Location

Casa Berardi has record low costs

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) today announced third quarter financial and operating results.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Net loss applicable to common shareholders of $23.3 million, or $0.05 per share on lower prices of all four metals.
  • Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (“cost of sales”) of $137.1 million.
  • Gross profit of $6.6 million and adjusted EBITDA of $40.3 million.1
  • Silver production of 2.5 million ounces at cash cost, after by-product credits, of $4.12 per ounce.2
  • Gold production of 72,995 ounces, up 16%, mainly due to additional ounces from Nevada.
  • Casa Berardi All In Sustaining Costs (“AISC”), after by-product credits, reduced to $896 per gold ounce, on higher throughput and lower stripping costs.3
  • Aggressive $12 million exploration spending was highest in Company history (see exploration press release issued November 6, 2018).
  • Strong financial position: Cash and cash equivalents of $60.9 million at September 30, 2018. Revolving line of credit undrawn at quarter end. Credit limit increased to $250 million on November 1, 2018.
  • Estimates for annual Company-wide silver and gold production and costs are refined.

“Our strategy is working. The EBITDA we generated despite low metals prices is a result of the improvements we made in our mines. A case in point is Casa Berardi, which is generating strong cash flow, with lower costs, higher mine throughput and an extended mine life,” said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President and CEO. “The Nevada operations are on the same path as Casa Berardi and Greens Creek, with the development and processes which should increase throughput and make the mines more efficient. In the meantime, the higher costs in Nevada are short-term and a function of electing to produce less to avoid sterilizing newly discovered mineralization.”

“Greens Creek has been in production for about 30 years, but the mine continues to improve with a new mine plan that significantly increases its value. San Sebastian continues to mine the underground oxide ores and is on the verge of collecting the sulfide bulk sample which could supplement current production as well as significantly extend mine life. At Lucky Friday, our salaried employees are now focusing on production, rather than development, to minimize the financial impact of the strike. Finally, we don’t have any large capital projects looming, and we plan to operate at a cash neutral basis, using our $250 million revolving line of credit sparingly to temporarily fund working capital requirements. We do not consider it a long-term source of borrowing,” Mr. Baker added.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

  Third Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
HIGHLIGHTS 

September 30,
2018

 

September 30,
2017

 

September 30,
2018

 

September 30,
2017

FINANCIAL DATA        
Sales (000) $143,649  $140,839  $430,617  $417,662
Gross profit (000) $6,576  $42,963  $80,364  $106,139
(Loss) income applicable to common shareholders (000) ($23,322) $176  ($3,284) $33
Basic and diluted (loss) income per common share ($0.05) $—  ($0.01) $—
(Loss) income (000) ($23,184) $314  ($2,870) $447
Cash provided by operating activities (000) $28,192  $28,294  $75,210  $74,115
            

Net loss applicable to common shareholders for the third quarter was $23.3 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to net income of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per share, for the same period a year ago, the result mainly due to the following items:

  • Sales of $143.6 million were impacted by lower silver and gold production at San Sebastian and Greens Creek, offset by the addition of Nevada sales in the third quarter 2018.
  • Lower realized silver and gold metals prices, as well as lower realized base metals prices.
  • Gain on base metal derivatives contracts of $19.5 million, which was net of realized gains on contracts monetized for cash proceeds of $32.8 million in the quarter.
  • Net foreign exchange loss of $2.2 million versus a loss of $4.9 million in the third quarter of 2017 due to a weakening of the Canadian dollar.
  • Interest expense, net of amount capitalized, of $10.1 million in the third quarter of 2018, increased over the $9.4 million recognized in the third quarter of 2017.
  • An increase of $4.6 million in exploration and pre-development expenditures over the third quarter of 2017, particularly focused on Nevada and San Sebastian operations.
  • Suspension-related costs of $6.5 million included Lucky Friday costs, as well as $1.1 million for curtailment of production from the Midas Mine in Nevada, along with $1.4 million in non-cash depreciation expense, in the third quarter of 2018.
  • Acquisition costs of $6.1 million recorded in the third quarter 2018.

Operating cash flow was $28.2 million compared to $28.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, and included the proceeds received by monetizing the base metals hedges, offset by the net loss and lower working capital changes recorded in the third quarter 2018.

Adjusted EBITDA was $40.3 million compared to $60.5 million in the third quarter of 2017, with the decrease mainly due to lower base metals prices, higher exploration expense due to the addition of Hecla Nevada, and acquisition costs recorded in the third quarter 2018.

Capital expenditures (excluding capitalized interest) totaled $40.7 million for the third quarter 2018 compared to $25.5 million in the third quarter of 2017, with the increase mainly due to the addition of Hecla Nevada, capitalization of costs recorded in the third quarter 2018 for the Remote Vein Miner (RVM) project at Lucky Friday, and costs related to underground sulfide development at San Sebastian, partly offset by lower capital spending at Casa Berardi. Expenditures at the operations were $15.0 million at Hecla Nevada, $11.0 million at Greens Creek, $8.2 million at Casa Berardi, $4.8 million at Lucky Friday and $1.6 million at San Sebastian.

Metals Prices

The average realized silver price in the third quarter 2018 was $14.68 per ounce, 14% lower than the $17.01 price realized in the third quarter of 2017. The average realized gold price in the third quarter was $1,205 per ounce, 6% lower than the prior year period. Realized lead and zinc prices decreased by 13%, and 22% respectively, from the third quarter of 2017.

OPERATIONS OVERVIEW

Overview

The following table provides the production summary on a consolidated basis for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

   Third Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
   

September 30,
2018

 

September 30,
2017

 

September 30,
2018

 

September 30,
2017

PRODUCTION SUMMARY      
Silver – Ounces produced2,523,691 3,323,157  7,654,118 9,500,058
  Payable ounces sold2,588,478 2,540,817  6,993,695 8,098,652
Gold – Ounces produced72,995 63,046  191,116 171,720
  Payable ounces sold68,568 57,380  183,050 161,921
Lead – Tons produced4,238 5,370  15,387 18,426
  Payable tons sold3,986 2,936  12,599 13,612
Zinc – Tons produced12,795 14,497  42,312 43,000
  Payable tons sold9,282 8,444  30,072 29,269
           

 

The following tables provide a summary of the final production, cost of sales, cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver and gold ounce, and AISC, after by-product credits, per silver and gold ounce for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018:

Third Quarter Ended     Greens Creek Lucky Friday San Sebastian Casa Berardi Nevada Ops
Sept 30, 2018 Silver Gold Silver Gold Silver Silver Gold Gold Silver Gold Silver
Production (ounces) 2,523,691  72,995  1,876,417  11,559  31,639  521,931  3,666  43,981  9,559  13,789 84,145
Increase/(decrease) over 2017 (24)% 16% (20)% (8)% (64)% (41)% (42)% % (1)% N/A N/A
Cost of sales & other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (000) $66,487  $70,586  $52,163  N/A  N/A  $14,325  N/A  $51,267  N/A  $19,319 N/A
Increase/(decrease) over 2017 37% 43% 24% N/A  N/A  114% N/A  4% N/A  N/A N/A
Cash costs, after by-prod credits, per silver or gold ounce 2,4 $4.12  $803  $1.92  N/A  N/A  $12.02  N/A  $686  N/A  $1,179 N/A
Increase/(decrease) over 2017 (754)% 7% (1,380)% N/A  N/A  485% N/A  (9)% N/A  N/A N/A
AISC, after by-prod credits,

per silver or gold ounce 3

 $15.68  $1,143  $9.20  N/A  N/A  $16.95  N/A  $896  N/A  $1,932 N/A
Increase/(decrease) over 2017 136% 5% 106% N/A  N/A  2,142% N/A  (18)% N/A  N/A N/A
                       
