Coeur Reports Steady First Quarter Production and Reaffirms Full-Year Production Guidance
Production levels expected to accelerate during remaining three
quarters of 2013
Growing contribution from gold relative to silver as gold production
rises at U.S. operations
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (the 'Company? or 'Coeur?)(NYSE:
CDE, TSX: CDM) announced it produced 3.8 million ounces of silver and
56,913 ounces of gold during the first quarter of 2013. The Company also
reaffirmed its full year production guidance of 18.0-19.5 million ounces
of silver and 250,000-265,000 ounces of gold in 2013. Coeur will report
its full operating and financial results on May 9, 2013.
First Quarter Operating Highlights
Companywide silver production of 3.8 million ounces was 22% lower than
the first quarter 2012 due to lower grade ore processed from both open
pit and underground operations at the Company's Palmarejo mine.
Companywide gold production of 56,913 ounces was 30% higher than the
first quarter 2012 due to significantly higher production from the
Company's Kensington and Rochester mines.
Metal sales were $178.6 million, down 13% compared with the first
quarter 2012.
Average realized silver and gold prices were $30.61 per ounce and
$1,630 per ounce, respectively, representing decreases of 6% and 4%,
respectively, compared with the first quarter of 2012.
Grades and mining rates rebounded at Palmarejo late in the
first quarter compared to the third and fourth quarters of 2012.
Palmarejo produced 1.6 million ounces of silver and 22,965 ounces of
gold in the first quarter 2013. While lower than first quarter 2012
levels, silver and gold production was 6% and 15% higher,
respectively, compared to the fourth quarter 2012. Production rates
are expected to climb in the second half of 2013.
- San Bartolom? produced 1.4 million ounces of silver, which was
12% lower than the first quarter of 2012 due to lower silver grades,
but the mine performed better than planned and this level should
reflect anticipated production rates during the remainder of the year.
- Rochester's production was temporarily affected by extremely
cold temperatures and heavier than normal snowfall during January and
February, which impacted ore crushing. Rochester produced 0.6 million
ounces of silver and 8,742 ounces of gold, which was lower than
production in the fourth quarter 2012, but 47% and 65% higher than the
first quarter 2012, respectively.
- Kensington's gold production more than tripled compared to the
first quarter of 2012, reaching 25,206 ounces. Kensington's production
is expected to increase in the second half of 2013 over the first half
of 2013 due to anticipated improved grades and higher throughput rates.
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Table 1: Operational Highlights: | ||||||||||||||
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(silver ounces in thousands) | ? | 1Q 2013 | ? | 1Q 2012 | ? |
| ||||||||
? | ? | Silver | ? | Gold | ? | Silver | ? | Gold | ? | Silver | ? | Gold | ||
Palmarejo | 1,646 | ? | 22,965 | ? | 2,483 | ? | 31,081 | ? | (34 | %) | ? | (26 | %) | |
San Bartolom? | 1,391 | ? | 1,591 | ? | (13 | %) | n.a. | |||||||
Rochester | 648 | 8,742 | 441 | 5,292 | 47 | % | 65 | % | ||||||
Martha(1) | ? | ? | 123 | 84 | n.a. | n.a. | ||||||||
Kensington | ? | 25,206 | ? | 7,444 | n.a. | 239 | % | |||||||
Endeavor | 150 | ? | ? | ? | 248 | ? | ? | ? | (40 | %) | n.a. | |||
Total | 3,835 | 56,913 | 4,886 | 43,901 | (22 | %) | 30 | % | ||||||
? |
1. The Martha mine in Argentina ceased production at the end of the
third quarter 2012.
2013 Outlook
In addition to its unchanged 2013 production outlook provided in Table 2
below, Coeur reiterated its full-year 2013 projected cash operating costs1
of $8.00 - $9.00 per silver ounce, assuming a gold by-product price of
$1,650 per ounce. Kensington's cash operating costs1 are
estimated at $900 - $950 per gold ounce for 2013.
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Table 2: 2013 Production Outlook | ||||||
? | ||||||
(silver ounces in thousands) | ? | Country | ? | Silver | ? | Gold |
Palmarejo | ? | Mexico | ? | 7,700-8,300 | ? | 98,000-105,000 |
San Bartolom? | Bolivia | 5,300-5,700 | ? | |||
Rochester | Nevada, USA | 4,500-4,900 | 44,000-46,000 | |||
Endeavor | Australia | 500-600 | ? | |||
Kensington | ? | Alaska, USA | ? | ? | ? | 108,000-114,000 |
Total | ? | ? | ? | 18,000-19,500 | ? | 250,000-265,000 |
? |
About Coeur
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is the largest U.S.-based primary silver
producer and a growing gold producer. The Company has four precious
metals mines in the Americas generating strong production, sales and
cash flow in continued robust metals markets. Coeur produces from its
wholly owned operations: the Palmarejo silver-gold mine in Mexico, the
San Bartolom? silver mine in Bolivia, the Rochester silver-gold mine in
Nevada and the Kensington gold mine in Alaska. The Company also has a
non-operating interest in a mine in Australia. The Company also conducts
ongoing exploration activities in Mexico, Argentina, Nevada, Alaska and
Bolivia. In addition, the Company owns strategic investment positions in
eight silver and gold development companies with projects in North and
South America.
