EX-99.1 2 exhibit99-1.htm NEWS RELEASE DATED MAY 22, 2013 Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit 99.1


   
NEWS RELEASE   
   
Trading Symbol: TSX: SVM 
  NYSE: SVM 

SILVERCORP REPORTS FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2013

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – May 22, 2013 Silvercorp Metals Inc. (“Silvercorp” or the “Company”) (TSX: SVM) (NYSE: SVM) today reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Silver production of 0.94 million ounces;

  • Sales of $33.1 million;

  • Net income of $6.4 million or $0.04 per share;

  • Cash flow from operations of $14.8 million, or $0.09 per share;

  • Payment of a quarterly dividend to shareholders of $4.3 million or CAD$0.025 per share; and

  • Re-negotiated contracts with eight mining contractors at the Ying Mining District with updated fees to reflect the change in mining strategy, which increases the use of the lower cost shrinkage method to 75% and reduces the use of the higher cost re-suing method to 25% for expected ore production of 900,000 tonnes in Fiscal 2014. The new contracts are expected to provide a reduction in total mining cost.

FISCAL YEAR 2013 HIGHLIGHTS

  • Silver production of 4.97 million ounces;

  • Gold production of 12,457 ounces;

  • Sales of $181.6 million;

  • Adjusted net income of $36.9 million or $0.22 per share;

  • Cash flow from operations of $85.8 million, or $0.50 per share;

  • Cash cost of $0.48 per ounce of silver at the Ying Mining District ;

  • Completed construction of the GC mine and began trial mining and processing;

  • Return of $17.1 million to shareholders in quarterly dividend payments of CAD$0.025 per share; and

  • Commenced the implementation of a new mining strategy at the Ying Mining District which is expected to have a positive long-term impact on operations.

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FINANCIALS

1. Q4 Fiscal 2013 vs. Q4 Fiscal 2012


For the quarter ended March 31, 2013 (“Q4 Fiscal 2013”), net income attributable to equity holders of the Company was $6.4 million or $0.04 per share compared to net income of $9.7 million or $0.06 per share in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (“Q4 Fiscal 2012”).

Compared to the same prior year quarter, the decrease in net income was mainly due to (i) lower base metal production: 11.7 million pounds of lead and zinc were produced and sold in this quarter compared to 17.6 million pounds of lead and zinc in Q4 Fiscal 2012; (ii) a decrease in realized prices for silver and lead of 7% and 8%, respectively; and (iii) an increase in production costs.

In Q4 Fiscal 2013, the Company realized sales of $33.1 million compared to $44.3 million in Q4 Fiscal 2012.

Cost of sales in Q4 Fiscal 2013 was $16.1 million compared to $14.3 million in Q4 Fiscal 2012 and included cash costs of $13.8 million compared to $11.1 million in Q4 Fiscal 2012. The increase of cost of sales was due to an 11% increase in ore production.

The gross profit margin in Q4 Fiscal 2013 was 52%, compared to 68% in Q4 Fiscal 2012.

Cash flow from operations in Q4 Fiscal 2013 was $14.8 million or $0.09 per share, compared to $12.6 million, or $0.07 per share, in Q4 Fiscal 2012.

2. Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012


For the year ended March 31, 2013 (“Fiscal 2013”), net income attributable to equity holders of the Company was $27.2 million, or $0.16 per share. Excluding the $9.6 million non-cash accounting charge in respect to the Company’s investment in an associate, adjusted net income for Fiscal 2013 was $36.9 million, or $0.22 per share. As there were no adjustments to net income in the prior year ended March 31, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”), net income was $73.8 million, or $0.43 per share.

The overall decrease in net income compared to the prior year was mainly due to (i) a 15% decline in the realized silver price; (ii) a decrease in silver production of 0.65 million ounces; (iii) a decrease in base metal production of 20.3 million pounds of lead and zinc; and (iv) higher overall production costs as more ore was processed at reduced head grades for silver, lead and zinc.

In Fiscal 2013, the Company realized sales of $181.6 million compared to $238.0 million in Fiscal 2012.

Cost of sales in Fiscal 2013 was $73.1 million, an increase of 20%, compared to $61.1 million in Fiscal 2012 and included cash costs of $59.9 million compared to $48.7 million in Fiscal 2012. The increase is due to a 19% increase in ore production at lower head grades.

In Fiscal 2013, the gross profit margin was 60% compared to 74% in Fiscal 2012.

Cash flow from operations in Fiscal 2013 was $85.8 million or $0.50 per share, compared to $113.3 million, or $0.65 per share, in Fiscal 2012. The Company ended the fiscal year with $117.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

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OPERATIONS

1. Q4 Fiscal 2013 vs. Q4 Fiscal 2012


In Q4 Fiscal 2013, on a consolidated basis, the Company produced 0.94 million ounces of silver, 2,333 ounces of gold, 9.8 million pounds of lead, and 1.9 million pounds of zinc compared to 1.1 million ounces of silver and 1,987 ounces of gold, 14.7 million pounds of lead, and 2.9 million pounds of zinc in Q4 Fiscal 2012.

Ying Mining District, Henan Province, China

In Fiscal 2013, following a reduction in the cut-off grades for the Ying Mining District resource, the company has begun to gradually reduce the use of the re-suing method and increase the use of the shrinkage method for mining. As a result, ore production has increased but with reduced head grades for silver, lead and zinc, which resulted in less metal production. However, the long term benefit of the change in mining strategy is expected to increase mine life and reduce overall mining costs in an effort to offset the increasing labour cost in China.

