Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2023) - First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE: AG) (TSX: FR) ("First Majestic" or the "Company") announces that total production in the fourth quarter of 2022 from the Company's four producing operations, the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine and the La Encantada Silver Mine reached 7.6 million silver equivalent ("AgEq") ounces, consisting of 2.4 million silver ounces and 63,039 gold ounces. Total production for the full year of 2022 reached a new Company record of 31.3 million AgEq ounces, consisting of 10.5 million silver ounces and 248,394 gold ounces, or a 16% increase compared to 2021.
In 2023, the Company is expecting to increase production to a new Company record of between 33.2 to 37.1 million AgEq ounces, consisting of 10.0 to 11.1 million ounces of silver and 277,000 to 310,000 ounces of gold, with an all-in sustaining cost ("AISC") guidance of between $18.47 to $19.72 per AgEq ounce. Based on the midpoint of the guidance range the Company expects AgEq ounces to increase 12% when compared to 2022.
Q4 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
FY 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
"The Company reached a new annual production record of 31.3 million AgEq ounces in 2022 primarily due to the significant increase in production from the Ermitaño mine at Santa Elena," said Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO. "Santa Elena was the bright spot in our portfolio in 2022 as we brought the high-grade core vein online in the second half of 2022 which increased production by 81% compared to 2021. At Jerritt Canyon, we unfortunately ended the year with extremely challenging weather conditions as northern Nevada experienced a severe cold spell and double the normal snowfall amounts which impacted ore deliveries from SSX and West Generator. Our San Dimas and La Encantada mines in Mexico delivered solid results as expected."
Mr. Neumeyer continues, "For 2023, significant improvements are expected at Jerritt Canyon where gold production is projected to nearly double along with lower AISC when compared to 2022. Our Mexican operations, which are generating healthy margins at current prices, are estimated to generate 70% of our total production in 2023 with AISC of approximately $17 per oz."
Production Details Table:
Q4 | Q3 | Q/Q | FY | FY | Y/Y | |
2022 | 2022 | Change | Consolidated Production Results | 2022 | 2021 | Change |
851,564 | 836,514 | 2% | Ore processed/tonnes milled | 3,468,987 | 3,339,394 | 4% |
7,558,791 | 8,766,192 | -14% | Total production - Silver equivalent ounces | 31,252,921 | 26,855,783 | 16% |
2,396,696 | 2,736,100 | -12% | Silver ounces produced | 10,522,052 | 12,842,944 | -18% |
63,039 | 67,072 | -6% | Gold ounces produced | 248,394 | 192,353 | 29% |
Quarterly Mine by Mine Production Table:
Mine | Ore Processed | Tonnes per Day | Ag Grade (g/t) | Au Grade (g/t) | Ag Recovery | Au Recovery | Ag Oz Produced | Au Oz Produced | AgEq Oz Produced |
San Dimas | 210,108 | 2,284 | 220 | 3.12 | 94% | 96% | 1,392,506 | 20,257 | 3,054,098 |
Jerritt Canyon | 179,502 | 1,951 | - | 3.51 | - | 83% | - | 16,845 | 1,388,140 |
Santa Elena | 207,188 | 2,252 | 47 | 4.33 | 64% | 90% | 199,388 | 25,830 | 2,302,904 |
La Encantada | 254,766 | 2,769 | 120 | 0.01 | 82% | 90% | 804,802 | 107 | 813,649 |
*Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
*The following prices were used in the calculation of silver equivalent ounces: Silver: $21.12 per ounce; Gold: $1,726 per ounce.
At the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine:
At the Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine:
At the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine:
At the La Encantada Silver Mine:
2023 PRODUCTION GUIDANCE
The Company expects 2023 total production from its four operating mines to reach a new Company record of between 33.2 to 37.1 million AgEq ounces consisting of 10.0 to 11.1 million ounces of silver and 277,000 to 310,000 ounces of gold. Based on the midpoint of the guidance range the Company expects AgEq ounces to increase 12% when compared to 2022. Silver production is expected to remain consistent with 2022 rates whereas the gold production is expected to increase by 18% year-over-year. The increase in forecast gold production is primarily due to improvements in mine production at Jerritt Canyon resulting in an expected 74% increase in gold ounces in 2023 when compared to the prior year. In addition, strong gold production is expected to continue at Santa Elena as the plant will only process Ermitaño ores in 2023. The Company has identified a new vein in the Santa Elena mine, called Silvana, and plans to drill test the area in 2023 with the goal of developing a mine plan to bring the vein into production by 2024.
