UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

__________________

 

FORM 6-K 

_____________________

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

 

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT of 1934

 

November, 2015

_____________________

 

Pan American Silver Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 1500-625 HOWE STREET

VANCOUVER BC CANADA V6C 2T6

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 000-13727

(Commission File Number)

_____________________

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

 Form 20-F  ¨  Form 40-F x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1). _____

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ____

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 Yes ¨  No x

 

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): ______

 

 

 
 

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
(Registrant)
     
Date: November 12, 2015 By:   /s/ KEENAN HOHOL

Keenan Hohol

General Counsel

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT LIST

 

Exhibit Description
99.1 Interim Financial Statements for the Period Ended September 30, 2015
99.2   Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the Period Ended September 30, 2015
99.3   CEO Certificate
99.4   CFO Certificate

 

 

 



Exhibit 99.1

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES

 

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(unaudited in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

  September 30,
2015
  December 31,
2014
 
Assets          
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 18)  $155,299   $146,193 
Short-term investments (Note 5)   110,794    184,220 
Trade and other receivables (Note 4)   101,671    105,644 
Income taxes receivable   26,940    37,626 
Inventories (Note 6)   216,246    252,549 
Derivative financial instruments (Note 4)   1,335    - 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   6,704    4,464 
   618,989   730,696  
Non-current assets          
Mineral properties, plant and equipment (Note 7)   1,236,550    1,266,391 
Long-term refundable tax   7,568    7,698 
Deferred tax assets   7,499    2,584 
Other assets (Note 9)   2,144    7,447 
Goodwill (Note 8)   3,057    3,057 
Total Assets  $1,875,807   $2,017,873 
           
Liabilities          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 10)  $124,659   $126,209 
Loan payable (Note 11)   20,021    17,600 
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 14)   35,852    34,797 
Provisions (Note 12)   3,120    3,121 
Derivative financial instruments (Note 4)   1,182    - 
Current portion of finance lease (Note 13)   1,749    3,993 
Current income tax liabilities   12,307    22,321 
   198,890   208,041  
Non-current liabilities          
Provisions (Note 12)   44,822    45,063 
Deferred tax liabilities   159,862    160,072 
Long-term portion of finance lease (Note 13)   247    4,044 
Other long-term liabilities (Note 15)   30,697    30,716 
Total Liabilities   434,518    447,936 
           
Equity          
Capital and reserves (Note 16)          
Issued capital   2,296,845    2,296,672 
Share option reserve   22,612    22,091 
Investment revaluation reserve   (561)   (485)
Deficit   (883,051)   (755,186)
Total Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company   1,435,845    1,563,092 
Non-controlling interests   5,444    6,845 
Total Equity   1,441,289    1,569,937 
Total Liabilities and Equity  $1,875,807   $2,017,873 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 4, 23)

See accompanying notes to the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

APPROVED BY THE BOARD ON November 11, 2015

 

“signed” Ross Beaty, Director “signed” Geoff A. Burns, Director

 

2 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Net Loss

(unaudited in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for earnings per share)

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Revenue (Note 19)  $159,414   $178,265   $511,728   $588,846 
Cost of sales                    
Production costs (Note 20)   (143,337)   (150,754)   (404,158)   (427,508)
Depreciation and amortization   (36,722)   (34,060)   (113,928)   (109,217)
Royalties   (5,351)   (5,829)   (17,960)   (22,678)
    (185,410)   (190,643)   (536,046)   (559,403)
Mine operating (loss) earnings   (25,996)   (12,378)   (24,318)   29,443 
                     
General and administrative   (1,639)   (3,561)   (12,137)   (14,857)
Exploration and project development   (3,372)   (3,665)   (9,620)   (8,947)
Impairment charge (Note 8)   (28,756)   -    (28,756)   - 
Foreign exchange loss   (3,679)   (6,667)   (9,033)   (8,789)
(Loss) gain on commodity, diesel fuel swap and foreign currency contracts (Note 4)   (810)   -    1,675    - 
Gain (loss) on sale of assets   62    (129)   334    200 
Other (expenses) income   (4,080)   (230)   (4,320)   269 
Loss from operations   (68,270)   (26,630)   (86,175)   (2,681)
                     
Gain on derivatives (Note 4)   -    2,242    274    1,600 
Investment income   438    1,064    1,067    2,272 
Interest and finance expense (Note 21)   (1,449)   (1,150)   (5,923)   (7,463)
Loss before income taxes   (69,281)   (24,474)   (90,757)   (6,272)
Income tax recovery (expense) (Note 22)   1,767    4,297    (3,841)   (12,824)
Net loss for the period  $(67,514)  $(20,177)  $(94,598)  $(19,096)
                     
Attributable to:                    
Equity holders of the Company  $(67,048)  $(20,254)  $(93,741)   (18,882)
Non-controlling interests   (466)   77    (857)   (214)
   $(67,514)  $(20,177)  $(94,598)  $(19,096)
                     
Loss per share attributable to common shareholders (Note 17)                    
Basic loss per share  $(0.44)  $(0.13)  $(0.62)  $(0.12)
Diluted loss per share  $(0.44)  $(0.15)  $(0.62)  $(0.13)
Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000’s) Basic   151,653    151,506    151,647    151,503 
Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000’s) Diluted   151,653    153,433    151,647    153,430 

 

