USE OF ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS, AND JUDGEMENTS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Use of Estimates, Assumptions and Judgements [abstract]
USE OF ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS, AND JUDGEMENTS	4. USE OF ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS, AND JUDGEMENTS The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the period end date and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Such judgements and estimates are, by their nature, uncertain. Actual outcomes could differ from these estimates. The impact of such judgements and estimates are pervasive throughout the financial statements, and may require accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. These judgements and estimates are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and are accounted for prospectively. In preparing these consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company applied the critical estimates, assumptions and judgements as disclosed below. (a) Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions Areas where critical accounting estimates and assumptions have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements include: i. Mineral Reserves and Resources and the Life of Mine Plan The Company estimates its mineral reserves and mineral resources in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. Estimates of the quantities of the mineral reserves and mineral resources form the basis for the Company’s life of mine plans, which are used for the calculation of depletion expense under the units of production method, impairment tests, and forecasting the timing of the payments related to the environmental reclamation provision. Significant estimation is involved in determining the reserves and resources included within the Company’s life of mine plans. Changes in forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery rates may result in the Company’s life-of-mine plan being revised and such changes could impact depletion rates, asset carrying values and the environmental reclamation provision. As at December 31, 2022, the Company used the following long-term prices for the reserve and resource estimations: gold $1,600/oz, silver $21/oz, lead $2,100/t and zinc $2,600/t. In addition to the estimates above, estimation is involved in determining the percentage of resources ultimately expected to be converted to reserves and hence included in the Company’s life of mine plans. The Company’s life of mine plans include a portion of inferred resources as the Company believes this provides a better estimate of the expected life of mine for certain types of deposits, in particular for vein type structures. The percentage of inferred resources out of the total tonnage included in the life of mine plans is based on site specific geological, technical, and economic considerations. Estimation of future conversion of resources is inherently uncertain and involves judgement, and actual outcomes may vary from these judgements and estimates and such changes could have a material impact on the financial results. Some of the key assumptions in the estimation process include geological continuity, stationarity in the grades within defined domains, reasonable geotechnical and metallurgical conditions, treatment of outlier (extreme) values, cut-off grade determination and the establishment of geostatistical and search parameters. Revisions to these estimates are accounted for prospectively in the period in which the change in estimate arises. ii. Valuation of Mineral Properties and Exploration Properties The Company carries its mineral properties at cost less accumulated depletion and any accumulated impairment. The costs of each property and related capitalized expenditures are depleted over the economic life of the property on a units-of-production basis. When a property is abandoned or when there is an impairment, costs are charged to profit or loss. The Company undertakes a review of the carrying values of mining properties and related expenditures whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may exceed their estimated recoverable amounts determined by reference to estimated future operating results and discounted net cash flows. Where previous impairment has been recorded, the Company analyzes any impairment reversal indicators. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value of those assets is not recoverable. In undertaking this review, management of the Company is required to make significant estimates of, amongst other things, future production and sales volumes, metal prices, discount rates, mineral resource and reserve quantities, future operating and capital costs to the end of the mine’s life, and reclamation costs. These estimates are subject to various risks and uncertainties which may ultimately have an effect on the expected recoverability of the carrying values of the mining properties and related expenditures. The Company, from time to time, acquires exploration and development properties. When properties are acquired, the Company must determine the fair value attributable to each of the properties. When the Company conducts exploration on a mineral property and the results from the exploration do not support the carrying value, the property is written down to its new fair value which could have a material effect on the consolidated statement of financial position and the consolidated income statement. iii. Deferred stripping costs In determining whether stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mining property relate to mineral reserves that will be mined in a future period and therefore should be capitalized, the Company makes estimates of the proportion of stripping activity which relates to extracting ore in the current period versus the proportion which relates to obtaining access to ore reserves which will be mined in the future. iv. Inventory Finished goods, work-in-process, heap leach ore, and stockpile ore are valued at the lower of the average production costs or net realizable value. The assumptions used in the valuation of work-in process inventories include estimates of gold contained in the ore stacked on leach pads, assumptions of the amount of gold stacked that is expected to be recovered from the leach pads, the amount of gold