Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (TRQ) Q1 2019 Earnings Call Transcript

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (TRQ)
Q1 2019 Earnings Call
May 16, 2019, 9:00 a.m. ET

Contents:

• Prepared Remarks
• Questions and Answers
• Call Participants

Prepared Remarks:

Operator

Good day. My name is Joanna, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Turquoise Hill Resources Q1 2019Financial Results and Review of Operations Conference Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press *, then the No. 1 on your telephone keypad. Thank you.

Mr. Roy McDowall, Investor Relations, you may begin your conference.

Roy McDowall -- Investor Relations

Thank you, Joanna. Welcome to our first quarter 2019 financial results conference call. Yesterday, we released our first quarter 2019 results press release, MD&A, and financial statements. These items are available on our website and SEDAR.

With me today is our CEO, Ulf Quellmann, and our CFO, Luke Colton. I'd now like to turn the call over to Ulf.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Thank you, Roy, and good morning to everyone. Thank you for joining Turquoise Hill's first quarter 2019 results conference call. Firstly, I'd like to welcome Roy to the Turquoise Hill team as our new head of investor relations and communications. Welcome, Roy.

This presentation includes forward-looking information. I'd like to remind you to please read the disclaimer on Slide 2. Today, I'll provide an update on what we've achieved over the first quarter of 2019. Luke will provide an overview of the financial performance of the company. And then, I'll finish by providing an overview of our priorities for the balance of the year.

Yesterday, we announced a strong set of results for the first three months of the year. As you know, the health and safety of our people is our top priority and we are pleased to report a new record of safety performance for the quarter. Our all injury frequency rate fell to 0.09 per 2,000 hours work exposure, down from 0.21 from the first quarter of 2018, and our lowest since commencement of commercial operations in 2014. This is an outstanding achievement and something we comment the Oyu Tolgoi team for. As an organization, we must continue to strive to do the best in the area of healthy, safety, and environment and to aspire to be seen as raising the standard in this area.

We achieved copper production of 45.8 thousand tonnes, and gold production of 120,000 ounces. Our C1 cash costs for the quarter were $0.77 per pound. And income came in at $105 million. We've also made significant progress on a number of key infrastructure projects with the completion of the 6,000-tonne-per-day jaw crusher, the surface discharge conveyor, and the expansion of the central heating plant. Each of these projects have now moved into the commissioning phase. Sinking of Shafts 3 and 4 have also commenced, and we've progressed 3.2 total equivalent kilometers in underground development over the quarter, and 2.3 kilometers of lateral development.

Moving on to Slide 5, Oyu Tolgoi delivered a very strong quarter at our open pit operations. Concentrator operated above nameplate capacity, and we delivered production of 45.8 tonnes of copper and 120,000 ounces of gold. This is an increase over the same corresponding quarter of last year of approximately 18% and 188% respectively. Our C1 cash costs reduced by 56% over the first quarter 2018 as we benefited from a higher gold byproduct contribution. The strong gold production over the first quarter was in line with expectations as we continue to process higher gold grade Phase 4 ore during the first quarter of 2019. We're now transitioning into the lower gold grade Phase 6 ore. We continue to remain on track to achieve our 2019 production guidance of 125,000-155,000 tonnes of copper and 180,000-220,000 ounces of gold.

Moving on to Slide 6, consistent with our project schedule, we've made significant progress in completing a number of surface infrastructure projects over the first quarter of this year, including the new 6,000-tonne-per-day jaw crusher, which is mechanically completed and currently being commissioned; and for heating plant expansion, which is now moved into the commissioning phase; construction of the surface discharge conveyor was also completed in March and tied into the existing overland conveyor. And Shafts 3 and 4 works are progressing well too, and as of 31st of March, we're at 10 meters and 50 meters below the shaft collar respectively. Finally, we achieved 2.3 kilometers of underground lateral development in the first three months of 2019.

