EX-99.1 2 exhibit99-1.htm NEWS RELEASE DATED MAY 17, 2012 Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit 99.1

Suite 1378 – 200 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1S4
Tel: 604-669-9397
Fax: 604-669-9387
Toll Free Tel: 1-888-224-1881
Email: info@silvercorp.ca
Website: www.silvercorp.ca

PRESS RELEASE

Trading Symbol: TSX: SVM May 17, 2012
NYSE: SVM  

 

SILVERCORP REPORTS RECORD SILVER PRODUCTION OF 5.6 MILLION OUNCES, RECORD REVENUE OF $238.0 MILLION, RECORD NET INCOME OF $73.8 MILLION & RECORD CASH FLOWS OF $123.8 MILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – May 17, 2012 – Silvercorp Metals Inc. (“Silvercorp” or the “Company”) reported today its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. The following financial results are expressed in US dollars (US$) unless stated otherwise.

FISCAL 2012 YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

For the year ended March 31, 2012 (“fiscal 2012”), highlights included:

  • Record net income attributable to equity holders of the Company of $73.8 million, or $0.43 per share, an increase of 9% compared to net income of $67.7 million, or $0.40 per share, in year ended March 31, 2011 (“fiscal 2011”);

  • Record revenue of $238.0 million, an increase of 42% compared to $167.3 million in fiscal 2011;

  • Record cash flows from operations, excluding non-cash working capital, of $123.8 million or $0.72 per share, an increase of 34%, compared to $92.2 million or $0.55 per share in fiscal 2011;

  • Record production of 5.6 million ounces of silver, or 6.06 million ounces of silver equivalent (including 8,800 ounces of gold), being the sixth consecutive year of production growth with an increase of 6% in silver production compared to 5.3 million ounces in fiscal 2011;

  • Total production costs of negative $3.25 per ounce of silver and cash costs of negative $5.13 per ounce of silver;

  • Commenced mine development and mill construction at the GC mine. In fiscal 2012, 717 metres (“m”) of the 2,210m main access ramp, 42m of the 618m main shaft and 400m of a 3.7m by 4m water diversion tunnel were completed. The construction of mill, office building and lab facilities are also well underway;

  • Completed XBG and XHP project acquisitions, further consolidating mines in the high-grade silver, gold and base metal belt in the southwest Luoyang City district region;

  • Increased quarterly dividend by 25% to $0.025 per share, and declared $15.6 million, or $0.09 per share, of dividends in aggregate; and

  • Repurchased and cancelled 4.5 million shares under a normal course issuer bid, at an average cost of $7.90 per share, totaling $35.4 million.

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2012 (“Q4 2012”) included:

  • Net income attributable to equity holders of the Company of $9.7 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to net income of $12.0 million, or $0.07 per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 (“Q4 2011”);

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  • As in every fourth quarter, production stopped for 28 days due to the Chinese New Year holiday;

  • Revenue of $44.3 million, an increase of 4% compared to $42.4 million in Q4 2011;

  • Quarterly cash flows from operations, excluding non-cash working capital, of $20.9 million, or $0.12 per share, compared to $20.3 million, or $0.12 per share, in Q4 2011;

  • Produced 1.1 million ounces of silver in the quarter, compared to 1.0 million ounces in Q4 2011;

  • Total production costs of negative $1.84 per ounce of silver and cash costs of negative $4.22 per ounce of silver; and

  • Payment of $4.2 million, or CAD$0.025 per share, in quarterly dividends to shareholders.

FINANCIALS

1. Q4 2012 vs. Q4 2011

 

In Q4 2012, the Company recorded net income attributable to equity holders of the Company of $9.7 million or $0.06 per share, a decrease of 19% compared to net income of $12.0 million or $0.07 per share, in Q4 2011. The lower net income was mainly due to (i) $1.5 million of forensic audit and legal fees incurred to fight short sellers’ attack (excluding this item, EPS would be $0.07 per share), (ii) higher production costs, partially offset by higher sales revenue, and (iii) higher general and administrative costs as the Company has three projects under development compared to only one last year.

Sales in Q4 2012 rose to $44.3 million, an increase of 4% compared to $42.4 million in Q4 2011, due to higher silver and gold production and prices, offset by slightly lower base metal production and prices.

Realized selling price is calculated using the Shanghai metal prices, less smelter charges, recovery and a 17% value added tax (“VAT”) (except for gold). The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s realized selling prices in Q4 2012 with the Shanghai metal prices, and a comparison to the London Metal Exchange (“LME”) prices:

For Q4 2012   Silver (in US$/ounce)   Gold (in US$/ounce)   Lead (in US$/pound)   Zinc (in US$/pound)
    Q4 2012   Q4 2011   Q4 2012   Q4 2011   Q4 2012   Q4 2011   Q4 2012   Q4 2011
Realized selling prices $ 25.37 $ 24.72 $ 1,269 $ 974 $ 0.84 $ 0.91 $ 0.67 $ 0.75
Add back: Value added taxes   4.31   4.20   -   -   0.14   0.15   0.11   0.13
Add back: Smelter charges and recovery   3.60     3.55     431     425     0.15     0.14     0.32     0.39  
Shanghai metal prices $ 33.28   $ 32.47   $ 1,700   $ 1,399   $ 1.13   $ 1.20   $ 1.10   $ 1.27  
LME $ 32.63    $ 31.86    $ 1,691    $ 1,387    $ 0.95    $ 1.18    $ 0.92    $ 1.08  

 

Cost of sales in Q4 2012 was $14.3 million, compared to $10.2 million in Q4 2011. The cost of sales included $11.1 million cash costs, representing an increase of 29%, compared to the same quarter last year. The increase of cost of sales was mainly due to more ore being mined and processed, plus the higher per tonne production costs. The ore mined increased by 24% compared to Q4 2011, while the ore milled increased by 18%. Production cost per tonne increased by 19%.

