Vancouver, Canada – November 2, 2017 - Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) released today its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. Endeavour owns and operates three underground silver-gold mines in Mexico: the Guanaceví mine in Durango state, and the Bolañitos and El Cubo mines in Guanajuato state.
The Company's financial performance in the Third Quarter, 2017 was down compared to the Third Quarter, 2016 due to lower production, higher operating costs and increased exploration and development expenditures. Production was slightly lower in Q3, 2017 compared to Q3, 2016 primarily due to operating issues at the Guanacevi mine, now partly resolved, and revised annual mine plans which led to lower throughput for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
However, production was higher in Q3, 2017 compared to Q2, 2017 primarily due to improved performance at all three mines. As a result, the Company's financial performance in the Third Quarter, 2017 was up compared to the Second Quarter, 2017, with higher revenues, cash flow and earnings and lower cash and all-in sustaining costs.
Highlights of Third Quarter 2017 (Compared to Third Quarter 2016)
Financial
•Net earnings of $1.0 million(1) ($0.01 per share) compared to net earnings of $5.6 million ($0.04 per share)
•EBITDA(2) decreased 39% to $6.1 million
•Cash flow from operations before working capital changes decreased 31% to $5.7 million
•Mine operating cash flow before taxes(1) decreased 33% to $11.9 million
•Revenue decreased 5% to $39.8 million
•Realized silver price decreased 10% to $17.20 per ounce (oz) sold
•Realized gold price decreased 3% to $1,299 per oz sold
•Cash costs(2) increased 54% to $8.11 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)
•All-in sustaining costs (AISC)(2) increased 53% to $17.53 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)
•Working capital decreased 6% to $70.3 million from Q2, 2017
Operations
•Silver production decreased 2% to 1,262,064 oz
•Gold production decreased 5% to 13,648 oz
•Silver equivalent production was 2.2 million oz (at a 70:1 silver: gold ratio)
•Silver oz sold increased 6% to 1,275,922 oz
•Gold oz sold down 3% to 13,759 oz
•Bullion inventory at quarter-end included 196,092 oz silver and 466 oz gold
•Concentrate inventory at quarter-end included 37,043 oz silver and 633 oz gold
Exploration and Development
•Made production decision and commenced development of El Compas mine in Zacatecas
•Acquired additional prospective exploration properties near El Compas in Zacatecas
•Released high grade drill results for Santa Cruz orebody in Guanacevi
•Commenced development of mine ramp to access Milache orebody at Guanacevi by mid-2018
•Released high grade drill results for Terronera and La Luz mineralized zones at Terronera
•Received mine and plant permits for Terronera
•Appointed Vice President, Engineering to oversee technical services and development projects
1.The Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion & Analysis can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.edrsilver.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All amounts are reported in US$
2.Mine operating cash flow, EBITDA, cash costs and all-in sustaining costs are non-IFRS measures. Please refer to the definitions in the Company’s Management Discussion & Analysis
Endeavour CEO Bradford Cooke commented, “Our Third Quarter earnings, cash flow and revenues were down from Q3, 2016 but improved significantly compared to the Q2, 2017. Given that Guanacevi had to deal with new electrical and pump issues due to a lightning strike in July, now partly resolved, we anticipate continued improvement of our operating and financial performance in the Fourth Quarter 2017.
“Returning Guanaceví to long-term profitability relies in part on developing two new orebodies, Milache and Santa Cruz Sur. Underground ramp access is already underway towards Milache with initial production expected in the second half of 2018. Mine development at Santa Cruz Sur is scheduled to commence this quarter with initial production to coincide with production from Milache.
“Development of the El Compas mine and refurbishment of the La Plata plant are now well underway, with initial production scheduled to commence by the end of the First Quarter, 2018. We also received the mine and plant permits for Terronera and continue to conduct engineering trade-off studies while we await receipt of the dumps and tailings permits.
“We appointed Andrew Sharp as our new VP, Engineering to oversee our technical services and development projects. Over the past three months, he has built a core engineering team including managers of mining, metallurgy, construction, permitting and resource estimation to significantly expand our internal capabilities.
Third Quarter Financial Results
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company generated revenue totaling $39.8 million (2016 - $42.1 million). During the quarter, the Company sold 1,275,922 silver oz and 13,759 gold oz at realized prices of $17.20 and $1,299 per oz respectively, compared to sales of 1,200,467 silver oz and 14,228 gold oz at realized prices of $19.16 and $1,340 per oz respectively in Q3, 2016.
After cost of sales of $32.5 million (2016 - $26.9 million), mine operating earnings amounted to $7.3 million (2016 –$15.2 million). Excluding depreciation and depletion of $4.4 million (2016 - $2.8 million), and share-based compensation of $0.1 million (2016- $0.2 million), mine operating cash flow before taxes was $11.9 million (2016 – $17.8 million) in Q3, 2017. Net earnings were $1.0 million (2016 –$5.6 million) after exploration expenses of $3.4 million (2016 – $2.4 million) and corporate general and administrative costs of $1.6 million (2016 – $2.8 million).
Direct production costs per tonne in Q3, 2017 increased 19% compared with Q3, 2016. Reduced production at Guancevi was the key driver behind the higher costs. Cash costs rose 54% on a consolidated basis due to the higher costs per tonne offset by slight improvement in grades and recoveries. All?in sustaining costs rose as a result of management significantly increasing capital investments for the long-term benefit of Guanaceví and El Cubo after a two?year period of reduced capital investment to maximize cash flow and ensure the viability of its operations during low silver and gold prices.
Working capital was $70.3 million, down 14% and 6%, respectively from December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2017. The working capital on-hand is determined to be sufficient for the Company to meet its short and medium term goals.
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss the results will be held today, Thursday, November 2nd at 10am PDT (1pm EDT). To participate in the conference call, please dial the following:
Toll-free in Canada and the US: 1-800-319-4610
Local Vancouver: 604-638-5340
Outside of Canada and the US: 1-604-638-5340
No pass-code is necessary to participate in the conference call.
A replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 1-800-319-6413 in Canada and the US (toll-free) or 1-604-638-9010 outside of Canada and the US. The required pass-code is 1722 followed by the # sign. The audio replay and a written transcript will also be made available on the Company’s website at www.edrsilver.com.
About Endeavour Silver – Endeavour Silver is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that owns three high grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Since start?up in 2004, Endeavour has grown its mining operations organically to produce 9.7 million ounces of silver and equivalents in 2016. We find, build and operate quality silver mines in a sustainable way to create real value for all stakeholders. Endeavour Silver’s shares trade on the TSX (EDR) and the NYSE (EXK).
Contact Information - For more information, please contact:
Galina Meleger, Director of Investor Relations
Toll free: (877) 685-9775
Tel: (604) 640-4804
Fax: (604) 685-9744
Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com
Website: www.edrsilver.com
Greetings from Fred & Entendance Beach
