Discovery Silver Corp. (TSX-V: DSV) (OTCQX: DSVSF) is pleased to announce results from its Preliminary Economic Assessment on its 100%-owned Cordero silver project located in Chihuahua State, Mexico.

 

Study highlights include (all figures are in USD unless otherwise noted):

• Excellent project economics: Base Case after-tax NPV5% of $1.2 B (C$1.5 B) and IRR of 38% (Ag – $22.00/oz, Au – $1,600/oz, Pb – $1.00/lb and Zn – $1.20/lb).
• Exceptional silver price leverage: Upside Case after-tax NPV5% of $1.9 B (C$2.4 B) and IRR of 55% (Ag – $27.50/oz, Au – $1,880/oz, Pb – $1.10/lb and Zn – $1.45/lb based on one-year trailing 90^th percentile prices).
• Large-scale, high-margin, long mine life asset: 16-year mine life with average annual production of 26 Moz AgEq at an AISC of $12.35/oz AgEq.
• Low capital intensity: initial development capex of $368 M; attractive NPV-to-capex ratio of 3.2x.
• Rapid payback: post-tax payback of 2.0 years for Base Case and 1.4 years for Upside Case.
• Technically robust study: 99% of tonnes processed in the PEA mine plan are in the Measured & Indicated category; process design and metallurgical recovery estimates are based on the Company’s comprehensive 2021 metallurgical testwork program.
• Silver-dominant revenues: silver represents +60% of the net smelter return in the first five years of the mine life and +50% of the net smelter return over the life of mine, in-line with the senior/mid-tier silver producer group.

 

Taj Singh, President and CEO, states: “With annual AgEq production averaging more than 26 Moz over a +15-year mine life we believe this PEA clearly positions Cordero as a Tier 1 silver asset. This impressive scale of production is achieved through modest development capex of $368 M and returns excellent margins with AISC averaging less than $12.50/AgEq oz over the life of the mine. These costs highlight the benefits of existing local infrastructure, excellent metallurgy, and a straight-forward open pit mine with excellent grades and a low strip ratio.

 

“Importantly, the outstanding metrics demonstrated in the PEA are supported by a mine plan with more than 99% of tonnes in the Measured and Indicated category, and a simple and conventional process design based on our detailed metallurgical testwork program completed earlier this year. This provides us with a huge head start as we look ahead to the delivery of a Prefeasibility Study on Cordero in 2022.”

 

PEA SUMMARY:

 

Study support:

• The Study is based on the updated Mineral Resource Estimate (“Resource”) press released on October 20, 2021 (see Appendices for Resource details), and the Company’s comprehensive metallurgical testwork program described in our press release dated September 7, 2021.

• The PEA project team was led by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. an industry leader in cost-effective design and construction. Ausenco was supported by AGP Mining Consultants Inc. and Knight Piésold and Co. (USA)

 

Project Economics:

 

Sensitivity of the Project’s expected after-tax NPV, IRR and payback at different commodity price assumptions is outlined in the table below:

 

	Units	Base Case			Upside Case			Base Case +15%			Base Case -15%
After-Tax NPV (5% discount rate)	(US$ M)	$1,160			$1,889			$1,692			$622
Internal Rate of Return	(%)		38.2	%		54.6	%		49.9	%		25.2	%
Payback	(yrs)		2.0			1.4			1.6			3.5

 

• Base Case price assumptions: Ag = $22.00/oz, Au = $1,600/oz, Pb = $1.00/lb, Zn = $1.20/lb
• Upside Case price assumptions: Ag = $27.50/oz, Au = $1,880/oz, Pb = $1.10/lb, Zn = $1.45/lb based on one-year trailing 90^th percentile prices

 

After-Tax Free Cash Flow:

 

A chart summarizing the expected annual and cumulative after-tax free cash flow over the life-of-mine is provided below:

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1131062-ffa4-4091-b528-d23ac46806b3

 

Production & Costs:

 

Annual production over the LOM is expected to average 26 Moz AgEq with production averaging over 33 Moz AgEq when fully ramped up (Years 5 – 12); this positions Cordero as one of the largest silver mines globally.

 

	Units	Year 1 – 4	Year 5 – 12	Year 13 -16	LOM
AgEq Produced – Average	(Moz)	29	33	9	26
AgEq Payable – Average	(Moz)	26	29	8	23
AgEq Produced – Total	(Moz)	117	265	37	426
AgEq Payable – Total	(Moz)	104	230	32	372
All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC)	(US$/AgEq oz)	$11.64	$11.77	$18.88	$12.35

 

Note – LOM production/payable totals include production from Year -1. AgEq Produced is metal recovered in doré/concentrate. AgEq Payable is metal payable from doré/concentrate and incorporates metal payment terms outlined in the Concentrate Terms section below. See Technical Disclosure section for AgEq and AISC calculation methodology.

 

LOM Production & AISC:

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dc1da013-9e05-4a0a-a7af-78b58ef8af4a

 

Note – Au/Pb/Zn production is shown on an AgEq basis based on: Ag = $22/oz, Au = $1,600/oz, Pb = $1.00/lb and Zn = $1.20/lb

 

OPERATIONS:

 

Mining:

 

The mine plan incorporates accelerated stripping as well as stockpiling of low-grade material in order to optimize the grade profile over the LOM.

• The mine plan was completed by AGP and is based on a detailed mine design that incorporates mining dilution, safety berms and haul roads.
• Mining rates over the life of the mine are relatively steady at 60 to 70 Mtpa.
• The ultimate pit contains 719 Mt in total consisting of 228 Mt of mill feed and 491 Mt of waste for an average strip ratio of 2.2:1. The strip ratio is relatively even over the LOM.
• Pit slope designs were based on an assessment by Knight Piésold that was supported by two geotechnical coreholes in the North Corridor and logging of core from two exploration coreholes in the South Corridor.

