Topic: Mining Stocks

Teck Resources: Ambitious Expansion Plans Set to Double Output by 2030

Teck Resources is diversifying its portfolio by partnering with Grid Metals Corp. to develop the Mawka nickel-copper-cobalt project in Manitoba. This move allows it to tap into the growing demand for nickel in electric vehicle batteries and strengthens its position in the clean energy metals market.

The company’s strong operational performance, ambitious growth plans, and strategic positioning in metals crucial for the clean energy transition make it an attractive option for investors. The stock trades at 17.5 times the company’s forward earnings forecast despite the shares gaining 316.6% over the last five years.

TECK RESOURCES LTD. (Toronto symbol TECK.B) company sold its remaining 77% stake in metallurgical coal business Elk Valley Resources (EVR) to Switzerland-based mining company Glencore plc (Over-the-counter Pink Sheets symbol GLCNF) for $7.3 billion U.S in July 2024.

Teck had earlier sold 23% of EVR, split between Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. (20%) and South Korea’s POSCO (the remaining 3%). Teck received $1.3 billion U.S.

The remaining company now operates copper and zinc mines. Those include the second phase of Teck’s Quebrada Blanca copper mine in northern Chile (called QB2). The company holds a 60% stake in QB2.

Teck produced 446,000 tonnes of copper in 2024. That’s 1.9% higher than the midpoint of its forecast range of 420,000 to 455,000 tonnes.

The company now plans to spend between $3.2 billion U.S. and $3.9 billion U.S. to expand its copper projects, which will increase its output to 800,000 tonnes per year by 2030.

Teck’s zinc production was 615,900 tonnes in 2024, which also exceeded the midpoint of its forecast of 565,000 and 630,000 tonnes by 3.1%.

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Teck Resources: New partnership expands footprint in electric vehicle supply chain

Teck has now teamed up with Grid Metals Corp. (TSX Venture symbol GRDM) to develop the Mawka nickel-copper-cobalt project in southeastern Manitoba.

The company can acquire up to 70% of this project for an upfront cash payment of $1.6 million. It will also have to contribute $15.7 million between 2025 and 2031.

The Mawka site is close to major rail and trucking routes and has access to local hydro-electric power. That improves the prospects for this mine, which would help Teck tap into growing demand for key metals needed for the production of electric vehicles.

Teck’s revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2024, rose 51.2%, to $2.79 billion from $1.84 billion a year earlier. That’s entirely due to the ramp up of QB2 plus a 12.7% increase in its average realized copper price. Zinc prices also rose 22.1%. However, the latest revenue figure missed the consensus forecast of $3.00 billion.

Earnings in the quarter, before unusual items, soared $0.45 a share (or a total of $232 million) from $0.04 a share (or $23 million). That beat the $0.43-a-share consensus estimate.

Teck applied some of the cash from the Elk Valley sale to pay down its long-term debt, from $6.02 billion at the end of 2023 to $4.11 billion as of December 31, 2024. That’s equal to a manageable 30% of its $20.1 billion market cap. The company also held cash of $7.59 billion.

As QB2 continues to ramp up output, Teck’s total copper production in 2025 will probably rise about 18%. However, zinc output will probably fall 11% due to declining grades at its Red Dog mine in northwest Alaska. The company is now looking at nearby areas that it could develop into a new mine.

In response to the 25% U.S. tariff on imports from Canada, Teck is taking steps to sell more of the zinc from its smelter in Trail, B.C. to customers in Asia and other regions. That includes increasing its warehouse and port capacity.

The tariffs do not affect Teck’s Red Dog zinc mine in Alaska. As well, the company’s copper mines in Canada, Chile and Peru sell all of their products to customers in Europe and Asia.

For 2025, Teck will probably earn $2.14 a share, and the stock trades at 17.5 times that forecast. While high, that’s still a reasonable multiple as copper and zinc are crucial components of electric-powered vehicles (EVs). New datacentres that run artificial intelligence software will also need large amounts of copper. The $0.50 dividend yields 0.9%.

Recommendation in The Successful Investor: Teck Resources Ltd. is a buy.

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