EX-99.2 3 exhibit99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2 Endeavour Silver Corp.: Exhibit 99.2 - Filed by newsfilecorp.com


 



MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2020

This Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Endeavour Silver Corp. ("Endeavour" or "the Company") for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2020 and the related notes contained therein, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). In addition, the following should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the related MD&A. The Company uses certain non-IFRS financial measures in this MD&A as described under "Non-IFRS Measures". Additional information relating to the Company, including the most recent Annual Information Form (the "Annual Information Form"), is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and the Company's most recent annual report on Form 40-F has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This MD&A contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risk factors set out in a cautionary note contained herein. All dollar amounts are expressed in United States ("U.S.") dollars and tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. This MD&A is dated as of July 30, 2020 and all information contained is current as of July 30, 2020 unless otherwise stated.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning Estimates of Mineral Reserves and Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources:


This MD&A has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws.  The terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve" and "probable mineral reserve" are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the "CIM") - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ materially from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.

In addition, the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 reserves.  "The quantity and grade or quality of inferred mineral resources are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling, and geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. Although it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration, readers are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves recognized under NI 43-101 or Industry Guide 7.  Under Canadian rules, inferred mineral resources must not be included in the economic analysis, production schedules, or estimated mine life in any publicly disclosed pre-feasibility or feasibility studies and can only be used in economic studies as provided under NI 43-101..Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures

Accordingly, information contained in this MD&A contains descriptions of the Company's mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, including SEC Industry Guide 7.

 

609 Granville Street, Suite 1130, PO Box #10328, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V7Y 1G5
Phone: 604.685.9775  |  Fax: 604.685.9744  | Toll Free: 1.877.685.9775  Email: info@edrsilver.com
www.edrsilver.com

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This MD&A contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Such forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Endeavour's anticipated performance in 2020, including silver and gold production, financial results, timing and expenditures to develop new silver mines and mineralized zones, silver and gold grades and recoveries, cash costs per ounce, capital expenditures and sustaining capital and the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "forecast", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "outlook" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward- looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the dates the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

The Company does not intend to, and does not assume any obligation to, update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.  Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and are based on assumptions that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors and assumptions include, among others: the ultimate impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations and results, fluctuations in the prices of silver and gold, fluctuations in the currency markets (particularly the Mexican peso, Chilean peso, Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar); changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining (including, but not limited to environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance; availability of and costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties; as well as those factors described under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this MD&A relating to the Company's mines and mineral projects has been reviewed and approved by Godfrey Walton, M.Sc., P.Geo., President and Chief Operating Officer of Endeavour, a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS 4
   
HISTORY AND STRATEGY 5
   
REVIEW OF OPERATING RESULTS 6
   
GUANACEVÍ OPERATIONS 9
   
BOLAÑITOS OPERATIONS 11
   
EL COMPAS OPERATIONS 13
   
EL CUBO OPERATIONS 15
   
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 15
   
EXPLORATION RESULTS 16
   
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS 16
   
NON-IFRS MEASURES 19
   
QUARTERLY RESULTS AND TRENDS 25
   
ANNUAL OUTLOOK 29
   
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 30
   
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES 36
   
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES 36
   
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 36

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

Three Months Ended June 30 Q2 2020 Highlights Six Months Ended June 30

2020

2019

% Change

 

2020

2019

% Change

      Production

 

   

596,545

1,0 59,322

(44%)

Silver ounces produced

1,454,204

2,130,677

(32%)

5,817

9,558

(39%)

Gold ounces produced

14,293

19,613

(27%)

590 ,618

1,0 39,596

(43%)

Payable silver ounces produced

1,440,409

2,0 89,811

(31%)

5,717

9,332

(39%)

Payable gold ounces produced

11,037

19,141

(27%)

1,0 61,90 5

1,823,962

(42%)

Silver equivalent ounces produced(1)

14,037

3,699,717

(30 %)

2.78

13.67

(80 %)

Cash costs per silver ounce(2)(3)

5.77

13.11

(56%)

10 .33

22.87

(55%)

Total production costs per ounce(2)(4)

13.88

21.49

(35%)

14.91

20 .90

(29%)

All-in sustaining costs per ounce(2)(5)

16.96

20 .15

(16%)

114,120

237,640

(52%)

Processed tonnes

313,447

484,159

(35%)

10 9.74

114.40

(4%)

Direct production costs per tonne(2)(6 )

104.59

110 .0 4

(5%)

10 .16

14.10

(28%)

Silver co-product cash costs(7)

10 .99

13.82

(20 %)

1,111

1,282

(13%)

Gold co-product cash costs(7)

1,175

1,215

(3%)

      Financial

 

 

 

20 .2

28.3

(29%)

Revenue (11) ($ millions)

42.1

56.3 (25%)

634,839

1,10 0 ,0 65

(42%)

Silver ounces sold

1,300,339

2,169,450

(40 %)

5,218

9,416

(45%)

Gold ounces sold

12,672

18,975

(33%)

17.0 4

15.0 2

13%

Realized silver price per ounce

16.16

15.25

6%

1,862

1,366

36%

Realized gold price per ounce

1,727

1,340

29%

(3.3)

(10 .1)

68%

Net earnings (loss) ($ millions)

(19.2)

(23.4)

18%

3.1

(6.1)

151%

Mine operating earnings (loss) ($ millions)

0.2

(11.9)

10 2%

7.6

2.6

194%

Mine operating cash flow(8) ($ millions)

11.9

7.2

65%

1.9

(1.0 )

297%

Operating cash flow before working capital changes (9)

(3.1)

(3.1)

0 %

1.2

(2.7)

145%

Earnings before ITDA(10)($ millions)

(5.5)

(7.3)

25%

44.6

46.6

(4%)

Working capital ($ millions)

44.6

46.6

(4%)

      Shareholders

 

   

(0 .0 2)

(0 .0 8)

75%

Earnings (loss) per share – basic (0.13)

(0.18)

28%

0 .0 1

(0 .0 1)

20 0 %

Operating cash flow before working capital changes per share (9) (0.02)

(0.02)

0 %

147,862,393

132,158,891

12%

Weighted average shares outstanding 144,836,300

131,779,448

10%

(1) Silver equivalents are calculated using an 80:1 ratio. 

(2) The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash costs net of by-products on a payable silver basis, total production costs per ounce, all-in sustaining costs per ounce, direct production costs per tonne, silver co-product cash costs and gold co-product cash costs in order to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's mines. These measures, some established by the Silver Institute (Production Cost Standards, June 2011), are widely used in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning. These measures are reported on a production basis. See Reconciliations to IFRS beginning on page 19.

(3) Cash costs net of by-product revenue per payable silver ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead, net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22

(4) Total production costs per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, amortization, depletion and amortization at the operation sites net of by product revenues. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(5) All-in sustaining cost per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, corporate general and administration, on-site exploration, share-based compensation, reclamation and sustaining capital net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 23.

(6) Direct production costs per tonne include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs) and direct overhead at the operation sites. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22 17.

(7) Silver co-product cash cost and gold co-product cash cost include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead allocated on pro-rated basis of realized metal value.  See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 24 & 25.

(8) Mine operating cash flow is calculated by adding back amortization, depletion, inventory write-downs and share-based compensation to mine operating earnings. Mine operating earnings and mine operating cash flow are before taxes. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 19.

(9) See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 19 for the reconciliation of operating cash flow before working capital changes and for the operating cash flow before working capital changes per share.

(10) See Reconciliation of Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization on page 20.

(11) The Company changed its presentation of concentrate treatment and refining costs of sales to presenting as a reduction in revenue in Q1 2020.  The prior period revenue has been reclassified.

The above highlights are key measures used by management, however they should not be the sole measures used in determining the performance of the Company's operations.


 

HISTORY AND STRATEGY

The Company is engaged in silver mining in Mexico and related activities including property acquisition, exploration, development, mineral extraction, processing, refining and reclamation.  The Company is also engaged in exploration activities in Chile.

Since 2002, the Company's business strategy has been to focus on acquiring advanced-stage silver mining properties in Mexico.  Mexico, despite its long and prolific history of metal production, appears to be relatively under-explored using modern exploration techniques and offers promising geological potential for precious metals exploration and production.

The Company's Guanaceví and Bolañitos mines acquired in 2004 and 2007, respectively, demonstrate its business model of acquiring fully built and permitted silver mines that were about to close for lack of ore.  By bringing the money and expertise needed to find new silver ore-bodies, the Company successfully re-opened and expanded these mines to develop their full potential.  The benefit of acquiring fully built and permitted mining and milling infrastructure is that, if new exploration efforts are successful, the mine development cycle from discovery to production only takes a matter of months instead of the several years normally required in the traditional mining business model.

In addition to operating the Guanaceví and Bolañitos mines, the Company commissioned the El Compas mine in March 2019.  The Company is advancing the Terronera development project and several exploration projects in order to achieve its goal to become a premier senior producer in the silver mining sector.

In 2012, the Company acquired the El Cubo silver-gold mine located in Guanajuato, Mexico, which operated until November 2019.

The Company has historically funded its acquisition, exploration and development activities through equity financings, debt facilities and convertible debentures.  In recent years, the Company has financed most of its acquisition, exploration, development and operating activities from production cash flows, treasury and equity financings. The Company may choose to undertake equity, debt, convertible debt or other financings, on an as-needed basis, in order to facilitate its growth.

On March 31, 2020, the Mexican government declared a national health emergency with extraordinary measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous health precautions were decreed, including the suspension of non-essential businesses, with only essential services to remain open.  At March 31, 2020, mining did not qualify as an essential service so for the protection of the Company's staff, employees, contractors and communities, the Company suspended its three mining operations in Mexico as of April 1, 2020 as mandated by the Mexican government. The Company retained essential personnel at each mine site during the suspension period to maintain safety protocols, environmental monitoring, security measures and equipment maintenance. Essential personnel followed the Company's strict COVID-19 safety protocols and non-essential employees were sent home to self-isolate and stay healthy, while continuing to receive their base pay. The suspension of activities ceased in May 2020 as mining was declared an essential business.

The Company has implemented plans to minimize the risks of the COVID-19 virus, both to employees and to the business.  At each site, the Company is following government health protocols and is closely monitoring the pandemic with local health authorities.  The Company has posted health advisories to educate employees about the COVID-19 symptoms, best practices to avoid contracting and spreading the virus, and procedures to follow if symptoms are experienced.

As the COVID-19 global pandemic is dynamic and, given that the ultimate duration and severity of the pandemic remains uncertain, the impact on the Company's 2020 production and costs remain uncertain.  In Mexico, positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise at a significant rate and to date the infection rate has not declined. A local outbreak, an impediment to supply or market logistics or change in government health orders remains a significant risk. 


The Company's long-term business could be significantly adversely affected by the effects the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company cannot accurately predict the impact COVID-19 will have on third parties' ability to meet their obligations with the Company, including due to uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In particular, the continued spread of COVID-19 globally could materially and adversely impact the Company's business including without limitation, employee health, limitations on travel, the availability of industry experts and personnel, on-going restrictions to mining and processing operations and drill programs, and other factors that will depend on future developments beyond the Company's control. In addition, the COVID 19 pandemic could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries (including those in which the Company operates), resulting in an economic downturn that could negatively impact the Company's operating results and ability to raise capital. As of June 30, 2020, the Company held $30.5 million in cash and $44.6 million in working capital, however the COVID-19 global pandemic is dynamic and, given that COVID-19 virus cases continue to rise at a significant rate across Mexico and globally, any future restrictions could have a material effect on the Company's financial position. Management believes there is sufficient working capital to meets the Company's current obligations, however the ultimate duration and severity of the COVID pandemic remains uncertain and could impact the financial liquidity of the Company.

REVIEW OF OPERATING RESULTS

The Company operates the Guanaceví, Bolañitos and El Compas mine, the latter of which attained commercial production in March 2019.  The Company suspended mining operations at the El Cubo mine on November 30, 2019 due to exhaustion of reserves.

Consolidated Production Results for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

Three Months Ended June 30

CONSOLIDATED




2020

2019

% Change

 

2020

2019

% Change

114,120

237,640

(52%)

Ore tonnes processed

313,447

484,159

(35%)

188

157

20%

Average silver grade (gpt)

167

155

8%

86.3

88.5

(2%)

Silver recovery (%)

86.2

88.1

(2%)

596,545

1,059,322

(44%)

Total silver ounces produced

1,454,204

2,130,677

(32%)

590,618

1,0 39,596

(43%)

Payable silver ounces produced

1,440,409

2,0 89,811

(31%)

1.84

1.51

22%

Average gold grade (gpt)

1.66

1.48

12%

86.3

83.0

4%

Gold recovery (%)

85.3

85.1

0 %

5,817

9,558

(39%)

Total gold ounces produced

14,293

19,613

(27%)

5,717

9,332

(39%)

Payable gold ounces produced

14,037

19,141

(27%)

1,061,905

1,823,962

(42%)

Silver equivalent ounces produced(1)

2,597,644

3,699,717

(30 %)

2.78

13.67

(80%)

Cash costs per silver ounce(2)(3)

5.77

13.11

(56%)

10.33

22.87

(55%)

Total production costs per ounce(2)(4)

13.88

21.49

(35%)

14.91

20.90

(29%)

All in sustaining cost per ounce (2)(5)

16.96

20.15

(16%)

109.74

114.40

(4%)

Direct production costs per tonne(2)(6 )

104.59

110 .04

(5%)

10.16

14.10

(28%)

Silver co-product cash costs(7)

10.99

13.82

(20 %)

1,111

1,282

(13%)

Gold co-product cash costs(7)

1,175

1,215

(3%)

(1) Silver equivalents are calculated using an 80:1 ratio.

(2) The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash costs net of by-products on a payable silver basis, total production costs per ounce, all-in sustaining costs per ounce, direct production costs per tonne, silver co-product cash costs and gold co-product cash costs in order to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's mines. These measures, some established by the Silver Institute (Production Cost Standards, June 2011), are widely used in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning. These measures are reported on a production basis. See Reconciliations to IFRS on page 19.

