Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Full year financial results. Sierra reported a 2022 adjusted net loss attributable to shareholders of $23.1 million or $(0.14) per share, compared with adjusted earnings of $21.6 million or $0.13 per share in 2021. Adjusted losses per share for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 were less than our estimates of $(0.07) and $(0.17), respectively, due in part to higher fourth quarter revenue and modestly lower cost of sales. Adjusted EBITDA fell 88% to $13.0 million compared to $104.7 million in the prior year. Annual copper equivalent production fell 29% due to lower throughput and grades.
2023 Guidance. Management’s focus has been to stabilize operations following challenges experienced in 2022 and to return to higher production levels on an economically sustainable basis. Sierra forecasts 2023 copper equivalent production in the range of 74.3 million to 83.3 million pounds. As of the end of March, the Bolivar mine is operating at 3,070 tonnes per day and is expected to gradually ramp up to 5,000 tonnes per day by year end. The Yauricocha mine is expected to operate at 2,375 tonnes per day throughout 2023. Management considers the Cusi silver mine to be a non-core asset and it was excluded from guidance.
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Conference Call and Webcast will be held on March 29, 2023 at 11:00am ET
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (“Sierra Metals” or the “Company”) announces fourth quarter and year-end 2022 consolidated financial results. All amounts are in US dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2022 Operating and Financial Highlights
Revenue from metals payable of $46.2 million in Q4 2022 and $192.1 million in 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) of ($0.5) million in Q4 2022 and $13.0 million in 2022.
Net loss attributable to shareholders for Q4 2022 of $26.5 million, or $0.16 per share and $87.5 million, or $0.53 per share in 2022.
Net loss of $88.3 million, or $0.54 in 2022, which includes impairment charges of $25.0 million for the Bolivar mine and $25.0 million for the Cusi mine; and $5.3 million non-cash depletion.
Cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2022 was $5.1 million; negative working capital of $84.4 million.
The focus in 2023 is to improve safety practices, reduce costs, improve productivity through increased equipment availability.
On March 13, 2023, the Company improved short-term liquidity through refinancing $6,250,000 of debt repayments due March 2023, with negotiations ongoing to refinance a total of $18,750,000 of term loan amortization payments due in 2023.
Ernesto Balarezo Valdez, Sierra Metals’ Interim CEO comments, “Sierra Metals enters 2023 with positive momentum. Since the start of 2023, we have stabilized our operations and begun to implement a program to optimize our operating performance, all with safety as the top priority. The expected operational improvements, alongside the corporate initiatives to improve our balance sheet, which includes the recently announced debt refinancing initiatives, has set the stage for Sierra Metals to increase production, lower costs and improve our financial position.”
(1) This is a non-IFRS performance measure, see Non-IFRS Performance Measures section of the MD&A.
Strategic Update
As first announced on October 18, 2022, a special committee comprised of the Company’s independent directors (the “Special Committee”) is undertaking a strategic review process. The mandate of the Special Committee includes exploring, reviewing and considering options to optimize the operations of the Company and possible financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interests of the Company. The Company has engaged CIBC Capital Markets as a financial advisor in this process.
The Special Committee continues to evaluate certain strategic alternatives. The Company will report to shareholders upon completion of the Special Committee’s review. Concurrently, over the course of the strategic review process the Special Committee and the management team have identified and have implemented a number of opportunities to improve the Company’s operational and financial position.
Progress made to-date includes the following:
Successfully implementing a transition of executive level management.
Organizational changes designed to create a shift in the corporate culture and instill a more “hands-on” approach to operations.
Placing a renewed emphasis on safety and employee engagement. The Company has hired a VP of Health and Safety, instituted new safety protocols across all of its operations, increased training and communication efforts, and invested in remote-controlled equipment which is designed to reduce risk of injury.
Streamlining operations to reduce costs, and refinancing debt obligations in order to preserve working capital as production levels improve.
Advancing discussions with secured lenders on refinancing of material short-term obligations, and steps to improve short-term liquidity through ancillary financing arrangements.
Initiatives to increase productivity at the mines, including increasing asset utilization, focused underground development of mine sequencing, and improvements to ventilation and pumping systems.
Prioritizing spending to focus resources on the Company’s core assets at Yauricocha and Bolivar.
Initiating activities designed to identify additional mineral resources at the Yauricocha and Bolivar mines to sustain long-term production increases.
