Coeur Reports Third Quarter 2018 Production and Sales Results
Coeur Mining, Inc. (the "Company" or "Coeur") (NYSE: CDE) today announced third quarter 2018 production of 2.9 million ounces of
silver, 88,833 ounces of gold, 2.2 million pounds of zinc and 1.2 million pounds of lead, or 8.5 million silver
equivalent1 ounces (10.4 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter)3. Metal sales
for the quarter were 3.0 million ounces of silver, 89,609 ounces of gold, 1.8 million pounds of zinc and 1.6 million pounds of
lead, or 8.5 million silver equivalent1 ounces (10.4 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third
quarter)3.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006126/en/
Quarterly Production Results (Graphic: Business Wire)
As disclosed on September 4, 2018, the Company expects to produce 36.1 - 39.5 million silver equivalent1 ounces (44.0
- 48.0 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter) in 2018, consisting of 13.0 - 14.3 million silver
ounces, 363,000 - 382,000 gold ounces, 13.0 - 23.0 million pounds of zinc and 11.0 - 18.0 million pounds of lead.
Operations
Third quarter 2018 production and sales highlights for each of Coeur's operations are provided below.
Palmarejo, Mexico
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3Q 2018 |
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2Q 2018 |
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1Q 2018 |
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4Q 2017 |
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3Q 2017 |
Tons milled |
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300,116 |
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344,073 |
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359,893 |
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389,524 |
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413,086 |
Average silver grade (oz/t) |
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6.26 |
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6.86 |
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6.88 |
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6.92 |
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5.53 |
Average gold grade (oz/t) |
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0.10 |
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0.11 |
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0.10 |
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0.10 |
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0.08 |
Average recovery rate – Ag |
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82.2% |
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87.5% |
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81.4% |
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87.0% |
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83.6% |
Average recovery rate – Au |
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88.8% |
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89.9% |
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80.4% |
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92.0% |
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83.1% |
Ounces Produced |
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Silver (000's) |
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1,544 |
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2,066 |
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2,013 |
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2,346 |
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1,908 |
Gold |
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27,885 |
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33,702 |
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29,896 |
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37,537 |
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28,948 |
Silver equivalent1 (000's) |
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3,217 |
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4,088 |
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3,807 |
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4,600 |
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3,644 |
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's) |
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3,796 |
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4,728 |
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4,382 |
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5,209 |
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4,104 |
Ounces Sold |
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Silver (000's) |
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1,572 |
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2,092 |
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2,031 |
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2,343 |
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1,794 |
Gold |
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29,830 |
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31,207 |
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30,888 |
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38,953 |
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26,554 |
Silver equivalent1 (000's) |
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3,362 |
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3,964 |
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3,884 |
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4,681 |
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3,387 |
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's) |
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3,981 |
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4,557 |
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4,479 |
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5,313
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3,809 |
Average realized price per silver ounce |
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$14.75 |
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$16.49 |
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$16.73 |
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$16.57 |
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$16.83 |
Average realized price per gold ounce |
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$1,082 |
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$1,162 |
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$1,168 |
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$1,139 |
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$1,148 |
- Third quarter silver equivalent1 production was 3.2 million ounces (3.8 million ounces
based on average spot prices during the third quarter), 21% lower compared to the prior quarter, with silver production 25% lower
and gold production 17% lower. Year-over-year, silver and gold production decreased 19% and 4%, respectively
- Production was impacted by (i) the temporary suspension of mining activities relating to fatalities
that occurred during the quarter, (ii) supply chain disruptions stemming from local road blockades that temporarily interrupted
the delivery of certain mining consumables, and (iii) a weather-related interruption that impacted the process plant
- The modest decline in silver and gold grades was due to the mining of lower grade stopes, primarily
at Independencia East. Gold grades are expected to decline in the fourth quarter; however, mining rates are anticipated to return
to steady-state levels, partially offsetting the impact of the lower expected grades
- Development towards the La Nación deposit, located between the Independencia and Guadalupe
underground mines, remains on-schedule and is expected to commence production in 2019, providing anticipated additional high
quality mill feed to supplement existing ore sources
- Approximately 38% of gold sales in the third quarter, or 10,610 ounces, were sold under Palmarejo's
gold stream agreement at a price of $800 per ounce. The increase was due to mine sequencing; fourth quarter gold sales under the
stream agreement are expected to remain at similar levels
- The Company is maintaining Palmarejo's full-year 2018 production guidance of 7.5 - 7.9 million ounces
of silver and 115,000 - 120,000 ounces of gold, or 14.4 - 15.1 million silver equivalent1 ounces (16.8 - 17.6 million
ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter)
Rochester, Nevada
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3Q 2018 |
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2Q 2018 |
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1Q 2018 |
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4Q 2017 |
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3Q 2017 |
Tons placed |
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4,061,082 |
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4,083,028 |
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4,351,131 |
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4,171,451 |
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4,262,011 |
Average silver grade (oz/t) |
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0.52 |
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0.53 |
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0.54 |
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0.50 |
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0.53 |
Average gold grade (oz/t) |
