Latest News

Miner Antofagasta states benefit up 5% in 2023, cuts dividend

Chile's Antofagasta on Tuesday reported a 5% rise in 2023 earnings as copper production and costs increased, balancing out greater costs.

The mining group reported earnings before interest, amortisation, tax, and depreciation (EBITDA) of $3.1 billion, up from $2.9 billion in 2022, it slashed its full-year dividend to 36 cents a share, compared to 59.7 cents in 2015.

We are placing the company for the next phase of growth, with jobs we approved in 2023, including the building and construction of a 2nd concentrator at Centinela, Antofagasta Chief Executive Ivan Arriagada told .

The balance of efficiency, development chances that create worth for shareholders in the long term, and keeping a. strong balance sheet lead to the recommendation to pay a 50%. payout, he said.

Antofagasta made a record investor payment of 142.5 cents. a share in 2021, amounting to $1.4 billion, helped by surging. copper costs. Its policy is to return at least 35% of net. revenues to investors.

The London-listed group's shares were down 2.3% at 0927 GMT,. in line with other miners.

Antofagasta reported a 13% increase in capital investment to. $ 2.13 billion in 2015 due to expansion of its Los Pelambres. flagship mine. It expects the figure to be $2.7 billion in 2024,. as it begins deal with its Centinela concentrator.

Greater capex and what could be a year of lower prices. ought to cause trough FCF (free cash flow) this year, but the. business is on a course to strong FCF later this decade, Jefferies. experts stated.

Antofagasta earlier reported a rise of 2% in 2023 copper. production, to 660,600 metric tons and anticipates 670,000 loads to. 710,000 tons in 2024.

Copper is used in energy shift applications, consisting of. solar panels and electrical vehicles.

Experts have forecast a deficit from this year on signs. that supply might not be as robust as previously believed after. Panama ordered the closure of First Quantum's. 350,000-ton mine and manufacturers such as Anglo American. and Vale Base Metals reduced yearly guidance.

Antofagasta, majority owned by Chile's Luksic household, is. wanting to part-fund the Centinela work by having a financier in. the water facilities properties and the growth, Arriagada. stated. The deal would be around $1 billion in overall.

We remain in really late stages of that settlement, we anticipate. that to close this by the end of March, he stated.

(source: Reuters)