Endeavour Silver Corp.
("Endeavour" or the
"Company") (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) provides
a Q4 2024 construction progress update for its Terronera Project in
Jalisco state, Mexico. A photo gallery presentation accompanies
this news release and can be found
here or on the
Company website at
Terronera Project Progress
Photos. All dollar ($) references in this news release are
in United States dollars.
Substantial progress was achieved on Terronera’s
Upper Plant Platform during the fourth quarter with systems
commissioning underway. Focus continues on the Lower Platform.
“Endeavour Silver’s Terronera Project is nearing
completion,” commented Don Gray, Chief Operating Officer. “Dry
commissioning is advancing well on the Upper Platform and we’re
completing final installations and the last of the punch list
items. Our team’s efforts are concentrated on timely completion of
the Lower Platform where structural steel is advancing to install
the tailing filters. We’re focused on maintaining our construction
schedule and momentum to have Terronera ready for full
commissioning in early Q2 2025.”
Q4 2024 Construction and Development
Highlights
Site works and activities as of December 31,
2024:
- Safety – The Health and Safety
Program and Procedures are complete and ready for transition from
construction and commissioning into operations.
- Community Relations – Community
support and the hiring and training of local employees continues to
be a priority.
- Progress – Overall project progress
reached 89.4% completion. Current capital expenditures are
approximately $302 million as of December 31, 2024. Management
estimates total project spend of $332 million.
- Mine Development – During the
fourth quarter, 1,694 metres were developed underground for a
project total of 7,239 metres. Of note, the underground explosives
magazine storage permit was approved, which will improve
development efficiencies.
- Upper Plant Platform Site – Much of
the construction is complete with final punch list items being
addressed and various areas being handed over to the commissioning
and operations teams.
- Primary Crusher – The Primary Jaw Crusher commissioning was
completed, and the area was transferred to operations. A total of
6,000 tonnes of ore has been crushed.
- Grinding – Commissioning of the
grinding circuit commenced with successful SAG and ball mill
testing for multiple hours at full operating speed to check bearing
temperatures, vibrations and lubrication systems under no-load
conditions.
- Flotation – Flotation equipment,
including pumps, tanks, verti-mill, low pressure blowers and
instrumentation have been installed. Remaining items for
installation include pressure relief valves, hoses, and final
piping.
- Raw and Process Water Tanks –
Installation and hydro-testing are 100% complete.
- Lower Platform Facilities and
Tailing Storage Facility (TSF) – Lower Platform
area was 42% complete.
- TSF Main Embankment – The main
embankment reached the 1,185-metres elevation and the TSF facility
is ready to receive filtered tailing.
- Tailing Filters – Swing plates
mounted below both tailing filters were installed, and first floor
concrete was poured; structural steel installation is advancing for
the second floor prior to installing the filter press.
- Tailing Area Tanks – Storage tanks
have been assembled; hydro testing and anchoring will be completed
in Q1 2025.
- Event Pond Liner – The pond area
liner was installed; the feed and overflow channel lining will be
completed in Q1 2025 (completed in January).
- Upper surface water diversion canal
– The TSF diversion canal for the south and east perimeters is
nearly 90% complete.
- Concentrate Filter Building –
Second concrete floor was poured and is ready for installing the
concentrate filter.
- Auxiliary Buildings
- Laboratory Building – Construction
was completed, and the facility was turned over to operations.
- Plant Maintenance Building –
Reached 80% completion and is scheduled for completion mid-Q1
2025.
- Onsite Personnel – At the end of
Q4, the Terronera workforce included 297 Endeavour Silver employees
and 821 contract workers.
Updated Initial Capital Cost
The project team conducted a comprehensive
review of the remaining Terronera completion costs. The Company
forecasts initial capital costs to be $332 million (see table
below). The mining cost increase of approximately $16 million is
related to the extended project schedule as well as increased waste
rock disposal costs, including hauling, placement at the temporary
waste dump and construction of the permanent waste rock dump.
Mineral process plant costs, which includes the lower platform and
tailing facility construction, are estimated to be approximately
$13 million over budget. These costs include additional work for
expediting structural steel fabrication, blasting required for
lower platform excavation, offsite materials purchased for tailing
facility construction, extra work required for supporting the cut
above the lower platform elevation and contractor indirect costs.
