UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16
OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For November, 2011
Commission File Number: 000-26424
SILVER STANDARD RESOURCES INC.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
1400 - 999 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6C 2W2
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
[ x ] Form 20-F [ ] Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [ ] No [ x ]
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _________
SUBMITTED HEREWITH
Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Silver Standard Resources Inc. | ||
(Registrant) | ||
Date: November 10, 2011 | By: | /s/ Kristen Riddell |
Kristen Riddell | ||
Title: | Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Silver Standard Resources Inc.
Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2011
(unaudited)
Silver Standard Resources Inc.
Consolidated Interim
Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011
CONTENTS
2 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position |
(expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts - unaudited) |
September 30 | December 31 | January 1 | ||||||||||
Note | 2011 | 2010 | 2010 | |||||||||
$ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 355,903 | 232,311 | 26,659 | |||||||||
Trade and other receivables | 34,563 | 35,916 | 8,251 | |||||||||
Other financial assets | 3 | 39,218 | 33,651 | 19,722 | ||||||||
Inventory | 4 | 78,771 | 40,176 | 20,565 | ||||||||
508,455 | 342,054 | 75,197 | ||||||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 5 | 500,508 | 499,632 | 496,824 | ||||||||
Investment in associate | 6 | 136,499 | 226,271 | - | ||||||||
Deferred income tax asset | 8 | 17,326 | - | - | ||||||||
Value added tax receivable | 85,015 | 70,782 | 54,095 | |||||||||
Other non-current financial assets | 3 | 1,767 | 9,251 | 8,015 | ||||||||
Total assets | 1,249,570 | 1,147,990 | 634,131 | |||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||||||
Trade and other payables | 42,972 | 35,163 | 50,682 | |||||||||
Taxes payable | 8 | 28,902 | - | - | ||||||||
Warrant liability | 7 | 7,954 | - | - | ||||||||
79,828 | 35,163 | 50,682 | ||||||||||
Non-current liabilities | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | 8 | 36,995 | 20,472 | 1,202 | ||||||||
Taxes payable | 2,777 | 3,672 | 3,370 | |||||||||
Close down and restoration provision | 12,521 | 12,671 | 10,340 | |||||||||
Convertible notes | 9 | 122,908 | 116,125 | 107,895 | ||||||||
Derivative liabilities | 9 | 6,817 | 21,735 | 20,728 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | 261,846 | 209,838 | 194,217 | |||||||||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||||||||
Share capital | 10 | 704,264 | 676,651 | 538,700 | ||||||||
Other reserves | 8,167 | 63,257 | 46,966 | |||||||||
Retained earnings | 275,293 | 197,748 | (146,248 | ) | ||||||||
Total shareholders' equity attributable to shareholders of the Company | 987,724 | 937,656 | 439,418 | |||||||||
Non-controlling interest | 5 | - | 496 | 496 | ||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 1,249,570 | 1,147,990 | 634,131 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated interim financial statements
Approved by the Board of Directors and authorized for issue on November 9, 2011
John R. Brodie | John Smith | |
John R. Brodie, FCA, Director | John Smith, Director |
3 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Consolidated Interim Statement of Income (Loss) |
(expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts - unaudited) |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||
Note | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Revenue | 26,152 | 41,557 | 133,476 | 67,179 | |||||||||||
Cost of sales | 11 | (14,660 | ) | (34,131 | ) | (78,287 | ) | (78,020 | ) | ||||||
Income / (Loss) from mine operations | 11,492 | 7,426 | 55,189 | (10,841 | ) | ||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 11 | (6,748 | ) | (6,251 | ) | (20,348 | ) | (19,617 | ) | ||||||
Exploration and evaluation expenses | (1,678 | ) | (169 | ) | (5,139 | ) | (449 | ) | |||||||
Operating income (loss) | 3,066 | 1,006 | 29,702 | (30,907 | ) | ||||||||||
Gain (loss) on sale of mineral property | 5 | 51,359 | (65 | ) | 50,536 | 13,073 | |||||||||
Gain on partial disposal of associate | 6 | - | - | 39,266 | - | ||||||||||
Interest earned and other finance income | 12 | 449 | 409 | 1,989 | 1,030 | ||||||||||
Interest expense and other finance costs | 12 | (4,329 | ) | (4,265 | ) | (12,866 | ) | (12,041 | ) | ||||||
Other income (expenses) | 13 | 7,388 | (2,025 | ) | 13,798 | 12,352 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange loss | (5,209 | ) | (6,218 | ) | (3,132 | ) | (6,887 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) before tax | 52,724 | (11,158 | ) | 119,293 | (23,380 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax (expense) recovery | (30,888 | ) | 751 | (41,748 | ) | 211 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) and net income (loss) attributable to shareholders | 21,836 | (10,407 | ) | 77,545 | (23,169 | ) | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding (thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 80,549 | 78,767 | 80,223 | 77,531 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 80,897 | 78,767 | 80,686 | 77,531 | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per share | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.27 | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | 0.97 | $ | (0.30 | ) | |||||
Diluted | $ | 0.27 | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | 0.96 | $ | (0.30 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated interim financial statements
4 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
(expressed in thousands of United States dollars - unaudited) |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Income (loss) for the period attributable to shareholders | 21,836 | (10,407 | ) | 77,545 | (23,169 | ) | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax | (2,501 | ) | 5,406 | (10,725 | ) | 4,049 | ||||||
Realized gain on the disposal of marketable securities recycled to net income (loss), net of tax | (4,731 | ) | (628 | ) | (4,731 | ) | (2,645 | ) | ||||
Share of other comprehensive income of associate | (10,066 | ) | - | (4,821 | ) | - | ||||||
Cumulative translation adjustment | (2,711 | ) | 5,566 | (2,210 | ) | 2,061 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period | (20,009 | ) | 10,344 | (22,487 | ) | 3,465 | ||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period attributable to shareholders | 1,827 | (63 | ) | 55,058 | (19,704 | ) | ||||||
Non-controlling interests | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period | 1,827 | (63 | ) | 55,058 | (19,704 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated interim financial statements
5 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Shareholders Equity |
(expressed in thousands of United States dollars - unaudited) |
Note | Common Shares | Other | Retained earnings | Total | Non- | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | reserves | (accumulated | attributable to | controlling | shareholders' | ||||||||||||||||||
deficit) | shareholders | Interest | equity | |||||||||||||||||||||
000's | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2010 | 71,965 | 538,700 | 46,966 | (146,248 | ) | 439,418 | 496 | 439,914 | ||||||||||||||||
Issue of ordinary shares, net of costs | 6,729 | 107,758 | - | - | 107,758 | - | 107,758 | |||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options | 125 | 2,643 | (812 | ) | - | 1,831 | - | 1,831 | ||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | - | - | 5,742 | - | 5,742 | - | 5,742 | |||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period | - | - | 3,465 | (23,169 | ) | (19,704 | ) | - | (19,704 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Balance, at September 30, 2010 | 78,819 | 649,101 | 55,361 | (169,417 | ) | 535,045 | 496 | 535,541 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2011 | 79,665 | 676,651 | 63,257 | 197,748 | 937,656 | 496 | 938,152 | |||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options | 950 | 27,613 | (8,410 | ) | - | 19,203 | - | 19,203 | ||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | - | - | 4,003 | - | 4,003 | - | 4,003 | |||||||||||||||||
Transactions with non-controlling interests | 5 | - | - | (28,196 | ) | - | (28,196 | ) | (496 | ) | (28,692 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period | - | - | (22,487 | ) | 77,545 | 55,058 | - | 55,058 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, at September 30, 2011 | 80,615 | 704,264 | 8,167 | 275,293 | 987,724 | - | 987,724 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated interim financial statements
6 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flows |
(expressed in thousands of United States dollars - unaudited) |
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||
$ | $ | |||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
Net income (loss) for the period | 77,545 | (23,169 | ) | |||
Adjustments for: | ||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization | 13,645 | 16,504 | ||||
Share-based payments | 4,003 | 5,524 | ||||
Close down and restoration provision | 1,207 | 1,238 | ||||
Gain on sale of mineral property and property plant and equipment | (50,536 | ) | (13,073 | ) | ||
Accretion expense on convertible notes | 6,855 | 6,111 | ||||
Accretion income on convertible debenture | (636 | ) | (630 | ) | ||
Other income | (13,798 | ) | (12,352 | ) | ||
Gain on partial disposal of associate | (39,266 | ) | - | |||
Deferred income tax expense (recovery) | 1,744 | (211 | ) | |||
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | (7,700 | ) | 2,435 | |||
Net changes in non cash working capital items | 19,840 | (1,165 | ) | |||
Cash generated by (used in) operating activities | 12,903 | (18,788 | ) | |||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (20,402 | ) | (42,931 | ) | ||
Mineral property expenditures | (24,531 | ) | (41,416 | ) | ||
Increase in value added tax recoverable | (10,317 | ) | (15,216 | ) | ||
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | - | 11,015 | ||||
Net proceeds from partial disposal of associate | 112,873 | - | ||||
Net proceeds from sale and acquisition of mineral properties | 33,864 | 6,927 | ||||
Cash generated by (used in) investing activities | 91,487 | (81,621 | ) | |||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common shares (net of costs) | - | 107,758 | ||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 19,202 | 1,831 | ||||
Cash generated by financing activities | 19,202 | 109,589 | ||||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 123,592 | 9,180 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 232,311 | 26,659 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | 355,903 | 35,839 |
Supplemental cash flow information (note 15)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated interim financial statements
7 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
1. |
NATURE OF OPERATIONS |
Silver Standard Resources Inc. (the Company) is a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada and its shares are publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and the NASDAQ in the United States. The Company together with its subsidiaries (the Group) are principally engaged in the exploration, development and production of silver-dominant resource properties located in the Americas. The Company is the ultimate parent of the Group. | |
The Companys address is Suite 1400, 999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2W2. | |
The Companys strategic focus is to optimize the production of silver from its Pirquitas mine in Argentina, and to advance other principal development and exploration projects including San Luis in Peru, Diablillos in Argentina, and Pitarrilla, Nazas and San Agustin in Mexico. In addition to its principal projects, the Company holds a geologically- diverse portfolio of other predominantly silver projects in various stages of exploration. | |
2. |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. |
a) |
Basis of preparation and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards |
The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian GAAP) as set out in the Handbook of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA Handbook). In 2010, the CICA Handbook was revised to incorporate International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and require publicly accountable enterprises to apply such standards effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Accordingly, the Company commenced reporting on this basis in its 2011 interim consolidated financial statements. In the financial statements, the term Canadian GAAP refers to Canadian GAAP before the adoption of IFRS.
These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, Interim Financial Reporting and IFRS 1, First-time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards using accounting policies consistent with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC). The accounting policies followed in these interim financial statements are the same as those applied in the Companys interim financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2011. The Company has consistently applied the same accounting policies throughout all periods presented, as if these policies had always been in effect. The impact of the transition to IFRS on the Companys reported equity as at September 30, 2010 and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is provided in note 17. This note also includes the nature and effect of significant changes in accounting policies from those used in the Companys consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010.
The policies applied in these interim consolidated financial statements are based on IFRS issued and outstanding as of November 9, 2011, the date the Board of Directors approved the statements. Any subsequent changes to IFRS that are given effect in the Companys annual consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2011 could result in restatement of these interim consolidated financial statements, including the transition adjustments recognised on change-over to IFRS.
8 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
2. |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Contd) |
The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Companys Canadian GAAP annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the Companys interim financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 prepared in accordance with IFRS applicable to interim financial statements. |
b) |
Significant accounting judgements and estimates | |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of judgements and/or estimates that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the interim financial statements and related notes. There has been no change to the Companys significant accounting estimates from those disclosed in the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (note 2) for the three months ended March 31, 2011 except for the impairment assessment and the determination of ore resources and mineral reserves at the Pirquitas mine that are discussed below. | ||
Review of asset carrying values and impairment assessment In accordance with the Companys accounting policy, each asset or cash generating unit is evaluated every reporting period to determine whether there are any indications of impairment. If any such indication exists, a formal estimate of recoverable amount is performed and an impairment loss is recognised to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating group of assets is measured at the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. | ||
The determination of fair value and value in use requires management to make estimates and assumptions about expected production, sales volumes, commodity prices, reserves, operating costs, closure and rehabilitiation costs and future capital expenditures. The estimates and assumptions are subject to risk and uncertainty, hence there is the possibility that changes in circumstances will alter these projections, which may impact the recoverable amount of the assets. In such circumstances some or all of the carrying value of the assets may be further impaired or the impairment charge reduced with the impact recorded in the income statement. | ||
Determination of ore reserve and mineral resource estimates The Company estimates its ore reserves and mineral resources based on information compiled by Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101. Reserves determined in this way are used in the calculation of depreciation, amortization and impairment charges, and for forecasting the timing of the payment of close down and restoration costs. In assessing the life of a mine for accounting purposes, mineral resources are only taken into account where there is a high degree of confidence of economic extraction. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating ore reserves, and assumptions that are valid at the time of estimation may change significantly when new information becomes available. Changes in the forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery rates may change the economic status of reserves and may, ultimately, result in reserve estimates being revised. Such changes in reserves could impact on depreciation and amortisation rates, asset carrying values and provisions for close down and restoration costs. | ||
As at September 30, 2011, the Company determined that there were impairment indicators for the Companys wholly-owned operating Pirquitas mine as a result of revised mineral Resources and Reserve estimates. Management performed an impairment assessment to determine fair value based on estimates of discounted future after-tax cash flows expected to be derived from the Pirquitas mine using a discount rate of 9% and forecasted silver prices that reflect market consensus. The Companys assessment concluded that the carrying value of the Pirquitas mine assets are not impaired at this time. |
9 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
2. |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Contd) |
c) |
Future accounting changes |
On June 16, 2011 the IASB issued Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements). The amendments require the grouping of items presented in other comprehensive income into items that might be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods and items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012, with full retrospective application. The adoption of this standard will impact the presentation of the statement of other comprehensive income (loss) from the date of adoption; the Company has not determined whether it will adopt the standard early.
In October 2011 the IASB issued IFRIC 20 Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Mine (IFRIC 20). This interpretation provides guidance on the accounting for the costs of stripping activity in the production phase when two benefits accrue to the entity: usable ore that can be used to produce inventory and improved access to further quantities of material that will be mined in future periods. IFRIC 20 is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of the standard or determined whether it will adopt the standard early.
3. |
OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS |
September 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||
Non-current | Current | Non-current | Current | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Restricted cash | 1,767 | - | 2,071 | - | |||||||||
Marketable securities | - | 36,403 | - | 33,465 | |||||||||
Convertible debenture receivable (a ) | - | 2,815 | 7,180 | 186 | |||||||||
1,767 | 39,218 | 9,251 | 33,651 |
(a) |
The Company received a $9,980,000 (C$10,000,000) convertible debenture with a coupon rate of 3% per annum from Aurcana Corporation (Aurcana) as part of the consideration received for the sale of the Shafter Silver property in 2008. The convertible debenture was repayable on July 15, 2011. In 2009 the coupon rate on the debenture was revised from 3% per year to 1.5% in the first year and 4% per year thereafter, which resulted in an impairment of $2,002,000 during that year. On March 25, 2011 the terms of the convertible debenture receivable were renegotiated so that Aurcana was required to pay C$7,000,000 on July 15, 2011 and the remaining C$3,000,000 in quarterly instalments until July 15, 2012. The interest rate for the remainder of the arrangement was increased to 9%. This resulted in a recovery of the previous impairment of $2,400,000 which was recorded within other income (expenses) (note 13) and the reclassification of $8,600,000 to current assets. On July 15, 2011, the Company received a payment for C$7,400,000 from Aurcana of which C$7,000,000 was applied to reduce the principal outstanding as per the March 25, 2011 amended terms and C$400,000 was in respect of the interest earned to July 15, 2011. |
10 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
4. |
INVENTORY |
Inventory is comprised of the following:
September 30 | December 31 | |||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||
$ | $ | |||||
Finished goods | 31,714 | 6,919 | ||||
Stockpiled ore | 34,536 | 26,327 | ||||
Materials and supplies | 12,521 | 6,930 | ||||
78,771 | 40,176 |
5. |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
Property, plant and equipment comprises the following:
Period ended September 30, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
Plant and | Producing | Assets | Exploration and | Total | ||||||||||||
equipment | properties | under | development | |||||||||||||
construction | expenditure (a) | |||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Cost | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2011 | 263,305 | 76,209 | 8,695 | 190,909 | 539,118 | |||||||||||
Additions | 1,989 | 102 | 18,554 | 25,501 | 46,146 | |||||||||||
Disposals | (3,542 | ) | (256 | ) | - | (19,630 | ) | (23,428 | ) | |||||||
Costs written off | - | - | - | (4,514 | ) | (4,514 | ) | |||||||||
Transfers | 15,717 | 224 | (15,941 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||
Balance, end of period | 277,469 | 76,279 | 11,308 | 192,266 | 557,322 | |||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2011 | (35,450 | ) | (4,036 | ) | - | - | (39,486 | ) | ||||||||
Charge for the year | (18,281 | ) | (2,360 | ) | - | - | (20,641 | ) | ||||||||
Disposals | 3,313 | - | - | - | 3,313 | |||||||||||
Balance, end of period | (50,418 | ) | (6,396 | ) | - | - | (56,814 | ) | ||||||||
Net book value at September 30, 2011 | 227,051 | 69,883 | 11,308 | 192,266 | 500,508 |
No items of property, plant and equipment have been pledged as security for liabilities.
11 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
5. |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Contd) |
Year ended December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Plant and | Producing | Assets | Exploration and | Total | ||||||||||||
equipment | properties | under | development | |||||||||||||
construction | expenditure (a) | |||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Cost | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2010 | 250,085 | 76,841 | 8,015 | 179,445 | 514,386 | |||||||||||
Additions | 7,644 | 5,017 | 15,806 | 55,942 | 84,409 | |||||||||||
Disposals | (8,455 | ) | (5,649 | ) | (1,095 | ) | (44,478 | ) | (59,677 | ) | ||||||
Transfers | 14,031 | - | (14,031 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||
Balance, end of period | 263,305 | 76,209 | 8,695 | 190,909 | 539,118 | |||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2010 | (16,944 | ) | (618 | ) | - | - | (17,562 | ) | ||||||||
Charge for the year | (19,370 | ) | (3,418 | ) | - | - | (22,788 | ) | ||||||||
Disposals | 864 | - | - | - | 864 | |||||||||||
Balance, end of period | (35,450 | ) | (4,036 | ) | - | - | (39,486 | ) | ||||||||
Net book value at December 31, 2010 | 227,855 | 72,173 | 8,695 | 190,909 | 499,632 |
a) |
Exploration and development expenditure by property |
September 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition | Exploration | Total | Total | ||||||||||
costs | costs | ||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Exploration projects | |||||||||||||
Bowdens, Australia (i) | - | - | - | 19,685 | |||||||||
Challacollo, Chile | 2,990 | 5,504 | 8,494 | 9,206 | |||||||||
San Agustin, Mexico | 101 | 2,033 | 2,134 | 1,654 | |||||||||
Veta Colorada, Mexico | 3,688 | 1,039 | 4,727 | 4,845 | |||||||||
Nazas, Mexico (ii) | 565 | 349 | 914 | 1,423 | |||||||||
Berenguela, Peru | 10,645 | 6,111 | 16,756 | 16,480 | |||||||||
Candelaria, United States | 2,434 | 3,812 | 6,246 | 6,022 | |||||||||
Maverick Springs, United States | 565 | 2,074 | 2,639 | 2,628 | |||||||||
Other exploration projects | 2,772 | 3,270 | 6,042 | 5,743 | |||||||||
Development projects | |||||||||||||
Diablillos, Argentina | 4,516 | 16,179 | 20,695 | 18,765 | |||||||||
Pitarrilla, Mexico | 17,745 | 74,346 | 92,091 | 77,796 | |||||||||
San Luis, Peru (iii) | 661 | 30,867 | 31,528 | 26,662 | |||||||||
46,682 | 145,584 | 192,266 | 190,909 |
(i) |
On September 23, 2011, the Company completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Bowdens project located in Australia to Kingsgate Consolidated Limited (Kingsgate). Under the terms of the agreement, the Company received total consideration of $70,473,000. The consideration received comprised cash of $44,908,000 of which $9,908,000 is payable in two equal installments on December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012, and 3,440,367 common shares of Kingsgate with a fair value of $25,565,000. The total gain recorded on the sale of this mineral property was $51,359,000 before tax expense of $15,306,000. |
12 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
5. |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Contd) |
(ii) |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company elected not to continue its option on the Navidad claims at the Nazas property, which is at the centre of the Nazas project. As a result, the Company wrote off accumulated costs of $4,514,000 which was recorded in other income (expense) (note 13). | |
(iii) |
On July 28, 2011, the Company completed the 100% acquisition of the San Luis property in Peru (70% interest held at December 31, 2010) from Esperanza Resources Corp. (Esperanza). The Company paid consideration of $17,865,000 in cash and transferred to Esperanza the 6.459 million shares of Esperanza that it owned. In addition, under the terms of the agreement the Company will provide a 1% net smelter return royalty (NSR) on future production. The total fair value of the consideration paid to acquire the 30% interest held by Esperanza was $28,692,000, which includes transaction costs of $306,000. The carrying amount of the non-controlling interest in the San Luis project on the date of acquisition was $496,000. This transaction did not result in a change of control and therefore the Company recognised a decrease in non-controlling interest of $496,000 and a decrease in other reserves of $28,196,000. |
In February 2010 the Company completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Silvertip property located in British Columbia, Canada to Silvercorp Metals Inc. (Silvercorp). Under the terms of the agreement, Silvercorp paid total consideration of $14,957,000, comprising cash of $7,125,000 and 1,200,000 common shares of Silvercorp with a fair value of $7,832,000, for an after tax gain of $13,073,000.
6. |
INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE |
September 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||||
$ | $ | ||||||||
Pretium Resources Inc. | Common shares | 136,499 | 187,202 | ||||||
Convertible note | - | 39,069 | |||||||
136,499 | 226,271 |
On December 21, 2010 the Company completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Snowfield and Brucejack properties located in British Columbia, Canada, to Pretium Resources Inc. (Pretium). Total consideration was $442,260,000 (C$450,000,000) which comprised 32,537,833 common shares of Pretium, with a fair value of $191,869,000, cash of $211,322,000 (before underwriters fees of $12,427,000), and a non-interest bearing promissory note in the principal amount of $39,069,000.
