Company to Host Investor Conference Call for 2022 Q4 and Full-Year Financial Results on March 29, 2023
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (“Sierra Metals” or the “Company”) announced today that the Company, Banco de Credito del Peru and Banco Santander S.A. (together, the “Lenders”) are engaged in advanced discussions on terms to refinance $18,750,000 of the $25,000,000 principal debt repayment obligations that are due in 2023 under the Company’s senior secured credit facility. All figures in this news release are stated in U.S. dollars.
The parties intend to formalize the refinancing contract prior to the due date of the second quarterly principal installment on June 8, 2023, subject to, among other things, the completion of due diligence.
The Lenders have agreed to provide a bridge loan of $6,250,000 to refinance the first quarter 2023 amortization payment, due on March 8, 2023, while the refinancing contract for the balance of the 2023 payments is being finalized.
2022 Financial Results
Sierra Metals also announced a revised date of March 28, 2023 for the expected filing of its financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company’s senior management team will host a conference call on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 11:00 AM EDT to discuss the results. The call may be accessed as follows.
The webcast, along with presentation slides, will be archived for 180 days on www.sierrametals.com.
Via phone:
For those who prefer to listen by phone, dial-in instructions are below. To ensure your participation, please call approximately five minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the call.
Canada dial-in number (Toll Free): 1 833 950 0062 Canada dial-in number (Local): 1 226 828 7575 US dial-in number (Toll Free): 1 844 200 6205 US dial-in number (Local): 1 646 904 5544 All other locations: +1 929 526 1599
Access code: 077974
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About Sierra Metals
Sierra Metals 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. For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States 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. Forward-looking statements include those relating to 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 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 and the SEC, 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. Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777 Email: info@sierrametals.com
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) announces the filing at the BVL by its subsidiary, Sociedad Minera Corona S.A. (“Corona”) of its unaudited Financial Statements and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the fourth quarter and full-year 2022.
The Company holds an 81.8% interest in Corona. The unaudited Financial Statements and MD&A can be viewed at:
To search for the Company’s financial statements, enter the following parameters in the empty fields:
Empresa: Sociedad Minera Corona S.A. Periodo: 2022 and Trimestre IV
Sierra Metals will release its Q4 and full-year 2022 consolidated financial statements on Monday, March 13th, 2023, with an investor conference call on Tuesday, March 14th, 2023.
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 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 Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “SMT”.
For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com or contact:
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (“Sierra Metals” or the “Company”) announced today the departure of Mr. Ed Guimaraes, the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company, and the appointment of Mr. José Fernández-Baca as Interim CFO.
Mr. Oscar Cabrera, Chair of the Board of Sierra Metals stated, “The Sierra Metals Board of Directors is pleased that Mr. Fernandez-Baca has agreed to serve as the Company’s Interim CFO. His extensive experience in financial leadership positions in the mining industry, including with Sierra Metals since 2020, gives him the skills, experience and business relationships to lead the Company’s financial management and reporting during the on-going strategic review process”.
Mr. Fernandez-Baca has a degree in Economics from the Universidad del Pacifico, Lima-Peru, and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. He also has advanced executive program certifications from Northwestern, INCAE, Cambridge, and the Universidad de Piura, among others.
About Sierra Metals
Sierra Metals 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. For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com.
The Company will Host a Conference Call on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 8:30 AM EST
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX:SMT) (BVL:SMT) (“Sierra Metals” or the “Company”) announced today the resignation of Mr. Luis Marchese as the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company, and the appointment, effective immediately, of Mr. Ernesto Balarezo Valdez as Interim Chief Executive Officer to lead the Company during its current strategic review process. Mr. Balarezo will also join the Board of Directors of the Company.
The previously announced strategic review process is ongoing under the direction of the Special Committee, comprised of the Company’s independent directors.
Mr. Oscar Cabrera, Chair of Sierra Metals’ Board of Directors stated, “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Luis for his commitment and service to Sierra Metals as CEO and Director, during a very challenging period for the Company. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
He continued, “Sierra Metals’ Board is pleased that Mr. Balarezo has agreed to serve as the Company’s Interim CEO. His operations and leadership experience in the mining industry provides the right perspective and skills to lead the Company during the strategic review process.”
Mr. Balarezo’s career spans over three decades with extensive managerial and corporate experience at international and local levels with leading companies in the mining, cement and services industries, including as Executive Vice President for the Americas at Gold Fields Ltd. and as CEO of Gold Fields La Cima S.A. where he oversaw the Cerro Corona Mining unit in Peru. Mr. Balarezo’s mining experience also includes a broad range of positions with the Hochschild Group where he advanced to Vice President Operations after starting his tenure as General Manager of the Mexican branch and then as General Manager in Peru.
