VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE:FSM) (TSX:FVI) ("Fortuna" or the "Company") today reported its consolidated financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year 2021.
Fourth Quarter 2021 Highlights
- Record sales of $198.9 million, an increase of 92% from the $103.5 million reported in Q4 2020, due primarily to the contribution of gold sales from the Yaramoko Mine of $52.2 million and from the Lindero Mine of $65.6 million
- Cost of sales of $140.6 million compared to $56.6 million reported in Q4 2020
- Net income of $16.6 million or $0.05 per share, compared to $18.6 million or $0.1 net income per share reported in Q4 2020
- Adjusted net income1 of $29.1 million compared to $23.0 million reported in Q4 2020
- Adjusted EBITDA1 of $89.6 million compared to $44.8 million reported in Q4 2020
- Net cash provided by operating activities of $57.1 million, compared to $31.3 million reported in Q4 2020
- Free cash flow from ongoing operations1 of $30.9 million compared to $34.5 million reported in Q4 2020
Full Year 2021 Highlights
- Sales of $599.9 million, compared to $279.0 million in 2020
- Cost of sales of $394.4 million, compared to $168.7 million in 2020
- Net income of $59.4 million, compared to $21.6 million in 2020
- Adjusted net income1 of $100.6 million, compared to $31.8 million in 2020
- Adjusted EBITDA1 of $280.7 million, compared to $112.6 million in 2020
- Net cash provided by operating activities of $147.1 million, compared to $93.4 million reported in Q4 2020
- Free cash flow1 from ongoing operations1 of $97.0 million, compared to $78.9 million in 2020
- Cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2021 was $107.1 million, compared to $131.9 million in 2020
- Silver and gold production of 7,498,701 ounces and 207,192 ounces, respectively, compared to 7,133,717 ounces and 55,349 ounces in 2020, respectively
- AISC1 per ounce of gold sold of $1,116 and $1,317 for the Lindero and Yaramoko mines, respectively
- AISC1,2 per silver equivalent ounce of payable silver sold of $14.38 and $18.94 for the San Jose and Caylloma mines, respectively, compared to $11.56 and $17.37 in 2020, respectively
Jorge A. Ganoza, President and CEO, commented, "Fortuna's record sales and adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of approximately $199 million and $90 million respectively, reflect strong operating results across our four mines in Latin America and West Africa. Lindero's solid performance in the quarter is particularly worth highlighting as the mine delivered 36,072 ounces of gold, in line with expectations and 37% above its gold production for the third quarter." Mr. Ganoza added, "With free cash flow generation from operations1 of $33 million in the quarter and the expansion of our corporate revolving credit facility to $200 million, we closed 2021 with a strong liquidity position of $187 million, $51 million over the third quarter considering $20 million in funding for the construction of the Séguéla Mine." Mr. Ganoza concluded, "Throughout 2022, we expect to spend $110 million in Séguéla and $20 million in Brownfields exploration, which includes $7.4 million at San Jose and $7.2 million at Séguéla."
Notes:
- Refer to the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section at the end of this news release and to the MD&A accompanying the Company's financial statements on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a description of the calculation of these measures.
- AISC ($/oz Ag Eq) is calculated at realized metal prices, refer to mine site results for realized prices and to the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section for silver equivalent ratio
Fourth Quarter 2021 and Full Year 2021 Consolidated Results
| Three months ended December 31 | Years ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | |||||||||
| Sales | 198.9 | 103.5 | 92 | % | 599.9 | 279.0 | 115 | % | ||||||
| Mine operating income | 58.3 | 46.9 | 24 | % | 205.5 | 110.2 | 86 | % | ||||||
| Operating income | 38.9 | 28.2 | 38 | % | 136.9 | 57.2 | 139 | % | ||||||
| Net income | 16.6 | 18.6 | (11 | )% | 59.4 | 21.6 | 175 | % | ||||||
| Earnings (loss) per share - basic | 0.05 | 0.10 | (48 | )% | 0.24 | 0.12 | 100 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted net income1 | 29.1 | 23.0 | 27 | % | 100.6 | 31.8 | 216 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA1 | 89.6 | 44.8 | 100 | % | 280.7 | 112.6 | 149 | % | ||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 57.1 | 31.3 | 82 | % | 147.1 | 93.4 | 57 | % | ||||||
| Free cash flow from ongoing operations1 | 30.9 | 34.5 | (10 | )% | 97.0 | 78.9 | 23 | % | ||||||
| Capital expenditures2 | ||||||||||||||
| Sustaining | 31.6 | 7.4 | 328 | % | 77.2 | 18.1 | 326 | % | ||||||
| Non-sustaining3 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 354 | % | 9.5 | 1.1 | 734 | % | ||||||
| Lindero construction | - | 20.4 | (100 | )% | 12.8 | 68.9 | (81 | )% | ||||||
| Séguéla construction | 19.8 | - | 100 | % | 34.2 | - | 100 | % | ||||||
| Brownfields | 8.2 | 1.8 | 351 | % | 18.9 | 4.9 | 284 | % | ||||||
| As at | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 107.1 | 131.9 | (19 | )% | ||||||||||
| 1 Refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures section at the end of this news release and to the MD&A accompanying the Company's financial statements on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a description of the calculation of these measures. | ||||||||||||||
| 2 Capital expenditures are presented on a cash basis | ||||||||||||||
| 3 Non-sustaining expenditures include greenfields exploration | ||||||||||||||
| Figures may not add due to rounding | ||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter 2021 Results
Sales for the quarter were $198.9 million, a 92% increase from the $103.5 million reported in the same period in 2020. The increase was driven by the contribution from the Lindero and Yaramoko mines. Lindero recognized adjusted sales of $65.6 million from the sale of 36,389 ounces of gold. Yaramoko recognized adjusted sales of $52.2 million from the sale of 29,077 ounces of gold. The San Jose Mine recognized adjusted sales of $56.7 million, a 6% decrease from the $60.5 million reported in the same period in 2020. Lower sales at San Jose were driven by a 6% decrease in the volume of gold ounces sold. The Caylloma Mine recognized adjusted sales of $24.4 million, a 7% increase from the $22.7 million reported in the same period in 2020. The increased sales at Caylloma were driven by higher lead and zinc prices, partially offset by lower volumes of metal sold.
