
Pan American Silver Corp. (NASDAQ: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS) reported unaudited results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.
“Operations at our flagship asset, La Colorada, have improved significantly, with silver production rising to approximately 1.7 million ounces in Q2,” said Michael Steinmann, President and Chief Executive Officer. “However, Pan American’s Q2 results were markedly impacted by the underperformance at Dolores and our determination that recording an impairment of this asset was required. The remaining operations performed largely in line with our expectations, recovering well from the impact of the COVID-19 Omicron wave in the first quarter of 2022. We continue to expect consolidated production to be weighted to the back half of 2022, especially for the Gold Segment due to mine sequencing at Shahuindo and La Arena. Our financial position remains solid with cash and short-term investments of $241.3 million and an undrawn line of credit of $500 million.”
Consolidated Q2 2022 Highlights:
Dolores Update
Management identified the following impairment indicators at the Dolores Mine as part of our quarterly review of impairment indicators:
i) | Year-to-date 2022 silver and gold production being less than that expected, driven by lower grades in Phase 9B of the open pit. The exploration drilling originally conducted for Phase 9B of the open pit had some high-grade intercepts that were to be mined during the first half of 2022. These high grades were not fully realized during mining. Management now believes that these high-grade intercepts contributed to a localized overestimation of the contained ounces within Phase 9B. The updated mineral resource and production plan for the life of mine adjusts for this overestimation on the remainder of Phase 9B; |
ii) | inflationary pressures, which have particularly affected this shorter-life asset where most of the mining will be completed in the next two years; |
iii) | the suspension of underground mining operations in Q2 2022 due to inflationary cost pressures, and the subsequent reclassification of underground mineral reserves to mineral resources; and, |
iv) | a reduction in the expected duration of economic leaching to the year 2030. |
These factors resulted in an impairment to the mineral property, plant and equipment, as well as a net realizable value inventory adjustment, largely related to the heap inventory.
i. | a pre-tax impairment charge of $99.1 million; and, |
ii. | an NRV adjustment of $55.4 million. |
ILO 169 Consultation Process for Escobal Advances to Next Phase
The final meeting of the pre-consultation phase of the ILO 169 consultation process for the Escobal mine in Guatemala was held on July 20, 2022, and was formally announced at a joint news conference held by the Xinka Parliament and the Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines. A total of eight meetings were held during the pre-consultation. The process has now advanced to the consultation phase, with the first meeting scheduled for August 21, 2022. For a description of the ILO 169 consultation process for Escobal, please see our website at https://www.panamericansilver.com/operations/north-and-central-america/escobal/.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Three months ended June 30, 2022 |
Twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2021 |
|
Weighted average shares during period (millions) | 210.5 | 210.3 |
Shares outstanding end of period (millions) | 210.5 | 210.5 |
Three months ended June 30, |
||
2022 | 2021 | |
FINANCIAL | ||
Revenue | $ 340,469 | $ 382,132 |
Mine operating (loss) earnings | $ (31,652) | $ 103,048 |
Net (loss) earnings | $ (173,632) | $ 71,241 |
Basic (loss) earnings per share(1) | $ (0.83) | $ 0.34 |
Adjusted (loss) earnings(2) | $ (6,489) | $ 46,626 |
Basic adjusted (loss) earnings per share(1) | $ (0.03) | $ 0.22 |
Net cash generated from operating activities | $ 20,835 | $ 87,143 |
Net cash generated from operating activities before changes in working capital(2) | $ 40,346 | $ 124,158 |
Sustaining capital expenditures(2) | $ 56,512 | $ 53,225 |