 

Processing:

 

Processing was broken into two phases to optimize the capital efficiency of the project.

• Phase 1 throughput (Year -1 to Year 4)
  • Oxides: mined during the preproduction period and are crushed through the Phase 1 crushing plant and stacked on the heap leach from Year -1 to Year 3 at a throughput rate of 5 Mtpa. After Year 3 the Phase 1 crushing plant is dedicated to processing higher-value sulphide material with remaining oxide material processed as uncrushed ‘run-of-mine’ (“ROM”) material via heap leaching.
  • Sulphides: crushing, grinding and flotation circuit is constructed in Year -1 and processing occurs at a nameplate rate of 7.2 Mtpa from Year 1 to Year 4. During this period the mine plan focuses on high-grade material from the Pozo de Plata zone.
• Phase 2 throughput (Year 5+)
  • Sulphides: two identical crushing, grinding and flotation circuits from Y5 onwards with total throughput of 14.4 Mtpa

 

Annual Throughput (Mt/a)	PHASE 1					PHASE 2
	Year -1	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5+
Oxides / Heap Leach (Crushed)	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	–	–
Sulphides / Milling	–	5.8	7.2	7.2	10.8	14.4
Total Tonnes	5.0	10.8	12.2	12.2	10.8	14.4

• Process design
  • Oxides: three-stage crushing (targeted crush size of 8 mm), agglomeration, heap leaching and refining in Year -1 to Year 3 and ROM dump leaching and refining in Year 4 to Year 6 to produce Ag-Au doré bars
  • Sulphides: three-stage crushing, grinding (targeted grind size of 200 micron) and flotation to produce Pb and Zn concentrates

 

Head grades:

 

The mine plan focuses on feeding higher grades to the mill earlier in the mine life:

• Year 1 – 4: processing of higher-grade oxide material from the South Corridor and sulphide material predominantly from the Pozo de Plata zone
• Year 5 – 12: processing of higher-grade sulphides from the NE Extension and the South Corridor
• Year 13 – 16: processing of lower-grade material stockpiled during Year 1 to Year 12

 

HEAD GRADES	UNIT	PHASE 1	PHASE 2		LOM
		Year 1 – 4	Year 5 – 12	Year 13 – 16
Oxides
Tonnes processed	(Mt)	25	4	–	29
Ag	(g/t)	37	29	–	36
Au	(g/t)	0.08	0.05	–	0.08
AgEq	(g/t)	43	33	–	42
Sulphides
Tonnes processed	(Mt)	31	115	52	199
Ag	(g/t)	57	32	13	31
Au	(g/t)	0.26	0.07	0.04	0.09
Pb	(%)	0.80	0.50	0.17	0.46
Zn	(%)	0.80	0.92	0.34	0.75
AgEq	(g/t)	118	88	34	80

Note – Phase 1 and LOM Oxide tonnes/grades include tonnes processed on the heap leach in Year -1

 

Recoveries:

• Oxides: recoveries were based on coarse bottle roll tests and preliminary results from column leach tests completed in 2021. Recoveries average 56% for Ag and 63% for Au for crushed feed and 36% for Ag and 35% for Au for uncrushed ROM feed.
• Sulphides: recoveries were based on the 2021 metallurgical test program which included lock-cycle tests and examined metal recoveries to the silver-lead concentrate and the silver-zinc concentrate at varying head grades for each of the major geological rock types at Cordero. Metal recoveries to the two concentrates are summarized below:

 

SULPHIDE RECOVERIES (weighted average)	PHASE 1	PHASE 2		LOM
	Year 1 – 4	Year 5 – 12	Year 13 – 16
Ag	92%	83%	67%	84%
Au	19%	19%	19%	19%
Pb	90%	86%	69%	86%
Zn	85%	86%	74%	85%

 

 

Tailings Management Facility:

• The TMF design was completed by Knight Piésold and is based on a conventional thickened tailings dam facility of downstream construction type.
• The TMF is located directly west of the open pit. The design incorporates five dam lifts over the LOM.
• Total capacity of the TMF is 179M m³ (252 Mt); this is significantly greater than the estimated volume requirement of 142M m³ based on the PEA mine plan.
• An evaluation of using a dry-stacked tailings facility will be completed as part of pre-feasibility work.

 

CONCENTRATE TERMS:

 

Metal Payable:

• Cordero is expected to produce clean, highly saleable concentrates with minimal penalty elements as established in the 2021 metallurgical test program.
• Industry standard payables and deductions were applied to the Pb and Zn concentrates as per the table below. A metallurgical balance summary is included in the Appendices.
• Approximately 85% of the Ag reports to the Pb concentrate where higher payabilities are received.

 

	Ag		Au		Pb		Zn
Pb Concentrate
Average concentrate grade LOM	2,900 g/t		1.6 g/t		52	%	–
Payable metal	95	%	95	%	95	%	–
Minimum deduction	50 g/t		1 g/t		3 units		–
Zn Concentrate
Average concentrate grade LOM	300 g/t		0.5 g/t		–		51	%
Payable metal	70	%	70	%	–		85	%
Deduction	3 oz/t		1 g/t		–		–

 

Treatment/Refining Charges:

• Treatment and refining charges were based on a review of spot and recent benchmark pricing and are summarized as follows:

 

PARAMETER	UNITS	PEA COST	SPOT	2021 BENCHMARK
TREATMENT/REFINING CHARGES
Treatment charge – Pb con	$/dmt	$100	~$60	$140
Treatment charge – Zn con	$/dmt	$200	~$80	$160
Ag refining charge – Pb con	$/oz	$1.00	~$0.75	$1.50

 

 

Concentrate Transportation:

• Transportation costs assume trucking of the concentrate via containers to the international port at Guaymas, Sonora, and then shipping via ocean freight to Asia.
• Estimated transportation costs (trucking, port handling and ocean freight) are $128/wmt for Pb concentrate and $116/wmt for Zn concentrate.