Gross profit margin in Q4 2012 was 68% compared to 76% in Q4 2011.

Excluding non-cash working capital, cash flows from operations in Q4 2012 was $20.9 million or $0.12 per share, compared to $20.3 million, or $0.12 per share, in Q4 2011.

In Q4 2012, general and administrative expense was $8.0 million, up $2.9 million from $5.1 million in Q4 2011 as the Company now has three projects under development compared to only one last year. The increase also includes $1.5 million of forensic audit and legal fees incurred to fight the short sellers’ attack.

2. Fiscal 2012 vs. Fiscal 2011

 

In fiscal 2012, the Company generated record net income of $73.8 million or $0.43 per share, an increase of 9% compared to $67.7 million or $0.40 per share, in fiscal 2011.

In fiscal 2012, the Company reported record sales of $238.0 million, an increase of $70.6 million or 42% compared to fiscal 2011. The increase in sales was mainly attributable to higher metal prices combined with higher quantities of metals sold for the year.

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In fiscal 2012, realized selling prices for silver were 54% higher than fiscal 2011, while base metal prices remained consistent. The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s realized selling prices in fiscal 2012 to Shanghai metal prices, and a comparison of London Metal Exchange (“LME”) prices:

For fiscal 2012   Silver (in US$/ounce)   Gold (in US$/ounce)   Lead (in US$/pound)   Zinc (in US$/pound)
    FY2012   FY2011   FY2012   FY2011   FY2012   FY2011   FY2012   FY2011
Realized selling prices $ 27.78 $ 18.08 $ 1,257 $ 909 $ 0.85 $ 0.83 $ 0.68 $ 0.67
Add back: Value added taxes   4.72   3.07   -   -   0.14   0.14   0.12   0.11
Add back: Smelter charges and Recovery   3.38     3.29     364     389     0.12     0.14     0.32     0.39  
Shanghai metal prices $ 35.88   $ 24.44   $ 1,621   $ 1,298   $ 1.11   $ 1.11   $ 1.12   $ 1.17  
LME $ 35.48   $ 23.80   $ 1,648   $ 1,293   $ 1.03   $ 1.02   $ 0.95   $ 1.03  

 

In fiscal 2012, cost of sales was $61.1 million, compared to $41.9 million in fiscal 2011. The cost of sales included $48.7 million cash costs in fiscal 2012, representing an increase of 37%, compared to last year. The cost of sales increased primarily because of increased ore production. In fiscal year 2012, ore mined and milled both increased by 28% compared to fiscal 2011.

In fiscal 2012, gross profit margin was 74%, comparable to gross profit margin of 75% in fiscal 2011.

Excluding non-cash working capital, in fiscal 2012, cash flow from operations was $123.8 million or $0.72 per share, an increase of $31.6 million or 34%, from $92.2 million in fiscal 2011. The Company ended fiscal 2012 with $154.5 million of cash and short-term investments on hand.

In fiscal 2012, general and administrative expense was $27.1 million, up $9.7 million, from $17.4 million in fiscal 2011. The increase included $3.9 million of forensic audit and legal fees incurred to fight the short sellers’ attack. In addition, we incurred more general and administrative expenses in China as we have operating mines and development projects in three locations this year compared to only one location last year.

OPERATIONS

1. Q4 2012 vs. Q4 2011

 

The Company mined 155,902 tonnes of ore in Q4 2012, an increase of 24% compared to 125,691 tonnes in Q4 2011. Ore production in Q4 2012 was lower than the past three quarters as the Company’s mining operations were closed for 28 days around the time of the Chinese New Year Holiday.

In Q4 2012, the consolidated total and cash mining cost per tonne was $70.24 and $53.40, respectively compared to the total and cash mining cost of $56.55 and $45.54, respectively, in Q4 2011. The increase of cash mining costs was mainly due to (i) higher labour costs for mining contractors and the Company’s own employees of approximately $4.00 per tonne and (ii) the impact of US dollar depreciation versus the Chinese RMB of approximately $2.00 per tonne.

In Q4 2012, silver grade at the Ying mine was 402 g/t, 39 g/t lower than 441 g/t in Q4 2011. This corresponded to mining sequence as lower-grade zones were mined during the quarter.

A total of 160,184 tonnes of ore were milled in Q4 2012, up 18% compared to 135,464 tonnes in Q4 2011. Cash milling costs per tonne increased to $16.50 from $15.31 in Q4 2011, mainly due to the depreciation of the US dollar.

A total of 1.1 million ounces of silver were produced in Q4 2012, compared to 1.0 million ounces in Q4 2011.

Consolidated cash cost per ounce of silver in Q4 2012 was negative $4.22 compared to negative $7.61 in Q4 2011, mainly due to lower prices of by-product metals.

2. Fiscal 2012 vs. Fiscal 2011

 

In fiscal 2012, the Company mined a record of 757,590 tonnes of ore, an increase of 28% compared to 592,330 tonnes in fiscal 2011.

In fiscal 2012, the total and cash mining costs per tonne were $61.51 and $47.40, respectively compared to $53.16 and $43.70, respectively, in fiscal 2011. The increase of cash mining costs was mainly due to (i) higher labour costs for mining contractors and the Company’s own employees of approximately $1.80 per

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tonne and (ii) the impact of US dollar depreciation versus the Chinese RMB of approximately $2.20 per tonne.

In fiscal 2012, the Company milled 762,521 tonnes, an increase of 28% compared to 596,735 tonnes in fiscal 2011.

In fiscal 2012, the Company achieved a new silver production record of 5.6 million ounces up 6% from 5.3 million ounces the prior year. In its Production Guidance for fiscal year 2012, the Company projected to mine 600,000 tonnes of ore at grades of 325 g/t silver, 6% lead and 1.9% zinc, yielding 5.6 million ounces of silver, and 90 million pounds of lead and zinc, at the Ying Mining District. The Company achieved its fiscal 2012 Production Guidance of 5.6 million ounces of silver, and was slightly below guidance for lead and zinc metal production by approximately 3.4 million pounds or 4%.