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive loss

(unaudited in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Net loss for the period  $(67,514)  $(20,177)  $(94,598)  $(19,096)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to net earnings:                    
Unrealized net loss on available for sale securities (net of zero dollars tax in 2015 and 2014)   (1,087)   (68)   (1,203)   (943)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in earnings (net of zero dollars tax in 2015 and 2014)   874    81    1,127    762 
Total comprehensive loss for the period  $(67,727)  $(20,164)  $(94,674)  $(19,277)
                     
Total comprehensive loss attributable to:                    
Equity holders of the Company  $(67,261)  $(20,241)  $(93,817)  $(19,063)
Non-controlling interests   (466)   77    (857)   (214)
Total comprehensive loss for the period  $(67,727)  $(20,164)  $(94,674)  $(19,277)

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

3 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014
As adjusted
(Note 18)
   2015   2014
As adjusted
(Note 18)
 
Cash flow from operating activities                    
Net loss for the period  $(67,514)  $(20,177)  $(94,598)  $(19,096)
Current income tax expense (recovery) (Note 22)   2,387    (252)   8,740    25,672 
Deferred income tax recovery (Note 22)   (4,154)   (4,045)   (4,899)   (12,848)
Interest expense (Note 21)   (113)   245    2,474    4,712 
Depreciation and amortization   36,722    34,060    113,928    109,217 
Impairment charge (Note 8)   28,756    -    28,756    - 
Accretion on closure and decommissioning provision (Note 21)   809    809    2,429    2,429 
Unrealized loss on foreign exchange   3,185    2,577    2,179    4,652 
Share-based compensation expense   781    672    2,343    2,025 
Loss (gain) on commodity and diesel fuel swap contracts   810    -    (1,675)   - 
Gain on derivatives (Note 4)   -    (2,242)   (274)   (1,600)
(Gain) loss on sale of assets   (62)   129    (334)   (200)
Net realizable value adjustment for inventory   16,374    15,414    5,833    27,741 
Changes in non-cash operating working capital (Note 18)   6,659    14,271    13,776    7,748 
Operating cash flows before interest and income taxes   24,640    41,461    78,678    150,452 
                     
Interest paid   (510)   (1,802)   (3,649)   (3,183)
Interest received   506    994    910    1,543 
Income taxes received (paid)   8,230    (2,308)   (10,648)   (25,447)
Net cash generated from operating activities  $32,866   $38,345   $65,291   $123,365 
                     
Cash flow from investing activities                    
Payments for mineral properties, plant and equipment   (31,026)   (27,925)   (93,030)   (101,630)
(Purchase) proceeds of short term investments   (18,410)   (19,000)   73,048    (47,196)
Proceeds from settlement of commodity contracts   949    -    1,521    - 
Proceeds from sale of assets   253    86    544    474 
Other proceeds (expenditures)   388    (623)   555    (1,262)
Net cash used in investing activities  $(47,846)  $(47,462)  $(17,362)  $(149,614)
                     
Cash flow from financing activities                    
Distributions to non-controlling interests   (248)   (376)   (529)   (376)
Dividends paid   (7,586)   (18,939)   (34,124)   (56,817)
(Payments on) proceeds from short term loans   (4,188)   12,522    2,345    (1,994)
Payments on construction and equipment leases   (558)   (2,581)   (6,960)   (3,803)
Net cash used in financing activities  $(12,580)  $(9,374)  $(39,268)  $(62,990)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   192    (515)   445    (716)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (27,368)   (19,006)   9,106    (89,955)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period   182,667    178,988    146,193    249,937 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period  $155,299   $159,982   $155,299   $159,982 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

                                 

4 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(unaudited in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for number of shares)

 

      Attributable to equity holders of the Company              
    Issued
shares
    Issued
capital
    Share
option
reserve
    Investment
revaluation
reserve
    Deficit     Total     Non-
controlling
interests
   

Total

equity

 
Balance, December 31, 2013     151,500,294     $ 2,295,208     $ 21,110     $ (137 )   $ (133,847 )   $ 2,182,334     $ 6,455     $ 2,188,789  
Total comprehensive loss                                                                
Net (loss) earnings for the year     -       -       -       -       (545,588 )     (545,588 )     765       (544,823 )
Other comprehensive loss     -       -       -       (348 )     -       (348 )     -       (348 )
      -       -       -       (348 )     (545,588 )     (545,936 )     765       (545,171 )
Shares issued as compensation     142,986       1,461       -       -       -       1,461       -       1,461  
Shares issued on the exercise of warrants     92       3       -       -       -       3       -       3  
Stock-based compensation on option grants     -       -       981       -       -       981       -       981  
Distributions by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests     -       -       -       -       -       -       (375 )     (375 )
Dividends paid     -       -       -       -       (75,751 )     (75,751 )     -       (75,751 )
Balance, December 31, 2014     151,643,372     $ 2,296,672     $ 22,091     $ (485 )   $ (755,186 )   $ 1,563,092     $ 6,845     $ 1,569,937  
Total comprehensive loss                                                                
Net loss for the period     -       -       -       -       (93,741 )     (93,741 )     (857 )     (94,598 )
Other comprehensive loss     -       -       -       (76 )     -       (76 )     -       (76 )
      -       -       -       (76 )     (93,741 )     (93,817 )     (857 )     (94,674 )
Shares issued as compensation     25,128       173       -       -       -       173       -       173  
Share-based compensation on option grants     -       -       521       -       -       521       -       521  
Distributions by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests     -       -       -       -       -       -       (544 )     (544 )
Dividends paid     -       -       -       -       (34,124 )     (34,124 )     -       (34,124 )
Balance, September 30, 2015     151,668,500     $ 2,296,845     $ 22,612     $ (561 )   $ (883,051 )   $ 1,435,845     $ 5,444     $ 1,441,289  