Mr. Balarezo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Management from Texas A&M University. He has also completed the Management Development Program from the Universidad de Piura in Lima, Peru.
The Board has mandated Mr. Balarezo to focus on the safe, efficient, and responsible operation of the Company, with the objective of maximizing the value of the Sierra Metals business and assets.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, regarding Mr. Balarezo’s appointment, at 8:30 am EST. Dial-in instructions are listed below:
United States (Toll Free): 1 833 927 1758 United States (Local): 1 646 904 5544
United Kingdom (Toll Free): 44 808 189 6484
Access code: 022430
Press *1 to ask a question, *2 to withdraw your question, or *0 for operator assistance.
AboutSierra Metals
Sierra Metals 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.
For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com or contact:
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL or Bolsa de Valores de Lima: SMT) (“Sierra Metals” or the “Company”) will host a conference call on Wednesday November 16th, 2022, at 8:00am EST to provide attendees the opportunity to ask questions with respect to the Company’s financial results for Q3 2022. The Company held its Q3 2022 earnings call earlier today, but due to technical issues attendees were not able to ask questions. Details of the November 16th, 2022 conference call are as follows:
Via phone:
To ensure your participation, please call approximately five minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the call.
Canada dial-in number (Toll Free): 1 833 950 0062 Canada dial-in number (Local): 1 226 828 7575 US dial-in number (Toll Free): 1 844 200 6205 US dial-in number (Local): 1 646 904 5544 All other locations: +1 929 526 1599
Access code: 272699
Press *1 to ask a question, *2 to withdraw your question, or *0 for operator assistance
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 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”.
For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including with respect to timing of the conference call. 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 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.
Conference Call Tuesday November 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM (EST)
(All $ figures reported in USD)
Revenue from metals payable of $38.8 million in Q3 2022, a 36% decrease from $60.7 million in Q3 2021 and a 22% decrease from the previous quarter, due to lower throughput at Yauricocha and slower ramp up at Bolivar as a result of a flooding event and operational restrictions due to limited ventilation in the Bolivar NorthWest zone.
Adjusted EBITDA of $(3.9) million in Q3 2022, compared to $17.4 million in Q3 2021 and $1.4 million in Q2 2022.
Net loss attributable to shareholders for Q3 2022 of $46.2 million, or $(0.28) per share (basic and diluted), compared to a net loss of $4.8 million, or ($0.03) per share in Q3 2021, and a net loss of $15.3 million or $(0.09) per share in Q2 2022.
Net loss for Q3 2022 and 9M 2022 includes an impairment charge of $25.0 million ($nil for Q3 2021 and 9M 2021) for the Bolivar mine and $7.0 million ($nil for Q3 2021 and 9M 2021) for the Cusi mine.
Adjusted net loss attributable to shareholders(1) of $10.7 million, or $(0.07) per share for Q3 2022, compared to adjusted net loss of $1.7 million or $(0.01) per share for Q3 2021 and an adjusted net loss of $11.6 million, or $0.07 per share for Q2 2022.
$13.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and working capital of $(52.3) million1 as at September 30, 2022.
Net Debt of $73.6 million as at September 30, 2022.
Suspension of production and financial guidance remains in effect.
1 The negative working capital is largely due to the reclassification of the long-term portion of the credit facility as current, resulting from the breach of certain debt covenants as at September 30, 2022. The Company is seeking accommodation from the lending banks in the form of waivers for this non-compliance.
A shareholder conference call will be held Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 11:00 AM (EST). Click here to register.
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL or Bolsa de Valores de Lima: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) today reported revenue of $38.8 million, a 36% decline from Q3 2021 and a 22% decline from Q2 2022, and adjusted EBITDA of $(3.9) million, a 122% decrease from Q3 2021 and a 379% decrease from Q2 2022 on throughput of 561,906 tonnes and metal production of 16.6 million copper equivalent pounds for the three-month period ended September 30, 2022.
Luis Marchese, CEO of Sierra Metals, commented, “the unexpected events during our latest quarter have made for another challenging period at Sierra Metals.
We have all been deeply impacted by the tragic mudslide incident at Yauricocha. As our primary objective remains the safety and well-being of all employees and contractors, a rigorous safety assurance process continues at the mine. Although production is ramping up, full production can only be reached once this process is complete.
In the coming months, we will continue to incorporate ore from the high-grade Fortuna zone and work towards recovery of tonnage at the Yauricocha Mine. In addition, exploration efforts will continue, both inside the mine for near term reach and in brownfield locations in close proximity to operations, in order to generate new exploration targets.”
He continued, “at Bolivar, unexpected flooding during most of the quarter in addition to the operational restrictions due to limited ventilation at the Bolivar NorthWest zone, negatively impacted throughput and grades.
