Hudbay Minerals Inc. reports developments as a copper-focused critical minerals miner with producing operations in Peru and Canada and copper growth projects in the United States and Peru. Its operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco, the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia; copper is its primary metal, with gold production and by-product zinc, silver and molybdenum.
Recurring Hudbay news covers operating and financial results, production and cost guidance, mineral reserve and resource updates, mine-life and permitting matters, project development at Copper World, Mason and Llaguen, and balance-sheet actions such as senior note repayment and credit-facility use.
Hudbay Minerals and labor unions have announced a commitment to a Project Labor Agreement for the Copper World project in Pima County, Arizona. The agreement involves multiple trade unions and ensures union contractors will have significant opportunities in the construction of one of Southern Arizona's largest economic development projects.
Located 28 miles southeast of Tucson, the project is expected to operate for 20 years and will contribute over $850 million in U.S. taxes, including $420 million in state and local taxes. The mine will create 400 direct jobs and up to 3,000 indirect jobs in Arizona.
The project will include a concentrate leach processing facility starting in the fourth year of operations, producing copper cathode locally and reducing carbon footprint by eliminating overseas shipping and refining. This initiative aims to strengthen the domestic U.S. supply chain with "Arizona Copper Made For America" while supporting critical mineral needs for manufacturing, infrastructure, and national security.
Hudbay Minerals (TSX, NYSE: HBM) has announced the sale of 1,000,000 common shares of American Copper Development at C$0.1607 per share, generating total proceeds of C$160,710.
Prior to the transaction, Hudbay held 1,979,319 shares, representing approximately 10.7% ownership in American Copper. Following the sale, Hudbay's ownership has decreased to 979,319 shares, or approximately 5.3% of American Copper's outstanding common shares.
The company has filed an early warning report in compliance with Canadian securities laws, specifically National Instrument 62-103. The report will be available on American Copper's SEDAR+ profile.
Hudbay Minerals (TSX, NYSE: HBM) has released its annual mineral reserve update and three-year production guidance, highlighting stable operations across three long-life mines in the Americas. The company projects consolidated copper production to average 144,000 tonnes annually over the next three years, with an expected increase to 161,000 tonnes in 2027, marking a 17% growth from 2024.
Key highlights include:
- Constancia's mine life extended to 2041, maintaining stable copper production of 88,000 tonnes annually
- Snow Lake operations optimized until 2037, expecting 193,000 ounces of annual gold production
- Copper Mountain projecting 44,000 tonnes of annual copper production, rising to 60,000 tonnes in 2027
The company reported positive exploration results at Snow Lake, with significant copper-gold mineralization discovered, including intersections of 14.3% copper over 2.5 metres and 8.3 grams per tonne gold over 3.2 metres at the 1901 deposit. Additional drilling at Lalor Northwest revealed promising results with 16.4 grams per tonne gold over 3.7 metres.
Hudbay Minerals (TSX, NYSE: HBM) has announced the acquisition of Mitsubishi Materials 's (MMC) 25% interest in Copper Mountain Mine for US$4.5 million upfront and up to US$39.75 million in deferred payments. The transaction consolidates Hudbay's ownership of the British Columbia-based copper mine.
The Copper Mountain mine contains mineral reserves of 346 million tonnes at 0.25% copper and 0.12 g/t gold, supporting operations until 2043. The mine is expected to produce 60,000 tonnes of copper by 2027, representing a 200% increase from 2024 attributable production levels.
Key transaction terms include:
- US$4.5 million payable at closing
- Seven annual deferred payments of US$3.0 million each
- Up to US$18.75 million in contingent payments tied to New Ingerbelle performance
- Hudbay gains 15% copper concentrate offtake rights for 15 years, increasing to 100% thereafter
Hudbay Minerals reported strong Q4 and record full-year 2024 results, achieving consolidated production and cost guidance. The company delivered record annual revenue of $2,021.2 million and adjusted EBITDA of $822.5 million.
