EX-99.2 3 avino_ex992.htm MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS avino_ex992.htm

 

EXHIBIT 99.2

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

The following discussion and analysis of the operations, results, and financial position of Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (the “Company” or “Avino”) should be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the notes thereto.

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is dated November 9, 2022 and discloses specified information up to that date. The condensed interim consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). Unless otherwise cited, references to dollar amounts are in US dollars. This MD&A contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risk factors including those set out in the “Cautionary Statement” at the end of this MD&A. All information contained in this MD&A is current and has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors as of November 9, 2022, unless otherwise indicated. Throughout this report we refer to “Avino”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”, or “its”. All these terms are used in respect of Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. We recommend that readers consult the “Cautionary Statement” on the last page of this report. Additional information relating to the Company is available on the Company’s website at www.avino.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 

Business Description

 

Founded in 1968, the Company is engaged in the production and sale of silver, gold, and copper bulk concentrate, and the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mineral properties. The Company holds mineral claims and leases in Durango, Mexico, and in British Columbia and Yukon, Canada. Avino is a reporting issuer in all of the provinces of Canada, except for Quebec, and a foreign private issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States. The Company’s shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the NYSE American under the symbol “ASM”, and on the Berlin and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol “GV6”.

 

Discussion of Operations

 

The Company’s production, exploration, and evaluation activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, have been conducted primarily on its Avino Property.

 

The Company holds a 99.67% effective interest in Compañía Minera Mexicana de Avino, S.A. de C.V. (“Avino Mexico”), a Mexican corporation which owns the Avino Property. The Avino Property covers approximately 1,104 contiguous hectares, and is located approximately 80 km north-east of the city of Durango. The Avino Property is equipped with milling and processing facilities that presently process all output from the Avino Mine located on the property. The Company also holds 100% interest in Proyectos Mineros La Preciosa S.A. de C.V. (“La Preciosa”), a Mexican corporation which owns the La Preciosa Property. La Preciosa covers approximately 6,011 hectares in Durango, Mexico, within the municipalities of Panuco de Coronado and Canatlan. The property is located within 20 kilometres of the Company’s mill facility and production mining area at the Avino Property,

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Operational Highlights

 

HIGHLIGHTS

(Expressed in US$)

Third    Quarter 2022

 

Third    Quarter 2021

 

Change1

YTD

2022

YTD

2021

Change1

Operating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonnes Milled

 

162,169

 

 

58,258

 

178%

 

391,531

 

61,791 534%

Silver Ounces Produced

 

285,444

 

 

77,935

 

266%

 

675,339

 

81,439 729%

Gold Ounces Produced

 

1,201

 

 

1,183

 

1%

 

3,352

 

1,228 173%

Copper Pounds Produced

 

2,101,635

 

 

685,535

 

207%

 

4,963,327

 

740,578 570%

Silver Equivalent Ounces1 Produced

 

778,008

 

 

285,464

 

173%

 

1,885,375

 

300,941 526%

Concentrate Sales and Cash Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver Equivalent Payable Ounces Sold2

 

603,360

 

 

107,112

 

463%

 

1,693,168

 

107,112

1481%

Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Payable Ounce1,2,3

$ 10.29

 

$ 3.87

 

166% $ 9.71 $ 3.87 151%

All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Payable Ounce1,2,3

$ 17.32

 

$ 25.60

 

-32% $ 17.59 $ 51.85 -66%

 

1. In Q3 2022, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $19.32 oz Ag, $1,734 oz Au and $3.51 lb Cu. In Q3 2021, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $24.36 oz Ag, $1,789 oz Au and $4.25 lb Cu. For YTD 2022, AgEq was calculated using metal prices of $22.05 oz Ag, $1,856 oz Au, and $4.10 lb Cu. For YTD 2021, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $24.36 oz Ag, $1,789 oz Au and $4.25 lb Cu.

 

2. “Silver equivalent payable ounces sold” for the purposes of cash costs and all-in sustaining costs consists of the sum of payable silver ounces, gold ounces and copper tonnes sold, before penalties, treatment charges, and refining charges, multiplied by the ratio of the average spot gold and copper prices to the average spot silver price for the corresponding period.

 

3. The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce and all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and the calculation methods may differ from methods used by other companies with similar reported measures. See Non-IFRS Measures section for further information and detailed reconciliations.

 

Financial Highlights

 

HIGHLIGHTS

(Expressed in 000’s of US$)

 

Third Quarter 2022

 

 

Third Quarter 2021

 

Change

YTD

2022

 

YTD

2021

 

Change

Financial Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

9,118

 

 

$

1,881

 

385%

$

29,538

 

$

1,910

 

1446%

Mine operating income (loss)

 

$

2,060

 

 

$

838

 

146%

$

10,706

 

$

(859

)

1346%

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,129

)

 

$

(214

)

-428%

$

1,800

 

$

(4,686

)

138%

Earnings (loss) before interest, taxes and amortization (“EBITDA”)1

 

$

170

 

 

$

(227

)

175%

$

7,056

 

$

(4,378

)

261%

Adjusted earnings (losses)1

 

$

389

 

 

$

(728

)

153%

$

6,213

 

$

(2,449

)

354%

Cash flow from operations before working capital changes

 

$

1,588

 

 

$

102

 

1457%

$

7,744

 

$

(2,364

)

417%

Per Share Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(0.00

)

-100%

$

0.02

 

$

(0.05

)

140%

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share1

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

(0.00

)

-%

$

0.05

 

$

(0.02

)

350%

Cash flow per share1

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.00

 

100%

$

0.07

 

$

(0.02

)

450%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

(Expressed in 000’s of US$)

 

September 30, 2022

 

 

September 30, 2021

 

Change

September 30, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

Change

Liquidity & Working Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

10,920

 

 

$

22,341

 

-51%

$

10,920

 

$

24,765

 

-56%

Working capital1

 

$

12,273

 

 

$

28,903

 

-58%

$

12,273

 

$

31,635

 

-61%

 

1. The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include EBITDA, adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per share, cash flow per share and working capital. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and the calculation methods may differ from methods used by other companies with similar reported measures. See Non-IFRS Measures section for further information and detailed reconciliations.

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

3rd Quarter 2022 Highlights

 

Record Quarterly Production at Avino

 

 

·

A record 778,008 silver equivalent ounces were produced in Q3 2022, marking a 20% increase over Q2 2022. Q3 2022 marks the fourth full quarter following the restart of operations in August 2021.

 

Avino ET Area Drills High Grade Silver and Copper in Multiple Holes

 

 

·

On October 11, 2022, the Company announced drill results from a further six holes at the Avino Elena Tolosa Area (“ET”) to define the continuity of widths and grades of the Avino vein extending significant potential depth of at least 290 metre down dip below the deepest levels of development. The results confirm the mineralization continues and also contains significantly higher copper mineralization in the ET area.

 

Commissioning of Dry-Stack Tailings Facility

 

 

·

During Q3 2022, the Company completed construction of the dry-stack tailings facility

 

Working Capital & Liquidity at September 30, 2022

 

 

·

The Company’s cash balance at September 30, 2022, totaled $10.9 million compared to $24.8 million at December 31, 2021 and $22.3 million at September 30, 2021. Working capital totaled $12.3 million at September 30, 2022, compared to $31.6 million at December 31, 2021 and $28.9 million at September 30, 2021.

 

Financial Results – Three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to three months ended September 30, 2021

 

Revenues

 

The Company recognized revenues net of penalties, treatment costs and refining charges, of $9.1 million on the sale of Avino Mine bulk copper/silver/gold concentrate, compared to $1.9 million revenues for Q3 2021, an increase of $7.2 million.

 

Metal prices for revenues recognized during the period were $19.32 per ounce of silver, $1,734 per ounce of gold, and $7,730 per tonne of copper, compared to averages of $24.61, $1,803, and $9,402, respectively, for the third quarter of 2021.

