Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Kemmobbhg ) released today its financial results for the Third Quarter ended September 30, 2019. The Company owns four silver-gold mines in Mexico: the Guanaceví mine in Durango state, the Bolañitos and El Cubo mines in Guanajuato state and the El Compas mine in Zacatecas state.
In Q3, 2019, while Endeavour generated lower revenue, mine operating cash flow, cash flow from operations and earnings compared to Q3, 2018, the Company generated higher mine operating cash flow, cash flow from operations and net earnings compared to Q2, 2019. While cash costs and all-in sustaining costs were higher compared to Q3, 2018,cash costs were lower than Q2, 2019.
The Company reported a net loss of $6.8 million in the Third Quarter, 2019 compared to $5.5 million loss in the Third Quarter, 2018, primarily due to lower revenue partly offset by lower costs of sales. Revenue decreased 24% due to lower production partly offset by higher realized metal prices. Mine operating cash flow before taxes(1) decreased 31% to $6.6 million due to the lower production, while cash flow from operations before working capital changes decreased to $2.1 million. Cash costs rose 30% to $11.51 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits) and all-in sustaining costs increased 33% to $21.53 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits).
Bradford Cooke, Endeavour CEO, commented, “Production in the Third Quarter 2019 was down year-on-year but we are seeing positive traction from all the operational changes we made in the past two quarters. Consolidated cash costs per oz, direct costs per tonne and net losses were all lower quarter-on-quarter thanks to the operational improvements.”
“All-in-sustaining costs remained high but would also have been lower if not for the purchase and lease of new mobile mining equipment for Guanacevi and Bolanitos. The most progress was made at Guanacevi where cash costs decreased 26%, AISC costs decreased 16% and direct production costs decreased 22% compared to Q2, 2019. We expect the improving trend to accelerate in Q4, 2019 with higher production and lower costs as productivity continues to climb at Guanacevi and Bolanitos.”
“We continued to advance our Terronera and Parral projects with engineering trade off studies during the quarter. The mining and processing of bulk samples from each project are planned this quarter in order to complete a final PFS for Terronera and an initial PEA for Parral. Exploration drilling at Parral returned positive results in Q3, 2019 . We also plan to drill two greenfields projects in Chile in Q4, 2019.”
In the Third Quarter, 2019, El Cubo mined lower than planned grades due to narrower vein widths and higher dilution of the V-Ascuncion ore body than estimated. The Company is currently assessing whether more efficient mining practices can reduce dilution going forward. The 2019 drill program intersected high grade but narrow mineralization to extend the V-Asuncion orebody. Endeavour is currently updating the reserves and resources and reviewing operating alternatives including the possible closure of El Cubo.
Notwithstanding recent progress in the operating performance of the mines, management does not expect to meet its 2019 production and cost guidance and is not providing guidance for the balance of the year.
Highlights of Third Quarter 2019 (Compared to Third Quarter 2018)
Financial
Revenue in the Third Quarter, 2019 totaled $28.6 million (2018 - $37.6 million) on sales of 835,045 silver ounces and 9,373 gold ounces at realized prices of $17.52 and $1,489 per ounce respectively, compared to sales of 1,532,097 silver ounces and 13,025 gold ounces at realized prices of $14.42 and $1,189 per ounce respectively in Q3, 2018.
After cost of sales of $30.3 million (2018 - $42.4 million), mine operating losses amounted to $1.7 million (2018 - $4.8 million) from mining and milling operations in Mexico. The 28% decrease in cost of sales was primarily due lower production. Excluding depreciation and depletion of $7.1 million (2018 - $31.1 million), share-based payments expense of $0.1 million (2018 – nil) and an inventory write down of $1.2 million (2018 -$1.3 million) mine operating cash flow before taxes was $6.6 million (2018 – $9.6 million) in Q3, 2019. Net losses amounted to $6.8 million (2018 –$5.5 million) after exploration, general and administrative expenses and foreign exchange.
Direct production costs per tonne in Q3, 2019 increased 24% compared with Q3, 2018 due to reduced throughput. The higher production costs per tonne were driven mainly by lower mine output at the Bolañitos and El Cubo operations. Production costs also included higher power costs due to increased electrical rates and the expensing of development expenditures due to the low reserve life at El Cubo.
Consolidated cash costs per oz, net of by-product credits (a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute) increased primarily due to higher costs per tonne. All-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure), compared to Q3, 2018, increased 33% to $21.53 per oz in Q3, 2019. This increase in all‑in sustaining costs was a result of higher operating costs, higher stock-based compensation, offset by lower exploration costs and lower capital expenditures at the operation in Q3, 2019 compared to Q3, 2018. Capital expenditures decreased due to reduced mine development at El Cubo and reduced development at Guanacevi with the ramps into SCS and Milache ore bodies being complete, offset by updating the mobile fleets at Bolanitos and Guanacevi and continued development at the El Compas operation.
The Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion & Analysis can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.edrsilver.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All amounts are reported in US$.
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss the results will be held today, Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 10:00am PT (1:00pm ET). To participate in the conference call, please dial the numbers below. No pass-code is necessary.
Toll-free in Canada and the US: 1-800-319-4610
Local Vancouver: 604-638-5340
Outside of Canada and the US: + 604-638-5340
A replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 1-800-319-6413 in Canada and the US (toll-free) or +604-638-9010 outside of Canada and the US. The required pass-code is 3677#. The audio replay and a written transcript will be available on the Company's website at www.edrsilver.com under the Investor Relations, Events section.
About Endeavour Silver – Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that owns and operates four high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico and Chile to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.
SOURCE Endeavour Silver Corp.
Contact Information:
Galina Meleger, Director Investor Relations
Toll free: (877) 685-9775
Tel: (604) 640-4804
Fax: (604) 685-9744
Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com
Website: www.edrsilver.com
In Europe:
Swiss Resource Capital AG
www.resource-capital.ch
Follow Endeavour Silver on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States private securities litigation reform act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward‑looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding Endeavour’s anticipated performance in 2019 including changes in mining operations and production levels, and the timing and results of various activities. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to changes in production and costs guidance, national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices, operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company’s title to properties; as well as those factors described in the section “risk factors” contained in the Company’s most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Company’s mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with management’s expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
1) Silver equivalents are calculated using an 80:1 ratio.
2) Cost metrics, EBITDA, mine operating cash flow, operating cash flow before working capital changes are non-IFRS measures. Please refer to the definitions in the Company’s Management Discussion & Analysis.
In Q3, 2019, while Endeavour generated lower revenue, mine operating cash flow, cash flow from operations and earnings compared to Q3, 2018, the Company generated higher mine operating cash flow, cash flow from operations and net earnings compared to Q2, 2019. While cash costs and all-in sustaining costs were higher compared to Q3, 2018,cash costs were lower than Q2, 2019.
The Company reported a net loss of $6.8 million in the Third Quarter, 2019 compared to $5.5 million loss in the Third Quarter, 2018, primarily due to lower revenue partly offset by lower costs of sales. Revenue decreased 24% due to lower production partly offset by higher realized metal prices. Mine operating cash flow before taxes(1) decreased 31% to $6.6 million due to the lower production, while cash flow from operations before working capital changes decreased to $2.1 million. Cash costs rose 30% to $11.51 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits) and all-in sustaining costs increased 33% to $21.53 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits).
Bradford Cooke, Endeavour CEO, commented, “Production in the Third Quarter 2019 was down year-on-year but we are seeing positive traction from all the operational changes we made in the past two quarters. Consolidated cash costs per oz, direct costs per tonne and net losses were all lower quarter-on-quarter thanks to the operational improvements.”
“All-in-sustaining costs remained high but would also have been lower if not for the purchase and lease of new mobile mining equipment for Guanacevi and Bolanitos. The most progress was made at Guanacevi where cash costs decreased 26%, AISC costs decreased 16% and direct production costs decreased 22% compared to Q2, 2019. We expect the improving trend to accelerate in Q4, 2019 with higher production and lower costs as productivity continues to climb at Guanacevi and Bolanitos.”
“We continued to advance our Terronera and Parral projects with engineering trade off studies during the quarter. The mining and processing of bulk samples from each project are planned this quarter in order to complete a final PFS for Terronera and an initial PEA for Parral. Exploration drilling at Parral returned positive results in Q3, 2019 . We also plan to drill two greenfields projects in Chile in Q4, 2019.”
In the Third Quarter, 2019, El Cubo mined lower than planned grades due to narrower vein widths and higher dilution of the V-Ascuncion ore body than estimated. The Company is currently assessing whether more efficient mining practices can reduce dilution going forward. The 2019 drill program intersected high grade but narrow mineralization to extend the V-Asuncion orebody. Endeavour is currently updating the reserves and resources and reviewing operating alternatives including the possible closure of El Cubo.
Notwithstanding recent progress in the operating performance of the mines, management does not expect to meet its 2019 production and cost guidance and is not providing guidance for the balance of the year.