Nine Months Ended     Greens Creek Lucky Friday San Sebastian Casa Berardi Nevada Ops
Sept 30, 2018 Silver Gold Silver Gold Silver Silver Gold Gold Silver Gold Silver
Production (ounces) 7,654,118  191,116  5,789,440  38,396  156,015  1,593,770  12,051  126,880  30,748  13,789 84,145
Increase/(decrease) over 2017 (19)% 11% (7)% (2)% (80)% (36)% (37)% 12% 15% N/A N/A
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (000) $178,784  $171,469  $141,763  N/A  $5,844  $31,177  N/A  $152,150  N/A  $19,319 N/A
Increase/(decrease) over 2017 3% 24% 1% N/A  (60)% 70% N/A  10% N/A  N/A N/A

Cash costs, after by-prod credits, per silver or gold ounce 2,4

 $0.05  $802  $(2.22) N/A  N/A  $8.28  N/A  $760  N/A  $1,179 N/A
Increase/(decrease) over 2017 (69)% (7)% (404)% N/A  N/A  356% N/A  (11)% N/A  N/A N/A
AISC, after by-prod credits, per silver or gold ounce 3 $10.71  $1,095  $4.71  N/A  N/A  $13.34  N/A  $1,004  N/A  $1,932 N/A
Increase/(decrease) over 2017 33% (11)% (16)% N/A  N/A  9,629% N/A  (18)% N/A  N/A N/A
                                

 

Greens Creek Mine – Alaska

At the Greens Creek mine, 1.9 million ounces of silver and 11,559 ounces of gold were produced in the third quarter, compared to 2.3 million ounces and 12,563 ounces, respectively, in the third quarter of 2017. Lower silver production was expected as a result of lower grades due to mine sequencing. The mill operated at an average of 2,316 tons per day (tpd) in the third quarter, 3% lower than the third quarter of 2017.

The cost of sales for the third quarter was $52.2 million, and the cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver ounce, was $1.92, compared to $41.9 million and ($0.15), respectively, for the third quarter of 2017.2 The AISC, after by-product credits, was $9.20 per silver ounce for the third quarter compared to $4.47 in the third quarter of 2017.3 The per ounce silver costs were higher primarily due to lower base metals prices and the number of tons milled.

A new 2019 mine plan should reduce the amount of development in the next four years to access significant ore reserves at shallower depth in proximity to old workings (East Ore). It also utilizes existing workings, rather than developing a new ramp system, to access these materials and brings this higher-grade ore into production beginning in 2019, instead of near the end of the mine life, which should increase revenues over the next few years. The combination of exploration success over the past year and the optimization of sequencing should enable the mine life to be maintained or extended.

“When we acquired Greens Creek, our goal was consistency of production at an increased throughput. Having achieved that we moved to continuous improvements like the increased recoveries in the mill. Now we have identified a new mine plan that improves the mine’s economics by increasing production, reducing both development and the mining fleet while potentially extending the mine life. The improvements we have made to this mine demonstrate the importance of having a long mine life that allows the time to make improvements and realize their benefits,” said Mr. Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

Casa Berardi – Quebec

At the Casa Berardi mine, 43,981 ounces of gold were produced in the third quarter, the second highest quarterly gold production since acquisition, including 7,614 ounces from the East Mine Crown Pillar (EMCP) pit; compared to 44,141 ounces in the third quarter of 2017. The steady production was primarily due to ore throughput. The mill operated at an average of 3,846 tpd in the third quarter, the highest rate since acquisition, and an increase of 8% over the third quarter of 2017.

The cost of sales was $51.3 million for the third quarter and the cash cost, after by-product credits, per gold ounce was $686, compared to $49.3 million and $750, respectively, in the prior year period.2,4 The decrease in cash cost, after by-product credits, per gold ounce is due to the higher gold production. The AISC, after by-product credits, was $896 per gold ounce for the third quarter compared to $1,091 in the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to lower capital spending.3

The automated 985 drift project continues to improve the operating efficiency of the mine, with the autonomous haul truck running better and with higher availability than originally anticipated. The second 40-ton Sandvik autonomous haul truck is scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter. Operating two autonomous trucks is expected to result in operating savings of several million dollars a year.

“Casa Berardi was the standout mine for us this quarter. The improvements and innovations we have made in the mine are paying off with the declining cost profile, higher gold production and cash flow on record throughput,” said Mr. Phillips S. Baker, Jr. “We are very proud of the cover story on Casa Berardi in CIM’s September/October issue.”

San Sebastian – Mexico

At the San Sebastian mine, 521,931 ounces of silver and 3,666 ounces of gold were produced in the third quarter, compared to 880,885 ounces and 6,342 ounces, respectively, in the third quarter of 2017. The lower silver and gold production was expected as a result of lower grades. The mill operated at an average of 432 tpd, an increase of 9% over the third quarter of 2017.

The cost of sales was $14.3 million for the third quarter and the cash cost, after by-product credits, was $12.02 per silver ounce, compared to $6.7 million and ($3.12), respectively, in the third quarter of 2017.2 The AISC, after by-product credits, was $16.95 per silver ounce for the third quarter compared to ($0.83) in the third quarter of 2017, principally due to the higher costs of mining underground versus higher-grade stockpiles and work being conducted on the Velardeña tailings facility.The Company plans to process a bulk sample by the end of the year with revenues expected in the first quarter of 2019. If successful, this could lead to the beginning of mining of the sulfides by late 2019.

“The upcoming bulk sample of the Hugh Zone sulfide material could significantly increase the mine life. We plan to continue our “capital lite” strategy here since we already have a contract with a third-party mill and anticipate using a contract miner. With almost no capital at risk, the returns on the investment have been extraordinary,” said Mr. Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

Nevada Operations (acquired on July 20, 2018)

For the period July 20 to September 30, 2018, 13,789 ounces of gold were produced. The Nevada operations are focused on development and exploration activities at Fire Creek and Hollister at the expense of production. Little development had been undertaken during 2018 at these properties by the former owners. Our expectation is to increase Fire Creek throughput from 350 tons per day to 550 tons per day by mid-2019. The development of a drift to the Hatter Graben exploration target is underway with completion expected late in 2019.

During the reporting period, approximately $15.0 million in capital and $4.5 million in exploration expense was invested in Nevada. Of the $15.0 million in capital, $7.3 million related to the completion of the tailings facility at Midas which should provide the necessary waste capacity for the next four years, while $7.0 million was for development that is needed to increase Fire Creek and Hollister mine throughput, and $0.7 million was spent on completing the CIL circuit at the Midas Mill which is expected to increase the recoveries of the ore being processed from Hollister.

Notable highlights include:

  • General
    • Movement of personnel and equipment to Fire Creek and Hollister is substantially complete.
  • Midas
    • Production at Midas is winding down with minimal production of previously developed ore planned until year end.
    • Midas mill CIL tanks are operational, and completion of the remaining installation work is expected in the fourth quarter.
    • New tailings storage facility is on track for completion in 2018.
  • Fire Creek
    • Now fully staffed (with the addition of the Midas crews).
    • Ground conditions are improving and new in-cycle procedures have been developed for consistent development advance rates.
    • The ramp-up in development is proceeding with the addition of more headings.
    • Installation of the shotcrete plant is nearing completion, will be added to the development cycle to mitigate ground issues and support rehabilitation of existing haulage ways.
    • The mining of select high-grade zones has been moved from Q3 2018 into 2019 as the ore extended vertically farther than expected, and development is needed for full extraction of the ore panels.
  • Hollister/Hatter Graben
    • Development of the Hatter Graben is ahead of schedule with about 10% of the footage completed.

