VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 03/01/11 -- Silver Standard Resources Inc. (TSX: SSO)(NASDAQ: SSRI) -
Highlights:
(All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)
-- Net earnings of $346.2 million or $4.44 per share compared to a net loss
of $13.2 million or ($0.19) per share in 2009.
-- Pirquitas milled 1.26 million tonnes of ore in 2010 with silver grades
of 233 grams/tonne at recoveries of 65.2% producing a total of 6.30
million ounces of silver. We sold 5.94 million ounces at a weighted
average silver price of $20.92 per ounce for total revenues of $112.3
million.
-- Pirquitas mined a continuous feed of sulphide ores from September 2010
until the end of the year, with silver and zinc recoveries achieving
designed rates.
-- The Pirquitas mine generated positive earnings from mine operations of
$10.0 million.
-- On December 21, 2010 we completed the sale of our 100% interest in the
Snowfield and Brucejack properties to Pretium Resources Inc. ('Pretium')
for total consideration of $442.3 million (C$450.0 million). After the
conversion on January 31, 2011 of the balance of the convertible
promissory note issued by Pretium, we had received from the transaction
gross cash proceeds of $229.3 million (C$233.0 million), and a total of
36.16 million shares of Pretium, representing a 42.31% equity interest.
-- On February 28, 2011, we reached an agreement to acquire the remaining
interest in the San Luis project from our joint venture partner
Esperanza Resources Corp. ('Esperanza'). Upon completion of the
acquisition we will own 100% of the project. Under the terms of the
agreement we will pay C$17 million in cash, transfer to Esperanza the
6.459 million shares of Esperanza that we own, and grant to Esperanza a
1% net smelter return royalty on future revenues.
-- We incurred total exploration and development expenditures of $54.8
million to advance our growth and exploration properties during the
year.
-- In June we completed a feasibility study at the San Luis project in Peru
and submitted the environmental and social impact study to Peruvian
authorities in October.
-- In February we closed a public share offering of 6.73 million common
shares at a price of $17.00 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $114.4
million.
-- Effective August 6, 2010, John Smith was appointed President and Chief
Executive Officer.
Pirquitas Mine, Argentina
Summary Mine Operating Statistics(1)
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Full Year Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
2010 2010 2010 2010 2010
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Total Material Mined Kt 16,056 4,360 3,920 3,900 3,876
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Ore Processed Kt 1,255 313 320 346 276
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Silver Grade g/tonne 233 267 283 240 129
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Recoveries % 65.2 76.3 66.3 63.7 53.2
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Silver Produced '000 oz. 6,302 2,067 1,933 1,692 609
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Cash Production Cost US$/oz. $12.16 $9.47 $10.42 $11.27 $29.32
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Cash Operating Cost US$/oz. $18.03 $16.07 $16.94 $14.98 $36.61
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(1) Cash production cost per ounce and cash operating cost per ounce are
Non-GAAP measures discussed under non-GAAP financial performance
measures contained in the MD&A for the quarter and year ended December
31, 2010.
Open pit mining operations improved throughout the year, achieving design rates of 47,000 tonnes per day by the fourth quarter. During the early months of start-up at Pirquitas, the plant was run on oxide ore for testing and commissioning. The plant is designed for milling and flotation of sulphide ores, and in September, when the mine reached the sulphide horizon in the pit, the plant began operating at designed recovery rates in the neighbourhood of 78% for silver. At this point we were also able to commission and run the new zinc circuits which will provide an important by-product to the operation for the life of the mine.
The metallurgical response to the sulphide ore has been in line with expectations and overall silver recovery rates are achieving feasibility study levels. Commissioning of the gravity pre-concentration stage commenced near the end of the third quarter, and results have been encouraging. The crushing circuit is being expanded by the installation of a tertiary crusher in Q1 2011. Proof of concept for silver recovery has now been achieved.
