Newmont Mining : Announces First Quarter 2017 Results

Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE: NEM) (Newmont or the Company) announced first quarter 2017 results that demonstrated improved operational and financial performance.

• Net income: Delivered GAAP net income attributable to stockholders from continuing operations of $69 million or $0.13 per diluted share, and adjusted net income¹ of $133 million or $0.25 per diluted share
• EBITDA: Generated $566 million in adjusted EBITDA², up 20 percent from the prior year quarter
• Cash flow: Increased net operating cash flow from continuing operations to $379 million and free cash flow³ to $199 million, up $322 million from the prior year quarter
• Gold Costs applicable to sales (CAS)⁴: Reported CAS of $687 per ounce, favorable to guidance
• Gold All-in sustaining costs (AISC)⁵: Reported AISC of $900 per ounce, favorable to guidance
• Attributable gold production: Produced 1.23 million ounces of gold, up nine percent from the prior year quarter, in-line with guidance
• Portfolio improvements: Approved the Subika Underground and Ahafo Mill Expansion projects in Africa; announced agreement to secure rights to develop a prospective new gold district in the Yukon with Goldstrike Resources⁶; on track for commercial production at the Tanami Expansion Project in Australia mid-2017

• Financial strength: Reduced net debt to $1.7 billion, ending the quarter with $2.9 billion cash on hand and an industry-leading, investment-grade credit profile
• Outlook: The Subika Underground and Ahafo Mill Expansion projects improve volumes beginning in 2018, improve costs beginning in 2020, with additional development capital in 2017-2019

“We generated strong financial results this quarter and approved plans to invest in profitable growth in Ghana and a prospective gold district in the Yukon,” said Gary Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We increased free cash flow by more than $320 million and adjusted EBITDA by 20 percent to $566 million compared to the prior year quarter. Our teams in Australia and South America overcame significant weather events safely and efficiently and we remain well on track to meet our 2017 outlook. Permits, funding and resources are in place to build the Subika Underground mine – which will produce 1.8 million ounces of gold over an 11-year mine life, and access ore grades that are three times higher than our surface mines – and the Ahafo Mill Expansion. Our cost and capital discipline, combined with our industry-leading balance sheet, gives us the means to continue self-funding projects, growing margins and improving the quality and life of our Reserves, with a goal to deliver sustainable value for our shareholders.”

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¹ Non-GAAP measure. See end of release for reconciliation to Net income (loss) attributable to Newmont stockholders.
² Non-GAAP measure. See end of release reconciliation to Net income (loss) attributable to Newmont stockholders.
³ Non-GAAP measure. See end of release for reconciliation to Net cash provided by operating activities.
⁴ Non-GAAP measure. See end of release for reconciliation to Costs applicable to sales.
⁵ Non-GAAP measure. See end of release for reconciliation to Costs applicable to sales.
⁶ On April 24, 2017, Newmont acquired 12,705,715 units (i.e., one common share and one warrant per unit) of Goldstrike Resources Ltd. at a price of C$0.4742 per unit for $4.5 million, resulting in an ownership interest of approximately 13% of Goldstrike.

First Quarter 2017 Summary Results

GAAP Net income attributable to Newmont stockholders from continuing operations was $69 million or $0.13 per share for the quarter, up $81 million from the prior quarter.

Adjusted net income of $133 million or $0.25 per diluted share for the quarter, up four percent from the prior quarter as higher gold production and favorable pricing were partially offset by higher CAS. The primary adjustments to net income include 10 cents per share net tax adjustments primarily related to valuation allowances on foreign tax credits and two cents per share related to restructuring and remediation activities.

Revenue rose 13 percent to $1.7 billion for the quarter primarily due to increased volumes and slightly higher pricing.

Average realized price⁶ for gold improved $29 to $1,221 per ounce for the quarter; average realized price for copper improved $0.65 to $2.68 per pound.

Attributable gold production increased nine percent to 1.23 million ounces for the quarter as new production from Merian and Long Canyon more than offset geotechnical issues at Carlin. Exceptional weather also affected operations in Australia and South America.