As at December 31, 2010 the convertible note was included in carrying value of the investment in Pretium as this most accurately reflected the substance of the arrangement. The note was partially repaid on January 6, 2011 whereby the Company received proceeds of $18,083,000 and on January 31, 2011 the balance of the note $20,986,000 was converted into 3,625,500 common shares of Pretium with a fair value of $22,946,000 resulting in a gain on settlement of $1,092,000. Total transaction costs of $1,631,000 were expensed in the period, and together with the gain on settlement of the note these were presented within the gain (loss) on sale of mineral property in the income statement as they are all interrelated with the original sale transaction.
13 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
6. |
INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE (Contd) |
On April 8, 2011 the Company sold 11.5 million units in relation to the shares of Pretium it owns. Each unit contained one common share of Pretium and half of a warrant to acquire an additional common share of Pretium for C$12.50 within 12 months and was priced at C$10.00. The Company received cash proceeds of $120,117,000 before transaction costs of $7,244,000. In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized a gain on partial disposal of associate of $39,266,000 (after tax gain of $34,687,000). The warrants issued are recognized at fair value and recorded as a liability (note 7). Following the closing of the secondary offering the Companys ownership interest in Pretium was approximately 28.86%. The investment is accounted for as an equity investment. | |
On July 15, 2011, Pretium completed a 1,390,000 flow-through common shares private placement. The Company did not participate in this placement which resulted in a dilution of the Companys interest to 28.39% and a dilution gain of $1,803,000 which was recorded in other income (expenses) (note 13). | |
The carrying amount of the investment in associate represents the fair value at initial recognition, plus the Companys share of comprehensive income or loss. Share of loss of associate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $624,000 (2010: $nil) and $4,616,000 (2010: $nil) respectively. | |
7. |
WARRANT LIABILITY |
On April 8, 2011 as part of the unit offering (note 6) the Company issued 5,750,000 common share purchase warrants of Pretium shares owned by the Company. Each warrant is exercisable at a price of C$12.50 for a period of 12 months. The Company initially recognized a warrant liability of $7,500,000, transaction costs of $453,000 were expensed, and this liability is recorded at fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded an unrealized loss upon re-measurement of the liability of $3,154,000 and $1,094,000 respectively. | |
8. |
CURRENT AND DEFERRED INCOME TAX |
Current tax payable of $28,902,000 as at September 30, 2011 includes an estimate of $15,126,000 for taxes payable from the sale of the Bowdens project (note 5). Additional taxes payable result from the receipt of the Aurcana convertible debenture (note 3) and from the disposal of the investment in associate and the conversion of the convertible notes into common shares of Pretium (note 6). | |
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. | |
The deferred income tax asset of $17,326,000 as at September 30, 2011 relates to property, plant and equipment and has been recognized only to the extent management believe it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. |
14 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
9. |
CONVERTIBLE NOTES |
In February 2008, the Company sold $138,000,000 in senior convertible unsecured notes (Notes) for net proceeds of $132,754,000 after payment of commissions and expenses related to the offering. The unsecured Notes mature on March 1, 2028 and bear an interest rate of 4.5% per annum, payable semi-annually. At initial recognition the value of the notes was allocated between the debt and the derivative components. The fair value of the debt portion was $99,144,000 and the fair value of the derivative was $38,856,000 upon inception. The debt component continues to be accreted to its maturity value using the effective interest rate method. | |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded an unrealized gain (loss) on the derivative of $8,584,000 (2010: ($2,704,800)) and $14,918,000 (2010: $9,645,000) respectively. The following assumptions were used to obtain the valuation: |
September 30 | ||
2011 | ||
Expected dividend yield (%) | 0% | |
Average risk-free interest rate (%) | 2.66 | |
Expected life (years) | 17 | |
Expected volatility (%) | 72.5 | |
Implied yield on straight debt (%) | 8.41 |
10. |
SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION |
a) |
Share capital |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company closed a public share offering of 6,729,000 common shares at a price of $17.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $114,389,000. After deducting underwriting fees and estimated offering expenses of $6,631,000, net proceeds were approximately $107,758,000.
b) |
Share-based compensation |
The Company has an incentive plan, approved by the Companys shareholders at its annual general meeting held on May 14, 2008 and amended on May 11, 2011, under which options to purchase common shares may be granted to directors, officers, employees and others at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The plan provides for the issuance of incentive options to acquire up to a total of 8.5% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the company. The exercise price of each option is set at the date of grant and shall not be less than the closing market price of the companys stock on the award date.
The options can be granted for a maximum term of 7 years with vesting provisions determined by the Board of Directors. Currently, the vesting periods range up to three years. New shares from treasury are issued on the exercise of stock options.
The Company also has plans for deferred share units (DSUs), restricted share units (RSUs), and performance share units (PSUs).
15 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
10. |
SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Contd) |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, 418,500 options were granted to employees exercisable over a 7 year period at a weighted average exercise price of C$26.97 and average fair value of C$12.30. The option valuations were based on an average expected option life of 4.6 years, a risk free interest rate of 2.4%, a dividend yield of nil and an expected volatility of 55%. In addition, 949,891 options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of C$19.59. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 585,000 options were granted to an employee exercisable over a 10 year period at a strike price of C$17.52 and average fair value of C$9.21. | |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, 14,927 (2010: 29,498) DSUs were granted to non-executive directors, 77,800 RSUs were granted to employees, and 141,800 PSUs to senior executives. A total of 6,500 RSUs and 32,100 PSUs were forfeited. | |
The DSUs vest immediately and are redeemable in cash on the date the non-executive director ceases to be a director of the company. At September 30, 2011, there were 92,065 DSUs (2010: 80,461) outstanding with a fair value of $1,693,000 (2010: $1,602,000). | |
The RSUs vest over a three year period, and are cash-settled immediately upon vesting. At September 30, 2011, there were 71,300 RSUs outstanding with a fair value of C$19.27. The PSUs vest after a performance period of two to three years; the vesting of the award is based on the Companys total shareholder return in comparison to its peer group, and awards range from 0% to 200% of initial PSUs granted. At September 30, 2011, there were 109,700 PSUs outstanding with fair values ranging from C$14.26 to C$16.43. | |
The share-based compensation expense, including all equity and cash-settled arrangements, recorded for the nine months period ended September 30, 2011 was $4,028,000 (September 30, 2010: $5,983,000) of which $nil (September 30, 2010: $207,000) was capitalized to exploration and development expenditures. | |
11. |
OPERATING COSTS BY NATURE |
a) |
Cost of sales |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Cost of inventory | 11,532 | 25,013 | 53,436 | 56,067 | |||||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization | 2,410 | 5,554 | 13,439 | 16,291 | |||||||||
Export duties (1) | 718 | 3,564 | 11,412 | 5,662 | |||||||||
14,660 | 34,131 | 78,287 | 78,020 |
(1) |
The Pirquitas mine has a fiscal stability agreement with the government of Argentina dating from 1998. In 2002, the government of Argentina implemented an export duty on concentrates that did not apply to companies with pre- existing fiscal stability agreements. In December 2007 the National Customs Authority of Argentina levied an export duty of approximately 10% on concentrates for projects with fiscal stability agreements predating 2002. The Company has been advised that the project is subject to this export duty despite rights under the fiscal stability agreement from 1998. The legality of the export duty has been challenged and is currently under review by the court in Argentina. In July 2010, the Company filed a claim in the provincial Argentina court for repayment of export duties paid to date and for an order to cease payment of the export duty until the matter is decided by the court. An order was granted effective September 29, 2010 to cease payment of the export duty pending the decision of the courts, and in April 2011 a government appeal against this order was denied. |
16 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
11. |
OPERATING COSTS BY NATURE (Contd) |
As of September 30, 2011 the Pirquitas mine has paid $6,646,000 in duties, however despite the order to cease payment the Company has continued to accrue duties in full until the outcome of the claim is known with certainty. At September 30, 2011 the accrual totalled $12,289,000, and $9,449,000 has been included in cost of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. If these duties are recovered the benefit will be recognized in the statement of earnings for the full amount in the period recovery becomes virtually certain.
b) |
General and administrative |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Salaries and benefits | 3,074 | 2,110 | 8,609 | 7,466 | |||||||||
Share-based compensation | 619 | 2,165 | 4,028 | 5,776 | |||||||||
Travelling expense | 362 | 352 | 1,216 | 709 | |||||||||
Consulting and professional fees | 503 | 353 | 1,333 | 1,960 | |||||||||
Insurance expense | 228 | 245 | 630 | 580 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 80 | 70 | 206 | 213 | |||||||||
Other expenses | 1,882 | 956 | 4,326 | 2,913 | |||||||||
6,748 | 6,251 | 20,348 | 19,617 |
12. |
FINANCE INCOME AND EXPENSES |
a) |
Interest earned and other finance income |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Interest earned | 236 | 192 | 1,353 | 400 | |||||||||
Accretion earned on convertible debenture receivable | 213 | 217 | 636 | 630 | |||||||||
Total interest earned and other finance income | 449 | 409 | 1,989 | 1,030 |
b) |
Interest expense and other finance costs |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Interest expense on convertible notes | (1,565 | ) | (1,566 | ) | (4,644 | ) | (4,645 | ) | |||||
Accretion expense on convertible notes | (2,346 | ) | (2,113 | ) | (6,855 | ) | (6,111 | ) | |||||
Accretion of close down and restoration provision | (399 | ) | (532 | ) | (1,207 | ) | (1,231 | ) | |||||
Other interest expense | (19 | ) | (54 | ) | (160 | ) | (54 | ) | |||||
Total interest expense and other finance costs | (4,329 | ) | (4,265 | ) | (12,866 | ) | (12,041 | ) |
17 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
13. |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Reversal of impairment of convertible debenture | - | - | 2,400 | - | |||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments at FVTPL(1) | 5,362 | (2,766 | ) | 13,477 | 9,237 | ||||||||
Gain on sale of marketable securities | 5,453 | 741 | 5,453 | 3,115 | |||||||||
Write-off of mineral property costs | (4,514 | ) | - | (4,514 | ) | - | |||||||
Gain on dilution of associate | 1,803 | - | 1,803 | - | |||||||||
Share of loss of associate | (624 | ) | - | (4,616 | ) | - | |||||||
Miscellaneous expense | (92 | ) | - | (205 | ) | - | |||||||
7,388 | (2,025 | ) | 13,798 | 12,352 |
(1) |
Financial instruments held at FVTPL include the conversion option of the convertible debenture receivable (note 3), the warrant liability (note 7) and the share purchase option embedded in the convertible notes (note 9). |
14. |
OPERATING SEGMENTS |
The Company has identifed its operating segments based on the information used by the President and Chief Executive Officer (who is considered to be the chief operating decision maker (CODM)) to manage the business. The Company primarily manages its business by looking at individual extractive projects and typically segregates them between production, development and exploration. For reporting purposes all exploration and development projects have been aggregated into a single reportable segment exploration and development because they all have similar characteristics and none exceed the quantitative thresholds for individual disclosure. The only production property, Pirquitas, is considered a single operating segment which derives its revenues from the sale of silver and zinc concentrates. The corporate division only earns income that is considered incidental to the activities of the Company and therefore does not meet the definition of an operating segment.
The following reporting segments have been identified:
Pirquitas mine
Exploration and development properties
18 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
14. |
OPERATING SEGMENTS (Contd) |
The following is a summary of the carrying amounts of income or loss, and segment assets and liabilities by operating segment:
Pirquitas Mine | Exploration and | Other | Total | ||||||||||
Development | reconciling | ||||||||||||
Properties | items (i, ii) | ||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2011 | |||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Revenue from external customers | 26,152 | - | - | 26,152 | |||||||||
Cost of inventory and export duties | (12,250 | ) | - | - | (12,250 | ) | |||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization | (2,410 | ) | - | - | (2,410 | ) | |||||||
Cost of sales | (14,660 | ) | - | - | (14,660 | ) | |||||||
Income from mine operations | 11,492 | - | - | 11,492 | |||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 10,249 | (333 | ) | (6,850 | ) | 3,066 | |||||||
Income (loss) before income tax | 7,510 | 46,552 | (1,338 | ) | 52,724 | ||||||||
Interest income earned and other finance income | - | - | 449 | 449 | |||||||||
Interest expense and other finance costs | (322 | ) | (29 | ) | (3,978 | ) | (4,329 | ) | |||||
Write-off of mineral property costs | - | (4,514 | ) | - | (4,514 | ) | |||||||
Income tax recovery (expense) | (7,447 | ) | (17,438 | ) | (6,003 | ) | (30,888 | ) | |||||
As at September 30, 2011 | |||||||||||||
Total assets | 516,208 | 234,937 | 498,425 | 1,249,570 | |||||||||
Non-current assets | 409,175 | 194,865 | 137,075 | 741,115 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | (65,907 | ) | (23,737 | ) | (172,202 | ) | (261,846 | ) |
Pirquitas Mine | Exploration and | Other | Total | ||||||||||
Development | reconciling | ||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2010 | Properties | items (i) | |||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Revenue from external customers | 41,557 | - | - | 41,557 | |||||||||
Cost of inventory and export duties | (28,577 | ) | - | - | (28,577 | ) | |||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization | (5,554 | ) | - | - | (5,554 | ) | |||||||
Cost of sales | (34,131 | ) | - | - | (34,131 | ) | |||||||
Income from mine operations | 7,426 | - | - | 7,426 | |||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 7,499 | (137 | ) | (6,356 | ) | 1,006 | |||||||
Income (loss) before income tax | 3,651 | (97 | ) | (14,712 | ) | (11,158 | ) | ||||||
Interest income earned and other finance income | - | - | 409 | 409 | |||||||||
Interest expense and other finance costs | (237 | ) | (84 | ) | (3,944 | ) | (4,265 | ) | |||||
Income tax recovery | - | - | 751 | 751 |
19 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
14. |
OPERATING SEGMENTS (Contd) |
Pirquitas Mine | Exploration and | Other | Total | ||||||||||
Development | reconciling | ||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2011 | Properties | items (i, ii) | |||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Revenue from external customers | 133,476 | - | - | 133,476 | |||||||||
Cost of inventory and export duties | (64,848 | ) | - | (64,848 | ) | ||||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization | (13,439 | ) | - | (13,439 | ) | ||||||||
Cost of sales | (78,287 | ) | - | - | (78,287 | ) | |||||||
Income from mine operations | 55,189 | - | - | 55,189 | |||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 51,190 | (912 | ) | (20,576 | ) | 29,702 | |||||||
Income (loss) before income tax | 44,652 | 45,912 | 28,729 | 119,293 | |||||||||
Interest income earned and other finance income | - | - | 1,989 | 1,989 | |||||||||
Interest expense and other finance costs | (1,077 | ) | (87 | ) | (11,702 | ) | (12,866 | ) | |||||
Write-off of mineral property costs | - | (4,514 | ) | - | (4,514 | ) | |||||||
Income tax recovery (expense) | (16,741 | ) | (17,193 | ) | (7,814 | ) | (41,748 | ) |
Pirquitas Mine | Exploration and | Other | Total | ||||||||||
Development | reconciling | ||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 | Properties | items (i) | |||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Revenue from external customers | 67,179 | - | - | 67,179 | |||||||||
Cost of inventory and export duties | (61,729 | ) | - | - | (61,729 | ) | |||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization | (16,291 | ) | - | - | (16,291 | ) | |||||||
Cost of sales | (78,020 | ) | - | - | (78,020 | ) | |||||||
Loss from mine operations | (10,841 | ) | - | - | (10,841 | ) | |||||||
Operating loss | (10,841 | ) | (297 | ) | (19,769 | ) | (30,907 | ) | |||||
Income (loss) before income tax | (18,317 | ) | (451 | ) | (4,612 | ) | (23,380 | ) | |||||
Interest income earned and other finance income | - | - | 1,030 | 1,030 | |||||||||
Interest expense and other finance costs | (858 | ) | (162 | ) | (11,021 | ) | (12,041 | ) | |||||
Income tax recovery (expense) | - | 758 | (547 | ) | 211 |
(i) |
Other reconciling items refer to items that are not reported as part of segment performance as they are managed on a group basis. | |
(ii) |
Includes the equity accounted investment in Pretium. |
20 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
14. |
OPERATING SEGMENTS (Contd) |
Segment revenue by product
September 30, 2011 | September 30, 2010 | ||||||
% | % | ||||||
Silver | 94 | 100 | |||||
Zinc | 6 | - |
Segment revenue by location of customer
100% of revenues were sold to a single customer which is based in Switzerland, and is the customer of the Pirquitas mine segment.
Non-current assets by location
September 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||
$ | $ | ||||||
Canada | 138,395 | 235,563 | |||||
Argentina | 430,352 | 397,447 | |||||
Mexico | 104,195 | 89,540 | |||||
Peru | 48,620 | 43,456 | |||||
United States | 10,717 | 10,419 | |||||
Australia | - | 19,970 | |||||
Chile | 8,836 | 9,541 | |||||
Total | 741,115 | 805,936 |
15. |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 the Company made the following cash payments for interest and taxes:
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Interest paid | 3,105 | 3,105 | 6,210 | 6,210 | |||||||||
Taxes paid | 1,510 | - | 14,195 | - | |||||||||
4,615 | 3,105 | 20,405 | 6,210 |
16. |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
During the period ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded administrative, technical services and expense reimbursements of $179,000 (December 31, 2010 - $19,000) from companies related by common directors or officers including our equity accounted investee. At September 30, 2011, trade and other receivables include $257,000 (December 31, 2010 - $2,000) and trade and other payables include $329,000 (December 31, 2010 - $nil) with these related parties. Any amounts due from and payable to related parties are non-interest bearing and without specific terms of repayment. Any transactions for expense reimbursement with related parties are under normal business terms.
21 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
17. |
TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS |
The accounting policies set out in these interim consolidated financial statements have been applied for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
The Companys transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS was on January 1, 2010 and the effect of this adoption on the Companys opening IFRS balance sheet as at January 1, 2010, statement of financial position as at December 31, 2010 and income statement for the period ended December 31, 2010 is included in the notes to the unaudited interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The impact of the IFRS adoption on the previously reported Companys shareholders equity position as at September 30, 2010 and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is set out in the following tables and accompanying notes;
a) |
Reconciliation of shareholders equity as at September 30, 2010: |
September 30 | |||||||
2010 | |||||||
$ | |||||||
Total shareholders' equity reported under Canadian GAAP | 624,460 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) net of tax in respect of: | |||||||
Valuation of Pirquitas mine | (i) | (80,868 | ) | ||||
Share-based compensation | (iii) | (52 | ) | ||||
Functional currency | (iv) | 6,667 | |||||
Convertible notes | (v) | (7,945 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax liabilities | (vi) | (6,721 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders' equity reported under IFRS | 535,541 |
b) |
Reconciliation of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010: |
3 months ended | 9 months ended | |||||||||
September 30 | September 30 | |||||||||
2010 | 2010 | |||||||||
$ | $ | |||||||||
Total comprehensive loss as reported under Canadian GAAP | (2,722 | ) | (28,932 | ) | ||||||
Increase (decrease) net of tax in respect of: | ||||||||||
Valuation of Pirquitas mine | (i) | 1,040 | 3,150 | |||||||
Share-based compensation | (iii) | 238 | 824 | |||||||
Functional currency | (iv) | 2,973 | 1,634 | |||||||
Convertible notes | (v) | (2,892 | ) | 9,140 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | (vi) | 1,300 | (5,520 | ) | ||||||
Total comprehensive loss as reported under IFRS | (63 | ) | (19,704 | ) |
22 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
17. |
TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (Contd) |
c) |
Explanations of the key differences between Canadian GAAP and IFRS giving rise to adjustments in the reconciliations | |
(i) Valuation of the Pirquitas mine | ||
The Company elected under IFRS 1 to deem the fair value of the Pirquitas mine as cost at January 1, 2010. The fair value of the mine was determined to be approximately US$317 million following a discounted cash flow analysis using a discount rate of 10%. The resulting difference between the carrying value under Canadian GAAP and the deemed cost was charged to accumulated deficit. | ||
In addition to the adjustment to the carrying value of the Pirquitas mine additional adjustments following the transition to IFRS were recorded. These relate to close down and restoration provisions for $720,000, capitalized interest $797,000 and deferred tax liabilities $20,262,000. The impacts of these adjustments on the carrying value of the Pirquitas mine at January 1, 2010 are detailed below: |
Canadian GAAP | Transition to IFRS adjustment |
IFRS | |||||||||||||||||
Fair value as | Close down and | Capitalised | |||||||||||||||||
deemed cost of | restoration | borrowing | Deferred | ||||||||||||||||
January 1, 2010 | Pirquitas | provision | costs | taxes | January 1, 2010 | ||||||||||||||
(i) | (ii) | (vi) | (vii) | ||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Producing properties | 180,018 | (84,018 | ) | 313 | 797 | (20,262 | ) | 76,848 | |||||||||||
Construction in progress | 8,015 | 8,015 | |||||||||||||||||
Mining equipment | 12,478 | 12,478 | |||||||||||||||||
Plant and equipment | 219,305 | 407 | 219,712 | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 222 | 222 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | 420,038 | (84,018 | ) | 720 | 797 | (20,262 | ) | 317,275 |
The lower carrying value of the producing property balance under IFRS also impacts the periodic depletion expense charged. Depletion is charged using the percentage of completion method based on the tonnage of ore mined as a ratio to the total ore expected to be mined over the life of the mine. The lower cost base of the asset has reduced depletion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010;
Three months ended September 30 | Nine months ended September 30 | ||||||
2010 | 2010 | ||||||
Cost of Sales | 1,040 | 3,150 |
23 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
17. |
TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (Contd) |
(ii) Close down and restoration provision
Under Canadian GAAP asset retirement obligations for close down and decommissioning costs are measured at the initial date of recognition using a discounted cash flow analysis with the Companys credit-adjusted risk free interest rate. The liability (and corresponding asset) is only re-measured in the event of changes in the amount or timing of cash flows required to settle the obligation.
IFRS (IAS 37) requires initial measurement of the obligation using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risk associated with the liability; furthermore the liability is required to be re-measured at each reporting date.
The Company elected to use the IFRS 1 transition exemption from full retrospective adjustment that would have been required under IFRIC 1.
For the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2010 no adjustment was recorded as it was insignificant.
(iii) Share-based compensation
The Companys accounting policy for share based compensation under Canadian GAAP was broadly consistent with the requirements of IFRS, however, under IFRS 2 the Company is required to make adjustments to the compensation expense recorded for estimates of non-market vesting conditions, such as options that are not expected to vest i.e. forfeited. The initial estimation of non-market vesting conditions is not mandatory under Canadian GAAP. As a result the Companys accounting policy choice was to make adjustments only when events occurred so that non-market vesting conditions were not met, such as when options were forfeited. The Company elected to apply the IFRS 1 transition exemption, whereby adjustments were only required to be made to options that had been granted after November 7, 2002 and had not vested at the date of transition to IFRS.
