
First Quarter 2023 Highlights (1)
SSR Mining Inc. (TSX: SSRM) (NASDAQ:SSRM) (ASX: SSR) reports consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023. In addition, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per common share payable on June 12, 2023 to holders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2023. This dividend qualifies as an ‘eligible dividend’ for Canadian tax purposes.
Rod Antal, President and CEO of SSR Mining, said, “Our operating results for the first quarter of 2023 were well aligned to our expectations and have the Company on track for full-year consolidated production and cost guidance. We continue to expect a second half weighted production and free cash flow profile with sustaining capital spending across the portfolio progressively tapering off in the second half of the year.
During the quarter, we updated our three-year rolling guidance affirming a 700 thousand gold equivalent ounce production platform, a level that we expect to maintain over the remainder of the decade through modest Mineral Reserve conversion and growth within our existing portfolio. These expected production levels were supported by multiple initiatives during the quarter, including the commencement of stripping activities at Çakmaktepe Extension as we prepare for first production later this year and the purchase of new haul trucks at Marigold to support initial waste stripping at Red Dot. In addition, the positive exploration update from Puna provided yet another example of the robust global exploration pipeline that we expect will further support our long-term growth targets.
Overall, SSR Mining remains in a very strong position, supported by a robust balance sheet, significant capital returns, a number of valuation catalysts on the horizon as we further define Çöpler’s C2 expansion project and Marigold’s New Millennium target, and the expectation of improving production and free cash flow in the coming quarters.”
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(1) The Company reports non-GAAP financial measures including adjusted attributable net income, adjusted attributable net income per share, cash generated by operating activities before working capital adjustments, free cash flow, free cash flow before changes in working capital, net cash (debt), cash costs and AISC per ounce sold (a common measure in the mining industry), to manage and evaluate its operating performance at its mines. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for an explanation of these financial measures and a reconciliation of these financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.
First Quarter 2023 Highlights (1):
(All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)
Financial and Operating Highlights
A summary of the Company’s consolidated financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 are presented below:
Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||
(in thousands of US dollars, except per share data) | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Financial Results | |||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 314,614 | $ | 355,446 | |||||||||
Cost of sales | $ | 199,297 | $ | 153,520 | |||||||||
Operating income | $ | 36,985 | $ | 115,870 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 29,004 | $ | 76,106 | |||||||||
Net income attributable to shareholders of SSR Mining | $ | 29,813 | $ | 67,563 | |||||||||
Basic net income per share attributable to shareholders of SSR Mining | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.32 | |||||||||
Diluted net income per share attributable to shareholders of SSR Mining | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.31 | |||||||||
Adjusted attributable net income (2) | $ | 21,274 | $ | 65,942 | |||||||||
Adjusted basic attributable net income per share (2) | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.31 | |||||||||
Adjusted diluted attributable net income per share (2) | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||||
Cash generated by (used in) operating activities before changes in working capital (2) | $ | 90,869 | $ | 130,767 | |||||||||
Cash generated by (used in) operating activities | $ | 2,967 | $ | 62,187 | |||||||||
Cash used in investing activities | $ | (51,881 | ) | $ | (27,885 | ) | |||||||
Cash used in financing activities | $ | (38,189 | ) | $ | (53,449 | ) | |||||||