Additionally in Q4 Fiscal 2013, contract renewal negotiations with the Company’s eight mining contractors took longer than expected as fees needed to be adjusted to reflect the change in mining strategy. The uncertainty during the contract renegotiations affected the ore production rate. As of April 2013, all contracts had been successfully renewed and production rate had returned to levels required to achieve the Company’s Fiscal 2014 annual production guidance.

In Q4 Fiscal 2013, the Company mined 153,323 tonnes of ore at the Ying Mining District compared to 135,748 tonnes in Q4 Fiscal 2012. During the quarter, metal production totalled 0.93 million ounces of silver, 800 ounces of gold, 9.5 million pounds of lead and 1.6 million pounds of zinc, compared to 1.1 million ounces of silver, 966 ounces of gold, 14.7 million pounds of lead, and 2.6 million pounds of zinc in Q4 Fiscal 2012.

Head grades were 205 grams per tonne (“g/t”) for silver, 2.9% for lead and 0.7% for zinc, compared to 275 g/t for silver, 5.2% for lead and 1.4% for zinc in the same quarter last year.

In Q4 Fiscal 2013, total and cash mining costs per tonne were $72.56 and $61.67, respectively, compared to $73.52 and $57.62 in Q4 Fiscal 2012, respectively.

In Q4 Fiscal 2013, a total of 158,145 tonnes of ore was milled compared to 136,609 tonnes in Q4 Fiscal 2012. The cash milling cost per tonne was $16.05 in Q4 Fiscal 2013 compared to $16.84 in Q4 Fiscal 2012.

Total and cash costs per ounce of silver in Q4 Fiscal 2013 for the Ying Mining District were $5.82 and $3.65 respectively, compared to negative $1.84 and negative $4.22, in Q4 Fiscal 2012, respectively.

BYP Mine, Hunan Province, China

In Q4 Fiscal 2013, the Company mined 19,334 tonnes of ore at the BYP mine with a gold head grade of 3.0 g/t compared to 16,265 tonnes and a gold head grade of 2.1 g/t in Q4 Fiscal 2012. During the quarter, 1,509 ounces of gold were produced and sold at a cash cost per ounce of gold of $493 compared to 1,021 ounces of gold produced and sold at cash cost per ounce of gold of $768 in the same period last year. In Q4 Fiscal 2013, total and cash mining costs per tonne were $58.33 per tonne and $26.35 per tonne respectively compared to $43.22 and $19.24 in Q4 Fiscal 2012, respectively.

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2. Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012


In Fiscal 2013, on a consolidated basis, the Company produced 4.97 million ounces of silver, 12,457 ounces of gold, 53.9 million pounds of lead and 12.4 million pounds of zinc, compared to 5.62 million ounces of silver, 8,771 ounces of gold, 72.8 million pounds of lead and 13.7 million pounds of zinc in Fiscal 2012.

Ying Mining District, Henan Province, China

In Fiscal 2013, the total ore mined at the Ying Mining District was 776,846 tonnes, an increase of 17% compared to 662,572 tonnes in Fiscal 2012.

Head grades at the Ying Mining District were 220 g/t for silver, 3.3% for lead, and 1.0% for zinc in Fiscal 2013 compared to 287 g/t for silver, 5.2% for lead and 1.4% for zinc in Fiscal 2012.

In Fiscal 2013, the Ying Mining District produced 4.94 million ounces of silver, 4,153 ounces of gold, 52.2 million pounds of lead, and 11.2 million pounds of zinc, compared to 5.61 million ounces of silver, 3,595 ounces of gold, 72.4 million pounds of lead, and 13.5 million pounds of zinc in Fiscal 2012.

Head grades and metal production were impacted by an increase in production from the HPG, TLP, and LM mines, which represented 40% of total production at the Ying Mining District; and the aforementioned impact from the implementation of the change in mining strategy at the Ying Mining District.

In Fiscal 2013, total and cash mining costs per tonne were $66.62 and $55.94 respectively compared to $64.70 and $51.60 in Fiscal 2012, respectively. The overall increase in cash mining costs per tonne was due to: (i) an increase in labour costs of $1.60 per tonne, (ii) an increase in mining administration costs of $1.00 per tonne, (iii) an increase in mining preparation and infill drilling costs of $1.62 per tonne, and (iii) the impact of US dollar depreciation versus the Chinese RMB of $1.00 per tonne. Additional mining preparation and infill drilling were necessary to implement the change in mining strategy.

In Fiscal 2013, total ore milled was 774,534 tonnes, an increase of 16% compared to 667,094 tonnes in Fiscal 2012. In Fiscal 2013, cash milling costs were $13.56 compared to $14.13 in Fiscal 2012.

Including by-product credits, in Fiscal 2013, total cost and cash cost per ounce of silver were $2.45 and $0.48 respectively, compared to negative $3.19 and negative $5.07, respectively, in Fiscal 2012.

BYP Mine, Hunan Province, China

In Fiscal 2013, the total ore mined was 109,093 tonnes compared to 91,128 tonnes in Fiscal 2012. The Company produced and sold 8,068 ounces of gold in Fiscal 2013 compared to 5,064 ounces of gold in Fiscal 2012. The cash cost per ounce of gold was $455 in Fiscal 2013 compared to $474 in Fiscal 2012. Gold head grade for Fiscal 2013 was 3.1 g/t compared to 2.4 g/t in Fiscal 2012.

