CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Coeur Mining, Inc. (“Coeur” or the “Company”) (NYSE: CDE) today reported second quarter 2018 financial results, which included revenue of $170.0 million, net income of $2.9 million, or $0.02 per share, and adjusted net income¹ of $1.1 million, or $0.01 per share. Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 52% year-over-year to $48.4 million while companywide all-in-sustaining costs (“AISC”)¹ per average spot equivalent ounce (“AgEqOz”)¹ declined 6% year-over-year to $14.65 during the quarter, more than offsetting the impact of lower average realized silver and gold prices.

Cash flow from operating activities was $(1.3) million and free cash flow¹ was $(42.5) million during the quarter, which were impacted by approximately $26 million of total investment to support the ongoing ramp-up of operating activities at the new high-grade Silvertip mine in British Columbia and approximately $31 million of Mexican cash income and mining tax payments that were made early in the second quarter.

“Led by our Palmarejo operation, we delivered strong financial and operating performance in the second quarter, which has resulted in an increase to our companywide full-year production guidance ranges and a reduction to our companywide full-year cost guidance ranges,” said Mitchell J. Krebs, Coeur’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“As we enter the second half of 2018, we are well-positioned to continue delivering on our strategy of successfully discovering, developing and operating high-quality precious metals mines in safe jurisdictions. We anticipate Silvertip will achieve commercial production levels in the third quarter and begin to contribute high-margin production and cash flow. Our higher level of investment in near-mine exploration continues to generate excellent results with important new discoveries at Palmarejo and Kensington and successful resource identification and expansion at Silvertip and Rochester.

“Later this year, we expect to begin upgrading our crushing facility at Rochester to accommodate a high-pressure grinding roll (“HPGR”) unit in the first quarter of 2019, which is expected to unlock significant long-term value for our stockholders by significantly enhancing silver recoveries and by substantially reducing operating costs. Production and cash flow from our Wharf gold operation in South Dakota climbed sharply during the quarter and are expected to further strengthen throughout the remainder of the year, further reinforcing the merits of that acquisition. Finally, we expect mining from Kensington’s high-grade Jualin deposit to positively impact second half production and cost levels.”

Highlights

• Higher quarterly silver and gold production driven by strong performance at Palmarejo – Companywide silver equivalent¹ production increased 14% year-over-year to 8.8 million ounces. The increase was driven by Palmarejo, where silver equivalent¹ production climbed 40% year-over-year to 4.1 million ounces
• Higher production and lower costs drove higher revenue, adjusted EBITDA¹ and adjusted EBITDA margin¹ – Quarterly revenue of $170.0 million increased 14% year-over-year. AISC per average spot AgEqOz¹ of $14.65 declined 6% compared to the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased 52% year-over-year to $48.4 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin¹ for the period improved to 28% compared to 21% during the same period in 2017
• Operating activities ramping up at high-grade Silvertip silver-zinc-lead operation – Processing rates have averaged approximately 300 tonnes per day in July and are periodically exceeding 500 tonnes per day. During the quarter, the Company made capital expenditures of $19.0 million (including $4.7 million of capitalized drilling) in pre-commercial development and process facility commissioning, bringing first half capital expenditures to $37.7 million. Commercial production is expected to commence during the third quarter
• Ongoing success from accelerated near-mine exploration investments – Second quarter exploration investment totaled $16.0 million ($6.4 million expensed and $9.6 million capitalized), with over 80% allocated to near-mine targets. Coeur’s results-based exploration efforts are generating positive results and have led to new discoveries at Silvertip, Palmarejo, Kensington and Rochester
• Enhancements to full-year 2018 guidance ranges – As published on July 9, 2018, full-year 2018 production guidance was increased from 36.0 – 39.4 million AgEqOz¹ to 37.3 – 40.5 million AgEqOz¹ due to the strong first half performance at Palmarejo. As a result, the Company has reduced both Palmarejo’s cost guidance and companywide AISC guidance for 2018. Full-year capital expenditure guidance has been increased primarily (i) to adjust for anticipated timing of Silvertip achieving commercial production and (ii) to reflect additional underground development investments at Palmarejo to access new ore sources. The Company has also increased full-year exploration expense guidance to incorporate additional planned investments in its near-mine exploration programs during the second half of 2018

Financial and Operating Highlights (Unaudited)

Financial Results

Revenue for the second quarter was $170.0 million, 4% higher than the first quarter on increased metal sales, which offset slightly lower average realized silver and gold prices of $16.48 and $1,241 per ounce, respectively. Year-over-year, revenue increased 14%, also the result of higher metal sales that offset lower average realized prices. Silver sales contributed 31% of revenue during the second quarter and gold sales contributed 69%. The Company’s U.S. operations accounted for approximately 58% of second quarter revenue, comparable to the first quarter.

