Buenaventura’s Q1 2025 Results: Navigating Mixed Metals with Strategic Momentum

Peru’s leading precious metals miner, Compañía de Minas Buenaventura, delivered a robust financial performance in the first quarter of 2025, despite uneven metal production across its portfolio. The company’s ability to leverage rising metal prices, optimize reserves, and advance its flagship San Gabriel Project positions it as a resilient player in an increasingly volatile mining sector.

Financial Strength Amid Operational Shifts

Buenaventura’s Q1 2025 results highlighted strong financial resilience. EBITDA from direct operations jumped 34% year-on-year (YoY) to US$126.3 million, while net income nearly doubled to US$147.0 million—a 120% increase. Total revenues rose 25% to US$307.7 million, fueled by higher silver sales and soaring metal prices. The leverage ratio improved to 0.46x, with cash reserves hitting US$648 million, signaling ample liquidity to navigate market volatility.

Metal Production: Silver Shines, Copper and Gold Lag

The company’s production metrics revealed a mixed picture. Silver output surged 136% YoY at its Yumpag mine, reaching 2.28 million ounces, as the mine operated at full capacity with improved ore grades. This offset declines elsewhere:
- Copper production fell 21% YoY to 12,198 metric tons, due to exhausted inventories at El Brocal and lower output at Cerro Verde.
- Gold production dropped 24% YoY to 27,918 ounces, driven by reduced output at Tambomayo (-67%) and Orcopampa (-25%).
- Zinc and lead production fell 34% and 28% YoY, respectively, as lower ore grades impacted production at El Brocal.

Costs also rose at several mines, with Cost Applicable to Sales (CAS) increasing sharply for gold and copper. At Tambomayo, CAS for gold surged to US$2,730/oz—a 109% jump—due to lower volumes and by-product credits.

The San Gabriel Project: A Cornerstone of Future Growth

Buenaventura’s San Gabriel Project remains its crown jewel. As of Q1 2025, the project was 79% complete, with US$505 million invested to date and a target of achieving commercial production by late 2025. Over US$21.8 million of Q1’s CAPEX went toward the project’s infrastructure, including its processing plant and tailings storage facility.

The project’s potential is immense: San Gabriel is expected to produce 16,000 tons of copper and 1.2 million ounces of silver annually, with a mine life of over 15 years. The company’s revised full-year CAPEX guidance of US$250 million for San Gabriel underscores its commitment to this high-margin asset.

Dividends and Strategic Investments Pay Off

Buenaventura’s 19.58% stake in Cerro Verde, Peru’s largest copper producer, proved lucrative. In Q1, it received US$49 million in dividends, as Cerro Verde’s net income rose 65% YoY to US$59.2 million. Higher copper prices (US$4.65/lb vs. US$3.97/lb in 2024) and increased molybdenum sales drove this growth.

Risks and Regulatory Outlook

The company faces challenges, including declining grades at legacy mines and potential regulatory hurdles in Peru. Buenaventura noted risks such as metal price fluctuations and environmental permitting delays, particularly for the San Gabriel Project. However, its strong cash reserves and focus on high-margin assets like silver and copper provide a buffer against these headwinds.

Conclusion: A Resilient Play on Precious Metals

Buenaventura’s Q1 results reflect a company strategically navigating mixed operational outcomes. Its silver-focused growth, strong financials (US$648 million in cash, 0.46x leverage ratio), and progress on the San Gabriel Project position it to capitalize on rising demand for base and precious metals. While copper and gold production dipped in the near term, the long-term upside from San Gabriel’s completion—and its projected 16,000 tons/year copper output—suggests sustainable growth.

Investors should also note the dividend resilience from Cerro Verde and Buenaventura’s improved EPS (US$0.55 vs. US$0.24 in 2024), which signal profitability underpinned by cost discipline and metal price tailwinds.

In a sector where operational execution and project timeliness are critical, Buenaventura’s progress on San Gabriel—and its ability to leverage rising silver prices—makes it a compelling long-term investment. The company’s focus on high-margin assets and its strengthened balance sheet suggest it is well-positioned to outperform peers as global demand for metals continues to grow.