CDE Coeur Mining Inc

NEWS RELEASE                       

Coeur Reports Third Quarter 2015 Results

15% Drop in Adjusted Costs Applicable to Sales and 17% Decline in All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce Compared to 3Q 2014

Raising Full-Year Production Guidance Range and Reducing Full-Year Cost Guidance Range

Chicago, Illinois - November 2, 2015 - Coeur Mining, Inc. (the "Company" or "Coeur") (NYSE: CDE) reported third quarter 2015 revenue of $162.6 million, adjusted EBITDA¹ of $31.4 million, adjusted net loss¹ of $0.16 per share, and cash flow from operating activities of $36.2 million. The Company sold 9.5 million silver equivalent¹ ounces during the third quarter, comprised of 91,118 ounces of gold and 4.0 million ounces of silver.

Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce¹ of $12.07 declined 4% from the second quarter and dropped 15% compared to the same quarter last year (equivalence calculated based on a 60:1 ratio).  Adjusted costs applicable to sales were $11.00 per silver equivalent ounce using average realized prices to calculate equivalent ounces.

Adjusted all-in sustaining costs declined 9% from the second quarter and dropped 17% compared to the same quarter last year to $15.17 per silver equivalent ounce¹ (equivalence calculated based on a 60:1 ratio). Adjusted all-in sustaining costs were $13.14 per silver equivalent ounce¹ using average realized prices to calculate equivalent ounces.

"Our third quarter results provide further evidence that our strategic initiatives are dramatically reshaping the Company," said Mitchell J. Krebs, Coeur's President and Chief Executive Officer.

"At Palmarejo, underground mining rates from the higher-grade Guadalupe deposit averaged over 1,700 tons per day during the third quarter and the next target is 2,000 tons per day by the end of the year. Efforts to develop the newly-acquired Independencia underground deposit located approximately 800 meters from Guadalupe remain on-track to reach the ore body by the end of 2015. Mining from Independencia is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2016 and will become a second source of high-grade ore along with Guadalupe. As expected, we intersected high-grade mineralization while driving the tunnel from Guadalupe to Independencia, which has the potential to become a new source of high-grade ore.

"Along with several process-related improvements that have been implemented, the metallurgical characteristics of the ore from Guadalupe are resulting in significantly higher recovery rates for both silver and gold. We filed a new NI 43-101 technical report for Palmarejo today, which reflects the mine's ongoing transition to underground mining and incorporates Independencia for the first time since closing the acquisition of Paramount Gold and Silver Corp. in April. Also included in the technical report are updated reserves for Palmarejo based on new silver and gold price assumptions, which provides the basis for a robust mine plan for the next seven years. The significant amount of resources and the opportunity to add further reserves and resources through our ongoing drilling activities makes us optimistic about the potential to further extend and enhance Palmarejo's operating and financial profile.

"Plans to further expand our Rochester mine in Nevada remain on-track and recent efforts to capture the efficiencies of larger scale mining are clearly paying off. Production levels this year are expected to be 15% - 30% higher than last year while unit costs are expected to be 10% -15% lower than 2014. We have now completed work to expand a crusher facility that is expected to allow us to sustain mining and crushing rates of over 16 million tons per year and capture additional volume-related efficiencies. Permitting efforts for the next leach pad remain on schedule. The public comment period concluded in early October and we will now complete the final EIS by year-end and expect to receive the Record of Decision during the first half of 2016. Construction of the next leach pad is scheduled for 2017.

"At Kensington, the decline down to the high-grade Jualin deposit kicked off in early August and has now advanced approximately 700 feet. Currently, Jualin is estimated to contain approximately 289,000 tons of inferred resources with an average grade of 0.62 ounces per ton, which is over triple Kensington's average reserve grade. Once we gain better access from underground, we will begin to more efficiently drill Jualin to better define and hopefully expand this new high-grade discovery before mining begins in 2017.

"Since closing on the acquisition of the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota in February for $99.8 million, we announced a 39% increase in the total reserve and are now seeing production levels rise and costs drop significantly. During the third quarter, Wharf's costs per ounce dropped 26% compared to the second quarter to $716 per gold equivalent ounce¹, leading to over $12 million of free cash flow from our newest operation.

