e10vq
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
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þ
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2005 |
Commission file number 1-1143
Inco Limited
(Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Canada
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
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98-0000676
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
145 King Street West, Suite 1500, Toronto, Ontario
M5H 4B7*
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip
code)
(416) 361-7511
(Telephone number)
The Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the Act) during the preceding twelve months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
The Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 under the Act).
Unless otherwise stated, dollar amounts in this Report are
expressed in United States currency.
Common Shares outstanding at June 30, 2005: 189,112,817
shares, no par value.
* Notices and communications from the Securities and Exchange
Commission may be sent to S.F. Feiner, Executive Vice-President,
General Counsel and Secretary, 145 King Street West,
Suite 1500, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4B7. His telephone
number is (416) 361-7680.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page No. | |
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PART I FINANCIAL
INFORMATION |
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2 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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20 |
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32 |
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33 |
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PART II OTHER
INFORMATION |
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34 |
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35 |
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35 |
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31.1. Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the
U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
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31.2. Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the
Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the
U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
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32.1. Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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EXHIBIT 31.1 |
EXHIBIT 31.2 |
EXHIBIT 32.1 |
1
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended | |
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Six Months Ended | |
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June 30, | |
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June 30, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(Restated) | |
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(Restated) | |
(in millions of United States dollars except per share
amounts)
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Revenues
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Net sales
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$ |
1,194 |
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$ |
992 |
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$ |
2,315 |
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$ |
2,086 |
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Other income, net (Note 3)
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2 |
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10 |
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3 |
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15 |
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1,196 |
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1,002 |
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2,318 |
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2,101 |
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Costs and expenses (income)
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Cost of sales and other expenses, excluding depreciation and
depletion
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616 |
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580 |
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1,219 |
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1,137 |
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Depreciation and depletion
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64 |
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62 |
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125 |
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119 |
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Selling, general and administrative
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49 |
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41 |
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92 |
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75 |
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Research and development
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7 |
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7 |
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14 |
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16 |
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Exploration
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11 |
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6 |
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20 |
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12 |
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Currency translation adjustments
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1 |
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(18 |
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(4 |
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(33 |
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Interest expense
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5 |
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9 |
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12 |
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20 |
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Asset impairment charge (Note 4)
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25 |
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201 |
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25 |
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201 |
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Goro project suspension
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3 |
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(3 |
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778 |
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891 |
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1,503 |
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1,544 |
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Earnings before income and mining taxes and minority interest
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418 |
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111 |
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815 |
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557 |
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Income and mining taxes (Note 5)
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166 |
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103 |
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248 |
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261 |
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Earnings before minority interest
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252 |
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8 |
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567 |
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296 |
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Minority interest (Note 16)
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37 |
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22 |
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39 |
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56 |
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Net earnings (loss)
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$ |
215 |
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$ |
(14 |
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$ |
528 |
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$ |
240 |
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Net earnings (loss) per common share (Note 8)
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Basic
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$ |
1.14 |
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$ |
(0.07 |
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$ |
2.80 |
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$ |
1.28 |
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Diluted
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$ |
0.98 |
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$ |
(0.07 |
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$ |
2.41 |
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$ |
1.20 |
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See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings (Deficit)
(Unaudited)
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Six Months Ended | |
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June 30, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(Restated) | |
(in millions of United States dollars)
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Retained earnings (deficit) at beginning of period, as
previously reported
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$ |
397 |
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$ |
(206 |
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Change in accounting policy (Note 2)
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(7 |
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(9 |
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Retained earnings (deficit) at beginning of year, as restated
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390 |
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(215 |
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Net earnings
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528 |
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240 |
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Common dividends paid
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(19 |
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Retained earnings at end of period
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$ |
899 |
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$ |
25 |
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See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
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June 30, | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(Restated) | |
(in millions of United States dollars)
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ASSETS |
Current assets
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Cash and cash equivalents (Note 14)
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$ |
1,173 |
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$ |
1,076 |
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Accounts receivable
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556 |
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601 |
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Inventories (Note 14)
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901 |
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834 |
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Other
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114 |
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63 |
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Total current assets
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2,744 |
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2,574 |
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Property, plant and equipment (Note 14)
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7,917 |
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7,587 |
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Deferred charges and other assets
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630 |
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576 |
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Total assets
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$ |
11,291 |
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$ |
10,737 |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities
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Long-term debt due within one year (Notes 2 and 9)
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$ |
113 |
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$ |
107 |
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Accounts payable
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298 |
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331 |
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Accrued payrolls and benefits
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193 |
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208 |
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Other accrued liabilities
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424 |
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399 |
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Income and mining taxes payable
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112 |
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279 |
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Total current liabilities
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1,140 |
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1,324 |
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Deferred credits and other liabilities
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Long-term debt (Notes 2 and 9)
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1,727 |
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1,761 |
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Deferred income and mining taxes
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1,867 |
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1,891 |
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Post-retirement benefits
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679 |
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671 |
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Asset retirement obligation (Note 7)
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179 |
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171 |
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Other deferred credits
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|
74 |
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58 |
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Total liabilities
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5,666 |
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5,876 |
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Minority interest (Note 16)
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750 |
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529 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
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Shareholders equity
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Convertible debt (Notes 2 and 10)
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418 |
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418 |
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Common shareholders equity
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Common shares issued and outstanding 189,112,817
(2004 188,133,439 shares) (Note 8)
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2,920 |
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2,891 |
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Warrants (Note 11)
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62 |
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62 |
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Contributed surplus (Note 15)
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576 |
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571 |
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Retained earnings
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|
899 |
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|
390 |
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4,457 |
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3,914 |
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Total shareholders equity
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4,875 |
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4,332 |
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Total liabilities and shareholders equity
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$ |
11,291 |
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$ |
10,737 |
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See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended | |
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Six Months Ended | |
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June 30, | |
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June 30, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
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(Restated) | |
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(Restated) | |
(in millions of United States dollars)
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Operating activities
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Earnings before minority interest
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$ |
252 |
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$ |
8 |
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$ |
567 |
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$ |
296 |
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Items not affecting cash
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Depreciation and depletion
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|
64 |
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|
62 |
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|
125 |
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|
119 |
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|
Deferred income and mining taxes
|
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|
10 |
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|
23 |
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|
5 |
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|
37 |
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Asset impairment charge
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|
25 |
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|
201 |
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|
25 |
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|
201 |
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Other
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|
14 |
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8 |
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|
26 |
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|
14 |
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Contributions greater than post-retirement benefits expense
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(5 |
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(5 |
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(19 |
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(10 |
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Decrease (increase) in non-cash working capital related to
operations
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Accounts receivable
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|
57 |
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|
5 |
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|
45 |
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(54 |
) |
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Inventories
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(11 |
) |
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|
4 |
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|
(67 |
) |
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|
(93 |
) |
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
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|
(29 |
) |
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|
(24 |
) |
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|
14 |
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|
18 |
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|
Income and mining taxes payable
|
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|
68 |
|
|
|
66 |
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|
(157 |
) |
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|
234 |
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Other
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|
(23 |
) |
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|
(9 |
) |
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(51 |
) |
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|
(43 |
) |
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Net cash provided by operating activities
|
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|
422 |
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|
|
339 |
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|
513 |
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|
719 |
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Investing activities
|
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|
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Capital expenditures
|
|
|
(279 |
) |
|
|
(156 |
) |
|
|
(505 |
) |
|
|
(295 |
) |
|
Partial sale of interest in Goro Nickel S.A.S.
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
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|
(3 |
) |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Net cash used for investing activities
|
|
|
(132 |
) |
|
|
(148 |
) |
|
|
(358 |
) |
|
|
(315 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayments of long-term debt
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
(48 |
) |
|
Long-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares issued
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
Common dividends paid
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to minority interest
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
Other
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used for financing activities
|
|
|
(45 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
(48 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
245 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
356 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
928 |
|
|
|
596 |
|
|
|
1,076 |
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$ |
1,173 |
|
|
$ |
774 |
|
|
$ |
1,173 |
|
|
$ |
774 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in millions of United States dollars except
number of shares and per share amounts)
|
|
Note 1. |
Basis of Presentation |
The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) in Canada (see Note 17 for
significant differences between Canadian GAAP and United States
GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with
the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of
results for the periods reported have been included. These
adjustments consist only of normal recurring adjustments.
Results of operations for the three-month and six-month periods
ended June 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the
results that may be expected for the year ending
December 31, 2005 or any other interim period. These
interim consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004.
|
|
Note 2. |
Changes in Accounting Policies |
Convertible
Debentures
Effective January 1, 2005, on a retroactive basis, we
adopted revisions to Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
(CICA) Section 3860, Financial Instruments
Disclosure and Presentation. The revisions relate to the
accounting for instruments for which the issuer has the right to
settle in cash or its own shares. Such an instrument is
bifurcated between debt and equity in accordance with this
revised standard. This change impacted the accounting treatment
for our LYON Notes, Convertible Debentures due 2023
(Convertible Debentures) and
31/2%
Subordinated Convertible Debentures due 2052 (Subordinated
Debentures) which were previously treated as equity in
accordance with EIC-71, Financial Instruments that may be
Settled at the Issuers Option in Cash or its own Equity
Instruments. Consistent with this change, we record interest
expense in lieu of accretion charges with respect to these
convertible debt securities. The impact on our balance sheet as
at December 31, 2004 was an increase in long-term debt of
$210 million, an increase in deferred income and mining
taxes of $11 million, a decrease in convertible debt
classified as equity of $201 million, an increase in
deferred charges of $7 million and a reduction in retained
earnings of $13 million. In addition, as the revisions
resulted in the retroactive restatement of our interest expense,
there was an increase in the amount of interest capitalized in
respect of our development projects. The impact in respect of
the adjustment to capitalized interest was an increase in
property, plant and equipment of $7 million; an increase in
deferred income and mining taxes of $1 million and an
increase in retained earnings of $6 million.
The bifurcation was determined by calculating the fair value of
debt and assigning the excess to equity. The excess relates to
the value of the conversion feature and put options applicable
to the particular convertible debt security. The fair value
determination assumes that the particular convertible debt
security will mature and be payable in accordance with its
applicable maturity date or the end of its stated term, which
term ends, in the case of our LYON Notes, in March 2021, in
March 2023 in the case of our Convertible Debentures, and in
March 2052 for our Subordinated Debentures. During January 2005,
the Emerging Issues Committee (EIC) of the CICA issued guidance
on the methodology for bifurcating the securities. This guidance
was subsequently retracted in February 2005. We understand that
the EIC plans to consider further this issue and that a change
in the methodology for bifurcating our convertible debt
securities may be necessary in the future. If, for example, we
bifurcated our convertible debt securities assuming a period
ending prior to their maturity date, the impact would be a
greater allocation to debt than equity. At such time as there is
a new pronouncement from the EIC, we will evaluate the need for
change, if any, in such bifurcation and any other requirements.