 

Cost of Sales & Mine Operating Income

 

Cost of sales was $7.1 million, compared to $1.0 million in Q3 2021, an increase of $6.1 million. The increase in cost of sales is attributable to increasing mining operations in Q3 2022 compared to Q3 2021.

 

Mine operating income, after depreciation and depletion, was $2.0 million, compared to a loss of $0.8 million in Q3 2021. The increase in mine operating income is a direct result of the Company being in production for Q3 2022 and making consistent concentrate deliveries.

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

General and Administrative Expenses & Share-Based Payments

 

General and administrative expenses was $1.0 million, compared to $0.8 million in Q3 2021, with the increases coming from the increased corporate activity surrounding ramp up procedures and the acquisition of La Preciosa.

 

Share-based payments was $0.6 million, compared to $0.3 million in Q3 2021, an increase of $0.2 million. The increase is a direct result of the 2022 option and RSU grants carrying a higher expense when compared to the vesting of option and RSU issuances from 2020 and prior years.

 

Other Items

 

Other Items totaled a loss of $1.0 million for the period, a change of $1.1 million compared to income of $0.1 million related to other items in Q3 2021.

 

Unrealized loss on long-term investment was $1.2 million, a decrease to income of $0.1 million compared to a loss of $1.1 million in Q3 2021. This is a direct result of fluctuations in the Company’s investment in shares of Talisker Resources from period to period, as well as the Company’s investment in shares of Silver Wolf Exploration and Endurance Gold.

 

Fair value adjustment on warrant liability was a gain of $0.1 million, a decrease to income of $0.4 million compared to a gain of $0.5 million in Q3 2021. The fair value adjustment on the Company’s warrant liability relates to the issuance of US dollar-denominated warrants, which are re-valued each reporting period, and the value fluctuates with changes in the US-Canadian dollar exchange rate, and in the variables used in the valuation model, such as the Company’s US share price, and expected share price volatility.

 

Foreign exchange gain for the period was $0.3 million, a decrease to income of $0.4 million compared to a gain of $0.7 million in Q3 2021. Foreign exchange gains or losses result from transactions in currencies other than the Canadian dollar functional currency. During the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the US dollar appreciated in relation to the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso, resulting in an unrealized foreign exchange gain.

 

The remaining Other Items resulted in a change of $0.2 million compared to Q3 2021.

 

Current and Deferred Income Taxes

 

Current income tax expense increased to $0.2 million in Q3 2022, compared to Nil in income tax expense for Q3 2021. Given the return to profitable mining operations, the higher amount of current income tax expenses in Q3 2022 is a result of income generated in the current quarter.

 

Deferred income tax expense was $0.5 million, a change of $0.4 million compared to $0.1 million in Q3 2021. Deferred income tax fluctuates due to movements in taxable and deductible temporary differences related to the special mining duty in Mexico and to changes in inventory, plant, equipment and mining properties, and exploration and evaluation assets, amongst other factors. The changes in current income taxes and deferred income taxes during the current and comparable periods primarily relate to movements in the tax bases and mining profits and/or losses in Mexico.

 

Net Income/Loss

 

Net loss from all operations was $1.1 million for the period, or $0.01 per share, compared to a loss of $0.3 million, or Nil per share during Q3 2021. The changes are a result of the items noted above, which are primarily increases in revenues and mine operating income, and movements in the fair value adjustment of the warrant liability and unrealized foreign exchange. The positive movement in income/loss was offset by increases to share-based payments, an increase to general and administrative expenses and an increased unrealized loss on investments, as well as increased current and deferred income tax expense, as noted above.

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

EBITDA & Adjusted Income/Loss (see “Non-IFRS Measures”)

 

EBITDA was $0.2 million, a positive increase of $0.4 million when compared to losses of $0.2 million for Q3 2021. The changes in EBITDA are primarily a factor of the items above, excluding any changes in depreciation and depletion, and any changes in income taxes. See Non-IFRS Measures for a reconciliation for EBITDA.

 

Adjusted earnings for the period was $0.4 million, a positive increase of $1.1 million when compared to adjusted losses of $0.7 million in the corresponding quarter in 2021. Changes to adjusted losses are a result of the items noted above in EBITDA, further excluding share-based payments, gains and losses related to warrants, and movements in unrealized foreign exchange. See Non-IFRS Measures for a reconciliation for adjusted losses.

 

Cash Costs & All-in Sustaining Cash Costs (see “Non-IFRS Measures”)

 

Cash costs per silver equivalent payable ounce was $10.29, compared to $3.87 Q3 2021 excluding stand-by-cost. Throughout Q3 2022, mining activities continued to ramp-up and thus certain incremental and non-recurring costs were incurred to reach the current mill throughput.

 

All-in sustaining cash costs per silver equivalent payable ounce was $17.29, compared to $25.60 for Q3 2021. The decrease is a result of higher ounces produced and sold, with a similar level of administrative and support costs, which resulted in a decrease in overall all-in sustaining cash costs.

 

See Non-IFRS Measures for a reconciliation for cash costs and all-in sustaining cash costs.

 

Financial Results – nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to nine months ended September 30, 2021

 

Revenues

 

The Company recognized revenues net of penalties, treatment costs and refining charges, of $29.5 million on the sale of Avino Mine bulk copper/silver/gold concentrate, compared to $1.9 million in revenues for the nine month period ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $27.6 million.

 

The increase in revenues is a direct result of the restart of mining operations in August 2021, with the only no production or sales in the nine month period ended September 30, 2021. The only revenues in the comparable period were from the finalization of provisionally priced invoices issued during Q3 and Q4 2020.

 

Metal prices for revenues recognized during the period were $22.05 per ounce of silver, $1,856 per ounce of gold, and $9,045 per tonne of copper, compared to averages of $24.61, $1,803, and $9,402, respectively, for the same period in 2021.

 

Cost of Sales & Mine Operating Income

 

Cost of sales was $18.9 million, compared to $2.8 million in 2021, an increase of $16.1 million. The increase in cost of sales is attributable to mining operations being active during the nine month period ended September 30, 2022, with minimal tonnage being mined and milled during the same period in 2021, with these activities recommending during Q3 2021.

 

Mine operating income, after depreciation and depletion, was $10.7 million, compared to a loss of $0.9 million in the corresponding period. The increase in mine operating income is a direct result of the Company being in production for the nine months of 2022 and making consistent concentrate deliveries, which was not the case in the same period of 2021.

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

General and Administrative Expenses & Share-Based Payments

 

General and administrative expenses was $3.5 million, compared to $2.7 million in 2021, with the increases coming from the increased corporate activity surrounding ramp up procedures and the acquisition of La Preciosa.

 

Share-based payments was $1.6 million, compared to $1.3 million in 2021. Movements in share-based payments are a direct result of the 2022 option and RSU grants carrying a higher expense when compared to the vesting of option and RSU issuances from 2020 and prior years.

 

Other Items

 

Other Items totaled a loss of $0.3 million for the period, an positive change to income of $0.4 million compared to a loss of $0.7 million related to other items in 2021.

 

Unrealized loss on long-term investment was $2.5 million, a decrease in income of $1.5 million compared to a loss of $1.0 million in the comparable period for 2021. This is a direct result of fluctuations in the Company’s investment in shares of Talisker Resources from period to period, as well as the Company’s investment in shares of Silver Wolf Exploration and Endurance Gold.

 

Fair value adjustment on warrant liability was a gain of $2.7 million, in increase to income of $1.1 million compared to a gain of $1.6 million in 2021. The fair value adjustment on the Company’s warrant liability relates to the issuance of US dollar-denominated warrants, which are re-valued each reporting period, and the value fluctuates with changes in the US-Canadian dollar exchange rate, and in the variables used in the valuation model, such as the Company’s US share price, and expected share price volatility.