"Since the end of the third quarter, we took advantage of an opportunity to eliminate 10% of total outstanding debt at a 24% discount to par value by agreeing to exchange an estimated 14.4 million shares of common stock for approximately $54 million of our 7.875% Notes due 2021. Adjusting for this lower level of debt, our net debt is expected to be $287 million and our net debt to LTM EBITDA ratio is expected to drop 16% to 3.2x. Cash at the end of the third quarter stood at $206 million, virtually unchanged from the end of the second quarter, despite significantly lower silver and gold prices. We believe that by meaningfully reducing debt and sustaining our liquidity levels in the face of lower prices, we are proactively addressing two areas of perceived risk facing the equity value of the Company."

Third Quarter 2015 Highlights

• Silver production was 3.8 million ounces and gold production was 85,769 ounces, or 9.0 million silver equivalent¹ ounces, as previously announced on October 6, 2015
• Silver sales were 4.0 million ounces and gold production was 91,118 ounces, or 9.5 million silver equivalent¹ ounces, up 5% from the second quarter
• Adjusted costs applicable to sales were $12.07 and adjusted all-in sustaining costs were $15.17 per silver equivalent ounce¹, the lowest levels since Coeur began reporting these metrics in 2013
• Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce¹ at Palmarejo declined 14% from the second quarter to $11.40
• Adjusted costs applicable to sales per gold equivalent ounce¹ at Wharf dropped 26% from the second quarter to $716
• Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments were $205.7 million at September 30

Full Year 2015 Outlook
For the second time this year, Coeur is raising its 2015 total production guidance to 33.7 - 36.4 million silver equivalent ounces, consisting of 15.2 - 16.1 million silver ounces and 309,000 - 338,000 gold ounces due to the strong production performance at Palmarejo. These ranges compare to 33.1 - 35.9 million silver equivalent ounces, or 14.7 - 15.8 million silver ounces and 306,000 - 335,000 gold ounces, previously. Coeur is also lowering its guidance for all-in sustaining costs per silver equivalent ounce¹ from $17.00 - $18.00 to $16.50 - $17.00.

2015 Production Outlook

2015 Cost Outlook

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

Financial Results

The Company realized average silver and gold prices of $14.66 and $1,116 during the third quarter, which were lower by 10% and 5%, respectively, compared to the second quarter and were 25% and 11% lower, respectively, compared to last year's third quarter.

Third quarter revenue decreased 2% compared with the second quarter to $162.6 million due to lower metal prices, partially offset by a 5% increase in silver equivalent ounces sold. Silver contributed 37% of the Company's metal sales and gold contributed 63% during the third quarter.

General and administrative expenses decreased 21% to $6.7 million in the third quarter due to further cost reduction measures. Capital expenditures were $23.9 million in the third quarter. For the first nine months of 2015, general and administrative expenses were $24.0 million and capital expenditures were $65.2 million. For the full year, general and administrative expenses are expected to be $33 - $35 million and capital expenditures are expected to be $95 - $105 million.

Third quarter adjusted EBITDA¹ was $31.4 million, a 10% decrease from the second quarter primarily due to lower metal prices. Adjusted net loss¹ was $21.8 million, or $0.16 per share, compared to a loss of $14.5 million, or $0.11 per share, in the second quarter. The third quarter adjusted net loss¹ mainly excludes inventory adjustments to net realizable value, foreign exchange losses on deferred taxes, and fair value adjustments to royalty obligations.

Operations

Highlights of third quarter 2015 results for each of the Company's operating segments are provided below.

Palmarejo, Mexico

• Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce¹ of $11.40 decreased 14% from the second quarter due to higher grades, stronger recoveries, and a higher proportion of production from underground. Compared to last year's third quarter, Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce¹ declined 21%
• Free cash flow of $2.2 million reached the highest level since the third quarter of 2014 when realized silver and gold prices averaged $19.46 and $1,260, respectively
• Palmarejo continues the transition to underground mining at the Guadalupe mine and the Independencia mine (expected beginning early 2016) while mining activities in the historic zones gradually decline
• Daily mining rates at Guadalupe averaged more than 1,700 tons per day during the quarter, which triggered the October receipt of the remaining $8 million deposit from an affiliate of Franco-Nevada Corporation under the gold stream agreement entered into in October 2014
• Stronger recovery rates for silver and gold resulted from reduced tailings losses due to tighter operational controls around thickening, longer retention time due to lower processing rates, and higher proportions of Guadalupe ore
• Development of the twin declines to Independencia are now approaching 700 meters each (approximately 70% complete) and is expected to reach the Independencia ore body by the end of 2015
• On November 2, an updated technical report was filed reflecting average annual production of approximately six million ounces of silver and 100,000 ounces of gold over the next seven years. See press release issued November 2, 2015
• Coeur is raising 2015 production guidance for Palmarejo by 7% to 4.7 - 5.0 million ounces of silver and 65,000 - 70,000 ounces of gold. Coeur is also lowering 2015 cost guidance from $15.00 - $16.00 to $14.00 - $14.50