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The consolidated operational results for the past five quarters and full Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 are summarized in the table below:

Consolidated Operational Results Quarterly   Annual
  Q4 2013 Q3 2013   Q2 2013   Q1 2013 Q4 2012   Fiscal 2013 Fiscal 2012  
  31-Mar-13 31-Dec-12   30-Sep-12   30-Jun-12 31-Mar-12   31-Mar-13 31-Mar-12  
Ore Mined (tonne)                        

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

1,309 2,334   2,442   2,251 2,761     8,336 12,599  

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

171,348 278,850   238,005   208,709 153,141     896,912 744,991  
  172,657 281,184   240,447    210,960 155,902     905,248 757,590  
Run of Mine Ore (tonne)                        

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

1,309 2,334   2,442   2,251 2,761     8,336 12,599  

Ore Milled (tonne)

198,356 284,394   246,765   214,414 157,423     943,929 749,922  
  199,665 286,728   249,207   216,665 160,184     952,265 762,521  
Metal Sales                        

Silver (in thousands of ounces)

944 1,519   1,286   1,224 1,084     4,973 5,618  

Gold (in thousands of ounces)

2.3 5.1   2.5   2.6 2.0     12.5 8.8  

Lead (in thousands of pounds)

9,827 16,430   13,897   13,744 14,670     53,898 72,804  

Zinc (in thousands of pounds)

1,903 3,977   3,523   2,974 2,890     12,377 13,749  
Head Grade of Run of Mine Ore                        

Silver (gram/tonne)

205 222   224   225 275     220 287  

Gold (gram/tonne) - BYP mine

3.0 3.7   3.3   2.2 2.1     3.1 2.4  

Lead (%)

2.9 3.2   3.4   3.6 5.2     3.3 5.2  

Zinc (%)

0.7 1.0   1.2   1.1 1.4     1.0 1.4  
Recovery Rate of Run of Mine Ore                        

Silver (%)

93.5 93.3   92.7   90.9 93.2     92.8 92.9  

Gold (%) - BYP mine

92.0 92.7   94.1   90.1 87.1     92.4 90.8  

Lead (%)

94.5 95.1   94.3   93.2 96.4     94.5 96.0  

Zinc (%)

60.3 70.4   69.6   62.6 64.6     66.8 68.0  
Cash Mining Cost ($ per tonne) 57.71 50.98   50.11   50.43 53.40     52.05 47.40  
Total Mining Costs($ per tonne) 70.96 65.26   62.41   65.55 70.24     65.85 61.51  
Cash Milling Cost ($ per tonne) 15.50 12.72   12.40   14.41 16.50     13.56 14.19  
Total Milling Cost ($ per tonne) 17.86 14.23   14.11   16.35 18.75     15.36 15.85  
Cash Cost per Ounce of Silver ($) 3.65 (0.17 ) (0.74 ) 0.14 (4.22 ) 0.48 (5.13 )
Total Production Cost per Ounce of Silver ($) 5.82 1.52   1.05   2.47 (1.84 )   2.45 (3.25 )
BYP Cash Cost per Ounce of Gold ($) 493 317   361   577 768     455 474  
BYP Production Cost per Ounce of Gold ($) 870 750   769   1,046 1,378     882 844  

 

3. Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2013 Guidance

 

  Ying Mining District BYP X mines1 GC2 Total
  F2013 Guidance  F2013 Guidance  F2013 Guidance  F2013 Guidance  F2013 Guidance 
Ore (tonne) 774,534 740,000 104,090 92,000 73,641   - 35,000 952,265 867,000
Head Grades
Silver (gram/tonne) 220.0 245.0                
Gold (gram/tonne) 0.2 0.2 3.1 2.1            
Lead (%) 3.3 4.0                
Zinc (%) 1.0 1.5                
Metal Production
Silver ('000 Oz) 4,941 5,300     32 50 - 170 4,973 5,520
Gold ('000 Oz) 4.2 3.6 8.1 4.7 0.2   -   12.5 8.3
Lead ('000 Lb) 52,220 65,000     1,678 2,500 - 1,200 53,898 68,700
Zinc ('000 Lb) 11,171 13,000 283 1,300 923 1,200 - 1,500 12,377 17,000
1 Xmines production represents development tunnelling ore from XBG and XHP mines.
2 No commerical production at GC mine in Fiscal 2013.

 

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DEVELOPMENT AND EXPLORATION

1. Ying Mining District, Henan Province, China


In Q4 Fiscal 2013, $5.2 million (Q4 Fiscal 2012 - $5.8 million) in exploration and development expenditure was incurred at the Ying Mining District. In Fiscal 2013, $33.3 million (Fiscal 2012 - $28.7 million) in exploration and development expenditure was incurred at the Ying Mining District.

SGX Mine

As at the end Fiscal 2013, the Company had completed over 1,800 metres (“m”) of the 5,200m ramp at the SGX mine. The ramp is designed to follow the S7-1 and S8 veins from the 450m elevation to the 150m elevation and then bottom at the zero metre elevation, where it will be connected to three existing vertical blind shafts to provide ventilation and access. The Company expects to complete construction of the ramp in calendar year 2015. As construction progresses, the ramp is expected to increase production capacity at the SGX mine with effect from the second quarter of Fiscal 2014.

