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8-K - 8-K - Coeur Mining, Inc.productionprerelease8x.htm
                                        
                                                    

NEWS RELEASE             image0a65.jpg

Coeur Reports Third Quarter 2018 Production and Sales Results
Chicago, Illinois - October 9, 2018 - Coeur Mining, Inc. (the "Company" or "Coeur") (NYSE: CDE) today announced third quarter 2018 production of 2.9 million ounces of silver, 88,833 ounces of gold, 2.2 million pounds of zinc and 1.2 million pounds of lead, or 8.5 million silver equivalent1 ounces (10.4 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter)3. Metal sales for the quarter were 3.0 million ounces of silver, 89,609 ounces of gold, 1.8 million pounds of zinc and 1.6 million pounds of lead, or 8.5 million silver equivalent1 ounces (10.4 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter)3.
As disclosed on September 4, 2018, the Company expects to produce 36.1 - 39.5 million silver equivalent1 ounces (44.0 - 48.0 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter) in 2018, consisting of 13.0 - 14.3 million silver ounces, 363,000 - 382,000 gold ounces, 13.0 - 23.0 million pounds of zinc and 11.0 - 18.0 million pounds of lead.

Quarterly Production Results
a20183qproductioncharta02.jpg


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Operations
Third quarter 2018 production and sales highlights for each of Coeur's operations are provided below.
Palmarejo, Mexico
 
3Q 2018
2Q 2018
1Q 2018
4Q 2017
3Q 2017
Tons milled
300,116
344,073
359,893
389,524
413,086
Average silver grade (oz/t)
6.26
6.86
6.88
6.92
5.53
Average gold grade (oz/t)
0.10
0.11
0.10
0.10
0.08
Average recovery rate – Ag
82.2%
87.5%
81.4%
87.0%
83.6%
Average recovery rate – Au
88.8%
89.9%
80.4%
92.0%
83.1%
Ounces Produced
 
 
 
 
 
Silver (000's)
1,544
2,066
2,013
2,346
1,908
Gold
27,885
33,702
29,896
37,537
28,948
Silver equivalent1 (000's)
3,217
4,088
3,807
4,600
3,644
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's)
3,796
4,728
4,382
5,209
4,104
Ounces Sold
 
 
 
 
 
Silver (000's)
1,572
2,092
2,031
2,343
1,794
Gold
29,830
31,207
30,888
38,953
26,554
Silver equivalent1 (000's)
3,362
3,964
3,884
4,681
3,387
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's)
3,981
4,557
4,479
5,313
3,809
Average realized price per silver ounce
$14.75
$16.49
$16.73
$16.57
$16.83
Average realized price per gold ounce
$1,082
$1,162
$1,168
$1,139
$1,148
Third quarter silver equivalent1 production was 3.2 million ounces (3.8 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter), 21% lower compared to the prior quarter, with silver production 25% lower and gold production 17% lower. Year-over-year, silver and gold production decreased 19% and 4%, respectively
Production was impacted by (i) the temporary suspension of mining activities relating to fatalities that occurred during the quarter, (ii) supply chain disruptions stemming from local road blockades that temporarily interrupted the delivery of certain mining consumables, and (iii) a weather-related interruption that impacted the process plant
The modest decline in silver and gold grades was due to the mining of lower grade stopes, primarily at Independencia East. Gold grades are expected to decline in the fourth quarter; however, mining rates are anticipated to return to steady-state levels, partially offsetting the impact of the lower expected grades
Development towards the La Nación deposit, located between the Independencia and Guadalupe underground mines, remains on-schedule and is expected to commence production in 2019, providing anticipated additional high quality mill feed to supplement existing ore sources
Approximately 38% of gold sales in the third quarter, or 10,610 ounces, were sold under Palmarejo's gold stream agreement at a price of $800 per ounce. The increase was due to mine sequencing; fourth quarter gold sales under the stream agreement are expected to remain at similar levels
The Company is maintaining Palmarejo's full-year 2018 production guidance of 7.5 - 7.9 million ounces of silver and 115,000 - 120,000 ounces of gold, or 14.4 - 15.1 million silver equivalent1 ounces (16.8 - 17.6 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter)


