Great Panther Silver Reports Revenues Increase by 46% to $16.3 Million, Earnings From Mining Operations Increase by 78% to $8.3 Million in Third Quarter of 2011
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/14/11 -- GREAT PANTHER SILVER LIMITED (TSX: GPR)(NYSE Amex: GPL) (or 'the Company') announces the financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. Great Panther is pleased to report revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 of $40.3 million, representing a 42% increase over the same period in the prior year. The Company also significantly grew earnings from mining operations to $20.9 million for the nine month period, a 97% increase over the comparable period in 2010. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2011 increased by 46% to a record $16.3 million, while earnings from mining operations increased by 78% to $8.3 million. Working capital increased to $53.8 million from $18.8 million at December 31, 2010. The full version of the financial statements and management's discussion and analysis can be viewed on the Company's website at www.greatpanther.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
'We are extremely pleased that our financial results continue to show significant growth in our revenues and earnings,' stated Robert Archer, President and CEO. 'The partial draw-down of concentrate inventory at Guanajuato during the latter half of the third quarter resulted in near-normal shipments for the period and brought stability back to our revenue stream.'
'Recent discoveries of high grade silver and gold mineralization have been accessed in an extention of our Cata Mine in Guanajuato, which should contribute to higher grades and improved metal output in the coming quarters,' added Mr. Archer. 'In addition, we are very excited about the prospects for our San Ignacio and Santa Rosa properties which are located within trucking distance to our Guanajuato Mine Complex. The initial resource estimate at San Ignacio is an excellent start in proving up this new discovery for Great Panther, and we have accelerated our drilling program as a result.'
2011 THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
-- 46% increase in revenue to a record $16.3 million.
-- 78% increase in gross profit (earnings from mining operations) to $8.3
million.
-- 81% increase in Adjusted EBITDA (refer to 'Non-GAAP Measures' below) to
$7.9 million.
-- 12% increase in net income to $3.4 million ($0.03 per share).
-- Cash and cash equivalents increased to $35.1 million at September 30,
2011, from $14.0 million at December 31, 2010.
-- Working capital has increased to $53.8 million.
-- Consolidated cash cost per ounce of silver, net of by-product credits,
was US$9.02, a 33% increase from Q3 2010 but a 24% decrease from the
second quarter 2011.
-- 16% increase in plant throughput at both operations to 53,375 tonnes
from 46,039 tonnes for the third quarter 2010.
-- 18% decrease in overall metal production to 484,550 silver equivalent
ounces ('Ag eq oz') from 588,454 Ag eq oz for third quarter of 2010.
-- 2% decrease in overall metal production to 1.65 million Ag eq oz for the
nine-months ended September 30, 2011 compared to a year ago. This
decrease is mainly due to lower grades at the Company's Guanajuato mine
during the third quarter of 2011.
-- On July 12, 2011, the Company purchased the new Santa Rosa silver-gold
project totalling 1,514 hectares, approximately 10 to 15 kilometres
northeast of Guanajuato, Mexico for US$1.5 million, subject to a 1.3%
NSR, thereby increasing land holdings in Guanajuato by 136%.
-- On August 30, 2011, the Company announced the discovery of additional
high grade silver-gold mineralization in an extension of the Cata Mine
in the core of the Company's Guanajuato Mine Complex.
After the end of the third quarter, the Company announced the following
developments:
-- On October 11, 2011, the Company reported an initial NI 43-101 compliant
mineral resource estimate, comprising Inferred Mineral Resources of 4.5
million Ag eq oz, for its San Ignacio project in Guanajuato.
-- On October 13, 2011, the Company reported third quarter production
figures and revised its production guidance for fiscal 2011 to
approximately 2.2 million Ag eq oz.
-- On October 19, 2011, the Company extended the strike length of the
silver-gold veins at its San Ignacio property in Guanajuato by 50% or
150 metres.