 

Realized loss on warrants exercised was Nil for 2022, an increase to income of $1.1 million compared to a loss of $1.1 million in the comparable period for 2021, in which 1.0 million warrants were exercised. No warrants were exercised in the current period.

 

Foreign exchange loss for the period was $0.2 million, unchanged from in the comparable period for 2021. Foreign exchange gains or losses result from transactions in currencies other than the Canadian dollar functional currency. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Canadian dollar and the US dollar depreciated slightly in relation to the Mexican peso, resulting in a foreign exchange loss. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the US dollar appreciated slightly in relation to the Canadian dollar but remained consistent to the Mexican peso, resulting in a foreign exchange loss.

 

The remaining Other Items resulted in a loss of $0.3 million, a change of $0.3 million compared to Nil for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

 

Current and Deferred Income Taxes

 

Current income tax expense increased to $0.6 million in 2022, compared to Nil in income tax expense for 2021. Given the return to profitable mining operations, the higher amount of current income tax expenses in 2022 is a result of income generated in the current period and relates specifically to the special mining duties tax on profits in Mexico.

 

Deferred income tax expense was $2.8 million, a change of $3.8 million compared to a recovery of $1.0 million in 2021. Deferred income tax fluctuates due to movements in taxable and deductible temporary differences related to the special mining duty in Mexico and to changes in inventory, plant, equipment and mining properties, and exploration and evaluation assets, amongst other factors. The changes in current income taxes and deferred income taxes during the current and comparable periods primarily relate to movements in the tax bases and mining profits and/or losses in Mexico.

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Net Income/Loss

 

Net income from all operations was $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, or $0.02 per share, compared to a loss of $4.7 million, or $0.05 per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The changes are a result of the items noted above, which are primarily increases in revenues and mine operating income, and movements in the fair value adjustment of the warrant liability, realized loss on warrants exercised, and unrealized foreign exchange. The positive movement in income/loss was partially offset by increases to share-based payments, an increase to general and administrative expenses and an increased unrealized loss on investments, as well as increased current and deferred income tax expense, as noted above.

 

EBITDA & Adjusted Income/Loss (see “Non-IFRS Measures”)

 

EBITDA was $7.1 million, a positive increase of $11.5 million when compared to losses of $4.4 million for 2021. The changes in EBITDA are primarily a factor of the items above, excluding any changes in depreciation and depletion, and any changes in income taxes. See Non-IFRS Measures for a reconciliation for EBITDA.

 

Adjusted earnings for the period was $7.1 million, a positive increase of $9.5 million when compared to adjusted losses of $2.4 million in the corresponding period in 2021. Changes to adjusted losses are a result of the items noted above in EBITDA, further excluding share-based payments, gains and losses related to warrants, movements in unrealized foreign exchange, and stand-by costs (only applicable for 2021). See Non-IFRS Measures for a reconciliation for adjusted earnings/losses.

 

Cash Costs & All-in Sustaining Cash Costs (see “Non-IFRS Measures”)

 

Cash costs per silver equivalent payable ounce, excluding stand-by costs, was $9.71, compared to $3.87 excluding stand-by cost for the comparable period in 2021. Throughout 2022, mining activities continued to ramp-up and thus certain incremental and non-recurring costs were incurred to reach the current mill throughput. Cash costs at the Avino Mine are expected to stabilize at these levels moving forward.

 

All-in sustaining cash costs per silver equivalent payable ounce was $17.58, compared to $51.85 including stand-by cost for the comparable period in 2021. The decrease is a result of higher ounces produced and sold, with a similar level of administrative and support costs, which resulted in a decrease in overall all-in sustaining cash costs.

 

See Non-IFRS Measures for a reconciliation for cash costs and all-in sustaining cash costs.

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021:

 

 (000’s)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Revenue from mining operations

 

$ 9,118

 

 

$ 1,881

 

Cost of sales

 

 

7,058

 

 

 

1,043

 

Mine operating income

 

 

2,060

 

 

 

838

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

997

 

 

 

815

 

Share-based payments

 

 

556

 

 

 

277

 

Income (loss) before other items

 

 

507

 

 

 

(254 )

Other items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other income

 

 

15

 

 

 

14

 

Gain (loss) on long-term investments

 

 

(1,221 )

 

 

(1,103 )

Fair value adjustment on warrant liability

 

 

86

 

 

 

516

 

Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

251

 

 

 

716

 

Project evaluation expenses

 

 

(5 )

 

 

-

 

Finance costs

 

 

(87 )

 

 

(8 )

Accretion of reclamation provision

 

 

(11 )

 

 

(13 )

Interest expense

 

 

(23 )

 

 

(13 )

Net loss before income taxes

 

 

(488 )

 

 

(145 )

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current income tax expense

 

 

(142 )

 

 

(13 )

Deferred income tax expense

 

 

(499 )

 

 

(56 )

Income tax expense

 

 

(641 )

 

 

(69 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$ (1,129 )

 

$ (214 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$ (0.01 )

 

$ (0.00 )

Diluted

 

$ (0.01 )

 

$ (0.00 )

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to the Nine months ended September 30, 2021:

 

 (000’s)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Revenue from mining operations

 

$ 29,538

 

 

$ 1,910

 

Cost of sales

 

 

18,832

 

 

 

2,769

 

Mine operating income (loss)

 

 

10,706

 

 

 

(859 )

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

3,469

 

 

 

2,726

 

Share-based payments

 

 

1,618

 

 

 

1,391

 

Income (loss) before other items

 

 

5,619

 

 

 

(4,976 )

Other items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other income

 

 

67

 

 

 

143

 

Gain (loss) on long-term investments

 

 

(2,503 )

 

 

(1,002 )

Fair value adjustment on warrant liability

 

 

2,692

 

 

 

1,560

 

Realized loss on exercise of warrants

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,111 )

Unrealized foreign exchange loss

 

 

(231 )

 

 

(187 )

Project evaluation expenses

 

 

(80 )

 

 

-

 

Finance costs

 

 

(188 )

 

 

(46 )

Accretion of reclamation provision

 

 

(32 )

 

 

(36 )

Interest expense

 

 

(66 )

 

 

(15 )

Net income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

5,278

 

 

 

(5,670 )

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current income tax expense

 

 

(642 )

 

 

(25 )

Deferred income tax (expense) recovery

 

 

(2,836 )

 

 

1,009

 

Income tax (expense) recovery

 

 

(3,478 )

 

 

984

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$ 1,800

 

 

$ (4,686 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$ 0.02

 

 

$ (0.05 )

Diluted

 

$ 0.02

 

 

$ (0.05 )

 

 
9 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Avino Mine Production Highlights

 

Q3

2022

Q2

20221

Change1

 

YTD

2022

FY

20211

Change1

162,169

118,224

37%

Total Mill Feed (dry tonnes)

391,531

165,304

137%

59

65

-9%

Feed Grade Silver (g/t)

58

53

9%

0.31

0.46

-33%

Feed Grade Gold (g/t)

0.35

0.84

-61%

0.66

0.69

-4%

Feed Grade Copper (%)

0.64

0.57

12%

92%

91%

1%

Recovery Silver (%)

92%

87%

6%

74%

78%

-5%

Recovery Gold (%)

76%

75%

1%

89%

92%

-3%

Recovery Copper (%)

90%

88%

2%

285,444

225,537

27%

Total Silver Produced (oz)

675,339

245,372

175%

1,201

1,350

-11%

Total Gold Produced (oz)

3,352

3,386

-1%

2,101,635

1,644,342

28%

Total Copper Produced (Lbs)

4,963,327

1,869,306

166%

778,008

649,569

20%

Total Silver Equivalent Produced (oz)2

1,885,375

842,373

124%

 

1Q2 2022 was the most recent three-month period of consolidated production and is most appropriate for comparison purposes, as there was limited production for Q3 2021. Full Year 2021 was used as a comparison for YTD 2022, as it includes the most recent 9 month period of production prior to 2022.