Operating income for the quarter was $38.9 million, a $10.7 million increase from the $28.2 million reported in the same period in 2020. The higher operating income was driven by the contribution of Lindero and Yaramoko, partially offset by lower operating income at San Jose and low-grade inventory write-downs in the current quarter of $5.3 million (Yaramoko: $4.2 million; Lindero: $1.1 million).
Net income for the quarter was $16.6 million, a $2.0 million decrease from the $18.6 million reported in the same period in 2020. The lower net income was due to a $4.2 million loss on derivative contracts, higher interest expense of $2.7 million, and a higher effective tax rate (Q4 2021: 45%; Q4 2020: 34%).
Adjusted net income for the quarter was $29.1 million compared to $23.0 million reported in the same period in 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $89.6 million, a margin of 45% over sales, compared to $44.8 million reported in the same period in 2020, a margin of 43% over sales.
Full Year 2021 Results
Consolidated sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased 115% to $599.9 million compared to $279.0 million for the same period in 2020. The increase was driven by the contribution of Yaramoko and Lindero as well as higher silver prices in 2021 compared to 2020. Lindero recognized $179.0 million in gold doré sales comprising 100,177 ounces of gold. Yaramoko recognized $101.3 million of gold doré sales comprising 56,571 ounces of gold. Sales at San Jose increased 13% to $216.1 million as realized silver price increased 18% compared to 2020, along with a 3% increase in the volume of silver and gold ounces sold. Sales at Caylloma increased 53% to $103.5 million due primarily to an increase in the volume of metals sold and increases in the realized prices of lead and zinc of 20% and 32%, respectively, compared to realized prices in 2020.
Operating income for the the year ended December 31, 2021 was $136.9 million, a $79.7 million increase from the $57.2 million reported in the same period in 2020. The higher operating income was driven mainly by the contribution of Lindero of $45.2 million and Yaramoko of $17.0 million, and higher operating income at Caylloma of $23.9 million. This was partially offset by the San Jose Progreso royalty settlement of $14.3 million, and low-grade inventory write-downs amounting $7.0 million of which, Yaramoko and Lindero accounted for $4.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $59.4 million, a $37.8 million increase from the $21.6 million reported in 2020. The higher net income was offset by $14.1 million in transaction costs associated with the Company's acquisition (the "Roxgold Acquisition") of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Roxgold Inc., as well as higher interest expenses of $10.2 million. Interest expense was $8.7 million higher in 2021 compared to 2020 as $9.4 million was capitalized in 2020 related to the construction of the Lindero Mine.
Adjusted net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $100.6 million compared to $31.8 million in 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $280.7 million compared to $112.6 million in 2020.
Liquidity
Free cash flow from ongoing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $30.9 million compared to $34.5 million in the same period in 2020. Free cash flow from ongoing operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $97.0 million compared to $78.9 million in 2020.
Total liquidity available to the Company as at December 31, 2021 was $187.1 million. The Company's $200.0 million revolving credit facility was fully available as at the end of December 2021 and $80.0 million remained undrawn.
Lindero Mine, Argentina
The table below shows the key metrics used to measure the operating performance of the Lindero Mine for the fourth quarter of 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021: throughput, head grade, recovery, and gold production. The Lindero Mine was under construction during a portion of the fourth quarter of 2020, with first gold poured in October 2020.
| Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Mine Production | ||||||||||||
| Tonnes placed on the leach pad | 1,459,513 | 950,000 | 6,453,647 | 1,610,000 | ||||||||
| Gold | ||||||||||||
| Grade (g/t) | 1.04 | 1.13 | 0.96 | 1.00 | ||||||||
| Production (oz) | 36,072 | 13,435 | 104,161 | 13,435 | ||||||||
| Metal sold (oz) | 36,389 | 10,935 | 100,177 | 10,935 | ||||||||
| Realized price ($/oz) | 1,802 | 1,853 | 1,785 | 1,853 | ||||||||
| Unit Costs2 | ||||||||||||
| Cash cost ($/oz Au)1 | 585 | 657 | 617 | 657 | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Au)1 | 994 | - | 1,116 | - | ||||||||
| Capital expenditures ($000's) | ||||||||||||
| Sustaining | 7,214 | 1,410 | 27,522 | 1,410 | ||||||||
| Non-sustaining | 233 | - | 323 | - | ||||||||
| Brownfields | 389 | - | 875 | - | ||||||||
| 1 Cash cost and AISC are non-IFRS financial measures. Refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures section at the end of this news release and to the MD&A accompanying the Company's financial statements on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a description of the calculation of these measures. | ||||||||||||
| 2 First gold was poured at Lindero in October 2020. | ||||||||||||
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the onsite impact of COVID-19 continued to be minimal as the site reported 60 positive cases with no disruptions to operations. Travel restrictions in Argentina were also lifted in November 2021 which led to an improvement in lead times and onsite technical assistance from foreign vendors.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, a total of 1,459,513 tonnes of ore were placed on the heap leach pad averaging 1.04 g/t gold, containing an estimated 48,900 ounces of gold. Total gold production was 36,072 ounces of gold. Gold production for 2021 totaled 104,161 ounces, comprised of 99,313 ounces in doré, 730 ounces of gold contained in precipitate/sludge and 4,118 ounces of gold-in-carbon (GIC) inventory, in the upper range of the updated production and cost guidance issued in July 2021 (refer to Fortuna news release dated July 19, 2021, "Fortuna reports production of 55,953 gold equivalent ounces for the second quarter and issues updated guidance for 2021").
All processing areas performed according to plan:
- 1,444,260 tonnes of ore crushed and placed on the leach pad via conveyor stacking during the fourth quarter, a 17% increase over the previous quarter.