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:

 

Initial Capital (for parallel processing of crushed oxides and sulphides)

• Year -2: construction of on-site infrastructure, power line and the heap leach circuit with capacity of 5 Mtpa to process oxide/transition material (includes a three-stage oxide crushing circuit, heap leach pad/ponds and Merrill Crowe plant).
• Year -1: first sulphide circuit with a capacity of 7.2 Mtpa (includes sulphide crushing circuit, ball mill and flotation plant) and construction of the TMF including the initial dam lift.

 

Expansion Capital (to expand plant to 14.4 Mtpa sulphides only)

• Year 3: addition of second sulphide circuit to expand processing rate to 14.4 Mtpa by the addition of a ball mill and flotation circuit creating two parallel sulphide circuits. The crushing circuit previously used for oxides will be dedicated to sulphides from Year 4 onwards and will not require repurposing.
• Year 8: expand flotation circuit with additional flotation cells, cyclones, filters and thickeners to accommodate the higher zinc grades from Year 9 to Year 11.

 

Sustaining Capital

• TMF: the tailings dam will be completed in five lifts over the LOM at a total capital cost of $110 M ($15 M initial capex plus $95 M of sustaining capex).
  • Other: additional sustaining capex totals $113 M over the LOM and includes sustaining capital for the process plant and mobile equipment and replacements/refurbishments of infrastructure assets.

 

DESCRIPTION (all in US$ millions)	INITIAL CAPITAL		EXPANSION CAPITAL		SUSTAINING LOM CAPEX	TOTAL LOM CAPEX
	Year -2	Year -1	Year 3	Year 8
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Mining	$26	$1			$7	$33
Infrastructure	$34	$9	$10		$16	$69
Heap Leach + Oxide Plant	$71	$1			$4	$76
Sulphide Processing Plant		$95	$51	$23	$30	$199
Tailings Facility (TMF)		$15			$95	$110
Indirects	$22	$30	$17	$6	$4	$78
Owners Costs	$6					$6
Closure (net of Salvage Value)					$22	$22
Contingency	$28	$30	$16	$6	$29	$110
Capital Expenditures – Subtotals	$187	$181	$94	$35	$208	$704
	$368
PRE-SULPHIDE OPERATIONS
Revenue		$121
Mining Costs		($110)
Process + G&A Costs		($27)
Operating Cash Flow for Year -1		($16)
NET FUNDING REQUIREMENT	$384

 

OPERATING COST ASSUMPTIONS:

 

Mining:

• Mining is assumed to be completed by contract mining; estimated mining costs were based on contractor quotes for Cordero received by AGP

 

Processing and G&A Costs:

• Processing costs for the heap leach and mill/flotation, and G&A costs were developed by Ausenco from first principles.
• Sulphide processing costs benefit from a conventional flotation process design and low power costs. The targeted coarse grind size of 200 micron alleviates the need for a SAG mill.
• G&A costs estimates are based on a small camp and administration office at site. The majority of the work force will be Mexican nationals commuting daily from the local town of Parral. Parral is 25 km south of Cordero and has a population of approximately 100,000. It is the regional government centre in the southern part of Chihuahua State and has a well-established service industry that supports numerous local mining operations.

 

PARAMETER	UNITS	PEA COST
OPERATING COSTS
Mining – Mill Feed	$/t mined	$2.16
Mining – Waste	$/t mined	$2.04
Processing – Heap leach crushed	$/t stacked	$3.84
Processing – Heap leach ROM	$/t stacked	$1.39
Processing – Milling (7.2 Mtpa)	$/t milled	$7.01
Processing – Milling (14.4 Mtpa)	$/t milled	$6.57
Site G&A (14.4 Mtpa)	$/t milled	$0.86

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES:

 

Work completed during the preparation of the PEA outlined a number of opportunities that have the potential to improve the economic and ESG performance of the project:

• Mine life extension: there are over 300 Mt of Sulphide Resource that sit outside the PEA design pit but within the Resource pit shell. These resources as summarized below have the potential to extend the mine life and/or increase production levels at higher commodity prices.

 

Class	Tonnes	Grade					Contained Metal
		Ag	Au	Pb	Zn	AgEq	Ag	Au	Pb	Zn	AgEq
	(Mt)	(g/t)	(g/t)	(%)	(%)	(g/t)	(Moz)	(koz)	(Mlb)	(Mlb)	(Moz)
Measured	33	15	0.06	0.21	0.42	38	16	63	151	306	40
Indicated	187	16	0.04	0.23	0.45	40	94	221	952	1,869	238
M&I	220	16	0.04	0.23	0.45	39	110	284	1,103	2,175	278
Inferred	106	14	0.03	0.19	0.38	34	48	97	445	897	117

 

Note – the full Resource is provided in the Appendix; further details can be found in the Company’s October 21, 2021, press release.

 

• Coarser grind size: metallurgical test work suggests higher recoveries may be achieved at coarse grind sizes (greater than the 200 micron used in the PEA). An evaluation of coarse particle flotation will be completed as part of the 2022 Prefeasibility Study (“PFS”). Coarse particle flotation has the potential to further reduce operating costs and water consumption.
• Dry stack tailings: an evaluation of using dry stacked tailings to improve ESG performance will be completed as part of the PFS.