Cautionary Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of securities legislation in the United States and Canada, including
statements improvements in the Palmarejo operations, operating results,
production levels, grades and operating costs. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors which may cause Coeur's actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk that permits
necessary for the planned Rochester expansion may not be obtained, the
risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including
environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically
related conditions), changes in the market prices of gold and silver,
the uncertainties inherent in Coeur's production, exploratory and
developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and
regulatory delays and disputed mining claims, ground conditions, grade
variability, any future labor disputes or work stoppages, the
uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver ore
reserves, changes that could result from Coeur's future acquisition of
new mining properties or businesses, reliance on third parties to
operate certain mines where Coeur owns silver production and reserves,
the loss of any third-party smelter to which Coeur markets silver and
gold, the effects of environmental and other governmental regulations,
the risks inherent in the ownership or operation of or investment in
mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, Coeur's ability to
raise additional financing necessary to conduct its business, make
payments or refinance its debt, as well as other uncertainties and risk
factors set out in filings made from time to time with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Canadian securities
regulators, including, without limitation, Coeur's most recent reports
on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Actual results, developments and timetables
could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are
cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Coeur
disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Additionally, Coeur undertakes no obligation
to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties
in respect of Coeur, its financial or operating results or its
securities.
1. Cash operating costs are non-GAAP measures.
Non-U.S. GAAP Measures
We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined
under United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP)
with certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including cash operating
costs. We believe that these adjusted measures provide meaningful
information to assist management, investors and analysts in
understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for
future performance. We believe these adjusted financial measures are
important indicators of our recurring operations because they exclude
items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to our core
operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in
our underlying businesses. We believe cash operating costs is an
important measure in assessing the Company's overall financial
performance.
Table 3: | ||||||
Operating Statistics from Continuing Operations - (Unaudited): | ||||||
? | ||||||
? | Three months ended March 31, | |||||
2013 | ? | 2012 | ||||
Silver Operations: | ||||||
Palmarejo | ||||||
Tons milled | 573,170 | 528,543 | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 3.65 | 6.12 | ||||
Ore grade/Au oz | 0.04 | 0.06 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz(1) | 78.8 | % | 76.8 | % | ||
Recovery/Au oz(1) | 90.1 | % | 93.3 | % | ||
Silver production ounces | 1,646,397 | 2,482,814 | ||||
Gold production ounces | 22,965 | 31,081 | ||||
San Bartolom? | ||||||
Tons milled | 374,985 | 378,104 | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 4.09 | 4.62 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz(1) | 90.6 | % | 91.2 | % | ||
Silver production ounces | 1,391,099 | 1,591,292 | ||||
Martha(3) | ||||||
Tons milled | ? | 34,069 | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | ? | 4.43 | ||||
Ore grade/Au oz | ? | 0.004 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz(1) | ? | % | 81.4 | % | ||
Recovery/Au oz(1) | ? | % | 64.6 | % | ||
Silver production ounces | ? | 122,793 | ||||
Gold production ounces | ? | 84 | ||||
Rochester | ||||||
Tons milled | 2,439,757 | 2,009,518 | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 0.52 | 0.55 | ||||
Ore grade/Au oz | 0.003 | 0.004 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz(2) | 50.8 | % | 40.2 | % | ||
Recovery/Au oz(2) | 108.6 | % | 62.1 | % | ||
Silver production ounces | 647,589 | 441,337 | ||||
Gold production ounces | 8,742 | 5,292 | ||||
Endeavor | ||||||
Tons milled | 194,519 | 195,846 | ||||
Ore grade/Ag oz | 1.61 | 3.35 | ||||
Recovery/Ag oz(1) | 47.8 | % | 37.8 | % | ||
Silver production ounces | 149,594 | 247,958 | ||||
Gold Operation: | ||||||
Kensington | ||||||
Tons milled | 129,057 | 43,936 | ||||
Ore grade/Au oz | 0.20 | 0.18 | ||||
Recovery/Au oz(1) | 96.2 | % | 93.4 | % | ||
Gold production ounces | 25,206 | 7,444 | ||||
CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION TOTALS | ||||||
Total silver ounces | 3,834,679 | 4,886,194 | ||||
Total gold ounces | 56,913 | 43,901 | ||||
? |
1. Recoveries are affected by timing inherent in the leaching process.
2.
Recoveries at Rochester are affected by residual leaching on Stage IV
pad and timing differences inherent in the heap leaching process.
3.
The Martha mine ceased active mining operations in September of 2012.
