SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM) (TSX: SSRM) (ASX: SSR) reports consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.

Rod Antal, President and CEO said, “We exited 2020 with strong operational and financial momentum across all four of our operating assets. The fourth quarter represented the first full quarter following the completion of the Alacer merger, and the results demonstrated the strength of the business with 220,000 gold-equivalent ounces produced at $976 per ounce AISC and $157 million in free cash flow. Given our strong balance sheet we declared our first quarterly dividend in line with our recently instituted capital allocation policy. Our peer leading free cash flow will also provide us the opportunity to assess additional capital returns to shareholders in the form of supplemental dividends and/or share buy-back programs in the future.

In 2021, we remain focused on execution and delivery with the goal of demonstrating our organic ability to sustain 700,000 to 800,000 gold-equivalent ounces of production for the next 5+ years. Our large brownfield growth and exploration pipeline will take center-stage this year as we advance projects and provide clarity on their potential scale and timelines.”

Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2020 Highlights:
(All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)

• Closed zero-premium merger with Alacer: On September 16, 2020, completed the transaction with Alacer to create a leading intermediate precious metals producer with robust margins, strong free cash flow generation and long mine lives led by a highly experienced leadership team with a track record of value creation.
• Robust free cash flow: Reported fourth quarter attributable net income of $89.0 million, or $0.41 per share, and adjusted attributable net income of $108.8 million, or $0.50 per share. Generated cash flows from operating activities of $217.4 million and free cash flow of $157.0 million in the fourth quarter.⁽¹⁾
• Record fourth quarter performance: Delivered fourth quarter production of 220,432 gold equivalent ounces at AISC of $976 per gold equivalent ounce, exiting the year with strong operational momentum.⁽¹⁾
• Enhanced balance sheet and liquidity: Cash and cash equivalents and consolidated cash balances at year-end increased to $860.6 million and $897.0 million, respectively, further strengthening the Company’s peer-leading balance sheet.⁽¹⁾ Cash and cash equivalents increased by $127.1 million during the fourth quarter.
• Inaugural dividend announced: The Board declared the first quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share.
• Delivered positive Çöpler District Master Plan studies: Released an updated NI 43-101 technical report outlining two production scenarios which demonstrate the long-term value and the significant organic growth potential of this world-class operation.
• Discovered C2 copper-gold porphyry target at Çöpler: Announced positive results from four diamond drill holes below the Çöpler pit, with all holes intersecting gold-rich copper porphyry mineralization. The C2 results are another example of the long-term potential of Çöpler.
• Çöpler contributes low-cost production: Delivered gold production of 83,029 ounces in the fourth quarter and annual production of 326,908 ounces.⁽²⁾ Reported AISC of $748 per ounce in the fourth quarter, generating robust margins.⁽¹⁾
• Record production at Marigold: Delivered gold production of 76,941 ounces for the fourth quarter and annual production of 234,443 ounces, marking both quarterly and annual production records for the operation.
• Marigold recognized for operator safety: The Marigold team was awarded first place by the Nevada Mining Association for safety for large metal operator in 2020.
• Steady-state production at Seabee: Produced 31,915 ounces of gold at AISC of $787 per ounce in the fourth quarter as the mine returned to steady-state operations.⁽¹⁾
• Strong performance at Puna: Produced 2.2 million ounces of silver at cash costs of $8.92 per ounce in the fourth quarter.⁽¹⁾ AISC of $15.90 per ounce was impacted by sales well below production due to lags as concentrate shipments resumed.⁽¹⁾
• Provided robust 2021 outlook: In 2021, the Company expects to produce, on a consolidated basis, 720,000 to 800,000 gold-equivalent ounces at consolidated AISC of $1,050 to $1,110 per gold equivalent ounce.⁽¹⁾

Çöpler, Turkey
(amounts presented on 100% basis)

Production

During the fourth quarter of 2020, Çöpler produced 83,029 ounces of gold, which included 21,200 ounces of gold production from the Çöpler oxide plant and 61,830 ounces of gold production from the sulfide plant. Production was in line with guidance despite the impacts of COVID-19. The mine plan was revised and other actions taken to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

From September 16, 2020, the date of the Company’s acquisition of Alacer, to December 31, 2020, Çöpler produced 102,616 ounces of gold, which included 26,458 ounces of gold production from the Çöpler oxide plant and 76,158 ounces of gold production from the sulfide plant.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, Çöpler produced 326,908 ounces of gold, which included 87,548 ounces of gold production from the Çöpler oxide plant and 239,360 ounces of gold production from the sulfide plant. Production was in line with the revised mine plan that was adopted to diversify ore sources and optimize production in light of the shortfall in mine operator numbers resulting from COVID-19.