Gold CAS totaled $894 million for the quarter. Gold CAS per ounce rose one percent to $687 per ounce for the quarter due primarily to increased costs of processing lower grades. These impacts were partially offset by increased sales.

Gold AISC was in-line with the prior quarter at $900 per ounce on higher CAS, higher near-term sustaining capital and increased advanced projects and exploration expense.

Attributable copper production from Phoenix and Boddington was unchanged at 13,000 tonnes for the quarter. Copper CAS totaled $39 million for the quarter. Copper CAS improved 17 percent to $1.50 per pound for the quarter on changes to gold-copper cost allocation. Copper AISC improved 17 percent to $1.77 per pound for the quarter on improved unit CAS.

Capital expenditures⁷ decreased 36 percent from the prior year quarter to $180 million as growth projects including Merian and Long Canyon moved into commercial production.

Consolidated operating cash flow from continuing operations rose 141 percent from the prior year quarter to $379 million on increased sales and improved pricing. Free cash flow increased $322 million to $199 million for the quarter on improved sales, higher pricing and lower capital expenditures.

Balance sheet improved as Newmont ended the quarter with $2.9 billion cash on hand, a leverage ratio of 0.7x net debt to adjusted EBITDA and one of the best credit ratings in the mining sector. The Company is committed to maintaining an investment grade credit profile.

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⁶ Non-GAAP measure. See page 19 for reconciliation to Sales.
⁷ Capital expenditures refers to Additions to property plant and mine development from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Projects update

Newmont’s capital-efficient project pipeline supports stable production with improving margins and mine life. Near-term projects are presented below. Funding for the Tanami Expansion Project, Subika Underground, and Ahafo Mill Expansion has been approved. The remaining projects represent incremental improvements to production and cost guidance.

• Tanami Expansion (Australia) includes a second decline in the mine and incremental capacity in the plant to increase profitable production and serve as a platform for future growth. The project is on track to reach commercial production mid-2017 and will maintain Tanami’s annual gold production at 425,000 to 475,000 ounces at AISC of between $700 and $750 per ounce for the first five years of production. Capital costs are estimated at between $100 and $120 million with expenditure of $30 to $50 million in 2017.
• Subika Underground (Africa) leverages existing infrastructure and an optimized approach to develop Ahafo’s most promising underground resource. First production is expected in the second half of 2017 with commercial production beginning in the second half of 2018. The expansion is expected to increase average annual gold production by between 150,000 and 200,000 ounces per year for the first five years beginning in 2019 with an initial mine life of approximately 11 years. Capital costs for the project are estimated at between $160 and $200 million with expenditure of $80 to $90 million in 2017. The project has an IRR of more than 20 percent at a $1,200 gold price.
• Ahafo Mill Expansion (Africa) is designed to maximize resource value by improving production margins and accelerating stockpile processing. The project also supports profitable development of Ahafo’s highly prospective underground resource. First production is expected in the first half of 2019 with commercial production expected in the second half of 2019. The expansion is expected to increase average annual gold production by between 75,000 and 100,000 ounces per year for the first five years beginning in 2020. Capital costs for the project are estimated at between $140 and $180 million with expenditure of approximately $40 to $50 million in 2017. The project has an IRR of more than 20 percent at a $1,200 gold price.
  
  Together the Ahafo expansion projects (Ahafo Mill Expansion and Subika Underground) improve Ahafo’s production to between 550,000 and 650,000 ounces per year for the first five full years of production (2020–2024). During this period Ahafo’s CAS is expected to be between $650 and $750 per ounce and All-in sustaining cost is expected to be between $800 and $900 per ounce. This represents average production improvement of between 200,000 and 300,000 ounces at CAS improvement of between $150 and $250 per ounce and AISC improvement of $250 to $350 per ounce, compared to 2016 actuals.