Enhancements to internal financial forecasting, reporting and integration of information across functions to ensure timely decision making.
2023 Guidance
Production Guidance
The Bolivar mine exited fourth quarter 2022 with improved operations and expectations of continued improved performance throughout 2023. The Yauricocha mine is expected to gradually and safely ramp up production throughout 2023 at the current depth. Meanwhile, Yauricocha’s focus will remain on obtaining the necessary permits to access the deeper, high-grade ore bodies.
The table summarizing 2023 production guidance from the Yauricocha and the Bolivar mines is provided below. Management considers the Cusi mine as ‘non-core’ and it has been excluded from the guidance.
Total sustaining capital for 2023, excluding Cusi, is expected to be $32.0 million, mainly comprised of mine development ($3.0 million) and drainage ($2.3 million) in Yauricocha, and mine development ($11.3 million), infill drilling ($5.3 million) and equipment replacement ($3.9 million) at the Bolivar mine.
Growth capital for 2023, projected at $15.0 million, includes costs of tailings dam expansion ($5.6 million) and Yauricocha shaft ($3.2 million) in Peru. Growth capital at Bolivar includes costs of the tailings dam and the starter dam.
Management will continue to review performance throughout the year, while exploring value enhancing opportunities.
Conference Call & Webcast
The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 11:00 AM EDT to discuss the results. Details of the conference call and webcast are as follows:
The webcast, presentation slides and 2022 Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis will be available at www.sierrametals.com, with an archive of the webcast available for 180 days.
Summary of Operating and Financial Results
The information provided below are excerpts from the Company’s Annual Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which are available on the Company’s website (www.sierrametals.com) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under the Company’s profile.
2022 Consolidated Financial Summary
Revenue from metals payable of $192.1 million in 2022, a decrease of 29% from 2021 annual revenue of $272.0 million. Lower revenue resulted from the decrease in throughput and grades at the Yauricocha and Bolivar mines;
Yauricocha’s cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound(1) was $2.23 (2021 – $1.46), and AISC per copper equivalent payable pound(1) of $3.69 (2021 – $2.77);
Bolivar’s cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound(1) was $2.99 (2021 – $2.18), and AISC per copper equivalent payable pound(1) was $5.07 (2021 – $4.22);
Cusi’s cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce(1) was $16.77 (2021 – $16.71), and AISC per silver equivalent payable ounce(1) was $23.17 (2021 – $28.15);
Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $13.0 million for 2022, a decrease from the adjusted EBITDA(1) of $104.7 million for 2021;
Net loss attributable to shareholders for 2022 was $87.5 million or $0.53 per share (2021: net loss of $27.4 million, $0.17 per share). Net loss for the year ended 2022 includes an impairment charge of $25.0 million on the Bolivar mine and $25.0 million on the Cusi mine (2021: impairment of $35.0 million on the Cusi mine);
Adjusted net loss attributable to shareholders(1) of $23.1 million, or $0.14 per share, for 2022 compared to the adjusted net income(1) of $21.6 million, or $0.13 per share for 2021;
A large component of the net income (loss) for every period is the non-cash depletion charge in Peru, which was $5.3 million for 2022 (2021: $9.3 million). The non-cash depletion charge is based on the aggregate fair value of the Yauricocha mineral property at the date of acquisition of Sociedad Minera Corona S.A. de C.V. (“Corona”) of $371.0 million amortized over the life of the mine;
Cash flow generated from operations before movements in working capital of $5.2 million for 2022 was lower than the $91.1 million in 2021, mainly due to lower revenues and higher operating costs; and
Cash and cash equivalents of $5.1 million and working capital of $(84.4) million as at December 31, 2022 compared to $34.9 million and $17.3 million, respectively, at the end of 2021. Cash and cash equivalents decreased during 2022 as the $38.3 million used in investing activities exceeded the $1.1 million generated from financing activities and $7.3 million generated from operating activities.
(1) This is a non-IFRS performance measure, see Non-IFRS Performance Measures section of the MD&A.