In Fiscal 2013, the Company also developed 31,600m of horizontal tunnels and completed 63,000m of underground drilling at the SGX mine.

During the year, to support the ongoing expansion work at the SGX mine, the Company has completed the design work for a new 5,000 square metre (“m2”) surface facility which will include offices and dormitories. Site preparation work (roads, power, and water) has been completed while construction for the first phase of the surface facilities began at the end of March 2013.

LM Mine and LM Mine West

At the end Fiscal 2013, the Company completed nearly 1,700m of the development work for a 4,800m access ramp at the LM Mine West (“LM West”). The ramp was collared at the 980m elevation and is designed to provide access to veins LM7, LM8, LM10, LM11, LM12, LM13 at the northern end of LM West and veins LM14, LM16, and LM17 at the southern end of LM West. The upper portion of the ramp has already been connected to existing tunnels at LM West resulting in improved tunnel ventilation and hauling capacity.

Shaft 969 at LM West is on schedule to become operational in Fiscal 2014 and is expected to commence ore production during the third quarter of Fiscal 2014. Once Shaft 969, the access ramp and all of the mining levels are completed down to the 500m elevation at LM West in Fiscal 2015, the combined production capacity of the LM mine and LM West is expected to be approximately 300,000 tonnes of ore per year.

In Fiscal 2013, the Company also developed 17,300m of decline and horizontal tunnels and completed 49,300m of underground drilling at the LM mine and LM West.

To support the expansion in operations at the LM mine and LM West, the Company has completed the site preparation work for the construction of a 3,000m2 surface facility, including offices and a dormitory building. The Company expects to commence construction in the first half of Fiscal 2014.

TLP Mine

In Fiscal 2013, the Company developed over 19,500m of horizontal tunnels and completed 27,500m of underground drilling.

HPG Mine

In Fiscal 2013, the Company developed over 10,500m of decline and horizontal tunnels and completed 16,000m of underground drilling.

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2. GC Project, Guangdong Province, China


In Fiscal 2013, the Company substantially completed the GC mine construction.

The main access ramp totalling 2,010m in length was completed in Fiscal 2013 and has accessed the V2 vein at the +40m, +20m, and 0m elevations. In addition, 1,520m of the 4,600m exploration ramp was completed during Fiscal 2013. Once the exploration ramp is completed, it will provide access to all known veins within a horizontal distance of 250m. The exploration ramp has accessed the V9, V9-1, V9W-1 and V9W-2 veins at the 100m, 50m and 0m elevations through cross-cuts and has developed transportation drifts and mining preparation drifts. The exploration ramp has also been connected to the main ramp at the +100m, +50m and 0m elevations, as well as to the main shaft at the 100m elevation to provide ventilation and a safety exit. During the course of Fiscal 2014, the Company will use the main ramp and the exploration ramp access points for mining.

As at the end of Fiscal 2013, 550m of the 628m main shaft was completed down to an elevation of -300m. The shaft is expected to reach its designed elevation of -380m in the second quarter of Fiscal 2014. Installation of the hoist system, including the hoist tower for the shaft is expected to be completed by the beginning of Fiscal 2015.

During Fiscal 2013, the construction of the 1,600 t/d floatation mill was also completed. In March 2013 the Company commenced equipment testing and trial processing to fine tune the mill circuit to achieve the desired metallurgical recovery rates for silver, lead, zinc, tin, and sulphur in concentrates. Testing is expected to last several months. The construction of the dry stack tailings storage facility and the related safety and environmental protection facilities was completed by the end of March 2013.

The construction of a new power supply system to provide sufficient power to the site, consisting of a 5.8 kilometre power line, a 110KV substation, and a 10KV safety backup-circuit began in late September 2012. In February 2013, the new power supply station began supplying power to the site.

To achieve formal commercial production, the Company is required to pass a series of regulatory inspections to ensure it has complied with safety and environmental protection requirements. The Company expects to pass the inspection and to obtain its Safety Production Permit in the third quarter of Fiscal 2014.

In Fiscal 2013, the Company completed 35,500m diamond drilling using five underground drill rigs and two surface drill rigs currently on site at the GC mine.

In Q4 Fiscal 2013, $4.8 million (Q4 Fiscal 2012 - $3.5 million) of exploration and development expenditure was incurred at the GC mine. In Fiscal 2013, $15.8 million (Fiscal 2012 - $5.9 million) of exploration and development expenditure was incurred at the GC mine.

3. BYP Mine, Hunan Province, China


In Fiscal 2013, the Company completed the preparation work for the construction of a shaft with a total depth of 265m. Ongoing work includes the installation of shaft equipment and construction of the head frame. Once completed, this shaft which will facilitate mining of the #3 gold mineralization body and the #5 zinc and lead ore body. In addition, the construction of a 1,500 t/d tailings-backfill facility is expected to be completed in the first quarter of Fiscal 2014.

In Fiscal 2013, approximately $5.7 million (Fiscal 2012 - $4.0 million) in exploration and development expenditure was incurred at the BYP mine, of which $1.1 million was incurred in Q4 Fiscal 2013 (Q4 Fiscal 2012 - $1.2 million).