We continued to see improved silver production at our Pirquitas Mine quarter over quarter in 2010 since the completion of the commissioning phase on December 1, 2009. During the fourth quarter, we produced 2.07 million ounces of silver, compared to 1.93 million ounces in the third quarter, 1.69 million ounces in the second quarter and 0.61 million ounces in the first quarter. This brought total production for the year to 6.30 million ounces. The improving trend in production is due to improved recoveries and higher grade zones in the fourth quarter. With the increase in production and resulting silver sales, the Pirquitas mine reached an important milestone of being cash flow positive during the third and fourth quarters.
Cash production cost per ounce declined through 2010, to $9.47 per ounce in the fourth quarter from $29.32 per ounce for the first quarter. This has been achieved through increased production and recoveries whilst maintaining consistent operating costs. Cash operating costs on a per ounce basis were higher than expected during the third and fourth quarters; primarily due to escalating deductions and refining charges flowing from higher realized prices.
As we have achieved the continuous processing of sulphide ore we re-commissioned the zinc flotation in the fourth quarter of 2010, and began making separate silver and zinc concentrates. We expect the first sales of zinc concentrate to be completed in early 2011.
Outlook
Our production guidance and cost estimates for 2011 are as follows:
-- Produce 8.5 million ounces of silver in 2011
-- Produce 10.0 million pounds of zinc in 2011
-- We will advise through 2011 progress on the tin circuit
-- Average cash production cost of $9.00 per ounce of silver (net of by-
product credits)
-- Average cash operating cost of $15.00 per ounce of silver
-- Average total production cost of $19.00 per ounce of silver
Please refer to the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements and non-GAAP financial performance measures contained in this news release.
Financial Results
Net Income
-- Net earnings of $376.6 million or $4.75 per share in the three months
ended December 31, 2010, compared to a net loss of $9.1 million or
($0.13) per share in the three months ended December 31, 2009.
-- Net earnings of $346.2 million or $4.44 per share in the year ended
December 31, 2010, compared to a net loss of $13.2 million or ($0.19)
per share in the year ended December 31, 2009.
Mine Operations
-- Mine operations at Pirquitas earned $24.0 million in the three months
ended December 31, 2010, from revenues of $45.1 million which were net
of deductions, treatment and refining charges. Cost of sales was $14.2
million plus $6.9 million in non-cash depletion, depreciation and
amortization.
-- Mine operations at Pirquitas earned $10.0 million in the year ended
December 31, 2010, from revenues of $112.3 million which were net of
deductions, treatment and refining charges. Cost of sales was $76.0
million plus $26.3 million in non-cash depletion, depreciation and
amortization.
Liquidity
-- Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2010, were $232.3 million
compared to $26.7 million at December 31, 2009. Working capital at
December 31, 2010, was $303.8 million compared to $24.5 million at
December 31, 2009.
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Selected Financial Data
(US$000's, except per share amounts)
This summary of selected financial data should be read in conjunction with
the management discussion and analysis ('MD&A') of the audited consolidated
operating results and financial condition of the company for the three
months and years ended December 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009.
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Three Months Year
Ended December 31 Ended December 31
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2010 2009 2010 2009
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Earnings (loss) from mine
operations 23,949 (2,523) 9,958 (2,523)
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Earnings (loss) from operations 12,279 (7,365) (23,832) (19,954)
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Net earnings (loss) for the period 376,575 (9,126) 346,239 (13,193)
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Basic earnings (loss) per share 4.75 (0.13) 4.44 (0.19)
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Cash generated (used) in operating
activities 7,677 (20,870) (11,110) (39,943)
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Cash generated by financing
activities 14,487 3,548 124,076 146,413
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Cash generated by (used in)
investing activities 174,307 1,095 92,686 (151,824)
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Financial Position December 31, 2010 December 31, 2009
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Cash and cash equivalents 232,311 26,659
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Current assets - total 342,054 75,197
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Current liabilities - total 38,210 50,682
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Working capital 303,844 24,515
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Total assets 1,262,017 749,925
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Principal Projects
San Luis Project, Peru
The feasibility study on placing the project into production was completed in June 2010. The Joint Venture Committee is in the process of considering the feasibility study for next steps, including a production decision.