 

TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE:

 

• Inferred material, representing 0.9% of the mill feed, is included in the total mill feed. Inferred resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as reserves.
• Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
• Readers are cautioned that the PEA is preliminary in nature and that there is no certainty the estimates utilized in the PEA will be realized.
• A full technical report will be prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this press release.
• AgEq is calculated based on the following commodity prices: Ag – $22.00/oz, Au – $1,600/oz, Pb – $1.00/lb and Zn – $1.20/lb.
• All-in Sustaining cost (AISC) is calculated as: [Operating costs (mining, processing and G&A) + Royalties + Concentrate Transportation + Treatment & Refining Charges + Concentrate Penalties + Sustaining Capital (includes capital for TMF dams lifts with capacity for less than five years) + Closure Costs] / Payable AgEq ounces

 

About Discovery:

 

Discovery’s flagship project is its 100%-owned Cordero project, one of the world’s largest silver deposits. The PEA completed in November 2021 demonstrates that Cordero has the potential to be developed into a highly capital efficient mine that offers the combination of margin, size and scaleability. Cordero is located close to infrastructure in a prolific mining belt in Chihuahua State, Mexico. Continued exploration and project development at Cordero is supported by an industry leading balance sheet with cash of over C$75 million. Discovery was a recipient of the 2020 TSX Venture 50 award and the 2021 OTCQX Best 50 award.

 

APPENDIX A – MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE

 

SULPHIDE RESOURCE (assumed to be processed via mill/flotation)

 

NSR $/t cut-off	Class	Tonnes	Grade					Contained Metal
			Ag	Au	Pb	Zn	AgEq	Ag	Au	Pb	Zn	AgEq
		(Mt)	(g/t)	(g/t)	(%)	(%)	(g/t)	(Moz)	(koz)	(Mlb)	(Mlb)	(Moz)
$7.25/t	Measured	128	22	0.08	0.31	0.52	52	89	328	881	1,470	212
	Indicated	413	19	0.05	0.28	0.51	47	255	707	2,543	4,663	625
	M&I	541	20	0.06	0.29	0.51	48	344	1,035	3,424	6,132	837
	Inferred	108	14	0.03	0.19	0.38	34	49	99	451	909	119

 

 

OXIDE/TRANSITION RESOURCE (assumed to be processed by heap leaching)

 

NSR $/t cut-off	Class	Tonnes	Grade			Contained Metal			% Oxide / % Trans
			Ag	Au	AgEq	Ag	Au	AgEq
		(Mt)	(g/t)	(g/t)	(g/t)	(Moz)	(koz)	(Moz)
$4.78/t	Measured	23	20	0.06	25	15	43	19	92% / 8%
	Indicated	75	19	0.05	23	45	125	56	87% / 13%
	M&I	98	19	0.05	23	60	168	74	88% / 12%
	Inferred	35	16	0.04	20	18	44	22	63% / 37%

 

 

SUPPORTING TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE FOR RESOURCE:

• Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
• AgEq for the Sulphide Resource is calculated as Ag + (Au x 16.07) + (Pb x 32.55) + (Zn x 35.10); these factors are based on commodity prices of Ag – $24.00/oz, Au – $1,800/oz, Pb – $1.10/lb, Zn – $1.20/lb and assumed recoveries of Ag – 84%, Au – 18%, Pb – 87% and Zn – 88%.
• AgEq for the Oxide/Transition Resource is calculated as Ag + (Au x 87.5); this factor is based on commodity prices of Ag – $24.00/oz and Au – $1,800/oz and assumed recoveries of Ag – 60% and Au – 70%.
• The Resource is constrained by a pit optimisation based on the following commodity prices: Ag – $24.00/oz, Au – $1,800/oz, Pb – $1.10/lb, Zn – $1.20/lb. Additional parameters for the pit constraint are provided in the Company’s October 20, 2021, press release.
• Individual metals are reported at 100% of in-situ grade.
• The effective date of the Resource is October 20, 2021, and is based on drilling through July 2021.
• There are no known legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the Resource.
• A full technical report supporting the Resource will be prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of the October 20, 2021, Resource press release.

 

 

APPENDIX B: AFTER-TAX NPV / IRR / PAYBACK SENSITIVITIES

 

Sensitivity of the Project’s NPV, IRR and payback at different Ag and Zn price assumptions is outlined in the table below. For these sensitivities the Au and Pb prices have been fixed at $1,600/oz and $1.00/lb respectively. The Base Case scenario for the PEA is highlighted in grey below and assumes Ag – $22.00/oz, Au – $1,600/oz, Pb – $1.00/lb and Zn – $1.20/lb.

 

 

		Ag ($/oz)
		$18.00				$20.00				$22.00				$25.00				$30.00
		NPV (5%)	IRR		Payback	NPV (5%)	IRR		Payback	NPV (5%)	IRR		Payback	NPV (5%)	IRR		Payback	NPV (5%)	IRR		Payback
		(US$M)	(%)		(yrs)	(US$M)	(%)		(yrs)	(US$M)	(%)		(yrs)	(US$M)	(%)		(yrs)	(US$M)	(%)		(yrs)
Zn ($/lb)	$1.05	$715	27.2	%	3.3	$866	31.5	%	2.7	$1,016	35.8	%	2.2	$1,238	42.0	%	1.8	$1,607	52.5	%	1.4
	$1.10	$765	28.2	%	3.2	$915	32.4	%	2.6	$1,064	36.6	%	2.1	$1,286	42.8	%	1.8	$1,655	53.2	%	1.4
	$1.20	$863	30.0	%	3.1	$1,013	34.1	%	2.5	$1,160	38.2	%	2.0	$1,382	44.3	%	1.7	$1,751	54.5	%	1.4
	$1.30	$961	31.7	%	2.9	$1,109	35.8	%	2.3	$1,257	39.7	%	2.0	$1,478	45.7	%	1.7	$1,848	55.8	%	1.4
	$1.45	$1,105	34.2	%	2.7	$1,253	38.1	%	2.2	$1,401	42.0	%	1.9	$1,622	47.8	%	1.6	$1,992	57.8	%	1.3