- Conveyor stacking averaged 16,228 tonnes per day during the fourth quarter, an increase of 21% over the previous quarter; including 31 days of conveyor stacking throughput over 18,750 tonnes per day
- The SART plant reached full design capacity of 393 cubic meters per hour in December of 2021, in line with plan
- The expansion of the carbon columns at the ADR plant was successfully commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2021 and is performing according to plan
Cash cost per ounce of gold for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 was $585 and $617 per ounce, respectively.
All-in sustaining cash costs per gold ounce sold was $994 during Q4 2021 and $1,116 in 2021 in line with the Company's updated cost guidance.
Total sustaining capital expenditures of $7.2 million during the quarter were primarily related to the completion of the ADR plant expansion, $4.2 million, and capitalized stripping, $2.0 million.
Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso
The table below shows the key metrics used to measure the operating performance of the Yaramoko Mine for the fourth quarter of 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021: throughput, head grade, recovery, and gold production. The Company acquired the Yaramoko Mine in connection with the Roxgold Acquisition, which closed on July 2, 2021. Accordingly, all production, operating and financial results in respect of the Yaramoko Mine for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in this news release reflect only those results from July 2, 2021 to December 31, 2021, unless indicated otherwise.
| Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Mine Production | ||||||||||||
| Tonnes milled | 132,188 | - | 258,866 | - | ||||||||
| Gold | ||||||||||||
| Grade (g/t) | 6.99 | - | 7.13 | - | ||||||||
| Production (oz) | 28,787 | - | 57,538 | - | ||||||||
| Metal sold (oz) | 29,077 | - | 56,571 | - | ||||||||
| Realized price ($/oz) | 1,796 | - | 1,789 | - | ||||||||
| Unit Costs | ||||||||||||
| Cash cost ($/oz Au)1 | 754 | - | 739 | - | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Au)1 | 1,436 | - | 1,317 | - | ||||||||
| Capital expenditures ($000's) | ||||||||||||
| Sustaining | 13,520 | - | 21,387 | - | ||||||||
| Non-sustaining | – | – | — | - | ||||||||
| Brownfields | 47 | - | 138 | - | ||||||||
| 1 Cash cost and AISC are non-IFRS financial measures. Refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures section at the end of this news release and to the MD&A accompanying the Company's financial statements on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a description on the calculation of these measures. | ||||||||||||
| 2 The Yaramoko Mine was acquired as part of the Roxgold Acquisition. As such comparative figures for previous quarters and years are not presented. Operating and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021 are for the period from July 2, 2021 to December 31, 2021. | ||||||||||||
The Yaramoko Mine produced 28,787 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter of 2021 with an average gold head grade of 6.99 g/t; below the plan for the quarter. Total gold production for the second semester of 2021 totaled 57,538 ounces of gold which was below guidance for the period. The production shortfall was the result of lower than planned mill feed grade in the fourth quarter of 2021, caused by the delay in mining of several high-grade stopes and some localized grade variability in the 55 Zone. The unmined stopes was resequenced into the mine plan in the first quarter of 2022.
Cash cost per gold ounce sold was $754, which was above plan, primarily due to lower production during Q4 2021 and $739 for the second semester of 2021.
All-in sustaining cash cost per gold ounce sold was $1,436 and $1,317 for Q4 2021 and for the second semester of 2021, respectively, which were above the Company's guidance. Higher all-in sustaining cash costs were the result of lower ounces sold due to the mine sequencing issue described.
Sustaining capital expenditures of $21.5 million during the second half of the year were related primarily to underground mine development costs and construction of a ventilation raise.
San Jose Mine, Mexico
The following table shows the key metrics used to measure the operating performance of the San Jose Mine for the fourth quarter of 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021: throughput, head grade, recovery, gold and silver production and unit costs:
| Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Mine Production | ||||||||||||
| Tonnes milled | 262,802 | 272,179 | 1,041,154 | 934,381 | ||||||||
| Average tonnes milled per day | 2,920 | 3,024 | 2,964 | 2,647 | ||||||||
| Silver | ||||||||||||
| Grade (g/t) | 219 | 206 | 209 | 224 | ||||||||
| Recovery (%) | 93 | 91 | 92 | 92 | ||||||||
| Production (oz) | 1,717,533 | 1,648,816 | 6,425,029 | 6,165,606 | ||||||||
| Metal sold (oz) | 1,729,152 | 1,721,697 | 6,433,808 | 6,225,433 | ||||||||
| Realized price ($/oz) | 23.39 | 24.45 | 25.15 | 21.26 | ||||||||
| Gold | ||||||||||||
| Grade (g/t) | 1.27 | 1.26 | 1.29 | 1.38 | ||||||||
| Recovery (%) | 92 | 91 | 91 | 91 | ||||||||
| Production (oz) | 9,929 | 10,095 | 39,406 | 37,805 | ||||||||
| Metal sold (oz) | 9,983 | 10,594 | 39,404 | 38,391 | ||||||||
| Realized price ($/oz) | 1,797 | 1,875 | 1,798 | 1,786 | ||||||||
| Unit Costs | ||||||||||||
| Production cash cost ($/t)2 | 79.66 | 71.48 | 75.80 | 68.79 | ||||||||
| Production cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)1,2 | 9.35 | 8.75 | 9.30 | 7.63 | ||||||||
| Net smelter return ($/t) | 207.57 | 203.80 | 210.99 | 199.22 | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)1,2 | 14.92 | 13.33 | 14.38 | 11.56 | ||||||||
| Capital expenditures ($000's) | ||||||||||||
| Sustaining | 5,137 | 4,022 | 14,492 | 10,787 | ||||||||
| Non-sustaining | 518 | 568 | 2,294 | 942 | ||||||||
| Brownfields | 2,176 | 1,643 | 8,784 | 4,406 | ||||||||
| 1 Production cash cost silver equivalent and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are calculated using realized metal prices for each period respectively | ||||||||||||
| 2 Production cash cost, Production cash cost silver equivalent, and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are non-IFRS financial measures, refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures section at the end of this news release, and the to the MD&A accompanying the Company's financial statements on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a description of the calculation of these measures. | ||||||||||||
The San Jose Mine produced 1,717,533 ounces of silver and 9,929 ounces of gold during the three months ended December 31, 2021, which represents an 4% increase and 2% decrease over the same period in 2020, respectively. The decrease in gold production was due to lower tonnes milled.