A mine-by-mine breakdown of the 2023 production guidance is included in the table below. The Company reports cost guidance to reflect cash costs and AISC on a per AgEq payable ounce. For 2023, the Company is using an 84:1 silver to gold ratio compared to an 85:1 silver to gold ratio in its revised 2022 guidance. Metal price and foreign currency assumptions for calculating equivalents are silver: $21.50/oz, gold: $1,800/oz, MXN:USD 20:1.
GUIDANCE FOR 2023
Silver Oz (M) | Gold Oz (k) | Silver Eqv Oz (M) | Cash Cost | AISC | |
Silver: | ($ per AgEq oz) | ($ per AgEq oz) | |||
San Dimas, Mexico | 6.4 - 7.2 | 72 - 81 | 12.5 - 14.0 | 9.62 - 10.19 | 13.02 - 13.91 |
Santa Elena, Mexico | 0.7 - 0.7 | 86 - 95 | 7.8 - 8.7 | 11.59 - 12.21 | 14.60 - 15.53 |
La Encantada, Mexico | 2.9 - 3.2 | - | 2.9 - 3.2 | 16.73 - 17.69 | 19.86 - 21.14 |
Mexico Total: | 10.0 - 11.1 | 158 - 176 | 23.2 - 25.9 | 12.12 - 12.77 | 16.69 - 17.83 |
Gold: | ($ per AuEq oz) | ($ per AuEq oz) | |||
Jerritt Canyon, USA | - | 119 - 133 | 10.0 - 11.2 | 1,502 - 1,592 | 1,733 - 1,842 |
Total Production | ($ per AgEq oz) | ($ per AgEq oz) | |||
Consolidated | 10.0 - 11.1 | 277 - 310 | 33.2 - 37.1 | 13.88 - 14.66 | 18.47 - 19.72 |
* Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
* Cash Costs and AISC are non-GAAP measures and are not standardized financial measures under the Company's financial reporting framework. The Company calculates cash costs and consolidated AISC in the manner set out in the table below. These measures have been calculated on a basis consistent with historical periods.
The Company is projecting its 2023 AISC to be within a range of $18.47 to $19.72 on a per consolidated payable AgEq ounce basis. Excluding non-cash items, the Company anticipates its 2023 AISC to be within a range of $17.92 to $19.10 per payable AgEq ounce. An itemized AISC cost table is provided below:
All-In Sustaining Cost Calculation | FY 2023 ($ /AgEq oz) | |||||||
Total Cash Costs per Payable Silver Ounce | 13.88 | - | 14.66 | |||||
General and Administrative Costs | 0.98 | - | 1.09 | |||||
Sustaining Development Costs | 1.36 | - | 1.45 | |||||
Sustaining Property, Plant and Equipment Costs | 0.73 | - | 0.82 | |||||
Profit Sharing | 0.57 | - | 0.63 | |||||
Share-based Payments (non-cash) | 0.39 | - | 0.43 | |||||
Lease Payments | 0.41 | - | 0.45 | |||||
Accretion of Reclamation Costs (non-cash) | 0.16 | - | 0.18 | |||||
All-In Sustaining Costs: (AgEq Oz) | 18.47 | - | 19.72 | |||||
All-In Sustaining Costs: (AgEq Oz excluding non-cash items) | 17.92 | - | 19.10 |
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN 2023
In 2023, the Company plans to invest a total of $187.8 million on capital expenditures consisting of $78.4 million for sustaining activities and $109.5 million for expansionary projects. This represents a 6% decrease compared to the 2022 revised capital expenditures and is aligned with the Company's future growth strategy of increasing underground and plant processing rates at Jerritt Canyon, San Dimas and Santa Elena.