Non-IFRS Performance Measures
The non-IFRS performance measures presented do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be directly comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
Non-IFRS reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure that represents an indication of the Company’s continuing capacity to generate earnings from operations before taking into account management’s financing decisions and costs of consuming capital assets, which vary according to their vintage, technological currency, and management’s estimate of their useful life. EBITDA comprises revenue less operating expenses before interest expense (income), property, plant and equipment amortization and depletion, and income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA has been included in this document. Under IFRS, entities must reflect in compensation expense the cost of share-based payments. In the Company’s circumstances, share-based payments involve a significant accrual of amounts that will not be settled in cash but are settled by the issuance of shares in exchange for cash. As such, the Company has made an entity specific adjustment to EBITDA for these expenses. The Company has also made an entity-specific adjustment to the foreign currency exchange (gain)/loss. The Company considers cash flow before movements in working capital to be the IFRS performance measure that is most closely comparable to adjusted EBITDA.
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to the consolidated financial statements for the three months and years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Non-IFRS Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders represents net income (loss) attributable to shareholders excluding certain impacts, net of taxes, such as non-cash depletion charge due to the acquisition of Corona, impairment charges and reversal of impairment charges, write-down of assets, and certain non-cash and non-recurring items including but not limited to share-based compensation and foreign exchange (gain) loss.The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors may want to use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance and ability to generate cash flows. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance in accordance with IFRS.
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted net income (loss) to the consolidated financial statements for the three months and years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Payable Ounce and Copper Equivalent Payable Pound
The Company uses the non-IFRS measure of cash cost per silver equivalent ounce and copper equivalent payable pound to manage and evaluate operating performance. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance and ability to generate cash flows. Accordingly, it is 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. The Company considers cost of sales per silver equivalent payable ounce and copper equivalent payable pound to be the most comparable IFRS measure to cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce, copper equivalent payable pound, and zinc equivalent payable pound, and has included calculations of this metric in the reconciliations within the applicable tables to follow.
All-in Sustaining Cost per Silver Equivalent Payable Ounce and Copper Equivalent Payable Pound
All‐In Sustaining Cost (“AISC”) is a non‐IFRS measure and was calculated based on guidance provided by the World Gold Council (“WGC”) in June 2013. WGC is not a regulatory industry organization and does not have the authority to develop accounting standards for disclosure requirements. Other mining companies may calculate AISC differently as a result of differences in underlying accounting principles and policies applied, as well as differences in definitions of sustaining versus development capital expenditures.
AISC is a more comprehensive measure than cash cost per ounce/pound for the Company’s consolidated operating performance by providing greater visibility, comparability and representation of the total costs associated with producing silver and copper from its current operations.
The Company defines sustaining capital expenditures as, “costs incurred to sustain and maintain existing assets at current productive capacity and constant planned levels of productive output without resulting in an increase in the life of assets, future earnings, or improvements in recovery or grade. Sustaining capital includes costs required to improve/enhance assets to minimum standards for reliability, environmental or safety requirements. Sustaining capital expenditures excludes all expenditures at the Company’s new projects and certain expenditures at current operations which are deemed expansionary in nature.”
Consolidated AISC includes total production cash costs incurred at the Company’s mining operations, including treatment and refining charges and selling costs, which forms the basis of the Company’s total cash costs. Additionally, the Company includes sustaining capital expenditures and corporate general and administrative expenses. AISC by mine does not include certain corporate and non‐cash items such as general and administrative expense and share-based payments. The Company believes that this measure represents the total sustainable costs of producing silver and copper from current operations and provides the Company and other stakeholders of the Company with additional information of the Company’s operational performance and ability to generate cash flows. As the measure seeks to reflect the full cost of silver and copper production from current operations, new project capital and expansionary capital at current operations are not included. Certain other cash expenditures, including tax payments, dividends and financing costs are also not included.
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash costs to cost of sales, as reported in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the three months and years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Additional Non-IFRS Measures
The Company uses other financial measures, the presentation of which is not meant to be a substitute for other subtotals or totals presented in accordance with IFRS, but rather should be evaluated in conjunction with such IFRS measures. The following other financial measures are used:
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital – excludes the movement from period-to-period in working capital items including trade and other receivables, prepaid expenses, deposits, inventories, trade and other payables and the effects of foreign exchange rates on these items.
The terms described above do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and therefore the Company’s definitions are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company’s management believes that their presentation provides useful information to investors because cash flows generated from operations before changes in working capital excludes the movement in working capital items. This, in management’s view, provides useful information of the Company’s cash flows from operations and are considered to be meaningful in evaluating the Company’s past financial performance or its future prospects. The most comparable IFRS measure is cash flows from operating activities.