  

   Attributable to equity holders of the Company         
   Issued
shares
   Issued
capital
   Share
option
reserve
   Investment
revaluation
reserve
   Deficit   Total   Non-
controlling
interests
  

Total
equity

 
Balance, December 31, 2013   151,500,294   $2,295,208   $21,110   $(137)  $(133,847)  $2,182,334   $6,455   $2,188,789 
Total comprehensive income                                        
Net loss for the period   -    -    -    -    (18,882)   (18,882)   (214)   (19,096)
Other comprehensive loss   -    -    -    (181)   -    (181)   -    (181)
    -    -    -    (181)   (18,882)   (19,063)   (214)   (19,277)
Shares issued as compensation   5,521    72    -    -    -    72    -    72 
Share-based compensation on option grants   -    -    717    -    -    717    -    717 
Distributions by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests   -    -    -    -    -    -    (376)   (376)
Dividends paid   -    -    -    -    (56,817)   (56.817)   -    (56,817)
Balance, September 30, 2014   151,505,815   $2,295,280   $21,827   $(318)  $(209,546)  $2,107,243   $5,865   $2,113,108 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

5 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

1.Nature of Operations

 

Pan American Silver Corp. is the ultimate parent company of its subsidiary group (collectively, the “Company”, or “Pan American”). The Company is incorporated and domiciled in Canada, and its registered office is at Suite 1500 – 625 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2T6.

 

The Company is engaged in the production and sale of silver, gold and base metals including copper, lead and zinc as well as other related activities, including exploration, extraction, processing, refining and reclamation. The Company’s primary product (silver) is produced in Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. Additionally, the Company has project development activities in Mexico, Peru and Argentina, and exploration activities throughout South America, Mexico and the United States.

 

2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

a.Basis of Preparation

 

These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting (“IAS 34”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and follow the same accounting policies applied and disclosed in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, as they do not include all the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in Canada for complete financial statements.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months periods ending September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2015. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Changes in Accounting Policies

 

There were no significant accounting standards or interpretations along with any consequential amendments, required for the Company to adopt effective January 1, 2015.

 

b.Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective

 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”) was issued by the IASB on July 24, 2014 and will replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS 9 utilizes a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured at amortized cost or fair value and a new mixed measurement model for debt instruments having only two categories: amortized cost and fair value. The approach in IFRS 9 is based on how an entity manages its financial instruments in the context of its business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. Final amendments released on July 24, 2014 also introduce a new expected loss impairment model and limited changes to the classification and measurement requirements for financial assets. IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the final standard and amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

 

IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”) In May 2014, the IASB and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) completed its joint project to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for IFRS and US GAAP. As a result of the joint project, the IASB issued IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and will replace IAS 18, Revenue, IAS 11, Construction Contracts, and related interpretations on revenue. IFRS 15 establishes principles to address the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. Companies can elect to use either a full or modified retrospective approach when adopting this standard. On July 22, 2015, the IASB confirmed a one year deferral of the effective date of IFRS 15 to January 1, 2018. The Company is in the process of analyzing IFRS 15 and determining the effect on our consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this standard.

 

6 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

c.Basis of Consolidation

 

These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements include the wholly-owned and partially-owned subsidiaries of the Company, the most significant of which are presented in the following table:

 

Subsidiary  Location 

Ownership
Interest

   Status 

Operations and Development
Projects Owned

Pan American Silver Huaron S.A.  Peru   100%  Consolidated  Huaron Mine
Compañía Minera Argentum S.A.  Peru   92%  Consolidated  Morococha Mine
Minera Corner Bay S.A. de C.V  Mexico   100%  Consolidated  Alamo Dorado Mine
Plata Panamericana S.A. de C.V.  Mexico   100%  Consolidated  La Colorada Mine
Compañía Minera Dolores S.A. de C.V.  Mexico   100%   Consolidated  Dolores Mine
Minera Tritón Argentina S.A.  Argentina   100%  Consolidated  Manantial Espejo Mine
Pan American Silver (Bolivia) S.A.  Bolivia   95%  Consolidated  San Vicente Mine
Minera Argenta S.A.  Argentina   100%  Consolidated  Navidad Project

 

3.Management of Capital

 

The Company’s objective when managing its capital is to maintain its ability to continue as a going concern while at the same time maximizing growth of its business and providing returns to its shareholders. The Company’s capital structure consists of equity, comprised of issued capital plus share option reserve plus investment revaluation reserve plus retained deficit all totaling to $1.4 billion as at September 30, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $1.6 billion). The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments based on changes to its economic environment and the risk characteristics of the Company’s assets. The Company’s capital requirements are effectively managed based on the Company having a thorough reporting, planning and forecasting process to help identify the funds required to ensure the Company is able to meet its operating and growth objectives.

 

The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements and the Company’s overall strategy with respect to capital risk management remains unchanged from the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

4.Financial Instruments

 

a)Financial assets and liabilities classified as at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”)

 

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities classified as at FVTPL are as follows:

 

  

September 30,

2015

   December 31,
2014
 
Current derivative assets          
Commodity swap contracts  $1,335   $- 
   $1,335   $- 
Current derivative liabilities          
Foreign currency and diesel fuel swap contracts  $1,182   $- 
Conversion feature on convertible notes (Note 14)   4    278 
   $1,186   $278 

 

In addition, accounts receivable arising from sales of metal concentrates have been designated and classified as at FVTPL.