Highlights of Third Quarter 2019 (Compared to Third Quarter 2018)
Financial
- Net loss increased to $6.8 million ($0.05 per share) compared to $5.5 million loss ($0.04 per share)
- Cash flow from operations before working capital changes decreased to $2.1 million compared to $6.9 million
- Mine operating cash flow before taxes(1) decreased 31% to $6.6 million
- Revenue decreased 24% to $28.6 million
- Realized silver price increased 21% to $17.52 per ounce (oz) sold
- Realized gold price increased 25% to $1,489 per oz sold
- Cash costs(1) increased 30% to $11.51 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)
- All-in sustaining costs(1) increased 33% to $21.53 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)
- Working capital decreased 14% to $49.4 million compared to $54.5 million at year end
- Raised net $10.0 million through the at-the-market offering
- Silver production decreased 34% to 948,547 oz
- Gold production decreased 25% to 9,716 oz
- Silver equivalent production was 1.7 million oz (80:1 silver: gold ratio)
- Silver oz sold decreased 45% to 835,045 oz
- Gold oz sold decreased 28% to 9,373 oz
- Bullion inventory at quarter-end included 146,820 oz silver and 448 oz gold
- Concentrate inventory at quarter-end included 74,824 oz silver and 1,544 oz gold
- Reported positive drill results from Parral exploration project in Chihuahua, Mexico
- Acquired exploration and exploitation rights to properties adjacent to the Guanacevi mines
- Mine operating cash flow, cash costs and all-in sustaining costs are non-IFRS measures. Please refer to the definitions in the Company’s Management Discussion & Analysis.
Revenue in the Third Quarter, 2019 totaled $28.6 million (2018 - $37.6 million) on sales of 835,045 silver ounces and 9,373 gold ounces at realized prices of $17.52 and $1,489 per ounce respectively, compared to sales of 1,532,097 silver ounces and 13,025 gold ounces at realized prices of $14.42 and $1,189 per ounce respectively in Q3, 2018.
After cost of sales of $30.3 million (2018 - $42.4 million), mine operating losses amounted to $1.7 million (2018 - $4.8 million) from mining and milling operations in Mexico. The 28% decrease in cost of sales was primarily due lower production. Excluding depreciation and depletion of $7.1 million (2018 - $31.1 million), share-based payments expense of $0.1 million (2018 – nil) and an inventory write down of $1.2 million (2018 -$1.3 million) mine operating cash flow before taxes was $6.6 million (2018 – $9.6 million) in Q3, 2019. Net losses amounted to $6.8 million (2018 –$5.5 million) after exploration, general and administrative expenses and foreign exchange.
Direct production costs per tonne in Q3, 2019 increased 24% compared with Q3, 2018 due to reduced throughput. The higher production costs per tonne were driven mainly by lower mine output at the Bolañitos and El Cubo operations. Production costs also included higher power costs due to increased electrical rates and the expensing of development expenditures due to the low reserve life at El Cubo.
Consolidated cash costs per oz, net of by-product credits (a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute) increased primarily due to higher costs per tonne. All-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure), compared to Q3, 2018, increased 33% to $21.53 per oz in Q3, 2019. This increase in all‑in sustaining costs was a result of higher operating costs, higher stock-based compensation, offset by lower exploration costs and lower capital expenditures at the operation in Q3, 2019 compared to Q3, 2018. Capital expenditures decreased due to reduced mine development at El Cubo and reduced development at Guanacevi with the ramps into SCS and Milache ore bodies being complete, offset by updating the mobile fleets at Bolanitos and Guanacevi and continued development at the El Compas operation.
The Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion & Analysis can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.edrsilver.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All amounts are reported in US$.
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss the results will be held today, Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 10:00am PT (1:00pm ET). To participate in the conference call, please dial the numbers below. No pass-code is necessary.
Toll-free in Canada and the US: 1-800-319-4610
Local Vancouver: 604-638-5340
Outside of Canada and the US: + 604-638-5340
A replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 1-800-319-6413 in Canada and the US (toll-free) or +604-638-9010 outside of Canada and the US. The required pass-code is 3677#. The audio replay and a written transcript will be available on the Company's website at www.edrsilver.com under the Investor Relations, Events section.
About Endeavour Silver – Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that owns and operates four high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico and Chile to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.
SOURCE Endeavour Silver Corp.
Contact Information:
Galina Meleger, Director Investor Relations
Toll free: (877) 685-9775
Tel: (604) 640-4804
Fax: (604) 685-9744
Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com
Website: www.edrsilver.com
In Europe:
Swiss Resource Capital AG
www.resource-capital.ch
Follow Endeavour Silver on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States private securities litigation reform act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward‑looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding Endeavour’s anticipated performance in 2019 including changes in mining operations and production levels, and the timing and results of various activities. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to changes in production and costs guidance, national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices, operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company’s title to properties; as well as those factors described in the section “risk factors” contained in the Company’s most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Company’s mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with management’s expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
1) Silver equivalents are calculated using an 80:1 ratio.
2) Cost metrics, EBITDA, mine operating cash flow, operating cash flow before working capital changes are non-IFRS measures. Please refer to the definitions in the Company’s Management Discussion & Analysis.
