Coeur Reports Second Quarter 2015 Results

Aug 05, 2015 08:20 JST

Source: Coeur Mining, Inc.

- Raising 2015 Production Guidance and Lowering 2015 Cost Guidance
- Adjusted Costs Applicable to Sales Declined 8% to $12.56 per Silver Equivalent Ounce

CHICAGO, IL, Aug 05, 2015 - (ACN Newswire) - Coeur Mining, Inc. (the "Company" or "Coeur") (NYSE: CDE) reported second quarter 2015 revenue of $166.3 million, adjusted EBITDA[1] of $34.7 million, adjusted net loss[1] of $0.11 per share, and cash flow from operating activities of $36.9 million. Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce[1] of $12.56 declined 8% from the first quarter. Adjusted all-in sustaining costs declined 6% from the first quarter to $16.60 per silver equivalent ounce[1], the lowest level in over two years of reporting this metric.

"In the second quarter we achieved the strongest financial performance in two years despite the weakest realized silver and gold prices over this time frame," said Mitchell J. Krebs, Coeur's President and Chief Executive Officer. "With nearly every mine outperforming initial cost and production targets, we are raising our production guidance and lowering our cost guidance for 2015. The notable exception is San Bartolome, where July production was impacted by political disruptions in Bolivia, but is now fully operational.

"I am proud of the progress our employees are making to lower our costs and add high-quality silver and gold ounces to our production profile. However, we have our sights set on higher goals in the coming quarters. In June, we provided a three-year outlook reflecting further cost reductions, quality production growth, and rising EBITDA and free cash flow starting next year. With more than $200 million in liquidity at quarter end and long-dated debt maturities on our balance sheet, we are well-positioned to continue executing our strategy even at current metal prices."

Second Quarter 2015 Highlights

- Silver production was 4.3 million ounces and gold production was 80,855 ounces, or 9.1 million silver equivalent[1] ounces, a 13% increase as previously announced on July 9, 2015

- Adjusted costs applicable to sales were $12.56 and adjusted all-in sustaining costs were $16.60 per silver equivalent ounce[1], the lowest level since Coeur began reporting this metric in 2013

- Adjusted costs applicable to sales per gold ounce[1] at Kensington of $745 fell 7% from the first quarter

- Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce[1] at Palmarejo declined 9% from the first quarter to $13.21

- Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce[1] at Rochester were $12.01, down 7% from the first quarter

- Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver ounce[1] at San Bartolome dropped 8% from the first quarter to $13.26

- Completed the acquisition of Paramount Gold and Silver Corp. and announced an 89% increase in silver reserves and a 76% increase in gold reserves at Palmarejo at a 31% higher average silver grade

- On June 24, Coeur announced a 39% increase in Wharf's gold reserves. The addition of Wharf represents a 35% increase in Coeur's total gold reserves

- On June 25, Coeur closed a new $100 million, five-year, senior secured term loan and repaid a pre-existing $50 million bridge loan due in the first quarter of 2016

- Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments were $205.9 million at June 30

Full Year 2015 Outlook

Coeur is raising its 2015 total production guidance by approximately 2% to 33.1 - 35.9 million silver-equivalent ounces, consisting of 14.7 - 15.8 million silver ounces and 306,000 - 335,000 gold ounces. Coeur is also lowering its guidance for all-in sustaining costs per silver equivalent ounce[1] by approximately 3% to $17.00 - $18.00. The revised guidance is mainly due to stronger than planned production at lower than expected costs at Palmarejo and Kensington, partially offset by lower than expected production at San Bartolome, which experienced a temporary cessation of mining activity in July due to political disruptions in Bolivia.

