Ryan Mee, CEO of Fulcrum Metals, reviews FY23 and progress on the Gold Tailings Hub in Canada. Watch the video here.

Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksHochschild Regulatory News (HOC)

Share Price Information for Hochschild (HOC)

London Stock Exchange
Share Price is delayed by 15 minutes
Get Live Data
Share Price: 153.40
Bid: 151.20
Ask: 151.80
Change: 0.20 (0.13%)
Spread: 0.60 (0.397%)
Open: 156.20
High: 156.20
Low: 148.40
Prev. Close: 153.20
HOC Live PriceLast checked at -

Watchlists are a member only feature

Login to your account

Alerts are a premium feature

Login to your account

Q2 2017 Production Report

12 Jul 2017 07:00

RNS Number : 7786K
Hochschild Mining PLC
12 July 2017
 

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

12 July 2017

 

Production Report for the 6 months ended 30 June 2017

 

 

Ignacio Bustamante, Chief Executive Officer said:

Hochschild has continued to deliver a strong and steady production performance in the first half of the year and we are therefore pleased to reiterate both our 2017 output and cost forecasts. During the second half, we can look forward to increasing contributions from our new Pablo vein at Pallancata as well as starting the key portion of our 2017 brownfield exploration programme."

 

Operational highlights

§ Robust Q2 2017 attributable production1

o 4.8 million ounces of silver

o 60,815 ounces of gold

o 9.3 million silver equivalent ounces

o 126,007 gold equivalent ounces

§ H1 2017 attributable production in line with expectations

o 8.9 million ounces of silver

o 121,430 ounces of gold

o 17.9 million silver equivalent ounces (H1 2016: 17.0 million silver equivalent ounces)

o 242,208 gold equivalent ounces (H1 2016: 229,063 gold equivalent ounces)

§ On track to deliver overall 2017 production target of 37 million silver equivalent ounces

§ 2017 all-in sustaining costs per silver equivalent ounce expected to meet $12.2-12.7 guidance

§ 22,000 metres of drilling scheduled for H2 2017

 

Strengthening financial position

§ Total cash of approximately $144 million as at 30 June 2017 ($140 million as at 31 December 2016)

§ $18.5 million of debt repaid in H1 2017

§ Net debt of approximately $160 million as at 30 June 2017 ($187 million as at 31 December 2016)

§ Current Net Debt/LTM EBITDA of approximately 0.5x as of 30 June 2017

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

A conference call will be held at 2.30pm (London time) on Wednesday 12 July 2017 for analysts and investors.

Dial in details as follows:

International Dial in: +44 333 300 0804

UK Toll-Free Number: 0800 358 9473

Pin: 27820958#

A recording of the conference call will be available for one week following its conclusion, accessible from the following telephone number:

International: +44 333 300 0804

UK Toll Free: 0800 358 9473

Pin: 07800091#

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

1 All equivalent figures assume a gold/silver ratio of 74x

 

 

 

Overview

In H1 2017, the Company delivered attributable production of 242,208 gold equivalent ounces or 17.9 million silver equivalent ounces. Pallancata is delivering grades above expectations and was significantly ahead of the H1 2016 result despite a community-related stoppage in the first quarter. At Inmaculada, mining operations were boosted by a contribution from existing high grade stockpiles whilst there was also another solid performance from the 51% owned San Jose operation.

 

The Company reiterates that its all-in sustaining cost per silver equivalent ounce for 2017 is on track to be between $12.2 and $12.7.

 

TOTAL GROUP PRODUCTION

 

Q2 2017

Q1 2017

Q2 2016

H1 2017

H1 2016

Silver production (koz)

5,599

4,830

5,415

10,429

9,744

Gold production (koz)

73.29

70.98

79.39

144.27

139.43

Total silver equivalent (koz)

11,022

10,083

11,290

21,105

20,062

Total gold equivalent (koz)

148.95

136.26

152.57

285.21

271.11

Silver sold (koz)

5,908

4,600

5,614

10,508

10,085

Gold sold (koz)

75.70

67.72

83.55

143.42

146.10

Total production includes 100% of all production, including production attributable to Hochschild's joint venture partner at San Jose.

ATTRIBUTABLE GROUP PRODUCTION

 

Q2 2017

Q1 2017

Q2 2016

H1 2017

H1 2016

Silver production (koz)

4,824

4,113

4,548

8,938

8,210

Gold production (koz)

60.81

60.62

67.04

121.43

118.12

Silver equivalent (koz)

9,324

8,599

9,509

17,923

16,951

Gold equivalent (koz)

126.01

116.20

128.50

242.21

229.06

Attributable production includes 100% of all production from Arcata, Inmaculada, Pallancata and 51% from San Jose.