(3) Cash costs net of by-product revenue per payable silver ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead, net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(4) Total production costs per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, amortization, depletion and amortization at the operation sites net of by product revenues. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(5) All-in sustaining costs per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, corporate general and administration, on-site exploration, share-based compensation, reclamation and sustaining capital net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 23.

(6) Direct production costs per tonne include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs) and direct overhead at the operation sites. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(7) Silver co-product cash cost and gold co-product cash cost include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead allocated on pro-rated basis of realized metal value.  See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 24 & 25.


(1) Silver equivalents are calculated using an 80:1 ratio.

Consolidated Production

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

Consolidated silver production during Q2, 2020 was 596,545 ounces (oz), a decrease of 44% compared to 1,059,322 oz in Q2, 2019, and gold production was 5,817 oz, a decrease of 39% compared to 9,558 oz in Q2, 2019.  Plant throughput was 114,120 tonnes at average grades of 188 grams per tonne (gpt) silver and 1.84 gpt gold, a throughput decrease of 52% compared to 237,640 tonnes grading 157 gpt silver and 1.51 gpt gold in Q2, 2019.  Consolidated silver and gold production in Q2, 2020 were both lower than Q2, 2019 due to the suspension of the Guanaceví, Bolañitos and El Compas mines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of operations at the El Cubo mine, related to lack of ore in November 2019. Excluding El Cubo, Q2, 2020 production, pro-rated for the number of operating days, increased significantly due to the improved plant throughput and ore grades at Guanaceví. 

During the suspension mine plans were adjusted to enhance short term cash flow and in June, the Company exceeded its adjusted plan on both consolidated throughput and consolidated ore grades.

Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019)

Consolidated silver production during 2020 was 1,454,204 ounces (oz), a decrease of 32% compared to 2,130,677 oz in 2019, and gold production was 14,293 oz, a decrease of 27% compared to 19,613 oz in 2019.  Plant throughput was 313,447 tonnes at average grades of 167 grams per tonne (gpt) silver and 1.66 gpt gold, a throughput decrease of 35% compared to 484,159 tonnes grading 155 gpt silver and 1.48 gpt gold in 2019.  Consolidated silver and gold production in 2020 were both lower than 2019 due to the suspension of the Guanaceví, Bolañitos and El Compas mines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of operations at the El Cubo mine, related to lack of ore in November 2019. Excluding El Cubo, 2020 production was higher despite the suspension of activities. Improved performance at Guanaceví, a full six months of production from El Compas, which declared commercial production in late March 2019, offset the lower silver production from Bolañitos.

Consolidated Operating Costs

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

Direct production costs per tonne in Q2, 2020 decreased 4%, to $109.74 compared with Q2, 2019 due to lower operating costs at the Guanaceví operation, offset by the slightly higher costs at the Bolañitos and El Compas operations and the exclusion the El Cubo operation which suspended activities in Q4, 2019. 

Consolidated cash costs per oz, net of by-product credits (a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute) decreased 80% to $2.78 primarily due to lower operating costs per tonne, higher gold grades and higher realized gold price that increased the by-product credit compared to the same period in 2019. The higher proportional gold production, and rising gold price, which increased 36% compared to the same period ended in 2019, were significant drivers in the lower cash cost net of by-product credits. 


On a co-product cash costs basis, both silver and gold cost per ounce improved compared to the Q2, 2019. Silver co-product cash costs fell 28%, while gold co-product costs fell 13% to $10.16 per ounce and $1,111 per ounce respectively. The improvement was primarily driven by improved cost per tonne, the higher grade ore and improved gold recoveries.

All-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure) decreased 29% to $14.91 per oz in Q2, 2020 as a result of lower operating costs offset by higher corporate general and administrative costs and increased capital expenditures at Bolañitos to accelerate mine development. General and administrative costs increased due to mark to market deferred share units and were allocated to all-in-sustaining costs for the entire operating period despite suspension activities during April and May.

The Company retained essential personnel at operations during the suspension period to maintain safety protocols, environmental monitoring, security measures and day-to-day maintenance.  Non-essential employees were sent home to self-isolate and continued to receive their base pay.  $2.2 million of costs were incurred from April 1st until the May re-starts related to the suspension of operations and were allocated to care and maintenance expenses and excluded from mine operating costs or the corresponding metrics. 

A Company-wide review of operations in 2019 identified several deficiencies in the operating performance.  As a result, management initiated multiple remedial measures including changes of mine-site management and mining contractors, changes to shift and contractor supervision, renting used mining equipment, leasing new mining equipment and reducing the work force. 

The goal of these remedial actions was to improve safety, reduce operating costs and generate free cash flow at current metal prices.  Management notes that while the remedial actions started to have a positive impact on mine operating performance with the full benefit of these initiatives was expected to be realized in 2020. The results of these improvements were moderated by the additional costs and inefficiencies from suspension and the re-start of mining activities in Q2, 2020 as well as increased health protocols and new government restrictions related to COVID 19 global pandemic.

Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019)

Direct production costs per tonne in 2020 decreased 5%, to $104.59 compared with 2019 due to lower operating costs at Guanaceví operation, offset by the higher costs at the El Compas and the exclusion the El Cubo operation which suspended activities in Q4, 2019. 

Consolidated cash costs per oz, net of by-product credits (a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute) decreased 56% to $5.77 primarily due to lower operating costs per tonne, higher gold grades and higher realized gold price that increased the by-product credit compared to the same period in 2019.  All-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure) decreased 16% to $16.96 per oz in 2020 as a result of lower operating costs offset by higher proportional allocation of corporate general and administrative costs and increased capital expenditures at Bolañitos due to accelerated mine development.

On a co-product cash costs basis, both silver and gold cost per ounce improved compared to 2019. Silver co-product cash costs fell 20%, while gold co-product costs fell 3% to $10.99 per ounce and $1,175 per ounce respectively. The improvement was primarily driven by improved cost per tonne, the higher grade ore and improved gold recoveries. Gold co-product costs decreased less as the improvements were offset by a higher proportion of costs allocated to gold production with the rising value of gold.

A Company-wide review of operations in 2019 identified several deficiencies in the operating performance.  As a result, management initiated multiple remedial measures including changes of mine-site management and mining contractors, changes to shift and contractor supervision, renting used mining equipment, leasing new mining equipment and reducing the work force. 

The goal of these remedial actions was to improve safety, reduce operating costs and generate free cash flow at current metal prices.  Management notes that while the remedial actions started to have a positive impact on mine operating performance with the full benefit of these initiatives is expected to be realized in 2020. The results of these improvements were moderated by the additional costs and inefficiencies from suspension and the re-start of mining activities in Q2, 2020, as well as increased health protocols and new government restrictions related to COVID 19 global pandemic.


GUANACEVÍ OPERATIONS

The Guanaceví operation is currently producing from three underground silver-gold mines along a five kilometre length of the prolific Santa Cruz vein.  Guanaceví provides steady employment to over 460 people and engages over 390 contractors.  Guanaceví mine production operated below plant capacity due to the operational issues in 2019.  The development of two new orebodies, Milache and SCS and the acquisition of the Ocampo concession rights have provided sufficient ore and flexibility to meet the designed capacity of the plant in 2020.  The Company successfully drilled the projected extensions of the previously mined Porvenir Cuatro and Porvenir ore bodies onto the Ocampo concessions.  The Company commenced mining from the Porvenir Cuatro extension (P4E) and the Porvenir extension (PNE) late in 2019.

During 2019, the Company acquired a 10 year right to explore and exploit the El Porvenir and El Curso concessions from Ocampo Mining SA de CV ("Ocampo"), a subsidiary of Grupo Frisco.  The Company has agreed to meet certain minimum production targets from the properties, subject to various terms and conditions and pay Ocampo a $12 fixed per tonne production payment plus a floating net smelter return royalty based on the spot silver price. The Company paid a 4% royalty on sales below $15.00 per ounce and 9% above $15.00 per ounce, based on then current prices.   

Production Results for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

Three Months Ended June 30

GUANACEVÍ

Six Months Ended June 30

2020

2019

% Change

 

2020

2019

% Change

62,231

75,591

(18%)

Ore tonnes processed

156,438

152,148

3%

304

242

26%

Average silver grade (g/ t)

289

224

29%

86.7

91.3

(5%)

Silver recovery (%)

87.5

90.8

(4%)

527,347

536,966

(2%)

Total silver ounces produced

1,272,461

995,110

28%

525,766

534,654

(2%)

Payable silver ounces produced

1,268,764

992,340

28%

1.05

0.62

69%

Average gold grade (g/ t)

0.94

0.57

65%

87.9

90.7

(3%)

Gold recovery (%)

90.4

89.8

1%

1,847

1,367

35%

Total gold ounces produced

4,274

2,505

71%

1,842

1,368

35%

Payable gold ounces produced

4,263

2,505

70%

675,107

646,326

4%

Silver equivalent ounces produced(1)

1,614,381

1,195,510

35%

8.48

17.37

(51%)

Cash costs per silver ounce(2)(3)

8.79

19.07

(54%)

12.43

24.73

(50%)

Total production costs per ounce(2)(4)

12.02

27.71

(57%)

15.00

24.94

(40%)

All in sustaining cost per ounce (2)(5)

14.77

26.15

(44%)

126.13

148.84

(15%)

Direct production costs per tonne(2)(6 )

117.55

147.09

(20%)

10.76

17.01

(37%)

Silver co-product cash costs(7)

10.63

18.42

(42%)

1,176

1,547

(24%)

Gold co-product cash costs(7)

1,137

1,618

(30%)

(1) Silver equivalents are calculated using an 80:1 ratio. 

(2) The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash costs net of by-product on a payable silver basis, total production costs per ounce, all-in sustaining costs per ounce and direct production costs per tonne, in order to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's mines. These measures, some established by the Silver Institute (Production Cost Standards, June 2011), are widely used in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning. These measures are reported on a production basis. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 19.

(3) Cash costs net of by-product revenue per payable silver ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead, net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(4) Total production costs per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, amortization, depletion and amortization at the operation sites net of by product revenues. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(5) All-in sustaining cost per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, corporate general and administration, on-site exploration, share-based compensation, reclamation and sustaining capital net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 23.

(6) Direct production costs per tonne include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs) and direct overhead at the operation sites. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(7) Silver co-product cash cost and gold co-product cash cost include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead allocated on pro-rated basis of realized metal value.  See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 24 & 25.


Guanaceví Production Results

Management guided 2020 production at Guanaceví to range from 2.4 to 2.7 million oz silver and 6,000 to 7,000 oz gold prior to the withdrawal of guidance on April 2, 2020. 

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

Silver production at the Guanaceví mine during Q2, 2020 was 527,347 oz, a decrease of 2% compared to 536,966 oz in Q2, 2019, and gold production was 1,847 oz, an increase of 35% compared to 1,367 oz in Q2, 2019 despite the operations being temporarily suspended for April and part of May.  Plant throughput was 62,231 tonnes at average grades of 304 gpt silver and 1.05 gpt gold, compared to 75,591 tonnes grading 242 gpt silver and 0.62 gpt gold in Q2, 2019.  Mining the new, higher grade El Curso, Milache and SCS orebodies, processing the high-grade ore stockpiles plus using two refurbished cone crushers installed in April allowed for a quick, efficient ramp up of production in early May.  The lower total throughput due to the suspension of activity was offset by significantly higher silver and gold grades compared to Q2, 2019.

Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019)

Silver production at the Guanaceví mine during 2020 was 1,272,461 oz, an increase of 28% compared to 995,110 oz in 2019, and gold production was 4,274 oz, an increase of 71% compared to 2,505 oz in 2019 despite the operations being temporarily suspended for April and part of May.  Plant throughput was 156,438 tonnes at average grades of 289 gpt silver and 0.94 gpt gold, compared to 152,148 tonnes grading 224 gpt silver and 0.57 gpt gold over the same period in 2019. Production increased compared to 2019 primarily due to higher throughput and higher ore grades.  Throughput and ore grades increased as a result of operational changes and increased access to the higher grade ores in the Milache, SCS and Porvenir Cuatro Extension (P4E) orebodies. These areas replaced production from the lower grade Porvenir Norte and Santa Cruz orebodies, which are now closed.  Mine development of the Milache and P4E orebodies were on plan prior to the temporary suspension but development of the SCS orebody was behind plan. The re-start focused on generating immediate cash flow with a planned shift toward development in Q3, 2020. 

Guanaceví Operating Costs

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

Direct production costs per tonne for the three months ended June 30, 2020 fell 15% compared with the same period in 2019, as a result of the improved mine output on a per day basis partially offset by, royalties paid for ore mined from the Porvenir Cuatro extension and a higher proportion of purchased third party ore.  Cash costs per oz, net of by-product credits (a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute) were $8.48, 51% lower due to the lower cost per tonne, higher metal grades and higher gold credit. Similarly, all-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure) fell 40% to $15.00 per oz for the three months ended June 30, 2020.  Lower operating costs is the primary drivers of lower all in sustaining costs compared to the same period in 2019. On an absolute basis, capital and exploration expenditures were reduced due to the suspension of activities, while a full quarter, higher and a greater allocation of general and administrative costs offset these gains. 

The Company retained essential personnel at Guanaceví during the suspension period to maintain safety protocols, environmental monitoring, security measures and day-to-day maintenance.  Non-essential employees were sent home to self-isolate and continued to receive their base pay.  These costs incurred from April 1st to early May totaled $0.9 million and were allocated to care and maintenance expenses and excluded from mine operating costs or the corresponding metrics. 

Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019)

Direct production costs per tonne for the six months ended June 30, 2020 fell 20% compared with the same period in 2019, as a result of the improved mine output partial offset by, royalties paid for ore mined from the Porvenir Cuatro extension.  Cash costs per oz, net of by-product credits (a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute) were $8.79, 54% lower due to the lower direct cost per tonne, higher metal grades and higher gold credit. Similarly, all-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure) fell 44% to $14.77 per oz for the six months ended June 30, 2020.  The decrease in cash costs was the primary driver of the lower all in sustaining costs, as lower capital expenditures were offset by a larger allocation of general and administration expenses compared to the same period in 2019.


BOLAÑITOS OPERATIONS

The Bolañitos operation encompasses three underground silver-gold mines and a flotation plant.  Bolañitos provides steady employment for over 350 people and engages over 260 contractors.

Production Results for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

Three Months Ended June 30

BOLAÑITOS

   Six Months Ended June 30 

2020

2019

% Change

 

2020

2019

% Change

41,680

76,386

(45%)

Ore tonnes processed

124,897

163,020

(23%)

47

78

(40%)

Average silver grade (g/ t)

43

82

(48%)

88.4

89.7

(1%)

Silver recovery (%)

82.1

85.6

(4%)

55,682

171,891

(68%)

Total silver ounces produced

141,807

367,901

(61%)

51,912

166,191

(69%)

Payable silver ounces produced

132,918

355,226

(63%)

2.10

1.49

41%

Average gold grade (g/ t)

1.84

1.67

10 %

89.1

82.9

7%

Gold recovery (%)

87.0

85.3

2%

2,50 8

3,035

(17%)

Total gold ounces produced

6,430

7,465

(14%)

2,446

2,949

(17%)

Payable gold ounces produced

6,263

7,251

(14%)

256,322

414,691

(38%)

Silver equivalent ounces produced(1)

656,207

965,101

(32%)

(30.20)

11.56

(361%)

Cash costs per silver ounce(2)(3)

(16.26)

6.70

(343%)

(8.73)

16.0 6

(154%)

Total production costs per ounce(2)(4)

8.55

11.83

(28%)

29.79

22.64

32%

All in sustaining cost per ounce (2)(5)

38.55

19.30

10 0%

77.02

79.90

(4%)

Direct production costs per tonne(2)(6 )

71.44

75.10

(5%)

9.74

13.63

(29%)

Silver co-product cash costs(7)

10.76

11.96

(10%)

1,064

1,239

(14%)

Gold co-product cash costs(7)

1,150

1,051

9%

(1) Silver equivalents are calculated using an 80:1 ratio.

(2) The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash costs net of by-products on a payable silver basis, total production costs per ounce, all-in sustaining costs per ounce and direct production costs per tonne, in order to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's mines. These measures, some established by the Silver Institute (Production Cost Standards, September 2011), are widely used in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning. These measures are reported on a production basis. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 19.

(3) Cash costs net of by-product revenue per payable silver ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead, net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(4) Total production costs per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, amortization, depletion and amortization at the operation sites net of by product revenues. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(5) All-in sustaining cost per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, corporate general and administration, on-site exploration, share-based compensation, reclamation and sustaining capital net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 23.

(6) Direct production costs per tonne include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs) and direct overhead at the operation sites. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(7) Silver co-product cash cost and gold co-product cash cost include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead allocated on pro-rated basis of realized metal value.  See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 24 & 25.

Bolañitos Production Results

Management guided 2020 production at Bolañitos to range from 0.5 to 0.6 million oz silver and 22,000 to 25,000 oz gold prior to the withdrawal of guidance on April 2, 2020.

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

Silver production at the Bolañitos mine was 55,682 oz in Q2, 2020, a decrease of 68% compared to 171,891 oz in Q2, 2019, and gold production was 2,508 oz in Q2, 2020, a decrease of 17% compared to 3,035 oz in Q2, 2019.  Plant throughput in Q2, 2020 was 41,680 tonnes at average grades of 47 gpt silver and 2.10 gpt gold, compared to 76,386 tonnes grading 78 gpt silver and 1.49 gpt gold in Q2, 2019.  Throughput was significantly lower due to suspension of mining activities under the Mexican health decree. The Bolañitos plant re-started late May, as management focused on mine development to improve stope accesses, flexibility and grade control programs during the re-start.  The Bolañitos mine is mining areas with lower silver grades compared to historical grades and is lower than planned grades due to normal variations in ore bodies.  In June the plant throughput averaged 1,070 tonnes per day and mine development met planned metres. 


Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the Six months ended June 30, 2019)

Silver production at the Bolañitos mine was 141,807 oz in 2020, a decrease of 61% compared to 367,901 oz in 2019, and gold production was 6,430 oz in 2020, a decrease of 14% compared to 7,465 oz over the same period in, 2019.  Plant throughput in 2020 was 124,897 tonnes at average grades of 43 gpt silver and 1.84 gpt gold, compared to 163,020 tonnes grading 82 gpt silver and 1.67 gpt gold in 2019. 

Throughput was significantly lower due to suspension of mining activities under the Mexican health decree and slower than expected development at the beginning of the year. The Bolañitos plant re-started late May, as management focused on mine development and grade control programs during the re-start.  The Bolañitos mine is mining areas with lower silver grades compared to historical grades, while gold grades are similar to plan.  Mine is focused on development of the San Miguel area, which is expected to provide higher grade material and allow the mine to operate to capacity. 

Bolañitos Operating Costs

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

Direct production costs per tonne in the three month period ended June 30, 2020 decreased 4% to $77.02 per tonne due to operational improvements, including lower costs gained from new mobile equipment, the depreciation of the Mexican Peso at the beginning of the operating period, offset by the additional costs required for the re-start of operating activities.  The significantly lower silver grades resulted in lower silver production, while cash costs net of by-product credits (which is a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute), were negative $30.20 per oz of payable silver in Q2, 2020 compared to positive $11.56 per oz in Q2, 2019. The higher proportional gold production, and rising gold price which increased 36% compared to the same period 2019, were the primary drivers in the lower cash cost metric.

On a co-product cash costs basis, both silver and gold cost per ounce improved compared to the Q2, 2019. Silver co-product cash costs fell 29%, while gold co-product costs fell 14% to $9.74 per ounce and $1,064 per ounce respectively. The improvement was primarily driven by the lower direct costs per tonne, the higher grade ore and improved gold recoveries.

On re-start of the mine in May, the Company focused on mine development to improve stope access and provide flexibility in the second half the 2020.  As a result, all-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure) increased in Q2, 2020 to $29.79 per oz due to the $2.1 million of capital expenditures in the period. Additionally, higher general and administration costs and proportion allocated to the Bolañitos operation contributed to the higher all in sustaining costs. 

The Company retained essential personnel at Bolañitos during the suspension period to maintain safety protocols, environmental monitoring, security measures and day-to-day maintenance.  Non-essential employees were sent home to self-isolate and continued to receive their base pay.  These costs incurred from April 1st to late May totaled $0.8 million and were allocated to care and maintenance expenses and not included in operating costs or the corresponding metrics. 

Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019)

Direct production costs per tonne in the six month period ended June 30, 2020 decreased 5% to $71.44 per tonne due to operational improvements, including lower costs gained from new mobile equipment, the depreciation of the Mexican Peso in March, offset by the additional costs required for the re-start of operating activities in May. Silver cash costs net of by-product credits (which is a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute), were negative $16.26 per oz of payable silver in 2020 compared to $6.70 per oz in the same period in 2019. The higher proportional gold production, and rising gold price which increased 29% compared to the same period ended in 2019, were the primary drivers in the lower cash cost net of by-product credits metric. 

On a co-product cash costs basis, silver cost per ounce improved compared to the same period ended in 2019. Silver co-product cash costs fell 10% as lower direct costs per tonne and a lower proportion of costs were allocated with the rising gold price compared to prior period. Gold co-product costs increased 9% to $1,150 per ounce as the lower direct costs per tonne were offset by a higher proportion of costs were allocated with the rising value of gold.

The Company invested in new mine equipment to improve fleet operating costs and equipment availability and increase mine development in 2020 to improve stop access and provide operating flexibility. As a result, all-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure) increased significantly in 2020 to $38.55 per oz primarily due to the $5.6 million of capital expenditures in the period compared to $2.7 million in the same period ended in 2019. 



EL COMPAS OPERATIONS

The El Compas operation is a small but high grade, permitted gold-silver mine with a small leased flotation plant in the historic silver mining district of Zacatecas, with good exploration potential to expand resources and scale up production.  There is also potential for the Company to acquire other properties in the area to consolidate resources and exploration targets in the district. El Compas has a nominal plant capacity of 250 tonnes per day (tpd) targeting recovery rates of 83% gold and 67% silver.

El Compas currently employs over 200 people and engages over 65 contractors and achieved commercial production during Q1, 2019. The Company considers the El Compas Preliminary Economic Assessment dated May 11, 2017 ("El Compas PEA") which is incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 5, 2020 to be no longer current and the Company is no longer relying on the information contained in El Compas PEA.

Production Results for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

Three Months Ended June 30 

El Compas

Six Months Ended June 30

2020

2019

% Change

 

2020

2019

% Change

10,209

21,242

(52%)

Ore tonnes processed

32,112

25,032

28%

60

72

(17%)

Average silver grade (g/ t)

59

70

(16%)

68.6

48.8

41%

Silver recovery (%)

65.6

48.3

36%

13,516

24,007

(44%)

Total silver ounces produced

39,936

27,225

47%

12,940

22,999

(44%)

Payable silver ounces produced

38,727

26,040

49%

5.55

4.35

28%

Average gold grade (g/ t)

4.50

4.24

6%

80.3

75.3

7%

Gold recovery (%)

77.3

75.6

2%

1,462

2,238

(35%)

Total gold ounces produced

3,589

2,580

39%

1,429

2,166

(34%)

Payable gold ounces produced

3,511

2,501

40%

130,476

203,047

(36%)

Silver equivalent ounces produced(1)

327,056

233,625

40%

(96.83)

(1.52)

6263%

Cash costs per silver ounce(2)(3)

(17.64)

(2.00)

783%

1.62

136.66

(99%)

Total production costs per ounce(2)(4)

93.06

126.92

(27%)

(48.25)

43.62

(211%)

All in sustaining cost per ounce (2)(5)

14.50

41.71

(65%)

143.50

138.03

4%

Direct production costs per tonne(2)(6 )

170.31

133.79

27%

8.45

12.89

(34%)

Silver co-product cash costs(7)

12.91

13.19

(2%)

924

1,172

(21%)

Gold co-product cash costs(7)

1,380

1,159

19%

(1) Silver equivalents are calculated using an 80:1 ratio.

(2) The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash costs net of by-products on a payable silver basis, total production costs per ounce, all-in sustaining costs per ounce and direct production costs per tonne, in order to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's mines. These measures, some established by the Silver Institute (Production Cost Standards, June 2011), are widely used in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning. These measures are reported on a production basis. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 19.

(3) Cash costs net of by-product revenue per payable silver ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead, net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(4) Total production costs per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, amortization, depletion and amortization at the operation sites net of by product revenues. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(5) All-in sustaining cost per ounce include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), direct overhead, corporate general and administration, on-site exploration, share-based compensation, reclamation and sustaining capital net of gold credits. See Reconciliation to IFRS on page 23.

(6) Direct production costs per tonne include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs) and direct overhead at the operation sites. See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 21 & 22.

(7) Silver co-product cash cost and gold co-product cash cost include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead allocated on pro-rated basis of realized metal value.  See Reconciliation to IFRS on pages 24 & 25.


El Compas Production Results

Management guided 2020 production at El Compas to be 0.1-0.2 million oz silver and range from 10,000 to 12,000 oz gold prior to the withdrawal of guidance on April 2, 2020.

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

Silver production at the El Compas mine was 13,516 oz in Q2, 2020, a decrease of 44% compared to 24,007oz in Q2, 2019 and gold production was 1,462 oz in Q2, 2020, a decrease of 35% compared to 2,238 in Q2, 2019.  Plant throughput in Q2, 2020 was 10,209 tonnes at average grades of 60 gpt silver and 5.55 gpt gold compared to 21,242 tonnes at average grades of 72 gpt silver and 4.35 gpt gold. Throughput was significantly lower due to suspension of mining activities under the Mexican health decree. El Compas gold grades were higher and silver grades were lower than Q2, 2019, above and below planned grades respectively.  The mine re-start focused on dilution controls and higher-grade material in the upper El Compas vein to improve short term cash flows.  Management finished replacing the mining contractor with new employees in June, when throughput averaged 240 tpd.  The transition from contractor cut and fill mining to employee long hole mining should be completed in H2, 2020.

Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the Six months ended June 30, 2019)

Silver production at the El Compas mine was 39,936 oz and gold production was 3,589 oz in 2020.  Plant throughput in 2020 was 32,112 tonnes at average grades of 59 gpt silver and 4.5 gpt gold.

As commercial production was declared March 15, 2019, the 2019 comparative period does not include a full six months of production.  During the period from March 15, 2019 to June 30, 2019 silver production at the El Compas mine was 27,225 oz and gold production was 2,580 with plant throughput of 25,032 tonnes at average grades of 70 gpt silver and 4.24 gpt gold this period in 2019. Similarly, due to the Mexican health decree the six months ended June 30, 2020 does not include a full six months of production. Throughput was significantly lower due to suspension of mining activities under the Mexican health decree. El Compas production was close to plan prior to the suspension with higher throughput offset by lower grades. Management replaced the mining contractor with new mine employees in March and adjusted the mining methods to reduce dilution and costs going forward. Management finished replacing the mining contractor with new employees in June 2020, when throughput averaged 240 tpd.  The transition from contractor cut and fill mining to employee long hole mining should be completed in H2, 2020.

El Compas Operating Costs

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

Direct production costs were $143.50 per tonne in Q2, 2020, a slight increase from Q2, 2019 which was the first full quarter of commercial production. On re-start of the mine in May, the Company invested in employee training to improve dilution and grade control. Costs per tonne had steadily increased until this quarter as management replaced mining contractors with mine employees to improve mine dilution.  Silver cash costs net of by-product credits (which is a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute), were negative $96.83 per oz of payable silver in Q2, 2020 compared to negative $1.52 per oz in Q2, 2019. The higher proportional gold production, with rising gold price which increased 36% compared to the same period in 2019, were the primary driver in the lower cash cost metric.