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2020, oxide ore tonnes mined were 1.4 million and 2.8 million tonnes, respectively. The oxide ore mined grade was 1.16 g/t and 1.06 g/t, respectively.

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2020, sulfide ore tonnes mined were 0.9 million and 2.3 million tonnes, respectively, in line with the revised mine plan.

For the three months and year ending December 31, 2020, the sulfide plant treated 0.6 million and 2.2 million tonnes of sulfide ore, respectively. The sulfide plant continued to efficiently operate above design throughput. Plant gold recovery averaged approximately 91% for the year ended December 31, 2020. Recovery improvement projects continued in the fourth quarter of 2020, some of which continue into 2021.

Mine operator availability suffered in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The revised mine plan reduced the haulage of material to the tailings storage facility (“TSF”), stockpiling this material for 2021, and allowed for available mining resources to be focused on the Manganese pit cutback. The TSF is approximately 5 kilometers from the mine and is constructed from competent mine waste. Despite the reduced construction rate in 2020 as a result of the impacts from COVID-19, the TSF is advancing ahead of operational requirements. A mining area was also brought into production in the Main Pit to diversify ore sources, in part, as a risk management strategy should COVID-19 related restrictions increase. Total mined tonnes for the fourth quarter and full year 2020, with the revised mine plan, were above the original mine plan.

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2020, the total waste tonnes mined were 4.8 million and 20.8 million tonnes, respectively, in line with the revised mine plan.

The Çöpler District Master Plan 2020 (“CDMP2020”), issued in November 2020, updated the operating parameters of the sulfide plant and includes the results of optimization studies and programs, including the supplemental flotation circuit.

The flotation circuit included in the recent amendment to the Çöpler Environmental Impact Assessment application and incorporated into the CDMP2020 was approved for construction by the Board of Directors. The flotation circuit will treat a side stream from the grinding circuit, with the concentrate reporting to autoclave feed and the tails to leaching. The flotation circuit is anticipated to increase the gold and sulfur grades processed through the autoclaves (increasing autoclave and oxygen utilization), reduce unit costs, and increase total sulfide plant throughput and gold production. Overall recovery declines modestly due to lower float tails recovery. The currently-installed grinding mills have demonstrated significant latent capacity, sufficient to support an increase in sulfide plant throughput capacity up to approximately 3 million tonnes per annum. The capital cost estimate for the flotation circuit is approximately $18 million. At December 31, 2020, the detailed engineering designs for the flotation circuit were 89% complete and the civil construction was 95% complete. The fabrication of the steel work is in progress, with tank delivery at 75% and assembly at 55% completion. The flotation circuit commissioning is targeted for mid-year 2021.

Revenue

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $152.0 million as 80,388 ounces of gold were sold at an average realized gold price of $1,876 per ounce.

Revenue for the period from September 16, 2020, the date of the Company’s acquisition of Alacer, to December 31, 2020, was $205.5 million as 108,283 ounces of gold were sold at an average realized gold price of $1,887 per ounce.

Gold ounces sold in the fourth quarter of 2020 were lower than production due to the timing of gold pours at year end. Gold ounces sold from the date of acquisition to December 31, 2020 were higher than production due to the sale of finished goods inventory acquired on the acquisition date.

Operating Costs

Cash costs and AISC per ounce of gold sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the discussion under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in Section 13.

Unit operating costs remained stable as a weaker local currency offset by the impacts associated with COVID-19. The impact of fair value adjustments on acquired inventories and mineral interests are reflected in production costs and depletion and depreciation, respectively. These impacts have been removed in the calculation of cash costs and AISC per ounce of gold sold (refer to Section 13).