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Rochester, Nevada
 
3Q 2018
2Q 2018
1Q 2018
4Q 2017
3Q 2017
Tons placed
4,061,082
4,083,028
4,351,131
4,171,451
4,262,011
Average silver grade (oz/t)
0.52
0.53
0.54
0.50
0.53
Average gold grade (oz/t)
0.004
0.004
0.003
0.003
0.004
Ounces Produced
 
 
 
 
 
Silver (000's)
1,290
1,125
1,157
1,361
1,070
Gold
14,702
12,273
11,487
18,995
10,955
Silver equivalent1 (000's)
2,172
1,861
1,846
2,500
1,727
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's)
2,477
2,095
2,067
2,808
1,901
Ounces Sold
 
 
 
 
 
Silver (000's)
1,248
1,097
1,119
1,457
1,050
Gold
14,257
12,030
11,163
20,002
10,390
Silver equivalent1 (000's)
2,104
1,819
1,789
2,658
1,674
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's)
2,400
2,048
2,004
2,983
1,839
Average realized price per silver ounce
$14.70
$16.47
$16.66
$16.58
$16.89
Average realized price per gold ounce
$1,204
$1,297
$1,331
$1,279
$1,291
Silver equivalent1 production during the period was 17% higher quarter-over-quarter at 2.2 million ounces (2.5 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter). Silver production was 1.3 million ounces and gold production was 14,702 ounces, 15% and 20% higher, respectively, compared to the prior quarter
Production growth was driven primarily by strong pad performance from the Stage III leach pad and continued steady performance of the Stage IV leach pad. Stage III leach pad performance was driven by leaching activities on the periphery of the pad that had not been processed previously. These trends are expected to continue in the fourth quarter
Installation of an initial high-pressure grinding roll ("HPGR") remains on schedule for the first quarter of 2019 with silver recoveries expected to improve beginning as early as the second quarter of next year. Decommissioning of the 15,000 tons per day ("tpd") crusher is currently underway and is expected to result in fewer tons crushed and lower operating expenses in the fourth quarter
The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 4.8 - 5.2 million ounces of silver and 48,000 - 52,000 ounces of gold, or 7.7 - 8.3 million silver equivalent1 ounces (8.7 - 9.4 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter)













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Wharf, South Dakota
 
3Q 2018
2Q 2018
1Q 2018
4Q 2017
3Q 2017
Tons placed
1,127,391
1,075,820
1,076,395
1,124,785
1,150,308
Average gold grade (oz/t)
0.023
0.023
0.022
0.029
0.029
Ounces produced
 
 
 
 
 
Gold
19,437
22,507
17,936
27,292
25,849
Silver (000's)
13
13
12
16
15
Gold equivalent1
19,646
22,729
18,133
27,560
26,096
Ounces sold
 
 
 
 
 
Gold
19,874
23,053
17,339
28,975
23,855
Silver (000's)
12
14
11
16
14
Gold equivalent1
20,081
23,282
17,522
29,256
24,085
Average realized price per gold ounce
$1,198
$1,285
$1,341
$1,278
$1,304
Gold production declined 14% quarter-over-quarter to 19,646 ounces partially as a result of unplanned weather-related downtime and timing of leach pad recoveries
Mining and crushing rates during the fourth quarter are expected to increase while average gold grade is expected to remain relatively constant
The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 85,000 - 90,000 ounces of gold

Kensington, Alaska
 
3Q 2018
2Q 2018
1Q 2018
4Q 2017
3Q 2017
Tons milled
167,964
168,751
158,706
167,631
172,038
Average gold grade (oz/t)
0.17
0.16
0.17
0.22
0.17
Average recovery rate
91.8%
92.6%
94.0%
92.8%
94.1%
Gold ounces produced
26,809
25,570
26,064
34,932
27,541
Gold ounces sold
25,648
28,165
27,763
35,634
29,173
Average realized price per gold ounce
$1,161
$1,269
$1,307
$1,244
$1,255
Third quarter gold production, inclusive of pre-commercial production from Jualin, increased 5% quarter-over-quarter and declined 3% year-over-year to 26,809 ounces
At Jualin, the Company mined approximately 4,400 tons of development ore late in the quarter, which yielded pre-commercial production of nearly 2,100 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.48 ounces per ton ("oz/t"). Mining rates at Jualin are expected to climb throughout the fourth quarter leading to higher overall production levels
The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 115,000 - 120,000 ounces of gold4 