in the mill circuits and assumption of the gold price expected to be realized when the gold is recovered. If these estimates or assumptions prove to be inaccurate, the Company could be required to write-down the recorded value of its work-in-process inventories, which would reduce the Company's earnings and working capital. v. Reclamation and Other Closure Provisions The Company has obligations for reclamation and other closure activities related to its mining properties. The future obligations for mine closure activities are estimated by the Company using mine closure plans or other similar studies which outline the requirements that will be carried out to meet the obligations. Because the obligations are dependent on the laws and regulations of the countries in which the mines operate, the requirements could change as a result of amendments in the laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and other legislation affecting resource companies. As the estimate of the obligations is based on future expectations, a number of estimates and assumptions are made by management in the determination of closure provisions. vi. Revenue from metal in concentrate The Company’s sales of metal in concentrates allow for price adjustments based on the market price at the end of the relevant quotational period (“QP”) stipulated in the contract. These are referred to as provisional pricing arrangements and are such that the selling price for metal in concentrate is based on the prevailing spot price on a specified future date. At each balance sheet date, the Company estimates the value of the trade receivable using forward metal prices. Adjustments to the sale price occur based on movements in quoted market prices up to the end of the QP. The period between provisional invoicing and the end of the QP is generally between one and three months. Any future changes over the QP are embedded within the provisionally priced trade receivables and are, therefore, within the scope of IFRS 9 and not within the scope of IFRS 15. As such, the provisional price adjustments are accounted for as derivatives and presented separately in Note 19 of these financial statements. vii. Contingencies Contingencies can be either possible assets or possible liabilities arising from past events which, by their nature, will only be resolved when one or more future events not within our control occur or fail to occur. The assessment of such contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgement and estimates of the outcome of future events. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings or regulatory or government actions that may negatively impact our business or operations, the Company with assistance from its legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims or actions. A liability is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when the outcome of the legal proceedings is probable and the estimated settlement amount can be estimated reliably. Contingent assets are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements until virtually certain. (b) Critical Accounting Judgements in Applying the Entity’s Accounting Policies Judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are as follows: i. Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases and losses carried forward. The determination of the ability of the Company to utilize tax loss carryforwards to offset deferred tax liabilities requires management to exercise judgement and make certain assumptions about the future performance of the Company. Management is required to assess whether it is “probable” that the Company will benefit from these prior losses and other deferred tax assets. Changes in economic conditions, metal prices and other factors could result in revisions to the estimates of the benefits to be realized or the timing of utilization of the losses. ii. Assessment of Impairment and Reversal of Impairment Indicators Management applies significant judgement in assessing whether indicators of impairment or impairment reversal exist for an asset or a group of assets. External sources of information the Company considers include changes in the market, economic and legal environment in which the Company operates that are not within its control and affect the recoverable amount of mining interests. Internal sources of information the Company considers include the manner in which mining properties and plant and equipment are being used or are expected to be used, and indicators of economic performance of the assets. iii. Functional Currency The functional currency for the Company and its subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which each operates. The determination of functional currency may require certain judgements to determine the primary economic environment. The Company reconsiders the functional currency used when there is a change in the events and conditions which determined the primary economic environment. iv. Leases Significant judgements made by management in the accounting for leases primarily included whether the lease conveys the right to use a specific asset, whether the Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset, whether the Company has the right to direct the use of the asset, evaluating the appropriate discount rate to use to discount the lease liability for each lease or groups of assets, and to determine the lease term where a contract includes renewal options. Significant judgements over these factors would affect the present value of the lease liabilities, as well as the associated amount of the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset. v. Value-added tax (“VAT”) receivable Timing of collection of VAT receivables is uncertain as VAT refund procedures require a significant amount of information and follow-up. The Company assesses the recoverability of the amounts receivable at each reporting date and the expected timing of the recovery, which are impacted by several factors, including the status of discussions with the tax authorities, and current interpretation of relevant VAT legislation and regulation. Changes in these judgements can materially affect the amount recognized as VAT receivable and could result in an increase in other expenses recognized in profit or loss and the presentation of current and non-current VAT receivable.