6
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Recent Accounting
Pronouncements
In January 2005, the CICA issued three new standards relating to
financial instruments. These standards are as follows:
|
|
(a) |
Financial Instruments Recognition and
Measurement, Section 3855 |
This standard prescribes when a financial asset, financial
liability, or non-financial derivative is to be recognized on
the balance sheet and at what amount sometimes using
fair value; other times using cost-based measures. It also
specifies how financial instrument gains and losses are to be
presented.
This standard is applicable whenever a company chooses to
designate a hedging relationship for accounting purposes. It
builds on existing Accounting Guideline AcG-13
Hedging Relationships, and Section 1650
Foreign Currency Translation, by specifying how hedge
accounting is applied and what disclosures are necessary when it
is applied.
|
|
(c) |
Comprehensive Income, Section 1530 |
This standard introduces new rules for the reporting and display
of comprehensive income. Comprehensive income, which we
currently report for United States GAAP, is the change in equity
(net assets) of an enterprise during a reporting period from
transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner
sources. It includes all changes in equity during a period
except those resulting from investments by owners and
distributions to owners.
These standards are applicable for fiscal years beginning on or
after October 1, 2006. If a company elects to early adopt
such standards the early adoption election must be applied to
all three standards at the same time. We are currently reviewing
the impact of these new standards.
|
|
Note 3. |
Other Income, net |
Other income, net is comprised of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Interest and dividend income
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
Earnings from affiliates accounted for using the equity method
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
Losses from derivative positions in metals
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
Gains from sales of securities and other assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Other
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 4. |
Asset Impairment Charge |
During the second quarter of 2005, we announced that we had
entered into a long-term agreement with Falconbridge Limited
under which we would sell all of our copper production from our
Ontario operations in anode form to them beginning in 2006. In
connection with this decision, a pre-tax impairment charge of
$25 million was recorded which primarily relates to a
reduction in the carrying value of our copper refining facility
in Sudbury, Ontario since this facility will be closed by the
end of 2005.
7
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
During the second quarter of 2004, we announced the preliminary
findings reached to that date as part of the second phase, or
Phase 2, of the comprehensive review of our then approximately
85 per cent-owned Goro nickel-cobalt project in New
Caledonia. We also announced that the principal changes in the
planned Goro project configuration resulting from such findings
as part of Phase 2 of our review, moving from indirect to direct
heating of ore feed and other changes intended to reduce the
capital cost estimate and enhance the operating efficiency of
the planned process plant and the process itself, would result
in certain assets being written off in the second quarter of
2004. Following our review of the affected assets, we recorded a
non-cash pre-tax charge of $201 million in the second
quarter of 2004. The affected assets were primarily comprised of
engineering and related work associated with the original
project configuration and equipment purchased for the indirect
heating of ore feed which no longer had future benefit to the
Goro project or otherwise.
|
|
Note 5. |
Income and Mining Taxes |
The reconciliation between taxes at the combined
federal-provincial statutory income tax rate in Canada and the
effective income and mining tax rates was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
Provision at combined Canadian federal-provincial statutory
income tax rate
|
|
$ |
162 |
|
|
$ |
44 |
|
|
$ |
316 |
|
|
$ |
222 |
|
Resource and depletion allowances
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted income taxes
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
184 |
|
Mining taxes
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
321 |
|
|
|
223 |
|
Currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
Currency translation adjustments on long-term debt
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
Non-taxable (gains) losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
66 |
|
Tax rate changes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
Foreign tax rate differences
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
(22 |
) |
Prior year adjustments
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective income and mining taxes
|
|
$ |
166 |
|
|
$ |
103 |
|
|
$ |
248 |
|
|
$ |
261 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 6. |
Post-retirement Benefits |
Employer contributions in respect of our defined benefit plans
during the second quarter and first six months of 2005 were
$39 million (2004: $38 million) and $85 million
(2004: $75 million), respectively. For the year ending
December 31, 2005, we currently expect that such employer
contributions, including voluntary contributions, will amount to
at least approximately $170 million.
8
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Post-retirement benefits expense included the following
components:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-retirement | |
|
|
|
Post-retirement | |
|
|
|
|
Benefits Other | |
|
Pension | |
|
Benefits Other | |
|
|
Pension Benefits | |
|
than Pensions | |
|
Benefits | |
|
than Pensions | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, | |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Service cost
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
(40 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
(82 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of actuarial and investment losses
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Amortization of unrecognized prior service costs
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefits other than
pensions expense
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
Defined contribution pension expense
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-retirement benefits expense
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
28 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
57 |
|
|
$ |
55 |
|
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 7. |
Asset Retirement Obligation |
The following table shows the movement in the long-term
liability for our asset retirement obligation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount | |
|
|
| |
December 31, 2004.
|
|
$ |
171 |
|
Accretion expense
|
|
|
4 |
|
Revisions in estimated cash flows
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005.
|
|
$ |
179 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 8. |
Common Shares and Earnings per Common Share |
We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares
without nominal or par value. Changes in Common Shares were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
Amount | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
188,133,439 |
|
|
$ |
2,891 |
|
Options exercised
|
|
|
914,094 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
Warrants exercised
|
|
|
3,586 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued under incentive plan
|
|
|
61,698 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Transfer from contributed surplus in respect of options exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Transfer from accrued liabilities in respect of stock
appreciation rights exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005.
|
|
|
189,112,817 |
|
|
$ |
2,920 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share was as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share computation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
215 |
|
|
$ |
(14 |
) |
|
$ |
528 |
|
|
$ |
240 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
|
|
|
189,023 |
|
|
|
187,472 |
|
|
|
188,710 |
|
|
|
187,347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
$ |
1.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share computation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
215 |
|
|
$ |
(14 |
) |
|
$ |
528 |
|
|
$ |
240 |
|
|
Dilutive effect of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible debt
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) applicable to common shares, assuming
dilution
|
|
$ |
219 |
|
|
$ |
(14 |
) |
|
$ |
536 |
|
|
$ |
242 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
|
|
|
189,023 |
|
|
|
187,472 |
|
|
|
188,710 |
|
|
|
187,347 |
|
|
Dilutive effect of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible debt
|
|
|
29,078 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,078 |
|
|
|
8,731 |
|
|
|
Stock options
|
|
|
895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
782 |
|
|
|
1,357 |
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
4,025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,908 |
|
|
|
3,836 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution
(in thousands)
|
|
|
223,021 |
|
|
|
187,472 |
|
|
|
222,478 |
|
|
|
201,271 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
|
|
$ |
0.98 |
|
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
2.41 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On May 28, 2004, we concluded a new $750 million
syndicated revolving credit facility with a maturity date of
May 28, 2009. This syndicated facility had replaced several
bilateral bank credit agreements under which we had an aggregate
of $680 million of available credit as of year-end 2003,
where $273 million of such $680 million would have
otherwise expired on June 1, 2004 and the balance in either
June 2005, June 2006 or June 2007. Subject to the approval of
the lenders representing not less than
662/3 per
cent in total commitments under this new syndicated facility,
the maturity date of the syndicated revolving credit facility
may be extended for the commitments of those lenders who have
approved such extension for an additional one-year period on
each May 28 anniversary date, beginning May 28, 2005.
Effective May 28, 2005, all of the lenders under the
$750 million syndicated revolving credit facility agreed to
extend the maturity date of the facility from May 28, 2009
by an additional year to May 28, 2010.
10
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
The borrowings under the facility may be made in either Canadian
dollars in the form of (a) Prime Rate loans (as defined
under the credit facility) or (b) in Bankers
Acceptances (as defined under the credit facility) or in United
States dollars in the form of (i) United States Base Rate
loans (as defined under the credit facility) or (ii) London
Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) loans (as defined under the
credit facility). Borrowings under these facilities bear
interest, when drawn, at a rate which varies based on the type
of borrowing and our credit ratings at the time of borrowing. As
of June 30, 2005, there were no amounts drawn under
the facility.
This syndicated credit facility provides that, so long as
advances are outstanding or any letters of credit or guarantees
issued pursuant to the terms of the facility are outstanding, we
will be required to maintain a ratio of Consolidated
Indebtedness, as defined in the credit facility, to Tangible Net
Worth, as defined in the credit facility, not to exceed 50:50.
At June 30, 2005 the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to
Tangible Net Worth was 25:75. The syndicated facility does not
require any acceleration or prepayment of outstanding balances
if our credit ratings on outstanding debt securities were
downgraded or if there were a significant decline in our
earnings, cash flow or in the price of our publicly traded
common shares or other equity securities. A downgrade in our
rating would, however, increase the interest rate payable on
borrowings under the facility and, conversely, any upgrade in
our rating would reduce the interest rate payable on borrowings.
As of June 30, 2005, our outstanding debt securities were
rated as investment grade by Moodys Investors Service and
Standard & Poors Ratings Services, with the specific
ratings being Baa3 (stable outlook) by Moodys Investors
Service and BBB (positive outlook) by Standard &
Poors.