On a co-product cash costs basis, both silver and gold cost per ounce improved compared to the Q2, 2019. Silver co-product cash costs fell 34%, while gold co-product costs fell 21% to $8.45 per ounce and $924 per ounce respectively. The improvement was primarily driven by the higher grade ore and improved silver and gold recoveries.

On re-start of the mine in May, the Company focused on employee training of dilution and grade control, while production attained planned output in June.  All-in sustaining costs (also a non-IFRS measure) increased in Q2, 2020 were negative $48.25 per oz due compared to $43.62 per ounce over the same period ended in 2019. The lower all-in sustaining costs is a function of the lower operating costs and the result of lower capital expenditures on the development of the mine compared to the same period in 2019. 

The cost metrics were expected to improve in 2020 as the Company reduced contractors on site and implemented improved processes to reduce the movement of waste tonnes.

The Company retained essential personnel at El Compas during the suspension period to maintain safety protocols, environmental monitoring, security measures and day-to-day maintenance.  Non-essential employees were sent home to self-isolate and continued to receive their base pay.  These costs incurred from April 1st to late May totaled $0.5 million and were allocated to care and maintenance expenses and excluded from mine operating costs or the corresponding metrics. 


Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019)

Direct production costs were $170.31 per tonne in 2020, a significant increase from 2019 due to inefficiencies during the transition from replacing mine contractors with employees and expensed development expenditures in Q1, 2020.  Silver cash costs net of by-product credits (which is a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute), were negative $17.64 per oz of payable silver in 2020 compared to negative $2.00 per oz in the same period in 2019. The higher proportional gold production, and rising gold price which increased 29% compared to the same period ended in 2019, were the primary drivers in the lower cash cost net of by-product credits metric. 

On a co-product cash costs basis, silver cost per ounce improved compared to the same period ended in 2019. Silver co-product cash costs decreased 2% as the higher direct costs per tonne was offset by a lower proportion of costs allocated due to the rising gold value compared to the prior period. Gold co-product costs increased 19% to $1,380 per ounce as the higher direct costs per tonne and a higher proportion of costs were allocated with the rising value of gold.

EL CUBO OPERATIONS

The El Cubo operation included two operating underground silver-gold mines and a flotation plant. El Cubo employed over 350 people and engaged over 200 contractors until the suspension of operations at the end of November 2019 as the reserves were exhausted. The mine, plant and tailings facilities are on short term care and maintenance, while management conducts an evaluation of the alternatives including final closure. 

Company management and contract personnel continue to maintain the security of the mine, plant and tailings facilities. Management is evaluating alternatives for the plant and related facilities including moving certain components to other mines or development projects such as Terronera and Parral to reduce their future capital costs. The mining equipment has been relocated to Endeavour's other operating mines, particularly Bolañitos, to contribute to increasing mine output to maximize plant capacities.

For the six months ended June 2020 the Company incurred $1.5 million, in legal costs, administrative and care and maintenance expenses, $0.3 million in severance costs and $0.2 million in building and office depreciation. The suspension of operation is complete, while all equipment not transferred to other operations has now been properly serviced to idle while the operation is shutdown.

The Company maintains a security team, an administrative staff, maintenance group and environmental staff. In Q2, 2020 the Company incurred $0.5 million in costs, which is expected to reduce further in the second half of 2020. 

DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Terronera Project

The Terronera project, located 40 kilometres northeast of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, features a high-grade silver-gold mineral resource in the Terronera vein, which is now over 1,400 metres long, 400 metres deep, 3 to 16 metres thick, and remains open along strike to the southeast and down dip.

In 2020, the Company engaged an external consultant to update a previous Preliminary Feasibility Study based on updated information gathered in 2019 and 2020. In July, 2020 the Company press released an updated summary of the project's economics and will publish the NI 43-101 Technical Report by the end of August 2020. (2020 PFS).

The 2020 PFS included significant changes to the operations plan, capital and operating costs compared to the previous study and, as a result, project economics improved with higher certainty on a number of assumptions. The external consultant reviewed all aspects of the previous studies, while further cost-benefit initiatives will continue to be evaluated.

The 2020 PFS base case assumes a two-year trailing average silver price of $15.97 per oz and a gold price of $1,419 per oz. At base case prices, the improved economics estimates a net present value (NPV) of $137 million, internal rate of return (IRR) of 30.0%, and payback period of 2.7 years.  Initial capital expenditures are estimated to be $99 million with life of mine capital expenditures estimated to be $60 million. The 10 year life of mine is estimated to produce an average of 3 million silver oz and 32,800 gold ounces per year generating $315 million pre-tax, $ 217 million after-tax, free cash flow over the life of the project.


Endeavour plans to complete a Feasibility Study at an estimated cost of $1.8 million over the next 12 months.  During the 12-month Feasibility Study, the Company will evaluate a number of opportunities to further enhance the value of the project, including exploration drilling to expand the known resources and to test multiple veins within the district. Additionally, the Company has defined an engineering, procurement and construction strategy and is evaluating commencement of early work items, such as earthworks, development ramps, camp construction and sourcing long lead machinery.

EXPLORATION RESULTS

In 2020, the Company plans to spend $5.4 million drilling 18,500 metres of core on brownfields projects, greenfields exploration and development engineering across its portfolio of mines and properties. At the three operating mines, 10,500 metres of core drilling are planned at a cost of $2.0 million to replace reserves and expand resources.

On the exploration and development projects, expenditures of $3.4 million were planned to fund 8,000 metres of core drilling, advance engineering studies at Terronera and Parral, and drill the Paloma gold project in Chile, where initial exploration results were positive. Due to COVID-19 pandemic the Company's ability to execute its activities is uncertain.  During the suspension of activities, staff continued with mapping, sampling and interpretations across the Company project portfolio, with drill programs re-starting in June.

At Guanaceví the Company drilled 2,508 metres in 7 holes to test the extension of the Porvenir Cuatro and Milache ore bodies. Drilling intersected significant mineralization with similar ore grades and vein widths as the 2019 intersections. The drill program is intended to continue to depth and test the continuity of the ore body to the Milache ore zone.

At Bolañitos the Company drilled 4,007 metres in 15 holes to target the Melladito vein and vein splays. The Company intersected significant mineralization with ore grades over mineable widths, located about 300 metres from current and historic mine workings.  Management has planned further drilling and will subsequently evaluate the benefits of a crosscut to the newly discovered zone.

At El Compas the Company drilled 2,705 metres in 11 holes to targeting extensions of the Compas vein system. The Company has intersected mineralization west of the current workings, however further drilling is required to properly define results.

In 2020, at Parral the Company mined 2,000 tonnes for a bulk sample metallurgical testing at a local toll plant. The processing program is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 crisis, while drilling on the property is expected to commence in the third quarter. 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019)

In Q2, 2020, the Company's mine operating earnings was $3.1 million (Q2, 2019: mine operating loss $6.1 million) on net revenue of $20.2 million (Q2, 2019: $28.3 million) with cost of sales of $17.1 million (Q2, 2019: $34.4 million).

In Q2, 2020, the Company had an operating loss of $4.6 million (Q2, 2019: $11.3 million) after exploration costs of $1.7 million (Q2, 2019: $3.2 million) and general and administrative costs of $3.1 million (Q2, 2019: $2.0 million), care and maintenance expense for the shutdown of the El Cubo operation of $0.7 million and $2.2 million in care and maintenance costs related to the temporary suspension of the Guanaceví, Bolañitos and El Compas operations due to COVID-19.

The loss before tax for Q2, 2020 was $3.6 million (Q2, 2019: $10.8 million) after finance costs of $0.4 million (Q2, 2019: $0.1 million), a foreign exchange gain of $0.7 million (Q2, 2019: $0.6 million) and investment and other income of $0.7 million. The Company realized a net loss for the period of $3.3 million (Q2, 2019: $10.1 million) after an income tax recovery of $0.3 million (Q2, 2019: $0.7 million).


Net revenue of $20.2 million in Q2, 2020, net of $0.3 million of smelting and refining costs, decreased by 29% compared to $28.3 million, net of $1.1 million of smelting and refining costs.  Gross sales of $20.5 million in Q2, 2020 represented a 30% decrease over the $29.4 million for the same period in 2019. There was a 42% decrease in silver ounces sold and a 13% increase in the realized silver price resulting in 35% decrease silver sales. There was a 45% decrease in gold ounces sold with a 36% increase in realized gold prices resulting in a 25% decrease in gold sales.  During the period, the Company sold 634,839 oz silver and 5,218 oz gold, for realized prices of $17.04 and $1,862 per oz respectively, compared to sales of 1,100,065 oz silver and 9,416 oz gold, for realized prices of $15.02 and $1,366 per oz, respectively, in the same period of 2019. The realized prices of silver and was 4% and 31% above average London spot prices as the Company sold production in May and June after prices significantly increased due to improved investor sentiment as a result of government economic stimulus programs to offset the global COVID-19 pandemic. Silver and gold spot prices averaged $16.38 and $1,711 during the three month period, respectively.

The Company decreased its finished goods silver to 235,100 silver oz and increased its gold inventory to 1,953 gold oz, respectively at June 30, 2020 compared to 279,320 oz silver and 1,452 oz gold at March 31, 2020.  The cost allocated to these finished goods was $4.0 million at June 30, 2020, compared to $4.4 million at March 31, 2020.  At June 30, 2020, the finished goods inventory fair market value was $7.8 million, compared to $6.2 million at March 31, 2020.

Cost of sales for Q2, 2020 was $17.1 million, a decrease of 50% over the cost of sales of $34.4 million for the same period of 2019.  The 50% decrease in cost of sales was primarily related to the suspension of the El Cubo operation in Q4, 2019 and the temporary suspension of the Guanaceví, Bolañitos and El Compas operations due to COVID-19 as consolidated throughput fell 52%.

Exploration expenses decreased in Q2, 2020 to $1.7 million from $3.2 million for the same period of 2019 as health decree resulted in a month and half of suspension of all activities. General and administrative expenses increased to $3.1 million in Q2, 2020 compared to $2.0 million for the same period of 2019, primarily due to mark-to-market fluctuations for director's deferred share units which comparatively increased costs by $1.3 million.

The Company incurred a foreign exchange gain of $0.7 million in Q2, 2020 compared to a foreign exchange gain of $0.6 million in Q2, 2019 due to the slight recovery of the Mexican Peso in the quarter which resulted in higher valuations of peso denominated tax receivables and cash balances. The Company incurred $0.4 million in finance charges primarily related to mobile equipment purchased late 2019 compared to $0.1 million in the same period in 2019. The Company recognized $0.7 million in investment and other income compared to minimal other income in Q2, 2019 with the majority of the other income derived from interest received on IVA collections. There was an income tax recovery of $0.3 million in Q2, 2020 compared to an income tax recovery of $0.7 million in Q2, 2019.  The $0.3 million tax recovery is comprised of $0.2 million in current income tax expense (Q2, 2019: $0.2 million) and $0.5 million in deferred income tax recovery (Q2, 2019: $0.9 million deferred income tax recovery). The deferred income tax recovery of $0.5 million is primarily due the recovery of the Mexican peso against the US dollar increasing the value of loss carry forwards.

Six months ended June 30, 2020 (compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019)

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, the Company's mine operating earnings was $0.2 million (2019: mine operating loss of $11.9 million) on net revenue of $42.1 million (2019: $56.3 million) with cost of sales of $41.9 million (2019: $68.2 million).

The Company had an operating loss of $13.2 million (2019: $23.5 million) after exploration costs of $4.1 million (2019: $5.5 million) and general and administrative costs of $5.1 million (2019: $5.0 million), care and maintenance expense for the shutdown of the El Cubo operation of $2.0 million and $2.2 million in care and maintenance costs related to the temporary suspension of the Guanaceví, Bolañitos and El Compas operations due to COVID-19.

The loss before taxes was $17.4 million (2019: $23.7 million) after finance costs of $0.7 million (2019: $0.2 million), a foreign exchange loss of $4.2 million (2019: gain of $0.2 million) and investment and other income of $0.7 million (2019: other expense of $0.2 million).  The Company realized a net loss for the period of $19.2 million (2019: $23.4 million) after an income tax expense of $1.8 million (2019: income tax recovery $0.3 million).


Net revenue of $42.1 million in 2020, net of $0.8 million of smelting and refining costs, decreased by 25% compared to $56.3 million, net of $2.2 million of smelting and refining costs.  Gross sales of $42.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 represented a 27% decrease over the $58.5 million for the same period in 2019. There was a 40% decrease in silver ounces sold and a 6% increase in the realized silver price resulting in 37% decrease silver sales. There was a 33% decrease in gold ounces sold with a 29% increase in realized gold prices resulting in a 14% decrease in gold sales.  During the period, the Company sold 1,300,339 oz silver and 12,672 oz gold, for realized prices of $16.16 and $1,727 per oz respectively, compared to sales of 2,169,450 oz silver and 18,975 oz gold, for realized prices of $15.25 and $1,340 per oz, respectively, in the same period of 2019. The realized prices of silver was 3% below average silver price as the Company sold ounces in March as prices fell from the COVID-19 crisis. The realized prices of gold exceeded the six month average by 5% as the Company sold production late in Q2, 2020 after a significant rise in gold prices. Silver and gold spot prices averaged $16.65 and $1,645 during the six month period, respectively.

The Company increased its finished goods silver and gold inventory to 235,100 silver oz and 1,953 gold oz, respectively at June 30, 2020 compared to 95,028 oz silver and 587 oz gold at December 31, 2019.  The cost allocated to these finished goods was $4.0 million at June 30, 2020, compared to $2.3 million at December 31, 2019.  At June 30, 2020, the finished goods inventory fair market value was $7.8 million, compared to $2.6 million at December 31, 2019.