“In the 100 days we have owned the Nevada properties we have been in continuous change – winding down Midas, resolving the roadbed issues at Fire Creek, advancing the development at Hatter Graben, and completing the capital projects on the mill and tailings facility. We expect the pace of change to continue as we commission a new batch plant that should improve ground control, test a road-header to improve mining in soft rock and rework the mine plan as we gain more knowledge. However, we don’t believe we will need to make significant new financial investment to put the mine on the same improvement path that we have seen at Greens Creek and Casa Berardi,” said Mr. Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

Lucky Friday Mine – Idaho

At the Lucky Friday mine, 31,639 ounces of silver were produced in the third quarter, compared to 88,298 ounces in the third quarter of 2017, with the salaried workers focused mostly on development.

There was no cost of sales for the third quarter, as there were no concentrate shipments during the quarter.

The Company is now focusing on limited production by salaried staff to help minimize the financial impact of the ongoing strike. In addition, construction of the Remote Vein Miner (RVM) continues in Sweden. The RVM has the potential to revolutionize how the mine operates, making it safer and more efficient. Costs related to care-and-maintenance of the mine are reported in a separate line item in our condensed consolidated statement of operations and are excluded from the calculation of cost of sales, cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver ounce and AISC, after by-product credits, per silver ounce.

“Lucky Friday has the longest mine life of all our properties, but at these silver prices and with the work rules the union workers have clung to, even at full production the mine doesn’t generate significant free cash flow. So, we are operating to minimize the cash consumption before we go back into production which we expect to be primarily from the RVM,” said Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

EXPLORATION AND PRE-DEVELOPMENT

Expenditures

Exploration (including corporate development) expenses were $12.4 million, an increase of $5.2 million compared to the third quarter of 2017. Full year exploration (including corporate development) expenses are expected to be $35 million, up from $23.5 million in 2017, in part reflecting exploration at the Nevada operations, San Sebastian, Casa Berardi and Greens Creek and drilling at Kinskuch and Little Baldy.

A complete summary of exploration for the third quarter can be found in the news release entitled “Hecla Reports Continued Drilling Success in the Third Quarter” released on November 6, 2018.

“This quarter’s exploration, at $12 million, is 60% more than any quarter in the past five years primarily as a result of adding Nevada exploration to an already substantial program. While there are good results from all the programs, we plan to pare back future expenditures to operate within cash flow,” said Mr. Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

PRE-DEVELOPMENT

Pre-development spending was $1.2 million for the quarter, for permitting of Rock Creek and Montanore.

In August, the U.S. Forest Service issued its Final Record of Decision (ROD) authorizing Phase 1, which is the exploration phase, for Rock Creek.

At the Montanore project, the Forest Service continues to work on a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), pursuant to the 2017 Montana Federal District Court remand of the previous Forest Service ROD. The court’s decision allows the agency to advance authorizations for the initial evaluation phase of the project. A draft Supplemental EIS is anticipated in the first half of 2019.

BASE METALS AND CURRENCY HEDGING

Base Metals Forward Sales Contracts

There are no forward sales contracts outstanding at this time, other than provisional hedges (which address changes in prices between shipment and settlement with customers).

Foreign Currency Forward Purchase Contracts

The following table summarizes the quantities of Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos committed under financially settled forward purchase contracts at September 30, 2018:

  

Currency Under Contract
(in thousands of CAD/MXN)

 Average Exchange Rate
  CAD MXN CAD/USD MXN/USD
2018 settlements 29,300 47,110  1.30 19.66
2019 settlements 91,200 124,320  1.31 20.28
2020 settlements 61,700 7,100  1.29 20.72
2021 settlements 36,500   1.28 
2022 settlements 6,400   1.27 
          

2018 ESTIMATES5

The Company is providing updated annual estimates as follows:

2018 Production Outlook

    Silver Production

(Moz)

  Gold Production

(Koz)

  Silver Equivalent

(Moz)

  Gold Equivalent

(Koz)

    Original

(if revised)

  Current  Original

(if revised)

  Current  Original

(if revised)

  Current  Original

(if revised)

  Current
Greens Creek   7.5-8.1  7.6-7.9  50-55  50-53  21.0-22.5  21.1-22.1  

300-315

  301-310
Lucky Friday                         
San Sebastian   2.0-2.5  2.0-2.2  15-17  15-16  2.9-3.7  2.9-3.3  41-52  41-47
Casa Berardi         157-162  161-165  11.0-11.5  11.3-11.7  157-162  161-165
Nevada Operations      0.1-0.2  40-50  36-41  2.9-3.8  2.6-3.1  41-52  37-43
Total   9.5-10.6  9.7-10.3  262-284  262-275  37.8-41.5  37.9-40.2  539-581  540-565
                          

2018 Cost Outlook

    Costs of Sales (million)  

Cash cost, after by-product credits, per

silver/gold ounce2,4

  

AISC, after by-product credits, per

produced silver/gold ounce3

    Original

(if revised)

  Current  Original

(if revised)

  Current  Original

(if revised)

  Current
Greens Creek   $198  $183   $(0.50)  $(1.00)  $7.00   $6.00
Lucky Friday                       
San Sebastian   $44  $42   

$

8.50

   $9.50   

$

12.50

   $14.00
Total Silver   $242  $225   $1.50   $1.00   $12.75   $12.25
Casa Berardi   $185  $203   $800   $775   $1,100   $1,050
Nevada Operations   $68  $64   $800   $1,275   $1,100   $1,875
Total Gold   $253  $267   $800   $850   $1,100   $1,200
                             

2018 Capital and Exploration Outlook

  

Original
(if revised)

 Current
2018E Capital expenditures (excluding capitalized interest)   $140-$145 million
2018E Exploration expenditures (includes Corporate Development) $34-$37 million $35-$37 million
2018E Pre-development expenditures $5 million $4 million
2018E Research and Development expenditures $6-$10 million $7-$9 million
     

 

DIVIDENDS

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0025 per share of common stock, payable on or about December 3, 2018, to stockholders of record on November 20, 2018. The realized silver price was $14.68 in the third quarter and therefore did not satisfy the criteria for a larger dividend under the Company’s dividend policy.

The Board of Directors also declared the regular quarterly dividend of $0.875 per share on the 157,816 outstanding shares of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. This represents a total amount to be paid of approximately $138,000. The cash dividend is payable on or about January 2, 2019 to shareholders of record on December 14, 2018.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

A conference call and webcast will be held Thursday, November 8, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. You may join the conference call by dialing toll-free 1-855-760-8158 or for international dialing 1-720-634-2922. The participant passcode is HECLA. Hecla’s live and archived webcast can be accessed at www.hecla-mining.com under Investors or via Thomson StreetEvents Network.

ABOUT HECLA

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) is a leading low-cost U.S. silver producer with operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Mexico and is a growing gold producer with operating mines in Quebec, Canada and in Nevada. The Company also has exploration and pre-development properties in eight world-class silver and gold mining districts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

NOTES

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meaning prescribed by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to net income (loss), the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found at the end of the release. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure used by management to evaluate the Company’s operating performance but should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss), or cash provided by operating activities as those terms are defined by GAAP, and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program.

(2) Cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver or gold ounce is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (sometimes referred to as “cost of sales” in this release), can be found at the end of the release. It is an important operating statistic that management utilizes to measure each mine’s operating performance. It also allows the benchmarking of performance of each mine versus those of our competitors. As a primary silver mining company, management also uses the statistic on an aggregate basis – aggregating the Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and San Sebastian mines – to compare performance with that of other primary silver mining companies. With regard to Casa Berardi and the Nevada operations, management uses cash cost, after by-product credits, per gold ounce to compare its performance with other gold mines. Similarly, the statistic is useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as it provides a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program. Cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver ounce is not presented for Lucky Friday for the third quarters of 2018 and 2017 and year to date 2018, as production was limited due to the strike and results are not comparable to those from prior periods and are not indicative of future operating results under full production. The estimated fair value of the stockpile acquired at Hollister has been removed from the cash cost, after by-product credits calculation.

