Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted EBITDA of $722 million for Q2 2025, reflecting a 3% increase compared to the same period last year, primarily due to strong performance in the zinc segment and reduced corporate overhead costs [28][29][30] - Year-to-date, the company has returned over $1.1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, with $548 million returned in Q2 alone [29][39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the copper segment, gross profit before depreciation and amortization declined by 3% to $673 million, attributed to lower copper prices and higher operating costs, despite stable production levels at 109,000 tonnes [31][33] - The zinc segment saw a significant improvement, with gross profit before depreciation and amortization increasing by 137% to $159 million, driven by higher byproduct revenues and lower operating costs [36][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company acknowledged risks to production guidance for QB due to ongoing TMS development work, revising its outlook to 210,000 to 230,000 tonnes for the year [22][21] - The Highland Valley Copper mine life extension project is expected to produce an average of 132,000 tonnes of copper annually over its life, with capital costs estimated between CAD 2.1 billion to CAD 2.4 billion [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on advancing its copper growth strategy while returning cash to shareholders, with plans to double copper production by the end of the decade [9][23] - The sanctioning of the Highland Valley Copper mine life extension project is seen as foundational to the company's future copper production growth [23][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in overcoming current operational constraints related to TMS development, maintaining guidance for 2026 production levels [46][50] - The company remains committed to safety and sustainability, achieving recognition as one of Corporate Knight's Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada for the 19th consecutive year [12] Other Important Information - The company has a strong liquidity position with $8.9 billion available, including $4.8 billion in cash, and has reduced its debt by $2 billion since 2024 [40][41] - The company is actively working on optimizing its operations and exploring growth opportunities through capital-efficient projects [26][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tailings issue on QB and future investments - Management acknowledged that TMS development work has limited online time for QB but expects to resolve these issues without additional capital investment next year [46][49] Question: CapEx guidance for the second half of the year - Management confirmed that the increased CapEx guidance is primarily due to the sanctioning of the Highland Valley project and ongoing TMS development costs [54][56] Question: Ship loader repairs and CapEx impact - Management indicated that repairs to the ship loader are ongoing, with no production impact due to alternative shipping arrangements [64][66] Question: Sequencing of Zafranal and San Nicolas projects - Management noted that Zafranal is more advanced in permitting but both projects are considered options for future development [67][68] Question: Technical report for Highland Valley extension - A technical report is expected to be published in August, detailing the throughput and production profile for the Highland Valley project [70][72] Question: Incremental CapEx for QB's TMF - Management clarified the distinction between project CapEx and sustaining CapEx, emphasizing the ongoing nature of TMS development costs [100][101]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted EBITDA of $722 million for Q2 2025, reflecting a 3% increase compared to the same period last year, primarily due to strong performance in the Trail operations and reduced corporate overhead costs [27][28][30] - Year-to-date, the company has returned a total of $1.1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, with $548 million returned in Q2 alone [28][39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the copper segment, gross profit before depreciation and amortization declined by 3% to $673 million, attributed to lower copper prices and higher operating costs, despite stable production levels at 109,000 tonnes [30][32] - The zinc segment saw a significant improvement, with gross profit before depreciation and amortization increasing by 137% to $159 million, driven by higher byproduct revenues and lower operating costs [36][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company acknowledged a reduction in settlement pricing adjustments amounting to $91 million, impacting overall financial performance [29] - The net cash unit cost for copper improved to $2.02 per pound, while the net cash unit cost for zinc decreased to $0.49 per pound [32][36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on advancing its copper growth strategy, with the sanctioning of the Highland Valley Copper Mine life extension project, expected to produce an average of 132,000 tonnes of copper annually [7][16] - The company aims to double copper production by the end of the decade, supported by ongoing growth projects in Peru and Mexico [25][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in overcoming current operational challenges related to the TMS development work at QB, maintaining guidance for 2026 production levels [47][48] - The company remains committed to balancing investment in growth with cash returns to shareholders, emphasizing a strong balance sheet and liquidity of $8.9 billion [40][42] Other Important Information - The company was recognized as one of Corporate Knight's 2025 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada, marking the 19th consecutive year of receiving this accolade [11] - The company has reduced its debt by $2 billion since 2024, maintaining a strong financial position with investment-grade credit ratings [41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tailings issue on QB and future investments - Management confirmed that the TMS development work has limited online time for QB but expects to resolve these issues without additional capital investment next year [47][49] Question: Confidence in achieving production guidance for 2026 - Management expressed confidence in reaching the low end of the guidance for 2026, citing operational parameters and past performance as indicators of future success [50][52] Question: CapEx guidance for the second half of the year - Management acknowledged the need to spend $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion in the second half of the year, primarily due to the sanctioning of the Highland Valley project and ongoing TMS development costs [55][56] Question: Ship loader repairs and CapEx impact - Management indicated that repairs to the ship loader are ongoing, with no production impact due to alternative shipping arrangements [66][68] Question: Sequencing of projects for Zafranal and San Nicolas - Management noted that Zafranal is more advanced in permitting but emphasized that both projects are options for future development [70][71] Question: Technical report for Highland Valley extension - Management confirmed that a technical report will be published in August, detailing the throughput and production profile for the Highland Valley project [74][76]

Financial Highlights - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 3% to $722 million, reflecting higher profitability at Trail Operations and lower corporate overhead costs, partially offset by lower copper and zinc prices and higher operating costs at QB & Highland Valley[10, 28, 30] - Profit from continuing operations before taxes increased by 525% to $125 million[10, 28] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased by 217% to $038[10, 28] Production and Operations - Copper production guidance revised downwards for Quebrada Blanca (QB) from 230-270 thousand tonnes to 210-230 thousand tonnes, impacting total copper production guidance, which is revised to 470-525 thousand tonnes[21] - Molybdenum production guidance revised downwards for Quebrada Blanca from 30-45 thousand tonnes to 17-25 thousand tonnes, impacting total molybdenum production guidance, which is revised to 38-54 thousand tonnes[21] - Red Dog zinc sales above guidance, with significantly lower net cash unit costs[10] Capital Allocation and Growth - $22 billion of the $325 billion authorized share buyback program has been completed[10] - Sanctioned Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension (HVC MLE) project, extending mine life to 2046, with a project capital estimate of C$21-24 billion[10, 20] - Sustaining capital expenditures for copper increased by C$340 million, resulting in a revised total of C$940-1010 million[21] - Growth capital expenditures for copper increased by C$300-340 million, resulting in a revised total of C$1040-1170 million[22] Market Outlook - The company expects further policy support in China during Q3, with an expansion of consumer subsidies for goods and an acceleration of infrastructure projects, which should help underpin metals demand[83] - Copper market fundamentals indicate that investment in copper concentrate supply hasn't matched demand, and the company expects a more electricity-intensive phase of global growth in the coming years[89] - Zinc market fundamentals indicate that 2025 is set for mine supply growth after several lean years, and zinc projects struggle to compete for capital[91]