On a consolidated basis, the Company’s revenues and EBITDA decreased 36% and 122%, respectively due to a 24% decrease in copper equivalent production when compared to the same quarter last year, coupled with a reduction in all metals prices, except zinc.”
He concluded, “Recent setbacks at both the Yauricocha and Bolivar Mines have prevented us from achieving full production and our turnaround goals within the initially proposed timeline, leading to suspended 2022 operating guidance. These unexpected challenges have culminated in the liquidity issues facing the Company. The Special Committee of our Board diligently continues its strategic review process. In the meantime, we remain disciplined in our approach to day-to-day operations.”
The following table displays selected financial and operational information for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the corresponding periods for 2021 and the three months ended June 30, 2022:
The following table shows the Company’s realized selling prices for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and each of the last six quarters:
Q3 2022 Consolidated Operating Highlights
Copper equivalent production of 16.6 million pounds; a 24% decrease from Q3 2021 and a 7% decrease from Q2 2022.
Consolidated Q3 2022 throughput of 561,906 tonnes was a 25% decrease over the Q3 2021 throughput of 750,208 tonnes. As compared to Q2 2022, consolidated throughput was 12% lower for Q3 2022.
Throughput from the Yauricocha Mine during Q3 2022 was 269,057 tonnes, a 17% decline when compared to Q3 2021 due to the suspension of mining activity and work stoppages during the quarter, which resulted in a 31% decrease in copper equivalent pounds produced. Declining grades due to restricted access to non-permitted areas of the mine also affected production. When compared to the previous quarter, throughput declined by 15%.
At the Bolivar Mine, throughput was 227,669 tonnes during Q3 2022. When compared to Q3 2021, throughput at Bolivar was 38% lower and while grades were higher for silver and gold, they were not enough to offset the lower throughput, resulting in a 16% decrease in copper equivalent pounds produced. Operational ramp up has been slower than expected due to unforeseen flooding in the Bolivar NorthWest zone during the quarter. When compared to Q2 2022, an 11% decrease in throughput, along with lower grades in copper and silver, resulted in a 10% decrease in copper equivalent pound production.
At Cusi, throughput was 65,180 tonnes during Q3 2022. When compared to Q3 2021, a 7% increase in throughput, combined with higher head grades for all metals except lead, resulted in a 22% increase in silver equivalent ounces production. Cusi suffered from an unexpected flooding event that restricted access to the lower areas of the mine during the second quarter. At the beginning of Q3, access to the lower levels of the mine was still limited. While throughput was 2% lower, it was offset by higher grades in all metals, resulting in a 32% increase in silver equivalent ounces produced.
Q3 2022 Consolidated Financial Highlights
Revenues Declined Due to Decrease in Metal Sales and a Drop in Metals Prices
Revenue from metals payable of $38.8 million in Q3 2022 or a decrease of 36% over the revenue of $60.7 million in Q3 2021 due to the decrease in metal sales and the drop in average realized prices for all metals, except zinc, as compared to Q3 2021.
Revenues for Q3 2022 were 22% lower than the revenue of $49.9 million in Q2 2022, as lower production from the Yauricocha and Bolivar Mines impacted metal sales quantities. The average realized prices for Q3 2022 decreased for copper (18%), zinc (17%), lead (10%), silver (15%) and gold (8%) as compared to the same during Q2 2022.
Cost of Operations Increased at Yauricocha and Bolivar Due to Lower Throughput
Yauricocha’s cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound was $2.01 (Q3 2021 – $1.37), and AISC (as defined herein) per copper equivalent payable pound of $3.36 (Q3 2021 – $2.83) for Q3 2022. The increase in cash costs and AISC was mainly a result of the 25% decrease in copper equivalent payable pounds as compared to Q3 2021. Despite 14% fewer copper equivalent payable pounds in Q3 2022 as compared to Q2 2022, cash cost and AISC per copper equivalent pound decreased from $2.06 and $3.39 respectively in Q2 2022, due to lower cost of sales and sustaining costs.
Bolivar’s cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound was $3.38 (Q3 2021 – $2.02), and AISC per copper equivalent payable pound was $5.12 (Q3 2021 – $4.34) for Q3 2022 due to higher operating costs per tonne and an 8% decrease in the copper equivalent payable pounds compared to Q3 2021. Bolivar’s Q3 2022 cash cost and AISC per copper equivalent pound decreased however from $3.39 and $5.49 respectively in Q2 2022.
Cusi’s Q3 2022 cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce decreased to $14.58 from $17.06 in Q3 2021 as a result of higher grades. AISC per silver equivalent payable ounce decreased to $19.23 (Q3 2021 – $28.93). Unit costs decreased during Q3 2022, despite fewer silver equivalent payable ounces, as a result of lower operating costs per tonne and lower sustaining costs during Q3 2022 as compared to Q3 2021.