2015 Production Outlook
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(silver and silver equivalent ounces in thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Silver               Gold  Total Silver Equivalent 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palmarejo      4,200 - 4,700    62,000 - 67,000            7,920 - 8,720 
San Bartolome  5,300 - 5,500                  -            5,300 - 5,500 
Rochester      4,700 - 5,000    55,000 - 65,000            8,000 - 8,900 
Endeavor           500 - 600                  -                500 - 600 
Kensington                 -  115,000 - 125,000            6,900 - 7,500 
Wharf                      -    74,000 - 78,000            4,440 - 4,680 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total        14,700 - 15,800  306,000 - 335,000          33,060 - 35,900
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2015 Cost Outlook
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in millions, except per ounce amounts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              New 2015 Guidance        Old 2015 Guidance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs Applicable to Sales per Silver Equivalent Ounce[1] - Palmarejo
                                $15.00 - $16.00          $16.25 - $17.75 
Costs Applicable to Sales per Silver Ounce[1] - San Bartolome
                                $13.50 - $15.00          $13.50 - $15.00 
Costs Applicable to Sales per Silver Equivalent Ounce[1] - Rochester
                                $12.50 - $14.00          $12.50 - $14.00 
Costs Applicable to Sales per Gold Ounce - Kensington
                                    $850 - $900              $900 - $975 
Costs Applicable to Sales per Gold Equivalent Ounce[1] - Wharf
                                    $750 - $825              $750 - $825 
Capital Expenditures                 $95 - $105               $95 - $105 
General and Administrative Expenses   $36 - $39                $36 - $39 
Exploration Expense                   $13 - $16                $13 - $16 
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Equivalent Ounce[1]
                                $17.00 - $18.00          $17.50 - $18.50 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts, gold ounces produced 
& sold, and per-ounce metrics)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             2Q 2015      1Q 2015      4Q 2014      3Q 2014      2Q 2014
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue      $ 166.3      $ 153.0      $ 140.6      $ 170.9      $ 164.6
Costs Applicable to Sales
             $ 119.1      $ 115.1      $ 126.5      $ 125.9      $ 118.7
General and Administrative Expenses
               $ 8.5        $ 8.8        $ 9.0        $ 8.5        $ 9.4
Adjusted EBITDA[1]
              $ 34.7       $ 23.7        $ 7.8       $ 30.7       $ 32.9
Net Income (Loss)
            $ (16.7)     $ (33.3)  $ (1,079.1)        $ 3.5     $ (43.1) 
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
            $ (0.12)     $ (0.32)    $ (10.53)       $ 0.03     $ (0.42) 
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)[1]
            $ (14.5)     $ (22.7)     $ (37.5)     $ (18.5)     $ (21.5) 
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)[1] Per Share
            $ (0.11)     $ (0.22)     $ (0.37)     $ (0.18)     $ (0.21) 
Weighted Average Shares
               135.0        102.6        102.4        102.6        102.4
Cash Flow From Operating Activities
              $ 36.9      $ (4.0)        $ 0.7       $ 31.3       $ 30.5
Capital Expenditures
              $ 23.7       $ 17.6       $ 20.1       $ 16.8       $ 15.4
Cash, Equivalents & Short-Term Investments
             $ 205.9      $ 179.6      $ 270.9      $ 295.4      $ 316.8
Total Debt[2]
             $ 547.7      $ 513.5      $ 468.5      $ 469.5      $ 480.1
Average Realized Price Per Ounce - Silver
             $ 16.23      $ 16.77      $ 16.40      $ 19.46      $ 19.60
Average Realized Price Per Ounce - Gold
             $ 1,179      $ 1,204      $ 1,186      $ 1,260      $ 1,277
Silver Ounces Produced
                 4.3          3.8          4.3          4.3          4.5
Gold Ounces Produced
              80,855       69,734       64,534       64,989       61,025
Silver Equivalent Ounces Produced[1]
                 9.1          8.0          8.3          8.2          8.1
Silver Ounces Sold
                 4.0          4.1          4.6          4.3          4.6
Gold Ounces Sold
              84,312       68,420       52,785       69,541       57,751
Silver Equivalent Ounces Sold[1]
                 9.1          8.2          7.9          8.4          8.1
Adjusted Costs Applicable to Sales per AgEq Oz[1]
             $ 12.56      $ 13.71      $ 14.43      $ 14.19      $ 14.00
Adjusted Costs Applicable to Sales per AuEq Oz[1]
               $ 816        $ 797        $ 792        $ 889        $ 821
Adjusted All-in Sustaining Costs per AgEq Oz[1]
             $ 16.60      $ 17.66      $ 19.25      $ 18.27      $ 19.10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financial Results

