Pan American Silver Corp. (NASDAQ: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS) reported unaudited results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

“Pan American generated record quarterly revenue of $460.3 million and operating cash flow of $157.0 million in Q3. Our cash and short-term investments increased to $315.4 million,” said Michael Steinmann, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have continued to face challenges with availability of qualified labor and costs related to the COVID pandemic. Vaccination rates have been increasing at all our operations, and we expect to see an improvement in productivity and costs over the coming quarters, especially at La Colorada.”

Q3 2021 Highlights:

• Consolidated silver production was 4.8 million ounces. La Colorada was largely responsible for increased production relative to the first and second quarters of 2021. With improved ventilation air volumes allowing accelerated mine development, mining rates increased by 21% relative to the previous quarter of 2021 and further increases are anticipated through the balance of 2021. We expect mine developments and mining rates to continue increasing over the coming quarters, with throughput rates increasing to approximately 2,000 tonnes per day by mid-2022. We also expect to increase underground exploration drilling rates, particularly for the Skarn deposit.
• Consolidated gold production was 142.6 thousand ounces. At Dolores, a delay in completing construction of leach pad 1 south has resulted in an in-heap gold inventory build-up of 8.1 thousand ounces in Q3 2021 and 37.0 thousand ounces year-to-date 2021. Loading of pad 1 south is expected to begin by the end of November 2021, which should allow inventory levels to normalize in 2022. At Shahuindo, an increase in pad inventories of 5.9 thousand ounces in Q3 2021 and 16.1 thousand ounces YTD 2021 was recorded.
• Revenue of $460.3 million benefited from the sale of dore and concentrate inventories built-up in prior periods, which was partially offset by the increase of on-pad inventories at Dolores and Shahuindo.
• Net income of $20.2 million ($0.10 basic income per share) was impacted by a non-cash mark-to-market loss on investment interests of $25.3 million ($0.12 per share) and an income tax expense of $50.4 million ($0.24 per share), partially offset by a $28.5 million gain ($0.14 per share) on the sale of a non-core exploration stage property.
• Adjusted income was $37.8 million ($0.18 basic adjusted income per share).
• Net cash generated from operations was $157.0 million and includes $23.0 million source of cash from working capital changes.
• Silver Segment Cash Costs and All-in Sustaining Costs per silver ounce were $11.92 and $16.30, respectively. Silver Segment costs were mainly impacted by increased mining costs at La Colorada for ventilation upgrades, extensive shotcrete ground support and investments in long-hole mining methods to benefit future operations. La Colorada AISC are expected to gradually decline, as throughput increases over the coming quarters.
• Gold Segment Cash Costs and AISC per gold ounce were $922 and $1,176, respectively.
• Capital expenditures of $66.2 million were comprised of $52.9 million of sustaining capital and $13.3 million of non-sustaining capital, which is mostly related to project capital. Project capital of $12.8 million was largely invested in advancing the exploration and development studies for the La Colorada Skarn project, including advancing construction of the new concrete-lined ventilation shaft and refrigeration plant, and the Wetmore exploration project at Timmins.
• 2021 Guidance revised. Full-year consolidated precious metals production is now estimated to be between 19.0 and 20.0 million ounces of silver and 560.0 to 588.0 thousand ounces of gold. The estimated ranges for Silver Segment Cash Costs and AISC have increased to $11.60 to $12.50 and $15.75 to $16.75, respectively. The Company has maintained its guidance for Gold Segment Cash Costs and AISC. The Company has reduced its estimates for sustaining capital to a range of $217.5 to $226.0 million and project capital to a range of $43.5 to $45.0 million. See the “2021 Guidance” section of this news release for further details, and the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.
• Strong financial position with working capital of $618.8 million, inclusive of cash and short-term investment balances of $315.4 million; an equity investment in Maverix Metals Inc. with a market value of $116.1 million; and $500.0 million available under Pan American’s Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility, as at September 30, 2021. Total debt of $45.0 million was related to lease liabilities and construction loans.
• The Board of Directors has approved a cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, or approximately $21.0 million in aggregate cash dividends, payable on or about December 3, 2021, to holders of record of Pan American’s common shares as of the close on November 22, 2021.

Pan American also reports that Mr. Robert Doyle, Chief Financial Officer, has decided to retire effective March 31, 2022 after 18 years of loyal service to the Company. The Company has a succession plan in place and is currently conducting an orderly process of transition.

Cash Costs, AISC, adjusted earnings, basic adjusted earnings per share, sustaining capital, project capital, working capital, and total debt are not generally accepted accounting principle (“non-GAAP”) financial measures. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this news release for further information on these measures.

This news release should be read in conjunction with Pan American’s unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and our Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. This material is available on Pan American’s website at panamericansilver.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

INDIVIDUAL MINE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

2021 GUIDANCE

Based on YTD 2021 production results and the expected production for the remainder of the year, Management has revised the full-year consolidated precious metals production estimates and increased its range of expected Silver Segment Cash Costs and AISC. The Company is maintaining its guidance for Gold Segment Cash Costs and AISC. The Company is also revising down its estimates for sustaining and project capital expenditures.

Annual Production Guidance, as at November 9, 2021

Cash Costs and AISC Guidance, as at November 9, 2021

Capital Expenditures Guidance, as at November 9, 2021

The estimates above are forward-looking statements and information that are subject to the cautionary note associated with forward-looking statements and information at the end of this news release.

About Pan American Silver

Pan American owns and operates silver and gold mines located in Mexico, Peru, Canada, Argentina and Bolivia. We also own the Escobal mine in Guatemala that is currently not operating. Pan American provides enhanced exposure to silver through a large base of silver reserves and resources, as well as major catalysts to grow silver production. We have a 27-year history of operating in Latin America, earning an industry-leading reputation for sustainability performance, operational excellence and prudent financial management.