SilverCrest Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Strong Free Cash Flow Continues, Supporting 29% Growth in Treasury Assets
TSX: SIL | NYSE American: SILV
Free cash flow per share remains a strong testament of our performance, increasing 49% to
Q3 2024 Highlights
- Recovered 14,928 ounces ("oz") gold ("Au") and 1.4 million oz silver ("Ag"), or 2.6 million oz silver equivalent ("AgEq")(2).
- Sold 15,204 oz Au and 1.5 million oz Ag (2.7 million oz AgEq) at average realized prices of
$2,472 per oz Au(1) and$29.48 per oz Ag(1). Total sales of 7.9 million oz AgEq for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2024 ("YTD") positions the Company to meet or exceed the top end of 2024 sales guidance of 10.0 million to 10.3 million oz AgEq. - Record quarterly revenue of
$80.4 million which exceeded Q2 2024 revenue of$72.7 million . - Record mine operating earnings of
$47.0 million representing a 59% operating margin(1), exceeded the$41.5 million and 57% operating margin achieved in Q2 2024. - Adjusted earnings(1) of
$26.3 million , or$0.18 per share, which is largely consistent with the$24.9 million , or$0.17 per share in Q2 2024. Adjustments were largely related to deferred taxes, unrealized losses on derivative currency contracts, and transaction and integration costs. - Net earnings were
$9.5 million , or$0.06 per share, compared to$6.5 million , or$0.04 per share, in Q2 2024. - Cash costs of
$8.85 per oz AgEq(1) in Q3 2024 decreased from$8.87 in Q2 largely due to increased sales volume. Cash costs of$8.28 per oz AgEq YTD were below 2024 guidance of$9.25 to$9.75 per oz AgEq. - All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of
$13.72 per oz AgEq(1) decreased from Q2 2024, due largely to planned lower sustaining capital expenditures. AISC of$14.50 per oz AgEq (1) YTD is below the low end of guidance of$14.90 to$15.75 per oz AgEq. - Mining rates increased to 1,350 tonnes per day ("tpd"), a 23% increase from Q2 2024, benefiting from the ongoing engagement of two mining contractors at site throughout the quarter.
- Average daily mill throughput increased to 1,324 tpd due to capacity testing performed in the quarter. With testing complete in August, throughput has returned to the range of 1,200 tonnes per day for the remainder of the year.
- Operating cash flow of
$44.2 million , or$0.30 per share, increased from$39.6 million , or$0.27 per share, in Q2 2024 largely from higher metal prices. Operating cash flow before changes in working capital in the quarter was$37.8 million or$0.25 per share(1). Both figures are net of the payment of taxes and duties, which totaled$12.1 million . - Free cash flow generation of
$36.2 million , or$0.24 per share(1), for the quarter increased by$11.9 million from$24.3 million , or$0.16 per share, in Q2 2024. - Ended the quarter with total treasury assets of
$158.2 million (1) ($120.9 million cash and$37.4 million in bullion), an increase of 29% from$122.3 million at the end of Q2 2024. Gold and silver continued to be the best performing currencies in our treasury assets with a mark to market increase of$3.0 million in the quarter.
(1) |
Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" disclosure at the end of this press release and associated MD&A for a description and calculation of these measures. |
(2) |
Silver equivalent ("AgEq") ratio used in this news release of 79.51:1 based on the Las Chispas Operation Technical Report dated |
Third Quarter Operating Performance
The following operating performance refers to adjusted earnings, operating cash flow per share (basic), free cash flow, free cash flow per share (basic), cash costs, AISC, and treasury assets which are described in more detail in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this news release.