Going forward into the remainder of the year, we are focused on completing the fit out and commissioning work on Shaft 2, which is expected to be completed by the end of October of this year. Once commissioned, Shaft 2, which is our primary service and personnel shaft, will enable Oyu Tolgoi to accelerate underground lateral development and achieve increased productivity rates more in line with expectations. Additionally, work continues on the definitive estimate work. This may include some potentially significant changes to the design of some future elements of the mine design and the develop schedule.

While we still expect to commence the cave initiation with impound zero, the highest grade area of the underground, key priorities for the team are confirming the location of the ore process, to ensure stability over the long life of mine that an ore body the size of Oyu Tolgoi supports. Finally, work also continues on making any necessary adjustments to the initiation sequence of the block cave to preserve the attractive economics of the mine. We expect to provide an update along with our half-year results, followed by the definitive estimate review, which is expected to be completed by year end.

Moving to Slide 7, we're currently working with a number of local key stakeholders, including the government of Mongolia, on a number of activities, most notably power, as well as increasing our local sourcing in Mongolia, community development, etc. Furthermore, there are other items and aspects that require dialogue and cooperation between Oyu Tolgoi, its shareholders, as well as the government of Mongolia. This includes discussion about the appropriate funding structure for Oyu Tolgoi, finalizing some outstanding tax matters, as well as cooperating on various reviews and working groups.

Starting with power, late last year we entered into an agreement, a power source framework agreement, that sets up a pathway, a roadmap really, to securing domestically sourced power for the mine. Having access to reliable and competitively priced power is critical for the success of Oyu Tolgoi. It also ensures that Oyu Tolgoi delivers on its commitment as set out in the 2009 investment agreement. Work continues on finalizing the technical configuration of the power plant and we received licenses and permits, including the construction permits for the Tavan-Tolgoi power plant, and electricity lines being renewed by the regulator. We've appointed an external technical advisor to assist us with various aspects of managing this very complex project, and we expect to approach EPC contractors in the short term.

In relation to some of the other matters that require cooperation, most recently, as you will be aware, Oyu Tolgoi has been provided with a summary of the Parliamentary Working Group report. Oyu Tolgoi has submitted a written response with some preliminary comments to the Economic Standard Committee of Parliament. Our understanding is that the timeline to review the Parliamentary Working Group report by the Economic Standard Committee of Parliament has not been fully established yet. In the meantime, Oyu Tolgoi and its shareholders continued to engage with the respective stakeholders in Mongolia.

Moving on to Slide 8, here you can see several photos of the newly completed discharge conveyor to surface, which has also been tied to the existing overland conveyor. This will connect ore transported from Shaft 2 to the existing infrastructure and deliver it then to the concentrator and will be lode commissioned when Shaft 2 is available.

Turning to Slide 9, here you can see several shots of the Shaft 2 jaw crusher. This is mechanically complete and is currently being commissioned. The system is capacity of 6,000 tonnes per day and it'll help accelerate underground development once Shaft 2 is complete. And turning to Slide 10, in the top left photo, you can see the completed central heating plant, which is now in the commissioning phase. This will, of course, ensure adequate ventilation to support the ramp-up of the underground operations. In the top right photo, you can see the initial progress of Shaft 3. Concrete collar has been installed and sinking has commenced. In the bottom left, you can see the hoist for Shaft 2. In the lower right, you can see tunneling for the conveyor to surface.

And now, I'll hand over to Luke to walk you through the financial highlights.

Luke Colton -- Chief Financial Officer

Thanks, Ulf, and hello to all of you listening in today. If I could get you to please turn to Slide 12 for a summary of key financial metrics for the first quarter of 2019, revenue in Q1 2019 was $352.7 million, which is an increase of $43.6 million compared to $245.6 million in Q1 of 2018. The increase is primarily due to increased gold revenue, not driven by the significant increase in gold production as OT benefited from the processing of Phase 4 ore that contained higher gold content. This is partially offset by a decrease in average copper price in Q1 2019 versus Q1 2018.