Change Change
from from
9 Months 9 Months
Ended Ended
Highlights Sep 30, Sep 30,
Q3 2011 Q3 2010 2011 2010
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Revenue $ 16,278,360 46% $ 40,298,334 42%
Earnings from mining
operations $ 8,320,291 78% $ 20,883,741 97%
Net income $ 3,414,641 12% $ 12,924,669 54%
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 7,880,307 81% $ 18,748,200 93%
Earnings per share - basic $ 0.03 0% $ 0.10 43%
Earnings per share -
diluted $ 0.02 -33% $ 0.10 43%
Silver ounces produced
(excluding equivalent 343,768 -10% 1,140,618 -1%
ounces of gold, zinc and
lead)
Silver equivalent ounces
produced (2) 484,550 -18% 1,654,719 -2%
Silver payable ounces (3) 364,684 0% 907,037 -14%
Total cash cost per silver
ounce (USD) (4) $ 9.02 33% $ 10.02 41%
Average revenue per silver
ounce sold $ 35.38 63% $ 36.36 89%
(1) 'Adjusted EBITDA' is a non-IFRS measure in which standard EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, and depreciation and amortization) is adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, foreign exchange gains or losses, and non-recurring items. Refer to the 'Non-IFRS Measures' section for a reconciliation of standardized and adjusted EBITDA to the financial statements.
(2) Silver equivalent ounces in 2011 were established using prices of US$1,200 per oz of gold, US$20 per oz of silver, US$0.90 per lb of lead, and US$0.90 per lb of zinc.
(3) Silver payable ounces represent the silver sold during each period. Due to the partial drawdown of concentrate inventory in the third quarter, the silver payable ounces is higher than the silver ounces produced for the period.
(4) 'Cash cost per silver ounce' is a non-IFRS measure and is used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's mines and is widely reported in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but does not have a standardized meaning. Refer to the 'Non-IFRS Measures' section.
OUTLOOK
Following four years of rapid growth in metal production, the first nine months of 2011 has been a period of consolidation. Throughput has continued to climb by over 20%, however this has been off-set by a drop in ore grades at both operations. The latter is being addressed and management expects an improvement in grades in the coming quarters.
Key to the success of the Company's growth strategy is the delineation of new NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resources and continuous improvements in mine production. To this end, exploration drilling has been accelerated, mineral resources have been added, and further resource updates are expected in the following quarters. The 2012 mine plans will be confirmed once the drill results for the current programs have been interpreted, and mineral resources are updated. Published resources do not include estimates for the Guanajuatito area and these will be included in the upcoming resource update. The Company continues to work towards achieving the goals of its growth strategy for its operations.
High grade silver-gold mineralization has been discovered in an extension of the Cata Mine in the core of the Guanajuato Mine Complex. The discovery was made during the course of a detailed deep drilling program being conducted at 12.5 to 25 metre intervals from several drill stations in the Cata Mine access ramp at the 510 metre level, the deepest mining development to date. The drilling program, covering an area of approximately 70 metres down-dip and 100 metres along strike, has been successful in extending silver-gold mineralization below the current level of mining and the existing mineral resource/reserve estimate. Highlights of the discovery include Alto 2 zone intersections from UG11-135 that returned 29.44g/t gold and 6,447g/t silver over a width of 3.20 metres, and UG11-137 that returned 7.38g/t gold and 2,114g/t silver over a width of 5.40 metres. The Alto 1a zone in UG11-137 returned 1.82g/t gold and 485g/t silver over a width of 4.80 metres, while the Veta Madre zone in UG11-133 returned 6.02g/t gold and 1,347g/t silver over a width of 2.25 metres. These zones have already been accessed by mine development and management believes that they will contribute to improved grades during the fourth quarter and into 2012.
The NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource for Topia supports current and future mine expansions and the plant capacity has been increased to accommodate the planned expansions. The NI 43-101 resource estimates for Guanajuato support current production and plant capacity has already exceeded what is required to achieve the future targets.
Drilling has been accelerated at the San Ignacio advanced exploration property, where an initial mineral resource estimate of 4.5 million Ag eq oz has been released (see news release dated October 11, 2011). Seven silver-gold mineralized zones, some stretching over the 450 metre strike length of the present drilling and up to nine metres true width, have been identified. The mineralization remains open over the entire four kilometre property. Further updates will be released as new results are compiled and interpreted. This and the prospective Santa Rosa property provide significant upside potential for future growth for the Guanajuato operations.
During the second quarter the Company experienced delays in concentrate shipments from its Guanajuato mine because of issues stemming from its metal trader's smelter. In response to those delays the Company has been working directly with other metal traders and smelters to sell the excess inventory. Consequently, during the third quarter, the Company has made new arrangements to sell additional concentrates from the Company's Guanajuato operations. The Company expects that these arrangements will enable the sale of the majority of the excess concentrate inventory through the remainder of 2011.