Annual production of silver and gold totaled 6,425,029 ounces and 39,406 ounces, an increase of 4% for both from 2020 annual production, respectively, which was in line with guidance.
The cash cost per tonne for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $79.66 per tonne compared to $71.48 per tonne in the same period in 2020 primarily due to higher indirect costs. Cash cost per tonne for the full year 2021 increased to $75.80 compared to $68.79 for 2020 due to higher mine preparation and support and higher indirect costs.
The all-in sustaining cash cost of payable silver equivalent for the full year 2021 increased 24% to $14.38 per ounce compared to $11.56 for the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily as a result of additional sustaining capital expenditures and Brownfields exploration which were limited in 2020 due to the impacts of business restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. All-in sustaining cash costs for the year were in line with guidance.
Caylloma Mine, Peru
The following table shows the key metrics used to measure the operating performance of the Caylloma Mine for the fourth quarter of 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021: throughput, head grade, recovery, silver, lead and zinc production and unit costs:
| Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Mine Production | ||||||||||||
| Tonnes milled | 137,838 | 136,132 | 539,779 | 510,047 | ||||||||
| Average tonnes milled per day | 1,549 | 1,530 | 1,525 | 1,433 | ||||||||
| Silver | ||||||||||||
| Grade (g/t) | 73 | 73 | 76 | 72 | ||||||||
| Recovery (%) | 81 | 82 | 82 | 82 | ||||||||
| Production (oz) | 262,710 | 263,921 | 1,073,672 | 968,111 | ||||||||
| Metal sold (oz) | 243,869 | 262,356 | 1,074,364 | 967,199 | ||||||||
| Realized price ($/oz) | 23.39 | 24.30 | 25.25 | 20.63 | ||||||||
| Gold | ||||||||||||
| Grade (g/t) | 0.44 | 0.60 | 0.49 | 0.41 | ||||||||
| Recovery (%) | 70 | 69 | 71 | 61 | ||||||||
| Production (oz) | 1,374 | 1,827 | 6,086 | 4,109 | ||||||||
| Metal sold (oz) | 1,297 | 1,768 | 6,140 | 4,049 | ||||||||
| Realized price ($/oz) | 1,798 | 1,865 | 1,792 | 1,861 | ||||||||
| Lead | ||||||||||||
| Grade (%) | 3.20 | 3.16 | 3.16 | 3.00 | ||||||||
| Recovery (%) | 87 | 89 | 88 | 88 | ||||||||
| Production (000's lbs) | 8,419 | 8,426 | 32,990 | 29,628 | ||||||||
| Metal sold (000's lbs) | 7,945 | 8,386 | 33,299 | 29,582 | ||||||||
| Realized price ($/lb) | 1.06 | 0.86 | 1.00 | 0.83 | ||||||||
| Zinc | ||||||||||||
| Grade (%) | 4.25 | 4.69 | 4.56 | 4.61 | ||||||||
| Recovery (%) | 87 | 88 | 88 | 88 | ||||||||
| Production (000's lbs) | 11,380 | 12,434 | 47,549 | 45,545 | ||||||||
| Metal sold (000's lbs) | 11,053 | 12,154 | 47,828 | 45,154 | ||||||||
| Realized price ($/lb) | 1.51 | 1.18 | 1.36 | 1.03 | ||||||||
| Unit Costs | ||||||||||||
| Production cash cost ($/t)2 | 97.87 | 81.65 | 88.41 | 77.19 | ||||||||
| Production cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)1,2 | 13.83 | 14.61 | 13.46 | 14.06 | ||||||||
| Net smelter return ($/t) | 186.71 | 163.57 | 192.02 | 131.40 | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)1,2 | 20.71 | 18.69 | 18.94 | 17.37 | ||||||||
| Capital expenditures ($000's) | ||||||||||||
| Sustaining | 5,755 | 1,950 | 13,758 | 5,909 | ||||||||
| Brownfields | 1,027 | 170 | 3,731 | 514 | ||||||||
| 1 Production cash cost silver equivalent and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are calculated using realized metal prices for each period respectively | ||||||||||||
| 2 Production cash cost, Production cash cost silver equivalent, and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are non-IFRS financial measures, refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures section at the end of this news release and to the MD&A accompanying the Company's financial statements on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a description on the calculation of these measures. | ||||||||||||
The Caylloma Mine produced 262,710 ounces of silver, 8.4 million pounds of lead and 11.4 million pounds of zinc during the three months ended December 31, 2021, which was in line with the same period in 2020 except for zinc which was lower by 8% due to a lower head grade. Gold production totaled 1,374 ounces with an average head grade of 0.44 g/t.
Annual production of silver, lead and zinc totaled 1,073,672 ounces of silver, 33.0 million pounds of lead, and 47.5 million pounds of zinc, which represent an 11% increase in silver, 11% increase in lead, and a 4% increase in zinc production compared to 2020. Gold production for the full year 2021 totaled 6,086 ounces, which was an increase of 48% over 2020, with an average head grade of 0.49 g/t. Production for the year was in line with guidance.
The cash cost per tonne of processed ore for the three months ended December 31, 2021 increased 20% to $97.87 compared to $81.65 in the same period in 2020. The increase was the result of higher mining costs related to shotcrete and transportation and higher energy costs at the plant. Cash cost per tonne for the full year 2021 increased to $88.41 compared to $76.59 for 2020 due to higher mine preparation and support and higher indirect costs related to administration and energy.
The all-in sustaining cash cost for the three months ended December 31, 2021 increased 11% to $20.71 per ounce compared to $18.69 per ounce for the same period in 2020. The increase was driven by higher sustaining capital expenditures and Brownfields exploration .
