TIDMHOC
RNS Number : 7114C
Hochschild Mining PLC
21 October 2020
_____________________________________________________________________________________
21 October 2020
Production Report for Q3 and the 9 months ended 30 September
2020
Ignacio Bustamante, Chief Executive Officer said:
"Hochschild is recovering well from a challenging first half in
which all of our operations were impacted by the global pandemic.
Output has steadily increased and we have generated substantial
free cashflow despite the Company not being in full production
throughout the entire period. With prices continuing to be strong,
we are aiming for a robust fourth quarter which will also include
the bulk of our 2020 brownfield drilling programme."
Operational highlights
-- Robust recovery in attributable production (1)
o 39,195 ounces of gold
o 2.5 million ounces of silver
o 68,423 gold equivalent ounces
o 5.9 million silver equivalent ounces
-- Solid year-to-date operational performance in challenging
circumstances
o 118,268 ounces of gold
o 6.6 million ounces of silver
o 195,258 gold equivalent ounces
o 16.8 million silver equivalent ounces
-- On track to deliver previously announced revised 2020 overall
production target of 280,000-290,000 gold equivalent ounces
(24.0-25.0 million silver equivalent ounces)
-- 2020 all-in sustaining costs on track to meet $1,250-$1,290
per gold equivalent ounce revised guidance ($14.5-15.0 per silver
equivalent ounce)
Exploration highlights
-- H2 2020 exploration programme started with main results
expected in Q4 2020
-- Drilling campaigns ongoing at all three current operations as
well as at Arcata and Crespo
Strong financial position
-- Total cash of approximately $196 million as at 30 September
2020 ($162 million as at 30 June 2020)
-- Net debt of approximately $21 million as at 30 September 2020
($58 million as at 30 June 2020)
-- Net Debt/LTM EBITDA of less than 0.1x as at 30 September
2020
________________________________________________________________________________________
A conference call will be held at 2.30pm (London time) on
Wednesday 21 October 2020 for analysts and investors.
Dial in details as follows:
UK Toll-Free Number: 0800 358 6377
International Dial in: +44 (0)330 336 9127
US/Canada Toll-Free Number: 888-254-3590
Pin: 2072941#
A recording of the conference call will be available on demand
on the Company's website: www.hochschildmining.com
________________________________________________________________________________________
Overview
In Q3 2020, Hochschild Mining PLC (HOC.LN) (OTCMKTS: $HCHDF)
("Hochschild" or "the Company") delivered attributable production
of 68,423 gold equivalent ounces or 5.9 million silver equivalent
ounces, representing a strong recovery versus the second quarter
although the Inmaculada mine, in particular, was still impacted by
effects of the Covid-19 crisis during the period. Overall
year-to-date attributable production is 195,258 gold equivalent
ounces or 16.8 million silver equivalent ounces. The Company
remains on track to meet its revised production target for 2020 of
280,000-290,000 gold equivalent ounces or 24.0-25.0 million silver
equivalent ounces.
The Company reiterates that its all-in sustaining cost for 2020
is on track to be in line with the revised guidance of
$1,250-$1,290 per gold equivalent ounce ($14.5-15.0 per silver
equivalent ounce).
TOTAL GROUP PRODUCTION 2
Q3 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2019 YTD 2020 YTD 2019
-------- -------- -------- ---------
Silver production
(koz) 3,085 1,482 5,284 8,103 15,521
Gold production
(koz) 47.83 25.17 81.37 141.42 243.53
Total silver equivalent
(koz) 7,198 3,647 12,282 20,264 36,464
Total gold equivalent
(koz) 83.69 42.40 142.82 235.63 424.01
Silver sold (koz) 3,146 1,794 5,179 8,043 15,400
Gold sold (koz) 47.62 35.90 79.79 141.20 240.04
------------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
Total production includes 100% of all production, including
production attributable to Hochschild's joint venture partner at
San Jose.
ATTRIBUTABLE GROUP PRODUCTION
Q3 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2019 YTD 2020 YTD 2019
-------- -------- -------- ---------
Silver production
(koz) 2,514 1,124 4,341 6,621 13,028
Gold production
(koz) 39.20 19.65 67.80 118.3 205.87
Silver equivalent
(koz) 5,884 2,813 10,172 16,792 30,734
Gold equivalent
(koz) 68.42 32.71 118.28 195.26 357.37
------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
Attributable production includes 100% of all production from
Inmaculada, Pallancata and 51% from San Jose.
