MAG Silver Corp. (TSX / NYSE American: MAG)
(“MAG”, or the
“Company”) announces the
Company’s unaudited financial results for the three months ended
September 30, 2022. For details of the unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and
Analysis for the three months ended September 30, 2022, please see
the Company’s filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or on EDGAR
(www.sec.gov).
All amounts herein are reported in $000s
of United States dollars (“US$”) unless otherwise
specified.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- MAG reported net income of $8,227
or $0.08 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2022
(net loss of $2,280 or ($0.02) per share for the three months ended
September 30, 2021).
- As at September 30, 2022, MAG held
cash of $39,507 and Juanicipio had cash on hand of $18,176.
-
The Sustainalytics ESG risk rating for MAG improved 27% to 33.5
from 46.0, over the last twelve months. Since the initiation of
Sustainalytics coverage of MAG in April 2019 the overall score has
improved by 46%.
Operational –
Juanicipio owned 44% by MAG
-
Fresnillo continues to make available excess processing plant
capacity at its nearby Saucito and Fresnillo operations. Campaign
processing of mineralized material from development headings and
stopes continues through these facilities and is expected to
continue until the Juanicipio plant is commissioned.
-
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, on a 100% basis:
-
A record 180,808 tonnes of mineralized development and stope
material were campaign processed through the Fresnillo and Saucito
plants, with 2,425,256 payable silver ounces, 4,901 payable gold
ounces, 1,347 payable lead tonnes and 2,038 payable zinc tonnes
produced and sold;
-
Average silver head grade for the quarter was 513 grams per tonne
(“g/t”); and
-
Pre-commercial production sales (net of treatment and processing
costs) totaled $49,715 for the quarter, less $18,127 in mining and
transportation costs and $6,376 in depreciation and amortization
charges, netting $25,212 in gross profit by Juanicipio.
-
At the end of the quarter, Juanicipio held cash balances of $18,176
down from $37,504 at the end of Q2 impacted by lower margins as a
result of lower metal prices, marginally lower head grade and
ongoing capital expenditures.
-
As reported by the operator Fresnillo, electrical commissioning of
the processing plant is expected in the coming weeks.
- Campaign processing benefits
include the cash flow being used to offset some of the initial and
sustaining capital, and the de-risking of Juanicipio’s
metallurgical performance which is expected to significantly speed
up project ramp-up.
-
Approximately 70% of the tonnes processed in Q3 2022 were processed
at the Saucito plant, where the flowsheet more closely resembles
that of the Juanicipio plant. It is expected these results will
provide further valuable metallurgical benefits when milling
production commences at Juanicipio.
-
Metal recovery and concentrate grades continue to fall in line with
expectations from the initial metallurgical test work conducted on
Valdecañas.
Corporate
-
On October 5, 2022, MAG published its inaugural Sustainability
Report underscoring MAG’s ongoing and fundamental commitment to
transparency with its stakeholders while providing a comprehensive
overview of the Company's ESG commitments, practices, and
performance for the 2021 year.
EXPLORATION
-
The Juanicipio 2022 exploration program is currently in progress
with five drill rigs on surface running concurrently with continued
underground definition and geotechnical drilling, and one rig
testing the new Los Tajos target (previously known as the Cesantoni
target) in the northwest part of the Juanicipio concession.
-
MAG has initiated a comprehensive data review and drilling campaign
on the acquired Larder Project. The drilling program is focused
below and lateral to the previously identified mineralization.
-
The Deer Trail Project 5,000m Phase II exploration program is in
progress with one drill and all assays pending.
-
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company
recorded a write down of $10,471 on its option earn-in project on a
prospective land claim package in the Black Hills of South
Dakota.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL
RESOURCES
- The expected cash flow from the
ongoing campaign processing until the Juanicipio plant is
commissioned, along with the working capital held by Juanicipio at
September 30, 2022 are projected to substantially fund remaining
capital requirements at Juanicipio (a cash call has not been needed
since mid-December 2021 which was $21,000 on a 100% basis).
“In anticipation of the commencement of milling
operations at Juanicipio, Q3 continued the trend of strong
operational performance with record milling at the Saucito and
Fresnillo operations, delivering over 2.4 million payable silver
ounces. This brings our year-to-date payable silver production to
over 6.8 million ounces” said George Paspalas, MAG’s President and
CEO. “As reported by Fresnillo to us, electrical commissioning is
expected in the coming weeks and a target ramp-up to 85-90% of
nameplate capacity is envisioned within months of commissioning.
