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8-K - 8-K - Coeur Mining, Inc.april1520138-k.htm
NEWS RELEASE

Coeur Reports Steady First Quarter Production and Reaffirms Full-Year Production Guidance
Production levels expected to accelerate during remaining three quarters of 2013
Growing contribution from gold relative to silver as gold production rises at U.S. operations
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - April 15, 2013 - Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (the “Company” or “Coeur”) (NYSE: CDE, TSX: CDM) announced it produced 3.8 million ounces of silver and 56,913 ounces of gold during the first quarter of 2013. The Company also reaffirmed its full year production guidance of 18.0-19.5 million ounces of silver and 250,000-265,000 ounces of gold in 2013. Coeur will report its full operating and financial results on May 9, 2013.
First Quarter Operating Highlights
Companywide silver production of 3.8 million ounces was 22% lower than the first quarter 2012 due to lower grade ore processed from both open pit and underground operations at the Company's Palmarejo mine.
Companywide gold production of 56,913 ounces was 30% higher than the first quarter 2012 due to significantly higher production from the Company's Kensington and Rochester mines.
Metal sales were $178.6 million, down 13% compared with the first quarter 2012.
Average realized silver and gold prices were $30.61 per ounce and $1,630 per ounce, respectively, representing decreases of 6% and 4%, respectively, compared with the first quarter of 2012.
Grades and mining rates rebounded at Palmarejo late in the first quarter compared to the third and fourth quarters of 2012. Palmarejo produced 1.6 million ounces of silver and 22,965 ounces of gold in the first quarter 2013. While lower than first quarter 2012 levels, silver and gold production was 6% and 15% higher, respectively, compared to the fourth quarter 2012. Production rates are expected to climb in the second half of 2013.
San Bartolomé produced 1.4 million ounces of silver, which was 12% lower than the first quarter of 2012 due to lower silver grades, but the mine performed better than planned and this level should reflect anticipated production rates during the remainder of the year.
Rochester's production was temporarily affected by extremely cold temperatures and heavier than normal snowfall during January and February, which impacted ore crushing. Rochester produced 0.6 million ounces of silver and 8,742 ounces of gold, which was lower than production in the fourth quarter 2012, but 47% and 65% higher than the first quarter 2012, respectively.
Kensington's gold production more than tripled compared to the first quarter of 2012, reaching 25,206 ounces. Kensington's production is expected to increase in the second half of 2013 over the first half of 2013 due to anticipated improved grades and higher throughput rates.

Table 1: Operational Highlights: Production
(silver ounces in thousands)
1Q 2013
1Q 2012
Quarter Variance
 
Silver
Gold
Silver
Gold
Silver
Gold
Palmarejo
1,646

22,965

2,483

31,081

(34
%)
(26
%)
San Bartolomé
1,391


1,591


(13
%)
n.a.

Rochester
648

8,742

441

5,292

47
%
65
%
Martha(1)


123

84

n.a.

n.a.

Kensington

25,206


7,444

n.a.

239
%
Endeavor
150


248


(40
%)
n.a.

Total
3,835

56,913

4,886

43,901

(22
%)
30
%
1.
The Martha mine in Argentina ceased production at the end of the third quarter 2012.

1


2013 Outlook
In addition to its unchanged 2013 production outlook provided in Table 2 below, Coeur reiterated its full-year 2013 projected cash operating costs1 of $8.00 - $9.00 per silver ounce, assuming a gold by-product price of $1,650 per ounce. Kensington's cash operating costs1 are estimated at $900 - $950 per gold ounce for 2013.
Table 2: 2013 Production Outlook
(silver ounces in thousands)
Country
Silver
Gold
Palmarejo
Mexico
7,700-8,300
98,000-105,000
San Bartolomé
Bolivia
5,300-5,700
Rochester
Nevada, USA
4,500-4,900
44,000-46,000
Endeavor
Australia
500-600
Kensington
Alaska, USA
108,000-114,000
Total
 