Average realized gold prices during the second quarter were impacted by the sale of 9,834 gold ounces at a price of $800 per ounce pursuant to Palmarejo’s gold stream agreement.

Costs applicable to sales were $108.2 million for the quarter, 9% and 6% higher quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, respectively, as a result of higher metal sales. General and administrative expenses were $7.7 million, 13% lower than the first quarter due to lower professional service costs and 10% higher year-over-year due primarily to higher employee-related expenses.

Quarterly interest expense, net of capitalized interest, was unchanged compared to the prior quarter. The increase compared to the second quarter of 2017 is due to the amounts drawn on the Company’s $200 million revolving credit facility to partially fund the Silvertip acquisition.

Second quarter capital expenditures of $41.2 million were relatively unchanged quarter-over-quarter. The percentage attributable to sustaining capital expenditures, driven by the Company’s Palmarejo and Kensington underground mining operations, increased from 46% in the first quarter to 57% in the second quarter. Capital expenditures at Silvertip accounted for an additional $19.0 million (including $4.7 million of capitalized exploration), or 46% of total companywide capital expenditures.

Operations

Highlights of second quarter 2018 results for each of the Company’s operations are provided below.

Palmarejo, Mexico

• Second quarter silver equivalent¹ production increased 7% quarter-over-quarter and 40% year-over-year to 4.1 million ounces due to the continued benefit of higher-than-projected grades at Independencia
• Silver and gold grades, consistent with the first quarter and 38% higher year-over-year, offset lower mining rates attributable to the ongoing installation of ground support. During the second half of the year, these underground improvements are expected to facilitate a return to steady-state mining rates while expected lower grade stopes are mined
• Adjusted CAS of $6.64 per average spot AgEqOz¹ were 4% lower than the first quarter and 34% lower year-over-year and continued to track below initial full-year 2018 guidance of $9.25 – $9.75
• The new on-site absorption, desorption, and recovery (“ADR”) plant began processing run-of-mine and carbon inventory, which was stockpiled in the first quarter. Second quarter average recovery rates normalized as this inventory was processed. Through mid-July, the ADR plant has generated estimated savings of over $4.1 million in reduced refinery and freight costs and carbon purchases, recovering its upfront investment in roughly two months
• Exploration expense declined 20% quarter-over-quarter as focus shifted to development towards the La Nación deposit, located between the Independencia and Guadalupe underground mines. The Company anticipates reaching the ore body in early 2019 with La Nación contributing approximately 400 tons per day (“tpd”) of mill feed once production has ramped up
• Negative free cash flow¹ of $8.2 million reflected the payment of $31 million in cash income and mining taxes in early April, of which $17 million related to 2017 earnings and $14 million were payments related to year-to-date earnings. Total cash income and mining tax payments in Mexico this year are expected to be $40 – $45 million
• Approximately 32% of Palmarejo’s gold sales in both the second quarter and first half of 2018 (or 9,834 and 19,739 ounces, respectively) were to Franco-Nevada at a price of $800 per ounce. The Company anticipates a similar percentage of Palmarejo’s gold sales to be to Franco-Nevada in the second half of 2018
• As published on July 9, 2018, the Company increased Palmarejo’s full-year production guidance to 7.5 – 7.9 million ounces of silver and 115,000 – 120,000 ounces of gold from 6.5 – 7.1 million ounces of silver and 110,000 – 115,000 ounces of gold. Cost guidance has been revised lower from CAS per AgEqOz¹ of $9.25 – $9.75 to $8.00 – $8.50 on an average spot equivalent basis and from $10.50 – $11.00 to $9.00 – $9.50 on a 60:1 silver equivalent basis

Rochester, Nevada

• Total tons placed decreased quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year due to fewer run-of-mine tons placed
• Quarterly silver equivalent¹ production of 1.9 million ounces was slightly higher than the prior period and the second quarter of 2017. Higher production during the second half is expected to be driven by the ongoing ramp up of the Stage IV leach pad and continued placement of higher grade gold ore
• Second quarter adjusted CAS per average spot AgEqOz¹ of $11.87 was level with the prior quarter, 5% lower year-over-year and remained below the full-year 2018 guidance range of $12.00 – $12.50
• Free cash flow¹ during the second quarter was $5.3 million, reflecting the normalization of leach pad and metal inventory as well as significantly lower capital expenditures of $0.3 million. This compares to capital expenditures of $2.1 million in the prior quarter and $13.8 million during the same period in 2017. Free cash flow¹ is expected to increase further in the second half of the year
• Rochester’s adoption of HPGR technology remains on-schedule. The Company expects to begin crusher upgrades later this year, including the installation of an initial HPGR crusher unit early next year while it decommissions an existing, smaller crusher facility later this year. Silver recoveries are expected to improve beginning as early as the second quarter of 2019
• The Company is maintaining Rochester’s full-year 2018 production guidance of 4.2 – 4.7 million ounces of silver and 45,000 – 50,000 ounces of gold. The Company is also maintaining cost guidance of CAS per AgEqOz¹ of $13.25 – $13.75 on a 60:1 silver equivalent basis and $12.00 – $12.50 on an average spot equivalent basis

