Discovery Silver Corp. (TSX-V: DSV, OTCQX: DSVSF)
(“Discovery” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce results from
its Preliminary Feasibility Study (“PFS” or “the Study”) on its
100%-owned Cordero silver project (“Cordero” or “the Project”)
located in Chihuahua State, Mexico. The PFS project team was led by
Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. (“Ausenco”), with support from AGP
Mining Consultants Inc. (“AGP”) and Knight Piésold Ltd. (“Knight
Piésold”). Highlights include (all figures are in US$ unless
otherwise noted):
-
Excellent project economics: Base Case after-tax
NPV5% of $1.2 Billion (C$1.5 Billion) and IRR of 28% (Ag -
$22.00/oz, Au - $1,600/oz, Pb - $1.00/lb and Zn - $1.20/lb).
-
Extended mine life & higher production:
18-year mine life with average annual production of 33 Moz AgEq
representing an increase of ~40% in total AgEq ounces produced over
the life of the Project compared to the 2021 Preliminary Economic
Assessment (“PEA”).
-
High margins & low capital intensity
maintained: average AISC of $12.80/oz AgEq in Years 1 to
12 with an initial development capex of $455 M resulting in an
attractive NPV-to-capex ratio of 2.5x.
-
Significantly de-risked Reserve base: new Reserves
declared of Ag - 266 Moz, Au - 790 koz, Pb - 2,970 Mlb and Zn –
4,650 Mlb; more than 70% of mill feed in Years 1 to 5 classified as
Proven.
-
Exceptional silver price leverage: PFS mine plan
assumes only 42% of Measured & Indicated Resource tonnes are
processed; clear potential to significantly extend mine life at
higher silver prices.
-
ESG/economic contribution: total estimated taxes
payable of $1.2 Billion, a peak estimated local workforce of over
1,000 employees and over $4 Billion of expected goods and services
purchased locally within Mexico over the life of the mine.
Tony Makuch, CEO, states: “We are extremely
pleased with the results from our Pre-Feasibility Study. The PFS
positions Cordero uniquely in the silver developer space with a
long mine life of 18 years and production averaging over 35 Moz
AgEq in the first 12 years of the mine life. This represents an
approximate 40% increase in total ounces produced compared to our
2021 PEA. Despite significant industry-wide cost escalation over
the last year, cost savings from a streamlined process design and
improved metallurgical performance have resulted in a highly
capital efficient project with excellent margins.
“The Study also outlines the significant
economic contribution the Project will have through employment,
taxes and the purchases of local goods and services in the
Municipality of Parral, in Chihuahua State and in Mexico. We now
look forward to advancing the Project toward a Feasibility Study
and surfacing additional value through numerous optimization
opportunities we have already identified.”
The Company will be hosting a Conference Call to
present the PFS results on Tuesday January 24, 2023, at 11:00am ET.
A presentation by management will be followed by Q&A.
Webcast Details:
https://www.c-meeting.com/web3/joinTo/3VP4ZPTDAK29QC/G_IL_k7v36d-fwfTnE5iaw
PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY
SUMMARY
Project Economics
The economics for the PFS were based on the
following metal prices: Ag - $22.00/oz, Au - $1,600/oz, Pb -
$1.00/lb and Zn - $1.20/lb. Sensitivity of the Project’s expected
after-tax NPV, IRR and payback at different commodity price
assumptions is outlined in the table below:
|
Units |
Base Case |
Spot Price |
Base Case+15% |
Base Case-15% |
After-Tax NPV (5% discount rate) |
(US$ M) |
$1,153 |
$1,723 |
$1,797 |
$508 |
Internal Rate of Return |
(%) |
28.0% |
35.9% |
37.5% |
16.9% |
Payback |
(yrs) |
4.2 |
3.4 |
3.2 |
6.0 |
-
Spot Price assumptions (as at close on January 20, 2023): Ag =
$23.87/oz, Au = $1,925/oz, Pb = $0.97/lb, Zn = $1.54/lb
Production & CostsAnnual
production over the life-of-mine (“LOM”) is expected to average 33
Moz AgEq. In Years 5 – Year 12 production averages 40 Moz AgEq with
peak production in Year 11 of 52 Moz AgEq. These production levels
position Cordero as one of the largest primary silver mines
globally.
All-In Sustaining Costs (“AISC”) average
$12.80/oz AgEq in Year 1 – Year 12 and $13.62/oz AgEq over the LOM.
This represents an approximate increase of 10% versus the PEA. This
increase is primarily due to higher treatment and refining charges
and industry wide cost escalation including higher assumed prices
for consumables, diesel ($1.10/L vs $1.00/L in PEA) and power
($0.068/kWh vs $0.062/kWh). These increases were offset to a large
extent by cost reductions from lower reagent consumptions and unit
cost reductions attributable to higher throughput rates in the PFS
compared to the PEA.
A summary of AgEq production and AISC is
provided in the table below. A breakdown of the production
proportions of each individual metal and AISC over the LOM is
provided in the graph below the table.
|
Units |
Year 1 – 4 |
Year 5 - 12 |
Year 13 -18 |
LOM |
AgEq Produced – Average/yr |
(Moz) |
30 |
40 |
25 |
33 |
AgEq Payable – Average/yr |
(Moz) |
25 |
34 |
21 |
27 |
AgEq Produced - Total |
(Moz) |
118 |
322 |
151 |
591 |
AgEq Payable - Total |
(Moz) |
102 |
268 |
124 |
494 |
All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) |
(US$/AgEq oz) |
$12.29 |
$12.99 |
$16.05 |
$13.62 |
Note – AgEq Produced is metal recovered in
concentrate. AgEq Payable is metal payable from concentrate and
incorporates metal payment terms outlined in the Concentrate Terms
section below. AgEq is calculated as Ag + (Au x 72.7) + (Pb x 45.5)
+ (Zn x 54.6); these factors are based on metal prices of Ag -
$22/oz, Au - $1,600/oz, Pb - $1.00/lb and Zn - $1.20/lb. AISC is a
non-GAAP measure; refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section of the
release for further information on this measure. See Technical
Disclosure section for AISC calculation methodology.
LOM Production & AISCNote –
Au/Pb/Zn production is shown on an AgEq basis based on: Ag =
$22/oz, Au = $1,600/oz, Pb = $1.00/lb and Zn = $1.20/lb
2023 PFS vs 2021 PEA SummaryThe
PFS incorporates numerous significant positive developments in
comparison to the PEA. Based on drilling success at depth and in
the northeast of the deposit the size of the open pit has increased
by over 30% and the strip ratio has improved to 2.1:1. This
additional drilling has also significantly increased the confidence
level of the underlying resource with the PFS supported by Reserves
of which 54% are in the Proven category.
The PFS incorporates throughput rates of 25,500
tpd in Phase 1 and 51,000 tpd in Phase 2, ~25% higher than the PEA.
This has resulted in average annual production increasing by 27%
over an extended mine life of 18 years. The process design has been
streamlined based on the excellent results from the 2022
metallurgical testwork program with the co-processing of oxides and
sulphides via flotation allowing for the elimination of the heap
leach circuit.
The payback period has increased to 4.2 years.
This is due to the delay in processing oxide material from
eliminating the heap leach and given the mill expansion occurs in
Year 3 of the mine life (deferral of the expansion would reduce the
payback period to 3.0 years). The payback period has been
significantly de-risked with more than 70% of the mill feed in
Years 1 to Year 5 in the Proven category and the removal of the
elevated risk typically associated with heap leach ramp ups.
Initial capital increased by 24% to $455 M. This
was primarily due to the 25% increase in the initial size of the
plant, a switch to owner-operated mining (assuming lease finance of
mine equipment) driven by the growth in size of the open pit (the
PEA assumed contractor mining) and cost inflation.