During the second quarter of 2005, we terminated our interest
rates swaps in respect of our 7.75% Notes due 2012 and our 5.70%
Debentures due 2015. The termination of these swaps resulted in
payments to us totalling approximately $23 million which is
included in cash from financing activities on our consolidated
statement of cash flows for the three months and six months
ended June 30, 2005 under Financing
activities Other. For accounting purposes, the
gain realized from the termination of these swaps will be
amortized over the respective remaining terms of the related
debt instruments.
|
|
Note 10. |
Convertible Debt |
As discussed in Note 2, we have changed our accounting for
our convertible debt securities and have bifurcated these
instruments between debt and equity. The assumption used in the
determination of debt was that each instrument would remain
outstanding until its specific maturity date or the end of its
stated term had been reached. We understand that the EIC of the
CICA is currently deliberating on this issue and a change may be
made if the EIC determines that a different methodology is more
appropriate. At June 30, 2005, the following represents the
split between debt and equity of our convertible debt securities
on our balance sheet:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated | |
|
|
|
|
LYON | |
|
Convertible | |
|
Convertible | |
|
|
|
|
Notes | |
|
Debentures | |
|
Debentures | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Long-term debt, including current portion
|
|
$ |
114 |
|
|
$ |
111 |
|
|
$ |
106 |
|
|
$ |
331 |
|
Equity
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
|
122 |
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
262 |
|
|
$ |
259 |
|
|
$ |
228 |
|
|
$ |
749 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Note 11. Warrants
Changes in warrants were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
Warrants | |
|
Amount | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
11,022,758 |
|
|
$ |
62 |
|
Warrants issued
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants exercised
|
|
|
(3,586 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005.
|
|
|
11,019,283 |
|
|
$ |
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 12. |
Commitments and Contingencies |
The following table summarizes as of June 30, 2005 certain
of our long-term contractual obligations and commercial
commitments for each of the next five years and thereafter:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due in | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
2008 | |
|
2009 | |
|
Thereafter | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Purchase obligations(1)
|
|
$ |
588 |
|
|
$ |
354 |
|
|
$ |
139 |
|
|
$ |
103 |
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
29 |
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
607 |
|
|
$ |
385 |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
|
$ |
114 |
|
|
$ |
98 |
|
|
$ |
122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
These purchase obligations largely relate to the Voiseys
Bay and Goro projects with the balance comprising routine orders
to purchase goods and services at current operating locations
and currently estimated purchases of certain intermediate
products. |
In the course of our operations, we and our subsidiaries are
subject to routine claims and litigation incidental to the
business conducted by us and them, to various environmental
proceedings, and to other litigation related to these
businesses. With respect to the environmental proceedings
currently pending or threatened against us, they include
(1) a proceeding brought under the Ontario class action
legislation covering claims relating to the alleged decline in
property values in a community where we had operated a nickel
refinery over the 1918-1984 period, (2) claims for personal
injury, (3) enforcement actions, (4) alleged
violations of, including exceeding regulatory limits relating to
discharges under, certain environmental or similar laws and
regulations applicable to our operations in Canada and elsewhere
and (5) certain claims dating back a number of years in
which one of our subsidiaries was designated, under the United
States federal environmental law known as Superfund
or CERCLA, as a potentially responsible party. We
believe that the ultimate resolution of such proceedings, claims
and litigation will not significantly impair our operations or
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or
results of operations.
In December 2004, we entered into agreements for the Goro
project covering the Girardin Act tax-advantaged lease financing
program (Girardin Financing) sponsored by the French
Government. The Girardin Financing is subject to a ruling issued
by the French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry (the
Ruling). The Ruling provides that certain investors
who are French qualified investors under the Girardin Financing
(the Tax Investors) may utilize certain tax
deductions in connection with assets representing a portion of
the Goro projects processing plant which are financed by
the Girardin Financing. The Ruling requires that Goro Nickel
12
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
and Inco Limited satisfy certain conditions, including operating
the Goro project for a minimum of five years. In 2004, the Tax
Investors had provided $41 million in tax advances which
were recorded on our balance sheet as a deferred credit since
these advances represent government assistance in the form of a
forgivable loan. We have transferred a portion of this
forgivable loan from a deferred credit to offset property, plant
and equipment in the amount of $17 million, such amount
representing a pro-rata portion of the amount spent to date in
respect of the approved assets under the arrangement.
|
|
Note 13. |
Segment Information |
We are a leading producer of nickel and an important producer of
copper, precious metals and cobalt. Our operations consist of
the finished products segment, which comprises the mining and
processing operations in Ontario and Manitoba, Canada, and
refining operations in the United Kingdom and interests in
refining operations in Japan and other Asian countries, and the
intermediates segment, which comprises the mining and processing
operations in Indonesia, where nickel-in-matte, an intermediate
product, is produced and sold primarily into the Japanese
market. In addition, we hold mineral claims and licenses for
development projects which include our Voiseys Bay
nickel-copper-cobalt project under development in the Province
of Newfoundland and Labrador and our Goro nickel-cobalt project
in the French overseas territorial community (collectivité
territoriale) of New Caledonia.
Data by operating segments as of and for the periods indicated
was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finished | |
|
|
|
Development | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products | |
|
Intermediates | |
|
Projects | |
|
Eliminations | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
Net sales to customers
|
|
|
2,237 |
|
|
|
2,012 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,315 |
|
|
|
2,086 |
|
Intersegment sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
356 |
|
|
|
295 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(356 |
) |
|
|
(295 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
2,237 |
|
|
|
2,012 |
|
|
|
434 |
|
|
|
369 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(356 |
) |
|
|
(295 |
) |
|
|
2,315 |
|
|
|
2,086 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before income and mining taxes and minority
interest by segment
|
|
|
689 |
|
|
|
580 |
|
|
|
228 |
|
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(208 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
887 |
|
|
|
577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses (income) not specifically
allocable to segments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate selling, general and
administrative expenses |
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
Currency translation adjustments |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Other income, net |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before income and mining
taxes and minority interest |
|
|
815 |
|
|
|
557 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finished | |
|
|
|
Development | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products | |
|
Intermediates | |
|
Projects | |
|
Eliminations | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
Net sales to customers
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
|
956 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,194 |
|
|
|
992 |
|
Intersegment sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(219 |
) |
|
|
(141 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
|
956 |
|
|
|
263 |
|
|
|
177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(219 |
) |
|
|
(141 |
) |
|
|
1,194 |
|
|
|
992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before income and mining taxes and minority
interest by segment
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
|
143 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(204 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
457 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses (income) not specifically
allocable to segments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate selling, general and
administrative expenses |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Currency translation adjustments |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Other income, net |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before income and mining
taxes and minority interest |
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Identifiable assets at June 30, 2005 and December 31,
2004
|
|
|
2,873 |
|
|
|
2,793 |
|
|
|
1,512 |
|
|
|
1,580 |
|
|
|
5,690 |
|
|
|
5,394 |
|
|
|
(84 |
) |
|
|
(54 |
) |
|
|
9,991 |
|
|
|
9,713 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
1,300 |
|
|
|
1,024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets at June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 |
|
|
11,291 |
|
|
|
10,737 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 14. |
Supplemental Information |
The following represents certain supplemental information in
connection with our Consolidated Balance Sheet:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cash
|
|
$ |
288 |
|
|
$ |
240 |
|
Cash equivalents
|
|
|
885 |
|
|
|
836 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
1,173 |
|
|
$ |
1,076 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finished metals
|
|
$ |
213 |
|
|
$ |
228 |
|
In-process metals
|
|
|
595 |
|
|
|
511 |
|
Supplies
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
$ |
901 |
|
|
$ |
834 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
|
|
$ |
12,611 |
|
|
$ |
12,227 |
|
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
|
|
|
4,694 |
|
|
|
4,640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
$ |
7,917 |
|
|
$ |
7,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Capitalized interest costs included in capital expenditures were
$51 million in the first six months of 2005 (2004:
$28 million).
|
|
Note 15. |
Stock Compensation Plans |
For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005, an
expense of $4 million (2004: $4 million) and
$7 million (2004: $7 million), respectively, was
charged to earnings with an equivalent offset credited to
contributed surplus to reflect the vested portion of the fair
value of stock options granted to employees in 2004 and 2005.
For the first six months of 2005, a transfer of $2 million
(2004: nil) was made from contributed surplus to common shares
in respect of exercised options. The fair value of each stock
option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Stock price at grant date
|
|
$ |
39.67 |
|
|
$ |
36.40 |
|
Exercise price
|
|
$ |
39.67 |
|
|
$ |
36.40 |
|
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period
|
|
$ |
12.21 |
|
|
$ |
10.37 |
|
Expected life of options (years)
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
Expected stock price volatility
|
|
|
34.8 |
% |
|
|
35.0 |
% |
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
|
2.5 |
% |
|
|
Note 16. |
Sale of Interests in Goro Nickel S.A.S. (Goro
Nickel) |
(a) For the first six months of 2005, minority interest
included a recovery in Goro Nickel of $25 million,
reflecting the recovery of losses previously taken by us due to
insufficient minority interest balances existing in 2004 to
absorb the share by the minority interest of the previously
announced impairment charge associated with the Goro project
recorded in the second quarter of 2004.
(b) On February 18, 2005, a company formed by the
three provinces of New Caledonia, Société de
Participation Minière du Sud Calédonien S.A.S.
(SPMSC), acquired all of the shares of Goro Nickel,
the project company for our Goro project, then held by a
subsidiary of a French government agency, Bureau des Recherches
Géologiques et Minières. These shares represented,
after the capitalization by Goro Nickel of certain shareholder
advances as of February 18, 2005, approximately a
9.71 per cent ownership interest in Goro Nickel. At
the same time, we sold shares in Goro Nickel to SPMSC
representing approximately a 0.29 per cent interest
such that SPMSC would own, as of February 18, 2005,
approximately a 10 per cent ownership interest in Goro
Nickel. SPMSC also entered into a shareholders agreement (the
SPMSC Shareholders Agreement) with us on
February 18, 2005 setting forth its rights and obligations
as a shareholder in Goro Nickel. Under the SPMSC Shareholders
Agreement, SPMSC has the right, but not the obligation, to make
capital contributions on a pro rata basis as required to meet
the funding requirements of Goro Nickel until such time as the
Goro project meets certain minimum commercial production and
related performance tests (the SPMSC Threshold Performance
Tests). If SPMSC does not make such capital contributions,
then Inco has agreed to provide such capital contributions in
addition to its own pro rata contributions, subject to certain
limitations, and SPMSC would, accordingly, suffer dilution of
its ownership interest, with the dilution formula to be subject
to a penalty if SPMSCs interest by virtue of dilution were
to fall below five per cent. Once the SPMSC Threshold
Performance Tests are met, to the extent that SPMSC has elected
not to make its pro rata capital contributions and, accordingly,
has suffered dilution of its interest in Goro Nickel, SPMSC has
under the SPMSC Shareholders Agreement agreed to purchase from
Inco, based upon the price paid by Inco for such shares plus
interest thereon based upon a formula tied to Incos then
applicable long-term weighted average cost of capital, a
sufficient number of shares such that SPMSC will then hold a
10 per cent ownership interest in Goro Nickel. SPMSC
has
15
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
through the end of the second quarter of 2005 elected not to
make any such pro rata capital contributions as and when
required by Goro Nickel.
On April 8, 2005 Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
(Sumitomo Metal Mining) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
(Mitsui), through a jointly owned company they
formed, Sumic Nickel Netherlands B.V. (Sumic
Nickel), acquired a 21 per cent ownership
interest in Goro Nickel. Under the terms of a share purchase
agreement entered into with us covering this transaction,
Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsui paid to us in total
approximately $150 million for the 21 per cent
interest. This amount included their pro rata share of certain
project capital and other expenditures made since we announced
our initial decision in July 2001 to proceed with the Goro
project and certain advances made by us to fund the project.