 

2In Q3 2022, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $19.22 per oz Ag, $1,729 per oz Au and $3.51 per lb Cu. In Q2 2022, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $22.64 per oz Ag, $1,873 per oz Au and $4.32 per lb Cu. In YTD 9M 2022, AgEq was calculated using metal prices of $21.94 per oz Ag, $1,825 per oz Au and $4.12 per lb Cu. In FY 2021, AgEq was calculated using metal prices of $23.84 per oz Ag, $1,786 per oz Au and $4.32 per lb Cu.

 

Under National Instrument 43-101, the Company is required to disclose that it has not based its production decisions on NI 43-101-compliant reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments, or feasibility studies, and historically projects without such reports have increased uncertainty and risk of economic viability. The Company’s decision to place a mine into operation at levels intended by management, expand a mine, make other production-related decisions, or otherwise carry out mining and processing operations is largely based on internal non-public Company data, and on reports based on exploration and mining work by the Company and by geologists and engineers engaged by the Company. The results of this work are evident in the Company’s discovery of the San Gonzalo and Avino Mine resources, and in the Company’s record of mineral production and financial returns since operations at levels intended by management commenced at the San Gonzalo Mine in 2012.

 

Exploration

 

The Company has budgeted 15,000 metres of drilling in 2022, with a focus on the area at depth below the current Elena Tolosa production area, further drilling of 17 additional holes on the Oxide Tailings project, and La Potosina. The Company has completed 11,253 metres of drilling in nine months ended September 30, 2022.

 

Avino – Elena Tolosa Area

 

On October 11, 2022, Avino announced further drill results from the Avino Elena Tolosa (“ET”) area below the current Level 17 mining area. These drill results continue to confirm the downdip continuity of widths and grades of the Avino vein extending significant potential to a depth of at least 290 metres down dip below the deepest levels of development. Avino is advancing geological modelling to determine the potential geometry and controls of the mineralization. Currently, three drills are turning to include a further 14 drill holes for 7,000 metres. For full news release, visit our website here.

 

Selected high grade intercepts include:

 

 

-

Hole ET 22-08: 95 AgEq g/t over 43.80 metres, including 673 AgEq g/t over 0.66 metres

 

-

Hole ET 22-09: 150 AgEq g/t over 26.77 metres, including 1,037 AgEq g/t over 0.46 metres and 1,800 AgEq g/t over 0.28 meters

 

 
10 | Page

 

  

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Results from the program are shown below:

 

Structure

Hole Number

From

(m)

To

(m)

Drill Intercept Length (m)

True width

(m)

Au

(g/t)

Ag

(g/t)

Cu

(%)

AgEq¹

(g/t)

AVINO VEIN

ET-22-04

432.85

435.30

2.45

2.12

0.02

2

0.02

5

AVINO VEIN

ET-22-05

494.75

512.00

17.25

14.40

0.17

30

0.19

62

Including

505.45

505.85

0.40

0.34

0.42

430

0.42

524

HW BX

ET-22-06

70.50

74.80

4.30

3.72

0.07

8

0.16

36

AVINO VEIN

And

566.35

603.85

37.50

27.25

0.02

8

0.10

23

 

Including

585.40

585.60

0.20

0.14

0.49

132

1.92

436

HW STW

ET-22-07

213.80

223.90

10.10

9.95

0.25

17

0.40

93

 

Including

223.00

223.90

0.90

0.90

1.85

37

0.22

232

AVINO VEIN

And

555.60

569.15

13.55

10.90

0.06

25

1.05

172

 

Including

563.70

564.70

1.00

0.74

0.06

65

2.84

454

HW STW

ET-22-08

510.15

513.70

3.55

3.20

0.02

12

0.98

146

 

Including

510.15

510.40

0.25

0.22

0.06

41

7.78

1,099

AVINO VEIN

And

519.00

576.65

57.65

43.80

0.15

15

0.49

95

 

Including

533.00

534.00

1.00

0.66

4.19

36

1.94

673

AVINO VEIN

ET-22-09

548.25

581.25

33.00

26.77

0.15

40

 0.71

150

 

Including

548.25

548.65

0.40

0.28

2.96

155

 10.20

1,800

 

Including

556.65

557.25

0.60

0.46

1.98

260

 4.43

1,037

 

1.

AgEq in drill results above assumes $1,700 oz Au and $19.00 oz Ag, and $3.75 lb Cu, and 100% metallurgical recovery

2.

HW BX = Hanging Wall Breccia and HW STW = Hanging Wall Stockworks

 

 
11 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Avino – Oxide Tailings

 

No new drilling was performed on the oxide tailings, however internal analyses were performed to estimate the total resource. Results will be released in a forthcoming property-wide mineral resource update.

 

Qualified Person(s)

 

Peter Latta, P.Eng, MBA, VP Technical Services, Avino, is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical data in this document.

 

Non – IFRS Measures

 

EBITDA and Adjusted earnings

 

Earnings, or loss, before interest, taxes and amortization (“EBITDA”) is a non IFRS financial measure which excludes the following items from net earnings:

 

 

·

Income tax expense

 

·

Finance cost

 

·

Amortization and depletion

 

Adjusted earnings excludes the following additional items from EBITDA

 

·

Share based compensation;

 

·

Non-operational items including foreign exchange movements, fair value adjustments on outstanding warrants and other non-recurring items

 

Management believes EBITDA and adjusted earnings provides an indication of continuing capacity to generate operating cash flow to fund capital needs, service debt obligations and fund capital expenditures. These measures are intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts. There are not standardized definitions under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of operating performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

 

Adjusted earnings excludes share-based payments, and non-operating or recurring items such as foreign exchange gains and losses and fair value adjustments on outstanding warrants. Under IFRS, entities must reflect within compensation expense the cost of share-based payments. In the Company’s circumstances, share-based compensation can involve significant amounts that will not be settled in cash but are settled by issuance of shares in exchange. The Company discloses adjusted earnings to aid in understanding the results of the company.

 

 
12 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings in the financial statements to EBITDA and adjusted earnings:

 

Expressed in 000’s of US$, unless otherwise noted

 

Q3 2022

 

 

Q3 2021

 

 

YTD 2022

 

 

YTD 2021

 

Net income (loss) for the period

 

$ (1,129 )

 

$ (214 )

 

$ 1,800

 

 

$ (4,686 )

Depreciation and depletion

 

 

551

 

 

 

352

 

 

 

1,558

 

 

 

1,338

 

Interest income and other

 

 

(14 )

 

 

(14 )

 

 

(66 )

 

 

(143 )

Interest expense

 

 

23

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

15

 

Finance cost

 

 

87

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

188

 

 

 

46

 

Accretion of reclamation provision

 

 

11

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

36

 

Current income tax expense

 

 

142

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

642

 

 

 

25

 

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

 

 

499

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

2,836

 

 

 

(1,009 )

EBITDA

 

$ 170

 

 

$ 227

 

 

$ 7,056

 

 

$ (4,378 )

Fair value adjustment on warrant liability

 

 

(86 )

 

 

(516 )

 

 

(2,692 )

 

 

(1,560 )

Realized loss on warrants exercised

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

1,111

 

Share-based payments

 

 

556

 

 

 

277

 

 

 

1,618

 

 

 

1,391

 

Stand-by costs during strike action

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

800

 

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

 

 

(251 )

 

 

(716 )

 

 

231

 

 

 

187

 

Adjusted earnings (loss)

 

$ 389

 

 

$ (728 )

 

$ 6,213

 

 

$ (2,449 )

Shares outstanding (diluted)

 

 

120,386,601

 

 

 

101,559,946

 

 

 

113,814,123

 

 

 

99,457,201

 

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share

 

$ 0.00

 

 

$ (0.01 )

 

$ 0.05

 

 

$ (0.02 )

 

Cash cost per payable ounce, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, and cash flow per share

 

Cash cost per payable ounce, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, and cash flow per share are measures developed by mining companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard. However, there can be no assurance that our reporting of these non-IFRS measures is similar to that reported by other mining companies. Total cash cost per payable ounce, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, and cash flow per share are measures used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance of the Company’s mining operations, and are widely reported in the silver and gold mining industry as benchmarks for performance, but do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures.

 

Management believes that the Company’s ability to control the cash cost per payable silver equivalent ounce is one of its key performance drivers impacting both the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Achieving a low silver equivalent production cost base allows the Company to remain profitable from mining operations even during times of low commodity prices, and provides more flexibility in responding to changing market conditions. In addition, a profitable operation results in the generation of positive cash flows, which then improve the Company’s financial condition.

 

The Company has adopted the reporting of “all-in sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce”. This measure has no standardized meaning throughout the industry. However, it is intended to provide additional information. Avino presents all-in sustaining cash cost, because it believes that it more fully defines the total current cost associated with producing a silver equivalent payable ounce. Further, the Company believes that this measure allows investors of the Company to better understand its cost of producing silver equivalent payable ounces, and better assess the Company’s ability to generate cash flow from operations. Although the measure seeks to reflect the full cost per silver equivalent ounce of production from current operations, it does not include capital expenditures attributable to mine expansions, exploration, and evaluation costs attributable to growth projects, income tax payments, and financing costs. In addition, the calculation of all-in sustaining cash costs does not include depreciation and depletion expense as it does not reflect the impact of expenditures incurred in prior periods.

 

 
13 | Page

 

  

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

The Company’s calculation of all-in sustaining cash costs includes sustaining capital expenditures of $2,834 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 (September 30, 2021 - $1,015) and all of which is attributable to the Avino Mine

 

The Company also presents cash flow per share, as it believes it assists investors and other stakeholders in evaluating the Company’s overall performance and its ability to generate cash flow from current operations. To facilitate a better understanding of these measures as calculated by the Company, detailed reconciliations between the non-IFRS measures and the Company’s consolidated financial statements are provided below. The measures presented are intended to provide additional information, and should not be considered in isolation nor should they be considered substitutes for IFRS measures. Calculated figures may not add up accurately due to rounding.

 

Cash Cost and All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Payable Ounce

 

The following table provide a reconciliation of cost of sales from the consolidated financial statements to cash cost and all-in sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce sold. In each table, “silver equivalent payable ounces sold” consists of the sum of payable silver ounces, gold ounces and copper tonnes sold, before penalties, treatment charges, and refining charges, multiplied by the ratio of the average spot gold and copper prices for the corresponding period.

 

 
14 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

The following table reconciles cost of sales to cash cost per payable AgEq oz and all-in sustaining cash cost per payable AgEq oz for the preceding quarters:

 

Expressed in 000’s of US$, unless otherwise noted

Avino – Consolidated

 

 

Q3 2022

 

Q2 2022

 

Q1 2022

 

Q4 2021

 

Q3 2021

 

Q2 2021

 

Q1 2021

 

Q4 2020

 

Cost of sales

$ 7,058

 

$ 5,468

 

$

6,306

 

$

4,912

 

$

1,043

 

$

1,017

 

$

709

 

$ 2,658

 

Exploration expenses

 

(336 )

 

(305 )

 

(296 )

 

(214 )

 

(308 )

 

(129 )

 

-

 

 

-

 

Stand-by costs during strike action

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(425 )

 

(246 )

 

(1,519 )

Depletion and depreciation

 

(514 )

 

(481 )

 

(459 )

 

(741 )

 

(319 )

 

(463 )

 

(463 )

 

(303 )

Cash production cost

 

6,208

 

 

4,682

 

 

5,551

 

 

3,957

 

 

416

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

836

 

Payable silver equivalent ounces sold

 

603,360

 

 

594,700

 

 

495,109

 

 

435,885

 

 

107,112

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

59,710

 

Cash cost per silver equivalent ounce

$ 10.29

 

$ 7.87

 

$

11.21

 

$

9.08

 

$

3.87

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$ 14.01

 

General and administrative expenses

 

1,553

 

 

2,218

 

 

1,316

 

 

967

 

 

1,094

 

 

1,475

 

 

1,550

 

 

1,633

 

Treatment & refining charges

 

568

 

 

700

 

 

766

 

 

529

 

 

127

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

47

 

Penalties

 

1,705

 

 

897

 

 

1,578

 

 

1,200

 

 

255

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

45

 

Sustaining capital expenditures

 

672

 

 

1,586

 

 

576

 

 

774

 

 

855

 

 

57

 

 

103

 

 

1,106

 

Exploration expenses

 

336

 

 

305

 

 

296

 

 

214

 

 

308

 

 

129

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Stand-by costs during stoppages

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

425

 

 

246

 

 

1,519

 

Share-based payments and G&A depreciation

 

(591 )

 

(899 )

 

(230 )

 

(125 )

 

(312 )

 

(528 )

 

(645 )

 

(824 )

Cash operating cost

$ 10,451

 

$ 9,489

 

$

9,853

 

$

7,516

 

$

2,743

 

$

1,558

 

$

1,254

 

$ 4,362

 

AISC per silver equivalent ounce

$ 17.32

 

$ 15.95

 

$

19.90

 

$

17.24

 

$

25.60

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$ 73.08

 

 

 
15 | Page

 

  

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

The following table reconciles cash cost per AgEq oz production cost to all-in sustaining cash cost per AgEq oz for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

Expressed in 000’s of US$, unless otherwise noted

Avino

Consolidated

 

 

 

YTD 2022

 

YTD 2021

 

YTD 2022

 

 

YTD 2021

 

Cost of sales

 

$ 18,832

 

$ 2,769

 

$ 18,832

 

 

$ 2,769

 

Exploration expenses

 

 

(937 )

 

(437 )

 

(937 )

 

 

(437 )

Stand-by costs during strike action

 

 

-

 

 

(671 )

 

-

 

 

 

(671 )

Depletion and depreciation

 

 

(1,454 )

 

(1,245 )

 

(1,454 )

 

 

(1,245 )

Cash production cost

 

 

16,441

 

 

416

 

 

16,441

 

 

 

416

 

Payable silver equivalent ounces sold

 

 

1,693,198

 

 

107,112

 

 

1,693,198

 

 

 

107,112

 

Cash cost per silver equivalent ounce

 

$ 9.71

 

$ 3.87

 

$ 9.71

 

 

$ 3.87

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

5,086

 

 

4,117

 

 

5,086

 

 

 

4,117

 

Treatment & refining charges

 

 

2,034

 

 

127

 

 

2,034

 

 

 

127

 

Penalties

 

 

4,179

 

 

255

 

 

4,179

 

 

 

255

 

Sustaining capital expenditures

 

 

2,834

 

 

1,015

 

 

2,834

 

 

 

1,015

 

Exploration expenses

 

 

937

 

 

437

 

 

937

 

 

 

437

 

Stand-by costs during stoppages

 

 

-

 

 

671

 

 

-

 

 

 

671

 

Share-based payments and G&A depreciation

 

 

(1,721 )

 

(1,484 )

 

(1,721 )

 

 

(1,484 )

Cash operating cost

 

$ 29,790

 

$ 5,554

 

$ 29,790

 

 

$ 5,554

 

AISC per silver equivalent ounce

 

$ 17.59

 

$ 51.85

 

$ 17.59

 

 

$ 51.85

 

