Coeur Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

Coeur Mining Inc. (“Coeur” or the "Company") (NYSE: CDE) today reported companywide all-in sustaining costs (AISC) per average spot silver equivalent¹ ounce (AgEqOz) of $15.18 for third quarter 2017, 4% lower quarter-over-quarter and driven by a 7% increase in silver equivalent¹ production. These improvements over the prior quarter were primarily due to 25% higher silver equivalent¹ production and a 14% decline in adjusted costs applicable to sales per average spot AgEqOz¹ from Palmarejo and 21% higher gold production from Wharf.

Third quarter revenue of 176.0 million was up 1% quarter-over-quarter, cash flow from operating activities was unchanged at $29.4 million, while adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 18% to $39.5 million. Third quarter net loss of $16.7 million, or $0.09 per share, was impacted by higher income and mining tax expense mostly due to non-cash increases in deferred tax estimates, increased exploration expense driven by ongoing success from drilling programs at the Palmarejo and Kensington mines, and higher costs at the San Bartolomé mine due to continued drought conditions and reduced third-party ore purchases during the quarter.

Highlights

• Higher quarterly silver equivalent¹ production - Third quarter silver and gold production were 4.0 million ounces and 93,293 ounces, respectively, or 9.5 million AgEqOz¹, representing an increase of 7% quarter-over-quarter and 10% year-over-year. Higher companywide production was driven primarily by Palmarejo, where higher mining rates and silver grades delivered 25% quarter-over-quarter and 89% year-over-year increases in AgEqOz¹ production. At Wharf, mining at the higher-grade Golden Reward deposit during the quarter drove a 21% increase in its gold production
• Lower third quarter costs per ounce - Third quarter companywide AISC and adjusted AISC per average spot AgEqOz¹ of $15.30 and $15.18, respectively, were 4% and 3% lower quarter-over-quarter primarily due to lower unit costs at Palmarejo, partially offset by higher unit costs at San Bartolomé as well as increased sustaining capital expenditures and exploration expense
• Major milestones achieved at key capital projects - At Palmarejo, Rochester, and Kensington, important milestones were achieved in key capital projects during the quarter. Following a multi-year development and ramp-up period, the targeted mining rate of 4,500 tons per day was achieved one quarter ahead of schedule at Palmarejo. At Rochester, the new Stage IV leach pad expansion was successfully commissioned on-schedule after three years of permitting and ten months of construction. At Kensington, development ore was mined and stockpiled from the high-grade Jualin deposit after two years of underground development activities
• Acquisition of high-grade Silvertip mine announced - Announced acquisition of newly-constructed Silvertip silver-zinc-lead operation located in British Columbia on September 11, 2017, which closed on October 17, 2017. Underground drilling and development activities are now underway and mill commissioning is proceeding on-schedule. Production is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2018 and average approximately ten million AgEqOz¹ per year at an average AISC per AgEqOz¹ of $10.50 - $11.50, generating average annual EBITDA¹ of $70 million over its initial 7.5-year mine life
• Modifications to full-year guidance - Full-year production guidance was revised on October 5, 2017 for San Bartolomé to reflect the impact of ongoing drought conditions in the Potosí region of Bolivia. San Bartolomé's cost guidance has been increased as a result. The Company has also increased cost guidance for Rochester due to higher processing costs induced by the residual effects of record rainfall earlier in the year and at Kensington to reflect higher year-to-date unit costs driven by lower-than-expected gold grades. Companywide AISC guidance has been revised accordingly while full-year capital expenditure guidance has been increased to reflect anticipated investments in the newly-acquired Silvertip mine. Finally, full-year exploration expense guidance has been raised to reflect the higher investment levels at Palmarejo and Kensington and to incorporate anticipated exploration expense at Silvertip during the fourth quarter.

"During the third quarter, the Company delivered higher production and cash flow, lower costs, and realized key objectives at several major, multi-year growth projects," said Mitchell J. Krebs, Coeur's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Palmarejo and Wharf were the strongest performers during the quarter, delivering strong production growth and generating combined free cash flow of nearly $25 million.