Under the terms of a shareholders agreement entered into as of
April 8, 2005, setting forth the rights and obligations
Sumic Nickel (and Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsui) would have
as a shareholder in Goro Nickel, including the right to elect
two directors to the board of directors of Goro Nickel so long
as Sumic Nickel holds at least a 16 per cent ownership
interest in Goro Nickel and the right to elect one director so
long as it holds at least an 8 per cent ownership
interest, Sumic Nickel is also obligated to make capital
contributions on a pro rata basis, subject to certain
limitations and adjustments tied to the actual capital cost of
the project, as required to meet the funding requirements of
Goro Nickel until such time as the Goro project meets certain
minimum commercial production and related performance tests (the
Sumic Threshold Performance Tests). If Sumic Nickel
does not make such capital contributions, it will suffer
dilution of its ownership interest based upon a penalty dilution
formula. If the capital cost of the Goro project exceeds a
threshold above the current capital cost estimate prior to when
the Sumic Threshold Performance Tests are met, then Sumic Nickel
will not have any obligation to provide capital contributions to
meet the Goro projects funding requirements and we would,
subject to certain terms and conditions under the SPMSC
Shareholders Agreement, be required to provide certain funding
to meet such requirements, up to a specified level, in the form
of interest-bearing debt repayable by Goro Nickel. In addition,
under this shareholders agreement Sumic Nickel has the right to
participate on a pro rata basis in any future expansion of the
Goro project and also has certain rights to approve certain
expenditures and other actions relating to Goro Nickel or the
Goro project that would be outside the currently planned scope
and operation of the project. As of April 8, 2005, we,
Sumic Nickel, Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsui also entered into
an operations agreement which sets forth Goro Nickels role
and responsibilities as the operator of the Goro project and its
financial and other reporting obligations to its shareholders
and a product offtake agreement was also executed under which
Sumic Nickel has the right and obligation to purchase its pro
rata share of Goros production of nickel product and
cobalt product based on its ownership interest in Goro Nickel,
with a subsidiary of ours under a separate product offtake
agreement having the right and obligation to purchase all of
Goro Nickels production not purchased by Sumic Nickel
(which would currently represent 79 per cent of such
eventual production).
The transaction with Sumitomo Metal Mining, Mitsui and Sumic
Nickel, which had no significant effect on our net earnings for
the first six months of 2005, was substantially completed as of
March 31, 2005 and, accordingly, the sale of
21 per cent of Goro Nickel was recorded in the period
ended March 31, 2005. At June 30, 2005, as a result of
SPMSCs election not to make any pro rata capital
contributions, the shares of Goro Nickel were held
70 per cent by Inco Limited, 21 per cent by
Sumic Nickel and 9 per cent by SPMSC.
|
|
Note 17. |
Significant Differences Between Canadian and United States
GAAP |
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance
with Canadian GAAP. The differences between Canadian GAAP and
United States GAAP, insofar as they affect our consolidated
financial statements, are discussed below.
16
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
The following table reconciles results as reported under
Canadian GAAP with those that would have been reported under
United States GAAP:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
Net earnings Canadian GAAP
|
|
$ |
528 |
|
|
$ |
240 |
|
Increased post-retirement benefits expense (a)
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
Increased research and development expense (b)
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
Increased exploration expense (c)
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
Increased interest expense (d)
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
Unrealized net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (e)
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
Unrealized currency translation gains on Voiseys Bay
project deferred income and mining tax liabilities (f)
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
Asset impairment charge (g)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
Decreased (increased) minority interest expense
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
Taxes on United States GAAP differences
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings United States GAAP
|
|
|
496 |
|
|
|
259 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) (i):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification of net gain on derivatives designated as cash
flow hedges (e)
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
Reclassification of net gain on derivatives due to
ineffectiveness (e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
Change in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow
hedges (e)
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on long-term investments (h)
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
Taxes on other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) (i)
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive earnings (i)
|
|
$ |
488 |
|
|
$ |
239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings per share Basic
|
|
$ |
2.63 |
|
|
$ |
1.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings per share Diluted
|
|
$ |
2.26 |
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Post-retirement Benefits |
For Canadian GAAP reporting purposes, we amortize the excess of
the net unrecognized actuarial and investment gains and losses,
if such gain or loss is over 10 per cent, at the
greater of (i) the post-retirement benefits obligation and
(ii) the fair value of plan assets. Such excess is
amortized over the expected average remaining service life of
employees. For United States reporting purposes, we amortize net
unrecognized actuarial and investment gains and losses on a
straight-line basis over the expected average remaining service
life of employees.
United States GAAP requires the recognition of a minimum
additional pension liability in the amount of the excess of the
unfunded accumulated benefits obligation over the recorded
pension benefits liability and an offsetting intangible pension
asset is recorded equal to the unrecognized prior service costs,
with any net difference recorded as a reduction in accumulated
other comprehensive income.
|
|
(b) |
Research and Development Expense |
Under Canadian GAAP, development costs are deferred and
amortized if the development project meets certain generally
accepted criteria for deferral and amortization. Fixed assets,
including equipment, may be
17
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
acquired or constructed in order to provide facilities for a
research and development project. The use of such assets will
extend over a number of accounting periods and, accordingly,
such costs are capitalized and amortized over their useful
lives. Under United States GAAP, research and development costs
are charged to expense in the period incurred.
Under Canadian GAAP, capitalized exploration expenditures are
classified under property, plant and equipment with the related
mineral claim. For United States GAAP, exploration expenditures
are not capitalized unless estimated proven and probable ore
reserves to which they relate have been established by a
feasibility study.
Under Canadian GAAP, our convertible debt securities are
bifurcated between debt and equity. Under United States GAAP,
our convertible debt securities are accounted for as debt.
|
|
(e) |
Accounting for Derivatives |
Under United States GAAP, all derivative contracts, whether
designated in hedging relationships or not, are required to be
recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Under Canadian
GAAP, we continue to recognize gains and losses on derivative
contracts in income concurrently with the recognition of the
transactions being hedged. The requirements for documentation
and effectiveness testing, however, are substantially the same
under both Canadian and United States GAAP.
|
|
(f) |
Unrealized Currency Translation Gains (Losses) on
Voiseys Bay Project Deferred Income and Mining Tax
Liabilities |
For United States GAAP reporting purposes, unrealized non-cash
currency translation gains and losses arising from the
translation into United States dollars, at the end of each
period, of certain Canadian dollar-denominated deferred income
and mining tax liabilities established in 1996 upon the
acquisition of the Voiseys Bay deposits are included in
the determination of earnings. For Canadian GAAP reporting
purposes, these unrealized non-cash currency translation gains
and losses have been deferred and included in property, plant
and equipment as part of development costs for the Voiseys
Bay project until operations commence.
|
|
(g) |
Asset Impairment Charge |
Net earnings for the first six months of 2004 under Canadian
GAAP included an asset impairment charge in the amount of
$201 million before income and mining taxes and minority
interest. Reference is made to Note 4 above. This charge
included the write-off of certain capitalized costs which, in
accordance with (b) above, were previously expensed for
United States GAAP purposes. In addition, it included an
adjustment to reduce minority interest to nil. For United States
GAAP, the asset impairment charge would decrease by
$11 million. The adjustment to reduce minority interest to
nil would also be adjusted with a corresponding increase to
minority interest expense of $7 million.
United States GAAP for equity investments, which are set forth
in SFAS No. 115, require that certain equity investments
not held for trading be recorded at fair value with unrealized
holding gains and losses excluded from the determination of
earnings and reported as a separate component of other
comprehensive income.
18
INCO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
United States accounting standards for reporting comprehensive
income are set forth in SFAS No. 130. Comprehensive income
represents the change in equity during a reporting period from
transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner
sources. Components of comprehensive income include items such
as net earnings (loss), changes in the fair value of investments
not held for trading, minimum pension liability adjustments and
gains and losses on derivative instruments. For Canadian GAAP
reporting purposes, there is currently no requirement to record
other comprehensive income. Reference is made to Note 2
above.
For United States GAAP reporting purposes, all shares issuable
upon conversion of contingently convertible debt securities are
included in diluted earnings per share computations regardless
of whether the market price trigger or other contingent features
for conversion have been met. For Canadian GAAP reporting
purposes, the dilutive effect of contingently convertible debt
securities are included in diluted earnings per share
computations only if the conditions under which such debt
securities are convertible into common shares have been met.
|
|
(k) |
Supplemental Information |
Changes in deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss
under United States GAAP were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
Deficit at beginning of period
|
|
$ |
(665 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,144 |
) |
Net earnings
|
|
|
496 |
|
|
|
259 |
|
Common dividends paid
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit at end of period
|
|
$ |
(188 |
) |
|
$ |
(885 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of period
|
|
$ |
(589 |
) |
|
$ |
(516 |
) |
Other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period
|
|
$ |
(597 |
) |
|
$ |
(536 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(l) |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
During December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued revisions to SFAS No. 123, Share-Based
Payment, which will be effective for 2006. The primary
impact of the revisions is the elimination of the intrinsic
value method for valuing stock-based employee compensation. The
revisions will also impact the manner in which expense is
determined for stock appreciation rights. As we adopted the fair
value method in 2003 and ceased issuing stock appreciation
rights in 2004, while we are currently reviewing the revisions
to SFAS No. 123, we do not expect that such revisions will
have a significant impact on earnings.
During June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154,
Accounting for Changes and Error Corrections. The new
standard requires that entities which make a voluntary change in
accounting principle to apply that change retrospectively to
prior period financial statements, unless this would be
impracticable. Another significant change in practice under SFAS
No. 154 is that if an entity changes its method of
depreciation, amortization or depletion for long-lived assets,
the change must be accounted for prospectively, as a change in
estimate. SFAS No. 154 is effective for the Companys
2006 financial statements and is not expected to have a
significant impact on earnings.
19
|
|
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations |
Overview
The following Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in
conjunction with our interim consolidated financial statements
and notes as of and for the three-month and six-month periods
ended June 30, 2005, which are expressed in United States
dollars and prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. Canadian
GAAP generally conforms with GAAP established in the United
States except as explained in Note 17 above to our interim
consolidated financial statements. This discussion contains
certain forward-looking statements based on our current
expectations. The forward-looking statements entail various
risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004
(2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K), which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected
in these forward-looking statements. Reference is also made to
the Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements below.