PARAMETER |
UNITS |
2023 PFS |
2021 PEA |
SUMMARY |
|
|
|
After-Tax NPV (5% discount rate) |
(US$ M) |
$1,153 |
$1,160 |
Internal Rate of Return |
(%) |
28.0% |
38.2% |
Mine Life |
(yrs) |
18 |
16 |
Initial Capital |
(US$ M) |
$455 |
$368 |
Payback |
(yrs) |
4.2 |
2.0 |
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
Tonnes Processed (LOM – Total) |
(Mt) |
302 |
228 |
Strip ratio (LOM) |
(w:o) |
2.1 |
2.2 |
|
|
|
|
PRODUCTION & COSTS |
|
|
|
AgEq Produced (LOM – Annual Average) |
(Moz) |
33 |
26 |
AgEq Produced (LOM – Total) |
(Moz) |
591 |
426 |
All-In Sustaining Cost (Y1 – Y12) |
(US$/AgEq oz) |
$12.82 |
$11.73 |
All-In Sustaining Cost (LOM) |
(US$/AgEq oz) |
$13.62 |
$12.35 |
Project Economics are based on Ag = $22.00/oz,
Au = $1,600/oz, Pb = $1.00/lb, Zn = $1.20/lb. See Technical
Disclosure section for AgEq and AISC calculation methodology.
Feasibility Study
Opportunities
The Feasibility Study (“FS”) is already being
advanced and is expected to be completed in 1Q 2024. Key areas for
optimization in the FS include:
-
Metallurgical performance: further testwork to
improve recoveries and optimize the mine schedule through modifying
the blending of rock types and oxides/sulphides.
-
Mining costs: an evaluation of optimal bench
height and mine equipment sizing to potentially increase the size
of mining equipment and reduce unit mining costs.
-
Processing costs: additional comminution testwork
targeting reduced power and grinding media consumption and further
flotation testwork targeting lower reagent consumption and reagent
substitutions.
-
Timing of mill expansion: evaluation of deferral
of the mill expansion to accelerate the payback period
-
Tailings Storage facility (TSF): optimization of
the tailing storage design as well as the water efficiency and
recirculation within the TSF. Further work will be completed on the
option to use filtered (dry stacked) tailings (the PFS assumed
high-density thickened tailings).
-
Mine life extension: the FS will incorporate an
additional ~30,000 m of drilling in and around the pit focused on
upgrading the resource classification within the pit and expanding
and upgrading resource blocks between the open pit and the Resource
constraining pit shell. There is also over 270 Mt of Measured &
Indicated Resource that sits outside the PFS design pit but within
the Resource pit shell that could significantly extend the mine
life at higher metal prices.
Resource UpdateIn conjunction
with the PFS, the Mineral Resource Estimate for Cordero has been
updated to incorporate an additional 67,800 m of drilling (total
drilling of 287,400 m in 706 drill holes). The Measured &
Indicated Resource has grown by 35% to 1,132 Moz AgEq and the
Inferred Resource has grown by 40% to 119 Moz AgEq as summarized
below. This resource expansion has largely been driven by
exploration success at depth and in the northeast part of the
deposit.
-
Measured & Indicated Resource of 1,132 Moz AgEq at an
average grade of 49 g/t AgEq (716 Mt grading 20 g/t Ag,
0.06 g/t Au, 0.29% Pb and 0.54% Zn)
-
Inferred Resource of 167 Moz AgEq at an average grade of 35
g/t AgEq (145 Mt grading 14 g/t Ag, 0.02 g/t Au, 0.23% Pb
and 0.38% Zn)
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves
do not have demonstrated economic viability. Further details on the
Resource including all supporting technical disclosure is outlined
in Appendix A.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Cordero is a highly capital-efficient project
due to numerous underlying advantages:
-
Deposit comes to surface resulting in minimal early mine
development and pre-stripping
-
Minimal earthworks due to gentle topography, the location of
bedrock near-surface and favourable geotechnical characteristics of
the bedrock
-
Conventional process design based on excellent metal liberation at
a very coarse grind size
-
Phased approach to the expansion of the process plant
-
Close proximity to existing infrastructure including nearby highway
and adjacent powerline
-
Favourable mining jurisdiction with access to a highly skilled
local workforce and no need for a camp given the close proximity of
the town of Parral
Initial Capital (to achieve
plant throughput of 9.3 Mt/a)
Initial capital to build Cordero Phase 1 is
estimated to total $455 million and will be incurred over a
two-year construction period. This capital estimate includes the
construction of on-site infrastructure, power transmission line,
Phase 1 of the process plant with nameplate capacity of 9.3 Mt/a
(25,500 tpd), all pre-stripping activities and construction of the
TSF including the initial starter dam embankment providing 2 years
of tailings storage.
Contingency for the initial capital estimate
typically ranges from 15% to 20% (depending on cost type) and is
applied to direct and indirect costs. Owners costs represent 5% of
direct costs. Indirect costs represent 23% of direct costs. These
proportions are in-line with typical industry averages and are
consistent with a cost base for a project build in Mexico and
commensurate with the level of complexity of the project build.
Expansion Capital (to expand
plant to 18.6 Mt/a)
The processing facility will be expanded to a
nameplate capacity of 18.6 Mtpa (51,000 tpd) in Year 3 and Year 4
at an estimated cost of $290 million. This expansion includes the
addition of parallel grinding and flotation circuits, additional
on-site infrastructure and a major tailings dam lift that is
concurrent with plant expansion.
An expansion of the flotation circuit is planned
for Year 9 at a cost of $31 million. This includes the addition of
cleaner flotation cells, a filter and a thickener to accommodate
the higher zinc grades in Year 10 and Year 11.
Sustaining Capital
Sustaining capital over the LOM totals $228
million (includes closure costs net of salvage). This includes $106
million to be spent on tailings management facility expansions,
with the remainder to be spent on mine equipment, the process
plant, mobile equipment and replacements/refurbishments of
infrastructure assets. Sustaining capex for the process plant has
been classified as operating costs under the maintenance category.
Sustaining capex for mining only includes down payments on
replacement equipment with the remaining lease costs classified as
mine operating costs.
DESCRIPTION (all in US$ millions) |
INITIAL CAPITAL |
EXPANSION CAPITAL |
SUSTAININGLOM CAPEX |
TOTALLOM CAPEX |
Year -2 |
Year -1 |
Year 3/4 |
Year 9 |
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining |
$18 |
$52 |
$3 |
- |
$67 |
$140 |
Infrastructure |
$8 |
$23 |
$12 |
- |
$22 |
$65 |
Processing Plant |
$39 |
$117 |
$114 |
$14 |
- |
$284 |
Tailings Facility (TSF) |
$11 |
$34 |
$40 |
- |
$106 |
$191 |
Offsite Infrastructure |
$5 |
$15 |
$35 |
- |
- |
$55 |
Indirects |
$15 |
$44 |
$39 |
$11 |
- |
$109 |
Owners Costs |
$3 |
$10 |
$3 |
$1 |
- |
$17 |
Closure (net of Salvage Value) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
$24 |
$24 |
Contingency |
$15 |
$46 |
$43 |
$5 |
$9 |
$118 |
Capital Expenditures - Subtotals |
$114 |
$341 |
$289 |
$31 |
$228 |
$1,003 |
$455 |
OPERATIONS
Mining
The mine plan incorporates accelerated stripping
as well as stockpiling of low-grade material in order to optimize
the grade profile over the LOM.
-
The mine plan was completed by AGP and is based on a detailed mine
design that incorporates mining dilution, safety berms and haul
roads.
-
Following a steady ramp up period mining rates over the life of the
mine are relatively consistent at 60 to 70 Mt/a.
-
The ultimate pit contains 942 Mt in total consisting of 302 Mt of
ore and 640 Mt of waste for an average strip ratio of 2.1:1. The
strip ratio is relatively even over the LOM.
-
Pit slope designs were based on an assessment by Knight Piésold
that was supported by five geotechnical core holes and logging of
core from 102 exploration core holes.
ProcessingProcessing was broken
into two main phases to optimize the capital efficiency of the
project. Oxides and sulphides are co-processed up to a maximum
oxide tonne proportion of 10% of total mill feed.