"We announced and recently completed the acquisition of the high-grade Silvertip mine in British Columbia for US$200 million of upfront consideration, which we expect will meaningfully grow our production and cash flow beginning next year. Our team is applying the same approach to Silvertip that has been successful at our existing operations and with recent acquisitions such as Wharf to position our newest mine for long-term success.

"Our third quarter results were negatively impacted by higher costs at San Bartolomé, lower-than-expected gold grades at Kensington, and significantly higher income and mining tax expense mostly attributable to changes in deferred tax estimates. Given San Bartolomé's high costs and short mine life, we are evaluating several alternatives for this operation. In the meantime, we reduced San Bartolomé’s workforce by 23%, which resulted in a one-time severance expense of $2.2 million during the quarter and is expected to yield significant savings going forward. Although Kensington’s grades have been lower than expected, we anticipate significantly higher grades in the fourth quarter as mining activities accelerate in the higher-grade Raven and Jualin zones.

"Importantly, we are maintaining our significantly higher level of exploration investment, especially in near-mine drilling programs at Palmarejo and Kensington, due to the ongoing success of these programs and the lack of drilling these assets have received historically."

Financial Results

Third quarter revenue of 176.0 million was up 1% quarter-over-quarter. Silver sales contributed 37% of third quarter revenue and gold sales contributed 63%. The Company's U.S. operations generated 55% of the quarter's revenue. Average realized silver and gold prices were $16.86 and $1,240 per ounce, respectively, representing a decrease of 1% and an increase of 3% quarter-over-quarter. The average realized gold price reflects the sale of 9,400 ounces to Franco-Nevada at a price of $800 per ounce under the gold stream at Palmarejo.

Costs applicable to sales were $118.9 million for the quarter, decreasing 5% quarter-over-quarter due primarily to lower unit costs at Palmarejo, partially offset by higher unit costs at San Bartolomé. General and administrative expenses were $7.4 million, $0.4 million higher than in the second quarter and largely attributable to higher professional service costs. Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, decreased 56% to $3.6 million compared to $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2016 due to lower debt levels and a lower interest rate on the Company's senior notes, which were refinanced in the second quarter of 2017.

Pre-development, reclamation, and other expenses increased quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year to $8.0 million due to the ongoing evaluation of the at La Preciosa project, acquisition costs related to the Silvertip acquisition, and the one-time severance expenses at San Bartolomé of $2.2 million as a result of a 23% reduction in the workforce during the quarter.

The Company's income and mining tax expense increased to $14.2 million driven mostly by non-cash increases in deferred tax estimates.

During the quarter, the Company established a four-year $200 million revolving credit facility (the "Facility"). Subsequent to the quarter-end, the Company drew $100 million under the Facility to partially fund the acquisition of the Silvertip mine at a rate of 3.5%, which was based on the one-month LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.25%.

At quarter-end, cash and cash equivalents totaled $236.2 million, and 181.4 million common shares were issued and outstanding. After giving effect to the closing of the acquisition of the Silvertip mine, the Company would have had a pro forma cash balance of approximately $180 million. In addition, 4.2 million new shares were issued in connection with the Silvertip closing, representing a 2.3% increase in common shares on an undiluted basis and bringing total shares outstanding to 185.6 million.

Operations

Highlights of third quarter 2017 results for each of the Company's operating segments are provided below.