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OPERATIONAL |
Unit |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Ore mined |
tonnes |
124,229 |
83,800 |
309,985 |
222,300 |
Underground development |
kilometres ("km") |
4.4 |
3.3 |
13.3 |
9.6 |
Ore milled(1) |
tonnes |
121,775 |
114,500 |
325,793 |
326,900 |
Average daily mill throughput |
tpd |
1,324 |
1,245 |
1,193 |
1,197 |
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Gold |
|
|
|
|
|
Average grade |
grams per tonne ("gpt") |
3.87 |
4.35 |
4.35 |
4.42 |
Recovery |
% |
98.5 % |
98.3 % |
98.5 % |
98.1 % |
Recovered |
oz |
14,928 |
15,700 |
44,950 |
45,600 |
Sold |
oz |
15,204 |
14,500 |
44,704 |
42,100 |
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Silver |
|
|
|
|
|
Average grade |
gpt |
366 |
413 |
416 |
427 |
Recovery |
% |
98.3 % |
98.1 % |
98.2 % |
96.1 % |
Recovered |
million oz |
1.41 |
1.49 |
4.28 |
4.31 |
Sold |
million oz |
1.45 |
1.53 |
4.30 |
4.34 |
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Silver equivalent |
|
|
|
|
|
Average grade |
gpt |
674 |
759 |
762 |
778 |
Recovery |
% |
98.4 % |
98.2 % |
98.4 % |
97.0 % |
Recovered |
million oz |
2.60 |
2.74 |
7.85 |
7.93 |
Sold |
million oz |
2.66 |
2.68 |
7.85 |
7.69 |
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FINANCIAL |
Unit |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Revenue |
$ millions |
$ 80.4 |
$ 63.8 |
$ 216.8 |
$ 183.8 |
Cost of sales |
$ millions |
$ (33.3) |
$ (26.4) |
$ (90.8) |
$ (72.5) |
Mine operating earnings |
$ millions |
$ 47.0 |
$ 37.5 |
$ 126.0 |
$ 111.4 |
Earnings for the period |
$ millions |
$ 9.5 |
$ 29.9 |
$ 49.9 |
$ 80.8 |
Earnings per share (basic) |
$/share |
$ 0.06 |
$ 0.20 |
$ 0.34 |
$ 0.55 |
Adjusted earnings for the period |
$ millions |
$ 26.3 |
$ 28.5 |
$ 88.9 |
$ 82.8 |
Adjusted earnings per share (basic) |
$ millions |
$ 0.18 |
$ 0.19 |
$ 0.60 |
$ 0.56 |
Operating cash flow |
$ millions |
$ 44.2 |
$ 43.8 |
$ 82.6 |
$ 122.2 |
Operating cash flow per share (basic) |
$/share |
$ 0.30 |
$ 0.30 |
$ 0.56 |
$ 0.83 |
Free cash flow |
$ millions |
$ 36.2 |
$ 34.0 |
$ 49.2 |
$ 97.0 |
Free cash flow per share (basic) |
$/share |
$ 0.24 |
$ 0.23 |
$ 0.33 |
$ 0.66 |
Cash costs(2) |
$/oz AgEq |
$ 8.85 |
$ 7.47 |
$ 8.28 |
$ 7.43 |
AISC(2) |
$/oz AgEq |
$ 13.72 |
$ 12.23 |
$ 14.50 |
$ 11.94 |
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September |
December |
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ millions |
|
|
$ 120.9 |
$ 86.0 |
Bullion |
$ millions |
|
|
$ 37.4 |
$ 19.2 |
|
$ millions |
|
|
$ 158.2 |
$ 105.2 |
(1) |
Ore milled includes material from stockpiles and ore mined. |
(2) |
Q3 2023 figures have been recast to align with the presentation of the current period. For the three and nine months ended |
Mine
In the quarter, a total of 124,229 tonnes were mined from the underground. Mining rates in Q3 2024 averaged 1,350 tpd, a 23% increase from Q2 2024, and above the originally targeted 2024 exit rate of 1,050 tpd. The Company completed 4.4 km of horizontal and vertical underground development, 0.7 km ahead of plan. Mining rates continued to benefit from having two mining contractors working simultaneously at site, a dynamic the Company plans to maintain through the end of Q1 2025 as part of a continued strategy to manage single asset risk and create additional operational flexibility.
Plant
Process plant throughput averaged 1,324 tpd in Q3 2024, benefiting from successful capacity testing of the plant in its current configuration at 1,500 tpd for 20 days.
Mill throughput returned to planned rates of 1,200 tpd by the end of the quarter and is expected to continue to run at this level for the remainder of the year. Process plant availability was 97.0% for the quarter, better than plan.
Average processed grades of 3.87 gpt Au and 366 gpt Ag, or 674 gpt AgEq compared to Q2 2024 grades of 4.36 gpt Au and 418 gpt Ag, or 765 gpt AgEq. As planned, grades in the quarter were lower than in Q2 2024 to balance increased throughput while maintaining consistent recovered ounces.
Average process recoveries in Q3 2024 were 98.5% Au and 98.3% Ag, or 98.4% AgEq, consistent with Q2 2024 and above design estimates.
Production
The Company produced 2.6 million oz AgEq in Q3 2024, largely in line with the 2.7 million oz AgEq in Q2 2024.
Sustaining Capital
Sustaining capital expenditures totaled
Cash Costs and AISC
During the quarter, cash costs averaged
Cash costs YTD 2024 averaged
AISC averaged
Exploration
During Q3 2024, the Company continued drilling activities at Las Chispas to support mineral resource growth with approximately 12,500 metres completed between conversion drilling (60%) and near mine targets (40%). In addition, efforts continued with regional field-based evaluation of greenfield targets.