The all-in sustaining cash cost for the full year 2021 increased 9% to $18.94 per ounce compared to $17.37 per ounce in 2020 due to higher sustaining capital expenditures and Brownfields exploration. The increase was primarily due to the significantly decreased capital expenditures in 2020 due to the impacts of business restrictions relating to COVID-19 pandemic. The Caylloma Mine finished 2021 slightly below cost guidance as a result of higher silver equivalent metal sales.
Qualified Person
Eric N. Chapman, Senior Vice President of Technical Services of Fortuna, is a Professional Geoscientist of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of British Columbia (Registration Number 36328), and is the Company's Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101). Mr. Chapman has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release and has verified the underlying data.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
The Company has disclosed certain financial measures and ratios in this news release which are not defined under the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and are not disclosed in the Company's financial statements, including but not limited to: cash cost per ounce of gold sold; all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold; all-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold; total production cash cost per tonne; cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; all-in cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; free cash flow from ongoing operations; adjusted net income; and adjusted EBITDA.
These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance and are used by management to monitor and evaluate the Company's operating performance and ability to generate cash. The Company believes that, in addition to financial measures and ratios prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use these non-IFRS financial measures and ratios to evaluate the Company's performance. However, the measures do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. Accordingly, non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures and ratios of the Company's performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Company has calculated these measures consistently for all periods presented.
To facilitate a better understanding of these measures and ratios as calculated by the Company, descriptions are provided below. In addition, see "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 ("2021 MD&A"), which section is incorporated by reference in this news release, for additional information regarding each non-IFRS financial measure and non-IFRS ratio disclosed in this news release, including an explanation of their composition; an explanation of how such measures and ratios provide useful information to an investor and the additional purposes, if any, for which management of Fortuna uses such measures and ratio. The 2021 MD&A may be accessed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile, Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Except as otherwise described in the 2021 MD&A, the Company has calculated these measures consistently for all periods presented.
Reconciliation to Adjusted Net Income for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
| Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| Consolidated | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Net income | 16.6 | 18.6 | 59.4 | 21.6 | ||||||||
| Adjustments, net of tax: | ||||||||||||
| Community support provision and accruals1 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 0.2 | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange loss, Lindero Mine2 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 11.8 | ||||||||
| Share of loss from associates | - | - | - | 0.1 | ||||||||
| Investment income | - | - | - | (3.3 | ) | |||||||
| Roxgold transaction costs | - | - | 14.1 | - | ||||||||
| SGM Royalty settlement | 1.0 | - | 9.8 | - | ||||||||
| Inventory adjustment | 4.6 | - | 6.3 | - | ||||||||
| Accretion on right of use assets | 1.0 | - | 2.2 | - | ||||||||
| Other non-cash/non-recurring items | 4.3 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 1.4 | ||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income (loss) | 29.1 | 23.0 | 100.6 | 31.8 | ||||||||
| 1 Amounts are recorded in Cost of sales | ||||||||||||
| 2 Amounts are recorded in General and Administration | ||||||||||||
Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
| Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Net income | 16.6 | 18.6 | 59.4 | 21.6 | |||||||||
| Adjustments: | |||||||||||||
| Community support provision and accruals | 2.1 | (0.4 | ) | 1.9 | (0.4 | ) | |||||||
| Inventory adjustment | 5.3 | - | 7.0 | - | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange loss, Lindero Mine | 0.3 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 11.8 | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange loss, Séguéla Project | 0.2 | - | 0.2 | - | |||||||||
| Net finance items | 3.7 | 0.2 | 12.3 | 1.2 | |||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | 44.8 | 13.9 | 122.3 | 45.7 | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 13.5 | 9.1 | 47.7 | 37.4 | |||||||||
| Share of loss from associates | - | - | - | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Investment income | - | - | - | (3.3 | ) | ||||||||
| SGM Royalty settlement | - | - | 9.6 | - | |||||||||
| Roxgold transaction costs | - | - | 14.1 | - | |||||||||
| Other non-cash/non-recurring items | 3.1 | 0.2 | 2.1 | (1.5 | ) | ||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 89.6 | 44.8 | 280.7 | 112.6 | |||||||||
Reconciliation of free cash flow from ongoing operations for three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
| Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
| (Restated) | (Restated) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 57.1 | 31.3 | 147.1 | 93.4 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments | |||||||||||||||
| Roxgold Acquisition transaction costs | - | - | 27.9 | - | |||||||||||
| Change in long term receivables and assets | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||
| Additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment | (35.3 | ) | (9.2 | ) | (90.7 | ) | (23.0 | ) | |||||||
| Impact of adoption in IAS 16 and Production costs | - | 21.9 | - | 21.9 | |||||||||||
| Current income tax expense | (16.5 | ) | (13.3 | ) | (51.7 | ) | (38.8 | ) | |||||||
| Income taxes paid | 19.1 | 5.6 | 62.7 | 28.2 | |||||||||||
| Other adjustments | 6.4 | (2.7 | ) | 1.6 | (2.7 | ) | |||||||||
| Free cash flow from ongoing operations | 30.9 | 34.5 | 97.0 | 78.9 | |||||||||||
Reconciliation of cash cost per ounce of gold sold for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
| Lindero Mine | Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| (Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 46,915 | - | 122,889 | - | ||||||||||