 

7 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 


  September 30,
2015
   December 31,
 2014
 
Trade receivables from provisional concentrates sales  $25,117   $29,288 
Not arising from sale of metal concentrates   76,554    76,356 
Trade and other receivables  $101,671   $105,644 

 

The net gains (losses) on derivatives for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were comprised of the following:

 

  

Three months ended

September 30,

   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Gain (loss) on commodity, diesel fuel swap and foreign currency contracts:                    
Realized gain on commodity and diesel fuel swap contracts  $949   $-   $1,521   $- 
                     
Unrealized (loss) gain on commodity and diesel fuel swap contracts   (1,587)   -    326    - 
Loss on foreign currency contracts   (172)   -    (172)   - 
   $(810)  $-   $1,675   $- 
Gain (loss) on derivatives:                    
(Loss) gain on share purchase warrants  $-   $(2)  $-   $200 
Gain on conversion feature of convertible notes (Note 14)   -    2,244    274    1,400 
   $-   $2,242   $274   $1,600 

 

b)Financial assets designated as available-for-sale

 

The Company’s investments in marketable securities are designated as available-for-sale. The unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments recognized in other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Unrealized net loss on available for sale securities (net of zero dollars tax in 2015 and 2014)  $(1,087)  $(68)  $(1,203)  $(943)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in earnings (net of zero dollars tax in 2015 and 2014)   874    81    1,127    762 
   $(213)  $13   $(76)  $(181)

 

c)Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

(i)Fair value measurement of financial assets and liabilities recognized in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements

 

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

8 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value, grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows:

 

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

 

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no observable market data).

 

At September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, the levels in the fair value hierarchy into which the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured and recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized as follows:

 

   September 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 1   Level 2 
Assets and Liabilities:                    
Short-term investments  $110,794   $-   $184,220   $- 
Trade receivable from provisional concentrate sales   -    25,117    -    29,288 
Copper swap contracts   -    1,335    -    - 
Foreign currency contracts   -    (172)   -    - 
Diesel swap contracts   -    (1,010)   -    - 
Conversion feature of convertible notes   -    (4)   -    (278)
   $110,794   $25,266   $184,220   $29,010 

 

The Company’s policy for determining when a transfer occurs between levels in the fair value hierarchy is to assess the impact at the date of the event or the change in circumstances that could result in a transfer. There were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

At September 30, 2015, there were no financial assets or liabilities measured and recognized in the condensed interim consolidated income statements at a fair value that would be categorized as a level 3 in the fair value hierarchy above (December 31, 2014 - $nil).

 

(ii)Valuation Techniques

 

Short-term investments

 

The Company’s short-term investments and other investments are valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and are primarily money market securities and U.S. Treasury securities. The fair value of investment securities is calculated as the quoted market price of the investment and in the case of equity securities, the quoted market price multiplied by the quantity of shares held by the Company.

 

Receivables from provisional concentrate sales

 

The Company’s trade receivables arose from provisional concentrate sales and are valued using quoted market prices based on the forward London Metal Exchange (“LME”) price for copper, zinc and lead and the London Bullion Market Association P.M. fix (“London P.M. fix”) for gold and silver and as such are classified as level 2 of the fair market value hierarchy.

 

9 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

Derivative financial assets

 

The Company’s unrealized gains and losses on commodity contracts, diesel fuel swaps and foreign currency contracts are valued using observable market prices and as such are classified as Level 2 of the fair market value hierarchy.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 the Company entered into diesel swap contracts designated to fix or limit the Company’s exposure to higher fuel prices (the “Diesel fuel swaps”). The Diesel fuel swaps had an initial notional value of $18.0 million of which $10.6 million remained outstanding as at September 30, 2015. The Company recorded losses of $2.2 million and $0.7 million on the Diesel fuel swaps in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $nil).

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 the Company entered into copper swap contracts designated to fix or limit the Company’s exposure to lower copper prices (the “Copper swaps”). The copper swaps were on 4,080 metric tonnes (“MT”) of copper at an average price of $6,044 USD/MT. The Company recorded gains of $1.6 million and $2.5 million on the copper contracts in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $nil).

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 the Company has entered into collared positions for its foreign currency exposure of MXN purchases with puts and call contracts which have a nominal value of $22.7 million and have settlement dates between October, 2015 and June, 2016. The positions have a weighted average floor of $15.96 and average cap of $18.15. The Company recorded losses of $0.2 million and $0.2 million on the MXN forward contracts in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $nil).

 

Convertible notes

 

The Company’s unrealized gains and losses on the conversion feature of the convertible note are valued using observable inputs and as such are classified as Level 2 of the fair market value hierarchy. The conversion feature on the convertible notes is considered an embedded derivative and is classified as and accounted for as a financial liability at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings. The fair value of the conversion feature of the convertible notes is determined using a model that includes the volatility and price of the Company’s common shares and a credit spread structure with reference to the corresponding fair value of the debt component of the convertible notes.

 

d)Financial Instruments and Related Risks

 

The Company has exposure to risks of varying degrees of significance which could affect its ability to achieve its strategic objectives for growth and shareholder returns. The principal financial risks to which the Company is exposed are metal price risk, credit risk, foreign exchange rate risk, and liquidity risk. The Company’s Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company’s risk management framework and reviews the Company’s policies on an ongoing basis.