Production
Inmaculada
Product Q3 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2019 YTD 2020 YTD 2019
------------ ------------- ------------ ---------
Ore production
(tonnes treated) 205,712 93,475 340,176 608,083 1,010,663
Average grade silver
(g/t) 156 166 157 155 157
Average grade gold
(g/t) 4.29 4.62 4.53 4.38 4.59
Silver produced
(koz) 873 377 1,437 2,641 4,388
Gold produced (koz) 26.58 12.60 46.76 85.62 145.36
Silver equivalent
(koz) 3,159 1,461 5,458 10,005 16,889
Gold equivalent
(koz) 36.73 16.98 63.47 116.34 196.38
Silver sold (koz) 858 579 1,435 2,616 4,376
Gold sold (koz) 26.17 19.76 46.94 85.65 144.43
---------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------- -----------------
As previously announced, Inmaculada was temporarily halted for a
second time in early July 2020 due to a number of cases of Covid-19
with a reduced workforce performing care and maintenance
activities. The operation restarted on 28 July and reached full
production during the first week of September. Mine development
work was also affected by the two stoppages with the impact
currently being assessed.
Third quarter production was 26,577 ounces of gold and 0.9
million ounces of silver which amounts to a gold equivalent output
of 36,732 ounces. Grades were lower due to the impact of the
stoppage but have moved towards more normal levels in the last
month. Year-to-date, Inmaculada's output is 116,336 gold equivalent
ounces (Q3 YTD 2019: 196,383 gold equivalent ounces).
Pallancata
Product Q3 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2019 YTD 2020 YTD 2019
------------- -------- ------------- ---------
Ore production
(tonnes treated) 144,417 46,234 237,474 333,157 709,768
Average grade silver
(g/t) 254 276 283 255 284
Average grade gold
(g/t) 0.88 0.98 1.04 0.91 1.02
Silver produced
(koz) 1,046 373 1,923 2,438 5,735
Gold produced (koz) 3.63 1.30 6.91 8.55 20.36
Silver equivalent
(koz) 1,358 485 2,517 3,173 7,486
Gold equivalent
(koz) 15.80 5.64 29.27 36.90 87.04
Silver sold (koz) 1,096 310 1,891 2,367 5,659
Gold sold (koz) 3.83 1.08 6.78 8.24 19.98
---------------------- ------------- -------- ------------- --------- ---------
In Q3, Pallancata produced 1.0 million ounces of silver and
3,633 ounces of gold bringing the silver equivalent total to 1.4
million. Following the production stoppage in the second quarter,
tonnage was higher and grades decreased in line with the revised
mine plan. Overall in the first nine months of the year, Pallancata
has produced 3.2 million silver equivalent ounces (Q3 2019 YTD: 7.5
million ounces).
San Jose (the Company has a 51% interest in San Jose)
Product Q3 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2019 YTD 2020 YTD 2019
-------- ------------ ------------ ---------
Ore production
(tonnes treated) 128,789 77,491 146,921 291,183 398,675
Average grade silver
(g/t) 313 329 456 362 450
Average grade gold
(g/t) 4.72 5.04 6.58 5.64 6.78
Silver produced
(koz) 1,165 732 1,925 3,024 5,087
Gold produced (koz) 17.62 11.27 27.70 47.24 76.84
Silver equivalent
(koz) 2,680 1,701 4,307 7,086 11,695
Gold equivalent
(koz) 31.17 19.78 50.08 82.40 135.99
Silver sold (koz) 1,192 904 1,852 3,060 5,041
Gold sold (koz) 17.62 15.05 26.08 47.31 74.97
---------------------- -------- ------------ ------------ --------- ---------
The San Jose mine was again in a ramp-up phase in the third
quarter as the ongoing countrywide restrictions on the movement of
people resulted in the ramp-up being phased over a significant
period of time with full production expected towards the end of the
year. The restrictions have also resulted in a revised mine plan
and resulting lower grades with production in the period of 1.2
million ounces of silver and 17,618 ounces of gold which makes 2.7
million silver equivalent ounces. This therefore amounts to a nine
month total of 7.1 million silver equivalent ounces (Q3 2019 YTD:
11.7 million ounces).
Average realisable prices and sales
Average realisable precious metal prices in Q3 2020 (which are
reported before the deduction of commercial discounts) were
$1,958/ounce for gold and $27.2/ounce for silver (Q3 2019:
$1,510/ounce for gold and $18.4/ounce for silver). For the first
nine months of 2020, average realisable precious metal prices were
$1,788/ounce for gold and $20.5/ounce for silver (Q3 YTD 2019:
$1,389/ounce for gold and $16.2/ounce for silver).
Brownfield exploration
Inmaculada
In Q3 2020, 11,379m of potential drilling were carried out.