Juanicipio is well positioned to take its place as a significant
and responsible silver producer whilst we continue to progress our
exciting exploration programs at Juanicipio, Deer Trail and
Larder.”
JUANICIPIO PROJECT UPDATE
Underground Mine Production
In Q3 2022, a total of 180,808 tonnes of
mineralized development and stope material were processed through
the Fresnillo plants, realizing commercial and operational
de-risking opportunities for the Juanicipio Project. The resulting
payable metals sold and processing details on a 100% basis for Q3
2022 are summarized in Table 1 below. The sales
and treatment charges for tonnes processed in the quarter were
recorded on a provisional basis and will be adjusted in the fourth
quarter of 2022 based on final assay and pricing adjustments in
accordance with the offtake agreements.
Table 1: Q3 2022 Mineralized Material
Processed at Fresnillo’s Processing Plants (100%
basis)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 (180,808 tonnes
processed) |
Q3 2021 Amount$ |
Payable Metals |
Quantity |
Average Per Unit$ |
Amount$ |
Silver |
2,425,256 ounces |
18.36 per oz |
44,518 |
|
14,344 |
|
Gold |
4,901 ounces |
1,677 per oz |
8,219 |
|
1,761 |
|
Lead |
1,347 tonnes |
0.87 per lb. |
2,578 |
|
529 |
|
Zinc |
2,038 tonnes |
1.45 per lb. |
6,511 |
|
947 |
|
Treatment and refining charges (“TCRCs”) and other processing
costs |
(12,111 |
) |
(2,897 |
) |
Net Sales |
25,212 |
|
11,207 |
|
Mining and transportation costs |
(18,127 |
) |
(3,477 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization |
(6,376) (1) |
- |
|
Gross Profit |
25,212 |
|
11,207 |
|
(1) The
underground mine is now in stopes with mineralized and development
material being processed through Fresnillo’s plants and refined and
sold. The mine was effectively readied for its intended use on
January 1, 2022.
The average silver head grade for the
mineralized development and initial stope material processed in Q3
2022 was 513 g/t (Q2 2022 567 g/t).
Processing Plant Construction & Outlook
The Juanicipio project team delivered the 4,000
tpd processing plant for commissioning in the fourth quarter of
2021. However, according to the operator Fresnillo and as
previously reported, the state-owned electrical company (Comision
Federal de Electricidad “CFE”), notified Fresnillo late in December
2021 that the regulatory approval to complete the tie-in to the
national power grid could not yet be granted and that the
Juanicipio plant commissioning timeline was therefore extended. As
reported more recently by the operator Fresnillo, commencement of
electrical commissioning of the Juanicipio processing plant is
expected to occur in the coming weeks. It is expected that the
plant will ramp up to 85-90% of the nameplate 4,000 tpd capacity
within months of commissioning.
Should there be additional funding requirements
related to further commissioning delays or to additional sustaining
capital that is being brought forward in excess of the cash flow
generated prior to attaining commercial production, there may still
be further cash calls required from Fresnillo and MAG.
FINANCIAL RESULTS – THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
As at September 30, 2022, MAG had working
capital of $42,434 (June 30, 2022: $47,673) including cash of
$39,507 (June 30, 2022: $44,655) and no long-term debt. As well, as
at September 30, 2022, Juanicipio had working capital of $9,954
including cash of $18,176 (MAG’s attributable share is 44%).
The Company’s net income for three months ended
September 30, 2022 amounted to $8,227 (September 30, 2021: $2,280
net loss) or $0.08/share (September 30, 2021: ($0.02)/share). MAG
recorded its 44% income from equity accounted investment in
Juanicipio of $11,781 (September 30, 2021: $1,457) which included
MAG’s 44% share of net income from the sale of mineralised
development and stope material as well as loan interest earned on
mining assets brought into use (see Table 2
below).
