Sierra Metals Reports 2021 Production Results, 2022 Guidance To Be Provided With Year-End Financial Results

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(All $ figures reported in USD)

• Consolidated mill throughput increased 3% mainly due to higher throughput at Yauricocha and Cusi. Lower throughput at Bolivar.
• Copper equivalent production decreased 24% in 2021 compared to 2020, due to lower grades and COVID-19 related operational difficulties during the year.

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) is pleased to report fourth quarter 2021 and full year 2021 production results, which include results from Sierra Metals’ three underground mines: The Yauricocha polymetallic mine in Peru, and the Bolivar copper and Cusi silver mines in Mexico.

Luis Marchese, CEO of Sierra Metals, commented: “2021 has been quite a difficult year for the company. Declining grades were coupled with unprecedented COVID-related operational difficulties at our three operations. For 2022, although Cusi and Yauricocha are approaching normalized operations and staffing, Bolivar needs to accelerate infill drilling and mine development in order to increase the availability of ore during the first six months of 2022.”

As stated during Q3 2021 financial results, there were several operational issues at the Bolivar Mine, including lack of equipment and decreased workforce availability which impacted mine development, infill drilling and head grades. Bolivar’s fourth quarter production reflects the continued challenges due to these temporary factors and consequently, consolidated production was below guidance for the year. While efforts are underway to normalize operations, we maintain our expectation that it will take at least until the end of Q2 2022 to catch up. Additionally, we recognize that Sierra Metals is currently experiencing the early effects of the latest wave of COVID-19 infections. While it is too soon to determine the impact of this latest wave, we anticipate reduced workforce levels at our operations in both Peru and Mexico during Q1 and potentially into Q2.”

He concluded, “For these reasons, Sierra Metals has decided to postpone the issuance of its 2022 production and cost guidance until March 16, 2022 at the time of publishing our year-end financial results. It is our intention to provide guidance when we are able to provide accurate and more meaningful targets. At this time, our focus remains the health and safety of our employees and communities. We will continue to overcome the obstacles presented due to the lagging effect of COVID-19 on our workforce, community, suppliers and service providers; which has had an impact both directly and indirectly on our operations. We remain confident that once these challenges are behind us, we can look forward to making progress on exploration initiatives as well as projects to advance our efficiencies and take full advantage of growth opportunities across each of our operations.”

2021 Consolidated Production Highlights

• Copper production of 31.8 million pounds; a 28% decrease from 2020
• Zinc production of 79.3 million pounds; a 3% decrease from 2020
• Lead production of 30.8 million pounds; a 7% decrease from 2020
• Silver production of 3.5 million ounces; a 2% increase from 2020
• Gold production of 9,572 ounces; a 30% decrease from 2020
• Total of 2.9 million ore tonnes processed; a 3% increase from 2020
• Consolidated copper equivalent production of 89.9 million pounds; a decrease of 24% from 2020

The Company achieved annual throughput that was 3% higher than the 2020 annual throughput.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Production Highlights

• Copper production of 6.1 million pounds; a 43% decrease from Q4 2020
• Zinc production of 14.9 million pounds; a 31% decrease from Q4 2020
• Lead production of 6.0 million pounds; a 21% decrease from Q4 2020
• Silver production of 0.8 million ounces; a 13% decrease from Q4 2020
• Gold production of 1,863 ounces; a 45% decrease from Q4 2020

Consolidated quarterly ore throughput of 590,057 tonnes decreased by 24% over Q4 2020, mainly due to the 41% decline in the Bolivar Q4 2021 throughput, as the mine continued to face the residual issues of the COVID restrictions. Quarterly throughput at the Yauricocha mine declined 11% as compared to Q4 2020. The 2021 average annual permitted capacity for Yauricocha is calculated as a weighted average of the original capacity of 3,000 tonnes per day (“tpd) and the increased capacity of 3,600 tpd (as of June 16, 2021). Operating at a rate of more than 3,700 tpd for the first nine months of the year, the mine attained this maximum annual permitted capacity before the end of the year. Mine operations were halted a few days before year end resulting in Q4 2021 Yauricocha production being lower than Q4 2020.

Copper equivalent production at Yauricocha declined 32% during Q4 2021 due to a 11% decrease in quarterly throughput combined with lower head grades and recoveries, except for gold and copper. Bolivar Q4 2021 throughput, which was significantly impacted by COVID and its impact on mine development, was 41% lower than Q4 2020. Lower throughput combined with negative variances in grades resulted in 65% lower copper equivalent production from Bolivar in Q4 2021 as compared to Q4 2020.

Q4 2021 silver equivalent production at the Cusi mine was 21% higher than Q4 2020, driven by the 3% higher throughput and higher grades for all metals during the quarter as compared to Q4 2020.

Consolidated Production Results

Yauricocha Mine, Peru

The Yauricocha mine Q4 2021 production was 11% lower than Q4 2020, as the 3,700 tpd throughput rate in the first nine months of the year allowed the mine to achieve its annual permitted capacity during December causing the mine to halt operations before the end of the year. The mine received its Informe Tecnico Minero (“ITM”) permit in June 2021, allowing for an operating capacity of 3,600 tpd. Copper equivalent metal production in Q4 2021 decreased by 32% due to lower throughput and lower head grades, due to the inability to mine in the higher-grade zones.

Yauricocha’s annual throughput was 1,256,847 tonnes, representing an increase of 12% as compared to the 2020 annual production. While the mine’s operational flexibility allowed for an increase in the throughput, accessing targeted grades remained a challenge throughout the year due to the regulatory limitations to access some of the high-grade ore bodies. Metal production declined as the higher throughput partially compensated for lower grades. Year over year copper equivalent production decreased 21% in 2021 compared to the prior year. 2021 annual production of silver, copper, lead, zinc and gold declined by 5%, 25%, 8%, 3% and 5% respectively compared to 2020 annual production.

A summary of production from the Yauricocha Mine for Q4 2021 has been provided below:

Bolivar Mine, Mexico

During the year 2021, the impacts of COVID-19 have been more noticeable at the Bolivar mine. A reduced workforce resulted in delays in infill drilling, mine development and services. The mine also faced high turnover in middle management and senior management personnel during the year, which impacted production performance.

The Bolivar mine processed 227,722 tonnes of ore in Q4 2021, a 41% decrease as compared to the Q4 2020 throughput. Grades were also negatively impacted by the lack of development and limited infill drilling information, which necessitated the launch of an upgraded new infill drilling and mine development program in Q4 2021. Copper equivalent production declined 65% as compared to Q4 2020.

Annual throughput at Bolivar was 1,349,602 tonnes, or a 9% decrease from the 2020 annual throughput, due to the afore-mentioned reasons. Copper equivalent production for the full year 2021 declined 38% as compared to full year 2020.

A summary of production for the Bolivar Mine for Q4 2021 has been provided below:

Cusi Mine, Mexico

Q4 2021 throughput at the Cusi mine was 84,804 tonnes or 3% higher than the Q4 2020 throughput. Grades for Q4 2021 were higher for all metals, as the mine continued to operate in the high-grade Northeast Southwest vein system.

Annual production at the Cusi Mine was 295,771 tonnes in 2021, which was 28% higher than 2020, as the mine operated for the full twelve months in 2021 as compared to 2020, when Cusi lost more than a quarter’s production due to the COVID-driven care and maintenance. Higher throughput and grades resulted in silver equivalent production which was 21% higher for Q4 2021 and 38% higher for the full year 2021, as compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year.

A summary of production for the Cusi Mine for Q4 2021 has been provided below:

Quality Control

All technical data contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by:

Americo Zuzunaga, FAusIMM CP (Mining Engineer) and Vice President of Corporate Planning is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is a diversified Canadian mining company with Green Metal exposure including increasing copper production and base metal production with precious metals byproduct credits, focused on the production and development of its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. Sierra Metals has recently had several new key discoveries and still has many more exciting brownfield exploration opportunities at all three Mines in Peru and Mexico that are within close proximity to the existing mines. Additionally, the Company also has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company’s Common Shares trade on the Bolsa de Valores de Lima and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “SMT” and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol “SMTS”.

For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking information“). Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the date of the 2020 Shareholders’ Meeting and the anticipated filing of the Compensation Disclosure. Any statements 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”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “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 information.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated March 30, 2020 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and other risks identified in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively.

The risk factors referred to above are not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and is inherently uncertain, and the Company’s actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company’s statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Investor relations
Sierra Metals Inc.
+1 (416) 366-7777
info@sierrametals.com

Luis Marchese
CEO
Sierra Metals Inc.
+1 (416) 366-7777

Source: Sierra Metals Inc.

FenixOro Discovers Multiple Wide Mineralized Zones up to 20 Meters in Width at Abriaqui

Research, News, and Market Data on FenixOro Gold

 

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FenixOro Gold Corp (CSE:FENX, OTCQB:FDVXF, Frankfurt:8FD) is pleased to announce the discovery of six wider zones of mineralization on four different veins in the northern block of the Abriaqui gold project. The discoveries result from infill sampling of earlier drill core and ongoing in-mine channel sampling

• These wide zones have the characteristics to “Buritica style” mineralization, high grade centers surrounded by wider zones of lower grade mineralization, found at the nearby Buritica mine owned by Zijin Mining (acquired from Continental Gold)
• Six intersections on the Santa Teresa, Romperopa 1, Footwall and Baul vein thicknesses range from 7.7 to 20.1 meters and gold grades range from 2.2 g/t gold to 8.5 g/t gold.
• The two intersections on the Romperopa 1 vein define a block of a minimum 70 meters along strike with a minimum 200 meter vertical interval which is open upward and at depth.
• All of the thicker zones are developed in the relatively competent diorite host rock indicating potentially favorable conditions for future bulk underground mining.

FenixOro VP Exploration Stuart Moller noted, “From the start of the program, one of the objectives at Abriaqui has been to identify “Buritica style” mineralization – high grade gold in the cores of the veins surrounded by thicker zones of lower grade mineralization. An ongoing program of in-mine channel and infill core sampling now shows that there are coherent blocks of this style of mineralization on several veins which are likely to increase in size with more infill drilling. These wider zones tend to reduce the overall gold grade, however in similar deposits this is typically more than offset by additional tonnage and ounces, resulting in the potential for significantly reduced mining costs in wider stopes. Given the similar geology and structural setting throughout the property, we believe that as exploration continues, it is highly likely that more of these wider zones will be discovered”

A program of channel sampling in the small mines at Abriaqui in mid-2021 provided an interval of 11.4m @ 6.08 g/t gold from a crosscut on the Santa Teresa vein system (see press release dated August 5, 2021). The interval consisted of several veins each less than one meter in width separated by variably developed zones of gold-bearing veinlets. Subsequent channel sampling and infill sampling from earlier drill holes have defined additional wider zones of mineralization on four veins. Table 1 lists six zones which average 11.9 m in thickness @ 3.77 g/t gold. Figure 1 shows the zones in map view and Figure 2 shows many of them in cross section. Figure 2 also shows the originally reported widths and grades along with the new zones expanded by the infill sampling results.