We are a leading producer of nickel, a hard, malleable metal
which, given its properties and wide range of applications, can
be found in thousands of products. The largest end use for
nickel is in the production of austenitic or nickel-bearing
stainless steels. This end use currently accounts for about
two-thirds of demand for primary nickel. We define primary
nickel to be nickel produced from nickel-containing ores. The
other principal source of nickel, used principally for producing
nickel-bearing stainless steels and in certain other industrial
applications, is secondary nickel or nickel-containing recycled
or scrap material. We are also an important producer of copper,
precious metals and cobalt and a major producer of value-added
specialty nickel products. Our principal mines and processing
operations are located in the Sudbury area of Ontario, the
Thompson area of Manitoba and, through a subsidiary in which we
have an equity interest of 61 per cent,
PT International Nickel Indonesia Tbk
(PT Inco), on the island of Sulawesi,
Indonesia. We also operate wholly-owned metals refineries at
Port Colborne, Ontario and in the United Kingdom at Clydach,
Wales and Acton, England. We also have interests in nickel
refining capacity in Japan, through Inco TNC Limited, in which
we have an equity interest of 67 per cent; in Taiwan,
through Taiwan Nickel Refining Corporation, in which we have an
equity interest of 49.9 per cent; and in South Korea,
through Korea Nickel Corporation, in which we have an equity
interest of 25 per cent. Additionally, we have a
65 per cent equity interest in Jinco Nonferrous Metals
Co., Ltd., a company that produces nickel salts in Kunshan City,
Peoples Republic of China (China). We have
also expanded our operations in China, through the formation of
a new company, Inco Advanced Technology Materials (Dalian) Co.,
Ltd., in which we have a direct interest of
76.7 per cent. This company began producing nickel
foam products for the Asian battery market in the third quarter
of 2004. In addition, in 2004 we established a shearing and
packaging operation in China for certain nickel products to
service the specific needs of this market. In early March 2005,
we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets
representing the nickel foam business of Shenyang Golden
Champower New Materials Corp., a leading Chinese producer of
nickel foam. Pursuant to the terms of this acquisition, we have
a 77 per cent direct interest in the company formed to
hold these assets.
Our business operations consist of two segments, our
(i) finished products segment, representing our mining and
processing operations in Ontario and Manitoba, our refining
operations in the United Kingdom and interests in the refining
operations in Japan and other Asian countries referred to above,
and (ii) intermediates segment, which represents
PT Incos mining and processing operations in
Indonesia, where nickel in matte, an intermediate product, is
produced and sold primarily into the Japanese market. In
addition, as part of our strategy to be the worlds lowest
cost and most profitable nickel producer, we are currently
developing two major new or so-called greenfield
projects, our wholly-owned Voiseys Bay
nickel-copper-cobalt project in the Province of Newfoundland and
Labrador and our 70 per cent-owned subsidiary (taking
into account the recent sale of shares and capital
contributions), Goro Nickel S.A.S. (Goro Nickel),
the Goro project company, referred to in Note 16 to our
interim consolidated financial statements in Item I above)
Goro nickel-cobalt project in the French overseas territorial
community (collectivité territoriale) of New Caledonia
(New Caledonia).
20
|
|
|
Key Factors Affecting Our Business |
The price of nickel has represented, and is currently expected
to continue to represent, the principal determinant of our
profitability and cash flow from operations. Accordingly, our
financial performance has been, and is expected to continue to
be, closely linked to the price of nickel and, to a lesser
extent, the price of copper and other primary metals produced by
us. Historically, the demand for nickel has been closely
correlated to industrial production in the major industrialized
regions, in particular North America and Europe and more
recently Asia, and we expect this correlation to continue.
In addition, as part of our strategy to be the worlds
lowest cost and most profitable nickel producer, we are
currently developing two major new or so-called
greenfield projects, our wholly-owned Voiseys
Bay nickel-copper-cobalt project in the Province of Newfoundland
and Labrador and our 70 per cent-owned Goro
nickel-cobalt project in New Caledonia. A number of risks and
uncertainties are associated with the current or planned
development of these projected low-cost sources of nickel and
other metals, including political, regulatory, design,
construction, labour, operating, technical and technological
risks, uncertainties relating to capital and other costs and
financial risks and, in the case of our Goro project, those
risks related to the possible future transition to independence
of New Caledonia. Reference is made to various risks and
uncertainties as disclosed in our 2004 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
|
|
|
Recent Nickel Market Developments |
London Metal Exchange (LME) cash nickel prices
increased during the second quarter of 2005. The average LME
cash nickel price for the second quarter of 2005 was $16,399 per
tonne ($7.44 per pound). LME cash nickel prices began the
quarter at $16,140 per tonne ($7.32 per pound) and averaged
$16,142 per tonne ($7.32 per pound) during April 2005. The LME
cash nickel price peaked for the quarter at $17,750 per tonne
($8.05 per pound) on May 12, 2005 and the average LME cash
nickel price in May was $16,932 per tonne ($7.68 per pound). The
average LME cash nickel price in June was $16,160 per tonne
($7.33 per pound). The LME cash nickel price began to decline
towards the end of June and ended the quarter at $14,700 per
tonne ($6.67 per pound) on June 30, 2005.
Driven by a relatively strong global economy, we believe that
nickel demand was very good through the first half of 2005.
During the second quarter of 2005, the stainless steel industry,
the principal end-use market for primary nickel, experienced an
oversupply situation as production from a number of new
facilities came on stream, resulting in supply exceeding market
requirements and an inventory build-up in China and elsewhere.
We understand that a number of stainless steel producers have
announced planned reductions in production in the third quarter
of 2005. As a result, we have seen a dip in the LME cash nickel
price beginning at the end of June and into July, with this
price at about $6.56 per pound ($14,460 per tonne) on
July 29, 2005. With the continued strong demand for nickel
from a number of non-stainless steel applications, including the
aerospace market, and our current view that this oversupply and
related inventory situation in the stainless steel sector will
be reversed, we currently believe that nickel demand will
continue to be relatively strong, subject to ongoing nickel
price volatility, and nickel market conditions will remain tight
at least for the balance of 2005 and into 2006 given that growth
in nickel supply will continue to be limited as we believe many
producers will continue to face difficulties in seeking to
increase their output.
21
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our net sales, net earnings and
certain other results in accordance with Canadian GAAP for the
periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
|
|
|
(Restated) | |
Net sales
|
|
$ |
1,194 |
|
|
$ |
992 |
|
|
$ |
2,315 |
|
|
$ |
2,086 |
|
Net earnings (loss)
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
528 |
|
|
|
240 |
|
Net earnings (loss) per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
basic
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
2.80 |
|
|
|
1.28 |
|
|
diluted
|
|
|
0.98 |
|
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
2.41 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
Cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
422 |
|
|
|
339 |
|
|
|
513 |
|
|
|
719 |
|
The higher net earnings in the second quarter of 2005 relative
to the second quarter of 2004 was primarily the result of the
non-cash Goro project pre-tax asset impairment charge of
$201 million, recorded in 2004, higher realized prices for
nickel, copper and certain platinum-group metals
(PGMs) and higher deliveries of PGMs in the second
quarter of 2005. This was partially offset by the unfavourable
effect of higher nickel cash cost of sales before by-product
credits, a net tax charge, lower deliveries of Inco-source
nickel and a $25 million pre-tax impairment charge taken
pursuant to the previously announced planned closure of our
copper refining facility in Sudbury by the end of 2005. The
higher net earnings in the first six months of 2005 relative to
the first six months of 2004 was primarily the result of the
same factors noted above for the second quarters of 2005 and
2004 except for higher net tax benefits recorded in the first
six months of 2005.
The following two bar charts reflect the dollar impact (in
millions of dollars) of the principal factors, both favourable
and unfavourable (with the unfavourable factors shown in
parentheses), affecting our 2005 second quarter and first
six months net earnings compared with the same periods of 2004,
with the starting point (first bar on the left) of the
applicable chart being the level of net earnings for the second
quarter or first six months of 2004:
Principal factors affecting 2005 second quarter net
earnings in comparison with 2004 second quarter net loss
22
Principal factors affecting 2005 first six months net
earnings in comparison with 2004 first six months net
earnings
Net sales increased in the second quarter and first six months
of 2005 due to higher selling prices for nickel, copper and
certain PGMs as well as higher deliveries of PGMs, partially
offset by lower deliveries of nickel and copper.
Net sales to customers by product were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Primary nickel
|
|
$ |
1,017 |
|
|
$ |
788 |
|
|
$ |
1,911 |
|
|
$ |
1,680 |
|
Copper
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
201 |
|
|
|
168 |
|
Precious metals
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
Other
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,194 |
|
|
$ |
992 |
|
|
$ |
2,315 |
|
|
$ |
2,086 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
The following two bar charts show our average realized prices
for nickel and copper and the LME average cash prices for nickel
and copper for the periods indicated:
Average realized and LME cash prices for nickel and copper
Second Quarter
First Six Months
Deliveries of Inco-source nickel, including finished nickel
produced from purchased intermediates, purchased nickel in
finished form, copper and PGMs for the periods indicated are
shown in the following two bar charts:
Deliveries
|
|
|
Nickel and copper in millions of pounds |
|
|
|
PGMs in thousands of troy ounces |
Second Quarter
24
First Six Months
|
|
|
Cost of Sales and Other Expenses |
The following table sets forth production data for nickel for
the periods indicated, nickel unit cash costs of sales before
and after by-product credits for the periods indicated, and our
finished nickel inventories as of the end of the periods
indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Production Nickel in all forms (tonnes)
|
|
|
50,353 |
|
|
|
59,586 |
|
|
|
105,860 |
|
|
|
117,257 |
|
Nickel unit cash cost of sales before by-product credits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
per tonne
|
|
$ |
6,856 |
|
|
$ |
5,600 |
|
|
$ |
6,614 |
|
|
$ |
5,468 |
|
|
per pound
|
|
|
3.11 |
|
|
|
2.54 |
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
2.48 |
|
Nickel unit cash cost of sales after by-product credits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
per tonne
|
|
$ |
6,195 |
|
|
$ |
5,203 |
|
|
$ |
5,908 |
|
|
$ |
4,828 |
|
|
per pound
|
|
|
2.81 |
|
|
|
2.36 |
|
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
2.19 |
|
Finished nickel inventories at end of period (tonnes)
|
|
|
23,053 |
|
|
|
29,080 |
|
|
|
23,053 |
|
|
|
29,080 |
|
For the second quarter of 2005 compared with the second quarter
of 2004, the increase in nickel unit cash cost of sales before
by-product credits was principally due to the higher average
Canadian dollar exchange rate relative to the U.S. dollar
exchange rate, higher costs for purchased nickel intermediates,
higher spending on supplies and services primarily as a result
of a scheduled shutdown at our Ontario operations, lower nickel
production, and higher costs for heavy oil and electricity,
partially offset by the net cost reductions and related savings
achieved in the second quarter of 2005.