EBITDA, Net Income and Cash Flow Generation Impacted by Lower Revenues and Higher Operating Costs
Adjusted EBITDA(1) decreased 122% to $(3.9) million for Q3 2022 compared to $17.4 million in Q3 2021 and a 379% decrease compared to $1.4 million in the previous quarter. The decrease in EBITDA is related to drop in revenues attributable to lower production and higher operating costs during Q3 2022.
Net loss attributable to shareholders for Q3 2022 was $46.2 million or $(0.28) per share (basic and diluted), compared to net loss of $4.8 million or $(0.03) per share (basic and diluted) in Q3 2021 and net loss of $15.3 million or $(0.09) per share (basic and diluted) in Q2 2022.
Adjusted net loss attributable to shareholders(1) of $10.7 million, or $(0.07) per share for Q3 2022, compared to adjusted net loss of $1.7 million or $(0.01) per share for Q3 2021 and adjusted net loss of $11.6 million, or $0.0 per share for Q2 2022.
Operating cash flow before movements in working capital of $(6.8) million for Q3 2022 as compared to $15.1 million of cash generated from operating activities in Q3 2021 and $(1.6) million in Q2 2022. The decrease resulted from lower revenue and higher costs during the quarter.
Cash and cash equivalents of $13.7 million and working capital of $(52.3) million as at September 30, 2022 compared to $34.9 million and $17.3 million, respectively, at the end of 2021. The negative working capital is largely the result of the reclassification of the long-term portion of the credit facility to current, as the Company defaulted on certain debt covenants as of September 30, 2022. The Company is seeking accommodation from the lending banks in the form of waivers for this non-compliance. If the Company is unable to obtain such waivers for the current and any potential future breaches of its debt covenants, it could materially and adversely affect the Company’s future operations, cash flows, earnings, results of operations, financial condition and the economic viability of its projects.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 due to $31.2 million used in investing activities offset by $6.1 million of cash generated from operating activities and $3.8 million of cash generated from financing activities.
Financing activities included $25.0 million received from Banco de Credito del Peru (“BCP”) and Banco Santander by the Company’s subsidiary, Sociedad Minera Corona, to finance the repayment of the installments of $18.8 million on the original credit facility received from BCP.
1 This is a non-IFRS performance measure. See the Non-IFRS Performance Measures section of the MD&A.
Project Development
Mine development at Bolivar during Q3 2022 totaled 2,080 meters, which included 1,265 meters of development to prepare stopes for mine production, and 815 meters to development of ramps; and
Mine development at Cusi during Q3 2022 totaled 631 meters.
Exploration Update
Peru:
Approximately 2,532 meters of diamond drilling was completed during Q3 2022 in the Fortuna North, Katty and Violeta zones with the aim to replace and increase the depleted mineral resources. Additionally, approximately 2,000 meters of greenfield exploration drilling was completed in the Tucumachay prospect.
Mexico:
Bolivar
At Bolivar during Q3 2022, 18,318 meters were drilled in the Bolivar West, Bolivar NorthWest, the Cieneguita zones and El Gallo Superior encountering skarn intersections with mineralization. Additionally, infill drilling of 4,479 meters was completed in the Bolivar West, El Gallo Inferior and Bolivar NorthWest zones;
Cusi
During Q3 2022, the Company completed 2,196 meters of infill drilling to support the development of the Santa Rosa de Lima vein and NE Trend.
Covid-19 Update And Outlook
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Company’s operations over the past two years. While there are still concerns regarding the newer variants of the virus, there is reduced pressure on the operations due to relaxed measures as the Company has achieved almost 100% vaccination rate for its employees at all locations. The additional costs related to COVID dropped to $1.7 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 as compared to $8.0 million spent during the comparative nine-month period of 2021.
Impairment Charge
Lower market capitalization due to the drop in the Company’s share price, declining metal prices, lower production and consequent decrease in profitability were considered as indicators of impairment as on September 30, 2022. The Company performed an impairment analysis for each of its cash generating units (“CGU”) using Life of Mine (“LOM”), which incorporate current operational practices, long term metal prices based on recent analyst consensus and productivity assumptions, based on recent operating experience at the mines.
The Company updated the Bolivar LOM using updated information from the mine performance, required capex, metal prices and discount rate, and concluded that an impairment of $25.0 million was required for the Bolivar CGU.
The Cusi LOM was updated for the latest metal prices and discount rate. Following this analysis, management concluded that an impairment of $7.0 million was needed for the Cusi CGU as on September 30, 2022.
The updated Yauricocha LOM did not indicate any impairment as at September 30, 2022.
