--- title: "Buenaventura Earnings Call Highlights Profits And Ramp-Up" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/286985732.md" description: "Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA reported a strong Q1 earnings call, with revenues doubling to $625 million and EBITDA tripling to $386 million. Gold production increased by 80% to 30,000 ounces, while silver output rose 6%. Despite rising costs and operational challenges, the company maintains a solid cash position of $760 million, supporting future growth. Management highlighted permitting milestones that enhance operational flexibility and growth potential, while addressing cost pressures from profit sharing and inflation." datetime: "2026-05-20T01:19:24.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/286985732.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286985732.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/286985732.md) --- # Buenaventura Earnings Call Highlights Profits And Ramp-Up Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA ((BVN)) has held its Q1 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call. ### Claim 55% Off TipRanks - Unlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions - Discover top-performing stock ideas and upgrade to a portfolio of market leaders with Smart Investor Picks Compania de Minas Buenaventura delivered a broadly upbeat earnings call, as management highlighted a sharp rebound in revenue, profitability and cash generation. Despite acknowledging rising cost pressures, weaker copper output and operational hiccups at San Gabriel, executives struck a confident tone, stressing strong balance sheet flexibility and permitting wins that underpin future growth. ## Revenues More Than Double on Stronger Operations Total revenues surged to $625 million in the first quarter of 2026, more than doubling from a year earlier as mines delivered higher volumes and benefited from a supportive price environment. Management framed this as evidence that operational initiatives and better market conditions are finally translating into a materially stronger top line. ## EBITDA Triples and Margins Climb Above 60% Profitability improved even faster than sales, with EBITDA from direct operations reaching $386 million, more than three times last year’s level. EBITDA margins expanded from 41% to 62%, while net income rose 142% to $355 million, signaling that the company is capturing greater operating leverage and improved cost discipline despite inflationary headwinds. ## Gold and Silver Output Post Solid Gains Gold production climbed to 30 thousand ounces, an 80% year‑on‑year increase driven largely by the ramp‑up at San Gabriel. Silver output rose 6% to 3.9 million ounces, supported by stronger performance at El Brocal, Uchucchacua and Tambomayo, which helped offset weaker copper volumes in the company’s overall metals mix. ## Permitting Breakthroughs Unlock Future Capacity Management underscored a series of permitting milestones that de‑risk future growth and expand operating flexibility across the portfolio. New approvals include the stage‑one operating permit and water license for San Gabriel, capacity increases at Yumpag and El Brocal, and the environmental green light for Trapiche, collectively improving visibility on medium‑term production. ## Cash Pile Grows, Supporting Investment Plans Buenaventura closed the quarter with $760 million in cash and a net cash positive position, giving it substantial financial firepower. Capital expenditure reached $81 million, while year‑to‑date dividends of about $157 million bolstered free cash flow and left the company better positioned to fund growth and address operational bottlenecks. ## Cerro Verde Dividends Power Affiliate Cash Flows Affiliate Cerro Verde is expected to be a major cash engine in 2026, with management guiding to EBITDA in excess of $2.5 billion and free cash flow around $1.2–1.3 billion. Buenaventura anticipates receiving roughly $200 million in dividends this year, of which about $160 million has already been distributed between January and April. ## Copper Output Suffers as Focus Shifts to Silver Copper production slipped 11% year on year to 10.9 thousand tons in the first quarter as El Brocal prioritized processing silver‑rich ore over copper. While this weighed on copper volumes, management suggested that the shift supports higher silver output and better economics in the current market environment. ## Profit Sharing Surge Lifts Personnel Costs Personnel‑related expenses climbed sharply, driven by a steep increase in workers’ profit sharing to around $19 million from $2.5 million a year earlier. The company noted that this nearly seven‑fold jump significantly impacted corporate cash costs and contributed to higher cost of sales and administrative expenses. ## Cement, FX and Diesel Add to Cost Inflation Additional cost pressures came from higher cement consumption, foreign‑exchange effects and rising reagent costs across operations. Diesel prices rose roughly 50%, which management estimated added about 2–2.5% to overall operating expenses, while higher commercial deductions at certain mines pushed up silver cash costs. ## San Gabriel Ramp‑Up Slowed by Clay and Tailings Limits The ramp‑up at San Gabriel is progressing but has been hampered by high‑moisture, clay‑rich ore that clogs crushing and conveyor systems and by a constrained tailings facility. Only half of the filter presses have been delivered and current operating pressure is below design, which, together with the narrow valley tailings setup, is delaying a rapid move to full throughput. ## Higher Gold Cash Costs at Key Mines Gold cash costs increased at operations such as Orcopampa and Tambomayo, reflecting higher wages, rising operating inputs and lower throughput that reduced economies of scale. Management acknowledged that these factors temporarily dilute margins at certain assets even as consolidated profitability remains strong. ## Targeted CapEx to Mitigate Clay‑Related Disruptions To address the clay issues at San Gabriel, Buenaventura plans to install additional screening and washing equipment, an investment estimated at about $1 million. The company expects the incremental operating cost to be around $0.10 per ton, describing it as a modest price to pay to stabilize plant performance, particularly during the rainy season. ## Guidance: San Gabriel Sales to Start, Growth Backed by Cash Looking ahead, management guided that San Gabriel has entered its ramp‑up phase and should begin recording sales in the second quarter of 2026, targeting 2,000 tons per day by December and 3,000 tons per day in 2027. The company reiterated strong financial momentum, expects continued dividend inflows from Cerro Verde, and highlighted recent permits as key enablers of future production, while noting that it remains unhedged despite cost inflation. Buenaventura’s latest earnings call painted the picture of a miner in transition, balancing strong financial recovery and stronger precious‑metals output against operational growing pains. With a fortified balance sheet, sizeable affiliate dividends and key permits in hand, the company appears well positioned, though investors will watch closely how quickly San Gabriel and cost pressures are brought under tighter control. ### Related Stocks - [BVN.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BVN.US.md) - [RING.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/RING.US.md) - [GDXJ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GDXJ.US.md) - [XME.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XME.US.md) - [PICK.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PICK.US.md) - [GDX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GDX.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [Priority Gold named top IRA choice as retirees eye inflation hedges](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286636104.md) - [Fed rate hike odds rise as inflation surges. 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