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4. Fiscal 2014 Capital Expenditure Review


Following the recent decline in metal prices, the Company is currently reviewing its capital expenditure for Fiscal 2014 to identify opportunities to reduce costs and optimize the allocation of capital across the Company, including examining strategic options for non-core assets.


Myles Gao, P.Geo., President, is the Qualified Person for Silvercorp under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and given consent to the technical information contained in this News Release.

This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis, Financial Statements and Notes to Financial Statements for the corresponding period, which have been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and are also available on the Company's website at www.silvercorp.ca. All figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

An analyst conference call will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 8 a.m. Pacific Time (11 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss the results. Participants may join the call by dialing 1-866-226-1793 toll-free or 1-416-340-2218 for calls outside of Canada and the U.S. Members of the media are invited to attend on a listen-only basis.

A live audio webcast of the conference call, together with supporting presentation slides, will be available on the home page of the Company's website, www.silvercorp.ca. The webcast will be archived and available on the Company's website for up to one year.

An audio replay will be available until May 30, 2013 by calling 1-800-408-3053 toll free or 1-905-694-9451 for calls outside Canada and the U.S. and entering pass code 5618743.

About Silvercorp

Silvercorp is a low-cost silver-producing Canadian mining company with multiple mines in China which has paid a cash dividend since 2007. The Company is currently developing the GC project in southern China which it expects will become its next operating mine in 2013. The Company’s vision is to deliver shareholder value by focusing on the acquisition of under developed projects with resource potential and the ability to grow organically. For more information, please visit our website at www.silvercorp.ca.

For further information

Jonathan Hackshaw
Director, Investor Relations
Phone: (604) 669-9397
Toll Free 1(888) 224-1881
Email: investor@silvercorp.ca
Website: www.silvercorp.ca

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CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws. Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategies”, “targets”, “goals”, “forecasts”, “objectives”, “budgets”, “schedules”, “potential” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates at the Company’s material properties; the sufficiency of the Company’s capital to finance the Company’s operations; estimates of the Company’s revenues and capital expenditures; estimated production from the Company’s mines in the Ying Mining Camp; timing of receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; availability of funds from production to finance the Company’s operations; and access to and availability of funding for future construction, use of proceeds from any financing and development of the Company’s properties.

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, risks relating to: fluctuating commodity prices; calculation of resources, reserves and mineralization and precious and base metal recovery; interpretations and assumptions of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; exploration and development programs; feasibility and engineering reports; permits and licences; title to properties; First Nations title claims and rights; property interests; joint venture partners; acquisition of commercially mineable mineral rights; financing; recent market events and conditions; economic factors affecting the Company; timing, estimated amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production; integration of future acquisitions into the Company’s existing operations; competition; operations and political conditions; regulatory environment in China and Canada; environmental risks; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; insurance; risks and hazards of mining operations; key personnel; conflicts of interest; dependence on management; internal control over financial reporting as per the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and bringing actions and enforcing judgments under U.S. securities laws.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2012 under the heading “Risk Factors”. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company’s forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management’s assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

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SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

    March 31, 2013     March 31, 2012  
ASSETS            
Current Assets            

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 72,283   $ 109,960  

Short-term investments

  45,623     44,551  

Accounts receivable

  1,442     12,904  

Inventories

  7,522     7,006  

Due from related parties

  123     679  

Prepaids and deposits

  5,118     5,210  
    132,111     180,310  
Non-current Assets            

Long term prepaids and deposits

  1,877     6,015  

Investment in an associate

  6,523     15,872  

Other investments

  15,516     45,757  

Plant and equipment

  103,517     68,788  

Mineral rights and properties

  316,678     258,521  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 576,222   $ 575,263  
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY            
Current Liabilities            

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$ 29,285   $ 23,590  

Deposits received

  11,497     7,268  

Dividends payable

  4,204     4,271  

Income tax payable

  1,349     5,082  

Due to related parties

  1,207     -  
    47,542     40,211  
 
Non-current Liabilities            

Deferred income tax liabilities

  24,603     19,820  

Environmental rehabilitation

  5,974     4,400  
Total Liabilities   78,119     64,431  
 
Equity            

Share capital

  233,082     232,678  

Share option reserve

  8,314     5,552  

Reserves

  24,717     24,717  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

  (1,495 )   25,285  

Retained earnings

  155,817     145,580  
Total equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company   420,435     433,812  
 
Non-controlling interests   77,668     77,020  
Total Equity   498,103     510,832  
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 576,222   $ 575,263  

 

 

10






SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for per share figures)
  Three Months Ended March 31, Years Ended March 31,
  2013   2012   2013   2012  
  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)              
Sales $ 33,147   $ 44,312   $ 181,622   $ 237,962  
Cost of sales   16,060     14,329     73,089     61,149  
                       
Gross profit   17,087     29,983     108,533     176,813  
General and administrative   6,252     8,042     25,734     27,124  
General exploration and property investigation   711     249     3,909     3,699  
Other taxes   483     1,264     2,985     4,394  
Foreign exchange gain   (1,050 )   (97 )   (1,382 )   (406 )
Loss on disposal of plant and equipment   64     20     149     268  
Gain on disposal of mineral rights and properties   (644 )   -     (644 )   -  
Share of loss (gain) in associate   (34 )   137     197     182  
Impairment on associate   -     -     9,640     -  
Loss on investments   980     281     1,651     567  
Other income   (153 )   (840 )   (535 )   (2,457 )
Income from operations   10,478     20,927     66,829     143,442  
                         