 

 

APPENDIX C – PIT OPTIMISATION PARAMETERS:

 

The PEA mine plan was based on a pit optimization that utilised the following parameters:

 

PARAMETER	UNITS	Ag			Au			Pb			Zn
COMMODITY PRICES	$/oz or $/lb	$	20.00		$	1,600		$	0.95		$	1.05
ROYALTY	%		0.5	%		0.5	%		–			–
PIT SLOPE ASSUMPTIONS	Five sectors were modeled based on core logging and two geotechnical holes with inter-ramp angles ranging from 40o to 59o
PROCESS RECOVERIES
Heap Leach (Oxide/Transition)	%		60	%		70	%		–			–
Flotation (Sulphide)
Breccia – Volcanic
Recovery to Pb concentrate	%		79	%		13	%		91	%		–
Recovery to Zn concentrate	%		11	%		7	%		–			88	%
Breccia – Sedimentary
Recovery to Pb concentrate	%		75	%		12	%		89	%		–
Recovery to Zn concentrate	%		9	%		4	%		–			86	%
Volcanic
Recovery to Pb concentrate	%		70	%		13	%		85	%		–
Recovery to Zn concentrate	%		13	%		6	%		–			81	%
Sedimentary
Recovery to Pb concentrate	%		70	%		13	%		83	%		–
Recovery to Zn concentrate	%		10	%		5	%		–			89	%
METAL PAYABLE
Dore (Heap Leach)			98	%		99.9	%		–			–
Concentrate (Flotation)
Pb concentrate			95	%		95	%		95	%		–
Zn concentrate			70	%		70	%		–			85	%
OPERATING COSTS		Base			Per 10m below 1550m elev.
Mining cost – Mill Feed	$/t mined	$	1.54		+$	0.024
Mining cost – Waste	$/t mined	$	1.64		+$	0.024
Processing cost – Heap leach (14,000 tpd)	$/t stacked	$	3.92
Processing cost – Flotation (40,000 tpd)	$/t milled	$	6.39
G&A (40,000 tpd)	$/t milled	$	0.86
TREATMENT/REFINING CHARGES
Treatment charge – Pb con	$/dmt	$	100
Treatment charge – Zn con	$/dmt	$	200
Ag refining charge – Pb con	$/oz	$	1.00

 

 

APPENDIX D – LOM MINE PLAN SUMMARY

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8166015b-ee80-4827-b8e3-23bacc987d76

 

APPENDIX E – LOM PROCESS THROUGHPUT SUMMARY

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8166015b-ee80-4827-b8e3-23bacc987d76

 

APPENDIX F – SIMPLIFIED PROCESS FLOWSHEETS

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b88056d2-d72a-4018-bf8f-b849b808fdc9

 

PHASE 1:

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/885c2668-aea9-4dea-ba22-ed401e1821c3

 

PHASE 2:

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cb701e57-5f13-428e-8935-165e82a05cea

 

APPENDIX G – METALLURGICAL BALANCE SUMMARY

 

	UNITS	PHASE 1								PHASE 2																LOM
		Years 1 – 4								Years 5 – 12								Years 13 – 16
		Ag		Au		Pb		Zn		Ag		Au		Pb		Zn		Ag		Au		Pb		Zn		Ag		Au		Pb		Zn
MET BALANCE
Average head grade	g/t or %	57		0.26		0.80		0.80		32		0.07		0.50		0.92		13		0.04		0.17		0.34		31		0.09		0.46		0.75
Recovered to Pb Con	%	81	%	13	%	90	%	6	%	71	%	13	%	86	%	6	%	56	%	13	%	69	%	3	%	73	%	13	%	86	%	5	%
Recovered to Zn Con	%	12	%	6	%	3	%	85	%	12	%	6	%	3	%	86	%	11	%	6	%	3	%	74	%	12	%	6	%	3	%	85	%
Tailings	%	7	%	81	%	7	%	9	%	17	%	81	%	11	%	8	%	33	%	81	%	28	%	22	%	16	%	81	%	11	%	10	%
Total	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%
CONCENTRATE GRADES
Pb Concentrate	g/t or %	3,490		2.5		54	%	–		2,802		1.1		52	%	–		2,657		2.1		43	%	–		2,939		1.6		52	%	–
Zn Concentrate	g/t or %	524		1.3		–		52	%	254		0.3		–		51	%	285		0.5		–		50	%	298		0.5		–		51	%

 

APPENDIX H – LONG SECTIONS / CROSS SECTIONS:

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5771cce0-8ad4-46df-8646-38d597111fd2

 

LONG SECTION A-A’ (looking NW)

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c5a9654-d929-49f3-aa0e-7848e33ba990

 

LONG SECTION B-B’ (looking NW)

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f6c7f47c-cba9-4350-971d-2811424eae5e

 

CROSS SECTION C-C’ (looking NE)

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15065795-2109-4f47-9c2b-bd5929581770

 

CROSS SECTION D-D’ (looking NE)

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf7ee835-3444-44b1-8cd4-5cb9f9c9d951