In the fourth quarter of 2020, cash costs per ounce of gold sold were $619. Royalty expense included in cash costs increased due to a combination of higher rate and higher gold prices.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, AISC per ounce of gold sold was $748, which was also affected by increased royalty expense.

Marigold, USA

Production

In the fourth quarter of 2020, 22.7 million tonnes of material were mined, a 23% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, 85.6 million tonnes of material were mined, a 16% increase over the year ended December 31, 2019. These increases are attributable to shorter haulage cycles coupled with increased fleet capacities in load, haul and drilling.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, 6.8 million tonnes of ore was stacked at a gold grade of 0.48 g/t. This compares to 6.7 million tonnes of ore stacked at a gold grade of 0.36 g/t in the fourth quarter of 2019. The higher grades delivered in the fourth quarter of 2020 as compared to the fourth quarter 2019 are associated with the planned mining of the higher-grade portions of Mackay 4 and Mackay 8. In the fourth quarter of 2019, mining activities focused on the lower grade portions of Mackay 5 and stripping of Mackay 4.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 23.6 million tonnes of ore was stacked at a gold grade of 0.39 g/t compared to 25.7 million tonnes of ore stacked at a gold grade of 0.40 g/t for the year ended December 31, 2019. The reduction in both ore tonnes stacked and gold grade are associated with the transition from mining higher grade Mackay 5 ore in 2019 to the stripping and mining of Mackay Phases 4 and 8 in 2020.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, Marigold produced a quarterly record 76,941 ounces of gold, an increase of 30% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 and 15% higher than the previous quarterly record. Production benefited from higher grades stacked at lower lifts on the heap leach pads. A decrease in electrowinning cell inventory also contributed to ounces produced in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Annual production in 2020 of 234,443 ounces was a record for the mine’s 32-year history. This was 6% higher than the 220,227 ounces of gold for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was due to low stacking elevations throughout 2020 which contributed to faster leach times and a decrease in electrowinning cell inventory during 2020.

Revenue

Revenue increased by 54% to $139.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, due to a 28% increase in the average realized gold price and 21% more ounces sold.

Revenue increased by 30% for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to an increase of 28% in the average realized gold price.

Gold ounces sold in the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2020 were lower than production due to the timing of gold pours at year end.

Operating Costs

Cash costs and AISC per ounce of gold sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the discussion under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in Section 13.

Cash costs per ounce of gold sold for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $838, an 8% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily due to an increase in per unit royalty costs due to higher realized gold prices. Cash costs per ounce of gold sold for the full year 2020 were $852, a 5% increase compared to the full year 2019 for the same reason.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, AISC per ounce of gold sold was $1,070, a 4% decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, due to lower capital expenditures per gold ounce sold partially offset by higher cash costs. Capital spend was lower in the fourth quarter of 2020 primarily due to the purchase of a hydraulic shovel in the fourth quarter of 2019 with no comparable purchase in 2020.

AISC per ounce of gold sold for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $1,222, an 18% increase compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 due to higher cash costs and an increase in capital expenditures per gold ounce sold. Capital expenditures were higher than the year ended December 31, 2019, due to mobile mine equipment replacements, increased leach pad construction, dewatering construction costs and higher deferred stripping.

Seabee, Canada

Production

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Seabee was voluntarily placed into temporary care and maintenance on March 25, 2020 as a precautionary measure to protect the Company’s employees, their families and communities. Through this period, employees maintained the mine in a state of operational readiness.

In June 2020, a phased restart of the operation commenced. The first phase focused on underground ventilation raises and capital development within the mine while COVID-19-related protocols were assessed. Limited ore extraction was initiated at the end of June. In early July, Seabee commenced the second phase, which involved increasing underground development rates and mine production while continuing to monitor COVID-19 related protocols. In August, the third and final phase commenced, which involved a restart of milling operations and ramp-up to full mine production with a complete workforce, while continuing to maintain effective COVID-19-related protocols. The mine has operated at full capacity since completion of the final phase in August.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, Seabee produced 31,915 ounces of gold, a 45% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, due to increases in tonnes and grade mined and milling of stockpiled ore. Mill feed grade was 9.85 g/t gold during the fourth quarter of 2020, a 25% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, due to the scheduled sequencing of the mine.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, Seabee produced 81,686 ounces of gold, a 27% decrease compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, reflecting that the mill was shut down from March through August 2020, whereas the mill was fully operational in 2019.