Suspended Guidance
In addition to the delays in the anticipated turnaround at the Bolivar mine due to the unexpected flooding in the Bolivar NW zone during the quarter, the Company also experienced production delays at the Yauricocha mine as a result of the mudslide incident and ensuing community blockade in September. Although mining restarted in parts of Yauricocha in October, the Company is following due assurance processes to ensure safe operations in the remaining sections of the mine. In view of these delays, the Company has suspended its production and financial guidance for 2022.
Strategic Review Process
In response to liquidity challenges from an accumulation of operational losses and negative cashflows, primarily from its Mexican operations, 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. Financial and legal advisors with particular expertise in turnaround and restructuring matters have been engaged to advise on this process.
The Company has engaged CIBC Capital Markets as a financial advisor in this process.
Delisting
As previously announced, the Company will voluntarily delist its common shares from the New York Stock Exchange American (“NYSE”) and the Bolsa de Valores de Lima (“BVL”). The final day of trading on the NYSE was today, November 14, 2022 with shares to be suspended from trading before market open on November 15, 2022.
The Company is continuing to pursue its BVL delisting and suspension from trading is anticipated later during the year. An update will be provided once a final trading date of the common shares on the BVL has been confirmed.
The Company’s common shares will continue to be listed and traded in Canadian dollars on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Conference Call and Webcast
Sierra Metals’ senior management will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 11:00 AM (EDT) to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Via Webcast:
A live audio webcast of the meeting will be available on the Company’s website:
The webcast, along with presentation slides, will be archived for 180 days on www.sierrametals.com.
Via phone:
For those who prefer to listen by phone, dial-in instructions are below. To ensure your participation, please call approximately five minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the call.
Canada dial-in number (Toll Free): 1 833 950 0062 Canada dial-in number (Local): 1 226 828 7575 US dial-in number (Toll Free): 1 844 200 6205 US dial-in number (Local): 1 646 904 5544 All other locations: +1 929 526 1599
Access code: 991150
Press *1 to ask a question, *2 to withdraw your question, or *0 for operator assistance
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 condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Non-IFRS reconciliation of adjusted net income
The Company has included the non-IFRS financial performance measure of adjusted net income, defined by management as the net income attributable to shareholders shown in the statement of earnings plus the non-cash depletion charge due to the acquisition of Corona and the corresponding deferred tax recovery and certain non-recurring or non-cash items such as share-based compensation and foreign currency exchange (gains) losses. 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 to the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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.
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.
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. This includes:
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.
This term does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and therefore the Company’s definition is 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 is 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.
Qualified Persons
Américo Zuzunaga, FAusIMM (Mining Engineer) Vice President, Technical 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.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including with respect to timing of the conference call, exploration and production plans and the delisting of the Company’s common shares. 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 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.
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL:SMT) (NYSE American: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or the “Company”) confirms that it has received further correspondence from Compania Minera Kolpa S.A. (“Kolpa”) and Arias Resource Capital Management LP (“ARC”) regarding their previously announced unsolicited, non-binding letter of intent.
The Company has been diligently and expeditiously pursuing both short-term financing opportunities and the strategic review process announced in Sierra’s press release dated October 18, 2022. As previously announced, CIBC Capital Markets has been engaged as financial advisor to review strategic options.
Kolpa, ARC and other parties that have already expressed interest, among others, will be invited to participate and submit proposals so that they can be considered in the context of the strategic review process that is reasonably and fairly structured to be in the best interests of Sierra and all of its stakeholders. The process will give proper consideration to all viable options, not only the proposed Kolpa transaction.
The Company has not refused to engage nor rejected any proposals and welcomes and encourages participation of all interested parties. The Company is working diligently and expeditiously with full recognition of the timing considerations applicable in the current situation.
About Sierra Metals
Sierra Metals 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.
For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com or contact:
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the course of action, if any, to be pursued in response to the Kolpa non-binding letter of intent. Forward-looking information relates to future events or the anticipated performance of Sierra Metals 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, uncertainness and other factors that may cause actual performance of Sierra Metals to be materially different from any anticipated performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The Company has made certain assumptions regarding, among other things, the strategic alternatives that may be available to it. By its very nature forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual performance of Sierra Metals 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 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.
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL or Bolsa de Valores de Lima: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) announces the filing at the BVL by its subsidiary, Sociedad Minera Corona S.A. (“Corona”) of its unaudited Financial Statements and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the third quarter of 2022 (“Q3 2022”).
The Company holds an 81.8% interest in Corona. The unaudited Financial Statements and MD&A can be viewed at:
To search for the Company’s financial statements, enter the following parameters in the empty fields:
Empresa: Sociedad Minera Corona S.A. Periodo: 2022 and Trimestre III
Sierra Metals will be releasing its Q3 2022 consolidated financial statements on Monday November 14th, 2022, with an investor conference call taking place on Tuesday November 15th, 2022.