Second quarter 2015 revenue increased $13.3 million, or 9%, compared with the first quarter to $166.3 million due to a 10% increase in silver equivalent ounces sold, partially offset by lower metal prices. Average realized silver and gold prices decreased 3% and 2%, respectively, compared to the first quarter, to $16.23 per ounce for silver and $1,179 per ounce for gold. Silver contributed 40% of metal sales and gold contributed 60% during the second quarter.

General and administrative expenses decreased 4% from the first quarter to $8.5 million in the second quarter, and were down 9% compared to the second quarter of 2014. Capital expenditures of $23.7 million in the second quarter increased $6.1 million, or 34%, compared to the first quarter due to the inclusion of Wharf for the full quarter as well as higher spending for underground development at Kensington, Guadalupe mine development and additional tailings capacity at Palmarejo, and expanded crushing capacity and increased Stage III leach pad capacity at Rochester. For the first six months of 2015, general and administrative expenses were $17.3 million and capital expenditures were $41.3 million.

Second quarter adjusted EBITDA[1] was $34.7 million and adjusted net loss[1] was $14.5 million, or $0.11 per share, a 46% increase in adjusted EBITDA[1] from $23.7 million and an $8.0 million improvement in adjusted net loss from $22.7 million, or $0.22 per share, in the first quarter mainly due to higher production and lower unit operating costs.

Coeur obtained a five-year $100 million senior secured term loan and repaid a $50 million short-term bridge loan during the second quarter, which raised total debt to $547.7 million at June 30, including $426.2 million in senior unsecured notes due in 2021. Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $205.9 million at the end of the second quarter, yielding a net debt balance of $341.8 million, a 2% increase compared to March 31.

Operations

Highlights of second quarter 2015 results for each of the Company's operating segments are provided below.

Palmarejo, Mexico

- Adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce[1] of $13.21 decreased 9% from the first quarter due to lower underground mining costs, which also represented a higher proportion of production. Underground mining costs of $44 per ton quarter declined more than 30% from $64 per ton in the first quarter

- Palmarejo continues the transition to underground mining at the Guadalupe mine and the Independencia mine (expected beginning early 2016) while mining activities in the historic zones gradually decline. Open-pit mining is expected to end during the second half of 2015

- Development of the tunnel to Independencia is on track and expected to reach the ore body by the end of 2015

- Raising 2015 production guidance by approximately 9% to 4.2 - 4.7 million ounces of silver and 62,000 - 67,000 ounces of gold from 3.9 - 4.3 million ounces of silver and 55,000 - 65,000 ounces of gold, while lowering costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce[1] guidance by approximately 9% to $15.00 - $16.00 from $16.25 - $17.75

Rochester, Nevada

- Second quarter adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce[1] were $12.01, down 7% from the first quarter due to lower crushing and leaching costs. Mining costs per ton of $1.39 declined 9% from $1.53 per ton in the first quarter

- Operating cash flow of $8.8 million declined from the first quarter due to an increase in metal inventory and a decrease in accounts payable

- Expected completion of the crushing capacity expansion and increased Stage III leach pad capacity during the third quarter

- Approval for POA 10 (expansion of Stage IV leach pad and construction of new Stage V leach pad) is expected by early 2016. Minimal preparatory work for the Stage V leach pad expected in 2016 with major construction activity planned for 2017