(3) All in sustaining cost (AISC), after by-product credits, is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the closest GAAP measurement, can be found in the end of the release. AISC, after by-product credits, includes cost of sales and other direct production costs, expenses for reclamation and exploration at the mine sites, corporate exploration related to sustaining operations, and all site sustaining capital costs. AISC, after by-product credits, is calculated net of depreciation, depletion, and amortization and by-product credits. AISC, after by-product credits, per silver ounce is not presented for Lucky Friday for the second quarters of 2018 and 2017 and the first half of 2018, as production was limited due to the strike and results are not comparable to those from prior periods and are not indicative of future operating results under full production.

Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Management believes that all in sustaining costs is a non-GAAP measure that provides additional information to management, investors and analysts to help in the understanding of the economics of our operations and performance compared to other producers and in the investor’s visibility by better defining the total costs associated with production. Similarly, the statistic is useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as it provides a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program.

(4) Cash cost, after by-product credits, per gold ounce is only applicable to Casa Berardi and Nevada production. Gold produced from Greens Creek and San Sebastian is treated as a by-product credit against the silver cash cost.

Other

(5) Expectations for 2018 includes silver, gold, lead and zinc production from Greens Creek, San Sebastian, Casa Berardi and Nevada operations converted using Au $1,250/oz, Ag $16.00/oz, Zn $1.25/lb, and Pb $1.00/lb. Lucky Friday expectations are currently suspended as there is currently a strike. Numbers may be rounded.

Cautionary Statements to Investors on Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws, including Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements may include, without limitation: (i) estimates of future production and sales; (ii) the impact of the Klondex acquisition on the Company’s operations and results; (iii) expectations regarding the development, growth potential, financial performance of the Company’s projects; (iv) ability to complete construction of the remote vein miner and for it to operate successfully; (v) impact of the Lucky Friday strike on production and cash flow; (vi) ability to generate value from innovations being introduced into the mines; (vii) impact of metals prices on cash costs, after by-product credits; and (viii) ability to permit and timing of Montana projects. Estimates or expectations of future events or results are based upon certain assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Such assumptions, include, but are not limited to: (i) there being no significant change to current geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrological and other physical conditions; (ii) permitting, development, operations and expansion of the Company’s projects being consistent with current expectations and mine plans; (iii) political/regulatory developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; (iv) the exchange rates for the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso to the U.S. dollar, being approximately consistent with current levels; (v) certain price assumptions for gold, silver, lead and zinc; (vi) prices for key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; (vii) the accuracy of our current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; and (viii) the Company’s plans for development and production will proceed as expected and will not require revision as a result of risks or uncertainties, whether known, unknown or unanticipated. Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by the “forward-looking statements.” Such risks include, but are not limited to gold, silver and other metals price volatility, operating risks, currency fluctuations, increased production costs and variances in ore grade or recovery rates from those assumed in mining plans, community relations, conflict resolution and outcome of projects or oppositions, litigation, political, regulatory, labor and environmental risks, and exploration risks and results, including that mineral resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, see the Company’s 2017 Form 10-K, filed on February 15, 2018, and Forms 10-Q filed on May 10, 2018 and August 9, 2018, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as the Company’s other SEC filings. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly release revisions to any “forward-looking statement,” including, without limitation, outlook, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued “forward-looking statement” constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on “forward-looking statements” is at investors’ own risk.

         

HECLA MINING COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income

(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts – unaudited)

         
    Third Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended
    

September 30,

2018

   

September 30,

2017

   

September 30,

2018

   

September 30,

2017

Sales of products   $143,649    $140,839    $430,617    $417,662 
Cost of sales and other direct production costs   93,609    68,358    246,918    224,537 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   43,464    29,518    103,335    86,986 
    137,073    97,876    350,253    311,523 
Gross profit   6,576    42,963    80,364    106,139 
                 
Other operating expenses:                
General and administrative   10,327    9,529    27,849    29,044 
Exploration   12,411    7,255    27,609    17,622 
Pre-development   1,195    1,757    3,615    4,061 
Research and development   1,269    1,130    5,042    2,125 
Other operating expense   448    134    1,767    1,590 
Gain on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests   (3,208)   (4,830)   (3,374)   (4,924)
Provision or closed operations and reclamation   1,852    2,940    4,534    5,044 
Suspension-related costs   6,519    4,780    18,337    14,385 
Acquisition costs   6,139        9,656    25 
    36,952    22,695    95,035    68,972 
Income from operations   (30,376)   20,268    (14,671)   37,167 
Other income (expense):                
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts   19,460    (11,226)   40,271    (16,548)
Loss on disposition of investments   (36)       (36)   (167)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments   (2,207)   (124)   (2,461)   (73)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain   (2,212)   (4,917)   2,856    (10,258)
Interest income and other (expense) income   (346)   541    (294)   1,185 
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized   (10,146)   (9,358)   (30,019)   (28,423)
    4,513    (25,084)   10,317    (54,284)
(Loss) income before income taxes   (25,863)   (4,816)   (4,354)   (17,117)
Income tax benefit   2,679    5,130    1,484    17,564 
Net (loss) income   (23,184)   314    (2,870)   447 
Preferred stock dividends   (138)   (138)   (414)   (414)
(Loss) income applicable to common shareholders   $(23,322)   $176    $(3,284)   $33 
Basic (loss) income per common share after preferred dividends   $(0.05)   $    $(0.01)   $ 
Diluted (loss) income per common share after preferred dividends   $(0.05)   $    $(0.01)   $ 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic   452,636    398,848    417,532    396,809 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted   452,636    401,258    417,532    

400,176

 
                     
                     

 

               

HECLA MINING COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars and share in thousands – unaudited)

               
        September 30, 2018     December 31, 2017
ASSETS              
Current assets:              
Cash and cash equivalents       $60,856      $186,107 
Short-term investments and securities             33,758 
Accounts receivable:              
Trade       12,947      14,805 
Other, net       26,928      17,385 
Inventories       76,088      55,466 
Other current assets       21,510      13,715 
Total current assets       198,329      321,236 
Non-current investments       7,190      7,561 
Non-current restricted cash and investments       1,010      1,032 
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net       2,487,429      1,999,311 
Non-current deferred income taxes       1,601      1,509 
Other non-current assets and deferred charges       14,699      14,509 
Total assets       $2,710,258      $2,345,158 
               
LIABILITIES              
Current liabilities:              
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities       $65,755      $46,549 
Accrued payroll and related benefits       29,488      31,259 
Accrued taxes       8,274      5,919 
Current portion of capital leases       6,069      5,608 
Current portion of accrued reclamation and closure costs       6,621      6,679 
Other current liabilities       16,249      16,116 
Total current liabilities       132,456      112,130 
Capital leases       8,638      6,193 
Accrued reclamation and closure costs       99,314      79,366 
Long-term debt       534,067      502,229 
Non-current deferred tax liability       164,928      124,352 
Non-current pension liability       44,097      46,628 
Other non-current liabilities       4,689      12,983 
Total liabilities       988,189      883,881 
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY              
Preferred stock       39      39 
Common stock       121,283      100,926 
Capital surplus       1,872,946      1,619,816 
Accumulated deficit       (223,280)     (218,089)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss       (28,183)     (23,373)
Treasury stock       (20,736)     (18,042)
Total shareholders’ equity       1,722,069      1,461,277 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity       $2,710,258      $2,345,158 
Common shares outstanding       479,909      399,176 
                 