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 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 Toronto Stock ESxchange and the Bolsa de Valores de Lima 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.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States 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 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.
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.
Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Sierra receives an unsolicited transaction proposal. Sierra Metals recently received an unsolicited, non-binding letter of intent (LOI) from Compania Minera Kolpa S.A. (Kolpa) outlining indicative terms for a proposed merger with Sierra Metals and a concurrent financing by an unaffiliated investment firm. Kolpa is a private mining company that operates the polymetallic Huachocolpa Uno underground mine in Peru with capacity of 1,800 tonnes per day. The transaction is supported by affiliates of Arias Resource Capital, Sierra’s largest shareholder, that collectively own approximately 27% of Sierra’s issued and outstanding shares. Kolpa shareholders supporting the transaction proposal include Arias Resource Capital Fund II L.P., Arias Resource Capital Fund II (Mexico) L.P., and GR Holding S.A.
Transaction basics. While specifics remain to be disclosed and could change, the proposed transaction would be an operational merger of Kolpa and Sierra assets in Peru, following a business combination that would result in Sierra owning all the shares or assets of Kolpa. Concurrent with the transaction, Kolpa’s financing partner proposes to purchase unsecured convertible debentures that would be convertible into common shares of Sierra.
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.
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL:SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) confirms that it received an unsolicited, non-binding letter of intent (the “LOI”) following the close of business on October 27, 2022 from Compañia Minera Kolpa S.A. (“Kolpa”), among others.
The LOI outlines indicative terms for a proposed: (a) business combination of Kolpa and Sierra Metals; and (b) concurrent financing by an investment firm (collectively, the “Proposal”).
The LOI was submitted by Kolpa with its shareholders Arias Resource Capital Fund II L.P. and Arias Resource Capital Fund II (Mexico) L.P., among others. The LOI states that Arias Resource Capital Fund II L.P. and Arias Resource Capital Fund II (Mexico) L.P. and other members of the Arias Group (and principals) hold approximately 27% of the common shares of Sierra Metals.
As previously announced, a Special Committee of the independent members of Sierra Metals’ Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”) was formed with a mandate that includes exploring, reviewing and considering financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interests of Sierra Metals.
The Special Committee is reviewing and considering the Proposal, with the assistance of financial and legal advisors to the Special Committee and to the Company. The Special Committee will consider the benefits of the Proposal to the Company and its stakeholders and all viable alternatives that may be or may become available to the Company. No decisions or recommendations have been made by the Special Committee regarding the transactions that are the subject of the Proposal at this time and the LOI has not been executed by the Company. Shareholders do not need to take any action with respect to the Proposal at this time.
The Company will continue to provide appropriate disclosure of any material developments as they arise.
About Sierra Metals
Sierra Metals 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.
For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com or contact:
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the course of action, if any, to be pursued in response to the Proposal. Forward-looking information relates to future events or the anticipated performance of Sierra Metals 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, uncertainness and other factors that may cause actual performance of Sierra Metals to be materially different from any anticipated performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The Company has made certain assumptions regarding, among other things, the strategic alternatives that may be available to it. By its very nature forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual performance of Sierra Metals 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 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.
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL:SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) reports third quarter 2022 production results and announces its decision to voluntarily delist its common shares from the New York Stock Exchange American (“NYSE”) and the Bolsa de Valores de Lima (“BVL”). Delisting is intended to reduce costs and simplify Sierra’s administrative and compliance structure associated with these listings. The Company’s common shares will continue to be listed and traded in Canadian dollars on the TSX.
Production results are from Sierra Metals’ three underground mines in Latin America: The Yauricocha polymetallic mine in Peru, and the Bolivar copper and Cusi silver mines in Mexico.
Third Quarter 2022 Consolidated Production Highlights
As a result of the mudslide incident and the community blockade that followed, mining operations at Yauricocha were suspended for approximately 20 days in September.
Consolidated mill throughput decreased 12% when compared to the previous quarter and 25% when compared to Q3 2021, due to lower throughput at Yauricocha and slower ramp up at Bolivar as a result of an unforeseen flooding event in the Bolivar NorthWest zone.
Consolidated copper equivalent production was 7% lower compared to the previous quarter and 24% lower when compared to Q3 2021
Suspension of production and financial guidance remains in effect.
Consolidated Q3 2022 Results – The Company previously announced that results will be released on Tuesday, November 15th with a shareholder conference call and webcast on Wednesday, November 16th.
Correction: The Company’s Q3 2022 results will be released on Monday, November 14th after market close and the shareholder conference call and webcast will be held on Tuesday, November 15th at 11:00 AM EST. Dial in and event link details remain the same. Click hereto register.