-
Phase 1 throughput (Year 1 to Year 4): Year 1 is a ramp up year
with throughput at 80% of nameplate capacity of 9.3 Mt/a (25,500
tpd). Year 4 is a transition year to Phase 2 throughput
levels.
-
Phase 2 throughput (Year 5+): Nameplate capacity of 18.6 Mt/a
(51,000 tpd)
- Process design
–
Phase 1: primary crushing, grinding (SAG and ball milling to a
targeted grind size of 200 micron) and two-stage flotation to
produce Pb and Zn concentrates.
–
Phase 2: addition of parallel grinding and flotation circuits to
produce Pb and Zn concentrates.
Head gradesThe mine plan
focuses on feeding higher grades to the mill earlier in the mine
life:
-
Year 1 – 4: processing of higher-grade sulphide
material predominantly from the Pozo de Plata zone
-
Year 5 – 12: processing of higher-grade sulphides
from the NE Extension and the South Corridor
-
Year 13 – 18: processing of mostly lower-grade
material stockpiled during Year 1 to Year 12
TONNES PROCESSED / HEADGRADES |
UNIT |
PHASE 1 |
PHASE 2 |
LOM |
Year 1 – 4 |
Year 5 – 12 |
Year 13 – 18 |
Oxide tonnes processed |
(Mt) |
1 |
7 |
11 |
19 |
Sulphide tonnes processed |
(Mt) |
42 |
142 |
100 |
283 |
Tonnes processed |
(Mt) |
43 |
149 |
111 |
302 |
Head Grades |
|
|
|
|
|
Ag |
(g/t) |
46 |
29 |
19 |
27 |
Au |
(g/t) |
0.20 |
0.07 |
0.05 |
0.08 |
Pb |
(%) |
0.65% |
0.48% |
0.31% |
0.44 |
Zn |
(%) |
0.78% |
0.75% |
0.66% |
0.70 |
AgEq |
(g/t) |
110 |
79 |
52 |
73 |
Recoveries
-
Oxides: recoveries were based on five locked-cycle
tests of oxide-sulphide blends completed in 2022. Oxide-only
recoveries over the LOM average ~60% for Ag, ~35% for Pb and ~85%
for Zn.
-
Sulphides: recoveries were based on the 2021 and
2022 metallurgical test programs that included 19 locked-cycle
tests and over 200 batch tests. Recoveries were estimated based on
the grade-recovery relationship established from this test work.
Sulphide-only recoveries over the LOM average ~89% for Ag, ~88% for
Pb and ~85% for Zn.
Metal recoveries to the two concentrates based
on the projected oxide-sulphide blends from the mine plan are
summarized below:
METALLURGICAL RECOVERIES (weighted
average) |
PHASE 1 |
PHASE 2 |
LOM |
Year 1 – 4 |
Year 5 – 12 |
Year 13 – 18 |
Ag |
90% |
87% |
82% |
87% |
Au |
22% |
22% |
22% |
22% |
Pb |
89% |
87% |
83% |
86% |
Zn |
86% |
86% |
84% |
85% |
Tailings Storage Facility
(TSF)
-
The TSF design was completed by Knight Piésold and is based on
deposition of high-density thickened tailings into a tailings
storage facility that utilizes the ‘downstream expansion’
embankment construction method.
-
The TSF is located directly east of the open pit. The design
incorporates a total of five dam stages over the LOM (starter dam
and four downstream expansions).
-
Total capacity of the TSF is greater than the estimated volume
requirement of 302Mt generated by the PFS mine plan and additional
downstream expansion can be incorporated to store additional
tailings if required.
-
An evaluation of using a filtered (dry stack) tailings facility
will be completed as part of the FS.
OPERATING COST
Operating costs are summarized in the table
below.
PARAMETER |
UNITS |
PFS COST |
PEA COST |
OPERATING COSTS |
|
|
|
Mining |
$/t mined |
$2.45 |
$2.23 |
Mining |
$/t milled |
$7.56 |
$7.03 |
Processing – Milling (Phase 1) |
$/t milled |
$6.46 |
$7.01 |
Processing – Milling (Phase 2) |
$/t milled |
$6.36 |
$6.57 |
Site G&A (Phase 2) |
$/t milled |
$0.57 |
$0.86 |
Mining
-
Mining is assumed to be owner-operated with lease financing.
Estimated mining costs were built from first principles by AGP. The
cost of diesel was assumed to be $1.10/L compared to $1.00/L in the
PEA.
-
The lease financing structure assumes a 20% initial deposit, a term
of five years and an annual lease financing cost of 6%.
Processing
-
Processing costs for the crushing/milling/flotation/concentrate
dewatering, and G&A costs were developed by Ausenco from first
principles.
-
Processing costs benefit from a conventional grinding and flotation
concentrator process design, low power costs and a targeted coarse
grind size of 200 micron.
-
Processing cost per tonne decreased compared to the PEA despite
inflationary pressures due to higher throughput rates and
significantly lower reagent consumption based on additional
metallurgical test work results.
G&A
-
G&A costs estimates are based on a small camp and
administration office at site. The majority of the work force will
be Mexican nationals commuting daily from the town of Parral.
Parral is 34 km south of Cordero and has a population of
approximately 120,000. It is the regional government centre in the
southern part of Chihuahua State and has a well-established service
industry that supports numerous local mining operations.
CONCENTRATE TERMS
Metal Payable
-
Cordero is expected to produce clean, highly saleable concentrates
with minimal penalty elements.
-
Industry standard payables and deductions were applied to the Pb
and Zn concentrates as per the table below. A metallurgical balance
summary is included in the Appendices.
-
Approximately 81% of the contained Ag in ore reports to the Pb
concentrate where higher silver payabilities are received.
|
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
Pb Concentrate |
|
|
|
|
Average concentrate grade LOM |
2,650 g/t |
1.4 g/t |
52% |
- |
Payable metal |
95% |
95% |
95% |
- |
Minimum deduction |
50 g/t |
1 g/t |
3 units |
- |
Zn Concentrate |
|
|
|
|
Average concentrate grade LOM |
370 g/t |
0.7 g/t |
- |
51% |
Payable metal |
70% |
70% |
- |
85% |
Deduction |
3 oz/t |
1 g/t |
- |
- |
Treatment/Refining Charges
- Treatment and
refining charges are based on a review of spot and recent benchmark
pricing and are summarized as follows:
PARAMETER |
UNITS |
PFS COST |
5-YEARBENCHMARKAVERAGE |
TREATMENT/REFINING CHARGES |
|
|
|
Treatment charge – Pb concentrate |
$/dmt |
$130 |
~$130 |
Treatment charge – Zn concentrate |
$/dmt |
$210 |
~$215 |
Ag refining charge – Pb concentrate |
$/oz |
$1.20 |
~$1.05 |
Concentrate Transportation
-
Transportation costs assume trucking of the concentrate via
containers to the international port at Guaymas, Sonora, and then
shipping via ocean freight to Asia.
-
Estimated transportation costs (trucking, port handling and ocean
freight) are $140/wet metric tonne (“wmt”) for Pb concentrate and
$125/wmt for Zn concentrate.
TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE:
-
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
-
A full technical report will be prepared in accordance with NI
43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this press
release.
-
AgEq produced and AgEq payable are calculated as Ag + (Au x 72.7) +
(Pb x 45.5) + (Zn x 54.6); these factors are based on metal prices
of Ag - $22/oz, Au - $1,600/oz, Pb - $1.00/lb and Zn -
$1.20/lb.