During 2010, we continued to negotiate long-term land access agreements, submitted the Environmental Impact Study ('EIS') and calibrated our strategy for executing the project. In 2011 we expect to finalize the long-term land access agreements, receive approval on the EIS and make a construction decision.
Pitarrilla Project, Mexico
We commenced a feasibility study in the first quarter of 2010 to evaluate the economic viability of underground sulphide mineralization extraction.
As part of the continuing exploration of the property, a program of geophysical surveying was completed in 2010 in the area covering the known silver deposits. A diamond drilling program was completed in the first half of the year providing information that was incorporated in the feasibility study.
Diablillos, Argentina
Expenditures in 2010 were primarily on engineering and metallurgical studies done as part of a preliminary economic assessment ('PEA') to be completed in the first quarter of 2011. The PEA is evaluating open pit mining with a conventional milling operation and heap-leach processing of a portion of the deposit.
In addition, a preliminary metallurgical program to assess the heap leaching characteristics of the mineralization at Diablillos has been completed and further leach metallurgical test work has been planned for 2011.
San Agustin, Mexico
We completed a comprehensive program of geophysical surveying over most of the property. The main objective of the survey was to outline zones that could indicate the continuation of known low-grade gold-zinc-silver mineralization to depth and laterally.
We completed a study to evaluate the economic potential of heap-leach processing of the 'oxide' gold mineralization in 2010; consequently, a 5,000 meter diamond drilling program has been planned for 2011. Detailed metallurgical studies will also be undertaken in 2011 and will focus on the gold recovery characteristics of the oxide mineralization.
Nazas, Mexico
Exploration of the Nazas property, located 15km east of Pitarrilla, was initiated in the second half of 2010 and involved geological mapping, rock sampling and a comprehensive program of geophysical surveying with four different survey methods being performed. The geophysical surveying will continue into the first quarter of 2011, and 7,500 meter diamond drilling campaign is planned for 2011.
Management Discussion & Analysis and Conference Call
This news release should be read in conjunction with Silver Standard's Fourth Quarter 2010 Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis filed with Canadian securities regulators available at www.sedar.com or the company's web site at www.silverstandard.com.
-- Conference Call and Webcast: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at 11:00 a.m.
EST.
Toll-free in North America: (888) 429-4600
All other callers: (970) 315-0481
Webcast: http://ir.silverstandard.com/events.cfm
-- The call will be archived and available at www.silverstandard.com after
March 2, 2011. Audio replay will be available for one week by calling:
Toll-free in North America: (800) 642-1687, replay conference ID
44076784
All other callers: (706) 645-9291, replay conference ID 44076784
SOURCE: Silver Standard Resources Inc.
Cautionary Statements on Forward Looking Information: Statements in this news release relating to the estimated production and recoveries of silver, tin and zinc, timing of processing of sulphide ore, anticipated revenues, cash and operating costs per silver ounce, estimated costs of mining, milling and administration, operations of the tin circuit, all relating to the Pirquitas Mine, timing to complete feasibility studies and assessments of principal projects, statements concerning mineral reserves and resource estimates, and certain statements relating to our other projects, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward looking information within Canadian securities laws (collectively 'forward looking statements'). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and that are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to Silver Standard's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; changes in prices for the company's mineral products or increases in input costs; uncertainty of production and cost estimates for the Pirquitas Mine; risks and uncertainties associated with new mining operations including start-up delays and operational issues; risks relating to the interpretation of drill results and the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, the United States and other jurisdictions in which Silver Standard may carry on business; technological and operational difficulties or the delay, non-compliance or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration and development activities; labour relations matters; and changing foreign exchange rates, all of which are described more fully in the company's most recent Form 20-F, and in the Management Discussion and Analysis under the heading 'Risks and Uncertainties' and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian regulatory authorities.
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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (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.
Contacts:
Silver Standard Resources Inc.
W. John DeCooman Jr.
Vice President, Business Development
N.A toll-free: (888) 338-0046 / All others: (604) 689-3846
invest@silverstandard.com
www.silverstandard.com