Table 2: MAG’s share of income from its
equity accounted Investment in Juanicipio
|
3 Months ended September 30, 2022 |
3 months ended September 30, 2021 |
Gross profit from processing mineralized material
(see Underground Mine Production – Juanicipio Project above) |
$ 25,212 |
|
$ 11,207 |
|
Administrative expenses |
|
(1,192 |
) |
|
(490 |
) |
Extraordinary mining duty |
|
(64 |
) |
|
(70 |
) |
Foreign exchange and other |
|
1,584 |
|
|
(956 |
) |
Income before tax |
$ 25,540 |
|
$ 9,692 |
|
Income tax expense (including deferred income tax) |
|
825 |
|
|
(6,379 |
) |
Income for the period (100% basis) |
$ 26,365 |
|
$ 3,312 |
|
MAG’s 44% share of income from equity accounted investment
in JuanicipioLoan interest on mining assets – MAG’s 44%
share |
11,601180 |
|
1,457- |
|
MAG’s 44% equity income |
$ 11,781 |
|
$ 1,457 |
|
Qualified Person: All
scientific or technical information in this press release including
assay results referred to, and Mineral Resource estimates, if
applicable, is based upon information prepared by or under the
supervision of, or has been approved by Dr. Peter Megaw, Ph.D.,
C.P.G., a Certified Professional Geologist who is
a “Qualified Person” for purposes of National Instrument 43-101,
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“National Instrument
43-101” or “NI 43-101”). Dr. Megaw is not independent as he is an
officer and a paid consultant of MAG.
About MAG Silver Corp.
(www.magsilver.com)
MAG Silver Corp. is a growth-oriented Canadian
development and exploration company focused on becoming a top-tier
primary silver mining company by exploring and advancing
high-grade, district scale, precious metals projects in the
Americas. Its principal focus and asset is the Juanicipio Project
(44%), being developed with Fresnillo Plc (56%), the operator. The
project is located in the Fresnillo Silver Trend in Mexico, the
world's premier silver mining camp, where the operator is currently
advancing underground mine development and commissioning a 4,000
tonnes per day processing plant. Underground mine production of
mineralized development material commenced in Q3 2020, and an
expanded exploration program is in place targeting multiple highly
prospective targets at Juanicipio. MAG is also executing
multi-phase exploration programs at the Deer Trail 100% earn-in
Project in Utah and the recently acquired Larder Project, located
in the historically prolific Abitibi region of Canada.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the NYSE
American has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the accuracy
or adequacy of this press release, which has been prepared by
management.
This release includes certain statements that
may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
statements in this release, other than statements of historical
facts are forward looking statements, including statements
regarding the anticipated time and capital schedule to production;
anticipated electrical hook-up of the processing plant and impact
on commissioning; statements that address our expectations with
respect to the timing and success of plant commissioning
activities; processing rates of mineralized materials, estimated
project economics, including but not limited to, plant or mill
recoveries, payable metals produced, underground mining rates;
production rates, expected upside from additional exploration;
expected capital requirements and adequacy of current working
capital for the next year; and other future events or developments.
Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by
the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue",
"estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict",
"potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should",
"believe" and similar expressions. These statements involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results or events to differ materially from those
anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Although MAG
believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking
statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are
not guarantees of future performance and actual results or
developments may differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, impacts (both direct and indirect)
of COVID-19, supply chain constraints and general costs escalation
in the current inflationary environment heightened by the invasion
of Ukraine by Russia, timing of receipt of required permits,
changes in applicable laws, changes in
commodities prices, changes in mineral
production performance, exploitation and exploration
successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and
general economic, market or business conditions, political risk,
currency risk and capital cost inflation. In addition,
forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, including
that data is incomplete and considerable additional work will be
required to complete further evaluation, including but not limited
to drilling, engineering and socio-economic studies and
investment. The reader is referred to the MAG Silver’s filings
with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators for disclosure
regarding these and other risk factors. There is no certainty that
any forward-looking statement will come to pass, and investors
should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking
statements.
Please Note: Investors are urged to consider
closely the disclosures in MAG's annual and
quarterly reports and other public filings, accessible through
the Internet at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.
LEI: 254900LGL904N7F3EL14
For further information on behalf of MAG Silver Corp.
Contact Michael J. Curlook, VP Investor Relations and Communications
Phone: (604) 630-1399
Website:www.magsilver.com
Toll Free:(866) 630-1399
Email: info@magsilver.com
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