Newmont Mining's Nevada project
Newmont Mining's Nevada project Newmont Mining

Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE: NEM) said Friday first-quarter profit fell 4.7 percent diminished gold production and higher costs offset higher selling prices.

But excluding one-time charges, the Denver-based miner gold and copper miner's profit rose 12.7 percent, helping to lift shares in early trading.

Net income for Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE: NEM) fell to $490 million, or 97 cents per share, compared with $514 million, or $1.03 per share, in the year-earlier period.

Earnings from continuing operations were $561 million, up 9 percent from $514 million from the first quarter of last year.

Excluding one-time events, net income was $578 million compared with $513 million.

Sales rose to $2.68 billion from $2.47 billion.

Newmont Mining's average realized gold price rose 22 percent to $1,684, but gold production fell 2 percent to 1.3 million ounces.

Gold costs applicable to sales rose 11 percent to $620 per ounce.

Shares of Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE: NEM) rose 33 cents to $48.02 in morning trading.