Walter Energy Management Discusses Q2 2012 Results - Earnings Call Transcript

Walter J. Scheller

Thanks, Paul. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. I'd like to begin today with a brief report on safety which always comes first at Walter Energy. U.S. operations reduced the total recordable injury rate by 34% in the second quarter, and our Canadian operation's recordable injury rate was reduced by 26% compared with the year ago. Across the entire Walter community, we strive to ensure a safety culture for our employees and the communities in which we operate.

Turning now to our results. Second quarter met production of 2.91 million metric tons was within 50,000 tons of first quarter's 2.96 million metric tons record production. This represents a 17% increase from the 2.49 million tons produced in the second quarter of 2011. This strong production puts Walter on solid footing to accomplish our 2012 met coal production target of 11.5 million to 13 million metric tons.

Second quarter met coal sales of 2.84 million metric tons increased 20% over first quarter 2012. Mike Madden and his team has been globally marketing our suite of met coal products creating new opportunities and meeting our customers' needs even in a difficult macro environment.

It is also noteworthy to recognize that the strong production was accomplished for 2 mines having less than normal production during the quarter. First, Mine No. 4, was off-line for the majority of the second quarter. The extended longwall move was successfully accomplished just as the scheduled miner's vacation began. For the year, Mine No. 4 is on plan to meet its production target of about 2 million metric tons. Second, the Brule Mine in Northeast British Columbia currently operated by an on-site contractor had higher mining waste removal in the second quarter which negatively impacted its productivity and cost. As you know, Walter is focused on reducing cost. In the second quarter, the consolidated cash cost of hard coking coal decreased slightly to $115 per metric ton. In the U.S., Underground cash cost totaled $107 per metric ton from $110 in the first quarter. For perspective, cost were $119 per metric ton in the fourth quarter last year. Clearly, our Underground operations are making progress for reaching our cost coal of $100 per ton by the year end. And I should remind everyone, that Walter's Underground operations represent the majority of our production and cash flow.

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