                 

 

         

HECLA MINING COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(dollars in thousands – unaudited)

         
        Nine Months Ended
        

September 30,

2018

    

September 30,

2017

OPERATING ACTIVITIES             
Net (loss) income       $(2,870)    $447 
Non-cash elements included in net (loss) income:             
Depreciation, depletion and amortization       108,814     91,255 
Loss on disposition of investments            167 
Gain on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests       (3,374)    (4,924)
Unrealized loss on investments       2,461     73 
Adjustment of inventory to market value       7,232      
Provision for reclamation and closure costs       3,957     3,379 
Stock compensation       4,672     4,943 
Deferred income taxes       (4,637)    (23,467)
Amortization of loan origination fees       1,471     1,415 
(Gain) loss on derivative contracts       (15,208)    16,718 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss       (2,032)    10,520 
Other non-cash items, net       (37)    (1)
Change in assets and liabilities:             
Accounts receivable       (4,424)    4,903 
Inventories       (18,954)    (9,611)
Other current and non-current assets       (5,569)    (2,685)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities       12,308     (7,759)
Accrued payroll and related benefits       (4,207)    (913)
Accrued taxes       845     (4,469)
Accrued reclamation and closure costs and other non-current liabilities       (5,238)    (5,876)
Cash provided by operating activities       75,210     74,115 
              
INVESTING ACTIVITIES             
Additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests       (83,285)    (70,390)
Acquisition of Klondex, net of cash and restricted cash acquired       (139,326)     
Proceeds from disposition of properties, plants and equipment       722     151 
Insurance proceeds received for damaged property       4,377     5,628 
Purchases of investments       (31,971)    (36,916)
Maturities of short-term investments       64,895     31,169 
Net cash used in investing activities       (184,588)    (70,358)
              
FINANCING ACTIVITIES             
Proceeds from issue of stock, net of related costs       3,085     9,610 
Acquisition of treasury shares       (2,694)    (2,993)
Dividends paid to common shareholders       (3,193)    (2,978)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders       (414)    (414)
Debt origination fees       (2,460)    (476)
Repayments of debt       (82,036)    (470)
Borrowings on debt       78,024      
Payments on capital leases       (5,992)    (5,065)
Net cash used in financing activities       (15,680)    (2,786)
Effect of exchange rates on cash       (215)    1,051 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents       (125,273)    2,022 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       187,139     171,977 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period       $61,866     $173,999 
                  
                  

 

             

HECLA MINING COMPANY

Production Data

             
    Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended 
    

September 30,

2018

   

September 30,

2017

   

September 30,

2018

   

September 30,

2017

GREENS CREEK UNIT                    
Tons of ore milled   213,037    219,983    632,876    627,900 
Mining cost per ton   $68.76    $69.46    $69.19    $69.64 
Milling cost per ton   $31.97    $31.01    $32.73    $32.38 
Ore grade milled – Silver (oz./ton)   11.65    13.65    11.94    12.84 
Ore grade milled – Gold (oz./ton)   0.087    0.089    0.094    0.095 
Ore grade milled – Lead (%)   2.40    2.77    2.84    2.83 
Ore grade milled – Zinc (%)   6.87    7.47    7.58    7.49 
Silver produced (oz.)   1,876,417    2,344,315    5,789,440    6,205,659 
Gold produced (oz.)   11,559    12,563    38,396    39,289 
Lead produced (tons)   4,026    4,851    14,352    14,080 
Zinc produced (tons)   12,695    14,325    41,673    40,697 
Cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver ounce (1)   $1.92    $(0.15)   $(2.22)   $0.73 
AISC, after by-product credits, per silver ounce (1)   $9.20    $4.47    $4.71    $5.60 
Capital additions (in thousands)   $11,029    $8,206    $34,694    $24,891 
LUCKY FRIDAY UNIT                    
Tons of ore milled   3,006    7,302    16,012    64,371 
Mining cost per ton   $    $150.89    $87.79    $112.60 
Milling cost per ton   $    $13.15    $14.26    $22.93 
Ore grade milled – Silver (oz./ton)   11.41    12.87    11.06    12.45 
Ore grade milled – Lead (%)   8.06    7.68    7.21    7.12 
Ore grade milled – Zinc (%)   3.64    3.21    4.28    3.90 
Silver produced (oz.)   31,639    88,298    156,015    769,080 
Lead produced (tons)   212    518    1,035    4,346 
Zinc produced (tons)   100    172    639    2,303 
Cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver ounce (1)   N/A    $11.60    N/A    $6.58 
AISC, after by-product credits, per silver ounce (1)   N/A    $13.37    N/A    $12.21 
Capital additions (in thousands)   $4,840    $208    $6,889    $5,000 
SAN SEBASTIAN                    
Tons of ore milled   39,739    36,482    111,916    111,623 
Mining cost per ton   $171.87    $35.69    $157.21    $38.70 
Milling cost per ton   $65.98    $69.42    $66.16    $66.64 
Ore grade milled – Silver (oz./ton)   14.16    25.48    15.36    23.71 
Ore grade milled – Gold (oz./ton)   0.108    0.184    0.12    0.183 
Silver produced (oz.)   521,931    880,885    1,593,770    2,498,638 
Gold produced (oz.)   3,666    6,342    12,051    19,222 
Cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver ounce (1)   $12.02    $(3.12)   $8.28    $(3.23)
AISC, after by-product credits, per silver ounce (1)   $16.95    $(0.83)   $13.34    $(0.14)
Capital additions (in thousands)   $1,582    $3,350    $3,692    $7,480 
CASA BERARDI UNIT                    
Tons of ore milled – underground   181,285    206,209    556,991    606,201 
Tons of ore milled – surface pit   172,555    119,936    495,335    343,745 
Tons of ore milled – total   353,840    326,145    1,052,326    949,946 
Surface tons mined – ore and waste   1,492,041    2,010,524    5,129,646    6,427,067 
Mining cost per ton of ore – underground   $104.31    $98.96    $102.56    $98.71 
Mining cost per ton of ore – combined   $65.97    $82.95    $72.15    $81.95 
Mining cost per ton of ore and waste – surface tons mined   $4.10    $3.42    $3.66    $2.84 
Milling cost per ton   $15.05    $16.19    $15.91    $16.28 
Ore grade milled – Gold (oz./ton) – underground   0.229    0.193    0.204    0.167 
Ore grade milled – Gold (oz./ton) – surface pit   0.050    0.084    0.064    0.086 
Ore grade milled – Gold (oz./ton) – combined   0.140    0.153    0.138    0.137 
Ore grade milled – Silver (oz./ton)   0.03    0.03    0.03    0.03 
Gold produced (oz.) – underground   36,367    35,192    99,632    87,622 
Gold produced (oz.) – surface pit   7,614    8,949    27,248    25,587 
Gold produced (oz.) – total   43,981    44,141    126,880    113,209 
Cash cost, after by-product credits, per gold ounce (1)   $686    $750    $760    $858 
AISC, after by-product credits, per gold ounce (1)   $896    $1,091    $1,004    $1,226 
Capital additions (in thousands)   $8,244    $13,775    $27,120    $38,249 
Nevada Operations                    
Tons of ore milled   55,899    N/A    55,899    N/A 
Mining cost per ton   $186.12    N/A    $186.12    N/A 
Milling cost per ton   $70.39    N/A    $70.39    N/A 
Ore grade milled – Gold (oz./ton)   0.288    N/A    0.288    N/A 
Silver produced (oz.)   84,145    N/A    84,145    N/A 
Gold produced (oz.)   13,789    N/A    13,789    N/A 
Cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver ounce (1)   $1,179    N/A    $1,179    N/A 
AISC, after by-product credits, per silver ounce (1)   $1,932    N/A    $1,932    N/A 
Capital additions (in thousands)   $14,998    N/A    $14,998    N/A 
                       
(1)  Cash cost, after by-product credits, per ounce and AISC, after by-product credits. per ounce represent non-U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) measurements. A reconciliation of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP) to cash cost, after by-product credits can be found in the cash cost per ounce reconciliation section of this news release. Gold, lead and zinc produced have been treated as by-product credits in calculating silver costs per ounce. The primary metal produced at Casa Berardi is gold, with a by-product credit for the value of silver production.
    