| Changes in doré inventory | 353 | - | 2,066 | - | ||||||||||
| Inventory adjustment | (1,072 | ) | - | (2,815 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Export duties | (4,891 | ) | - | (13,410 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation | (19,154 | ) | - | (43,665 | ) | - | ||||||||
| By product credits | (77 | ) | - | (260 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Production cash cost | 22,074 | - | 64,805 | - | ||||||||||
| Changes in doré inventory | (353 | ) | - | (2,066 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Realized gain in diesel hedge | (438 | ) | - | (963 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Cash cost applicable per gold ounce sold | A | 21,283 | - | 61,776 | - | |||||||||
| Ounces of gold sold | B | 36,375 | - | 100,137 | - | |||||||||
| Cash cost per ounce of gold sold ($/oz) | =A/B | 585 | - | 617 | - | |||||||||
| Yaramoko Mine | Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| (Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 42,381 | - | 80,812 | - | ||||||||||
| Changes in doré inventory | 719 | - | 1,542 | - | ||||||||||
| Inventory adjustment | (4,153 | ) | - | (4,153 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Export duties | (3,018 | ) | - | (5,993 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation | (13,235 | ) | - | (28,974 | ) | - | ||||||||
| By product credits | (195 | ) | - | (134 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Production cash cost | 22,499 | - | 43,100 | - | ||||||||||
| Changes in doré inventory | (719 | ) | - | (1,542 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Refining charges | 133 | - | 271 | - | ||||||||||
| Cash cost applicable per gold ounce sold | A | 21,913 | - | 41,829 | - | |||||||||
| Ounces of gold sold | B | 29,077 | - | 56,571 | - | |||||||||
| Cash cost per ounce of gold sold ($/oz) | =A/B | 754 | - | 739 | - | |||||||||
Reconciliation of all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
| Lindero Mine | Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| (Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Cash cost applicable | 21,283 | - | 61,776 | - | ||||||||
| Export duties and mining taxes | 4,891 | - | 13,410 | - | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses (operations) | 1,640 | - | 5,643 | - | ||||||||
| Adjusted operating cash cost | 27,814 | - | 80,829 | - | ||||||||
| Sustaining leases | 752 | - | 2,548 | - | ||||||||
| Sustaining capital expenditures1 | 7,214 | - | 27,522 | - | ||||||||
| Brownfields exploration expenditures1 | 389 | - | 875 | - | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost | 36,169 | - | 111,774 | - | ||||||||
| Non-sustaining capital expenditures1 | 233 | - | 323 | - | ||||||||
| All-in cash cost | 36,402 | - | 112,097 | - | ||||||||
| Ounces of gold sold | 36,375 | - | 100,137 | - | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold | 994 | - | 1,116 | - | ||||||||
| All-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold | 1,001 | - | 1,119 | - | ||||||||
| 1 Presented on a cash basis | ||||||||||||
| Yaramoko Mine | Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| (Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Cash cost applicable | 21,913 | - | 41,829 | - | ||||||||
| Inventory net realizable value adjustment | 1,285 | - | 1,285 | - | ||||||||
| Export duties and mining taxes | 3,018 | - | 5,993 | - | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses (operations) | 514 | - | 953 | - | ||||||||
| Adjusted operating cash cost | 26,730 | - | 50,060 | - | ||||||||
| Sustaining leases | 1,467 | - | 2,934 | - | ||||||||
| Sustaining capital expenditures1 | 13,520 | - | 21,387 | - | ||||||||
| Brownfields exploration expenditures1 | 47 | - | 138 | - | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost | 41,764 | - | 74,519 | - | ||||||||
| All-in cash cost | 41,764 | - | 74,519 | - | ||||||||
| Ounces of gold sold | 29,077 | - | 56,571 | - | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold | 1,436 | - | 1,317 | - | ||||||||
| All-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold | 1,436 | - | 1,317 | - | ||||||||
| 1 Presented on a cash basis | ||||||||||||
| 2 Adjustment related to current stockpile | ||||||||||||
Reconciliation of production cash cost per tonne and cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
| San Jose Mine | Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 32,705 | 31,027 | 122,756 | 104,315 | ||||||||||||
| Changes in concentrate inventory | (118 | ) | (1,477 | ) | 163 | (1,200 | ) | |||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory | 11 | 967 | 32 | 380 | ||||||||||||
| Inventory adjustment | (52 | ) | 16 | (6 | ) | 18 | ||||||||||
| Royalties and mining taxes | (1,587 | ) | (1,411 | ) | (5,955 | ) | (4,289 | ) | ||||||||
| Workers participation | (1,236 | ) | (1,501 | ) | (5,809 | ) | (6,560 | ) | ||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation | (8,789 | ) | (8,165 | ) | (32,257 | ) | (28,387 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash cost | A | 20,934 | 19,456 | 78,924 | 64,277 | |||||||||||
| Total processed ore (tonnes) | B | 262,802 | 272,179 | 1,041,154 | 934,382 | |||||||||||
| Production cash cost per tonne ($/t) | =A/B | 79.66 | 71.48 | 75.80 | 68.79 | |||||||||||
| Cash cost | A | 20,934 | 19,456 | 78,924 | 64,277 | |||||||||||
| Changes in concentrate inventory | 118 | 1,477 | (163 | ) | 1,200 | |||||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory | (11 | ) | (967 | ) | (32 | ) | (380 | ) | ||||||||
| Inventory adjustment | 52 | (16 | ) | 6 | (18 | ) | ||||||||||
| Treatment charges | 190 | 303 | (251 | ) | 406 | |||||||||||
| Refining charges | 1,157 | 976 | 4,318 | 3,530 | ||||||||||||
| Cash cost applicable per payable ounce sold | C | 22,440 | 21,229 | 82,802 | 69,015 | |||||||||||
| Payable ounces of silver equivalent sold1 | D | 2,400,989 | 2,425,395 | 8,902,680 | 9,044,605 | |||||||||||
| Cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2 ($/oz) | =C/D | 9.35 | 8.75 | 9.30 | 7.63 | |||||||||||
| Mining cost per tonne | 37.90 | 36.67 | 38.74 | 35.43 | ||||||||||||
| Milling cost per tonne | 16.56 | 16.02 | 16.68 | 16.31 | ||||||||||||
| Indirect cost per tonne | 16.84 | 11.56 | 13.72 | 9.69 | ||||||||||||
| Community relations cost per tonne | 5.15 | 0.87 | 4.79 | 0.97 | ||||||||||||
| Distribution cost per tonne | 3.20 | 6.36 | 1.88 | 6.39 | ||||||||||||
| Production cash cost per tonne ($/t) | 79.66 | 71.48 | 75.80 | 68.79 | ||||||||||||
| 1 Silver equivalent sold for Q4 2021 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 76.8:1 (Q4 2020: 76.7:1) and for Year 2021 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 71.5:1 (Year 2020: 84.0:1) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold and silver. Refer to Financial Results – Sales and Realized Prices | ||||||||||||||||
