VANCOUVER, Nov. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Silver Standard Resources Inc.
(NASDAQ: SSRI) (TSX: SSO) ("Silver Standard") reports consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.
Paul Benson, President and CEO said, "In the third quarter of 2016 we demonstrated increased
scale and healthy margin with our record quarterly production, among other operating records. We produced nearly 113,000 gold
equivalent ounces at all-in sustaining costs of $940 per ounce, and have improved guidance at our
Marigold and Pirquitas mines. Importantly, we continued to drive our Operational Excellence programs, which delivered tangible
results at all operations, including our updated five-year outlook at Marigold, a successful plant trial at Seabee and record
production and quarterly throughput at Pirquitas."
"We further strengthened our balance sheet, which boasts $278 million of cash and cash equivalents
and $178 million of marketable securities. Our three cash-flowing mines generated $53 million of operating cash flow, while we continued investing in our future. We also demonstrated once again
the value held within our project portfolio with our announced project sales in the latter part of the quarter. The team delivered
solid results in the third quarter and we remain focused on generating shareholder value through all parts of our business going
forward."
Third Quarter 2016 Highlights:
(All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)
- Strong financial performance: Achieved record quarterly revenue of $143.4 million, net
income of $38.0 million or $0.32 per share and adjusted net income of
$37.2 million or $0.31 per share.
- Increased cash balance: Quarter-end balance increased by $44.9 million to $277.5 million. Cash generated by operating activities totaled $53.1 million.
- Demonstrated scale and margin from three operations: Record quarterly production of 112,559 gold equivalent ounces at
cash costs of $618 per equivalent gold ounce sold.
- Lowered cash costs guidance at Marigold: Reported cash costs of $636 per payable ounce
of gold sold, 4% lower compared to the previous quarter, and reduced cash costs guidance to between $640
and $680 per payable ounce of gold sold. Produced 47,456 ounces of gold, on track to meet annual guidance.
- Strong production at Seabee: Produced 20,142 ounces of gold at cash costs of $661 per
payable ounce of gold sold.
- Improved production and cash costs guidance at Pirquitas: Produced a record 3.0 million ounces of silver, 21% higher
than the second quarter of 2016, at record low cash costs of $8.48 per payable ounce of silver
sold. Increased production guidance to between 9.5 and 10.5 million ounces of silver and decreased cash costs guidance to between
$9.00 and $9.50 per payable ounce of silver sold.
- Favorable resolution of tax dispute with Canada Revenue Agency: Settled in our favor the tax dispute with the CRA
which resulted in the repayment of our deposit of $18.2 million plus accrued interest.
- Realized value through project portfolio: Subsequent to quarter end, completed the sale of our Parral properties in
Mexico and our Diablillos and M-18 projects in Argentina, for
future cash installments and shares valued at approximately $20 million.
Marigold mine, U.S.
|
Three months ended
|
Operating data
|
September 30
2016
|
|
June 30
2016
|
|
March 31
2016
|
|
December 31
2015
|
|
September 30
2015
|
|
Total material mined (kt)
|
19,558
|
|
18,685
|
|
17,291
|
|
18,560
|
|
18,425
|
|
Waste removed (kt)
|
14,741
|
|
12,005
|
|
11,611
|
|
13,788
|
|
11,242
|
|
Total ore stacked (kt)
|
4,817
|
|
6,680
|
|
5,680
|
|
4,772
|
|
7,183
|
|
Strip ratio
|
3.1
|
|
1.8
|
|
2.0
|
|
2.9
|
|
1.6
|
|
Mining cost ($/t mined)
|
1.48
|
|
1.55
|
|
1.45
|
|
1.54
|
|
1.65
|
|
Gold stacked grade (g/t)
|
0.42
|
|
0.44
|
|
0.47
|
|
0.48
|
|
0.43
|
|
Processing cost ($/t processed)
|
0.95
|
|
0.70
|
|
0.71
|
|
0.86
|
|
0.66
|
|
Gold recovery (%)
|
71.0
|
|
70.7
|
|
70.0
|
|
69.9
|
|
69.7
|
|
General and admin costs ($/t processed)
|
0.56
|
|
0.38
|
|
0.47
|
|
0.47
|
|
0.41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold produced (oz)
|
47,456
|
|
47,195
|
|
50,520
|
|
61,461
|
|
41,262
|
|
Gold sold (oz)
|
47,278
|
|
47,124
|
|
48,605
|
|
62,827
|
|
39,525
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized gold price ($/oz) (1)
|
1,330
|
|
1,259
|
|
1,189
|
|
1,084
|
|
1,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash costs ($/oz) (1)
|
636
|
|
663
|
|
719
|
|
727
|
|
719
|
|
AISC ($/oz) (1)
|
1,139
|
|
1,067
|
|
841
|
|
799
|
|
998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial data ($000s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
62,831
|
|
59,197
|
|
57,742
|
|
67,936
|
|
43,836
|
|
Income from mine operations
|
23,156
|
|
17,641
|
|
11,227
|
|
7,902
|
|
7,288
|
|
Capital investments
|
8,310
|
|
10,154
|
|
8,796
|
|
3,641
|
|
8,931
|
|
Capitalized deferred stripping
|
13,787
|
|
7,231
|
|
1,435
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Exploration expenditures (2)
|
1,145
|
|
1,597
|
|
1,102
|
|
731
|
|
1,944
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
We report the non-GAAP financial measures of realized gold prices, cash costs
and all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") per payable ounce of gold sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at the
Marigold mine. For a better understanding and a reconciliation of these measures to cost of sales, as shown in our
consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), please refer to "Non-GAAP and Additional GAAP Financial Measures"
in section 12 of our management's discussion and analysis of the financial position and results of operation for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2016 ("MD&A").
|
(2)
|
Includes capitalized and expensed exploration expenses.
|
Mine production
We produced 47,456 ounces of gold in the third quarter of 2016, in line with our second quarter gold production and on target to
meet previously increased annual guidance. The construction of a new leach pad was completed on schedule and under budget in the
latter half of the third quarter. The additional leach pad capacity and higher amount of ore tonnes stacked earlier in the
year are expected to result in strong fourth quarter gold production.