The Company estimated the amount of options that would not vest by using historical data, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 the impact was a reduction to stock based compensation of $249,000 and $876,000 of which $238,000 and $824,000 was credited to the income statement and the balance of $11,000 and $52,000 was credited to mineral properties.
(iv) Functional currency and cumulative translation adjustment account
Under Canadian GAAP the Company determines whether a subsidiary is an integrated operation or a self-sustaining entity which determines the method of translation into the presentation currency of the Group. IFRS requires that an entity determine the functional currency of each subsidiary individually, prior to consolidation into the Groups presentation currency.
24 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
17. |
TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (Contd) |
The Company determined that certain subsidiaries had a functional currency other than the US dollar, which under Canadian GAAP had been classified as being integrated operations. Those subsidiaries under Canadian GAAP were consolidated using the temporal method (i.e. monetary assets and liabilities translated at the current rate and non-monetary assets and liabilities at historic exchange rates with gains or losses being charged to income), whereas under IFRS those entities with non US dollar functional currencies are translated into US dollars using the current rate method (whereby all assets and liabilities are translated using the reporting date exchange rates with any gains or losses being recorded in equity).
For the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2010 the impact was an increase in mineral properties of $2,973,000 and $1,634,000.
(v) Convertible notes
The Company issued US$138 million of convertible notes (Notes) in 2008. Under Canadian GAAP the Company accounted for the Notes as a split instrument allocating the value of the notes between the debt and equity components. The debt was valued using a discounted cash flow model, with the residual balance being allocated to equity. At initial recognition the transaction costs were allocated to the debt and equity components pro rata. The debt portion was designated as an other liability, those transaction costs allocated to the debt were expensed, those allocated to equity were treated as a reduction of the value of the equity component. Subsequently, the difference in carrying value of the debt and its final redemption amount was recognised as accretion expense in the income statement over the period to maturity using the effective interest rate method.
There are two GAAP differences in relation to this instrument. Firstly, under Canadian GAAP the conversion feature is considered to be an equity instrument, but under IFRS it is considered as an embedded derivative liability due to the fact that if the holder elects to exercise their conversion option, the instrument can be cash-settled at the option of the Company. Secondly, under Canadian GAAP the debt component of the instrument was designated as an other liability, and it was similarly designated under IFRS. However, under IFRS, transaction costs relating to an instrument that is designated as an other liability must be netted against the carrying value of the instrument, whereas under Canadian GAAP the Company made an accounting policy election to expense those costs.
At initial recognition under IFRS, similar to Canadian GAAP, the fair value of the debt component and conversion option were estimated but under IFRS the conversion option was recognised as a derivative liability. Transaction costs incurred were allocated pro rata to the two components, again consistent with Canadian GAAP. For IFRS the debt has been designated as an other liability, which means that the instrument is recorded at amortized cost, net of transaction costs. Subsequently, the accounting is the same as Canadian GAAP whereby the instrument is accreted over an expected life of 5 years using the effective interest method.
The accretion expense each reporting period under IFRS is greater than under Canadian GAAP due to the lower value attributed to the debt portion upon initial recognition, due to the fact that transaction costs are netted against the carrying value of the debt. Differences in accretion expense have been charged to accumulated deficit at the date of transition.
Under IFRS the derivative liability is recognised as FVTPL so all transaction costs were expensed and the instrument is re-measured at each reporting period using a binomial tree approach.
25 | P a g e
Silver Standard Resources Inc. |
Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 |
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise stated - unaudited) |
17. |
TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (Contd) |
The following table illustrates the differences in the income statement for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:
Canadian GAAP | IFRS | ||||||
Nine months ended | Nine months ended | ||||||
September 30, 2010 | September 30, 2010 | ||||||
Balance sheet impact | $ | $ | |||||
Income statement impact | |||||||
Interest expense | 4,645 | 4,645 | |||||
Interest accretion | 5,600 | 5,928 | |||||
Unrealised (gain) or loss on derivative | |||||||
instruments | - | (9,645 | ) |
(vi) Deferred income tax
Under Canadian GAAP deferred tax liabilities were calculated following the acquisition of various mineral property assets. IFRS does not allow the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for temporary differences that arise in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither the taxable nor accounting profit or loss. As a result deferred tax liabilities recognized on asset acquisitions under Canadian GAAP have been derecognized under IFRS and credited to accumulated deficit.
Non-monetary assets and liabilities of an entity are measured in its functional currency. If an entitys taxable income or loss is determined in a different currency, changes in exchange rate will give rise to a temporary difference that results in a deferred tax asset or liability under IAS 12. Effectively, the carrying value of the non-monetary asset/liability (as measured in the functional currency based on historical exchange rates) is translated from the functional currency to the local currency at the current rate and compared to the tax value in the local currency. The resulting temporary difference (measured in the local currency) is multiplied by the appropriate tax rate to arrive at the deferred tax balance in the local currency. This deferred tax balance is then translated into the functional currency at the current rate and charged/credited to profit or loss.
The above result is different from Canadian GAAP which prohibits the recognition of deferred taxes for temporary differences caused by exchange gains and losses related to foreign non-monetary assets and liabilities that are remeasured into the functional currency using historical exchange rates.
The impact on retained earnings as a result of these differences in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was an increase of $1,300,000 and a reduction of $5,520,000 respectively.
d) |
Adjustments to Statement of Cash Flows | |
The transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS had no significant impact on cash flows generated by the Company. |
26 | P a g e
SILVER STANDARD RESOURCES INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. | |
5. | |
6. | |
7. | |
8. | |
9. | |
10. | |
11. | |
12. | |
13. | |
14. | |
15. | |
16. |
INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
17. |
SILVER STANDARD RESOURCES INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
The following Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is intended to supplement the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Silver Standard Resources Inc. (Silver Standard or the Company) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The Company adopted IFRS on January 1, 2011 with a transition date of January 1, 2010. Full disclosure of the Companys IFRS accounting policies and a reconciliation of the previously disclosed opening balance sheet prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian GAAP) to IFRS is set out in note 25 to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2011. A reconciliation of previously disclosed comparative periods presented in accordance with Canadian GAAP to IFRS is set out in note 17 to the current interim financial statements.
The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2010 prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2011 prepared in accordance with IFRS, the related MD&As, and the most recent Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities, with reference to the reconciliations referred to above. All figures are expressed in U.S. dollars except where otherwise indicated. This MD&A has been prepared as of November 9, 2011.
Additional information relating to the Company, including the annual information form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the EDGAR section of the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
This MD&A contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors set out in a cautionary note contained herein.
1. THIRD QUARTER 2011 HIGHLIGHTS
Net earnings of $21.8 million or $0.27 per share during the three months ended September 30, 2011.
Completed the sale of the Bowdens project in Australia for $70 million recording a gain of $51.4 million.
Closed the agreement to consolidate the Companys ownership interest in the high-grade gold and silver San Luis project in Peru.
Approved $25 million to accelerate the advancement of the Pitarrilla project in Mexico.
Achieved one million man hours without a loss time injury at the Pirquitas mine in Argentina.
2
Subsequent to the quarter;
Rebuilt the ball mill gearbox with new parts to position the Pirquitas mine with capacity to produce between 8 and 10 million ounces of silver per annum. The ball mill resumed production on November 5, 2011.
Initiated spot silver concentrate sales while actively negotiating long-term sales contracts.
Completed a Pirquitas mineral resources and reserve estimate resulting in a reduction of ounces in both categories, please refer to section 4 for more details.
2. OUTLOOK
The Company revised its production guidance to produce between 7.3 and 7.6 million ounces of silver in 2011 as a result of three performance issues with the ball mill gearbox (see news releases dated September 27, 2011 and October 24, 2011). Cost per ounce guidance is impacted by these lower production levels and is therefore high for the third quarter and is anticipated to remain high through the fourth quarter. The additional plant downtime in October and November after the revised guidance was issued means achieving the low end of this range will be a successful outcome for the remainder of the year in the Company’s view.
Operating costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 have remained in line with guidance at approximately $8 million per month, and cost control at the Pirquitas mine remains a key focus area. Although the cost per ounce is currently high due to low production volumes, when full operating capacity resumes, towards the end of 2011 and into 2012, the cost per ounce will revert to previous guidance.
For the year ended December 31, 2011 average direct mining costs are anticipated to be $13.00 per ounce of silver compared to previous guidance of $11.00 per ounce. Including by-product credits, third-party charges for smelting, refining, transportation, royalty and production taxes, average total cash cost is now estimated to be $21.00 compared with our previous guidance of $20.00 per ounce of silver. Including non-cash depreciation, amortization, total production cost is estimated at $26.00 per ounce of silver, compared to $24.00 per ounce previously.
We also expect to produce approximately 10 million pounds of zinc in 2011, unchanged from our previous guidance.
Please note the Company changed its presentation of cash costs per ounce during the second quarter of 2011 in line with the newly endorsed production cost guidance provided by The Silver Institute. Please refer to non-GAAP financial performance measures and the cautionary note regarding forward looking statements contained in this MD&A.
3. BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Silver Standard is engaged in the exploration, development and production of silver dominant resource properties located in the Americas.
The Company’s strategic focus is to optimize production of silver from the Pirquitas mine and to advance other principal development and exploration projects, including Pitarrilla, San Luis, Diablillos, Nazas and San Agustin. The Company has a large in-ground silver position and looks to exploit this for the benefit of the Company’s shareholders, and certain projects also contain significant gold resources and base metals. The Company’s future growth will be primarily driven through the development of core projects while monetizing others to support funding requirements.
3
4. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Pirquitas Mine, Argentina
September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||
Operating data | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||
Tonnes milled | 245,127 | 295,004 | 307,745 | 313,051 | 320,174 | 345,661 | 276,375 | ||||||||||||||
Silver grades (g/t) | 250 | 261 | 233 | 267 | 283 | 240 | 129 | ||||||||||||||
Silver recoveries (%) | 82.9 | 80.0 | 73.6 | 76.3 | 66.3 | 63.7 | 53.2 | ||||||||||||||
Silver (ounces) | |||||||||||||||||||||
- produced | 1,631,281 | 1,975,616 | 1,697,294 | 2,067,438 | 1,932,978 | 1,692,466 | 609,258 | ||||||||||||||
- sold | 707,202 | 1,569,698 | 2,053,573 | 1,621,363 | 2,316,447 | 1,091,911 | 906,936 | ||||||||||||||
Average realized silver price ($/oz) | 39.88 | 38.54 | 30.44 | 26.93 | 19.43 | 18.12 | 17.43 | ||||||||||||||
Average London spot silver price ($/oz) | 38.79 | 38.17 | 31.66 | 26.43 | 18.96 | 18.32 | 16.76 | ||||||||||||||
Direct mining cost ($/oz) (1) | 16.20 | 11.57 | 12.26 | 9.55 | 10.43 | 11.27 | 29.32 | ||||||||||||||
Total cash cost ($/oz) (1) | 20.60 | 22.06 | 23.23 | 16.06 | 16.95 | 14.98 | 36.62 | ||||||||||||||
Total production cost ($/oz) (1) | 24.55 | 25.26 | 26.99 | 19.00 | 19.89 | 18.22 | 46.13 | ||||||||||||||
Financial Data ($000s) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 26,152 | 47,271 | 60,053 | 45,077 | 41,557 | 14,091 | 11,531 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from mine operations | 11,492 | 15,838 | 27,859 | 24,975 | 7,426 | (1,673 | ) | (16,594 | ) | ||||||||||||
Exploration expenditures | 3,682 | 7,992 | 12,857 | 11,496 | 26,357 | 10,199 | 4,860 |
(1) |
The Company reports non-GAAP cost per ounce of silver produced to manage and evaluate operating performance at the Pirquitas mine. For a better understanding and a reconciliation of these measures to cost of sales, as shown in our Consolidated Interim Statement of Income (loss) please refer to the non-GAAP measures section of this MD&A. |
Mine production
The Pirquitas mine produced 1.6 million ounces of silver during the third quarter of 2011 compared with 2.0 million ounces in the second quarter of 2011 and 1.9 million ounces in the third quarter of 2010. The lower production in the current quarter, as compared to the second quarter of 2011, resulted from a 17 day ball mill shutdown in July 2011 and a further 7 day shutdown in September 2011 to refurbish the gearbox. In the period between these two shutdowns the plant was achieving design rates with daily average production of 26,000 ounces of silver and recovery rates of 83%. The gearbox has now been completely rebuilt with new parts and recommenced operating in early November. This rebuild put the gearbox in near-new condition. Shipping of a replacement gearbox from Europe is also scheduled for November with arrival on site in January 2012.
Operations were also impacted by import restrictions which were imposed by the Argentine government on all industries. Most significantly impacted was the operation of the jig circuit where a lack of spare parts shut down the plant for several days and in the mine, where loading, drilling and haulage equipment availability was lower as units were idled awaiting spare or replacement parts.
During the third quarter 245,127 tonnes of ore were processed at an average milling rate of 2,664 tonnes per day, compared to 295,004 tonnes at an average of 3,241 tonnes per day achieved in the second quarter of 2011 and 320,174 tonnes at an average milling rate of 3,480 tonnes per day in the third quarter of 2010. The reduced tonnage processed during the third quarter of 2011 resulted from the aforementioned ball mill shutdowns to refurbish the gearbox. However, the average milling rate in the third quarter of 2011 per operating day was in excess of 3,600 tonnes per day.
4
The ore milled during the third quarter of 2011 contained an average silver grade of 250 g/t and achieved average silver recovery of 83%, a significant improvement compared to a silver grade of 261 g/t and recovery of 80% in the second quarter of 2011 and a silver grade of 283 g/t and recovery of 66% in the third quarter of 2010. The strong recovery achieved during the third quarter of 2011 was due principally to consistent feed and continuous improvements to the crushing and flotation circuits.
The mine produced a total of 3.3 million pounds of zinc in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 2.8 million pounds in the second quarter of 2011. The increase in zinc production, despite the reduced operating days, is due to higher grades being processed and better recoveries being achieved. The total zinc production for the year stands at 9.3 million pounds, 93 per cent of full year guidance.
Mine operating costs
During the second quarter of 2011 the Company adopted The Silver Institutes presentation guidance for production costs. This disclosure guidance differed from the Companys previous methodology, therefore previous disclosures have been restated to conform to the amended presentation.
Direct mining costs in the third quarter were $16.20 per ounce of silver compared to $11.57 per ounce in the second quarter of 2011 and $10.43 per ounce in the third quarter of 2010. As discussed previously under the ‘Outlook’ section the increase in the third quarter unit cost versus the second quarter was primarily driven by the lower number of ounces produced in the third quarter compared to the second quarter. Operating costs were also higher in the third quarter as a result of additional repairs and maintenance costs associated with the refurbishment of the ball mill gearbox, and additional maintenance costs and external costs associated with the import restrictions that affected the ability to obtain quality spare parts.
Total cash cost, which includes by-product credits, treatment and refining costs, royalties and production taxes, was $20.60 per ounce compared to $22.06 per ounce of silver in the second quarter of 2011 and $16.95 per ounce in the third quarter of 2010. Treatment and refining costs, as well as royalties and production taxes are all a function of sales prices and are recorded for the actual ounces sold during the quarter. Consequently, on a per ounce basis, the variability from quarter to quarter is due to sales prices and the difference between production and sale volumes. The lower incremental per ounce impact of these costs in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the second quarter of 2011 and the third quarter of 2010 is due to a lower volume of sales in the current quarter. Higher prices achieved on sales in the current quarter partially offset the volume impact compared to the third quarter of 2010.
Total production cost, which includes depreciation and amortization, was $24.55 per ounce in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $25.26 in the second quarter of 2011 and $19.89 in the third quarter of 2010. The depreciation and amortization costs are largely fixed, and are higher on a per ounce basis in the current quarter due to lower production volumes.
Pirquitas Mineral Resources and Reserve
As part of the Company’s ongoing production-reserve reconciliation and mine planning, and to delineate the deposit in greater detail for the mine’s mineral resources and reserve estimates, the Company undertook a comprehensive drilling campaign between the fourth quarter of 2010 and September 2011. Assay results from these drill-holes have been utilized by the Company’s Qualified Persons (“QPs”) to complete advanced modeling of the deposit’s current mineral resource and reserve. Model validation included detailed reconciliation with grade control and mine production data. The outcome of this modeling work is shown below in the following two tables.
5
Pirquitas Mineral Resources Estimate as of September 30, 2011 (Total Measured and Indicated Resources are Inclusive of Total Reserve).
Classification |
Tonnage (Mt) |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
Zinc Grade (%) |
Contained Silver (Moz.) |
Contained Zinc (Mlbs) |
Measured | 13.5 | 156.2 | 0.49 | 68.0 | 144.9 |
Indicated | 16.3 | 142.3 | 0.91 | 74.6 | 328.4 |
Stockpiles (Indicated) | 3.0 | 78.5 | 1.50 | 7.5 | 98.1 |
Total Measured and Indicated | 32.8 | 142.2 | 0.79 | 150.1 | 571.4 |
Cortaderas Breccia Inferred | 2.0 | 152.0 | 5.4 | 9.9 | 239.3 |
Cortaderas Valley Inferred | 5.0 | 78.6 | 1.1 | 12.6 | 120.8 |
Total Inferred | 7.0 | 99.8 | 2.3 | 22.5 | 360.1 |
Notes to table above:
1. |
Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P.Geo., is the Qualified Person (QP) for the reported mineral resource estimates. |
2. |
All mineral resources have been classified in accordance with current CIM definition standards. |
3. |
The reported Measured and Indicated Resources represent resources estimated to exist below the as- mined surface as of September 30, 2011. |
4. |
The multiple-indicator kriging (MIK) modeling methodology was employed for estimates of the Measured and Indicated Resources, whereas ordinary kriging was used to estimate the Cortaderas Breccia Inferred Resource and single-indicator kriging was utilized for the Cortaderas Valley Inferred Resource. |
5. |
A silver cut-off grade of 50 g/t Ag was used for all of the reported resource estimates. |
6. |
A capping grade of 1,600 g/t Ag was utilized for the Cortaderas Breccia mineral resource estimate, while capping grades of 235 g/t Ag and 10% Zn were used for the Cortaderas Valley mineral resource estimate. Due to the nature of the MIK modeling technique, no grade capping was required for the Measured and Indicated resource estimates for the mine. |
7. |
Detailed bulk density modeling, taking into account voids created by historical underground mining and differential rock densities, resulted in an average bulk density value of 2.60 tonnes per cubic meter for the Measured and Indicated resource estimates and 2.71 for the Cortaderas area combined resource. |
8. |
Sums may not equal reported totals due to rounding. |
Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P. Geo., the QP who completed the mineral resource estimates reported here has been employed by the Company as Senior Resource Geologist since August 2009, and before joining the Company was Principal Consultant with Snowden Mining Industry Consultants. The NI 43-101 Technical Report supporting these resource estimates will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days from the date of this document.
6
Pirquitas Mineral Reserve Estimate as of September 30, 2011.
Classification |
Tonnage (Mt) |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
Zinc Grade (%) |
Contained Silver (Moz.) |
Contained Zinc (Mlbs) |
Proven | 10.4 | 181.2 | 0.52 | 60.4 | 117.9 |
Probable | 5.1 | 168.9 | 1.04 | 27.6 | 117.1 |
Reserve Stockpiles | 1.2 | 129.2 | 1.03 | 5.0 | 27.6 |
Total Reserve | 16.7 | 173.7 | 0.71 | 93.1 | 262.6 |
Notes to table above:
1. |
R. Bruce Kennedy, BS (Mining Engineering), P. E. is the Qualified Person for the reported mineral reserve estimates. |
2. |
Trevor Yeomans, B.Sc. (Mineral Processing), P. Eng., is the Qualified Person who provided metallurgical parameters that were incorporated in the reserve estimates. |
3. |
All mineral reserves have been classified in accordance with current CIM definition standards. |
4. |
Reported mineral reserves were estimated using the Measured and Indicated Resources shown in the Mineral Resource table above, excluding 1.2 Mt Indicated Resource estimated for the Oploca Vein to contain approximately 8.2 Moz. silver. The estimated Oploca mineral resource lies just beyond the southern limits of the current pit design. |
5. |
Metal prices used in reserve estimates are $25.00 per ounce of silver and $2,403 per tonne of zinc. |
6. |
Mining costs are as per 2011 actual costs, with estimated productivity changes incorporated. |
7. |
Mill and general administrative costs were estimated on the basis of 2011 actual costs, incorporating projections to full and stable production. |
8. |
The Mineral Reserve is quoted within a pit design that utilizes geotechnical parameters proven from actual performance. The design was created using a geometry guideline from a Lerche-Grossman algorithm that maximizes the reserve cash flow. |
9. |
Average open-pit strip ratio of 4.89:1 total:ore was used. |
10. |
The cut-off grade was developed on a net smelter return (NSR) basis that uses a total operating cost of $35.52 per tonne of ore. |
11. |
Metallurgical recovery formulas were applied for silver and zinc concentrates that reflect increasing recovery with increasing head grade. Average metallurgical recovery for silver is 79.8 percent, and for zinc 42.9 percent. |
R. Bruce Kennedy, BS (Mining Engineering), P.E., the QP who has approved the estimated mineral reserve reported here, is the General Manager of the Pirquitas Mine, having joined the Company in March 2011. Mr. Kennedy has extensive mine management experience and prior to joining the Company was a senior mining consultant with SRK Consulting. A NI 43-101 Technical Report supporting the tabulated Reserve estimates will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days from the date of this document.
7
Significant factors affecting the new mineral resources and reserve estimates include the following:
The 2008 Mineral Resources estimate and the 2011 Mineral Resources estimate have been reported on different bases. The former was reported on a silver-equivalent basis, including the economic benefit of tin. This mineral reserve estimate totaled 195.1 million ounces of silver and 550 million pounds of zinc contained as stated in a NI 43-101 Technical Report, dated September 29, 2008 and filed on SEDAR. The 2011 Mineral Resources estimate uses a 50 g/t silver only cut-off. The 2010 and 2011 drilling has enabled improvement in the Company’s interpretation of geological controls on the mineralization and the 2011 mineral resources model has been validated through reconciliation of grade control and mine production data.