For the first six months of 2005 compared with the first six
months of 2004, the increase in nickel unit cash cost of sales
before by-product credits was principally due to the higher
average Canadian dollar exchange rate relative to the
U.S. dollar exchange rate, higher spending on supplies and
services, lower nickel production, higher costs for purchased
nickel intermediates and higher costs for heavy oil, electricity
and natural gas, partially offset by net cost reductions and
related savings achieved in the first six months of 2005.
For the second quarter of 2005 compared with the second quarter
of 2004, the increase in nickel unit cash cost of sales after
by-product credits was due to higher unit cash cost of sales
before by-product credits, partially offset by an increase in
by-product credits. The increase in by-product credits was
primarily due to higher realized selling prices for copper and
certain PGMs and higher deliveries of PGMs, partially offset by
higher production costs for copper.
For the first six months of 2005 compared with the first six
months of 2004, the increase in nickel unit cash cost of sales
after by-product credits was primarily due to the same factors
noted above relating to higher unit cash cost of sales before
by-product credits.
We use purchased nickel intermediates to increase processing
capacity utilization at our Canadian operations. While the cost
of purchased nickel intermediates is higher than that for
processing our own mine production and such cost increases as
the prevailing prices, LME cash nickel or other benchmark
prices, on which
25
this material is purchased by us increases, the price
realizations are also higher, resulting in margins on these
purchases remaining relatively unchanged.
A reconciliation of our nickel unit cash cost of sales before
and after by-product credits to cost of sales under Canadian
GAAP for the periods indicated is shown in the table entitled
Reconciliation of Nickel Unit Cash Cost of Sales to
Canadian GAAP Cost of Sales below.
In the second quarter and first six months of 2005, we realized
net cost reductions and related savings of about $7 million
and $10 million, respectively. We are currently targeting
$60 million in cost reductions and related savings in 2005,
recognizing that most of the targeted cost reductions and
related savings are expected to be realized in the second half
of 2005.
Nickel production decreased to 50,353 tonnes
(111 million pounds) in the second quarter of 2005 compared
with 59,586 tonnes (131 million pounds) in the second
quarter of 2004. Nickel production decreased to
105,860 tonnes (233 million pounds) in the first
six months of 2005 compared with 117,257 tonnes
(258 million pounds) in the first six months of 2004.
The decrease in both the second quarter and first six months of
2005 compared with the same periods of 2004 was primarily due to
the scheduled shutdown which took place in the second quarter of
2005 at our Ontario operations for planned maintenance and to
connect or tie-in major new pieces of equipment or expansions of
existing equipment to those operations and to lower finished
nickel production from PT Incos nickel in matte
product due to the timing of certain shipments of
PT Incos nickel matte product and to a scheduled
maintenance shutdown at our nickel refinery in Japan.
Factors Affecting Nickel Unit Cash Cost of Sales After
By-product Credits
The following two bar charts show the key factors (in dollars or
cents per pound) both favourable and unfavourable (favourable
factors are shown in parentheses) affecting our second quarter
and first six months of 2005 nickel unit cash cost of sales
after by-product credits, with the starting point (first bar on
the left) being the nickel unit cash cost of sales after
by-product credits for the second quarter (first bar chart) and
first six months of 2004 (second bar chart):
Nickel Unit Cash Cost of Sales after by-product credits
|
|
|
In dollars or cents per pound |
Second Quarter 2005 compared with Second Quarter 2004
26
First Six Months 2005 compared with First Six Months 2004
|
|
|
Selling, General and Administrative |
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by
$8 million and $17 million in the second quarter and
first six months of 2005, respectively, compared with same
periods in 2004. The increase in the second quarter of 2005 were
primarily due to higher expenses associated with share options
granted, and higher employment and related benefit costs and
consulting fees. These same factors contributed to higher
selling, general and administrative expenses in the first six
months of 2005, as well as higher expenses associated with share
appreciation rights, based upon the price of our common shares,
which rights had been granted in connection with share options
awarded in prior years.
We entered into a long-term agreement in late June 2005 with
Falconbridge Limited under which we will sell all of our copper
production from our Ontario operations in anode form to this
company beginning in 2006. As a result of this decision, we
recorded a $25 million pre-tax impairment charge in the
second quarter of 2005 which relates to the planned closure of
our copper refining facility in Sudbury, Ontario at the end
of 2005.
Our effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2005 of
approximately 40 per cent was in line with the
combined statutory income and mining tax rate in Canada as the
benefit of the lower tax rates on earnings generated in certain
jurisdictions was offset by a tax charge related to tax rulings,
interpretations or determinations relating to prior periods. Our
effective tax rate for the first six months of 2005 of
30 per cent was lower than the combined statutory
income and mining tax rate in Canada of about
40 per cent due principally to a net tax benefit of
$42 million recorded in the first quarter relating to the
favourable outcome of certain tax rulings, interpretations or
determinations relating to prior years.
For the first six months of 2005, minority interest included a
favourable adjustment of $25 million, reflecting the
recovery of losses previously taken by Inco due to insufficient
minority interest balances existing in 2004 to absorb the share
by the minority interest of the impairment charge associated
with the Goro project recorded in the second quarter of 2004.
Our intermediates segment, as discussed above, comprises the
mining and processing operations of PT Inco in Indonesia
where nickel in matte, an intermediate product, is produced and
sold primarily into the Japanese market. PT Incos
realized price for nickel in matte averaged $12,896 per
tonne ($5.85 per pound) in the second quarter of 2005,
compared with $9,722 per tonne ($4.41 per pound) in
the second quarter of 2004. Under PT Incos long-term
United States dollar-denominated sales contracts, the selling
price of its nickel in matte is
27
determined by a formula based on the LME cash price for nickel.
Nickel in matte production was the same for the second quarter
of 2005 as for the second quarter of 2004 at 18,700 tonnes
(41 million pounds). PT Incos unit cash cost of
production rose by 25 per cent to $2.23 per pound in
the second quarter of 2005 from $1.78 per pound in the
second quarter of 2004, partly due to an increase in the heavy
sulphur fuel oil price to an average of $35.86 per barrel
for the second quarter of 2005 from $27.43 per barrel for
the second quarter of 2004 and to increased consumption of heavy
sulphur fuel oil and diesel as a result of mining and processing
ore from the new, more distant Petea mining site and from
increased diesel and other power requirements due to the low
lake water levels available for hydroelectric power generation
earlier in 2005. In addition, spending on services was higher
due to fees incurred on an operations review, which review is
expected to result in significant cost savings starting in the
third quarter of 2005.
Cash Flows, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter
of 2005 was $422 million, compared with $339 million
in the second quarter of 2004. The increase in net cash provided
by operating activities was primarily due to higher net
earnings. Net cash provided by operating activities in the first
six months of 2005 was $513 million, compared with
$719 million in the first six months of 2004. The decrease
in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due
to reduced balances of income and mining taxes payable due to
previously indicated significant tax payments during the first
quarter of 2005 in respect of the 2004 taxation year, partially
offset by higher net earnings and a decrease in accounts
receivable.
Net cash used for investing activities was $132 million and
$358 in the second quarter and first six months of 2005,
respectively, compared with $148 million and
$315 million in the same periods of 2004. Investing
activities in the second quarter of 2005 included cash of
$150 million received in respect of the sale of a portion
of our interest in Goro Nickel. Excluding this item, cash used
for investing activities increased for both periods principally
due to higher capital spending for our Voiseys Bay and
Goro projects.
In the second quarter of 2005, we closed out certain interest
rate swaps and realized net cash proceeds of about
$23 million from these transactions.
At June 30, 2005, cash and cash equivalents were
$1,173 million, up from $1,076 million at
December 31, 2004, reflecting strong cash flow from
operations which was sufficient to fund capital expenditures
during the first six months of 2005 as well as the payment, as
noted above, of the balance of certain taxes due in respect of
2004. Total debt was $1,840 million at June 30, 2005,
compared with $1,868 million at December 31, 2004.
Total debt as a percentage of total debt plus shareholders
equity was 27 per cent at June 30, 2005, compared
with 30 per cent at December 31, 2004.
On February 18, 2005 a company formed by the three
provinces of New Caledonia, Société de Participation
Minière du Sud Calédonien S.A.S. (SPMSC),
acquired all of the shares of Goro Nickel, the project company
for our Goro project, then held by a subsidiary of a French
government agency, Bureau des Recherches Géologiques et
Minières. These shares represented, after the
capitalization by Goro Nickel of certain shareholder advances as
of February 18, 2005, approximately a
9.71 per cent ownership interest in Goro Nickel. At
the same time, we sold shares in Goro Nickel to SPMSC
representing approximately a 0.29 per cent interest
such that SPMSC would own, as of February 18, 2005,
approximately a 10 per cent ownership interest in Goro
Nickel. SPMSC also entered into a shareholders agreement (the
SPMSC Shareholders Agreement) with us on
February 18, 2005 setting forth its rights and obligations
as a shareholder in Goro Nickel. On April 8, 2005 Sumitomo
Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (Sumitomo Metal Mining) and
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui), through a jointly
owned company they formed, Sumic Nickel Netherlands B.V.