For the first nine months of 2011, the Company's overall metal production was 1.65 million Ag eq oz as compared to 1.69 million Ag eq oz for the same period in 2010. Production for the fourth quarter is expected to improve to 550,000 Ag eq oz for a year-end total of approximately 2.2 million Ag eq oz. Production targets for 2012 and beyond are currently under review and management expects to provide further guidance late in the fourth quarter.
CONFERENCE CALL TO REVIEW THIRD QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL RESULTS
The Company will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results tomorrow, November 15, at 7 AM Pacific Time 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Hosting the call will be Mr. Robert Archer, President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Martin Carsky, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Management welcomes interested shareholders, analysts, investors and media to join the live conference call by dialing just prior to the starting time.
Dial in number (Toll Free): 1-877-407-9205
Dial in number (International): 1-201-689-8054
No passcode is required
Replay number (Toll Free): 1-877-660-6853
Replay number (International): 1-201-612-7415
Replay Passcodes (both are required for playback):
Account #: 286
Conference ID #: 382663
A replay of the teleconference call will be available on November 15, 2011 from 10:00 AM Pacific Time, 1:00 PM Eastern Time until November 29, 2011 by dialing the numbers above. In addition, the call will be archived on the Company's website.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS
The financial results discussed in this press release have been prepared in accordance with IFRS standards applicable to the preparation of interim financial information as required for all publicly traded companies in Canada in 2011. Readers should note that some comparative figures in this press release and the Company's financial statements and Management Discussion and Analysis ('MD&A') have been restated to reflect IFRS. Please refer to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 for a detailed description of the Company's accounting policies under IFRS and for disclosures and reconciliation of the impact of IFRS on previously reported results.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The discussion of financial results in this press release includes reference to Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Cost per Ounce which are non-GAAP measures. The Company provides these measures to provide additional information regarding Company's financial results and performance. Please refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 for a definition and reconciliation of these measures to reported GAAP results.
ABOUT GREAT PANTHER
Great Panther Silver Limited is a profitable, primary silver mining and exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol GPR and on the NYSE Amex, trading under the symbol GPL. The Company's current activities are focused on the mining of precious and base metals from its two wholly-owned operating mines in Mexico. In addition, the Company is also pursuing acquisition opportunities throughout Latin America to add additional mines to its portfolio of properties. Great Panther's mission is to become a leading primary silver producer by acquiring, developing and profitably mining precious metals.
All shareholders have the ability to receive a hard copy of the Company's complete audited financial statements free of charge upon request. Should you wish to receive Great Panther Silver's Financial Statements or the Annual Report on Form 20-F in hard copy, please contact us at the Company toll free at 1-888-355-1766 or 604-608-1766, or e-mail info@greatpanther.com.
For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.greatpanther.com, contact B&D Capital at telephone 604-685-6465, fax 604-899-4303 or e-mail info@greatpanther.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Robert A. Archer, President & CEO
Kaare G. Foy, Executive Chairman
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 the Securities Act (Ontario) (together, 'forward-looking statements'). Such forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to the Company's plans for production at its Guanajuato and Topia Mines in Mexico, exploring its other properties in Mexico, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risks involving the Company's operations in a foreign jurisdiction, uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of silver, gold and base metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010 and reports on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com.