• Silver equivalent¹ production increased 25% quarter-over-quarter and 89% year-over-year to 3.6 million, driven by higher mining rates and silver grades. Average mining rates during the quarter reached the year-end target of 4,500 tons per day ahead of schedule due to higher-than-budgeted mining rates at Independencia during the quarter. Mining rates in the fourth quarter are expected to remain comparable to third quarter levels
• Average silver grade increased 11% quarter-over-quarter and 39% year-over-year as a result of mining higher grade stopes in the Independencia deposit that became accessible following the installation of additional ground support during the second quarter of 2017
• Third quarter adjusted CAS per average spot AgEqOz¹ of $8.68 were 14% lower both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, bringing year-to-date adjusted CAS per average spot AgEqOz¹ to $9.13
• Lower quarter-over-quarter recovery rates were driven primarily by an increase in mill inventory at quarter-end, which is expected to normalize in the fourth quarter
• Near-mine exploration activity was expanded due to encouraging drilling results and the identification of several new structures, which contributed to increased exploration expense of $4.5 million
• Quarterly free cash flow¹ was $13.0 million, bringing year-to-date free cash flow¹ to $64.9 million
• Full-year guidance remains unchanged with production expected to be 6.5 - 7.0 million ounces of silver and 110,000 - 120,000 ounces of gold, or 13.1 -14.2 million AgEqOz¹, at CAS per AgEqOz¹ of $10.00 - $10.50 on a 60:1 silver equivalent basis and $9.00 - $9.50 on a spot price equivalent basis

• Silver equivalent¹ production decreased 4% quarter-over-quarter and 9% year-over-year to 1.7 million ounces due to lower tons placed resulting from crusher downtime related to planned annual maintenance, integration of the crusher into the Stage IV system, and a brief power disruption caused by a nearby wildfire
• Leaching off the newly-expanded Stage IV leach pad, which began in mid-September, is expected to drive higher fourth quarter production. Gold production is expected to additionally benefit from the placement of higher gold grade ore during the third quarter
• Adjusted CAS per average spot AgEqOz¹ were relatively flat quarter-over-quarter and up 13% year-over-year at $12.46, bringing year-to-date adjusted CAS per average spot AgEqOz¹ to $12.24. Increased year-over-year unit costs resulted from lower production levels, higher waste tons mined to access higher-grade ore, and higher blasting, cyanide and hauling expenses
• Negative quarterly free cash flow¹ of $8.1 million was largely attributable to fewer ounces sold as well as a temporary increase in inventory on the new Stage IV leach pad. Higher production and lower capital expenditures are expected to drive positive free cash flow¹ in the fourth quarter
• Production guidance for the full year remains unchanged at 4.2 - 4.7 million ounces of silver and 47,000 - 52,000 ounces of gold, or 7.0 - 7.8 million AgEqOz¹. The Company is revising its cost guidance from CAS per AgEqOz¹ of $11.50 - $12.00 to $12.50 - $13.00 on a 60:1 silver equivalent basis and from $10.50 - $11.00 to $11.50 - $12.00 on a spot price equivalent basis

• Third quarter gold production of 27,541 ounces was 4% higher both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year due to higher mill throughput. Higher anticipated grades are expected to drive strong production in the fourth quarter
• Initial development ore was mined at Jualin during the quarter, marking an important milestone following two years of underground development
• Adjusted CAS per AuOz¹ decreased 1% quarter-over-quarter and increased 10% year-over-year to $946, bringing year-to-date adjusted CAS per AuOz¹ to $928. Higher anticipated grades and production in the fourth quarter are expected to result in lower unit costs for the full-year
• Increased investment in exploration of 50% quarter-over-quarter and 150% year-over-year was due to ongoing positive results from Jualin and a focus on accelerating exploration activities in higher-grade areas of the Raven and Kensington Main deposits
• Higher capital expenditures related to the continued development of Jualin and the replacement of Kensington's diesel generators resulted in negative third quarter free cash flow¹ of $0.8 million. The new diesel generators are expected to deliver annual fuel savings of $1.5 million
• Production guidance for the full year remains unchanged at 120,000 - 125,000 ounces of gold. Kensington's cost guidance has been revised higher from CAS per AuOz¹ of $800 - $850 to $850 - $900