A total of 19.6 million tonnes of material was mined in the third quarter, 5% higher than the second quarter of 2016 and a
record for the mine, due to increased hauling capacity added to the fleet earlier in the year and shorter haul distances relating
to the higher strip ratio. Approximately 4.8 million tonnes of ore were delivered to the leach pads at a gold grade of 0.42 g/t,
containing approximately 47,000 recoverable ounces of gold stacked during the quarter. The strip ratio increased to 3.1:1 in the
third quarter as we began stripping of the next phase of the Mackay pit. Gold recovery was 71% in the third quarter.
Mine operating costs
Cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of gold sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Cautionary Note Regarding
Non-GAAP Measures".
Cash costs, which include all costs of inventory, refining costs and royalties, of $636 per
payable ounce of gold sold in the third quarter of 2016 were lower than cash costs of $663 per
payable ounce of gold sold in the second quarter of 2016 as costs of inventory decreased due to improved mining costs and increased
capitalized stripping. Costs per tonne mined decreased to $1.48 per tonne in the third quarter of
2016, 5% lower than in the second quarter of 2016 due to maintaining expenditure levels despite the increase in total tonnes mined.
Processing unit costs were 36% higher in the third quarter of 2016 than in the second quarter of 2016 due to fewer tonnes stacked
resulting from the higher strip ratio. General and administrative unit costs were also higher in the third quarter of 2016 than in
the second quarter of 2016 due to fewer tonnes stacked but were comparable on an absolute basis.
AISC of $1,139 per payable ounce of gold sold in the third quarter of 2016 increased from
$1,067 in the second quarter of 2016 due to higher capitalized stripping and capital expenditures
related to the construction of the new leach pad during the second and third quarters of 2016.
Mine sales
A total of 47,278 ounces of gold were sold at an average price of $1,330 per ounce during the
third quarter of 2016, compared to 47,124 ounces of gold sold at a 6% lower average price of $1,259
per ounce during the second quarter of 2016.
Exploration
Exploration activities in the third quarter of 2016 focused on drilling at the HideOut target and the Valmy property. The
objective of these drilling activities is to convert Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves and to expand Mineral Resources, in
certain instances. As reported on November 7, 2016, two track-mounted rigs completed 13,408 meters of
reverse circulation drilling in 50 drillholes on targets where previous results show potential for Mineral Resource additions or
Mineral Reserve conversion. The 500-meter long corridor between HideOut and the 8 South pit extension area has been a focus of
drilling activity. At the Valmy property, drilling during the quarter continued to extend the zone of mineralization to the south
and east of the known mineralization at the Valmy pit. Results to date are expected to expand Mineral Resources. We expect to
continue drilling outside of the current pit areas, including the eastern extension of the Basalt pit mineralization.
We expanded our gravity survey coverage at Marigold to include the additional lands to the east, south and west of the original
mineral claims. These data, together with our understanding of the sub-surface geology, have been used to select drill sites for
the deep sulphide exploration program targeting a high grade style of mineralization similar to that found at the Turquoise Ridge
mine located 56 kilometers north of the Marigold mine. We expect to complete one deep core hole by the end of the fourth quarter of
2016, representing the sixth deep core hole targeting higher-grade sulphide mineralization. We plan to complete a total of three
deep core holes by the end of the first quarter of 2017.
The results from our ongoing exploration program and the completed Assay Program will be included in our annual 2016 Mineral
Reserves and Mineral Resources estimate to be published in the first quarter of 2017.
Seabee Gold Operation, Canada
Operating data
|
Three months ended
September 30, 2016
|
|
Period from Acquisition
to June 30, 2016 (1)
|
|
Three months ended
June 30, 2016 (2)
|
|
Total ore milled (t)
|
82,756
|
|
18,856
|
|
71,218
|
|
Ore milled per day (t/day)
|
900
|
|
629
|
|
783
|
|
Gold mill feed grade (g/t)
|
7.40
|
|
7.79
|
|
7.97
|
|
Mining costs ($/t mined)
|
58
|
|
110
|
|
N/A
|
|
Processing costs ($/t processed)
|
19
|
|
29
|
|
N/A
|
|
Gold recovery (%)
|
96.5
|
|
96.6
|
|
96.8
|
|
General and admin costs ($/t processed)
|
37
|
|
61
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold produced (oz)
|
20,142
|
|
6,721
|
|
17,524
|
|
Gold sold (oz)
|
21,911
|
|
11,306
|
|
16,305
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized gold price ($/oz) (3)
|
1,334
|
|
1,278
|
|
1,271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash costs ($/oz) (3,5)
|
661
|
|
663
|
|
N/A
|
|
AISC ($/oz) (3,5)
|
840
|
|
776
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial data ($000s)
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
29,214
|
|
14,437
|
|
N/A
|
|
Income from mine operations
|
4,126
|
|
1,216
|
|
N/A
|
|
Capital development
|
2,104
|
|
803
|
|
N/A
|
|
Capital investments
|
579
|
|
337
|
|
N/A
|
|
Exploration expenditures (4)
|
1,206
|
|
117
|
|
N/A
|
|
(1)
|
The data presented in this column is for the period from May 31, 2016, to
June 30, 2016, the period for which we were entitled to all economic benefits of the Seabee Gold Operation following our
acquisition of Claude Resources Inc. ("Claude Resources").