 

(i)Metal Price Risk

 

Metal price risk is the risk that changes in metal prices will affect the Company’s income or the value of its related financial instruments. The Company derives its revenue from the sale of silver, gold, lead, copper, and zinc. The Company’s sales are directly dependent on metal prices that have shown extreme volatility and are beyond the Company’s control. The Company mitigates the price risk associated with its base metal production by committing some of its forecasted base metal production from time to time under forward sales and option contracts. The Company has entered into Copper swap contracts discussed above under Derivative financial assets. The Board of Directors continually assess the Company’s strategy towards its base metal exposure, depending on market conditions.

 

10 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

(ii)Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations and arises principally from the Company’s trade receivables. The carrying value of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.

 

The Company has long-term concentrate contracts to sell the zinc, lead and copper concentrates produced by the Huaron, Morococha, San Vicente and La Colorada mines. Concentrate contracts are common business practice in the mining industry. The terms of the concentrate contracts may require the Company to deliver concentrate that has a value greater than the payment received at the time of delivery, thereby introducing the Company to credit risk of the buyers of the concentrates. Should any of these counterparties not honour supply arrangements, or should any of them become insolvent, the Company may incur losses for products already shipped and be forced to sell its concentrates on the spot market or it may not have a market for its concentrates and therefore its future operating results may be materially adversely impacted. At September 30, 2015 the Company had receivable balances associated with buyers of its concentrates of $25.1 million (December 31, 2014 - $29.3 million). The vast majority of the Company’s concentrate is sold to ten well known concentrate buyers.

 

Silver doré production from La Colorada, Alamo Dorado, Dolores and Manantial Espejo is refined under long term agreements with fixed refining terms at three separate refineries worldwide. The Company generally retains the risk and title to the precious metals throughout the process of refining and therefore is exposed to the risk that the refineries will not be able to perform in accordance with the refining contract and that the Company may not be able to fully recover precious metals in such circumstances. At September 30, 2015 the Company had approximately $25.5 million (December 31, 2014 - $44.7 million) of value contained in precious metal inventory at refineries. The Company maintains insurance coverage against the loss of precious metals at the Company’s mine sites, in-transit to refineries and whilst at the refineries.

 

The Company maintains trading facilities with several banks and bullion dealers for the purposes of transacting the Company’s trading activities. None of these facilities are subject to margin arrangements. The Company’s trading activities can expose the Company to the credit risk of its counterparties to the extent that the Company’s trading positions have a positive mark-to-market value. However, the Company minimizes this risk by ensuring there is no excessive concentration of credit risk with any single counterparty, by active credit management and monitoring.

 

Refined silver and gold is sold in the spot market to various bullion traders and banks. Credit risk may arise from these activities if the Company is not paid for metal at the time it is delivered, as required by spot sale contracts.

 

Management constantly monitors and assesses the credit risk resulting from its refining arrangements, concentrate sales and commodity contracts with its refiners, trading counterparties and customers. Furthermore, management carefully considers credit risk when allocating prospective sales and refining business to counterparties. In making allocation decisions, Management attempts to avoid unacceptable concentration of credit risk to any single counterparty.

 

The Company invests its cash with the objective of maintaining safety of principal and providing adequate liquidity to meet all current payment obligations. The credit risk, which the Company regularly assesses, is that the bank as an issuer of a financial instrument will default.

 

(iii)  Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

 

The Company reports its financial statements in United States dollars (“USD”); however, the Company operates in jurisdictions that utilize other currencies. As a consequence, the financial results of the Company’s operations as reported in USD are subject to changes in the value of the USD relative to local currencies. Since the Company’s sales are denominated in USD and a portion of the Company’s operating costs and capital spending are in local currencies, the Company is negatively impacted by strengthening local currencies relative to the USD and positively impacted by the inverse.

 

11 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

To mitigate this exposure, from time to time the Company has purchased Peruvian Nuevo soles (“PEN”), Mexican pesos (“MXN”) and Canadian Dollars (“CAD”) to match anticipated spending. At September 30, 2015, the Company had no outstanding contracts to purchase CAD or PEN. At September 30, 2015, the Company has collared its foreign currency exposure of MXN purchases with puts and call contracts which have a nominal value of $22.7 million and have settlement dates between October, 2015 and June, 2016. The positions have a weighted average floor of $15.96 and average cap of $18.15.

 

The Company’s net earnings are affected by the revaluation of its monetary assets and monetary liabilities at each balance sheet date. At September 30, 2015, the Company’s cash and short term investments include $18.9 million in CAD, $14.4 million in MXN, $2.8 million in PEN, and $1.4 million in Bolivian Bolivianos (“BOB”) (December 31, 2014 - $74.3 million in CAD, $18.7 million in MXN, $4.8 million in PEN, and $0.4 million in BOB).

 

(iv)Liquidity Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they come due. The Company manages its liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecasted and actual cash flows. The Company has in place a rigorous planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company’s normal operating requirements on an ongoing basis and its expansion plans. The Company strives to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet its short-term business requirements, taking into account its anticipated cash flows from operations, its holdings of cash and short-term investments, and its committed loan facilities.