The Company is focused on opportunities for cost reduction, pursuing the option of dry-stacking of tailings and is investigating processes for tin recovery which together are expected to bring resources back into reserves. Extensive ‘brownfield’ exploration is also being conducted on the property with encouraging results to date. In 2011, the Company’s exploration team identified two significant silver and zinc-bearing breccia bodies; one that is currently being mined from the open-pit and another that is located approximately 200 meters north of the pit in a resource area referred to as Cortaderas (see the Mineral Reserve Estimate table above).
The Companys exploration efforts will continue in the pursuit of delineating new resources and reserves on the Pirquitas property. Metallurgical engineering work will also continue on the development and implementation of a process to recover the significant tin mineralization found in the Pirquitas ore.
Notwithstanding the Company estimates that the noted changes to the mine’s mineral Resources and Reserve estimate, from 2012 onwards Pirquitas will continue operating for 6.5 years as an 8-10 million ounces per annum silver producer, with a further 2.5 years of production of approximately 3 million ounces of silver per annum coming from stockpiles. This mine life estimate is based on $25.00 per ounce of silver and $2,403 per tonne of zinc and could be extended assuming the continuation of current market prices of approximately $35 per ounce of silver.
Exploration drilling program
In addition to the comprehensive in-fill drilling program that was completed in 2011 in the area of the San Miguel open-pit, the Company diamond drilled 1,837 meters at an exploration target located just 200 meters north of the pit in the Cortaderas Valley. The main target at Cortaderas consists of a steeply plunging breccia body where the breccia matrix is composed of silver-bearing iron and zinc sulphide mineralization. To date, nine relatively closely spaced drill-holes have intersected the mineralized breccia body. The results from this drilling are encouraging, with intercepts from a select number of the boreholes being highlighted in the table below. Based on the drilling completed to date, Dr Warwick Board, the Company’s Senior Resource Geologist and QP has estimated an Inferred Resource for the breccia of 2.0 million tonnes averaging 152 g/t silver and 5.4% zinc, for approximately 9.9 million ounces of contained silver, at a 50 g/t Ag cut-off grade. Sulphide-rich, vein-hosted mineralization has been intersected by drill-holes in the vicinity of the above mentioned breccia body and is estimated to contain an additional 12.6 million ounces of silver in the Inferred Resource category (refer to the above Mineral Resources table for details).
8
Select Drill-hole Intersections of the Cortaderas Breccia:
Drill-Hole | From (m) | To (m) | Length² (m) | Ag (g/t) | Sn (%) | Zn (%) |
DDH-099³ | 145.0 | 250.0 | 105.0 | 194.3 | 0.17 | 6.17 |
including | 177.0 | 219.0 | 42.0 | 371.4 | 0.35 | 9.91 |
DDH-167¹ | 80.0 | 312.0 | 232.0 | 183.2 | 0.13 | 5.40 |
including | 117.0 | 151.3 | 34.3 | 631.5 | 0.17 | 12.08 |
and including | 198.0 | 234.0 | 36.0 | 386.1 | 0.30 | 9.02 |
DDH-214¹ | 156.0 | 374.0 | 218.0 | 477.3 | 0.38 | 7.97 |
including | 218.0 | 276.0 | 58.0 | 1,007.7 | 0.39 | 12.83 |
and including | 282.0 | 328.0 | 46.0 | 928.3 | 1.03 | 16.15 |
DDH-216¹ | 257.0 | 421.0 | 164.0 | 59.6 | 0.11 | 3.82 |
including | 337.7 | 385.4 | 47.7 | 166.7 | 0.18 | 9.07 |
DDH-217¹ | 91.0 | 290.0 | 199.0 | 84.2 | 0.06 | 3.19 |
including | 120.4 | 128.0 | 7.6 | 552.8 | 0.22 | 4.31 |
Notes to the table above:
1. |
Holes are oriented at shallow angles to inferred plunge orientation of mineralized breccia body. |
2. |
Intercepts are not true thicknesses. These are to be determined by follow-up drilling. |
3. |
Hole intersected the breccia body at a high angle and ended in mineralization. |
4. |
All samples were submitted to ALS Chemex for preparation and analysis at its facilities in Mendoza, Argentina. Samples were analyzed using a 4-acid digestion and ICP-AES finish for a suite of 35 elements. Additional tin analyses were performed using the XRF analytical technique. Samples containing greater than 200 ppm Ag and/or greater than 100,000 ppm Zn were re- analyzed using a 4-acid digestion with AAS finish for both elements. |
5. |
Silver Standards QA/QC protocol consists of the regular insertion of control standard and blank samples together with the analysis of field duplicate samples. Approximately 14% of all samples analyzed represent QA/QC samples. |
6. |
Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P.Geo., is the Senior Resource Geologist at Silver Standard Resources Inc. and is the QP who has verified the data presented in the above table. |
Fiscal stability agreement
The Pirquitas mine has a fiscal stability agreement with the government of Argentina dating from 1998. In 2002, the government of Argentina implemented an export duty on concentrates that did not apply to companies with pre-existing fiscal stability agreements. In December 2007 the National Customs Authority of Argentina levied an export duty of approximately 10% on concentrates for projects with fiscal stability agreements predating 2002. The Company has been advised that Pirquitas is subject to this export duty despite contrary rights detailed under the 1998 fiscal stability agreement. The legality of the export duty has been challenged and is currently under review by the court in Argentina. In July 2010, the Company filed a claim in the provincial court for repayment of export duties paid to date, and for an order to cease payment of the export duty until the matter is decided by the court. An order was granted effective September 29, 2010 to cease payment of the export duty pending the decision of the courts, and in April 2011 a government appeal against this order was denied.
As of September 30, 2011 the Pirquitas mine has paid $6.6 million in duties, however, despite the order to cease payment, the Company has continued to accrue duties in full until the outcome of the claim is known with certainty. At September 30, 2011, the accrued liability totaled $12.3 million, of which $9.5 million has been included in cost of sales for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. If these duties are recovered the benefit will be recognized in the statement of earnings for the full amount in the period recovery becomes virtually certain.
On October 26, 2011 the Argentina government announced a decree that requires all funds from export sales to be repatriated to Argentina and converted into Argentina Pesos within the Sole Foreign Exchange Market in Argentina, and each transfer is subject to a 0.6% transfer tax. Although the fiscal stability agreement also includes stability over foreign exchange controls the government has removed such benefits. The Company will comply with all laws and regulations, and is in the process of determining what impact this has on the business.
9
5. REVIEW OF PROJECTS
Pitarrilla, Mexico
A total of $2.7 million was spent during the quarter at the wholly-owned Pitarrilla project located in the state of Durango, Mexico compared to $9.8 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
On August 10, 2011 the Company committed a total of $25.0 million to accelerate the advancement of the Pitarrilla mining complex. A feasibility study is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2012 and if approved, detailed design and construction will commence thereafter leading to production in approximately two years. The $25.0 million allows for the purchase of critical path process equipment and to date work has commenced on access roads, water wells, and constructing the workers camp. The Company also continues to build the management team, notably with the recruitment of a new general manager.
A campaign of diamond drilling was also conducted during the second and third quarters, with 83 boreholes and a total of 13,867 meters being drilled. This drilling program was designed to provide in-fill assay data for an enhanced estimate of the projects oxide silver resource as well as geotechnical and metallurgical information that will be used for mine design and optimization.
The Pitarrilla project currently comprises Probable Mineral Reserves of 91.7 million ounces of silver, Measured and Indicated Resources containing 551.6 million ounces of silver and Inferred Resources containing 82.2 million ounces of silver.
San Luis, Peru
A total of $1.3 million was spent during the quarter at the now wholly owned San Luis project in Peru compared to $1.2 million in the same quarter of the prior year. On July 28, 2011, the Company completed the previously announced agreement, and acquired the remaining 30% interest in the San Luis project from the Company’s former joint venture partner, Esperanza Resources Corp. (“Esperanza”). Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid $17.9 million in cash, transferred to Esperanza the 6.459 million shares of Esperanza that the Company owned, and granted to Esperanza a 1% net smelter return royalty on future revenues earned from the project.
Long-term land access negotiations advanced with two local communities and work also continued on completing the required Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The completion of the land access agreements and the EIS will enable a construction decision to be made, which is expected to happen during 2012.
During the quarter mineral prospecting on the property resulted in the discovery of a set of northwesterly trending quartz veins which were tested for their precious metal content with the collection of 265 rock-chip samples. Assay results for these samples indicate sections of these veins are significantly mineralized with gold and require further assessment by diamond drilling. In addition the Company contracted an external consultant in porphyry copper deposits to examine and assess the potential of the BP Zone. This zone of widespread hydrothermal alteration and base metal mineralization is centered about 4 kilometers southwest of the Ayelen vein-hosted gold-silver deposit. It was concluded that the alteration and mineralization found at the BP Zone is most likely related to a porphyry intrusion and warrants additional drill-testing. Exploration programs to further evaluate the epithermal gold and porphyry copper targets are being planned.
10
The San Luis project comprises Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 7.2 million ounces of silver and 0.29 million ounces of gold. These Reserves are 100% attributable to the Company as of July 28, 2011, following its consolidation of ownership.
Nazas, Mexico
A total of $1.6 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys Nazas project, compared to $0.2 million during the same quarter of the prior year.
Nazas, which until recently comprised three contiguous mineral properties covering approximately 236 square kilometers, is centered about 16 kilometers east of the Pitarrilla project and covers an extensive system of gold- and silver-bearing quartz veins and related hydrothermal alteration. Several of these vein targets have now been tested, with approximately 4,187 meters being drilled in the third quarter for a total of 12,587 meters coming from 22 boreholes. Early in the campaign, drill-holes intersected gold mineralization in epithermal quartz veining that prompted the addition of seven holes to the original program.
Subsequent to the quarter end the Company elected not to continue its option to purchase the Navidad claim group at the centre of the Nazas project area due to the fact that assay results from boreholes drilled on the claims were insufficiently positive to justify the costs to maintain the option to purchase agreement with the owner of the claims. Notwithstanding our decision on the Navidad property, the geological information provided by this years drilling campaign will be utilized in the planning of future drilling on the other two Nazas properties which are wholly owned by the Company. Our goal at Nazas continues to be the discovery of precious metal-rich polymetallic mineralization.
Diablillos, Argentina
A total of $0.7 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys wholly owned Diablillos project (which is located 275 kilometers south of the Pirquitas Mine in northwestern Argentina) compared to $0.7 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
Expenditures for the quarter include administrative, property taxes and camp maintenance costs. Fieldwork in the quarter mainly comprised rock sampling to identify satellite zones of near-surface oxidized gold mineralization that would complement the resources defined in the main Oculto silver-gold deposit. A number of prospects were identified for follow-up mechanized trenching and additional sampling, and depending on the results of this work which will be completed in the fourth quarter, several of these targets are expected to be drilled next year with shallow boreholes.
The Oculto deposit at the Diablillos project has an Indicated Mineral Resource that contains 77.1 million ounces of silver and 0.64 million ounces of gold, with additional Inferred Resources containing 6.3 million ounces of silver and 0.19 million ounces of gold.
San Agustin, Mexico
A total of $0.2 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys wholly-owned San Agustin project located in Durango State, Mexico compared to the $0.5 million spent in the same quarter of the prior year. Most of the third quarter expenditure was incurred as property holding costs and other administrative expenses.
11
Advanced negotiations were conducted during the quarter with three parties that control the property surface rights. Once land access agreements are in place a 5,000 meter-long diamond drilling program will be initiated, likely in the first quarter of 2012. The objective of the drilling program will be to expand the near surface oxidized gold resource that was partially defined in 2008 by Geologix Explorations which comprehensively explored the property under an option agreement with the Company. Geologix was unable to fulfill its option commitments and therefore the option was terminated in early 2009 with the Company regaining 100% of the mineral rights to the property. In addition to the proposed program of infill drilling, detailed metallurgical studies will also be undertaken and will focus on gold recovery characteristics of the oxide gold mineralization.
The San Agustin project currently comprises an Indicated Mineral Resource of 47.8 million ounces of silver and 1.59 million ounces of gold, along with an Inferred Resource of 36.9 million ounces of silver and 1.06 million ounces of gold.
6. SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL RESULTS
The following table sets out selected quarterly results, which are stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts.
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30-Sep | 30-Jun | 31-Mar | 31-Dec | 30-Sep | 30-Jun | 31-Mar | 31-Dec | 30-Sep | 30-Jun | 31-Mar | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 26,152 | 47,271 | 60,053 | 45,077 | 41,557 | 14,091 | 11,531 | 5,442 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from mine operations | 11,492 | 15,838 | 27,859 | 24,975 | 7,426 | (1,673 | ) | (16,594 | ) | (2,523 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 21,836 | 45,765 | 9,943 | 367,164 | (10,407 | ) | (9,385 | ) | (3,376 | ) | (9,126 | ) | (95 | ) | (1,374 | ) | (2,598 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 0.27 | 0.57 | 0.12 | 4.63 | (0.13 | ) | (0.12 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.00 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.04 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Dliuted earnings (loss) per share | 0.27 | 0.57 | 0.12 | 4.60 | (0.13 | ) | (0.12 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.00 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.04 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 355,903 | 368,759 | 260,733 | 232,311 | 35,839 | 57,719 | 102,995 | 26,659 | 42,886 | 52,835 | 107,723 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | 1,249,570 | 1,252,360 | 1,178,644 | 1,147,990 | 717,749 | 701,356 | 721,795 | 749,925 | 718,259 | 653,622 | 650,512 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Working capital | 428,627 | 418,812 | 335,764 | 306,891 | 65,201 | 89,429 | 117,441 | 24,515 | 27,036 | 37,890 | 92,440 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible notes | 123,418 | 122,612 | 118,924 | 118,201 | 114,517 | 113,981 | 110,429 | 112,815 | 109,563 | 109,396 | 106,217 |
(1) |
Information for 2009 is presented in accordance with Canadian GAAP and was not required to be restated to IFRS. |
Three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $21.8 million ($0.27 per share) compared to a net loss of $10.4 million ($0.13 per share) in the third quarter of 2010. The following is a summary and discussion on significant components of income and expenses recorded during the quarter compared to the same period in the prior year.
During the third quarter 2011 the Company recorded total revenues from the Pirquitas Mine of $26.2 million from the sale of 0.7 million ounces of silver. Shipments made in the period realized an average price of $39.88 per ounce, excluding the impact of quarter end price adjustments, and 3.9 million pounds of zinc realized an average price of $1.01 per pound. This is compared with the third quarter of 2010 which recorded revenues of $41.6 million from the sale of 2.3 million ounces of silver at an average realized price of $19.43, and no zinc sales. The reduction in sales recognised is reflective of the volume of silver ounces sold, partially offset by the significant increase in the price of silver. Zinc pounds sold in the third quarter of 2011 contributed $2.8 million to total revenues.
Since the mines initial start-up silver concentrates have been sold pursuant to a sales contract to a single customer. The contract was terminated during the quarter and as a result volumes of silver concentrate sold were significantly lower than prior quarters. Zinc concentrate sales were unaffected. Subsequent to the quarter individual spot sales of silver concentrate have been completed, and the Company is continuing negotiations to establish long-term contracts with various counterparties.
12
Cost of sales for the third quarter 2011 was $14.7 million compared to $34.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. This resulted in income from mine operations of $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $7.4 million in the third quarter of 2010. The reduction in cost of sales is primarily due to the volume of product sold. Margins improved significantly, primarily as a result of higher silver prices.
General and administration expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2011 were $6.7 million compared to $6.3 million in 2010. The increase recorded is primarily due to higher employee related costs related to growth in the Company’s headcount through the last year, severance payments, higher travel and corporate administrative expenses, partially offset by lower valuations of certain share-based compensation arrangements which are closely aligned to the Company’s share price.
Exploration costs of $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2011 relate primarily to the drilling program at the Pirquitas mine which primarily occurred in 2011. Such costs at the operating property are expensed in line with the Companys accounting policy.
During the quarter the Company completed the sale of the Bowdens project in Australia to Kingsgate Consolidated Limited (“Kingsgate”). The Company received $35.0 million in cash, 3.4 million shares of Kingsgate (with an approximate value of $25.6 million), and will receive two additional cash payments of AUD5 million on each of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012. Total consideration was approximately $70.5 million, and the Company recognised a gain on sale of $51.4 million (after tax gain of $36.4 million).
Other income (expenses) in the third quarter of 2011 was a net gain of $7.4 million compared to net losses of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2010. The net gain in 2011 included: a gain of $5.4 million from the re-measurement of financial instruments held at fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL); a dilution gain of $1.8 million resulting from a private placement made by Pretium Resources Inc. (Pretium), in which the Company did not participate, which diluted the Companys interest from 28.86% to 28.39%; and a $5.5 million gain recognised in the income statement following the disposal of Esperanza shares as part of the acquisition of the non-controlling interest (any unrecognised gains in relation to these securities had previously been recorded in other comprehensive income). Also, in October 2011 the Company decided not to continue with an option to purchase agreement for the Navidad claim group that formed part of the Nazas property in Mexico, and as a result wrote off all $4.5 million costs associated with this specific mineral property. The net loss in 2010 primarily comprised a loss of $2.7 million from the re-measurement of financial instruments held at FVTPL.
The Company recorded a foreign exchange loss for the three months ended September 30, 2011 of $5.2 million compared to a loss of $6.2 million in the same period of 2010. The Companys main exposure to foreign exchange risk is related to net monetary assets denominated in Canadian dollars and Argentinean pesos. Canadian dollar assets generated losses due to the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, and a weakening Argentine Peso against the U.S. dollar, on a net Peso asset balance.
In the three months ended September 30, 2011 there was an income tax expense of $30.9 million compared to a recovery of $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2010. Of the total tax expense in the third quarter of 2011, $15.3 million reflects the tax expense following the sale of the Bowdens property, and the balance relates to changes in deferred tax liabilities.
Nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010
Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $77.5 million ($0.97 per share) compared to a net loss of $23.2 million ($0.30 per share) in the same period of 2010. The following is a summary and discussion on significant components of income and expenses recorded during the nine month period compared to the same period in the prior year.
13
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company recorded total revenues from the Pirquitas mine of $133.5 million from the sale of 4.3 million ounces of silver. Shipments made in the period realized and average price of $36.29 per ounce, excluding the impact of quarter end price adjustments, and 9.7 million pounds of zinc realized an average price of $1.04 per pound. This is compared with the first nine months of 2010 which recorded revenues of $67.2 million from the sale of 4.3 million ounces of silver with an average realized price of $18.32, with no zinc sales. The relative increase in sales is reflective of the significant increase in the price of silver as well as zinc pounds sold.
Cost of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $78.3 million compared to $78.0 million in the first nine months of 2010. This resulted in earnings from mine operations of $55.2 million in 2011 compared to a loss of $10.8 million in the first nine months of 2010. Cost of sales remained consistent and margins improved ostensibly as a result of higher silver prices.
General and administration expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $20.3 million compared to $19.6 million in 2010. There was an increase in employee related costs related to growth in the Companys headcount through 2011, higher travel and corporate administrative expenses, partially offset by lower consulting costs.
Exploration costs of $5.1 million for the first nine months of 2011 relate primarily to the drilling program at the Pirquitas mine which primarily occurred in 2011.
The gain on sale of mineral properties recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily from the aforementioned sale of the Bowdens property in Australia for which a pre-tax gain of $51.4 million was recorded. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010 the Company recorded a pre-tax gain on sale of mineral properties of $13.1 million following the sale of the Companys 100% interest in the Silvertip property located in British Columbia, Canada.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company partially disposed of its interest in its associate Pretium, by selling 11.5 million units (each unit comprised one common share of Pretium held by the Company and one half of a warrant to purchase an additional share of Pretium within a year for C$12.50) for gross proceeds of $120.1 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $39.3 million.
Other income (expenses) in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 totalled a gain of $13.8 million compared to a gain of $12.4 million in the same period of 2010. The main constituents in 2011 were; a gain of $13.5 million from the re-measurement of financial instruments held at FVTPL; a gain of $2.4 million from the reversal of a previous impairment loss on the Aurcana Corporation (“Aurcana”) convertible debenture; the above noted dilution gain of $1.8 million; gain on disposals of marketable securities of $5.5 million; and offset by the Company’s share of losses of its associate of $4.6 million. Also, in October 2011 the Company decided not to continue with an option to purchase agreement for the Navidad claim group that formed the central part of the Nazas property in Mexico, and as a result wrote off all $4.5 million costs associated with this specific mineral property. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010 there was a gain on the re-measurement of financial instruments held at FVTPL of $9.2 million and a gain on the sale of marketable securities of $3.1 million.
The Company recorded a foreign exchange loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 of $3.1 million compared to a loss of $6.9 million in the same period of 2010. The Companys main exposure to foreign exchange risk is related to net monetary assets denominated in Canadian dollars and Argentinean pesos. Canadian dollar assets generated losses due to the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, and a weakening Argentine Peso against the U.S. dollar, on a net Peso asset balance.
14
In the nine months ended September 30, 2011 there was an income tax expense of $41.7 million compared to a recovery of $0.2 million in the first nine months of 2010. Of the total tax expense in 2011, $9.7 million is in relation to the Pirquitas mining operations, $15.0 million at the corporate level largely recognising the current tax on the sale of the Pretium shares, and $15.3 million of taxes payable in relation to the disposition of the Bowdens property.
7. LIQUIDITY
At September 30, 2011, the Company held $355.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $36.4 million in marketable securities compared to $232.3 million and $33.5 million respectively at December 31, 2010. The increase in cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was the result of cash inflows from operations of $12.9 million, $19.2 million generated from financing activities, and $91.5 million from investing activities.
Operating Activities
The Company recorded a net cash
inflow from operations of $12.9 million in the nine months ended September 30,
2011, compared to an outflow of $18.8 million in the same period in 2010.
The inflow in 2011 was partly from positive cash flows from the Pirquitas mine of approximately $39 million, offset by a net cash outflow from corporate activities. These involved general and administration cash payments of $15 million, interest payments of $6 million, tax installments of $14 million and the receipt of $8 million from Aurcana from repayment of part of the convertible debenture receivable.
Financing Activities
The Company generated a total of
$19.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 through financing
activities as compared to $109.6 million in the corresponding period in 2010.
Proceeds in 2011 were received upon the exercise of stock options, and in 2010
$107.8 million was from a public share offering of 6.8 million shares at C$17.00
per share, and $1.8 million from the exercise of stock options.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a total of 949,891 (2010 125,263) shares were issued on the exercise of stock options for total proceeds received of $19.2 million (2010 - $1.8 million). The weighted average exercise price of options exercised was C$19.59 (2010 - C$15.20) per share.
