% worldwide growth coming from our Buenavista operation as well as from Sierra Gorda, Toromocho and Caserones, among other projects.

 

Even though the current scenario for molybdenum prices is not positive, it is important to note that about 50% of the supply of this metal comes from primary or dedicated molybdenum mines, which have a cash cost in the range of $9-$12 per pound. This creates a natural barrier for the molybdenum market to adjust production volume and thereby protect low cost secondary molybdenum producers such our Company.

 

Silver: Represented 4.7% of our sales in the first quarter of 2014. Silver prices averaged $20.46 per ounce in the first quarter of 2014, 32% lower than its price in the first quarter of 2013. We believe that silver prices will have strong support due to its industrial uses as well as being perceived as a value shelter in times of economic uncertainty.

 

Zinc: Represented 3.9% of our sales in the first quarter of 2014. Zinc has very good long term fundamentals due to its significant industrial consumption and expected mine production shutdowns. In the last 12 months zinc inventories have decreased significantly, improving this market's fundamentals. We are expecting an increasing price scenario for zinc in the next few years.

 

·                  Production: For 2014, we are expecting to produce 672,400 tons of copper from our mines. The construction of the new 120,000 tons capacity SX-EW III plant at Buenavista is almost completed and we expect to start commercial production by June 2014 and to produce 53,400 tons during 2014.

 

We expect to produce 21,500 tons of molybdenum in 2014, 7.6% more than our 2013 production and a new Company record. This production forecast includes 1,980 tons from our molybdenum plant at Buenavista which produced 605 tons in the first quarter of 2014.

 

We also expect to produce and sell 16.3 million ounces of silver and produce 95,200 tons of zinc in 2014.

 

·                  Cost: Our operating costs and expenses for the first quarter 2014 and 2013 were as follows ($ in millions):

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Variance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

%

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

$

791.5

 

$

849.0

 

$

(57.5

)

(6.8

)%

 

The decrease was largely due to lower cost of sales, as result of temporary build-up of copper inventory as well as lower sale of metal purchased from third parties.

 

·           Capital Investments: In the first quarter 2014, we spent $323.7 million on capital investments, 2.2% higher than in the first quarter 2013, which represents almost 100% of net income. We continue with the development of our capital expansion program, on time and on budget, and which aims to increase copper production capacity by approximately 87% from 630,000 tons to 1,175,000 tons by 2017.

 

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) our earnings, (ii) our production, (iii) our “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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

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Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Variance

 

Net sales

 

$

1,354.4

 

$

1,623.0

 

$

(268.6

)

Operating income

 

$

562.9

 

$

774.0

 

$

(211.1

)

Net income attributable to SCC

 

$

323.4

 

$

495.4

 

$

(172.0

)

Earnings per share

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.59

 

$

(0.20

)

Dividends per share

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.24

 

$

(0.12

)

Pounds of copper sold

 

330.1

 

344.6

 

(14.5

)

 

Net sales and net income in the first quarter 2014 were lower than the first quarter of 2013 by $268.6 million and $172.0 million, respectively.  These decreases were mainly the result of lower prices for copper and our main by-products and lower sales volume of copper (-4.2%) largely due to a temporary build-up of inventory and lower silver sales volume (-25.6%), partially offset by higher molybdenum (+14.0%) and zinc (+3.9%) sales volumes.

 

Production: The table below highlights mine production data for our Company for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Variance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume

 

%

 

Copper (in million pounds)

 

359.7

 

329.5

 

30.2

 

9.2

%

Molybdenum (in million pounds)

 

12.3

 

10.6

 

1.7

 

15.7

%

Silver (in million ounces)

 

3.4

 

3.1

 

0.3

 

8.6

%

Zinc (in million pounds)

 

45.9