Operating Results | |||||||||||||
Gold produced (oz) | 122,821 | 157,011 | |||||||||||
Gold sold (oz) | 126,111 | 157,179 | |||||||||||
Silver produced (‘000 oz) | 2,015 | 1,303 | |||||||||||
Silver sold (‘000 oz) | 2,382 | 1,760 | |||||||||||
Lead produced (‘000 lb) (3) | 11,361 | 7,303 | |||||||||||
Lead sold (‘000 lb) (3) | 13,370 | 10,212 | |||||||||||
Zinc produced (‘000 lb) (3) | 2,480 | 1,843 | |||||||||||
Zinc sold (‘000 lb) (3) | 3,687 | 3,129 | |||||||||||
Gold equivalent produced (oz) (4) | 146,894 | 173,675 | |||||||||||
Gold equivalent sold (oz) (4) | 154,557 | 179,692 | |||||||||||
Average realized gold price ($/oz sold) | $ | 1,902 | $ | 1,879 | |||||||||
Average realized silver price ($/oz sold) | $ | 23.38 | $ | 24.08 | |||||||||
Cost of sales per gold equivalent ounce sold (4) | $ | 1,289 | $ | 854 | |||||||||
Cash cost per gold equivalent ounce sold (2, 4) | $ | 1,204 | $ | 775 | |||||||||
AISC per gold equivalent ounce sold (2, 4) | $ | 1,693 | $ | 1,093 | |||||||||
Financial Position | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 561,783 | $ | 655,453 | |||||||||
Current assets | $ | 1,342,308 | $ | 1,376,435 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 5,234,803 | $ | 5,254,657 | |||||||||
Current liabilities | $ | 250,962 | $ | 279,252 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 1,096,992 | $ | 1,128,458 | |||||||||
Working capital (5) | $ | 1,091,346 | $ | 1,097,183 | |||||||||
(2) | The Company reports non-GAAP financial measures including adjusted attributable net income, adjusted attributable net income per share, cash generated by operating activities before changes in working capital, cash costs and AISC per ounce sold to manage and evaluate its operating performance at its mines. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this press release for an explanation of these financial measures and a reconciliation of these financial measures to net income, cost of sales, and cash generated by operating activities, which are the most comparable GAAP financial measures. | ||||||||||||
(3) | Data for lead production and sales relate only to lead in lead concentrate. Data for zinc production and sales relate only to zinc in zinc concentrate. | ||||||||||||
(4) | Gold equivalent ounces are calculated multiplying the silver ounces by the ratio of the silver price to the gold price, using the average London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”) prices for the period. The Company does not include by-products in the gold equivalent ounce calculations. | ||||||||||||
(5) | Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities. | ||||||||||||
Çöpler, Türkiye
(amounts presented on 100% basis)
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, | |||||||||
Operating Data | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Gold produced (oz) | 55,074 | 70,641 | |||||||
Gold sold (oz) | 58,014 | 72,425 | |||||||
Ore mined (kt) | 1,179 | 1,011 | |||||||
Waste removed (kt) | 5,375 | 5,135 | |||||||
Total material mined (kt) | 6,554 | 6,146 | |||||||
Strip ratio | 4.6 | 5.1 | |||||||
Ore stacked (kt) | 188 | 63 | |||||||
Gold grade stacked (g/t) | 1.22 | 0.78 | |||||||
Ore milled (kt) | 724 | 645 | |||||||
Gold mill feed grade (g/t) | 2.47 | 3.32 | |||||||
Gold recovery (%) | 87.7 | 87.0 | |||||||
Average realized gold price ($/oz sold) | $ | 1,890 | $ | 1,873 | |||||
Cost of sales ($/oz gold sold) | $ | 1,287 | $ | 864 | |||||
Cash costs ($/oz gold sold) (6) | $ | 1,272 | $ | 844 | |||||
AISC ($/oz gold sold) (6) | $ | 1,420 | $ | 955 | |||||
(6) | The Company reports the non-GAAP financial measures of cash costs and AISC per ounce of gold sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at Çöpler. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for an explanation of these financial measures and a reconciliation to cost of sales, which are the comparable GAAP financial measure. Cost of sales excludes depreciation, depletion, and amortization. | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, Çöpler produced 55,074 and 70,641 ounces of gold, respectively. Lower production for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, is mainly due to planned lower grade sulfide ore milled. First quarter 2023 cost of sales of $1,287 per ounce and AISC of $1,420 per ounce were in line with expectations.