Three of the intervals occur in the same area at depth on the Romperopa 1 and Footwall vein sequences. Two intercepts on Romperopa 1 define a block of >75 meters in length and a minimum 200 vertical meters (open up and down) which averages 15 meters in width. The Footwall vein intercept is open at depth and the near surface intercept on Santa Teresa is open in both directions along strike.

All of the areas of wider mineralization in Table 1 are hosted by the diorite rock which is significantly more competent and less fractured than the sedimentary sequence. No specific mining-related studies have been completed however the available data on rock quality (core recovery and RQD – a measure of rock fracturing) indicate that the zones may be candidates for future bulk underground mining techniques. Unit mining costs for these techniques tend to be substantially lower than those for thinner veins.

Table 1. Wider mineralized zones discovered to date at Abriaqui.

Figure 1. The wider mineralized zones in plan view.

Figure 2. Cross section through holes P001 and P012 showing vertical setting of the wider mineralized zones.

About FenixOro Gold Corp.

FenixOro Gold Corp is a Canadian company focused on acquiring and exploring gold projects with world class exploration potential in the most prolific gold producing regions of Colombia. FenixOro’s flagship property, the Abriaqui project, is the closest project to Continental Gold’s Buritica project. It is located 15 km to the west in Antioquia State at the northern end of the Mid-Cauca gold belt, a geological trend which has seen multiple large gold discoveries in the past 10 years including Buritica and Anglo Gold’s Nuevo Chaquiro and La Colosa. As documented in “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Abriaqui project Antioquia State, Colombia” (December 5, 2019), the geological characteristics of Abriaqui and Buritica are similar. Since the preparation of this report a Phase 1 drilling program has been completed at Abriaqui resulting in a significant discovery of a high grade, “Buritica style” gold deposit. A Phase 2 drilling program has recently commenced.

FenixOro’s VP of Exploration, Stuart Moller, led the discovery team at Buritica for Continental Gold in 2007-2011. At the time of its latest public report, the Buritica Mine contains measured plus indicated resources of 5.32 million ounces of gold (16.02 Mt grading 10.32 g/t) plus a 6.02 million ounce inferred resource (21.87 Mt grading 8.56 g/t) for a total of 11.34 million ounces of gold resources Buritica began formal production in November 2020 and has expected annual average production of 250,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of approximately US$600 per ounce. Resources, cost and production data are taken from Continental Gold’s “NI 43-101 Buritica Mineral Resource 2019-01, Antioquia, Colombia, 18 March, 2019”). Continental Gold was recently the subject of a takeover by Zijin Mining in an all-cash transaction valued at C$1.4 billion.

Technical Information

Stuart Moller, Vice President Exploration and Director of the Company and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 (P.Geo, British Colombia), has prepared or supervised the preparation of the technical information contained in this press release. Mr. Moller has more than 40 years of experience in exploration for precious and other metals including ten in Colombia and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists.

Drill core sampling is done in accordance with industry standards. The HQ and NQ diameter core is sawed, and half core samples are submitted to the laboratory. The other half core along with laboratory coarse reject material and sample pulps are stored in secure facilities on site and/or in the sample prep lab. Following strict chain of custody protocols, the samples are driven to the ISO 17025:2017 certified ALS Laboratory sample preparation facility in Medellin and ALS ships the prepared pulps to their assay laboratory in Lima, Peru. As of November, 2021 similar procedures have been utilized by the ISO 9001:2015 certified Medellin branch of Ontario-based Actlabs. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards totaling 15% of the total samples are inserted into the sample stream. To date, no material quality control issues have been detected. Gold is analyzed by fire assay with 50 gram charges for grades in excess of 10 grams per tonne and the additional elements are analyzed by ICP with appropriate follow-up for over- limits.

Reported grade intervals are calculated using uncut gold values. Maximum sample length is one meter. Intervals which include multiple samples are calculated using the full geologic interval of mineralization at a 1 g/t gold external cutoff grade and are not subject to specific rules for cutoff grades within the zones. As such, quoted thickness and grade of these intervals do not necessarily represent optimized economic intervals in a potential future mine. Reported sample and interval widths in drill holes are based on lengths of individual samples in core and do not necessarily represent true widths of mineralization. True widths will sometimes be less than the quoted interval lengths. Intervals defined by channel samples represent true widths of mineralization in vertical veins.

There are currently no NI 43-101 compliant resources or reserves in the project area. The analysis of drill and channel results is intended to estimate the potential for future resources which will require significant additional drilling to define.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Specifically, this news release contains forward looking information regarding the potential economic significance of drill results at the Abriaqui Project, conclusions as to resource potential derived from that data set, and implied assumptions as to the potential future economic viability of the gold grades and vein thicknesses reported. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Although FenixOro has no reason to believe otherwise, there can be no assurance that the planned drill program will be completed as uncertainties exist related to future project financing and future environmental permitting. Although FenixOro has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be additional factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

FenixOro Gold Corp
John Carlesso, CEO
Email: info@FenixOro.com
Website: www.FenixOro.com
Telephone: 1-833-ORO-GOLD

FenixOro Discovers Multiple Wide Mineralized Zones up to 20 Meters in Width at Abriaqui

Research, News, and Market Data on FenixOro Gold

 

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FenixOro Gold Corp (CSE:FENX, OTCQB:FDVXF, Frankfurt:8FD) is pleased to announce the discovery of six wider zones of mineralization on four different veins in the northern block of the Abriaqui gold project. The discoveries result from infill sampling of earlier drill core and ongoing in-mine channel sampling

• These wide zones have the characteristics to “Buritica style” mineralization, high grade centers surrounded by wider zones of lower grade mineralization, found at the nearby Buritica mine owned by Zijin Mining (acquired from Continental Gold)
• Six intersections on the Santa Teresa, Romperopa 1, Footwall and Baul vein thicknesses range from 7.7 to 20.1 meters and gold grades range from 2.2 g/t gold to 8.5 g/t gold.
• The two intersections on the Romperopa 1 vein define a block of a minimum 70 meters along strike with a minimum 200 meter vertical interval which is open upward and at depth.
• All of the thicker zones are developed in the relatively competent diorite host rock indicating potentially favorable conditions for future bulk underground mining.

FenixOro VP Exploration Stuart Moller noted, “From the start of the program, one of the objectives at Abriaqui has been to identify “Buritica style” mineralization – high grade gold in the cores of the veins surrounded by thicker zones of lower grade mineralization. An ongoing program of in-mine channel and infill core sampling now shows that there are coherent blocks of this style of mineralization on several veins which are likely to increase in size with more infill drilling. These wider zones tend to reduce the overall gold grade, however in similar deposits this is typically more than offset by additional tonnage and ounces, resulting in the potential for significantly reduced mining costs in wider stopes. Given the similar geology and structural setting throughout the property, we believe that as exploration continues, it is highly likely that more of these wider zones will be discovered”

A program of channel sampling in the small mines at Abriaqui in mid-2021 provided an interval of 11.4m @ 6.08 g/t gold from a crosscut on the Santa Teresa vein system (see press release dated August 5, 2021). The interval consisted of several veins each less than one meter in width separated by variably developed zones of gold-bearing veinlets. Subsequent channel sampling and infill sampling from earlier drill holes have defined additional wider zones of mineralization on four veins. Table 1 lists six zones which average 11.9 m in thickness @ 3.77 g/t gold. Figure 1 shows the zones in map view and Figure 2 shows many of them in cross section. Figure 2 also shows the originally reported widths and grades along with the new zones expanded by the infill sampling results.

Three of the intervals occur in the same area at depth on the Romperopa 1 and Footwall vein sequences. Two intercepts on Romperopa 1 define a block of >75 meters in length and a minimum 200 vertical meters (open up and down) which averages 15 meters in width. The Footwall vein intercept is open at depth and the near surface intercept on Santa Teresa is open in both directions along strike.

All of the areas of wider mineralization in Table 1 are hosted by the diorite rock which is significantly more competent and less fractured than the sedimentary sequence. No specific mining-related studies have been completed however the available data on rock quality (core recovery and RQD – a measure of rock fracturing) indicate that the zones may be candidates for future bulk underground mining techniques. Unit mining costs for these techniques tend to be substantially lower than those for thinner veins.

Table 1. Wider mineralized zones discovered to date at Abriaqui.

Figure 1. The wider mineralized zones in plan view.

Figure 2. Cross section through holes P001 and P012 showing vertical setting of the wider mineralized zones.

About FenixOro Gold Corp.

FenixOro Gold Corp is a Canadian company focused on acquiring and exploring gold projects with world class exploration potential in the most prolific gold producing regions of Colombia. FenixOro’s flagship property, the Abriaqui project, is the closest project to Continental Gold’s Buritica project. It is located 15 km to the west in Antioquia State at the northern end of the Mid-Cauca gold belt, a geological trend which has seen multiple large gold discoveries in the past 10 years including Buritica and Anglo Gold’s Nuevo Chaquiro and La Colosa. As documented in “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Abriaqui project Antioquia State, Colombia” (December 5, 2019), the geological characteristics of Abriaqui and Buritica are similar. Since the preparation of this report a Phase 1 drilling program has been completed at Abriaqui resulting in a significant discovery of a high grade, “Buritica style” gold deposit. A Phase 2 drilling program has recently commenced.

FenixOro’s VP of Exploration, Stuart Moller, led the discovery team at Buritica for Continental Gold in 2007-2011. At the time of its latest public report, the Buritica Mine contains measured plus indicated resources of 5.32 million ounces of gold (16.02 Mt grading 10.32 g/t) plus a 6.02 million ounce inferred resource (21.87 Mt grading 8.56 g/t) for a total of 11.34 million ounces of gold resources Buritica began formal production in November 2020 and has expected annual average production of 250,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of approximately US$600 per ounce. Resources, cost and production data are taken from Continental Gold’s “NI 43-101 Buritica Mineral Resource 2019-01, Antioquia, Colombia, 18 March, 2019”). Continental Gold was recently the subject of a takeover by Zijin Mining in an all-cash transaction valued at C$1.4 billion.

Technical Information

Stuart Moller, Vice President Exploration and Director of the Company and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 (P.Geo, British Colombia), has prepared or supervised the preparation of the technical information contained in this press release. Mr. Moller has more than 40 years of experience in exploration for precious and other metals including ten in Colombia and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists.

Drill core sampling is done in accordance with industry standards. The HQ and NQ diameter core is sawed, and half core samples are submitted to the laboratory. The other half core along with laboratory coarse reject material and sample pulps are stored in secure facilities on site and/or in the sample prep lab. Following strict chain of custody protocols, the samples are driven to the ISO 17025:2017 certified ALS Laboratory sample preparation facility in Medellin and ALS ships the prepared pulps to their assay laboratory in Lima, Peru. As of November, 2021 similar procedures have been utilized by the ISO 9001:2015 certified Medellin branch of Ontario-based Actlabs. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards totaling 15% of the total samples are inserted into the sample stream. To date, no material quality control issues have been detected. Gold is analyzed by fire assay with 50 gram charges for grades in excess of 10 grams per tonne and the additional elements are analyzed by ICP with appropriate follow-up for over- limits.

