In This Article:
Release Date: February 27, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
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Amerigo Resources Ltd (ARREF) met its expectations for 2024, including share buybacks, performance dividends, and maintaining a quarterly dividend.
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The company achieved operational excellence with NBC beating production and cash cost guidance, maintaining plant availability of 97%, and operating without lost time accidents for three consecutive years.
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Amerigo Resources Ltd (ARREF) generated strong operating cash flow of $47.1 million before changes in working capital, emphasizing its cash flow-focused strategy.
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The company successfully returned $78.1 million to shareholders since the implementation of its Capital Return Strategy in 2021, with a significant portion allocated to dividends and buybacks.
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Amerigo Resources Ltd (ARREF) reported a 91% total return since October 2021, outperforming copper peers, copper ETFs, LME copper, and copper futures.
Negative Points
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The company faced a nationwide blackout in Chile, affecting operations temporarily, although it was not material enough to report.
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There was a working capital deficiency of $6.5 million at the end of 2024, despite holding higher cash reserves due to administrative delays.
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Other losses amounted to $4.2 million, including foreign exchange losses and non-cash accounting items related to dismantling provisions and equipment write-downs.
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The Chilean peso's exchange rate against the US dollar is a significant variable cost concern, impacting financial performance.
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Despite share repurchases, the total outstanding shares remained about the same due to options being exercised, which may dilute shareholder value.
Q & A Highlights
Q: How did the recent nationwide blackout in Chile affect Amerigo Resources, and is there an expectation of recurrence? A: The blackout affected NBC and El Teniente for less than a day, but operations are back to normal. The effects were not material enough to report, and it was related to an infrastructure problem. It is considered a one-off event and not expected to recur. (Aurora Davidson, CEO)
Q: Despite share repurchases, the total outstanding shares remain the same. How does the board view this, and what is the approach to options being exercised? A: Most option exercises are cashless, reducing the issuance of new shares. The board is committed to buying back at least the same number of shares issued annually, ensuring a stable or slightly declining share count. (Aurora Davidson, CEO)