Program expenditures of
Selected Q3 2024 Financial Results
Revenue
During Q3 2024, the Company sold a total of 15,204 oz Au and 1.5 million oz Ag at average realized prices of
Net Earnings
Q3 2024 net earnings of
Q3 2024 adjusted earnings of
Cash Flow
In Q3 2024, cash flow generated by operating activities was
During the quarter, the Company remitted
During the quarter, the Company made payments of
Q3 2024 free cash flow of
Financial Position
As at
Bullion assets increased by
The Company's working capital was
Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG")
In Q3 2024, SilverCrest completed the latest phase of the reconstruction of the local sewage system in
During the quarter, the Company released its second annual ESG Report. The 2023 ESG Report offered further insight into SilverCrest's continued commitment to working with stakeholders to identify areas where contribution and Company lead initiatives can make the most meaningful impact.
Efforts to integrate renewable solar power at Las Chispas are progressing. With the permitting process underway SilverCrest expects to transition to using solar power in Q1 2025.
Subsequent Events
On
As a result of the Transaction and quarter end reporting, a blackout was in place which prevented the exercise of some expiring options, including 149,800 held by executives and Board of Directors. It is expected that these options, along with 163,750 expiring in late
Q3 2024 Conference Call
A conference call to discuss the Company's Q3 2024 operational and financial results will be held
Date & Time: Wednesday November 13, 2024 at
Telephone: North America Toll Free: 1-800-274-8461
Conference ID: SILVER (745837)
Webcast: https://silvercrestmetals.com/investors/presentations/
ABOUT
SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals producer headquartered in
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management believes that the following non-GAAP financial measures will enable certain investors to better evaluate the Company's performance, liquidity, and ability to generate cash flow. These measures do not have any standardized definition under IFRS, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate these measures differently.
Average realized gold and silver price
Average realized gold and silver price per ounce is calculated by dividing the Company's gross revenue from gold or silver sales for the relevant period by the gold or silver ounces sold, respectively. The Company believes the measure is useful in understanding the metal prices realized by the Company throughout the period. The following table reconciles revenue and metal sold during the period with average realized prices:
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2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Gold revenue |
37,580 |
28,005 |
100,935 |
81,361 |
Gold ounces sold during the period |
15,204 |
14,500 |
44,704 |
42,100 |
Average realized gold price (per oz sold) |
$ 2,472 |
$ 1,931 |
$ 2,258 |
$ 1,933 |
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|
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|
Silver revenue |
42,791 |
35,823 |
115,823 |
102,449 |
Silver ounces sold during the period |
1,451,493 |
1,530,000 |
4,299,493 |
4,341,000 |
Average realized silver price (per oz sold) |
$ 29.48 |
$ 23.41 |
$ 26.94 |
$ 23.60 |
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures are classified into sustaining capital expenditures or non-sustaining capital expenditures depending on the nature of the expenditure. Sustaining capital expenditures are those required to support current production levels. Non-sustaining capital expenditures represent the capital spending at new projects and major, discrete projects at existing operations intended to increase production or extend mine life. Management believes this to be a useful indicator of the purpose of capital expenditures and this distinction is an input into the calculation of AISC.
The following table reconciles payments for mineral properties, plant and equipment, and equipment leases to sustaining and non-sustaining capital expenditures:
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2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Payments for mineral properties, plant and equipment |
$ 10,449 |
$ 13,081 |
$ 44,797 |
$ 33,930 |
Payments for equipment leases |
37 |
11 |
84 |
82 |
Total capital expenditures |
10,486 |
13,092 |
44,881 |
34,012 |
Less: Non-sustaining capital expenditures |
(2,543) |
(3,256) |
(11,455) |
(8,892) |
Sustaining capital expenditures |
$ 7,943 |
$ 9,836 |
$ 33,426 |
$ 25,120 |
Free cash flow
Free cash flow subtracts sustaining capital expenditures from net cash provided by operating activities, serving as a valuable indicator of our capacity to generate cash from operations post-sustaining capital investments. The following table reconciles this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable IFRS measure:
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2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Operating cash flow (1) |
$ 44,166 |
$ 43,801 |
$ 82,618 |
$ 122,165 |
Less: sustaining capital expenditures |
(7,943) |
(9,836) |
(33,426) |
(25,120) |
Free cash flow |
$ 36,223 |
$ 33,965 |
$ 49,192 |
$ 97,045 |
Free cash flow per share (basic) |
$ 0.24 |
$ 0.23 |
$ 0.33 |
$ 0.66 |
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) |
148,585 |
146,776 |
147,759 |
147,067 |
(1) |
For the three and nine months ended |
Working capital
Working capital is calculated as current assets less current liabilities. The Company uses working capital as a measure of the Company's operational efficiency and short-term financial health.