Reported grade intervals are calculated using uncut gold values. Maximum sample length is one meter. Intervals which include multiple samples are calculated using the full geologic interval of mineralization at a 1 g/t gold external cutoff grade and are not subject to specific rules for cutoff grades within the zones. As such, quoted thickness and grade of these intervals do not necessarily represent optimized economic intervals in a potential future mine. Reported sample and interval widths in drill holes are based on lengths of individual samples in core and do not necessarily represent true widths of mineralization. True widths will sometimes be less than the quoted interval lengths. Intervals defined by channel samples represent true widths of mineralization in vertical veins.

There are currently no NI 43-101 compliant resources or reserves in the project area. The analysis of drill and channel results is intended to estimate the potential for future resources which will require significant additional drilling to define.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Specifically, this news release contains forward looking information regarding the potential economic significance of drill results at the Abriaqui Project, conclusions as to resource potential derived from that data set, and implied assumptions as to the potential future economic viability of the gold grades and vein thicknesses reported. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Although FenixOro has no reason to believe otherwise, there can be no assurance that the planned drill program will be completed as uncertainties exist related to future project financing and future environmental permitting. Although FenixOro has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be additional factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

FenixOro Gold Corp
John Carlesso, CEO
Email: info@FenixOro.com
Website: www.FenixOro.com
Telephone: 1-833-ORO-GOLD

Sierra Metals Reports 2021 Production Results, 2022 Guidance To Be Provided With Year-End Financial Results

Research, News, and Market Data on Sierra Metals

 

(All $ figures reported in USD)

• Consolidated mill throughput increased 3% mainly due to higher throughput at Yauricocha and Cusi. Lower throughput at Bolivar.
• Copper equivalent production decreased 24% in 2021 compared to 2020, due to lower grades and COVID-19 related operational difficulties during the year.

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) is pleased to report fourth quarter 2021 and full year 2021 production results, which include results from Sierra Metals’ three underground mines: The Yauricocha polymetallic mine in Peru, and the Bolivar copper and Cusi silver mines in Mexico.

Luis Marchese, CEO of Sierra Metals, commented: “2021 has been quite a difficult year for the company. Declining grades were coupled with unprecedented COVID-related operational difficulties at our three operations. For 2022, although Cusi and Yauricocha are approaching normalized operations and staffing, Bolivar needs to accelerate infill drilling and mine development in order to increase the availability of ore during the first six months of 2022.”

As stated during Q3 2021 financial results, there were several operational issues at the Bolivar Mine, including lack of equipment and decreased workforce availability which impacted mine development, infill drilling and head grades. Bolivar’s fourth quarter production reflects the continued challenges due to these temporary factors and consequently, consolidated production was below guidance for the year. While efforts are underway to normalize operations, we maintain our expectation that it will take at least until the end of Q2 2022 to catch up. Additionally, we recognize that Sierra Metals is currently experiencing the early effects of the latest wave of COVID-19 infections. While it is too soon to determine the impact of this latest wave, we anticipate reduced workforce levels at our operations in both Peru and Mexico during Q1 and potentially into Q2.”

He concluded, “For these reasons, Sierra Metals has decided to postpone the issuance of its 2022 production and cost guidance until March 16, 2022 at the time of publishing our year-end financial results. It is our intention to provide guidance when we are able to provide accurate and more meaningful targets. At this time, our focus remains the health and safety of our employees and communities. We will continue to overcome the obstacles presented due to the lagging effect of COVID-19 on our workforce, community, suppliers and service providers; which has had an impact both directly and indirectly on our operations. We remain confident that once these challenges are behind us, we can look forward to making progress on exploration initiatives as well as projects to advance our efficiencies and take full advantage of growth opportunities across each of our operations.”

2021 Consolidated Production Highlights

• Copper production of 31.8 million pounds; a 28% decrease from 2020
• Zinc production of 79.3 million pounds; a 3% decrease from 2020
• Lead production of 30.8 million pounds; a 7% decrease from 2020
• Silver production of 3.5 million ounces; a 2% increase from 2020
• Gold production of 9,572 ounces; a 30% decrease from 2020
• Total of 2.9 million ore tonnes processed; a 3% increase from 2020
• Consolidated copper equivalent production of 89.9 million pounds; a decrease of 24% from 2020

The Company achieved annual throughput that was 3% higher than the 2020 annual throughput.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Production Highlights

• Copper production of 6.1 million pounds; a 43% decrease from Q4 2020
• Zinc production of 14.9 million pounds; a 31% decrease from Q4 2020
• Lead production of 6.0 million pounds; a 21% decrease from Q4 2020
• Silver production of 0.8 million ounces; a 13% decrease from Q4 2020
• Gold production of 1,863 ounces; a 45% decrease from Q4 2020

Consolidated quarterly ore throughput of 590,057 tonnes decreased by 24% over Q4 2020, mainly due to the 41% decline in the Bolivar Q4 2021 throughput, as the mine continued to face the residual issues of the COVID restrictions. Quarterly throughput at the Yauricocha mine declined 11% as compared to Q4 2020. The 2021 average annual permitted capacity for Yauricocha is calculated as a weighted average of the original capacity of 3,000 tonnes per day (“tpd) and the increased capacity of 3,600 tpd (as of June 16, 2021). Operating at a rate of more than 3,700 tpd for the first nine months of the year, the mine attained this maximum annual permitted capacity before the end of the year. Mine operations were halted a few days before year end resulting in Q4 2021 Yauricocha production being lower than Q4 2020.

Copper equivalent production at Yauricocha declined 32% during Q4 2021 due to a 11% decrease in quarterly throughput combined with lower head grades and recoveries, except for gold and copper. Bolivar Q4 2021 throughput, which was significantly impacted by COVID and its impact on mine development, was 41% lower than Q4 2020. Lower throughput combined with negative variances in grades resulted in 65% lower copper equivalent production from Bolivar in Q4 2021 as compared to Q4 2020.

Q4 2021 silver equivalent production at the Cusi mine was 21% higher than Q4 2020, driven by the 3% higher throughput and higher grades for all metals during the quarter as compared to Q4 2020.

Consolidated Production Results

Yauricocha Mine, Peru

The Yauricocha mine Q4 2021 production was 11% lower than Q4 2020, as the 3,700 tpd throughput rate in the first nine months of the year allowed the mine to achieve its annual permitted capacity during December causing the mine to halt operations before the end of the year. The mine received its Informe Tecnico Minero (“ITM”) permit in June 2021, allowing for an operating capacity of 3,600 tpd. Copper equivalent metal production in Q4 2021 decreased by 32% due to lower throughput and lower head grades, due to the inability to mine in the higher-grade zones.

Yauricocha’s annual throughput was 1,256,847 tonnes, representing an increase of 12% as compared to the 2020 annual production. While the mine’s operational flexibility allowed for an increase in the throughput, accessing targeted grades remained a challenge throughout the year due to the regulatory limitations to access some of the high-grade ore bodies. Metal production declined as the higher throughput partially compensated for lower grades. Year over year copper equivalent production decreased 21% in 2021 compared to the prior year. 2021 annual production of silver, copper, lead, zinc and gold declined by 5%, 25%, 8%, 3% and 5% respectively compared to 2020 annual production.

A summary of production from the Yauricocha Mine for Q4 2021 has been provided below:

Bolivar Mine, Mexico

During the year 2021, the impacts of COVID-19 have been more noticeable at the Bolivar mine. A reduced workforce resulted in delays in infill drilling, mine development and services. The mine also faced high turnover in middle management and senior management personnel during the year, which impacted production performance.

The Bolivar mine processed 227,722 tonnes of ore in Q4 2021, a 41% decrease as compared to the Q4 2020 throughput. Grades were also negatively impacted by the lack of development and limited infill drilling information, which necessitated the launch of an upgraded new infill drilling and mine development program in Q4 2021. Copper equivalent production declined 65% as compared to Q4 2020.

Annual throughput at Bolivar was 1,349,602 tonnes, or a 9% decrease from the 2020 annual throughput, due to the afore-mentioned reasons. Copper equivalent production for the full year 2021 declined 38% as compared to full year 2020.

A summary of production for the Bolivar Mine for Q4 2021 has been provided below:

Cusi Mine, Mexico

Q4 2021 throughput at the Cusi mine was 84,804 tonnes or 3% higher than the Q4 2020 throughput. Grades for Q4 2021 were higher for all metals, as the mine continued to operate in the high-grade Northeast Southwest vein system.

Annual production at the Cusi Mine was 295,771 tonnes in 2021, which was 28% higher than 2020, as the mine operated for the full twelve months in 2021 as compared to 2020, when Cusi lost more than a quarter’s production due to the COVID-driven care and maintenance. Higher throughput and grades resulted in silver equivalent production which was 21% higher for Q4 2021 and 38% higher for the full year 2021, as compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year.

A summary of production for the Cusi Mine for Q4 2021 has been provided below:

Quality Control

All technical data contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by:

Americo Zuzunaga, FAusIMM CP (Mining Engineer) and Vice President of Corporate Planning is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is a diversified Canadian mining company with Green Metal exposure including increasing copper production and base metal production with precious metals byproduct credits, focused on the production and development of its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. Sierra Metals has recently had several new key discoveries and still has many more exciting brownfield exploration opportunities at all three Mines in Peru and Mexico that are within close proximity to the existing mines. Additionally, the Company also has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company’s Common Shares trade on the Bolsa de Valores de Lima and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “SMT” and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol “SMTS”.

For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com.

Continue to Follow, Like and Watch our progress:

Web: www.sierrametals.com | Twitter:sierrametals | Facebook:SierraMetalsInc | LinkedIn:Sierra Metals Inc

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking information“). Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the date of the 2020 Shareholders’ Meeting and the anticipated filing of the Compensation Disclosure. Any statements 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”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “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 information.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated March 30, 2020 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and other risks identified in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively.

The risk factors referred to above are not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and is inherently uncertain, and the Company’s actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company’s statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Investor relations
Sierra Metals Inc.
+1 (416) 366-7777
info@sierrametals.com

Luis Marchese
CEO
Sierra Metals Inc.
+1 (416) 366-7777

Source: Sierra Metals Inc.

Great Bear Announces the Filing of its Management Information Circular in Connection with its Special Meeting to Approve Acquisition by Kinross

Research, News, and Market Data on Great Bear Resources

 

January 20, 2022 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – Great Bear Resources Ltd. (the “Company” or “Great Bear”, TSX-V: GBR; OTCQX: GTBAF) announced today that it has mailed and filed a management information circular and related materials (the “Meeting Materials”) for its special meeting (the “Meeting”) of shareholders, optionholders, restricted share unit (“RSU”) holders, and deferred share unit (“DSU”) holders of Great Bear (collectively, “Securityholders”) to be held on February 14, 2022, in connection with the proposed acquisition of Great Bear by Kinross Gold Corporation (“Kinross”, TSX: K; NYSE: KGC) announced on December 8, 2021 (the “Transaction”).

Information about the Meeting and Receipt of Interim Court Order

Due to the ongoing public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order to ensure the health and well-being of our Securityholders, employees, communities and other stakeholders, the Meeting will be conducted virtually via live audio webcast, using the Summit meeting platform at https://meetnow.global/MCZJJLW. Registered Securityholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to vote in real time and ask questions at the Meeting by following the instructions set out in the Circular. Beneficial Securityholders who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholders may attend the Meeting as guests. Guests may listen but cannot vote at the Meeting or ask questions. Securityholders should closely review the Meeting Materials to ensure that they are able to cast their vote at and participate in the Meeting.