Investing Activities
The Company generated a total of
$91.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 through investing
activities as compared to an outflow of $81.6 million in the corresponding
period in 2010.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company spent $20.4 million compared to $42.9 million in the prior period for sustaining capital at Pirquitas. Capital expenditure in 2011 was primarily to increase the size of the tailings dam, and implementing a new tertiary crushing circuit, while the large cash expenditure in the same period in 2010 was primarily related to the payment of construction-related payables from 2009.
15
The Company spent the following on its mineral exploration projects:
Three months ended September 30 | Nine months ended September 30 | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||
$ | 000's | $ | 000's | $ | 000's | $ | 000's | |||||
Berenguela | 37 | 1,291 | 276 | 2,046 | ||||||||
Diablillos | 692 | 727 | 1,906 | 1,436 | ||||||||
Pitarrilla | 2,732 | 9,847 | 14,385 | 15,873 | ||||||||
San Agustin | 248 | 479 | 509 | 946 | ||||||||
San Luis | 1,267 | 1,175 | 4,845 | 5,633 | ||||||||
Snowfield(1) | - | 5,637 | - | 9,373 | ||||||||
Brucejack(1) | - | 6,673 | - | 10,658 | ||||||||
Nazas | 1,636 | 203 | 4,001 | 799 | ||||||||
Other | 386 | 746 | 1,207 | 1,576 | ||||||||
Change in non-cash working capital | (3,316 | ) | (421 | ) | (2,598 | ) | (6,924 | ) | ||||
Cash spent on exploration and development properties | 3,682 | 26,357 | 24,531 | 41,416 |
(1) The Snowfield and Brucejack properties were sold in December 2010 and hence there were no expenditures in 2011.
The Company spent $10.3 million in value added tax (VAT) primarily in Argentina related to the Pirquitas mine for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $15.2 million in the prior year due to the lower level of expenditure in the current period compared to the payment of construction payables towards the beginning of 2010. The Company continues to work with the fiscal authorities regarding the process of recovering the VAT, which requires applications to be submitted as metal concentrates are exported.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company received $112.9 million from the sale of 11.5 million units of Pretium, $52.0 million from the sale of mineral properties ($35.0 million from Bowdens and $17.0 million from the final payment in relation to the sale of the Snowfield and Brucejack properties completed in 2010), and paid $18.1 million to acquire the 100% ownership interest in the San Luis project in Peru.
Marketable securities
There was an increase in
marketable securities of $2.9 million in the nine month period ended September
30, 2011. This resulted from fair value increases of $10.6 million and the
receipt of 3.4 million shares of Kingsgate with a period-end value of $24.2
million, offset by the disposal of 6.5 million shares of Esperanza which had a
value of $10.5 million. There is a hold clause on the Kingsgate shares of six
months from the date that the transaction closed.
Working capital
Working capital at September 30, 2011
was $428.6 million, an increase of $121.7 million from December 31, 2010. The
increase in working capital resulted primarily from a $123.6 million increase in
cash and cash equivalents as discussed above and an increase in inventory of
$38.6 million, which was partially offset by an increase in current taxes
payable of $28.9 million.
Inventory increased significantly due to large amounts of finished goods being on hand as a result of the terminated sales contract, while the increase in current taxes payable resulted from taxable gains on the disposal of Pretium units and the Bowdens project in Australia.
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8. CAPITAL RESOURCES
Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2011 was $987.7 million, an increase of $50.0 million from $937.7 million at December 31, 2010. This was due in part to the exercise of 949,891 options, share-based compensation expense and comprehensive income reported for the period. The Company also completed a transaction to acquire the non-controlling interest in the San Luis project in Peru for total excess consideration of $28.2 million. This is considered to be a distribution to that non-controlling interest and as a result is recorded as a reduction to equity of that amount.
As at September 30, 2011 the Company had approximately 80.6 million common shares outstanding, with a share capital value of $704.3 million. The Company also had 3.3 million stock options outstanding which are exchangeable into common shares at exercise prices ranging between $11.50 and $40.62.
The Companys financial position at September 30, 2011, and the operating cash flows that are expected over the next twelve months, lead management to believe that the Companys liquid assets are sufficient to fund currently planned capital expenditures and to discharge liabilities as they come due. In addition, the Company is positioned to take advantage of strategic opportunities as they become available.
Outstanding share data
The authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value. As at November 9, 2011, the following common shares and options were outstanding:
Number of | Exercise | Remaining | |||||||
Shares | Price | Life | |||||||
C$ | (years) | ||||||||
Capital stock | 80,614,932 | ||||||||
Stock options | 3,283,971 | $ | 11.50 - $40.62 | 0.1 - 9.0 | |||||
Fully diluted | 83,903,903 |
9. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED RISKS
The Companys financial instruments are exposed to a variety of financial risks, including market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Companys overall risk management strategy seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the Companys financial performance. Risk management is carried out under policies approved by the Board of Directors.
The Company may, from time to time, use foreign exchange contracts, commodity price contracts and interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange, metal prices and interest rates. The Company does not have a practice of trading derivatives. In the past, the Companys use of derivatives was limited to specific programs to manage fluctuations in foreign exchange risk, which are subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. The risks associated with the Companys financial instruments, and the policies on how the Company mitigates those risks are set out below.
a) Market Risk
This is the risk that the fair values of financial instruments will fluctuate owing to changes in market prices. The significant market risks to which the Company is exposed are commodity price risk, foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk.
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(i) Commodity Price Risk
Commodity price risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of the Companys financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. There has been no change in the Companys objectives and policies for managing this risk and no significant change to the Companys exposure to price risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
(ii) Foreign Exchange Risk
Foreign exchange risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of the Companys financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk on its cash and cash equivalents, certain receivable balances, the convertible debenture receivable, VAT receivable and certain accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
The Company monitors and manages this risk closely with the objective of ensuring its group wide exposure to negative fluctuations in currencies against the USD is minimized. As at September 30, 2011 the Company has not entered into any derivatives to mitigate this risk and there has been no change in the Companys objectives and policies for managing this risk. The Companys exposure to foreign exchange risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased to the extent that additional Canadian dollar cash was received from the sale of Pretium units which are exposed to foreign exchange risk, however this was mitigated to an acceptable level through the conversion into U.S. dollars based on corporate objectives.
Also, on October 26, 2011 the Argentina government announced a decree that requires all funds from export sales to be repatriated to Argentina and converted into Argentinean Pesos within the Sole Foreign Exchange Market in Argentina, and each transfer is subject to a 0.6% transfer tax. The Company will comply with all laws and regulations, and is in the process of considering the impact that this has on the business.
(iii) Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk mainly arises from the interest rate impact on our cash and cash equivalents because they are the only financial instrument the Company holds that earns interest based on variable market interest rates. The convertible debenture receivable and long-term convertible notes have fixed interest rates and are therefore not exposed to fluctuations in interest rates.
The Company monitors its exposure to interest rates closely and has not entered into any derivative contracts to manage its risk. There has been no change in the Companys objectives and policies for managing this risk and no significant change to the Companys exposure to interest rate risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
b) Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that a third party might fail to discharge its obligations under the terms of a financial contract. The Companys credit risk is limited to deposits with financial institutions, trade receivables in the ordinary course of business, the recovery of the convertible debenture and the recovery of value added taxes, and the quality of its financial investments. There has been no change in the Companys objectives and policies for managing this risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. However, the credit risk associated with the convertible debenture from Aurcana was considered to have reduced following the repayment of C$7 million on July 15, 2011, and additional principal repayment in October 2011.
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c) Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company manages its liquidity risk through a rigorous planning and budgeting process, which is reviewed and updated on a regular basis, to help determine the funding requirements to support the Companys current operations, expansion and development plans, and by managing its capital structure.
The Companys objective is to ensure that there are sufficient committed financial resources to meet its short-term business requirements for a minimum of twelve months. There has been no change in the Companys objectives and policies for managing this risk and the Company considers that during the period the significant cash proceeds received from selling 11.5 million shares of Pretium and the Bowdens property has further reduced the Companys exposure to liquidity risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
10. OTHER RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
There were no changes to the Companys exposure to risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to the Companys foreign operations and environmental regulation as described in the 2010 year end and June 30, 2011 interim MD&A.
For further information regarding the Companys operational risks, please refer to the section entitled Risk Factors in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010, which is available at www.sedar.com.
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded administrative, technical services and expense reimbursements of $179,000 (December 31, 2010 - $19,000) from companies related by common directors or officers including our equity accounted associate. At September 30, 2011, trade and other receivables include $257,000 (December 31, 2010 - $2,000) and trade and other payables include $329,000 (December 31, 2010 - $nil) with these related parties primarily due to transaction costs from the sale of the Snowfield and Brucejack properties and the subsequent sale of Pretium shares. Any amounts due from and payable to related parties are non-interest bearing and without specific terms of repayment. Any transactions for expense reimbursement with related parties are under normal business terms.
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12. SIGNFICANT INVESTMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE EQUITY METHOD
As at September 30, 2011 the Company retained an ownership interest in Pretium of 28.39% . This investment is being accounted for under the equity method. The following table is an estimation of the assets and liabilities, and net loss of Pretium at:
September 30 | December | |||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||
C$ 000s | C$ 000s | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 31,793 | 48,534 | ||||
Mineral properties | 476,169 | 450,000 | ||||
Other fixed assets | 2,113 | - | ||||
Other receivables and payables | 1,161 | (40,146 | ) | |||
Net assets | 511,236 | 458,388 |
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||
September 30 | September 30 | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||
C$ 000s | C$ 000s | C$ 000s | C$ 000s | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 1,969 | - | 10,555 | - | ||||||||
Other | 897 | - | 2,129 | - | ||||||||
Net Loss | 2,866 | - | 12,684 | - |
13. NON-GAAP MEASURES
Non-GAAP measures Cash cost per ounce of silver
The Company uses the non-GAAP measures of direct mining cost, total cash cost and total production cost per ounce of silver to manage and evaluate operating performance. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Companys 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 GAAP.
This classification is based upon The Silver Institutes production cost standard as endorsed on June 16, 2011. Previous to this the Company reported cash production cost, cash operating cost and total production cost, and moved to The Silver Institutes production cost standard in its disclosures from June 30, 2011 in order to disclose a more standardized meaning within the industry. The key differences between this presentation and the Companys previous disclosure is that cash production costs included by-product credits whereas direct mining costs per The Silver Institute guidance only include costs incurred at the mine site. Total cash costs and cash operating costs remain consistent. Total production costs are consistent except that the Company had previously included reclamation costs which are excluded from The Silver Institutes guidance.
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The following table provides a reconciliation of direct mining costs, total cash costs and total production costs to cost of sales, as reported in our Consolidated Interim Statement of Income (Loss):
3 months ended September 30 | 9 months ended September 30 | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||
$000s | $000s | $000s | $000s | |||||||||
Cost of inventory per income statement | 11,532 | 25,013 | 53,436 | 56,067 | ||||||||
Movement in inventory | 14,891 | (4,845 | ) | 16,790 | 1,033 | |||||||
Other adjustments | - | - | ||||||||||
Direct mining expenses | 26,423 | 20,168 | 70,226 | 57,100 | ||||||||
Third party smelting, refining and | ||||||||||||
transportation costs | 8,620 | 8,957 | 38,000 | 17,302 | ||||||||
By-product credits | (1,645 | ) | - | (4,628 | ) | - | ||||||
Royalties & production taxes | 204 | 3,639 | 13,017 | 6,025 | ||||||||
Total cash costs | 33,602 | 32,764 | 116,615 | 80,427 | ||||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization per | ||||||||||||
income statement | 2,410 | 5,554 | 13,439 | 16,291 | ||||||||
Movement in inventory | 4,031 | 123 | 4,972 | 662 | ||||||||
Total production costs | 40,043 | 38,441 | 135,026 | 97,380 | ||||||||
Production (ounces) | 1,631,281 | 1,932,978 | 5,304,191 | 4,234,702 | ||||||||
Direct mining expenses (per ounce) | 16.20 | 10.43 | 13.24 | 13.48 | ||||||||
Total cash cost (per ounce) | 20.60 | 16.95 | 21.99 | 18.99 | ||||||||
Total production cost (per ounce) | 24.55 | 19.89 | 25.46 | 23.00 |
Non-GAAP measures adjusted income (loss)
The Company has included the non-GAAP performance measure of adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted basic earnings (loss) per share. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, certain investors may want to use this information to evaluate the Companys performance and ability to generate cash flow. 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 GAAP.
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted net loss to the consolidated financial statements:
Three months ended September 30 | Nine months ended September 30 | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||
$000's | $000's | $000's | $000's | |||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders | 21,836 | (10,407 | ) | 77,545 | (23,169 | ) | ||||||
Adjusted for: | ||||||||||||
Loss (gain) on sale and write off of mineral properties | (46,845 | ) | 65 | (46,022 | ) | (13,073 | ) | |||||
Gain on partial disposal of associate | - | - | (39,266 | ) | - | |||||||
Unrealised (gain) loss on financial instruments at FVTPL | (5,362 | ) | 2,766 | (13,477 | ) | (9,237 | ) | |||||
(Gain) on dilution of associate | (1,803 | ) | - | (1,803 | ) | - | ||||||
Share of loss of associate | 624 | - | 4,616 | - | ||||||||
Adjusted net (loss) | (31,550 | ) | (7,576 | ) | (18,406 | ) | (45,479 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding (000's) | 80,549 | 78,767 | 80,223 | 77,531 | ||||||||
Adjusted basic (loss) per share (cents) | (0.39 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.59 | ) |
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14. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to use estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as revenues and expenses.
There has been no change to the Companys critical accounting estimates since June 30, 2011 except for the impairment assessment and the determination of ore resources and mineral reserves at the Pirquitas mine that are discussed below. Readers are encouraged to read the critical accounting policies and estimates as described in the Companys unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (note 2) and in the MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Review of asset carrying values and impairment assessment In accordance with the Companys accounting policy, each asset or cash generating unit is evaluated every reporting period to determine whether there are any indications of impairment. If any such indication exists, a formal estimate of recoverable amount is performed and an impairment loss is recognised to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating group of assets is measured at the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use.
The determination of fair value and value in use requires management to make estimates and assumptions about expected production, sales volumes, commodity prices, reserves, operating costs, closure and rehabilitiation costs and future capital expenditures. The estimates and assumptions are subject to risk and uncertainty, hence there is the possibility that changes in circumstances will alter these projections, which may impact the recoverable amount of the assets. In such circumstances some or all of the carrying value of the assets may be further impaired or the impairment charge reduced with the impact recorded in the income statement.
Determination of ore reserve and mineral resource estimates The Company estimates its ore reserves and mineral resources based on information compiled by Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101. Reserves determined in this way are used in the calculation of depreciation, amortization and impairment charges, and for forecasting the timing of the payment of close down and restoration costs. In assessing the life of a mine for accounting purposes, mineral resources are only taken into account where there is a high degree of confidence of economic extraction. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating ore reserves, and assumptions that are valid at the time of estimation may change significantly when new information becomes available. Changes in the forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery rates may change the economic status of reserves and may, ultimately, result in reserve estimates being revised. Such changes in reserves could impact on depreciation and amortisation rates, asset carrying values and provisions for close down and restoration costs.
As at September 30, 2011, the Company determined that there were impairment indicators for the Companys wholly-owned operating Pirquitas mine as a result of revised mineral Resources and Reserve estimates. Management performed an impairment assessment to determine fair value based on estimates of discounted future after-tax cash flows expected to be derived from the Pirqutias mine using a discount rate of 9% and forecasted silver prices that reflect market consensus. The Companys assessment concluded that the carrying value of the Pirquitas mine assets are not impaired at this time.
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International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Effective January 1, 2011 Canadian publicly-listed entities were required to prepare their financial statements in accordance with IFRS. Due to the requirement to present comparative financial information, the effective transition date is January 1, 2010. The three months ended March 31, 2011 was the Companys first reporting period under IFRS.
The Company has now substantially completed its IFRS changeover plan, with just the post-implementation phase remaining.
The following outlines the Companys transition project, IFRS transitional impacts and the on-going impact of IFRS on our financial results.
Notes 2 and 25 to the consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2011 provide more detail on key Canadian GAAP to IFRS differences, accounting policy decisions and IFRS 1, First-Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS 1), optional exemptions for significant or potentially significant areas that have had an impact on the Companys financial statements on transition to IFRS or may have an impact in future periods.
Shareholders Equity Impact
As a result of accounting policy choices selected and changes that were required to be made under IFRS, the Company recorded a reduction in shareholders equity of $97.3 million as at January 1, 2010. A full reconciliation of this adjustment is included in the interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The table below outlines adjustments to shareholders equity from the adoption of IFRS at September 30, 2010 for comparative purposes. In accordance with IFRS 1, the Company was required to maintain all previous estimates and assumptions in existence including but not limited to metal prices, discount rates, capital and operating costs, reserves and resources.
The following is a summary of the adjustments to shareholders equity as at September 30, 2010 under IFRS (all of which are outlined in the notes to the consolidated interim financial statements), expressed in thousands of USD:
September 30 | |||
2010 | |||
$ | |||
Total shareholders' equity reported under Canadian GAAP | 624,460 | ||
Increase (decrease) net of tax in respect of: | |||
Valuation of Pirquitas mine | (80,868 | ) | |
Share-based payments | (52 | ) | |
Functional currency | 6,667 | ||
Convertible notes | (7,945 | ) | |
Deferred tax liabilities | (6,721 | ) | |
Total shareholders' equity reported under IFRS | 535,541 |
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Comprehensive Income Impact
As a result of accounting policy choices selected and changes that were required to be made under IFRS, the Company has recorded an increase in total comprehensive income of $2.6 million and $9.2 million for the three and nine months ended September, 2010 respectively.
The following is a summary of the adjustments to comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 under IFRS (all of which are outlined in the notes to the consolidated interim financial statements), expressed in thousands of USD:
3 months ended | 9 months ended | |||||
September 30 | September 30 | |||||
2010 | 2010 | |||||
$ | $ | |||||
Total comprehensive loss as reported under Canadian GAAP | (2,722 | ) | (28,932 | ) | ||
Increase (decrease) net of tax in respect of: | ||||||
Valuation of Pirquitas mine | 1,040 | 3,150 | ||||
Share-based payments | 238 | 824 | ||||
Functional currency | 2,973 | 1,634 | ||||
Convertible notes | (2,892 | ) | 9,140 | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | 1,300 | (5,520 | ) | |||
Total comprehensive loss as reported under IFRS | (63 | ) | (19,704 | ) |
Cash Flow Impact
The transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS had no significant impact on cash flows generated by the Company.
Control Activities
For all changes to policies and procedures that have been identified, the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures have been assessed and any changes have been implemented. In addition, controls over the IFRS changeover process have been implemented, as necessary. The Company has identified and implemented the required accounting process changes that resulted from the application of IFRS accounting policies and these changes were not significant. The Company is in the final stages of completing the design, implementation and documentation of the internal controls over accounting process changes resulting from the application of IFRS accounting policies. The existing control framework has been applied to the IFRS changeover process. All accounting policy changes, transitional exemption elections and transitional financial position impacts were subject to review by senior management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Business Activities and Key Performance Measures
The Company is in the process of reviewing the impacts of the IFRS transition project on its compensation arrangements, in particular those that are calculated based on indicators in the financial statements.
Information Technology and Systems
The IFRS transition project did not have a significant impact on information systems for the convergence periods, nor is it expected that significant changes are required in the post-convergence periods.
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Post-Implementation
The post-implementation phase will involve continuous monitoring of changes in IFRS in future periods. It has been noted that the standard-setting bodies that determine IFRS have significant ongoing projects that could impact the IFRS accounting policies that the Company has selected. In particular, there may be additional new or revised IFRSs or Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) in relation to consolidation, financial instruments, leases, revenue recognition and stripping costs in the production phase of a surface mine. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is also currently working on an extractive industries project, which could significantly impact the financial statements of the Company primarily in the areas of capitalization of exploration costs and disclosures. Processes are in place to ensure that potential changes are monitored and evaluated. The impact of any new IFRSs and IFRIC Interpretations will be evaluated as they are drafted and published.
15. FUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES
IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (IFRS 9) was issued in November 2009 and contained requirements for financial assets. This standard addresses classification and measurement of financial assets and replaces mulitiple category and measurement models in IAS 39 for debt instruments with a new mixed measurement model having only two categories: amortized cost and FVTPL. IFRS 9 also replaces the models for measuring equity instruments, and such investments are either recognised at FVTPL or at fair value through other comprehensive income. Where such equity instruments are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, dividends are recognised in profit or loss to the extent not clearly representing a return of investment; however, other gains and losses (including impairments) associated with such instruments remain in accumulated comprehensive income indefinitely.
Requirements for financial liabilities were added in October 2010 and they largely carried forward existing requirements in IAS 39, Financial Instruments Recognition and Measurement, except that fair value changes due to credit risk for liabilities designated at fair value through profit and loss would generally be recorded in other comprehensive income.
This standard is required to be applied for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of the standard or determined whether it will adopt the standard early.
On May 12, 2011 the IASB issued the following statements:
i. |
IFRS 10, Consolidation (IFRS 10) (see further details below) | |
ii. |
IFRS 11 Joint Venture (IFRS 11) ( see further details below) | |
iii. |
IFRS 12 Disclosures of Involvement with Other Entities (IFRS 12) (see further details below) | |
iv. |
IAS 27 Separate Financial Statement (revised 2011) (IAS 27), has been amended for issuance of IFRS 10 while maintaining the current guidance for separate financial statements | |
v. |
IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (revised 2011) (IAS 28), has been amended for conforming changes based on the issuance of IFRS 10 and IFRS 11. |
Each of these standards has an effective date for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Early adoption of any of these standards is permitted only if the other standards are also adopted early.
i. |
IFRS 10 establishes control as the single basis for consolidation of entities, regardless of the nature of the investee. An entity has control over an investee when it has power over it; it is exposed, or has the rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and has the ability to use its power over the investee to affect those returns. IFRS 10 replaces IAS 27s guidance that addresses when and how an investor should prepare consolidated financial statements and replaces all of SIC-12. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of the standard or determined whether it will adopt the standard early. |
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ii. |
IFRS 11 requires a venturer to classify its interest in a joint arrangement as a joint venture or joint operation. A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control have rights to the assets and the obligations for the liabilities. A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. The determination whether a joint arrangement constitutes a joint operation or a joint venture is based on the parties rights and responsibilities under the arrangement and thus the existence of a separate legal vehicle is no longer the main factor in making such determination. Joint ventures will be accounted for using the equity method of accounting thereby eliminating the option available under existing IFRS to use either the proportionate consolidation method or the equity method. Joint operations are accounted for by a venturer by recognizing its share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the joint operation. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of the standard or determined whether it will adopt the standard early. | |
iii. |
IFRS 12 sets out the required disclosures relating to an entitys interest in subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates and unconsolidated structured entities. An entity is required to disclose information that enable users of its financial statements to assess the nature of, and risks associated with, its interests in other entities and the effects of those interests on its financial statements. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of the standard or determined whether it will adopt the standard early. |
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement (IFRS 13) was issued on May 12, 2011 and establishes a single framework for measuring fair value where it is required by other standards. IFRS 13 applies to all transactions (whether financial or non-financial) for which IFRS requires or permits fair value measurements, with the exception of share-based payment transactions accounted for under IFRS 2 Share-based Payment and leasing transactions within the scope of IAS 12 Leases, and measurements that have some similarities to fair value but are not fair value such as net realisable value under IAS 2 Inventories or value in use under IAS 36 Impairment of assets. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e. an exit price).