The higher revenue was also the primary driver behind the increase for other financial metrics, such as income per share, which increased from $0.04 per share in Q1 2018 to $0.06 per share in Q1 2019. Also, the increase in cash generated from operating activities before interest and tax, which was $49.8 million in Q1 2019, compared to $14.7 million in Q1 2018, with the higher sales revenue partially offset by higher cash operating costs. This was more than enough to fund sustaining capex for the open pit, and actually it helped to fund a portion of the underground development as well. The increase in operating cash costs was primarily due to higher freight and royalty costs, and that's associated with the higher sales revenues, but also higher power study costs and increased community development costs.

Capital expenditure was $325.3 million in Q1 of 2019, and that compares to $285.7 million in Q1 of 2018. And that includes $296.4 million in underground development spend. Since the beginning of 2016, the total amount spent on underground development is now approximately $2.6 billion. In addition, OT had further capital commitments of $1.1 billion as of the 31st of March 2019. Turquoise Hill liquidity balance at the end of Q1 2019 was approximately $3.2 billion.

If you could turn to Slide 13 now, OT's C1 cash costs in Q1 of 2019 were $0.77 per pound of copper produced. That's a decrease of 56% from the $1.76 per pound in Q1 of 2018. The primary reason for the significant decrease in these C1 cash costs was due to the benefit incurred from the additional gold credits arising from the $85.4 million increase in gold revenue Q1 2018 versus Q1 2019. This was further supported by reduced unit cost of production, benefiting from increased copper grades and recovery rates, and lower negotiated TCRCs and freight differential.

Slide 14 comments on TRQ's strong liquidity position as we ensure the continued funding of OT. Total underground spend since January 2016, as I previously mentioned, is now about just about $2.6 billion. At the end of March 2019, Turquoise Hill has approximately $3.2 billion of available liquidity, and that's split between finance proceeds -- or remaining finance proceeds -- of $1.6 billion, and approximately $1.5 billion of cash. In addition, we expect to generate free cash flow at our existing open pit operations, which will also be available to help fund the underground developments. For example, in 2018, approximately $360 million was generated from our open pit operations.

By the end of this year, key milestones related to the underground project will be significantly more advanced than today, including the completion of Shaft 2 and the completion of the definitive estimate review. This will include final estimates for completion schedule, costs -- both capex and opex, grades, and the production schedule.

I will leave it with that for now, and I'll hand back to Ulf to finish.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Thank you, Luke. As stated earlier, the health and safety of our people is our top priority and we've continued to improve over 2018, achieving our best quarterly safety performance since commencement of commercial operations. However, we can certainly not be complacent, and this remains a key priority for us. Operation performance in our open pit is on track to deliver our 2019 production on plan, and we continue to remain extremely focused on operating cost discipline.

As we continue to progress the underground over the remainder of 2019, our primary focus will be on completing Shaft 2, which will facilitate an acceleration in underground development. We'll also complete the excavation of key underground infrastructure and continue to progress Shafts 3 and 4. In addition to the underground development, work continues on the Tavan-Tolgoi based power plant. We've already secured some of the required permits and we expect to approach EPC contractors shortly.

We are focused on working toward the milestones as set out on the power source framework agreement. We continue to engage with the government of Mongolia as we work through some of the remaining outstanding items. And lastly, work is ongoing with Rio Tinto, our project manager, to complete the mine modification work. This work will form the basis of the definitive estimate, which will provide the final update on cost and schedule.

Turning to Slide 17, here we highlight Turquoise Hill's leading copper growth profile. As you can see, Turquoise Hill's copper production growth is expected to be well above peers due to the substantial increase in copper production that the underground mine will bring. This will driven by a significant increase in copper grade. On average, copper grade within Panel Zero, which our underground operations will start, is approximately 2.5%, approximately five times the average cooperate grade achieved at our open pit operations.

Turning to Slide 18, and to summarize, Oyu Tolgoi is one of the few world class copper and gold deposits capable of producing significant tonnage of low cost copper over a multidecade mine life. It is a low cost, long life asset. Turquoise Hill presents a unique opportunity to invest directly in this Tier 1 copper and gold asset. On completion of the underground project, Oyu Tolgoi will be a top three copper mine by production with first quartile cash costs and the potential to support a 100-year life of mine.