- In 2015, Rochester is expected to produce 4.7 - 5.0 million ounces of silver and 55,000 - 65,000 ounces of gold at costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce[1] of $12.50 - $14.00

Kensington, Alaska

- Strong mill throughput of approximately 1,875 tons per day and lower diesel and mining costs ($51 per ton, down from $55 per ton in the first quarter) caused a 7% decline in adjusted costs applicable to sales per gold ounce[1] to $745 in the second quarter. Mining costs per ton declined 7% to $51 from $55 in the first quarter

- Development of the decline into the high-grade Jualin deposit is now underway. Underground drilling at Jualin is expected to begin in early 2016

- Raising 2015 production guidance and lowering 2015 cost guidance to 115,000 - 125,000 ounces of gold at costs applicable to sales per gold ounce of $850 - $900, improved approximately 7% from prior guidance of 110,000 - 115,000 ounces of gold at costs applicable to sales per gold ounce of $900 - $975

San Bartolome, Bolivia

- Higher throughput, grade and recovery resulted in higher production and an 8% decline in adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver ounce to $13.26

- On July 10, political protests in Potosi, Bolivia prompted a temporary cessation of mining activity at San Bartolome. Processing activities were restarted on July 31 and mining activities have fully resumed. As a result, 2015 production guidance has been lowered to 5.3 - 5.5 million ounces of silver, down from 5.8 - 6.1 million previously while maintaining costs applicable to sales guidance of $13.50 - $15.00 per silver equivalent ounce[1]

Wharf, South Dakota

- The second quarter was the first full quarter of operating results since the acquisition closed on February 20, 2015

- In June, Coeur announced a 39% increase in Wharf's gold reserves. A technical report was filed today, reflecting an after-tax NPV10% of $138 million based on the current mine plan, average annual gold production of almost 90,000 ounces, and average annual operating cash flow of more than $30 million

- Significantly higher production is expected in the second half of 2015 at lower unit costs mainly due to higher mining rates. For the full year, Wharf is expected to produce 74,000 - 78,000 ounces of gold at costs applicable to sales per gold equivalent ounce[1] of $750 - $825. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $3.0 million in 2015

Coeur Capital

- There are five cash-flowing royalties and streams, four non-cash-flowing royalties, and several investments in junior mining companies held in Coeur Capital or its affiliates

- Coeur Capital's largest source of cash flow is the silver stream on the Endeavor mine in New South Wales, Australia in which the Company owns 100% of the silver up to a total of 20.0 million payable ounces. At June 30, 2015, the Company has received 5.8 million ounces, or 29.0% of the total

Exploration

Costs associated with exploration activities for the second quarter of 2015 were $3.6 million (expensed) for discovery of new silver and gold mineralization and $2.2 million (capitalized) for definition and expansion of mineralized material. These amounts compare to exploration costs of $4.3 million expensed and $4.0 million capitalized in the first quarter. Coeur's exploration program used 11 drill rigs during the second quarter: 4 drills at Palmarejo, 3 at Kensington, 3 at Rochester, and 1 at Wharf. This work resulted in completion of over 120,131 feet (36,616 meters) of combined core and reverse circulation drilling.

Exploration expenses are expected to total $13 - $16 million in 2015, with additional capital allocated to resource conversion. Coeur will continue to use a success-based approach to funding exploration activities, with a near-term focus on higher grade targets at Palmarejo at and near the Guadalupe operation, drilling near-surface oxide targets at La Preciosa, drilling new targets near Wharf, mapping and sampling around Rochester and Kensington, and the selective acquisition and maintenance of early-stage projects.

Conference Call Information

Coeur will conduct a conference call and webcast at www.coeur.com to discuss the Company's second quarter results on August 5, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.

Dial-In Numbers:
(855) 560-2581 (US)
(855) 669-9657 (Canada)
(412) 542-4166 (International)

Conference ID: Coeur Mining, Inc.