|
(2)
|
The data presented in this column includes operating results for the
Seabee Gold Operation for the entire second quarter of 2016, including the period from April 1 to May 30, 2016 prior to our
acquisition of Claude Resources.
|
(3)
|
We report the non-GAAP financial measures of realized gold prices, cash
costs and AISC per payable ounce of gold sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at the Seabee Gold Operation.
For a better understanding and a reconciliation of these measures to cost of sales, as shown in our consolidated statements
of comprehensive income (loss), please refer to "Non-GAAP and Additional GAAP Financial Measures" in section 12 of our
MD&A.
|
(4)
|
Includes capitalized and expensed exploration expenses.
|
(5)
|
The non-GAAP measure of cash costs from the Seabee Gold Operation was
adjusted to eliminate the adjustment of inventory to fair value as at the date of our acquisition of Claude
Resources.
|
Mine production
The Seabee Gold Operation consists of the Seabee and Santoy underground mines, both of which feed a single processing facility.
The mine produced 20,142 ounces of gold in the third quarter of 2016 despite a three-day continuation of the ten-day unplanned
power outage which commenced in June 2016.
A total of 82,756 tonnes of ore were milled at a gold grade of 7.4 g/t in the third quarter of 2016. The gold recovery was
96.5%. As part of our initial Operational Excellence plan for the Seabee Gold Operation, we successfully trialed higher mill
throughput during the month of August. The mill processed ore at or above 1,000 tonnes per day, with an average of 998 tonnes per
day in the month. We achieved this with minor modifications to the processing facility, while maintaining gold recovery. As a
result, we were able to increase mill throughput in the third quarter by 15% to 900 tonnes per day, compared to the second quarter
of 2016. We are reviewing the long-term mine plan to determine the feasibility of higher, sustainable throughput rates.
During the third quarter of 2016, the Santoy mine provided approximately 82% of total ore milled, while the Seabee mine provided
18%.
Mine operating costs
Cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of gold sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Cautionary Note Regarding
Non-GAAP Measures".
Cash costs per payable ounce of gold sold, which include all costs of inventory, refining costs and royalties and exclude the
effect of the fair value adjustment at our acquisition of Claude Resources, were $661 in the third
quarter of 2016. Costs per tonne mined were $58 per tonne in the third quarter, processing unit costs
were $19 per tonne processed and general and administration unit costs were $37 per tonne. The decrease in the costs per tonne mined and milled in the third quarter of 2016 from
June 2016 is due to higher tonnes mined and milled in total and also per day. Additionally, only a
three-day unplanned power outage affected the third quarter of 2016, whereas in June 2016 the power
outage lasted seven days.
AISC per payable ounce of gold sold, which also exclude the effect of the fair value adjustment at acquisition, were
$840 in the third quarter of 2016, as capital spending remained modest with exploration spending
increasing consistent with our objective of adding Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at the mine.
Mine sales
A total of 21,911 ounces of gold were sold at an average price of $1,334 per ounce during the
third quarter of 2016.
Exploration
For 2016, the Seabee Gold Operation planned 65,000 meters of underground drilling and 18,000 meters of surface drilling with the
objective to increase and convert Mineral Resources into Mineral Reserves. As reported on November 7,
2016, during the third quarter, we completed 13,540 meters of underground diamond drilling to upgrade Inferred Mineral
Resources and explore further the extensions to the Santoy 8A and Santoy Gap deposits. From surface, we completed 6,172 meters of
drilling exploring the down plunge extension of Santoy Gap 9A, 9B, and 9C deposits. Drilling intersected the projections of the
mineralized structures at expected depths with anomalous results. Seven surface and underground drillholes were completed at the
Santoy 8A target, of which five results were notable. Highlighted drill results from the third quarter include 5.8 meters at a
grade of 27.86 g/t gold (SUG-16-920) from the 8A zone, 4.1 meters at a grade of 33.8 g/t gold (SUG-16-063) from the 9C zone and 5.0
meters at a grade of 31.94 g/t gold (SUG-16-919) from the 8A zone.
For the fourth quarter of 2016 at the Seabee Gold Operation, our focus underground and from surface will be on infill drilling
at Santoy Gap with the objective to convert Inferred Mineral Resources to Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources.
On October 6, 2016, we announced an option agreement to acquire an 80% interest in the adjacent
Fisher property which lies south on strike from the ore deposits at Santoy Gap and 8A. This agreement doubles our prospective land
position at the Seabee Gold Operation and planning for exploration work is underway.