Finance income   1,666     812     4,507     3,528  
Finance costs   (23 )   (26 )   (92 )   (94 )
Income before income taxes   12,121     21,713     71,244     146,876  
                         
Income tax expense   3,730     7,657     29,201     45,648  
Net income $ 8,391   $ 14,056   $ 42,043   $ 101,228  
                         
Attributable to:                        

Equity holders of the Company

$ 6,361   $ 9,700   $ 27,211   $ 73,838  

Non-controlling interests

  2,030     4,356     14,832     27,390  
  $ 8,391   $ 14,056   $ 42,043   $ 101,228  
                         
Earnings per share attributable to the equity holders of the Company                        
Basic earnings per share $ 0.04   $ 0.06   $ 0.16   $ 0.43  
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.04   $ 0.06   $ 0.16   $ 0.43  
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic   170,772,725     170,650,904     170,733,504     172,487,486  
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted   170,990,015     171,162,713     171,059,482     173,214,711  

 

11





SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

    Three Months Ended March 31, Years Ended March 31,
    2013     2012     2013     2012  
Cash provided by   (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)              
Operating activities                        

Net income

$ 8,391   $ 14,056   $ 42,043   $ 101,228  

Add (deduct) items not affecting cash:

                       

Unwinding of discount of environmental rehabilitation

  23     24     92     94  

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

  2,935     3,758     14,588     13,704  

Share of loss (gain) in associate

  (34 )   137     197     182  

Impairment on associate

  -     -     9,640     -  

Write down of inventories

  -     -     348     -  

Income tax expense

  3,730     7,657     29,201     45,648  

Loss on investments

  980     281     1,651     567  

Loss on disposal of plant and equipment

  64     20     149     268  

Gain on disposal of mineral rights and properties

  (644 )   -     (644 )   -  

Share-based compensation

  739     708     2,893     3,094  

Income tax paid

  (5,914 )   (11,983 )   (28,237 )   (37,644 )

Changes in non-cash operating working capital

  4,536     (2,061 )   13,877     (13,863 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   14,806     12,597     85,798     113,278  
                         
Investing activities                        

Mineral rights and properties

                       

Capital expenditures

  (14,202 )   (11,964 )   (56,057 )   (43,426 )

Proceeds on disposals

  1,750     -     1,750     -  

Plant and equipment

                       

Additions

  (9,056 )   (3,984 )   (33,531 )   (23,385 )

Proceeds on disposals

  80     113     80     113  

Other investments

                       

Acquisition

  -     (944 )   (595 )   (1,964 )

Reclamation expenditures

  -     (47 )   -     (47 )

Net redemptions (purchases) of short-term investments

  15,055     2,534     (1,184 )   15,993  

Acquisition of Zhongxing/Chuanxin (net of cash acquired, $20)

  -     (2,571 )   -     (12,005 )

Acquisition of SX Gold (net of cash acquired, $554)

  -     -     -     (22,320 )

Changes in long term prepaids and deposits

  (1,362 )   (1,094 )   (1,610 )   (3,847 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (7,735 )   (17,957 )   (91,147 )   (90,888 )
                         
Financing activities                        

Related parties

                       

Payments made

  (265 )   (135 )   (973 )   (4,673 )

Repayments received

  246     75     1,561     598  

Non-controlling interests

                       

Contribution

  -     -     -     5,519  

Distribution

  (636 )   -     (15,248 )   (13,804 )

Cash dividends distributed

  (4,291 )   (4,205 )   (17,111 )   (14,891 )

Proceeds from issuance of common shares

  34     308     273     1,304  

Common shares repurchased as part of normal course issuer bid

  -     -     -     (35,380 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (4,912 )   (3,957 )   (31,498 )   (61,327 )
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (712 )   (1,857 )   (830 )   1,673  
                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   1,447     (11,174 )   (37,677 )   (37,264 )
                     
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period   70,836     121,134     109,960     147,224  
                       
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period $ 72,283   $ 109,960   $ 72,283   $ 109,960  

 

12





SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Mining Data
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for mining data figures)
 
  Three months ended March 31, 2013
  Ying Mining
District
1
X Mines2 BYP Total
 
Production Data          

Mine Data

         

Ore Mined (tonne)

         

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

1,309 -   - 1,309

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

152,014 - * 19,334 171,348
  153,323 -   19,334 172,657

Run of Mine Ore (tonne)

         

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

1,309 -   - 1,309

Ore Milled (tonne)

156,836 15,292 * 26,228 198,356
  158,145 15,292   26,228 199,665

Mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

72.56 -   58.33 70.96

Cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

61.67 -   26.35 57.71

Non cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

10.89 -   31.98 13.25

Unit shipping costs($)

3.90 -   - 3.47

Milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

18.61 -   13.28 17.86

Cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

16.05 -   12.17 15.50

Non cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

2.56 -   1.11 2.36

Average Production Cost

         

Silver ($ per ounce)

11.10 -   - 11.63

Gold ($ per ounce)

544 -   871 600

Lead ($ per pound)

0.36 -   - 0.38

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.34 -   - 0.36

Total production cost per ounce of Silver ($)

5.82 -     5.82

Total cash cost per ounce of Silver ($)

3.65 -     3.65

Total production cost per ounce of Gold ($)

      870 870

Total cash cost per ounce of Gold ($)