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Silvertip, British Columbia
 
3Q 2018
2Q 2018
1Q 2018
4Q 2017
3Q 2017
Tons milled
28,080
14,450
4,795
Average silver grade (oz/t)
7.29
14.15
10.05
Average zinc grade (%)
8.0%
8.2%
6.60
Average lead grade (%)
4.6%
8.1%
7.3%
—%
—%
Average recovery rate – Ag
47.0%
42.3%
30.9%
—%
—%
Average recovery rate – Zn
49.1%
57.9%
18.7%
—%
—%
Average recovery rate – Pb
44.4%
40.5%
21.1%
—%
—%
Produced
 
 
 
 
 
Silver (000's ounces)
96
87
15
Zinc (000's lbs)
2,207
1,372
119
Lead (000's lbs)
1,159
949
147
Silver equivalent1 (000's)
286
217
29
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's)
342
277
36

Sold
 
 
 
 
 
Silver (000's ounces)
131
10
Zinc (000's lbs)
1,772
469
Lead (000's lbs)
1,645
Silver equivalent1 (000's)
320
38
Silver equivalent1 (average spot) (000's)
371
52
Average realized price per silver ounce
$14.95
$13.01
Average realized price per zinc pound
$0.93
$1.08
Average realized price per lead pound
$0.99
$—
Silvertip achieved commercial production on September 1, 2018. The production figures and average realized prices shown in the above table include pre-commercial production
During the third quarter, mill downtime impacted throughput, which averaged approximately 434 tons (approximately 394 metric tonnes) per day. Mill downtime was required to complete repairs on the paste plant, grinding circuit and associated infrastructure in the process plant
Higher mill availability is expected to improve throughput in the fourth quarter, which is anticipated to reach an average of approximately 830 tons per day (750 metric tonnes per day) by year-end
Operating activities remain focused on improving process plant performance, underground rehabilitation and development, and completing several key surface infrastructure projects, including the water treatment plant and a 220-person camp facility
Coeur expects to file an initial NI 43-101 Technical Report in the fourth quarter and receive approval for the permit amendment application to operate at 1,000 metric tonnes per day on a year-round basis in early 2019
The Company is maintaining full-year 2018 production guidance of 0.7 - 1.2 million ounces of silver, 13.0 - 23.0 million pounds of zinc and 11.0 - 18.0 million pounds of lead, or 2.0 - 3.5 million silver equivalent1 ounces (2.4 - 4.1 million ounces based on average spot prices during the third quarter)4 


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2018 Production Guidance
Coeur's 2018 production guidance was revised on September 4, 2018 to reflect improved visibility of Silvertip's production following the commencement of commercial production as well as stronger than expected performance at Rochester during the first half of the year.
 
Silver
Gold
Zinc
Lead
Silver Equivalent1
 
(K oz)
(oz)
(K lbs)
(K lbs)
(K oz)
Palmarejo
7,500 - 7,900
115,000 - 120,000
14,400 - 15,100
Rochester
4,800 - 5,200
48,000 - 52,000
7,680 - 8,320
Kensington
115,000 - 120,000
6,900 - 7,200
Wharf
85,000 - 90,000
5,100 - 5,400
Silvertip
700 - 1,200
13,000 - 23,000
11,000 - 18,000
2,030 - 3,480
Total
13,000 - 14,300
363,000 - 382,000
13,000 - 23,000
11,000 - 18,000
36,110 - 39,500


Guidance Based on Third Quarter Average Spot Prices
 
Silver
Gold
Zinc
Lead
Silver Equivalent1
 
(K oz)
(oz)
(K lbs)
(K lbs)
(K oz)
Palmarejo
7,500 - 7,900
115,000 - 120,000
16,787 - 17,591
Rochester
4,800 - 5,200
48,000 - 52,000
8,676 - 9,399
Kensington
115,000 - 120,000
9,287 - 9,691
Wharf
85,000 - 90,000
6,865 - 7,268
Silvertip
700 - 1,200
13,000 - 23,000
11,000 - 18,000
2,391 - 4,099
Total
13,000 - 14,300
363,000 - 382,000
13,000 - 23,000
11,000 - 18,000
44,007 - 48,049