Great Panther Silver Limited
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share data)
September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010 (Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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September 30, December 31, January 1,
2011 2010 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 35,074 $ 13,967 $ 13,312
Restricted cash 120 151 -
Investments 49 200 23
Trade and other receivables 14,612 9,635 5,539
Income taxes recoverable 296 239 342
Inventories 6,636 2,615 1,438
Prepaid expenses, deposits
and advances 1,868 1,240 1,585
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58,655 28,047 22,239
Non-current assets:
Mineral properties, plant
and equipment 36,345 27,277 19,212
Intangible assets 513 127 102
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36,858 27,404 19,314
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$ 95,513 $ 55,451 $ 41,553
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Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity
Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables,
including derivatives $ 4,664 $ 4,758 $ 2,631
Capital lease obligations 208 369 801
Promissory notes - 373 122
Convertible loan notes - 3,716 -
Current tax liability - 19 27
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4,872 9,235 3,581
Non-current liabilities:
Capital lease obligations - 128 63
Promissory notes - 77 118
Convertible loan notes - - 3,103
Reclamation and remediation
provision 1,758 1,955 2,086
Deferred tax liability - - 2,162
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1,758 2,160 7,532
Shareholders' equity:
Share capital 117,601 83,470 75,910
Reserves 5,378 7,607 12,211
Deficit (34,096) (47,021) (57,681)
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88,883 44,056 30,440
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$ 95,513 $ 55,451 $ 41,553
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Great Panther Silver Limited
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share data)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)
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Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 16,278 $ 11,165 $ 40,298 $ 28,397
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales 6,581 5,367 16,605 14,801
Amortization and
depletion of
mineral
properties,
plant and
equipment 1,377 1,119 2,809 2,976
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7,958 6,486 19,414 17,777
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Gross profit 8,320 4,679 20,884 10,620
General and
administrative
expenses 2,134 1,550 5,505 4,169
Finance and other
income (expenses):
Interest income 128 40 289 83
Finance costs (17) (283) (308) (805)
Foreign exchange
gain (loss) (3,143) 303 (2,498) 706
Other income
(expense) 153 (130) 177 (131)
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(2,879) (70) (2,340) (147)
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Income before
income taxes 3,307 3,059 13,039 6,304
Income tax recovery
(expense):
Current income
tax recovery
(expense) 108 (9) (114) (107)
Deferred income
tax recovery - - - 2,198
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108 (9) (114) 2,091
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Income for the
period 3,415 3,050 12,925 8,395
Other comprehensive
income (loss), net
of tax:
Cumulative
translation
adjustment (223) (634) (721) (4,287)
Net change in
fair value of
available-for-
sale financial
assets (28) - (134) (107)
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(251) (634) (855) (4,394)
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Comprehensive
income for the
period $ 3,164 $ 2,416 $ 12,070 $ 4,001
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Earnings per share
Basic $ 0.03 $ 0.03 $ 0.10 $ 0.07
Diluted $ 0.02 $ 0.03 $ 0.10 $ 0.07
Weighted average
number of common
shares
Basic 134,513,598 114,049,485 129,226,764 113,332,904
Diluted 137,834,462 115,752,734 134,491,829 115,590,435
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Great Panther Silver Limited
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share data)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)
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Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows provided by
operating activities:
Income for the period $ 3,415 $ 3,050 $ 12,925 $ 8,395
Items not involving cash:
Amortization expenses 1,413 1,054 2,903 3,014
Foreign exchange (gains)
losses 2,006 32 2,198 42
Deferred tax liability - - - (2,197)
Accretion on reclamation
and remediation provision 11 10 34 33
Share-based payments - 272 - 288
Interest accretion on
convertible loan notes - 240 239 522
Loss (gain) on disposal of
capital assets - - - 1
Shares received for mineral
property and capital
expenditures - - - (23)
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6,845 4,658 18,299 10,075
Changes in non-cash operating
working capital:
Trade and other receivables (3,222) (2,134) (4,977) (3,683)
Income taxes recoverable (36) 42 (57) 165
Inventories 748 (193) (3,079) (987)
Prepaid expenses, deposits
and advances 223 808 (628) 543
Trade and other payables,
including derivatives (147) (103) (94) 606
Current tax liability (128) - (19) 57
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Net cash provided by
operating activities 4,283 3,078 9,445 6,776
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Cash flows used in investing
activities:
Intangible assets (133) - (454) (32)
Mineral properties and
capital expenditures (6,314) (4,493) (15,726) (11,001)
Restricted cash (14) (154) 31 (154)
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Net cash used in investing
activities (6,461) (4,647) (16,149) (11,187)
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Cash flows from financing
activities:
Repayment of capital lease
obligations (65) (273) (287) (720)
Repayment of promissory
notes - (100) (448) (222)
Repayment of convertible
loan notes - (81) (61) (81)
Proceeds from exercise of
options 394 543 2,308 1,069
Proceeds from exercise of
warrants 505 - 4,056 473
Issuance of shares for
cash, net of issue costs - - 22,500 (32)
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Net cash provided by
financing activities 834 89 28,068 487
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Effect of exchange rate changes
on cash and cash equivalents (342) (39) (257) (24)
Increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents (1,686) (1,519) 21,107 (3,948)
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period 36,760 10,883 13,967 13,312
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Cash and cash equivalent, end
of period $ 35,074 $ 9,364 $ 35,074 $ 9,364
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Contacts:
B&D Capital
604-685-6465
604-899-4303 (FAX)
info@greatpanther.com
www.greatpanther.com