On January 13, 2022, Great Bear obtained an interim order (the “Interim Order”) from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Court”) authorizing the holding of the Meeting and matters relating to the conduct of the Meeting. At the Meeting, Securityholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, pass a special resolution (the “Arrangement Resolution”) to approve an arrangement (the “Arrangement”), in accordance with the terms of an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) entered into by the Company and Kinross on December 8, 2021, pursuant to which Kinross agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding Great Bear common shares (“Great Bear Shares”) that it does not already own by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Plan of Arrangement”) under section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

The Meeting Materials contain important information regarding the Transaction, how Securityholders can participate and vote at the Meeting, the background that led to the Transaction and the reasons for the unanimous determinations of the special committee of independent directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”) as well as the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) that the Transaction is in the best interests of the Company and is fair to Shareholders. Securityholders should carefully review all of the Meeting Materials as they contain important information concerning the Transaction and the rights and entitlements of Securityholders thereunder. The Meeting Materials have been filed by the Company on SEDAR and are available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the Transaction, Great Bear shareholders will receive upfront consideration of approximately C$1.8 billion, representing C$29.00 per Great Bear Share on a fully diluted basis (“Consideration”). Great Bear shareholders will be able to elect to receive the upfront consideration as either (i) C$29.00 in cash or (ii) 3.8564 Kinross shares per Great Bear share, both subject to proration. The upfront consideration will be subject to maximum aggregate cash consideration of approximately C$1.4 billion and a maximum of approximately 80.8 million Kinross shares issuable. Great Bear shareholders who do not elect cash or Kinross shares will be deemed to have elected to receive cash, subject to pro-ration.

In order to make a valid election, registered Securityholders must duly complete, execute and return the letter of transmittal and election form enclosed with the Meeting Materials in accordance with the instructions contained therein by 4:30 p.m. (Vancouver time) on February 9, 2022, or, if the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, no later than 72 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in British Columbia) before the adjourned Meeting is reconvened or the postponed Meeting is convened. Beneficial Great Bear shareholders should follow the instructions provided by your intermediary to make your election.

Great Bear shareholders will also receive contingent consideration in the form of contingent value rights (“CVRs”) providing for further potential consideration equal to 0.1330 of a Kinross share per Great Bear Share. The contingent consideration will be payable in connection with Kinross’ public announcement of commercial production at the Dixie project, provided that at least 8.5 million gold ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources have been disclosed.

The Consideration represents a premium of 31% and 40% to the closing price and the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”), respectively, of Great Bear’s shares on the TSX-V for the 20-day period ending December 7, 2021.

The Arrangement Agreement provides for customary deal-protection provisions, including a non-solicitation covenant on the part of Great Bear and a right for Kinross to match any Superior Proposal (as defined in the Arrangement Agreement). The Arrangement Agreement includes a termination fee of C$85 million, payable by Great Bear to Kinross, under certain circumstances (including if the Arrangement Agreement is terminated in connection with Great Bear pursuing a Superior Proposal). Directors, officers, and certain shareholders of Great Bear, owning in aggregate approximately 20% of Great Bear’s voting securities have agreed to vote all the securities they own or control in favour of the Transaction.

Reasons for the Arrangement

In evaluating and unanimously approving the Arrangement, the Special Committee and the Board gave careful consideration to the current position and condition and the expected and potential future position and condition of the business of the Company, and all terms of the Arrangement Agreement, including the conditions precedent, representations and warranties and deal protection provisions. The Special Committee and the Board considered a number of factors including, among others, the following:

• Significant Premium to Great Bear Shareholders – The Consideration represents a premium of 31% and 40% to the closing price and the 20-day VWAP, respectively, of Great Bear’s shares on the TSXV as at December 7, 2021. The total equity value of the Consideration pursuant to the Arrangement are approximately $1.8 billion on a fully diluted basis and $58.2 million on a partially diluted basis, respectively (based on the closing price of Kinross Shares on the TSX on December 8, 2021).
• Optionality for Great Bear Shareholders – The Great Bear shareholders have the option to receive either (a) $29.00 in cash for each Great Bear share held or (b) 3.8564 Kinross shares for each Great Bear share held, subject to pro-ration.
• Ability to Participate in Future Potential Growth of Combined Entity – By having the ability to elect to receive Kinross Shares under the Arrangement, and the issuance of CVRs under the Arrangement, Great Bear shareholders will have an opportunity to retain exposure to the Dixie Project, while gaining exposure to Kinross’s diversified portfolio of high-quality operating mines, sector-leading production growth and free cash flow generation in a robust gold price environment. Kinross has the technical, development, operating and financial capabilities to advance the Dixie Project, as a top growth priority, from exploration to development, building on and further enhancing its top tier potential.
• Benefits to Local Stakeholders – Kinross’ history of strong Indigenous community relationships and industry recognition as a leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship, along with its Canadian identity and headquarters in Ontario will facilitate close ties between the Combined Company and the Dixie Project’s local communities, including the Wabauskang and Lac Seul First Nations, which will help to maximize lasting sustainable socio-economic benefits to their local communities and the local area.
• Business and Industry Risks – The business, operations, assets, financial condition, operating results and prospects of Great Bear are subject to significant uncertainty, including (but not limited to) risks associated with Great Bear’s dependency on the Dixie Project, its only material property, for its future operating revenue, permitting and regulatory approvals, exploration and development risks and commodity price and inflation risks. The Board concluded that the Consideration under the Arrangement is more favourable to Great Bear Shareholders than continuing with Great Bear’s current business plan, including the inherent risks associated with ownership of a single-asset mining company, after taking into account the potential for such business plan to generate value for Great Bear shareholders through the continued exploration and potential development of Great Bear’s Dixie Project and Great Bear’s other exploration assets.

Board Recommendation

The Board unanimously recommends that the Securityholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution.

Pursuant to the Interim Order, the record date for the Meeting is January 5, 2022 (the “Record Date”) for determining Securityholders who are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Only registered Securityholders as of January 5, 2022, are entitled to receive the notice of the Meeting (“Notice of Meeting”) and to attend and vote at the Meeting.

In order to become effective, the Arrangement must be approved by at least (i) 66?% of the votes cast by Great Bear shareholders present or represented by proxy at the Meeting; (ii) 66?% of the votes cast by Securityholders, voting together as a single class, present or represented by proxy at the Meeting; and (iii) a majority of the votes cast by Great Bear shareholders other than votes attached to Great Bear shares required to be excluded under Multilateral Instrument 61-101.

Subject to obtaining approval of the Transaction at the Meeting, and the satisfaction of the other customary conditions to completion of the Transaction contained in the Arrangement Agreement, including final approval of the Court and certain regulatory approvals, all as more particular described in the Meeting Materials, the Transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.

On January 5, 2022, the Commissioner of Competition issued an Advance Ruling Certificate in respect of the Transaction, thereby satisfying the requirement to obtained Competition Act approval. The Toronto Stock Exchange has conditionally approved the listing of the additional Kinross common shares issuable in connection with the Transaction, subject to the delivery of customary closing documentation and the TSX Venture Exchange has confirmed acceptance of the notice of the Transaction by Great Bear.

Securityholder Questions

Securityholders who have questions or need assistance with voting their Great Bear shares, Great Bear options, Great Bear RSUs or Great Bear DSUs should contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by telephone at:

Laurel Hill Advisory Group

North American Toll-Free Number: 1-877-452-7184

Outside of North America Collect Calls Number: 416-304-0211 

Email: assistance@laurelhill.com

 

Advisors and Counsel

GenCap Mining Advisory Ltd. and CIBC World Markets Inc. are acting as co-advisors to Great Bear, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is acting as Great Bear’s legal counsel. BMO Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor to the Special Committee.  Cormark Securities Inc. provided capital markets advice to Great Bear.

About Great Bear

Great Bear Resources Ltd. is a Vancouver-based gold exploration company focused on advancing its 100% owned Dixie project in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.  A significant exploration drill program is currently underway to define the mineralization within a large-scale, high-grade disseminated gold discovery made in 2019, the LP Fault.  Additional exploration drilling is also in progress to expand and infill nearby high-grade gold zones, as well as to test new regional targets. 

Great Bear is a committed partner to all stakeholders, with a long-term vision of sustainable exploration to advance the Dixie project in a manner that demonstrates good stewardship of land, operational excellence and accountability.

Investor Contact

Chris Taylor

President & Chief Executive Officer

Tel. (604) 646-8354 

Email. info@greatbearresources.ca

 

Calum Morrison

Vice President Business Development & Chief Financial Officer

Tel. (604) 646-8354 Email.

info@greatbearresources.ca

Website: www.greatbearresources.ca

 

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect our expectations or beliefs regarding future events and the impacts of the ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements with respect to the consummation and timing of the Transaction; approval by Great Bear’s shareholders; the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Transaction; the strengths, characteristics and potential of the Transaction; growth potential and expectations regarding the ability to advance the project, timing, receipt and anticipated effects of court, regulatory and other consents and approvals; the impact of the Transaction on local stakeholders and other anticipated benefits of the Transaction.  By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our 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, amongst others, risks related to failure to receive approval by Great Bear shareholders, the required court, regulatory and other consents and approvals to effect the Transaction, the potential of a third party making a superior proposal to the Transaction, the possibility that the Arrangement Agreement could be terminated under certain circumstances.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties’ reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Such factors, among other things, include: impacts arising from the global disruption caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold or certain other commodities; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); discrepancies between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties.

Great Bear undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Great Bear Announces the Filing of its Management Information Circular in Connection with its Special Meeting to Approve Acquisition by Kinross

Research, News, and Market Data on Great Bear Resources

 

January 20, 2022 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – Great Bear Resources Ltd. (the “Company” or “Great Bear”, TSX-V: GBR; OTCQX: GTBAF) announced today that it has mailed and filed a management information circular and related materials (the “Meeting Materials”) for its special meeting (the “Meeting”) of shareholders, optionholders, restricted share unit (“RSU”) holders, and deferred share unit (“DSU”) holders of Great Bear (collectively, “Securityholders”) to be held on February 14, 2022, in connection with the proposed acquisition of Great Bear by Kinross Gold Corporation (“Kinross”, TSX: K; NYSE: KGC) announced on December 8, 2021 (the “Transaction”).

Information about the Meeting and Receipt of Interim Court Order

Due to the ongoing public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order to ensure the health and well-being of our Securityholders, employees, communities and other stakeholders, the Meeting will be conducted virtually via live audio webcast, using the Summit meeting platform at https://meetnow.global/MCZJJLW. Registered Securityholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to vote in real time and ask questions at the Meeting by following the instructions set out in the Circular. Beneficial Securityholders who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholders may attend the Meeting as guests. Guests may listen but cannot vote at the Meeting or ask questions. Securityholders should closely review the Meeting Materials to ensure that they are able to cast their vote at and participate in the Meeting.

