Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR) (NYSE: EXK) reports production of 857,659 silver ounces (oz) and 8,476 gold oz in Q1, 2020, for silver equivalent production of 1.5 million oz at an 80:1 silver:gold ratio (previous) or 1.8 million oz at a 110:1 ratio (current).

Subsequent to quarter-end, mine operations were suspended, from April 1 until April 30, as mandated by the Mexican government to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Only essential personnel remain at the mine sites to maintain safety, security and equipment.  As the ultimate impact of the suspension period is uncertain, Endeavour withdrew its 2020 production and cost guidance until further notice.

2020 First Quarter Highlights

• Production In Line With Guidance: Consolidated Q1, 2020 silver and gold production were in line with 2020 guidance prior to suspension.  The gold price averaged well above plan ($1450 per oz) but silver price averaged well below plan ($17 per oz) during the quarter.
   
• Guanacevi Outperformed Plan: Processed tonnes, silver and gold grade and recoveries were all well above plan. The operational turn-around and transition to mining the new, higher grade El Curso, Milache and SCS orebodies neared completion in Q1, 2020.
   
• Bolanitos Underperformed Plan: Processed tonnes, silver grade and gold recovery were below plan, partly offset by flat gold grade and higher silver recovery compared to plan. The operational turn-around and transition to mining the new, higher grade San Miguel and Melladito orebodies is well advanced but requires approximately three more months of mine development to complete.
   
• El Compas Close to Plan:  Processed tonnes were higher than plan but silver and gold grades and recoveries were below plan. Throughput, grades and recoveries each improved in March compared to the first two months of the year.
   
• Metal Sales and Inventories: Sold 665,500 oz silver and 7,454 oz gold, held 268,775 oz silver and 754 oz gold of bullion inventory and 10,545 oz silver and 699 oz gold in concentrate inventory. 
   
• Updated Reserves and Resources:  Measured and indicated resources increased at Guanacevi and Parral and inferred resources increased at Guanacevi, Bolanitos and Parral. Proven and probable reserves declined at Guanacevi but increased at Bolanitos and El Compas (see news release dated January 29, 2020).
   
• Appointed Director, Project Development:  Ernesto Lima, P.Eng., MBA, D.M., was appointed to oversee the development of new mine projects in Mexico.  Mr. Lima is a professional civil engineer with 26 years of experience in the mining industry and has planned and executed several large precious metal mine construction projects.
   
• Advanced Terronera Prefeasibility Study (PFS):  Engineering consultants prepared an economic summary of an updated pre-feasibility study based on significant changes to the prior PFS which resulted in less robust economics. Endeavour is optimizing it for an updated economic study with more robust economics signed off by an independent engineering group. 
   
• Implemented COVID-19 Plan:   Endeavour implemented plans to minimize the health risks of the COVID-19 virus, both to employees and to the business.  To date, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported at any of the Company’s work places in Canada, Mexico and Chile.

Bradford Cooke, Endeavour CEO, commented, “Even though our foremost concerns at this time are the health of our employees, safely managing the COVID-19 pandemic risk and the care and maintenance of our mining operations, Endeavour delivered solid Q1, 2020 performance at our mining operations.  We met production guidance prior to suspension, Guanacevi neared completion of its operational turn-around and Bolanitos and El Compas continued to make good progress.

“We welcomed Ernesto Lima to our management team and continued to optimize and de-risk the Terronera project, which has the potential to be our next core asset and our largest, lowest cost mine.  At Parral, a 2,000 tonne bulk sample was mined from the Sierra Plata mine on the Veta Colorada vein and arrangements were made to have it processed by a local toll mill. 

“I am confident that we have the experience and ability to navigate these challenging times and emerge a stronger Company from it.  We look forward to the time when we can all get back to work.”

Mine Operations

Consolidated silver and gold production were both lower in Q1, 2020 compared to Q1, 2019 due to the suspension of mining operations at the El Cubo mine in Q4, 2109. Excluding 2019 El Cubo production, production increased significantly due to improved throughput and ore grades at Guanacevi and commercial production at El Compas, partly offset by lower production at Bolanitos due to lower throughput and grades.  

Guanacevi processed tonnes, silver and gold grades and gold recovery were all higher compared to Q1, 2019 and well above plan. Silver recovery was lower than Q1, 2019 but higher than plan.  Production was significantly above plan as the operational turn-around and the transition to mining the new, higher grade El Curso, Milache and SCS orebodies neared completion in Q1, 2020. Subsequent to quarter-end, two refurbished cone crushers were installed which should allow the plant to ramp up to its 1200 tpd capacity during H2, 2020. 

Bolanitos processed tonnes, silver and gold grades and recoveries were all lower compared to Q1, 2019 and below plan due to lack of access to higher grade areas and excess dilution.  Production was significantly below plan due to slow mine development in two new areas.  Accelerated mine development improved ore access and better mining practices reduced dilution in March.  The operational turn-around and transition to mining the new, higher grade San Miguel and Melladito orebodies is well advanced but requires approximately three more months of mine development after the suspension period ends to complete. 

El Compas production in Q1, 2019 was limited to 3,790 tonnes of development ore so not comparable to full production in Q1, 2020.  Production was close to plan with higher throughput offset by lower grades. Management started replacing the mining contractor with new mine employees in March and adjusting the mining methods to reduce dilution going forward.  Throughput, grades and recoveries each started improving in March compared to the first two months of the year.  The transition from cut and fill mining to employee long hole mining should be complete in H2, 2020.

Development Projects

The Company received an economic summary of an updated pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the Terronera silver-gold mine project in Jalisco, Mexico. Significant changes were made to the operations plan, capital and operating costs compared to the previous PFS (see news release dated March 18, 2020) and as a result, although still positive, the economic summary returned less robust economics compared to the prior PFS.

Endeavour is now reconceptualizing the project in-house, working with an independent engineering group, to complete a detailed review in order to assess all assumptions and optimize all aspects of the project design and economics for an updated economic study with more robust economics signed off by the independent engineering group.  Management will then consider initiating an independent feasibility study.

At Parral, exploration was temporarily suspended but a 2,000 tonne bulk sample was mined from the Sierra Plata mine on the Veta Colorada vein and arrangements were made to have it processed by a local toll mill.

Exploration Projects

Even though all exploration projects were temporarily suspended in March, good progress was made exploring new extensions of high-grade orebodies at Guanacevi and Bolanitos.  Drilling at El Curso intersected a possible extension of the Milache orebody and drilling at Ave Maria intersected a possible extension of the Melladito orebody.

Liquidity Update

The Company currently has the financial capacity to meet its current obligations and conduct an orderly re-start of operations when the suspension lifts. The Company has no long-term debt other than $8 million in equipment term loans, subject to minimal covenants and secured by the equipment, otherwise all other creditors are unsecured. 

There are two macro economic factors benefiting the Company at this time.  The current gold price significantly exceeds the $1450 per oz gold price used for the 2020 mine plans and the Mexican peso exchange rate has depreciated over 25% since January.  The Company estimates it will spend $2.3-$2.8 million on care and maintenance, general and administration and base salaries for the month of April. If the suspension extends beyond April 30^th, management will look to reduce costs. The COVID-19 pandemic timeline and related suspension period are still uncertain.

Production Highlights for Q1, 2020

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

Production Tables for First Quarter, 2020 by Mine

⁽¹⁾ gpt = grams per tonne

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.