Operating Expense

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Operating Expense [Abstract]

Operating Expense

OPERATING EXPENSE

Operating expense during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consists of the following expenses by nature:

	2022		2021
Raw materials and consumables	$	293,485	$	241,509
Salaries and employee benefits(1)	119,219		111,270
Contractors	164,413		135,235
Repairs and maintenance	52,614		50,260
Site administration	83,440		67,694
Royalties	21,428		28,615
	734,599		634,583
Change in inventories	(54,545)		20,221
Total operating expense	$	680,054	$	654,804

(1)    Total salaries and employee benefits, excluding share-based compensation, for the year ended December 31, 2022 including amounts recognized within care and maintenance expense, exploration expense and general and administrative expense was $141.1 million (2021 – $137.6 million).