 

(v)Commitments

 

The Company’s commitments at September 30, 2015 have contractual maturities as summarized below:

 

Payments due by period
   Total   Within 1 year(2)   2 - 3 years   4- 5 years   After 5
years
 
Current liabilities  $122,915   $122,915   $-   $-   $- 
Loan obligation (Note 11)   20,198    20,198    -    -    - 
Severance accrual   4,186    904    1,353    1,181    748 
Finance lease obligations(1)    2,026    1,777    249    -    - 
Provisions   4,789    3,120    330    733    606 
Income taxes payable   12,307    12,307    -    -    - 
Derivative financial instruments   1,182    1,182    -    -    - 
Restricted share units (“RSUs”) (3) (Note 16)   1,502    1,002    500    -    - 
Performance share units (“PSUs”) (4) (Note 16)   199    -    199    -    - 
Current portion of long term debt (5) (Note 14)   36,239    36,239    -    -    - 
Total contractual obligations(6)  $205,543   $199,644   $2,631   $1,914   $1,354 

(1)Includes lease obligations in the amount of $2.0 million (December 31, 2014 - $8.4 million) with a net present value of $2.0 million (December 31, 2014 - $8.0 million) discussed further in Note 13.
(2)Includes all current liabilities as per the statement of financial position plus items presented separately in this table that are expected to be paid but not accrued in the books of the Company. A reconciliation of the current liabilities balance per the statement of financial position to the total contractual obligations within one year per the commitment schedule is shown in the table below.

 

September 30, 2015  Future interest component   Within 1 year 
Current portion of:               
Accounts payable and other liabilities  $122,915   $-   $122,915 
Loan obligation   20,021    177    20,198 
Current severance liability   904    -    904 
Current portion of finance lease   1,749    28    1,777 
Provisions   3,120    -    3,120 
Income taxes payable   12,307    -    12,307 
Derivative financial instruments   1,182    -    1,182 
Employee Compensation PSU’s & RSU’s   840    162    1,002 
Convertible note   35,852    387    36,239 
Total contractual obligations within one year  $198,890   $754   $199,644 

 

12 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

(3)Includes RSU obligation in the amount of $1.5 million (December 31, 2014 – $2.2 million) that will be settled in cash or shares. The RSUs vest in two instalments, 50% one year from date of grant and 50% two years from date of grant.
(4)Includes PSU obligation in the amount of $0.2 million (December 31, 2014- $nil) that will be settled in cash. The PSU’s vest three years from date of grant.
(5)Represents the face value of the replacement convertible note and future interest payments related to the Minefinders acquisition. Refer to Note 14 for further details.
(6)Amounts above do not include payments related to the Company’s anticipated closure and decommissioning obligation, the deferred credit arising from the Aquiline acquisition discussed in Note 15, and deferred tax liabilities.

 

5.Short Term Investments

 

   September 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Available for sale  Fair
Value
   Cost   Accumulated
unrealized
holding
 losses
   Fair
Value
   Cost   Accumulated
unrealized
holding
 losses
 
Short term investments  $110,794   $111,355   $(561)  $184,220   $184,705   $(485)

 

6.Inventories

 

Inventories consist of:

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
 2014
 
Concentrate inventory  $20,351   $16,679 
Stockpile ore(1)   20,267    44,236 
Heap leach inventory and in process (2)   87,447    78,564 
Doré and finished inventory (3)   36,084    57,175 
Materials and supplies   52,097    55,895 
   $216,246   $252,549 
(1)Includes an impairment charge of $26.8 million to reduce the cost of inventory to net realizable value (“NRV“) at Manantial Espejo and Dolores mines (December 31, 2014 – $0.9 million).
(2)Includes an impairment charge of $18.3 million to reduce the cost of inventory to NRV at Dolores, Manantial Espejo and Alamo Dorado mines (December 31, 2014 - $32.3 million).
(3)Includes an impairment charge of $3.6 million to reduce the cost of inventory to NRV at Dolores and Manantial Espejo mines (December 31, 2014 - $9.7 million for Dolores, Alamo Dorado and Manantial Espejo).

 

7.Mineral Properties, Plant and Equipment

 

Mineral properties, plant and equipment consist of:

 

13 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

   September 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
   Cost  

Accumulated

Depreciation

And

Impairment

   Carrying
Value
   Cost  

Accumulated

Depreciation

And

Impairment

   Carrying
 Value
 
Huaron mine, Peru  $165,961   $(80,045)  $85,916   $158,750   $(71,351)  $87,399 
Morococha mine, Peru   212,012    (98,124)   113,888    211,545    (86,936)   124,609 
Alamo Dorado mine, Mexico   194,552    (187,314)   7,238    193,715    (179,274)   14,441 
La Colorada mine, Mexico   174,584    (69,890)   104,694    140,784    (61,650)   79,134 
Dolores mine, Mexico   896,777    (477,673)   419,104    859,655    (452,645)   407,010 
Manantial Espejo mine, Argentina   359,759    (333,734)   26,025    346,498    (277,296)   69,202 
San Vicente mine, Bolivia   129,511    (69,952)   59,559    128,014    (63,812)   64,202 
Other   24,844    (16,207)   8,637    24,745    (15,696)   9,049 
Total  $2,158,000   $(1,332,939)  $825,061   $2,063,706   $(1,208,660)  $855,046 
                               
Land and Exploration and Evaluation:                              
Land            $4,451             $4,977 
Navidad Project, Argentina             190,471              190,471 
Minefinders Group, Mexico             180,717              180,074 
Morococha, Peru             9,674              9,674 
Other             26,176              26,149 
Total non-producing properties            $411,489             $411,345 
Total mineral properties, plant and equipment            $1,236,550             $1,266,391 

 

8.Impairment of Non-Current Assets and Goodwill

 

Non-current assets are tested for impairment when events or changes in assumptions indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company performs an impairment test for goodwill at each financial year end and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying value may not be recoverable.