Revenue

Revenue increased by 45% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 due to a 15% increase in gold ounces sold and a 26% increase in the average realized gold price.

Revenue decreased by 7% for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to a 28% decrease in gold ounces sold, partially offset by a 28% increase in the average realized gold price. The decrease in gold ounces sold is due to the temporary suspension of operations as a result of COVID-19.

Gold ounces sold in the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2020 were lower than production due to the timing of shipments of gold on carbon fines and the timing of gold pours at year end.

Operating Costs

Cash costs and AISC per ounce of gold sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the discussion under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in Section 13.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, cash costs per ounce of gold sold were $531, a 5% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, due to higher general and administrative costs associated with the ramp up to full production.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, AISC per ounce of gold sold was $787, a 5% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, due to higher cash costs. Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2020 related mainly to the tailings expansion project. Full construction activities at the tailings expansion project resumed in early August 2020.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, cash costs per ounce of gold sold were $534, a 15% increase compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to higher unit mining and general and administrative costs, driven by the temporary suspension of operations for all of the second quarter and beginning of the third quarter.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, AISC per ounce of gold sold was $939, a 16% increase compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to higher cash costs.

Puna, Argentina
(amounts presented on 100% basis)

Production

On March 20, 2020, Puna temporarily suspended operations as a result of government-mandated restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the Government of Argentina reinstated mining as an essential business activity. During the second quarter of 2020, a phased restart complying with government regulations and guidelines was implemented with the recommencement of mining, hauling and milling operations. During the third quarter of 2020, COVID-19 infection rates in the Province of Jujuy escalated, resulting in further interruptions to operations. In September, operations were suspended in order to manage camp occupancy, conduct testing and reduce the risk of transmission. Due to the significant ore stockpiles at Puna, milling operations were prioritized over mining operations through restarts. As a result, tonnes mined in the third quarter of 2020 were impacted due to COVID-19 related interruptions. Mining and milling activities were operating at expected levels by the beginning of October 2020.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, Puna produced 2.2 million ounces of silver, a 2% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, due to higher tonnage milled at modestly lower grades. Lead and zinc production decreased 18% and 2% respectively, due to lower base metal head grades with zinc benefiting from a significant increase in recovery due to achieving finer ore grind. Ore milled was 0.4 million tonnes, a 4% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 due to an increase in throughput and shorter shutdowns for scheduled maintenance. Processed ore contained an average silver grade of 170 g/t, a 2% decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, which was in-line with the mine plan. The mill averaged approximately 4,517 tonnes per day during the fourth quarter of 2020, demonstrating an improved performance on plant throughput and tailings pumping system capacity achieved through continuous improvements.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, Puna produced 5.6 million ounces of silver, a 27% decrease compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to the temporary suspension of operations in response to COVID-19 during the second and third quarters of 2020. Lead and zinc production was similarly affected by the COVID-19 related shutdowns. Ore milled was 1.1 million tonnes, a 20% decrease compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, also as a result of COVID-19 related shutdowns. Processed ore contained an average silver grade of 164 g/t, an 11% decrease compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, but in-line with the mine plan.

Revenue

Revenue decreased by 47% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, due to a 61% decrease in silver ounces sold, partially offset by a 43% increase in the average realized silver price. Sales in the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2020 were significantly below production due to the normal transport and refining cycles associated with ramp-up after the COVID-19 related shutdowns.

Revenue decreased by 29% for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to a 39% decrease in silver ounces sold as a result of the COVID-19 operational shutdowns, partially offset by a 31% increase in the average realized silver price.