2023 Capital Guidance ($millions) | Sustaining | Expansionary | Total |
Underground Development | 51.2 | 43.6 | 94.8 |
Exploration | 0.0 | 39.8 | 39.8 |
Property, Plant and Equipment | 25.4 | 19.9 | 45.3 |
Corporate Projects | 1.7 | 6.2 | 7.9 |
Total | $78.4 | $109.5 | $187.8 |
The 2023 annual guidance includes total capital investments of $94.8 million to be spent on underground development; $45.3 million towards property, plant and equipment; $39.8 million in exploration; and $7.9 million towards corporate innovation projects. Management may revise the guidance during the year to reflect actual and anticipated changes in metal prices or to the business.
The Company plans to complete approximately 40,700 metres of underground development in 2023 compared to 45,614 metres completed in 2022. The 2023 development program consists of approximately 17,900 metres at San Dimas; 9,000 metres at Jerritt Canyon; 10,500 metres at Santa Elena and 3,300 metres at La Encantada. At San Dimas, the Company is planning to concentrate development metres in the Perez Vein, located in the Sinaloa Graben block, and continue development activities in the Noche Buena sector. At Santa Elena, underground development will focus exclusively in the Ermitaño mine to achieve 2,500 tonnes per day of underground ore extraction throughout all of 2023. At Jerritt Canyon, development activities will be focused in newly discovered areas within the Smith and SSX mines while also ramping up production at West Generator and Saval II mines. At La Encantada, the Company is developing the second levels of both the Ojuelas and Milagros orebodies for 2023 production.
The Company is planning approximately 245,350 metres of exploration drilling in 2023 compared to 248,123 metres completed in 2022. The 2023 drilling program is expected to consist of:
Q4 2022 EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT
The Company is planning to release its fourth quarter 2022 unaudited financial results, and to announce the fourth quarter dividend payment, and shareholder record and payable dates on February 23, 2023.
CONFERENCE CALL
The Company will be holding a conference call and webcast today, January 19, 2023 at 8:00 am PT (11:00 am ET) to discuss the quarterly production results as well as its 2023 production, cost and capital guidance. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following:
Toll Free Canada & USA: 1-800-319-4610
Outside of Canada & USA: 1-604-638-5340
Toll Free Germany: 0800 180 1954
Toll Free UK: 0808 101 2791
Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the conference.
Click on "January 19, 2023 Webcast Link" on the First Majestic homepage as a simultaneous audio webcas31t of the conference call will be posted at www.firstmajestic.com.
The conference call will be recorded and you can listen to an archive of the conference by calling:
Canada & USA Toll Free: 1-800-319-6413
Outside Canada & USA: 1-604-638-9010
Access Code: 9809 followed by the # sign
The replay will be available approximately one hour after the conference and will be available for seven days following the conference. The replay will also be available on the Company's website for one month.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver and gold production in Mexico and the United States. The Company presently owns and operates the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine and the La Encantada Silver Mine.
First Majestic is proud to offer a portion of its silver production for sale to the public. Bars, ingots, coins and medallions are available for purchase online at its Bullion Store at some of the lowest premiums available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact info@firstmajestic.com, visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll free number 1.866.529.2807.
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
"signed"
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes reference to certain financial measures which are not standardized measures under the Company's financial reporting framework. These measures include cash costs per silver equivalent ounce produced, all-in sustaining cost (or "AISC") per silver equivalent ounce produced, total production cost per tonne, average realized silver price per ounce sold, working capital, adjusted EPS and cash flow per share. The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance but do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For a complete description of how the Company calculates such measures and a reconciliation of certain measures to GAAP terms please see "Non-GAAP Measures" in the Company's most recent management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov and which is incorporated by reference herein.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward‐looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forward‐looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: release of the Company's financial statements; dividends; the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; commercial mining operations; cash flow; budgets; the timing and amount of estimated future production; throughput capacity; ore feed and grades; recovery rates; mine plans and mine life; costs and timing of development at the Company's projects; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance and forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward‐looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable mineral reserves and mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward‐looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as and if the property is developed, and in the case of measured and indicated mineral resources or proven and probable mineral reserves, such statements reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward‐looking statements".
Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of the coronavirus and COVID-19, and any other pandemics or epidemics on our operations and workforce, and the effects on global economies and society; general economic conditions including inflation risks; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form, available on www.sedar.com, and Form 40-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although First Majestic has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward‐looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward‐looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
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