Operating margin
Operating margin is calculated as mine operating earnings divided by revenue. The Company uses Operating Margin as a measure of the Company's profitability. The following table reconciles this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standard measure:
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|
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Revenue |
$ 80,371 |
$ 63,828 |
$ 216,758 |
$ 183,810 |
Mine operating earnings |
47,033 |
37,460 |
125,998 |
111,359 |
Operating margin |
59 % |
59 % |
58 % |
61 % |
Operating cash flow before change in working capital
The Company uses operating cash flow before change in working capital to determine the Company's ability to generate cash flow from operations, and is calculated by adding back the change in working capital to operating cash flow as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
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|
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Operating cash flow (1) |
$ 44,166 |
$ 43,801 |
$ 82,618 |
$ 122,165 |
Less: change in working capital |
(6,394) |
(4,268) |
4,539 |
(4,106) |
Operating cash flow before change in working capital |
$ 37,772 |
$ 39,533 |
$ 87,157 |
$ 118,059 |
Operating cash flow per share (basic) |
$ 0.30 |
$ 0.30 |
$ 0.56 |
$ 0.83 |
Operating cash flow before change in working capital per share (basic) |
$ 0.25 |
$ 0.27 |
$ 0.59 |
$ 0.80 |
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) |
148,585 |
146,776 |
147,759 |
147,067 |
(1) |
For the three and nine months ended |
SilverCrest calculates treasury assets as cash and cash equivalents plus bullion as reported in the consolidated statements of financial position. Management believes that treasury assets provide a useful measure of the Company's most liquid assets that can be used to settle short-term obligations or provide liquidity.
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|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 120,864 |
$ 85,964 |
Bullion |
37,374 |
19,191 |
|
$ 158,238 |
$ 105,155 |
Cash costs
Cash costs include production costs, and government royalties. Management uses this measure to monitor the performance of its mining operation and ability to generate positive cash flow on a site basis.
AISC
All-in sustaining costs, a non-GAAP financial measure, starts with cash costs and includes general and administrative costs, reclamation accretion expense and sustaining capital expenditures. Management uses this measure to monitor the performance of its mining operation and ability to generate positive cash flow on an overall company basis.
Cash costs and AISC are calculated as follows:
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|
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Production costs |
$ 23,153 |
$ 19,728 |
$ 64,036 |
$ 56,168 |
Government royalties |
404 |
319 |
980 |
927 |
Total cash costs (1) |
23,557 |
20,047 |
65,016 |
57,095 |
General and administrative expenses |
4,885 |
2,808 |
15,017 |
9,222 |
Reclamation accretion expense |
126 |
132 |
402 |
355 |
Sustaining capital expenditures |
7,943 |
9,836 |
33,426 |
25,120 |
Total AISC |
$ 36,511 |
$ 32,823 |
$ 113,861 |
$ 91,792 |
Silver equivalent ounces sold (koz) |
2,660 |
2,683 |
7,854 |
7,688 |
Cash costs (per AgEq sold) |
$ 8.85 |
$ 7.47 |
$ 8.28 |
$ 7.43 |
AISC (per AgEq sold) |
$ 13.72 |
$ 12.23 |
$ 14.50 |
$ 11.94 |
(1) |
2023 Figures have been recast to align with the current period's presentation. For the three and nine months ended |
Adjusted earnings
Adjusted earnings and adjusted basic earnings per share (collectively, "Adjusted Earnings") are presented to remove items that are unrelated to ongoing operations. These metrics do not have a standardized definition under IFRS Accounting Standards and should not be considered as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. Other companies may calculate Adjusted Earnings differently. Adjusted Earnings excludes the tax-effected impact of transaction and integration costs, unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency derivative contracts, gains or losses from the disposal of mineral properties, plant and equipment, and deferred taxes.
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|
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
Net earnings |
$ 9,508 |
$ 29,936 |
$ 49,866 |
$ 80,803 |
$ 6,494 |
Increase (decrease) due to: |
|
|
|
|
|
Transaction and integration costs |
3,435 |
— |
3,435 |
— |
— |
Unrealized losses on foreign currency derivative contracts |
4,218 |
— |
7,732 |
— |
4,062 |
Mineral properties, plant and equipment gains |
— |
— |
(20) |
— |
(20) |
Current tax effect from adjusting items |
(380) |
— |
(380) |
— |
— |
Deferred tax (recovery) expense |
9,503 |
(1,389) |
28,306 |
1,998 |
14,335 |
Adjusted earnings |
26,284 |
28,547 |
88,939 |
82,801 |
24,871 |
Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) Basic |
148,585 |
146,776 |
147,759 |
147,067 |
147,728 |
Adjusted basic earnings per share |
$ 0.18 |
$ 0.19 |
$ 0.60 |
$ 0.56 |
$ 0.17 |
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and
Qualified Persons Statement
The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is
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