18,000-19,500
250,000-265,000

About Coeur
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is the largest U.S.-based primary silver producer and a growing gold producer. The Company has four precious metals mines in the Americas generating strong production, sales and cash flow in continued robust metals markets. Coeur produces from its wholly owned operations: the Palmarejo silver-gold mine in Mexico, the San Bartolomé silver mine in Bolivia, the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada and the Kensington gold mine in Alaska. The Company also has a non-operating interest in a mine in Australia. The Company also conducts ongoing exploration activities in Mexico, Argentina, Nevada, Alaska and Bolivia. In addition, the Company owns strategic investment positions in eight silver and gold development companies with projects in North and South America.
Cautionary Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada, including statements improvements in the Palmarejo operations, operating results, production levels, grades and operating costs. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Coeur's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk that permits necessary for the planned Rochester expansion may not be obtained, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), changes in the market prices of gold and silver, the uncertainties inherent in Coeur's production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and regulatory delays and disputed mining claims, ground conditions, grade variability, any future labor disputes or work stoppages, the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver ore reserves, changes that could result from Coeur's future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, reliance on third parties to operate certain mines where Coeur owns silver production and reserves, the loss of any third-party smelter to which Coeur markets silver and gold, the effects of environmental and other governmental regulations, the risks inherent in the ownership or operation of or investment in mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, Coeur's ability to raise additional financing necessary to conduct its business, make payments or refinance its debt, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Canadian securities regulators, including, without limitation, Coeur's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Actual results, developments and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Coeur disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Coeur undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Coeur, its financial or operating results or its securities.



1.
Cash operating costs are non-GAAP measures.

2


Non-U.S. GAAP Measures
We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) with certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including cash operating costs. We believe that these adjusted measures provide meaningful information to assist management, investors and analysts in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance. We believe these adjusted financial measures are important indicators of our recurring operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to our core operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. We believe cash operating costs is an important measure in assessing the Company's overall financial performance.

For Additional Information:
Wendy Yang, Vice President, Investor Relations
(208) 665-0345

Stefany Bales, Director, Corporate Communications
(208) 667-8263

www.coeur.com


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Table 3:
Operating Statistics from Continuing Operations - (Unaudited):
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
Silver Operations:
 
 
 
Palmarejo
 
 
 
Tons milled
573,170

 
528,543

Ore grade/Ag oz
3.65

 
6.12

Ore grade/Au oz
0.04

 
0.06

Recovery/Ag oz(1)
78.8
%
 
76.8
%
Recovery/Au oz(1)
90.1
%
 
93.3
%
Silver production ounces
1,646,397

 
2,482,814

Gold production ounces
22,965

 
31,081

San Bartolomé
 
 
 
Tons milled
374,985

 
378,104

Ore grade/Ag oz
4.09

 
4.62

Recovery/Ag oz(1)
90.6
%
 
91.2
%
Silver production ounces
1,391,099

 
1,591,292

Martha(3)
 
 
 
Tons milled

 
34,069

Ore grade/Ag oz

 
4.43

Ore grade/Au oz

 
0.004

Recovery/Ag oz(1)
%
 
81.4
%
Recovery/Au oz(1)
%
 
64.6
%
Silver production ounces

 
122,793

Gold production ounces

 
84

Rochester 
 
 
 
Tons milled
2,439,757

 
2,009,518

Ore grade/Ag oz
0.52

 
0.55

Ore grade/Au oz
0.003

 
0.004

Recovery/Ag oz(2)
50.8
%
 
40.2
%
Recovery/Au oz(2)
108.6
%
 
62.1
%
Silver production ounces
647,589

 
441,337

Gold production ounces
8,742

 
5,292

Endeavor
 
 
 
Tons milled
194,519

 
195,846

Ore grade/Ag oz
1.61

 
3.35

Recovery/Ag oz(1)
47.8
%
 
37.8
%
Silver production ounces
149,594

 
247,958

Gold Operation:
 
 
 
Kensington
 
 
 
Tons milled
129,057

 
43,936

Ore grade/Au oz
0.20

 
0.18

Recovery/Au oz(1)
96.2
%
 
93.4
%
Gold production ounces
25,206

 
7,444

CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION TOTALS
 
 
 
Total silver ounces
3,834,679

 
4,886,194

Total gold ounces
56,913

 
43,901

1. Recoveries are affected by timing inherent in the leaching process.
2. Recoveries at Rochester are affected by residual leaching on Stage IV pad and timing differences inherent in the heap leaching process.
3. The Martha mine ceased active mining operations in September of 2012.