• Gold production increased 21% quarter-over-quarter and decreased 13% year-over-year to 25,849 ounces, primarily driven by mining from the higher-grade Golden Reward deposit, which was mined for an abbreviated season and is now complete
• Tons placed during the quarter were 16% higher than in the second quarter, with tons placed for the full year on track to reach 4.5 million, up from 4.3 million in 2016 and 3.6 million in 2015
• Adjusted CAS per AuEqOz¹ were down 2% quarter-over-quarter and up 29% year-over-year at $719, bringing year-to-date adjusted CAS per AuEqOz¹ to $708. Higher year-over-year costs were mostly driven by lower grades compared to the same period one year ago
• During the quarter, Wharf generated $11.9 million of free cash flow¹, bringing year-to-date free cash flow¹ to $26.9 million and cumulative free cash flow¹ since Wharf's acquisition in February 2015 for $99 million to $113.3 million
• Full-year production and cost guidance remain unchanged from improvements made to production and cost guidance in July, with gold production of 90,000 - 95,000 ounces and CAS per AuEqOz¹ of $700 - $750 expected for 2017

• Third quarter production declined 26% quarter-over-quarter and 30% year-over-year to 1.0 million silver ounces, primarily due to persistent drought conditions in the Potosí region of Bolivia and lower third-party ore purchases
• Adjusted CAS per silver ounce (AgOz)¹ rose 10% quarter-over-quarter and 22% year-over-year to $17.58 due to lower grades and mill throughput
• Among the cost-saving measures undertaken, the Company reduced the mine's workforce by 23% and subsequently incurred one-time employee severance expenses of $2.2 million, which contributed to a negative free cash outflow¹ of $8.4 million for the quarter. The workforce reduction is expected to result in annual labor cost savings of approximately $3.8 million
• On October 5, 2017, full-year production guidance was lowered to 4.50 - 4.75 million ounces of silver from 5.0 - 5.4 million ounces due to ongoing processing challenges related to persistent drought conditions. Cost guidance is accordingly increased from CAS per AgOz¹ of $15.75 - $16.25 to $16.50 - $17.00

Exploration

Coeur further expanded its success-based exploration program during the third quarter based on encouraging drill results from its near-mine exploration efforts. In particular, drilling activity at Palmarejo and Kensington were significantly expanded with quarter-over-quarter increases in exploration expense of 45% and 50%, respectively. Companywide exploration expense totaled $9.8 million, 26% higher than the prior quarter and more than double the same period in 2016. Capitalized exploration also increased from $2.9 million in the second quarter to $5.1 million in the third quarter.

The Company had approximately 20 drill rigs active in July and August and 16 in September, including as many as nine drill rigs at Palmarejo and five at Kensington. This compares to twelve active drill rigs during the third quarter of 2016. Total feet drilled during the quarter increased 37% compared to the same period last year.

Exploration efforts at Palmarejo constituted over 40% of total drilling activity during the quarter with a focus on resource expansion at the Nación-Dana deposit, which is located between the Guadalupe and Independencia deposits. Drilling activity also targeted resource conversion and expansion at the Guadalupe and Independencia deposits, resource expansion at the La Bavisa vein located northeast of Independencia, and definition of five newly-discovered veins east and west of the Guadalupe deposit.

Drilling at Kensington accounted for over 20% of total feet drilled during the quarter with a focus on both resource conversion and expansion of the Jualin deposit as well as resource conversion at Raven.

At Silvertip, a drill plan totaling approximately 100,000 meters has been initiated with a focus on underground development drilling and resource conversion and expansion. Results of this drill program will be included in an updated technical report expected in the second half of 2018.

Full-Year 2017 Outlook

Coeur's 2017 production guidance remains unchanged from the revised guidance published October 5, 2017. Revised cost guidance is shown in the table below.

2017 Production Outlook

2017 Cost Outlook

Financial Results and Conference Call

There will be a conference call on Coeur's financial results for third quarter of 2017 on October 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Hosting the call will be Mitchell J. Krebs, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coeur, who will be joined by Peter C. Mitchell, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Frank L. Hanagarne, Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Hans Rasmussen, Senior Vice President of Exploration, and other members of management. A replay of the call will be available through November 9, 2017.

About Coeur

Coeur Mining Inc. is a well-diversified, growing precious metals producer with six mines in the Americas employing approximately 2,300 people. Coeur’s wholly-owned operations include the Palmarejo silver-gold complex in Mexico, the Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine in British Columbia, the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada, the Kensington gold mine in Alaska, the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota, and the San Bartolomé silver mine in Bolivia. In addition, the Company owns the La Preciosa project in Mexico, a silver-gold exploration stage project. Coeur conducts exploration activities in North and South America.