Wharf, South Dakota

• As anticipated, quarterly gold production improved to 22,507 ounces, 25% higher quarter-over-quarter and 5% year-over-year, due to timing of leach pad recoveries. While average grade is expected to remain relatively unchanged throughout the second half of the year, sustained higher mining and crushing rates are expected to drive higher production levels
• Higher production compared to the prior quarter drove a 5% reduction in adjusted CAS per AuEqOz¹ of $824, below the full-year 2018 guidance range of $850 – $900
• Wharf generated $10.3 million of free cash flow¹ during the second quarter. This was driven by higher production and the normalization of leach pad and metal inventory. Free cash flow¹ is expected to remain strong for the remainder of the year
• The Company is maintaining Wharf’s full-year production and cost guidance of 85,000 – 90,000 ounces of gold at CAS per AuEqOz¹ of $850 – $900

Kensington, Alaska

• Second quarter gold production of 25,570 ounces was consistent quarter-over-quarter as anticipated due to lower planned grades related to mine sequencing
• Adjusted CAS per AuOz¹ of $1,195 was 18% and 26% higher quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, respectively, due to lower production and higher diesel, consumables, dewatering and drilling costs. Higher grades and production levels in the second half of 2018 are expected to result in lower unit costs
• Total exploration investment during the quarter was $2.7 million, unchanged quarter-over-quarter, and included $1.4 million of expensed exploration and $1.3 million of capitalized exploration
• Dewatering efforts at Jualin are expected to be completed in the third quarter and facilitate ramp up of production through year-end. As a result, production for the remainder of 2018 is expected to be weighted towards the latter part of the year
• Negative free cash flow¹ of $7.5 million resulted from higher operating costs
• The Company is maintaining Kensington’s full-year production and cost guidance of 115,000 – 120,000 ounces of gold at CAS per AuOz¹ of $900 – $950

Silvertip, British Columbia

• Mining activities remain focused on underground rehabilitation and development while surface activities are focused on the planning, construction and commissioning of various process optimization projects and infrastructure upgrades
• Processing rates continued to improve during the second quarter and, in July, rates have averaged approximately 300 tonnes per day and periodically exceeded 500 tonnes per day
• Silvertip’s initial drilling program of over 40,000 meters (133,000 feet) was completed on-time and under-budget. The Company plans to publish a corresponding exploration update later this month. Drilling results are expected to be included in a NI 43-101 Technical Report anticipated to be filed later this year
• The Company submitted a permit amendment application to operate at 1,000 metric tonnes per day earlier in the quarter and anticipates receiving approval around year-end
• The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 1.5 – 2.0 million ounces of silver and 23.0 – 28.0 million pounds of both zinc and lead at CAS per AgEqOz¹ and average spot AgEqOz¹ of $15.00 – $15.50 and $12.00 – $12.50, respectively

Exploration

For the second consecutive quarter, Coeur sustained a higher level of near-mine exploration investment. Up to 18 drill rigs were active at Coeur’s operations and exploration projects during the quarter, including seven at Palmarejo, two at Kensington and six at Silvertip. 84% of the Company’s total quarterly exploration investment was allocated to near-mine opportunities and targets.

Expensed resource expansion drilling totaled $6.4 million during the quarter and was primarily focused on identifying and expanding resources at the Palmarejo and Kensington operations. Drilling activity was also completed at early-stage exploration projects in Nevada, U.S. and Sonora, Mexico.

Capitalized resource infill drilling totaled $9.6 million during the second quarter, nearly double the amount spent in the first quarter and three times the total spent in the second quarter of 2017. The majority of this increase was focused on opportunities at the new Silvertip mine.

The Company invested $6.2 million in resource definition drilling at Silvertip during the second quarter, which has generated better-than-expected results. The Company plans to publish an update on Silvertip’s exploration program in late July and anticipates filing a NI 43-101 Technical Report later this year summarizing the results. Given the success of this initial drilling program, the Company has commenced a $4.0 million second phase of drilling focusing on resource expansion targets.