 

Operating Cash Flow & Cash Flow per Share

 

Cash flow per share is determined based on operating cash flows before movements in working capital, as illustrated in the consolidated statements of cash flows, divided by the diluted weighted average shares outstanding during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

 

 

Q3 2022

 

 

Q3 2021

 

 

YTD 2022

 

 

YTD 2021

 

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities before working capital items

 

$ 1,588

 

 

$ 82

 

 

$ 7,744

 

 

$ (2,364 )

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

117,876,825

 

 

 

101,559,946

 

 

 

113,027,305

 

 

 

99,457,201

 

Diluted

 

 

117,876,825

 

 

 

101,559,946

 

 

 

116,275,433

 

 

 

99,457,201

 

Cash Flow per Share – diluted

 

$ 0.01

 

 

$ 0.00

 

 

$ 0.07

 

 

$ (0.02 )

 

Working Capital

 

 

 

September 30,

2022

 

 

December 31,

2021

 

Current assets

 

$ 24,687

 

 

$ 35,478

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(12,414 )

 

 

(3,843 )

Working capital

 

$ 12,273

 

 

$ 31,635

 

 

 
16 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Results of Operations

 

Summary of Quarterly Results

 

(000’s)

 

2022

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2021

 

 

2021

 

 

2021

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Quarter ended

 

Sep 30

Q3

 

 

Jun 30

Q2

 

 

Mar 31

Q1

 

 

Dec 31

Q4

 

 

Sep 30

Q3

 

 

Jun 30

Q2

 

 

Mar 31

Q1

 

 

Dec 30

Q4

 

Revenue

 

$ 9,118

 

 

$ 9,370

 

 

$ 11,050

 

 

$ 9,318

 

 

$ 1,881

 

 

$ -

 

 

$ 29

 

 

$ 1,407

 

Net income (loss) from operations for the quarter

 

 

(1,129 )

 

 

2,283

 

 

 

646

 

 

 

2,629

 

 

 

(214 )

 

 

(2,654 )

 

 

(1,818 )

 

 

(1,555 )

Earnings (loss) per share from operations - basic

 

$ (0.01 )

 

$ 0.02

 

 

$ 0.01

 

 

$ 0.03

 

 

$ (0.00 )

 

$ (0.03 )

 

$ (0.02 )

 

$ (0.02 )

Earnings (loss) per share from operations - diluted

 

$ (0.01 )

 

$ 0.02

 

 

$ 0.01

 

 

$ 0.04

 

 

$ (0.00 )

 

$ (0.03 )

 

$ (0.02 )

 

$ (0.02 )

Total

Assets

 

$ 115,310

 

 

$ 114,998

 

 

$ 111,413

 

 

$ 86,264

 

 

$ 82,109

 

 

$ 83,024

 

 

$ 84,550

 

 

$ 68,780

 

 

 

·

Revenue maintained constant in four most recent quarters compared to previous quarters, due to the restart of operations during Q3 2021 and the commencement of sales in September 2021.

 

 

 

 

·

Net income was generated in the three most recent quarters primarily due to higher mine operating income compared with prior quarters, partially offset by higher current and deferred income taxes.

 

 

 

 

·

Total assets increased at September 30, 2022 compared to previous quarters, as result of the acquisition of La Preciosa as well as the increased operating cash flow generation.

 

Quarterly results will fluctuate with changes in revenues, cost of sales, general and administrative expenses, including non-cash items such as share-based payments, and other items including foreign exchange and deferred income taxes.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s ability to generate sufficient amounts of cash, in both the short term and the long term, to maintain existing capacity and to fund ongoing exploration, is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable reserves or resources and the ability of the Company to obtain the financing necessary to generate and sustain profitable operations.

 

 
17 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Management expects that the Company’s ongoing liquidity requirements will be funded from cash generated from current operations and from further financing, as required, in order to fund ongoing exploration activities, and meet its objectives, including ongoing advancement at the Avino Mine. The Company continues to evaluate financing opportunities to advance its projects. The Company’s ability to secure adequate financing is, in part, dependent on overall market conditions, the prices of silver, gold, and copper, and other factors outside the Company’s control. There is no guarantee the Company will be able to secure any or all necessary financing in the future. The Company’s recent financing activities are summarized in the table below.

 

Intended Use of Proceeds

Actual Use of Proceeds

During 2021, the Company received net proceeds of $18.1 million in connection with a brokered at-the-market offering issued under prospectus supplements, $0.8 million in connection with warrants exercised and $0.2 million in connection with stock options exercised.

 

The intended use of the funds is to fund the acquisition of La Preciosa mine and exploration and evaluation expenses.

As of the date of this MD&A, the Company has used the funds as intended. During 2021, the Company announced an increase to its exploration from 12,000 to 30,600 metres of exploration and resource drilling. As of the date of this MD&A, over 20,000 metres of the program had been completed.

 

In supporting mining operations in Mexico, the Company acquired la Preciosa for net cash consideration of $15.4 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the remaining $3.7 million was used for exploration and evaluation activities, the acquisition of property and equipment, the repayment of capital equipment acquired under lease and loan.

 

During 2020, the Company received net proceeds of $4.7 million in connection with a brokered at-the-market offering issued under prospectus supplements and $3.7 million in connection with warrants exercised.

 

The intended use of the funds is to fund ongoing operations in Mexico. 

As of the date of this MD&A, the Company had used all of the funds as intended. There has been no impact on the ability of the Company to achieve its business objectives and milestones.

  

The Company intends to continue to explore its properties, as described above, subject to market conditions and the ability to continue to obtain suitable financing.

 

 

Discussion and analysis relating to the Company’s liquidity as at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, as well as movements in cash flow during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, is as follows:

 

Statement of Financial Position

 

 

 

September 30,

2022

 

 

December 31,

2021

 

Cash

 

$ 10,920

 

 

$ 24,765

 

Working capital

 

 

12,273

 

 

 

31,635

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

 

(53,322 )

 

 

(55,953 )

 

 
18 | Page

 

  

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Cash Flow

 

 

 

September 30,

2022

 

 

September 30,

2021

 

Cash generated by operating activities

 

$ 8,512

 

 

$ (3,409 )

Cash generated by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(903 )

 

 

16,141

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

 

(21,429 )

 

 

(2,133 )

Change in cash

 

 

(13,820 )

 

 

10,599

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

(25 )

 

 

29

 

Cash, beginning of period

 

 

24,765

 

 

 

11,713

 

Cash, end of period

 

$ 10,920

 

 

$ 22,341

 

 

Operating Activities

 

Cash generated by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $8.5 million compared to $3.4 million used for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Cash movements from operating activities can fluctuate with changes in net income, non-cash items, such as foreign exchange and deferred income tax expenses, and working capital.

 

Financing Activities

 

Cash used in financing activities was $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $16.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Cash generated by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, relates to the issuance of shares for cash, by way of at-the-market sales and the exercise of warrants and stock options. Cash used in financing activities relates to the repayment of the term facility, as well as on its existing equipment loans and finance leases for mining equipment.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company received net proceeds from issuance of shares for cash of Nil (September 30, 2021 - $18.1 million), received proceeds from warrants exercise of Nil (September 30, 2021 - $0.8 million) and received proceeds from stock options exercised by $0.03 million (September 30, 2021 - $0.2 million). The Company also made term facility repayments of Nil (September 30, 2021 - $2.5 million) and made finance lease and equipment loan payments totalling $0.9 million (September 30, 2021 - $0.5 million).

 

Investing Activities

 

Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $21.4 million compared to $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Cash used in investing activities included cash capital expenditures and exploration and evaluation expenditures of $6.1 million (September 30, 2021 - $2.1 million) on the acquisition of property and equipment and exploration expenditures, as well as $15.3 million related to the acquisition of La Preciosa.

  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

 
19 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Transactions with Related Parties

 

All related party transactions are recorded at the exchange amount which is the amount agreed to by the Company and the related party.

 

(a)

Key management personnel

 

The Company has identified its directors and certain senior officers as its key management personnel. The compensation costs for key management personnel for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Salaries, benefits, and consulting fees

 

$ 237

 

 

$ 243

 

 

$ 975

 

 

$ 742

 

Share-based payments

 

 

427

 

 

 

230

 

 

 

1,251

 

 

 

1,133

 

 

 

$ 664

 

 

$ 473

 

 

$ 2,226

 

 

$ 1,875

 

 

(b)

Amounts due to related parties

 

In the normal course of operations the Company transacts with companies related to Avino’s directors or officers. All amounts payable and receivable are non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on demand. The following table summarizes the amounts due to related parties:

 

 

 

September 30,

2022

 

 

December 31,

2021

 

Oniva International Services Corp.

 

$ 99

 

 

$ 107

 

Directors

 

 

31

 

 

 

56

 

Silver Wolf Exploration Ltd.

 

 

(58 )

 

 

-

 

 

 

$ 72

 

 

$ 163

 

 

For services provided to the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company pays Intermark Capital Corporation (“ICC”), a company controlled by David Wolfin, the Company’s president and CEO and also a director, for consulting services. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company paid $66 and $263, respectively (September 30, 2021 - $60 and $180, respectively), to ICC.

 

 
20 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

(c)

Other related party transactions

 

The Company has a cost sharing agreement with Oniva International Services Corp. (“Oniva”) for office and administration services. Pursuant to the cost sharing agreement, the Company will reimburse Oniva for the Company’s percentage of overhead and corporate expenses and for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company. David Wolfin, President & CEO, and a director of the Company, is the sole owner of Oniva. The cost sharing agreement may be terminated with one-month notice by either party without penalty.

 

The transactions with Oniva during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 are summarized below:

 

 

 

Three months ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Salaries and benefits

 

$ 218

 

 

$ 172

 

 

$ 670

 

 

$ 550

 

Office and miscellaneous

 

 

119

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

325

 

 

 

273

 

 

 

$ 337

 

 

$ 263

 

 

$ 995

 

 

$ 823

 

 

Financial Instruments and Risks

 

The fair values of the Company’s amounts due to related parties and accounts payable approximate their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Cash, amounts receivable, long-term investments, and warrant liability are recorded at fair value. The carrying amounts of the Company’s term facility, equipment loans, and finance lease obligations are a reasonable approximation of their fair values based on current market rates for similar financial instruments.

 

The Company’s financial instruments are exposed to certain financial risks, including credit risk, liquidity risk, and market risk.

 

(a)

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. The Company has exposure to credit risk through its cash, long-term investments and amounts receivable. The Company manages credit risk, in respect of cash and short-term investments, by maintaining the majority of cash and short-term investments at highly rated financial institutions.

 

The Company is exposed to a significant concentration of credit risk with respect to its trade accounts receivable balance because all of its concentrate sales are with four (December 31, 2021 – two) counterparties. However, the Company has not recorded any allowance against its trade receivables because to-date all balances owed have been settled in full when due (typically within 60 days of submission) and because of the highly-rated nature of the counterparties.

 

The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the end of any period is equal to the carrying amount of these financial assets as recorded in the unaudited consolidated statement of financial position. At September 30, 2022, no amounts were held as collateral.

 

 
21 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

(b)

Liquidity Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in satisfying financial obligations as they become due. The Company manages its liquidity risk by forecasting cash flows required by its operating, investing and financing activities. The Company had cash at September 30, 2022, in the amount of $10,920 and working capital of $12,273 in order to meet short-term business requirements. Accounts payable have contractual maturities of approximately 30 to 90 days, or are due on demand and are subject to normal trade terms. The current portions of note payable and finance lease obligations are due within 12 months of the condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position date. Amounts due to related parties are without stated terms of interest or repayment.

 

The maturity profiles of the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments as at September 30, 2022, are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Less Than

1 Year

 

 

1-5 years

 

 

More Than 5 Years

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$ 5,611

 

 

$ 5,611

 

 

$ -

 

 

$ -

 

Amounts due to related parties

 

 

72

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Note payable

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Lease liability

 

 

2,072

 

 

 

1,039

 

 

 

1,033

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$ 12,755

 

 

$ 11,722

 

 

$ 1,033

 

 

$ -

 

 

(c)

Market Risk

 

Market risk consists of interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and price risk. These are discussed further below.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Interest rate risk consists of two components:

 

 

(i)

To the extent that payments made or received on the Company’s monetary assets and liabilities are affected by changes in the prevailing market interest rates, the Company is exposed to interest rate cash flow risk.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

To the extent that changes in prevailing market rates differ from the interest rates on the Company’s monetary assets and liabilities, the Company is exposed to interest rate price risk.

 

In management’s opinion, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk primarily on its outstanding term facility, as the interest rate is subject to floating rates of interest. A 10% change in the interest rate would not result in a material impact on the Company’s operations.

 

 
22 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company is exposed to foreign currency risk to the extent that the following monetary assets and liabilities are denominated in Mexican pesos and Canadian dollars:

 

 

 

September 30, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

 

MXN

 

 

CDN

 

 

MXN

 

 

CDN

 

Cash

 

$ 6,064

 

 

$ 392

 

 

$ 3,576

 

 

$ 1,450

 

Long-term investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,855

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,976

 

Reclamation bonds

 

 

-

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6

 

Amounts receivable

 

 

-

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

33

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

(17,454 )

 

 

(56 )

 

 

(57,604 )

 

 

(211 )

Due to related parties

 

 

-

 

 

 

(176 )

 

 

-

 

 

 

(206 )

Finance lease obligations

 

 

(992 )

 

 

(110 )

 

 

(1 )

 

 

(394 )

Net exposure

 

 

(12,382 )

 

 

1,930

 

 

 

(54,029 )

 

 

5,654

 

US dollar equivalent

 

$ (609 )

 

$ 1,409

 

 

$ (2,363 )

 

$ (4,054 )

 

Based on the net US dollar denominated asset and liability exposures as at September 30, 2022, a 10% fluctuation in the US/Mexican and Canadian/US exchange rates would impact the Company’s earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, by approximately $67 (year ended December 31, 2021 - $143). The Company has not entered into any foreign currency contracts to mitigate this risk.

 

Price Risk

 

Price risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market prices, other than those arising from interest rate risk or foreign currency risk.

 

The Company is exposed to price risk with respect to its amounts receivable, as certain trade accounts receivable are recorded based on provisional terms that are subsequently adjusted according to quoted metal prices at the date of final settlement. Quoted metal prices are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control and are subject to volatility, and the Company does not employ hedging strategies to limit its exposure to price risk. At September 30, 2022, based on outstanding accounts receivable that were subject to pricing adjustments, a 10% change in metals prices would have an impact on net earnings (loss) of approximately $69 (December 31, 2021 - $26).

 

The Company is exposed to price risk with respect to its long-term investments, as these investments are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices. Changes in market prices result in gains or losses being recognized in net income (loss). At September 30, 2022, a 10% change in market prices would have an impact on net earnings (loss) of approximately $132 (December 31, 2021 - $330).

 

The Company’s profitability and ability to raise capital to fund exploration, evaluation and production activities is subject to risks associated with fluctuations in mineral prices. Management closely monitors commodity prices, individual equity movements, and the stock market to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company.