• Quecher Main (South America) would add oxide production at Yanacocha, and serve as a bridge to development of Yanacocha’s considerable sulfide deposits. An investment decision is expected in the second half of 2017 with first production in 2019. Quecher extends the life of the Yanacocha operation to 2025 with average annual gold production of approximately 200,000 ounces per year between 2020 and 2025 (100 percent basis). Capital costs for the project are estimated at between $275 and $325 million with expenditure of $5 to $10 million in 2017.
• Twin Underground (North America) is a portal mine beneath Twin Creek’s Vista surface mine with similar mineralization. An investment decision is expected in the second half of 2017 with first production in 2018. The expansion would add about 30,000 ounces per year for the first five years. Capital costs for the project are estimated at between $10 and $20 million.

Outlook

Newmont’s outlook reflects steady gold production and ongoing investment in its current assets and best growth prospects. Newmont does not include potential cost and efficiency improvements in its outlook beyond 2017, nor does it include development projects that have not yet been funded or reached the execution stage – both of which represent upside to guidance. Economic assumptions include $1,200 per ounce gold, $2.25 per pound copper, $55 per barrel WTI and $0.75 Australian dollar exchange rate. Outlook has been updated to include the Ahafo expansion projects. Newmont continues to review 2017 performance and will re-assess outlook with second quarter results.

Attributable gold production guidance is improved — Outlook for 2017 remains at between 4.9 and 5.4 million ounces as full year production at Merian and Long Canyon more than offsets declines at Twin Creeks and Yanacocha. Production guidance for 2018 and longer-term guidance improves to between 4.7 and 5.2 million ounces with production from the Ahafo expansions offsetting declines at maturing assets. Expansion projects at Yanacocha and Twin Creeks represent upside to both production and cost guidance.

• North America guidance is unchanged. Production guidance remains at between 2.0 and 2.2 million ounces in 2017 with a full year of operation at Long Canyon offsetting the impact of higher planned stripping at Twin Creeks. Guidance is unchanged at between 1.9 and 2.1 million ounces in 2018 and between 1.8 and 2.0 million ounces in 2019 due to planned stripping at Carlin and continued stripping at Twin Creeks. Both sites are expected to return to higher production levels in 2020.
• South America guidance is unchanged. Production guidance remains between 630,000 and 690,000 ounces in 2017 and between 625,000 and 725,000 ounces in 2018 as Merian increases production. Guidance remains at between 500,000 and 600,000 ounces in 2019 due to declining production at Yanacocha and higher stripping at Merian. Quecher Main at Yanacocha represents additional upside currently not captured in guidance. The Company continues to advance oxide and sulfide potential at Yanacocha.
• Australia guidance is unchanged. Production guidance for 2017 and 2018 remains at between 1.5 and 1.7 million ounces and between 1.4 and 1.6 million ounces for 2019 as Boddington stripping results in lower grades before returning to higher production levels in 2020. The Company is studying a further expansion at Tanami which represents additional upside not currently captured in guidance.
• Africa guidance is improved following the inclusion of the Subika Underground and Mill Expansion projects. Production guidance improves to between 725,000 and 785,000 ounces in 2017 and improves to between 750,000 and 850,000 ounces in 2018 as Subika Underground offsets depletion of softer ores and higher grade stockpiles at Akyem. Production is expected to further improve in 2019 to between 1.0 and 1.1 million ounces as Ahafo reaches higher grade ore in the Subika pit and the Ahafo Mill Expansion achieves commercial production.

Gold cost outlook is improved for 2019-2021 – CAS guidance remains unchanged at between $700 and $750 per ounce for 2017, between $700 and $800 per ounce for 2018 and between $650 and $750 per ounce for 2019-2021, before any portfolio improvements expected through the Full Potential program. AISC guidance for 2017 and 2018 is unchanged at between $940 and $1,000 per ounce and between $950 and $1,050 per ounce, respectively, excluding further cost and efficiency improvements. Longer-term AISC guidance is improved to between $870 and $970 per ounce as increased production from Ahafo – combined with ongoing productivity, cost and capital improvements – is expected to more than offset inflation and partially counter the effects of lower grades.