Çöpler is on track to meet 2023 production guidance of 240,000 to 270,000 ounces of gold at mine site cost of sales of $1,070 to $1,100 per payable ounce and AISC of $1,245 to $1,295 per payable ounce. Ҫӧpler’s production profile remains approximately 55% weighted to the second half of 2023. The Çakmaktepe Extension project remains on track to achieve first production within 2023, with initial waste stripping activities now underway. The C2 expansion project continues to progress towards a pre-feasibility study, including maiden Mineral Reserves and updated Mineral Resources, anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Marigold, USA
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, | |||||||||
Operating Data | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Gold produced (oz) | 51,979 | 33,788 | |||||||
Gold sold (oz) | 51,297 | 36,954 | |||||||
Ore mined (kt) | 5,367 | 4,820 | |||||||
Waste removed (kt) | 17,029 | 19,788 | |||||||
Total material mined (kt) | 22,396 | 24,608 | |||||||
Strip ratio | 3.2 | 4.1 | |||||||
Ore stacked (kt) | 5,367 | 4,820 | |||||||
Gold grade stacked (g/t) | 0.42 | 0.39 | |||||||
Average realized gold price ($/oz sold) | $ | 1,913 | $ | 1,821 | |||||
Cost of sales ($/oz gold sold) | $ | 1,063 | $ | 1,048 | |||||
Cash costs ($/oz gold sold) (7) | $ | 1,066 | $ | 1,048 | |||||
AISC ($/oz gold sold) (7) | $ | 1,663 | $ | 1,564 | |||||
(7) | The Company reports the non-GAAP financial measures of cash costs and AISC per ounce of gold sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at Marigold. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for an explanation of these financial measures and a reconciliation to cost of sales, which are the comparable GAAP financial measure. Cost of sales excludes depreciation, depletion, and amortization. | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, Marigold produced 51,979 and 33,788 ounces of gold, respectively. During the first quarter of 2023, Marigold reported cost of sales of $1,063 per ounce and AISC of $1,663 per ounce. First quarter AISC reflects the expected first-half weighted sustaining capital spend profile, with $29 million of Marigold’s $81 million in 2023 sustaining capital guidance incurred during the quarter.
Marigold is on track for 2023 production guidance of 260,000 to 290,000 ounces of gold at mine site cost of sales of $1,000 to $1,030 per payable ounce and AISC of $1,315 to $1,365 per ounce. For the full year, production remains 60 to 70% weighted to the second half of 2023, including a peak in the third quarter. Marigold’s cost profile is expected to largely reflect the 2023 production profile, with first half costs above the full-year guidance range and the lowest cost periods in the third and fourth quarters. In the first quarter, Marigold stacked competent ore that is typical for the mine, helping support shorter leach cycles as compared to 2022.
Seabee, Canada
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, | |||||||||
Operating Data | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Gold produced (oz) | 15,768 | 52,582 | |||||||
Gold sold (oz) | 16,800 | 47,800 | |||||||
Ore mined (kt) | 99 | 103 | |||||||
Ore milled (kt) | 112 | 95 | |||||||
Gold mill feed grade (g/t) | 4.60 | 17.77 | |||||||
Gold recovery (%) | 96.1 | 98.6 | |||||||
Average realized gold price ($/oz sold) | $ | 1,910 | $ | 1,860 | |||||
Cost of sales ($/oz gold sold) | $ | 1,385 | $ | 343 | |||||
Cash costs ($/oz gold sold) (8) | $ | 1,386 | $ | 344 | |||||
AISC ($/oz gold sold) (8) | $ | 2,207 | $ | 596 | |||||
(8) | The Company reports the non-GAAP financial measures of cash costs and AISC per ounce of gold sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at Seabee. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for an explanation of these financial measures and a reconciliation to cost of sales, which are the comparable GAAP financial measure. Cost of sales excludes depreciation, depletion, and amortization. | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, Seabee produced 15,768 and 52,582 ounces of gold, respectively, with lower production in the first quarter of 2023 primarily a result of lower grade ore milled. Processed grades during the first quarter of 2023 were impacted by now-resolved equipment downtime that altered the mine sequencing schedule. Processing plant throughput in the first quarter averaged approximately 1,250 tonnes per day, demonstrating the ongoing success of continuous improvement initiatives in the Seabee processing plant.
During the first quarter of 2023, Seabee reported cost of sales of $1,385 per ounce and AISC of $2,207 per ounce. As guided, sustaining capital spend at Seabee is concentrated in the first half of the year as a result of the winter road season. Seabee’s production remains 55% weighted to the second half of the year, as processed grades are expected to trend back in line with Seabee’s Mineral Reserve grade over the full year.