 

 
23 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

(d)

Classification of Financial Instruments

 

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value as follows:

 

Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e., as prices) or indirectly (i.e., derived from prices); and

Level 3 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as at September 30, 2022:

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$ 10,920

 

 

$ -

 

 

$ -

 

Amounts receivable

 

 

-

 

 

 

656

 

 

 

-

 

Long-term investments

 

 

1,353

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total financial assets

 

$ 12,273

 

 

$ 656

 

 

$ -

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrant liability

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(218 )

Total financial liabilities

 

$ -

 

 

$ -

 

 

$ (218 )

 

The Company uses Black-Scholes model to measure its Level 3 financial instruments. As at September 30, 2022, the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments consisted of the warrant liability.

 

For the Company’s warrant liability valuation and fair value adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Risks associated with Public Health Crises, including COVID-19

 

The Company’s business, operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as the outbreak of COVID-19 that was designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The international response to the spread of COVID-19 has led to significant restrictions on travel, temporary business closures, quarantines, global stock market volatility and a general reduction in consumer activity. Such public health crises can result in operating, supply chain and project development delays and disruptions, global stock market and financial market volatility, declining trade and market sentiment, reduced movement of people and labour shortages, and travel and shipping disruption and shutdowns, including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures, or a fear of any of the foregoing, all of which could affect commodity prices, interest rates, credit risk and inflation. In addition, the current COVID-19 pandemic, and any future emergence and spread of similar pathogens could have an adverse impact on global economic conditions which may adversely impact the Company’s operations, and the operations of suppliers, contractors and service providers, including smelter and refining service providers, and the demand for the Company’s production.

 

The Company may experience business interruptions, including suspended (whether government mandated or otherwise) or reduced operations relating to COVID-19 and other such events outside of the Company’s control, which could have a material adverse impact on its business, operations and operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

 

 
24 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

As at the date of this MD&A, the duration of the business disruptions internationally and related financial impact of COVID-19 cannot be reasonably estimated. It is unknown whether and how the Company may be affected if the pandemic persists for an extended period of time. In particular, the region in which we operate may not have sufficient public infrastructure to adequately respond or efficiently and quickly recover from such event, which could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s operations. The Company’s exposure to such public health crises also includes risks to employee health and safety. Should an employee, contractor, community member or visitor become infected with a serious illness that has the potential to spread rapidly, this could place the Company’s workforce at risk.

 

Mexico has been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company’s mining operations have been temporarily shut-down since April 2020, first as a result of governmental COVID-19 quarantine and containment measures, and later in July 2020 due to a labour strike, which was resolved in October 2020. The labour settlement agreement must be approved by the Mexican governmental labour authority. On August 3, 2021, the Company announced that mining operations had resumed. Although the Company takes appropriate measures and safeguards to protect its staff from infection, these events can result in volatility and disruption to supply chains, operations, transportation, and mobility of people, which are beyond the control of the Company, and which have had and could continue to adversely affect the availability of components, supplies and materials, labour, interest rates, credit ratings, credit risk, inflation, business operations, financial markets, exchange rates, and other factors material to the Company, including in particular, the Company’s revenues and concentrate delivery schedule.

 

Commitments

 

The Company has a cost sharing agreement to reimburse Oniva for a percentage of its overhead expenses, to reimburse 100% of its out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, and to pay a percentage fee based on Oniva’s total overhead and corporate expenses. The agreement may be terminated with one-month notice by either party. Transactions and balances with Oniva are disclosed in the “Transactions with Related Parties” section.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries have various operating lease agreements for their office premises, use of land, and equipment. Commitments in respect of these lease agreements are as follows:

 

 

September 30,

2022

December 31,

2021

Not later than one year

$

84

$

96

Later than one year and not later than five years

331

330

Later than five years

396

462

 

$

811

$

888

  

 
25 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Outstanding Share Data

 

The Company’s authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value.

 

As at November 9, 2022, the following common shares, warrants, and stock options were outstanding:

 

 

Number of shares

Exercise price

Remaining life (years)

Share capital

118,349,090

-

-

Warrants (US$)

8,950,412

$0.80 - $1.09

0.87 – 0.88

Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”)

2,190,666

-

0.73 – 2.38

Stock options

4,256,000

C$0.79 - C$1.64

0.80 – 4.48

Fully diluted

133,746,168

 

 

 

The following are details of outstanding stock options as at September 30, 2022 and November 9, 2022:

 

Expiry Date

Exercise Price Per Share

Number of Shares Remaining Subject to Options

(September 30, 2022)

Number of Shares Remaining Subject to Options (November 9, 2022)

August 28, 2023

C$1.30

105,000

105,000

August 21, 2024

C$0.79

126,000

126,000

August 4, 2025

C$1.64

1,660,000

1,660,000

March 25, 2027

C$1.20

2,340,000

2,340,000

May 4, 2027

C$0.92

25,000

25,000

Total:

 

4,256,000

4,256,000

 

The following are details of outstanding warrants as at September 30, 2022 and November 9, 2022:

 

Expiry Date

Exercise Price Per Share

Number of Underlying Shares

(September 30, 2022)

Number of Underlying Shares

(November 9, 2022)

September 21, 2023

$1.09

7,000,000

7,000,000

September 25, 2023

$0.80

1,950,412

1,950,412

Total:

 

8,950,412

8,950,412

 

The following are details of outstanding RSUs as at September 30, 2022 and November 9, 2022:

 

Expiry Date

Number of Shares Remaining Subject to RSUs

(September 30, 2022)

Number of Shares Remaining Subject to RSUs

(November 9, 2022)

August 4, 2023

412,666

412,666

March 25, 2025

1,778,000

1,778,000

Total:

2,190,666

2,190,666

  

 
26 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Application of new and revised accounting standards:

 

Property, Plant and Equipment — Proceeds before Intended Use (Amendments to IAS 16)

 

The amendments prohibit deducting from the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment any proceeds from selling items produced while bringing that asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Instead, an entity recognizes the proceeds from selling such items, and the cost of producing those items, in profit or loss. The amendments are applied on or after the first annual reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2022, with early application permitted. The amendments are applied retrospectively, but only to items of property, plant and equipment that are brought to the location and condition necessary for them to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management on or after the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements in which the Company first applies the amendments. This amendment will impact the Company’s accounting for proceeds from mineral sales prior to reaching commercial production at levels intended by management. The Company adopted the amendments to IAS 16 with no material impact on the financial statements.

  

Future Changes in Accounting Policies Not Yet Effective as at September 30, 2022:

 

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the current period and have not been early adopted. These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the Company in the current or future reporting periods.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management has designed and evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures on financial reporting (as defined in NI 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings) and has concluded that, based on its evaluation, they are effective as of September 30, 2022, to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to management and disclosed in accordance with applicable securities regulations.

 

 
27 | Page

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (“ICFR”)

 

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting. Internal controls over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. Internal controls over financial reporting includes maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS; providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are made in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Our management and the Board of Directors do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all errors or all instances of fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable (not absolute) assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design, maintenance and testing of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.

 

Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control gaps and instances of fraud have been detected. These inherent limitations include the reality that judgment in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design, maintenance and testing of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and any control system may not succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013) (‘COSO’). This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation.

 

Based on this evaluation, management concluded that as of September 30, 2022, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, as defined in NI 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuer’s Annual and Interim Filings, are effective to achieve the purpose for which they have been designed.

 

Cautionary Statement

 

This MD&A is based on a review of the Company’s operations, financial position and plans for the future based on facts and circumstances as of November 9, 2022. Except for historical information or statements of fact relating to the Company, this document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, those regarding the economic outlook for the mining industry, expectations regarding metals prices, expectations regarding production output, production costs, cash costs and other operating results, expectations regarding growth prospects and the outlook for the Company’s operations, and statements regarding the Company’s liquidity, capital resources, and capital expenditures. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and future events and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed in the Company’s documents filed from time to time via SEDAR with the Canadian regulatory agencies to whose policies we are bound. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should conditions or our estimates or opinions change, except as required by applicable securities regulations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

 

 
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