• North America cost guidance is unchanged. CAS per ounce guidance remains at between $705 and $755 in 2017 and between $750 and $850 in both 2018 and 2019. AISC per ounce guidance remains at between $905 and $980 in 2017, between $950 and $1,050 in 2018 and between $930 and $1,030 in 2019, as a result of planned stripping at Carlin combined with lower grades at Twin Creeks and CC&V.
• South America cost guidance is unchanged. CAS per ounce guidance remains at between $675 and $725 in 2017, between $650 and $750 in 2018 and between $575 and $675 in 2019. AISC per ounce guidance is unchanged at between $880 and $980 in 2017, between $850 and $950 in 2018 and between $810 and $910 in 2019. Costs decrease as lower cost production from Merian replaces higher cost production from Yanacocha. Yanacocha reaches higher grade ore in Tapado Oeste in 2019.
• Australia cost guidance is unchanged. CAS per ounce guidance remains at between $660 and $710 in 2017 and at between $675 and $775 in both 2018 and 2019. AISC per ounce guidance is unchanged at between $820 and $880 in 2017 and between $850 and $950 in both 2018 and 2019. Higher costs are due to lower grades as a result of stripping at Boddington, lower grades at Tanami, and treatment of additional lower grade stockpile ore at Kalgoorlie in 2019.
• Africa cost guidance for 2018 is improved following the inclusion of the Subika Underground and Mill Expansion projects. CAS per ounce guidance is unchanged at between $780 and $830 in 2017, between $800 and $900 in 2018 and between $475 and $575 in 2019. AISC per ounce guidance is unchanged in 2017 at between $950 and $1,010, improved in 2018 to between $960 and $1,060 and remains unchanged in 2019 at between $680 and $780 in 2019. Medium term costs increase due to Akyem processing harder, lower-grade ore, which is more than offset as the Subika Underground mine achieves production in 2018, and higher-grade ore is reached in the Subika open pit in 2019.

Copper — Together, Boddington and Phoenix are expected to produce between 40,000 and 60,000 tonnes of copper per year, unchanged from previous guidance. Overall cost guidance remains unchanged; CAS guidance remains at between $1.45 and $1.65 per pound and AISC guidance remains at between $1.85 and $2.05 per pound. Longer term cost guidance is unchanged; CAS guidance remains at between $1.50 and $1.90 per pound and AISC guidance remains at between $1.85 and $2.15 per pound.

Capital — Capital guidance for 2017 is increased to between $900 million and $1.1 billion, covering the remaining capital for the Northwest Exodus and Tanami Expansion projects and the initial capital for Subika Underground and the Ahafo Mill Expansion. Capital guidance for 2018 is increased to between $900 million and $1.0 billion and 2019 guidance is increased to between $630 million and $730 million. 2017 and longer-term sustaining capital outlook of between $600 and $700 million is unchanged from prior guidance. Newmont expects to reach development decisions on the Quecher Main and Twin Underground projects in the second half of this year. These projects are currently excluded from outlook.

^a2017 Outlook in the table above are considered “forward-looking statements” and are based upon certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, metal prices, oil prices, certain exchange rates and other assumptions. For example, 2017 Outlook assumes $1,200/oz Au, $2.25/lb Cu, $0.75 USD/AUD exchange rate and $55/barrel WTI; AISC and CAS estimates do not include inflation, for the remainder of the year. Production, AISC and capital estimates exclude projects that have not yet been approved, (Quecher Main, Twin Underground). The potential impact on inventory valuation as a result of lower prices, input costs, and project decisions are not included as part of this Outlook. Such assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. See cautionary note at the end of the release.
^bAll-in sustaining costs or AISC as used in the Company’s Outlook is a non-GAAP metric defined as the sum of costs applicable to sales (including all direct and indirect costs related to current gold production incurred to execute on the current mine plan), reclamation costs (including operating accretion and amortization of asset retirement costs), G&A, exploration expense, advanced projects and R&D, treatment and refining costs, other expense, net of one-time adjustments and sustaining capital. See reconciliation at the end of the release.
^cIncludes Lone Tree operations.
^dIncludes TRJV operations.
^eConsolidated production for Yanacocha and Merian is presented on a total production basis for the mine site; attributable production represents a 51.35% interest for Yanacocha and a 75% interest for Merian.
^fBoth consolidated and attributable production are shown on a pro-rata basis with a 50% ownership for Kalgoorlie.
^gProduction outlook does not include equity production from stakes in TMAC (29.0%) or La Zanja (46.94%).
^hConsolidated expense outlook is adjusted to exclude extraordinary items. For example, the tax rate outlook above is a consolidated adjusted rate, which assumes the exclusion of certain tax valuation allowance adjustments.