Operating Costs

Cash costs and AISC per ounce of silver sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the discussion under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in Section 13.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, cash costs per ounce of silver sold were $8.92, consistent with the fourth quarter of 2019.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, AISC per ounce of silver sold was $15.90, an increase of 42% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase in AISC was primarily due to higher capital expenditures per silver ounce sold, driven by silver ounces sold well below production due to normal ramp-up times for shipping and selling concentrates.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, cash costs per ounce of silver sold were $11.43, an increase of 10% compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to higher mining unit costs, offset by lower processing and general and administrative unit costs as a result of higher average daily plant throughput and the positive impact of the renegotiation of the natural gas contract. Mining costs were higher due to operating inefficiencies through shutdown and start-up phases and an increase in maintenance work performed during the temporary suspensions.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, AISC per ounce of silver sold was $15.22, an increase of 8% compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to  higher cash costs per ounce sold, offset partially by lower sustaining capital expenditures, mainly due to lower deferred stripping costs and the deferral of capital projects due to impacts of COVID-19.

Exploration and Development

The Company holds a portfolio of prospective exploration tenures across Turkey, the USA, Canada, Mexico and Peru both near or adjacent to the existing operations (near-mine) and greenfield standalone prospects. The Company continues exploring both near-mine and greenfield prospects with a focus on the near-mine targets. Near-mine expansion projects can leverage existing mine infrastructure and capability to generate lower cost, faster development opportunities.

Çöpler District Exploration

The Company takes a disciplined approach to exploration at the Çöpler District, optimizing the historical exploration database, remapping and reinterpreting data, and judiciously drill testing new targets.

A primary focus in the Çöpler District is to fast-track exploration of oxide ore to take advantage of spare oxide plant capacity.

The Çöpler Saddle prospect and the Ardich and Çakmaktepe deposits represent the priorities as near–mine development projects with potential to add to the Company’s production profile within the next two to three years.

Çöpler (80% owned)

The operating mine is the center for district exploration activities, with established infrastructure for treating both oxide and sulfide gold ores.

Commencing in 2017, a Çöpler in–pit exploration program successfully provided additional oxide ore to the processing facilities. The in–pit exploration program is ongoing, targeting both oxide and sulfide ore. Recently, the in-pit exploration program identified the possibility of a copper-gold porphyry system below the Main pit. Designated C2, drill testing of the target commenced at the end of the second quarter of 2020 and continued through the third quarter. Initial drill results are encouraging and are described in detail below.

C2 Porphyry Copper-Gold (80% owned)

The C2 target lies directly below the Main pit of the Çöpler mine.  In 2020, four diamond drill holes were completed along a line of approximately 730 meters, with all holes intersecting gold-rich copper porphyry mineralization. Chalcopyrite is visible in the drill core with mineralization starting at or close to the bottom of the currently defined Çöpler Main pit.

Some of the newly discovered porphyry intrusive has been exposed in parts of the lower benches. The porphyry has well-developed stockwork and sheeted sulfide-quartz veins. Where exposed in the pit benches, these veins are locally overprinted by thicker quartz-sericite-sulfide veins. The copper mineralization is predominantly chalcopyrite formed as disseminations in the matrix and as thin veins associated with quartz accompanied with rare molybdenite mineralization. There is elevated arsenic in some zones, but this does not seem to be directly correlated to the copper mineralization. The gold mineralization is not visible.

In 2020, the Company drilled eleven diamond core holes totaling 5,379 meters, with results of the first four holes announced in a news release dated November 25, 2020.

Significant results were returned from the initial four holes:

• CDD955 returned 0.74% CuEq⁽¹⁾ over 241.5 meters from 37 meters, and 0.42% CuEq⁽¹⁾ over 166.2 meters from 287.5 meters.
• CDD935 returned 0.86% CuEq⁽¹⁾ over 108.6 meters from 103.1 meters.
• CDD940 returned 0.71% CuEq⁽¹⁾ over 81.5 meters from 271.2 meters.
• CDD947 returned 1.14% CuEq⁽¹⁾ over 49.6 meters from 156.9 meters,1.20% CuEq⁽¹⁾ over 18.4 meters from 237.8 meters, and 0.30% CuEq⁽¹⁾ over 127.7 meters from 303.3 meters.