-
All-in Sustaining cost (AISC) is calculated as: [Operating costs
(mining, processing and G&A) + Royalties + Concentrate
Transportation + Treatment & Refining Charges + Concentrate
Penalties + Sustaining Capital (excluding $15M of capex for the
initial purchase of mining fleet in Year 1)] / Payable AgEq
ounces
APPENDIX:
An appendix with the following supporting
information can be found at the end of the release or the following
link: Appendices
Appendix A - Mineral Resource Estimate
Appendix B – Mineral Reserve Estimate
Appendix C – After-Tax NPV/IRR/Payback
Sensitivities
Appendix D - LOM Mine Plan Summary
Appendix E - LOM Process Throughput Summary
Appendix F – After-Tax Free Cash Flow
Appendix G - Simplified Process Flowsheets
Appendix H – Metallurgical Balance Summary
Appendix I - Site Layout
Appendix J - LOM Production & Cash Flow
Schedule
About Discovery
Discovery’s flagship project is its 100%-owned
Cordero project, one of the world’s largest silver deposits. The
PFS summarized in today’s release demonstrates that Cordero has the
potential to be developed into a highly capital efficient mine that
offers the combination of margin, size and scalability. Cordero is
located close to infrastructure in a prolific mining belt in
Chihuahua State, Mexico. Continued exploration and project
development at Cordero is supported by a strong balance sheet with
cash of approximately C$45 million.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,Tony
Makuch, P.EngCEO
For further information contact:
Forbes Gemmell, CFAVP Corporate
DevelopmentPhone: 416-613-9410Email:
forbes.gemmell@discoverysilver.comWebsite:
www.discoverysilver.com
Qualified
Person
The PFS for the Company’s Cordero project as
summarized in this release was completed by Ausenco with support
from by AGP and Knight Piésold. A full technical report supporting
the PFS will be prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and will be
filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this press release. The most
recent technical report for the Cordero Project is the 2021
Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The PEA was completed by
Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. with support from AGP Mining
Consultants Inc. and Knight Piésold and Co. (USA). The full
technical report supporting the PEA is available on Discovery’s
website and on SEDAR under Discovery Silver Corp. The scientific
and technical content of this press release was reviewed and
approved by Gernot Wober, Vice President Exploration for the
Company, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National
Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
("NI 43-101").
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
This news release is not for distribution to
United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United
States.
This news release does not constitute an offer
to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any
sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such
offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the
securities in the United States of America. The securities have not
been and will not be registered under the United States Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or any state securities
laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to,
or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in
Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933
Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such
registration requirements is available.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This news release may include forward-looking
statements that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties.
All statements within this news release, other than statements of
historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although
Discovery believes the expectations expressed in such
forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions,
such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual
results or developments may differ materially from those described
in forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the results of
the pre-feasibility study and the anticipated capital and operating
costs, sustaining costs, net present value, internal rate of
return, payback period, process capacity, average annual metal
production, average process recoveries, concession renewal,
permitting of the Project, anticipated mining and processing
methods, proposed pre-feasibility study production schedule and
metal production profile, anticipated construction period,
anticipated mine life, expected recoveries and grades, anticipated
production rates, infrastructure, social and environmental impact
studies, availability of labour, tax rates and commodity prices
that would support development of the Project. Information
concerning mineral resource/reserve estimates and the economic
analysis thereof contained in the results of the pre-feasibility
study are also forward-looking statements in that they reflect a
prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered, and the
results of mining, if a mineral deposit were developed and mined.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical
facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that
the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based
on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management
on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of
risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those described in forward-looking
statements include fluctuations in market prices, including metal
prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and
general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no
assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore,
readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such
uncertainties. Discovery does not assume any obligation to update
any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable
laws. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking
statements, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop
such forward-looking information, are described under the heading
"Risks Factors" in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated July
29, 2022, which is available under the Company’s issuer profile on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
NON-GAAP MEASURES:
The Company has included certain non-GAAP
performance measures as detailed below. In the mining industry,
these are common performance measures but may not be comparable to
similar measures presented by other issuers and the non-GAAP
measures do not have any standardized meaning. 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 IFRS.
CASH COSTS PER OUNCE
The Company calculated total cash costs per
ounce by dividing the sum of operating costs, royalty costs,
production taxes, refining and shipping costs, by payable
silver-equivalent ounces. While there is no standardized meaning of
the measure across the industry, the Company believes that this
measure is useful to external users in assessing operating
performance.
ALL-IN SUSTAINING COSTS
("AISC")
The Company has provided an AISC performance
measure that reflects all the expenditures that are required to
produce an ounce of payable metal. While there is no standardized
meaning of the measure across the industry, the Company’s
definition conforms to the all-in sustaining cost definition as set
out by the World Gold Council in its guidance dated June 27, 2013.
Subsequent amendments to the guidance have not materially affected
the figures presented.
FREE CASH FLOW
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP performance measure
that is calculated as cash flows from operations net of cash flows
invested in mineral property, plant and equipment and exploration
and evaluation assets. The Company believes that this measure is
useful to the external users in assessing the Company’s ability to
generate cash flows from its mineral projects.
APPENDIX A – MINERAL RESOURCE
ESTIMATE
Material |
Class |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Contained Metal |
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
AgEq |
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
AgEq |
(Mt) |
(g/t) |
(g/t) |
(%) |
(%) |
(g/t) |
(Moz) |
(koz) |
(Mlb) |
(Mlb) |
(Moz) |
Oxide |
Measured |
21 |
30 |
0.08 |
0.23 |
0.25 |
49 |
21 |
51 |
109 |
117 |
33 |
Indicated |
42 |
24 |
0.06 |
0.24 |
0.31 |
46 |
33 |
85 |
224 |
288 |
62 |
M&I |
63 |
26 |
0.07 |
0.24 |
0.29 |
47 |
54 |
136 |
333 |
405 |
95 |
Inferred |
36 |
18 |
0.04 |
0.28 |
0.37 |
43 |
21 |
40 |
216 |
292 |
49 |
Sulphide |
Measured |
250 |
23 |
0.08 |
0.33 |
0.57 |
55 |
185 |
604 |
1,824 |
3,132 |
439 |
Indicated |
403 |
18 |
0.04 |
0.27 |
0.56 |
46 |
228 |
524 |
2,387 |
4,947 |
598 |
M&I |
653 |
20 |
0.05 |
0.29 |
0.56 |
49 |
413 |
1128 |
4,211 |
8,079 |
1037 |
Inferred |
109 |
13 |
0.02 |
0.21 |
0.38 |
33 |
46 |
82 |
510 |
923 |
118 |
TOTAL |
Measured |
271 |
24 |
0.08 |
0.32 |
0.55 |
55 |
206 |
655 |
1,933 |
3,249 |
472 |
Indicated |
445 |
19 |
0.04 |
0.27 |
0.54 |
46 |
261 |
609 |
2,611 |
5,235 |
660 |
M&I |
716 |
20 |
0.06 |
0.29 |
0.54 |
49 |
467 |
1,264 |
4,544 |
8,484 |
1,132 |
Inferred |
145 |
14 |
0.02 |
0.23 |
0.38 |
35 |
67 |
122 |
726 |
1,215 |
167 |
Supporting Technical Disclosure for
Resource
- Mineral Resource Estimates are
inclusive of Mineral Reserves.
- The previous Cordero mineral resource estimate (MRE) was
completed in November 2021 for Cordero by RedDot3D Inc. (RedDot).
The current mineral resource estimate was calculated for Discovery
Silver by RedDot, with final review by Richard Schwering of Hard
Rock Consulting who is acting as this report’s QP for mineral
resources.
- Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
- The Resource is an in-pit resource containing a total of 860 Mt
of Mineral Resource and 1,501 Mt of waste (below NSR$7.25 cut off)
for total tonnes of 2,361,Mt). The pit is constrained by a pit
optimisation based on the following parameters:
- Commodity prices: Ag - $24.00/oz, Au - $1,800/oz, Pb -
$1.10/lb, Zn - $1.20/lb.
- Metallurgical recoveries: Ag – 87%, Au – 18%, Pb – 89% and Zn –
88%. AgEq for sulphide mineralization and Ag – 59%, Au – 18%, Pb -
37% and Zn - 85% for oxide mineralization.
- Operating costs:
- Base mining costs of $1.59/t for ore and $1.59/t for waste were
developed by AGP Mining Consultants Inc.