Cost of sales for the first half of 2020 was $41.9 million, a decrease of 39% over the cost of sales of $68.2 million for the same period of 2019.  The 39% decrease in cost of sales was primarily related to the 35% decrease in tonnes processed, while cost cutting and efficiency measures implemented during 2019 were offset by inefficiencies of the suspension and re-start of activities due to COVID-19. 

Exploration expenses marginally decreased to $4.1 million from $5.5 million for the same period of 2019 as Mexican health decree resulted in a month and half of suspension of all activities. General and administrative expenses were generally flat at $5.1 million compared to $5.0 million for the same period of 2019.

The Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $4.2 million in the first half of 2020 compared to a foreign exchange gain of $0.2 million in 2019 due to the depreciation of the Mexican Peso which resulted in lower valuations of peso denominated tax receivables and cash balances. The Company incurred $0.7 million in finance charges primarily related to mobile equipment purchased late 2019 compared to $0.2 million in the same period in 2019. The Company recognized $0.7 million in investment and other income compared to $0.2 million in other expenses in 2019. There was an income tax expense of $1.8 million compared to an income tax recovery of $0.3 million for the same period in 2019.  The $1.8 million tax expense is comprised of $0.5 million in current income tax expense (2019: $0.9 million) and $1.3 million in deferred income tax (2019: $1.2 million deferred income tax recovery). The deferred income tax expense of $1.3 million is primarily due the depreciation the Mexican peso against the US dollar reducing the value of loss carry forwards.

The recoverable amounts of the Company's cash-generating units (CGUs), which include mining properties, plant and equipment are determined at the end of each reporting period, if impairment indicators are identified.  In previous years, commodity price declines led the Company to determine there were impairment indicators and assessed the recoverable amounts of its CGUs. The recoverable amounts were based on each CGUs future cash flows expected to be derived from the Company's mining properties and represent each CGU's value in use.  The cash flows were determined based on the life-of-mine after-tax cash flow forecast which incorporates management's best estimates of future metal prices, production based on current estimates of recoverable reserves and resources, exploration potential, future operating costs and non-expansionary capital expenditures discounted at risk adjusted rates based on the CGUs weighted average cost of capital.

As at December 31, 2019, the Company tested the recoverability of the Guanaceví CGU due to 2019 operational challenges and the El Compas CGU due to increased capital and operating costs than initially projected.  The Company determined that no impairment was required for either CGU.  Subsequent to period end, the Company considered the impact of the temporary suspension of operations and determined the re-start costs incurred from the suspension of the Mexican government decree do not have material effect on the values in use.


NON-IFRS MEASURES

Mine operating cash flow before taxes is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Mine operating cash flow is calculated as revenue minus direct production costs and royalties.  Mine operating cash flow is used by management to assess the performance of the mine operations, excluding corporate and exploration activities and is provided to investors as a measure of the Company's operating performance.

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

 

2020

2019

2020

2019

Mine operating earnings (loss)

$3,116

($6,105)

$230

($11,856)

Share-based compensation

92

53

183

108

Amortization and depletion

3,951

7,149

9,974

14,265

Write down of inventory to net realizable value

486

1,507

1,528

4,719

Mine operating cash flow before taxes

$7,645

$2,604

$11,915

$7,236

Operating cash flow before working capital adjustments is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Operating cash flow before working capital adjustments is calculated as operating cash flow minus working capital adjustments.  Operating cash flow before working capital adjustments is used by management to assess operating performance irrespective of working capital changes and is provided to investors as a measure of the Company's operating performance.

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

 

2020

2019

2020

2019

Cash from (used in) operating activities

($909)

($136)

($3,258)

($8,970)

Net changes in non-cash working capital

(2,800)

824

(178)

(5,880)

Operating cash flow before working capital adjustments

$1,891

($960)

($3,080)

($3,090)

Operating cash flow before working capital changes per share is a non-IFRS measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Operating cash flow per share is calculated by dividing cash from operating activities by the weighted average shares outstanding. Operating cash flow per share is used by management to assess operating performance irrespective of working capital changes and is provided to investors as a measure of the Company's operating performance.

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

except for share numbers and per share amounts

2020

2019

2020

2019

Operating cash flow before working capital adjustments

$1,891

($960)

($3,080)

($3,090)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

147,862,393

132,158,891

144,836,300

131,779,448

Operating cash flow before working capital changes per share

$0.01

($0.01)

($0.02)

($0.02)

 


EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure, which excludes the following from net earnings:

  • Income tax expense;
  • Finance costs;
  • Amortization and depletion

Adjusted EBITDA excludes the following additional items from EBITDA

  • Share based compensation;
  • Non-recurring write offs

Management believes EBITDA is a valuable indicator of the Company's ability to generate liquidity by producing operating cash flow to fund working capital needs, service debt obligations, and fund capital expenditures.  Management uses EBITDA for this purpose.  EBITDA is also frequently used by investors and analysts for valuation purposes whereby EBITDA is multiplied by a factor or "EBITDA multiple" based on an observed or inferred relationship between EBITDA and market values to determine the approximate total enterprise value of a Company.

EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. It does not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of operating performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.  EBITDA excludes the impact of cash costs of financing activities and taxes, and the effects of changes in operating working capital balances, and therefore is not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined by IFRS.  Other companies may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently.

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

 

2020

2019

2020

2019

Net earnings (loss) for the period

($3,289)

($10,123)

($19,215)

($23,401)

Depreciation and depletion – cost of sales

3,951

7,149

9,974

14,265

Depreciation and depletion – exploration

89

82

179

120

Depreciation and depletion – general & administration

54

83

109

156

Depreciation and depletion – care & maintenance

119

-

219

-

Depreciation and depletion – write down of inventory to net realizable value

246

644

746

1,643

Finance costs

356

103

666

195

Current income tax expense

195

184

461

882

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

(514)

(823)

1,350

(1,173)

Earnings (loss)before interest, taxes, depletion and amortization

$1,207

($2,701)

($5,511)

($7,313)

Share based compensation

848

851

1,593

1,850

Adjusted earnings (loss) before interest, taxes depletion and amortization

$2,055

($1,850)

($3,918)

($5,463)

 


Cash costs per ounce, total production costs per ounce and direct production costs per tonne are measures developed by precious metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's reporting of these non-IFRS measures are similar to those reported by other mining companies. Cash costs per ounce, production costs per ounce and direct production costs per tonne are measures used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's operating mining units. They are widely reported in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures. The following tables provide a detailed reconciliation of these measures to the Company's cost of sales, as reported in its consolidated financial statements. 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Direct costs per financial statements

$7,910

$2,847

$965

$-

$11,722

$11,105

$6,584

$1,690

$5,975

$25,354

Smelting and refining costs included in net revenue

-

243

85

-

328

-

502

96

490

1,088

Royalties

724

23

87

-

834

209

47

40

40

336

Special mining duty (1)

48

-

-

-

48

-

(10)

-

26

16

Opening finished goods

(2,850)

(259)

(315)

-

(3,424)

(1,488)

(1,272)

(336)

(171)

(3,267)

Finished goods NRV adjustment

-

-

240

-

240

439

-

570

-

1,009

Closing finished goods

2,017

356

403

-

2,776

986

252

872

539

2,649

Direct production costs

7,849

3,210

1,465

-

12,524

11,251

6,103

2,932

6,899

27,185

By-product gold sales

(3,270)

(4,242)

(2,200)

-

(9,712)

(1,990)

(5,380)

(1,727)

(3,766)

(12,863)

Opening gold inventory fair market value

1,197

458

653

-

2,308

373

1,447

434

317

2,571

Closing gold inventory fair market value

(1,315)

(994)

(1,171)

-

(3,480)

(348)

(249)

(1,674)

(410)

(2,681)

Cash costs net of by-product

4,461

(1,568)

(1,253)

-

1,640

9,286

1,921

(35)

3,040

14,212

Amortization and depletion

2,130

1,073

748

-

3,951

3,927

949

675

1,598

7,149

Share-based compensation

34

29

29

-

92

8

9

27

9

53

Opening finished goods depletion

(636)

(123)

(262)

-

(1,021)

(622)

(254)

(144)

(48)

(1,068)

NRV cost adjustment

-

-

246

-

246

212

-

1,604

-

1,816

Closing finished goods depletion

547

136

513

-

1,196

413

44

1,016

140

1,613

Total production costs

$6,536

($453)

$21

$-

$6,104

$13,224

$2,669

$3,143

$4,739

$23,775

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Throughput tonnes

62,231

41,680

10,209

-

114,120

75,591

76,386

21,242

64,421

237,640

Payable silver ounces

525,766

51,912

12,940

-

590,618

534,654

166,191

22,999

315,752

1,039,596

                     

Cash costs per ounce

$8.48

($30 .20)

($96.83)

-

$2.78

$17.37

$11.56

($1.52)

$9.63

$13.67

Total production costs per oz

$12.43

($8.73)

$1.62

-

10 .33

$24.73

$16.06

$136.66

$15.01

$22.87

Direct production costs per tonne

$126.13

$77.02

$143.50

-

$109.74

$148.84

$79.90

$138.03

$107.09

$114.40

 


 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Direct costs per financial statements

$16,345

$8,142

$4,035

$-

$28,522

$20,518

$12,402

$1,690

$13,815

$48,425

Smelting and refining costs included in net revenue

-

584

189

-

773

-

959

$96

1,156

2,211

Royalties

1,402

60

229

-

1,691

429

87

40

97

653

Special mining duty (1)

135

0

0

-

135

-

-

-

200

200

Opening finished goods

(1,509)

(219)

(169)

-

(1,897)

(1,247)

(1,457)

-

(502)

(3,206)

Finished goods NRVadjustment

-

-

782

-

782

1,694

-

651

-

2,345

Closing finished goods

2,017

356

403

-

2,776

986

252

872

539

2,649

Direct production costs

18,390

8,923

5,469

-

32,782

22,380

12,243

3,349

15,305

53,277

By-product gold sales

(6,357)

(10,334)

(5,194)

-

(21,885)

(3,384)

(10,955)

(1,727)

(9,366)

(25,432)

Opening gold inventory fair market value

437

244

213

-

894

279

1,341

-

604

2,224

Closing gold inventory fair market value

(1,315)

(994)

(1,171)

-

(3,480)

(348)

(249)

(1,674)

(410)

(2,681)

Cash costs net of by-product

11,155

(2,161)

(683)

-

8,311

18,927

2,380

(52)

6,133

27,388

Amortization and depletion

3,739

3,145

3,090

-

9,974

7,989

1,816

675

3,785

14,265

Share-based compensation

64

60

59

-

183

27

27

27

27

108

Opening finished goods depletion

(252)

(43)

(121)

-

(416)

(597)

(64)

-

(186)

(847)

NRVcost adjustment

-

-

746

-

746

736

-

1,639

-

2,375

Closing finished goods depletion

547

136

513

-

1,196

413

44

1,016

140

1,613

Total production costs

$15,253

$1,137

$3,604

$-

$19,994

$27,495

$4,203

$3,305

$9,899

$44,902

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Throughput tonnes

156,438

124,897

32,112

-

313,447

152,148

163,020

25,032

143,959

484,159

Payable silver ounces

1,268,764

132,918

38,727

-

1,440,409

992,340

355,226

26,040

716,205

2,089,811

                     

Cash costs per ounce

$8.79

($16.26)

($17.64)

-

$5.77

$19 .07

$6 .70

($2.00)

$8.56

$13.11

Total production costs per oz

$12.02

$8.55

$93.06

-

13.88

$27.71

$11.83

$126.92

$13.82

$21.49

Direct production costs per tonne

$117.55

$71.44

$170.31

-

$104.59

$147.09

$75.10

$133.79

$106 .31

$110.04

 

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

 

Closing finished goods

2,017

356

403

-

2,776

986

252

872

539

2,649

Closing finished goods depletion

547

136

513

-

1,196

413

44

1,016

140

1,613

Finished goods inventory

$2,564

$492

$916

$ -

$3,972

$1,399

$296

$1,888

$679

$4,262

(1) Special mining duty is an EBITDA royalty tax presented as a current income tax in accordance with IFRS.