 

Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)

Reconciliation of Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP)

The tables below present reconciliations between the most comparable GAAP measure of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization to the non-GAAP measures of Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits and AISC, After By-product Credits for our operations at the Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, San Sebastian, Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations units for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and for estimated results for the full year ended December 31, 2018.

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce is an important operating statistic that we utilize to measure each mine’s operating performance. AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce is an important operating statistic that we utilize as a measure of our mines’ net cash flow after costs for exploration, pre-development, reclamation, and sustaining capital. Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce also allow us to benchmark the performance of each of our mines versus those of our competitors. As a silver and gold mining company, we also use these statistics on an aggregate basis – aggregating the Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and San Sebastian mines, to compare our performance with that of other primary silver mining companies and aggregating Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations for comparison with other gold mining companies. Similarly, these statistics are useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as they provide a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics.

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes. AISC, Before By-product Credits for each mine also includes on-site exploration, reclamation, and sustaining capital costs. AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties also includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense, reclamation, exploration, and pre-development. By-product credits include revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. As depicted in the tables below, by-product credits comprise an essential element of our silver unit cost structure, distinguishing our silver operations due to the polymetallic nature of their orebodies. Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce provide management and investors an indication of operating cash flow, after consideration of the average price, received from production. We also use these measurements for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective. Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce is a measure developed by precious metals companies (including the Silver Institute) in an effort to provide a uniform standard for comparison purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that our reporting of these non-GAAP measures are the same as those reported by other mining companies.

The Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations sections below report Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce for the production of gold, their primary product, and by-product revenues earned from silver, which is a by-product at Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations. Only costs and ounces produced relating to units with the same primary product are combined to represent Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce. Thus, the gold produced at our Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations units are not included as a by-product credit when calculating Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the total of Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and San Sebastian, our combined silver properties.

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
    

Greens

Creek

   

Lucky

Friday(2)

   

San

Sebastian

   Corporate(3)   Total Silver
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $52,163    (1)   $14,325        $66,487 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (12,428)       (1,795)       (14,223)
Treatment costs   8,267    134    205        8,606 
Change in product inventory   (4,480)       (1,549)       (6,029)
Reclamation and other costs   (965)   103    (458)       (1,320)
Exclusion of Lucky Friday costs       (236)           (236)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   42,557        10,728        53,285 
Reclamation and other costs   849        105        954 
Exploration   1,771        1,982    473    4,226 
Sustaining capital   11,029        486    704    12,219 
General and administrative               10,327    10,327 

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   56,206        13,301        81,011 
By-product credits:                    
Zinc   (20,674)               (20,674)
Gold   (12,229)       (4,450)       (16,679)
Lead   (6,041)               (6,041)
Total By-product credits   (38,944)       (4,450)       (43,394)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $3,613    $    $6,278        $9,891 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $17,262    $    $8,851        $37,617 
Divided by ounces produced   1,876        522        2,398 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $22.67    N/A   $20.55        $22.22 
By-product credits per ounce   (20.75)   N/A   (8.53)       (18.10)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $1.92    N/A   $12.02        $4.12 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $29.95    N/A   $25.48        $33.78 
By-product credits per ounce   (20.75)   N/A   (8.53)       (18.10)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $9.20    N/A   $16.95        $15.68 
                           
                           

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
    Casa Berardi   

Nevada Ops(4)

   Total Gold
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $51,267    $19,319    $70,586 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (20,054)   (9,187)   (29,241)
Treatment costs   535    42    577 
Change in product inventory   (1,303)   7,311    6,008 
Reclamation and other costs   (140)       (140)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   30,305    17,485    47,790 
Reclamation and other costs   138        138 
Exploration   854    3,322    4,176 
Sustaining capital   8,244    7,061    15,305 
General and administrative            

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   39,541    27,868    67,409 
By-product credits:            
Silver   (142)   (1,232)   (1,374)
Total By-product credits   (142)   (1,232)   (1,374)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $30,163    $16,253    $46,416 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $39,399    $26,636    $66,035 
Divided by ounces produced   44    14    58 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $689    $1,268    $827 
By-product credits per ounce   (3)   (89)   (24)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $686    $1,179    $803 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $899    $2,021    $1,167 
By-product credits per ounce   (3)   (89)   (24)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $896    $1,932    $1,143 
                   
                   

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
    Total Silver   Total Gold   Total
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $66,487    $70,586    $137,073 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (14,223)   (29,241)   (43,464)
Treatment costs   8,606    577    9,183 
Change in product inventory   (6,029)   6,008    (21)
Reclamation and other costs   (1,320)   (140)   (1,460)
Exclusion of Lucky Friday costs   (236)       (236)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   53,285    47,790    101,075 
Reclamation and other costs   954    138    1,092 
Exploration   4,226    4,176    8,402 
Sustaining capital   12,219    15,305    27,524 
General and administrative   10,327        10,327 

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   81,011    67,409    148,420 
By-product credits:            
Zinc   (20,674)       (20,674)
Gold   (16,679)       (16,679)
Lead   (6,041)       (6,041)
Silver       (1,374)   (1,374)
Total By-product credits   (43,394)   (1,374)   (44,768)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $9,891    $46,416    $56,307 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $37,617    $66,035    $103,652 
Divided by ounces produced   2,398    58     
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $22.22    $827     
By-product credits per ounce   (18.10)   (24)    
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $4.12    $803     
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $33.78    $1,167     
By-product credits per ounce   (18.10)   (24)    
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $15.68    $1,143     
                 
                 

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
    

Greens

Creek

   

Lucky

Friday(2)

   

San

Sebastian

   Corporate(3)   Total Silver
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $141,763    $5,844    $31,177        $178,784 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (34,880)   (803)   (3,586)       (39,269)
Treatment costs   29,136    761    627        30,524 
Change in product inventory   995    (2,182)   1,858        671 
Reclamation and other costs   (2,323)       (1,374)       (3,697)
Exclusion of Lucky Friday costs       (3,620)           (3,620)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   134,691        28,702        163,393 
Reclamation and other costs   2,548        314        2,862 
Exploration   2,909        6,628    1,351    10,888 
Sustaining capital   34,694        1,119    1,338    37,151 
General and administrative                27,849    27,849 

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   174,842        36,763        242,143 
By-product credits:                     
Zinc   (80,308)               (80,308)
Gold   (43,237)        (15,505)       (58,742)
Lead   (24,037)               (24,037)
Total By-product credits   (147,582)       (15,505)       (163,087)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $(12,891)   $    $13,197        $306 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $27,260    $    $21,258        $79,056 
Divided by ounces produced   5,789        1,594        7,383 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $23.27    N/A    $18.01        $22.14 
By-product credits per ounce   (25.49)   N/A    (9.73)       (22.09)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $(2.22)   N/A    $8.28        $0.05 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $30.20    N/A    $23.07        $32.80 
By-product credits per ounce   (25.49)   N/A    (9.73)       (22.09)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $4.71    N/A    $13.34        $10.71 
                            