Pirquitas mine, Argentina
|
Three months ended
|
Operating data
|
September 30
2016
|
|
June 30
2016
|
|
March 31
2016
|
|
December 31
2015
|
|
September 30
2015
|
|
Total material mined (kt)
|
2,385
|
|
2,543
|
|
2,520
|
|
2,712
|
|
2,746
|
|
Waste removed (kt)
|
1,584
|
|
1,814
|
|
1,726
|
|
1,966
|
|
2,219
|
|
Ore mined (kt)
|
801
|
|
729
|
|
794
|
|
746
|
|
527
|
|
Strip ratio
|
2.0
|
|
2.5
|
|
2.2
|
|
2.6
|
|
4.2
|
|
Silver mined grade (g/t)
|
190
|
|
189
|
|
181
|
|
187
|
|
188
|
|
Mining costs ($/t mined)
|
3.80
|
|
3.54
|
|
2.97
|
|
3.78
|
|
3.94
|
|
Ore milled (kt)
|
455
|
|
425
|
|
418
|
|
421
|
|
410
|
|
Silver mill feed grade (g/t)
|
264
|
|
238
|
|
247
|
|
237
|
|
238
|
|
Processing cost ($/t milled)
|
14.78
|
|
15.10
|
|
13.58
|
|
20.60
|
|
21.53
|
|
Silver recovery (%)
|
79.0
|
|
77.6
|
|
79.7
|
|
80.8
|
|
82.0
|
|
General and admin costs ($/t milled)
|
5.84
|
|
6.22
|
|
5.68
|
|
8.09
|
|
8.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Silver produced ('000 oz)
|
3,047
|
|
2,526
|
|
2,639
|
|
2,588
|
|
2,576
|
|
Silver sold ('000 oz)
|
2,947
|
|
2,594
|
|
3,223
|
|
1,943
|
|
2,819
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized silver price ($/oz) (1)
|
19.64
|
|
16.52
|
|
14.94
|
|
15.00
|
|
14.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash costs ($/oz) (1)
|
8.48
|
|
8.87
|
|
8.93
|
|
10.96
|
|
11.02
|
|
AISC ($/oz) (1)
|
9.87
|
|
10.03
|
|
9.67
|
|
12.78
|
|
12.68
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Data ($000s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
51,336
|
|
45,141
|
|
47,711
|
|
22,656
|
|
33,355
|
|
Income (loss) from mine operations (2)
|
31,908
|
|
25,205
|
|
12,071
|
|
(28,387)
|
|
(14,684)
|
|
Capital investments
|
3,158
|
|
2,057
|
|
1,578
|
|
2,305
|
|
2,500
|
|
Capitalized stripping
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Exploration expenditures
|
7
|
|
25
|
|
22
|
|
234
|
|
1,124
|
|
(1)
|
We report the non-GAAP financial measures of realized silver prices, cash
costs and AISC per payable ounce of silver sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at the Pirquitas mine.
For a better understanding and a reconciliation of these measures to cost of sales, as shown in our consolidated statements
of comprehensive income (loss), please refer to "Non-GAAP and Additional GAAP Financial Measures" in section 12 of our
MD&A.
|
(2)
|
Income (loss) from mine operations for the quarters ended December 31,
2015, and September 30, 2015, include $24.6 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of non-cash adjustments to stockpile,
warehouse inventory and severance provision at the Pirquitas mine.
|
Mine production
The Pirquitas mine produced 3.0 million ounces of silver during the third quarter of 2016, a quarterly record for the mine,
which enabled our 2016 production guidance to be increased. Higher silver production is a result of record ore tonnes milled,
higher silver mill feed grade and higher silver recovery.
Ore was milled at an average rate of 4,946 tonnes per day in the third quarter. During August 2016, the mill operated at an
average rate of over 5,200 tonnes per day, a record for the mill since it began operating, a result of one of our ongoing
Operational Excellence programs. Ore milled contained an average silver grade of 264 g/t, 11% higher than the 238 g/t reported in
the second quarter as additional tonnes of higher grade ore, relative to the production model, encountered in the lower benches of
the San Miguel open pit enabled selective milling of higher grades and stockpiling of lower
grades. Detailed planning and consultation for the cessation of open pit mining in the first quarter of 2017 is well underway.
Thereafter, medium and lower grade stockpile material will be processed through the plant in 2017. The average recovery rate for
silver in the third quarter of 79.0% was 2% higher than the 77.6% in the previous quarter.
Mine operating costs
Cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of silver sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Cautionary Note Regarding
Non-GAAP Measures".
Cash costs, which include cost of inventory, treatment and refining costs and by-product credits, decreased by 4% to
$8.48 per payable ounce of silver sold in the third quarter of 2016 from $8.87 per payable ounce of silver sold in the second quarter of 2016. Mining costs per tonne increased due
primarily to longer hauls, higher diesel prices and inflation which increased at a rate greater than the Argentine peso devalued.
This increase was more than offset by the lower processing costs and general and administration costs per tonne due to higher plant
throughput. The second quarter of 2016 benefited marginally from residual by-product revenue from zinc of about $0.20 per payable ounce of silver sold whereas, as planned, there were no zinc sales in the current quarter.
AISC of $9.87 per payable ounce of silver sold were lower in the third quarter of 2016 than the
$10.03 per payable ounce of silver sold in the second quarter of 2016 despite higher capital spend as
we commenced the construction on the phase 5 tailings lift required to process stockpiles to the end of 2017.
Mine sales
We recognized sales of 2.9 million ounces of silver, higher than the 2.6 million in the second quarter, as a result of higher
production and timing of concentrate shipments.