About Sierra Metals
Sierra Metals is a diversified Canadian mining company with green metal exposure including copper, zinc and lead production with precious metals byproduct credits, focused on the production and development of its Yauricocha Mine in Peru and its Bolivar Mine in Mexico. The Company is focused on the safety and productivity of its producing mines. The Company also has large land packages with several prospective regional targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.
For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information relates to future events or the anticipated performance of Sierra and reflect management’s expectations or beliefs regarding such future events and anticipated performance based on an assumed set of economic conditions and courses of action, including the accuracy of the Company’s current mineral resource estimates; that the Company’s activities will be conducted in accordance with the Company’s public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company, its properties or its production estimates (which assume accuracy of projected ore grade, mining rates, recovery timing, and recovery rate estimates and may be impacted by unscheduled maintenance, labour and contractor availability and other operating or geo-political uncertainties on the Company’s production, workforce, business, operations and financial condition); the expected trends in mineral prices, inflation and currency exchange rates; that all required approvals will be obtained for the Company’s business and operations on acceptable terms; that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company’s operations. In certain cases, statements that contain forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative of these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the Company’s guidance on the timing and amount of future production and its expectations regarding the results of operations; expected costs; permitting requirements and timelines; anticipated market prices of metals; the Company’s ability to comply with contractual and permitting or other regulatory requirements; formalizing the refinancing contract and the timeline related thereto and the timing of senior management’s conference call to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2022. By its very nature forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual performance of Sierra to be materially different from any anticipated performance expressed or implied by such 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 of not meeting the expectations contemplated herein and the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated March 28, 2023 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and other risks identified in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.
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. Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777 Email: info@christiana-papadopoulossierrametals-com
Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Weaker than expected Yauricocha financial results. Sierra Metals’ subsidiary Sociedad Minera Corona S.A, whose principal asset is the Yauricocha mine in Peru, recently filed its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022. Fourth quarter and full year EBITDA were $(6.1) million and $14.2 million, respectively, compared with $19.0 million and $88.0 million during the prior year periods. Recall Sierra holds an 81.8% interest in Corona whose financial results have not been adjusted for the 18.2% non-controlling interest.
Lowering estimates. We have lowered our fourth quarter and full year 2022 EBITDA and EPS estimates to reflect weaker than expected performance at the Yauricocha mine in Peru. We forecast fourth quarter EBITDA and EPS of $(3.5) million and $(0.07), respectively, compared to our previous estimates of $0.4 million and $(0.05). For the full year, we project EBITDA of $10.0 million and a loss per share of $(0.17) compared with our previous estimates of $13.9 million and $(0.15), respectively. Our 2023 EBITDA and EPS estimates remain unchanged at $37.3 million and $(0.04). While our quarterly estimates reflect steady improvement, operational uncertainty associated with production at the company’s mines clouds our confidence in 2023 estimates.
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*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.
Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Fourth quarter and full year 2022 production. During the fourth quarter, Sierra Metals produced 6.2 million pounds of copper, 2.1 million pounds of lead, 6.4 million pounds of zinc, 3.4 thousand ounces of gold, and 570 thousand ounces of silver. Compared with the prior year period, production of copper and gold increased 2% and 83%, respectively, while lead, zinc, and silver declined 66%, 57%, and 29%. On a sequential basis, gold production increased 55%, while lead, zinc, silver, and copper declined 47%, 41%, 15%, and 2%, respectively. Compared to 2021, gold production in 2022 increased 6%, while lead, zinc, silver, and copper production declined 56%, 52%, 27%, and 15%, respectively. Copper equivalent production decreased 15% versus the prior quarter, 21% versus the prior year period, and 29% on a full year basis.
Operational performance. During the fourth quarter, Sierra achieved meaningful improvement at the Bolivar mine due to infrastructure upgrades and advances in the mine’s development work. Compared to the prior quarter, copper equivalent production increased 69% due to a 19% increase in throughput and improved head grades. While Cusi silver equivalent production was relatively flat relative to the prior quarter, an 11% increase in throughput helped offset the impact of lower grades and recoveries. Yauricocha performance was negatively impacted by a progressive restart of operations following a mudslide that led to the suspension of operations late in the third quarter.
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Bolivar’s improved operating performance resulted in a 69% and 130% increase in copper equivalent production over Q3 2022 and Q4 2021, respectively.