This standard is required to be applied for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of the standard or determined whether it will adopt the standard early.
On June 16, 2011 the IASB issued Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial statements). The amendments require the grouping of items presented in other comprehensive income into items that might be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods and items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012, with full retrospective application. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of the standard or determined whether it will adopt the standard early.
In October 2011 the IASB issued IFRIC 20 Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Mine (IFRIC 20). This interpretation provides guidance on the accounting for the costs of stripping activity in the production phase when two benefits accrue to the entity: usable ore that can be used to produce inventory and improved access to further quantities of material that will be mined in future periods. IFRIC 20 is applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of the standard or determined whether it will adopt the standard early.
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16. INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. On August 31, 2011 the Chief Financial Officer left the Company, appropriate actions were implemented to ensure that this would not have a material effect on internal control over financial reporting. There have been no other changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect internal control over financial reporting.
17. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The MD&A contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward looking information” within Canadian securities laws (collectively “forward looking statements”) related to the Company and its operations, and in particular, the anticipated developments in our operations in future periods, our planned exploration activities, the adequacy of our financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if and when the property is developed or further developed. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. These forward looking statements relate to, among other things: future production of silver and other metals; future cash costs per ounce of silver; the price of silver and other metals; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies affecting our operations or potential future operations; future successful development of our San Luis and Pitarrilla projects and other development projects; the sufficiency of the Company’s current working capital, anticipated operating cash flow or our ability to raise necessary funds; estimated production rates for silver and other payable metal produced by the Company; timing of production and the cash and total costs of production at our Pirquitas mine; the estimated cost of sustaining capital; ongoing or future development plans and capital replacement, improvement or remediation programs; the estimates of expected or anticipated economic returns from the Company’s mining projects including; future sales of the metals, concentrates or other products produced by the Company; and the Company’s plans and expectations for its properties and operations.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “potential” or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements 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 expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: uncertainty of production and cost estimates for the Pirquitas Mine; uncertainty of production at our mineral exploration properties; risks and uncertainties associated with new mining operations, development or including start-up delays and operational issues; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological or structure formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results and the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits; unpredictable risks and hazards related to the development and operation of a mine or mine property that are beyond our control; risks related to our ability to obtain adequate financing for our planned development activities and to complete further exploration programs; fluctuations in spot and forward markets for silver, gold and base metals and certain other commodities; our history of losses and the potential for future losses; risks related to general economic conditions, including recent market and world events and conditions; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; challenges to, or difficulty maintaining, the Company’s title to properties and continued ownership thereof; risks related to our covenants given with respect to our 4.5% convertible senior notes due 2028; differences in U.S. and Canadian practices for reporting mineral resources and reserves; changes in national and local legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and political or economic developments or changes in Canada, the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Peru or other countries where the Company holds assets or may carry on business; risks related to the delay in obtaining or failure to obtain required permits, or non-compliance with permits we have obtained; increased costs and restrictions on operations due to compliance with environmental laws and regulations; regulations and pending legislation governing issues involving climate change, as well as the physical impacts of climate change; risks related to reclamation activities on our properties; uncertainties related to title to our mineral properties and the surface rights thereon; our ability to successfully acquire additional commercially mineable mineral rights; risks related to currency fluctuations (such as the Argentine peso, Peruvian sol and Mexican peso); increased costs affecting the mining industry, including the current high rate of inflation in Argentina; increased competition in the mining industry for properties, qualified personnel and management; risks related to some of our directors’ and officers’ involvement with other natural resource companies; our ability to attract and retain qualified management to grow our business; risks related to estimates of future income tax assets and liabilities; risks related to claims and legal proceedings; our ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting; our ability to monetize the full value of our interest in Pretium; and those factors identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Form 20-F and Annual Information Form filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and Canadian and Provincial securities regulatory authorities.
27
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and our actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in this MD&A under the heading Risks and Uncertainties. Our forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements beliefs, expectations or opinions should change. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Cautionary note to U.S. investors: The terms measured mineral resource, indicated mineral resource, and inferred mineral resource used in this MD&A are Canadian geological and mining terms as defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the CIM) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. We advise U.S. investors that while such terms are recognized and required under Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize these terms. Inferred mineral resources in particular have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules estimates of inferred mineral resources may not generally form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of contained metal expressed in ounces is in compliance with NI 43-101, but does not meet the requirements of Industry Guide 7 of the SEC, which will only accept the disclosure of tonnage and grade estimates for non-reserve mineralization.
28
Form 52-109F2 |
Certification of Interim Filings |
Full Certificate |
I, John Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Silver Standard Resources Inc., certify the following:
1. |
I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the interim filings) of Silver Standard Resources Inc. (the issuer) for the interim period ended September 30, 2011. | ||
2. |
Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings. | ||
3. |
Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings. | ||
4. |
The issuers other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109. | ||
Certification of Disclosure in Issuers Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer. | |||
5. |
Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuers other certifying officer and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings | ||
(a) |
designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that | ||
(i) |
material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and | ||
(ii) |
information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and | ||
(b) |
designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuers GAAP. | ||
5.1 |
The control framework the issuers other certifying officer and I used to design the issuers ICFR is based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). |
5.2 |
N/A |
5.3 |
N/A |
6. |
The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuers ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2011 and ended on September 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuers ICFR. |
Date: November 9, 2011
Signed: John Smith | |
John Smith | |
Chief Executive Officer |
1
Form 52-109F2 |
Certification of Interim Filings |
Full Certificate |
I, Matthew Freeman, Interim Chief Financial Officer of Silver Standard Resources Inc., certify the following:
1. |
I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the interim filings) of Silver Standard Resources Inc. (the issuer) for the interim period ended September 30, 2011. |
||
2. |
Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings. |
||
3. |
Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings. |
||
4. |
The issuers other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109. |
||
Certification of Disclosure in Issuers Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer. |
|||
5. |
Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuers other certifying officer and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings |
||
(a) |
designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that |
||
(i) |
material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and |
||
(ii) |
information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and |
||
(b) |
designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuers GAAP. |
||
5.1 |
The control framework the issuers other certifying officer and I used to design the issuers ICFR is based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). |
5.2 |
N/A |
5.3 |
N/A |
6. |
The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuers ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2011 and ended on September 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuers ICFR. |
Date: November 9, 2011
Signed: Matthew Freeman | |
Matthew Freeman | |
Interim Chief Financial Officer |
1
Form 51-102F3
Material Change Report
Item 1 | Name and Address of Company |
Silver Standard Resources Inc. | |
1400 - 999 West Hastings Street | |
Vancouver, BC V6C 2W2 | |
Item 2 | Date of Material Change |
November 9, 2011 | |
Item 3 | News Release |
The news release dated November 9, 2011 was disseminated through Marketwires Combined Canadian Timely Disclosure Network. | |
Item 4 | Summary of Material Change |
The Company announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The Company also disclosed a reduction of its mineral resources and reserve at the Pirquitas mine in Argentina. | |
Item 5 | Full Description of Material Change |
Please see attached news release. | |
5.1 Full Description of Material Change | |
See news release dated November 9, 2011. | |
5.2 Disclosure for Restructuring Transactions | |
Not applicable. | |
Item 6 | Reliance on subsection 7.1(2) of National Instrument 51-102 |
Not applicable. | |
Item 7 | Omitted Information |
Not applicable. | |
Item 8 | Executive Officer |
Kristen Riddell, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |
604.689.3846 | |
Item 9 | Date of Report |
Dated at Vancouver, BC, this 9th day of November, 2011 |
November 9, 2011 | News Release 11-25 |
SILVER STANDARD REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2011 RESULTS AND LOWERS
PIRQUITAS MINERAL RESOURCES & RESERVE ESTIMATE
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Silver Standard Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRI, TSX: SSO) (Silver Standard or the Company) reported unaudited financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011. The Company also disclosed a reduction of its mineral resources and reserve at the Pirquitas mine in Argentina.
Third quarter production was lower than a year ago, but now that we have addressed the issues at our Pirquitas mine we can look forward to strong, continuous production from the mine, said John Smith, President and CEO of Silver Standard. While we have taken a prudent approach to Pirquitas reserves, we have a great exploration team who are focused on finding more ounces. We also will continue advancing our combined Pitarrilla oxide and sulphide mining complex in Mexico.
Third Quarter 2011 Summary
(All figures are in U.S.
dollars unless otherwise noted)
Subsequent to the quarter;
Page 2 of 15
Pirquitas Mine, Argentina
Table 1. Summary of Mine Operating Statistics
Q3 2011 | Q2 2011 | Q1 2011 | Q4 2010 | Q3 2010 | ||
Total Material Mined | Kt | 4,185 | 4,483 | 4,172 | 4,360 | 3,920 |
Ore Processed | Kt | 245 | 295 | 308 | 313 | 320 |
Silver Grade | g/t | 250 | 261 | 233 | 267 | 283 |
Recoveries | % | 82.9 | 80.0 | 73.6 | 76.3 | 66.3 |
Silver Produced | 000 oz. | 1,631 | 1,976 | 1,697 | 2,067 | 1,933 |
Direct Mining Cost(1) | US$/oz. | 16.20 | 11.57 | 12.26 | 9.55 | 10.43 |
Total Cash Cost(1) | US$/oz. | 20.60 | 22.06 | 23.23 | 16.06 | 16.95 |
(1) The Company changed its presentation of cash costs per ounce during the second quarter of 2011 in line with the newly endorsed production cost guidance provided by The Silver Institute. Direct mining cost per ounce and total cash cost per ounce are Non-GAAP measures discussed under non-GAAP financial performance measures contained in the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and year end December 31, 2010.
Mine Production
The Pirquitas mine produced 1.6 million ounces of silver during the third quarter of 2011 compared with 1.9 million ounces in the third quarter of 2010. The lower production in the current quarter, as compared to the second quarter of 2011, resulted from a 17-day ball mill shutdown in July 2011 and a further 7-day shutdown in September 2011 to refurbish the gearbox. In the period between these two shutdowns the plant was achieving design rates with daily average production of 26,000 ounces and recovery rates of 83%. The gearbox has been completely rebuilt with new parts and recommenced operating in early-November. This rebuild put the gearbox in near-new condition. Shipping of a replacement gearbox from Europe is also scheduled for November with arrival on site in January 2012.
The Company revised its production guidance to produce between 7.3 and 7.6 million ounces of silver in 2011 as a result of the three performance issues with the ball mill gearbox. Unanticipated plant downtime in October and November after the revised guidance was issued on September 24, 2011, means achieving the low end of production guidance will be a successful outcome in the Companys view.
During the third quarter 245,127 tonnes of ore were processed at an average milling rate of 2,664 tonnes per day, compared to 295,004 tonnes at an average of 3,241 tonnes per day achieved in the second quarter of 2011 and 320,174 tonnes at an average milling rate of 3,480 tonnes per day in the third quarter of 2010. However, the average milling rate in the third quarter of 2011 per operating day was in excess of 3,600 tonnes per day.
Page 3 of 15
The ore milled during the third quarter of 2011 contained average silver grade of 250 g/t and achieved average silver recovery of 83%, compared to a silver grade of 283 g/t and recovery of 66% in the third quarter of 2010. The strong silver recovery achieved during the third quarter of 2011 was due principally to consistent feed and continuous improvements to the crushing and flotation circuits.
The mine produced a total of 3.3 million pounds of zinc in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 2.8 million pounds in the second quarter of 2011.
Mine Operating Costs
Direct mining cost in the third quarter was $16.20 per ounce silver compared to $10.43 per ounce in the third quarter of 2010. Operating costs were higher in the third quarter as a result of additional repairs and maintenance costs associated with the refurbishment of the ball mill gearbox, and additional maintenance costs and external costs associated with the import restrictions that affected the ability to obtain quality spare parts. Operations were also impacted by import restrictions which were imposed by the Argentine government on all industries.
Total cash cost, which includes by-product credits, treatment and refining costs, royalties and production taxes, was $20.60 per ounce silver compared to $16.95 per ounce in the third quarter of 2010. Treatment and refining costs, as well as royalties and production taxes are all a function of sales prices and are recorded for the actual ounces sold during the quarter. The incremental per ounce impact of these costs in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the third quarter of 2010 is due to lower sales in the current quarter. Higher prices achieved on sales in the current quarter partially offset the volume impact compared to the third quarter of 2010.
Total production cost, which includes depreciation and amortization, was $24.55 per ounce in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $19.89 in the third quarter of 2010. The depreciation and amortization costs are largely fixed, and are higher on a per ounce basis in the current quarter due to lower production volumes.
Page 4 of 15
Pirquitas Mineral Resources and Reserve Estimates
As part of the Companys ongoing production-reserve reconciliation and mine planning, and to delineate the deposit in greater detail for the mines mineral resources and reserve estimates, the Company undertook a comprehensive drilling campaign between the fourth quarter of 2010 and September, 2011. Assay results from these drill-holes have been utilized by the Companys Qualified Persons (QPs) to complete advanced modeling of the deposits current mineral resources and reserve. Model validation included detailed reconciliation with grade control and mine production data. The outcome of this modeling work is shown below in Tables 2 and 3.
Table 2. Pirquitas Mineral Resources
Estimate, as of September 30, 2011
(Total Measured and Indicated
Resources are Inclusive of Total Reserve)
Classification | Tonnage (Mt) |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
Zinc Grade (%) |
Contained Silver (Moz) |
Contained Zinc (Mlbs) |
Measured | 13.5 | 156.2 | 0.49 | 68.0 | 144.9 |
Indicated | 16.3 | 142.3 | 0.91 | 74.6 | 328.4 |
Stockpiles (Indicated) | 3.0 | 78.5 | 1.50 | 7.5 | 98.1 |
Total Measured and Indicated | 32.8 | 142.2 | 0.79 | 150.1 | 571.4 |
Cortaderas Breccia Inferred | 2.0 | 152.0 | 5.4 | 9.9 | 239.3 |
Cortaderas Valley Inferred | 5.0 | 78.6 | 1.1 | 12.6 | 120.8 |
Total Inferred | 7.0 | 98.4 | 2.3 | 22.5 | 360.1 |
Notes to Table 2:
1. |
Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P.Geo., is the Qualified Person (QP) for the reported mineral resource estimate. | |
2. |
All mineral resources have been classified in accordance with current CIM definition standards. | |
3. |
The reported measured and indicated resources represent resources estimated to exist below the as-mined surface as of September 30, 2011. | |
4. |
The multiple-indicator kriging (MIK) modeling methodology was employed for estimates of the Measured and Indicated Resources, whereas ordinary kriging was used to estimate the Cortaderas Breccia Resource and single-indicator kriging was utilized for the Cortaderas Valley Inferred Resource. | |
5. |
A silver cut-off grade of 50 g/t Ag was used for all of the reported resource estimates. | |
6. |
A capping grade of 1,600 g/t Ag was utilized for the Cortaderas Breccia mineral resource estimate, while capping grades of 235 g/t Ag and 10% Zn were used for the Cortaderas Valley mineral resource estimate. Due to the nature of the MIK modeling technique, no grade capping was required for the Measured and Indicated resource estimates for the mine. |
Page 5 of 15
7. |
Detailed bulk density modeling, taking into account voids created by historical underground mining and differential rock densities, resulted in an average bulk density value of 2.60 tonnes per cubic meter for the resource estimates. | |
8. |
Sums may not equal reported totals due to rounding. |
Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P. Geo., the QP who completed the mineral resource estimates reported here has been employed by the Company as Senior Resource Geologist since August 2009, and before joining the Company was Principal Consultant with Snowden Mining Industry Consultants. The NI 43-101 Technical Report supporting these resource estimates will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days from the release date of this document.
Table 3. Pirquitas Mineral Reserve Estimate, as of September 30, 2011
Classification | Tonnage (Mt) |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
Zinc Grade (%) |
Contained Silver (Moz) |
Contained Zinc (Mlbs) |
Proven | 10.4 | 181.2 | 0.52 | 60.4 | 117.9 |
Probable | 5.1 | 168.9 | 1.04 | 27.6 | 117.1 |
Reserve Stockpiles | 1.2 | 129.2 | 1.03 | 5.0 | 27.6 |
Total Reserve | 16.7 | 173.7 | 0.71 | 93.1 | 262.6 |
Notes to Table 3:
1. |
R. Bruce Kennedy, BS (Mining Engineering), P. E. is the Qualified Person for the reported mineral reserve estimate. | |
2. |
Trevor Yeomans, B.Sc. (Mineral Processing), P. Eng., is the Qualified Person who provided metallurgical parameters that were incorporated in the reserve estimates. | |
3. |
All mineral reserves have been classified in accordance with current CIM definition standards. | |
4. |
Reported mineral reserves were estimated using the Measured and Indicated resources shown in Table 2, excluding 1.2 Mt Indicated resource estimated for the Oploca Vein to contain approximately 8.2 Moz. silver. The estimated Oploca mineral resource lies just beyond the southern limits of the current pit design. | |
5. |
Metal prices used in reserve estimates are $25.00 per ounce of silver and $2,403 per tonne of zinc. | |
6. |
Mining costs are as per 2011 actual costs, with estimated productivity changes incorporated. | |
7. |
Mill and general administrative costs were estimated on the basis of 2011 actual costs, incorporating projections to full and stable production. | |
8. |
The mineral reserve is quoted within a pit design that utilizes geotechnical parameters proven from actual performance. The design was created using a geometry guideline from a Lerche-Grossman algorithm that maximizes the reserve cash flow. | |
9. |
Average open-pit strip ratio of 4.89:1 total:ore was used. | |
10. |
The cut-off grade was developed on a net smelter return (NSR) basis that uses a total operating cost of $35.52 per tonne of ore. | |
11. |
Metallurgical recovery formulas were applied for silver and zinc concentrates that reflect increasing recovery with increasing head grade. Average metallurgical recovery for silver is 79.8 percent, and for zinc 42.9 percent. |
Page 6 of 15
R. Bruce Kennedy, BS (Mining Engineering), P.E. , the QP who has approved the estimated mineral reserve reported here, is the General Manager of the Pirquitas Mine, having joined the Company in March 2011. Mr. Kennedy has extensive mine management experience and prior to joining the Company was a senior mining consultant with SRK Consulting. A NI 43-101 Technical Report supporting the tabulated reserve estimates will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days from the date of this news release.
Significant factors affecting the new mineral resource and reserve estimates include the following:
The 2008 Mineral Resources estimate and the 2011 Mineral Resources estimate have been reported on different bases. The former was reported on a silver-equivalent basis, including the economic benefit of tin. This mineral reserve estimate totaled 195.1 million ounces of silver and 550 million pounds of zinc contained as stated in a NI 43-101 Technical Report, dated September 29, 2008 and filed on SEDAR. The 2011 Mineral Resources estimate uses a 50 g/t silver only cut-off. The 2010 and 2011 drilling has enabled improvement in the Company’s interpretation of geological controls on the mineralization and the 2011 mineral resources model has been validated through reconciliation of grade control and mine production data.
The Company is focused on opportunities for cost reduction, pursuing the option of dry-stacking of tailings and is investigating processes for tin recovery which together are expected to bring resources back into reserves. Extensive brownfield exploration is also being conducted on the property with encouraging results to date. In 2011, the Companys exploration team identified two significant silver and zinc-bearing breccia bodies, one that is currently being mined from the open-pit and another that is located approximately 200 meters north of the pit in a resource area referred to as Cortaderas (see Table 2).
The Companys exploration efforts will continue in the pursuit of delineating new mineral resources and reserve on the Pirquitas property. Metallurgical engineering work will also continue on the development and implementation of a process to recover the significant tin mineralization found in the Pirquitas ore.
Page 7 of 15
Notwithstanding, the Company estimates that the noted changes to the mines mineral resources and reserve estimate, from 2012 onwards Pirquitas will continue operating for 6.5 years as an 8-10 million ounces per annum silver producer, with a further 2.5 years of production of approximately 3 million ounces of silver per annum coming from stockpiles. This mine life estimate is based on $25.00 per ounce silver and $2,403 per tonne of zinc and could be extended assuming the continuation of current market prices of approximately $35 per ounce silver.
Exploration Drilling Program
In addition to the comprehensive in-fill drilling program that was completed in 2011 in the area of the San Miguel open-pit, the Company diamond drilled 1,837 meters at an exploration target located just 200 meters north of the pit in the Cortaderas Valley. The main target at Cortaderas consists of a steeply plunging breccia body where the breccia matrix is composed of silver-bearing iron and zinc sulphide mineralization. To date, nine relatively closely spaced drill-holes have intersected the mineralized breccia body. The results from this drilling are encouraging, with intercepts from a select number of the boreholes being highlighted below in Table 4. Based on the drilling completed to date, Dr. Warwick Board, the Companys Senior Resource Geologist and QP, has estimated an Inferred resource for the breccia of 2.0 million tonnes averaging 152 g/t silver and 5.4% zinc, for approximately 9.9 million ounces of contained silver, at a 50 g/t silver cut-off grade. Sulphide-rich, vein-hosted mineralization has been intersected by drill-holes in the vicinity of the above mentioned breccia body and is estimated to contain an additional 12.6 million ounces of silver in the Inferred resource category (refer to Table 2 for details).