 

CROSS SECTION E-E’ (looking NE)

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b503900-7edc-4827-9b5d-7372bc5ebe8d

 

APPENDIX I – SITE LAYOUT:

 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a92066eb-ca65-4ac8-91f5-fba03c554b65

 

APPENDIX J – PRODUCTION & CASH FLOW SCHEDULE:

 

Units

Total/Avg

Y-2

Y-1

Y1

Y2

Y3

Y4

Y5

Y6

Y7

Y8

Y9

Y10

Y11

Y12

Y13

Y14

Y15

Y16

Y17+

MINING

Mineralized Material Mined	mt		228			1			14			23			18			18			24			18			19			19			19			21			16			12			5			0			—			—			—			—
Waste Mined	mt		491			6			41			49			49			47			41			47			46			41			44			40			26			10			3			0			—			—			—			—
Total Material Mined	mt		719			8			55			72			67			65			65			65			65			60			63			61			42			22			8			0			—			—			—			—
Mining Rate	ktpd		137			22			157			206			192			186			186			186			186			171			181			175			121			62			22			1			—			—			—			—
Strip Ratio	w:o		2.2			5.2			2.8			2.2			2.7			2.7			1.8			2.5			2.5			2.2			2.3			1.9			1.6			0.8			0.6			0.1			—			—			—			—
PROCESSING
CRUSHED OXIDES / HEAP LEACH:
Heap Leach Crushed Tonnes	mt		20			—			5			5			5			5			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Stacked Grades:
Ag	g/t		42			—			58			38			35			35			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Au	g/t		0.09			—			0.08			0.10			0.09			0.08			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
AgEq	g/t		48			—			64			46			41			41			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
ROM OXIDES / HEAP LEACH:
Heap Leach ROM Tonnes	mt		9			—			—			—			—			—			5			4			0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Stacked Grades:
Ag	g/t		24			—			—			—			—			—			18			28			44			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Au	g/t		0.06			—			—			—			—			—			0.07			0.05			0.08			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
AgEq	g/t		28			—			—			—			—			—			23			32			50			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
SULPHIDES / FLOTATION:
Milling Rate	ktpd		36			—			—			16			21			21			31			41			41			41			41			41			41			41			41			41			41			41			26			—
Sulphide Tonnes Processed	mt		199			—			—			6			7			7			11			14			14			14			14			14			14			14			14			14			14			14			9			—
Mill Head Grade:
Ag	g/t		31			—			—			62			63			61			48			35			34			31			30			43			37			29			23			13			13			13			12.6			—
Au	g/t		0.09			—			—			0.19			0.41			0.36			0.15			0.07			0.08			0.07			0.07			0.08			0.07			0.07			0.06			0.04			0.04			0.04			0.04			—
Pb	%		0.46	%		—			—			0.74	%		1.04	%		0.91	%		0.62	%		0.46	%		0.52	%		0.39	%		0.39	%		0.66	%		0.67	%		0.53	%		0.37	%		0.17	%		0.16	%		0.16	%		0.16	%		—
Zn	%		0.75	%		—			—			0.92	%		0.79	%		0.74	%		0.77	%		0.86	%		0.92	%		0.79	%		0.81	%		1.33	%		1.15	%		0.90	%		0.62	%		0.36	%		0.34	%		0.34	%		0.34	%		—
AgEq	g/t		80			—			—			132			155			143			107			87			90			78			78			119			106			84			62			35			33			33			33			—
Lead Concentrate – Recovery:
Ag	%		73	%		—			—			81	%		82	%		82	%		77	%		71	%		71	%		70	%		70	%		79	%		72	%		67	%		66	%		56	%		56	%		56	%		56	%		—
Au	%		13	%		—			—			13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		13	%		—
Pb	%		86	%		—			—			90	%		91	%		90	%		90	%		85	%		87	%		85	%		85	%		89	%		88	%		87	%		84	%		69	%		69	%		69	%		69	%		—
Zinc Concentrate – Recovery:
Ag	%		12	%		—			—			12	%		11	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		12	%		11	%		11	%		11	%		11	%		—
Au	%		6	%		—			—			6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		6	%		—
Zn	%		85	%		—			—			86	%		86	%		85	%		84	%		86	%		86	%		86	%		86	%		88	%		88	%		87	%		81	%		74	%		74	%		74	%		74	%		—
PRODUCTION PROFILE
METAL PRODUCED:
Ag – Oxides	moz		17			—			5			3			3			3			1			1			0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Au – Oxides	koz		42			—			8			10			9			8			3			2			0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
AgEq – Oxides Metal Produced	moz		20			—			6			4			4			4			1			2			0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Ag – Sulphides	moz		167			—			—			11			14			13			15			13			13			12			11			18			14			10			8			4			4			4			2.5			—
Au – Sulphides	koz		113			—			—			6			18			15			10			6			7			6			6			7			6			6			6			4			4			4			2			—
Pb – Sulphides	mlbs		1,727			—			—			84			149			130			132			123			145			106			105			187			187			145			100			38			36			36			23			—
Zn – Sulphides	mlbs		2,773			—			—			100			108			100			154			235			251			215			221			369			320			248			159			84			79			79			51			—
AgEq – Sulphides Metal Produced	moz		405			—			—			20			28			26			30			32			34			29			29			47			41			31			22			11			10			10			6.5			—
