Ero Copper(US:ERO)2025-11-05 17:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 reached $177 million, a $14 million increase compared to Q2, driven by a 24% increase in copper concentrate sales at Tucumã and stronger copper and gold prices [17] - Adjusted EBITDA totaled $77.1 million in Q3, with adjusted net income attributable to owners of the company at $27.9 million, or $0.27 per share [17] - Liquidity position at quarter end was $111 million, including $66.3 million in cash and cash equivalents [18] - Net debt leverage ratio improved to 1.9 times at the end of Q3, down from 2.1 times in Q2 and 2.5 times at the end of 2022 [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated copper production set a record in Q3, with significant contributions from Tucumã, which saw a nearly 20% increase for the second consecutive quarter [10] - At Caraíba, plant throughput levels reached a quarterly volume record, with a decline in grade as expected due to a strategic shift in ore sourcing [11] - Tucumã's production increased by 19% in Q3, driven by a ramp-up in throughput, while Xavantina's production rose by approximately 17% due to mechanization efforts [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects to sell between 10,000 and 15,000 tons of gold concentrate during Q4 2025, with operating costs estimated at approximately $300-$500 per ounce of gold [5] - The average quarterly production of gold at Xavantina was 7,000 ounces in the first half of the year, with a production of nearly 7,000 ounces in October alone [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on deleveraging its balance sheet and expects to accelerate this process through gold concentrate sales [6][18] - A significant emphasis is placed on operational excellence, health and safety, and optimizing production across all operations [9][10] - The company is also advancing long-term growth initiatives at Furnas, with ongoing drilling and technical work to support future development [15][52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ongoing transformation and improvements across operations, with expectations for Q4 to be the strongest production quarter of the year [10][12] - The company is addressing inflationary pressures in Brazil through various initiatives, including foreign exchange hedging [22][24] - Management highlighted the importance of mechanization and operational improvements in driving productivity and safety [41][46] Other Important Information - The company has commenced shipping gold concentrate, resulting in its first invoice, and expects to continue this momentum into Q4 [5][19] - A foreign exchange hedge program was in place with a total notional position of $290 million, resulting in a realized gain of $2 million [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: On Xavantina, regarding the remaining 80% of the gold concentrate that has not been sampled yet, what assumptions can be made? - Management indicated that while excitement exists about the potential volume, it is too early to provide specific estimates for the remaining concentrate [20][21] Question: Have there been any significant labor contractor inflation pressures in Brazil? - Management acknowledged inflationary pressures in Brazil but noted efforts to mitigate these through longer-term contracts and hedging strategies [22][24] Question: What is the timeline for sampling the remaining gold concentrate stockpile? - Management stated that the focus is on selling the current volume before continuing sampling, with updates expected quarterly [33][34] Question: How is the company addressing the tailings filtration circuit at Tucumã? - Management confirmed ongoing improvements and the addition of a mobile filter press to enhance capacity [36][37] Question: What are the expectations for mining rates and grades at Xavantina moving into next year? - Management highlighted significant increases in mining rates and grades due to mechanization, with expectations for continued high performance [41][44]