Earnings Conference Call at 10am PST (1pm EST) Today
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) released today its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020. The Company operates three silver-gold mines in Mexico: the Guanaceví mine in Durango state, the Bolañitos mine in Guanajuato state and the El Compas mine in Zacatecas state. All dollar ($) amounts are reported in United States dollars (US$).
Bradford Cooke, Endeavour CEO, commented, “While 2019 was operationally the most challenging in our 16-year history as a producing company, 2020 was perhaps one of the most satisfying. Notwithstanding a government mandated two-month suspension of mining operations due to the COVID pandemic, we delivered higher production and lower costs at each of our three operating mines in 2020.”
“Lower costs coupled with higher metal prices drove significantly higher revenues, cash flow and earnings, which turned positive for the first time in three years thanks to our very strong performance in Q4, 2020. The operational turn-around programs implemented in 2019 have been a big success operationally and financially, a testament to the hard work, skill, passion and persistence of our operations team.”
“We remain alert regarding the COVID pandemic in Mexico and diligent with all our health and safety protocols, continuing to prioritize our employees’ safety as a key goal. I am pleased to report that Guanacevi, our largest mine, posted a second consecutive year with more than 1 million hours worked without a lost time accident.”
2020 Fourth Quarter Highlights
2020 Full Year Highlights
(1) Mine operating cash flow, direct cost per tonne, direct operating cost per tonne, cash costs and all-in sustaining costs are non-IFRS measures. Please refer to the definitions in the Company’s Management Discussion & Analysis.
Financial Overview
In 2020, revenue, net of smelting and refining costs, increased 18% to $138.4 million as sharply higher metal prices were partly offset by 9% lower silver equivalent production year on year. Mine operating cash flows, operating cash flows, earnings and EBITDA all substantially increased compared to 2019. Net earnings improved to $1.2 million compared to a net loss of $48.1 million in 2019, including $19.9 million earnings in Q4, 2020.
A Company-wide review of operations in early 2019 identified several opportunities to improve 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 measures was to improve safety, boost productivity, reduce operating costs and generate free cash flow. Management notes that the remedial measures had a positive impact on mine operating performance, the operational turn-arounds were completed last year and the benefit of these initiatives was realized in the second half of 2020. These improvements accommodated increased health protocols and new government restrictions related to the COVID-19 global pandemic (COVID-19), including the temporary suspension of mining operations in April and May of 2020.
Direct costs per tonne in 2020 increased 4%, to $114.57 compared with 2019 due to higher royalties, special mining duties and toll ore purchases offset by improved productivity at the Guanaceví and Bolañitos operation, the depreciation of the Mexican Peso and the exclusion of the El Cubo operation, which suspended activities in Q4, 2019. Direct operating cost per tonne, which excludes royalties and special mining duties, was 6% lower at $101.17 per tonne compared to $107.96 per tonne in 2019.
Consolidated cash costs per oz, net of by-product credits, decreased 57% to $5.55 primarily due to higher ore grades and higher a realized gold price that increased the by-product credit compared to 2019. All-in sustaining cost decreased 17% to $17.59 per oz in 2020 as a result of lower operating costs partly offset by higher corporate general and administrative costs and increased capital expenditures to accelerate mine development. General and administrative costs increased $2.7 million primarily due to a $3.5 million expense related the mark to market of deferred share units.
Financial Results (Consolidated Statement of Operations Appended Below)
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company generated net revenue totalling $138.4 million (2019 - $117.4 million). During the year, the Company sold 3,460,638 silver oz and 35,519 gold oz at realized prices of $21.60 and $1,846 per oz respectively, compared to sales of 4,054,652 oz silver and 39,151 oz gold at realized prices of $16.29 and $1,422 per oz respectively in 2019.
Cost of sales for 2020 was $111.1 million, a decrease of 18% over the cost of sales of $134.8 million for 2019. The 18% decrease in cost of sales was primarily related to the 21% decrease in tonnes processed and the depreciation of the Mexican Peso while cost cutting and efficiency measures implemented during 2019 were partly offset by inefficiencies of the suspension and re-start of activities due to COVID-19 and higher royalty expense with the rising prices. Royalties increased 301% to $8.2 million due to higher realized prices and the increased mining of the high grade El Curso property at the Guanacevi operation which is subject to significantly higher royalty rates.