All-in sustaining costs per ounce and all-in costs per ounce are measures developed by the World Gold Council (and used as a standard of the Silver Institute) in an effort to provide a comparable standard within the precious metal industry; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's reporting of these non-IFRS measures are similar to those reported by other mining companies. These measures are used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's operating mining units and consolidated group, and are widely reported in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures. The following tables provide a detailed reconciliation of these measures to the Company's cost of sales, as reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Cash costs net of by-product

$4,461

($1,568)

($1,253)

-

$1,640

$9,286

$1,921

($35)

$3,040

$14,212

Operations stock based compensation

34

29

29

-

92

9

9

27

9

54

Corporate general and administrative

1,529

607

305

-

2,441

478

262

183

352

1,275

Corporate stock based compensation

407

156

79

-

642

234

144

77

195

650

Reclamation - amortization/ accretion

10

8

2

-

20

14

11

2

25

52

Mine site expensed exploration

45

119

149

-

313

233

189

96

44

562

Lease payments

28

29

29

-

86

-

-

-

-

-

Equipment loan payments

145

323

-

-

468

-

-

-

-

-

Capital expenditures sustaining

1,225

1,843

36

-

3,104

3,082

1,226

653

(43)

4,918

All In Sustaining Costs

$7,884

$1,546

($624)

$-

$8,806

$13,336

$3,762

$1,003

$3,622

$21,723

Growth exploration

 

 

 

 

1,149

 

 

 

 

2,367

Growth capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

1,768

 

 

 

 

823

All In Costs

 

 

 

 

$11,723

 

 

 

 

$24,913

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

Three Months Ended June 30 , 20 19

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Throughput tonnes

62,231

41,680

10,209

-

114,120

75,591

76,386

21,242

64,421

237,640

Payable silver ounces

525,766

51,912

12,940

-

590,618

534,654

166,191

22,999

315,752

1,039,596

Silver equivalent production (ounces)

675,107

256,322

130,476

NA

1,061,905

646,326

414,691

203,047

559,898

1,823,962

                     

Sustaining cost per ounce

$15.00

$29.79

($48.25)

NA

14.91

$24.94

$22.64

$43.62

$11.47

$20.90

All In costs per ounce

 

 

 

 

19.85

 

 

 

 

$23.96

 

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Cash costs net of by-product

$11,155

($2,161)

($683)

-

$8,311

$18,927

$2,380

($52)

$6,133

$27,388

Operations stock based compensation

64

60

59

-

183

27

27

27

27

108

Corporate general and administrative

2,249

914

456

-

3,619

1,119

904

219

1,222

3,464

Corporate stock based compensation

879

357

178

-

1,414

463

373

90

505

1,431

Reclamation - amortization/ accretion

20

15

4

-

39

27

22

5

50

104

Mine site expensed exploration

326

336

408

-

1,070

365

425

144

242

1,176

Software payments

57

57

57

-

171

-

-

-

-

-

Equipment loan payments

291

864

-

-

1,155

-

-

-

-

-

Capital expenditures sustaining

3,698

4,682

83

-

8,463

5,024

2,724

653

42

8,443

All In Sustaining Costs

$18,739

$5,124

$562

$-

$24,425

$25,952

$6,855

$1,086

$8,221

$42,114

Growth exploration

 

 

 

 

2,802

 

 

 

 

3,933

Growth capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

1,921

 

 

 

 

1,424

All In Costs

 

 

 

 

$29,148

 

 

 

 

$47,471

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Throughput tonnes

156,438

124,897

32,112

-

313,447

152,148

163,020

25,032

143,959

484,159

Payable silver ounces

1,268,764

132,918

38,727

-

1,440,409

992,340

355,226

26,040

716,205

2,089,811

Silver equivalent production (ounces)

1,614,381

656,207

327,056

-

2,597,644

1,195,510

965,101

233,625

1,305,481

3,699,717

                     

Sustaining cost per ounce

$14.77

$38 .55

$14.50

-

$16 .96

$26.15

$19 .30

$41.71

$11.48

$20 .15

All In costs per ounce

 

 

 

 

$20 .24

 

 

 

 

$22.72

 


Expressed in thousands US dollars

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

 

2020

2019

2020

2019

Capital expenditures sustaining

$3,104

$4,918

$8,463

$8,443

Growth capital expenditures

1,768

823

1,921

1,424

Property, plant and equipment expenditures

$4,872

$5,741

$10 ,384

$9,867

 

Expressed in thousands US dollars

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

 

2020

2019

2020

2019

Mine site expensed exploration

$313

$610

$1,070

$1,176

Growth exploration

1,149

2,367

2,802

3,933

Exploration expenditures

$1,462

$2,977

$3,872

$5,109

Exploration depreciation and depletion

89

82

179

120

Exploration share-based compensation

114

148

(4)

311

Exploration expense

$1,665

$3,20 7

$4,0 47

$5,540

Silver co-product cash costs and gold co-product cash costs are measures used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's operating mining units and consolidated group, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures. The following tables provide a detailed reconciliation of these measures to the Company's cost of sales, as reported in its consolidated financial statements.

Expressed in thousands US dollars

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Direct costs per financial statements

$7,910

$2,847

$965

$-

$11,722

$11,105

$6,584

$1,690

$5,975

$25,354

Smelting and refining costs included in net revenue

-

243

85

-

328

-

502

96

490

1,088

Royalties

724

23

87

-

834

209

47

40

40

336

Special mining duty (1)

48

-

-

-

48

-

(10)

-

26

16

Opening finished goods

(2,850)

(259)

(315)

-

(3,424)

(1,488)

(1,272)

(336)

(171)

(3,267)

Finished goods NRV adjustment

-

-

240

-

240

439

-

570

-

1,009

Closing finished goods

2,017

356

403

-

2,776

986

252

872

539

2,649

Direct production costs

7,849

3,210

1,465

$-

12,524

11,251

6,103

2,932

6,899

27,185

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Silver production (ounces)

527,347

55,682

13,516

-

596,545

536,966

171,891

24,007

326,458

1,059,322

Average realized silver price ($)

17.04

17.04

17.04

-

17.04

15.02

15.02

15.02

15.02

15.02

Silver value ($)

8,985,993

948,821

230,313

-

10,165,127

8,065,229

2,581,803

360,585

4,903,399

15,911,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold production (ounces)

1,847

2,508

1,462

-

5,817

1,367

3,035

2,238

2,918

9,558

Average realized gold price ($)

1,862

1,862

1,862

-

1,862

1,366

1,366

1,366

1,366

1,366

Gold value ($)

3,439,114

4,669,896

2,722,244

-

10,831,254

1,867,322

4,145,810

3,057,108

3,985,988

13,056,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total metal value ($)

12,425,107

5,618,717

2,952,557

-

20,996,381

9,932,551

6,727,613

3,417,693

8,889,387

28,967,244

Pro-rated silver costs (%)

72%

17%

8%

-

48%

81%

38%

11%

55%

55%

Pro-rated gold costs (%)

28%

83%

92%

-

52%

19%

62%

89%

45%

45%

                     

Pro-rated silver costs ($)

5,676

542

114

-

6,063

9,136

2,342

309

3,805

14,932

Pro-rated gold costs ($)

2,173

2,668

1,351

-

6,461

2,115

3,761

2,623

3,094

12,253

                     

Silver co-product cash costs

$10.76

$9.74

$8.45

-

$10.16

$17.01

$13.63

$12.89

$11.66

$14.10

Gold co-product cash costs

$1,176

$1,064

$924

-

$1,111

$1,547

$1,239

$1,172

$1,060

$1,282

 


Expressed in thousands US dollars

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Direct costs per financial statements

$16,345

$8,142

$4,035

$-

$28,522

$20,518

$12,402

$1,690

$13,815

$48,425

Smelting and refining costs included in net revenue

-

$584

$189

-

$773

-

959

96

1,156

2,211

Royalties

1,402

60

229

-

1,691

429

87

40

97

653

Special mining duty (1)

135

0

0

-

135

-

-

-

200

200

Opening finished goods

(1,509)

(219)

(169)

-

(1,897)

(1,247)

(1,457)

-

(502)

(3,206)

Finished goods NRV adjustment

-

-

782

-

782

1,694

-

651

-

2,345

Closing finished goods

2,017

356

403

-

2,776

986

252

872

539

2,649

Direct production costs

18,390

8,923

5,469

$-

32,782

22,380

12,243

3,349

15,305

53,277

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Guanaceví

Bolañitos

El Compas

El Cubo

Total

Silver production (ounces)

1,272,461

141,807

39,936

-

1,454,204

995,110

367,901

27,225

740,441

2,130,677

Average realized silver price ($)

16.16

16.16

16.16

-

16.16

15.25

15.25

15.25

15.25

15.25

Silver value ($)

20,562,970

2,291,601

645,366

-

23,499,937

15,175,428

5,610,490

415,181

11,291,725

32,492,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold production (ounces)

4,274

6,430

3,589

-

14,293

2,505

7,465

2,580

7,063

19,613

Average realized gold price ($)

1,727

1,727

1,727

-

1,727

1,340

1,340

1,340

1,340

1,340

Gold value ($)

7,381,198

11,104,610

6,198,203

-

24,684,011

3,356,700

10,003,100

3,457,200

9,464,420

26,281,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total metal value ($)

27,944,168

13,396,211

6,843,569

-

48,183,948

18,532,128

15,613,590

3,872,381

20,756,145

58,774,244

Pro-rated silver costs (%)

74%

17%

9%

-

49%

82%

36%

11%

54%

55%

Pro-rated gold costs (%)

26%

83%

91%

-

51%

18%

64%

89%

46%

45%

                     

Pro-rated silver costs ($)

13,532

1,526

516

-

15,988

18,326

4,399

359

8,326

29,454

Pro-rated gold costs ($)

4,858

7,397

4,953

-

16,794

4,054

7,844

2,990

6,979

23,823

                     

Silver co-product cash costs

$10.63

$10.76

$12.91

-

$10.99

$18.42

$11.96

$13.19

$11.24

$13.82

Gold co-product cash costs

$1,137

$1,150

$1,380

-

$1,175

$1,618

$1,051

$1,159

$988

$1,215

(1) Special mining duty is an EBITDA royalty tax presented as a current income tax in accordance with IFRS.

QUARTERLY RESULTS AND TRENDS

The following table presents selected financial information for each of the most recent eight quarters:

Table in thousands of U.S. dollars except for

2020

2019

2018

share numbers and per share a mounts

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Gross Sales

$20,529

$22,372

$34,610

$28,589

$29,382

$29,143

$33,833

$37,581

Smelting and refining costs included in net revenue

$328

445

1,145

947

1,089

1,122

1,377

1,360

Direct costs

11,722

16,800

27,653

21,329

26,215

25,285

23,566

27,018

Royalties

834

857

935

446

336

317

357

421

Mine operating cash flow

7,645

4,270

4,877

5,867

1,742

2,419

8,533

8,782

Share-based compensation

92

91

37

50

53

55

-

-

Amortization and depletion

3,951

6,023

8,055

7,531

7,794

8,115

6,110

13,562

Write down on inventory

486

1,042

576

-

-

-

2,026

-

Mine operating earnings (loss)

$3,116

($2,886)

($3,791)

($1,714)

($6,105)

($5,751)

$397

($4,780)

                 

Basic earnings (loss)per share

($0 .02)

($0 .11)

($0 .13)

($0.05)

($0 .08)

($0.10)

($0.03)

($0 .04)

Diluted earnings (loss)per share

($0 .02)

($0 .11)

($0 .13)

($0.05)

($0 .08)

($0.10)

($0.03)

($0 .04)

Weighted shares outstanding

147,862,393

141,810,208

140,054,885

137,739,857

132,158,891

131,395,790

130,511,679

128,805,441

                 

Net earnings (loss)

($3,289)

($15,926)

($17,897)

($6,768)

($10,123)

($13,278)

($3,661)

($5,452)

Amortization and depletion

4,213

6,268

8,194

7,194

7,314

7,227

6,217

13,199

Finance costs

356

310

230

177

103

92

51

62

Current income tax

195

266

1,308

512

184

698

1,533

291

Deferred income tax

(514)

1,864

3,100

(567)

(823)

(350)

(2,591)

(2,957)

NRVcost adjustment

246

500

236

478

644

999

668

458

EBITDA

$1,207

($6,718)

($4,829)

$1,026

($2,701)

($4,612)

$2,217

$5,601

(1) For Q4, 2019 and Q4, 2018 write downs on inventory at period end have been shown as a separate line item in the above reconciliation.  For prior periods, it has been included as components of direct costs and amortization and depletion.

(2) Prior periods presented have been adjusted to present revenue net of concentrate smelting and refining costs previously included in direct cost of sales.


The following table presents selected production information for each of the most recent eight quarters:

Highlights

2020

2019

2018

 

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Processed tonnes

114,120

199,327

236,531

234,196

237,640

246,519

309,036

317,821

Guanaceví

62,231

94,207

92,323

78,517

75,591

76,557

75,528

81,268

Bolañitos

41,680

83,217

82,147

71,541

76,386

86,634

105,768

109,728

El Compas

10,209

21,903

22,855

21,885

21,242

3,790

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

39,206

62,253

64,421

79,538

127,740

126,825

Silver ounces

596,545

857,659

939,511

948,547

1,059,322

1,071,355

1,386,505

1,428,828

Guanaceví

527,347

745,114

673,559

533,923

536,966

458,144

484,197

518,318

Bolañitos

55,682

86,125

109,963

147,078

171,891

196,010

235,326

236,197

El Compas

13,516

26,420

33,518

43,634

24,007

3,218

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

122,471

223,912

326,458

413,983

666,982

674,313

Silver grade

188

155

140

144

157

154

157

160

Guanaceví

304

280

252

232

242

206

222

218

Bolañitos

47

40

51

77

78

86

82

84

El Compas

60

58

65

90

72

61

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

106

128

178

183

181

188

Silver recovery

86.3

86.1

88.3

87.6

88.5

87.7

88.8

87.5

Guanaceví

86.7

87.9

90.0

91.2

91.3

90.4

89.8

91.0

Bolañitos

88.4

80.5

81.6

83.0

89.7

81.8

84.4

79.7

El Compas

68.6

64.7

70.2

68.9

48.8

43.3

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

91.7

87.4

88.6

88.5

89.7

88.0

Gold ounces

5,817

8,476

9,578

9,716

9,558

10,055

13,117

12,968

Guanaceví

1,847

2,427

2,025

1,557

1,367

1,138

1,240

1,114

Bolañitos

2,508

3,922

4,088

3,226

3,035

4,430

5,166

4,832

El Compas

1,462

2,127

2,298

2,699

2,238

342

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

1,167

2,234

2,918

4,145

6,711

7,022

Gold grade

1.84

1.57

1.53

1.49

1.51

1.45

1.55

1.50

Guanaceví

1.05

0.87

0.75

0.67

0.62

0.52

0.58

0.48

Bolañitos

2.10

1.71

1.81

1.62

1.49

1.82

1.77

1.67

El Compas

5.55

4.02

4.33

4.56

4.35

3.66

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

1.16

1.29

1.63

1.84

1.93

2.00

Gold recovery

86.3

84.4

82.2

86.7

83.0

87.4

85.4

84.8

Guanaceví

87.9

92.1

91.0

92.1

90.7

88.9

88.0

88.8

Bolañitos

89.1

85.7

85.5

86.6

82.9

87.4

85.8

82.0

El Compas

80.3

75.1

72.2

84.1

75.3

76.8

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

79.8

86.5

86.4

88.1

84.7

86.1

Cash costs per oz

$2.78

$7.85

$13.63

$11.51

$13.67

$12.55

$9.22

$8.86

Guanaceví

$8.48

$9.01

$13.54

$12.83

$17.37

$21.06

$19.38

$18.14

Bolañitos

($30.20)

($7.32)