The $2.2 million increase for site infrastructure is related to the
additional scope for constructing the mill shop, warehouse and
assay/met lab and temporary power generation. Total project
indirect costs increased by $29 million, offset with the $8.7
million contingency. Owner costs increased due to additional
engineering, construction management, enlarging the camp capacity
and adding several administrative support buildings (e.g., offices
and training). Project indirect costs increased due to the extended
project schedule and a larger workforce, overlapping project
construction and completion activities.
(millions) |
2024 Revised Scenario Initial
Capex |
2025 Updated Scenario Initial
Capex |
Variance |
Mining |
$83.80 |
$100.20 |
$16.40 |
Mineral Processing Plant |
$64.80 |
$78.00 |
$13.20 |
Site Infrastructure |
$56.20 |
$58.40 |
$2.20 |
Total Direct Costs |
$204.80 |
$236.60 |
$31.80 |
Owner Costs |
$33.30 |
$50.30 |
$17.00 |
Project Indirect Costs |
$24.20 |
$45.10 |
$20.90 |
Contingency |
$8.70 |
- |
($8.70) |
Total Indirect Costs |
$66.20 |
$95.40 |
$29.20 |
Total (Direct & Indirect) |
$271.00 |
$332.00 |
$61.00 |
Next Steps and Planning
The Terronera Project is anticipated to begin
full system commissioning in early Q2 2025.
For Q1 2025, Upper Platform efforts will focus
on installing remaining items, punch list completion, and
commissioning. The TSF Main Embankment is anticipated to reach the
final 1,198-metre elevation and tailing and concentrate filters
will be installed, along with final piping, electrical and
instrumentation work. The remaining critical path items are the
tailing filter presses, which are expected to be completed by early
Q2 2025. The Company plans to provide operational guidance as
construction approaches wet commissioning.
Visit www.terronera.com, our dedicated project
website, to stay informed on the ongoing development at Terronera.
Explore updates, learn about our commitment to environmental
stewardship, and discover the positive impacts on local
communities.
About Endeavour Silver:
Endeavour is a mid-tier precious metals company committed to
sustainable and responsible mining practices. With operations in
Mexico and the development of the new cornerstone mine in Jalisco
State, the Company aims to contribute positively to the mining
industry and the communities in which it operates. In addition,
Endeavour has a portfolio of exploration projects in Mexico, Chile,
and the United States, which has helped it achieve its goal of
becoming a premier senior silver producer.
Contact Information
Allison Pettit, Director of Investor RelationsTel: (604) 640
4804Email: apettit@edrsilver.comWebsite: www.edrsilver.com
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This 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 applicable Canadian securities legislation.
Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but
are not limited to statements regarding the development of the
Terronera Project, the anticipated timing of construction steps and
commencement of full commissioning at the Terronera Project, the
Terronera Project's forecasted operations, costs and expenditures,
Endeavour’s future operational guidance announcements, and the
timing and results of various related activities. The Company does
not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update
forward-looking statements or information other than as required by
applicable law.
Forward-looking statements or information
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors
that may cause Endeavor's actual results, level of activity,
production levels, performance, or achievements, and its operations
to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such
statements. Such factors include but are not limited changes in
production and costs guidance; the ongoing effects of inflation and
supply chain issues on mine economics; national and local
governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and
political or economic developments in Canada, Chile, the USA and
Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices; operating or
technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and
mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration,
development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral
exploration and development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses
and permits; continued compliance with the project loan debt
facility; the ongoing effects of inflation and supply chain issues
on the Terronera Project economics; fluctuations in the prices of
silver and gold, fluctuations in the currency markets (particularly
the Mexican peso, Chilean peso, Canadian dollar and US dollar); and
challenges to the Company's title to properties; as well as those
factors described in the section "risk factors" contained in the
Company's most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with
the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not
limited to the continued operation of the Company's mining
operations, no material adverse change in the market price of
commodities forecasted Terronera mine economics as of 2024, mining
operations will operate, and the mining products will be completed
under management's expectations and achieve their stated production
outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in forward-looking statements or information, other
factors may cause results to be materially different from those
anticipated, described, estimated, assessed, or intended. There can
be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information
will be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements or
information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements or information.
Endeavour Silver (TSX:EDR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jan 2025 to Feb 2025
Endeavour Silver (TSX:EDR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Feb 2025