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Table 4: | ||||||||||
Results of Operations by Mine - Palmarejo - (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
| ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||||
1Q 2013 | ? | 4Q 2012 | ? | 3Q 2012 | ? | 2Q 2012 | ? | 1Q 2012 | ||
Underground Operations: | ||||||||||
Tons mined | 151,232 | 139,925 | 143,747 | 162,820 | 158,030 | |||||
Average silver grade (oz/t) | 4.22 | 4.70 | 6.13 | 8.91 | 7.82 | |||||
Average gold grade (oz/t) | 0.09 | 0.08 | 90 | 0.14 | 0.11 | |||||
Surface Operations: | ||||||||||
Tons mined | 388,651 | 465,498 | 424,380 | 321,758 | 347,609 | |||||
Average silver grade (oz/t) | 3.45 | 2.62 | 2.79 | 4.14 | 5.32 | |||||
Average gold grade (oz/t) | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 0.04 | |||||
Processing: | ||||||||||
Total tons milled | 573,170 | 563,123 | 532,775 | 489,924 | 528,543 | |||||
Average recovery rate ? Ag | 78.8% | 84.2% | 90% | 84.2% | 76.8% | |||||
Average recovery rate ? Au | 90.1% | 91.4% | 102.5% | 92% | 93.3% | |||||
Silver production - oz (000's) | 1,646 | 1,555 | 1,833 | 2,365 | 2,483 | |||||
Gold production - oz | 22,965 | 19,998 | 23,702 | 31,258 | 31,081 | |||||
? |
? | ||||||||||
Table 5: | ||||||||||
Results of Operations by Mine - San Bartolom? - (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||||
1Q 2013 | ? | 4Q 2012 | ? | 3Q 2012 | ? | 2Q 2012 | ? | 1Q 2012 | ||
Tons milled | 374,985 | 363,813 | 344,349 | 391,005 | 378,104 | |||||
Average silver grade (oz/t) | 4.09 | 4.20 | 4.91 | 4.30 | 4.60 | |||||
Average recovery rate | 90.6% | 88.0% | 90.3% | 88.3% | 91.2% | |||||
Silver production (000's) | 1,391 | 1,343 | 1,526 | 1,470 | 1,591 | |||||
? |
? | ||||||||||
Table 6: | ||||||||||
Results of Operations by Mine - Kensington - (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||||
1Q 2013 | ? | 4Q 2012 | ? | 3Q 2012 | ? | 2Q 2012 | ? | 1Q 2012 | ||
Tons mined | 116,747 | 140,626 | 113,770 | 84,632 | 56,815 | |||||
Tons milled | 129,057 | 129,622 | 123,428 | 97,794 | 43,936 | |||||
Average gold grade (oz/t) | 0.20 | 0.23 | 0.21 | 0.23 | 0.18 | |||||
Average recovery rate | 96.2% | 96.9% | 95.9% | 94.2% | 93.4% | |||||
Gold production | 25,206 | 28,718 | 24,391 |
| 7,444 | |||||
? |
? | ||||||||||
Table 7: | ||||||||||
Results of Operations by Mine - Rochester - (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
? | 1Q 2013 | ? | 4Q 2012 | ? | 3Q 2012 | ? | 2Q 2012 | ? | 1Q 2012 | |
Tons mined | 2,924,472 | ? | 3,031,428 | ? | 3,170,129 | ? | 2,585,914 | ? | 2,923,324 | |
Average silver grade (oz/t) | 0.52 | 0.51 | 0.52 | 0.63 | 0.55 | |||||
Average gold grade (oz/t) | 0.003 | 0.005 | 0.004 | 0.005 | 0.004 | |||||
Silver production (000's) | 647 | 828 | 819 | 713 | 441 | |||||
Gold production | 8,742 | 12,055 | 10,599 | 10,120 | 5,292 | |||||
? |
? | ||||||||||
Table 8: | ||||||||||
Results of Operations by Mine - Endeavor - (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
? | 1Q 2013 | ? | 4Q 2012 | ? | 3Q 2012 | ? | 2Q 2012 | ? | 1Q 2012 | |
Silver Production (000's) | 150 | ? | 105 | ? | 140 | ? | 240 | ? | 248 | |
? |
? | ||||||||||
Table 9: | ||||||||||
Results of Operations by Mine - Martha(1) | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| ? | 1Q 2013 | ? | 4Q 2012 | ? | 3Q 2012 | ? | 2Q 2012 | ? | 1Q 2012 |
Total tons milled | ? | ? | ? | ? | 27,281 | ? | 39,199,000 | ? | 34,068 | |
Average silver grade (oz/t) | ? | ? | 4.17 | 3,520 | 4.43 | |||||
Average gold grade (oz/t) | ? | ? | 3.4 | ? | ? | |||||
Average recovery rate ? Ag | ?% | ?% | 81.5% | 78.2% | 81.4% | |||||
Average recovery rate ? Au | ?% | ?% | 82.6% | 72.4% | 64.6% | |||||
Silver production (000's) | ? | ? | 93 | 108 | 123 | |||||
? |
1. The Martha mine ceased active operations in September of 2012.
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation
Wendy Yang, 208-665-0345
Vice
President, Investor Relations
or
Stefany Bales, 208-667-8263
Director,
Corporate Communications
www.coeur.com