🎁 💸 Warren Buffett's Top Picks Are Up +49.1%. Copy Them to Your Watchlist – For FreeCopy Portfolio

UPDATE 1-KGHM says plans for large output rise unrealistic

Published 08/17/2009, 07:57 AM
Updated 08/17/2009, 08:00 AM
VOD
-
TGT
-
PKN
-
HG
-

* Says output rise to 700,000T in 2010 unrealistic

* To present changes to 2009 guidance after Q3

* Eyes stake in mining project in 2009, likely in the U.S. (Adds more quotes, details)

WARSAW, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Europe's No.2 copper producer KGHM dropped plans to boost production by some 40 percent next year because it no longer planned to make a large acquisition of foreign deposits, its chief executive said.

Poland's state-controlled miner also said it would announce any changes to its 2009 guidance after the current quarter despite nearing its current earnings target after the second quarter.

KGHM, which expects to produce more than 500,000 tonnes of copper this year, previously planned to boost the figure next year by expanding abroad.

"The target of raising production to 700,000 tonnes annually in 2010 is unrealistic," CEO Herbert Wirth told a news conference on Monday.

Wirth had previously said that KGHM would be unable to follow through with its ambitious plans after yielding to the state treasury to pay a 2.34 billion zlotys ($790 million) dividend in June.

But KGHM still expects to make at least one acquisition of a stake in a mining project this year, most likely in the United States. It is also discussing potential purchases in Peru and Laos, Wirth said, but did not elaborate.

"We are running due diligence in two projects in the U.S., one in Peru and are negotiating a purchase of a concession in Laos," KGHM CEO told reporters. "This year we seek a stake of a few tens of percent in one project, most probably in the U.S."

He added that KGHM was not determined to sell its 25 percent stake in Poland's top mobile operator Polkomtel, backtracking on earlier comments.

Poland's largest refiner PKN Orlen wants to unload its holding this year, with Vodafone, which also has a 25 percent stake, seen as the most likely buyer.

KGHM shares fell 3.2 percent by 1147 GMT, in line with the wider market. ($1=2.962 Zloty) (Reporting by Adrian Krajewski and Agnieszka Barteczko, writing by Chris Borowski; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.