Ag – Total	moz		185			—			5			14			17			16			16			15			13			12			11			18			14			10			8			4			4			4			2.5			—
Au – Total	koz		155			—			8			17			26			23			13			9			7			6			6			7			6			6			6			4			4			4			2			—
Pb – Total	mlbs		1,727			—			—			84			149			130			132			123			145			106			105			187			187			145			100			38			36			36			23			—
Zn – Total	mlbs		2,773			—			—			100			108			100			154			235			251			215			221			369			320			248			159			84			79			79			51			—
AgEq – Total Metal Produced	moz		426			—			6			25			32			29			31			34			34			29			29			47			41			31			22			11			10			10			6.5			—
METAL PAYABLE:
Ag – Oxides	moz		17			—			5			3			3			3			1			1			0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Au – Oxides	koz		42			—			8			10			9			8			3			2			0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
AgEq – Oxides Metal Payable	moz		20			—			6			4			4			4			1			2			0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Ag – Sulphides	moz		148			—			—			10			12			12			13			12			11			10			10			16			12			9			7			4			3			3			2			—
Au – Sulphides	koz		41			—			—			2			10			9			3			1			0			1			1			5			4			0			1			1			1			1			1			—
Pb – Sulphides	mlbs		1,626			—			—			80			141			123			124			116			136			100			99			176			177			136			94			36			33			33			21			—
Zn – Sulphides	mlbs		2,340			—			—			84			91			84			130			198			212			181			186			312			271			209			134			70			67			67			43			—
AgEq – Sulphides Metal Payable	moz		352			—			—			18			25			23			26			28			29			25			25			41			36			27			19			9			9			9			6			—
Ag – Total	moz		165			—			5			13			16			15			14			13			11			10			10			16			12			9			7			4			3			3			2			—
Au – Total	koz		83			—			8			12			19			16			6			3			1			1			1			5			4			0			1			1			1			1			1			—
Pb – Total	mlbs		1,626			—			—			80			141			123			124			116			136			100			99			176			177			136			94			36			33			33			21			—
Zn – Total	mlbs		2,340			—			—			84			91			84			130			198			212			181			186			312			271			209			134			70			67			67			43			—
AgEq – Total Metal Payable	moz		372			—			6			22			28			27			27			30			29			25			25			41			36			27			19			9			9			9			6			—
REVENUE
OXIDE REVENUES:
Ag Revenue	US$mm	$	376			—		$	112		$	74		$	67		$	68		$	22		$	29		$	3			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Au Revenue	US$mm	$	67			—		$	13		$	17		$	14		$	13		$	6		$	4		$	0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Gross Revenue – Oxides	US$mm	$	443			—		$	126		$	91		$	82		$	81		$	27		$	33		$	3			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Treatment & Refining Charges	US$mm	$	18			—		$	5		$	3		$	3		$	3		$	1		$	1		$	0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Net Revenue – Oxides	US$mm	$	425			—		$	121		$	87		$	78		$	78		$	26		$	32		$	3			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
SULPHIDE REVENUES:
Ag Revenue	US$mm	$	3,250			—			—		$	212		$	275		$	264		$	292		$	261		$	249		$	225		$	220		$	345		$	274		$	200		$	158		$	78		$	75		$	75		$	48			—
Au Revenue	US$mm	$	66			—			—		$	3		$	16		$	14		$	5		$	1		$	1		$	2		$	2		$	7		$	6		$	0		$	1		$	2		$	2		$	2		$	1			—
Pb Revenue	US$mm	$	1,626			—			—		$	80		$	141		$	123		$	124		$	116		$	136		$	100		$	99		$	176		$	177		$	136		$	94		$	36		$	33		$	33		$	21			—
Zn Revenue	US$mm	$	2,808			—			—		$	101		$	110		$	101		$	156		$	238		$	255		$	217		$	224		$	375		$	325		$	251		$	160		$	84		$	80		$	80		$	51			—
Gross Revenue – Sulphides	US$mm	$	7,751			—			—		$	396		$	541		$	502		$	577		$	616		$	641		$	544		$	544		$	903		$	782		$	588		$	414		$	200		$	191		$	191		$	122			—
Treatment & Refining Charges	US$mm	$	780			—			—		$	33		$	43		$	39		$	51		$	64		$	68		$	57		$	58		$	96		$	84		$	65		$	44		$	22		$	21		$	21		$	14			—
Total Penalties	US$mm	$	33			—			—		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	2		$	3		$	3		$	2		$	2		$	4		$	4		$	3		$	2		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1			—
Net Revenue – Sulphides	US$mm	$	6,938			—			—		$	362		$	497		$	461		$	524		$	550		$	570		$	485		$	484		$	803		$	695		$	520		$	368		$	177		$	168		$	168		$	108			—
Net Revenue – Total	US$mm	$	7,364			—		$	121		$	449		$	575		$	539		$	550		$	581		$	573		$	485		$	484		$	803		$	695		$	520		$	368		$	177		$	168		$	168		$	108			—
OPERATING COSTS
UNIT COSTS:
Mine (Includes Rehandling Costs)	US$/t Moved	$	2.23			—		$	2.00		$	1.92		$	1.91		$	1.88		$	1.90		$	1.97		$	2.03		$	2.06		$	2.16		$	2.35		$	2.45		$	2.35		$	1.86		$	1.16		$	1.03		$	1.03		$	1.23			—