On January 13, 2022, Great Bear obtained an interim order (the “Interim Order”) from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Court”) authorizing the holding of the Meeting and matters relating to the conduct of the Meeting. At the Meeting, Securityholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, pass a special resolution (the “Arrangement Resolution”) to approve an arrangement (the “Arrangement”), in accordance with the terms of an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) entered into by the Company and Kinross on December 8, 2021, pursuant to which Kinross agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding Great Bear common shares (“Great Bear Shares”) that it does not already own by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Plan of Arrangement”) under section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

The Meeting Materials contain important information regarding the Transaction, how Securityholders can participate and vote at the Meeting, the background that led to the Transaction and the reasons for the unanimous determinations of the special committee of independent directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”) as well as the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) that the Transaction is in the best interests of the Company and is fair to Shareholders. Securityholders should carefully review all of the Meeting Materials as they contain important information concerning the Transaction and the rights and entitlements of Securityholders thereunder. The Meeting Materials have been filed by the Company on SEDAR and are available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the Transaction, Great Bear shareholders will receive upfront consideration of approximately C$1.8 billion, representing C$29.00 per Great Bear Share on a fully diluted basis (“Consideration”). Great Bear shareholders will be able to elect to receive the upfront consideration as either (i) C$29.00 in cash or (ii) 3.8564 Kinross shares per Great Bear share, both subject to proration. The upfront consideration will be subject to maximum aggregate cash consideration of approximately C$1.4 billion and a maximum of approximately 80.8 million Kinross shares issuable. Great Bear shareholders who do not elect cash or Kinross shares will be deemed to have elected to receive cash, subject to pro-ration.

In order to make a valid election, registered Securityholders must duly complete, execute and return the letter of transmittal and election form enclosed with the Meeting Materials in accordance with the instructions contained therein by 4:30 p.m. (Vancouver time) on February 9, 2022, or, if the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, no later than 72 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in British Columbia) before the adjourned Meeting is reconvened or the postponed Meeting is convened. Beneficial Great Bear shareholders should follow the instructions provided by your intermediary to make your election.

Great Bear shareholders will also receive contingent consideration in the form of contingent value rights (“CVRs”) providing for further potential consideration equal to 0.1330 of a Kinross share per Great Bear Share. The contingent consideration will be payable in connection with Kinross’ public announcement of commercial production at the Dixie project, provided that at least 8.5 million gold ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources have been disclosed.

The Consideration represents a premium of 31% and 40% to the closing price and the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”), respectively, of Great Bear’s shares on the TSX-V for the 20-day period ending December 7, 2021.

The Arrangement Agreement provides for customary deal-protection provisions, including a non-solicitation covenant on the part of Great Bear and a right for Kinross to match any Superior Proposal (as defined in the Arrangement Agreement). The Arrangement Agreement includes a termination fee of C$85 million, payable by Great Bear to Kinross, under certain circumstances (including if the Arrangement Agreement is terminated in connection with Great Bear pursuing a Superior Proposal). Directors, officers, and certain shareholders of Great Bear, owning in aggregate approximately 20% of Great Bear’s voting securities have agreed to vote all the securities they own or control in favour of the Transaction.

Reasons for the Arrangement

In evaluating and unanimously approving the Arrangement, the Special Committee and the Board gave careful consideration to the current position and condition and the expected and potential future position and condition of the business of the Company, and all terms of the Arrangement Agreement, including the conditions precedent, representations and warranties and deal protection provisions. The Special Committee and the Board considered a number of factors including, among others, the following:

• Significant Premium to Great Bear Shareholders – The Consideration represents a premium of 31% and 40% to the closing price and the 20-day VWAP, respectively, of Great Bear’s shares on the TSXV as at December 7, 2021. The total equity value of the Consideration pursuant to the Arrangement are approximately $1.8 billion on a fully diluted basis and $58.2 million on a partially diluted basis, respectively (based on the closing price of Kinross Shares on the TSX on December 8, 2021).
• Optionality for Great Bear Shareholders – The Great Bear shareholders have the option to receive either (a) $29.00 in cash for each Great Bear share held or (b) 3.8564 Kinross shares for each Great Bear share held, subject to pro-ration.
• Ability to Participate in Future Potential Growth of Combined Entity – By having the ability to elect to receive Kinross Shares under the Arrangement, and the issuance of CVRs under the Arrangement, Great Bear shareholders will have an opportunity to retain exposure to the Dixie Project, while gaining exposure to Kinross’s diversified portfolio of high-quality operating mines, sector-leading production growth and free cash flow generation in a robust gold price environment. Kinross has the technical, development, operating and financial capabilities to advance the Dixie Project, as a top growth priority, from exploration to development, building on and further enhancing its top tier potential.
• Benefits to Local Stakeholders – Kinross’ history of strong Indigenous community relationships and industry recognition as a leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship, along with its Canadian identity and headquarters in Ontario will facilitate close ties between the Combined Company and the Dixie Project’s local communities, including the Wabauskang and Lac Seul First Nations, which will help to maximize lasting sustainable socio-economic benefits to their local communities and the local area.
• Business and Industry Risks – The business, operations, assets, financial condition, operating results and prospects of Great Bear are subject to significant uncertainty, including (but not limited to) risks associated with Great Bear’s dependency on the Dixie Project, its only material property, for its future operating revenue, permitting and regulatory approvals, exploration and development risks and commodity price and inflation risks. The Board concluded that the Consideration under the Arrangement is more favourable to Great Bear Shareholders than continuing with Great Bear’s current business plan, including the inherent risks associated with ownership of a single-asset mining company, after taking into account the potential for such business plan to generate value for Great Bear shareholders through the continued exploration and potential development of Great Bear’s Dixie Project and Great Bear’s other exploration assets.

Board Recommendation

The Board unanimously recommends that the Securityholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution.

Pursuant to the Interim Order, the record date for the Meeting is January 5, 2022 (the “Record Date”) for determining Securityholders who are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Only registered Securityholders as of January 5, 2022, are entitled to receive the notice of the Meeting (“Notice of Meeting”) and to attend and vote at the Meeting.

In order to become effective, the Arrangement must be approved by at least (i) 66?% of the votes cast by Great Bear shareholders present or represented by proxy at the Meeting; (ii) 66?% of the votes cast by Securityholders, voting together as a single class, present or represented by proxy at the Meeting; and (iii) a majority of the votes cast by Great Bear shareholders other than votes attached to Great Bear shares required to be excluded under Multilateral Instrument 61-101.

Subject to obtaining approval of the Transaction at the Meeting, and the satisfaction of the other customary conditions to completion of the Transaction contained in the Arrangement Agreement, including final approval of the Court and certain regulatory approvals, all as more particular described in the Meeting Materials, the Transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.

On January 5, 2022, the Commissioner of Competition issued an Advance Ruling Certificate in respect of the Transaction, thereby satisfying the requirement to obtained Competition Act approval. The Toronto Stock Exchange has conditionally approved the listing of the additional Kinross common shares issuable in connection with the Transaction, subject to the delivery of customary closing documentation and the TSX Venture Exchange has confirmed acceptance of the notice of the Transaction by Great Bear.

Securityholder Questions

Securityholders who have questions or need assistance with voting their Great Bear shares, Great Bear options, Great Bear RSUs or Great Bear DSUs should contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by telephone at:

Laurel Hill Advisory Group

North American Toll-Free Number: 1-877-452-7184

Outside of North America Collect Calls Number: 416-304-0211 

Email: assistance@laurelhill.com

 

Advisors and Counsel

GenCap Mining Advisory Ltd. and CIBC World Markets Inc. are acting as co-advisors to Great Bear, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is acting as Great Bear’s legal counsel. BMO Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor to the Special Committee.  Cormark Securities Inc. provided capital markets advice to Great Bear.

About Great Bear

Great Bear Resources Ltd. is a Vancouver-based gold exploration company focused on advancing its 100% owned Dixie project in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.  A significant exploration drill program is currently underway to define the mineralization within a large-scale, high-grade disseminated gold discovery made in 2019, the LP Fault.  Additional exploration drilling is also in progress to expand and infill nearby high-grade gold zones, as well as to test new regional targets. 

Great Bear is a committed partner to all stakeholders, with a long-term vision of sustainable exploration to advance the Dixie project in a manner that demonstrates good stewardship of land, operational excellence and accountability.

Investor Contact

Chris Taylor

President & Chief Executive Officer

Tel. (604) 646-8354 

Email. info@greatbearresources.ca

 

Calum Morrison

Vice President Business Development & Chief Financial Officer

Tel. (604) 646-8354 Email.

info@greatbearresources.ca

Website: www.greatbearresources.ca

 

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect our expectations or beliefs regarding future events and the impacts of the ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements with respect to the consummation and timing of the Transaction; approval by Great Bear’s shareholders; the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Transaction; the strengths, characteristics and potential of the Transaction; growth potential and expectations regarding the ability to advance the project, timing, receipt and anticipated effects of court, regulatory and other consents and approvals; the impact of the Transaction on local stakeholders and other anticipated benefits of the Transaction.  By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our 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, amongst others, risks related to failure to receive approval by Great Bear shareholders, the required court, regulatory and other consents and approvals to effect the Transaction, the potential of a third party making a superior proposal to the Transaction, the possibility that the Arrangement Agreement could be terminated under certain circumstances.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties’ reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Such factors, among other things, include: impacts arising from the global disruption caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold or certain other commodities; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); discrepancies between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties.

Great Bear undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Friday, January 21, 2022

Endeavour Silver (EXK)(EDR:CA)
Standing on the Bridge to a More Exciting Outlook

As of April 24, 2020, Noble Capital Markets research on Endeavour Silver is published under ticker symbols (EXK and EDR:CA). The price target is in USD and based on ticker symbol EXK. Research reports dated prior to April 24, 2020 may not follow these guidelines and could account for a variance in the price target.

Endeavour Silver Corp is a precious metal mining company. The company is primarily engaged in silver mining and owns three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Its other business activities include acquisition, exploration, development, extraction, processing, refining and reclamation. The company is organized into four operating mining segments, Guanacevi, Bolanitos, El Cubo, and El Compas, which are located in Mexico as well as Exploration and Corporate segments. Its Exploration segment consists of projects in the exploration and evaluation phases in Mexico and Chile.

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst of Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Full year production results and 2022 guidance. Compared to 2020, silver, and gold production in 2021 increased 38.6% and 13.8% to 4,870,787 ounces and 42,262 ounces, respectively. Strong full year operational performance was due, in part, to higher throughput and grades at the Guanacevi mine. At year-end, Endeavour held 1,028,340 ounces of silver and 1,044 ounces of gold bullion and 54,270 ounces of silver and 2,630 ounces of gold in concentrate inventory. In 2022, silver production is expected to range from 4.2 million to 4.8 million ounces, while gold production is expected to range from 31,000 to 35,000 ounces.