 

 

Production

Inmaculada

Product

Q2 2017

Q1 2017

Q2 2016

H1 2017

H1 2016

Ore production (tonnes treated)

330,393

283,959

338,630

614,352

619,161

Average grade silver (g/t)

148

135

142

142

132

Average grade gold (g/t)

3.80

4.33

4.42

4.04

4.25

Silver produced (koz)

1,405

1,239

1,396

2,644

2,370

Gold produced (koz)

38.03

41.79

45.18

79.82

79.20

Silver equivalent (koz)

4,219

4,331

4,739

8,550

8,231

Gold equivalent (koz)

57.01

58.53

64.04

115.55

111.23

Silver sold (koz)

1,448

1,195

1,585

2,642

2,468

Gold sold (koz)

38.35

39.98

50.26

78.32

82.17

 

Inmaculada's second quarter production was 38,029 ounces of gold and 1.4 million ounces of silver which amounts to gold equivalent production of 57,014 ounces. Following the stoppage at the operation in Q1 2017, mining operations were steadily ramped up back to full production in the second quarter with throughput and grades reverting to the budgeted level. Overall in the first half, the operation was ahead of the same period of 2016, with gold equivalent production of 115,547 ounces (H1 2016: 111,233 ounces), consisting of 79,820 ounces of gold and 2.6 million ounces of silver. Inmaculada remains on track to meet its full year forecast of approximately 230,000 gold equivalent ounces (17 million silver equivalent ounces).

 

 

 

Arcata

Product

Q2 2017

Q1 2017

Q2 2016

H1 2017

H1 2016

Ore production (tonnes treated)

129,215

132,428

172,305

261,643

333,397

Average grade silver (g/t)

308

310

345

309

327

Average grade gold (g/t)

1.06

1.12

1.31

1.09

1.22

Silver produced (koz)

1,138

1,165

1,592

2,303

2,970

Gold produced (koz)

3.90

4.14

5.68

8.04

10.36

Silver equivalent (koz)

1,427

1,471

2,013

2,898

3,736

Gold equivalent (koz)

19.28

19.88

27.20

39.16

50.49

Silver sold (koz)

1,139

1,121

1,572

2,261

2,922

Gold sold (koz)

3.71

4.23

5.70

7.94

10.14

 

At Arcata, silver production in the second quarter was 1.1 million ounces with gold production of 3,901 ounces which resulted in silver equivalent production of 1.4 million ounces. Overall in the first half, production was 2.9 million silver equivalent ounces (H1 2016: 3.7 million ounces) as tonnage and silver grades were reduced following a revision of the mine plan to accommodate a reduced number of stopes and narrower veins. The focus at Arcata is to improve its cost position by increasing the quality of resources through the brownfield exploration programme as well as other efficiency and productivity measures.

 

Pallancata

Product

Q2 2017

Q1 2017

Q2 2016

H1 2017

H1 2016

Ore production (tonnes treated)

121,282

71,662

66,313

192,744

135,736

Average grade silver (g/t)

424

468

358

440

341

Average grade gold (g/t)

1.75

1.94

1.85

1.82

1.77

Silver produced (koz)

1,475

964

658

2,439

1,273

Gold produced (koz)

5.90

3.89

3.32

9.79

6.37

Silver equivalent (koz)

1,912

1,252

903

3,163

1,745

Gold equivalent (koz)

25.83

16.92

12.21

42.75

23.58

Silver sold (koz)

1,558

878

757

2,437

1,315

Gold sold (koz)

6.23

3.49

3.76

9.72

6.50

 

Production in Q2 2017 at Pallancata was 1.5 million ounces of silver and 5,899 ounces of gold bringing the silver equivalent total to 1.9 million ounces. The first half of the year's performance was thus a better-than-expected 3.2 million silver equivalent ounces (H1 2016: 1.7 million ounces) with a significant improvement versus the same period of 2016.

 

San Jose (the Company has a 51% interest in San Jose)

Product

Q2 2017

Q1 2017

Q2 2016

H1 2017

H1 2016

Ore production (tonnes treated)

135,439

114,956

146,829

250,396

248,766

Average grade silver (g/t)

418

458

428

436

446

Average grade gold (g/t)

6.68

6.50

6.09

6.60

6.16

Silver produced (koz)

1,581

1,463

1,770

3,044

3,132

Gold produced (koz)

25.46

21.15

25.21

46.62

43.49

Silver equivalent (koz)

3,465

3,029

3,635

6,494

6,350

Gold equivalent (koz)

46.82

40.93

49.12

87.75

85.81

Silver sold (koz)

1,763

1,405

1,699

3,168

3,380

Gold sold (koz)

27.41

20.02

23.83

47.43

47.29

 

The Company's 51% owned San Jose mine in Argentina has continued to be a solid performer with production of 1.6 million ounces of silver and 25,463 ounces of gold (3.5 million silver equivalent ounces). The first half's production was therefore 3.0 million ounces of silver and 46,618 ounces of gold which is 6.5 million silver equivalent ounces, a 2% improvement on the same period of 2016 principally driven by better gold grades.

 

Average realisable prices and sales

Average realisable precious metal prices in Q2 2017 (which are reported before the deduction of commercial discounts) were $1,262/ounce for gold and $16.2/ounce for silver (Q2 2016: $1,213/ounce for gold and $17.9/ounce for silver). For H1 2017, average realisable precious metal prices were $1,251/ounce for gold and $17.1/ounce for silver (H1 2016: $1,236/ounce for gold and $17.1/ounce for silver).

