Endeavour Silver Forecasts Steady Silver Production in 2014
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan 22, 2014) -
Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX:EDR)(NYSE:EXK) released today its
improved cash and debt positions at year-end (all currency in US$)
and the Company's consolidated operating guidance for 2014 for its
three underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico, the Guanaceví Mine
in Durango State and the Bolañitos and El Cubo Mines in Guanajuato
State.
Production Outlook
Endeavour plans to hold its silver production relatively steady
in the range of 6.5-6.9 million ounces (oz) compared to the 6.8
million oz silver it produced in 2013. Gold production is expected
to be in the 65,000-69,000 oz range and silver equivalent
production is anticipated to be 10.4-11.0 million oz (at a
silver:gold ratio of 60:1) as shown in the table below.
Mine |
Ag Prod. (M oz) |
Au Prod. (K oz) |
Ag Eq. Prod. (K oz) |
Tonnes/Day (tpd) |
|
|
|
|
|
Guanaceví |
2.6-2.7 |
7.0-8.0 |
3.0-3.2 |
1,200-1,300 |
Bolañitos |
2.2-2.4 |
36.0-38.0 |
4.4-4.7 |
1,450-1,600 |
El
Cubo |
1.7-1.8 |
22.0-23.0 |
3.0-3.1 |
1,200-1,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
6.5-6.9 |
65.0-69.0 |
10.4-11.0 |
3,850-4,450 |
Bradford Cooke, CEO of Endeavour, commented, "After delivering
tremendous production growth in 2013, we plan to hold production
relatively steady for 2014, hone the operations and position the
Company for a turnaround in metal prices later this year. Our
capital budget is significantly reduced this year which will help
boost free cash-flow."
"Our focus this year will be on further refining our operating
and financial performance through initiatives to improve
productivity, reduce operating costs and enhance cash-flow at all
three mines, as well as completing the operational turn-around at
El Cubo. We have resumed exploration around the mines in order to
replace depleted reserves and expand resources, but green-fields
exploration will be minimized to drilling our emerging new, high
grade discovery at the San Sebastián property."
The main opportunity to expand production in 2014 is at El Cubo,
where the plant is currently operating at 1,200 tpd but has a
capacity of 1,550 tpd. Management plans a steady ramp-up of plant
throughput during the year as mine development opens up the new
Villalpando-Asunción deposit for increased production. The main
area of reduced production in 2014 is at Bolañitos where the plant
is operating at its 1,600 tpd capacity and management has elected
not to continue extra mine production for processing at the El Cubo
plant as it did in 2013.
Bolañitos and El Cubo are both producing silver-gold
concentrates for sale under one year contracts to smelters because
their attractive terms offer lower costs and higher profit margins
compared to producing doré bars from the El Cubo leach plant at the
current low metal prices.
At El Cubo, production will continue primarily from the Dolores,
Villalpando, San Nicolas and Santa Cecilia veins as well as the
emerging new Villalpando- Asunción deposit. At Guanaceví,
production will continue primarily from the Porvenir Norte,
Porvenir Cuatro and Santa Cruz veins. Underground development of
the new Milache discovery is awaiting permitting for development to
start in 2014 and production to start in 2015. At Bolañitos,
production will continue primarily from the Daniela, Karina, Lana
and Bolañitos veins and mine development will open up the La Luz-
Asunción deposit.
Operating Costs
Consolidated by-product cash costs of silver production (net of
gold credits) are expected to be in the $9-$10 range in 2014,
largely due to the lower gold price and reduced gold production.
Consolidated co-product cash costs of silver and gold production
are anticipated to be around $13-14 and $800-850 per oz
respectively.
All-in by-product sustaining costs of production (including
sustaining capex, exploration and G&A costs) are forecasted to
be approximately $19 per oz of silver produced and all-in
co-product sustaining costs of production are predicted to be
approximately $19 per oz silver and $1,166 per oz gold. Direct
operating costs are estimated to be in the $95 per tonne range.
Capital Budget
Endeavour plans to invest $43.9 million on capital projects in
2014, including $34.6 million on mine development, infrastructure,
equipment and exploration plus $9.3 million on plant upgrades,
infrastructure, equipment and plant and exploration buildings.
The Company has budgeted US$20.9 million at El Cubo, $9.9
million at Bolañitos, $11.7 million at Guanaceví and $1.4 million
for general capital, all of which should be covered by the
Company's anticipated 2014 cash-flow.
Exploration Expenditures
In 2013, Endeavour plans to spend $11.9 million on exploration.
A total of 54,000 metres of drilling in about 120 holes are
budgeted to test multiple exploration targets in addition to the
underground mine exploration drilling.
The Company will focus on brownfields exploration around the
three operating mines in order to replenish reserves and grow
resources and mine-lives, as well as expanding and permitting the
emerging new high grade silver-gold discovery in the Terronera vein
on the San Sebastián property in Jalisco State.
Endeavour will also continue evaluating M&A opportunities in
order to identify and possibly acquire a fourth operating mine
while market valuations are low.
Cash Position
Thanks to Endeavour's strong operating performance in the second
half of 2013, the Company was able to significantly add to its cash
position and reduce its revolving bank line of credit balance by
year-end. Net debt improved by about $19 million in the last six
months of 2013, from cash of approximately $22 million and debt of
$39 million at June 30, 2013 to cash of approximately $35 million
and debt of $33 million at December 31, 2013 (all $ figures
unaudited).
Endeavour is on track to deliver another strong year of
production in 2014, notwithstanding the lower metal prices, due to
the Company's philosophy of continuous improvement. With an
improved balance sheet, Endeavour is well positioned financially to
execute its business plan in 2014.
About Endeavour Silver - Endeavour is a mid-tier silver mining
company focused on growing its profits, production, reserves and
resources in Mexico. Since start-up in 2004, Endeavour has posted
nine consecutive years of accretive growth of its silver mining
operations. The organic expansion programs now underway at
Endeavour's three silver-gold mines in Mexico combined with its
strategic acquisition and exploration programs should help
facilitate Endeavour's goal to become a premier senior silver
producer.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the United States private securities
litigation reform act of 1995 and "forward-looking information"
within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.
Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but
are not limited to statements regarding Endeavour's anticipated
performance in 2014 and the timing and results of exploration drill
programs. The Company does not intend to, and does not assume any
obligation to update such forward-looking statements or
information, other than as required by applicable law.
Forward-looking statements or information involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include,
among others, changes in national and local governments,
legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or
economic developments in Canada and Mexico; operating or technical
difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining
activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development
and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and
development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and
challenges to the Company's title to properties; as well as those
factors described in the section "risk factors" contained in the
Company's most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with
the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions
management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to:
the continued operation of the Company's mining operations, no
material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining
operations will operate and the mining products will be completed
in accordance with management's expectations and achieve their
stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors
as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or
information, there may be other factors that cause results to be
materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated,
assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any
forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate
as actual results and future events could differ materially from
those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly,
readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements or information.
Endeavour Silver Corp.Meghan BrownDirector Investor
RelationsToll free: (877) 685-9775 or (604) 640-4804(604)
685-9744mbrown@edrsilver.comwww.edrsilver.com
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