(1) Excludes Depreciation and amortization and Reclamation and remediation.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meaning prescribed by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Unless otherwise noted, we present the Non-GAAP financial measures of our continuing operations in the tables below. For additional information regarding our discontinued operations, see Note 3 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Adjusted net income (loss)

Management uses Adjusted net income (loss) to evaluate the Company’s operating performance and for planning and forecasting future business operations. The Company believes the use of Adjusted net income (loss) allows investors and analysts to understand the results of the continuing operations of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries relating to the sale of products, by excluding certain items that have a disproportionate impact on our results for a particular period. Adjustments to continuing operations are presented before tax and net of our partners’ noncontrolling interests, when applicable. The tax effect of adjustments is presented in the Tax effect of adjustments line and is generally calculated using the Company’s statutory effective tax rate of 35%. Management’s determination of the components of Adjusted net income (loss) are evaluated periodically and based, in part, on a review of non-GAAP financial measures used by mining industry analysts. Net income (loss) attributable to Newmont stockholders is reconciled to Adjusted net income (loss) as follows:

Earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization and Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization

Management uses Earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and EBITDA adjusted for non-core or certain items that have a disproportionate impact on our results for a particular period (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as non-GAAP measures to evaluate the Company’s operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent, and should not be considered an alternative to, net income (loss), operating income (loss), or cash flow from operations as those terms are defined by GAAP, and do not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. Although Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are frequently used as measures of operations and the ability to meet debt service requirements by other companies, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to such other similarly titled captions of other companies. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Management’s determination of the components of Adjusted EBITDA are evaluated periodically and based, in part, on a review of non-GAAP financial measures used by mining industry analysts. Net income (loss) attributable to Newmont stockholders is reconciled to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as follows:

Free Cash Flow

Management uses Free Cash Flow as a non-GAAP measure to analyze cash flows generated from operations. Free Cash Flow is Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations less Additions to property, plant and mine development as presented on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company believes Free Cash Flow is also useful as one of the bases for comparing the Company’s performance with its competitors. Although Free Cash Flow and similar measures are frequently used as measures of cash flows generated from operations by other companies, the Company’s calculation of Free Cash Flow is not necessarily comparable to such other similarly titled captions of other companies.

The presentation of non-GAAP Free Cash Flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income as an indicator of the Company’s performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity as those terms are defined by GAAP, and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. The Company’s definition of Free Cash Flow is limited in that it does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures due to the fact that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other contractual obligations or payments made for business acquisitions. Therefore, the Company believes it is important to view Free Cash Flow as a measure that provides supplemental information to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, to Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, which the Company believes to be the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to Free Cash Flow, as well as information regarding Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities and Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.

Costs applicable to sales per ounce/pound

Costs applicable to sales per ounce/pound are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are calculated by dividing the costs applicable to sales of gold and copper by gold ounces or copper pounds sold, respectively. These measures are calculated for the periods presented on a consolidated basis. Costs applicable to sales per ounce/pound statistics are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP. Other companies may calculate these measures differently.

The following tables reconcile these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

Costs applicable to sales per ounce

(1) Includes by-product credits of $10 and $9 during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Costs applicable to sales per pound

(1) Includes by-product credits of $1 and $1 during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

All-In Sustaining Costs

Newmont has worked to develop a metric that expands on GAAP measures, such as cost of goods sold, and non-GAAP measures, such as Costs applicable to sales per ounce, to provide visibility into the economics of our mining operations related to expenditures, operating performance and the ability to generate cash flow from our continuing operations.

Current GAAP-measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of goods sold, do not capture all of the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain production. Therefore, we believe that all-in sustaining costs is a non-GAAP measure that provides additional information to management, investors, and analysts that aid in the understanding of the economics of our operations and performance compared to other producers and in the investor’s visibility by better defining the total costs associated with production.