      493 493

Total Recovery of the Run of Mine Ore

         

Silver (%)

93.5 -     93.5

Gold (%)

      92.0 92.0

Lead (%)

94.5 -     94.5

Zinc (%)

60.3 -     60.3

Head Grades of Run of Mine Ore

         

Silver (gram/tonne)

205 -     205

Gold (gram/tonne)

      3.0 3.0

Lead (%)

2.9 -     2.9

Zinc (%)

0.7 -     0.7
Sales Data          

Metal Sales

         

Silver (in thousands of ounces)

933 11 * - 944

Gold (in thousands of ounces)

0.8 - * 1.5 2.3

Lead (in thousands of pounds)

9,462 365 * - 9,827

Zinc (in thousands of pounds)

1,554 349 * - 1,903

Metal Sales

         

Silver (in thousands of $)

21,883 -   - 21,883

Gold (in thousands of $)

921 -   1,938 2,859

Lead (in thousands of $)

7,277 -   - 7,277

Zinc (in thousands of $)

1,128 -   - 1,128
  31,208 -   1,938 33,147

Average Selling Price,Net of Value Added Tax and Smelter Charges

       

Silver ($ per ounce)

23.49 -   - 23.49

Gold ($ per ounce)

1,151 -   1,285 1,226

Lead ($ per pound)

0.77 -   - 0.77

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.73 -   - 0.73
1 Ying Mining District includes mines: SGX, TLP, HPG&LM.          
2 X Mines includes the XBG project and XHP project.          
* Represents development tunnelling ore at the X mines.          

 

13





SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Mining Data
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for mining data figures)
 
  Three months ended March 31, 2012
 Ying Mining    
  District1 X Mines2 BYP Total
Production Data              

Mine Data

             

Ore Mined (tonne)

             

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

2,761   -   - 2,761  

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

132,987   3,890 * 16,265 153,142  
  135,748   3,890   16,265 155,903  

Run of Mine Ore (tonne)

             

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

2,761   -   - 2,761  

Ore Milled (tonne)

133,848   -   23,575 157,423  
  136,609   -   23,575 160,184  

Mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

73.52   68.75 * 43.22 70.24  

Cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

57.62   48.81 * 19.24 53.40  

Non cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

15.90   19.95 * 23.98 16.84  

Unit shipping costs($)

3.46   3.92 * - 3.46  

Milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

19.39   -   15.04 18.75  

Cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

16.84   -   14.58 16.50  

Non cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

2.56   -   0.46 2.25  

Average Production Cost

             

Silver ($ per ounce)

8.34   -   - 8.34  

Gold ($ per ounce)

361   -   1,377 424  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.28   -   - 0.28  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.22   -   - 0.22  

Total production cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(1.84 ) -     (1.84 )

Total cash cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(4.22 ) -     (4.22 )

Total production cost per ounce of Gold ($)

        1,378 1,378  

Total cash cost per ounce of Gold ($)

        768 768  

Total Recovery of the Run of Mine Ore

             

Silver (%)

93.2   -     93.2  

Gold (%)

        87.1 87.1  

Lead (%)

96.4   -     96.4  

Zinc ( %)

64.6   -     64.6  

Head Grades of Run of Mine Ore

             

Silver (gram/tonne)

275   -     275  

Gold (gram/tonne)

        2.1 2.1  

Lead (%)

5.2   -     5.2  

Zinc (%)

1.4   -     1.4  
Sales Data              

Metal Sales

             

Silver (in thousands of ounces)

1,084   -   - 1,084  

Gold (in thousands of ounces)

1.0   -   1.0 2.0  

Lead (in thousands of pounds)

14,670   -   - 14,670  

Zinc (in thousands of pounds)

2,641   -   249 2,890  

Metal Sales

             

Silver (in thousands of $)

27,500   -   - 27,500  

Gold (in thousands of $)

1,125   -   1,396 2,521  

Lead (in thousands of $)

12,366   -   - 12,366  

Zinc (in thousands of $)

1,773   -   152 1,925  
  42,764   -   1,548 44,312  

Average Selling Price,Net of Value Added Tax and Smelter Charges

           

Silver ($ per ounce)

25.37   -   - 25.37  

Gold ($ per ounce)

1,165   -   1,367 1,269  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.84   -   - 0.84  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.67   -   0.61 0.67  
1 Ying Mining District includes mines: SGX, TLP, HPG&LM.              
2 X Mines includes the XBG project and XHP project.              
* Represents development tunnelling ore at the X mines.              

 

14





SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Mining Data
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for mining data figures)
 
  Year ended March 31, 2013
  Ying Mining        
  District1 X Mines2 BYP Total
Production Data          

Mine Data

         

Ore Mined (tonne)

         

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

8,336 -   - 8,336

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

768,510 19,309 * 109,093 896,912
  776,846 19,309   109,093 905,248

Run of Mine Ore (tonne)

         

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

8,336 -   - 8,336

Ore Milled (tonne)

766,198 73,641 * 104,090 943,929
  774,534 73,641   104,090 952,265

Mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

66.62 -   60.33 65.85

Cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

55.94 -   24.30 52.05

Non cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

10.68 -   36.02 13.80

Unit shipping costs($)

3.76 -   - 3.30

Milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

15.45 -   14.64 15.36

Cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

13.56 -   13.54 13.56

Non cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

1.89 -   1.10 1.80

Average Production Cost

         