Rochester, Nevada

• Third quarter adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce¹ were $12.01 for the second consecutive quarter, prompting Coeur to lower its 2015 guidance to $12.25 - $12.75 from $12.50 - $14.00. This represents a 10% - 15% reduction from 2014
• In 2015, Rochester is expected to produce 4.7 - 5.0 million ounces of silver and 55,000 - 65,000 ounces of gold, representing a 15% - 30% increase from 2014
• Approval for POA 10 (expansion of Stage IV leach pad and construction of new Stage V leach pad) is expected in early 2016. Minimal preparatory work for the Stage V leach pad expected in 2016 with major construction activity planned for 2017

Kensington, Alaska

• Adjusted costs applicable to sales per gold ounce¹ increased 13% to $842 in the third quarter mainly due to the timing of certain maintenance costs and a 23% decline in ounces sold
• Development of the decline into the high-grade Jualin deposit began in early August. Underground drilling at Jualin is expected to begin in early 2016
• In 2015, Kensington is expected to produce 115,000 - 125,000 ounces of gold at costs applicable to sales per gold ounce of $800 - $850, approximately 6% lower than prior guidance of $850 - $900

Wharf, South Dakota

• Adjusted costs applicable to sales per gold equivalent ounce¹ declined 26% in the third quarter to $716  due to a significant increase in production from the higher-grade Golden Reward pit, as well as higher recoveries from ore placed on the recently relined leach pad V
• Free cash flow³ from Wharf increased to $12.2 million in the quarter, making Wharf the Company's largest source of cash flow
• In 2015, Wharf is expected to produce 74,000 - 78,000 ounces of gold at costs applicable to sales per gold equivalent ounce¹ of $700 - $750, down approximately 8% compared to prior guidance of $750 - $825

San Bartolomé, Bolivia

• Political protests in Potosi, Bolivia prompted a three-week cessation of mining activity in July, which caused a 21% decrease in production and a 9% increase in adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver ounce to $14.41 for the quarter
• To supplement tonnage from ongoing mining activities, Coeur recently began purchasing larger volumes of higher-grade ore from local sources to feed into the processing facility. Approximately 17% of third quarter production was generated by third-party ore purchases
• In 2015, San Bartolomé is expected to produce 5.3 - 5.5 million ounces of silver at costs applicable to sales of $13.50 - $14.50 per silver ounce, down from prior guidance of $13.50 - $15.00

Coeur Capital

• Coeur Capital's largest source of cash flow is the silver stream on the Endeavor mine in New South Wales, Australia in which the Company owns 100% of the silver up to a total of 20.0 million payable ounces. At September 30, 2015, the Company has received 5.9 million ounces, or 30.0% of the total
• There are five cash-flowing royalties and streams, two non-cash-flowing royalties, and several investments in junior mining companies held in Coeur Capital or its affiliates

Exploration

Costs associated with exploration activities for the third quarter of 2015 were $2.1 million (expensed) for discovery of new silver and gold mineralization and $1.4 million (capitalized) for definition and expansion of mineralized material. These amounts compare to exploration costs of $3.6 million expensed and $2.2 million capitalized in the second quarter. Coeur's exploration program used 7 drill rigs during the third quarter: 3 drills at Palmarejo, 1 at Kensington, 2 at Rochester, 1 at Wharf, and 1 at La Preciosa. This work resulted in completion of over 57,776 feet (17,610 meters) of combined core and reverse circulation drilling.

Exploration expenses are expected to total $13 - $16 million in 2015, with additional capital allocated to resource conversion. Coeur continues to use a success-based approach to funding exploration activities, with a near-term focus on higher grade targets at Palmarejo at and near the Guadalupe operation, drilling near-surface oxide targets at La Preciosa, drilling new targets near Wharf, mapping and sampling around Rochester and Kensington, and the selective acquisition and maintenance of early-stage projects.

