SilverCrest Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

In This Article:

Record Operating Earnings Drives Treasury Growth

2024 Sales Guidance Increased and Cash Cost and AISC Guidance Reduced

TSX: SIL | NYSE American: SILV

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 7, 2024 /CNW/ - SilverCrest Metals Inc. ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024 ("Q2 2024"). This release provides additional operational results to supplement the July 11, 2024 release of Q2 2024 operational highlights from the Company's Las Chispas operation ("Las Chispas" or the "Las Chispas Operation") located in Sonora, Mexico. All amounts herein are presented in United States Dollars ("US$"), unless otherwise stated.

SilverCrest Metals (CNW Group/SilverCrest Metals Inc.)
SilverCrest Metals (CNW Group/SilverCrest Metals Inc.)

N. Eric Fier, CEO, commented, "We are proud to announce another quarter of strong operational and financial performance.  Our mining rates continued to increase in the quarter, and we expect the H2 2024 ramp-up to continue at a quicker pace than originally planned as we retain two mining contractors for a longer period. This strategic decision is expected to provide greater operational flexibility and further reduce risk. In the quarter, we also set new records for revenue and mine operating earnings, which contributed to growth in treasury assets of 34% or $31.2 million, including additions to our bullion holdings. As free cash flow is expected to continue in H2 2024, we plan to opportunistically increase exposure to bullion for our shareholders throughout the year.

With gold and silver prices remaining robust and strong operational performance continuing at the start of H2 2024, we are well positioned to benefit from continued momentum and are pleased to increase our 2024 sales guidance and reduce our annual cash cost and all-in sustaining cost guidance".

Q2 2024 Highlights

  • Recovered 15,303 ounces ("oz") gold ("Au") and 1.5 million oz silver ("Ag"), or 2.7 million oz silver equivalent ("AgEq")(2).

  • Sold 14,500 oz Au and 1.4 million oz Ag, or 2.6 million oz AgEq, for H1 2024 sales to 29,500 oz Au and 2.8 million oz Ag, or 5.2 million oz AgEq, resulting in an increase to 2024 sales guidance to 10.0 to 10.3 million oz AgEq. Average realized prices for the quarter were $2,237 per oz Au(1) and $27.84 per oz Ag(1).

  • Record quarterly revenue of $72.7 million, exceeded revenue of $63.6 million in Q1 2024.

  • Record mine operating earnings of $41.5 million (57% operating margin), exceeded the $37.5 million generated in Q1 2024.

  • Net earnings of $6.5 million or basic earnings of $0.04 per share ($33.9 million or $0.23 per share in Q1 2024) was negatively impacted by non-cash deferred tax expense of $14.3 million and foreign exchange losses of $2.8 million which were as a result of the depreciation of the peso following the Mexican general election in early June.

  • Cash costs of $8.87 per oz AgEq(1) in the quarter and $7.98 per oz AgEq(1) in H1 2024 were better than initial guidance, allowing for a reduction to 2024 guidance to $9.25 to $9.75 per oz AgEq.

  • All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") of $16.88 per oz AgEq(1) increased from Q1 2024, as expected, due largely to the advancement of mine development and projects, and a $1.0 million impairment of materials and supplies inventories recorded during the quarter. H1 2024 AISC of $14.89 per oz AgEq (1) was also below initial annual guidance, allowing for a reduction to 2024 guidance to $14.90 to $15.75 per oz AgEq.

  • Mining rates increased to 1,099 tpd, benefiting from maintaining two mining contractors at site through the quarter.

  • Operating cash flow was $39.6 million and operating cash flow before changes in working capital was $31.8 million or $0.22 per share(1). Both figures are net of the payment of taxes and duties, which totaled $14.4 million.

  • Free cash flow generation of $24.3 million or $0.16 per share(1) for the quarter, an increase of $35.7 million from Q1 2024.

  • Increased retained earnings by 30% to $28.0 million, from $21.5 million at the end of Q1 2024.

  • Ended the quarter with treasury assets totaling $122.3 million(1) ($98.3 million cash and $24.0 million in bullion), an increase of 34% from $91.1 million at the end of Q1 2024.