All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) amounts are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP. Other companies may calculate these measures differently as a result of differences in the underlying accounting principles, policies applied and in accounting frameworks such as in International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), or by reflecting the benefit from selling non-gold metals as a reduction to AISC. Differences may also arise related to definitional differences of sustaining versus development capital activities based upon each company’s internal policies.

The following disclosure provides information regarding the adjustments made in determining the all-in sustaining costs measure:

Costs applicable to sales. Includes all direct and indirect costs related to current production incurred to execute the current mine plan. We exclude certain exceptional or unusual amounts from Costs applicable to sales (“CAS”), such as significant revisions to recovery amounts. CAS includes by-product credits from certain metals obtained during the process of extracting and processing the primary ore-body. CAS is accounted for on an accrual basis and excludes Depreciation and amortization and Reclamation and remediation, which is consistent with our presentation of CAS on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In determining AISC, only the CAS associated with producing and selling an ounce of gold is included in the measure. Therefore, the amount of gold CAS included in AISC is derived from the CAS presented in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations less the amount of CAS attributable to the production of copper at our Phoenix and Boddington mines. The copper CAS at those mine sites is disclosed in Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The allocation of CAS between gold and copper at the Phoenix and Boddington mines is based upon the relative sales value of gold and copper produced during the period.

Reclamation costs. Includes accretion expense related to Asset Retirement Obligation (“ARO”) and the amortization of the related Asset Retirement Cost (“ARC”) for the Company’s operating properties. Accretion related to the ARO and the amortization of the ARC assets for reclamation does not reflect annual cash outflows but are calculated in accordance with GAAP. The accretion and amortization reflect the periodic costs of reclamation associated with current production and are therefore included in the measure. The allocation of these costs to gold and copper is determined using the same allocation used in the allocation of CAS between gold and copper at the Phoenix and Boddington mines.

Advanced projects, research and development and exploration. Includes incurred expenses related to projects that are designed to increase or enhance current production and exploration. We note that as current resources are depleted, exploration and advanced projects are necessary for us to replace the depleting reserves or enhance the recovery and processing of the current reserves. As this relates to sustaining our production, and is considered a continuing cost of a mining company, these costs are included in the AISC measure. These costs are derived from the Advanced projects, research and development and Exploration amounts presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations less the amount attributable to the production of copper at our Phoenix and Boddington mines. The allocation of these costs to gold and copper is determined using the same allocation used in the allocation of CAS between gold and copper at the Phoenix and Boddington mines.

General and administrative. Includes costs related to administrative tasks not directly related to current production, but rather related to support our corporate structure and fulfill our obligations to operate as a public company. Including these expenses in the AISC metric provides visibility of the impact that general and administrative activities have on current operations and profitability on a per ounce basis.

Other expense, net. Includes administrative costs to support current gold production. We exclude certain exceptional or unusual expenses from Other expense, net, such as restructuring, as these are not indicative to sustaining our current operations. Furthermore, this adjustment to Other expense, net is also consistent with the nature of the adjustments made to Net income (loss) attributable to Newmont stockholders as disclosed in the Company’s non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted net income (loss). The allocation of these costs to gold and copper is determined using the same allocation used in the allocation of CAS between gold and copper at the Phoenix and Boddington mines.

Treatment and refining costs. Includes costs paid to smelters for treatment and refining of our concentrates to produce the salable metal. These costs are presented net as a reduction of Sales on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Sustaining capital. We determined sustaining capital as those capital expenditures that are necessary to maintain current production and execute the current mine plan. Capital expenditures to develop new operations, or related to projects at existing operations where these projects will enhance production or reserves, are generally considered development. We determined the classification of sustaining and development capital projects based on a systematic review of our project portfolio in light of the nature of each project. Sustaining capital costs are relevant to the AISC metric as these are needed to maintain the Company’s current operations and provide improved transparency related to our ability to finance these expenditures from current operations. The allocation of these costs to gold and copper is determined using the same allocation used in the allocation of CAS between gold and copper at the Phoenix and Boddington mines.