Processing – Crushed Oxide Heap Leach	US$/t Stacked	$	3.84			—		$	3.84		$	3.84		$	3.84		$	3.84			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Processing – ROM Oxide Heap Leach	US$/t Stacked	$	1.34			—			—			—			—			—		$	1.29		$	1.39		$	1.44			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Processing – Sulphide	US$/t Milled	$	6.59			—			—		$	7.13		$	7.01		$	7.01		$	6.58		$	6.47		$	6.47		$	6.47		$	6.47		$	6.57		$	6.57		$	6.57		$	6.57		$	6.57		$	6.57		$	6.57		$	6.57			—
Site G&A Costs	US$/t Processed	$	0.85			—		$	1.45		$	0.94		$	0.83		$	0.83		$	1.14		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86		$	0.86			—
OPERATING COSTS INCURED:
Mine (Includes Rehandling Costs)	US$mm	$	1,602			—		$	110		$	147		$	133		$	128		$	136		$	135		$	136		$	131		$	143		$	144		$	107		$	62		$	32		$	17		$	15		$	15		$	11			—
Processing – Crushed Oxide Heap Leach	US$mm	$	77			—		$	19		$	19		$	19		$	19			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Processing – ROM Oxide Heap Leach	US$mm	$	12			—			—			—			—			—		$	6		$	6		$	0			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Processing – Sulphides	US$mm	$	1,309			—			—		$	41		$	50		$	50		$	71		$	93		$	93		$	93		$	93		$	95		$	95		$	95		$	95		$	95		$	95		$	95		$	61			—
Site G&A Costs	US$mm	$	194			—		$	7		$	10		$	10		$	10		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	12		$	8			—
Total Operating Costs	US$mm	$	3,193			—		$	136		$	218		$	213		$	208		$	226		$	246		$	242		$	236		$	248		$	251		$	214		$	169		$	139		$	124		$	122		$	122		$	80			—
NSR – Government	US$mm	$	18			—		$	1		$	1		$	2		$	2		$	2		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	2		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	0		$	0		$	0		$	0			—
Concentrate Transportation	US$mm	$	527			—			—		$	21		$	29		$	26		$	34		$	42		$	46		$	38		$	38		$	64		$	58		$	46		$	31		$	15		$	14		$	14		$	9			—
Total Costs	US$mm	$	3,738			—		$	137		$	240		$	244		$	236		$	261		$	289		$	290		$	275		$	287		$	317		$	273		$	216		$	171		$	139		$	137		$	137		$	90			—
CASH COSTS:
Co-Product
Operating Cash Costs	US$/oz AgEq	$	8.34			—			—		$	9.82		$	7.52		$	7.84		$	8.22		$	8.34		$	8.27		$	9.56		$	10.04		$	6.12		$	6.01		$	6.34		$	7.39		$	13.61		$	14.07		$	14.07		$	14.40			—
Total Cash Costs	US$/oz AgEq	$	12.07			—			—		$	12.57		$	10.29		$	10.55		$	11.47		$	12.10		$	12.31		$	13.52		$	14.06		$	10.17		$	10.13		$	10.63		$	11.50		$	17.91		$	18.34		$	18.34		$	18.67			—
All-in Sustaining Costs	US$/oz AgEq	$	12.35			—			—		$	12.98		$	11.40		$	10.76		$	11.65		$	12.20		$	12.64		$	13.65		$	14.24		$	10.27		$	10.21		$	10.74		$	11.66		$	18.24		$	19.12		$	18.69		$	19.85			—
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Initial/Expansion Capex	US$mm	$497			$187			$181			—			—			$94			—			—			—			—			$35			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Sustaining Capex (incl. Closure net of Salvage)	US$mm	$208			—			—			$9			$31			$6			$36			$3			$10			$3			$4			$31			$3			$3			$3			$3			$31			$3			$7			$22
Total Capital Expenditures	US$mm	$704			$187			$181			$9			$31			$99			$36			$3			$10			$3			$39			$31			$3			$3			$3			$3			$31			$3			$7			$22
FREE CASH FLOW VALUATION
Net Revenue	US$mm	$7,364			—			$121			$449			$575			$539			$550			$581			$573			$485			$484			$803			$695			$520			$368			$177			$168			$168			$108			—
Operating Expenses	US$mm	($3,193)			—			($136)			($218)			($213)			($208)			($226)			($246)			($242)			($236)			($248)			($251)			($214)			($169)			($139)			($124)			($122)			($122)			($80)			—
Royalties + Concentrate Transportation	US$mm	($545)			—			($1)			($23)			($31)			($28)			($35)			($43)			($48)			($39)			($39)			($66)			($59)			($47)			($31)			($16)			($15)			($15)			($10)			—
EBITDA	US$mm	$3,625			—			($16)			$209			$331			$303			$289			$292			$284			$210			$196			$485			$422			$304			$198			$37			$32			$32			$19			—
Capital Expenditures	US$mm	($704)			($187)			($181)			($9)			($31)			($99)			($36)			($3)			($10)			($3)			($39)			($31)			($3)			($3)			($3)			($3)			($31)			($3)			($7)			($22)
Pre-Tax Free Cash Flow	US$mm	$2,921			($187)			($198)			$200			$300			$204			$253			$289			$274			$207			$157			$455			$419			$301			$195			$34			$1			$29			$12			($22)
Mining Tax	US$mm	(273)			—			—			($16)			($25)			($23)			($22)			($22)			($21)			($16)			($15)			($36)			($32)			($23)			($15)			($3)			($2)			($2)			($1)			—
Income Tax Payable	US$mm	(784)			—			—			($9)			($68)			($64)			($51)			($62)			($58)			($46)			($47)			($120)			($110)			($82)			($52)			($8)			—			($4)			($2)			—
Post-Tax Free Cash Flow	US$mm	$1,864			($187)			($198)			$175			$207			$117			$180			$205			$195			$145			$95			$299			$277			$196			$127			$23			($2)			$22			$8			($22)
		Pre-Tax			Post-Tax
NPV (5%)	US$mm	$1,858			$1,160
IRR	%	50.3%			38.2%
Payback	Yrs	1.6			2.0