Luis Marchese, CEO of Sierra Metals, commented,“The tragic mudslide event that took place at the Yauricocha Mine last month has been extremely difficult for all of us at Sierra Metals. Safety for everyone remains our highest priority. As such, mining operations have re-commenced at a portion of the Yauricocha Mine, while a very thorough safety assurance process continues before restarting operations in the remaining areas.”
Additionally, the extended work stoppage at Yauricocha, due to the road blockade by a local community, concluded after an agreement was reached. The agreement is currently in the process of being implemented.”
He continued,“Bolivar’s turnaround effort has been delayed due to unexpected flooding events during most of the quarter at the Bolivar NorthWest zone in addition to operational delays in implementing a new raise bore to add ventilation. The flooding is currently under control.
Further, after an in-depth review, examining the advantages and disadvantages of Sierra’s listings, management and the Board determined that it would be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to voluntarily delist from both the NYSE and the BVL exchanges. The decision is intended to create simplification and to reduce significant costs associated with the continued listing on the NYSE and BVL.”
He concluded,“Sierra Metals has endured an unfortunate sequence of events, that have brought the Company to its current position. Our goal is to find the best path forward for the Company and its stakeholders.”
Consolidated Production Results
Throughput from the Yauricocha Mine during Q3 2022 was 269,057 tonnes, a 15% decline when compared to the previous quarter. When compared to Q3 2021, throughput from the Yauricocha Mine was 17% lower due to the suspension of mining activity and work stoppages during the third quarter, which resulted in a 31% decrease in copper equivalent pounds produced.
At the Bolivar Mine, throughput was 227,669 tonnes during Q3 2022 or 11% lower as compared to Q2 2022. Lower throughput, combined with lower grades in copper and silver resulted in a 10% decrease in copper equivalent pound production when compared to the previous quarter. When compared to Q3 2021, throughput at Bolivar was 38% lower and while grades were higher for silver and gold, they were not enough to offset the lower throughput, resulting in a 16% decrease in copper equivalent pounds produced.
At Cusi, throughput was 65,180 tonnes during Q3 2022 or 2% lower as compared to Q2 2022. The slightly lower throughput was offset by higher grades in all metals, resulting in a 32% increase in silver equivalent production. When compared to Q3 2021, a 7% increase in throughput, combined with higher head grades for all metals except lead, resulted in a 22% increase in silver equivalent production.
Yauricocha Mine, Peru
The Yauricocha Mine processed 269,057 tonnes during Q3 2022, which was a 15% decrease when compared to Q2 2022 and an 11% decrease in copper equivalent pounds produced. While silver, lead and zinc grades increased by 7%, 24% and 15%, respectively, copper grades decreased by 17% and gold decreased by 24% when compared to the previous quarter.
When compared to Q3 2021, there was a 17% decrease from the 324,196 tonnes processed in the same quarter of 2021 and a 31% decrease in copper equivalent pounds produced. Negative variances in the grades of all metals were the result of restricted access to higher grade areas of the mine and contributed to the lower production of all metals at Yauricocha during Q3 2022.
The significant decrease in tonnage and copper equivalent pounds produced at Yauricocha is a result of the suspension of mining activities due to the mudslide that occurred on September 11, 2022 and the subsequent blockade that took place at the mine’s main entrance.
A summary of production from the Yauricocha Mine for Q3 2022 is provided below:
Bolivar Mine, Mexico
The Bolivar mine processed 227,669 tonnes in Q3 2022, an 11% decrease from 256,372 tonnes in Q2 2022. Lower production during Q3, a 5% decrease in copper grades and a 2% decrease in silver grades resulted in a 10% decrease in copper equivalent pound production when compared to Q2 2022.
When comparing Q3 2022 to Q3 2021, the Bolivar mine processed 38% fewer tonnes of ore. Copper grades were 2% lower while silver and gold grades were 9% and 159% higher, respectively which was not enough to offset the overall decrease in tonnes processed. The mine’s copper equivalent production for the quarter decreased by 16% when compared to the same quarter last year. Operational ramp up has been slower than expected due to unforeseen flooding in the Bolivar NorthWest zone during the quarter.
A summary of production for the Bolivar Mine for Q3 2022 is provided below:
Cusi Mine, Mexico
Operating at an average throughput of 745 tpd, Cusi processed 2% fewer tonnes of ore in Q3 2022 as compared to Q2 2022. Higher grades in all metals resulted in a 32% increase in silver equivalent ounces.
When comparing Q3 2022 to Q3 2021, ore tonnage increased by 7%. Silver production increased 31%, with gold and lead production decreasing by 2% and 57%, respectively. Silver equivalent production of 374,000 ounces for the quarter was 22% higher than in Q3 2021.
A summary of production for the Cusi Mine for Q3 2022 is provided below:
Delisting From The NYSE American and BVL Stock Exchanges
Sierra Metals will notify the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the National Commission on the Supervision of Companies and Securities of its withdrawal of the common shares from listing on the NYSE and BVL, respectively.
