Microsoft Word - Southern Copper 1Q16 Press Release and Condensed Financial Statements - Final RESULTS

FIRST QUARTER 2016

Investor Relations:

Raul Jacob (602) 264-1375

southerncopper@southernperu.com.pe www.southerncoppercorp.com

April 27, 2016 - Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE and BVL: SCCO)

  • Copper mine production increased 24.8% in the first quarter of 2016 ("1Q16") to 221,661 tons, a new Company record, from 177,616 tons in 1Q15, mainly as a result of higher production at the Buenavista mine in Sonora, which increased production by 43,898 tons (+67.6%).

    • By-product production: Mined silver production increased by 25.7% in 1Q16 compared with 1Q15 mainly due to higher production at the Buenavista mine. Mined zinc production was 18,028 tons in the 1Q16, 18.6% higher than 1Q15 production as prior year problems at the Charcas and Santa Eulalia mines were resolved. Molybdenum production decreased by 4.9% to 5,571 tons in 1Q16 from 5,856 tons in 1Q15, principally due to lower production at the Toquepala mine (-18.6%), a result of lower grades and recoveries.

    • Operating cash cost per pound of copper net of by-product credits, was $0.98 in 1Q16, a decrease of 23.5% compared to $1.28 in 4Q15, thus consolidating the Company as the lowest cash cost producer in the Industry.

    • Net revenues: We achieved record sales volume of copper (+26.2%) and silver (+25.0%) in 1Q16 compared to 1Q15 mainly from our expansion at Buenavista. The positive effect on net sales of these higher volumes were offset by lower metal prices for copper (-19.7%), molybdenum (-37.3%), zinc (-19.1%) and silver (-11.0%). Therefore, net sales in 1Q16 were $1,245.1 million, only 2.3% lower than 1Q15 net sales of $1,274.8 million.

    • EBITDA in 1Q16 was $481.0 million, 13.5% lower than the $556.1 million of EBITDA in 1Q15. EBITDA margin was 38.6% in 1Q16, positively influenced by the higher sales volume and unit cost reduction.

    • Net income in 1Q16 was $185.1 million (14.9% of net sales), 34.5% lower than net income of $282.4 million (22.2% of net sales) in the 1Q15. This decrease was due to lower metal prices.

    • Capital investments were $223.3 million for 1Q16, 10.2% lower than in 1Q15, and represented 120.6% of net income. In 2016, we continue the development of our investment program to increase copper production capacity by 90% from our 2013 production level of 617,000 tons to 1.2 million tons.

    • Dividends: On April 21, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a dividend of $0.05 per share payable on May 24, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 10, 2016.

1Q16

1Q15

Variance

Variance 1Q16 vs 4Q15

$

%

$

%

(in millions except per share amount and %s)

Commenting on the Company's results and outlook, Mr. German Larrea, Chairman of the Board, said "We are pleased to inform that our new Buenavista concentrator is now operating at 93% of capacity, and with this we have almost completed our two main expansion projects in Mexico (SXEW III and Concentrator II). In Peru, we are moving forward with the Toquepala expansion project, which has a 40% progress. Thanks to our expansion program, as well as the continuous cost control initiatives, the Company unit cost is consistently decreasing, improving Southern Copper competitive capacity and cash generation. Even in this low price environment we are in an extremely solid position to keep moving forward with our investment program which I am confident will greatly benefit all our stakeholders."

Sales

$1,245.1

$1,274.8

$(29.7)

(2.3)%

$(9.5)

(0.8)%

Cost of sales

726.8

679.8

47.0

6.9%

(143.4)

(16.5)%

Operating income

346.2

436.9

(90.7)

(20.8)%

158.8

84.7%

Environmental remediation

-

5.9

(5.9)

(100.0)%

(21.5)

(100.0)%

EBITDA

481.0

556.1

(75.1)

(13.5)%

150.9

45.7%

EBITDA margin

38.6%

43.6%

(5.0)%

11.5pp

12.3%

46.8pp

Net income

$185.1

$282.4

$(97.3)

(34.5)%

$124.3

204.4%

Net income margin

14.9%

22.2%

(7.3)%

(32.9)pp

10.1%

210.4pp

Income per share

$ 0.24

$ 0.35

$(0.11)