$4.82

$8.13

$11.56

$2.43

$2.59

$6.22

El Compas

($96.83)

$22.10

$10.90

($25.37)

($1.52)

($5.59)

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

$22.67

$17.67

$9.63

$7.72

$3.97

$2.47

AISC per oz

$14.91

$18.38

$23.20

$21.53

$20.90

$19.37

$14.20

$16.14

Guanaceví

$15.00

$14.61

$19.48

$20.99

$24.94

$27.56

$27.49

$28.75

Bolañitos

$29.79

$44.17

$38.38

$29.90

$22.64

$16.36

$5.12

$14.00

El Compas

($48.25)

$45.98

$47.68

$3.46

$43.62

$18.55

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

$24.41

$20.77

$11.47

$11.43

$7.48

$6.96

Costs per tonne

$109.74

$101.63

$113.47

$106.76

$114.40

$105.84

$93.52

$86.33

Guanaceví

$126.13

$111.89

$131.56

$116.20

$148.84

$145.37

$144.57

$131.75

Bolañitos

$77.02

$68.65

$80.66

$81.03

$79.90

$70.87

$66.43

$64.00

El Compas

$143.50

$182.81

$160.01

$137.99

$138.03

$110.03

-

-

El Cubo

-

-

$112.48

$113.44

$107.09

$10 5.69

$85.77

$76.55

(1) Total Production Cost per ounce


Key Economic Trends

Precious Metal Price Trends

The prices of silver and gold are the largest single factor in determining profitability and cash flow from operations. The financial performance of the Company has been, and is expected to continue to be, closely linked to the prices of silver and gold.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the average price of silver was $16.65 per ounce, with silver trading between $12.01 and $18.78 per ounce based on the London Fix silver price. This compares to an average of $15.23 per ounce for the six months ended June 30, 2019, with a low of $14.37 and a high of $16.08 per ounce. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company realized an average price of $16.16 per silver ounce compared with $15.25 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the average price of gold was $1,645 per ounce, with gold trading between $1,474 and $1,772 per ounce based on the London Fix PM gold price. This compares to an average of $1,308 per ounce during the six months ended June 30, 2019, with a low of $1,270 and a high of $1,431 per ounce. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company realized an average price of $1,727 per ounce compared with $1,340 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

During 2019, the average price of silver was $16.20 per ounce, with silver trading between $14.37 and $19.31 per ounce based on the London Fix silver price. This compares to an average of $15.71 per ounce for the year ended December 31, 2018, with a low of $13.97 and a high of $17.52 per ounce.

During 2019, the average price of gold was $1,393 per ounce, with gold trading between $1,270 and $1,546 per ounce based on the London Fix PM gold price. This compares to an average of $1,269 per ounce for the year ended December 31, 2018, with a low of $1,178 and a high of $1,355 per ounce.

Robust economic growth in early 2018 resulted in weaker investment in the precious metals sector.  Uncertainty surrounding tariff and trade discussions, the results of the US mid-term elections, signals of US economic slowdown and rising geopolitical risk renewed interest in precious metals in 2019. The impact of measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 on global economy resulted in significant volatility in the financial markets, including the gold and silver market in March 2020. Gold prices increased on an anticipated global economic recession and government financial stimulus announced to aid the economic recovery. Silver prices fell on expectations of a global recession with the expectation of reduced industrial demand. Silver prices improved as investment increased due to the monetary aspects of silver toward the end of the quarter.


 

Currency Fluctuations

The Company's operations are located in Mexico and therefore a significant portion of operating costs and capital expenditures are denominated in Mexican pesos. The Company's corporate activities are based in Vancouver, Canada with the significant portion of these expenditures being denominated in Canadian dollars. Generally, as the U.S. dollar strengthens, these currencies weaken, and as the U.S. dollar weakens, these currencies strengthen. 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Mexican peso was flat until a significant decrease in oil prices followed by the COVID-19 crisis in March when the Mexican Peso significantly depreciated against the U.S. dollar, as funds flowed to safe haven markets and assets.  During the six months period, the average foreign exchange rate was $21.66 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar, with the peso trading within a range of $18.53 to $25.00, while in Q2, 2020 the Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar averaged $23.33. This compares to a relatively flat 2019, with an average of $19.15 during the corresponding six-month period of 2019, with a range of $18.83 to $19.72 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar over the six month period in 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Mexican peso remained relatively stable relative to the U.S. dollar, although volatility occurred throughout the year. During 2019, the average foreign exchange rate was $19.24 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar, with the peso trading within a range of $18.73 to $20.14. This compares to an average of $19.22 during 2018, with a range of $18.00 to $20.77 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Canadian dollar was flat until a significant decrease in oil prices and then the COVID-19 crisis in March when the Canadian dollar significantly depreciated against the U.S. dollar as funds invested in safe haven markets and assets.  During the period, the average foreign exchange rate was $1.364 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar, with the Canadian dollar trading within a range of $1.297 to $1.453. This compares to an average of $1.334 during the corresponding six-month period of 2019, with a range of $1.310 to $1.364 Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar over the same period in 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Canadian dollar traded in relatively tight trading range against the U.S. dollar. During 2019, the average foreign exchange rate was $1.327 Canadian dollar per U.S. dollar, with the Canadian dollar trading within a range of $1.302 and $1.364. This compares to an average of $1.296 for 2018, within a range of $1.230 and $1.330 Canadian dollar per U.S. dollar.


Consolidated Cost Trends

The Company's profitability is subject to industry wide cost pressures on development and operating costs with respect to labour, energy, consumables and capital expenditures. Underground mining is labour intensive and approximately 33% of the Company's production costs are directly tied to labour. In order to mitigate the impact of higher labour and consumable costs, the Company focuses on continuous improvement by promoting more efficient use of materials and supplies and by pursuing more advantageous pricing while increasing performance and without compromising operational integrity.

ANNUAL OUTLOOK

As of March 31, 2020, the Mexican government declared a national health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous health precautions have been decreed, including the suspension of non-essential businesses, with only essential services to remain open. Initially mining did not qualify as an essential service so for the protection of the Company's staff, employees, contractors and communities, the Company suspended its three mining operations in Mexico as of April 1, 2020 as mandated by the Mexican government. The Company retained essential personnel at each mine site during the suspension period to maintain safety protocols, environmental monitoring, security measures and equipment maintenance. Essential personnel followed the Company's strict COVID-19 safety protocols and non-essential employees were sent home to self-isolate and stay healthy, while continuing to receive their base pay. In May 2020, the Mexican government declared mining as an essential business and operations resumed.

The Company has implemented plans to minimize the risks of the COVID-19 virus, both to employees and to the business.  At each site, Endeavour is following government health protocols and is closely monitoring the pandemic with local health authorities.  The Company has posted health advisories to educate employees about the COVID-19 symptoms, best practices to avoid contracting and spreading the virus, and procedures to follow if symptoms are experienced.

As the COVID-19 global pandemic is dynamic and, given that the ultimate duration and severity of the pandemic remains uncertain, the impact on the Company's 2020 production and costs remain uncertain. 

The current silver and gold prices significantly exceed the $17.00 per silver oz and $1,450 per gold oz prices used for the 2020 mine plans and the Mexican peso exchange rate has depreciated significantly. 

For the first quarter of 2020, silver equivalent production was in line with guidance prior to its withdrawal by the Company. The Mexican government declared mining as an essential business, however in Mexico positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise at a significant rate and to date the infection rate has not declined. A local outbreak, an impediment to supply or market logistics or change in government health orders remains a significant risk. The mines are operating under strict safety protocols with the expectations of operating near throughput capacity.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents increased from $23.4 million at December 31, 2019 to $30.5 million at June 30, 2020.  The Company had working capital of $44.6 million at June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $38.4 million).  The $6.2 million increase in working capital is primarily due to equity raise of $23.1 million offset by the loss incurred in the period, increasing the current cash balance.

Operating activities used $3.3 million during the first half of 2020 compared to using $9.0 million of cash during the same period of 2019.  The significant non-cash adjustments to the net loss of $19.2 million were amortization and depletion of $10.5 million, share-based compensation of $1.6 million, a deferred income tax expense of $1.3 million, finance costs of $0.7 million, a write down of inventory to net realizable value of $1.5 million and a change in non-cash working capital of $0.2 million.  The change in non-cash working capital was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable and prepaid offset by a similar decrease in payables. 

The Company's Mexican subsidiaries pay IVA, Impuesto al Valor Agregado ("IVA"), on the purchase and sale of goods and services. The net amount paid is recoverable but is subject to review and assessment by the tax authorities. The Company regularly files the required IVA returns and all supporting documentation with the tax authorities, however, the Company has been advised that certain IVA amounts receivable from the tax authorities are being withheld pending completion of the authorities' audit of certain of the Company's third-party suppliers. Under Mexican law the Company has legal rights to those IVA refunds and the results of the third-party audits should have no impact on refunds. A smaller portion of IVA refund requests are from time to time improperly denied based on the alleged lack of compliance of certain formal requirements and information returns by the Company's third-party suppliers. The Company takes necessary legal action on the delayed refunds as well as any improperly denied refunds. 

The Company is in regular contact with the tax authorities in respect of its IVA filings and believes that the full amount of its IVA receivables will ultimately be received; however, the timing of recovery of these amounts and the nature and extent of any adjustments to the Company's IVA receivables remains uncertain

Investing activities during the year used $10.3 million compared to $9.9 million in the same period in 2019. The investments in 2020 were primarily for sustaining capital at existing mines, while in 2019 capital expenditures pertained to sustaining capital at the existing operations and the construction of the El Compas operation. 

Capital additions totaled $14.0 million in property, plant and equipment for the six months ended June 30, 2020, including financed mobile equipment, as follows:

At Guanaceví, the Company invested $5.6 million, with $3.4 million spent on 2.9 kilometres of mine development and acquired $2.0 million of mobile equipment, of which $1.9 million was financed to accelerate the development.  The Company also purchased $0.2 million on plant, office and IT equipment.

At Bolañitos, the Company invested $6.3 million, with $4.0 million spent on 3.4 kilometres of mine development and acquired $2.3 million of mobile equipment, of which $1.6 million was financed to accelerate the development. 

Exploration incurred $0.6 million in holding costs and acquisition of concessions, the Terronera development project acquired a ball mill for $1.4 million, while the El Cubo operation sold equipment resulting in a $0.1 million loss in the period. 

Financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 increased cash by $21.3 million, compared to increasing cash by $8.5 million during the same period in 2019.  During 2020, the Company received gross proceeds through an at-the-market financing of $24.2 million, paid $1.1 million in share issue costs and paid $1.9 million in interest and principal repayments on loans and leases.  By comparison, during the same period in 2019, the Company raised gross proceeds of $9.2 million, paid $0.3 million in share issue costs and paid $0.4 million in financing costs.

In April 2018, the Company filed a short form base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf") to qualify the distribution of up to CAD$150 million of common shares, warrants or units of the Company comprising any combination of common shares and warrants ("Securities").  The distribution of Securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may vary with market prices prevailing at the time of sale, or at prices related to such prevailing market prices to be negotiated with purchasers and as set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, including transactions that are deemed to be at the market distributions.  The Base Shelf also provides the Company with the ability to conduct an "At-The-Market" offering through an "At-The-Market" facility ("2018 ATM") equity distribution agreement.


On June 13, 2018, the Company entered into an ATM equity facility with BMO Capital Markets (the lead agent), CIBC Capital Markets, H.C. Wainwright & Co., HSBC and TD Securities (together, the "Agents").  Under the terms of this ATM facility, the Company may, from time to time, sell common stock having an aggregate offering value of up to $35.7 million on the New York Stock Exchange.  The Company determines, at its sole discretion, the timing and number of shares to be sold under the ATM facility.  From January 1st to April 21st 2020, the Company issued 2,164,119 common shares under the ATM facility at an average price of $1.56 per share for gross proceeds of $3.4 million, less commissions of $76 thousand. The ATM program was completed in April 2020.

In April 2020, the Company filed a short form base shelf prospectus to qualify the distribution of up to CAD$150 million of various securities of the Company. including common shares, of the Company.  The distribution of such securities of the Company may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may vary with market prices prevailing at the time of sale, or at prices related to such prevailing market prices to be negotiated with purchasers and as set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, including transactions that are deemed to be at the market distributions.  The Base Shelf also provides the Company with the ability to conduct an "At-The-Market" offering through an "At-The-Market" facility ("2020 ATM") equity distribution agreement.

On May 14, 2020, the Company entered into an ATM equity facility (the "2020 ATM Facility") with a syndicate of agents.  Under the terms of the 2020 ATM Facility, the Company may, from time to time, sell common shares having an aggregate offering value of up to $23 million on the New York Stock Exchange.  The Company determines, at its sole discretion, the timing and number of shares to be sold under the 2020 ATM Facility. 

From May 14, 2020 to June 30, 2020, the Company issued 11,083,325 common shares under the 2020 ATM Facility at an average price of $1.88 per share for gross proceeds of $20.8 million less commission of $0.5 million which has been presented net of share capital. Up to $2.2 million of common shares of the Company remains issuable under the 2020 ATM Facility. 

The principal business objective that the Company expected to accomplish using the net proceeds from the 2018 and 2020 ATM Facilities is to advance the exploration and development of the Terronera Project. Any further net proceeds from the facilities are added to the Company's working capital.

For the completed 2018 ATM Facility, the net proceeds were used as follows:

Use of proceeds

 

Net proceeds received

$34,405

Advancement of Terronera Project

(10,380)

Allocated to working capital

$24,025

All net proceeds of the 2020 ATM Facility received remain held as cash as of June 30, 2020.

Use of proceeds

30-Jun-20

Net proceeds received

$20,305

Advancement of Terronera Project

0

Remaining proceeds

$20,305

The Company had negative cash flow of $3.3 million from its operations in the first half of 2020.  Proceeds from the 2018 ATM Facility have been used to cover this negative cash flow. As of June 30, 2020, the Company held $30.5 million in cash and $44.6 million in working capital.