Updating production and earnings estimates.  We are updating our 2021 and 2022 EPS estimates to $(0.01) and $0.14 from $0.02 and $0.15, respectively. Our 2021 EBITDA estimates are $37.9 million and $65.9 million compared to our prior estimates of $44.8 million and $67.2 million, respectively. Our 2022 estimates reflect lower production, partially offset by sales from inventory, and a higher share …

This research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Endeavour Silver Provides 2022 Guidance, Including Production of 4.2-4.8 Million oz Silver and 31,000-35,000 oz Gold for 6.7-7.6 Million oz Silver Equivalent

Research, News, and Market Data on Endeavour Silver

 

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Endeavour Silver Corp. (“Endeavour” or the “Company”) (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) is pleased to announce its consolidated production and cost guidance as well as its capital and exploration budgets for 2022. All dollar amounts are in US dollars (US$).

2022 Production and Cost Guidance Highlights

In 2022, silver production is expected to range from 4.2 to 4.8 million ounces (oz) and gold production is anticipated to be between 31,000 oz and 35,000 oz. Silver equivalent production is forecasted to total between 6.7 million and 7.6 million oz at an 80:1 silver:gold ratio.

Consolidated cash costs 2 and all-in sustaining costs 2 (“AISC”) in 2022 are estimated to be $9.00-$10.00 per oz silver and $20.00-21.00 per oz silver, respectively, net of gold by-product credits. The Company’s 2022 cost outlook is higher than the prior year as inflation, royalties and mining duties are expected to increase in 2022.

“Our operations outperformed last year with Guanacevi’s production bolstered by higher than anticipated mined ore grades,” stated Dan Dickson, Endeavour’s CEO. “In 2022, our production outlook is on par with the average of the last three years as we anticipate the grade at Guanacevi to be more in line with our estimated reserves and we remove the small annual contribution from our El Compas mine, which closed last August.”

Mr. Dickson added, “This year, the team is focused on managing costs in order to offset the inflationary pressures we are seeing across the industry. Equally important will be expanding resources and advancing our exceptional growth pipeline. Terronera will move from the funding and approval phase through to construction. As well, we will initiate a preliminary economic assessment at Parral and define a current resource at Pitarrilla following the closing of this acquisition in the first half of the year.”

2022 Guidance Summary

Operating Mines

At Guanaceví, 2022 production will range from 1,100 tonnes per day (tpd) to 1,200 tpd and average 1,165 tpd from the Milache, SCS and P4E orebodies. A significant portion of production will be mined from the Porvenir Cuatro extension on the El Curso concessions. The El Curso concessions were leased from a third party with no upfront costs but with significant royalty payments on production. Compared to 2021, ore grades are expected to decrease slightly with similar recoveries. Cash costs per ounce and direct operating costs per tonne are expected to increase in 2022, primarily due to the impact of inflation on power costs, re-agent costs and salaries as well as higher estimated royalty and mining duty payments.

In 2022, production at Bolañitos is expected to range from 1,000 tpd to 1,200 tpd and average 1,080 tpd from the Plateros-La Luz, Lucero-Karina and Bolanitos-San Miguel vein systems. Ore grades and recoveries are expected to be similar to 2021. Cash costs per oz and direct costs per tonne are expected to increase primarily due to inflationary impact on power costs and salaries.

Operating Costs

In 2022, cash costs, net of gold by-product credits, are expected to be $9.00-$10.00 per oz of silver produced. Consolidated cash costs on a co-product basis 2 are anticipated to be $13.00-$14.00 per oz silver and $1,100-$1,200 per oz gold.

All-in sustaining costs, net of gold by-product credits, in accordance with the World Gold Council standard, are estimated to be $20.00-$21.00 per oz of silver produced. When non-cash items such as stock-based compensation and accretion are excluded, AISC are forecast to be in the $19.00-$20.00 range.

Direct costs 2 per tonne are estimated to be $95-$100 with inflationary pressures expected to continue in 2022. Direct operating costs 2 , which includes royalties and special mining duties are estimated to be in the range of $120-$125 per tonne.

Management made the following assumptions in calculating its 2022 cost forecasts: $22 per oz silver price, $1,760 per oz gold price, and 20:1 Mexican peso per US dollar exchange rate.

2022 Capital Budget

Sustaining Capital Investments

In 2022, Endeavour plans to invest $34.3 million in sustaining capital, including $32.6 million at its two operating mines and $1.7 million to maintain exploration concessions and cover corporate infrastructure. At current metal prices, the sustaining capital investments are expected to be paid out of operating cash flow.

At Guanacevi, $20.4 million will be invested in capital projects, the largest of which is the development of 5.7 kilometres of mine access at the Milache, SCS and the P4E orebodies for an estimated $10.3 million. The additional $10.1 million will go to upgrade the mining fleet, support site infrastructure and expand the tailings dam.

At Bolañitos, $12.2 million will be invested in capital projects, including $8.4 million for 5.5 kilometres of mine development to access resources in the Plateros-La Luz, Lucero-Karina, Bolanitos-San Miguel and Belen vein systems. The additional $3.8 million will go to upgrade the mining fleet, support site infrastructure, raise the tailings dam and commence a new portal to access the Belen ore body.

At Terronera, $9.5 million is budgeted for the first quarter of 2022 to continue with final detailed engineering, early earth works, critical contracts and procurement of long lead items. The Company intends to make a formal construction decision, subject to completion of a financing package and receipt of amended permits, in the coming months, at which time the budget for the remainder of 2022 for the project will be determined.

The capital budget presented above does not include the $70 million acquisition cost associated with the Company’s recently announced acquisition of the Pitarrilla Project ( see January 13, 2022 news release ) in Durango State, Mexico from SSR Mining Inc. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2022.

2022 Exploration Budget

In 2022, the Company plans to spend $13.0 million drilling 50,000 metres across its properties.

At the Guanacevi and Bolanitos mines, 21,000 metres of drilling are planned at a cost of $3.3 million to replace reserves and expand resources.

At the Terronera development project, 11,000 metres are planned to test multiple regional targets identified in 2021 to expand resources within the district.

At the Parral project in Chihuahua state, 7,000 metres are planned at a cost of $1.7 million to delineate existing resources, expand resources and test new targets. In the second half of the year, the Company expects to initiate a preliminary economic assessment.

In Chile, management intends to invest $1.5 million to test the Aida exploration project located in the northern Chile Region II along the Argentina border accessible by paved highway and dirt road. The Company plans to drill 3,000 metres to test a manto target with significant silver-manganese-lead-zinc anomaly at surface in the second half of 2022. Additionally, the Company plans to advance mapping, sampling and surface exploration on its other exploration projects in Chile, estimated to cost $0.9 million including administration costs in the country.

At the Bruner project management plans to invest $1.9 million to evaluate and verify historical data to define a current resource, map and sample new targets and drill 3,000 metres verifying historical data and testing new targets.

Similarly, subject to closing the Pitarrilla acquisition, management plans to invest $1.8 million for drilling to verify the historical data and define a current resource in 2022. Management plans to release a more detailed exploration and evaluation plan for the Pitarrilla project following closing of the transaction.

About Endeavour Silver – Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that operates two high-grade underground silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision, pending financing and final permits and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer.  Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.

SOURCE Endeavour Silver Corp.

Contact Information
Trish Moran
Interim Head of Investor Relations
Tel: (416) 564-4290
Email: pmoran@edrsilver.com
Website: www.edrsilver.com

Follow Endeavour Silver on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn

Endnotes

1 Silver equivalent is calculated using an 80:1 silver:gold ratio.

2 Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company has included certain performance measures that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The Company believes that these measures, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.

Cash costs and cash costs per ounce

Cash costs per ounce is a non-IFRS measure. In the silver mining industry, this metric is a common performance measure that does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. Cash costs include direct costs (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), royalties and special mining duty and changes in finished goods inventory net of gold credits. Cash costs per ounce is based on ounces of silver produced and is calculated by dividing cash costs by the number of ounces of silver produced.

Cash costs on a co-product and cash costs on a co-product per ounce

Silver co-product cash costs and gold co-product cash costs include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead costs allocated on pro-rated basis of realized metal value. Cash costs on a co-product per ounce is based on the number of either silver or gold ounces produced.

Direct operating costs and direct costs

Direct operating costs per tonne include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs) and direct overhead at the operation sites. Direct costs per tonne include all direct operating costs, royalties and special mining duty.

All-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) and AISC per ounce

This measure is intended to assist readers in evaluating the total cost of producing silver from operations. While there is no standardized meaning across the industry for AISC measures, the Company’s definition conforms to the definition of AISC as set out by the World Gold Council and used as a standard of the Silver Institute. The Company defines AISC as the cash costs (as defined above), plus reclamation cost accretion, mine site expensed exploration, corporate general and administration costs and sustaining capital expenditures. AISC per ounce is based on ounces of silver produced and is calculated by dividing AISC by the number of ounces of silver produced.

Sustaining capital

Sustaining capital is defined as the capital required to maintain operations at existing levels. This measurement is used by management to assess the effectiveness of an investment program.

For further information on reconciliations of Non-GAAP measures, refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company’s Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2021, beginning on page 19.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “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 securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding Endeavour’s anticipated performance in 2022 including changes in mining operations and forecasts of production levels, anticipated production costs and all-in sustaining costs, the timing and results of various activities and the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the ultimate impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations and results, changes in production and costs guidance, national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices, operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company’s title to properties; as well as those factors described in the section “risk factors” contained in the Company’s most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Company’s mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with management’s expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Palladium One Reports Infill Drill Results Between the Kaukua Open Pit Resource and Kaukua South, Finland

Research, News, and Market Data on Palladium One Mining

 

January 20, 2021 – Toronto, Ontario. Infill drilling in the Gap Zone has resulted in a better understanding and a new geological model for the area. Gap Zone drill results include 2.2 g/t Pd_Eq over 4.4 meters, within 1.3 g/t Pd_Eq over 21.6 meters, in hole LK21-209 starting at 138 meters down hole (Figure 1), said Palladium One Mining Inc. (“Palladium One” or the “Company”).

Derrick Weyrauch, President and CEO commented: “We have made significant progress infilling the area between the Kaukua Open Pit Resource and Kaukua South. Though Gap Zone mineralization is thinner, it could play a significant role in joining Kaukua and Kaukua South into one larger and more efficient Open Pit mine.”

The Greater Kaukau area is now subdivide into three blocks separated by northeast trending faults (Figure 1, 2 and 3), Kaukua Open Pit, Gap Zone, and Kaukua South. These blocks though closely related geologically, differ in their orientation, and thickness of mineralization. Kaukua Open Pit and Kaukua South both dip to the south and posses core zones with thickness in excess of 100 meters, whereas the Gap Zone, which dips west, demonstrates mineralization thicknesses in the 10-20 meter range. All three fault blocks contain Upper Zone mineralization while the width separating the Upper and Lower Zones varies in each fault block.

Figure 1. Historic and current drilling in the Kaukua area having a drill data cut-off date of September 30, 2021 (hole LK21-137), assays have been received for holes up to LK21-120, the remainder are pending. Background is Induced Polarization (“IP”) Chargeability.

Figure 2. Cross sections showing holes LK21- 112, 113, 114, 117 and LK20-042 in Kaukua South and Gap Zone.

Figure 3. Inclined Isometric view looking north of the 3D geological model of the Greater Kaukua Area showing the >0.3g/t Pd_Eq wireframe shell (purple) as well as major later dykes and faults separating the Kaukua, Gap, and Kaukua South Zones.All drill holes, historic and those drilled by the Company are shown in black.