In its revised fiscal year 2012 Production Guidance for the BYP mine, the Company projected to process 85,000 tonnes of ore, at a grade of 2.5 g/t gold to yield 6,000 ounce of gold. During the year, the Company processed 83,760 tonnes of ore and produced 5,100 ounces of gold.

Consolidated cash cost per ounce of silver for fiscal 2012 was negative $5.13 compared to negative $6.80 last year.

3. Consolidated Operational Results

 

Silvercorp’s consolidated operational results for the past five quarters and full fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 are summarized below:

Consolidated Operational Results         Quarterly           Annual  
  Q4 2012   Q3 2012   Q2 2012   Q1 2012   Q4 2011   FY 2012   FY 2011  
  31-Mar-12   31-Dec-11   30-Sep-11   30-Jun-11   31-Mar-11   31-Mar-12   31-Mar-11  
Ore Mined (tonne)                            
Direct Smelting Ore (tonne) 2,761   4,151   2,579   3,108   2,740   12,599   12,942  
Stockpiled Ore (tonne)   153,141     211,123     204,716     176,011     122,951     744,991     579,388  
    155,902     215,274     207,295     179,119     125,691     757,590     592,330  
Run of Mine Ore (tonne)                            
Direct Smelting Ore (tonne) 2,761   4,151   2,579   3,108   2,740   12,599   12,942  
Ore Milled (tonne)   157,423     215,318     197,399     179,782     132,924     749,922     583,793  
    160,184     219,469     199,978     182,890     135,664     762,521     596,735  
Metal Sales                            

Silver (in thousands of ounce)

1,084   1,548   1,396   1,592   1,047   5,618   5,300  

Gold (in thousands of ounce)

2.0   2.9   2.5   1.4   1.1   8.8   3.2  

Lead (in thousands of pound)

14,670   20,995   16,520   20,621   14,385   72,804   69,011  

Zinc (in thousands of pound)

  2,890     3,525     3,236     4,102     3,253     13,749     16,343  
Head Grade of Run of Mine Ore                            

Silver (gram/tonne)

275   296   271   303   290   287   316  

Gold (gram/tonne) – BYP mine

2.1   2.3   3.3   -   -   2.4   N/A  

Lead (%)

5.2   5.5   4.6   5.5   5.6   5.2   5.7  

Zinc (%)

  1.4     1.4     1.2     1.5     1.8     1.4     1.9  
Recovery Rate of Run of Mine Ore                            

Silver (%)

93.2   93.3   92.1   91.3   91.8   92.9   91.6  

Gold (%) – BYP mine

87.1   91.2   89.1   -   -   90.8   N/A  

Lead (%)

96.4   96.4   94.7   94.7   95.6   96.0   95.3  

Zinc (%)

  64.6     67.7     75.1     72.8     67.8     68.0     69.5  
Cash Mining Cost ($ per tonne) 53.40   48.92   42.3   48.66   45.54   47.40   43.70  
Total Mining Costs($ per tonne) 70.24   64.50   55.66   60.07   56.55   61.51   53.16  
Cash Milling Cost ($ per tonne) 16.50   15.12   12.7   12.42   15.31   14.19   12.46  
Total Milling Cost ($ per tonne)   18.75     16.64     14.09     13.94     17.26     15.85     14.16  
Total Production Cost per Ounce of Silver ($) (1.84 ) (2.58 ) (2.74 ) (4.63 ) (6.06 ) (3.25 ) (5.58 )
Total Cash Cost per Ounce of Silver ($) (4.22 ) (4.56 ) (4.55 ) (6.12 ) (7.61 ) (5.13 ) (6.80 )
BYP Production Cost per Ounce of Gold ($) 1,378   943   599   277   N/A   844   N/A  
BYP Cash Cost per Ounce of Gold($)   768     547     276     271     N/A     474     N/A  

 

4. Operational Results for the Ying Mine

 

In fiscal 2012, 70% of the Company’s record silver production of 5.6 million ounces was from the Ying Mine. The HPG, LM and TLP mines contributed the remaining 30%, compared to 20% in fiscal 2011, as production from these satellite mines continued to grow.

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Operational results for the past five quarters and the full fiscal 2012 for the Ying Mine are summarized below:

Ying Mine Operational Results         Quarterly           Annual  
  Q4 2012   Q3 2012   Q2 2012   Q1 2011   Q4 2011   FY 2012   FY 2011  
  31-Mar-12   31-Dec-11   30-Sep-11   30-Jun-11   31-Mar-11   31-Mar-12   31-Mar-11  
Ore Mined (tonne)                            
Direct Smelting Ore (tonne) 2,726   4,114   2,463   3,062   2,715   12,365   12,711  
Stockpiled Ore (tonne)   61,431     71,596     69,699     78,276     59,650     281,002     303,811  
    64,157     75,710     72,162     81,338     62,365     293,367     316,522  
Run of Mine Ore (tonne)                            
Direct Smelting Ore (tonne) 2,726   4,114   2,463   3,062   2,715   12,365   12,711  
Ore Milled (tonne)   61,277     72,288     68,793     79,974     61,173     282,332     304,766  
    64,003     76,402     71,256     83,036     63,888     294,697     317,477  
Metal Sales                            

Silver (in thousands of ounce)

723   1,136   939   1,146   765   3,944   4,249  

Lead (in thousands of pound)

10,772   15,171   10,857   15,419   10,359   52,216   52,937  

Zinc (in thousands of pound)

  2,180     2,753     2,311     3,594     2,536     10,834     13,369  
Head Grade of Run of Mine Ore                            

Silver (gram/tonne)

402   464   437   444   441   440   470  

Lead (%)

7.7   8.9   7.6   8.6   8.4   8.3   8.1  

Zinc (%)

  2.4     2.4     2.2     2.5     2.9     2.4     2.8  
Recovery Rate of Run of Mine Ore                            