| Caylloma Mine | Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 18,585 | 15,475 | 67,917 | 54,357 | ||||||||||||
| Changes in concentrate inventory | 939 | 318 | 297 | 345 | ||||||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory | 165 | (229 | ) | 61 | (2 | ) | ||||||||||
| Inventory adjustment | (61 | ) | (13 | ) | (61 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||||||
| Royalties and mining taxes | (188 | ) | (133 | ) | (345 | ) | (523 | ) | ||||||||
| Provision for community support | (2,125 | ) | - | (2,125 | ) | 101 | ||||||||||
| Workers participation | (214 | ) | (488 | ) | (1,838 | ) | (899 | ) | ||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation | (3,607 | ) | (3,815 | ) | (16,182 | ) | (13,994 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash cost | A | 13,494 | 11,115 | 47,724 | 39,372 | |||||||||||
| Total processed ore (tonnes) | B | 137,838 | 136,132 | 539,779 | 510,048 | |||||||||||
| Production cash cost per tonne ($/t) | =A/B | 97.89 | 81.65 | 88.41 | 77.19 | |||||||||||
| Cash cost | A | 13,494 | 11,115 | 47,724 | 39,372 | |||||||||||
| Changes in concentrate inventory | (939 | ) | (318 | ) | (297 | ) | (345 | ) | ||||||||
| Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory | (165 | ) | 229 | (61 | ) | 2 | ||||||||||
| Inventory adjustment | 61 | 13 | 61 | 13 | ||||||||||||
| Treatment charges | 4,629 | 5,357 | 15,754 | 19,334 | ||||||||||||
| Refining charges | 378 | 410 | 1,670 | 1,493 | ||||||||||||
| Cash cost applicable per payable ounce sold | C | 17,458 | 16,806 | 64,851 | 59,869 | |||||||||||
| Payable ounces of silver equivalent sold1 | D | 1,261,967 | 1,150,047 | 4,819,365 | 4,258,979 | |||||||||||
| Cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2 ($/oz) | =C/D | 13.83 | 14.61 | 13.46 | 14.06 | |||||||||||
| Mining cost per tonne | 42.02 | 34.89 | 34.71 | 33.85 | ||||||||||||
| Milling cost per tonne | 16.27 | 15.62 | 15.34 | 14.39 | ||||||||||||
| Indirect cost per tonne | 29.45 | 23.21 | 29.49 | 21.62 | ||||||||||||
| Community relations cost per tonne | 7.96 | 1.57 | 7.77 | 0.78 | ||||||||||||
| Distribution cost per tonne | 2.18 | 6.36 | 1.10 | 6.55 | ||||||||||||
| Production cash cost per tonne ($/t) | 97.87 | 81.65 | 88.41 | 77.19 | ||||||||||||
| 1 Silver equivalent sold for Q4 2021 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 76.9:1 (Q4 2020: 76.8:1), silver to lead ratio of 1:22.2 pounds (Q4 2020: 1:28.2), and silver to zinc ratio of 1:15.4 pounds (Q4 2020: 1:20.6). Year 2021 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 70.9:1 (Year 2020: 90.2:1), silver to lead ratio of 1:25.3 pounds (Year 2020: 1:24.9), and silver to zinc ratio of 1:18.6 pounds (Year 2020: 1:20.0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales and Realized Prices | ||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of All-in Sustaining Cash Cost and All-in Cash Cost per Payable Ounce of Silver Equivalent Sold for three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
| San Jose Mine | Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| (Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Cash cost applicable | 22,440 | 21,229 | 82,802 | 69,015 | ||||||||
| Royalties and mining taxes | 1,587 | 1,411 | 5,955 | 4,289 | ||||||||
| Workers' participation | 1,545 | 1,876 | 7,261 | 8,200 | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses (operations) | 2,779 | 2,086 | 8,111 | 6,027 | ||||||||
| Adjusted operating cash cost | 28,351 | 26,602 | 104,129 | 87,531 | ||||||||
| Care and maintenance costs (impact of COVID-19) | - | - | - | 1,568 | ||||||||
| Sustaining leases | 161 | 63 | 608 | 251 | ||||||||
| Sustaining capital expenditures3 | 5,137 | 4,022 | 14,492 | 10,787 | ||||||||
| Brownfields exploration expenditures3 | 2,176 | 1,643 | 8,784 | 4,406 | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost | 35,825 | 32,330 | 128,013 | 104,543 | ||||||||
| Non-sustaining capital expenditures3 | 518 | 568 | 2,294 | 942 | ||||||||
| All-in cash cost | 36,343 | 32,898 | 130,307 | 105,485 | ||||||||
| Payable ounces of silver equivalent sold1 | 2,400,989 | 2,425,395 | 8,902,680 | 9,044,605 | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2 | 14.92 | 13.33 | 14.38 | 11.56 | ||||||||
| All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2 | 15.14 | 13.56 | 14.64 | 11.66 | ||||||||
| 1 Silver equivalent sold for Q4 2021 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 76.8:1 (Q4 2020: 76.7:1) and for Year 2021 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 71.5:1 (Year 2020: 84.0:1) | ||||||||||||
| 2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold and silver. Refer to Financial Results - Sales and Realized Prices | ||||||||||||
| 3 Presented on a cash basis | ||||||||||||
| Caylloma Mine | Three months ended December 31, | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| (Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Cash cost applicable | 17,458 | 16,806 | 64,851 | 59,869 | ||||||||
| Royalties and mining taxes | 188 | 133 | 345 | 523 | ||||||||
| Workers' participation | 244 | 559 | 2,129 | 1,036 | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses (operations) | 786 | 1,182 | 3,625 | 3,520 | ||||||||
| Adjusted operating cash cost | 18,676 | 18,680 | 70,950 | 64,948 | ||||||||
| Sustaining leases | 681 | 696 | 2,851 | 2,626 | ||||||||
| Sustaining capital expenditures3 | 5,755 | 1,950 | 13,758 | 5,909 | ||||||||
| Brownfields exploration expenditures3 | 1,027 | 170 | 3,731 | 514 | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost | 26,139 | 21,496 | 91,290 | 73,997 | ||||||||
| All-in cash cost | 26,139 | 21,496 | 91,290 | 73,997 | ||||||||
| Payable ounces of silver equivalent sold1 | 1,261,967 | 1,150,047 | 4,819,365 | 4,258,979 | ||||||||
| All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2 | 20.71 | 18.69 | 18.94 | 17.37 | ||||||||
| All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent sold2 | 20.71 | 18.69 | 18.94 | 17.37 | ||||||||
| 1 Silver equivalent sold for Q4 2021 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 76.9:1 (Q4 2020: 76.8:1) , silver to lead ratio of 1:22.2 pounds (Q4 2020: 1:28.2), and silver to zinc ratio of 1:15.4 pounds (Q4 2020: 1:20.6). Year 2021 is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 70.9:1 (Year 2020: 90.2:1), silver to lead ratio of 1:25.3 pounds (Year 2020: 1:24.9), and silver to zinc ratio of 1:18.6 pounds (Year 2020: 1:20.0) | ||||||||||||
| 2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales and Realized Prices | ||||||||||||
| 3 Presented on a cash basis | ||||||||||||
Additional information regarding the Company's financial results and activities underway are available in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and accompanying 2021 MD&A, which are available for download on the Company's website, on SEDAR and on EDGAR.
