Mr. Eric Fier reports
SILVERCREST REPORTS Q3 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Silvercrest Metals Inc. has released its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2021 (Q3, 2021).
The company's top priority is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico, where it has completed a feasibility study on the Las Chispas project.Details of the feasibility study, including an updated mineral resource estimate and an initial mineral reserve estimate, are provided in a technical report filed under the company's SEDAR profile entitled, "NI 43-101 Technical Report & Feasibility Study on the Las Chispas Project" with an effective date of Jan. 4, 2021.
Las Chispas highlights Sept. 30, 2021
Construction remains on schedule:at the end of Q3, 2021, overall construction progress at Las Chispas was 54 per cent complete compared to an overall scheduled completion of 48 per cent. Construction continued to progress well in the quarter with the main access road, plant detailed engineering, and concrete work now complete, bridge construction 88 per cent complete, plant construction 49 per cent complete, power line 47 per cent complete, and underground infrastructure ongoing. Construction progress continued to benefit from no delays due to COVID-19 or any other reason. For further details on Las Chispas construction, please refer to the company's news release dated Oct. 26, 2021.Capital spend tracking well against budget:through Q3, 2021, 68 per cent of the $137.7-million (U.S.) feasibility study capital cost estimate was committed, of which 57 per cent has been incurred across all capital cost categories, in-line with budget. At the end of Q3, 2021, approximately $59.0-million (U.S.) in capital remains to be incurred through commissioning. A number of key infrastructure tasks are now complete or nearing completion, limiting cost inflation risk.Underground development ahead of schedule:with underground development ahead of schedule at the end of the first half of 2021, development rates continued to progress well in Q3, 2021 for a total of 15.7 km completed since underground development began in Q1, 2019. At the end of Q3, 2021, unit underground mining costs continue to track slightly under budget and development metres remain well ahead (1.6 km) of the feasibility study budget.Site safety remains key priority:at the end of Q3, 2021, after 1.33 million work-hours completed at site, the company's lost time injury frequency rate was 0.60. COVID-19 risk mitigation efforts continued successfully in the quarter with an additional 4,800 COVID-19 tests completed and positivity rates remaining low. The company also participated in a local vaccination program to complement the federal program. This local program allowed for full vaccination of 220 employees and contractors and first dose vaccination of an additional 110 employees and contractors.Drill program at Las Chispas:during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, the company completed 104,804 metres of drilling, with 65 per cent of these metres focused on infill drilling of Inferred resources to support conversion to indicated resources for potential conversion to mineral reserves. Infill drilling has focused on areas proximal to planned underground infrastructure which could be considered for mining early in the life of mine plan. Results for this drilling are being compiled and are expected to be released in Q4, 2021. Completion of an updated mineral resource and reserve estimate, using these results, is targeted for release in 2022. As of Oct. 31, 2021, there were nine drill rigs (seven on surface and two underground) active at Las Chispas and expectations are for a reduction in drill rigs during Q4, 2021 to create onsite camp capacity for construction personnel, which will be at a peak.
Corporate highlights - Sept. 30, 2021
Funded for construction, near-term cash flow:as at October 31, 2021, Silvercrest had cash and cash equivalents of $172.0-million (U.S.) (Sept. 30, 2021 - $199.0-million (U.S.)) and $60.0-million (U.S.) (Sept. 30, 2021 - $60.0-million (U.S.)) remaining under a $120.0-million project financing facility (the credit facility). Once fully operational and using base case metal prices ($1,500 (U.S.)/oz Au and $19.00 (U.S.)/oz Ag), which are approximately 15 per cent and 21 per cent (respectively) below prices as of Oct. 31, 2021, the feasibility study estimated after-tax project free cash flow of approximately $160.0-million (U.S.) in 2023 and an estimated average of $110.0-million (U.S.) per year from 2023 to 2029. With more than 80 per cent of the initial capital costs expected to be committed by the end of 2021, Silvercrest expects to be well funded for commissioning and ramp-up in 2022, while still retaining the flexibility to pursue continued exploration, further optimization work, and growth opportunities.Equity grants:during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, the company granted 908,500 stock options to officers, employees, and contractors with exercise prices ranging from $9.97 per share to $10.87. These options expire 5 years from the date of grant and vest over a 3-year period with 33 per cent vesting after each of one year, two years, and three years after the grant date, respectively. In addition, the company issued a total of 57,000 deferred share units (DSUs) to directors of the company. These stock options and DSUs were issued primarily as part of these individuals' annual compensation.Appointment of Clifford Lafleur:On July 26, 2021, the company appointed Clifford Lafleur as vice-president, technical services. Please refer to Silvercrest's news release dated July 26, 2021.