Full-year consolidated production reached 137,943 tonnes of copper, 332,240 ounces of gold, and 3,983,851 ounces of silver, marking increases of 5%, 7%, and 11% respectively compared to 2023. The company significantly outperformed its twice-improved 2024 consolidated cash cost guidance.
Cash and cash equivalents increased by $332.0 million to $581.8 million during 2024, enabling a $512.0 million reduction in net debt. The company's net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 0.6x at the end of 2024 from 1.6x at the end of 2023, positioning Hudbay with the lowest leverage among industry peers.
Hudbay Minerals (TSX, NYSE: HBM) has announced it will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. ET. The call will discuss the company's fourth quarter and full year 2024 results, along with full year 2025 production and cost guidance.
The company plans to release its Q4 and full year 2024 results, as well as 2025 guidance, before the market opens on February 19, 2025. The announcement will be available on Hudbay's website, and an archived audio webcast of the call will be accessible afterward.
Hudbay Minerals has achieved a significant milestone by producing one million ounces of gold at its Lalor Mine in Snow Lake, Manitoba. The achievement highlights the company's successful combination of exploration expertise, processing infrastructure, and operational efficiency.
Key developments include the discovery of the Lalor deposit in 2007, achieving commercial production in 2014, and the strategic acquisition and refurbishment of the New Britannia gold mill. The mill has exceeded its design capacity, contributing to record gold production of 187,363 ounces in 2023, up from 77,376 ounces in 2020.
The Snow Lake operations continue to show strong potential with approximately two million ounces of contained gold in current mineral reserves and an additional 1.4 million ounces in inferred mineral resources. Hudbay expects to exceed its 2024 gold production guidance of 200,000 ounces and continues to execute one of the largest exploration programs in its history at Snow Lake.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (ASCUF) has announced a strategic private placement with Hudbay Minerals, who will subscribe for 11,852,064 common shares at C$1.68 per share, totaling C$19.9 million (~US$13.8 million). The issue price represents a 15% premium to the 5-day VWAP on TSX as of January 7, 2025.
Following the placement expected to close around January 30, 2025, Hudbay will increase its ownership from 2.12% to 9.99% in ASCU. The proceeds will fund drilling, exploration, technical studies, and advancement of the Cactus copper project in Arizona.
The agreement includes an investor rights agreement granting Hudbay participation rights in future equity financings, observer rights at technical committee meetings, and information access rights. Hudbay agrees to vote in alignment with ASCU's board recommendations for 2025 and 2026 annual meetings.
Hudbay Minerals (TSX, NYSE: HBM) has received the final major permit, the Air Quality Permit, for its Copper World project from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The project is expected to produce 85,000 tonnes of copper annually over a 20-year mine life.
The company has now secured all three key state permits: the Mined Land Reclamation Plan, Aquifer Protection Permit, and Air Quality Permit. The project represents a $1.7 billion capital investment and is projected to become the third largest cathode producer in the U.S., with production intended for domestic customers.
Over its initial 20-year lifespan, Copper World is expected to contribute more than $850 million in U.S. taxes, including $170 million to Arizona. The project will create over 400 direct jobs and up to 3,000 indirect jobs. Hudbay plans to make a project sanctioning decision in 2026, following completion of a definitive feasibility study in early 2026 and securing a minority joint venture partner in 2025.
Hudbay Minerals (TSX, NYSE: HBM) announced a transition in its Board leadership, with Stephen A. Lang stepping down as Chair due to health reasons, effective January 1, 2025. David S. Smith, current independent director, has been appointed as the new Board Chair.
Lang, who served as Chair since October 2019, will remain on the Board as an independent director. During his tenure, Hudbay achieved significant milestones, including strong free cash flows in Peru and Manitoba, the acquisition of Copper Mountain mine, and advancement of the Copper World project.
Smith, who joined the Board in May 2019, brings nearly 40 years of financial and executive leadership experience in the mining sector. His background includes roles as CFO of Finning International Inc. and Ballard Power Systems, executive positions at Placer Dome Inc., and currently serves as Board Chair of IAMGOLD