(Sumic Nickel), acquired a 21 per cent
ownership interest in Goro Nickel. Under the terms of a share
purchase agreement entered into with us covering this
transaction, Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsui paid to us in
total approximately $150 million for the
21 per cent interest. This amount included their pro
rata share of certain project capital and other expenditures
made since we announced our initial decision in July 2001 to
proceed with the Goro project and certain advances made by us to
fund the project. Under the terms of a shareholders agreement
entered into as of April 8, 2005 (Sumic Shareholders
Agreement), setting forth the rights and obligations Sumic
Nickel (and Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsui) would have as a
shareholder in Goro Nickel, including the right to elect two
directors to the
28
board of directors of Goro Nickel so long as Sumic Nickel holds
at least a 16 per cent ownership interest in Goro
Nickel and the right to elect one director so long as it holds
at least an 8 per cent ownership interest, Sumic
Nickel is also obligated to make capital contributions on a pro
rata basis, subject to certain limitations and adjustments tied
to the actual capital cost of the project, as required to meet
the funding requirements of Goro Nickel until such time as the
Goro project meets certain minimum commercial production and
related performance tests (the Sumic Threshold Performance
Tests). If Sumic Nickel does not make such capital
contributions, it will suffer dilution of its ownership interest
based upon a penalty dilution formula. If the capital cost of
the Goro project exceeds a threshold above the current capital
cost estimate prior to when the Sumic Threshold Performance
Tests are met, then Sumic Nickel will not have any obligation to
provide capital contributions to meet the Goro projects
funding requirements and we would, subject to certain terms and
conditions under the Sumic Shareholders Agreement, be required
to provide certain funding to meet such requirements, up to a
specified level, in the form of interest-bearing debt repayable
by Goro Nickel. In addition, under the Sumic Shareholders
Agreement Sumic Nickel has the right to participate on a pro
rata basis in any future expansion of the Goro project and also
has certain rights to approve certain expenditures and other
actions relating to Goro Nickel or the Goro project that would
be outside the currently planned scope and operation of the
project. As of April 8, 2005, we, Sumic Nickel, Sumitomo
Metal Mining and Mitsui also entered into an operations
agreement which sets forth Goro Nickels role and
responsibilities as the operator of the Goro project and its
financial and other reporting obligations to its shareholders
and a product offtake agreement was also executed under which
Sumic Nickel has the right and obligation to purchase its pro
rata share of Goros production of nickel product and
cobalt product based on its ownership interest in Goro Nickel,
with a subsidiary of ours under a separate product offtake
agreement having the right and obligation to purchase all of
Goro Nickels production not purchased by Sumic Nickel
(which would currently represent 79 per cent of such
eventual production). Under the SPMSC Shareholders Agreement,
SPMSC has the right, but not the obligation, to make capital
contributions on a pro rata basis as required to meet the
funding requirements of Goro Nickel until such time as the Goro
project meets certain minimum commercial production and related
performance tests (SPMSC Threshold Performance
Tests). If SPMSC does not make such capital contributions,
then Inco has agreed to provide such capital contributions in
addition to its own pro rata contributions, subject to certain
limitations, and SPMSC would, accordingly, suffer dilution of
its ownership interest, with the dilution formula to be subject
to a penalty if SPMSCs interest by virtue of dilution were
to fall below five per cent. Once the SPMSC Threshold
Performance Tests are met, to the extent that SPMSC has elected
not to make its pro rata capital contributions and, accordingly,
has suffered dilution of its interest in Goro Nickel, SPMSC has
under the SPMSC Shareholders Agreement agreed to purchase from
Inco, based upon the price paid by Inco for such shares plus
interest thereon based upon a formula tied to Incos then
applicable long-term weighted average cost of capital, a
sufficient number of shares such that SPMSC will then hold a
10 per cent ownership interest in Goro Nickel. SPMSC
has through the end of the second quarter of 2005 elected not to
make any pro rata capital contributions as and when required by
Goro Nickel.
We have had in effect for a number of years defined benefit
pension plans principally in Canada, the United States and the
United Kingdom. Each of the jurisdictions in which these plans
are located has legislation and regulations which, among other
statutory requirements, cover the minimum contributions to be
made to these plans to meet their potential liabilities as
calculated in accordance with such legislation and regulations.
Based upon the value of the assets in these plans, as determined
pursuant to applicable provincial legislation and regulations in
Canada and other factors to be taken into account under such
legislative or regulatory requirements, we, in accordance with
such applicable legislation or regulations, increased our
contributions, including voluntary contributions of
$144 million, to such plans to a level of $265 million
for 2004 and our pension expense increased to $114 million
for 2004. We currently expect that our annual pension
contributions will be at least approximately $170 million
in 2005, including voluntary contributions. We have not as yet
determined what the level of our pension contributions will be
for 2006. Our annual pension expense is currently estimated to
be approximately $115 million for 2005. Since the
liabilities associated with these pension plans are affected by
changes in certain exchange rates, primarily the Canadian
dollar, changes in such exchange rates could also significantly
affect the level of these contributions and pension expense for
2005 and for future years.
We currently believe that our level of cash and cash equivalents
as of June 30, 2005, together with currently projected cash
to be provided by our operations, available cash from our unused
lines of credit and access to
29
international capital markets, will be more than sufficient to
meet our currently anticipated cash requirements at least for
2005 and 2006. These requirements include ongoing cash needs for
our operations as well as the cash required to finance currently
planned expenditures on sustaining and other capital projects,
including our Voiseys Bay and Goro projects. Our capital
expenditures are expected to be very significant over the 2005
to 2007 period given the current spending plans for the
Voiseys Bay project, for the Goro project, and for the
latest capital project for PT Inco to increase its annual
production to about 200 million pounds of nickel in matte
which is to include a third dam to increase its hydroelectric
capacity and other capital expenditures at PT Inco
currently expected to total in the range of $275 to
$280 million over a four year period.
Update on Protected Forests Legislation in Indonesia
In July 2005, the Constitutional Court in Indonesia upheld
legislation (the Exemption Law) adopted by the
Indonesian parliament in August 2004 which exempted PT Inco
and a limited number of other Indonesian mining companies from
certain legislation passed in 1999, which legislation had the
effect of restricting open pit mining and certain other
activities in areas designated as protected forests.
A significant portion of the areas PT Inco is authorized to
mine under its Contract of Work with the Indonesian government
were considered protected forests under the 1999 legislation.
The legality of the Exemption Law was challenged in early 2005
when certain parties initiated a process to have the Exemption
Law reviewed in the Constitutional Court. The July 2005 decision
of this Court upholding the Exemption Law is final and
non-appealable.
Although the decision of the Constitutional Court has clarified
that the areas PT Inco is authorized to mine under its
Contract of Work will not be subject to the 1999 legislation, in
order to conduct mining in protected forests PT Inco must
still resolve certain issues relating to a regulation issued by
the Indonesian Minister of Forestry (the Forestry
Regulation) in late 2004 which imposed new requirements
restricting mining in protected forests, including requiring
that PT Inco submit an application for and obtain licenses
and other approvals to conduct such activities. While
PT Inco continues to believe that the terms of its Contract
of Work provide it with all authorizations needed to conduct
mining activities in the areas covered by its Contract of Work
and any disputes relating to its Contract of Work are subject to
arbitration under international conventions, if the Forestry
Regulation restricts PT Incos ability to mine in
certain areas, it could reduce PT Incos estimated ore
reserves and adversely affect PT Incos long-term
mining plans.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Reference is made to our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Accounting Changes
Effective January 1, 2005, on a retroactive basis, we
adopted revisions to CICA Section 3860, Financial
Instruments Disclosure and Presentation. The
revisions related to the accounting for instruments for which
the issuer has the right to settle in cash or its own shares.
Such an instrument must be bifurcated between debt and equity in
accordance with this revised standard. This change impacted the
accounting treatment for our LYON Notes, Convertible Debentures
due 2023 and
31/2%
Subordinated Convertible Debentures due 2052 which were
previously treated as equity in accordance with EIC-71,
Financial Instruments that may be Settled at the
Issuers Option in Cash or its own Equity Instruments.
Consistent with this change, we record interest expense in lieu
of accretion charges with respect to these convertible debt
securities.
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
We have referred to nickel unit cash cost of sales before and
after by-product credits in the Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
because we understand that certain investors use this
information to assess our performance and also determine our
ability to generate cash flow. The inclusion of these two unit
cost measurements, nickel unit cash cost of sales before and
after by-product credits, enables investors to better understand
our year-to-year changes in production costs using metrics that
reflect our key ongoing cash production costs which, in turn,
affect our profitability and cash flows. These non-GAAP
30
measurements capture all of the important components of our
production and related costs. The reason for providing the
nickel unit cash cost of sales on the basis of before as well as
after by- product credits is to allow investors to see the
impact on these metrics of changes in copper, cobalt and
precious metals contributions which have historically been
driven largely by the prices for these metals. In addition,
management utilizes these metrics as an important management
tool to monitor cost performance of each of our key operations
relative to planned and prior period results. These measurements
are intended to provide additional information and should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of nickel unit
cash cost of sales before and after by-product credits to
Canadian GAAP cost of sales for the periods indicated:
Reconciliation of Nickel Unit Cash Cost of Sales Before and
After By-Product Credits to Canadian GAAP Cost of Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
(In millions of United States dollars except pound and per pound data) |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Cost of sales and other expenses, excluding depreciation
and depletion
|
|
$ |
616 |
|
|
$ |
580 |
|
|
$ |
1,219 |
|
|
$ |
1,137 |
|
By-product costs
|
|
|
(151 |
) |
|
|
(138 |
) |
|
|
(315 |
) |
|
|
(277 |
) |
Purchased finished nickel
|
|
|
(87 |
) |
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
(156 |
) |
|
|
(133 |
) |
Delivery expense
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
Other businesses cost of sales
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
Non-cash items (1)
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
Remediation, demolition and other related expenses
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
Adjustments associated with affiliate transactions
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
(35 |
) |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
(41 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nickel cash cost of sales before by-product credits (2)
|
|
|
382 |
|
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
726 |
|
|
|
622 |
|
By-product net sales
|
|
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
(161 |
) |
|
|
(393 |
) |
|
|
(350 |
) |
By-product costs
|
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nickel cash cost of sales after by-product credits (2)
|
|
$ |
346 |
|
|
$ |
309 |
|
|
$ |
648 |
|
|
$ |
549 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inco-source nickel deliveries (millions of pounds)
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
242 |
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nickel unit cash cost of sales before by-product credits
per pound
|
|
$ |
3.11 |
|
|
$ |
2.54 |
|
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
$ |
2.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nickel unit cash cost of sales after by-product credits
per pound
|
|
$ |
2.81 |
|
|
$ |
2.36 |
|
|
$ |
2.68 |
|
|
$ |
2.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Representing principally post-retirement benefits other than
pensions. |
|
(2) |
Nickel cash cost of sales before and after by-product credits
includes costs for both Inco-source and external feed. |
31
|
|
Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk |
We review and evaluate our property, plant and equipment and
other assets for impairment when events or changes in economic
and other circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such
assets may not be recoverable. The net recoverable value of a
capital asset is calculated by estimating undiscounted future
net cash flows from the asset together with the assets
residual value. Future net cash flows are developed using
assumptions that reflect our planned course of action for an
asset given our best estimate of the most probable set of
economic conditions.