 

Based on the Company’s assessment at September 30, 2015 of potential impairments with respect to its mineral properties, the Company has concluded that other than in connection with the Manantial Espejo mine discussed below, there were no additional impairment charges required as at September 30, 2015.

 

Impairment at September 30, 2015

 

As a result of an observed decrease in short-term consensus commodity prices which was more pronounced than in prior interim periods, the Company concluded that the effect of decreased short-term consensus prices was an indication of potential impairment with respect to the Manantial Espejo and Alamo Dorado mines due in part to their relatively short remaining mine lives. It was determined that the carrying value of Alamo Dorado as at September 30, 2015 was supportable and that no impairment charge was required. The Company used these prices to update the most current near-term life of mine cash flow model for Manantial Espejo mine and further concluded an impairment charge was required.

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company determined that the carrying value of the Manantial Espejo mine of approximately $83.4 million, including mineral properties, plant equipment, and stockpile inventories, net of associated deferred tax assets and closure and decommissioning liabilities, was greater than its recoverable amount of $29.9 million when using a 8.25% risk adjusted discount rate. Based on the above assessment at September 30, 2015, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to the Manantial Espejo mine of $49.7 million, before tax ($53.5 million including deferred tax adjustment of $3.7 million) comprised of mineral property, plant and equipment of $28.8 million, and stockpile inventory adjustment of $21.0 million. The Company estimated the recoverable amount of the mine by way of a discounted future cash flow model. Key assumptions for the model included the most current information on operating and capital costs, and risk adjusted project specific discount rates. The Company considered use of its internal discounted cash flow economic models as a proxy for the calculation of fair value less costs to sell. The Company used a median of analysts’ consensus pricing for the remaining mine-life which is expected to end in 2018. The metal price assumptions used in the model are summarized as follows:

 

14 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

   2015 – 2018 prices 
Commodity  2015   2016   2017   2018 
Silver $/oz  $16.17   $16.35   $17.35   $18.06 
Gold $/oz  $1,183   $1,183   $1,201   $1,227 

 

Based on this assessment the Company recorded charges to Manantial Espejo’s assets as at September 30, 2015 as follows:

 

   Pre
impairment
   Adjustment   Post
 impairment
 
Mineral properties plant and equipment and land  $55,266   $(28,756)  $26,510 
Deferred income tax asset   3,743    (3,743)   - 
Closure and decommissioning liability   (9,404)   -    (9,404)
Stockpile inventory (1)   33,787    (20,961)   12,826 
Total  $83,392   $(53,460)  $29,932 

(1) Included as a net realizable value adjustment to inventory in production costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Goodwill consists of:

 

Minefinders, exploration properties  2015   2014 
As at January 1,  $3,057   $7,134 
Changes   -    - 
As at September 30,  $3,057   $7,134 

 

   2014 
As at January 1, 2014  $7,134 
Impairment of La Virginia and other exploration properties(1)   (4,077)
As at December 31, 2014  $3,057 

(1) Exploration properties were tested for impairment based on fair value less cost to sell. It was determined that the estimated recoverable value of the exploration properties on a fair value less costs to sell basis was below its carrying value, and as a result an impairment charge of approximately $24.1 million was recorded, including goodwill of $4.1 million.

 

9.Other Assets

 

Other assets consist of:

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Long-term prepaid expense  $93   $5,461 
Investments in Associates   1,450    1,450 
Reclamation bonds   199    91 
Lease receivable(1)   365    408 
Other assets   37    37 
   $2,144   $7,447 

(1) The Company entered into a finance leasing arrangement with employees at the Manantial Espejo mine for certain housing units. The term of the finance lease entered into is 6 years.

 

15 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

10.Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of:

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Trade accounts payable (1)  $59,334   $52,985 
Royalties payable   5,367    6,019 
Other accounts payable and trade related accruals   23,423    33,780 
Payroll and related benefits   22,594    18,808 
Severance accruals   904    749 
Other taxes payable   1,324    1,541 
Advances on concentrate inventory   3,018    2,345 
Other   8,695    9,982 
   $124,659   $126,209 
(1)No interest is charged on the trade accounts payable ranging from 30 to 60 days from the invoice date. The Company has policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within the credit terms.

 

11.Loan payable

 

   September 30,
2015 (1)
   December 31,
2014(2)
 
Loan payable(1)  $20,198   $17,658 
Unrealized gain on foreign exchange   (177)   (58)
   $20,021   $17,600 
(1)On September 30, 2015, one of the Company’s subsidiaries (Minera Triton Argentina S.A.) had drawn on an available line of credit for $24.0 million Argentine pesos (equivalent to USD $2.5 million) at an interest rate of 22.5% due October 1, 2015, in order to meet its short term obligations. In addition, the Company had three unsecured loans outstanding for USD $7.5 million due October 19, 2015, USD $5.5 million due November 29, 2015, and USD $4.3 million due December 10, 2015 at interest rates of 4.5%, 4.3% and 3.35%, respectively. At September 30, 2015, the combined carrying values of the loans payable were $20.0 million.
(2)On October 31, 2014, one of the Company’s subsidiaries (Minera Triton Argentina S.A.) received an unsecured bank loan for $60.0 million Argentine pesos (equivalent to USD$7.0 million) in order to meet its short term obligations. On November 13, 2014 an additional loan was received for USD $4.7 million. The loan terms are one year from October 31, 2014 and 90 days from November 13, 2014 with interest rates of 32.9% and 3.2% respectively. In addition to the loans the subsidiary had drawn on an available line of credit for an additional $49.5 million Argentine pesos (equivalent to USD$6.0 million) at an interest rate of 25.0% due January 2, 2015. At December 31, 2014, the combined carrying values of the loans payable were $17.6 million.