A measured and progressive approach to reach full operating capacity at Yauricocha continues, following the mudslide in Q3 2022.
Consolidated 2022 copper equivalent production decreased 29% compared to 2021 due to lower production at Yauricocha resulting from the suspension of mining operations and lower grades across all metals, except for gold.
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (“Sierra Metals” or the “Company”) reports fourth quarter and full year 2022 production results. Results are from Sierra Metals’ three underground mines in Latin America: The Yauricocha polymetallic mine in Peru, the copper-producing Bolivar mine and the silver-producing Cusi mine in Mexico.
Truck being loaded at Bolivar Rom Pad headed to Concentrate Plant (Photo: Business Wire)
Ernesto Balarezo, Interim CEO of Sierra Metals, commented on a challenging 2022 for the Company, “Early in the year, Yauricocha’s throughput and grades were hindered by a shortage of mine and service personnel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as permitting restrictions. In the third quarter, production was halted due to the tragic mudslide event followed by a road blockade. The mine’s throughput in Q4 declined by 43% when compared to Q3 and 45% when compared to the same quarter last year. While recovery toward Yauricocha’s full production potential continues, safety remains our highest priority. To lead this initiative, Sierra Metals has hired a Vice President, Health & Safety.
At Bolivar, progress in reducing the significant backlog in drilling and mine development that arose during the pandemic was delayed throughout the first half of the year, due to setbacks encountered during the installation of critical infrastructure. These delays were compounded in Q3 by unexpected flooding, negatively affecting production during most of the quarter. However, the Company achieved meaningfully improved performance during Q4 due to infrastructure upgrades in pumping and ventilation, which created improved conditions required to support the advancement of the mine’s preparation and development. A 19% increase in throughput along with improved head grades in all metals resulted in a 69% increase in copper equivalent pounds produced when compared to Q3 2022. When compared to Q4 2021, throughput increased by 19% and copper equivalent production increased by 130%.
Mr. Balarezo concluded,“I am encouraged by the production improvements during the fourth quarter. Our primary goal in the new year is to ramp up production at Yauricocha, stabilize production at Bolivar and optimize Cusi’s production. We are committed to ensuring operations run safely, efficiently and effectively with efforts to streamline processes and reduce inefficiencies where possible. Consistent with the Company’s efforts, the Special Committee of the Board of Directors is continuing to diligently pursue its strategic review process.”
Consolidated Production Results
Consolidated quarterly throughput during Q4 2022 was 494,980 tonnes, a decrease of 12% when compared to Q3 2022, mainly due to the 43% decline in throughput at Yauricocha compared to Q3 2022. As a result, consolidated copper equivalent production also declined by 15% when compared to Q3 2022.
While a 19% increase in throughput during Q4 2022 at the Bolivar Mine, combined with higher grades in all metals, provided a 69% increase in copper equivalent production over the prior quarter, it was not enough to offset the decline in production at Yauricocha. When compared to Q4 2021, a 16% decrease in consolidated throughput resulted in a 21% decrease in consolidated copper equivalent production.
When comparing 2022 to 2021, a 21% decrease in consolidated throughput provided a 29% decrease in copper equivalent pounds produced.
Yauricocha Mine, Peru
Throughput from the Yauricocha Mine during Q4 2022 was 152,586 tonnes, a 43% decline when compared to the previous quarter due to the reduced mining activity following the mudslide incident and the community blockade that led to the suspension of mining operations late in the third quarter. As the progressive restart to operations continues, mining activity was limited to an average daily throughput of 1,744 tonnes during Q4 2022.
When compared to Q4 2021, a 45% decrease in throughput at Yauricocha, combined with lower head grades for all metals, provided for a 56% decrease in copper equivalent pounds produced. Yauricocha’s annual throughput was 1,053,980 tonnes, representing a 16% decrease when compared to the 2021 annual production.
The discovery of the higher-grade Fortuna zone during Q2 2022 was expected to help alleviate the challenges presented by regulatory requirements, which currently limit mineable areas at Yauricocha. However, plans to reap the full benefits of the new zone were delayed, due to the tragic mudslide in September 2022 that significantly limited the mine’s production capacity for the remainder of the year.
Production of all metals declined when compared to full year 2021. While copper grades increased by 9% and gold grades were in-line, compared to 2021, these could not make up for the 16% reduction in throughput and a 21%, 45% and 38% decrease in silver, lead and zinc grades, respectively. Yauricocha’s annual copper equivalent production decreased by 34% when compared to 2021.