Metallurgical test work commenced at a contract laboratory in Canada on C2 diamond drill core samples. Preliminary indications from the metallurgical flotation test work is encouraging. The Company is currently drilling with three diamond drill rigs and plans to increase the number of rigs to nine in the first quarter of 2021.

Ardich Gold Deposit (80% owned)

The Ardich gold deposit is six kilometers northeast of the Çöpler processing facilities and is accessible by the nearby haul road to Çakmaktepe. The deposit mostly forms a tabular flat-lying gold-rich oxide and sulfide zone at the contact between an overlying assemblage of ultramafic rocks and underlying clastic and limestone rock types. The deposit is predominantly oxide mineralization.

A total of 175 drill holes were included in the maiden Ardich Mineral Resource estimate announced November 22, 2019. Since the cut-off date for the November 2019 Mineral Resource, data has been obtained for an additional 129 drill holes for a total of 304 drill holes. Based on the additional drill data, the Company provided an updated Ardich Mineral Resource estimate on November 30, 2020 within the CDMP2020, a summary of which is provided in the table below.

The CDMP20 includes an alternative PEA case including the development of Ardich.

Drilling continues at Ardich as the Mineral Resource remains open for expansion. Subsequent to the November 2020 Mineral Resource estimate published in the Technical Report which included drilling data up to February 2020, a total of 147 additional diamond drill holes totaling 35,147 meters have been drilled in the Ardich project. Development work including additional technical studies and permitting also continues.

Çöpler Saddle (80% owned)

The Saddle prospect borders the western flank of Çöpler as a two kilometer long north-south shear zone passing through West pit.

Çakmaktepe Mine (50% owned)

Çakmaktepe lies five kilometers east of the Çöpler processing infrastructure. In 2019, Phase 1 was mined. Exploration is investigating continuity to Ardich, which is immediately adjacent to the northeast of Çakmaktepe.

The Mavialtin Porphyry Belt (50% owned by SSR Mining)

The Mavialtin Porphyry Belt contains at least four gold-copper porphyry type exploration targets over a seven by 20 kilometer area from Çakmaktepe in the north to the deposit at Mavidere in the south. In February 2020, positive drill results were announced for Mavidere, Findiklidere, and Aslantepe. The mineralization is close to surface and appears to be low in deleterious elements.

The exploration strategy for Mavialtin is two–fold:

• Expand the known areas of mineralization, while concurrently making new discoveries, to economically justify a stand-alone mine; and/or
• Define a Mavialtin Complex where various smaller deposits could be processed through a central facility.

Mavialtin’s developmental potential and optionality are supported by:

• Proximity to existing Çöpler operations/infrastructure;
• Near-surface nature of the mineralization;
• Length of the mineralized intercepts which indicate the potential for volume; and
• Some high-grade intercepts.

Based on the results announced in February 2020, additional mapping and geochemistry, the Company drilled five diamond core holes totaling 2,122 meters in Findiklidere and drilled three diamond core holes totaling 1,384 meters in Saridere Prospects between July 2020 and October 2020.

Copper Hill Copper Exploration Prospect (50% owned)

In April 2020, the Company announced encouraging drill results from the Copper Hill exploration prospect in the Black Sea region (northeast Turkey). The intercepts were high grade, close to surface and appear to be very low in contaminates. The drilling pattern was constrained to areas previously permitted for drilling. Additional diamond drilling planned in 2020, to test the extension of the mineralization, was deferred due to COVID-19 related issues and is now planned for the 2021 summer drill season.

Marigold Exploration

An important focus of the 2020 exploration program was to identify new Mineral Resources on 11,740 hectares of adjoining mineral tenures that were acquired between 2015 and 2019.

At Valmy, there are three historic open pits mined by previous owners between 2002 and 2005, which produced approximately 196,000 ounces of gold. The Company has been expanding Mineral Resources around these pits since acquisition in 2015.

At Trenton Canyon, there is a historical Mineral Resource area and three mined pits developed by previous owners between 1996 and 2005, which produced approximately 290,000 ounces of gold. Since acquisition in 2019, the Company has been conducting exploration to confirm the historic drill database validity and expand known mineralization areas. The main objective is to define an open-pit oxide gold Mineral Resource amenable to heap leach processing.