Table 4. Select Drill-hole Intersections of the Cortaderas Breccia
Drill-Hole | From (m) | To (m) | Length² (m) | Ag (g/t) | Sn (%) | Zn (%) |
DDH-099 ³ | 145.0 | 250.0 | 105.0 | 194.3 | 0.17 | 6.17 |
including | 177.0 | 219.0 | 42.0 | 371.4 | 0.35 | 9.91 |
DDH-167 ¹ | 80.0 | 312.0 | 232.0 | 183.2 | 0.13 | 5.40 |
including | 117.0 | 151.3 | 34.3 | 631.5 | 0.17 | 12.08 |
and including | 198.0 | 234.0 | 36.0 | 386.1 | 0.30 | 9.02 |
DDH-214 ¹ | 156.0 | 374.0 | 218.0 | 477.3 | 0.38 | 7.97 |
including | 218.0 | 276.0 | 58.0 | 1,007.7 | 0.39 | 12.83 |
and including | 282.0 | 328.0 | 46.0 | 928.3 | 1.03 | 16.15 |
DDH-216 ¹ | 257.0 | 421.0 | 164.0 | 59.6 | 0.11 | 3.82 |
including | 337.7 | 385.4 | 47.7 | 166.7 | 0.18 | 9.07 |
DDH-217 ¹ | 91.0 | 290.0 | 199.0 | 84.2 | 0.06 | 3.19 |
including | 120.4 | 128.0 | 7.6 | 552.8 | 0.22 | 4.31 |
Notes to Table 4:
1. |
Holes are oriented at shallow angles to inferred plunge orientation of mineralized breccia body. | |
2. |
Intercepts are not true thicknesses. These are to be determined by follow-up drilling. |
Page 8 of 15
3. |
Hole DDH-099 intersected the breccia body at a high angle and ended in mineralization. | |
4. |
All samples were submitted to ALS Chemex for preparation and analysis at its facilities in Mendoza, Argentina. Samples were analyzed using a 4-acid digestion and ICP-AES finish for a suite of 35 elements. Additional tin analyses were performed using the XRF analytical technique. Samples containing greater than 200 ppm Ag and/or greater than 100,000 ppm Zn were re-analyzed using a 4- acid digestion with AAS finish for both elements. | |
5. |
Silver Standards QA/QC protocol consists of the regular insertion of control standard and blank samples together with the analysis of field duplicate samples. Approximately 14% of all samples analyzed represent QA/QC samples. | |
6. |
Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P.Geo., is the Senior Resource Geologist at Silver Standard Resources Inc. and is the QP who has verified the data presented in Table 4. |
Financial Results
Our financial results are now reported under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the 2010 comparative results have been restated to IFRS in the current period financial statements. Refer to Note 2 in the unaudited September 30, 2011 and March 31, 2011 financial statements for a detailed description of our accounting policies under IFRS and for disclosures and reconciliation of the impact of IFRS on previously reported results. See Notes 17 and 25 in the Financial Statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.
Mine Operations
During the third quarter 2011 the Company recorded total revenues from the Pirquitas mine of $26.2 million from the sale of 0.7 million ounces of silver at a realized price of $39.88 per ounce, and 3.9 million pounds of zinc at a realized price of $1.01 per pound excluding the impact of quarter end price adjustment. This is compared with the third quarter of 2010 which recorded revenues of $41.6 million from the sale of 2.3 million ounces of silver at a realized price of $19.43, and no zinc sales. The reduction in sales recognized is reflective of the volume of silver ounces sold, partially offset by the significant increase in the price of silver. Zinc pounds sold in the third quarter of 2011 contributed $2.8 million to total revenues.
Since the mines initial start-up silver concentrates have been sold pursuant to a sales contract to a single customer. The contract was terminated during the third quarter 2011 and as a result volumes of silver concentrate sold were significantly lower than prior quarters. Zinc concentrate sales were unaffected. Subsequent to the quarter individual spot sales have been completed, and the Company is continuing negotiations to establish long-term contracts with various counterparties.
Cost of sales for the third quarter 2011 was $14.7 million compared to $34.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. This resulted in income from mine operations of $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $7.4 million in the third quarter of 2010. The reduction in cost of sales is primarily due to the volume of product sold. Margins improved significantly, primarily as a result of higher silver prices.
On October 26, 2011 the Argentina government announced a decree that requires all funds from export sales to be repatriated to Argentina and converted into Argentina Pesos within the Sole Foreign Exchange Market in Argentina, and each transfer is subject to a 0.6% transfer tax.
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Although the fiscal stability agreement also includes stability over foreign exchange controls the government has removed such benefits. The Company will comply with all laws and regulations, and is in the process of determining what impact this has on the business.
Net Earnings
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2011 were $21.8 million ($0.27 per share) compared to a net loss of $10.4 million ($0.13 per share) in the third quarter of 2010.
Liquidity
At September 30, 2011, the Company held $355.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $36.4 million in marketable securities compared to $232.3 million and $33.5 million respectively at December 31, 2010. The increase in cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was the result of cash inflows from operations of $12.9 million, $19.2 million generated from financing activities, and $91.5 million from investing activities.
Selected Financial Data | ||
(US$000s, except per share amounts) | ||
The Company is now reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the 2010 comparative results have been restated to IFRS in the current period financial statements. Refer to Note 2 in the unaudited September 30, 2011 financial statements for a detailed description of our accounting policies under IFRS and Note 17 for disclosures and reconciliation of the impact of IFRS on previously reported results. |
||
|
||
This summary of selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the MD&A of the audited consolidated operating results and financial condition of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. |
Three Months | Three Months | |
Ended September | Ended September | |
30, 2011 | 30, 2010 | |
Earnings from mine operations | 11,492 | 7,426 |
Earnings from operations | 3,066 | 1,066 |
Net earnings (loss) for the period | 21,836 | (10,407) |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 0.27 | (0.13) |
Cash generated (used) in operating activities | (15,835) | 4,918 |
Cash generated by financing activities | 5,760 | 915 |
Cash generated by (used in) investing activities | (2,782) | (27,713) |
Financial Position | September 30, 2011 | Dec 31, 2010 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 355,903 | 232,311 |
Current assets total | 508,455 | 342,054 |
Current liabilities total | 79,828 | 35,163 |
Working capital | 428,627 | 306,891 |
Total assets | 1,249,570 | 1,147,990 |
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Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2011 |
Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2010 | |
Earnings (loss) from mine operations | 55,189 | (10,841) |
Earnings (loss) from operations | 29,702 | (30,907) |
Net earnings (loss) for the period | 77,545 | (23,169) |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 0.97 | (0.30) |
Cash generated (used) in operating activities | 12,903 | (18,788) |
Cash generated by financing activities | 19,202 | 109,589 |
Cash generated by (used in) investing activities | 91,487 | (81,621) |
Principal Projects
Pitarrilla, Mexico
A total of $2.7 million was spent during the quarter at the wholly-owned Pitarrilla project located in the state of Durango, Mexico compared to $9.8 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
On August 10, 2011 the Company committed a total of $25.0 million to accelerate the advancement of the Pitarrilla mining complex. A feasibility study is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2012 and if approved, detailed design and construction will commence thereafter leading to production in approximately two years. The $25.0 million allows for the purchase of critical path process equipment and to date work has commenced on access roads, water wells, and constructing the workers camp. The Company also continues to build the management team, notably with the recruitment of a new general manager.
A campaign of diamond drilling was also conducted during the second and third quarters, with 83 boreholes and a total of 13,867 meters being drilled. This drilling program was designed to provide in-fill assay data for an enhanced estimate of the projects oxide silver resource as well as geotechnical and metallurgical information that will be used for mine design and optimization.
The Pitarrilla project currently comprises Probable mineral reserves of 91.7 million ounces of silver, Measured and Indicated resources of 551.6 million ounces of silver and Inferred resources of 82.2 million ounces of silver.
San Luis, Peru
A total of $1.3 million was spent during the quarter at the now wholly-owned San Luis project in Peru compared to $1.2 million in the same quarter of the prior year. On July 28, 2011, the Company completed the previously announced agreement, and acquired the remaining 30% interest in the San Luis project from the Companys former joint venture partner, Esperanza Resources Corp. (Esperanza). Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid $17.9 million in cash, transferred to Esperanza the 6.459 million shares of Esperanza that the Company owned, and granted to Esperanza a 1% net smelter return royalty on future revenues earned from the project.
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Long-term land access negotiations advanced with two local communities and work also continued on completing the required Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The completion of the land access agreements and the EIS will enable a construction decision to be made, which is expected to happen during 2012.
During the quarter mineral prospecting on the property resulted in the discovery of a set of northwesterly trending quartz veins which were tested for their precious metal content with the collection of 265 rock-chip samples. Assay results for these samples indicate sections of these veins are significantly mineralized with gold and require further assessment by diamond drilling.
The San Luis project comprises Proven and Probable mineral reserves of 7.2 million ounces of silver and 0.29 million ounces of gold. These reserves are 100% attributable to the Company as of July 28, 2011, following its consolidation of ownership.
Nazas, Mexico
A total of $1.6 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys Nazas project, compared to $0.2 million during the same quarter of the prior year.
Nazas, which until recently comprised three contiguous mineral properties covering approximately 236 square kilometers, is centered about 16 kilometers east of the Pitarrilla project and covers an extensive system of gold- and silver-bearing quartz veins and related hydrothermal alteration. Several of these vein targets have now been tested, with approximately 4,187 meters being drilled in the third quarter for a total of 12,587 meters coming from 22 boreholes.
Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company elected not to continue its option to purchase the Navidad claim group at the center of the Nazas project area due to the fact that assay results from boreholes drilled on the claims were insufficiently positive to justify the costs to maintain the option to purchase agreement with the owner of the claims. Notwithstanding our decision on the Navidad property, the geological information provided by this years drilling campaign will be utilized in the planning of future drilling on the other two Nazas properties which are wholly owned by the Company. Our goal at Nazas continues to be the discovery of precious metal-rich polymetallic mineralization.
Diablillos, Argentina
A total of $0.7 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys wholly-owned Diablillos project (which is located 275 kilometers south of the Pirquitas mine in northwestern Argentina) compared to $0.7 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
Expenditures for the quarter include administrative, property taxes and camp maintenance costs. Fieldwork in the quarter mainly comprised rock sampling to identify satellite zones of near-surface oxidized gold mineralization that would complement the resources defined in the main Oculto silver-gold deposit. A number of prospects were identified for follow-up mechanized trenching and additional sampling, and depending on the results of this work which will be completed in the fourth quarter, several of these targets are expected to be drilled next year with shallow boreholes.
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The Oculto deposit at the Diablillos project has a Indicated mineral resource that contains 77.1 million ounces of silver and 0.64 million ounces of gold, with additional Inferred resources containing 6.3 million ounces of silver and 0.19 million ounces of gold.
San Agustin, Mexico
A total of $0.2 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys wholly-owned San Agustin project located in Durango State, Mexico compared to the $0.5 million spent in the same quarter of the prior year. Most of the third quarter expenditure was incurred as property holding costs and other administrative expenses.
Advanced negotiations were conducted during the quarter with three parties that control the property surface rights. Once land access agreements are in place, a 5,000 meter-long diamond drilling program will be initiated, likely in the first quarter of 2012. The objective of the drilling program will be to expand the near-surface oxidized gold resource. In addition to the proposed program of in-fill drilling, detailed metallurgical studies will also be undertaken and will focus on gold recovery characteristics of the oxide gold mineralization.
The San Agustin project currently comprises an Indicated mineral resource of 47.8 million ounces of silver and 1.59 million ounces of gold, along with an Inferred resource of 36.9 million ounces of silver and 1.06 million ounces of gold.
Managements Discussion & Analysis and Conference Call
This news release should be read in conjunction with Silver Standards third quarter 2011 Financial Statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis filed with Canadian securities regulators available at www.sedar.com, with United States Securities Regulators available at www.sec.gov, and the companys web site at www.silverstandard.com.
Toll-free in North America: | (888) 429-4600 | |
All other callers: | (970) 315-0481 | |
Webcast: | http://ir.silverstandard.com/events.cfm |
Toll-free in North America: | (855) 859-2056, replay conference ID 20937226 | |
All other callers: | (404) 537-3406, replay conference ID 20937226 |
For further information contact: |
Ian Chadsey |
Director Investor Relations |
N.A. toll-free: (888) 338-0046 |
Telephone: (604) 484-8216 |
E-Mail: invest@silverstandard.com |
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Cautionary Statements on Forward Looking Information:
The news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward looking information within Canadian securities laws (collectively forward looking statements) related to the Company and its operations, and in particular, the anticipated developments in our operations in future periods, our planned exploration activities, the adequacy of our financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Statements concerning mineral resources and reserve estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if and when the property is developed or further developed. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. These forward looking statements relate to, among other things: future production of silver and other metals; future cash costs per ounce of silver; the price of silver and other metals; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies affecting our operations or potential future operations; future successful development of our San Luis and Pitarrilla projects and other development projects; the sufficiency of the Companys current working capital, anticipated operating cash flow or our ability to raise necessary funds; estimated production rates for silver and other payable metal produced by the Company; timing of production and the cash and total costs of production at our Pirquitas mine; the estimated cost of sustaining capital; ongoing or future development plans and capital replacement, improvement or remediation programs; the estimates of expected or anticipated economic returns from the Companys mining projects including: future sales of the metals, concentrates or other products produced by the Company; and the Companys plans and expectations for its properties and operations
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as expects, anticipates, plans, projects, estimates, assumes, intends, strategy, goals, objectives, potential or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements 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 expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: uncertainty of production and cost estimates for the Pirquitas Mine; uncertainty of development or production at our mineral exploration properties; risks and uncertainties associated with new mining operations, including start-up delays and operational issues; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological or structure formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); risks and uncertainties relating to the mineral resources and reserve estimates and related assumptions and the interpretation of drill results and the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits; unpredictable risks and hazards related to the development and operation of a mine or mine property that are beyond our control; risks related to our ability to obtain adequate financing for our planned development activities and to complete further exploration programs; fluctuations in spot and forward markets for silver, gold and base metals and certain other commodities; our history of losses and the potential for future losses; risks related to general economic conditions, including recent market and world events and conditions; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; challenges to, or difficulty maintaining, the Companys title to properties and continued ownership thereof; risks related to our covenants given with respect to our 4.5% convertible senior notes due 2028; differences in U.S. and Canadian practices for reporting mineral resources and reserve; changes in national and local legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and political or economic developments or changes in Canada, the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Peru or other countries where the Company holds assets or may carry on business; risks related to the delay in obtaining or failure to obtain required permits, or non-compliance with permits we have obtained; increased costs and restrictions on operations due to compliance with environmental laws and regulations; regulations and pending legislation governing issues involving climate change, as well as the physical impacts of climate change; risks related to reclamation activities on our properties; uncertainties related to title to our mineral properties and the surface rights thereon; our ability to successfully acquire additional commercially mineable mineral rights; risks related to currency fluctuations (such as the Argentine peso, Peruvian sol and Mexican peso); increased costs affecting the mining industry, including the current high rate of inflation in Argentina; increased competition in the mining industry for properties, qualified personnel and management; risks related to some of our directors and officers involvement with other natural resource companies; our ability to attract and retain qualified management to grow our business; risks related to estimates of future income tax assets and liabilities; risks related to claims and legal proceedings; our ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting; our ability to monetize the full value of our interest in Pretium Resources and those factors identified under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys most recent Form 20-F and Annual Information Form filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and Canadian and Provincial securities regulatory authorities.
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This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and our actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in this news release. Our forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements beliefs, expectations or opinions should change. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Cautionary note to U.S. investors: The terms measured mineral resource, indicated mineral resource, and inferred mineral resource used in this news release are Canadian geological and mining terms as defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the CIM) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. We advise U.S. investors that while such terms are recognized and required under Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize these terms. Inferred mineral resources in particular have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules estimates of inferred mineral resources may not generally form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of contained metal expressed in ounces is in compliance with NI 43-101, but does not meet the requirements of Industry Guide 7 of the SEC, which will only accept the disclosure of tonnage and grade estimates for non-reserve mineralization.
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November 9, 2011 | News Release 11-25 |
SILVER STANDARD REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2011 RESULTS AND LOWERS
PIRQUITAS MINERAL RESOURCES & RESERVE ESTIMATE
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Silver Standard Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRI, TSX: SSO) (Silver Standard or the Company) reported unaudited financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011. The Company also disclosed a reduction of its mineral resources and reserve at the Pirquitas mine in Argentina.
Third quarter production was lower than a year ago, but now that we have addressed the issues at our Pirquitas mine we can look forward to strong, continuous production from the mine, said John Smith, President and CEO of Silver Standard. While we have taken a prudent approach to Pirquitas reserves, we have a great exploration team who are focused on finding more ounces. We also will continue advancing our combined Pitarrilla oxide and sulphide mining complex in Mexico.
Third Quarter 2011 Summary
(All figures are in U.S.
dollars unless otherwise noted)
Subsequent to the quarter;
1
Pirquitas Mine, Argentina
Table 1. Summary of Mine Operating Statistics
Q3 2011 | Q2 2011 | Q1 2011 | Q4 2010 | Q3 2010 | ||
Total Material Mined | Kt | 4,185 | 4,483 | 4,172 | 4,360 | 3,920 |
Ore Processed | Kt | 245 | 295 | 308 | 313 | 320 |
Silver Grade | g/t | 250 | 261 | 233 | 267 | 283 |
Recoveries | % | 82.9 | 80.0 | 73.6 | 76.3 | 66.3 |
Silver Produced | 000 oz. | 1,631 | 1,976 | 1,697 | 2,067 | 1,933 |
Direct Mining Cost(1) | US$/oz. | 16.20 | 11.57 | 12.26 | 9.55 | 10.43 |
Total Cash Cost(1) | US$/oz. | 20.60 | 22.06 | 23.23 | 16.06 | 16.95 |
(1) The Company changed its presentation of cash costs per ounce during the second quarter of 2011 in line with the newly endorsed production cost guidance provided by The Silver Institute. Direct mining cost per ounce and total cash cost per ounce are Non-GAAP measures discussed under non-GAAP financial performance measures contained in the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and year end December 31, 2010.
Mine Production
The Pirquitas mine produced 1.6 million ounces of silver during the third quarter of 2011 compared with 1.9 million ounces in the third quarter of 2010. The lower production in the current quarter, as compared to the second quarter of 2011, resulted from a 17-day ball mill shutdown in July 2011 and a further 7-day shutdown in September 2011 to refurbish the gearbox. In the period between these two shutdowns the plant was achieving design rates with daily average production of 26,000 ounces and recovery rates of 83%. The gearbox has been completely rebuilt with new parts and recommenced operating in early-November. This rebuild put the gearbox in near-new condition. Shipping of a replacement gearbox from Europe is also scheduled for November with arrival on site in January 2012.
The Company revised its production guidance to produce between 7.3 and 7.6 million ounces of silver in 2011 as a result of the three performance issues with the ball mill gearbox. Unanticipated plant downtime in October and November after the revised guidance was issued on September 24, 2011, means achieving the low end of production guidance will be a successful outcome in the Companys view.
During the third quarter 245,127 tonnes of ore were processed at an average milling rate of 2,664 tonnes per day, compared to 295,004 tonnes at an average of 3,241 tonnes per day achieved in the second quarter of 2011 and 320,174 tonnes at an average milling rate of 3,480 tonnes per day in the third quarter of 2010. However, the average milling rate in the third quarter of 2011 per operating day was in excess of 3,600 tonnes per day.
The ore milled during the third quarter of 2011 contained average silver grade of 250 g/t and achieved average silver recovery of 83%, compared to a silver grade of 283 g/t and recovery of 66% in the third quarter of 2010. The strong silver recovery achieved during the third quarter of 2011 was due principally to consistent feed and continuous improvements to the crushing and flotation circuits.
2
The mine produced a total of 3.3 million pounds of zinc in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 2.8 million pounds in the second quarter of 2011.
Mine Operating Costs
Direct mining cost in the third quarter was $16.20 per ounce silver compared to $10.43 per ounce in the third quarter of 2010. Operating costs were higher in the third quarter as a result of additional repairs and maintenance costs associated with the refurbishment of the ball mill gearbox, and additional maintenance costs and external costs associated with the import restrictions that affected the ability to obtain quality spare parts. Operations were also impacted by import restrictions which were imposed by the Argentine government on all industries.
Total cash cost, which includes by-product credits, treatment and refining costs, royalties and production taxes, was $20.60 per ounce silver compared to $16.95 per ounce in the third quarter of 2010. Treatment and refining costs, as well as royalties and production taxes are all a function of sales prices and are recorded for the actual ounces sold during the quarter. The incremental per ounce impact of these costs in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the third quarter of 2010 is due to lower sales in the current quarter. Higher prices achieved on sales in the current quarter partially offset the volume impact compared to the third quarter of 2010.
Total production cost, which includes depreciation and amortization, was $24.55 per ounce in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $19.89 in the third quarter of 2010. The depreciation and amortization costs are largely fixed, and are higher on a per ounce basis in the current quarter due to lower production volumes.
Pirquitas Mineral Resources and Reserve Estimates
As part of the Companys ongoing production-reserve reconciliation and mine planning, and to delineate the deposit in greater detail for the mines mineral resources and reserve estimates, the Company undertook a comprehensive drilling campaign between the fourth quarter of 2010 and September, 2011. Assay results from these drill-holes have been utilized by the Companys Qualified Persons (QPs) to complete advanced modeling of the deposits current mineral resources and reserve. Model validation included detailed reconciliation with grade control and mine production data. The outcome of this modeling work is shown below in Tables 2 and 3.
3
Table 2. Pirquitas Mineral Resources
Estimate, as of September 30, 2011
(Total Measured and Indicated
Resources are Inclusive of Total Reserve)
Classification | Tonnage (Mt) |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
Zinc Grade (%) |
Contained Silver (Moz) |
Contained Zinc (Mlbs) |
Measured | 13.5 | 156.2 | 0.49 | 68.0 | 144.9 |
Indicated | 16.3 | 142.3 | 0.91 | 74.6 | 328.4 |
Stockpiles (Indicated) | 3.0 | 78.5 | 1.50 | 7.5 | 98.1 |
Total Measured and Indicated | 32.8 | 142.2 | 0.79 | 150.1 | 571.4 |
Cortaderas Breccia Inferred | 2.0 | 152.0 | 5.4 | 9.9 | 239.3 |
Cortaderas Valley Inferred | 5.0 | 78.6 | 1.1 | 12.6 | 120.8 |
Total Inferred | 7.0 | 98.4 | 2.3 | 22.5 | 360.1 |
Notes to Table 2:
1. |
Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P.Geo., is the Qualified Person (QP) for the reported mineral resource estimate. | |
2. |
All mineral resources have been classified in accordance with current CIM definition standards. | |
3. |
The reported measured and indicated resources represent resources estimated to exist below the as-mined surface as of September 30, 2011. | |
4. |
The multiple-indicator kriging (MIK) modeling methodology was employed for estimates of the Measured and Indicated Resources, whereas ordinary kriging was used to estimate the Cortaderas Breccia Resource and single-indicator kriging was utilized for the Cortaderas Valley Inferred Resource. | |
5. |
A silver cut-off grade of 50 g/t Ag was used for all of the reported resource estimates. | |
6. |
A capping grade of 1,600 g/t Ag was utilized for the
Cortaderas Breccia mineral resource estimate, while capping grades of 235
g/t Ag and 10% Zn were used for the Cortaderas Valley mineral resource
estimate. | |
7. | Detailed bulk density modeling, taking into account voids created by historical underground mining and differential rock densities, resulted in an average bulk density value of 2.60 tonnes per cubic meter for the resource estimates. | |
8. | Sums may not equal reported totals due to rounding. |
Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P. Geo., the QP who completed the mineral resource estimates reported here has been employed by the Company as Senior Resource Geologist since August 2009, and before joining the Company was Principal Consultant with Snowden Mining Industry Consultants. The NI 43-101 Technical Report supporting these resource estimates will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days from the release date of this document.