Mine operating earnings was $27.3 million compared to a loss of $17.4 million in 2019. Excluding depreciation and depletion of $28.1million (2019 - $31.5 million), stock-based compensation of $0.3 million (2019- $0.2 million) and the inventory write off of $0.4 million (2019- $0.6 million) mine operating cash flow before taxes was $56.2 million in 2020 (2019 – $14.9 million).
Operating losses before taxes was $0.8 million (2019 – loss of $43.9 million) after exploration expenditures of $9.8 million (2019 – $12.0 million), general and administrative expense of $12.7 million (2019 – $10.0 million), care and maintenance expense for the shutdown of the El Cubo mine of $3.0 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 in Q2, 2020. In 2020, the operating loss included impairments, net of impairment reversals, of non-current assets of $0.4 million related the value in use estimates of the Guanacevi and El Compas operations. The operating loss for 2019 included a severance expense of $4.6 million related to the suspension of operations at El Cubo at the end of 2019.
There was an income tax recovery of $2.2 million in 2020 compared to an income tax expense of $4.1 million in 2019. The $2.2 million tax recovery is comprised of $3.0 million in current income tax expense (2019 - $2.7 million) and $5.2 million in deferred income tax recovery (2019- $1.4 million deferred income tax expense). The current income tax expense consists of $2.0 million of special mining duty taxes and $1.0 million of income taxes. In 2019, the Company did not pay special mining duty due the losses generated at the operations. The deferred income tax recovery of $5.2 million is primarily due recognition loss carry forwards as the future profitability of the Guanacevi operation has significantly increased with the recent increase in reserve estimates.
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss these results will be held today, Monday, March 1st at 10am PST (1pm EST). To participate in the conference call, please dial the numbers below. No pass-code is necessary.
Toll-free in Canada and the US: 1-800-319-4610
Local Vancouver: 604-638-5340
Outside of Canada and the US: +-604-638-5340
A replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 1-800-319-6413 in Canada and the US (toll-free) or +604-638-9010 outside of Canada and the US. The required pass-code is 5891#. The replay will also be available on the Company’s website at www.edrsilver.com.
The complete financial statements and Management’s Discussion & Analysis can be viewed on the Company’s website, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All shareholders can receive a hard copy of the Company’s complete audited financial statements free of charge upon request. To receive this material in hard copy, please contact Galina Meleger, Director Investor Relations at 604-640-4804, toll free at 1-877-685-9775 or email at gmeleger@edrsilver.com
About Endeavour Silver – Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that owns and operates three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico and Chile to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.
SOURCE Endeavour Silver Corp.
Contact Information:
Galina Meleger, Director Investor Relations
Toll free: (877) 685-9775
Tel: (604) 640-4804
Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com
Website: www.edrsilver.com
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States private securities litigation reform act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding Endeavour’s anticipated performance in 2021 including changes in mining operations and production levels, the impact of COVID-19 and the timing and results of various activities. 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 that may cause the actual results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to changes in production and costs guidance, national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices, operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, challenges to the Company’s title to properties; the impact of COVID-19, as well as those factors described in the section “risk factors” contained in the Company’s most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Company’s mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with management’s expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. 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.
ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
COMPARATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Three Months Ended December 31 | 2020 Highlights | Year Ended December 31 | ||||
2020 | 2019 | % Change | 2020 | 2019 | % Change | |
Production | ||||||
1,117,289 | 939,511 | 19% | Silver ounces produced | 3,513,767 | 4,018,735 | (13%) |
12,586 | 9,578 | 31% | Gold ounces produced | 37,139 | 38,907 | (5%) |
1,108,848 | 923,540 | 20% | Payable silver ounces produced | 3,482,094 | 3,951,923 | (12%) |
12,314 | 9,397 | 31% | Payable gold ounces produced | 36,392 | 38,003 | (4%) |
2,124,169 | 1,705,751 | 25% | Silver equivalent ounces produced(1) | 6,484,887 | 7,131,295 | (9%) |
6.83 | 13.63 | (50%) | Cash costs per silver ounce(2)(3) | 5.55 | 12.85 | (57%) |
14.58 | 20.43 | (29%) | Total production costs per ounce(2)(4) | 14.01 | 20.73 | (32%) |
18.52 | 23.20 | (20%) | All-in sustaining costs per ounce(2)(5) | 17.59 | 21.19 | (17%) |
237,389 | 236,531 | 0% | Processed tonnes | 757,160 | 954,886 | (21%) |
105.07 | 110.64 | (5%) | Direct operating costs per tonne(2)(6) | 101.17 | 107.96 | (6%) |
129.66 | 113.47 | 14% | Direct costs per tonne(2)(6) | 114.57 | 110.09 | 4% |
14.83 | 15.19 | (2%) | Silver co-product cash costs(7) | 12.97 | 14.18 | (9%) |
1,129 | 1,312 | (14%) | Gold co-product cash costs(7) | 1,109 | 1,238 | (10%) |
Financial | ||||||
60.7 | 33.5 | 81% | Revenue(11) ($ millions) | 138.4 | 117.4 | 18% |
1,419,037 | 1,050,157 | 35% | Silver ounces sold | 3,460,638 | 4,054,652 | (15%) |
13,850 | 10,803 | 28% | Gold ounces sold | 35,519 | 39,151 | (9%) |
24.76 | 17.45 | 42% | Realized silver price per ounce | 21.60 | 16.29 | 33% |
1,885 | 1,507 | 25% | Realized gold price per ounce | 1,846 | 1,422 | 30% |
19.9 | (17.9) | 211% | Net earnings (loss) ($ millions) | 1.2 | (48.1) | 102% |
20.8 | (3.8) | 649% | Mine operating earnings (loss) ($ millions) | 27.3 | (17.4) | 257% |
30.2 | 4.9 | 519% | Mine operating cash flow ($ millions)(8) | 56.2 | 14.9 | 277% |
21.6 | (7.9) | 375% | Operating cash flow before working capital changes(9) | 28.8 | (8.9) | 424% |
24.3 | (4.8) | 603% | Earnings before ITDA(10) ($ millions) | 29.4 | (11.1) | 364% |
70.4 | 38.4 | 83% | Working capital ($ millions) | 70.4 | 38.4 | 83% |
Shareholders | ||||||
0.13 | (0.13) | 199% | Earnings (loss) per share – basic | 0.01 | (0.36) | 103% |
0.14 | (0.06) | 250% | Operating cash flow before working capital changes per share(9) | 0.19 | (0.07) | 600% |
157,536,658 | 140,054,885 | 12% | Weighted average shares outstanding | 150,901,598 | 135,367,129 | 11% |
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. The related definitions and reconciliations are contained in the Management Discussion and Analysis.
ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||
Net earnings (loss) for the year | $ | 1,159 | $ | (48,066 | ) | |||
Items not affecting cash: | ||||||||
Share-based compensation | 3,003 | 3,195 | ||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 28,863 | 32,050 | ||||||
Impairment of non-current assets, net | 424 | - | ||||||
Deferred income tax expense (recovery) | (5,206 | ) | 2,358 | |||||
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) | (1,032 | ) | (100 | ) | ||||
Finance costs | 1,357 | 602 | ||||||
Write off of IVA receivable | - | 151 | ||||||
Write off of mineral properties | - | 45 | ||||||
Write down of warehouse inventory | - | 233 | ||||||
Write down of inventory to net realizable value | 405 | 576 | ||||||
Loss on asset disposal | 86 | 43 | ||||||
Loss (gain) on other investments | (233 | ) | 19 | |||||
Net changes in non-cash working capital | 10,138 | (684 | ) | |||||
Cash from (used in) operating activities | 38,964 | (9,578 | ) | |||||
Investing activities | ||||||||
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 190 | 11 | ||||||
Mineral property, plant and equipment expenditures | (25,539 | ) | (21,519 | ) | ||||
Intangible asset expenditures | - | (280 | ) | |||||
Purchase of short term investments | (5,497 | ) | - | |||||
Proceeds from disposal of marketable securities | 1,032 | - | ||||||
Redemption of (investment in) non-current deposits | - | 3 | ||||||
Cash used in investing activities | (29,814 | ) | (21,785 | ) | ||||
Financing activities | ||||||||
Repayment of loans payable | (3,229 | ) | (1,343 | ) | ||||
Repayment of lease liabilities | (183 | ) | (247 | ) | ||||
Interest paid | (918 | ) | (391 | ) | ||||
Public equity offerings | 26,367 | 23,557 | ||||||
Exercise of options | 6,910 | 343 | ||||||
Share issuance costs | (1,112 | ) | (716 | ) | ||||
Deferred financing costs | (294 | ) | - | |||||
Cash from (used in) financing activities | 27,541 | 21,203 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents | 1,024 | 152 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 36,691 | (10,160 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year | 23,368 | 33,376 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year | $ | 61,083 | $ | 23,368 |
This statement should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes contained therein.
ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(expressed in thousands of US dollars, except for shares and per share amounts)
Years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Revenue | $ | 138,461 | $ | 117,421 | ||||
Cost of sales: | ||||||||
Direct production costs | 74,101 | 100,482 | ||||||
Royalties | 8,154 | 2,034 | ||||||
Share-based payments | 330 | 195 | ||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 28,136 | 31,495 | ||||||
Write down of inventory to net realizable value | 405 | 576 | ||||||
111,126 | 134,782 | |||||||
Mine operating earnings (loss) | 27,335 | (17,361 | ) | |||||
Expenses: | ||||||||
Exploration | 9,756 | 12,001 | ||||||
General and administrative | 12,715 | 9,980 | ||||||
Care and maintenance costs | 5,233 | - | ||||||
Impairment of non-current assets, net | 424 | - | ||||||
Severance costs | - | 4,589 | ||||||
28,128 | 26,570 | |||||||
Operating earnings (loss) | (793 | ) | (43,931 | ) | ||||
Finance costs | 1,357 | 602 | ||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||
Write off of IVA receivable | - | (151 | ) | |||||
Foreign exchange | (1,553 | ) | 101 | |||||
Investment and other | 2,649 | 579 | ||||||
1,096 | 529 | |||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | (1,054 | ) | (44,004 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense (recovery): | ||||||||
Current income tax expense | 2,993 | 2,702 | ||||||
Deferred income tax expense (recovery) | (5,206 | ) | 1,360 | |||||
(2,213 | ) | 4,062 | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) and comprehensive earnings (loss) for the year | $ | 1,159 | $ | (48,066 | ) | |||
Basic earnings (loss) per share based on net earnings | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.36 | ) | |||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share based on net earnings | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.36 | ) | |||
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding | 150,901,598 | 135,367,129 | ||||||
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding | 154,039,714 | 135,367,129 |
This statement should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes contained therein.
ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(expressed in thousands of US dollars)
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 61,083 | $ | 23,368 | ||||
Other investments | 4,767 | 69 | ||||||
Accounts and other receivable | 20,144 | 18,572 | ||||||
Income tax receivable | 52 | 4,378 | ||||||
Inventories | 16,640 | 13,589 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 2,284 | 3,302 | ||||||
Total current assets | 104,970 | 63,278 | ||||||
Non-current deposits | 591 | 606 | ||||||
Deferred financing costs | 294 | - | ||||||
Non-current IVA receivable | 2,676 | 2,048 | ||||||
Deferred income tax asset | 12,753 | 7,136 | ||||||
Intangible assets | 492 | 975 | ||||||
Right-of-use leased assets | 861 | 1,337 | ||||||
Mineral properties, plant and equipment | 87,955 | 88,333 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 210,592 | $ | 163,713 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 27,764 | $ | 19,775 | ||||
Income taxes payable | 3,038 | 1,947 | ||||||
Loans payable | 3,578 | 2,958 | ||||||
Lease liabilities | 173 | 164 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 34,553 | 24,844 | ||||||
Loans payable | 6,094 | 5,917 | ||||||
Lease liabilities | 921 | 1,074 | ||||||
Provision for reclamation and rehabilitation | 8,876 | 8,403 | ||||||
Deferred income tax liability | 1,077 | 682 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 51,521 | 40,920 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||||
Common shares, unlimited shares authorized, no par value, issued | ||||||||
and outstanding 157,924,708 shares (Dec 31, 2019 - 141,668,178 shares) | 517,711 | 482,170 | ||||||
Contributed surplus | 9,662 | 11,482 | ||||||
Retained earnings (deficit) | (368,302 | ) | (370,859 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders' equity | 159,071 | 122,793 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 210,592 | $ | 163,713 | ||||
This statement should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes contained therein.