These unique characteristics are expected to result in the generation of significant and long dated free cash flow throughout the cycle. The project is well advanced, with almost half of the capex already having been spent compared to some other copper projects of similar scope. Oyu Tolgoi has some key advantages that set it aside. To name just a few, Oyu Tolgoi has a significant part of its infrastructure already in place. It is a world class operator in Rio Tinto. Our customers in the biggest market of the world, in China, are just on our doorstep. We have an agreed framework in place to secure a long-term power solution from within Mongolia. And we operate in a jurisdiction that benefits directly and indirectly from Oyu Tolgoi's success.

We're well on our way to transforming Oyu Tolgoi into a truly Tier 1 operating mine. And with that, I'd like to conclude our prepared remarks.

...

Operator, we'd now like to turn to take questions.

Questions and Answers:

Operator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, as a reminder, should you have any questions, please press *1. And your first question is from Orest Wowkodaw from Scotiabank. Please go ahead.

Orest Wowkodaw -- Scotiabank -- Analyst

Hi, good morning. Ulf, I was wondering if you could provide any details on the report produced by the parliamentary working group? Specifically, I'm curious what they may be recommending, or what their conclusion may be. And obviously, you've responded to that. But when do you think we could get some details on that?

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Orest, thanks very much for the question. I think this is one -- and I touched upon it briefly in the remarks I just made. We are really in the process at the moment. We aren't really in a position, Orest, at this stage, to really say anything above and beyond what we've said publicly in the press release last week. And that's really to say that Oyu Tolgoi received a copy of the summary report. It provided some written responses back to the Economic Standard Committee of Parliament. It is now really with the Economic Standard Committee of Parliament to decide what the next steps in the process are.

And all we can say at this stage, Orest, really is that we continue to be engaged with the relevant stakeholders in country, seeking to -- working toward a good outcome for all participants. But I'm afraid we can't really share any detail of the report. They are not public.

Orest Wowkodaw -- Scotiabank -- Analyst

Okay. But would it be fair to say that they're proposing changing the current investment agreement?

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

As I said, Orest, we won't -- we can't really comment on the content in the report. It's been provided to us. We provided our responses. We want to work with the relevant authorities in a trusted, cooperative fashion. And I hope you'll understand that we would refrain from really spilling out the comments of the report on a public conference call like this.

Orest Wowkodaw -- Scotiabank -- Analyst

Okay. Okay. And then, just finally, for me -- you stated in your release that expect to provide an update on the underground with your midyear results. Just curious what we can anticipate there. Would that be an updated capex and schedule or is that just more -- just curious how that might differ versus this definitive report at the end of the year.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Yeah, thanks, Orest. I think what we are attempting to do is really to recognize that obviously a lot of work is going on to complete the definitive estimate. We talked on our last call a little bit about the work that's required around a review of the mine plan as a result of some of the difference in rock mass stability. And as a result of that, the definitive estimate is now only available toward the end of the year. That's a long way away from now, but that's really the time when final costs and schedule will be known. And I think we just recognize that we ought to be in a position to give the market an interim update before year end. The next logical point for us to do that is the half year.

What format and what extent exactly that takes, Orest, we'll still have to work out. We want to be as helpful as possible to the markets, but at the same time we need to see where we are at that point in time to see what we can meaningfully provide you with. But it's really a reflection of the fact that we want to be in a position to provide the market with visibility as opposed to having you wait until the full year before we can tell you anything really.

Orest Wowkodaw -- Scotiabank -- Analyst

Okay. So, is it possible we could see a preliminary new schedule in capex at that point, or is that unlikely?

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Look, we'll have to see where we are. I don't want to raise the expectations more than we can deliver, Orest. I think we just -- we recognize that we need to provide you with some visibility. The form extend, we'll have to work through.