At Buffalo Valley, predecessor companies mined a small open pit, which produced approximately 50,000 ounces of gold between 1987 and 1990. Following acquisition in mid-2019, the Company has focused on verifying historical information and assessing the potential for oxide gold Mineral Resources.

A focus for the Company is to increase gold production at Marigold by defining Mineral Resources to support additional stand-alone heap leach facilities in the North Peak area. In 2020, Marigold tested areas south of the currently producing Mackay Pit including Valmy, Crossfire, East Basalt, Section 6 and Trenton Canyon. As a result of land acquisitions, the Company is exploring the opportunity for a larger pit concept, encompassing East Basalt, Antler, Battle Cry and Section 6, which the Company refers to as New Millennium. In total, 15,185 meters of reverse circulation drilling in 48 holes and 1,055 meters of core drilling in 1 hole were completed in the fourth quarter of 2020. During 2020, a total of 72,788 meters were completed in 208 drill holes.

The Company completed 17.6 kilometers of seismic geophysical survey in two lines; one east-west transect, crossing just south of the Basalt and Antler open pits, and a north-south line the length of the Marigold deposits and onto the Trenton Canyon ground. Once compiled, the Company expects to validate the interpretation with the current core drilling results that have identified the favorable Comus Formation. This work aims to establish a method of mapping the 3D structure of the main rock assemblages beneath the entire property to identify targets with potential for higher-grade sulfide mineralization.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, a soil sampling program was initiated at the Trenton Canyon property. A total of 14.5 square kilometers of coverage is planned, with samples collected in a 61 meter staggered grid pattern for 3,854 total samples. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company completed approximately 1.5 square kilometers, collecting 395 samples. This program is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021, weather permitting. The soil survey covers an area of ground east of the Trenton Canyon mine extending to the tenement boundary where there is no historic surface geochemical coverage. Anomalous gold and pathfinder concentrations in soil strongly correlate to known mineral centers at Trenton Canyon, and anomalies identified by the new survey will be evaluated for future exploration campaigns.

For 2021, the Company is planning 71,450 meters of reverse circulation and core drilling for Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve conversion and additions at Mackay, Valmy, New Millennium, Trenton Canyon, and Buffalo Valley.

Canada Exploration

The Company controls two separate claim groupings in Saskatchewan, Canada: Seabee and the Amisk project, which is 140 kilometers southeast of Seabee.

Seabee

The Seabee mineral interests comprise 100%-owned mineral tenures that are referred to as Seabee claims and an 80% owned joint venture interest on the contiguous Fisher property. Through late 2020 and early 2021, Seabee exercised its option to acquire 80% of the Fisher property and establish a joint venture, with Seabee being the operator, to advance exploration and development. Exploration activities in 2020, particularly at Fisher and other Seabee brownfield targets, were impacted as the mine shut down and then reduced ancillary activities due to COVID-19.

At Santoy, recent exploration success on Gap Hanging Wall (“Gap HW”) encouraged the Company to establish underground access to the zone on the 46 level, which is 450 meters below surface. Gap HW has excellent potential to provide additional ore feed and is approximately 220 meters in the 8A mining area’s hanging wall. Sheeted quartz veins in siliceous intrusive rock host gold mineralization at Gap HW, and the metallurgy is similar to other ores from Santoy.

The first excavation in the Gap HW was completed in the fourth quarter of 2020. A total of 12,470 tonnes of mineralized material was removed, with results reconciling closely to the Company’s block model estimates in this part of the orebody. In addition, the excavation provided the Company with geotechnical, structural and grade continuity determinations critical for mine design.  A mobile drill rig is currently drilling tightly spaced holes into the foot wall and hanging wall of the current excavation to further determine grade continuity across the entire width of the zone and enhance future block model estimates, development drives and stope design initiatives. This program is intended to confirm structural interpretation, continuity and grades as part of the technical work to convert Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves.

The focus of drilling efforts for the fourth quarter of 2020 remained on infill and extension drilling of the Gap HW, as well as exploring the prospective Santoy Hanging Wall (Santoy HW) target. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company drilled 9,606 meters underground and an additional 3,887 meters from surface for a combined total of 13,493 meters. During 2020, the Company completed 39,855 meters of drilling underground and 9,638 meters from surface for a total of 49,493 meters.