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Table 4:
Results of Operations by Mine - Palmarejo - (Unaudited)
 
1Q 2013
4Q 2012
3Q 2012
2Q 2012
1Q 2012
Underground Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
   Tons mined
151,232
139,925
143,747
162,820
158,030
   Average silver grade (oz/t)
4.22
4.70
6.13
8.91
7.82
   Average gold grade (oz/t)
0.09
0.08
90
0.14
0.11
Surface Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
   Tons mined
388,651
465,498
424,380
321,758
347,609
   Average silver grade (oz/t)
3.45
2.62
2.79
4.14
5.32
   Average gold grade (oz/t)
0.03
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.04
Processing:
 
 
 
 
 
   Total tons milled
573,170
563,123
532,775
489,924
528,543
   Average recovery rate – Ag
78.8%
84.2%
90%
84.2%
76.8%
   Average recovery rate – Au
90.1%
91.4%
102.5%
92%
93.3%
Silver production - oz (000's)
1,646
1,555
1,833
2,365
2,483
Gold production - oz
22,965
19,998
23,702
31,258
31,081

Table 5:
Results of Operations by Mine - San Bartolomé - (Unaudited)
 
1Q 2013
4Q 2012
3Q 2012
2Q 2012
1Q 2012
Tons milled
374,985
363,813
344,349
391,005
378,104
Average silver grade (oz/t)
4.09
4.20
4.91
4.30
4.60
Average recovery rate
90.6%
88.0%
90.3%
88.3%
91.2%
Silver production (000's)
1,391
1,343
1,526
1,470
1,591

Table 6:
Results of Operations by Mine - Kensington - (Unaudited)
 
1Q 2013
4Q 2012
3Q 2012
2Q 2012
1Q 2012
Tons mined
116,747
140,626
113,770
84,632
56,815
Tons milled
129,057
129,622
123,428
97,794
43,936
Average gold grade (oz/t)
0.20
0.23
0.21
0.23
0.18
Average recovery rate
96.2%
96.9%
95.9%
94.2%
93.4%
Gold production
25,206
28,718
24,391
21,572
7,444

Table 7:
Results of Operations by Mine - Rochester - (Unaudited)
 
1Q 2013
4Q 2012
3Q 2012
2Q 2012
1Q 2012
Tons mined
2,924,472
3,031,428

3,170,129

2,585,914

2,923,324
Average silver grade (oz/t)
0.52
0.51
0.52
0.63
0.55
Average gold grade (oz/t)
0.003
0.005
0.004
0.005
0.004
Silver production (000's)
647
828
819
713
441
Gold production
8,742
12,055
10,599
10,120
5,292




5


Table 8:
Results of Operations by Mine - Endeavor - (Unaudited)
 
1Q 2013
4Q 2012
3Q 2012
2Q 2012
1Q 2012
Silver Production (000's)
150
105
140
240
248

Table 9:
Results of Operations by Mine - Martha(1) - (Unaudited)
 
1Q 2013
4Q 2012
3Q 2012
2Q 2012
1Q 2012
Total tons milled
27,281
39,199,000
34,068
Average silver grade (oz/t)
4.17
3,520
4.43
Average gold grade (oz/t)
3.4
Average recovery rate – Ag
—%
—%
81.5%
78.2%
81.4%
Average recovery rate – Au
—%
—%
82.6%
72.4%
64.6%
Silver production (000's)
93
108
123
1. The Martha mine ceased active operations in September of 2012.


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