10-K/APeriod: FY2002

NEWMONT Corp /DE/ Annual Report (Amendment), Year Ended Dec 31, 2002

Filed October 24, 2003For Securities:NEMNEMCL

Summary

Newmont Mining Corporation's (NEM) amended 10-K filing for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, reveals a significant transformation driven by strategic acquisitions. The company significantly expanded its operational footprint and reserve base through the acquisitions of Franco-Nevada Mining Corporation Limited and Normandy Mining Limited. This expansion led to a substantial increase in revenues and a notable improvement in net income, moving from a net loss in 2001 to a profit in 2002. However, the significant goodwill recorded from these acquisitions ($3 billion) poses a potential risk if future performance does not support its carrying value. The company also faces ongoing market risks related to gold and copper price fluctuations, currency movements, and operational challenges inherent in the mining industry, particularly in its international operations. Management's focus in 2003 is on achieving synergies from the acquisitions and optimizing its asset base, while continuing to manage its debt levels.

Key Highlights

  • 1Completed significant acquisitions of Franco-Nevada Mining Corporation Limited and Normandy Mining Limited, expanding global operations and reserves.
  • 2Achieved net income of $154.3 million ($0.42 per share) in 2002, a substantial improvement from a net loss of $54.1 million ($0.28 per share) in 2001.
  • 3Revenues increased to $2.75 billion in 2002 from $1.67 billion in 2001, largely due to the acquired operations and higher gold prices.
  • 4Reported goodwill of approximately $3.0 billion at year-end 2002, primarily from the recent acquisitions, which is subject to annual impairment testing.
  • 5Gold reserves stood at 86.9 million equity ounces at December 31, 2002, with a focus on maintaining reserve replacement through exploration.
  • 6The company has a "no-hedging" philosophy but inherited significant derivative positions from Normandy, which it is actively working to reduce and simplify.
  • 7Total employees increased from 10,600 in 2001 to 13,200 in 2002, reflecting the impact of the acquisitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2002, Newmont reported net income of $154.3 million, or $0.42 per share, a significant turnaround from a net loss of $54.1 million, or $0.28 per share, in 2001. Revenues also saw a substantial increase to $2.75 billion from $1.67 billion in the prior year, driven by the acquisitions of Franco-Nevada and Normandy and higher commodity prices.

The acquisitions of Franco-Nevada and Normandy in February 2002 were transformative, significantly expanding Newmont's operational footprint, reserve base, and product diversity (adding royalty and investment businesses). These deals led to a substantial increase in revenues and equity, but also resulted in the recording of approximately $3.0 billion in goodwill, which will be subject to future impairment testing.

Newmont faces several risks, including a substantial decline in gold prices impacting revenues and profitability, the ongoing need to replace depleted gold reserves through exploration, uncertainty in reserve estimates, increased operating costs, potential mining accidents, currency fluctuations affecting costs, and significant environmental laws and regulations. Risks related to international operations, such as political instability and changes in foreign laws, are also highlighted.

Newmont has a "no-hedging" philosophy but inherited significant derivative positions from Normandy. The company is proactively working to reduce and simplify these positions, having reduced Normandy's gold hedge books by over 3 million ounces between February 2002 and December 31, 2002.