- Processing costs of $5.22/t for mill/flotation and G&A
costs of $0.86/t were developed by Ausenco Engineering Canada
Inc.
- Average pit slope assumption of 450
- SuLphide and Oxide mineral resources are reported at a $7.25/t
NSR cut-off based on the approximate estimated processing and
G&A cost for mineralization. NSR is defined as the net revenue
from metal sales (taking into account metallurgical recoveries and
payabilities) less treatment costs and refining charges.
- Individual metals are reported at 100% of in-situ grade.
- AgEq for sulphide mineral resources is calculated as Ag + (Au x
15.52) + (Pb x 32.15) + (Zn x 34.68); these factors are based on
commodity prices of Ag - $24.00/oz, Au - $1,800/oz, Pb - $1.10/lb,
Zn - $1.20/lb and assumed recoveries of Ag – 87%, Au – 18%, Pb –
89% and Zn – 88%. AgEq for oxide mineral resources is calculated as
Ag + (Au x 22.88) + (Pb x 19.71) + (Zn x 49.39); this factor is
based on commodity prices of Ag - $24.00/oz and Au - $1,800/oz and
assumed recoveries of Ag – 59%, Au – 18%, Pb - 37% and Zn -
85%.
- There are no known factors or issues that materially affect the
mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates other than normal
risks faced by mining projects in Mexico in terms of legal,
environmental, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, and political
factors. Additional risk factors are listed in the "Cautionary Note
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" section in this news
release
- The effective date of the Resource
is January 18, 2023, and is based on drilling through end of May
2022. A full technical report will be prepared in accordance with
NI 43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this press
release.
APPENDIX B – MINERAL RESERVE
ESTIMATE
Material |
Class |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Contained Metal |
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
(Mt) |
(g/t) |
(g/t) |
(%) |
(%) |
(Moz) |
(Moz) |
(Blb) |
(Blb) |
Oxide |
Proven |
8 |
34 |
0.08 |
0.28 |
0.29 |
9 |
0.02 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
Probable |
11 |
28 |
0.07 |
0.28 |
0.36 |
10 |
0.02 |
0.07 |
0.09 |
Total P&P |
19 |
31 |
0.07 |
0.28 |
0.33 |
19 |
0.04 |
0.12 |
0.14 |
Sulphide |
Proven |
156 |
29 |
0.10 |
0.46 |
0.69 |
144 |
0.50 |
1.57 |
2.38 |
Probable |
128 |
25 |
0.06 |
0.44 |
0.76 |
104 |
0.25 |
1.23 |
2.14 |
Total P&P |
284 |
27 |
0.08 |
0.45 |
0.72 |
248 |
0.75 |
2.79 |
4.52 |
TOTAL |
Proven |
164 |
29 |
0.10 |
0.45 |
0.67 |
153 |
0.52 |
1.63 |
2.42 |
Probable |
138 |
26 |
0.06 |
0.43 |
0.73 |
114 |
0.27 |
1.30 |
2.22 |
Total P&P |
302 |
27 |
0.08 |
0.44 |
0.70 |
266 |
0.79 |
2.94 |
4.65 |
Supporting Technical Disclosure for
Reserves
- This
mineral reserve estimate has an effective date of January 18, 2023,
and is based on the mineral resource estimate, for Discovery Silver
by Richard Schwering of Hard Rock Consulting of the same date.
- The
Mineral Reserve estimate was completed under the supervision of
Manuel Jessen, P.Eng. of AGP, who is a Qualified Person as defined
under NI 43-101.
-
Mineral Reserves are stated within the final pit designs based on a
US$20.00/oz silver price, US$1,600/oz gold price, US$0.95/lb lead
price and US$1.20/lb zinc price.
- An NSR
cut-off of US$10.00/t was used to define sulfides reserves. The
life-of-mine mining cost averaged US$1.60/t mined, preliminary
processing costs were US$5.22/t ore and G&A was US$0.89/t ore
placed. The metallurgical recoveries were varied according to head
grade and concentrate grades. Lead concentrate recoveries were
approximately 82.5%, 12.6% and 91.8% for silver, gold, and lead
respectively. Zinc concentrate recoveries were approximately 10.0%,
9.5% and 77.8% for silver, gold, and zinc respectively.
APPENDIX C: AFTER-TAX NPV / IRR /
PAYBACK SENSITIVITIES
Sensitivity of the Project’s NPV, IRR and payback at different
Ag and Zn price assumptions is outlined in the table below. For
these sensitivities the Au and Pb prices have been fixed at
$1,600/oz and $1.00/lb respectively. The Base Case scenario for the
PEA is highlighted in grey below and assumes Ag - $22.00/oz, Au -
$1,600/oz, Pb - $1.00/lb and Zn - $1.20/lb.
|
Ag ($/oz) |
$18.00 |
$20.00 |
$22.00 |
$25.00 |
$30.00 |
|
|
NPV(5%) |
IRR |
Payback |
NPV(5%) |
IRR |
Payback |
NPV(5%) |
IRR |
Payback |
NPV(5%) |
IRR |
Payback |
NPV(5%) |
IRR |
Payback |
|
|
(US$M) |
(%) |
(yrs) |
(US$M) |
(%) |
(yrs) |
(US$M) |
(%) |
(yrs) |
(US$M) |
(%) |
(yrs) |
(US$M) |
(%) |
(yrs) |
Zn ($/lb) |
$1.05 |
638 |
19.3% |
5.5 |
798 |
22.3% |
5.0 |
958 |
25.2% |
4.5 |
1,198 |
29.3% |
3.9 |
1,599 |
36.0% |
3.3 |
$1.10 |
703 |
20.3% |
5.4 |
863 |
23.3% |
4.8 |
1,023 |
26.1% |
4.4 |
1,263 |
30.2% |
3.9 |
1,664 |
36.8% |
3.2 |
$1.20 |
832 |
22.4% |
5.1 |
992 |
25.2% |
4.6 |
1,153 |
28.0% |
4.2 |
1,393 |
32.0% |
3.7 |
1,794 |
38.4% |
3.1 |
$1.30 |
962 |
24.3% |
4.8 |
1,122 |
27.1% |
4.3 |
1,282 |
29.7% |
4.0 |
1,523 |
33.7% |
3.6 |
1,923 |
40.0% |
3.0 |
$1.45 |
1,156 |
27.1% |
4.4 |
1,317 |
29.7% |
4.1 |
1,477 |
32.3% |
3.7 |
1,717 |
36.1% |
3.4 |
2,118 |
42.3% |
2.2 |
APPENDIX D - LOM MINE PLAN
SUMMARY
APPENDIX E - LOM PROCESS THROUGHPUT
SUMMARY
APPENDIX F – AFTER-TAX FREE CASH
FLOW
APPENDIX G - SIMPLIFIED PROCESS FLOWSHEETS
PHASE 1 (25,500 tpd nameplate
capacity):
PHASE 2 (51,000 tpd nameplate
capacity):
APPENDIX H – METALLURGICAL BALANCE SUMMARY
|
UNITS |
PHASE 1 |
PHASE 2 |
LOM |
Years 1 - 4 |
Years 5 - 12 |
Years 13 - 18 |
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
Ag |
Au |
Pb |
Zn |
MET BALANCE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average head grade |
g/t or % |
45 |
0.20 |
0.65 |
0.78 |
29 |
0.07 |
0.48 |
0.81 |
19 |
0.05 |
0.31 |
0.52 |
27 |
0.08 |
0.44 |
0.70 |
Recovered to Pb Con |
% |
77% |
13% |
89% |
6% |
71% |
13% |
87% |
7% |
61% |
13% |
82% |
7% |
71% |
13% |
86% |
7% |
Recovered to Zn Con |
% |
13% |
10% |
3% |
85% |
16% |
10% |
3% |
86% |
20% |
10% |
3% |
83% |
17% |
10% |
3% |
85% |
Tailings |
% |
10% |
77% |
8% |
9% |
13% |
77% |
10% |
7% |
19% |
77% |
15% |
10% |
12% |