Conference Call Information

Coeur will conduct a conference call and webcast at www.coeur.com to discuss the Company's third quarter results on November 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.

            Dial-In Numbers:        (855) 560-2581 (US)
                                                (855) 669-9657 (Canada)
                                                (412) 542-4166 (International)

            Conference ID:            Coeur Mining, Inc.

A replay of the call will be available on Coeur's website through November 17, 2015.

            Replay Numbers:        (877) 344-7529 (US)
                                                (855) 669-9658 (Canada)
                                                (412) 317-0088 (International)
           
            Conference ID:            100 73 689

About Coeur
Coeur Mining is the largest U.S.-based silver producer and a significant gold producer with five precious metals mines in the Americas employing approximately 2,100 people. Coeur produces from its wholly owned operations: the Palmarejo silver-gold mine in Mexico, the San Bartolomé silver mine in Bolivia, the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada, the Kensington gold mine in Alaska, and the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota. The Company also has a non-operating interest in the Endeavor mine in Australia in addition to royalties on the Cerro Bayo mine in Chile, the El Gallo complex in Mexico, the Zaruma mine in Ecuador, and the Correnso mine in New Zealand. In addition, the Company has two silver-gold exploration projects - the La Preciosa project in Mexico and the Joaquin project in Argentina. The Company also conducts ongoing exploration activities in Alaska, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, and Nevada. The Company owns strategic investment positions in several silver and gold development companies with projects in North and South America.

Cautionary Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada, including statements regarding the impact of strategic initiatives, the anticipated closing of the exchange transaction, anticipated production, costs, capital expenditures, expenses, mining rates, crushing rates, operations, development and exploration at and ability to extend and enhance the operating and financial profile of Palmarejo, approval for POA 10, planned capital and expansion projects at Rochester, development activity at Kensington, and exploration efforts. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Coeur's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk that the exchange transaction does not close on a timely basis or at all, the risk that anticipated benefits of recent acquisitions are not realized, the risk that anticipated production, cost and expense levels are not attained, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in developing large-scale mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), changes in the market prices of gold and silver and a sustained lower price environment, the uncertainties inherent in Coeur's production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and regulatory delays, ground conditions, grade variability, any future labor disputes or work stoppages (including those involving third parties), the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver reserves and resources, changes that could result from Coeur's future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, the absence of control over and reliance on third parties to operate mining operations in which Coeur or its subsidiaries hold royalty or streaming interests and risks related to these mining operations including results of mining and exploration activities, environmental, economic and political risks of the jurisdiction in which the mining operations are located, the loss of access to any third-party smelter to which Coeur markets silver and gold, the effects of environmental and other governmental regulations, the risks inherent in the ownership or operation of or investment in mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, Coeur's ability to raise additional financing necessary to conduct its business, make payments or refinance its debt, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Canadian securities regulators, including, without limitation, Coeur's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Actual results, developments and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Coeur disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Coeur undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Coeur, its financial or operating results or its securities.

Dana Willis, Coeur's Director, Resource Geology and a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information concerning Coeur's mineral projects in this news release.  For a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources, as well as data verification procedures and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors, Canadian investors should refer to the Technical Reports for each of Coeur's properties as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Non-U.S. GAAP Measures

We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) with certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce, all-in sustaining costs, and adjusted all-in sustaining costs. We believe that these adjusted measures provide meaningful information to assist management, investors and analysts in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance. We believe these adjusted financial measures are important indicators of our recurring operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to our core operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. We believe adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce, all-in sustaining costs, and adjusted all-in sustaining costs are important measures in assessing the Company's overall financial performance.

Notes

1. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), all-in sustaining costs, adjusted all-in sustaining costs, costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce), and adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce are non-GAAP measures. Please see tables in the Appendix for the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. For purposes of silver and gold equivalence, a 60:1 silver to gold ratio is assumed except where noted as average realized prices.
2. Includes capital leases. Net of debt issuance costs and premium received.
3. Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures and royalty payments.

For Additional Information:

Bridget Freas, Director, Investor Relations
(312) 489-5819

www.coeur.com

Coeur Mining, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Coeur Mining, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Coeur Mining, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Reconciliation

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce
for Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce
for Three Months Ended June 30, 2015

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce
for Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce
for Three Months Ended December 31, 2014

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce
for Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

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