Chinchillas project, Argentina
During the second quarter of 2016, Golden Arrow Resources Corporation ("Golden Arrow") released a revised Mineral Resources
estimate and technical report for the Chinchillas project following an infill drilling program of 115 core drillholes comprising
15,142 meters of drilling. As part of the continuing engineering studies, a program of condemnation drilling commenced beneath
areas selected for major infrastructure, such as the waste rock facility. During the third quarter, 16 core drillholes for 3,252
meters were completed to investigate the presence of near surface mineralization underlying and proximal to the proposed waste rock
facility. The results of this work were reported by Golden Arrow in news releases on September 7, 2016, and October 3, 2016. In addition to this work, geotechnical,
hydrological, metallurgical and environmental baseline studies, along with community engagement programs, continued. In the third
quarter of 2016, we funded approximately $2.9 million for work on the Chinchillas project, bringing
total expenditures to date to $10.5 million.
We are undertaking the relevant engineering studies to determine the economic viability of the Chinchillas project as a
satellite mine feeding the Pirquitas plant and extending the life of the operation. Our option agreement with Golden Arrow requires the notice of exercise in regards to forming a joint venture by March 31, 2017. All technical work is scheduled for completion in advance of that date to enable a decision with
regards to such notice.
Export duties
We entered into a fiscal stability agreement (the "Fiscal Agreement") with the Federal Government of Argentina in 1998 for production from the Pirquitas mine. In December 2007, the
National Customs Authority of Argentina (Dirección Nacional de Aduanas) ("Customs") levied an
export duty of approximately 10% from concentrate for projects with fiscal stability agreements pre-dating 2002 and Customs has
asserted that the Pirquitas mine is subject to this duty. We have challenged the legality of the export duty applied to silver
concentrate and the matter is currently under review by the Federal Court (Jujuy) in Argentina.
The Federal Court (Jujuy) granted an injunction in our favor effective September 29, 2010, that
prohibited the Customs from withholding the 10% export duty on silver concentrate (the "Injunction"), pending the decision of the
courts with respect to our challenge of the legality of the application of the export duty. On June 21,
2016 the Federal Court (Jujuy) ruled that the Injunction would remain in place subject to certain conditions, including the
provision by August 5, 2016, of a guarantee by Silver Standard against liabilities arising from
export duties and applicable interest as well as security from Mina Pirquitas, LLC on certain assets at the Pirquitas mine. We have
appealed the condition to provide the parent guarantee. The requirement for the guarantee and security is suspended pending
the outcome of that appeal. We are also continuing discussions with the Federal Tax Authority and other government officials for
potential resolution of the claim. We cannot predict the outcome of the court proceedings and those discussions. If we do not reach
a successful resolution of the matter, the Federal Tax Authority may make further application to the court to have the Injunction
lifted and, upon that, initiate proceedings to collect the accrued export duties and its claimed interest. The lifting of the
Injunction does not impact our underlying challenge of the legality of the application of export duties or remedies available under
the Fiscal Agreement. Changes in our assessment of this matter could result in material adjustments to our consolidated statements
of income (loss).
Outlook
This section of the news release provides management's production and cost estimates. See "Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements."
We completed the acquisition of Claude Resources Inc. ("Claude Resources"), which owned the Seabee Gold Operation in northern
Saskatchewan, Canada, on May 31, 2016. The operation has been in
continuous production since 1991 and consists of two operating mines (the Seabee mine and Santoy mine complex), a central milling
facility, camp facilities and important regional exploration targets. We also acquired the 40,400 hectare Amisk gold project in
northeastern Saskatchewan.
With strong operating performance through the third quarter of 2016 combined with our outlook for the fourth quarter, we are
able to improve certain guidance metrics.
At the Marigold mine, for the third time this year, annual cash costs guidance is being reduced to between $640 and $680 per payable ounce of gold sold from previous guidance of between $650 and
$700 per payable ounce of gold sold reflecting continued lower diesel prices and the overcall of mined ounces from the
Mackay open pit. Production, capital and capitalized stripping guidance at Marigold remain unchanged.
Annual silver production guidance for the Pirquitas mine has been revised upward for the second time this year to between 9.5
and 10.5 million ounces from previous guidance of between 9.0 and 10.0 million ounces, due to additional ore tonnes being mined
from the lower benches of the San Miguel open pit. Additionally, for the third time this year,
cash costs guidance is being reduced to between $9.00 and $9.50 per payable ounce of silver sold,
reflecting lower diesel prices, continued stronger operating performance and effective cost control. Capital expenditure guidance
at Pirquitas remains unchanged.
Operating Guidance
|
|
Marigold mine
|
|
Seabee Gold
Operation(2)
|
|
Pirquitas
mine
|
|
Gold Production
|
oz
|
200,000 - 210,000
|
|
32,000 - 35,000
|
|
—
|
|
Silver Production
|
Moz
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
9.5 - 10.5
|
|
Cash costs per payable ounce sold (1)
|
$/oz
|
640 - 680
|
|
610 - 640
|
|
9.00 - 9.50
|
|
Capital Expenditures
|
$M
|
32
|
|
2
|
|
12
|
|
Capitalized Stripping Costs
|
$M
|
30
|
|
6
|
|
—
|
|
(1)
|
We report the non-GAAP financial measure of cash costs per payable ounce
of gold and silver sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at the Marigold mine, the Seabee Gold Operation and
the Pirquitas mine. See "Non-GAAP and Additional GAAP Financial Measures" in section 12 of our MD&A.