 

Brownfield exploration

At Arcata, 5,419m of resource drilling was carried out at the Ramal Marion and Paralela veins whilst long horizontal drilling for potential resources also started in the Pamela and Paralelas vein systems with results still pending.

 

At Pallancata, during the quarter 1,000m of resource drilling was carried out in the Marco vein, a structure identified close to the Pablo vein with selected results below:

 

Vein

Results

Marco

DLYU-A92A: 1.4m @ 0.7g/t Au & 235g/t Ag

DLYU-A88: 1.1m @ 2.2g/t Au & 1,108g/t Ag

DLNE-A05: 0.6m @ 1.1g/t Au & 470g/t Ag

DLYU-A92A: 2.0m @ 0.7g/t Au & 169g/t Ag

DLNE-A07: 0.6m @ 1.1g/t Au & 152g/t Ag

 

During the second half of 2017, just over 22,000 metres of drilling will be executed as part of the Company's brownfield exploration programme. Targets include: 3,100 metres of long horizontal drilling for potential resources at Arcata as well as a further 10,000 metres of resource drilling; 1,000 metres of potential drilling to test the Millet structure at Inmaculada; 2,500 metres of potential drilling to the north east of Inmaculada at the Puquiopata area; and 5,500 metres at the Aguas Vivas zone to the north west of San Jose. Further drilling campaigns are subject to the receipt of the requisite permits.

 

Financial position

Total cash was approximately $144 million as at 30 June 2017 resulting in net debt of approximately $160 million. The Company's cash balance has, as expected, significantly improved in the second quarter following stoppage related delays in the first quarter at Pallancata and Inmaculada and a commercial delay at Arcata temporarily impacting working capital.

 

Outlook

The Company remains on track to deliver its overall production target for 2017 of 37.0 million silver equivalent ounces or 500 thousand gold equivalent ounces and also reaffirms its all-in sustaining cost per silver equivalent ounce forecast of between $12.2 and $12.7.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

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 four underground epithermal vein mines, three 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.

 

- ends -

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
DRLDFLFFDDFZBBB
Date   Source Headline
17th Jan 20187:00 amRNSQ4 2017 Production Report
8th Jan 20188:00 amRNSAdditional Listing
2nd Jan 20185:33 pmRNSBlocklisting Interim Review
2nd Jan 20182:54 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
28th Dec 20171:57 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
19th Dec 201710:04 amRNSBoard Appointment and Changes to Directors' Roles
6th Dec 20177:00 amRNSRedemption of 7.750% Bonds due 2021
9th Nov 20177:00 amRNSMining of Pablo vein set to commence
18th Oct 20177:00 amRNSQ3 2017 Production Report
19th Sep 201710:00 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
4th Sep 201712:31 pmRNSConversion Rate for 2017 Interim Dividend
4th Sep 201710:26 amRNSDirectorate Change
16th Aug 20177:00 amRNSInterim Results
12th Jul 20177:00 amRNSQ2 2017 Production Report
28th Jun 201712:39 pmRNSReport on Payments to Govts
16th Jun 201710:39 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
12th Jun 20174:11 pmRNSBlock Listing Six Monthly Return
9th Jun 201711:02 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
31st May 20175:57 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
15th May 201711:17 amRNSResult of EGM
12th May 201712:33 pmRNSAGM Statement
28th Apr 201712:59 pmRNSNotice of Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM")
27th Apr 20177:00 amRNSQ1 2017 Production Report
24th Apr 20174:52 pmRNSConversion Rate for Proposed 2016 Final Dividend
6th Apr 201711:49 amRNSAnnual Financial Report
22nd Mar 20174:06 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
20th Mar 20175:13 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
20th Mar 20175:12 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
17th Mar 20177:00 amRNSResults of Placing of Hochschild Mining plc Shares
16th Mar 20174:50 pmRNSProposed Placing of Hochschild Mining plc Shares
8th Mar 20177:00 amRNSPreliminary Results 2016
10th Feb 201710:19 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
1st Feb 20177:00 amRNSAccident at Inmaculada Mine
23rd Jan 20177:00 amRNSPallancata Dispute Resolved
18th Jan 20177:00 amRNSQ4 2016 Production Report
9th Jan 20171:04 pmRNSAdditional Listing
3rd Jan 20175:06 pmRNSTotal Voting Rights
3rd Jan 20175:05 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
21st Dec 201611:23 amRNSHochschild Mining announces Board Changes
15th Dec 20163:03 pmRNSAdditional Listing
15th Dec 20167:00 amRNSPallancata mine update
12th Dec 201611:17 amRNSAdditional Listing
14th Nov 20164:37 pmRNSHolding in Company
4th Nov 201611:02 amRNSHolding in Company
26th Oct 20169:58 amRNSHolding in Company
24th Oct 20163:32 pmRNSDirectorate Change
13th Oct 20167:00 amRNSQ3 2016 Production Report
6th Sep 20167:00 amRNSCapital Markets Presentation
5th Sep 20162:54 pmRNSConversion Rate for Interim Dividend
16th Aug 20167:00 amRNSInterim Results

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.

Quickpicks are a member only feature

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.