Puna, Argentina
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, | |||||||||
Operating Data | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Silver produced (‘000 oz) | 2,015 | 1,303 | |||||||
Silver sold (‘000 oz) | 2,382 | 1,760 | |||||||
Lead produced (‘000 lb) | 11,361 | 7,303 | |||||||
Lead sold (‘000 lb) | 13,370 | 10,212 | |||||||
Zinc produced (‘000 lb) | 2,480 | 1,843 | |||||||
Zinc sold (‘000 lb) | 3,687 | 3,129 | |||||||
Gold equivalent sold (‘000 oz) (9) | 28,446 | 22,513 | |||||||
Ore mined (kt) | 349 | 347 | |||||||
Waste removed (kt) | 1,984 | 2,078 | |||||||
Total material mined (kt) | 2,333 | 2,425 | |||||||
Strip ratio | 5.7 | 6.0 | |||||||
Ore milled (kt) | 415 | 373 | |||||||
Silver mill feed grade (g/t) | 157.4 | 114.4 | |||||||
Lead mill feed grade (%) | 1.32 | 0.97 | |||||||
Zinc mill feed grade (%) | 0.44 | 0.44 | |||||||
Silver mill recovery (%) | 96.0 | 92.8 | |||||||
Lead mill recovery (%) | 94.4 | 91.6 | |||||||
Zinc mill recovery (%) | 62.0 | 44.0 | |||||||
Average realized silver price ($/oz sold) | $ | 23.38 | $ | 24.08 | |||||
Cost of sales ($/oz sold) | $ | 19.67 | $ | 20.34 | |||||
Cash costs ($/oz silver sold) (10) | $ | 14.41 | $ | 13.06 | |||||
AISC ($/oz silver sold) (10) | $ | 16.40 | $ | 14.67 | |||||
(9) | Gold equivalent ounces are calculated multiplying the silver ounces by the ratio of the silver price to the gold price, using the average LBMA prices for the period. The Company does not include by-products in the gold equivalent ounce calculations. | ||||||||
(10) | The Company reports the non-GAAP financial measures of cash costs and AISC per ounce of silver sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at Puna. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for an explanation of these financial measures and a reconciliation to cost of sales, which are the comparable GAAP financial measure. Cost of sales excludes depreciation, depletion, and amortization. | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, Puna produced 2.0 million and 1.3 million ounces of silver, respectively. The year-over-year increase is primarily driven by improved ore grades and tonnes processed in the first quarter of 2023. During the first quarter of 2023, Puna reported cost of sales of $19.67 per ounce of silver sold and AISC of $16.40 per ounce of silver sold.
Puna remains on track to meet 2023 production guidance of 8.0 to 9.0 million ounces of silver at mine site cost of sales of $18.00 to $19.50 per payable ounce and AISC of $16.25 to $17.75 per payable ounce. Production remains 50 to 55% weighted to the second half of 2023, driven largely by grades that peak in the third quarter. Cost of sales and AISC are expected to be highest in the first half of 2023, including a peak in the second quarter, reflecting the site-level capital spend profile.
Dividend Declaration
On May 4, 2023 the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per common share, payable on June 12, 2023 to holders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2023. This dividend qualifies as an ‘eligible dividend’ for Canadian income tax purposes.
The dividend payment applies to holders of SSR Mining’s common shares, which trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq under the symbol SSRM, and to holders of its CHESS Depositary Interests, which trade on the Australian Securities Exchange under the symbol SSR. Each CDI confers a beneficial interest in one common share. Therefore, CDI holders are entitled to a dividend calculated on the same basis as the holders of SSR Mining’s common shares.
SSR Mining has sought and been granted a temporary waiver of certain of the ASX Settlement Operating Rules. Under the authority of the waiver, the processing of conversions of common shares to CDIs, or CDIs to common shares, lodged on or after or after May 12, 2023, will be deferred until after the record date of May 15, 2023. The key dates with respect to the dividend are as follows:
Last date for processing requests to convert CDIs into common shares and to convert common shares into CDIs before the record date for the dividend | May 11, 2023 | |
CDIs trade on the ASX on an ex‐dividend basis | May 12, 2023 | |
Common shares trade on the TSX and Nasdaq on an ex‐dividend basis | May 12, 2023 | |
Record date for the dividend | May 15, 2023 | |
Processing recommences for requests to convert CDIs into common shares and to convert common shares into CDIs | May 16, 2023 | |
Common share dividend payment date (in Canada and the United States) | June 12, 2023 | |
Payment of dividend to CDI holders (in Australia) | June 13, 2023 |
Payments to Canadian shareholders will be made in Canadian dollars based on the exchange rate on the record date as reported by the Bank of Canada. Payments to other shareholders will be made in U.S. dollars. For CDI holders, payments will be made in Australian dollars, and it is expected to be based on the prevailing exchange rate sourced from the wholesale foreign exchange market on or around 5 business days after the record date.
About SSR Mining
SSR Mining Inc. is a leading, free cash flow focused gold company with four producing operations located in the USA, Türkiye, Canada, and Argentina, combined with a global pipeline of high-quality development and exploration assets. Over the last three years, the four operating assets combined have produced on average more than 700,000 gold-equivalent ounces annually.
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