As at June 30, 2020, the Company's issued share capital was $505.3 million, representing 154,926,622 common shares, and the Company had options outstanding to purchase 8,373,300 common shares with a weighted average exercise price of CAD$3.39.

In total, during the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company issued 13,247,444 common shares under the combined ATM facilities at an average price of $1.83 per share for gross proceeds of $24.2 million, less commission of $0.6 million which has been presented net of share capital.


Contingencies

Minera Santa Cruz y Garibaldi SA de CV ("MSCG"), a subsidiary of the Company, received a MXN 238 million assessment on October 12, 2010 by Mexican fiscal authorities for failure to provide the appropriate support for certain expense deductions taken in MSCG's 2006 tax return, failure to provide appropriate support for loans made to MSCG from affiliated companies, and deemed an unrecorded distribution of dividends to shareholders, among other individually immaterial items. MSCG immediately initiated a Nullity action and filed an administrative attachment to dispute the assessment.

In June 2015, the Superior Court ruled in favour of MSCG on a number of the matters under appeal; however, the Superior Court ruled against MSCG for failure to provide appropriate support for certain deductions taken in MSCG's 2006 tax return. In June 2016, the Company received a MXN 122.9 million ($5.3 million) tax assessment based on the June 2015 ruling.  The 2016 tax assessment comprised of MXN 41.8 million in taxes owed ($1.8 million), MXN 17.7 million ($0.8 million) in inflationary charges, MXN 40.4 million ($1.7 million) in interest and MXN 23.0 million ($1.0 million) in penalties.  The 2016 tax assessment was issued for failure to provide the appropriate support for certain expense deductions taken in MSCG's 2006 tax return, failure to provide appropriate support for loans made to MSCG from affiliated companies. If MSCG agrees to pay the tax assessment, or a lesser settled amount, it is eligible to apply for forgiveness of 100% of the penalties and 50% of the interest.

The Company filed an appeal against the June 2016 tax assessment on the basis that certain items rejected by the courts were included in the new tax assessment and a number of deficiencies exist within the assessment. Since issuance of the assessment interest charges of MXN 7.6 million ($0.3 million) and inflationary charges of MXN 11.5 million ($0.5 million) has accumulated.

Included in the Company's consolidated financial statements, are net assets of $595,000, including $42,000 in cash, held by MSCG. Following the Tax Court's rulings, MSCG has been in discussions with the tax authorities with regards to the shortfall of assets within MSCG to settle its estimated tax liability. An alternative settlement option would be to transfer the shares and assets of MSCG to the tax authorities. The Company recognized an allowance for transferring the shares and assets of MSCG amounting to $595,000 in prior year.  The Company is currently assessing MSCG's settlement options based on ongoing court proceedings and discussion with the tax authorities.

Compania Minera Del Cubo SA de CV ("Cubo"), a subsidiary of the Company, received an MXN 58.5 million (US $2.5 million) assessment in 2019 by Mexican fiscal authorities for failure to provide the appropriate support for depreciation deductions taken in the Cubo 2016 tax return and denied deductions of certain suppliers.  The tax assessment consists of MXN 24.1 million ($1.0 million) for taxes, MXN 21.0 million ($0.9 million) for penalties, 10.4 million ($0.4 million) for interest and MXN 3.0 million ($0.1 million) for inflation.    As of December 31, 2019, the Cubo entity had MXN 1.6 billion (US $67.2 million) in loss carry forwards which would be applied against any generated income. The Mexican tax authorities did not consider these losses in the assessment.

Due to the denial of certain suppliers for income tax purposes, the invoices are deemed ineligible for refunds of IVA paid on the invoices. The assessment includes MXN 14.7 million ($0.6 million) for re-payment of IVA (value added taxes) refunded on these supplier payments.  In the Company's judgement the suppliers and invoices meet the necessary requirements to be deductible for income tax purposes and the recovery of IVA.

The Company has filed an administrative appeal related to the 2016 Cubo Tax assessment. Cubo has provided a lien on certain El Cubo mining concessions during the appeal process. Since issuance of the assessment interest charges of MXN 4.9 million ($0.2 million) and inflationary charges of MXN 0.9 million ($0.1 million) has accumulated.

Capital Requirements

As of June 30, 2020, the Company held $30.5 million in cash and $44.6 million in working capital, however the duration and severity of the global COVID-19 pandemic could have a material impact on the Company's liquidity.  The Mexican government declared mining as an essential business, however in Mexico positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise at a significant rate and to date, the infection rate has not declined. A local outbreak, an impediment to supply or market logistics or change in government health orders remains a significant risk. The mines are operating under strict safety protocols with the expectations of operating near throughput capacity.

The Company may be required to raise additional funds through future debt or equity financings in order to carry out its business plans.  The Company will continue to monitor capital markets, economic conditions, the COVID-19 global pandemic and assess its short term and long term capital needs.


Contractual Obligations

The Company had the following undiscounted contractual obligations at June 30, 2020:

Payments due by period (in thousands of dollars)  
   
   
   
       
Contractual Obligations   Total     Less than 1
year
    1 - 3 years     3 - 5 years     More than
5 years
 
Capital asset purchases $ 123   $ 123   $ -   $ -   $ -  
Loans payable   12,494     4,359     6,572     1,563     -  
Lease liabilities   1,444     250     372     317     505  
Other contracts   846     120     205     205     316  
Other Long-Term Liabilities   9,112     -     6,400     2,403     309  
Total $ 24,019   $ 4,852   $ 13,549   $ 4,488   $ 1,130  

Transactions with Related Parties

The Company shares common administrative services and office space with Aztec Metals Corp., which is considered a related party company by virtue of Bradford Cooke being a common director.  From time to time, Endeavour incurs third-party costs on behalf of related parties, which are charged on a full cost recovery basis. The charges for these costs totaled $1,000 and $2,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 respectively (June 30, 2019 - $2,000 and $4,000 respectively).  The Company had a $1,000 net receivable related to administration costs outstanding as at June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $1,000). 

The Company was charged $104,000 and $142,000 for legal services for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 respectively by a firm in which the Company's corporate secretary is a partner (June 30, 2019 - $95,000 and $114,000 respectively).  The Company has $4,000 payable to the legal firm as at June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $33,000).

Financial Instruments and fair value measurements

As at June 30, 2020, the carrying and fair values of Endeavour's financial instruments by category were as follows:

Expressed in thousands US dollars   Fair value
through

profit or loss
    Amortized
cost
    Carrying
value
    Estimated
Fair value
 
Financial assets:                        
Cash and cah equivalents $ -   $ 30,498   $ 30 ,498   $ 30,498  
Other investments   183     -     183     183  
Trade receivables   6,144     -     6,144     6,144  
Other receivables   -     320     320     320  
Total financial assets $ 6,327   $ 30,818   $ 37,145   $ 37,145  
                         
Financial liabilities:                        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 2,853   $ 13,796   $ 16,649   $ 16,649  
Loans payable   0     11,0 18     11,018     11,018  
Total financial liabilities $ 2,853   $ 24,814   $ 27,667   $ 27,667  

Fair value measurements

Fair value hierarchy:

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The fair value hierarchy establishes three levels to classify the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 2 inputs are quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rate and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, forward pricing curves used to value currency and commodity contracts and volatility measurements used to value option contracts), or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data or other means.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable (supported by no or little market activity).  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

 


Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include:

Expressed in thousands US dollars   Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3    
 
Assets:                          
Other investments $ 183   $ 183   $ -   $ -    
Trade receivables   6,144     -     6,144     -    
Total financial assets $ 6,327   $ 183   $ 6,144   $ -    
                           
Liabilities:                          
Deferred share units $ 2,853   $ 2,853   $ -   $ -    
Total financial liabilities $ 2,853   $ 2,853   $ -   $ -    

 

Other investments

The Company holds marketable securities classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.  The fair values of these other investments are determined based on a market approach reflecting the closing price of each particular security at the reporting date. The closing price is a quoted market price obtained from the stock exchange that is the principal active market for the particular security, being the market with the greatest volume and level of activity for the assets.  Changes in fair value on available for sale marketable securities are recognized in income or loss. 

Trade receivables

The trade receivables consist of receivables from provisional silver and gold sales from the Bolañitos, El Cubo and El Compas mines.  The fair value of receivables arising from concentrate sales contracts that contain provisional pricing mechanisms is determined using the appropriate quoted closing price on the measurement date from the exchange that is the principal active market for the particular metal.  As such, these receivables, which meet the definition of an embedded derivative, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Deferred share units

The Company has a Deferred Share Unit ("DSU") plan whereby deferred share units may be granted to independent directors of the Company in lieu of compensation in cash or stock options. The DSUs vest immediately and are redeemable for cash based on the market value of the units at the time of a director's retirement. The DSUs are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.  The liability is determined based on a market approach reflecting the closing price of the Company's common shares at the reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognized in general and administrative salaries, wages and benefits.

Share appreciation rights

As part of the Company's bonus program, the Company grants share appreciation rights ("SARs") to its employees in Mexico and Chile.  The SARs are subject to vesting conditions and, when exercised, constitute a cash bonus based on the value of the appreciation of the Company's common shares between the SARS grant date and the exercise date. 

The SARs are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.  The liability is valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in fair value are recognized in salaries, wages and benefits.

Financial Instrument Risk Exposure and Risk Management

The Company is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks.  The Board approves and monitors the risk management process.  The types of risk exposure and the way in which such exposure is managed is provided as follows:

Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to credit risk on its bank accounts, investments and accounts receivable.  Credit risk exposure on bank accounts and short-term investments is limited through maintaining the Company's balances with high-credit quality financial institutions, maintaining investment policies, assessing institutional exposure and continual discussion with external advisors. Value added tax receivables are generated on the purchase of supplies and services to produce silver, which are refundable from the Mexican government.  Trade receivables are generated on the sale of concentrate inventory to reputable metal traders.


Liquidity Risk

The Company ensures that there is sufficient capital in order to meet short-term business requirements.  The Company's policy is to invest cash at floating rates of interest, while cash reserves are to be maintained in cash equivalents in order to maintain liquidity after taking into account the Company's holdings of cash equivalents, money market investments, marketable securities and receivables. The Company believes that these sources, operating cash flow and its policies will be sufficient to cover expected short-term cash requirements and commitments.

The Company's Mexican subsidiaries pay value added tax, IVA, on the purchase and sale of goods and services. The net amount paid is recoverable but is subject to review and assessment by the tax authorities. The Company regularly files the required IVA returns and all supporting documentation with the tax authorities, however, the Company has been advised that certain IVA amounts receivable from the tax authorities are being withheld pending completion of the authorities' audit of certain of the Company's third-party suppliers. Under Mexican law the Company has legal rights to those IVA refunds and the results of the third-party audits should have no impact on refunds. A smaller portion of IVA refund requests are from time to time improperly denied based on the alleged lack of compliance of certain formal requirements and information returns by the Company's third-party suppliers. The Company takes necessary legal action on the delayed refunds as well as any improperly denied refunds. 

The Company is in regular contact with the tax authorities in respect of its IVA filings and believes that the full amount of its IVA receivables will ultimately be received; however, the timing of recovery of these amounts and the nature and extent of any adjustments to the Company's IVA receivables remains uncertain.

Market Risk

The significant market risk exposures to which the Company is exposed are foreign currency risk, interest rate risk, and commodity price risk.

Foreign Currency Risk - The Company's operations in Mexico and Canada make it subject to foreign currency fluctuations.  Certain of the Company's operating expenses are incurred in Mexican pesos and Canadian dollars; therefore, the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar in relation to these currencies will consequently have an impact upon the profitability of the Company and may also affect the value of the Company's assets and the amount of shareholders' equity.  The Company has not entered into any agreements or purchased any instruments to hedge possible currency risks.

Interest Rate Risk - In respect of financial assets, the Company's policy is to invest cash at floating rates of interest and cash reserves are to be maintained in cash equivalents in order to maintain liquidity.  Fluctuations in interest rates impact the value of cash equivalents.

Commodity Price Risk - Gold and silver prices have historically fluctuated significantly and are affected by numerous factors outside of the Company's control, including, but not limited to, industrial and retail demand, central bank lending, forward sales by producers and speculators, levels of worldwide production, short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative hedging activities and certain other factors.  The Company has not engaged in any hedging activities, other than short-term metal derivative transactions less than 90 days, to reduce its exposure to commodity price risk.  At June 30, 2020, there are 55,198 oz of silver and 2,882 oz of gold, which do not have a final settlement price and the estimated revenues have been recognized at current market prices.  As at June 30, 2020, with other variables unchanged, a 10% decrease in the market value of silver and gold would result in a reduction of revenue of $0.6 million. 


Outstanding Share Data

As of July 30, 2020, the Company had the following securities issued and outstanding:

  • 154,988,222 common shares
  • 8,321,700 common shares issuable under stock options with a weighted average exercise price of CAD$3.39 per share expiring between May 13, 2020 and March 2, 2025.

The Company considers the items included in the consolidated statement of shareholders' equity as capital. The Company's objective when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders. The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets.  In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue new shares through private placements, prospectus offerings, convertible debentures, asset acquisitions or return capital to shareholders.  The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The accounting policies applied in the Company's condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are the same as those applied in the Company's annual audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2019 except that the Company has changed its presentation of concentrate treatment and refining costs of sales to presenting as a reduction in revenue.  The prior period amounts have also been reclassified.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements requires the Company to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant areas requiring the use of management judgment relate to the determination of mineralized reserves, plant and equipment lives, estimating the fair values of financial instruments and derivatives, impairment of non-current assets, reclamation and rehabilitation provisions, recognition of deferred tax assets, and assumptions used in determining the fair value of share-based compensation.

See "Critical Accounting Estimates" in the Company's annual MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019 for a detailed discussion of the areas in which critical accounting estimates are made.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management, including the CEO and CFO, have evaluated the Company's internal controls over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the period that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 there have been no significant changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.