                            

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
    Casa Berardi   

Nevada Ops(4)

   Total Gold
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $152,150    $19,319    $171,469 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (54,879)   (9,187)   (64,066)
Treatment costs   1,628    42    1,670 
Change in product inventory   (1,482)   7,311    5,829 
Reclamation and other costs   (421)       (421)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   96,996    17,485    114,481 
Reclamation and other costs   421        421 
Exploration   3,374    3,322    6,696 
Sustaining capital   27,120    7,061    34,181 
General and administrative            

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   127,911    27,868    155,779 
By-product credits:            
Silver   (491)   (1,232)   (1,723)
Total By-product credits   (491)   (1,232)   (1,723)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $96,505    $16,253    $112,758 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $127,420    $26,636    $154,056 
Divided by ounces produced   127    14    141 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $764    $1,268    $814 
By-product credits per ounce   (4)   (89)   (12)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $760    $1,179    $802 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $1,008    $2,021    $1,107 
By-product credits per ounce   (4)   (89)   (12)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $1,004    $1,932    $1,095 
                   
                   

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
    Total Silver   Total Gold   Total
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $178,784    $171,469    $350,253 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (39,269)   (64,066)   (103,335)
Treatment costs   30,524    1,670    32,194 
Change in product inventory   671    5,829    6,500 
Reclamation and other costs   (3,697)   (421)   (4,118)
Exclusion of Lucky Friday costs   (3,620)       (3,620)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   163,393    114,481    277,874 
Reclamation and other costs   2,862    421    3,283 
Exploration   10,888    6,696    17,584 
Sustaining capital   37,151    34,181    71,332 
General and administrative   27,849        27,849 

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   242,143    155,779    397,922 
By-product credits:            
Zinc   (80,308)       (80,308)
Gold   (58,742)       (58,742)
Lead   (24,037)       (24,037)
Silver       (1,723)   (1,723)

Total By-product credits

   (163,087)   (1,723)   (164,810)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $306    $112,758    $113,064 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $79,056    $154,056    $233,112 
Divided by ounces produced   7,383    141     
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $22.14    $814     
By-product credits per ounce   (22.09)   (12)    
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $0.05    $802     
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $32.80    $1,107     
By-product credits per ounce   (22.09)   (12)    
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $10.71    $1,095     
                 
                 

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
    

Greens

Creek

   

Lucky

Friday(2)

   

San

Sebastian

   Corporate(3)   Total Silver
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $41,927    $    $6,680        $48,607 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (12,607)       (641)       (13,248)
Treatment costs   12,067    440    422        12,929 
Change in product inventory   7,675    1,960    (627)       9,008 
Reclamation and other costs   (394)   18    (494)       (870)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   48,668    2,418    5,340        56,426 
Reclamation and other costs   666    38    117        821 
Exploration   1,944    (2)   1,495    477    3,914 
Sustaining capital   8,210    119    402    1,105    9,836 
General and administrative               9,529    9,529 

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   59,488    2,573    7,354        80,526 
By-product credits:                    
Zinc   (27,046)   (293)           (27,339)
Gold   (13,907)       (8,088)       (21,995)
Lead   (8,067)   (1,102)           (9,169)
Total By-product credits   (49,020)   (1,395)   (8,088)       (58,503)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $(352)   $1,023    $(2,748)       $(2,077)
AISC, After By-product Credits   $10,468    $1,178    $(734)       $22,023 
Divided by ounces produced   2,344    88    880        3,312 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $20.75    $27.44    $6.07        $17.03 
By-product credits per ounce   (20.90)   (15.84)   (9.19)       (17.66)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $(0.15)   $11.60    $(3.12)       $(0.63)
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $25.37    $29.21    $8.36        $24.31 
By-product credits per ounce   (20.90)   (15.84)   (9.19)       (17.66)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $4.47    $13.37    $(0.83)       $6.65 
                             
                             

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
    Casa Berardi   

Nevada Ops(4)

   Total Gold
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $49,269    N/A    $49,269 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (16,270)   N/A    (16,270)
Treatment costs   682    N/A    682 
Change in product inventory   (288)   N/A    (288)
Reclamation and other costs   (124)   N/A    (124)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   33,269        33,269 
Reclamation and other costs   123    N/A    123 
Exploration   1,161    N/A    1,161 
Sustaining capital   13,775    N/A    13,775 
General and administrative       N/A     

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   48,328        48,328 
By-product credits:             
Silver   (161)   N/A    (161)
Total By-product credits   (161)   N/A    (161)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $33,108    N/A    $33,108 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $48,167    N/A    $48,167 
Divided by ounces produced   44    N/A    44 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $754    N/A    $754 
By-product credits per ounce   (4)   N/A    (4)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $750    N/A    $750 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $1,095    N/A    $1,095 
By-product credits per ounce   (4)   N/A    (4)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $1,091    N/A    $1,091 
                  
                  

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
    

Greens

Creek

   

Lucky

Friday(2)

   

San

Sebastian

   Corporate(3)   Total Silver
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $140,241    $14,542    $18,377        $173,160 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (39,442)   (2,433)   (2,036)       (43,911)
Treatment costs   37,621    4,257    906        42,784 
Change in product inventory   5,398    1,811    (192)       7,017 
Reclamation and other costs   (1,474)   (163)   (1,089)       (2,726)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   142,344    18,014    15,966        176,324 
Reclamation and other costs   1,999    217    351        2,567 
Exploration   3,339    (1)   4,984    1,307    9,629 
Sustaining capital   24,895    4,109    2,379    2,275    33,658 
General and administrative               29,044    29,044 

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   172,577    22,339    23,680        251,222 
By-product credits:                    
Zinc   (72,472)   (4,353)           (76,825)
Gold   (42,675)       (24,032)       (66,707)
Lead   (22,696)   (8,599)           (31,295)

Total By-product credits

   (137,843)   (12,952)   (24,032)       (174,827)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $4,501    $5,062    $(8,066)       $1,497 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $34,734    $9,387    $(352)       $76,395 
Divided by ounces produced   6,206    769    2,498        9,473 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $22.94    $23.42    $6.39        $18.62 
By-product credits per ounce   (22.21)   (16.84)   (9.62)       (18.46)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $0.73    $6.58    $(3.23)       $0.16 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $27.81    $29.05    $9.48        $26.52 
By-product credits per ounce   (22.21)   (16.84)   (9.62)       (18.46)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $5.60    $12.21    $(0.14)       $8.06 
                             
                             

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
    Casa Berardi (Gold)   

Nevada Ops(4)

   Total Gold
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $138,363    N/A    $138,363 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (43,075)   N/A    (43,075)
Treatment costs   1,774    N/A    1,774 
Change in product inventory   881    N/A    881 
Reclamation and other costs   (354)   N/A    (354)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   97,589        97,589 
Reclamation and other costs   353    N/A    353 
Exploration   3,029    N/A    3,029 
Sustaining capital   38,245    N/A    38,245 
General and administrative       N/A     

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   139,216        139,216 
By-product credits:             
Silver   (450)   N/A    (450)
Total By-product credits   (450)   N/A    (450)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $97,139    N/A    $97,139 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $138,766    N/A    $138,766 
Divided by ounces produced   113    N/A    113 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $862    N/A    $862 
By-product credits per ounce   (4)   N/A    (4)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $858    N/A    $858 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $1,230    N/A    $1,230 
By-product credits per ounce   (4)   N/A    (4)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $1,226    N/A    $1,226 
                  
                  

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Estimate for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
    

Greens

Creek

  

Lucky

Friday(2)

  

San

Sebastian

  Corporate(3)  

Total

Silver

  

