First Quantum Is the Fastest Growing Copper Producer in the World Today
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04 ANNUAL REPORT + 04 Highlights 41,546 114 31 28 29,513 17 60 51 11,878 5 (4) (4) 2002 2003 2004 2002 2003 2004 2002 2003 2004 2002 2003 2004 Copper Production Revenue Operating Cash Flow Earnings (Loss) (Tonnes) ($ millions) ($ millions) ($ millions) Cautionary Statement: Some of the information contained in this annual report constitutes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those with respect to the prices of copper, gold, cobalt and sulphuric acid, estimated future production, estimated costs of future production, the Company’s hedging policy and permitting time lines, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the ++++++ actual prices of copper, gold, cobalt, and sulphuric acid, the factual results of current exploration, development and mining activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time with the Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario Securities Commission and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Alternative Investment Market operated by the London Stock Exchange. First Quantum is the fastest growing copper producer in the world today (All figures in US dollars where applicable, except where indicated.) • 2004 net earnings of $28.0 million or $0.47 per share. • Operating cash flow for 2004 of $30.7 million or $0.51 per share. • Bwana produced 41,546 tonnes (92 million pounds) of copper and 66,460 tonnes of surplus acid during 2004. • Cash costs (C1) for 2004 of $0.46 and total costs (C3) of $0.62 per pound of copper. • Commercial production at Kansanshi commenced April 2005. • Frontier copper deposit resource estimated at one million tonnes of contained copper. • Acquired 80% interest in the Guelb Moghrein copper-gold deposit in Mauritania. • New copper discovery at Kashime in Zambia. +++++ 2 First Quantum Minerals Ltd. is a growing mining company whose principle activities include mineral exploration, development, mining, and the production of LME grade “A” copper + cathode, copper in concentrate, gold and sulphuric acid. The Company’s operations include the 80% owned Kansanshi copper- gold mine in Zambia and the 100% owned Zambian/Congolese Bwana/Lonshi copper operation. In Mauritania, First Quantum is developing the 80% owned Guelb t Moghrein copper gold deposit and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) the Company has a 100% interest in the Frontier copper deposit and 11,000 square kilometres of exploration concessions. First Quantum also holds strategic investments in the Nkana underground copper mine and cobalt refinery (16.9%) and the Mufulira underground copper mine, smelter and copper refinery (16.9%) in Zambia. First Quantum remains focused on its core expertise of developing and operating copper mines as well as the discovery of new copper deposits throughout the world, in particular the Copperbelt in the DRC and Zambia. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 2004 Annual Repor Corporate Profile 3 Strategic Goals To build a leading international mining company • Operate low cost mines. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 2004 Annual Repor • Leverage our strategic advantage in the Copperbelt. • Exploit and develop our focused and cost effective exploration capability. • Utilize our management expertise to build new mines for less capital than industry norms. • Expand internationally through the acquisition of mines t that are unsuitable for the Majors. Shareholder Information First Quantum’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol FM) and the Alternative Investment Market operated by the London Stock Exchange (symbol FQM). First Quantum is a member of the Standard & Poors/Toronto Stock Exchange Composite Index. 4 + t Copper First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 2004 Annual Repor The Red Metal Copper has been used by humans for over 7,000 years and marked the transition from the Stone Age to a more modern way of life. Today the use of copper continues to increase and forms a critical component of modern industry. ++++++ Copper is traded around the world with the principal trading occurring on the London Metal Exchange. 5 Wiring – Connecting Our Lives Electrical uses of copper, including power transmission and generation, wires for building purposes, telecommunication, and electrical and electronic products, account for about three quarters of total copper use – over 933,000 tons a year. Because of its properties of high ductility, malleability, and electrical conductivity, it has become the benchmark for almost all types of wiring. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 2004 Annual Repor Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Among the hundreds of wonderful things copper is used for in and around our homes, it is probably recognized first as a plumbing material. For the past 75 years, copper tubing has been the most reliable and cost-effective option for distributing water to and through our homes for various applications. Environment & Health As copper never goes bad it can be recycled over and over again. It actually has the highest recycling rate of any engineering metal in the world. Copper also functions as a defense against germs. Because it is naturally biostatic, bacteria growth is inhibited on its surface. Many hospitals install copper or copper-alloy doorknobs, push panels and other hardware to protect against the transfer of disease. Surgeons are able to save lives and precious blood by using copper-clad scalpels. t Technology – Computer Chips Copper is one of the best conductors of electricity, making it heralded by all computer chip manufacturers. It is now possible for chip makers to use copper wires, rather than traditional aluminum interconnects, to link transistors in chips. This technology enables conductor channel lengths and widths to be significantly reduced. The result is much faster operating speeds and greater circuit integration. Up to 200 million transistors can be packed onto a single chip. The use of copper conductors in chips is the last link in a now unbroken copper chain comprising the electric data path between user and computer. From external cables and connectors to bus ways to printed circuit boards, sockets and leadframes, it's all copper. Copper & Cars There's more than 55 pounds of copper in a typical U.S. built automobile: about 45 pounds for electrical and about 10 pounds for nonelectrical components. Today's luxury cars, on average, contain some 1,500 copper wires totaling about one mile in length, thanks to continuing improvements in electronics and the addition of power accessories. In 1948, the average family car contained only about 55 wires amounting to an average total length of 150 feet. (from www.copper.org) +++++ 6 + t First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 2004 Annual Repor Letter to Shareholders Philip K. R. Pascall, Chairman & CEO ++++++ 7 2004 has been a year of transformation for First Quantum with the successful commissioning at Kansanshi, the acquisition of the Guelb Mognhrein copper-gold project in Mauritania, the improved copper production from Bwana Mkubwa, and the continuing success of our exploration program. With the ongoing success of the Company come increasing responsibilities. The Environment, Health and Safety are at the forefront of our planning and we have strengthened our management First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 2004 Annual Repor team substantially in these areas to ensure that the benefits of our success are shared by all stakeholders in our activities. State of the Industry In my letter to shareholders last year, I highlighted the problems besetting the mining industry with the strengthening demand for commodities offset by a growing shortage of the skills required, firstly to find new sources of metals and then to bring these new discoveries to market. If anything, the situation has worsened in 2004. Commodity prices have continued to strengthen, creating an upsurge in exploration and mine development activity worldwide. This has resulted in increasing shortages of skilled geologists and engineers as well as mining and processing equipment, consumables and services all of which will constrain the industry’s ability to respond to t the pressure for new supplies of commodities. Set against this background, the achievements of our Company in 2004 are a credit to the qualities of our excellent team of technical professionals and management and validate our long-term policy of seeking out, recruiting and retaining the best people in the industry. “...we have been The timing of the start-up of Kansanshi is very opportune given the delighted with the prevailing bull market in copper. While opinions differ as to the future of the copper market, we will continue to ensure that our operations will be support received highly profitable not only today but throughout the commodity cycle while from President providing an exceptional rate of return on invested capital. Kansanshi Copper-Gold Mine Mwanawasa and In April 2005, the Company announced that commercial production had the Government been achieved at Kansanshi, after a prioritized commissioning had commenced on November 11, 2004. of Zambia...” As expected with any commissioning, the mining program has faced a number of challenges including rain delays and reduced truck availability resulting from problems associated with the supply of tyres and spare parts, as well as fuel system faults. Notwithstanding these challenges, the Company, as at December 31, 2004 has still managed to stockpile 157,000 tonnes of sulphide ore and 1,039,000 tonnes of oxide ore for future processing. During the construction and commissioning we have been delighted with the support that we have received from President Mwanawasa and the Government of Zambia, which supports our +++++commitment to being a long-term investor in Zambia.