(31.4)%

$ 0.16

200.0%

Capital investments

$223.3

$248.7

$(25.4)

(10.2)%

$(80.4)

(26.5)%

Capital Investments

Mexican Projects

Buenavista Projects - Sonora, Mexico: Of the $3.5 billion of this investment program, the Company has already invested

$3.0 billion. Excluding the Quebalix project and some infrastructure facilities, all the other facilities of this program are currently operating and we are expecting to increase production by 200,000 tons to produce 460,000 tons of copper in 2016 and 500,000 tons in 2017. We also expect to increase our molybdenum production by 42% to roughly 4,600 tons per year. The Buenavista program is being finished under budget.

Mine Expansion: to date we have received sixty-one 400-ton capacity trucks, seven shovels and eight drills required for the mine expansion; with an investment of $510.9 million. All these assets are currently in operation.

New Copper-Molybdenum Concentrator: This facility has an annual production capacity of 188,000 tons of copper and 2,600 tons of molybdenum. The project will also produce 2.3 million ounces of silver and 21,000 ounces of gold per year. The new concentrator is completing its ramping-up phase with its 6 mills already in operation. In September 2015, we obtained the first copper concentrate lot and the plant is now running at 93% capacity. Due to the promising initial results, it is expected to gradually increase production until the plant reaches full capacity by the 2Q16. The project has a 99% progress.

Crushing, Conveying and Spreading System for Leachable Ore (Quebalix IV): This project's main objective is to reduce processing time as well as mining and hauling costs. It will also increase production by improving SX-EW copper recovery. It has a crushing and conveying capacity of 80 million tons per year and is expected to be completed by the

2Q16. As of March 31, 2016, the project has a 94% progress with an investment of $226.0 million out of the approved capital budget of $340 million.

The remaining projects to complete the $3.5 billion budgeted program include important investments in infrastructure (power lines and substations, water supply, tailings dam, mine equipment shops, internal roads, etc.).

Peruvian Projects

Toquepala Expansion Project - Tacna, Peru: This project includes a new-state-of-the-art concentrator which will increase annual production capacity by 100,000 tons of copper to 235,000 tons in 2018, and will also increase molybdenum production by 3,100 tons at an estimated capital cost of $1.2 billion. Through March 31, 2016, we have invested $405.7 million in the project. The project is expected to be completed by the 1Q18.

Energy Supply contract in Peru: To ensure energy supply for this expansion and our operations, we have reached a power purchase agreement at a very competitive cost. This agreement will allow us to ensure the necessary energy in terms of quantity, quality and cost with a third party that will assume the risks of operation and electricity generation, allowing us to concentrate in the mining operation which is our core business.

Toquepala High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) system: The main objective of this project is to ensure the concentrator will operate at its maximum capacity of 60,000 tons per day, even with an increase of the ore material hardness index. Additionally, recoveries will be improved with a better ore crushing. The budget for this project is $40 million and we have invested $7.1 million as of March 31, 2016. It is expected to be completed by the 4Q17.

Cuajone´s Heavy Mineral Management Optimizing Project - Moquegua, Peru: The project consists of installing a primary crusher at the Cuajone mine pit with a conveyor system for moving the ore to the concentrator. The project aims to optimize the hauling process by replacing rail haulage, thereby reducing operating and maintenance costs as well as the environmental impact of the Cuajone mine. The crusher will have a processing capacity of 43.8 million tons per year. The main components, including the crusher and the overland belt, have been acquired and we have started the preparation of the land and civil works. As of March 31, 2016, we have invested $85.0 million in this project out of the approved capital budget of $165.5 million. The project is expected to be completed by the 1Q17.

Conference Call

The Company's first quarter earnings conference call will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016, beginning at 11:30 AM - EST (10:30 AM Lima and Mexico City time).

To participate:

Dial-in number: 888-771-4371 in the U.S.

847-585-4405 outside the U.S.

Raul Jacob, SCC Vice President of Finance & CFO

Conference ID: 42449975 and "Southern Copper Corporation First Quarter 2016 Earnings Results"

Southern Copper Corporation issued this content on 27 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 27 April 2016 23:47:28 UTC

Original Document: http://www.southernperu.com/ENG/invrel/INFDLPressRelease/pr169427.pdf