In the first quarter of 2020, brownfield exploration drilling approximately 1 kilometer south of the Santoy Mine Complex encountered high-grade gold mineralization at the Joker target. The sheeted quartz veins are hosted in the same siliceous intrusive rocks as the Gap HW deposit and represent an encouraging new target to be followed-up in 2021.

The Fisher property is contiguous to Seabee claims and, in May 2020, the Company reported encouraging drill results from gold prospects at Mac North, Yin and Abel Lake. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company completed a 3,500 meter drill program at the Mac North target and was successful in expanding the zone down-plunge and along strike, encountering wider visible gold-bearing zones than previous drilling. In total, the Company drilled 37 holes for 12,976 meters at Fisher in 2020. These targets will be further explored in 2021.

Amisk

The Amisk property is 39,882 hectares and hosts an Indicated Mineral Resource estimate. Proterozoic volcano-sedimentary rock assemblages, prospective for both base metal massive sulfide deposits and orogenic gold deposits, underlie the area. The Company’s plan for this property is to investigate its potential for lode gold mineralization on the claim’s western portion. The summer field program comprised detailed mapping and prospecting of the numerous gold showings on the property.

2021 Outlook

For the full year 2021, the Company expects to produce, on a consolidated basis, 720,000 to 800,000 gold equivalent ounces from its four operating mines at consolidated AISC of $1,050 to $1,110 per gold equivalent ounce.

2021 Priority Operational and Development Catalysts

Çöpler:

• Flotation circuit construction, with expected ramp-up beginning mid-year 2021
• Ardich exploration and concurrent development towards first production in 2023
• C2 Porphyry copper-gold exploration and advancement, focusing on an expandable development plan

Marigold:

• Ongoing cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives
• Oxide exploration targeting higher grades and conversion at Mackay, Valmy, New Millennium, Trenton Canyon and Buffalo Valley
• Sulfide exploration and evaluation

Seabee:

• Increase mining rates to exploit latent mill capacity
• Gap Hanging Wall Mineral Resource conversion
• Seabee and Fisher exploration and resource development

Puna:

• Continue steady state production with focus on increasing productivity
• Achieve and sustain mill throughput rates above 4,000 tonnes per day
• Implement and integrate owner-operated ore transport fleet

Free cash flow generation in 2021 is expected to be approximately 75% weighted to the second half of the year due to the timing of the ramp-up and commissioning of the flotation circuit at Çöpler, timing of capital expenditures across all sites, working capital seasonality at Seabee, and tax and royalty payments that are paid in the first half of the year.

Capital Returns

The Company’s capital allocation strategy is to balance continuing investment in high-return growth, maintaining peer leading financial strength, and providing sustainable capital returns to shareholders.

In recognition of SSR Mining’s position as a leading and sustainable free cash flow generator in the intermediate gold sector, it is the Company’s intention to return excess attributable free cash flow to shareholders through a two-tiered capital return structure. While a recurring quarterly dividend is expected to be the primary method of capital return, the Company will periodically evaluate supplementing this dividend from excess attributable free cash flow in the form of incremental dividends and/or share buyback programs.

On February 17, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved its inaugural quarterly dividend payment of $0.05 per common share to be paid on March 31, 2021 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2021. The dividend was designated as an “eligible dividend” for Canadian federal and provincial income tax purposes. Dividends paid to shareholders who are non-residents of Canada will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding taxes.

Financial and Operating Highlights

A summary of the Company’s consolidated financial and operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented below:

About SSR Mining

SSR Mining Inc. is a leading, free cash flow focused intermediate gold company with four producing assets located in the USA, Turkey, Canada, and Argentina, combined with a global pipeline of high-quality development and exploration assets in the USA, Turkey, Mexico, Peru, and Canada. In 2020, the four operating assets produced approximately 711,000 gold-equivalent ounces.  SSR Mining is listed under the ticker symbol SSRM on the NASDAQ and the TSX, and SSR on the ASX.