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada, including statements regarding anticipated production, costs, expenses, expectations regarding Silvertip, grades, exploration efforts, expectations regarding La Preciosa, recovery rates, returns, fuel savings, high-return growth opportunities, and the impact of continued drought conditions and labor cost savings in Bolivia. 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 expectations regarding Silvertip are not realized, the risk that anticipated production, cost, and expense levels are not attained, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in developing large-scale mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), changes in the market prices of gold and silver and a sustained lower price environment, the uncertainties inherent in Coeur's production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and regulatory delays, ground conditions, grade variability, any future labor disputes or work stoppages, the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver reserves, changes that could result from Coeur's future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, 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, the political risks and uncertainties associated with operations in Bolivia, 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 or 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.

Coeur's management prepared certain unaudited financial projections, some portions of which are included in this news release. These projections were prepared to give effect to the acquisition of the Silvertip project. These projections were not prepared with a view toward complying with published guidelines of the SEC, the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with respect to prospective financial information, or GAAP, but, in the view of Coeur's management, were prepared on a reasonable basis, reflect the best then-available estimates and judgments, and present, to the best of management's knowledge and belief at the time, the expected course of action and the expected future financial performance of Coeur. However, this information is not fact and should not be relied upon as necessarily indicative of actual future results, and readers of this news release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these projections. These projections have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, Coeur's management. Neither Coeur's independent auditors, nor any other independent accountants, have compiled, examined, or performed any procedures with respect to these projections, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or its achievability, and assume no responsibility for, and disclaim any association with, such projections.

The assumptions and estimates underlying these projections are inherently uncertain and, although considered reasonable by the management of Coeur as of the date of their preparation, are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic, and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in these projections, including, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to Coeur's businesses (including its ability to achieve strategic goals, objectives and targets over applicable periods), industry performance, the regulatory environment, general business and economic conditions, and other factors described above. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that these projections are indicative of the future performance of Coeur or that actual results will not differ materially from those presented. Inclusion of these projections in this news release should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results contained in these projections will be achieved. Coeur does not intend to update or otherwise revise these projections to reflect circumstances existing since their preparation or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, even in the event that any or all of the underlying assumptions are shown to be in error. Furthermore, Coeur does not intend to update or revise these projections to reflect changes in general economic or industry conditions.

Christopher Pascoe, Coeur's Director, Technical Services and a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, approved the scientific and technical information concerning Coeur's mineral projects in this news release. For a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources, as well as data verification procedures and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors, Canadian investors should refer to the Technical Reports for each of Coeur's properties as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

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 EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce or per average spot silver equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce or per average spot silver equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver ounce (or per gold ounce), all-in sustaining costs, and adjusted all-in sustaining 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 EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce or per average spot silver equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce or per average spot silver equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver ounce (or per gold ounce), all-in sustaining costs, and adjusted all-in sustaining costs are important measures in assessing the Company's overall financial performance. For additional explanation regarding our use of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, please refer to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Notes

1. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce or per average spot silver equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce or per average spot silver equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver ounce (or per gold ounce), all-in sustaining costs, and adjusted all-in sustaining costs are non-GAAP measures. Please see tables in the Appendix for the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. For purposes of silver and gold equivalence, a 60:1 silver to gold ratio is assumed except where noted as average spot prices. Please see table below for average silver and gold spot prices during the period and the silver-to-gold ratio. For purposes of silver equivalence in the context of Silvertip's initial mine plan, metal prices of $1,250/oz gold, $17.50/oz silver, $1.13/lb lead, and $1.40/lb zinc are assumed. For additional information regarding Silvertip's initial mine plan, including underlying assumptions, please refer to the Company's press release dated September 11, 2017. Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures and gold production royalty payments. Please see table in Appendix for the calculation of consolidated free cash flow.
2. Includes capital leases. Net of debt issuance costs and premium received.