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0.004 |
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0.004 |
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0.003 |
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0.003 |
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0.004 |
Ounces Produced |
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Silver (000's) |
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1,290 |
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1,125 |
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1,157 |
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1,361 |
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1,070 |
Gold |
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14,702 |
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12,273 |
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11,487 |
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18,995 |
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10,955 |
Silver equivalent1 (000's) |
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2,172 |
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1,861 |
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1,846 |
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2,500 |
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1,727 |
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's) |
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2,477 |
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2,095 |
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2,067 |
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2,808 |
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1,901 |
Ounces Sold |
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Silver (000's) |
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1,248 |
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1,097 |
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1,119 |
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1,457 |
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1,050 |
Gold |
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14,257 |
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12,030 |
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11,163 |
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20,002 |
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10,390 |
Silver equivalent1 (000's) |
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2,104 |
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1,819 |
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1,789 |
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2,658 |
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1,674 |
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's) |
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2,400 |
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2,048 |
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2,004 |
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2,983
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1,839 |
Average realized price per silver ounce |
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$14.70 |
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$16.47 |
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$16.66 |
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$16.58 |
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$16.89 |
Average realized price per gold ounce |
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$1,204 |
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$1,297 |
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$1,331 |
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$1,279 |
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$1,291 |
- Silver equivalent1 production during the period was 17% higher quarter-over-quarter at 2.2
million ounces (2.5 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter). Silver production was 1.3 million
ounces and gold production was 14,702 ounces, 15% and 20% higher, respectively, compared to the prior quarter
- Production growth was driven primarily by strong pad performance from the Stage III leach pad and
continued steady performance of the Stage IV leach pad. Stage III leach pad performance was driven by leaching activities on the
periphery of the pad that had not been processed previously. These trends are expected to continue in the fourth quarter
- Installation of an initial high-pressure grinding roll ("HPGR") remains on schedule for the first
quarter of 2019 with silver recoveries expected to improve beginning as early as the second quarter of next year. Decommissioning
of the 15,000 tons per day ("tpd") crusher is currently underway and is expected to result in fewer tons crushed and lower
operating expenses in the fourth quarter
- The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 4.8 - 5.2 million ounces of silver
and 48,000 - 52,000 ounces of gold, or 7.7 - 8.3 million silver equivalent1 ounces (8.7 - 9.4 million ounces based on
average spot prices during the third quarter)
Wharf, South Dakota
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3Q 2018 |
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2Q 2018 |
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1Q 2018 |
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4Q 2017 |
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3Q 2017 |
Tons placed |
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1,127,391 |
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1,075,820 |
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1,076,395 |
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1,124,785 |
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1,150,308 |
Average gold grade (oz/t) |
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0.023 |
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0.023 |
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0.022 |
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0.029 |
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0.029 |
Ounces produced |
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Gold |
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19,437 |
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22,507 |
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17,936 |
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27,292 |
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25,849 |
Silver (000's) |
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13 |
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13 |
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12 |
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16 |
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15 |
Gold equivalent1 |
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19,646 |
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22,729 |
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18,133 |
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27,560 |
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26,096 |
Ounces sold |
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Gold |
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19,874 |
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23,053 |
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17,339 |
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28,975 |
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23,855 |
Silver (000's) |
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12 |
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14 |
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11 |
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16 |
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14 |
Gold equivalent1 |
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20,081 |
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23,282 |
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17,522 |
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29,256 |
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24,085 |
Average realized price per gold ounce |
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$1,198 |
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$1,285 |
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$1,341 |
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$1,278 |
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$1,304 |
- Gold production declined 14% quarter-over-quarter to 19,646 ounces partially as a result of unplanned
weather-related downtime and timing of leach pad recoveries
- Mining and crushing rates during the fourth quarter are expected to increase while average gold grade
is expected to remain relatively constant
- The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 85,000 - 90,000 ounces of gold
Kensington, Alaska
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3Q 2018 |
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2Q 2018 |
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1Q 2018 |
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4Q 2017 |
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3Q 2017 |
Tons milled |
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167,964 |
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168,751 |
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158,706 |
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167,631 |
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172,038 |
Average gold grade (oz/t) |
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0.17 |
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0.16 |
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0.17 |
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0.22 |
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0.17 |
Average recovery rate |
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91.8% |
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92.6% |
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94.0% |
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92.8% |
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94.1% |
Gold ounces produced |
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26,809 |
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25,570 |
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26,064 |
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34,932 |
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27,541 |
Gold ounces sold |
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25,648 |
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28,165 |
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27,763 |
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35,634 |
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29,173 |
Average realized price per gold ounce |
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$1,161 |
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$1,269 |
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$1,307 |
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$1,244 |
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$1,255 |
- Third quarter gold production, inclusive of pre-commercial production from Jualin, increased 5%
quarter-over-quarter and declined 3% year-over-year to 26,809 ounces
- At Jualin, the Company mined approximately 4,400 tons of development ore late in the quarter, which
yielded pre-commercial production of nearly 2,100 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.48 ounces per ton ("oz/t"). Mining rates at
Jualin are expected to climb throughout the fourth quarter leading to higher overall production levels
- The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 115,000 - 120,000 ounces of
gold4
Silvertip, British Columbia
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3Q 2018 |
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2Q 2018 |
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1Q 2018 |
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4Q 2017 |
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3Q 2017 |
Tons milled |
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28,080 |
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14,450 |
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4,795 |
|
— |
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— |
Average silver grade (oz/t) |
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7.29 |
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14.15 |
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10.05 |
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— |
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— |
Average zinc grade (%) |
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8.0% |
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8.2% |
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6.60 |
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— |
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— |
Average lead grade (%) |
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4.6% |
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8.1% |
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7.3% |
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—% |
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—% |
Average recovery rate – Ag |
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47.0% |
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42.3% |
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30.9% |
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—% |
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—% |
Average recovery rate – Zn |
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49.1% |
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57.9% |
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18.7% |
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—% |
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—% |
Average recovery rate – Pb |
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44.4% |
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40.5% |
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21.1% |
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—% |
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—% |
Produced |
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Silver (000's ounces) |
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96 |
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87 |
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15 |
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— |
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— |
Zinc (000's lbs) |
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2,207 |
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1,372 |
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119 |
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— |
|
— |
Lead (000's lbs) |
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1,159 |
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949 |
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147 |
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— |
|
— |
Silver equivalent1 (000's) |
|
286 |
|
217 |
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29 |
|
— |
|
— |
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's) |
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342 |
|
277 |
|
36 |
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— |
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Sold |
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Silver (000's ounces) |
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131 |
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10 |
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— |
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— |
|
— |
Zinc (000's lbs) |
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1,772
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|
469
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|
— |
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— |
|
— |
Lead (000's lbs) |
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1,645
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|
—
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|
—
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|
— |
|
— |
Silver equivalent1 (000's) |
|
320
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|
38
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's) |
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371
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|
52
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Average realized price per silver ounce |
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$14.95 |
|
$13.01 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Average realized price per zinc pound
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|
$0.93
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|
$1.08 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Average realized price per lead pound
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|
$0.99
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|
$— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
- Silvertip achieved commercial production on September 1, 2018. The production figures and average
realized prices shown in the above table include pre-commercial production
- During the third quarter, mill downtime impacted throughput, which averaged approximately 434 tons
(approximately 394 metric tonnes) per day. Mill downtime was required to complete repairs on the paste plant, grinding circuit
and associated infrastructure in the process plant
- Higher mill availability is expected to improve throughput in the fourth quarter, which is
anticipated to reach an average of approximately 830 tons per day (750 metric tonnes per day) by year-end
- Operating activities remain focused on improving process plant performance, underground
rehabilitation and development, and completing several key surface infrastructure projects, including the water treatment plant
and a 220-person camp facility
- Coeur expects to file an initial NI 43-101 Technical Report in the fourth quarter and receive
approval for the permit amendment application to operate at 1,000 metric tonnes per day on a year-round basis in early 2019
- The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 0.7 - 1.2 million ounces of silver,
13.0 - 23.0 million pounds of zinc and 11.0 - 18.0 million pounds of lead, or 2.0 - 3.5 million silver equivalent1
ounces (2.4 - 4.1 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter)4
2018 Production Guidance
Coeur's 2018 production guidance was revised on September 4, 2018 to reflect improved visibility of Silvertip's production
following the commencement of commercial production as well as stronger than expected performance at Rochester during the first
half of the year.
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Silver |
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Gold |
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Zinc |
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Lead |
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Silver Equivalent1 |
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(K oz) |
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(oz) |
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(K lbs) |
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(K lbs) |
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(K oz) |
Palmarejo |
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7,500 - 7,900 |
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115,000 - 120,000 |
|
— |
|
— |
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14,400 - 15,100 |
Rochester |
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4,800 - 5,200 |
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48,000 - 52,000 |
|
— |
|
— |
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7,680 - 8,320 |
Kensington |
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— |
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115,000 - 120,000 |
|
— |
|
— |
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6,900 - 7,200 |
Wharf |
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— |
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85,000 - 90,000 |
|
— |
|
— |
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5,100 - 5,400 |
Silvertip |
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700 - 1,200 |
|
— |
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13,000 - 23,000 |
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11,000 - 18,000 |
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2,030 - 3,480 |
Total |
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13,000 - 14,300 |
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363,000 - 382,000 |
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13,000 - 23,000 |
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11,000 - 18,000 |
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36,110 - 39,500 |
Guidance Based on Third Quarter Average Spot Prices
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Silver |
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Gold |
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Zinc |
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Lead |
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Silver Equivalent1 |
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(K oz) |
|
(oz) |
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(K lbs) |
|
(K lbs) |
|
(K oz) |
Palmarejo |
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7,500 - 7,900 |
|
115,000 - 120,000 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
16,787 - 17,591 |
Rochester |
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4,800 - 5,200 |
|
48,000 - 52,000 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
8,676 - 9,399 |
Kensington |
|
— |
|
115,000 - 120,000 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
9,287 - 9,691 |
Wharf |
|
— |
|
85,000 - 90,000 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
6,865 - 7,268 |
Silvertip |
|
700 - 1,200 |
|
— |
|
13,000 - 23,000 |
|
11,000 - 18,000 |
|
2,391 - 4,099 |
Total |
|
13,000 - 14,300 |
|
363,000 - 382,000 |
|
13,000 - 23,000 |
|
11,000 - 18,000 |
|
44,007 - 48,049 |
Financial Results and Conference Call
Coeur will report its third quarter 2018 financial results on October 31, 2018 after the New York Stock Exchange closes for
trading. There will be a conference call on November 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
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Dial-In Numbers: |
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(855) 560-2581 (U.S.) |
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(855) 669-9657 (Canada) |
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(412) 542-4166 (International) |
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Conference ID: |
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Coeur Mining |
Hosting the call will be Mitchell J. Krebs, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coeur, who will be joined by Peter C.
Mitchell, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Frank L. Hanagarne, Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, Terry F. D. Smith, Vice President of North American Operations, Hans Rasmussen, Senior Vice President of Exploration, and
other members of management. A replay of the call will be available through November 15, 2018.
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Replay numbers: |
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(877) 344-7529 (U.S.) |
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(855) 669-9658 (Canada) |
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(412) 317-0088 (International) |
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Conference ID: |
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101 23 688 |
The Company anticipates reporting its fourth quarter 2018 financial results on February 13, 2019 after the New York Stock
Exchange closes for trading and holding a conference call on February 14, 2019 at 11:00 am Eastern Time.
About Coeur
Coeur Mining, Inc. is a well-diversified, growing precious metals producer with five mines in North America. Coeur produces from
its wholly-owned operations: the Palmarejo silver-gold complex in Mexico, the Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine in British Columbia,
the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada, the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota, and the Kensington gold mine in Alaska. In addition,
the Company has interests in several precious metals exploration projects throughout North America.
Cautionary Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and
Canada, including statements regarding anticipated production, grades, mining rates, crushing rates, development efforts,
operations at Rochester and Silvertip, gold sales under Palmarejo's gold stream agreement and timing of filing a technical report
and obtaining permit amendment approval for Silvertip. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause Coeur's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from
any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among
others, the risk that anticipated production levels are not attained, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business
(including risks inherent in developing large-scale mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or
geologically related conditions), changes in the market prices of gold, silver, zinc, and lead and a sustained lower price
environment, the uncertainties inherent in Coeur's production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating
to permitting and regulatory delays, ground conditions, grade variability, any future labor disputes or work stoppages, the
uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver reserves, changes that could result from Coeur's future acquisition of
new mining properties or businesses, the loss of any third-party smelter to which Coeur markets its production, the effects of
environmental and other governmental regulations, the risks inherent in the ownership or operation of or investment in mining
properties or businesses in foreign countries, Coeur's ability to raise additional financing necessary to conduct its business,
make payments or refinance its debt, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Canadian securities regulators, including, without limitation,
Coeur's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Actual results, developments and timetables could vary significantly from
the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Coeur disclaims any intent
or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Additionally, Coeur undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in
respect of Coeur, its financial or operating results or its securities.
Christopher Pascoe, Coeur's Director, Technical Services and a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101,
approved the scientific and technical information concerning Coeur's mineral projects in this news release. For a description of
the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources, as well as data verification
procedures and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting,
legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors, Canadian investors should refer to the Technical
Reports for each of Coeur's properties as filed on SEDAR at sedar.com.
Notes
- Silver and gold equivalence assumes a 60:1 silver-to-gold ratio, except where noted as average spot
prices. Please see the table below for average applicable spot prices and corresponding ratios. Silver and zinc equivalence
assumes a 0.06:1 silver-to-zinc ratio. Silver and lead equivalence assumes a 0.05:1 silver-to-lead ratio.
- On February 28, 2018, Coeur divested the San Bartolomé mine through the sale of its 100%-owned
Bolivian subsidiary. As a result, San Bartolomé is excluded from consolidated operating statistics for all periods presented
unless otherwise noted.
- Third quarter 2018 production and sales figures include pre-commercial production from Kensington and
Silvertip.
- Full-year 2018 production guidance for Kensington and Silvertip include pre-commercial
production.
Average Spot Prices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3Q 2018 |
|
|
2Q 2018 |
|
|
1Q 2018 |
|
|
4Q 2017 |
|
|
3Q 2017 |
Average Silver Spot Price Per Ounce |
|
$ |
15.02 |
|
|
$ |
16.53 |
|
|
$ |
16.77 |
|
|
$ |
16.73 |
|
|
$ |
16.84 |
Average Gold Spot Price Per Ounce |
|
$ |
1,213 |
|
|
$ |
1,306 |
|
|
$ |
1,329 |
|
|
$ |
1,275 |
|
|
$ |
1,278 |
Average Silver to Gold Spot Equivalence |
|
81:1
|
|
|
79:1 |
|
|
79:1 |
|
|
76:1 |
|
|
76:1 |
Average Zinc Spot Price Per Pound |
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
$ |
1.41 |
|
|
$ |
1.55 |
|
|
$ |
1.47 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
Average Silver to Zinc Spot Equivalence |
|
0.08:1 |
|
|
0.09:1 |
|
|
0.09:1 |
|
|
0.09:1 |
|
|
0.06:1 |
Average Lead Spot Price Per Pound |
|
$ |
0.95 |
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
Average Silver to Lead Spot Equivalence |
|
0.06:1 |
|
|
0.07:1 |
|
|
0.07:1 |
|
|
0.07:1 |
|
|
0.06:1 |
Coeur Mining, Inc.
Paul DePartout, Director, Investor Relations
(312) 489-5800
www.coeur.com
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006126/en/