Selected results are below:
Vein Results (resource drilling)
Brenda SP-20-0168: 1.4m @ 1.1g/t Au & 438g/t Ag
SP-20-0300: 2.1m @ 13.5g/t Au & 760g/t
Ag
SP-20-0302: 3.7m @ 13.3g/t Au & 1,255g/t
Ag
------------------------------------------
Perla SBE-20-034: 1.4m @ 5.1g/t Au & 467g/t Ag
SBE-20-035: 1.4m @ 3.0g/t Au & 286g/t Ag
------------------------------------------
Techo Lourdes TLO-20-006: 2.4m @ 1.8g/t Au & 108g/t Ag
TLO-20-011: 2.1m @ 4.2g/t Au & 117g/t Ag
------------------------------------------
Lucrecia SBE-20-034: 1.2m @ 7.3g/t Au & 1,903g/t
Ag
SBE-20-038: 1.3m @ 7.2g/t Au & 45g/t Ag
------------------------------------------
Shakira IMS-20-020: 2.9m @ 2.2g/t Au & 159g/t Ag
IMS-20-032: 6.2m @ 2.5g/t Au & 287g/t Ag
HUA-20-017: 1.1m @ 20.5g/t Au & 41g/t Ag
------------------------------------------
Salvador piso SBE-20-031: 2.0m @ 2.3g/t Au & 91g/t Ag
SBE-20-039: 4.5m @ 1.5g/t Au & 138g/t Ag
------------------------------------------
Nancy HUA-20-017: 2.8m @ 14.3g/t Au & 87g/t Ag
------------------------------------------
During Q4, the programme will focus on drilling 15,000m to
incorporate new resources from the Shakira, Perla, Brenda,
Tensional Lourdes and Nancy veins.
Pallancata
In Pallancata, 11,540m of potential were drilled targeting the
continuation of the Pallancata main vein as well as the Farallón
Royropata vein. In addition, long hole drilling has intercepted a
new vein, located 350m south from the Pablo vein exploration
area.
Vein Results (potential drilling)
New vein DLER-A27: 2.0m @ 4.4g/t Au & 478g/t Ag
---------------------------------------
In Q3, the plan is to execute 1,500m of potential drilling in
the new vein and the continuity of the Pallancata vein. In
addition, 2,683m of potential drilling is scheduled at the Palca
zone.
San Jose
At San Jose, 6,125m of potential drilling were executed towards
the Erika, Brecha Saavedra, Sigmoide Luli, Emilia, Salvador,
Micaela Oeste and Cindy veins. Selected results below:
Vein Results (potential drilling)
Isabel SJD-2145: 0.8m @ 1.7g/t Au & 449g/t Ag
-----------------------------------------
Horiz.Savedra SJD-2154: 2.4m @ 4.9g/t Au & 19g/t Ag
-----------------------------------------
Emilia SJM-511: 0.9m @ 1.8g/t Au & 248g/t Ag
-----------------------------------------
Cindy SJM-518: 1.2m @ 3.8g/t Au & 407g/t Ag
-----------------------------------------
HVS SJD-2140: 3.4m @ 10.0g/t Au & 523g/t Ag
-----------------------------------------
Kospi SJD-2129: 1.4m @ 6.2g/t Au & 1,309g/t Ag
-----------------------------------------
Odin SJM-505: 2.6m @ 11.0g/t Au & 968g/t Ag
-----------------------------------------
Sig. Luli SJM-507: 1.1m @ 14.9g/t Au & 295g/t Ag
SJM-508: 1.5m @ 2.4g/t Au & 248g/t Ag
-----------------------------------------
During Q4, the plan is to carry out 5,000m of drilling in the
Aguas Vivas, Rosalía, Telken, and Cindy veins.
Crespo
2020 Q4 Drilling Plan
The new Crespo drilling programme has started with the plan
being to carry out 6,000m of diamond drilling as well as 1,500m of
drilling in the colluvial deposits.
Financial position
Total cash was approximately $196 million as at 30 September
2020 resulting in net debt of approximately $21 million.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Enquiries:
Hochschild Mining PLC
Charles Gordon +44 (0)20 3709 3264
Head of Investor Relations
Hudson Sandler
Charlie Jack
+44 (0)207 796 4133
Public Relations
_____________________________________________________________________________________
About Hochschild Mining PLC
Hochschild Mining PLC is a leading precious metals company
listed on the London Stock Exchange (HOCM.L / HOC LN) with a
primary focus on the exploration, mining, processing and sale of
silver and gold. Hochschild has over fifty years' experience in the
mining of precious metal epithermal vein deposits and currently
operates three underground epithermal vein mines, two located in
southern Peru and one in southern Argentina. Hochschild also has
numerous long-term projects throughout the Americas.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Forward looking statements
This announcement may contain forward looking statements. By
their nature, forward looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that will or may occur in the future. Actual results,
performance or achievements of Hochschild Mining PLC may, for
various reasons, be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward
looking statements.
The forward looking statements reflect knowledge and information
available at the date of preparation of this announcement. Except
as required by the Listing Rules and applicable law, the Board of
Hochschild Mining PLC does not undertake any obligation to update
or change any forward looking statements to reflect events
occurring after the date of this announcement. Nothing in this
announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.
This announcement contains information which prior to its
release could be considered inside information.
LEI: 549300JK10TVQ3CCJQ89
- ends -
1 All equivalent figures assume a gold/silver ratio of 86x
2 Group production figures for 2019 include 394,000 silver
equivalent ounces from the Arcata operation which was placed on
care and maintenance in February 2019.
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