4
Table 3. Pirquitas Mineral Reserve Estimate, as of September 30, 2011
Classification | Tonnage (Mt) |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
Zinc Grade (%) |
Contained Silver (Moz) |
Contained Zinc (Mlbs) |
Proven | 10.4 | 181.2 | 0.52 | 60.4 | 117.9 |
Probable | 5.1 | 168.9 | 1.04 | 27.6 | 117.1 |
Reserve Stockpiles | 1.2 | 129.2 | 1.03 | 5.0 | 27.6 |
Total Reserve | 16.7 | 173.7 | 0.71 | 93.1 | 262.6 |
Notes to Table 3:
1. |
R. Bruce Kennedy, BS (Mining Engineering), P. E. is the Qualified Person for the reported mineral reserve estimate. | |
2. |
Trevor Yeomans, B.Sc. (Mineral Processing), P. Eng., is the Qualified Person who provided metallurgical parameters that were incorporated in the reserve estimates. | |
3. |
All mineral reserves have been classified in accordance with current CIM definition standards. | |
4. |
Reported mineral reserves were estimated using the Measured and Indicated resources shown in Table 2, excluding 1.2 Mt Indicated resource estimated for the Oploca Vein to contain approximately 8.2 Moz. silver. The estimated Oploca mineral resource lies just beyond the southern limits of the current pit design. | |
5. |
Metal prices used in reserve estimates are $25.00 per ounce of silver and $2,403 per tonne of zinc. | |
6. |
Mining costs are as per 2011 actual costs, with estimated productivity changes incorporated. | |
7. |
Mill and general administrative costs were estimated on the basis of 2011 actual costs, incorporating projections to full and stable production. | |
8. |
The mineral reserve is quoted within a pit design that utilizes geotechnical parameters proven from actual performance. The design was created using a geometry guideline from a Lerche-Grossman algorithm that maximizes the reserve cash flow. | |
9. |
Average open-pit strip ratio of 4.89:1 total:ore was used. | |
10. |
The cut-off grade was developed on a net smelter return (NSR) basis that uses a total operating cost of $35.52 per tonne of ore. | |
11. |
Metallurgical recovery formulas were applied for silver and zinc concentrates that reflect increasing recovery with increasing head grade. Average metallurgical recovery for silver is 79.8 percent, and for zinc 42.9 percent. |
R. Bruce Kennedy, BS (Mining Engineering), P.E. , the QP who has approved the estimated mineral reserve reported here, is the General Manager of the Pirquitas Mine, having joined the Company in March 2011. Mr. Kennedy has extensive mine management experience and prior to joining the Company was a senior mining consultant with SRK Consulting. A NI 43-101 Technical Report supporting the tabulated reserve estimates will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days from the date of this news release.
5
Significant factors affecting the new mineral resource and reserve estimates include the following:
The 2008 Mineral Resources estimate and the 2011 Mineral Resources estimate have been reported on different bases. The former was reported on a silver-equivalent basis, including the economic benefit of tin. This mineral reserve estimate totaled 195.1 million ounces of silver and 550 million pounds of zinc contained as stated in a NI 43-101 Technical Report, dated September 29, 2008 and filed on SEDAR. The 2011 Mineral Resources estimate uses a 50 g/t silver only cut-off. The 2010 and 2011 drilling has enabled improvement in the Company’s interpretation of geological controls on the mineralization and the 2011 mineral resources model has been validated through reconciliation of grade control and mine production data.
The Company is focused on opportunities for cost reduction, pursuing the option of dry-stacking of tailings and is investigating processes for tin recovery which together are expected to bring resources back into reserves. Extensive brownfield exploration is also being conducted on the property with encouraging results to date. In 2011, the Companys exploration team identified two significant silver and zinc-bearing breccia bodies, one that is currently being mined from the open-pit and another that is located approximately 200 meters north of the pit in a resource area referred to as Cortaderas (see Table 2).
The Companys exploration efforts will continue in the pursuit of delineating new mineral resources and reserve on the Pirquitas property. Metallurgical engineering work will also continue on the development and implementation of a process to recover the significant tin mineralization found in the Pirquitas ore.
Notwithstanding, the Company estimates that the noted changes to the mines mineral resources and reserve estimate, from 2012 onwards Pirquitas will continue operating for 6.5 years as an 8-10 million ounces per annum silver producer, with a further 2.5 years of production of approximately 3 million ounces of silver per annum coming from stockpiles. This mine life estimate is based on $25.00 per ounce silver and $2,403 per tonne of zinc and could be extended assuming the continuation of current market prices of approximately $35 per ounce silver.
Exploration Drilling Program
In addition to the comprehensive in-fill drilling program that was completed in 2011 in the area of the San Miguel open-pit, the Company diamond drilled 1,837 meters at an exploration target located just 200 meters north of the pit in the Cortaderas Valley. The main target at Cortaderas consists of a steeply plunging breccia body where the breccia matrix is composed of silver-bearing iron and zinc sulphide mineralization. To date, nine relatively closely spaced drill-holes have intersected the mineralized breccia body. The results from this drilling are encouraging, with intercepts from a select number of the boreholes being highlighted below in Table 4. Based on the drilling completed to date, Dr. Warwick Board, the Companys Senior Resource Geologist and QP, has estimated an Inferred resource for the breccia of 2.0 million tonnes averaging 152 g/t silver and 5.4% zinc, for approximately 9.9 million ounces of contained silver, at a 50 g/t silver cut-off grade. Sulphide-rich, vein-hosted mineralization has been intersected by drill-holes in the vicinity of the above mentioned breccia body and is estimated to contain an additional 12.6 million ounces of silver in the Inferred resource category (refer to Table 2 for details).
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Table 4. Select Drill-hole Intersections of the Cortaderas Breccia
Drill-Hole | From (m) | To (m) | Length² (m) | Ag (g/t) | Sn (%) | Zn (%) |
DDH-099 ³ | 145.0 | 250.0 | 105.0 | 194.3 | 0.17 | 6.17 |
including | 177.0 | 219.0 | 42.0 | 371.4 | 0.35 | 9.91 |
DDH-167 ¹ | 80.0 | 312.0 | 232.0 | 183.2 | 0.13 | 5.40 |
including | 117.0 | 151.3 | 34.3 | 631.5 | 0.17 | 12.08 |
and including | 198.0 | 234.0 | 36.0 | 386.1 | 0.30 | 9.02 |
DDH-214 ¹ | 156.0 | 374.0 | 218.0 | 477.3 | 0.38 | 7.97 |
including | 218.0 | 276.0 | 58.0 | 1,007.7 | 0.39 | 12.83 |
and including | 282.0 | 328.0 | 46.0 | 928.3 | 1.03 | 16.15 |
DDH-216 ¹ | 257.0 | 421.0 | 164.0 | 59.6 | 0.11 | 3.82 |
including | 337.7 | 385.4 | 47.7 | 166.7 | 0.18 | 9.07 |
DDH-217 ¹ | 91.0 | 290.0 | 199.0 | 84.2 | 0.06 | 3.19 |
including | 120.4 | 128.0 | 7.6 | 552.8 | 0.22 | 4.31 |
Notes to Table 4:
1. | Holes are oriented at shallow angles to inferred plunge orientation of mineralized breccia body. | |
2. | Intercepts are not true thicknesses. These are to be determined by follow-up drilling. | |
3. | Hole DDH-099 intersected the breccia body at a high angle and ended in mineralization. |
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4. | All samples were submitted to ALS Chemex for preparation and analysis at its facilities in Mendoza, Argentina. Samples were analyzed using a 4-acid digestion and ICP-AES finish for a suite of 35 elements. Additional tin analyses were performed using the XRF analytical technique. Samples containing greater than 200 ppm Ag and/or greater than 100,000 ppm Zn were re-analyzed using a 4- acid digestion with AAS finish for both elements. |
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5. | Silver Standards QA/QC protocol consists of the regular insertion of control standard and blank samples together with the analysis of field duplicate samples. Approximately 14% of all samples analyzed represent QA/QC samples. |
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6. | Dr. Warwick Board, Ph.D. (Geology), P.Geo., is the Senior Resource Geologist at Silver Standard Resources Inc. and is the QP who has verified the data presented in Table 4. |
Financial Results
Our financial results are now reported under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the 2010 comparative results have been restated to IFRS in the current period financial statements. Refer to Note 2 in the unaudited September 30, 2011 and March 31, 2011 financial statements for a detailed description of our accounting policies under IFRS and for disclosures and reconciliation of the impact of IFRS on previously reported results. See Notes 17 and 25 in the Financial Statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.
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Mine Operations
During the third quarter 2011 the Company recorded total revenues from the Pirquitas mine of $26.2 million from the sale of 0.7 million ounces of silver at a realized price of $39.88 per ounce, and 3.9 million pounds of zinc at a realized price of $1.01 per pound excluding the impact of quarter end price adjustment. This is compared with the third quarter of 2010 which recorded revenues of $41.6 million from the sale of 2.3 million ounces of silver at a realized price of $19.43, and no zinc sales. The reduction in sales recognized is reflective of the volume of silver ounces sold, partially offset by the significant increase in the price of silver. Zinc pounds sold in the third quarter of 2011 contributed $2.8 million to total revenues.
Since the mines initial start-up silver concentrates have been sold pursuant to a sales contract to a single customer. The contract was terminated during the third quarter 2011 and as a result volumes of silver concentrate sold were significantly lower than prior quarters. Zinc concentrate sales were unaffected. Subsequent to the quarter individual spot sales have been completed, and the Company is continuing negotiations to establish long-term contracts with various counterparties.
Cost of sales for the third quarter 2011 was $14.7 million compared to $34.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. This resulted in income from mine operations of $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $7.4 million in the third quarter of 2010. The reduction in cost of sales is primarily due to the volume of product sold. Margins improved significantly, primarily as a result of higher silver prices.
On October 26, 2011 the Argentina government announced a decree that requires all funds from export sales to be repatriated to Argentina and converted into Argentina Pesos within the Sole Foreign Exchange Market in Argentina, and each transfer is subject to a 0.6% transfer tax.
Although the fiscal stability agreement also includes stability over foreign exchange controls the government has removed such benefits. The Company will comply with all laws and regulations, and is in the process of determining what impact this has on the business.
Net Earnings
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2011 were $21.8 million ($0.27 per share) compared to a net loss of $10.4 million ($0.13 per share) in the third quarter of 2010.
Liquidity
At September 30, 2011, the Company held $355.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $36.4 million in marketable securities compared to $232.3 million and $33.5 million respectively at December 31, 2010. The increase in cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was the result of cash inflows from operations of $12.9 million, $19.2 million generated from financing activities, and $91.5 million from investing activities.
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Selected Financial Data | ||
(US$000s, except per share amounts) | ||
The Company is now reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the 2010 comparative results have been restated to IFRS in the current period financial statements. Refer to Note 2 in the unaudited September 30, 2011 financial statements for a detailed description of our accounting policies under IFRS and Note 17 for disclosures and reconciliation of the impact of IFRS on previously reported results. |
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This summary of selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the MD&A of the audited consolidated operating results and financial condition of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. |
Three Months | Three Months | |
Ended September | Ended September | |
30, 2011 | 30, 2010 | |
Earnings from mine operations | 11,492 | 7,426 |
Earnings from operations | 3,066 | 1,066 |
Net earnings (loss) for the period | 21,836 | (10,407) |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 0.27 | (0.13) |
Cash generated (used) in operating activities | (15,835) | 4,918 |
Cash generated by financing activities | 5,760 | 915 |
Cash generated by (used in) investing activities | (2,782) | (27,713) |
Financial Position | September 30, 2011 | Dec 31, 2010 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 355,903 | 232,311 |
Current assets total | 508,455 | 342,054 |
Current liabilities total | 79,828 | 35,163 |
Working capital | 428,627 | 306,891 |
Total assets | 1,249,570 | 1,147,990 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 |
|
Earnings (loss) from mine operations | 55,189 | (10,841) |
Earnings (loss) from operations | 29,702 | (30,907) |
Net earnings (loss) for the period | 77,545 | (23,169) |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 0.97 | (0.30) |
Cash generated (used) in operating activities | 12,903 | (18,788) |
Cash generated by financing activities | 19,202 | 109,589 |
Cash generated by (used in) investing activities | 91,487 | (81,621) |
Principal Projects
Pitarrilla, Mexico
A total of $2.7 million was spent during the quarter at the wholly-owned Pitarrilla project located in the state of Durango, Mexico compared to $9.8 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
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On August 10, 2011 the Company committed a total of $25.0 million to accelerate the advancement of the Pitarrilla mining complex. A feasibility study is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2012 and if approved, detailed design and construction will commence thereafter leading to production in approximately two years. The $25.0 million allows for the purchase of critical path process equipment and to date work has commenced on access roads, water wells, and constructing the workers camp. The Company also continues to build the management team, notably with the recruitment of a new general manager.
A campaign of diamond drilling was also conducted during the second and third quarters, with 83 boreholes and a total of 13,867 meters being drilled. This drilling program was designed to provide in-fill assay data for an enhanced estimate of the projects oxide silver resource as well as geotechnical and metallurgical information that will be used for mine design and optimization.
The Pitarrilla project currently comprises Probable mineral reserves of 91.7 million ounces of silver, Measured and Indicated resources of 551.6 million ounces of silver and Inferred resources of 82.2 million ounces of silver.
San Luis, Peru
A total of $1.3 million was spent during the quarter at the now wholly-owned San Luis project in Peru compared to $1.2 million in the same quarter of the prior year. On July 28, 2011, the Company completed the previously announced agreement, and acquired the remaining 30% interest in the San Luis project from the Companys former joint venture partner, Esperanza Resources Corp. (Esperanza). Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid $17.9 million in cash, transferred to Esperanza the 6.459 million shares of Esperanza that the Company owned, and granted to Esperanza a 1% net smelter return royalty on future revenues earned from the project.
Long-term land access negotiations advanced with two local communities and work also continued on completing the required Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The completion of the land access agreements and the EIS will enable a construction decision to be made, which is expected to happen during 2012.
During the quarter mineral prospecting on the property resulted in the discovery of a set of northwesterly trending quartz veins which were tested for their precious metal content with the collection of 265 rock-chip samples. Assay results for these samples indicate sections of these veins are significantly mineralized with gold and require further assessment by diamond drilling.
The San Luis project comprises Proven and Probable mineral reserves of 7.2 million ounces of silver and 0.29 million ounces of gold. These reserves are 100% attributable to the Company as of July 28, 2011, following its consolidation of ownership.
Nazas, Mexico
A total of $1.6 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys Nazas project, compared to $0.2 million during the same quarter of the prior year.
Nazas, which until recently comprised three contiguous mineral properties covering approximately 236 square kilometers, is centered about 16 kilometers east of the Pitarrilla project and covers an extensive system of gold- and silver-bearing quartz veins and related hydrothermal alteration. Several of these vein targets have now been tested, with approximately 4,187 meters being drilled in the third quarter for a total of 12,587 meters coming from 22 boreholes.
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Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company elected not to continue its option to purchase the Navidad claim group at the center of the Nazas project area due to the fact that assay results from boreholes drilled on the claims were insufficiently positive to justify the costs to maintain the option to purchase agreement with the owner of the claims. Notwithstanding our decision on the Navidad property, the geological information provided by this years drilling campaign will be utilized in the planning of future drilling on the other two Nazas properties which are wholly owned by the Company. Our goal at Nazas continues to be the discovery of precious metal-rich polymetallic mineralization.
Diablillos, Argentina
A total of $0.7 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys wholly-owned Diablillos project (which is located 275 kilometers south of the Pirquitas mine in northwestern Argentina) compared to $0.7 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
Expenditures for the quarter include administrative, property taxes and camp maintenance costs. Fieldwork in the quarter mainly comprised rock sampling to identify satellite zones of near-surface oxidized gold mineralization that would complement the resources defined in the main Oculto silver-gold deposit. A number of prospects were identified for follow-up mechanized trenching and additional sampling, and depending on the results of this work which will be completed in the fourth quarter, several of these targets are expected to be drilled next year with shallow boreholes.
The Oculto deposit at the Diablillos project has a Indicated mineral resource that contains 77.1 million ounces of silver and 0.64 million ounces of gold, with additional Inferred resources containing 6.3 million ounces of silver and 0.19 million ounces of gold.
San Agustin, Mexico
A total of $0.2 million was spent during the quarter at the Companys wholly-owned San Agustin project located in Durango State, Mexico compared to the $0.5 million spent in the same quarter of the prior year. Most of the third quarter expenditure was incurred as property holding costs and other administrative expenses.
Advanced negotiations were conducted during the quarter with three parties that control the property surface rights. Once land access agreements are in place, a 5,000 meter-long diamond drilling program will be initiated, likely in the first quarter of 2012. The objective of the drilling program will be to expand the near-surface oxidized gold resource. In addition to the proposed program of in-fill drilling, detailed metallurgical studies will also be undertaken and will focus on gold recovery characteristics of the oxide gold mineralization.
The San Agustin project currently comprises an Indicated mineral resource of 47.8 million ounces of silver and 1.59 million ounces of gold, along with an Inferred resource of 36.9 million ounces of silver and 1.06 million ounces of gold.
11
Managements Discussion & Analysis and Conference Call
This news release should be read in conjunction with Silver Standards third quarter 2011 Financial Statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis filed with Canadian securities regulators available at www.sedar.com, with United States Securities Regulators available at www.sec.gov, and the companys web site at www.silverstandard.com.
Toll-free in North America: | (888) 429-4600 | |
All other callers: | (970) 315-0481 | |
Webcast: | http://ir.silverstandard.com/events.cfm |
Toll-free in North America: | (855) 859-2056, replay conference ID 20937226 | |
All other callers: | (404) 537-3406, replay conference ID 20937226 |
For further information contact: |
Ian Chadsey |
Director Investor Relations |
N.A. toll-free: (888) 338-0046 |
Telephone: (604) 484-8216 |
E-Mail: invest@silverstandard.com |
Cautionary Statements on Forward Looking Information:
The news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward looking information within Canadian securities laws (collectively forward looking statements) related to the Company and its operations, and in particular, the anticipated developments in our operations in future periods, our planned exploration activities, the adequacy of our financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Statements concerning mineral resources and reserve estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if and when the property is developed or further developed. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. These forward looking statements relate to, among other things: future production of silver and other metals; future cash costs per ounce of silver; the price of silver and other metals; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies affecting our operations or potential future operations; future successful development of our San Luis and Pitarrilla projects and other development projects; the sufficiency of the Companys current working capital, anticipated operating cash flow or our ability to raise necessary funds; estimated production rates for silver and other payable metal produced by the Company; timing of production and the cash and total costs of production at our Pirquitas mine; the estimated cost of sustaining capital; ongoing or future development plans and capital replacement, improvement or remediation programs; the estimates of expected or anticipated economic returns from the Companys mining projects including: future sales of the metals, concentrates or other products produced by the Company; and the Companys plans and expectations for its properties and operations
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Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as expects, anticipates, plans, projects, estimates, assumes, intends, strategy, goals, objectives, potential or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements 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 expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: uncertainty of production and cost estimates for the Pirquitas Mine; uncertainty of development or production at our mineral exploration properties; risks and uncertainties associated with new mining operations, including start-up delays and operational issues; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological or structure formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); risks and uncertainties relating to the mineral resources and reserve estimates and related assumptions and the interpretation of drill results and the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits; unpredictable risks and hazards related to the development and operation of a mine or mine property that are beyond our control; risks related to our ability to obtain adequate financing for our planned development activities and to complete further exploration programs; fluctuations in spot and forward markets for silver, gold and base metals and certain other commodities; our history of losses and the potential for future losses; risks related to general economic conditions, including recent market and world events and conditions; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; challenges to, or difficulty maintaining, the Companys title to properties and continued ownership thereof; risks related to our covenants given with respect to our 4.5% convertible senior notes due 2028; differences in U.S. and Canadian practices for reporting mineral resources and reserve; changes in national and local legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and political or economic developments or changes in Canada, the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Peru or other countries where the Company holds assets or may carry on business; risks related to the delay in obtaining or failure to obtain required permits, or non-compliance with permits we have obtained; increased costs and restrictions on operations due to compliance with environmental laws and regulations; regulations and pending legislation governing issues involving climate change, as well as the physical impacts of climate change; risks related to reclamation activities on our properties; uncertainties related to title to our mineral properties and the surface rights thereon; our ability to successfully acquire additional commercially mineable mineral rights; risks related to currency fluctuations (such as the Argentine peso, Peruvian sol and Mexican peso); increased costs affecting the mining industry, including the current high rate of inflation in Argentina; increased competition in the mining industry for properties, qualified personnel and management; risks related to some of our directors and officers involvement with other natural resource companies; our ability to attract and retain qualified management to grow our business; risks related to estimates of future income tax assets and liabilities; risks related to claims and legal proceedings; our ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting; our ability to monetize the full value of our interest in Pretium Resources and those factors identified under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys most recent Form 20-F and Annual Information Form filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and Canadian and Provincial securities regulatory authorities.
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and our actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in this news release. Our forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements beliefs, expectations or opinions should change. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Cautionary note to U.S. investors: The terms measured mineral resource, indicated mineral resource, and inferred mineral resource used in this news release are Canadian geological and mining terms as defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the CIM) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. We advise U.S. investors that while such terms are recognized and required under Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize these terms. Inferred mineral resources in particular have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules estimates of inferred mineral resources may not generally form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of contained metal expressed in ounces is in compliance with NI 43-101, but does not meet the requirements of Industry Guide 7 of the SEC, which will only accept the disclosure of tonnage and grade estimates for non-reserve mineralization.
13
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