Thanks, Jonathan. Good morning, everyone. I will start with our third quarter 2025 financial performance on Slide 7.
Our adjusted EBITDA increased by 19% in the quarter compared to a year ago to $1.2 billion, driven by higher base metals prices, byproduct revenues and significantly stronger copper -- significantly lower copper smelter processing charges as well as strong performance across our established operations, most significantly in our zinc business.
Red Dog, zinc sales and another profitable quarter from Trail operations drove an increase in our adjusted EBITDA, although this was partially offset by higher operating costs at QB. And while we completed a $144 million of share buybacks in July, we have not executed share buybacks since July 25 and will not be permitted to execute further buybacks through the closing of our proposed merger with Anglo American.
Importantly, we will continue to return cash to shareholders through our annual base dividend of $0.50 per share, which is paid quarterly.
Slide 8 summarizes the key drivers of our financial performance in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2024.
Our adjusted EBITDA increased by $185 million to $1.2 billion. In Q3, we realized higher copper and zinc prices as well as higher byproduct revenue, lower smelter processing charges and an increase in sales volumes. This was partially offset by an increase in royalties at Red Dog due to strong profitability and higher operating costs at QB.
Our Q3 2024 EBITDA was impacted by a post-tax impairment charge on Trail operations.
Now looking at each of our reporting segments in greater detail and starting with copper on Slide 9. In the third quarter, gross profit before depreciation and amortization from our copper segment improved 23% to $740 million compared with the same period last year, primarily due to higher base metals prices and lower smelter processing charges. QB production was constrained due to TMF development work, but we expect to see less downtime impacting performance in the fourth quarter.
Excluding QB, our production increased from Q3 2024, driven by higher throughput and grades at Highland Valley and higher grades and recoveries at Carmen de Andacollo. Antamina's production reflects a higher proportion of copper zinc ore this year as expected in the mine plan.
Our copper net cash unit costs improved by USD 0.16 per pound, despite higher operating costs at QB primarily due to lower smelter processing costs and increased byproduct credits, including QB molybdenum.
Following board sanction of the Highland Valley mine life extension in July, the project has entered the execution phase. Engineering and procurement activities are well underway and site mobilization has begun.
Our outlook for our copper segment is aligned with our October 7 news release.
For 2025, we expect annual copper production of 415,000 to 465,000 tons and copper net cash unit costs of USD 2.05 to USD 2.30 per pound.
Turning to our zinc segment on Slide 10. In the third quarter, gross profit before depreciation and amortization for our zinc segment improved 27% to $454 million compared to the same period last year. This was primarily due to higher byproduct revenues, higher zinc prices and lower zinc treatment charges, partially offset by higher adjusted cash cost of sales and higher royalties tied to Red Dog's profitability. Red Dog and Trail operations both had a strong quarter of performance.
At Red Dog, zinc sales of 273,000 tons were above our guidance range of 200,000 to 250,000 tons following a successful shipping season as we experienced favorable weather conditions. Production reflected lower grades as expected in our mine plan. In the third quarter, Red Dog inventories were drawn down by approximately USD 200 million.
However, this was more than offset by elevated trade receivables of USD 570 million at quarter end, due to the volume of sales in Q3 and higher zinc prices.
We expect Red Dog's trade receivables will be substantially reduced in the fourth quarter, providing a source of cash through the reduction in working capital.
As of October 21, approximately USD 350 million of Red Dog receivables were collected, driving an increase in our cash balance post Q3.
Our zinc net cash unit cost improved by USD 0.08 per pound, driven by lower smelter processing charges and higher byproduct credits. We reported another quarter of profitability at Trail operations reflecting our focus on improving Trail's profitability and cash generation through prioritizing processing of residues over maximizing refined zinc production. Processing residues enables us to reduce concentrate purchases in the low treatment charge environment.
Looking forward, we expect Red Dog zinc sales to be between 125,000 to 140,000 tons in the fourth quarter reflecting normal seasonality. Red Dog's shipping season commenced on July 11 and was completed yesterday.
Our outlook for our zinc segment is aligned with our October 7 news release.
For 2025, as a result of Red Dog's strong year-to-date performance, we expect Red Dog's zinc production to come in towards the top end of our guidance range of 430,000 to 470,000 tonnes.
We continue to expect our total zinc production to be 525,000 to 575,000 tonnes, including Antamina.
We also expect to be at the high end of our annual refined zinc production guidance range for Trail operations.
We continue to expect zinc net cash unit costs of $0.45 to USD 0.55 per pound. With Red Dog's strong performance, we continue to build the Nano Royalty Accrual, which is expected to be a source of working capital in Q4 and a use of working capital in Q1 2026 [indiscernible].
Turning to our balance sheet on Slide 11.
We have maintained a strong balance sheet and currently have liquidity of $9.5 billion, including $5.3 billion of cash.
Our cash balance has increased by approximately $500 million in the month of October so far, particularly due to the collection of Red Dog receivables built in Q3.
Our use of cash through the end of September reflects significant cash returns to shareholders of over $1.2 billion as well as the payment of taxes related to the sale of the steelmaking coal business and the advancement of our copper growth options, including the start of the execution of the Highland Valley mine life extension.
And while we completed a $144 million of share buybacks in July, we have not executed buybacks since July 25 and will not be permitted to execute further buybacks through the closing of our proposed merger with Anglo American.
Importantly, though, we will continue to return cash to shareholders through our annual base dividend of $0.50 per share, which is paid quarterly. Overall, our very strong balance sheet ensures we maintain our resilient position.
Back to you, Jonathan.