USE OF ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS, AND JUDGEMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Use of Estimates, Assumptions and Judgements [abstract]

USE OF ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS, AND JUDGEMENTS

4. USE OF ESTIMATES, ASSUMPTIONS, AND JUDGEMENTS

The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the period end date and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Such judgements and estimates are, by their nature, uncertain. Actual outcomes could differ from these estimates.

The impact of such judgements and estimates are pervasive throughout the financial statements, and may require accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. These judgements and estimates are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and are accounted for prospectively.

In preparing these consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company applied the critical estimates, assumptions and judgements as disclosed below.

(a) Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions

Areas where critical accounting estimates and assumptions have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements include:

i. Mineral Reserves and Resources and the Life of Mine Plan

The Company estimates its mineral reserves and mineral resources in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. Estimates of the quantities of the mineral reserves and mineral resources form the basis for the Company’s life of mine plans, which are used for the calculation of depletion expense under the units of production method, impairment tests, and forecasting the timing of the payments related to the environmental reclamation provision.

Significant estimation is involved in determining the reserves and resources included within the Company’s life of mine plans. Changes in forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery rates may result in the Company’s life-of-mine plan being revised and such changes could impact depletion rates, asset carrying values and the environmental reclamation provision. As at December 31, 2022, the Company used the following long-term prices for the reserve and resource estimations: gold $1,600/oz, silver $21/oz, lead $2,100/t and zinc $2,600/t.

In addition to the estimates above, estimation is involved in determining the percentage of resources ultimately expected to be converted to reserves and hence included in the Company’s life of mine plans. The Company’s life of mine plans include a portion of inferred resources as the Company believes this provides a better estimate of the expected life of mine for certain types of deposits, in particular for vein type structures. The percentage of inferred resources out of the total tonnage included in the life of mine plans is based on site specific geological, technical, and economic considerations. Estimation of future conversion of resources is inherently uncertain and involves judgement, and actual outcomes may vary from these judgements and estimates and such changes could have a material impact on the financial results. Some of the key assumptions in the estimation process include geological continuity, stationarity in the grades within defined domains, reasonable geotechnical and metallurgical conditions, treatment of outlier (extreme) values, cut-off grade determination and the establishment of geostatistical and search parameters. Revisions to these estimates are accounted for prospectively in the period in which the change in estimate arises.

ii. Valuation of Mineral Properties and Exploration Properties

The Company carries its mineral properties at cost less accumulated depletion and any accumulated impairment. The costs of each property and related capitalized expenditures are depleted over the economic life of the property on a units-of-production basis. When a property is abandoned or when there is an impairment, costs are charged to profit or loss.

The Company undertakes a review of the carrying values of mining properties and related expenditures whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may exceed their estimated recoverable amounts determined by reference to estimated future operating results and discounted net cash flows. Where previous impairment has been recorded, the Company analyzes any impairment reversal indicators. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value of those assets is not recoverable.

In undertaking this review, management of the Company is required to make significant estimates of, amongst other things, future production and sales volumes, metal prices, discount rates, mineral resource and reserve quantities, future operating and capital costs to the end of the mine’s life, and reclamation costs. These estimates are subject to various risks and uncertainties which may ultimately have an effect on the expected recoverability of the carrying values of the mining properties and related expenditures.

The Company, from time to time, acquires exploration and development properties. When properties are acquired, the Company must determine the fair value attributable to each of the properties. When the Company conducts exploration on a mineral property and the results from the exploration do not support the carrying value, the property is written down to its new fair value which could have a material effect on the consolidated statement of financial position and the consolidated income statement.

iii. Deferred stripping costs

In determining whether stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mining property relate to mineral reserves that will be mined in a future period and therefore should be capitalized, the Company makes estimates of the proportion of stripping activity which relates to extracting ore in the current period versus the proportion which relates to obtaining access to ore reserves which will be mined in the future.

iv. Inventory

Finished goods, work-in-process, heap leach ore, and stockpile ore are valued at the lower of the average production costs or net realizable value. The assumptions used in the valuation of work-in process inventories include estimates of gold contained in the ore stacked on leach pads, assumptions of the amount of gold stacked that is expected to be recovered from the leach pads, the amount of gold in the mill circuits and assumption of the gold price expected to be realized when the gold is recovered. If these estimates or assumptions prove to be inaccurate, the Company could be required to write-down the recorded value of its work-in-process inventories, which would reduce the Company's earnings and working capital.

v. Reclamation and Other Closure Provisions

The Company has obligations for reclamation and other closure activities related to its mining properties. The future obligations for mine closure activities are estimated by the Company using mine closure plans or other similar studies which outline the requirements that will be carried out to meet the obligations.