Silver (%)

94.3   94.6   92.8   92.1   93.0   94.0   92.4  

Lead (%)

97.8   98.0   96.2   96.1   97.0   97.5   96.5  

Zinc (%)

  63.5     67.6     74.9     74.9     67.7     67.8     69.8  
Cash Mining Cost ($ per tonne) 53.52   53.01   47.76   48.27   48.35   50.52   46.05  
Total Mining Costs($ per tonne) 75.98   74.57   65.44   63.27   63.56   69.50   59.14  
Cash Milling Cost ($ per tonne) 16.72   13.92   14.31   11.74   15.43   14.01   12.40  
Total Milling Cost ($ per tonne)   19.36     15.48     16     13.31     17.39     15.84     14.13  
Total Production Cost per Ounce of Silver ($) (6.49 ) (5.66 )   (5.65 ) (7.81 ) (8.88 ) (6.61 ) (7.20 )
Total Cash Cost per Ounce of Silver ($)   (8.77 )   (7.46 )   (7.14 )   (9.05 )   (10.25 )   (8.27 )   (8.30 )

ACQUISITION, EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Ying Mining District, Henan Province, China

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company completed 464m of the development of a 5,200m access ramp, with dimensions of 4m by 4.5m, at the Ying mine.

As of March 31, 2012, the Company also completed 339m of the development of a 4,800m access ramp with dimensions of 4m by 4.5m at the southwest corner of the TLP Mining Permit, adjacent to the LM Mining Permit.

A new technical report, being prepared by AMC Consultants of Vancouver, is expected to be released within this quarter.

In Q4 2012, $5.8 million (Q4 2011 – $2.8 million) in exploration and development expenditures were incurred in the Ying Mining District. In fiscal 2012, $28.7 million (fiscal 2011 - $19.6) in exploration and development expenditures were incurred in the Ying Mining District.

2. GC Project, Guangdong Province, China

 

The Company has been rapidly developing the GC Project. As of March 31, 2012, 717m of the 2,210m main access ramp, 42m of the 618m main shaft and 400m of a 3.7m by 4m water diversion tunnel were completed. In addition, in Q4 2012, development of GC Project commenced a new 3.7m by 4m exploration ramp of approximately 4,500m in length.

The construction of a 1,600 t/d floatation mill that is capable of producing silver, lead, zinc, and pyrite floatation concentrates and an optional tin gravity concentrate is ongoing with completion expected in Q2 fiscal 2013.

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In Q4 2012, $3.5 million in exploration and development expenditures were incurred at GC Project. In fiscal 2012, approximately $5.9 million (fiscal 2011 - $0.7 million) in exploration and development expenditures were incurred.

3. BYP Mine, Hunan Province, China

 

At the BYP mine, the construction of an 800 t/d backfill facility to fill up gold mineralization stopes is underway, which will cost approximately $1.5 million and will be completed in Q2 fiscal 2013. In fiscal 2012, the Company also started to sink a 180m deep, 3.5m diameter shaft from 380m to 200m elevations. The shaft will mainly be utilized to mine the #3 gold mineralization body. The cost of the shaft is approximately $1.0 million and is expected to be completed in October 2012.

In fiscal 2012, approximately $4.0 million in exploration and development expenditures were incurred at the BYP mine, of which $1.2 million was incurred in Q4 2012.

4. XBG Project, Henan Province, China

 

In August 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of 90% equity interest in Zhongxing Mining Co. Ltd. and Chuanxin Mining Co. Ltd. through its 77.5% owned subsidiary, Henan Found Mining Co. Ltd.

The Company is commencing a comprehensive exploration program that includes surface and underground mapping and sampling, and surface and underground diamond drilling to explore the existing veins and discover additional new veins, with a goal of defining a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource.

In fiscal 2012, approximately $0.8 million in exploration and development expenditures were incurred at the XBG mine.

5. XHP Project, Henan Province, China

 

In December 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% equity interest in SX Gold Mining Company through its 77.5% owned subsidiary, Henan Found Mining Co. Ltd.

The Company will carry out an exploration program, including tunneling and surface and underground diamond drilling, with a goal of defining a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource.

In fiscal 2012, approximately $1.3 million in exploration and development expenditures were incurred at the XHP mine.

6. Silvertip Project, British Columbia, Canada

 

The Silvertip Project was acquired in February 2010. The Company is nearing completion of it’s a Small Mine Permit application which will be submitted to the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines. A Small Mine Permit will allow a 75,000 tonnes per year mining operation.

In fiscal 2012, the Company conducted a drill program. Drilling intersected high grade lower zone mineralization to the north of the Silver Creek zone and indicates that more detailed work may outline additional resources there.

The Company has also retained Golder Associates Limited, who in January 2011 prepared an Economic Assessment on Silvertip to update the Silvertip NI 43-101 technical report. The report is expected within the current quarter.

In fiscal 2012, the Silvertip project incurred approximately $5.2 million in exploration expenditures (fiscal 2011 - $7.2 million).

OUTLOOK FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013

Production Guidance

From the four mines at the Ying Mining District, production is expected to increase to 695,000 tonnes of ore at a grade of 295g/t silver, 0.5g/t gold, 5.1% lead and 1.5% zinc, yielding 5.9 million ounces of silver, 3,350 ounces of gold, and 87 million pounds of lead and zinc. The cash and total production costs are expected to be approximately $68 and $85 per tonne of ore, respectively.

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The GC mine in Guangdong Province is expected to commence initial production in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. It is expected to mine 160,000 tonnes and to mill 153,000 tonnes of ore, yielding approximately 630,000 ounces of silver and 12 million pounds of lead and zinc. The cash and total production costs are expected to be approximately $40 and $65 per tonne of ore, respectively.

The BYP mine in Hunan Province is expected to mine and mill 175,000 tonnes of ore, yielding approximately 13,590 ounces of gold at cash and total production costs of $35 and $60 per tonne of ore, respectively.