Financial Results and Conference Call
Coeur will report its third quarter 2018 financial results on October 31, 2018 after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. There will be a conference call on November 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Dial-In Numbers:        (855) 560-2581 (U.S.)
(855) 669-9657 (Canada)
(412) 542-4166 (International)
Conference ID:        Coeur Mining

Hosting the call will be Mitchell J. Krebs, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coeur, who will be joined by Peter C. Mitchell, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Frank L. Hanagarne, Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Terry F. D. Smith, Vice President of North American Operations, Hans Rasmussen, Senior Vice President of Exploration, and other members of management. A replay of the call will be available through November 15, 2018.

Replay numbers:        (877) 344-7529 (U.S.)
(855) 669-9658 (Canada)

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(412) 317-0088 (International)
Conference ID:        101 23 688

The Company anticipates reporting its fourth quarter 2018 financial results on February 13, 2019 after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading and holding a conference call on February 14, 2019 at 11:00 am Eastern Time.

About Coeur
Coeur Mining, Inc. is a well-diversified, growing precious metals producer with five mines in North America. Coeur produces from its wholly-owned operations: the Palmarejo silver-gold complex in Mexico, the Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine in British Columbia, the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada, the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota, and the Kensington gold mine in Alaska. In addition, the Company has interests in several precious metals exploration projects throughout North America.

Cautionary Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada, including statements regarding anticipated production, grades, mining rates, crushing rates, development efforts, operations at Rochester and Silvertip, gold sales under Palmarejo's gold stream agreement and timing of filing a technical report and obtaining permit amendment approval for Silvertip. 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 anticipated production levels are not attained, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including risks inherent in developing large-scale mining projects, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), changes in the market prices of gold, silver, zinc, and lead and a sustained lower price environment, the uncertainties inherent in Coeur's production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and regulatory delays, ground conditions, grade variability, any future labor disputes or work stoppages, the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver reserves, changes that could result from Coeur's future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, the loss of any third-party smelter to which Coeur markets its production, 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.

Christopher Pascoe, Coeur's Director, Technical Services and a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, approved the scientific and technical information concerning Coeur's mineral projects in this news release. For a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources, as well as data verification procedures and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors, Canadian investors should refer to the Technical Reports for each of Coeur's properties as filed on SEDAR at sedar.com.

Notes
1.
Silver and gold equivalence assumes a 60:1 silver-to-gold ratio, except where noted as average spot prices. Please see the table below for average applicable spot prices and corresponding ratios. Silver and zinc equivalence assumes a 0.06:1 silver-to-zinc ratio. Silver and lead equivalence assumes a 0.05:1 silver-to-lead ratio.
2.
On February 28, 2018, Coeur divested the San Bartolomé mine through the sale of its 100%-owned Bolivian subsidiary. As a result, San Bartolomé is excluded from consolidated operating statistics for all periods presented unless otherwise noted.
3.
Third quarter 2018 production and sales figures include pre-commercial production from Kensington and Silvertip.
4.
Full-year 2018 production guidance for Kensington and Silvertip include pre-commercial production.





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Average Spot Prices
 
3Q 2018
2Q 2018
1Q 2018
4Q 2017
3Q 2017
Average Silver Spot Price Per Ounce
$
15.02

$
16.53

$
16.77

$
16.73

$
16.84

Average Gold Spot Price Per Ounce
$
1,213

$
1,306

$
1,329

$
1,275

$
1,278

Average Silver to Gold Spot Equivalence
81:1

79:1

79:1

76:1

76:1

Average Zinc Spot Price Per Pound
$
1.15

$
1.41

$
1.55

$
1.47

$
1.06

Average Silver to Zinc Spot Equivalence
0.08:1

0.09:1

0.09:1

0.09:1

0.06:1

Average Lead Spot Price Per Pound
$
0.95

$
1.08

$
1.14

$
1.13

$
1.06

Average Silver to Lead Spot Equivalence
0.06:1

0.07:1

0.07:1

0.07:1

0.06:1


For Additional Information
Coeur Mining, Inc.
104 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60603
Attention: Paul DePartout, Director, Investor Relations
Phone: (312) 489-5800
www.coeur.com

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