Table 1. LK Project, select Kaukua Drill Hole Results

* Pd_Eq calculated using in-situ values and prices from the 2021 NI43-101 Haukiaho Mineral Resource Estimate; $1,600/oz Pd, $1,100/oz Pt, $1,650/oz Au, $3.50 Cu, and $7.50/lb Ni, and $20/lb Co. Limited historical metallurgical work on the Kaukua Deposit indicates final recoveries in the range of 73% Pd, 56% Pt, 78% Au, 91% Cu, 48% Ni and 48% Co and are used in the Estimated Recovered Pd_Eq grade calculation.

Palladium Equivalent

The Company is calculating Palladium equivalent using US$1,600 per ounce for palladium, US$1,100 per ounce for platinum, US$1,650 per ounce for gold, US$3.50 per pound for copper, US$7.50 per pound for nickel, and $20 per pound cobalt consistent with the calculation used in the Company’s September 2021 NI 43-101 Haukiaho Resource Estimate.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and verified by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101

About Palladium One

Palladium One Mining Inc. (TSXV: PDM) is focused on discovering environmentally and socially conscious Metals for Green Transportation. A Canadian mineral exploration and development company, Palladium One is targeting district scale, platinum-group-element (PGE)-copper-nickel deposits in leading mining jurisdictions. Its flagship project is the Läntinen Koillismaa (LK) Project in north-central Finland, which is ranked by the Fraser Institute as one of the world’s top countries for mineral exploration and development. LK is a PGE-copper-nickel project that has existing Mineral Resources. PDM’s second project is the 2020 Discovery of the Year Award winning Tyko Project, a high-grade sulphide, copper-nickel project located in Canada. Follow Palladium One on LinkedIn, Twitter, and at www.palladiumoneinc.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Derrick Weyrauch”
President & CEO, Director

For further information contact:
Derrick Weyrauch, President & CEO
Email: info@palladiumoneinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of Palladium One Mining Inc. have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.

Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company’s expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, and “intend”, statements that an action or event “may”, “might”, “could”, “should”, or “will” be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in palladium and other commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and tax consequences to Canadian and U.S. Shareholders. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

Palladium One Reports Infill Drill Results Between the Kaukua Open Pit Resource and Kaukua South, Finland

Research, News, and Market Data on Palladium One Mining

 

January 20, 2021 – Toronto, Ontario. Infill drilling in the Gap Zone has resulted in a better understanding and a new geological model for the area. Gap Zone drill results include 2.2 g/t Pd_Eq over 4.4 meters, within 1.3 g/t Pd_Eq over 21.6 meters, in hole LK21-209 starting at 138 meters down hole (Figure 1), said Palladium One Mining Inc. (“Palladium One” or the “Company”).

Derrick Weyrauch, President and CEO commented: “We have made significant progress infilling the area between the Kaukua Open Pit Resource and Kaukua South. Though Gap Zone mineralization is thinner, it could play a significant role in joining Kaukua and Kaukua South into one larger and more efficient Open Pit mine.”

The Greater Kaukau area is now subdivide into three blocks separated by northeast trending faults (Figure 1, 2 and 3), Kaukua Open Pit, Gap Zone, and Kaukua South. These blocks though closely related geologically, differ in their orientation, and thickness of mineralization. Kaukua Open Pit and Kaukua South both dip to the south and posses core zones with thickness in excess of 100 meters, whereas the Gap Zone, which dips west, demonstrates mineralization thicknesses in the 10-20 meter range. All three fault blocks contain Upper Zone mineralization while the width separating the Upper and Lower Zones varies in each fault block.

Figure 1. Historic and current drilling in the Kaukua area having a drill data cut-off date of September 30, 2021 (hole LK21-137), assays have been received for holes up to LK21-120, the remainder are pending. Background is Induced Polarization (“IP”) Chargeability.

Figure 2. Cross sections showing holes LK21- 112, 113, 114, 117 and LK20-042 in Kaukua South and Gap Zone.

Figure 3. Inclined Isometric view looking north of the 3D geological model of the Greater Kaukua Area showing the >0.3g/t Pd_Eq wireframe shell (purple) as well as major later dykes and faults separating the Kaukua, Gap, and Kaukua South Zones.All drill holes, historic and those drilled by the Company are shown in black.

Table 1. LK Project, select Kaukua Drill Hole Results

* Pd_Eq calculated using in-situ values and prices from the 2021 NI43-101 Haukiaho Mineral Resource Estimate; $1,600/oz Pd, $1,100/oz Pt, $1,650/oz Au, $3.50 Cu, and $7.50/lb Ni, and $20/lb Co. Limited historical metallurgical work on the Kaukua Deposit indicates final recoveries in the range of 73% Pd, 56% Pt, 78% Au, 91% Cu, 48% Ni and 48% Co and are used in the Estimated Recovered Pd_Eq grade calculation.

Palladium Equivalent

The Company is calculating Palladium equivalent using US$1,600 per ounce for palladium, US$1,100 per ounce for platinum, US$1,650 per ounce for gold, US$3.50 per pound for copper, US$7.50 per pound for nickel, and $20 per pound cobalt consistent with the calculation used in the Company’s September 2021 NI 43-101 Haukiaho Resource Estimate.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and verified by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101

About Palladium One

Palladium One Mining Inc. (TSXV: PDM) is focused on discovering environmentally and socially conscious Metals for Green Transportation. A Canadian mineral exploration and development company, Palladium One is targeting district scale, platinum-group-element (PGE)-copper-nickel deposits in leading mining jurisdictions. Its flagship project is the Läntinen Koillismaa (LK) Project in north-central Finland, which is ranked by the Fraser Institute as one of the world’s top countries for mineral exploration and development. LK is a PGE-copper-nickel project that has existing Mineral Resources. PDM’s second project is the 2020 Discovery of the Year Award winning Tyko Project, a high-grade sulphide, copper-nickel project located in Canada. Follow Palladium One on LinkedIn, Twitter, and at www.palladiumoneinc.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Derrick Weyrauch”
President & CEO, Director

For further information contact:
Derrick Weyrauch, President & CEO
Email: info@palladiumoneinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of Palladium One Mining Inc. have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.

Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company’s expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, and “intend”, statements that an action or event “may”, “might”, “could”, “should”, or “will” be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in palladium and other commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and tax consequences to Canadian and U.S. Shareholders. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

Endeavour Silver Provides 2022 Guidance, Including Production of 4.2-4.8 Million oz Silver and 31,000-35,000 oz Gold for 6.7-7.6 Million oz Silver Equivalent

Research, News, and Market Data on Endeavour Silver

 

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Endeavour Silver Corp. (“Endeavour” or the “Company”) (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) is pleased to announce its consolidated production and cost guidance as well as its capital and exploration budgets for 2022. All dollar amounts are in US dollars (US$).

2022 Production and Cost Guidance Highlights

In 2022, silver production is expected to range from 4.2 to 4.8 million ounces (oz) and gold production is anticipated to be between 31,000 oz and 35,000 oz. Silver equivalent production is forecasted to total between 6.7 million and 7.6 million oz at an 80:1 silver:gold ratio.

Consolidated cash costs 2 and all-in sustaining costs 2 (“AISC”) in 2022 are estimated to be $9.00-$10.00 per oz silver and $20.00-21.00 per oz silver, respectively, net of gold by-product credits. The Company’s 2022 cost outlook is higher than the prior year as inflation, royalties and mining duties are expected to increase in 2022.

“Our operations outperformed last year with Guanacevi’s production bolstered by higher than anticipated mined ore grades,” stated Dan Dickson, Endeavour’s CEO. “In 2022, our production outlook is on par with the average of the last three years as we anticipate the grade at Guanacevi to be more in line with our estimated reserves and we remove the small annual contribution from our El Compas mine, which closed last August.”

Mr. Dickson added, “This year, the team is focused on managing costs in order to offset the inflationary pressures we are seeing across the industry. Equally important will be expanding resources and advancing our exceptional growth pipeline. Terronera will move from the funding and approval phase through to construction. As well, we will initiate a preliminary economic assessment at Parral and define a current resource at Pitarrilla following the closing of this acquisition in the first half of the year.”

2022 Guidance Summary

Operating Mines

At Guanaceví, 2022 production will range from 1,100 tonnes per day (tpd) to 1,200 tpd and average 1,165 tpd from the Milache, SCS and P4E orebodies. A significant portion of production will be mined from the Porvenir Cuatro extension on the El Curso concessions. The El Curso concessions were leased from a third party with no upfront costs but with significant royalty payments on production. Compared to 2021, ore grades are expected to decrease slightly with similar recoveries. Cash costs per ounce and direct operating costs per tonne are expected to increase in 2022, primarily due to the impact of inflation on power costs, re-agent costs and salaries as well as higher estimated royalty and mining duty payments.

In 2022, production at Bolañitos is expected to range from 1,000 tpd to 1,200 tpd and average 1,080 tpd from the Plateros-La Luz, Lucero-Karina and Bolanitos-San Miguel vein systems. Ore grades and recoveries are expected to be similar to 2021. Cash costs per oz and direct costs per tonne are expected to increase primarily due to inflationary impact on power costs and salaries.

Operating Costs

In 2022, cash costs, net of gold by-product credits, are expected to be $9.00-$10.00 per oz of silver produced. Consolidated cash costs on a co-product basis 2 are anticipated to be $13.00-$14.00 per oz silver and $1,100-$1,200 per oz gold.

All-in sustaining costs, net of gold by-product credits, in accordance with the World Gold Council standard, are estimated to be $20.00-$21.00 per oz of silver produced. When non-cash items such as stock-based compensation and accretion are excluded, AISC are forecast to be in the $19.00-$20.00 range.

Direct costs 2 per tonne are estimated to be $95-$100 with inflationary pressures expected to continue in 2022. Direct operating costs 2 , which includes royalties and special mining duties are estimated to be in the range of $120-$125 per tonne.

Management made the following assumptions in calculating its 2022 cost forecasts: $22 per oz silver price, $1,760 per oz gold price, and 20:1 Mexican peso per US dollar exchange rate.

2022 Capital Budget

Sustaining Capital Investments

In 2022, Endeavour plans to invest $34.3 million in sustaining capital, including $32.6 million at its two operating mines and $1.7 million to maintain exploration concessions and cover corporate infrastructure. At current metal prices, the sustaining capital investments are expected to be paid out of operating cash flow.

At Guanacevi, $20.4 million will be invested in capital projects, the largest of which is the development of 5.7 kilometres of mine access at the Milache, SCS and the P4E orebodies for an estimated $10.3 million. The additional $10.1 million will go to upgrade the mining fleet, support site infrastructure and expand the tailings dam.

At Bolañitos, $12.2 million will be invested in capital projects, including $8.4 million for 5.5 kilometres of mine development to access resources in the Plateros-La Luz, Lucero-Karina, Bolanitos-San Miguel and Belen vein systems. The additional $3.8 million will go to upgrade the mining fleet, support site infrastructure, raise the tailings dam and commence a new portal to access the Belen ore body.