77% |
11% |
8% |
Total |
% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONCENTRATE GRADES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pb Concentrate |
g/t or % |
3,546 |
2.57 |
58% |
- |
2,643 |
1.15 |
53% |
- |
2,129 |
1.17 |
45% |
- |
2,650 |
1.42 |
52% |
- |
Zn Concentrate |
g/t or % |
450 |
1.55 |
- |
51% |
338 |
0.49 |
- |
51% |
448 |
0.58 |
- |
50% |
373 |
0.66 |
- |
51% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APPENDIX I - SITE LAYOUT:
APPENDIX J – PRODUCTION & CASH FLOW
SCHEDULE:
|
Units |
Total/Avg |
Y-2 |
Y-1 |
Y1 |
Y2 |
Y3 |
Y4 |
Y5 |
Y6 |
Y7 |
Y8 |
Y9 |
Y10 |
Y11 |
Y12 |
Y13 |
Y14 |
Y15 |
Y16 |
Y17 |
Y18 |
Y19 |
MINING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mineralized Material Mined* |
mt |
333 |
-- |
3 |
14 |
26 |
23 |
26 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
20 |
22 |
28 |
21 |
17 |
10 |
15 |
17 |
11 |
6 |
-- |
-- |
Waste Mined |
mt |
609 |
-- |
8 |
27 |
26 |
39 |
36 |
37 |
37 |
41 |
45 |
43 |
37 |
40 |
48 |
50 |
43 |
26 |
20 |
7 |
-- |
-- |
Total Material Mined |
mt |
942 |
-- |
11 |
40 |
53 |
62 |
62 |
62 |
62 |
65 |
65 |
65 |
65 |
62 |
65 |
60 |
59 |
43 |
31 |
13 |
-- |
-- |
Mining Rate |
ktpd |
143 |
-- |
30 |
111 |
144 |
169 |
169 |
169 |
169 |
178 |
178 |
178 |
178 |
169 |
178 |
164 |
161 |
119 |
86 |
37 |
-- |
-- |
Strip Ratio** |
w:o |
2.1 |
-- |
3.0 |
1.9 |
1.0 |
1.7 |
1.4 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.7 |
2.3 |
2.0 |
1.3 |
1.9 |
2.9 |
4.8 |
2.8 |
1.6 |
1.9 |
1.1 |
-- |
-- |
*Mineralized material mined includes 30Mt of above cutoff oxides
that are not processed. For ore processed (i.e.: reserves), see
"Processing" section below |
**Strip ratio is that of processed mineralized material (i.e.: ore
in reserves) and excludes the unprocessed 30Mt of above cutoff
grade oxides left on stockpiles at the end of production (i.e.:
treated as waste in SR calculation) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROCESSING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oxides – Mill Feed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore Tonnes |
mt |
19 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
0.2 |
0.0 |
0.3 |
1.5 |
-- |
1.9 |
0.0 |
1.9 |
-- |
0.1 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
1.8 |
-- |
Ore Grades: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag |
g/t |
31 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
61 |
35 |
41 |
42 |
-- |
31 |
44 |
29 |
-- |
36 |
31 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
-- |
Au |
g/t |
0.07 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
0.07 |
0.09 |
0.06 |
0.05 |
-- |
0.07 |
0.03 |
0.08 |
-- |
0.08 |
0.06 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
-- |
Pb |
% |
0.28% |
-- |
-- |
-- |
0.76% |
1.29% |
0.36% |
0.30% |
-- |
0.29% |
0.69% |
0.24% |
-- |
0.49% |
0.41% |
0.25% |
0.25% |
0.25% |
0.25% |
0.25% |
0.25% |
-- |
Zn |
% |
0.33% |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1.07% |
1.29% |
0.27% |
0.25% |
-- |
0.29% |
0.35% |
0.29% |
-- |
0.46% |
0.54% |
0.30% |
0.30% |
0.30% |
0.30% |
0.30% |
0.30% |
-- |
AgEq |
g/t |
57 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
130 |
130 |
67 |
65 |
-- |
56 |
81 |
53 |
-- |
74 |
67 |
53 |
53 |
53 |
53 |
53 |
53 |
-- |
Sulphides – Mill Feed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore Tonnes |
mt |
284 |
-- |
-- |
7 |
9 |
9 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
17 |
19 |
17 |
19 |
18 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
16 |
-- |
Mill Head Grade: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag |
g/t |
27 |
-- |
-- |
44 |
51 |
50 |
36 |
30 |
27 |
31 |
27 |
28 |
30 |
31 |
24 |
17 |
21 |
24 |
19 |
18 |
12 |
-- |
Au |
g/t |
0.08 |
-- |
-- |
0.22 |
0.28 |
0.12 |
0.21 |
0.09 |
0.06 |
0.07 |
0.08 |
0.05 |
0.09 |
0.07 |
0.05 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.06 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
-- |
Pb |
% |
0.45% |
-- |
-- |
0.63% |
0.82% |
0.58% |
0.56% |
0.38% |
0.41% |
0.50% |
0.45% |
0.45% |
0.55% |
0.63% |
0.49% |
0.29% |
0.35% |
0.40% |
0.33% |
0.31% |
0.19% |
-- |
Zn |
% |
0.72% |
-- |
-- |
0.63% |
1.03% |
0.88% |
0.60% |
0.68% |
0.72% |
0.90% |
0.79% |
0.74% |
0.97% |
1.13% |
0.76% |
0.48% |
0.62% |
0.69% |
0.62% |
0.53% |
0.32% |
-- |
AgEq |
g/t |
74 |
-- |
-- |
104 |
136 |
110 |
91 |
73 |
71 |
85 |
76 |
74 |
90 |
97 |
71 |
48 |
58 |
66 |
56 |
51 |
33 |
-- |
TOTAL ORE - Mill Feed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore Tonnes |
mt |
302 |
-- |
-- |
7 |
9 |
9 |
17 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
18 |
-- |
Mill Head Grade: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag |
g/t |
27 |
-- |
-- |
44 |
52 |
50 |
36 |
31 |
27 |
31 |
27 |
28 |
30 |
31 |
25 |
19 |
22 |
24 |
20 |
19 |
14 |
-- |
Au |
g/t |
0.08 |
-- |
-- |
0.22 |
0.27 |
0.12 |
0.20 |
0.09 |
0.06 |
0.07 |
0.08 |
0.05 |
0.09 |
0.07 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.04 |
0.06 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
-- |
Pb |
% |
0.44% |
-- |
-- |
0.63% |
0.82% |
0.58% |
0.56% |
0.37% |
0.41% |
0.48% |
0.45% |
0.43% |
0.55% |
0.63% |
0.48% |
0.29% |
0.34% |
0.38% |
0.32% |
0.31% |
0.19% |
-- |
Zn |
% |
0.70% |
-- |
-- |
0.63% |
1.03% |
0.88% |
0.60% |
0.64% |
0.72% |
0.84% |
0.79% |
0.70% |
0.97% |
1.12% |
0.74% |
0.47% |
0.59% |
0.65% |
0.59% |
0.50% |
0.32% |
-- |
AgEq |
g/t |
73 |
-- |
-- |
104 |
136 |
110 |
90 |
73 |
71 |
83 |
76 |
72 |
90 |
97 |
71 |
48 |
57 |
65 |
56 |
51 |
35 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lead/Silver Conc. – Recovery: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag |
% |
71% |
-- |
-- |
78% |
77% |
77% |
75% |
65% |
74% |
68% |
75% |
67% |
77% |
77% |
65% |
61% |
64% |
65% |
63% |
62% |
54% |
-- |
Au |
% |
13% |
-- |
-- |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
13% |
-- |
Pb |
% |
86% |
-- |
-- |
90% |
90% |
89% |
88% |
84% |
87% |
85% |
88% |
85% |
89% |
89% |
84% |
82% |
83% |
84% |
83% |
82% |
78% |
-- |
Zinc Conc. – Recovery: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag |
% |
17% |
-- |
-- |
12% |
12% |
13% |
14% |
18% |
14% |
17% |
14% |
17% |
13% |
13% |
18% |
20% |
19% |
18% |
19% |
20% |
23% |
-- |
Au |
% |
10% |
-- |
-- |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
-- |
Zn |
% |
85% |
-- |
-- |
84% |
88% |
86% |
83% |
84% |
85% |
87% |
85% |
85% |
87% |
88% |
85% |
82% |
84% |
85% |
84% |
83% |
79% |
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRODUCTION PROFILE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
METAL PRODUCED: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag – Ag/Pb Concentrate |
moz |
186 |
-- |
-- |
8 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
14 |
14 |
10 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
-- |
Au – Ag/Pb Concentrate |
koz |
100 |
-- |
-- |
7 |
10 |
5 |
14 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
-- |
Pb – Ag/Pb Concentrate |
mlbs |
2,513 |
-- |
-- |
93 |
151 |
105 |
183 |
129 |
147 |
167 |
163 |
151 |
203 |
229 |
167 |
96 |
118 |
133 |
110 |
104 |
64 |
-- |
AgEq – Ag/Pb Concentrate |
moz |
326 |
-- |
-- |
13 |
20 |
17 |
24 |
19 |
20 |
22 |
21 |
20 |
25 |
27 |
19 |
12 |
15 |
17 |
14 |
13 |
8 |
-- |
Ag – Zn Concentrate |
moz |
43 |
-- |
-- |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
-- |
Au – Zn Concentrate |
koz |
75 |
-- |
-- |
5 |
8 |
3 |
10 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
-- |
Zn – Zn Concentrate |
mlbs |
3,986 |
-- |
-- |
87 |
185 |
156 |
185 |
223 |
249 |
297 |
277 |
244 |
348 |
405 |
260 |
161 |
203 |
225 |
203 |
174 |
105 |
-- |
AgEq – Zn Concentrate |
moz |
265 |
-- |
-- |
6 |
13 |
11 |
13 |
16 |
16 |
20 |
18 |
16 |
22 |
25 |
17 |
11 |
14 |
15 |
14 |
12 |
8 |
-- |
Ag – Total |
moz |
229 |
-- |
-- |
10 |
14 |
13 |
17 |
15 |
14 |
16 |
14 |
14 |
16 |
16 |
12 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
10 |
9 |
6 |
-- |
Au – Total |
koz |
175 |
-- |
-- |
12 |
18 |
8 |
24 |
12 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
7 |
11 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
-- |
Pb – Total |
mlbs |
2,513 |
-- |
-- |
93 |
151 |
105 |
183 |
129 |
147 |
167 |
163 |
151 |
203 |
229 |
167 |
96 |
118 |
133 |
110 |
104 |
64 |
-- |
Zn – Total |
mlbs |
4,314 |
-- |
-- |
92 |
197 |
168 |
196 |
242 |
271 |
322 |
301 |
264 |
377 |
440 |
280 |
175 |
221 |
244 |
221 |
188 |
114 |
-- |
AgEq – Total Metal Produced |
moz |
591 |
-- |
-- |
20 |
33 |
28 |
38 |
35 |
36 |
42 |
39 |
36 |
47 |
52 |
36 |
23 |
29 |
32 |
27 |
25 |
16 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
METAL PAYABLE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag – Ag/Pb Concentrate |
moz |
177 |
-- |
-- |
8 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
13 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
-- |
Au – Ag/Pb Concentrate |
koz |
47 |
-- |
-- |
4 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
-- |
Pb – Ag/Pb Concentrate |
mlbs |
2,368 |
-- |
-- |
89 |
143 |
100 |
173 |
121 |
138 |
158 |
154 |
143 |
192 |
217 |
157 |
90 |
110 |
125 |
103 |
97 |
59 |
-- |
AgEq – Ag/Pb Concentrate |
moz |
288 |
-- |
-- |
12 |
18 |
16 |
22 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
18 |
18 |
22 |
24 |
17 |
10 |
13 |
15 |
12 |
11 |
7 |
-- |
Ag – Zn Concentrate |
moz |
22 |
-- |
-- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
-- |
Au – Zn Concentrate |
koz |
7 |
-- |
-- |
2 |
2 |
-- |
4 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
Zn – Zn Concentrate |
mlbs |
3,360 |
-- |
-- |
73 |
157 |
132 |
155 |
187 |
210 |
251 |
233 |
205 |
294 |
344 |
219 |
135 |
171 |
189 |
170 |
146 |
88 |
-- |
AgEq – Zn Concentrate |
moz |
206 |
-- |
-- |
5 |
10 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
13 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
17 |
20 |
13 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
10 |
9 |
6 |
-- |
Ag – Total |
moz |
199 |
-- |
-- |
9 |
12 |
12 |
15 |
13 |
12 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
14 |
11 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
-- |
Au – Total |
koz |
54 |
-- |
-- |
6 |
8 |
2 |
13 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
-- |
Pb – Total |
mlbs |
2,368 |
-- |
-- |
89 |
143 |
100 |
173 |
121 |
138 |
158 |
154 |
143 |
192 |
217 |
157 |
90 |
110 |
125 |
103 |
97 |
59 |
-- |
Zn – Total |
mlbs |
3,360 |
-- |
-- |
73 |
157 |
132 |
155 |
187 |
210 |
251 |
233 |
205 |
294 |
344 |
219 |
135 |
171 |
189 |
170 |
146 |
88 |
-- |
AgEq – Total Metal Payable |
moz |
494 |
-- |
-- |
17 |
28 |
24 |
32 |
29 |
30 |
35 |
32 |
30 |
39 |
43 |
30 |
19 |
24 |
26 |
22 |
20 |
13 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OXIDES + SULPHIDES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag Revenue |
US$mm |
$4,387 |
-- |
-- |
$190 |
$272 |
$265 |
$335 |
$291 |
$271 |
$301 |
$271 |
$275 |
$310 |
$315 |
$232 |
$168 |
$202 |
$231 |
$180 |
$170 |
$110 |
-- |
Au Revenue |
US$mm |
$87 |
-- |
-- |
$10 |
$14 |
$3 |
$20 |
$4 |
$1 |
$1 |
$2 |
$6 |
$2 |
$8 |
$6 |
$1 |
$5 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$2 |
-- |
Pb Revenue |
US$mm |
$2,368 |
-- |
-- |
$89 |
$143 |
$100 |
$173 |
$121 |
$138 |
$158 |
$154 |
$143 |
$192 |
$217 |
$157 |
$90 |
$110 |
$125 |
$103 |
$97 |
$59 |
-- |
Zn Revenue |
US$mm |
$4,032 |
-- |
-- |
$88 |
$188 |
$158 |
$186 |
$225 |
$252 |
$301 |
$280 |
$246 |
$353 |
$412 |
$263 |
$163 |
$205 |
$227 |
$204 |
$175 |
$106 |
-- |
Gross Revenue |
US$mm |
$10,874 |
-- |
-- |
$376 |
$617 |
$526 |
$715 |
$641 |
$662 |
$761 |
$707 |
$669 |
$857 |
$952 |
$658 |
$421 |
$522 |
$583 |
$488 |
$443 |
$277 |
-- |
Treatment & Refining Charges |
US$mm |
$1,243 |
-- |
-- |
$36 |
$62 |
$53 |
$71 |
$71 |
$77 |
$88 |
$83 |
$76 |
$101 |
$113 |
$79 |
$51 |
$63 |
$69 |
$61 |
$54 |
$34 |
-- |
Total Penalties |
US$mm |
$58 |
-- |
-- |
$2 |
$3 |
$2 |
$3 |
$3 |
$3 |
$4 |
$4 |
$3 |
$5 |
$6 |
$4 |
$2 |
$3 |
$3 |
$3 |
$2 |
$1 |
-- |
Net Revenue - Total |
US$mm |
$9,572 |
-- |
-- |
$339 |
$551 |
$471 |
$641 |
$567 |
$581 |
$669 |
$620 |
$590 |
$751 |
$833 |
$575 |
$367 |
$457 |
$510 |
$424 |
$386 |
$242 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING COSTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNIT COSTS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine (Incl. Rehandling) |
US$/t Moved |
$2.45 |
-- |
-- |
$2.44 |
$2.31 |
$2.31 |
$2.39 |
$2.42 |
$2.30 |
$2.34 |
$2.26 |
$2.18 |
$2.35 |
$2.48 |
$2.32 |
$2.44 |
$2.56 |
$2.84 |
$3.04 |
$4.45 |
-- |
-- |
Processing |
US$/t Processed |
$6.38 |
-- |
-- |
$6.56 |
$6.46 |
$6.46 |
$6.38 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.48 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.36 |
$6.37 |
-- |
Site G&A Costs |
US$/t Processed |
$0.62 |
-- |
-- |
$1.32 |
$1.06 |
$1.06 |
$0.63 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.57 |
$0.60 |
-- |
OPERATING COSTS INCURED: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine (Incl. Rehandling) |
US$mm |
$2,286 |
-- |
-- |
$98 |
$121 |
$142 |
$147 |
$149 |
$141 |
$151 |
$146 |
$141 |
$152 |
$153 |
$150 |
$146 |
$150 |
$123 |
$95 |
$60 |
$18 |
-- |
Processing |
US$mm |
$1,929 |
-- |
-- |
$49 |
$60 |
$60 |
$107 |
$118 |
$118 |
$118 |
$118 |
$118 |
$118 |
$121 |
$118 |
$118 |
$118 |
$118 |
$118 |
$118 |
$112 |
-- |
Site G&A Costs |
US$mm |
$188 |
-- |
-- |
$10 |
$10 |
$10 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
$11 |
-- |
Total Site Operating Costs |
US$mm |
$4,402 |
-- |
-- |
$157 |
$191 |
$212 |
$264 |
$278 |
$270 |
$280 |
$275 |
$270 |
$281 |
$284 |
$279 |
$275 |
$279 |
$252 |
$224 |
$189 |
$140 |
-- |
NSR - Government |
US$mm |
$21 |
-- |
-- |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$2 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$2 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
-- |
Concentrate Transport |
US$mm |
$816 |
-- |
-- |
$22 |
$39 |
$31 |
$45 |
$46 |
$50 |
$57 |
$55 |
$50 |
$66 |
$75 |
$54 |
$35 |
$42 |
$46 |
$41 |
$37 |
$24 |
-- |
Total Operating Costs |
US$mm |
$5,239 |
-- |
-- |
$180 |
$232 |
$245 |
$311 |
$325 |
$322 |
$339 |
$331 |
$321 |
$349 |
$360 |
$334 |
$311 |
$322 |
$299 |
$266 |
$227 |
$165 |
-- |
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CASH COSTS: |
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Co-Product Basis: |
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Operating Cash Costs |
US$/oz AgEq |
$8.91 |
-- |
-- |
$9.20 |
$6.83 |
$8.86 |
$8.14 |
$9.53 |
$8.99 |
$8.10 |
$8.57 |
$8.88 |
$7.22 |
$6.56 |
$9.34 |
$14.39 |
$11.76 |
$9.51 |
$10.08 |
$9.37 |
$11.13 |
-- |
Total Cash Costs |
US$/oz AgEq |
$13.23 |
-- |
-- |
$12.70 |
$10.60 |
$12.55 |
$11.86 |
$13.70 |
$13.38 |
$12.48 |
$13.02 |
$13.19 |
$11.68 |
$11.08 |
$13.93 |
$19.05 |
$16.34 |
$14.03 |
$14.86 |
$14.08 |
$15.90 |
-- |
All-in Sustaining Costs |
US$/oz AgEq |
$13.62 |
-- |
-- |
$12.89 |
$11.80 |
$12.86 |
$11.97 |
$13.84 |
$13.48 |
$12.63 |
$13.13 |
$14.67 |
$11.91 |
$11.27 |
$14.15 |
$19.36 |
$18.32 |
$14.08 |
$14.92 |
$14.11 |
$15.96 |
-- |
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES |
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Initial/Expansion Capex |
US$mm |
$774 |
$114 |
$341 |
-- |
-- |
$216 |
$72 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
$31 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
Sustaining Capex (incl. Net Closure) |
US$mm |
$228 |
-- |
-- |
$18 |
$34 |
$8 |
$3 |
$4 |
$3 |
$5 |
$3 |
$45 |
$9 |
$8 |
$6 |
$6 |
$47 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$24 |
Total Capital Expenditures |
US$mm |
$1,003 |
$114 |
$341 |
$18 |
$34 |
$224 |
$76 |
$4 |
$3 |
$5 |
$3 |
$76 |
$9 |
$8 |
$6 |
$6 |
$47 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$1 |
$24 |
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FREE CASH FLOW VALUATION |
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Net Revenue |
US$mm |
$9,572 |
-- |
-- |
$339 |
$551 |
$471 |
$641 |
$567 |
$581 |
$669 |
$620 |
$590 |
$751 |
$833 |
$575 |
$367 |
$457 |
$510 |
$424 |
$386 |
$242 |
-- |
Operating Expenses |
US$mm |
($4,402) |
-- |
-- |
($157) |
($191) |
($212) |
($264) |
($278) |
($270) |
($280) |
($275) |
($270) |
($281) |
($284) |
($279) |
($275) |
($279) |
($252) |
($224) |
($189) |
($140) |
-- |
Concentrate Transportation |
US$mm |
($816) |
-- |
-- |
($22) |
($39) |
($31) |
($45) |
($46) |
($50) |
($57) |
($55) |
($50) |
($66) |
($75) |
($54) |
($35) |
($42) |
($46) |
($41) |
($37) |
($24) |
-- |
Royalties |
US$mm |
($21) |
-- |
-- |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($2) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($2) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
-- |
EBITDA |
US$mm |
$4,333 |
-- |
-- |
$159 |
$320 |
$226 |
$329 |
$242 |
$259 |
$330 |
$288 |
$268 |
$402 |
$473 |
$241 |
$56 |
$134 |
$211 |
$158 |
$159 |
$77 |
-- |
Capital Expenditures |
US$mm |
($1,003) |
($114) |
($341) |
($18) |
($34) |
($224) |
($76) |
($4) |
($3) |
($5) |
($3) |
($76) |
($9) |
($8) |
($6) |
($6) |
($47) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($1) |
($24) |
Pre-Tax Free Cash Flow |
US$mm |
$3,331 |
($114) |
($341) |
$141 |
$286 |
$2 |
$254 |
$238 |
$256 |
$324 |
$285 |
$192 |
$393 |
$464 |
$235 |
$51 |
$87 |
$210 |
$157 |
$159 |
$76 |
($24) |
Mining Tax |
US$mm |
($325) |
-- |
-- |
($12) |
($24) |
($17) |
($25) |
($18) |
($19) |
($25) |
($22) |
($20) |
($30) |
($35) |
($18) |
($4) |
($10) |
($16) |
($12) |
($12) |
($6) |
-- |
Income Tax Payable |
US$mm |
($898) |
-- |
-- |
($19) |
($69) |
($35) |
($61) |
($36) |
($41) |
($60) |
($49) |
($57) |
($95) |
($124) |
($63) |
($11) |
($31) |
($52) |
($37) |
($41) |
($18) |
-- |
Post-Tax Free Cash Flow |
US$mm |
$2,108 |
($114) |
($341) |
$110 |
$193 |
($50) |
$169 |
$183 |
$196 |
$239 |
$215 |
$115 |
$267 |
$305 |
$154 |
$35 |
$47 |
$142 |
$108 |
$106 |
$52 |
($24) |
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Pre-Tax |
Post-Tax |
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NPV (5%) |
US$mm |
$1,902 |
$1,153 |
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IRR |
% |
38.9% |
28.0% |
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Payback |
Years |
3.1 |
4.2 |
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Discovery Silver (TSXV:DSV)
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