Conference Call and Webcast
A conference call to discuss the financial and operational results will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time | 12:00 p.m. Eastern time. Hosting the call will be Jorge A. Ganoza, President and CEO, Luis D. Ganoza, Chief Financial Officer, Cesar Velasco, Chief Operating Officer - Latin America, and Paul Criddle, Chief Operating Officer - West Africa.
Shareholders, analysts, media and interested investors are invited to listen to the live conference call by logging onto the webcast or over the phone by dialing in just prior to the starting time.
Conference call details:
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. Pacific time | 12:00 p.m. Eastern time
Dial in number (Toll Free): +1.888.506.0062
Dial in number (International): +1.973.528.0011
Entry code: 382909
Replay number (Toll Free): +1.877.481.4010
Replay number (International): +1.919.882.2331
Replay Passcode: 44738
Playback of the earnings call will be available until Thursday, April 7, 2022. Playback of the webcast will be available until Saturday, March 25, 2023. In addition, a transcript of the call will be archived on the Company's website.
About Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. is a Canadian precious metals mining company with four operating mines in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Mexico and Peru, and a fifth mine under construction in Côte d'Ivoire. Sustainability is integral to all our operations and relationships. We produce gold and silver and generate shared value over the long-term for our stakeholders through efficient production, environmental protection, and social responsibility. For more information, please visit our website.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Jorge A. Ganoza
President, CEO, and Director
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Investor Relations:
Carlos Baca | [email protected]
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "Forward-looking Statements"). All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are Forward-looking Statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-looking Statements. The Forward-looking Statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements about the Company's plans for its mines and mineral properties; the Company's anticipated performance in 2022; estimated capital expenditures in 2022 and exploration spending in 2022, including amounts for exploration activities at the Séguéla and San Jose properties; the Company's plans for the construction of an open pit mine at the Séguéla project in Cote d'Ivoire; the economics for the construction of the mine at the Séguéla project as set out in the feasibility study, the estimated construction capital expenditures for the project, the timelines and schedules for the construction and production of gold at the Séguéla project; statements regarding the Company's liquidity; the Company's business strategy, plans and outlook; the merit of the Company's mines and mineral properties; mineral resource and reserve estimates; production costs; timelines; the future financial or operating performance of the Company; anticipated approvals and other matters. Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimated", "expected", "anticipated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "planned", "reflecting", "will", "containing", "remaining", "to be", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.
Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's mining operations and construction activities; the risks relating to a global pandemic, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as risks associated with war or other geo-political hostilities, such as the Ukrainian – Russian conflict, any of which could continue to cause a disruption in global economic activity; the risks associated with the completion of the Roxgold Acquisition, including the ability of the Company to successfully consolidate functions, integrate operations, procedures and personnel; adverse changes in prices for gold, silver and other metals; the ability of the Company to obtain an extension of the San Jose environmental impact authorization ("EIA"), including the Company's success in challenging an alleged typographical error in the San Jose EIA received by the Company in December 2021 and in obtaining a permanent injunction or equivalent court protection to allow the continued operation of the San Jose mine pending the approval of an extension to the San Jose EIA; fluctuation in currencies and foreign exchange rates; inflation; the imposition of capital controls in countries in which the Company operates; any extension of the currency controls in Argentina; changes in the prices of key supplies; technological and operational hazards in Fortuna's mining and mine development activities; risks inherent in mineral exploration; uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral reserves, mineral resources, and metal recoveries; changes to current estimates of mineral reserves and resources; changes to production and cost estimates; changes in the position of regulatory authorities with respect to the granting of approvals or permits; governmental and other approvals; changes in government, political unrest or instability in countries where Fortuna is active; labor relations issues; as well as those factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.
Forward-looking Statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource and reserve estimates; that the Company's activities will be conducted in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company, its properties or changes to production estimates (which assume accuracy of projected ore grade, mining rates, recovery timing, and recovery rate estimates and may be impacted by unscheduled maintenance, labour and contractor availability and other operating or technical difficulties); the duration and impacts of COVID-19 and other geo-political uncertainties on the Company's production, workforce, business, operations and financial condition; the expected trends in mineral prices and currency exchange rates; that the Company will obtain succeed in challenging the alleged typographical error in the December 2021 extension to the San Jose EIA; that all required approvals and permits will be obtained for the Company's business and operations on acceptable terms; that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company's operations and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward-looking Statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that these Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on Forward-looking Statements.