Because the obligations are dependent on the laws and regulations of the countries in which the mines operate, the requirements could change as a result of amendments in the laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and other legislation affecting resource companies. As the estimate of the obligations is based on future expectations, a number of estimates and assumptions are made by management in the determination of closure provisions.

vi. Revenue from metal in concentrate

The Company’s sales of metal in concentrates allow for price adjustments based on the market price at the end of the relevant quotational period (“QP”) stipulated in the contract. These are referred to as provisional pricing arrangements and are such that the selling price for metal in concentrate is based on the prevailing spot price on a specified future date. At each balance sheet date, the Company estimates the value of the trade receivable using forward metal prices.

Adjustments to the sale price occur based on movements in quoted market prices up to the end of the QP. The period between provisional invoicing and the end of the QP is generally between one and three months. Any future changes over the QP are embedded within the provisionally priced trade receivables and are, therefore, within the scope of IFRS 9 and not within the scope of IFRS 15. As such, the provisional price adjustments are accounted for as derivatives and presented separately in Note 19 of these financial statements.

vii. Contingencies

Contingencies can be either possible assets or possible liabilities arising from past events which, by their nature, will only be resolved when one or more future events not within our control occur or fail to occur. The assessment of such contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgement and estimates of the outcome of future events. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings or regulatory or government actions that may negatively impact our business or operations, the Company with assistance from its legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims or actions.

A liability is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when the outcome of the legal proceedings is probable and the estimated settlement amount can be estimated reliably. Contingent assets are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements until virtually certain.

(b) Critical Accounting Judgements in Applying the Entity’s Accounting Policies

Judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are as follows:

i. Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases and losses carried forward. The determination of the ability of the Company to utilize tax loss carryforwards to offset deferred tax liabilities requires management to exercise judgement and make certain assumptions about the future performance of the Company.

Management is required to assess whether it is “probable” that the Company will benefit from these prior losses and other deferred tax assets. Changes in economic conditions, metal prices and other factors could result in revisions to the estimates of the benefits to be realized or the timing of utilization of the losses.

ii. Assessment of Impairment and Reversal of Impairment Indicators

Management applies significant judgement in assessing whether indicators of impairment or impairment reversal exist for an asset or a group of assets. External sources of information the Company considers include changes in the market, economic and legal environment in which the Company operates that are not within its control and affect the recoverable amount of mining interests. Internal sources of information the Company considers include the manner in which mining properties and plant and equipment are being used or are expected to be used, and indicators of economic performance of the assets.

iii. Functional Currency

The functional currency for the Company and its subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which each operates. The determination of functional currency may require certain judgements to determine the primary economic environment. The Company reconsiders the functional currency used when there is a change in the events and conditions which determined the primary economic environment.

iv. Leases

Significant judgements made by management in the accounting for leases primarily included whether the lease conveys the right to use a specific asset, whether the Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset, whether the Company has the right to direct the use of the asset, evaluating the appropriate discount rate to use to discount the lease liability for each lease or groups of assets, and to determine the lease term where a contract includes renewal options. Significant judgements over these factors would affect the present value of the lease liabilities, as well as the associated amount of the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset.

v. Value-added tax (“VAT”) receivable

Timing of collection of VAT receivables is uncertain as VAT refund procedures require a significant amount of information and follow-up. The Company assesses the recoverability of the amounts receivable at each reporting date and the expected timing of the recovery, which are impacted by several factors, including the status of discussions with the tax authorities, and current interpretation of relevant VAT legislation and regulation. Changes in these judgements can materially affect the amount recognized as VAT receivable and could result in an increase in other expenses recognized in profit or loss and the presentation of current and non-current VAT receivable.