Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR) (NYSE: EXK) reports updated NI 43-101 silver and gold reserve and resource estimates for its three producing mines in Mexico: the Guanaceví Mine in Durango State and the Bolañitos and El Cubo Mines in Guanajuato State; as well as one exploration project, the San Sebastián Project in Jalisco State, as of October 31, 2014.
Endeavour replaced its proven and probable silver reserves in 2014, notwithstanding the shorter estimation period (10 months vs 12 months) and lower metal price assumptions ($18 per ounce (oz) silver vs $22 per oz) compared to 2013. Measured and indicated resources increased in 2014 due to the Company's brownfields exploration programs which upgraded inferred resources primarily at El Cubo and San Sebastián. Inferred resources remained constant for silver and lower for gold year-on-year.
Bradford Cooke, CEO, commented, "Our operations and exploration teams are to be commended for replacing silver reserves and growing our resources in 2014, especially given the lower metal prices and shorter estimation period. This year, we will continue to focus on reserve replacement and as well as mine permitting of the emerging new high-grade Terronera silver-gold vein discovery at San Sebastián."
In past years Endeavour has used the accepted industry practice of three-year trailing averages of silver and gold prices for estimating reserves and resources. At the end of 2014, the trailing price averages were approximately $1,450 per oz gold and $24.72 per oz silver, which management views as too high for use in the estimation of reserves and resources. Instead, management decided to use US$1,260 per oz gold and US$18 per oz silver prices to more reasonably reflect the near-term outlook. The reserves and resources were stress-tested down to $15 per oz silver which resulted in only minor losses, confirming the robustness of our reserves and resources.
2014 Reserve/Resource Highlights (Compared to December 31, 2013)
Work on Endeavour's other exploration projects in Mexico (the Guadalupe y Calvo and Parral projects in Chihuahua and the Arroyo Seco project in Michoacán) did not change the resources, and previous estimates remain unchanged. The Guadalupe y Calvo resources were estimated in 2012 and the Parral and Arroyo Seco resources were estimated at the end of 2010.
Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates at October 31, 2014
Godfrey Walton, M.Sc., P.Geo., President and COO of Endeavour, is the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. The Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates was Mike Munroe, BSc, MSc, SME Registered Member 4151306RM. Reports for Guanaceví, Bolañitos, and El Cubo will be completed and filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this news release. A pre-feasibility study now under way for San Sebastián is expected to be released and filed on SEDAR in Q3, 2015, and will also include changes to the resources.
These reserve and resource statements were classified following the definitions and guidelines of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum CIM standards and definitions of Mineral Resources and Reserves and the guidelines contained in National Instrument 43-101.
2015 Production Guidance
As a result of the anticipated decrease in production at the Bolañitos mine in 2015 and the sharp increase in production and reduced unit operating costs at the El Cubo mine in the Q4, 2014, management is currently developing alternative production scenarios for the El Cubo mine, including a possible significant mine expansion to fill available Bolañitos plant capacity in 2015. The Company is seeking the cooperation of the miners' union to accomplish the alternative mine plans in order to ensure the short and long term viability of the El Cubo mining operation. The union recently helped to identify and develop higher grade historic mineralization that facilitated the improved the grades and tonnages in Q4, 2014.
Since the alternative mine plans will not be completed until early March 2015, the Bolañitos and El Cubo mines will continue to produce at close to their respective plant capacities until that time. Based on our review of the alternative mine plans, the following 2015 production guidance may be subject to revision.
Silver production for 2015 is expected to be in the range of 5.8-6.4 million oz, gold production is anticipated to be in the 47,000-52,000 oz range, and silver equivalent production is forecast to be 9.0-10.1 million oz using a 70:1 silver:gold ratio, as shown in the table below.
Mr. Cooke added, "We will run the three mines at close to capacity in Q1, 2015 until we complete the alternative mine plans for El Cubo in March. The primary consideration of the alternative mine plans is to reduce unit operating costs at El Cubo. Considering the current low precious metal prices and anticipated lower output from Bolañitos, we plan to produce at a lower rate in 2015 but capital and exploration budgets are significantly reduced this year which should help to boost free cash-flow."
At El Cubo, production will continue primarily from the new V-Asunción, Dolores, Villalpando, San Nicolas and Santa Cecilia veins. At Guanaceví, production will continue primarily from the Porvenir Cuatro, Porvenir Norte, and Santa Cruz deposits. Underground development of the new Santa Cruz Sur and Milache discoveries are awaiting permitting for development in 2015 and production to start in 2016. At Bolañitos, production will continue primarily from the Daniela, Karina, Lana and Bolañitos veins and the new LL-Asunción deposit.
Operating Costs
Consolidated cash costs of production, net of gold by-product credits, are expected to be in the range of $10-11 per oz of silver in 2015. The increase is largely due to the rising contribution of the higher cost El Cubo mine and reduced gold production at the Bolanitos mine. Consolidated cash costs for silver and gold on a co-product basis are anticipated to be around $13-$14 and $900-$950 per oz respectively.
All-in sustaining costs (AISC), net of gold by-product credits, in accordance with the World Gold Council standard, are estimated to be $18-19 per oz of silver in 2015. When non-cash items such as stock based compensation are excluded, AISC, net of gold by-product credits, is forecast in the $17.50-$18.50 range.
On a co-product basis, AISC are predicted to be $18.50-19.50 per oz silver and $1,200-1,250 per oz gold. Direct operating costs are estimated to be in the $90-94 per tonne range.
Capital Budget
Endeavour plans to invest $32.7 million on capital projects in 2015, including $18.3 million on mine development, $11.0 million on plant and equipment, and $3.1 million on tailings upgrades. The mine development capital is for accessing reserves for mining and replacing reserves by converting measured and indicated resources. Endeavour does not estimate reserves based on drill holes, only on underground workings.
The Company has budgeted US$15.0 million at El Cubo, $4.9 million at Bolañitos, $12.5 million at Guanaceví and $0.3 million for corporate items, all of which will be covered by the Company's anticipated 2015 cash flow.
Exploration Expenditures
In 2015, Endeavour plans to spend $6.9 million on exploration, including $0.9 million required for property payments. A total of 26,000 metres of drilling in approximately 150 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 resources as well as infill and condemnation drilling needed for engineering the emerging new high grade silver-gold discovery in the Terronera vein on the San Sebastián property in Jalisco State.
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss the results will be held on Thursday January 29 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 4890#. 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 silver mining company focused on growing production, reserves and resources in Mexico. Since start-up in 2004, Endeavour has posted ten consecutive years of accretive growth of its silver mining operations. Endeavour's three silver-gold mines in Mexico combined with its strategic acquisition and exploration programs should 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 2015 and the timing and results of various activities. 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.
Original Article: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/11G031787-001.htm