At Terronera, $9.5 million is budgeted for the first quarter of 2022 to continue with final detailed engineering, early earth works, critical contracts and procurement of long lead items. The Company intends to make a formal construction decision, subject to completion of a financing package and receipt of amended permits, in the coming months, at which time the budget for the remainder of 2022 for the project will be determined.

The capital budget presented above does not include the $70 million acquisition cost associated with the Company’s recently announced acquisition of the Pitarrilla Project ( see January 13, 2022 news release ) in Durango State, Mexico from SSR Mining Inc. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2022.

2022 Exploration Budget

In 2022, the Company plans to spend $13.0 million drilling 50,000 metres across its properties.

At the Guanacevi and Bolanitos mines, 21,000 metres of drilling are planned at a cost of $3.3 million to replace reserves and expand resources.

At the Terronera development project, 11,000 metres are planned to test multiple regional targets identified in 2021 to expand resources within the district.

At the Parral project in Chihuahua state, 7,000 metres are planned at a cost of $1.7 million to delineate existing resources, expand resources and test new targets. In the second half of the year, the Company expects to initiate a preliminary economic assessment.

In Chile, management intends to invest $1.5 million to test the Aida exploration project located in the northern Chile Region II along the Argentina border accessible by paved highway and dirt road. The Company plans to drill 3,000 metres to test a manto target with significant silver-manganese-lead-zinc anomaly at surface in the second half of 2022. Additionally, the Company plans to advance mapping, sampling and surface exploration on its other exploration projects in Chile, estimated to cost $0.9 million including administration costs in the country.

At the Bruner project management plans to invest $1.9 million to evaluate and verify historical data to define a current resource, map and sample new targets and drill 3,000 metres verifying historical data and testing new targets.

Similarly, subject to closing the Pitarrilla acquisition, management plans to invest $1.8 million for drilling to verify the historical data and define a current resource in 2022. Management plans to release a more detailed exploration and evaluation plan for the Pitarrilla project following closing of the transaction.

About Endeavour Silver – Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that operates two high-grade underground silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision, pending financing and final permits and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer.  Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.

SOURCE Endeavour Silver Corp.

Contact Information
Trish Moran
Interim Head of Investor Relations
Tel: (416) 564-4290
Email: pmoran@edrsilver.com
Website: www.edrsilver.com

Follow Endeavour Silver on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn

Endnotes

1 Silver equivalent is calculated using an 80:1 silver:gold ratio.

2 Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company has included certain performance measures that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The Company believes that these measures, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.

Cash costs and cash costs per ounce

Cash costs per ounce is a non-IFRS measure. In the silver mining industry, this metric is a common performance measure that does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. Cash costs include direct costs (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), royalties and special mining duty and changes in finished goods inventory net of gold credits. Cash costs per ounce is based on ounces of silver produced and is calculated by dividing cash costs by the number of ounces of silver produced.

Cash costs on a co-product and cash costs on a co-product per ounce

Silver co-product cash costs and gold co-product cash costs include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs), and direct overhead costs allocated on pro-rated basis of realized metal value. Cash costs on a co-product per ounce is based on the number of either silver or gold ounces produced.

Direct operating costs and direct costs

Direct operating costs per tonne include mining, processing (including smelting, refining, transportation and selling costs) and direct overhead at the operation sites. Direct costs per tonne include all direct operating costs, royalties and special mining duty.

All-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) and AISC per ounce

This measure is intended to assist readers in evaluating the total cost of producing silver from operations. While there is no standardized meaning across the industry for AISC measures, the Company’s definition conforms to the definition of AISC as set out by the World Gold Council and used as a standard of the Silver Institute. The Company defines AISC as the cash costs (as defined above), plus reclamation cost accretion, mine site expensed exploration, corporate general and administration costs and sustaining capital expenditures. AISC per ounce is based on ounces of silver produced and is calculated by dividing AISC by the number of ounces of silver produced.

Sustaining capital

Sustaining capital is defined as the capital required to maintain operations at existing levels. This measurement is used by management to assess the effectiveness of an investment program.

For further information on reconciliations of Non-GAAP measures, refer to the Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company’s Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2021, beginning on page 19.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “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 securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding Endeavour’s anticipated performance in 2022 including changes in mining operations and forecasts of production levels, anticipated production costs and all-in sustaining costs, the timing and results of various activities and the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the ultimate impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations and results, changes in production and costs guidance, national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices, operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company’s title to properties; as well as those factors described in the section “risk factors” contained in the Company’s most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Company’s mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with management’s expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Thursday, January 20, 2022

FenixOro Gold (FDVXF)
Momentum Building in 2022

FenixOro Gold Corp is a Toronto based company acquiring and exploring high grade gold projects in Colombia. The company’s flagship Abriaqui Project is the nearest exploration project to Continental Gold’s Buritica Mine.

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst of Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Abriaqui Phase 2 drilling program. To date, the company has drilled 15 holes, representing over 7,000 meters of drilling during its Phase 1 and Phase 2 drilling programs in the northwestern portion of the property. Recall the company’s Phase 1 drilling program was completed in March 2021 and Phase 2 drilling commenced in April. Two main corridors of northwest (NWC) and east-west (EWC) trending veins have been delineated by mapping, soil sampling, ground magnetics, and diamond drilling. Phase 2 drilling will continue with four holes testing a series of northwest and east-west trending veins near the area already drilled.


A second drill rig has been deployed in the southeast license area.  This area has not been drilled and represents significant mineral resource potential. Specific targets in the southeast include a series of northwest and east-west trending gold bearing veins that are similar in scale to those in the northern group of concessions. A 600-meter-long soil anomaly with greater than 1 gram of gold per …

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

CanAlaska Partner to Spend AUD$5M for 60% of Two Uranium Projects in the Athabasca Basin

Research, News, and Market Data on CanAlaska Uranium

 

Terra Uranium has Staged Option to Earn up to 80% Interest in McTavish and Waterbury East Projects, subject to Resource definition

Focus on High-Grade Eastern Athabasca Uranium Discovery

Vancouver, Canada, January 19, 2022 – CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSX-V: CVV; OTCQB: CVVUF; Frankfurt: DH7N) (“CanAlaska” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has entered into Purchase Option Agreements (“POA”) with Terra Uranium Limited (“Terra”), an Australian public limited corporation, and Terra’s wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary Terra Uranium Canada Limited, to allow Terra to earn up to an 80% interest in CanAlaska’s 100%-owned Waterbury East and McTavish projects. These projects total 4,202.21 hectares in the Eastern Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada (the “Projects”) (Figure 1).

Figure 1: McTavish and Waterbury East Project Locations

 

Waterbury East and McTavish Projects

Terra may earn up to an 80% interest in each of the Waterbury East and McTavish projects by undertaking work, milestone payments to CanAlaska and resource definition in three defined earn-in stages on each project as set out below:

• Terra may earn an initial 40% interest (“40% Option”) in each of the projects by paying the Company AUD$37,500 cash per project and issuing 9% worth of ordinary shares in Terra’s capital structure as at listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) by March 31, 2022 per project.
• Terra may earn an additional 20% interest (“60% Option”) in each of the projects by paying a further AUD$200,000 per project and incurring AUD$2,500,000 in exploration expenditures within 18 months of the ASX listing date per project.
• Terra may earn an additional 20% interest (“80% Option”) in the projects by delivering and filing a JORC compliant resource of at least 30,000,000 pounds U₃O₈ on any of the Waterbury East or McTavish claims, and granting to the Company a 2.25% net smelter returns (NSR) royalty on all products derived from any of the claims, within 36 months of the ASX listing date.

CanAlaska will be Operator of the projects through the 60% Option threshold and charge an operator fee to Terra.

The POA envisages conversion to a Joint Venture. Under the terms of the POA, after successful completion of either of the 40% Option or 60% Option stages of the agreement, and where Terra elects to not enter the next respective option stage as applicable, or on successful completion of the 80% Option stage, a joint venture will be formed and the parties will co-contribute on a simple pro-rata basis or dilute on a pre-defined straight-line dilution formula. If either party dilutes to a 10% interest, the diluting party will automatically forfeit its interest in the respective project and in lieu thereof will be granted a 2.0% net smelter returns (NSR) royalty on the respective project. If the 80% Option NSR of 2.25% had been previously granted to CanAlaska, CanAlaska would not be entitled to this 2.0% NSR provision on dilution to 10% interest.

An area of mutual interest has been established that extends two kilometres from the boundary of the claims.

Under the terms of the POA, if the Conditions Precedent are not met or if Terra elects to terminate prior to exercise of the 40% Option, a break fee of AUD$12,500 per project is due to CanAlaska.

 

First Programs

The parties have established a Joint Technical Operating Committee (“JTOC”) under the terms of the POA to discuss exploration and development strategies, review and comment on programs and budgets submitted by the Operator, review the progress and results of activities conducted under the current programs and to discuss other issues in respect to the properties. The final binding decision with respect to establishing Programs to be carried out by the Operator (including any changes or amendments to Programs) shall be made by Terra Uranium. The preliminary work programs and budgets for each project have been laid out for the next 2 years. Once the 40% Option threshold has been met, it is anticipated the first exploration programs under the POA with Terra will be conducted in early 2022.

 

About Terra Uranium Ltd and Terra Uranium Canada Limited

Terra Uranium Ltd is an Australian public limited corporation that is in the process of undergoing an initial public offering and concurrent listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”). The POA agreements are subject to a number of Conditions Precedent, including that Terra has received conditional approval from the ASX to be listed on the ASX and raising sufficient funds to carry out the programs

Terra Uranium Canada Limited is a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary of Terra Uranium Ltd, incorporated in Saskatchewan, Canada.

CanAlaska CEO, Cory Belyk, comments, “Completion of the definitive agreements with Terra Uranium represents significant funding for exploration on the highly prospective Waterbury East and McTavish projects in the Eastern Athabasca Basin, without dilution of CanAlaska shareholders interest in our core properties. We look forward to working closely with Terra and its management team toward a common goal of tier 1 uranium deposit discovery.”

Other News

The Company has just commenced drilling on its 100% owned Waterbury South project and is currently undertaking  a  detailed Stepwise Moving Loop Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) Survey on its West McArthur project, in advance of the planned summer drill program.

About CanAlaska Uranium

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSX-V: CVV; OTCQB: CVVUF; Frankfurt: DH7N) holds interests in approximately 300,000 hectares (750,000 acres), in Canada’s Athabasca Basin – the “Saudi Arabia of Uranium.”  CanAlaska’s strategic holdings have attracted major international mining companies. CanAlaska is currently working with Cameco and Denison at two of the Company’s properties in the Eastern Athabasca Basin. CanAlaska is a project generator positioned for discovery success in the world’s richest uranium district. The Company also holds properties prospective for nickel, copper, gold and diamonds.

The qualified technical person for this news release is Nathan Bridge, MSc., P.Geo., CanAlaska’s Vice President, Exploration.

For further information visit www.canalaska.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

“Peter Dasler”
Peter Dasler, M.Sc., P.Geo.
President
CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.

Contacts:

Peter Dasler, President
Tel: +1.604.688.3211 x 138
Email: info@canalaska.com

Cory Belyk, CEO and Executive Vice President
Tel: +1.604.688.3211 x 138
Email: cbelyk@canalaska.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated