Although the results were in line with Newmont's forecast, Chief Executive Officer Richard O'Brien told analysts the company delayed some projects to conserve capital during the economic downturn.
The Denver-based company said it earned $US10 million ($15.55 million), or 2 cents per share, in the October-December quarter.
Tha's a turnaround from a year ago, when the company had a loss of $US289 million ($449.39 million), or 63 cents a share, after taking a $US1.12 billion ($1.74 billion) goodwill write-down.
Excluding one-time items, Newmont said its adjusted profit was $US120 million ($186.6 million), or 26 cents a share.
Revenue slipped 5 per cent to $US1.34 billion ($2.08 billion) from $US1.41 billion ($2.19 billion) a year ago.
Gold sales were unchanged and copper sales fell due to diminished demand because of the recession.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected 25 cents per share and revenue of $US1.42 billion ($A2.21 billion).
Newmont said it sold 1.35 million ounces of gold, generating $US1.3 billion ($2.02 billion) at an average cost applicable to sales of $US448 ($696.63) per ounce. The price per ounce of rose 26.5 per cent, Newmont said.
In the year-ago quarter, Newmont had gold sales of $US1.29 billion ($2.01 billion) a year ago at an average cost applicable to sales of $US366 ($569.12) an ounce.
Mr O'Brien said during a conference call that Newmont anticipates higher gold sales at lower costs this year because operations will get under way at their Boddington mine, Australia's largest gold mine.
Copper sales fell 61 per cent to $US47 million ($73.08 million) in the latest quarter from $US121 million ($188.15 million) a year ago. Costs applicable to sales dropped to 65 cents per pound from $1.23 per pound.
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