The Company decided to pursue the voluntary de-listings after concluding that the disadvantages of maintaining its listing on the NYSE and the BVL outweighed the benefits to the Company and its shareholders. It was determined that a delisting will simplify Sierra’s administrative and compliance structure and reduce costs associated with the listing fees.
The decision to voluntarily delist the common shares from the NYSE and BVL will not impact the Company’s listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”). The common shares will continue to be listed and traded on the TSX, subject to compliance with TSX continued listing standards.
The Company expects that the last day of trading of the common shares on the NYSE will be on or about November 14, 2022 and on the BVL on or about December 15, 2022, subject to the satisfaction of the requirements and completion of the internal processes of the latter exchange.
Shareholders holding shares in U.S. brokerage accounts should contact their brokers to confirm how to trade Sierra Metals’ shares in the future on the TSX. Likewise, shareholders holding shares acquired through Peruvian stockbroker agents should contact their brokers to confirm how to trade Sierra Metals’ shares in the future on the TSX.
Quality Control
Américo Zuzunaga, FAusIMM (Mining Engineer) and Vice President, Technical, 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.
For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including with respect to the delisting of the Common Shares on the NYSE and BVL (and the timing thereof), results of the delisting and the timing of the release of the Company’s Q3 2022 results and shareholders’ call and webcast. 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 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.
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.
Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Operational challenges negatively impact production. During the third quarter, Sierra Metals produced 6.3 million pounds of copper, 3.9 million pounds of lead, 10.8 million pounds of zinc, 2.2 thousand ounces of gold, and 669 thousand ounces of silver. On a sequential basis, copper and gold production declined 24% and 16%, respectively, while lead, silver, and zinc production increased 16%, 10%, and 4%, respectively. On a copper equivalent basis, production declined 7% sequentially and was below our estimate. Production was negatively impacted, among other things, by a mudslide at the Yauricocha mine and flooding in the NorthWest Zone at the Bolivar mine.
Updating estimates. We have lowered our 2022 EBITDA and EPS estimates to $29.9 million and $(0.08) per share from $44.6 million and $(0.01) per share. We have lowered our 2023 EBITDA and EPS estimates to $76.1 million and $0.12 per share. Operational uncertainty associated with production at the company’s mines clouds our confidence in 2023 estimates. Sierra will release third quarter results after the market close on November 14 and will host an investor call on November 15 at 11:00 am ET.
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.
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (NYSE American: SMTS) (BVL or Bolsa de Valores de Lima: SMT) (“Sierra Metals” or the “Company”) announced today that a special committee comprised of its independent directors (the “Special Committee”) has initiated a process to evaluate and consider the Company’s current financial and liquidity position, operational challenges and possible financing and restructuring alternatives that may be available to the Company.
Financial and Operational Matters
The Company faces liquidity challenges as a result of the recent previously announced suspension of operations at the Yauricocha Mine and operating losses and negative cash flows that have accumulated, primarily from the Bolivar and Cusi operations.
While mining operations have re-commenced at areas of the Yauricocha Mine, a majority of the operation remains suspended at this time. A precise timeline for achieving full plant throughput has not yet been established.
Absent additional support and increased funding, the Company’s ability to continue operations in the ordinary course may be impacted. The Company is monitoring and actively managing its capital to preserve liquidity to support operations and will continue to consult with its financial and other stakeholders.
The Company reiterates that the safety and wellbeing of its employees and contractors remains of utmost importance.
Special Committee
The Special Committee includes all non-management members of the board of directors of the Company. The mandate of the Special Committee includes exploring, reviewing and considering options to optimize the operations of the Company and financing, restructuring and strategic options in the best interests of the Company. The Special Committee has a particular focus on liquidity, near term financing and cash conservation options.
Financial and legal advisors with particular expertise in turnaround and restructuring matters have been engaged to advise on this process.
It is the Company’s current intention to not disclose developments with respect to the Special Committee process unless and until the board of directors of Sierra Metals has approved a specific transaction or material steps or otherwise determines that disclosure is necessary.
The Company cautions that there are no assurances or guarantees of the results of the Special Committee review process, management’s efforts to improve the current situation or the impact that the process and such efforts will have on the Company’s financial and liquidity position or its operations. The Company has not set a definitive schedule to complete the evaluation.
About Sierra Metals
Sierra Metals 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 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.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including statements with respect to the ability of the Company to continue operations in the ordinary course. Forward-looking information relates to future events or the anticipated performance of Sierra Metals 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. The Company has made certain assumptions regarding, among other things: the strategic alternatives that may be available to it. By its very nature forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual performance of Sierra Metals 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 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.
