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ENDEAVOUR SILVER PRODUCES 4,018,735 OZ SILVER AND 38,907 OZ GOLD (7.1 MILLION OZ SILVER EQUIVALENTS) IN 2019

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ENDEAVOUR SILVER PRODUCES 4,018,735 OZ SILVER AND 38,907 OZ GOLD (7.1 MILLION OZ SILVER EQUIVALENTS) IN 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR) (NYSE: EXK) reports production of 4.0 million silver ounces (oz) and 38,907 gold oz in 2019, for silver equivalent production of 7.1 million oz at an 80:1 silver:gold ratio. Silver production in the Fourth Quarter, 2019 was 939,511 oz and gold production was 9,578 oz, for silver equivalent production of 1.7 million oz.

 

Silver and gold production was lower in Q4, 2019 compared to Q4, 2018 due to the suspension of mining operations at the El Cubo mine during the quarter and lower throughput and grades at Bolanitos, partly offset by higher production at Guanacevi and new production at El Compas.  The Company withdrew its revised guidance in Q4, 2019, silver production missed the low range of revised guidance by 4% and gold production missed the low range of revised 2019 production guidance by 2%.

 

Silver equivalent production was slightly lower in Q4, 2019 compared to Q3, 2019 due to the suspension of mining operations at the El Cubo mine on November 30th, 2019.  Management initiated multiple measures at Guanacevi in Q2 and Bolanitos in Q3, 2019 to return the two operations to profitability. Continued improvement of tonnes mined, ore grades and oz produced are anticipated in 2020. 

 

Bradford Cooke, Endeavour CEO, commented, “The Company’s performance last year was negatively impacted by operating issues at all four mines.  We made sweeping changes to the mining operations in Q2 and Q3 and as a result, we are finally seeing production turning around, led by Guanacevi.  Endeavour expects higher production at each of its three mines in 2020.”

 

“We continued to advance our Terronera and Parral projects, with additional engineering trade off studies completed for Terronera and continued exploration drilling at Parral during the Fourth Quarter.  A final updated Pre-Feasibility Study for Terronera is being completed this month and an initial Preliminary Economic Assessment at Parral is expected in Q1, 2020.”

 

Production Highlights for Fourth Quarter, 2019 (Compared to Fourth Quarter, 2018)

 

  • Silver production decreased 32% to 939,511 oz
  • Gold production decreased 27% to 9,578 oz
  • Silver equivalent production was 1.7 million oz (80:1 silver: gold ratio)
  • Silver oz sold decreased 17% to 1,050,157 oz
  • Gold oz sold decreased 9% to 10,803 oz
  • Bullion inventory at quarter-end included 89,677 oz silver and 287 oz gold
  • Concentrate inventory at quarter-end included 5,353 oz silver and 300 oz gold

 

Highlights for Fiscal 2019 (Compared to Fiscal 2018)

 

  • Silver production decreased 27% year-on-year to 4,018,735 oz
  • Gold production decreased 27% year-on-year to 38,907 oz
  • Silver equivalent production was 7.1 million oz (at a 80:1 silver: gold ratio)
  • Silver ounces sold totaled 4,054,652 oz
  • Gold ounces sold totaled 39,151 oz
  • Implemented operating improvements at all mines to generate free cash flow in 2020
  • Declared commercial production for El Compas at the end of Q1
  • Acquired final government permits required for construction at Terronera in Q2
  • Leased two properties adjacent to two orebodies at the Guanacevi mine and commenced exploration, development and production of these properties in Q3
  • Released positive exploration drill results for Guanacevi, Bolanitos and Parral
  • Advanced economic studies to further enhance and de-risk the Terronera project
  • Reported positive surface exploration results and commenced drilling of two highly prospective properties in Chile
  • Suspended mining operations at the El Cubo mine in Q4

 

Production Table for 2019

 

Three Months Ended December 31 2019 Highlights Year Ended December 31
2019 2018 % Change 2019 2018 % Change
236,531 309,036 (23%) Throughput (tonnes) 954,886 1,266,831 (25%)
939,511 1,386,505 (32%) Silver ounces produced  4,018,735 5,522,068 (27%)
9,578 13,117 (27%) Gold ounces produced 38,907 52,967 (27%)
923,540 1,359,256 (32%) Payable silver ounces produced 3,951,923 5,417,633 (27%)
9,397 12,821 (27%) Payable gold ounces produced 38,003 51,826 (27%)
1,705,751 2,435,865 (30%) Silver equivalent ounces produced(1) 7,131,295 9,759,428 (27%)
1,050,157 1,264,340 (17%) Silver ounces sold 4,054,652 5,461,197 (26%)
10,803 11,819 (9%) Gold ounces sold 39,151 51,318 (24%)

(1)   Silver equivalent ounces calculated using 80:1 ratio.

 

 

Production Tables for Fourth Quarter, 2019 by Mine

 

Production  Tonnes  Tonnes Grade Grade Recovery Recovery Silver Gold
by mine Produced per day Ag gpt(1) Au gpt(1) Ag  % Au  % Oz Oz
Guanaceví 92,323 1,004 252 0.75 90.0% 91.0% 673,559 2,025
Bolañitos 82,147 893 51 1.81 81.6% 85.5% 109,963 4,088
El Cubo 39,206 426 106 1.16 91.7% 79.8% 122,471 1,167
El Compas 22,855 248 65 4.33 70.2% 72.2% 33,518 2,298
Consolidated 236,531 2,628 140 1.53 88.3% 82.2% 939,511 9,578

(1)   gpt = grams per tonne

 

 

Production Tables for 2019 by Mine

 

Production  Tonnes  Tonnes Grade Grade Recovery Recovery Silver Gold
by mine Produced per day Ag gpt(1) Au gpt(1) Ag  % Au  % Oz Oz
Guanaceví 322,988 885 234 0.65 90.6% 90.2% 2,202,592 6,087
Bolañitos 316,708 868 73 1.69 84.1% 85.9% 624,942 14,779
El Cubo 245,418 672 155 1.54 88.9% 86.1% 1,086,824 10,464
El Compas(2) 69,772 345 75 4.37 62.0% 77.3% 104,377 7,577
Consolidated 954,886 2,770 149 1.50 88.0% 84.7% 4,018,735 38,907

(1)   gpt = grams per tonne
(2)   Results are as of commercial production achieved March 16, 2019

 

 

Guanacevi

 

Production increased compared to Q4, 2018 primarily due to higher throughput and higher ore grades.  Throughput and ore grades increased year-on-year as a result of the operational changes made to improve mine output, while increased access to the higher grade ores in the Milache and Porvenir Cuatro Extension (P4E) orebodies replaced production from the lower grade Porvenir Norte and Santa Cruz orebodies, which are now closed. Fourth quarter throughput and grades were the highest for the year as the operating improvements implemented in Q2 started to deliver results. Mine development of the Milache and P4E orebodies were on plan but development of the SCS orebody lagged behind plan.  Silver production attained the low range of revised 2019 guidance and gold production exceeded the high range of the revised guidance by 1%.

 

Bolañitos

 

Production decreased compared to Q4, 2018 primarily due to lower throughput and lower silver and gold grades. Mine output declined year-on-year because the mine plan had to be re-sequenced to allow for blending of high and low arsenic ores, equipment availability issues and mine development fell behind plan which resulted in lack of access to ore.  The Company initiated operational measures in Q3, 2019 to improve mine output which should benefit production in 2020.  Silver and gold production did not meet revised 2019 guidance, missing by 11% and 1%, respectively.

 

El Compas

 

Production has no prior year for comparison but decreased compared to Q3, 2019 primarily due to lower grades, partly offset by slightly higher throughput. The grade variation reflects different parts of the Orito orebody.  In Q4, 2019, throughput was on plan, however silver and gold production were below plan. During the first three quarters of commercial production, throughput was 95% of plan, while gold grades exceeded plan by 7% and silver grades were below plan by 10%. Silver recoveries over this period exceeded plan by 8%, while gold recoveries fell short of plan by 3%. Final refining settlements on Q3 concentrate production resulted in lower gold contained than estimated. These adjustments are recognized in Q4 production results and impact reported recoveries. Going forward recoveries are expected to be higher than 80%.  Silver and gold production met revised 2019 guidance.

 

El Cubo

 

The Company suspended mining operations at the El Cubo underground mine on November 30, 2019 as reserves were exhausted.  The mine, plant and tailings facilities are on short term care and maintenance, while management conducts an evaluation of the alternatives including final closure.  During October and November, the mine processed 39,206 tonnes grading 106 Ag g/t and 1.16 Au g/t producing 122,780 silver oz and 1,161 gold oz, a significant decrease from both prior year and the previous quarter.  Silver and gold production did not meet revised 2019 guidance, missing by 9% and 13%, respectively.

 

Suspension costs are estimated to be approximately $3.5-4.0 million, primarily expensed in Q4, 2019, the bulk of which is final severance payments for most of the employees. Company management and contract personnel continue to maintain the security of the mine, plant and tailings facilities. Management is evaluating alternatives for the plant and related facilities including moving certain components to other mines or development projects such as Terronera and Parral to reduce their future capital costs. The mining equipment will be relocated to Endeavour’s other operating mines, particularly Bolanitos, to help facilitate increasing the mine output to fill the plants to their capacities.

 

Sustainability Highlights for 2019

 

  • Continued to focus sustainability efforts on our five pillars: safety & health, our people, the environment, local communities and positive economic impacts
  • Guanacevi, Bolañitos and El Cubo received the annual “Socially Responsible Company” distinction from CEMEFI (Mexican Philanthropy Center)
  • Ceased operations at the El Cubo Mine in a collaborative manner with the employees, provided a social plan to mitigate risks and addressed community concerns resulting from the suspension of mining operations
  • Made significant community donations including a recreational sports facility at El Cubo and partnered with the Culture and Education department of the Municipal Government to open a cultural community center at Bolañitos 
  • Carried out a Social Impact Study at Parral to identify and address important issues to the local community
  • Continued to engage with the surrounding communities of the Terronera Project including San Sebastian Del Oeste, San Felipe De Hijar, and Santiago De Pinos, and hosted multiple events and programs during 2019 to which over 1,000 locals attended
  • Invested in our scholarship program at Guanacevi, Bolañitos and El Cubo, benefitting over 100 students from high school and university levels
  • The Company planted 52,000 trees to reclaim disturbed ground at all our mines and projects
  • The 2019 Annual Review and Sustainability Report will be published in May 2020

 

About Endeavour Silver

 

Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that owns and operates three 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.

 

Posted January 10, 2020

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