Orest Wowkodaw -- Scotiabank -- Analyst

Okay. Thank you very much.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Thanks, Orest.

Operator

Thank you. Your next question is from Ralph Profiti from Eight Capital. Please go ahead.

Ralph M. Profiti -- Eight Capital LLC -- Analyst

Good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Ulf, when we think about modification of this initiation sequence within Panel Zero, how much better are you experiencing the ground conditions as you think of these alternatives? Are those quantifiable possibly in terms of say mRMRs, or even a qualitative review of the relative stability would be helpful. Just trying to figure out how much better you're off in the alternative scenarios. And then, maybe just to touch on that, how would you describe the ground conditions in Panel 1 and Panel 2 relative to Panel Zero?

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Thank you for the questions, Ralph. These are really good questions, and far from trying to dodge the questions, but we are really in the process of working through that. So, at this point in time, the specifics that you're asking for, we're not in a position to give you. What we can say to you is that, obviously, the project team is working through it. We're working with the team together to make sure we understand it, and we'll have to see what position we can be in, as I said, at the half year to give you an update. But we need to make sure we do the work first, so that we -- when we are in a position to give you an update, we've done the work, we've done the homework, and we don't come back to you continuously with changes.

So, really, these are all good questions. They're just a little bit early for us to give you definitive answers to at this point in time.

Ralph M. Profiti -- Eight Capital LLC -- Analyst

Okay. Okay. No, I understand. Thanks for that. Is it possible that you've held -- this is a different topic -- any preliminary discussions with the project financing syndicate -- on mentioning your previous commentary about potentially looking at the schedule change in that as an option. Or will you most likely wait until the definitive review estimate until you tackle those issues, if they need to be addressed at all?

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Sure, Ralph. I might just look at Luke to see -- given that it's a finance question, see if Luke wants to take that one.

Luke Colton -- Chief Financial Officer

Sure. No, I'm happy to do my best to answer that question. Thank you for it. We are in the process of looking at a variety of different funding options, and that certainly does involve preliminary discussion with various parties. And there certainly have been some interactions at very high levels with different parties, including with existing banks, etc. But I don't think -- we're talking very, very high level at this stage. I don't think that there's -- I don't want you to get too far ahead of yourself, I guess, if that makes any sense at all. We're certainly -- we certainly feel like we're at a stage in terms of assessing our various options, which is appropriate for the point in time where we now find ourselves. And we'll continue to execute against our anticipated timelines.

Ralph M. Profiti -- Eight Capital LLC -- Analyst

Okay. Yeah. That's it for me, operator. Thanks, Ulf. Thanks, Luke.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Thank you, Ralph.

Operator

Thank you. Your next question is from Terence Ortslan with TSO. Please go ahead.

Terence S. Ortslan -- TSO & Associates, Inc. -- Analyst

Thank you. Good morning. Just two quick questions. One, your mill operating rate, above capacity, is that because of the softer ore or is it because of the better availability of the mill?

Luke Colton -- Chief Financial Officer

Yep. So, if you look at our Q1 2019 operating results versus prior quarters, specifically Q1 of 2018, you'll see we had good head grade. We had good recovery. We did have slightly lower mill throughput. And you're correct in saying that's really the result of processing the harder Phase 4 ore, and a larger proportion of that in Q1 of 2019 versus Q1 of 2018.

Terence S. Ortslan -- TSO & Associates, Inc. -- Analyst

Okay. Well, Q2 last year, you had quite a substantial operating rate compared to the nameplate capacity -- 112,000 tonnes versus the 100,000 tonnes, or thereabouts in nameplate.

Luke Colton -- Chief Financial Officer

Yep. No. And we do, I think, continue to operate our mill above nameplate capacity. But we do get the benefit of softer ore in terms of being able to maximize that throughput. So, it would've been a little bit lower in the first quarter of this year. But you would expect, as we move into Phase 6 ore, which is softer, over the course of 2019 -- you would expect that to have a positive impact, all other things being equal.