Casa

Berardi

(Gold)

  

Nevada

Ops(4)

  Total Gold
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $183,000      $42,000      $225,000   $203,000   $64,000   $267,000 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (44,000)     (5,000)     (49,000)  (72,000)  (14,000)  (86,000)
Treatment costs   38,000      1,000      39,000   2,000      2,000 
Change in product inventory   4,000      2,000      6,000   (2,000)     (2,000)
Reclamation and other costs         (1,000)     (1,000)  (1,000)     (1,000)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   181,000      39,000      220,000   130,000   50,000   180,000 
Reclamation and other costs   3,000      1,000      4,000          
Exploration   3,000      7,000   2,500   12,500   5,000   7,000   12,000 
Sustaining capital   52,000      3,000   2,000   57,000   43,000   16,000   59,000 
General and administrative            35,000   35,000          

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   239,000      50,000      328,500   178,000   73,000   251,000 
By-product credits:   (193,000)     (20,000)     (213,000)  (600)  (3,500)  (4,100)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $(12,000)     $19,000      $7,000   $129,400   $46,500   $175,900 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $46,000      $30,000      $115,500   $177,400   $69,500   $246,900 
Divided by ounces produced   7,641      2,038      9,679   165   37   202 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $23.69      $19.14      $22.73   $788   $1,351   $891 
By-product credits per ounce   (25.26)     (9.81)     (22.01)  (4)  (95)  (20)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $(1.57)     $9.33      $0.72   $784   $1,256   $871 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $31.28      $24.53      $33.94   $1,079   $1,973   $1,243 
By-product credits per ounce   (25.26)     (9.81)     (22.01)  (4)  (95)  (20)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $6.02      $14.72      $11.93   $1,075   $1,878   $1,223 
                                      
                                      

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)   Original Estimate for Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
    

Greens

Creek

  

Lucky

Friday(2)

  

San

Sebastian

  Corporate(3)  

Total

Silver

  

Casa

Berardi

(Gold)

  

Nevada

Ops(4)

  Total Gold
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization   $198,000      $44,000      $242,000   $185,000   $68,000   $253,000 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (50,000)     (6,000)     (56,000)  (58,000)  (16,000)  (74,000)
Treatment costs   44,000      550      44,550   400      400 
Change in product inventory         (1,000)     (1,000)     (14,000)  (14,000)
Reclamation and other costs   (2,900)     (500)     (3,400)  (800)     (800)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits(1)

   189,100      37,050      226,150   126,600   38,000   164,600 
Reclamation and other costs   2,500      240      2,740   450      450 
Exploration   3,500      4,800   2,500   10,800   5,000   5,000   10,000 
Sustaining capital   51,000      3,700   2,000   56,700   45,000   18,000   63,000 
General and administrative            35,000   35,000          

AISC, Before By-product Credits(1)

   246,100      45,790      331,390   177,050   61,000   238,050 
By-product credits   (193,000)     (18,000)     (211,000)  (800)  (3,000)  (3,800)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits   $(3,900)     $19,050      $15,150   $125,800   $35,000   $160,800 
AISC, After By-product Credits   $53,100      $27,790      $120,390   $176,250   $58,000   $234,250 
Divided by ounces produced   7,800      2,250      10,050   160   50   210 
Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $24.24      $16.47      $22.50   $791   $760.00   $783.81 
By-product credits per ounce   (24.74)     (8.00)     (21.00)  (5)  (60)  (18)
Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $(0.50)     $8.47      $1.50   $786   $700   $766 
AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce   $31.55      $20.35      $32.97   $1,107   $1,220.00   $1,133.57 
By-product credits per ounce   (24.74)     (8.00)     (21.00)  (5)  (60)  (18)
AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce   $6.81      $12.35      $11.97   $1,102   $1,160   $1,116 
                                      
(1) Includes all direct and indirect operating costs related to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes, before by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. AISC, Before By-product Credits also includes on-site exploration, reclamation, and sustaining capital costs.
   
(2) The unionized employees at Lucky Friday have been on strike since March 13, 2017, and production at Lucky Friday has been limited since that time. For the first nine months of 2017, costs related to suspension of full production totaling approximately $11.1 million, along with $3.3 million in non-cash depreciation expense for that period, have been excluded from the calculations of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.
   
(3) AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense, exploration and sustaining capital.
   
(4) Nevada operations acquired on July 20, 2018.
   

 

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

This release refers to the non-GAAP measures of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), which is a measure of our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net (loss) income before the following items: interest expense, income tax provision, depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense, exploration expense, pre-development expense, acquisition costs, foreign exchange gains and losses, gains and losses on derivative contracts, Lucky Friday suspension-related costs, provisional price gains and losses, stock-based compensation, unrealized gains on investments, provisions for closed operations, and interest and other income (expense). Management believes that, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance. The following table reconciles net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA:

     Dollars are in thousands   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
         

Sept 30,

2018

   

Sept 30,

2017

   

Sept 30,

2018

   

Sept 30,

2017

     Net (loss) income   $(23,184)   $314    $(2,870)   $447 
     Plus: Interest expense, net of amount capitalized   10,146    9,358    30,019    28,423 
     Plus/(Less): Income taxes   (2,679)   (5,130)   (1,484)   (17,564)
     Plus: Depreciation, depletion and amortization   43,464    29,518    103,335    86,986 
     Plus: Exploration expense   12,411    7,255    27,609    17,622 
     Plus: Pre-development expense   1,195    1,757    3,615    4,061 
     Plus: Acquisition costs   6,139        9,656    25 
     Plus: Lucky Friday suspension-related costs   6,519    4,780    18,337    14,385 
     Less: Gain on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests   (3,208)   (4,830)   (3,374)   (4,924)
     Plus: Stock-based compensation   2,232    1,347    4,636    4,951 
     Plus: Provision for closed operations and environmental matters   1,317    1,680    3,957    3,379 
     Plus/(Less): Foreign exchange loss (gain)   2,212    4,917    (2,856)   10,258 
     Plus/(Less): Losses (gains) on derivative contracts   (19,460)   11,226    (40,271)   16,548 
     (Less)/Plus: Provisional price losses/(gains)   640    (1,244)   3,272    (564)
     Plus/(Less): Unrealized (gains)/loss on investments                
     (Less)/Plus: Other   2,589    (417)   2,791    (945)
     Adjusted EBITDA   $40,333    $60,531    $156,372    $163,088 
                              

 

Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP) to Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)

This release refers to a non-GAAP measure of free cash flow, calculated as cash provided by operating activities, less additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests. Management believes that, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, free cash flow is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance. The following table reconciles cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow:

     Dollars are in thousands   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
         

Sept 30,

2018

   

Sept 30,

2017

   

Sept 30,

2018

   

Sept 30,

2017

     Cash provided by operating activities   $28,192    $28,294    $75,210    $74,115 
     Less: Additions to properties, plants equipment and mineral interests   (39,981)   (24,426)   (83,285)   (70,390)
                      
     Free cash flow   $(11,789)   $3,868    $(8,075)   $3,725 
                              

 

Hecla Mining Company
Mike Westerlund, 800-HECLA91 (800-432-5291)
Vice President – Investor Relations
[email protected]
www.hecla-mining.com

Source: Hecla Mining Company

Original Article: http://ir.hecla-mining.com/file/Index?KeyFile=395684717

 

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Maza Drilling is a Mexican company established in 2007 in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. Our Canadian founder, Mr. Guy de Launiere, has over 20 years of international experience managing diverse drilling operations. Maza Drilling strives to compete at the highest levels in terms of recovery, effectiveness, efficiency, and affordability at every project while keeping at the forefront of technology to meet our customer’s needs in this demanding market.