Non-sustaining capital expenditures(2) | $ 19,871 | $ 12,799 |
Cash dividend paid per share | $ 0.12 | $ 0.07 |
PRODUCTION | ||
Silver (thousand ounces) | 4,537 | 4,484 |
Gold (thousand ounces) | 128.3 | 142.3 |
Zinc (thousand tonnes) | 9.0 | 12.4 |
Lead (thousand tonnes) | 4.6 | 4.8 |
Copper (thousand tonnes) | 1.3 | 2.1 |
CASH COSTS(2) ($/ounce) | ||
Silver Segment | 12.10 | 12.71 |
Gold Segment | 1,132 | 857 |
AISC(2) ($/ounce) | ||
Silver Segment | 17.30 | 16.36 |
Gold Segment | 2,051 | 1,163 |
AVERAGE REALIZED PRICES(3) | ||
Silver ($/ounce) | 22.03 | 26.88 |
Gold ($/ounce) | 1,850 | 1,809 |
Zinc ($/tonne) | 3,811 | 2,935 |
Lead ($/tonne) | 2,162 | 2,151 |
Copper ($/tonne) | 9,731 | 9,679 |
(1) | Per share amounts are based on basic weighted average common shares. |
(2) | Non-GAAP measure; please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this news release for further information on these measures. |
(3) | Metal prices stated are inclusive of final settlement adjustments on concentrate sales. |
Cash Costs, AISC, adjusted earnings, basic adjusted earnings per share, sustaining and non-sustaining capital, working capital, total debt and net cash are not generally accepted accounting principle (“non-GAAP”) financial measures. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this news release for further information on these measures.
This news release should be read in conjunction with Pan American’s unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and our Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. This material is available on Pan American’s website at panamericansilver.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
2022 GUIDANCE
Based on results for the first six months of 2022 and the expected results for the remainder of the year, Management provides the following update to the 2022 Operating Outlook included in the Company’s 2021 MD&A dated February 23, 2022:
These estimates are forward-looking statements and information that are subject to the cautionary note associated with forward-looking statements and information at the end of this news release. The following tables provide Management’s 2022 Guidance forecasts, as at August 10, 2022, including revised Gold Segment AISC and revised capital expenditures.
Annual Production
Silver – Moz | 19.0 – 20.5 |
Gold – koz | 550.0 – 605.0 |
Zinc – kt | 35.0 – 40.0 |
Lead – kt | 15.0 – 17.0 |
Copper – kt | 5.5 – 6.5 |
Cash Costs and AISC
Cash Costs(1)(2)
($ per ounce) |
AISC(1)(2)
($ per ounce) |
|
Silver Segment Total | 10.70 – 12.20 | 14.50 – 16.00 |
Gold Segment Total, excluding NRV adjustments | 970 – 1,070 | 1,450 – 1,550 |
(1) | Cash Costs and AISC are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this news release for further information on these measures. |
(2) | The Cash Costs and AISC forecasts assume average metal prices of $22.50/oz for silver, $1,750/oz for gold, $3,000/tonne ($1.36/lb) for zinc, $2,200/tonne ($1.00/lb) for lead, and $9,200/tonne ($4.17/lb) for copper; and average annual exchange rates relative to 1 USD of 20.00 for the Mexican peso (“MXN”), 4.10 for the Peruvian sol (“PEN”), 122.17 for the Argentine peso (“ARS”), 7.00 for the Bolivian boliviano (“BOB”), and $1.25 for the Canadian dollar (“CAD”). |
Capital Expenditures
(in millions of USD) | |
Sustaining Capital | 240.0 – 250.0 |
Project Capital | 55.0 – 60.0 |
Total Capital | 295.0 – 310.0 |
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 28-year history of operating in Latin America, earning an industry-leading reputation for sustainability performance, operational excellence and prudent financial management. We are headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. and our shares trade on NASDAQ and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Commerce Resources Corp. (TSX-V: CCE) (FSE: D7H0) is pleased to... READ MORE
North Bay Resources, Inc. (OTC: NBRI) is pleased to announce a re... READ MORE
NevGold Corp. (TSX-V:NAU) (OTCQX:NAUFF) (Frankfurt:5E50) is pleas... READ MORE
G2 Goldfields Inc. (TSX: GTWO) (OTCQX: GUYGF) is pleased to annou... READ MORE
Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA) (OTCQX: AYASF) announced fi... READ MORE