Evaluation of the future cash flows from major development
projects such as the Voiseys Bay and Goro projects entails
a number of assumptions regarding project scope, the timing,
receipt and terms of regulatory approvals, estimates of future
metals prices, estimates of the ultimate size of the deposits,
ore grades and recoverability, timing of commercial production,
commercial viability of new technological processes, production
volumes, operating and capital costs, and foreign currency
exchange rates. Inherent in these assumptions are significant
risks and uncertainties.
The uncertain political situation in Indonesia could adversely
affect PT Incos ability to operate and, accordingly,
our business, results of operations, financial condition and
prospects. The possible transition of New Caledonia to
independence in the future could adversely affect the Goro
nickel-cobalt project. As a result of advisories issued in May
2004 by the Canadian and Australian governments covering
security and other concerns in the province where
PT Incos operations are located and other
developments, we implemented a number of actions to address
these developments and to protect the safety of
PT Incos personnel and facilities. While these
developments and our response to them did not adversely affect
PT Incos operations, we cannot predict whether new or
additional governmental security or other advisories or similar
developments could adversely affect PT Incos
operations.
While global demand for nickel continues to be the most
important determinant of our profitability and cash flows, our
financial results are also very much affected by changes in the
costs we incur to produce nickel and our other metals.
Reference is made to our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K
for a discussion of market and other risks applicable to our
business.
32
|
|
Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures |
As of the end of the period covered by this Report, our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer reviewed and
evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term
is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under
the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and,
based upon such review and evaluation required by
Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the
U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concluded
that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective and
met the requirements thereof. Additionally, no change in our
internal control over financial reporting (as such term is
defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) under the
U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) occurred
during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
|
|
|
Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements |
Certain statements contained in this Report are forward-looking
statements (as defined in the U.S. Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended). Examples of such statements include, but
are not limited to, statements concerning (i) nickel demand
and supply in the global nickel market for the second half of
2005 and into 2006, the supply of secondary or nickel-containing
recycled or scrap material, and nickel demand in China and other
geographical and end-use markets for nickel for 2005 and into
2006; (ii) our costs of production, nickel, copper, cobalt
and precious metals production levels and nickel market
conditions; (iii) capital expenditures; (iv) changes
in pension contributions to our pension plans and pension
expense; (v) our Goro projects capital cost estimates
and targets and escalation, its expected nickel and cobalt
capacity, cash costs of production of nickel based upon certain
assumptions, project schedule and expected timing of initial
production and ramp-up of production to expected capacity,
changes in project configuration, resumption of certain work,
key milestones relating to the project schedule and advancement,
and sources of financing and agreements and other arrangements
for our Goro project with the three provinces of New Caledonia,
the Government of France, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.,
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and certain other parties; and
(vi) the enactment or completion of the necessary
legislation, financing plans and arrangements, and/or other
agreements and arrangements related to, and the timing and costs
of construction, start-up/commissioning and production with
respect to, certain capital expenditure programs and development
projects, including the Goro and Voiseys Bay projects.
Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks and
uncertainties well beyond our ability to predict or control.
Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may
differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements contained in this Report and the
carrying values of investments could be materially impacted.
Such statements and carrying values are based on a number of
assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not
limited to, assumptions about: (a) the supply and demand
for, and the prices of, primary nickel and our other metals
products, market competition and our production and other costs
and purchased intermediates, stainless steel scrap and other
substitutes and competing products, for primary nickel and other
metals produced by the Company, (b) changes in exchange
rates and interest rates and investment performance of pension
assets, (c) political unrest or instability in countries
such as Indonesia, (d) the start-up of our Voiseys
Bay project, (e) our Goro projects scope and schedule
and the other key aspects of this project, and (f) the
timing of receipt of all necessary permits and regulatory
approvals, the engineering and construction timetables for our
development projects, and other agreements and arrangements with
parties or local communities having an interest in or otherwise
being associated with our Goro project. The forward-looking
statements included in this Report represent our views as of the
date of this Report. While we anticipate that subsequent events
and developments may cause our views to change, we specifically
disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements should not be
relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent
to the date of this Report.
33
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
|
|
Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
(a) Our 2005 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders
(the Meeting) was held on April 20, 2005.
(b), (c) The following four matters, as described in
our Proxy Circular and Statement for the Meeting, were submitted
to a vote of shareholders at the Meeting:
|
|
|
(1) electing all eleven Directors for a one-year term
expiring in 2006 (one Director, James M. Stanford, had
indicated, as noted in our Proxy Circular and Statement, that he
planned to retire from the Companys Board of Directors in
late July 2005); |
|
|
(2) appointing the Auditors of the Company; |
|
|
(3) approving a resolution reconfirming the Companys
Shareholder Rights Plan, as it was proposed to be amended; and |
|
|
(4) approving the Companys new 2005 Key Employees
Incentive Plan. |
(1) Election of Directors. The individuals listed
below were nominated and, in the absence of further nominations,
elected Directors of the Company to hold office for a term
expiring immediately prior to the Companys next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2006. The vote, which was
conducted by a show of hands, reflected proxies voting on this
motion as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abstentions/ | |
|
|
Name of Nominee |
|
Votes for | |
|
% | |
|
Withheld Votes | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Glen A. Barton
|
|
|
124,238,797 |
|
|
|
99.88 |
|
|
|
143,989 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
Angus A. Bruneau
|
|
|
124,362,042 |
|
|
|
99.98 |
|
|
|
20,744 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Ronald C. Cambre
|
|
|
124,204,355 |
|
|
|
99.86 |
|
|
|
179,431 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
Scott M. Hand
|
|
|
123,887,029 |
|
|
|
99.60 |
|
|
|
495,757 |
|
|
|
0.40 |
|
Janice K. Henry
|
|
|
124,214,040 |
|
|
|
99.86 |
|
|
|
168,746 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
Chaviva M. Hosek
|
|
|
124,340,034 |
|
|
|
99.96 |
|
|
|
42,752 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
Peter C. Jones
|
|
|
124,128,120 |
|
|
|
99.79 |
|
|
|
254,666 |
|
|
|
0.21 |
|
John T. Mayberry
|
|
|
124,336,800 |
|
|
|
99.96 |
|
|
|
45,986 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
David P. OBrien
|
|
|
123,963,033 |
|
|
|
99.66 |
|
|
|
419,753 |
|
|
|
0.34 |
|
Roger Phillips
|
|
|
124,191,903 |
|
|
|
99.84 |
|
|
|
190,885 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
James M. Stanford
|
|
|
122,351,656 |
|
|
|
98.37 |
|
|
|
2,031,130 |
|
|
|
1.63 |
|
(2) Appointment of Auditors. PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP were appointed Auditors of the Company to serve until the
Companys next Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in
2006 and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors were
authorized to fix the remuneration to be paid to the Auditors.
The vote, which was conducted by a show of hands, reflected
proxies voting on this matter as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abstentions/ | |
|
|
Votes for |
|
% | |
|
Withheld Votes | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
124,060,125
|
|
|
99.78 |
|
|
|
271,314 |
|
|
|
0.22 |
|
(3) Shareholder Rights Plan Reconfirmation.
Shareholders were asked to approve a resolution reconfirming
the Companys Shareholder Rights Plan, as amended to
include changes to reflect the changes in the Companys
capital structure since April 2002, when shareholders last voted
to reconfirm the Plan in accordance with its terms, including
the issuance of certain convertible debt securities, and a
change to the definition of Beneficial Ownership
thereunder to add a provision designed to make clear that a
mutual fund would not trigger the Plan by virtue of holding
Voting Shares (as defined under the Plan to include
the Companys
34
Common Shares and any other equity securities having the right
to vote on the election of directors) in excess of 20% of the
Companys then outstanding Voting Shares.
The Company had first adopted a shareholder rights plan in 1988.
The Companys current Shareholder Rights Plan was confirmed
by shareholders in 1999 and, in accordance with the terms of the
Plan, had been previously reconfirmed by the shareholders in
2002. The vote, which was conducted by a ballot, reflected
proxies voted on this matter as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abstentions/ | |
|
|
Votes For |
|
% | |
|
Withheld Votes | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
75,918,945
|
|
|
67.67 |
|
|
|
36,268,131 |
|
|
|
33.33 |
|
(4) Approval of 2005 Key Employees Incentive Plan.
The Board of Directors of the Company adopted a new Key
Employees Incentive Plan, the 2005 Key Employees Incentive Plan
(the Incentive Plan), on February 8, 2005,
subject to customary regulatory approval and approval by the
shareholders at the Meeting. As in the case of its predecessor
plans, the Incentive Plan has two aspects. First, the Incentive
Plan authorizes the granting of options to purchase in total
over the life of the Incentive Plan not more than
5.5 million of the Companys Common Shares and the
granting of share appreciation rights in connection with such
share options to selected employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries. Second, the Incentive Plan authorizes the making
of awards of incentive compensation out of a pool, based upon up
to 2% of the Companys consolidated net earnings plus
income and mining taxes, in the form of immediate or deferred
payments or deliveries of cash, shares or incentive units or
share units or other types of compensation, subject to such
terms, conditions and restrictions as the Board of
Directors Management Resources and Compensation Committee
(or such other committee as authorized under the Incentive Plan)
administering the Incentive Plan may determine. No more than
500,000 Common Shares can be awarded as incentive
compensation under the terms of the Incentive Plan.
The vote, which was conducted by a ballot, reflected proxies
voting on this matter as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abstentions/ | |
|
|
Votes For |
|
% | |
|
Withheld Votes | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
92,688,299
|
|
|
82.67 |
|
|
|
19,423,560 |
|
|
|
17.33 |
|
|
|
Item 5. |
Other Information |
As anticipated in the Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2005 covering the
appointment of two new Directors of the Company, Mr. Rick
Waugh has been appointed to two committees of the Board of
Directors, the Management Resources and Compensation Committee
and the Pension Committee, and Mr. Francis Mer has also
been appointed to two committees, the Audit Committee and the
Capital Projects Committee. These appointments will be effective
as of the first meeting of the Board of Directors attended by
such new Director.
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.1 |
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
|
31.2 |
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
|
32.1 |
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of the Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
35
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inco Limited
|
|
Date: August 3, 2005
|
|
By: /s/ S. F.
Feiner
S.
F. Feiner
Executive Vice-President,
General Counsel and Secretary |
|
Date: August 3, 2005
|
|
By: /s/ R. A.
Lehtovaara
R.
A. Lehtovaara
Vice-President and Comptroller |
36
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibits | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
31.1 |
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
|
|
31.2 |
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
|
|
32.1 |
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of the Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |