EX-99.2 3 tmb-20220511xex99d2.htm EX-99.2

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

For the three months ended March 31, 2022

As of May 11, 2022


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of the financial position and results of operations for Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (the “Company” or “Fortuna”) (TSX: FVI and NYSE: FSM) should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “2021 Financial Statements”) and unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the related notes thereto which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. For further information on the Company, reference should be made to its public filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.

This MD&A is prepared by management and approved by the Board of Directors as of May 11, 2022. The information and discussion provided in this MD&A covers the three months ended March 31, 2022 (“Q1 2022” or the “Quarter”), and where applicable, the subsequent period up to the date of issuance of this MD&A. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts in this MD&A are expressed in United States (“US”) dollars. References to "$" or "US$" in this MD&A are to US dollars and references to C$ are Canadian dollars.

Fortuna has a number of direct and indirect subsidiaries which own and operate assets and conduct activities in different jurisdictions. The terms "Fortuna" or the "Company" are used in this MD&A for simplicity of the discussion provided herein and may include references to subsidiaries that have an affiliation with Fortuna, without necessarily identifying the specific nature of such affiliation.

This MD&A contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned as to the risks and uncertainties related to the forward-looking statements, the risks and uncertainties associated with investing in the Company’s securities and the technical and scientific information under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards for Disclosure of Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) concerning the Company’s material properties, including information about mineral reserves and resources, which classifications differ significantly from the requirements required by the SEC as set out in the cautionary note 48 of this MD&A. All forward-looking statements are qualified by cautionary notes in this MD&A as well as risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company’s Annual Information Form for fiscal 2021 dated March 30, 2022 and its Management Information Circular dated May 26, 2021, which are filed on SEDAR and EDGAR.

This MD&A uses certain Non-IFRS financial measures and ratios that are not defined under IFRS, including but not limited to: cash cost per ounce of gold; all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold; all-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold; total production cash cost per tonne; cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent; all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; all-in cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; free cash flow and free cashflow from ongoing operations; adjusted net income; adjusted EBITDA and working capital which are used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company’s mines and are widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance. Non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios do not have a standard meaning under IFRS, and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Non-IFRS measures are further discussed in the “Non-IFRS Measures” section 27 of this MD&A.

Throughout this MD&A, the operational and financial results of the assets acquired in the acquisition of Roxgold Inc. (“Roxgold”) are included from July 2, 2021 onward.



Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Fortuna is a growth focused Canadian precious metals mining company with operations and projects in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Mexico, Peru, and Côte d’Ivoire. The Company produces silver, gold and base metals and generates shared value over the long-term through efficient production, environmental protection, and social responsibility.

The Company operates the open pit Lindero gold mine (“Lindero” or the “Lindero Mine”) located in northern Argentina, the underground Yaramoko gold mine (“Yaramoko” or the “Yaramoko Mine”) located in south western Burkina Faso, the underground San Jose silver and gold mine (“San Jose” or the “San Jose Mine”) located in southern Mexico, the underground Caylloma silver, lead, and zinc mine (“Caylloma” or the “Caylloma Mine”) located in southern Peru, and is developing and constructing the open pit Séguéla gold mine (“Séguéla”, "Séguéla Project" or the “Seguela Gold Project”) located in south western Côte d’Ivoire. Each of the Company's producing mines is generally considered to be a separate reportable segment, along with the Company's corporate stewardship segment.

Fortuna is a publicly traded company incorporated and domiciled in British Columbia, Canada. Its common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading symbol FSM and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the trading symbol FVI.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

Normal Course Issuer Bid

On April 28, 2022 Fortuna announced the acceptance by the TSX of Fortuna’s notice to commence a normal course issuer bid (NCIB) to purchase up to five percent of its outstanding common shares. Under the NCIB, purchases of common shares may be made through the facilities of the TSX, the NYSE and/or alternative Canadian trading systems, commencing on May 2, 2022 and expiring on the earlier of May 1, 2023 and the date on which Fortuna has acquired the maximum number of common shares allowable under the NCIB or the date on which Fortuna otherwise decides not to make any further repurchases under the NCIB.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022

Financial

Sales were $182.3 million, an increase of 55% from the $117.8 million reported in the three months ended March 31, 2021 (“Q1 2021”).  
Mine operating income was $63.5 million, an increase of 24% from the $51.3 million reported in Q1 2021.
Operating income was $40.7 million, an increase of 1% from the $40.4 million reported in Q1 2021.
Net income was $27.0 million or $0.09 per share, a 2% increase from the $26.4 million or $0.14 per share reported in Q1 2021.
Adjusted net income (refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures) was $33.4 million compared to $27.5 million in Q1 2021,  representing a 21% quarter-over-quarter increase.
Adjusted EBITDA (refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures) was $80.3 million compared to $60.8 million reported in Q1 2021, representing a 32% quarter-over-quarter increase.  
Free cash flow loss from ongoing operations (refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures) was $9.6 million compared to $11.8 million reported in Q1 2021, representing a 19% quarter-over-quarter decrease.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.2 million, an increase of 57% from the $21.1 million reported in Q1 2021.

Fortuna | 4


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Operating

Gold production of 66,800 ounces, an increase of 93% from Q1 2021
Silver production of 1,670,128 ounces, a decrease of 13% from Q1 2021
Lead production of 9,133,752 pounds, an increase of 12% from Q1 2021
Zinc production of 10,826,902 pounds, a decrease of 10% from Q1 2021

COVID-19

During Q1 2022, there were no Government mandated suspensions of operations at any of our operations in Latin America and West Africa. However, operations in Latin America were affected by COVID-19 at the beginning of the year which resulted in reduced workforces and quarantine periods for those affected. The impact of COVID-19 was insignificant in West Africa.

Although COVID-19 effects decreased during the latter part of Q1 2022, health protocols are in place at each mine site for control, isolation and quarantine, as necessary, and these continue to be reviewed and adjusted accordingly based on the circumstances at each location. The Company’s focus is the health and safety of the workforce and on measures to prevent and manage the transmission of COVID-19 amongst the workforce and the communities in which the Company operates.

The Company’s operations and financial performance are dependent on it being able to operate at each of its mines and projects.  Given the fast-changing situation with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, including further waves of the virus and the emergence of variant forms of the virus, it is difficult to predict the exact nature and extent of the impact the pandemic may have on the Company’s operations and its business. Outbreaks of COVID-19 in areas where the Company operates or restrictive directives of government and public health authorities could cause delays or disruptions in the Company’s supply chain, restrict access to its mine sites, restrict its ability to transport and ship gold doré and/or metal concentrates, restrict access to processing and refinery facilities, or impediments to market logistics. Suspensions of operations or curtailment of commissioning activities at the Company’s mines remains a significant risk to its business and operations.

Health & Safety

In the first quarter of 2022, the Company reported that a fatality incident (“FI”) involving one worker employed by the Company occurred at the Lindero Mine located in Salta, Argentina. The unfortunate accident occurred at the conveyor stacking system and there were no other injuries associated with the incident.  The Company notified the appropriate government and local authorities and an investigation to determine the cause of the accident was conducted. Stacking activities at the heap leach pad were suspended for approximately 48 hours and all of the Company’s operations also took a safety stop for a day. The Company is accelerating the implementation of its program of Critical Controls Management based on the ICMM Health and Safety Critical Control Management good practice guidance, which involves training for safety leaders, identifying critical controls for incident’s scenarios, creating verification tools, and preparing implementation plans on site. The Company will also focus on strengthening its health and safety training programs of all our employees.

During Q1 2022, the Company also recorded two lost time injuries (“LTI”), one restricted work injury (“RWI”) and five medical treatment injuries (“MTI”), in over 2.8 million hours worked for all of its activities (operating mines, construction, exploration and corporate offices). The year to date LTI frequency rate (“LTIFR”) at the end of Q1 2022 was 0.70 lost time injuries per million hours worked. The year to date total recordable injury frequency rate (“TRIFR”) at the end of Q1 2022, which includes the FI, LTI, RWI and MTI was 3.13 total recordable injuries per million hours worked.

Fortuna | 5


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

This quarter was marked by the implementation of a new approach of corporate key performance indicators (“KPI”s) regarding leading activities such as monthly inspections performed according to plan and proactivity in implementing corrective actions following inspections, audits or incident investigations. These new KPIs form part of the Environmenal, Social and Governance (“ESG”) indicators of the short-term incentives, the performance of which is overseen by the Board of Directors.

Environment

Site controls by the Company, local authorities and participatory monitoring were conducted in accordance with the plans and no non-compliance or fine associated with permits and regulations were recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and there were no significant environmental incidents.

Community Engagement

The Company seeks to maintain good constructive relations with the communities where it operates, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, and to be a catalyst for social development.  At each of the Company’s operations, it maintains open and ongoing channels of communication with the people in the communities within its direct and indirect areas of influence. At each operation the Company has established mechanisms for addressing requests and complaints or grievances with local and other stakeholders. The Company also takes part in consultations and participatory meetings to identify and prioritize community development needs.

During Q1 2022, there were no significant disputes at any of the sites. We also recorded 241 local stakeholders engagement activities during the period. This includes consultation meetings with local administration and community leaders, participation to ceremonies and courtesy visits.

Climate Change

In 2021, the Company developed a climate change strategy to effectively evaluate and address climate-related risks to our business and operations in alignment with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) approach. Based on this and in recognition that the development of a comprehensive and credible green house gas reduction work plan is an ongoing journey, the Company has developed a short term climate change roadmap which focuses on addressing gaps between existing practices and climate change best practices. On April 7, 2022, the Company released its climate change position statement.

Fortuna | 6


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Operating and Financial Highlights

A summary of the Company’s consolidated financial and operating results for the three ended March 31, 2022 are presented below:

Three months ended March 31,

Consolidated Metrics

    

2022

2021

% Change

Selected highlights

Silver

Metal produced (oz)

1,670,128

1,913,755

(13%)

Metal sold (oz)

1,614,295

1,903,868

(15%)

Realized price ($/oz)

24.18

26.19

(8%)

Gold

Metal produced (oz)

66,800

34,555

93%

Metal sold (oz)

66,426

33,257

100%

Realized price ($/oz)

1,884

1,764

7%

Lead

Metal produced (000's lbs)

9,134

8,181

12%

Metal sold (000's lbs)

8,575

7,998

7%

Zinc

Metal produced (000's lbs)

10,827

11,969

(10%)

Metal sold (000's lbs)

10,546

12,267

(14%)

Adjusted net income1

33.4

27.5

21%

Adjusted EBITDA1

80.3

60.8

32%

Net cash provided by operating activities

33.2

21.1

57%

Free cash flow from ongoing operations1

9.6

11.8

(19%)

Capital Expenditures2

Sustaining

18.0

7.9

128%

Non-sustaining3

1.9

0.3

533%

Lindero construction

2.6

100%

Séguéla construction

42.9

100%

Brownfields

2.5

2.5

1%

1 Refer to Non-IFRS financial measures

2 Capital expenditures are presented on a cash basis

3 Non-sustaining expenditures include greenfields exploration

Figures may not add due to rounding

Fortuna | 7


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Selected Financial Information

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $ millions except per share information)

    

2022

2021

% Change

Selected Financial Information

Sales

182.3

117.8

55%

Mine operating income

63.5

51.3

24%

Operating income

40.7

40.4

1%

Net income

27.0

26.4

2%

Earnings per share - basic

0.09

0.14

(36%)

As at

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

% Change

Cash and cash equivalents

110.4

107.1

3%

Total assets

2,060.4

2,021.9

2%

Debt

198.0

157.5

26%

Shareholder's equity attributable to Fortuna shareholders

1,399.7

1,375.1

2%

Figures may not add due to rounding

Mine operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $63.5 million, an increase of $12.2 million over the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily due to:

Higher production and gold sales at the Lindero Mine due to increased performance at the three stage crushing and stacking facility
Performance above plan at the Yaramoko Mine as a result of higher grade mill feed due to positive grade reconciliation compared to the reserve model at the 55 Zone

This was partially offset by lower mine operating income from lower sales at the San Jose Mine due to lower head grades of silver and gold compared to the same period last year. The reduction in grade is in line with the Mineral Reserve estimate.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $27.0 million, an increase of $0.6 million over the same period in 2021. The increase in net income was driven by the factors described above for mine operating income but was offset by the following:

The San Jose Mine terminated an exploration agreement on the Sante Fe property in Mexico. The value of the property was written off at a cost of $2.1 million.
A loss on financial derivatives of $4.2 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to a $1.7 million gain in the same period of 2021. This was driven by a $5.2 million loss ($1.1 million realized, $4.1 million unrealized) on financial derivatives at the Caylloma Mine due to higher zinc prices that was partially offset by gains on fuel hedges at Lindero.

A discussion on sales and operating income is presented below.

Fortuna | 8


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Sales

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

2021

% Change

Provisional sales $

Lindero

54.1

36.90

47%

Yaramoko4

55.4

-

100%

San Jose

44.4

58.0

(23%)

Caylloma

26.9

25.4

6%

Adjustments1

1.5

(2.5)

(160%)

Total Sales $

182.3

117.8

55%

Silver

Metal produced (oz)

1,670,128

1,913,755

(13%)

Provisional sales (oz)

1,614,295

1,903,868

(15%)

Provisional sales $

36.4

46.4

(22%)

Realized price ($/oz)2

24.18

26.19

(8%)

Net realized price ($/oz)3

22.58

24.37

(7%)

Gold

Metal produced (oz)

66,800

34,555

93%

Provisional sales (oz)

66,426

33,257

100%

Provisional sales $

124.0

57.1

117%

Realized price ($/oz)2

1,884

1,764

7%

Net realized price ($/oz)3

1,866

1,718

9%

Lead

Metal produced (000's lbs)

9,134

8,181

12%

Provisional sales (000's lbs)

8,575

7,998

7%

Provisional sales $

8.1

6.3

29%

Realized price ($/lb)2

1.06

0.92

15%

Net realized price ($/lb)3

0.94

0.76

24%

Zinc

Metal produced (000's lbs)

10,827

11,969

(10%)

Provisional sales (000's lbs)

10,546

12,267

(14%)

Provisional sales $

12.4

10.5

18%

Realized price ($/lb)2

1.69

1.25

35%

Net realized price ($/lb)3

1.17

0.86

36%

1 Adjustments consists of mark to market, final price and assay adjustments

2 Based on provisional sales before final price adjustments. Net after payable metal deductions, treatment, and refining charges

3 Treatment charges are allocated to base metals at Caylloma and to gold at San Jose

4 The Yaramoko Mine was acquired as part of the acquisition of Roxgold which completed on July 2, 2021. As such comparative figures for previous quarters and years are not presented. Operating and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021 are for the period from July 2, 2021 to December 31, 2021.

Consolidated Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $182.3 million, a 55% increase from the $117.8 million reported in the same period in 2021. Sales by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:

Lindero recognized adjusted sales of $54.1 million from the sale of 28,619 ounces of gold sold, a 47% increase from the same period in 2021. Higher gold sales were the result of increased performance at the three stage crushing and stacking facility. See "Results of Operations – Lindero Mine, Argentina" for additional information.
Yaramoko recognized adjusted sales of $55.4 million from the sale of 29,530 ounces of gold sold. See "Results of Operations – Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso" for additional information.
San Jose recognized adjusted sales of $45.9 million, a 17% decrease from the $55.3 million reported in the same period in 2021. Lower sales were driven by a 23% decrease in the volume of silver and gold ounces sold which

Fortuna | 9


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

was driven by lower mined grades and lower realized metal prices. See "Results of Operations – San Jose Mine, Mexico" for additional information.
Caylloma recognized adjusted sales of $26.8 million, a 7% increase from the $25.1 million reported in the same period in 2021.  The increased sales were driven by higher silver sales as a result of higher silver grades. See "Results of Operations – Caylloma Mine, Peru" for additional information.

Operating Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

    

%1

    

2021

    

%1

Operating income (loss)

Lindero

15.7

29%

11.7

31%

Yaramoko

16.3

29%

-

0%

San Jose

11.6

25%

24.5

44%

Caylloma

9.1

34%

8.2

32%

Corporate

(12.0)

(4.0)

Total

40.7

22%

40.4

34%

Adjusted EBITDA2

Lindero

27.2

50%

19.6

52%

Yaramoko

30.3

55%

-

0%

San Jose

22.1

48%

33.2

60%

Caylloma

11.2

42%

11.9

47%

Corporate

(10.5)

(3.9)

Total

80.3

44%

60.8

52%

1 As a Percentage of Sales

2 Refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Figures may not add due to rounding

The Yaramoko Mine was acquired as part of the acquisition of Roxgold which completed on July 2, 2021. As such comparative figures for the comparable quarter of 2021 are not presented

Fortuna | 10


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $40.7 million, an increase of $0.3 million over the same period in 2021. The minimal change in operating income year over year was the result of higher sales driven by:

Higher production and gold sales at the Lindero mine due to increased performance at the three stage crushing and stacking facility
Performance above the plan for the quarter at the Yaramoko mine as a result of higher grade mill feed due to positive grade reconciliation in the 55 Zone
Higher sales at Caylloma in the first quarter of 2022 driven by higher lead and zinc prices

The above was partially offset by:

Lower operating income at San Jose related to lower sales and a write-down of $2.1 million related to the termination of an exploration agreement on the Sante Fe property.
An increase in general and administrative expenses as a result of higher G&A costs at Lindero as it reached full capacity, the acquisition of Roxgold and the associated personnel, increased travel and higher share based compensation

Adjusted EBITDA (refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures) was $80.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $19.5 million over the same period in 2021. The increase in adjusted EBITDA is largely the result of higher sales as described above.

The most comparable IFRS measure to the Non-IFRS measure adjusted EBITDA is net income. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $27.0 million. Refer to the discussion above.

General and Administrative (“G&A”) Expenses

Three months ended March 31,

2022

2021

% Change

Mine G&A

5.1

4.3

19%

Corporate G&A

7.9

4.2

88%

Share-based payments

3.6

(0.4)

(1,000%)

Workers' participation

0.3

0.5

(40%)

Total

16.9

8.6

97%

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 97% to $16.9 million compared to $8.6 million reported in the same period in 2021, which was due primarily to:

An increase in mine G&A due to higher costs at Lindero as it operated at full capacity compared to the previous period when the mine was in ramp up and contributions from the Yaramoko Mine which was acquired in the acquisition of Roxgold in July 2021
Higher corporate G&A due to the acquisition of Roxgold and associated personnel, increased travel costs and timing of expenditures
Higher share based compensation for Q1 2022 was driven by the acquisition of the Roxgold share based compensation plan. Share based compensation was lower in Q1 2021 due to changes in value for cash settled share-based compensation

Foreign Exchange Loss

Foreign exchange loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased $0.6 million to $3.0 million compared to $2.4 million reported in the same period in 2021. The foreign exchange loss in Q1 2022 was spread across all the jurisdictions where we currently operate as opposed to the loss experienced in Q1 2021 which was concentrated at the Lindero Mine in Argentina.

Fortuna | 11


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $6.8 million or $6.5 million lower than the $13.3 million reported in the same period in 2021. The decrease of $6.5 million was primarily related to the change in deferred taxes as a result of the appreciation of local currencies at San Jose and Caylloma and the impact on deferred tax assets.

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was 20.1% compared to 33.5% for the same period in 2021.  The decrease of 13.4% is driven by the appreciation of local currencies described above and the impact of inflation related adjustments.

The Company is subject to tax in various jurisdictions, including Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Australia and Canada. There are a number of factors that can significantly impact the Company’s effective tax rate including the geographic distribution of income, variations in our income before income taxes, varying rates in different jurisdictions, the non-recognition of tax assets, local inflation rates, fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, changes in tax laws and the impact of specific transactions and assessments. As a result of the number of factors that can potentially impact the effective tax rate and the sensitivity of the tax provision to these factors, the effective tax rate will fluctuate, sometimes significantly. This trend is expected to continue in future periods.

Production and Cost Outlook

The Company remains on track to achieve its 2022 production guidance as disclosed in the news release dated January 18, 2022.

The Company continues to monitor the impact of inflationary pressures on its cost structure and any deviation this could create from the guidance the Company issued at the beginning of the year. During the quarter, the Company observed cost pressure on certain consumables including cyanide, diesel, explosives and grinding media while certain others remained relatively constant. Through the first quarter of 2022 the impact of inflation was below 5% of total cost. At the Lindero mine, where diesel is the largest cost component, the effect of a rising price was partially mitigated by fuel hedges the Company has in place for approximately 55% of consumption in 2022. The future impact of inflation on costs remains uncertain at this time. The Company will continue to closely monitor the levels of cost inflation over the remainder of 2022.

Fortuna | 12


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Lindero Mine, Argentina

 

The Lindero Mine is an open pit gold mine located in Salta Province in northern Argentina. Its commercial product is gold doré. The table below shows the key metrics used to measure the operating performance of the mine: tonnes placed on the leach pad, grade, production and unit costs:

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

    

2021

Mine Production

Tonnes placed on the leach pad

1,295,755

2,130,000

Gold

Grade (g/t)

0.88

0.82

Production (oz)

30,068

22,332

Metal sold (oz)

28,619

21,297

Realized price ($/oz)

1,890

1,754

Cash cost ($/oz Au)1

692

615

All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Au)1

1,038

1,055

Capital expenditures ($000's)

Sustaining

3,125

4,040

Non-sustaining

169

-

Brownfields

144

91

1 Cash cost and AISC are non-IFRS financial measures. Refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Quarterly Operating and Financial Highlights

During the first quarter of 2022 the operation lost man-hours in January as a result of a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases causing a 14 percent shortfall in ore placed on the pad, compared to plan for the quarter. The Company is executing a recovery plan during the second and third quarters of 2022 and does not anticipate any impact on achieving annual production guidance.

In the first quarter of 2022, a total of 1,295,755 tonnes of ore were placed on the heap leach pad averaging 0.88 g/t gold, containing an estimated 36,568 ounces of gold. Gold production for Q1 2022 totaled 30,068 ounces, representing a 35% increase year-over-year. Higher gold production is explained by an increase in performance of the three-stage crushing and stacking circuits to design parameters, which delivered 100 percent of the 1.3 million tonnes of ore placed on the pad in the quarter, compared to 19 percent or 0.4 million tonnes of the 2.1 million tonnes placed in the comparable quarter in 2021. Mine production was 2.4 million tonnes of mineralized material with a strip ratio of 0.54:1.

Cash cost per ounce of gold for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $692 per ounce compared to $615 in the first quarter of 2021. Cash costs per ounce of gold was higher due to higher consumable prices mainly related to diesel, cyanide and explosives and higher headcount as the mine had not reached its full compliment of staff in the first quarter of 2021. This was partially offset by the higher volume of gold sold.

All-in sustaining cash costs per gold ounce sold was $1,038 during Q1 2022 compared with $1,055 in the first quarter of 2021. All-in sustaining costs for the first quarter of 2022 was impacted by the production issues described above and lower sustaining capital due to timing.

Fortuna | 13


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Sustaining capital for the quarter primarily consisted of capitalized stripping costs and processing improvements.

Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso

The Yaramoko Mine is located in south western Burkina Faso, and began commercial production in 2016. The operation consists of two underground mines feeding ore to a traditional gold processing facility where the ore is crushed, milled and subject to carbon-in-leach extraction processes, prior to electrowinning and refining where gold is poured to doré bars.

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

    

2021

Mine Production

Tonnes milled

127,968

-

Gold

Grade (g/t)

7.50

-

Recovery (%)

98

-

Production (oz)

28,235

-

Metal sold (oz)

29,530

-

Realized price ($/oz)

1,878

-

Unit Costs

Cash cost ($/oz Au)1

705

-

All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Au)1

1,147

-

Capital expenditures ($000's)

Sustaining

7,361

-

Brownfields

488

-

1 Cash cost and AISC are non-IFRS financial measures. Refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

2 The Yaramoko Mine was acquired as part of the acquisition of Roxgold which completed on July 2, 2021. As such comparative figures for the comparative quarter in 2021 is not presented.

Quarterly Operating and Financial Highlights

The Yaramoko Mine produced 28,235 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2022 with an average gold head grade of 7.50g/t; below the plan for the quarter. Gold production is on target to meet the upper end of the annual guidance range primarily due to mill feed grade being 9 percent higher than budgeted for the period. Positive grade reconciliation compared to the reserve model at the 55 Zone and additional tonnes from ore development explain the increase in grade.

Cash cost per gold ounce sold was $705, which was below plan, primarily due to higher production during Q1 2022.

All-in sustaining cash cost per gold ounce sold was $1,147 for Q1 2022, which was below plan due to higher production and the lower sustaining capital due to the timing of ramp development and sustaining capital projects. Sustaining capital for the Q1 2022 consisted primarily of mine development.

Fortuna | 14


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

San Jose Mine, Mexico

The San Jose Mine is an underground silver-gold mine located in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. The following table shows the key metrics used to measure the operating performance of the mine: throughput, head grade, recovery, gold and silver production and unit costs:

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

    

2021

Mine Production

Tonnes milled

250,947

259,803

Average tonnes milled per day

2,918

3,048

Silver

Grade (g/t)

185

217

Recovery (%)

91

91

Production (oz)

1,358,189

1,646,444

Metal sold (oz)

1,316,193

1,642,300

Realized price ($/oz)

24.27

26.17

Gold

Grade (g/t)

1.13

1.36

Recovery (%)

90

91

Production (oz)

8,239

10,301

Metal sold (oz)

7,952

10,287

Realized price ($/oz)

1,890

1,783

Unit Costs

Production cash cost ($/t)2

76.05

69.96

Production cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)1,2

10.42

8.38

Net smelter return ($/t)

182.65

223.69

All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)1,2

15.32

13.40

Capital expenditures ($000's)

Sustaining

3,575

1,987

Non-sustaining

415

274

Brownfields

1,529

1,736

1 Production cash cost silver equivalent and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are calculated using realized metal prices for each period respectively

2 Production cash cost, Production cash cost silver equivalent, and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are Non-IFRS Financial Measures, refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Quarterly Operating and Financial Highlights

The San Jose Mine produced 1,358,189 ounces of silver and 8,239 ounces of gold during the three months ended March 31, 2022, which represents an 18% and 20% decrease respectively over the same period in 2021. The driver for the decrease in production was primarily lower average head grades of 15 percent and 17 percent for silver and gold, respectively; which is in line with Mineral Reserve estimates.

The cash cost per tonne for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $76.05 per tonne compared to $69.96 per tonne in the same period in 2021 primarily due to lower tonnes processed. Cash cost per tonne in the quarter was in line with annual guidance.

Fortuna | 15


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

The all-in sustaining cash cost of payable silver equivalent for the first quarter in 2022 increased 14% to $15.32 per ounce compared to $13.40 for the same period in 2021. The increase in all-in sustaining costs was primarily due to the result of lower silver equivalent ounces sold and an increase in sustaining capital due to additional spend on mine equipment, partially compensated by lower royalties and mining taxes and lower worker’s participation. Other capital expenditures in the quarter primarily consisted of mine development.

Fortuna | 16


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Caylloma Mine, Peru

Caylloma is an underground silver, lead and zinc mine located in the Arequipa Department in southern Peru. Its commercial products are silver-lead and zinc concentrates. The table below shows the key metrics used to measure the operating performance of the mine: throughput, head grade, recovery, silver, gold, lead and zinc production and unit costs:

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

    

2021

Mine Production

Tonnes milled

132,574

131,887

Average tonnes milled per day

1,524

1,499

Silver

Grade (g/t)

89

77

Recovery (%)

82

81

Production (oz)

311,939

267,311

Metal sold (oz)

294,301

259,311

Realized price ($/oz)

23.78

26.29

Gold

Grade (g/t)

0.16

0.62

Recovery (%)

37

73

Production (oz)

258

1,922

Metal sold (oz)

325

1,673

Realized price ($/oz)

1,828

1,775

Lead

Grade (%)

3.55

3.21

Recovery (%)

88

88

Production (000's lbs)

9,134

8,181

Metal sold (000's lbs)

8,575

7,998

Realized price ($/lb)

1.06

0.92

Zinc

Grade (%)

4.18

4.70

Recovery (%)

89

88

Production (000's lbs)

10,827

11,969

Metal sold (000's lbs)

10,546

12,267

Realized price ($/lb)

1.69

1.25

Unit Costs

Production cash cost ($/t)2

89.60

83.09

Production cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)1,2

12.39

13.10

Net smelter return ($/t)

211.80

194.39

All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)1,2

17.83

18.50

Capital expenditures ($000's)

Sustaining

3,949

1,972

Brownfields

324

630

1 Production cash cost silver equivalent and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are calculated using realized metal prices for each period respectively

2 Production cash cost, Production cash cost silver equivalent, and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are Non-IFRS Financial Measures, refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Fortuna | 17


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Quarterly Operating and Financial Highlights

The Caylloma Mine produced 311,939 ounces of silver, 9.1 million pounds of lead and 10.8 million pounds of zinc during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Silver production was 17% higher than the comparable period, driven by a 15% increase in average head grade from the contribution of newly scheduled higher-grade production stopes located in level 16 of the Animas vein. Lead production was 12% higher than the comparable period due to higher grades while zinc production was 10% lower than the comparable period due to lower grades. Gold production totaled 258 ounces with an average head grade of 0.16 g/t which was in line with expectations.

The cash cost per tonne of processed ore for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 8% to $89.60 compared to $83.09 in the same period in 2021. The increase was the result of higher mining costs related to higher increased ground support and backfill requirements and increased plant costs related to steel and reagents. Cash cost per tonne in the quarter was in line with annual guidance.

The all-in sustaining cash cost for the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased 4% to $17.83 per ounce compared to $18.50 per ounce for the same period in 2021. The decrease was driven by higher silver equivalent production.

PROJECTS & EXPLORATION

Séguéla Gold Project Update

On September 29, 2021, Fortuna announced the decision to proceed with the construction of the open pit mine at the Séguéla Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire. The updated total initial capital investment for the project is estimated to be $173.5 million, including $11.5 million previously approved by the Board for early works items, an anticipated construction schedule of approximately 20 months, with ramp up to name plate capacity expected in the third quarter of 2023. The development of the Séguéla Gold Project, including the milestones noted below is based on the technical report filed under NI 43-101 entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report Séguéla Project, Feasibility Study, Worodougou Region, Cote d’Ivoire”, dated May 26, 2021 with an effective April 19, 2021.

At the end of March 31, 2022, the overall project was 48% complete. The following provides an update on project activities for the first quarter of 2022.

Construction Highlights

Approximately $75.8 million of the $173.5 million initial capital budget accrued as of March 31, 2022
The project had capital commitments of $52.5 million of which $47.3 million is expected to be expended within one year
The mining services contract was signed with Mota-Engil on April 1, 2022
Bulk earthworks advanced for key items including the plant, tailings facility and water storage dam
Tower steel for the 90KV powerline was delivered to the plant site
Excavation and assembly of the 33KV towers are both underway
The EPC contractor mobilized to site
First gold pour remains on target for mid-2023

Accommodation camp  

A 156-person accommodation camp is complete and is being occupied as staff mobilize to site. Initially, this camp will support the project’s development and house the owner’s and contractors’ construction personnel with surplus personnel residing in the nearby town of Séguéla. The camp is approximately two kilometers from the processing plant area and is complete with kitchen and mess, recreational facilities, water and sewage treatment plants, laundry services and high-speed internet.  The camp management contract has been tendered and awarded to Allterrain Services.

Fortuna | 18


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Processing plant

De Simone was awarded the process plant bulk earthworks contract and activities are ongoing with excavation for ground improvement in the mill/carbon-in-leach circuit, thickener and crusher areas complete. Rock backfill in these areas was completed prior to the mobilization of the engineering procurement and construction contractor on February 28, 2022.

Lycopodium was awarded the guaranteed maximum price contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the gold processing facility. As of March 31, 2022, engineering is well advanced and construction activities have commenced. Of note, the SAG mill purchase order has been placed and remains on-track to be delivered to site in the third quarter of 2022. Detailed engineering for the SAG mill is complete and manufacturing of core components such as shell, heads and trunnions and gear and pinion has commenced.

Site Bulk Earthworks

Contracts have been awarded for the site bulk earthworks contract for the construction of the tailings storage facility (TSF), water storage dam (WSD) and sediment control structure (SCS). Bush clearing and topsoil stripping of the TSF footprint has been completed. Bush clearing of the WSD commenced in early January and is on-track to be completed by the middle of the second quarter of 2022, ahead of the upcoming wet season and will be capable of storing raw water for the commissioning, ramp-up and operation of the processing plant. Procurement of materials required for the TSF, WSD and SCS construction is underway with the TSF high density polyethylene liner delivered to site in mid April 2022.

Grid Connection

Contracts for the supply and installation of the 90 kV grid connection transmission line and 33 kV transmission line diversion have been awarded. Likewise, contracts for the supply and construction of the substation have been awarded. Tower steel for the 90KV powerline was delivered to the plant site and excavation for the 33KV towers and tower assembly are both underway. Similarly, civil works for the substation also started in March. Transformers were shipped during the first week of May and are expected to arrive on site in the third quarter.  Work is on-track to provide power to the site by the end of the fourth quarter of 2022 ahead of commissioning activities at the processing plant.

Mining

The mining contract was signed with Mota-Engil on April 1, 2022 and a notice to proceed was issued.

Cost

For the first quarter of 2022 the Company incurred and expended of $26.9 million and $34.4 million respectively and $75.8 million and $68.6 million since the project early works began in the third quarter of 2021. Capital expenditures are summarized in the table below.

(Expressed in millions)

Q1 2022

Project to Date

Expended Capital Costs1

34.4

68.6

Working Capital Adjustment2

(7.5)

7.2

Incurred Capital Costs3

26.9

75.8

1 Cash basis. Excludes exploration costs.

2 Primarily consists of work performed not yet invoiced and increases in the accounts payable balance offset by increases in the VAT receivable balance.

3 Accrual basis. Excludes capitalized interest

As of March 31, 2022 the project had approximately $105 million in remaining spend of the project’s $173.5 million budget. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance, free cash flow from ongoing operations and undrawn amounts of the credit facility are expected to be sufficient to fund the construction of the Seguela Project.

Fortuna | 19


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Upcoming Milestones and Schedule

Selected upcoming milestones of the current construction schedule include:

2022 Q2

Agree upon terms and sign Mining Convention with the State of Cote d’Ivoire
Completion of the construction of the water storage dam

2022 Q4

Power on high voltage substation
Mining contractor mobilizes to site
Completion of the construction of the tailings storage facility
Commence pre-strip of the Antenna deposit

2023 Q1

Processing plant practical completion

Mid 2023

First gold pour

Sunbird Discovery at Séguéla (refer to Company News Release dated March 15, 2022 for full details)

On March 15th, 2022 the Company announced a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource estimate for the Sunbird discovery located at its Séguéla gold Project in Côte d´Ivoire. Fortuna estimates the Sunbird deposit contains an Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.4 million tonnes at an average grade of 3.16 g/t Au containing 350,000 gold ounces. The Inferred Mineral Resource does not materially change the existing Mineral Resource estimate at the Séguéla gold Project or impact its current construction plan.

QUARTERLY INFORMATION

The following table provides information for the last eight fiscal quarters up to March 31, 2022:

Q1 2022

Q4 2021

    

Q3 2021

    

Q2 2021

    

Q1 2021

    

Q4 2020

    

Q3 2020

    

Q2 2020

Sales

182.3

198.9

162.6

120.5

117.8

103.5

83.4

44.5

Mine operating income

63.5

58.3

47.3

48.5

51.3

46.7

42.1

13.8

Operating income (loss)

40.7

38.9

21.8

35.9

40.4

28.2

28.5

(1.3)

Net income (loss)

27.0

16.6

0.2

16.2

26.4

18.6

13.1

(5.7)

Basic earnings (loss) per share

0.09

0.05

0.09

0.14

0.10

0.07

(0.03)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

0.08

0.05

0.09

0.14

0.09

0.07

(0.03)

Total assets

2,060.4

2,021.9

2,002.1

1,083.2

1,069.1

1,055.3

987.8

959.4

Debt

198.0

157.5

187.7

159.5

159.0

158.6

133.1

132.6

Figures may not add due to rounding

Sales decreased 8% in the first quarter of 2022 to $182.3 million compared to $198.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 due primarily to lower sales at Lindero as a result of the impacts of COVID-19 at the mine and due to lower head grades at San Jose. Operating income was in line with the previous quarter as higher mine operating income was offset by the $2.1 million write-off due to the termination of a property agreement for the Sante Fe Property in Mexico and an increase in

Fortuna | 20


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

foreign exchange losses in the quarter. Net income increased $10.4 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 primarily due to lower current and deferred taxes.

Sales increased 22% in the fourth quarter of 2021 to $198.9 million compared to $162.6 million in the third quarter of 2021 due primarily to higher sales at Lindero and San Jose. Sales at Lindero increased to $65.6 million from $41.6 million, and sales from San Jose increased to $56.7 million from $48.0 million. Operating income was 78% higher in the fourth quarter of 2021 due primarily to an increase in gold ounces sold at Lindero and higher metal prices and the impact of the SGM royalty settlement in the third quarter of 2021.

Sales increased 35% in the third quarter of 2021 to $162.6 million compared to $120.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 due primarily to the $49.0 million of sales from Yaramoko, higher sales at Lindero, which increased to $41.6 million from $34.0 million, higher sales at Caylloma, which increased to $28.1 million from $26.0 million, offset partly by lower sales at San Jose, which decreased to $48.0 million from $59.0 million. Mine operating income decreased 2% in the third quarter of 2021 due primarily to the contributions from Yaramoko, partly offset by the payment of the settlement related to the disputed SGM royalty claim.

Sales increased 2% in the second quarter of 2021 to $120.5 million compared to $117.8 million in the first quarter of 2021 due to favorable price and assay adjustments of $1.5 million compared to unfavorable adjustments of $2.5 million during the first quarter, higher sales at San Jose, which increased to $59.0 million from $58.0 million, higher sales at Caylloma, which increased to $26.0 million from $25.4 million, offset partly by lower sales at Lindero, which decreased to $34.0 million from $36.9 million. Mine operating income decreased 6% in the second quarter of 2021 due primarily to San Jose, where operating income increased to $29.0 million from $26.6 million in the first quarter of 2021.  

Sales increased 14% in the first quarter of 2021 to $117.8 million compared to $103.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 due primarily to higher sales at Lindero, which increased to $36.9 million from $20.3 million, and sales at Caylloma, which increased to $25.4 million from $22.2 million, offset partly by provisional pricing adjustments. Mine operating income increased 10% in the first quarter of 2021 due primarily to Lindero, which increased to $15.2 million from $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Sales increased 24% in the fourth quarter of 2020 to $103.5 million compared to $83.4 million in the third quarter of 2020 due primarily to the recognition of $20.3 million of gold sales and $10.1 million of cost of sales from commissioning activities at Lindero Mine as the Company elected to early adopt the amendments to IAS 16, Property, Plant and Equipment – Proceeds before Intended Use.  Sales at San Jose decreased $4.2 million to $60.5 million quarter-over-quarter due to lower volume of silver and gold sold while sales at Caylloma increased $3.9 million. Share-based payments increased 24% to $4.5 million as the result of a 23% increase in the Company’s share price which impacts the cash-settled share units.  With construction of the Lindero Mine substantially complete, the Company ceased capitalization of interest at the end of November 2020 and expensed $0.7 million of borrowing costs. Net income increased $5.5 million to $18.6 million over the prior quarter.

Sales increased 87% in the third quarter of 2020 to $83.4 million compared to $44.5 million in the second quarter of 2020 due to increases in the prices of silver and gold and the resumption of operations at the San Jose Mine after a 54-day temporary suspension of the mine in the second quarter. Mine operating income more than tripled to $42.1 million despite a 21-day temporary suspension of the Caylloma Mine in July. The costs incurred during the suspension of operations totaled $0.9 million and are reported as care and maintenance costs.  Income tax expense also increased $8.8 million over the second quarter to $15.0 million due primarily to higher pre-tax profit from the San Jose Mine, which impacted net income for the period.

Fortuna | 21


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Precious Metal Prices Trends

Graphic

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, the sale of silver and gold ounces represents approximately 89% of the Company’s sales revenue while lead and zinc make up the remaining 11%. Therefore, the prices of silver and gold are the most dominant factors in determining the Company’s profitability and cash flow from operations. The prices of gold and silver are subject to volatile fluctuations over short periods of time and can be affected by numerous macroeconomic conditions, including supply and demand factors, value of the U.S. dollar, interest rates and global economic and political issues.  The Company’s financial performance is expected to continue to be closely linked to the prices of silver and gold.

Gold prices in the first quarter of 2022 trended higher as inflation and geopolitical uncertainty regarding the Russia-Ukraine war drove prices to a peak of $2,039 per ounce before settling down to close the quarter at $1,942 per ounce. In the short term, geopolitical uncertainty, inflation and rising interest rates as central banks move to combat inflation are expected to drive volatility in the gold price. In the long term, accommodative monetary policy and inflationary pressures are expected to support higher gold prices.

Silver also saw a trend upwards during the quarter similar to gold as inflation and geopolitical uncertainty drove demand.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $110.4 million as at March 31, 2022, an increase of $3.3 million since the beginning of the year. The increase was due primarily to $33.2 million of net cash generated from operations and a draw down of $40 million from the Company’s revolving credit facility, offset by $65.5 million of net cash used in investing activities primarily for construction expenditures at Seguela and expenditures on mineral properties and plant and equipment.

Fortuna | 22


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

The Company’s investment objectives for its cash balances, in order of priority, are to preserve capital, to ensure liquidity, and to maximize returns. The Company’s strategy to achieve these objectives is to invest its excess cash balance in a portfolio of primarily fixed income instruments with specified credit rating targets established by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company does not own any asset-based commercial paper or other similar at-risk investments in its investment portfolios.

Working Capital

Working capital at March 31, 2022 increased $41.6 million during the year to $155.9 million, due primarily to a $10.1 million increase in receivables, a $5.6 million increase in inventories and a $20.0 million decrease in payables.

 

Capital Resources

The Company maintains a $200 million revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2022 the Company had drawn down $160 million of the available credit. The Credit Facility has a term of four years and steps down to $150.0 million after three years. Interest accrues on LIBOR loans under the Credit Facility at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of between two and three percent which varies according to the consolidated leverage levels of the Company.  

The Credit Facility includes covenants customary for a facility of this nature including, among other matters, reporting requirements, and positive, negative, and financial covenants set out in therein. As at March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Facility.

As at

    

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

Change

Cash and cash equivalents

110.4

107.1

3.3

Credit facility

200.0

200.0

-

Total liquidity available

310.4

307.1

3.3

Amount drawn on credit facility

(160.0)

(120.0)

(40.0)

Net liquidity position

150.4

187.1

(36.7)

Figures may not add due to rounding

Subsequent to March 31, 2022, the Company drew down an additional $20 million from the Credit Facility on May 5, 2022.

Given the ever evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult to predict the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (or any other disease, epidemic or pandemic) on the Company and its business, which will depend on future developments, including: the duration, severity and geographic spread of the COVID-19 virus (or other communicable disease); further actions that may be taken by governmental authorities, which could include travel restrictions and the suspension of business activities, including mining; the effectiveness and timing of actions taken to contain and treat the COVID-19 virus and variants or mutations thereof, including the effectiveness and uptake of vaccines; and how quickly and to what extent normal economic conditions and operating conditions can resume. In the event of additional waves of the virus for an unexpectedly prolonged duration, or in the event that more rigorous capital controls are implemented in Argentina, the Company may be required to raise additional debt or equity. There is no assurance that the lenders will agree to such a request or that financing will be available to the Company on terms acceptable to it.

The Company does not have unlimited financial resources and there is no assurance that sufficient additional funding or financing will be available when needed by the Company or its direct and indirect subsidiaries on acceptable terms, or at all, to further explore or develop its properties or to fulfill its obligations under any applicable agreements.  Fortuna is a multinational company and relies on financial institutions worldwide to fund corporate and project needs.  Instability of large financial institutions may impact the ability of the Company to obtain equity or debt financings in the future and, if obtained, on terms that may not be favorable to the Company. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, geo-political events, changing or increased regulations of financial institutions, reduced alternatives or

Fortuna | 23


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect the Company’s access to the liquidity needed for the business in the longer term.

The Company may incur substantial debt from time to time to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions or for other purposes. If the Company does so, the risks related to the Company’s indebtedness could intensify, including: (i) increased difficulty in satisfying existing debt obligations (ii) limitations on the ability to obtain additional financings, or imposed requirements to make non-strategic divestures (iii) impose hedging requirements (iv) imposed restrictions on the Company’s cash flows, for debt repayments or capital expenditures (v) increased vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions (vi) interest rate risk exposure as borrowings may be at variable rates of interest (vii) decreased flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in the mining industry (viii) reduced competitiveness versus less leveraged competitors, and (ix) increased cost of borrowings.

Subject to the various risks and uncertainties, as explained in the Risks and Uncertainties section, management believes the Company’s mining operations will generate sufficient cash flows and the Company has sufficient available credit lines and cash on hand to fund planned capital and exploration programs.

The Company has contingencies and capital commitments as described in Note 26 “Contingencies and Capital Commitments” in the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022. From time to time, the Company may also be involved in legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments that are expected to have a current or future effect on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that are material to investors.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company does not utilize complex financial instruments in hedging foreign exchange or interest exposure. Any hedging activity requires approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company will not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

Provisional priced trade receivables of $31.9 million, a forward sales and foreign exchange contracts liability totaling $7.6 million, and a forward fuel contract asset of $2.6 million are the Company’s only level 2 fair valued instruments and no level 3 instruments are held.

Provisionally priced trade receivables are valued using forward London Metal Exchange prices until final prices are settled at a future date. The forward sales, and forward foreign exchange contracts liabilities are valued based on the present value of the estimated contractual cash flows. Estimates of future cash flows are based on quoted swap rates, futures prices and interbank borrowing rates. These are discounted using a yield curve, and adjusted for credit risk of the Company or the counterparty.

Refer to the Risks and Uncertainties section of this MD&A for a discussion on credit risk, metal price risk, currency risk, and interest rate risk related to these financial instruments. See note 4 (section r) and Note 30 of the 2021 Financial Statements for a discussion of the Company’s use of financial instruments, including a description of liquidity risks associated with such instruments.

Fortuna | 24


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

SHARE POSITION & OUTSTANDING OPTIONS & EQUITY BASED SHARE UNITS

The Company has 292,176,418 common shares outstanding as at May 11, 2022. In addition, there were 4,423,717 outstanding equity-settled share-based awards as follows:

Incentive stock options1,141,293

Restricted share units1,135,932

Performance share units​ ​2,146,492

Total​ ​4,423,717

1,547,155 share-settled performance units issued by the Company are subject to a multiplier ranging from 50% to 200% depending on the achievement level of certain performance targets.

As at March 31, 2022 the Company has $45.9 million of Debentures that are convertible at the holder’s option into common shares in the capital of the Company at a conversion price of $5.00 per share, representing a conversion rate of 200 Common Shares per $1,000 principal amount of Debentures, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.  Subject to certain exceptions in connection with a change of control of the Company, the Debentures cannot be redeemed by the Company prior to October 31, 2022. Between November 1, 2022 and prior to October 31, 2023, the Debentures may be redeemed in whole or in part from time to time at the Company’s option at a price equal to their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided that the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the NYSE for the 20 consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading day preceding the date on which the notice of the redemption is given is at least 125% of the Conversion Price. On and after October 31, 2023, the Debentures may be redeemed in whole or in part from time to time at the Company’s option at a price equal to their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest regardless of the trading price of the Common Shares. The Debentures mature on October 31, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 4.65% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on the last business day of April and October, commencing on April 30, 2020.

Subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory approval and provided that no event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may, at its option, elect to satisfy its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Debentures and accrued and unpaid interest on the redemption date and the maturity date, in whole or in part, through the issuance of Common Shares, by issuing and delivering that number of Common Shares, obtained by dividing the principal amount of the Debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon by 95% of the current market price (as defined in the Debenture Indenture) on such redemption date or maturity date, as applicable.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has entered into the following related party transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:

(a)   Purchase of Goods and Services

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021, the Company was charged $nil (2021: $5 thousand) for general and administrative services pursuant to a shared services agreement with Gold Group Management Inc., a company of which Simon Ridgway, the Company’s former Chairman, is a director. Effective February 2, 2021, Mr. Ridgway resigned as director and Chairman of the Board, and costs associated with the shared services agreement with Gold Group Management Inc. are no longer reported as related party transactions.  

As at March 31, 2022, the Company had $nil outstanding balances payable to Gold Group Management Inc. (December 31, 2021 - $nil). Amounts due to related parties are due on demand and are unsecured.

Fortuna | 25


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

(b)   Key Management Personnel

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2020, the Company was charged for consulting services by Mario Szotlender, a director of the Company and by Mill Street Services Ltd., a company of which Simon Ridgway, the Company’s former Chairman, is a director. Effective February 2, 2021, Mr. Ridgway resigned as director and Chairman of the Board, and costs associated incurred with Mill Street Services Ltd. are no longer reported as related party transactions. Such amounts, along with other amounts paid to key management personnel were as follows:

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $ thousands)

2022

    

2021

Salaries and benefits

3,259

1,897

Directors fees

302

158

Consulting fees

18

24

Share-based payments

6,498

(384)

10,077

1,695

Fortuna | 26


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Company has disclosed certain financial measures and ratios in this MD&A which are not defined under IFRS and are not disclosed in the Financial Statements, including but not limited to: cash cost per ounce of gold; all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold; all-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold; total production cash cost per tonne; cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent; all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; all-in cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; free cash flow and free cashflow from ongoing operations; adjusted net income; adjusted EBITDA and working capital.

These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance and are used by Management to monitor and evaluate the Company's operating performance and ability to generate cash. The Company believes that, in addition to financial measures and ratios prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use these non-IFRS financial measures and ratios to evaluate the Company’s performance. However, the measures do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. Accordingly, non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures and ratios of the Company’s performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Company has calculated these measures consistently for all periods presented.

Equivalent Ounces Sold

At our San Jose and Caylloma mines, production and sales of other metals are treated as a silver equivalent in determining a combined precious metal production or sales unit, commonly referred to as silver equivalent ounces. Silver equivalent ounces are calculated by converting other metal production to its silver equivalent using relative metal/silver metal prices at realized prices and adding the converted metal production expressed in silver ounces to the ounces of silver production.

The Lindero and Yaramoko mines do not make use of an equivalent ounce sold measure as all material production is gold.

Cash Cost, All-in Sustaining Cost and All-in Cash Cost

In this MD&A, the Company has disclosed certain cash cost, all-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) and all-in cash cost figures on a per unit basis, each of which constitutes a non-IFRS measure.

Cash cost is a non-IFRS measure that is an industry-standard method of comparing certain costs on a per unit basis. Cash costs include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining and processing costs, third-party refining and treatment charges, on-site general and administrative expenses, applicable production taxes and royalties which are not based on sales or taxable income calculations , net of by-product credits, but are exclusive of  the impact of non-cash items that are included as part of the cost of sales that is calculated in the consolidated Income Statement including depreciation and depletion, reclamation, capital, development and exploration costs.

The most directly comparable financial measure to cash cost that is defined in IFRS and disclosed in the Company's  Financial Statements is cost of sales. Unit based cash cost ratios contained in this MD&A include:

cash cost per ounce of gold sold;
total production cash cost per tonne; and
cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent.

All-in sustaining cost is a non-IFRS measure that includes total production cash costs incurred at the applicable mining operation but excludes mining royalty recognized as income tax within the scope of IAS-12, as well as non-sustaining capital expenditures. Sustaining capital expenditures, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, and brownfield exploration expenditures are added to the cash cost. AISC is estimated at realized metal prices. The most

Fortuna | 27


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

directly comparable financial measure to AISC that is defined in IFRS and disclosed in the Company's Financial Statements is cost of sales.  Unit based AISC ratios contained in this MD&A include:

All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold; and
All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold.

All-in cash cost is a non-IFRS measures that is calculated consistently with AISC but is inclusive of non-sustaining capital expenditures. The most directly comparable financial measure to AISC that is defined in IFRS and disclosed in the Company's Financial Statements is cost of sales.  Unit based AISC ratios contained in this MD&A include:

all-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold; and
all-in cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold.

The Company, in conjunction with an initiative undertaken within the gold mining industry, has adopted AISC and all-in sustaining cost measures based on guidance published by World Gold Council ("WGC"). The Company conforms its AISC and all-in cash cost definitions to that set out in the guidance and the Company has presented the cash cost figures on a sold ounce basis for all periods presented and excluded royalties that are under the scope of IAS 12 – Income Taxes, with the change from the previously presented figures being applied retrospectively to prior periods.

Management believes that cash cost and AISC measures provide useful information regarding the Company's ability to generate operating earnings and cash flows from its mining operations, and uses such measures to monitor the performance of the Company's mining operations. In addition, the Company believes that each measure provides useful information to investors in comparing, on a mine-by-mine basis, our operations relative performance on a period-by-period basis, against our competitors operations.

To facilitate a better understanding of these measures as calculated by the Company, descriptions and reconciliations are provided here.

Fortuna | 28


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Cash Cost per Ounce of Gold Sold

The following tables presents a reconciliation of cash cost per ounce of gold sold to the cost of sales in the March 31, 2022 Condensed Interim Unaudited Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:

Lindero Mine

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs)

2022

2021

Cost of sales

35,867

22,186

Changes in doré inventory

1,017

-

Inventory adjustment

739

-

Export duties

(4,008)

(2,800)

Depletion and depreciation

(12,009)

(6,245)

By product credits

-

(58)

Production cash cost1

21,607

13,083

Changes in doré inventory

(1,017)

-

Realized gain in diesel hedge

(782)

-

Cash cost applicable per gold ounce sold

A

19,808

13,083

Ounces of gold sold

B

28,607

21,289

Cash cost per ounce of gold sold1 ($/oz)

=A/B

692

615

1 March 31, 2021 restated, Sustaining leases moved to All-In Sustaining

Yaramoko Mine

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs)

2022

2021

Cost of sales

38,041

-

Changes in doré inventory

(1,320)

-

Export duties

(3,333)

-

Depletion and depreciation

(14,028)

-

By product credits

(5)

-

Production cash cost

19,355

-

Changes in doré inventory

1,320

-

Refining charges

155

-

Cash cost applicable per gold ounce sold

A

20,830

-

Ounces of gold sold

B

29,530

-

Cash cost per ounce of gold sold ($/oz)

=A/B

705

-

Fortuna | 29


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

All-in Sustaining Cash Cost and All-in Cash Cost per Ounce of Gold Sold

The following tables shows a breakdown of the all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold and all-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold for the three ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:

Lindero Mine

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs)

2022

2021

Cash cost applicable

19,808

13,093

Export duties and mining taxes

4,008

3,581

General and administrative expenses (operations)

1,905

1,138

Adjusted operating cash cost

25,721

17,812

Sustaining leases

705

518

Sustaining capital expenditures1

3,125

4,040

Brownfields exploration expenditures1

144

91

All-in sustaining cash cost

29,695

22,461

Non-sustaining capital expenditures1

169

-

All-in cash cost

29,864

22,461

Ounces of gold sold

28,607

21,289

All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold

1,038

1,055

All-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold

1,044

1,055

1 Presented on a cash basis

Yaramoko Mine

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs)

2022

2021

Cash cost applicable

20,830

-

Export duties and mining taxes

3,333

-

General and administrative expenses (operations)

410

-

Adjusted operating cash cost

24,573

-

Sustaining leases

1,435

-

Sustaining capital expenditures1

7,361

-

Brownfields exploration expenditures1

488

-

All-in sustaining cash cost

33,857

-

All-in cash cost

33,857

-

Ounces of gold sold

29,530

-

All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold

1,147

-

All-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold

1,147

-

1 Presented on a cash basis

Fortuna | 30


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Production Cash Cost per Tonne and Cash Cost per Payable Ounce of Silver Equivalent Sold for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

The following tables present a reconciliation of production cash cost per tonne and cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold to the cost of sales in the March 31, 2022 Condensed Interim Unaudited Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:

San Jose Mine

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs)

2022

2021

Cost of sales

28,899

28,708

Changes in concentrate inventory

77

29

Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory

(21)

14

Inventory adjustment

537

80

Royalties and mining taxes

(1,392)

(1,343)

Workers participation

(727)

(1,709)

Depletion and depreciation

(8,287)

(7,604)

Cash cost3

A

19,086

18,175

Total processed ore (tonnes)

B

250,947

259,803

Production cash cost per tonne3 ($/t)

=A/B

76.05

69.96

Cash cost3

A

19,086

18,175

Changes in concentrate inventory

(77)

(29)

Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory

21

(14)

Inventory adjustment

(537)

(80)

Treatment charges

872

(239)

Refining charges

91

1,014

Cash cost applicable per payable ounce sold3

C

19,456

18,827

Payable ounces of silver equivalent sold1

D

1,867,871

2,245,819

Cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2,3 ($/oz)

=C/D

10.42

8.38

Mining cost per tonne3

37.45

37.35

Milling cost per tonne

18.01

16.83

Indirect cost per tonne

14.63

10.64

Community relations cost per tonne

4.84

0.32

Distribution cost per tonne

1.12

4.82

Production cash cost per tonne3 ($/t)

76.05

69.96

1 Silver equivalent sold for Q1 2022 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 77.9:1 (Q1 2021: 68.1:1).

2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold and silver. Refer to Financial Results – Sales and Realized Prices

3 March 31, 2021 restated, Sustaining leases moved to All-In Sustaining

Fortuna | 31


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Caylloma Mine

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs)

2022

2021

Cost of sales

16,021

15,617

Changes in concentrate inventory

111

65

Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory

(126)

4

Inventory adjustment

272

-

Royalties and mining taxes

(247)

(27)

Provision for community support

(126)

-

Workers participation

(613)

(640)

Depletion and depreciation

(3,414)

(4,061)

Cash cost3

A

11,878

10,958

Total processed ore (tonnes)

B

132,574

131,887

Production cash cost per tonne3 ($/t)

=A/B

89.60

83.09

Cash cost

A

11,878

10,958

Changes in concentrate inventory

(111)

(65)

Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory

126

(4)

Inventory adjustment

(272)

-

Treatment charges

3,914

3,157

Refining charges

392

405

Cash cost applicable per payable ounce sold3

C

15,927

14,451

Payable ounces of silver equivalent sold1

D

1,285,610

1,103,000

Cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2,3 ($/oz)

=C/D

12.39

13.10

Mining cost per tonne

35.29

31.98

Milling cost per tonne

16.23

13.57

Indirect cost per tonne

30.60

29.56

Community relations cost per tonne

7.04

0.55

Distribution cost per tonne

0.45

7.43

Production cash cost per tonne3 ($/t)

89.60

83.09

1 Silver equivalent sold for Q1 2022 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 76.9:1 (Q1 2021: 67.5:1), silver to lead ratio of 1:22.5 pounds (Q1 2021: 1:28.6), and silver to zinc ratio of 1:14.0 pounds (Q1 2021: 1:21.1).

2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales and Realized Prices

3 March 31, 2021 restated, Sustaining leases moved to All-In Sustaining

Fortuna | 32


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

All-in Sustaining Cash Cost and All-in Cash Cost per Payable Ounce of Silver Equivalent Sold

The following tables show a breakdown of the all-in sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent ounce payable for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:

San Jose Mine

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs)

2022

2021

Cash cost applicable4

19,456

18,827

Royalties and mining taxes

1,392

3,683

Workers' participation

909

2,136

General and administrative expenses (operations)

1,590

1,675

Adjusted operating cash cost4

23,347

26,321

Care and maintenance costs (impact of COVID-19)

2

-

Sustaining leases4

157

44

Sustaining capital expenditures3

3,575

1,987

Brownfields exploration expenditures3

1,529

1,736

All-in sustaining cash cost

28,610

30,088

Non-sustaining capital expenditures3

415

274

All-in cash cost

29,025

30,362

Payable ounces of silver equivalent sold1

1,867,871

2,245,819

All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2

15.32

13.40

All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2

15.54

13.52

1 Silver equivalent sold for Q1 2022 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 77.9:1 (Q1 2021: 68.1:1)

2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold and silver. Refer to Financial Results - Sales and Realized Prices

3 Presented on a cash basis

4 March 31, 2021 restated, Sustaining leases moved from Cash Cost

Caylloma Mine

Three months ended March 31,

(Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs)

2022

2021

Cash cost applicable4

15,927

14,451

Royalties and mining taxes

247

688

Workers' participation

705

736

General and administrative expenses (operations)

1,058

1,278

Adjusted operating cash cost4

17,937

17,153

Sustaining leases4

708

648

Sustaining capital expenditures3

3,949

1,972

Brownfields exploration expenditures3

324

630

All-in sustaining cash cost

22,918

20,403

All-in cash cost

22,918

20,403

Payable ounces of silver equivalent sold1

1,285,610

1,103,000

All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2

17.83

18.50

All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2

17.83

18.50

1 Silver equivalent sold for Q1 2022 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 76.9:1 (Q1 2021: 67.5:1), silver to lead ratio of 1:22.5 pounds (Q1 2021: 1:28.6), and silver to zinc ratio of 1:14.0 pounds (Q1 2021: 1:21.1).

2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales and Realized Prices

3 Presented on a cash basis

4 March 31, 2021 restated, Sustaining leases moved from Cash Cost

Free Cash Flow from Ongoing Operations

The Company uses the non-IFRS financial measure of “free cash flow from ongoing operations” to supplement information in its consolidated financial statements.

Fortuna | 33


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Free cash flow from ongoing operations is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, including Lindero commissioning, less sustaining capital expenditures and current income tax expense and adding back income taxes paid, changes in long-term receivable sustaining capital expenditures, one time transaction costs, payments of lease liabilities and other non-recurring items.

 

This non-IFRS measure is used by the Company and investors to measure the cash flow available to fund the Company’s growth through investments and capital expenditures.  These performance measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have standardized definitions under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profits or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS.

In 2022 the company changed the method for calculating Free Cash Flow From Ongoing Operations. The calculation now uses taxes paid as opposed to the previous method which used current income taxes. While this may create larger quarter over quarter fluctuations due to timing of income tax payments, management believes the revised method is a better representation of the Free Cash Flow generated by the Company’s ongoing operations. Comparative values from 2021 have been restated in this MD&A using the change in methodology.

The following table presents a reconciliation of free cash flow from ongoing operations to net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable IFRS measure, for the three ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:

Three months ended March 31,

2022

    

2021

(Restated)

Net cash provided by operating activities

33.2

21.1

Adjustments

Additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment

(20.5)

(9.3)

Other adjustments

(3.1)

-

Free cash flow from ongoing operations

9.6

11.8

Figures may not add due to rounding

Adjusted Net Income

The Company uses the non-IFRS measure of “adjusted net income” to supplement information in its consolidated financial statements.  

Adjusted net income excludes the after-tax impact of specific items that are significant, which the Company believes are not reflective of the Company’s underlying performance for the reporting period, such as foreign exchange gains (losses) related to the construction of the Lindero Mine, gains and losses and other one-time costs related to acquisitions, impairment charges (reversals), and certain non-recurring items. Although some of the items are recurring, such as; loss on disposal of assets and non-hedge derivative gains and losses, the Company believes that they are not reflective of the underlying operating performance of its current business and are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

Management believes that in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, the Company and certain investors and analysts use this information and information obtained from conventional IFRS measures to evaluate the Company’s performance. However, adjusted net income does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

Fortuna | 34


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

The following table presents a reconciliation of the adjusted net income from net income, the most directly comparable IFRS measure, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

2021

Net income

27.0

26.4

Adjustments, net of tax:

Foreign exchange loss, Lindero Mine2

-

2.2

Write off of mineral properties

1.5

-

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives

2.3

-

Accretion on right of use assets

0.6

-

Other non-cash/non-recurring items

2.0

(1.1)

Adjusted net income

33.4

27.5

1 Amounts are recorded in Cost of sales

2 Amounts are recorded in General and Administration

Figures may not add due to rounding

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure which is calculated as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, adjusted to exclude specific items that are significant, but not reflective of the Company's underlying operations, such as foreign exchange gains (losses) related to the construction of the Lindero Mine, gains and losses and other one-time costs related to acquisitions, impairment charges (reversals), unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and certain non-recurring items, included in “Other expenses” on the Consolidated Income Statement. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently.

Management believes that adjusted EBITDA provides valuable information as an indicator of the Company’s ability to generate operating cash flow to fund working capital needs, service debt obligations and fund capital expenditures. Adjusted EBITDA is also a common metric that provides additional information used by investors and analysts for valuation purposes based on an observed or inferred relationship between adjusted EBITDA and market value. Adjusted EBITDA is not meant to be a substitute for other subtotals or totals presented in accordance with IFRS measures, but that rather should be evaluated in conjunction with IFRS measures.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA from net income, the most directly comparable IFRS measure, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

    

2021

Net income

27.0

26.4

Adjustments:

Inventory adjustment

-

(0.1)

Foreign exchange loss, Lindero Mine

-

2.2

Foreign exchange loss, Séguéla Project

0.6

-

Net finance items

2.8

2.4

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

38.1

19.2

Income taxes

6.8

13.3

Other non-cash/non-recurring items

5.0

(2.6)

Adjusted EBITDA

80.3

60.8

Figures may not add due to rounding

Fortuna | 35


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Working Capital

Working capital is non-IFRS measure which is calculated by subtracing current liabilities from current assets. Management believes that working capital is a useful indicator of the liquidity of the Company. The following table presents a calculation of working capital for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

Three months ended March 31,

    

2022

    

2021

Current Assets

301,457

281,082

Current Liabilities

145,560

166,773

Working Capital

155,897

114,309

Qualified Person

Eric Chapman, P.Geo (APEGBC #36328) is the Senior Vice-President of Technical Services for the Company and is the Company’s Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101–Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects).  Mr. Chapman has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this MD&A and has verified the underlying data except as noted below.

Paul Criddle, FAusIMM, Chief Operating Officer - West Africa for the Company is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information pertaining to the Séguéla Project contained in this MD&A and has verified the underlying data.

Other Information, Risks and Uncertainties

For further information regarding the Company’s operational risks, please refer to the section entitled “Description of the Business - Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form that is available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Company is exposed to many risks in conducting its business, including but not limited to metal price risk as the Company derives its revenue from the sale of silver, gold, lead and zinc; credit risk in the normal course of business; foreign exchange risk as the Company reports its financial statements in U.S. dollars whereas the Company operates in jurisdictions that conducts its business in other currencies; the inherent risks of uncertainties in estimating mineral reserves and mineral resources; the risks related to the construction of an open pit gold mine at the Séguéla Gold Project and the anticipated timing of production at the mine; operational risks related to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic; political risks, exchange rate and capital controls risk, environmental risks; risks related to the ability of the Company to obtain permits for its operations, including the reconfirmation of the 12 year extension of the EIA at the San Jose mine; and risks related to its relations with employees. These and other risks are described below and in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for 2021, its Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and its Form 40-F filed with the SEC. Readers are encouraged to refer to these documents for a more detailed description of some of the risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business.

Foreign Jurisdiction Risk

As at the date of the MD&A, the Company currently conducts its operations in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mexico, and Peru.  All these jurisdictions are potentially subject to a number of political and economic risks, including those described in the following section. The Company is unable to determine the impact of these risks or its future financial position or results of operations and the Company’s exploration, development, and production activities may be substantially affected by factors outside of the Company’s control.  These potential factors include but are not limited to

Fortuna | 36


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

royalty and tax increases or claims by governmental bodies, expropriation or nationalization, lack of an independent judiciary, foreign exchange controls, capital and currency controls, import and export regulations, cancellation or renegotiation of contracts, and environmental and permitting regulations.  The Company has no political risk insurance coverage against these risks

The majority of the Company’s production and revenue to March 31, 2022 was derived from its operations in Argentina, Mexico, Burkina Faso and Peru.  As the Company’s business is carried on in a number of developing countries, it is exposed to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the following: expropriation or nationalization without adequate compensation especially in Argentina which has a history of expropriation where the Company operates the Lindero Mine; changing political and fiscal regime, including the military coup in Burkina Faso in January 2022, and economic and regulatory instability; the unexpected change of Government in Côte d'Ivoire in April 2022; unanticipated changes to royalty and tax regulations; unreliable and undeveloped infrastructure, labour unrest, and labour scarcity; difficulty procuring key equipment and components for equipment; import and export regulation and restrictions; the imposition of capital controls which may affect the repatriation of funds; high rates of inflation; extreme fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the imposition of currency controls; inability to obtain fair dispute resolution or judicial determination because of bias, corruption or abuse of power; difficulties enforcing judgments; difficulties understanding and complying with regulatory and legal framework with respect to ownership and maintenance of mineral properties, mines and mining operations, local opposition to mine development projects, which include the potential for violence, property damage and frivolous or vexatious claims; terrorism and hostage taking; military repression and increased likelihood of international conflicts or aggression; increased public health concerns. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are prevalent in the jurisdictions where the Company operates.

There can be no assurance that these measures will not be extended or that more restrictive measures will be put in place in the countries in which the Company operates, which may result in the suspension of operations or construction at the Company’s mines on a short or long-term basis.

Following instability in recent years in several West African countries, the prevailing security environment in these countries has deteriorated due to the presence of various militant secessionist and Islamist paramilitary groups, as well as a result of the January 2022 military coup in Burkina Faso. While the Company has implemented additional measures in response to ensure the security of its various assets, personnel and contractors, and continues to cooperate with regional governments, their security forces and applicable third parties, there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful.

Estimating Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves

There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the estimation of Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves, and expected mineral grades.  Until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves must be considered as estimates only. Any such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results and industry practices.

Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves may require revision based on actual production experience. Market fluctuations in the price of metals, as well as increased production costs and reduced metallurgical recovery rates, may render certain Mineral Reserves uneconomic and may ultimately result in a restatement of Mineral Resources and/or Mineral Reserves. Short-term operating factors relating to the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, such as the need for sequential development of ore bodies, may adversely affect the Company’s profitability in any accounting period. Estimates of operating costs are based on assumptions including those relating to inflation and currency exchange, which may prove incorrect. Estimates of mineralization can be imprecise and depend upon geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be unreliable. In addition, the grade and/or quantity of precious metals ultimately recovered may differ from that indicated by drilling results. There can be no assurance that precious metals recovered in small scale tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under onsite conditions

Fortuna | 37


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

or in production scale. Amendments to mine plans and production profiles may be required as the amount of Mineral Resources changes or upon receipt of further information during the implementation phase of the project. Extended declines in market prices for gold, silver and other metals may render portions of the Company’s mineralization uneconomic and result in reduced reported mineralization. Any material reduction in estimates of mineralization, or in the Company’s ability to develop its properties and extract and sell such minerals, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

Mining Operations

The capital costs required by the Company’s projects may be significantly higher than anticipated. Capital and operating costs, production and economic returns, and other estimates contained in the Company’s current technical reports, may differ significantly from those provided for in future studies and estimates and from management guidance, and there can be no assurance that the Company’s actual capital and operating costs will not be higher than currently anticipated. In addition, delays to construction and exploration schedules may negatively impact the net present value and internal rates of return of the Company’s mineral properties as set forth in the applicable technical report. Similarly, there can be no assurance that historical rates of production, grades of ore processed, rates of recoveries or mining cash costs will not experience fluctuations or differ significantly from current levels over the course of the mining operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to extend the production from its current operations through exploration and drilling programs.

Uncertainties related to new mining operations

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Fortuna is in the process of the development and construction of an open pit mine at the Séguéla Project. Any such development or expansion project which is progressed to commercial operations will face a number of risks inherent in new mining operations.

The successful completion of the Company’s development and expansion projects requires the construction and operation of mines, processing plants and related infrastructure.  As a result, the Company is and will continue to be subject to all of the risks associated with establishing new mining operations, including:

the timing and cost, which can be considerable, of the construction of mining and processing facilities;
the availability and cost of skilled labour, mining equipment and principal supplies needed for operations;
the availability and cost of appropriate smelting and refining arrangements;
the need to maintain necessary environmental and other governmental approvals and permits;
the availability of funds to finance construction and development activities;
potential opposition from governments, non-governmental organizations, environmental groups, local groups or other stakeholders, which may delay or prevent development activities; and
potential increases in construction and operating costs due to changes in the cost of labour, fuel, power, materials and supplies.

It is not unusual in the mining industry for new mining operations to experience unexpected difficulties during the start-up phase or the initial production phase, resulting in production suspensions, delays and requiring more capital than anticipated. It is also common in new mining operations to experience unexpected problems, delays and costs during mine development and ramp-up to full production capacity. Such factors can add to the costs of the mine development, production and operations and/or impair production and mining activities, thereby affecting the Company’s cashflows and profitability.  Any unexpected complications and delays in the completion and successful functioning of these operational elements may result in additional costs being incurred by the Company beyond those already incurred and budgeted.  There can be no assurance that current or future development and expansion plans in respect of the Yaramoko Mine and the Séguéla Project will be successful or completed on time or on budget.

Fortuna | 38


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Environmental Uncertainties

All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. These laws address emissions into the air, discharges into water, management of waste, management of hazardous substances, protection of natural resources, antiquities and endangered species, and reclamation of lands disturbed by mining operations. The Company’s operations generate chemical and metals depositions in the form of tailings. The Company’s ability to obtain, maintain and renew permits and approvals, and to successfully develop and operate mines may be adversely affected by real or perceived impacts associated with the Company’s activities or of other mining companies that affect the environment, human health and safety. Environmental hazards may exist on the Company’s properties which are unknown to the Company at present and were caused by previous or existing owners or operators of the properties, for which the Company could be held liable.

Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which is imposing stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, in addition to more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations may require significant capital outlays on behalf of the Company and may cause material changes or delays in the Company’s intended activities. Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities, causing operations to cease or be curtailed. Such enforcement actions may include the imposition of corrective measures requiring capital expenditure, installation of new equipment or remedial action. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the Company’s operations.

The activities of the Company require licenses and permits from various governmental authorities. The Company currently has been granted the requisite licenses and permits to enable it to carry on its existing business and operations. On December 20, 2021, the Company announced that SEMARNAT had granted a 12 year extension to the EIA for the San Jose Mine. Subsequently on January 28, 2022, the Company announced that it had received a notice from SEMARNAT which advised that SEMARNAT had made a typographical error in the extension to the term of the EIA for the San Jose Mine and that the correct term is two years. The Mexican Federal Administrative Court has admitted the Company’s legal proceedings and has granted an injunction in favour of the Company, which suspends the reduction of the term of the EIA from 12 years to two years during the course of the legal proceedings. The results of the legal challenge cannot be predicted with certainty due to the uncertainty inherent in litigation, including the difficulty of predicting decisions and the timing required to render decisions.  The process of challenging the asserted typographical error could, as a result, take away from the time and effort of the Company’s management and could force the Company to pay substantial legal fees or penalties. Further, there can be no assurances that the resolutions of any such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all the necessary licenses and permits which may be required to carry out exploration, development and mining operations for its projects in the future. The Company might find itself in situations where the state of compliance with regulation and permits can be subject to interpretation and challenge from authorities that could carry risk of fines or temporary stoppage.

Diseases, epidemics and pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic) may adversely impact the Company’s operations, financial condition and share price.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020 and resulted in a widespread global health crisis. The international response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus has led to significant restrictions on travel, temporary business closures, mandatory quarantines, global stock market volatility, operating and supply chain delays and disruptions, and a general reduction in consumer activity.  Although a number of restrictions are in the process of being removed, the possibility of a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus, spread of new

Fortuna | 39


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

variants or mutations thereof, or outbreak of other communicable disease in areas in which Fortuna operates may result in the re-imposition of certain of the foregoing restrictions and/or may result in further restrictions.

The Company’s business and operations have been and may continue to be materially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (or any other disease, epidemic or pandemic), including ongoing uncertainty as to the extent and duration of the pandemic. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, our operations in Latin America were impacted by the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including variants and mutations thereof which resulted in a reduced workforce at times and quarantine periods for those affected.  

Even though the Company has and continues to implement business continuity measures to mitigate and reduce any potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, future outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus (or any other disease, epidemic or pandemic) in the countries in which the Company operates could materially and adversely affect the domestic labour supply, the Company’s ability to maintain a skilled workforce and the operations of the Company’s suppliers, any of which would have an effect on the Company’s financial condition. In particular, the materialization of one or more such risks could have a material adverse impact on the Company's producing mines or construction and development activities at the Séguéla Project, the continued operation of the Company’s mines and exploration projects, and the Company’s ability to transport and sell concentrates and doré.

Given the ever evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult to predict the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (or any other disease, epidemic or pandemic) on the Company and its business, which will depend on future developments, including: the duration, severity and geographic spread of the COVID-19 virus (or other communicable disease); further actions that may be taken by governmental authorities, which could include travel restrictions and the suspension of business activities, including mining; the effectiveness and timing of actions taken to contain and treat the COVID-19 virus and variants or mutations thereof, including the effectiveness and uptake of vaccines; and how quickly and to what extent normal economic conditions and operating conditions can resume.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to heighten many of the other risks described in this AIF, including: volatility in commodity prices (including gold, silver, lead and zinc); volatility in the stock markets on which the Company’s Common Shares and Debentures are listed; and in the price of the Company’s securities, any of which could impact the Company’s ability to raise capital or refinance the Company’s debt obligations in the future, which may have a material adverse effect on the business, operations and financial condition of Company. Additionally, inflationary pressures relating to global financial support measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of current supply chain challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, are and may continue to have both direct and indirect impacts on the Company’s operating costs, which could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company remains focused on ensuring the health and safety of the workforce and in continuing measures to prevent and manage transmission of COVID-19 amongst the workforce and the wider community, however there can be no assurance that such measures will continue to be successful.

Risks Associated with the Integration of the Company and Roxgold

The completion of the business combination of Roxgold is expected to result in among other benefits, a combination of quality assets resulting in increased gold production; a complementary and diversified portfolio of assets in West Africa and the Americas; multiple brownfields and greenfields options across the Americas and West Africa, and a low-cost platform of precious metals production and growth. The ability of the Company to realize the benefits of the acquisition will depend in part on successfully consolidating functions and integrating operations, procedures and personnel in a timely and efficient manner, as well as the Company’s ability to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and synergies from integrating Roxgold's business. This integration will require the dedication of management effort, time and resources

Fortuna | 40


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

which may divert management's focus and resources from other strategic opportunities available to the Company, and from operational matters during this process.

In addition, the integration process could result in the disruption of existing relationships with suppliers, employees, customers and other constituencies of Fortuna and Roxgold. There can be no assurance that management will be able to integrate the operations of each of the businesses successfully or achieve any of the synergies or other benefits that are anticipated to result from the acquisition. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of the respective ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect the ability of management to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. Any inability of management to successfully integrate the operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks of Operating in West Africa

Certain of our operations are currently conducted in West Africa, with the Yaramoko Mine in Burkina Faso and the Séguéla Project in Côte d’Ivoire, and as such as is common in other mining jurisdictions, the Company’s operations are exposed to various political, economic, and other risks and uncertainties.  The Company is subject to risks associated with operating in West Africa with its Yaramoko Mine in Burkina Faso and the Séguéla Project in Côte d’Ivoire. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: civil and ethnic unrest, war (including in neighbouring countries), terrorist actions, hostage taking or detainment of personnel, military repression, criminal activity, nationalization, invalidation of governmental orders, failure to enforce existing laws, labour disputes, corruption, sovereign risk, political instability, the failure of foreign parties, courts or governments to honour or enforce contractual relations or uphold property rights, changing government regulations with respect to mining (including royalties, environmental requirements, labour, taxation, land tenure, foreign investments, income repatriation and capital recovery), fluctuations in currency exchange and inflation rates, import and export restrictions, the expropriation of property interests, as well as by laws and policies of Canada affecting foreign trade, investment and taxation.

Following instability in recent years in several West African countries, the prevailing security environment in these countries has deteriorated due to the presence of various militant secessionist and Islamist paramilitary groups, as well as a result of the January 2022 military coup in Burkina Faso. While the Company has implemented additional measures in response to ensure the security of its various assets, personnel and contractors, and continues to cooperate with regional governments, their security forces and applicable third parties, there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful. Any failure to maintain the security of its assets, personnel and contractors may have a material adverse effect on Company’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. To date, neither our employees nor our operations have been impacted by the security situation in Burkina Faso.

As African governments continue to struggle with deficits and depressed economies, the strength of commodity prices has resulted in the gold mining sector being targeted as a source of revenue. Governments are continually assessing the terms for a mining company to exploit resources in their country.

Operations may also be impacted to varying degrees by the lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, which may not be immune from the influence of political pressure, corruption, or other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law. Businesses can become involved in lengthy court cases over simple issues when rulings are not clearly defined, and the poor drafting of laws and excessive delays in the legal process for resolving issues or disputes compound such problems.

Any of the above events could delay or prevent the Company from operating, developing, or exploring its properties even if economic quantities of minerals are found and could have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s operations.

Fortuna | 41


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Safety and Security

The Company’s Yaramoko Mine is located in Burkina Faso and the advanced exploration Séguéla Gold Project is located in in Côte d’Ivoire.  Following instability in recent years in several West African countries, the prevailing security environment in these countries has deteriorated due to the presence of various militant secessionist and Islamist paramilitary groups. While additional measures have been implemented in response to ensure the security of its various assets, personnel and contractors, and the Company continues to cooperate with regional governments, their security forces and third parties, there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful. Any failure to maintain the security of its assets, personnel and contractors may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. To date, neither employees nor operations have been impacted by the security situation in Burkina Faso.

While there is no reason to believe that the Company’s employees or operations will be targeted by criminal and/or terrorist activities in the countries in which we operate, risks associated with conducting business in the region, along with the increased perception that such incidents are likely to occur, may disrupt the Company’s operations, limit its ability to hire and keep qualified personnel, and impair its access to sources of capital or insurance on terms and at rates that are commercially viable. Furthermore, although the Company has developed procedures regarding the mitigation of such risks, due to the unpredictable nature of criminal and/or terrorist activities, there is no assurance that its efforts will be able to effectively mitigate such risks and safeguard the Company’s personnel and assets.

Political Risk in Burkina Faso

Following instability in recent years in several West African countries, the prevailing security environment in these countries has deteriorated due to the presence of various militant secessionist and Islamist paramilitary groups, as well as a result of the January 2022 military coup in Burkina Faso. While the Company has implemented additional measures in response to ensure the security of its various assets, personnel and contractors, and continues to cooperate with regional governments, their security forces and applicable third parties, there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful. Any failure to maintain the security of its assets, personnel and contractors may have a material adverse effect on Company’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. To date, neither our employees nor our operations have been impacted by the security situation in Burkina Faso.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations.  All of our trade receivables from concentrate sales are held with large international metals trading companies.  

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are held through large financial institutions. These investments mature at various dates within one year.

The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk as at March 31, 2022 and 2021 is as follows

As at

    

March 31, 2022

    

December 31, 2021

Cash and cash equivalents

110.4

107.1

Derivative assets

2.6

1.5

Trade and other receivables

86.6

76.5

Income tax receivable

3.4

1.7

Other non-current receivables

5.8

6.0

208.8

192.8

Figures may not add due to rounding

Fortuna | 42


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk. We limit our exposure to counterparty credit risk on cash and term deposits by only dealing with financial institutions with high credit ratings and through our investment policy of purchasing only instruments with a high credit rating. Almost all of our concentrate is sold to large well-known concentrate buyers.

Metal Price Risk

The Company derives its revenue from the sale of silver, gold, lead, and zinc.  The Company’s sales are directly dependent on metal prices, and metal prices have historically shown significant volatility that is beyond the Company’s control.  

The following table illustrates the sensitivity to a +/-10% change in metal prices on the Company’s outstanding trade receivables as at March 31, 2022:

Metal

Change

Effect on Sales

Silver

+/- 10%

1.4

Gold

+/- 10%

0.6

Lead

+/- 10%

0.3

Zinc

+/- 10%

0.5

From time to time, the Company mitigates the price risk associated with its base metal production by entering into forward sale and collar contracts for some of its forecasted base metal production and non-metal commodities.  

Refer to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 for details of contracts entered into.

The zinc, lead, and fuel contracts are derivative financial instruments and are not accounted for as designated hedges. They were initially recognized at fair value on the date on which the related derivative contracts were entered into and are subsequently re-measured to estimated fair value. Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of the derivatives are credited or charged to profit or loss.

Currency Risk

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates as a portion of our expenses are incurred in Canadian dollars, Peruvian soles, Argentine pesos, Mexican pesos, Euro, Australian dollar, and West African CFA francs. A significant change in the foreign exchange rates between the United States dollar relative to the other currencies could have a material effect on the Company’s profit or loss, financial position, or cash flows.

The following table summarizes the sensitivity to a +/-10% change in foreign currency exchange rates on the Company’s foreign currency exposure as at March 31, 2022:

Currency of foreign denominated items

Change

Effect

Mexican pesos

+/- 10%

0.4

Peruvian soles

+/- 10%

1.0

Argentine pesos

+/- 10%

0.2

Canadian dollars

+/- 10%

1.1

West African CFA franc

+/- 10%

2.0

Australian Dollar

+/- 10%

0.1

Euro

+/- 10%

-

Due to the volatility of the exchange rate for Argentine peso, the Company is applying additional measures in cash management to minimize potential losses arising from the conversion of funds. As discussed below in the capital

Fortuna | 43


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

management section, the Company is required to convert the equivalent value into Argentine peso from the export sale of all gold doré from the Lindero Mine. In addition, the Company would be required to obtain the prior consent of the Argentine Central Bank for the payment of cash dividends and distributions of profits out of Argentina.  

The following tables summarizes the Company’s exposure to currency risk through the following assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies:

As at March 31, 2022 (In millions of local currency)

    

Canadian
dollars

Peruvian
soles

Mexican
pesos

Argentine
pesos

West African CFA Franc

Australian
Dollars

Euro

Cash and cash equivalents

1.0

4.9

13.1

4.3

8,674.8

-

-

Marketable securities

0.4

-

-

-

-

-

-

Restricted cash

-

-

-

-

1,191.3

-

-

Trade and VAT receivables

0.8

0.6

183.9

1,526.5

13,534.9

(0.1)

-

Income tax receivable

-

3.6

67.5

-

-

-

-

VAT - long term receivable

-

-

70.5

-

-

-

-

Trade and other payables

(17.1)

(35.2)

(307.2)

(1,174.0)

(10,185.8)

(0.7)

(0.4)

Provisions, current

-

(2.8)

(13.4)

(95.4)

-

-

-

Income tax payable

-

(0.4)

(26.0)

-

-

-

-

Other liabilities

(0.5)

-

(6.3)

-

-

-

-

Provisions, non current

-

(11.9)

(79.2)

-

-

-

-

Total foreign currency exposure

(15.4)

(41.2)

(97.1)

261.4

13,215.2

(0.8)

(0.4)

US$ equivalent of foreign currency exposure

(12.3)

(11.1)

(4.9)

2.3

22.3

(0.8)

(0.3)

Figures may not add due to rounding

As at December 31, 2021 (In millions of local currency)

    

Canadian
dollars

Peruvian
soles

Mexican
pesos

Argentine
pesos

West African CFA Franc

Australian
Dollars

Euro

Cash and cash equivalents

1.7

5.5

18.1

4.3

11,494.9

-

-

Marketable securities

0.5

-

-

-

-

-

-

Restricted cash

-

-

-

-

1,167.0

-

-

Trade and VAT receivables

0.7

2.1

174.2

1,526.5

13,433.4

-

-

Income tax receivable

-

20.7

-

-

-

-

-

VAT - long term receivable

-

-

70.5

-

-

-

-

Trade and other payables

(3.8)

(17.5)

(400.7)

(1,174.0)

(10,094.2)

(0.9)

(1.4)

Provisions, current

(0.1)

(4.4)

(13.5)

(95.4)

-

-

-

Income tax payable

-

-

(87.9)

-

-

-

-

Other liabilities

-

-

(6.2)

-

-

-

-

Provisions, non current

-

-

(87.3)

-

-

-

-

Total foreign currency exposure

(1.0)

6.4

(332.8)

261.4

16,001.1

(0.9)

(1.4)

US$ equivalent of foreign currency exposure

(0.8)

1.7

(16.8)

2.7

28.5

(0.7)

(1.2)

Figures may not add due to rounding

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as they come due. We manage our liquidity risk by continually monitoring forecasted and actual cash flows. We have in place a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support our normal operating requirements and our development plans. We aim to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet our short term business requirements, taking into account our anticipated cash flows from operations, our holdings of cash and cash equivalents, and our committed and anticipated liabilities.

Fortuna | 44


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

The Company manages its liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecasted and actual cashflows.  A rigorous reporting, planning, and budgeting process are in place to help facilitate forecasting funding requirements, to support operations on an ongoing basis and with expansion plans, if any.  See also Liquidity and Capital Resources.  

As at March 31, 2022, the Company expects the following maturities of its financial liabilities, lease obligations, and other contractual commitments, excluding payments relating to interest:

Expected payments due by year as at March 31, 2022

Less than

After

1 year

1 - 3 years

4 - 5 years

5 years

Total

Trade and other payables

119.4

-

-

-

119.4

Debt

-

55.9

150.0

-

205.9

Income taxes payable

13.8

-

-

-

13.8

Lease obligations

11.6

8.7

1.1

17.6

39.0

Other liabilities

-

3.2

-

-

3.2

Capital commitments, Séguéla

47.3

5.2

-

-

52.5

Closure and reclamation provisions

2.1

6.4

20.7

27.6

56.8

Total

194.2

79.4

171.8

45.2

490.6

Figures may not add due to rounding

Fortuna | 45


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Capital Management

The Company’s objective when managing its capital is to maintain its ability to continue as a going concern while at the same time maximizing the growth of its business and providing returns to its shareholders.  The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments based on changes to its economic environment and the risk characteristics of the Company’s assets.  

Effective December 23, 2019, changes to Argentina’s tax laws proposed by the new Argentine Government were implemented. The changes ratified and extended legislation which was to expire on December 31, 2019 and allow the Argentine Central Bank to regulate funds coming into and flowing out of Argentina in order to maintain stability and support the economic recovery of the country. The Argentine Government has not set an expiry date for these restrictions, and they currently remain in place. These capital controls together with additional temporary controls enacted on May 29, 2020, have the effect of: requiring exporters to convert the equivalent value of foreign currency received from the export into Argentine Pesos; requiring the prior consent of the Argentine Central Bank to the payment of cash dividends and distributions of currency out of Argentina; requiring Argentine companies to convert foreign currency loans received from abroad into Argentine Pesos; and restricting the sale of Argentine Pesos for foreign currency.

Certain of the costs and expenses to fund the construction at the Lindero Mine were advanced by way of intercompany loans. Under the terms of the Argentine Central Bank regulation, any funds in foreign currency which were advanced by the Company as a loan to its Argentine subsidiary in connection with the payment of construction costs and expenses at the Lindero Mine, are to the extent that the funds were advanced in foreign currency, required to be converted into Argentine Pesos at a conversion rate negotiated at the foreign exchange market within five business days from the date of the receipt of the funds in Argentina. When the loan is to be repaid, the regulation requires proof that the loan was advanced in foreign currency and converted into local currency in order to repay the loan in foreign currency. Due to the volatility of the exchange rate for Argentine Pesos, the Company will apply additional measures in cash management to minimize potential gains or losses arising from the conversion of funds. In addition, the Argentine Central Bank has also issued a temporary measure in effect until December 31, 2022, which requires the consent of the Argentine Central Bank to the repayment of certain types of intercompany loans.  There can be no assurance that the temporary measure will not be extended.

As part of the structure used to fund the construction of the Lindero project and the operation of the Lindero Mine, Fortuna has implemented a series of intercompany revolving pre-export financing facilities in an aggregate of $110 million. This allows exporters to apply the proceeds of sales directly towards payment of principal and interest under the facility.  The facilities are not impacted by the regulations described above, and the Company expects that it can continue to repatriate funds during 2022 through this mechanism

The Company’s capital requirement is effectively managed based on the Company having a thorough reporting, planning, and forecasting process to help identify the funds required to ensure the Company is able to meet its operating and growth objectives.

Fortuna | 46


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

The Company’s capital structure consists of equity comprising of share capital, reserves, and retained earnings as well as debt consisting of credit facilities and convertible debentures, lease obligations less cash and cash equivalents.

As at

March 31, 2022

    

December 31, 2021

Equity

1,400.8

1,375.1

Debt

198.0

157.5

Lease obligations

27.4

29.4

Less: cash and cash equivalents

(110.4)

(107.1)

1,515.8

1,454.9

Figures may not add due to rounding

As discussed above, the Company operates in Argentina where the new Argentine government has ratified and extended legislation to allow the Argentine Central Bank to regulate funds coming into and flowing out of Argentina.  Other than the restrictions related to these capital controls and complying with the debt covenants under the credit facilities, the Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements. As at March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.  See also Liquidity and Capital Resources.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. Currently, our interest rate exposure mainly relates to interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents balances, interest paid on its LIBOR-based debt, and the mark-to-market value of derivative instruments which depend on interest rates.

Key Personnel

The Company is dependent on a number of key management and employee personnel.  The Company’s ability to manage its exploration, development, construction, and operating activities, and hence its success, will depend in large part on the ability to retain current personnel and attract and retain new personnel, including management, technical, and unskilled employees.  The loss of the services of one or more key management personnel, as well as a prolonged labor disruption, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to successfully manage and expand its affairs.

Claims and Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the normal course of business.  The Company may be subject to claims by local communities, indigenous groups, or private land owners relating to land and mineral rights and such claimants may seek sizable monetary damages or seek the return of surface or mineral rights that may be valuable to the Company which may significantly impact operations and profitability, if lost.  These matters are subject to various uncertainties and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved with an unfavorable outcome to the Company.  The Company does carry liability insurance coverage, but such coverage does not cover all risks to which the Company may be exposed to.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed at each period end. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Fortuna | 47


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

For further information on our significant judgements and accounting estimates, refer to note 4 of our audited annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. There have been no subsequent material changes to these significant judgements and accounting estimates.

Changes in Accounting Policies

The accounting policies applied in our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022 are the same as those applied in the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 . A number of new standards and amendments to standards are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022 and earlier application is permitted; however, we have not early adopted and continue to evaluate the impact of the forthcoming or amended standards in preparing our condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide reasonable assurance that all material information related to the Company is identified and communicated to management on a timely basis. Management of the Company, under the supervision of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for the design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 52-109 of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“National Instrument 52-109”) and as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the U.S. Exchange Act).

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.  However, due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements and fraud.

There have been no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This MD&A and any documents incorporated by reference into this MD&A contain forward-looking statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “Forward-looking Statements”). All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are Forward-looking Statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-Looking Statements. The Forward-looking Statements in this MD&A include, without limitation, statements relating to:

mineral “reserves” and “resources” as they involve the implied assessment, based on estimates and assumptions that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future;

Fortuna | 48


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

production rates and forecasted production for 2022 at the Company’s properties;
cash cost estimates;
forecasted cash costs and all-in sustaining costs estimates at the Company’s mines;
timing for delivery of materials and equipment for the Company’s properties;
the sufficiency of the Company’s cash position and its ability to raise equity capital or access debt facilities;
the Company’s planned Greenfields exploration programs including related activities and the costs and timing thereof;
the Company’s planned capital expenditures and brownfields exploration at each of the Company’s mines;
the Company’s construction of the open pit gold mine and processing plant at the Séguéla Project, and the  estimated initial capital investment for the construction of the mine, the duration of the construction schedule and the timing for the ramp up to name plate capacity;
the ability to successfully integrate the acquisition of Roxgold into the operations of the Company, and risks that the anticipated benefits of the Roxgold acquisition will not be realized or fully realized;
undisclosed risks and liabilities relating to the acquisition of Roxgold and the loss of key employees related to same;
the Company’s ability to manage challenges presented by COVID-19 and the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business and operations, and financial condition, including the Company’s ability to operate or to continue operating at its sites;
the effectiveness of the preventative measures and safety protocols put in place by the Company to curb the spread of COVID-19;
maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities, finance leases and other contractual commitments;
expiry dates of bank letters of guarantee;
the effectiveness and impact of, and Fortuna’s commitment to, the Sustainability Framework and related disclosure, ESG policies and targets and other operational and governance policies;
complying with anti-corruption laws and internal controls;
litigation matters;
estimated mine closure costs and timing; and
the Company's plans and expectations for its material properties and future exploration, development and operating activities including, without limitation, capital expenditure and production estimates, exploration activities and budgets, forecasts and schedule estimates, as well as their impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “scheduled”, “targets”, “possible”, “strategy”, “potential”, “intends”, “advance”, “goal”, “objective”, “projects”, “budget”, “calculates” or statements that events, “will”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

The forward-looking statements in this MD&A also include financial outlooks and other forward-looking metrics relating to Fortuna and its business, including references to financial and business prospects and future results of operations,  including production, and cost guidance and anticipated future financial performance. Such information, which may be considered future oriented financial information or financial outlooks within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “FOFI”), has been approved by management of the Company and is based on assumptions which management believes were reasonable on the date such FOFI was prepared, having regard to the industry, business, financial conditions, plans and prospects of Fortuna and its business and properties. These projections are provided to describe the prospective performance of the Company's business. Nevertheless, readers are cautioned that such information is highly subjective and should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results and that actual results may differ significantly from such projections. FOFI constitutes forward-looking statements and is subject to the same assumptions, uncertainties, risk factors and qualifications as set forth below.

Fortuna | 49


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others:

operational risks relating to mining and mineral processing;
uncertainty relating to Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates;
uncertainty relating to capital and operating costs, production schedules and economic returns;
uncertainty relating to new mining operations and development projects such as the Lindero Mine and the Séguéla Gold Project, including the possibility that actual capital and operating costs and economic returns will differ significantly from those estimated for such projects prior to production;
uncertainty relating to the costs of the construction, the financing of construction  and timing for the completion of the Séguéla Project;
risks relating to the Company’s ability to replace its Mineral Reserves;
risks associated with mineral exploration and project development;
uncertainty relating to the repatriation of funds as a result of currency controls;
environmental matters including maintaining, obtaining or renewing environmental permits and potential liability claims;
uncertainty relating to nature and climate conditions;
risks associated with political instability and changes to the regulations governing the Company’s business operations;
changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in countries in which the Company does or may carry on business;
risks associated with war, hostilities or other conflicts, such as the Ukrainian – Russian conflict, and the impact it may have on global economic activity;
risks relating to the termination of the Company’s mining concessions in certain circumstances;
risks related to International Labor Organization (“ILO”) Convention 169 compliance;
developing and maintaining good relationships with local communities and stakeholders;
risks associated with losing control of public perception as a result of social media and other web-based applications;
potential opposition to the Company’s exploration, development and operational activities;
risks related to the Company’s ability to obtain adequate financing for planned exploration and development activities;
substantial reliance on the Lindero Mine, the Yaramoko Mine and the San Jose Mine for revenues;
property title matters;
risks relating to the integration of businesses and assets acquired by the Company;
impairments;
risks associated with climate change legislation;
reliance on key personnel;
uncertainty relating to potential conflicts of interest involving the Company’s directors and officers;
risks associated with the Company’s reliance on local counsel and advisors and the experience of its management and board of directors in foreign jurisdictions;
adequacy of insurance coverage;
operational safety and security risks;
risks related to the Company’s compliance with the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
risks related to the foreign corrupt practices regulations and anti-bribery laws;

Fortuna | 50


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

legal proceedings and potential legal proceedings;
uncertainties relating to general economic conditions;
risks relating to a global pandemic, which until contained could continue to cause a slowdown in global economic growth and impact the Company’s business, operations, financial condition and share price;
the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business, operations and financial condition, including the Company’s ability operate or continue to operate at its sites in light of government restrictions, and possible future suspensions of operations at the mine sites related to COVID-19;
the Company’s ability to manage the various challenges (both anticipated and not) presented by COVID-19 to its business, operations and financial condition;
competition;
fluctuations in metal prices;
risks associated with entering into commodity forward and option contracts for base metals production;
fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
failure to meet covenants under its Credit Facilities, or an event of default which may reduce the Company’s liquidity and adversely affect its business;
tax audits and reassessments;
risks relating to hedging;
uncertainty relating to concentrate treatment charges and transportation costs;
sufficiency of monies allotted by the Company for land reclamation;
risks associated with dependence upon information technology systems, which are subject to disruption, damage, failure and risks with implementation and integration;
risks associated with climate change legislation;
our ability to manage physical and transition risks related to climate change and successfully adapt our business strategy to a low carbon global economy;
our plan to release climate-related goals in 2022 and the anticipated nature and effect of climate related risks;
risks related to the volatility of the trading price of the Company’s common shares and the Company’s Debentures (as defined herein);
dilution from further equity or convertible debenture financings; and
risks related to future insufficient liquidity resulting from a decline in the price of the Common Shares or Debentures;
uncertainty relating to the Company’s ability to pay dividends in the future;
risks relating to the market for the Company’s securities;
risks relating to the Debentures of the Company; and
uncertainty relating to the enforcement of U.S. judgments against the Company.

as well as those factors referred to in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section in this MD&A and in the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the Company’s Form 40-F and available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.  Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking Statements contained in this MD&A are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to:

Fortuna | 51


Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in US Dollars, tabular amounts in millions, except where noted)

all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained and maintained for the exploration, development, construction and production of its properties;
the ability to successfully integrate the operations of Roxgold into the operations of the Company;
there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether relating to labour, supply, power, damage to equipment or other matter;
the world-wide economic and social impact of COVID-19 is managed, and the duration and extent of the coronavirus pandemic is minimized or not long-term;
there being no material and negative impact to the various contractors, suppliers and subcontractors at the Company’s mine sites as a result of the Ukrainian – Russian conflict, COVID-19 or otherwise that would impair their ability to provide goods and services;
permitting, construction, development, expansion, and production continuing on a basis consistent with the Company’s current expectations;
expected trends and specific assumptions regarding metal prices and currency exchange rates;
prices for and availability of fuel, electricity, parts and equipment and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels;
production forecasts meeting expectations;
management’s expectation that any investigations, claims, and legal, labor and tax proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business will not have a material effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company; and
the accuracy of the Company’s current mineral resource and reserve estimates.

These Forward-looking Statements are made as of the date of this MD&A. There can be no assurance that Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward-looking Statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward looking-statements after the date of this document or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS CONCERNING ESTIMATES OF RESERVES AND RESOURCES

The Company is a Canadian “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is permitted to prepare the technical information contained herein in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the securities laws currently in effect in the United States.  

Technical disclosure regarding the Company’s properties included herein was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 — Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“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. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) generally applicable to U.S. companies. Accordingly, information contained herein is not comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies reporting pursuant to SEC disclosure requirements.

Fortuna | 52