COVID-19
The company continues to adjust to the unprecedented COVID-19 conditions. The company's COVID-19 prevention measures continue to be critical for construction at Las Chispas. Positivity rates prior to site access remained low during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021 (below 2 per cent). Although no serious occurrences have been recorded at site, subsequent to quarter end, a cluster of COVID infections was recorded at the company's satellite offsite camp. The company has taken the appropriate measures including further testing of all employees and contractors, temporary closure of this satellite off-site camp, extensive cleaning, and review of key protocols. The main construction camp remains fully operational and, at this point, there is no expected impact to the construction camp or related ongoing work. Silvercrest has included some contingency in the schedule in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak and this remains unused. Please refer to the MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 for further information.
Las Chispas expenditures
During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, the company recorded $42.1-million (U.S.) as development expenditures under mineral property, plant and equipment, for the Las Chispas project, which primarily consisted of:
decline construction and underground working of $17.2-million (U.S.);drilling costs of $9.7-million (U.S.);field and administrative costs of $6.3-million (U.S.); andsalaries and remuneration of $3.3-million (U.S.).
The company also recorded additions, during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, of $60.0-million (U.S.) related to the Las Chispas project as mineral property, plant and equipment for various items which was primarily construction in progress.
El Picacho (Picacho)
The company completed 58,898 metres of drilling at Picacho during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021 and incurred a total of $6.9-million (U.S.) for the Picacho property under exploration and evaluation expenditures during this period. As of Sept. 30, 2021, the company had drilled an estimated cumulative 64,719 metres (247 drill holes) since acquiring the Picacho property in Q3, 2020. As of Oct. 31, 2021, there were three surface rigs active at El Picacho. Refer to the company's news release dated Feb. 24, 2021 for the initial drill results for Picacho. Results for this drilling are being compiled and will be released in H1, 2022.
Financial results
At Sept. 30, 2021, the company held $199.0-million (U.S.) as cash and cash equivalents. The primary factors that contributed to the increase in cash and cash equivalents from Dec. 31, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021 include $160.7-million (U.S.) generated by financing activities net of associated costs, including the completion of a bought deal prospectus offering on Feb. 22, 2021, for $131.4-million (U.S.), the completion of a second drawdown on a credit facility for $30.0-million (U.S.) and the exercise of stock options. These cash inflows were primarily offset by $78.3-million (U.S.) paid towards mineral property, plant, and equipment. Furthermore, the cash inflows were also offset by $20.0 million paid on the company's operating activities, which was primarily made up of $6.9-million (U.S.) incurred on the exploration program at Picacho, $2.7-million (U.S.) paid on accounts payable and accrued liabilities and $5.3-million (U.S.) paid on net value-added taxes. At Sept. 30, 2021, the company had value-added taxes (IVA) receivable in Mexico of $17.9-million (U.S.) (Dec. 31, 2020$12.2-million (U.S.)). The company received aggregate IVA refunds of $6.1-million (U.S.) during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021.
The company has financed its operations to date through the issuance of common shares and debt. The company currently has no operations from which to derive revenues. During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2021, the company incurred a loss of $14.8-million (U.S.) (nine months ended Sept. 30, 2020$42.4-million (U.S.)) and a comprehensive loss of $11.5-million (U.S.) (nine months ended Sept. 30, 2020$43.9-million (U.S.)).
The qualified person under national instrument 43-101 standards of disclosure for mineral projects for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, and chief executive officer (CEO) for Silvercrest, who has reviewed and approved its contents.
About Silvercrest Metals Inc.
Silvercrest Metals Inc. is a Canadian precious metals exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The company's top priority is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico, where it has completed a feasibility study on the Las Chispas project and is proceeding with mine construction. Startup of production at the Las Chispas mine is targeted for mid-2022. Silvercrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas property resulting in numerous high-grade precious metal discoveries. The company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production.
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