A summary of production from the Yauricocha Mine for Q4 and Full Year 2022 is provided below:
Bolivar Mine, Mexico
The Bolivar Mine processed 270,313 tonnes during Q4 2022, a 19% increase compared to Q3 2022. Higher throughput, due to improved ventilation and advancement in the mine’s development and preparation, combined with higher grades in all metals, generated a 69% increase in copper equivalent production when compared to the previous quarter. When compared to Q4 2021, throughput at Bolivar was also 19% higher. A meaningfully improved 92.7% copper recovery rate during the quarter, combined with a substantial improvement in grades for copper, silver and gold, by 49%, 39% and 355%, respectively, resulted in a 130% increase in copper equivalent production, when compared to Q4 2021.
Annual throughput at Bolivar was 941,910 tonnes, representing a 30% decrease when compared to 2021. While the mine’s production showed an improvement during the final quarter of the year, it could not make up for the operational and production issues experienced earlier in the year. Bolivar’s annual copper equivalent production declined by 24% when compared to 2021.
A summary of production for the Bolivar Mine for Q4 and Full Year 2022 is provided below:
Cusi Mine, Mexico
The Cusi Mine processed 72,081 tonnes of ore during Q4 2022, representing an 11% increase over the previous quarter as mining resumed in the area where flooding occurred earlier in the year. The increased throughput helped offset the impact of lower grades and a lower silver and gold recovery rate during the quarter. Silver production remained flat when compared to Q3 2022 with a 1% decline in silver equivalent production.
When compared to Q4 2021, a 15% decrease in throughput, combined with a 4%, 19% and 36% decrease in silver, gold and lead grades, respectively, resulted in a 20% decrease in silver equivalent ounces produced. The decline in throughput and grades during Q4 2022, when compared to the same quarter of 2021, is attributable to the successful mining of higher-grade ore from the NE system during Q4 2021, which was an area of focus prior to the flooding event at Cusi. There was no ore processed from the NE system in Q4 2022.
Annual throughput at Cusi Mine in 2022 was 291,907 tonnes or 1% lower than 2021. In addition to higher silver grades, crushing and grinding improvements at the plant have helped enhance silver and gold recovery, resulting in an 8% increase in silver equivalent production when compared to 2021.
A summary of production for the Cusi Mine for Q4 and Full Year 2022 is provided below:
Strategic Review Process
The Company announced, on October 18, 2022, the formation of a Special Committee and the initiation of a strategic review process. The mandate of the Special Committee, comprised of its independent directors, includes exploring, reviewing and considering options to optimize the operations of the Company and possible financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interests of the Company. The Special Committee continues to diligently execute this process with financial advisors led by CIBC Capital Markets.
Quality Control
Américo Zuzunaga, FAusIMM (Mining Engineer) 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 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. 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.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information relates to future events or the anticipated performance of Sierra and reflect management’s expectations or beliefs regarding such future events and anticipated performance based on an assumed set of economic conditions and courses of action. In certain cases, statements that contain forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative of these words or comparable terminology. By its very nature forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual performance of Sierra to be materially different from any anticipated performance expressed or implied by such 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 16, 2022 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and other risks identified in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available at www.sedar.com.
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. Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777 Email: info@sierrametals.com
Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Third quarter financial results. Sierra Metals reported an adjusted net loss of $10.7 million or $(0.07) per share, compared to an adjusted net loss of $3.1 million or $(0.02) per share during the prior year period. Third quarter revenue from metals payable declined 36% to $38.8 million due to a decrease in metal sales and a decline in average realized prices for all metals. Adjusted EBITDA declined to $(3.9) million compared to $17.4 million during the third quarter of 2021 due mainly to lower sales and commodity prices. Third quarter production was negatively impacted, among other things, by a mudslide at the Yauricocha mine and flooding at the Bolivar mine.
Updating estimates. We have lowered our full year 2022 EPS and EBITDA estimates to $(0.13) and $18.0 million from $(0.08) and $29.9 million, respectively. Additionally, we have reduced our 2023 EPS and EBITDA estimates to $0.07 and $63.2 million from $0.12 and $76.1 million. Our estimates reflect lower production levels for both Yauricocha and Bolivar.
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.