A replay of the call will be available on Coeur's website through August 19, 2015.

Replay Numbers:
(877) 344-7529 (US)
(855) 669-9658 (Canada)
(412) 317-0088 (International)

Conference ID: 100 68 701

About Coeur

Coeur Mining is the largest U.S.-based silver producer and a significant gold producer with five precious metals mines in the Americas employing approximately 2,100 people. Coeur produces from its wholly owned operations: the Palmarejo silver-gold mine in Mexico, the San Bartolome silver mine in Bolivia, the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada, the Kensington gold mine in Alaska, and the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota. The Company also has a non-operating interest in the Endeavor mine in Australia in addition to royalties on the Cerro Bayo mine in Chile, the El Gallo complex in Mexico, the Zaruma mine in Ecuador, and the Correnso mine in New Zealand. In addition, the Company has two silver-gold exploration projects - the La Preciosa project in Mexico and the Joaquin project in Argentina. The Company also conducts ongoing exploration activities in Alaska, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, and Nevada. The Company owns strategic investment positions in several silver and gold development companies with projects in North and South America.

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada, including statements regarding anticipated production, costs, EBITDA, cash flow, capital expenditures, expenses, mining rates, operations at Palmarejo, approval for POA 10, planned capital and expansion projects at Rochester, anticipated returns at Wharf, development activity at Kensington, and exploration efforts. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Coeur's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk that anticipated benefits of recent acquisitions are not realized, the risk that anticipated production, EBITDA, cash flow, and cost levels are not attained, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in developing large-scale mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), changes in the market prices of gold and silver and a sustained lower price environment, the uncertainties inherent in Coeur's production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and regulatory delays, ground conditions, grade variability, any future labor disputes or work stoppages (including those involving third parties), the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver reserves and resources, changes that could result from Coeur's future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, the absence of control over and reliance on third parties to operate mining operations in which Coeur or its subsidiaries hold royalty or streaming interests and risks related to these mining operations including results of mining and exploration activities, environmental, economic and political risks of the jurisdiction in which the mining operations are located, the loss of access to any third-party smelter to which Coeur markets silver and gold, the effects of environmental and other governmental regulations, the risks inherent in the ownership or operation of or investment in mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, Coeur's ability to raise additional financing necessary to conduct its business, make payments or refinance its debt, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Canadian securities regulators, including, without limitation, Coeur's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Actual results, developments and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Coeur disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Coeur undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Coeur, its financial or operating results or its securities.

W. David Tyler, Coeur's Vice President, Technical Services and a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information concerning Coeur's mineral projects in this news release. For a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources, as well as data verification procedures and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors, Canadian investors should refer to the Technical Reports for each of Coeur's properties as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Non-U.S. GAAP Measures

We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) with certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce, all-in sustaining costs, and adjusted all-in sustaining costs. We believe that these adjusted measures provide meaningful information to assist management, investors and analysts in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance. We believe these adjusted financial measures are important indicators of our recurring operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to our core operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. We believe adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce), adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce, all-in sustaining costs, and adjusted all-in sustaining costs are important measures in assessing the Company's overall financial performance.

Notes
1. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss), all-in sustaining costs, adjusted all-in sustaining costs, costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce (or per gold equivalent ounce), and adjusted costs applicable to sales per silver equivalent ounce are non-GAAP measures. Please see tables in the Appendix for the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. For purposes of silver and gold equivalence, 60:1 silver to gold ratio.
2. Includes capital leases. Net of debt discount.

For Additional Information:

Bridget Freas
Director, Investor Relations
+1-312-489-5819

Donna Mirandola
Director, Corporate Communications
+1-312-489-5842

www.coeur.com

Press release: http://investors.coeur.com/file.aspx?IID=4349317&FID=30568876

###

This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Coeur Mining, Inc. via Globenewswire

Source: Coeur Mining, Inc.