At the newly-acquired XHP mine and XBG mine, the Company will focus on exploration during fiscal 2013, with only a minimal amount of by-product ore expected to be produced.

For detailed fiscal 2013 production guidance, which remains unchanged, please refer to the Company’s news release on February 9, 2012.

Capital Expenditures Budget

The total capital expenditures for fiscal 2013 is estimated at $79.9 million for mine development, mill construction, and other capital items (e.g. surface infrastructures and facilities, land use rights, reporting and permitting), plus exploration expenditures of $9.8 million to complete a 206,000m surface and underground drilling program, for a total of $89.7 million. The budget estimate is based on contracts on hand, designs by qualified Chinese engineering firms, and the Company’s past operating experience in China.

Since releasing its detailed fiscal 2013 capital expenditure budget, in the Company’s news release dated February 9, 2012, the Company has decided to defer building a new 1,000 t/d mill for the BYP mine. Instead, Silvercorp will expand the existing 500 t/d mill at BYP to 800 t/d, thereby reducing the overall capital expenditure budget for fiscal 2013 by $9.2 million.

Myles Gao, P.Geo., President and Chief Operating Officer of Silvercorp, is a Qualified Person for Silvercorp under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and given consent to the technical information contained in this News Release.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

A conference call and live audio webcast to discuss these results is scheduled as follows:

Date: Friday, May 18, 2012
Time: 8:00 am PT (11:00 am ET)
Dial-In Number: 1-612-332-0342
Live audio webcast: www.silvercorp.ca (click on the link on the home page)
Playback webcast can be accessed at: www.silvercorp.ca

 

About Silvercorp Metals Inc.

Silvercorp Metals Inc. is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and mining of high-grade silver-related mineral properties in China and Canada. Silvercorp is the largest primary silver producer in China through the operation of the four silver-lead-zinc mines at the Ying Mining District in the Henan Province of China. Silvercorp is currently building the GC silver-lead-zinc project in Guangdong Province as its second China production base and foothold, and this will be followed by the third production foothold at the recently acquired BYP gold-lead-zinc project in Hunan Province. In Canada, Silvercorp is preparing to apply for a Small Mine Permit for the Silvertip high grade silver-lead-zinc mine project in northern British Columbia to provide a further platform for growth and geographic diversification. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange and are included as a component of the S&P/TSX Composite and the S&P/TSX Global Mining Indexes.

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For further information: SILVERCORP METALS INC., Rui Feng, Chairman & CEO and Lorne Waldman, Corporate Secretary, Phone: (604) 669-9397, Fax: (604) 669-9387, Toll Free 1(888) 224-1881, Email: info@silvercorp.ca, Website: www.silvercorp.ca.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER -- FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws. Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategies”, “targets”, “goals”, “forecasts”, “objectives”, “budgets”, “schedules”, “potential” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates at the Company’s material properties; the sufficiency of the Company’s capital to finance the Company’s operations; estimates of the Company’s revenues and capital expenditures; estimated production from the Company’s mines in the Ying Mining District; timing of receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; availability of funds from production to finance the Company’s operations; and access to and availability of funding for future construction, use of proceeds from any financing and development of the Company’s properties.

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, risks relating to: fluctuating commodity prices; calculation of resources, reserves and mineralization and precious and base metal recovery; interpretations and assumptions of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; exploration and development programs; feasibility and engineering reports; permits and licences; title to properties; First Nations title claims and rights; property interests; joint venture partners; acquisition of commercially mineable mineral rights; financing; recent market events and conditions; economic factors affecting the Company; timing, estimated amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production; integration of future acquisitions into the Company’s existing operations; competition; operations and political conditions; regulatory environment in China and Canada; environmental risks; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; insurance; risks and hazards of mining operations; key personnel; conflicts of interest; dependence on management; internal control over financial reporting as per the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and bringing actions and enforcing judgments under U.S. securities laws.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2010 under the heading “Risk Factors”. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company’s forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management’s assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

8



SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

    March 31, 2012     March 31, 2011     April 1, 2010  
ASSETS            
Current Assets            

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 109,960 $ 147,224 $ 50,618

Short-term investments

  44,551   59,037   43,773

Accounts receivable

  12,904   1,051   510

Inventories

  7,006   3,895   3,175

Due from related parties

  679   203   138

Prepaids and deposits

  5,210     2,743     1,964  
    180,310   214,153   100,178
Non-current Assets            

Long term prepaids and deposits

  6,015   893   583

Investment in an associate

  15,872   15,822   6,103

Other investments

  45,757   46,286   9,003

Plant and equipment

  68,788   36,516   29,011

Mineral rights and properties

  258,521   191,799   114,261

Deferred income tax assets

   171     1,146     1,315  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 575,434   $ 506,615   $ 260,454  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY            
Current Liabilities            

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$ 23,590 $ 12,770 $ 7,504

Deposits received

  7,268   13,278   6,737

Bank loan

  -   -   1,465

Current portion of environmental rehabilitation

  -   323   292

Dividends payable

  4,271   3,600   3,238

Income tax payable

  5,082   3,047   1,658

Due to a related party

  -     3,447     -  
    40,211   36,465   20,894
Non-current Liabilities            

Deferred income tax liabilities

  19,991   13,564   -

Environmental rehabilitation

  4,400     2,909     2,357  
Total Liabilities   64,602     52,938     23,251  
Equity            

Share capital

  232,678   266,081   145,722

Contributed surplus

  5,552   3,131   4,620

Reserves

  24,717   24,717   24,717

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  25,285   19,362   319

Retained earnings

  145,580     87,326     33,099  
Total equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company   433,812   400,617   208,477
Non-controlling interests   77,020     53,060     28,726  
Total Equity   510,832     453,677     237,203  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 575,434   $ 506,615   $ 260,454  

 

9



SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for per share figures)

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,     Years Ended March 31,  
        (Unaudited)              
    2012     2011     2012     2011  
Sales $ 44,312   $ 42,422   $ 237,962   $ 167,327  
Cost of sales   14,329     10,172     61,149     41,884  
Gross profit   29,983     32,250     176,813     125,443  
General and administrative   8,042     5,058     27,124     17,395  
General exploration and property investigation   249     826     3,699     3,319  
Other taxes   1,264     1,098     4,394     1,478  
Foreign exchange loss (gain)   (97 )   1,744     (406 )   2,803  
Loss on disposal of plant and equipment   20     27     268     677  
Gain on disposal of mineral rights and properties   -     -     -     (537 )
Income from operations   20,505     23,497     141,734     100,308  
Share of gain (loss) in an associate   (137 )   2,175     (182 )   6,743  
Gain (loss) on investments   (281 )   (2,323 )   (567 )   1,788  
Other income   840     180     2,457     511  
Income before finance items and income taxes   20,927     23,529     143,442     109,350  
Finance income   812     476     3,528     1,461  
Finance costs   (26 )   (89 )   (94 )   (251 )
Income before income taxes   21,713     23,916     146,876     110,560  
Income tax expense   7,657     7,099     45,648     20,843  
Net income for the period $ 14,056   $ 16,817   $ 101,228   $ 89,717  
Attributable to:                        

Equity holders of the Company

$ 9,700   $ 12,019   $ 73,838   $ 67,655  

Non-controlling interests

  4,356     4,798     27,390     22,062  
  $ 14,056   $ 16,817   $ 101,228   $ 89,717  
Earnings per share attributable to the equity holders of the Company                        
Basic earnings per share $ 0.06   $ 0.07   $ 0.43   $ 0.40  
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.06   $ 0.07   $ 0.43   $ 0.40  
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic   170,650,904   174,725,616     172,487,486   167,806,101  
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted   171,162,713   176,223,762     173,214,711   169,192,836  

 

10



SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,     Year Ended March 31,  
          (Unaudited)              
    2012     2011     2012     2011  
Cash provided by (used in)                        
Operating activities                        

Net income

$ 14,056   $ 16,817   $ 101,228   $ 89,717  

Add (deduct) items not affecting cash:

                       

Accretion of environmental rehabilitation

  24     42     94     164  

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

  3,758     1,786     13,704     7,081  

Share of loss (gain) in an associate

  137     (2,175 )   182     (6,743 )

Deferred income tax expense

  1,878     974     4,646     1,359  

Loss (gain) on investments

  281     2,323     567     (1,788 )

Loss on disposal of plant and equipment

  20     27     268     677  

Gain on disposal of mineral rights and properties

  -     -     -     (537 )

Stock-based compensation

  708     482     3,094     2,291  

Changes in non-cash operating working capital

  (8,265 )   13,778     (10,505 )   11,812  
Net cash provided by operating activities   12,597     34,054     113,278     104,033  
Investing activities                        

Mineral rights and properties

                       

Capital expenditures

  (11,964 )   (5,183 )   (43,426 )   (25,561 )

Proceeds on disposals

  -     -     -     537  

Plant and equipment

                       

Additions

  (3,984 )   (3,267 )   (23,385 )   (9,477 )

Proceeds on disposals

  113     -     113     1  

Other investments

                       

Acquisition

  (944 )   (22,485 )   (1,964 )   (32,823 )

Proceeds on disposals

  -     344     -     1,457  

Reclamation expenditures

  (47 )   -     (47 )   -  

Net redemptions (purchases) of short-term investments

  2,534     (30,612 )   15,993     (13,503 )

Acquisition of Yunxiang (net of cash acquired, $nil)

  -     (23,388 )   -     (23,388 )

Acquisition of Zhongxing/Chuanxin (net of cash acquired, $20)

  (2,571 )   -     (12,005 )   -  

Acquisition of SX Gold (net of cash acquired, $554)

  -     -     (22,320 )   -  

Prepayments to acquire mineral property, plant and equipment

  (1,094 )   1,417     (3,847 )   (770 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (17,957 )   (83,174 )   (90,888 )   (103,527 )
Financing activities                        

Net repayment from (advance to) related parties

  (60 )   (146 )   (4,075 )   167  

Bank loan

                       

Repayments

  -     -     -     (1,473 )

Non-controlling interests

                       

Contribution

  -     -     5,519     -  

Distribution

  -     -     (13,804 )   (10,582 )

Cash dividends distributed

  (4,205 )   (3,506 )   (14,891 )   (13,113 )

Share capital

                       

Proceeds from issuance of common shares

  308     1,867     1,304     115,818  

Normal course issuer bid

  -     -     (35,380 )   -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (3,957 )   (1,785 )   (61,327 )   90,817  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (1,857 )   1,701     1,673     5,283  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (11,174 )   (49,204 )   (37,264 )   96,606  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period   121,134     196,428     147,224     50,618  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period $ 109,960   $ 147,224   $ 109,960   $ 147,224  

 

11



SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Mining Data
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for mining data figures)

 

Q4 2012       Three months ended March 31, 2012      
  Henan Luoning Henan Songxian      
  YING     HPG&LM  TLP XBG XHP BYP Total  
Production Data                  

Mine Data

                 

Ore Mined (tonne)

                 

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

2,726   35 - - - - 2,761  

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

  61,431     18,936     52,620     -     3,890     16,265     153,141  
    64,157     18,970     52,620     -     3,890     16,265     155,902  

Run of Mine Ore (tonne)

                 

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

2,726   35 - - - - 2,761  

Ore Milled (tonne)

  61,277     19,403     53,168     -     -     23,575     157,423  
    64,003     19,438     53,168     -     -     23,575     160,184  

Mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

75.98   88.08 65.27 - 68.75 43.22 70.24  

Cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

53.52   73.17 57.01 - 48.81 19.24 53.40  

Non cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined (

22.46   14.91 8.26 - 19.95 23.98 16.84  

Unit shipping costs($)

4.01   3.55 3.80 - 3.92 - 3.46  

Milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

19.36   20.14 19.16 - - 15.04 18.75  

Cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

16.72   17.55 16.71 - - 14.58 16.50  

Non cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled (

2.64   2.59 2.44 - - 0.46 2.25  

Average Production Cost

                 

Silver ($ per ounce)

5.60   9.83 14.99 - - - 8.34  

Gold ($ per ounce)

261   453 - - - 1,377 424  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.19   0.32 0.51 - - - 0.28  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.15   0.25 0.41 - - - 0.22  

Total production cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(6.49 ) 3.17 11.02 - -   (1.84 )

Total cash cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(8.77 ) 1.24 7.94 - -   (4.22 )

Total production cost per ounce of Gold ($)

            1,378 1,378  

Total cash cost per ounce of Gold ($)

            768 768  

Total Recovery of the Run of Mine Ore

                 

Silver (%)

94.3   91.6 89.8 - -   93.2  

Gold (%)

            87.1 87.1  

Lead (%)

97.8   93.8 92.2 - -   96.4  

Zinc ( %)

63.5   69.5 69.6 - - 56.2 64.6  

Head Grades of Run of Mine Ore

                 

Silver (gram/tonne)

402   225 143 - -   275  

Gold (gram/tonne)

            2.1 2.1  

Lead (%)

7.7   4.2 2.5 - -   5.2  

Zinc (%)

2.4   0.5 1.3 - - 2.6 1.4  

Sales Data

                 

Metal Sales

                 

Silver (in thousands of ounce)

723   153 208 - -   1,084  

Gold (in thousands of ounce)

0.9   0.1 - - - 1.0 2.0  

Lead (in thousands of pound)

10,772   1,693 2,205 - -   14,670  

Zinc (in thousands of pound)

2,180   148 313 - - 249 2,890  

Metal Sales

                 

Silver (in thousands of $)

18,434   3,921 5,145 - -   27,500  

Gold (in thousands of $)

1,003   122 - - - 1,396 2,521  

Lead (in thousands of $)

9,080   1,423 1,863 - -   12,366  

Zinc (in thousands of $)

  1,463     98     212     -     -     152     1,925  
    29,980     5,564     7,220     -     -     1,548     44,312  

Average Selling Price, Net of Value Added Tax and Smelter Charges

                   

Silver ($ per ounce)

25.50   25.70 24.78 - -   25.37  

Gold ($ per ounce)

1,163   1,184 - - - 1,367 1,269  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.84   0.84 0.85 - -   0.84  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.67   0.67 0.68 - - 0.61 0.67  

 

12



SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Mining Data
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for mining data figures)

 

Q4 2011     Three months ended March 31, 2011    
      Henan Luoning        
  YING   HPG&LM   TLP Total  
Production Data              

Mine Data

             

Ore Mined (tonne)

             

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

2,715   23   2 2,740  

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

  59,650     18,013     45,288     122,951  
    62,365     18,036     45,290     125,691  

Run of Mine Ore (tonne)

             

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

2,715   23   2 2,740  

Ore Milled (tonne)

  61,173     20,690     50,861     132,724  
    63,888     20,713     50,863     135,464  

Mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

63.56   62.53   44.51 56.55  

Cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

48.35   51.36   39.35 45.54  

Non cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

15.21   11.17   5.16 11.01  

Unit shipping costs($)

3.91   3.91   3.54 3.78  

Milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

17.39   16.01   17.59 17.26  

Cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

15.43   14.34   15.54 15.31  

Non cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

1.96   1.67   2.05 1.95  

Average Production Cost

             

Silver ($ per ounce)

4.20   8.49   12.25 5.94  

Gold ($ per ounce)

163   344   - 234  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.15   0.31   0.45 0.22  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.13   0.22   0.59 0.18  

Total production cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(8.88 ) (3.04 ) 4.84 (6.06 )

Total cash cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(10.25 ) (4.92 ) 2.70 (7.61 )

Total Recovery of the Run of Mine Ore

             

Silver (%)

93.0   91.1   87.7 91.8  

Lead (%)

97.0   94.7   89.8 95.6  

Zinc ( %)

67.7   57.5   71.1 67.8  

Head Grades of Run of Mine Ore

             

Silver (gram/tonne)

441   196   131 290  

Lead (%)

8.4   4.3   2.4 5.6  

Zinc (%)

2.9   0.6   0.8 1.8  
Sales Data              

Metal Sales

             

Silver (in thousands of ounce)

765   116   166 1,047  

Gold (in thousands of ounce)

0.8   0.3   - 1.1  

Lead (in thousands of pound)

10,359   1,824   2,202 14,385  

Zinc (in thousands of pound)

2,536   109   608 3,253  

Metal Sales

             

Silver ($)

18,896   2,881   4,107 25,884  

Gold ($)

715   330   - 1,045  

Lead ($)

9,427   1,636   1,996 13,059  

Zinc ($)

  1,921      70       443     2,434  
    30,959      4,917       6,546     42,422  

Average Selling Price, Net of Value Added Tax and Smelter Charges

               

Silver ($ per ounce)

24.71   24.80   24.73 24.72  

Gold ($ per ounce)

960   1005   - 974  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.91   0.90   0.91 0.91  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.76   0.65   0.73 0.75  

 

13



SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Mining Data
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for mining data figures)

 

Fiscal 2012       Year ended March 31, 2012      
  Henan Luoning   Henan Songxian      
  YING   HPG&LM TLP XBG   XHP BYP Total  
Production Data                    

Mine Data

                   

Ore Mined (tonne)

                   

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

12,365   182 52 -   - - 12,599  

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

  281,002     93,284     275,687     -     3,890     91,128     744,991  
    293,367     93,466     275,739     -     3,890     91,128     757,590  

Run of Mine Ore (tonne)

                   

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

12,365   182 52 -   - - 12,599  

Ore Milled (tonne)

  282,332     93,214     278,949     11,667     -     83,760     749,922  
    294,697     93,396     279,001     11,667     -     83,760     762,521  

Mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

69.50   75.81 55.82 -   68.75 38.00 61.51  

Cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

50.52   63.77 48.62 -   48.81 16.79 47.40  

Non cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

18.98   12.04 7.20 -   19.95 21.21 14.11  

Unit shipping costs($)

3.94   3.54 3.74 -   3.92 - 3.34  

Milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

15.84   16.19 15.90 22.92   - 14.33 15.85  

Cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

14.01   14.44 14.15 20.11   - 13.85 14.19  

Non cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

1.83   1.75 1.75 2.81   - 0.48 1.66  

Average Production Cost

                   

Silver ($ per ounce)

4.80   9.79 13.00 6.17   -   7.14  

Gold ($ per ounce)

197   416 - 377   - 854 323  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.15   0.30 0.40 0.22   -   0.22  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.11   0.21 0.38 -   -   0.17  

Total production cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(6.61 ) 2.44 6.38 (56.67 ) -   (3.25 )

Total cash cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(8.27 ) 0.67 3.59 (60.33 ) -   (5.13 )

Total production cost per ounce of Gold ($)

              844 844  

Total cash cost per ounce of Gold ($)

              474 474  

Total Recovery of the Run of Mine Ore

                   

Silver (%)

94.0   91.6 89.6 50.0   -   92.9  

Gold (%)

              90.8 90.8  

Lead (%)

97.5   93.6 91.3 80.6   -   96.0  

Zinc ( %)

67.8   60.0 70.6 -   - 56.2 68.0  

Head Grades of Run of Mine Ore

                   

Silver (gram/tonne)

440   227 147 35   -   287  

Gold (gram/tonne)

              2.4 2.4  

Lead (%)

8.3   3.7 2.5 2.5   -   5.2  

Zinc (%)

2.4   0.5 1.5 -   - 2.6 1.4  
Sales Data                    

Metal Sales

                   

Silver (in thousands of ounce)

3,943   635 1,034 6   -   5,618  

Gold (in thousands of ounce)

2.7   0.9 - 0.1   - 5.1 8.8  

Lead (in thousands of pound)

52,216   7,004 13,140 444   -   72,804  

Zinc (in thousands of pound)

10,834   591 2,075 -   - 249 13,749  

Metal Sales

                   

Silver (in thousands of $)

109,592   17,500 28,869 124   -   156,085  

Gold (in thousands of $)

3,077   1,046 - 155   - 6,749 11,027  

Lead (in thousands of $)

44,192   5,830 11,142 362   -   61,526  

Zinc (in thousands of $)

  7,135     353     1,684     -     -     152     9,324  
    163,996     24,729     41,695     641     -     6,901     237,962  

Average Selling Price, Net of Value Added Tax and Smelter Charges

                     

Silver ($ per ounce)

27.79   27.58 27.91 22.51   -   27.78  

Gold ($ per ounce)

1,139   1,171 - 1,376   - 1,333 1,257  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.85   0.83 0.85 0.81   -   0.85  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.66   0.60 0.81 -   - 0.61 0.68  

 

14



SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Mining Data
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for mining data figures)

 

Fiscal 2011     Year ended March 31, 2011    
      Henan Luoning        
  YING   HPG&LM   TLP Total  
Production Data              

Mine Data

             

Ore Mined (tonne)

             

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

12,711   219   12 12,942  

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

  303,811     73,171     202,406     579,388  
    316,522     73,390     202,418     592,330  

Run of Mine Ore (tonne)

             

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

12,711   219   12 12,942  

Ore Milled (tonne)

  304,766     74,259     204,768     583,793  
    317,477     74,478     204,780     596,735  

Mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

59.14   63.98   39.89 53.16  

Cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

46.05   55.67   35.68 43.70  

Non cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

13.09   8.31   4.21 9.46  

Unit shipping costs($)

3.64   3.40   3.30 3.49  

Milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

14.13   13.72   14.37 14.16  

Cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

12.40   12.24   12.64 12.46  

Non cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

1.73   1.48   1.73 1.70  

Average Production Cost

             

Silver ($ per ounce)

3.31   8.16   9.75 4.53  

Gold ($ per ounce)

165   404   440 228  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.15   0.35   0.44 0.21  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.12   0.26   0.36 0.17  

Total production cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(7.20 ) (1.59 ) 2.52 (5.58 )

Total cash cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(8.30 ) (3.16 ) 0.70 (6.80 )

Total Recovery of the Run of Mine Ore

             

Silver (%)

92.4   91.3   86.3 91.6  

Lead (%)

96.5   94.5   89.5 95.3  

Zinc ( %)

69.8   59.0   70.5 69.5  

Head Grades of Run of Mine Ore

             

Silver (gram/tonne)

470   185   122 316  

Lead (%)

8.1   4.1   2.5 5.7  

Zinc (%)

2.8   0.6   0.8 1.9  
Sales Data              

Metal Sales

             

Silver (in thousands of ounce)

4,249   391   660 5,300  

Gold (in thousands of ounce)

1.8   1.2   0.2 3.2  

Lead (in thousands of pound)

52,937   6,247   9,827 69,011  

Zinc (in thousands of pound)

13,369   544   2,430 16,343  

Metal Sales

             

Silver ($)

76,094   7,463   12,277 95,834  

Gold ($)

1,615   1,133   159 2,907  

Lead ($)

44,218   5,183   8,222 57,623  

Zinc ($)

  8,982     334     1,647     10,963  
    130,909     14,113     22,305     167,327  

Average Selling Price, Net of Value Added Tax and Smelter Charges

               

Silver ($ per ounce)

17.91   19.10   18.60 18.08  

Gold ($ per ounce)

892   946   839 909  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.84   0.83   0.84 0.83  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.67   0.62   0.68 0.67  

 

15