At Rochester, infill drilling southwest of the pit in the Sunflower area has intercepted significant mineralization within an area previously modeled as inferred resource. Because of this area’s proximity to the pit, anticipated higher grades and shallow mineralization, the Company considers Sunflower to be a potentially significant source of future production.

At Palmarejo, as many as four rigs continued targeting expansion of the Nación and Zapata resources and definition of the recently-discovered Madero and Rampa veins (located immediately west of Guadalupe) and the Jacobo and Portales veins (located immediately east of Guadalupe). Limited drilling also commenced in the Independencia North area, targeting the Hidalgo and Reforma veins in the footwall of the main Independencia structure. It is anticipated the drilling will continue north targeting the new Barrera vein structure. Up to three rigs focused on capitalized, resource conversion drilling at Independencia and Guadalupe. Both expansion and conversion drilling levels are expected to continue at the current accelerated pace throughout the second half of the year.

At Kensington, drilling successfully targeted previously-known, high-grade structures that have the potential to become future sources of higher-grade ore. The Seward vein outcrops on surface approximately 1,900 feet above the Kensington Mine access ramp. Due to the promising mineralization on surface, drilling was completed at ramp level to test for down-dip continuity. So far, two holes have cut the mineralized structure, providing the Company’s exploration team with a solid “planar” target for future drilling from surface. Drilling also tested the lower and upper portions of the Raven structure, where results are encouraging. Deeper zones were drilled within the Kensington Main deposit, referred to as Blocks M and L. While results are pending, these holes have been testing the lower limits of the deposit below sea level. A new drill campaign began in early July at the new Elmira Zone, located above Kensington Main. Historic drilling in the Elmira Zone predated NI 43-101 standards and, as a consequence, infill holes are necessary in order to be in a position to declare resources in the zone. Along with this new zone, the nearby Johnson Vein will be tested and potentially drilled later in the year.

2018 Production Outlook

On July 9, 2018, Coeur’s production guidance was increased to reflect higher expected silver and gold production at Palmarejo due to higher-than-anticipated grades during the first half of the year.

2018 Cost Outlook

The Company’s cost guidance has been reduced to account for strong first half cost performance at Palmarejo, timing of anticipated commercial production at Silvertip and accelerated investment in near-mine exploration. Unit cost guidance on a spot equivalent basis remains based on silver-to-gold, -zinc and -lead equivalence ratios of 75:1, 0.09:1 and 0.07:1, respectively.

Financial Results and Conference Call

Coeur will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2018 financial results on July 26, 2018 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 August 9, 2018.

About Coeur

Coeur Mining, Inc. is a well-diversified, growing precious metals producer with five mines in North America. Coeur produces from its wholly-owned operations: 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, and the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota. In addition, the Company has interests in several precious metals exploration projects throughout North 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 Coeur’s strategy of successfully discovering, developing and operating high-quality precious metals mines in safe jurisdictions, anticipated production, costs, expenses, cash flow, expectations regarding Silvertip, including but not limited to, the timing of achieving commercial production, receipt of permits and completion of a technical report, grades, exploration and development efforts, sales of gold under the Palmarejo gold stream agreement, the timing and impact of installation of HPGR units at Rochester, operations at Palmarejo, Rochester, Wharf and Kensington, expected free cash flow, grades, mining rates, crushing rates, recovery rates and taxes. 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 including the timing of commercial production, obtaining necessary permits, and filing a technical report do not occur on a timely basis or at all, the risk that HPGR units will not be installed at Rochester on a timely basis or the anticipated benefits thereof will not be achieved, the risk that anticipated production, cost, expense, and free cash flow 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, silver, zinc and lead 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 its production, 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.

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. The PEA for the re-scoped mine plan at Rochester referred to in this news release is preliminary in nature and is based in part upon inferred mineral resources, and does not have as high a level of certainty as a plan based solely on proven and probable mineral reserves. Inferred mineral resources are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be considered for estimation of mineral reserves and there is no certainty that the results from the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. 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 EBITDA margin, 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 EBITDA margin, 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, 2017.

Notes

1. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, 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. 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. Silver and gold equivalence assumes a 60:1 silver-to-gold ratio, except where noted as average spot prices. Please see the table below for average applicable spot prices and corresponding ratios. Silver and zinc equivalence assumes a 0.06:1 silver-to-zinc ratio. Silver and lead equivalence assumes a 0.05:1 silver-to-lead ratio.

2. Includes capital leases. Net of debt issuance costs and premium received.

3. On February 28, 2018, Coeur divested the San Bartolomé mine through the sale of its 100%-owned Bolivian subsidiary. As a result, San Bartolomé is excluded from consolidated operating statistics for all periods presented unless otherwise noted.