|
(2)
|
Guidance for the Seabee Gold Operation is for the period from July 1, 2016
to December 31, 2016, and is estimated based on an exchange rate of 1.30 CAD/USD.
|
Consolidated Financial Summary
Selected Financial Data (1)
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30
|
|
Nine months ended September 30
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
Revenue
|
143,381
|
|
77,191
|
|
363,669
|
|
284,730
|
|
Income (loss) from mine operations (2)
|
59,190
|
|
(7,396)
|
|
126,550
|
|
39,325
|
|
Operating income (loss) (2)
|
50,248
|
|
(50,733)
|
|
89,099
|
|
(24,244)
|
|
Net income (loss) for the period (2)
|
38,042
|
|
(59,416)
|
|
52,825
|
|
(57,580)
|
|
Basic income (loss) per share
|
0.32
|
|
(0.74)
|
|
0.54
|
|
(0.71)
|
|
Adjusted income (loss) before tax (3)
|
45,168
|
|
(11,844)
|
|
83,996
|
|
7,037
|
|
Adjusted net income (loss) (3)
|
37,214
|
|
(10,127)
|
|
69,405
|
|
(5,891)
|
|
Adjusted basic income (loss) per share (3)
|
0.31
|
|
(0.13)
|
|
0.71
|
|
(0.07)
|
|
Cash generated by operating activities
|
53,066
|
|
998
|
|
96,554
|
|
53,560
|
|
Cash (used in) investing activities
|
(10,581)
|
|
(17,288)
|
|
(19,222)
|
|
(33,766)
|
|
Cash generated by (used in) financing activities
|
2,599
|
|
—
|
|
(11,400)
|
|
(1,649)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Position
|
September 30,
2016
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
277,544
|
|
211,862
|
|
|
|
Current assets - total
|
690,206
|
|
476,734
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities - total
|
133,943
|
|
135,851
|
|
|
|
Working capital
|
556,263
|
|
340,883
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
1,454,618
|
|
871,677
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
All values are presented in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share
values.
|
(2)
|
Loss from mine operations for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2015 includes a $7.7 million non-cash write-down of stockpile inventory to its net realizable value at the Pirquitas
mine. Operating Loss and Net Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 include non-cash, pre-tax
impairment charge and write-downs of $42.2 million related to the Pirquitas mine.
|
(3)
|
We report non-GAAP measures including adjusted income before- and
after-tax, to manage and evaluate our operating performance. Please see "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP
Measures".
|
Quarterly financial summary
The 86% increase in quarterly revenue compared to the third quarter of 2015 was due to higher realized prices of gold by 20% and
silver by 31%, combined with a 48% increase in gold equivalent ounces sold, largely due to sales from the newly-acquired Seabee
Gold Operation and stronger sales and production from the Pirquitas mine.
Income from mine operations in the third quarter of 2016 generated a positive gross margin of 41%, significantly higher than the
negative 10% margin in the third quarter of 2015 due to higher precious metals prices, lower cost of sales, particularly at the
Pirquitas mine, and the addition of the Seabee Gold Operation. The loss from mining operations in the third quarter of 2015 was
also negatively impacted by the write-down of low grade stockpiles at the Pirquitas mine in the amount of $7.7 million. Operating income in the third quarter of 2015 was negatively impacted by a $34.5 million impairment of the Pirquitas mine.
Cash generated by operating activities increased significantly to $53.1 million compared to
$1.0 million in the third quarter of 2015. The higher prices of gold and silver and the higher
volumes sold at lower unit cost generated significantly higher cash from operating activities. We used $10.6
million in investing activities in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $17.3 million in the
third quarter of 2015. Investments relating to the addition of the Seabee Gold Operation, seasonally higher investments at Marigold
and capitalized stripping totaling $30.8 million were partially offset by receipt of our deposit of
$18.2 million plus accrued interest from the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA"). In the comparative
quarter of 2015, we invested $13.0 million in plant and equipment at the Marigold mine, and acquired
the Valmy property for $11.5 million and this was offset by the release of $7.5 million of restricted cash.
Year-to-date financial summary
The increase in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, of 28%, compared to the nine
months ended September 30, 2015, resulted from higher sales of gold equivalent payable ounces by 17%
due to sales from the newly-acquired Seabee Gold Operation and strong performance at the Pirquitas mine and also higher prices of
gold by 7.5% and silver by 6%.
Income from mine operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, generated a gross margin
of 35%, higher than the 14% in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, mainly due to higher
precious metals prices and lower cost of sales, particularly at the Pirquitas mine. The income from mine operations in the nine
months ended September 30, 2015, was also negatively impacted by the write-down of low grade
stockpiles at the Pirquitas mine in the amount of $7.7 million. Operating income in the nine months
ended September 30, 2016, was significantly higher than in the comparative period which was also
negatively impacted by a $34.5 million impairment of the Pirquitas mine.
Cash generated from operating activities was $96.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $53.6 million in the comparative period of 2015 as
a result of improved margins at Marigold and Pirquitas and the addition of the strong cash producing Seabee Gold Operation in
May 2016. In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we invested
$31.2 million in plant and equipment and $22.5 million in capitalized
stripping primarily at the Marigold mine, higher by $3.5 million and $9.9
million, respectively, than in the comparative period. Cash used in investing activities was significantly lower in the nine
months ended September 30, 2016, than in the nine months ended September 30,
2015, as we received $16.9 million of cash in the Claude Resources acquisition, collected the
CRA deposit of $18.2 million plus accrued interest and received $4.4
million from the sale of marketable securities. In the comparative period, we paid the deposit to CRA but received
$20.0 million as a final payment from the sale of the San Agustin
project. Cash used in financing activities in the nine-month period includes repayment of Claude Resources' $13.7 million credit facility, full repayment of the short-term debt in Argentina and receipt of $6.4 million from the exercise of stock options.
Corporate Summary
The tax dispute with the CRA has now been settled in our favor. On August 24, 2016, the CRA issued
a new notice of reassessment for each of the 2010 and 2011 taxation years reversing the Notice of Reassessment ("NOR") issued to us
in January 2015 and, on September 2, 2016, refunded the deposit we paid
to the CRA to appeal, plus accrued interest from the date of payment of the deposit. Following the receipt of the deposit, with
accrued interest, the Department of Justice ("DOJ") filed a notice of discontinuance of our appeal with the Tax Court of
Canada.
In September 2016, we announced the sale of 100% of our Parral properties in Chihuahua, Mexico, including the Veta Colorada, La Palmilla, and San Patricio properties (collectively, the "Parral properties") to Endeavour Silver Corp. ("Endeavour Silver")
for $6.0 million of Endeavour Silver shares (based on the average of the closing prices of Endeavour
Silver shares sold on the NYSE during the ten trading days prior to September 13, 2016). We also
announced a transaction on our Diablillos and M-18 projects, located in Argentina, with Huayra
Minerals Corporation ("Huayra") for cash payments of approximately $1.5 million over the first two
years and $12.5 million over the following three to five years, a 19.9% equity interest in Huayra,
with free carried interest until the completion of a public offering of $5.0 million or more, and a
1.0% net smelter returns royalty on production from each of the projects. Each of these transactions were completed subsequent to
quarter end.
On August 19, 2016, we sold 100% of our Juncal and La Flora projects in Region II, Chile to Austral Gold Limited (ASX: AGD) for aggregate consideration of $250,000
in cash and a 1.0% net smelter return royalty on production from the projects.
Qualified Persons
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to the Marigold mine has been reviewed and
approved by Thomas Rice and James N. Carver, each of whom is a SME
Registered Member and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
("NI 43-101"). Mr. Rice is our Technical Services Manager and Mr. Carver is our Chief Geologist at the Marigold mine. The
scientific and technical data contained in this news release relating to the Seabee Gold Operation has been reviewed and approved
by Gordon Reed, P.Eng., and F. Carl Edmunds, P. Geo., each of whom is
a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Reed is our General Manager at the Seabee Gold Operation and Mr. Edmunds is our Chief
Geologist, Exploration. The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to the Pirquitas mine has
been reviewed and approved by Bruce Butcher, P.Eng., and F. Carl
Edmunds, P. Geo., each of whom is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Butcher is our Director, Mine Planning.
Management Discussion & Analysis and Conference Call
This news release should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and our
MD&A as filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com or our website at www.silverstandard.com.
- Conference call and webcast: Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at 11:00 a.m.
EST.
Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: +1 (800) 319-4610
All other callers: +1 (416) 915-3239
Webcast: ir.silverstandard.com
- The conference call will be archived and available at ir.silverstandard.com.
Audio replay will be available for two weeks by calling:
Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: +1 (855) 669-9658, replay code 0879
All other callers: +1 (412) 317-0088, replay code 0879
About Silver Standard
Silver Standard is a Canadian-based precious metals producer with three wholly-owned and operated mines, including the Marigold
gold mine in Nevada, U.S., the Seabee Gold Operation in Saskatchewan,
Canada and the Pirquitas silver mine in Jujuy Province, Argentina. We also have two
feasibility stage projects and an extensive portfolio of exploration properties throughout North and South America. We are committed to delivering safe production through relentless emphasis on Operational
Excellence. We are also focused on growing production and Mineral Reserves through the exploration and acquisition of assets for
accretive growth, while maintaining financial strength.
For further information contact:
W. John DeCooman, Jr.
Vice President, Business Development and Strategy
Silver Standard Resources Inc.
Vancouver, BC
N.A. toll-free: +1 (888) 338-0046
All others: +1 (604) 689-3846
E-Mail: invest@silverstandard.com
To receive Silver Standard's news releases by e-mail, please register using the Silver Standard website at www.silverstandard.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking
statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.
Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words or phrases such as "expects," "anticipates,"
"plans," "projects," "estimates," "assumes," "intends," "strategy," "goals," "objectives," "potential," "believes," or variations
thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this news release relate
to, among other things: future production of gold, silver and other metals; future costs of inventory, and cash costs, total costs
and AISC per payable ounce of gold, silver and other metals sold; expected exploration and development expenditures; the prices of
gold, silver and other metals; the timing of cessation of San Miguel open pit mining activities
and stockpile processing at the Pirquitas mine; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies affecting our operations
or potential future operations; future successful development of our projects; the anticipated benefits from our acquisition of
Claude Resources; expected timing to complete engineering studies at the Chinchillas project and make a decision about whether to
move forward with the project; the sufficiency of our current working capital, anticipated operating cash flow or our ability to
raise necessary funds; estimated production rates for gold, silver and other metals produced by us; timing of production and the
cash costs and total costs of production at the Marigold mine, the Seabee Gold Operation and the Pirquitas mine; the estimated cost
of sustaining capital; ongoing or future development plans and capital replacement, improvement or remediation programs; the
expected benefits of the new leach pad at the Marigold mine; the estimates of expected or anticipated economic returns from our
mining projects, including future sales of metals, concentrate or other products produced by us; our ability to expand Mineral
Resources and convert Mineral Resources into Mineral Reserves; and our plans and expectations for our properties and
operations.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the following:
uncertainty of production, development plans and cost estimates for the Marigold mine, the Seabee Gold Operation, the Pirquitas
mine and our projects; our ability to replace Mineral Reserves; our ability to successfully integrate our acquisition of Claude
Resources; subject to exercising our election to proceed, our ability to complete and successfully integrate Golden Arrow's Chinchillas project, on a joint venture basis, into our current operations; commodity price
fluctuations; political or economic instability and unexpected regulatory changes; currency fluctuations; the possibility of future
losses; general economic conditions; fully realizing the value of our shareholdings in Pretium Resources Inc. and our other
marketable securities, due to changes in price, liquidity or disposal cost of such marketable securities; potential export duty and
related interest on past production and sales of silver concentrate from the Pirquitas mine; counterparty and market risks related
to the sale of our concentrate and metals; uncertainty in the accuracy of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources estimates and in
our ability to extract mineralization profitably; differences in U.S. and Canadian practices for reporting Mineral Reserves and
Mineral Resources; lack of suitable infrastructure or damage to existing infrastructure; future development risks, including
start-up delays and cost overruns; our ability to obtain adequate financing for further exploration and development programs and
opportunities; uncertainty in acquiring additional commercially mineable mineral rights; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain
governmental permits, or non-compliance with our permits; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and management;
potential labour unrest, including labour actions by our unionized employees at the Pirquitas mine; the impact of governmental
regulations, including health, safety and environmental regulations, including increased costs and restrictions on operations due
to compliance with such regulations; reclamation and closure requirements for our mineral properties; failure to effectively manage
our tailings facilities; social and economic changes following closure of a mine, including the expected closure of the Pirquitas
mine in 2017, may lead to adverse impacts and unrest; unpredictable risks and hazards related to the development and operation of a
mine or mineral property that are beyond our control; indigenous peoples' title claims and rights to consultation and accommodation
may affect our existing operations as well as development projects and future acquisitions; assessments by taxation authorities in
multiple jurisdictions; recoverability of value added tax and changes to the collection process in Argentina; claims and legal proceedings, including adverse rulings in litigation against us and/or our
directors or officers; compliance with anti-corruption laws and internal controls, and increased regulatory compliance costs;
complying with emerging climate change regulations and the impact of climate change, including extreme weather conditions;
uncertainties related to title to our mineral properties and the ability to obtain surface rights; the sufficiency of our insurance
coverage; civil disobedience in the countries where our mineral properties are located; operational safety and security risks;
actions required to be taken by us under human rights law; competition in the mining industry for mineral properties; shortage or
poor quality of equipment or supplies; an event of default under our convertible notes may significantly reduce our liquidity and
adversely affect our business; failure to meet covenants under our senior secured revolving credit facility; conflicts of interest
that could arise from certain of our directors' involvement with other natural resource companies; information systems security
threats; and those other various risks and uncertainties identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual
Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and included in our most recent Annual Report on Form
40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking
statements are based on what our management considers to be reasonable assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions based on the
information currently available to it. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, our ability to carry on our
exploration and development activities, our ability to meet our obligations under our property agreements, the timing and results
of drilling programs, the discovery of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves on our mineral properties, the timely receipt of
required approvals and permits, including those approvals and permits required for successful project permitting, construction and
operation of our projects, the price of the minerals we produce, the costs of operating and exploration expenditures, our ability
to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner, our ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms
and our ability to continue operating the Marigold mine, the Seabee Gold Operation and the Pirquitas mine. You are cautioned that
the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. We cannot assure you that actual
events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management's assumptions may prove to
be incorrect. Our forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and
speak only as of the date hereof and we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or
management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth
above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
This news release includes Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources classification terms that comply with reporting standards
in Canada and the Mineral Reserves and the Mineral Resources estimates are made in accordance with
NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public
disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ
significantly from the requirements of the SEC set out in SEC Industry Guide 7. Consequently, Mineral Reserves and Mineral
Resources information included in this news release is not comparable to similar information that would generally be disclosed by
domestic U.S. reporting companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. Under SEC standards,
mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be
economically produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. In addition, the SEC's disclosure standards
normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources" or
"Inferred Mineral Resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute
"reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors should understand that "Inferred Mineral Resources"
have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility.
Moreover, the requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves
reported by us in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning
mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with
U.S. standards.
Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined
under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including cash costs, total costs and AISC per payable ounce of
precious metals sold, realized metal prices, adjusted income (loss) before tax, adjusted income tax (expense), adjusted net income
(loss) and adjusted basic earnings (loss) per share. Non-GAAP financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed
under IFRS and, therefore, they may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. We believe that, in addition
to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate our performance. The
data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These non-GAAP measures should be read in conjunction with our
consolidated financial statements. Readers should refer to "Non-GAAP and Additional GAAP Financial Measures" in section 12 of our
MD&A, available under our corporate profile at www.sedar.com or on our website at www.silverstandard.com, for a more detailed discussion of how we calculate such measures and for a
reconciliation of such measures to IFRS terms.
SOURCE Silver Standard Resources Inc.