Silver ($ per ounce)

9.13 -   - 9.54

Gold ($ per ounce)

447 -   888 508

Lead ($ per pound)

0.31 -   - 0.32

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.25 -   0.38 0.26

Total production cost per ounce of Silver ($)

2.45 -     2.45

Total cash cost per ounce of Silver ($)

0.48 -     0.48

Total production cost per ounce of Gold ($)

      882 882

Total cash cost per ounce of Gold ($)

      455 455

Total Recovery of the Run of Mine Ore

         

Silver (%)

92.8 -     92.8

Gold (%)

      92.4 92.4

Lead (%)

94.5 -     94.5

Zinc (%)

66.8 -     66.8

Head Grades of Run of Mine Ore

         

Silver (gram/tonne)

220 -     220

Gold (gram/tonne)

      3.1 3.1

Lead (%)

3.3 -     3.3

Zinc (%)

1.0 -     1.0
Sales Data          

Metal Sales

         

Silver (in thousands of ounces)

4,941 32 * - 4,973

Gold (in thousands of ounces)

4.2 0.2 * 8.1 12.5

Lead (in thousands of pounds)

52,220 1,678 * - 53,898

Zinc (in thousands of pounds)

11,171 923 * 283 12,377

Metal Sales

         

Silver (in thousands of $)

117,124 -   - 117,124

Gold (in thousands of $)

4,815 -   10,605 15,420

Lead (in thousands of $)

41,689 -   - 41,689

Zinc (in thousands of $)

7,231 -   158 7,389
  170,859 -   10,763 181,622

Average Selling Price,Net of Value Added Tax and Smelter Charges

       

Silver ($ per ounce)

23.71 -   - 23.71

Gold ($ per ounce)

1,160 -   1,314 1,238

Lead ($ per pound)

0.80 -   - 0.80

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.65 -   0.56 0.65
1 Ying Mining District includes mines: SGX, TLP, HPG&LM.          
2 X Mines includes the XBG project and XHP project.          
* Represents development tunnelling ore at the X mines.          

 

15





SILVERCORP METALS INC.
Mining Data
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for mining data figures)
 
  Year ended March 31, 2012
Ying Mining      
  District1 X Mines2 BYP Total  
Production Data                

Mine Data

               

Ore Mined (tonne)

               

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

12,599   -     - 12,599  

Stockpiled Ore (tonne)

649,973   3,890   * 91,128 744,991  
  662,572   3,890     91,128 757,590  

Run of Mine Ore (tonne)

               

Direct Smelting Ore (tonne)

12,599   -     - 12,599  

Ore Milled (tonne)

654,495   11,667   * 83,760 749,922  
  667,094   11,667     83,760 762,521  

Mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

64.70   68.75   * 38.00 61.51  

Cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

51.60   48.81   * 16.79 47.40  

Non cash mining cost per tonne of ore mined ($)

13.10   19.95   * 21.21 14.11  

Unit shipping costs($)

3.34   3.92   * - 3.34  

Milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

15.91   22.92   * 14.33 15.85  

Cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

14.13   20.11   * 13.85 14.19  

Non cash milling cost per tonne of ore milled ($)

1.78   2.81   * 0.48 1.66  

Average Production Cost

               

Silver ($ per ounce)

7.14   6.17   * - 7.14  

Gold ($ per ounce)

281   377   * 854 323  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.22   0.22   * - 0.22  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.17   -     - 0.17  

Total production cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(3.19 ) (56.67 ) *   (3.25 )

Total cash cost per ounce of Silver ($)

(5.07 ) (60.33 ) *   (5.13 )

Total production cost per ounce of Gold ($)

          844 844  

Total cash cost per ounce of Gold ($)

          474 474  

Total Recovery of the Run of Mine Ore

               

Silver (%)

92.9   50.0       92.9  

Gold (%)

          90.8 90.8  

Lead (%)

96.0   80.6       96.0  

Zinc ( %)

68.0   -       68.0  
Head Grades of Run of Mine Ore                

Silver (gram/tonne)

287   35       287  

Gold (gram/tonne)

          2.4 2.4  

Lead (%)

5.2   2.5       5.2  

Zinc (%)

1.4   -       1.4  
Sales Data                
Metal Sales                

Silver (in thousands of ounces)

5,612   6   * - 5,618  

Gold (in thousands of ounces)

3.6   0.1   * 5.1 8.8  

Lead (in thousands of pounds)

72,360   444   * - 72,804  

Zinc (in thousands of pounds)

13,500   -     249 13,749  
Metal Sales                

Silver (in thousands of $)

155,961   124   * - 156,085  

Gold (in thousands of $)

4,123   155   * 6,749 11,027  

Lead (in thousands of $)

61,164   362   * - 61,526  

Zinc (in thousands of $)

9,172   -     152 9,324  
  230,420   641     6,901 237,962  
Average Selling Price,Net of Value Added Tax and Smelter Charges              

Silver ($ per ounce)

27.79   22.51     - 27.78  

Gold ($ per ounce)

1,147   1,376     1,333 1,257  

Lead ($ per pound)

0.85   0.81     - 0.85  

Zinc ($ per pound)

0.68   -     0.61 0.68  
1 Ying Mining District includes mines: SGX, TLP, HPG&LM.                
2 X Mines includes the XBG project and XHP project.                
* Represents development tunnelling ore at the X mines.                

 

16