Terence S. Ortslan -- TSO & Associates, Inc. -- Analyst

I must congratulate you on your injury frequency rate. Is there a Mongolian standard developed after so many tonnes -- a limit that mining operations have? Do they have an industrywide rate in Mongolia nowadays?

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Yeah, we obviously benchmark our safety performance in country. But we certainly also have the benefit of benchmarking it vis-a-vis the reoperations -- and of course industrywide. You will know that this is one of the key standard metrics in the area of safety that people call. There are obviously others -- not the only one we measure. But this is probably one of the most commonly used ones. And we just think safety is one of those things -- it's not only our No. 1 priority. It speaks to our core values. That's who we are. That's how we think about our responsibility vis-à-vis our employees. They really need to be in a position where they come to work every day and they feel they can go home safe and sound at the end of each day to their families. So, that's why it's our No. 1 value.

And second of all, we also think safety tends to be a good proxy for good operatorship. People and operations who tend to have good safety metrics, safety processes, systems, culture -- there tends to be a correlation to operating efficiency and effectiveness as well. And so, that's why we do -- that's why we report on it. And that's why we benchmark our performance against various best in class and industry standards.

Terence S. Ortslan -- TSO & Associates, Inc. -- Analyst

Thank you for that. Just following up Orest's question at the beginning, the previous commissions or approaches to renegotiate the investment agreement was somewhat retroactive. I appreciate you don't want to discuss and negotiate this thing in public, but is it a retroactive issue or issues in this particular submission that they have? Because ore going forward is the way they're looking into discussing with you the possibilities.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Well, I would say if -- I can try and attempt to answer you question. Look, it's -- there are obviously multiple discussions dealing with multiple topics that we have -- whether it is power, whether it is community development, whether it's how can we support the local economy through sourcing more in country. This discussion around the parliamentary working group report is one of many others. And we just take the approach that ultimately we are long-term partners. We are in country. We will be in country for a long time. The government, through various holdings, is a direct and indirect beneficiary of OT's success, if you like -- either as a shareholder or just as a tax collector through employment and so forth.

So, we are engaging with the government and the various stakeholders really on multiple levels, multiple aspects, and we do so in a, what we believe, cooperative, collaborative, respectful fashion. And ultimately, we are clear from a Turquoise Hill perspective, we need to make sure we deliver what's in the best interest of our shareholders. What form that ultimately takes, we'll have to see. But I think the engagement, the nature of the engagement, is important. And we're certainly very clear about our priorities. So is the government, of course. Luckily, we think, in many many cases, the interests of us are aligned in that both of us are benefiting from OT being successful. The more OT is successful, the better for Mongolia as a country as well. I hope that --

Terence S. Ortslan -- TSO & Associates, Inc. -- Analyst

[Crosstalk] I appreciate it.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Yeah. Okay. Thank you.

Terence S. Ortslan -- TSO & Associates, Inc. -- Analyst

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Your next question is from Oscar Cabrera from CIBC. Please go ahead.

Oscar Cabrera -- CIBC World Markets, Inc. -- Analyst

Thank you, operator, and good day, everyone. Ulf, I think you've partly answered the question I had for you with respect to the parliamentary working group report and the new mine plan that you're working on. It sounds like the discussions are far beyond what -- the letter that was submitted to you. And I just want to wish you good luck. The question I had is with respect to the power agreement you have. You have been pretty specific about the dates where you need power, or to have power source from the power plant. Tavan-Tolgoi -- is that part of the discussion as well of -- I'm assuming that you're sourcing your gold from the mine, but are you thinking, or is part of the process, that we'll have you involved in the mining of the Tavan-Tolgoi deposit? Or is that -- that's going to be done by a third party or by the Mongolian government?

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Yeah, I think, Oscar, I wasn't necessarily stretching that far when I mentioned power. It was in the linkage to Mongolian stakeholders. It was in the context of, No. 1, the ability to source power domestically from within Mongolia as one of the key obligations that Oyu Tolgoi has as per the investment agreement. No. 2, the power source framework agreement envisages that Oyu Tolgoi is a majority shareholder of that new entity that owns the power plant. And of course, Erdene Tolgoi is a shareholder to Oyu Tolgoi. So, indirectly, there is a government ownership. Then, we're talking about what other partners might we want to have in the Tavan-Tolgoi power project. And of course, we need the support and collaboration by the government in providing licenses and permits, if you like.

So, I mentioned it, Oscar, more in the context of really the multitude of discussions that we're having with the government, that go far beyond things like the parliamentary working group report, right? There's many of these discussions and power is a good example, I think, where power is a critical -- and I would say strategic enabler and value driver -- for Oyu Tolgoi. And again, it's an area where we are working together with various Mongolian stakeholders. That's the point I was trying to make. So, I hope that partially addressed your question, Oscar.

Oscar Cabrera -- CIBC World Markets, Inc. -- Analyst

Yeah, no. It does, Ulf. Thanks very much. I think you've -- we all seen the -- you still come under pressure. I think, this uncertainty surrounding the parliamentary work group report's not helping. Do you think that once you present a new mine plan, and that -- the power plant plan, as it were, by the end of this year, beginning of next year. You think that all things can be settled with the government? Or should -- or do you expect these conversations to continue beyond that?

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

It's a very good question, Oscar, and I think -- look, I mean, we obviously can't predict how things unfold. But what -- clearly, what we can say and what we would like to see is where we have outstanding issues, we are -- we believe we're all incentivized to resolve these. So, if we specifically refer to the parliamentary working group report, it's now been commissioned more than a year ago, and we believe that ultimately, in a partnership that we have in country, as we said, in various aspects, issues come up every now and again. That's normal. The key is how do we resolve them. And how can we work cooperatively, collaboratively together, to work through some of these issues so that they don't become a major obstacle for the development of the mine, right?

As you well know, with the underground -- with power, these are critical components that we need to progress with. They are critical to unlock the value potential that Oyu Tolgoi has, and therefore we, as well as, we believe, the Mongolian government -- we're all incentivized to resolve any issues that could present some sort of impediment from delivering undervalued potential. So, we're keen to resolve them, work with the government, and the sooner we can do so I think the better we're all served.

Oscar Cabrera -- CIBC World Markets, Inc. -- Analyst

Okay. Well, best of luck, Ulf.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Thank you, Oscar.

Operator

Thank you. We have no further questions. You may proceed.

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Thank you, operator. And thank you for everyone joining us on the call this morning. If I could just quickly wrap it up and maybe summarize, Oyu Tolgoi is a long life, low cost, Tier 1 asset. We have delivered what we believe are very strong quarterly operational performance in the first quarter of this year. We are progressing with both the underground, as well as with power. Both of those are key strategic value drivers for us. You all know that Oyu Tolgoi is a large and complex project, so we will encounter challenges along the way. But the key thing is that we recognize when we have challenges and that we are putting really the best people and the best resources against it to make sure we resolve them.

Rio Tinto, as an operator, as a manger, is recognized as one of the world's best mining companies. We also have -- we didn't touch on it very much on the call today -- the support of a large syndicate of international financial institutions. And of course, we'll continue, as we just said, to work cooperatively with our Mongolian stakeholders to maximize value for our shareholders. That's what our commitment is and that's what we will do.

So, with that, I'd like to thank you for joining us on today's call. We will end the call here. Thank you, and goodbye.

...

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes your conference call for today. We thank you for participating, and we ask that you please disconnect your lines.

Duration: 43 minutes

Call participants:

Roy McDowall -- Investor Relations

Ulf Quellmann -- Chief Executive Officer

Luke Colton -- Chief Financial Officer

Brendan Lane -- Vice President, Operations and Development

Ralph M. Profiti -- Eight Capital LLC -- Analyst

Orest Wowkodaw -- Scotiabank -- Analyst

Terence S. Ortslan -- TSO & Associates, Inc. -- Analyst

Oscar Cabrera -- CIBC World Markets, Inc. -- Analyst

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