  

12.Provisions

 

   Closure and
Decommissioning
   Litigation   Total 
December 31, 2013  $41,469   $5,520   $46,989 
Revisions in estimates and obligations incurred   421    -    421 
Charged (credited) to earnings:               
-new provisions   -    375    375 
-unused amounts reversed   -    (91)   (91)
-exchange gains on provisions   -    (284)   (284)
Charged in the year   (1,955)   (509)   (2,464)
Accretion expense (Note 21)   3,238    -    3,238 
As at December 31, 2014  $43,173   $5,011   $48,184 
Revisions in estimates and obligations incurred   (211)   -    (211)
Charged (credited) to earnings:               
-new provisions   -    145    145 
-unused amounts reversed   -    (90)   (90)
-exchange gains on provisions   -    (177)   (177)
Charged in the period   (2,238)   (100)   (2,338)
Accretion expense (Note 21)   2,429    -    2,429 
As at September 30, 2015  $43,153   $4,789   $47,942 

 

16 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

Maturity analysis of total provisions: 

  September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Current  $3,120   $3,121 
Non-current   44,822    45,063 
   $47,942   $48,184 

 

13.Finance Lease Obligations

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Lease obligations (1)  $1,996   $8,037 

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Maturity analysis of finance leases:          
Current  $1,749   $3,993 
Non-current   247    4,044 
Lease obligations (1)  $1,996   $8,037 
(1)Represents equipment lease obligations at several of the Company’s subsidiaries. A reconciliation of the total future minimum lease payments to their present value is presented in the table below.

 

   September30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Less than a year  $1,777   $4,238 
2 years   249    2,697 
3 years   -    1,490 
4 years   -    - 
    2,026    8,425 
Less future finance charges   (30)   (388)
Present value of minimum lease payments  $1,996   $8,037 

 

14.Long Term Debt

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Convertible notes  $35,848   $34,519 
Conversion feature on the convertible notes (note 4)   4    278 
Total long-term debt  $35,852   $34,797 
           

 

  

September 30,

2015

   December 31,
2014
 
Maturity analysis of Long Term Debt:          
Current  $35,852   $34,797 
Non-Current   -    - 
   $35,852   $34,797 

 

As part of the 2012 Minefinders acquisition the Company issued replacement unsecured convertible senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $36.2 million (the “Notes”). Until such time as the earlier of December 15, 2015 and the date the Notes are converted, each Note bears interest at 4.5% payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The principal outstanding on the Notes is due on December 15, 2015, if any Notes are still outstanding at that time. The Notes are convertible into a combination of cash and Pan American shares.

 

17 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

The interest and principal amounts of the Notes are classified as debt liabilities and the conversion option is classified as a derivative liability. The debt liability is measured at amortized cost. As a result, the carrying value of the debt liability is lower than the aggregate face value of the Notes. The unwinding of the discount is accreted as interest expense over the terms of the Notes using an effective interest rate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, $0.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively was capitalized to mineral properties, plant and equipment (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 – $0.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively). The Company has the right to pay all or part of the liability associated with the Company’s outstanding convertible notes in cash on the conversion date. Accordingly, the conversion feature on the convertible notes is considered an embedded derivative and re-measured at fair value each reporting period. The fair value of the conversion feature of the convertible notes is determined using a model that includes the volatility and price of the Company’s common shares and a credit spread structure with reference to the corresponding fair value of the debt component of the convertible notes.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a $nil million and $0.3 million gain on the revaluation of the embedded derivative on the convertible notes (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 – $2.2 million gain and $1.4 million gain, respectively).

 

The approximate current fair value of the notes, excluding the conversion feature at September 30, 2015 is $35.8 million (December 31, 2014 - $35.6 million).

 

15.Other Long Term Liabilities

 

Other long term liabilities consist of:

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Deferred credit(1)   $20,788   $20,788 
Long term income tax payable   6,625    6,542 
Severance accruals   3,284    3,386 
   $30,697   $30,716 

(1) As part of the 2009 Aquiline transaction the Company issued a replacement convertible debenture that allowed the holder to convert the debenture into either 363,854 Pan American Shares or a Silver Stream contract related to certain production from the Navidad project. Regarding the replacement convertible debenture, it was concluded that the deferred credit presentation was the most appropriate and best representation of the economics underlying the contract as of the date the Company assumed the obligation as part of the Aquiline acquisition. Subsequent to the acquisition, the counterparty selected the silver stream alternative. The final contract for the alternative is being discussed and pending the final resolution to this alternative, the Company continues to classify the fair value calculated at the acquisition of this alternative, as a deferred credit.

 

16.Share Capital and Employee Compensation Plans

 

The Company has a comprehensive stock compensation plan for its employees, directors and officers (the “Compensation Plan”). The Compensation Plan provides for the issuance of common shares and stock options, as incentives. The maximum number of shares which may be issued pursuant to options granted or bonus shares issued under the Compensation Plan may be equal to, but will not exceed 6,461,470 shares. The exercise price of each option shall be the weighted average trading price of the Company’s stock for the five days prior to the award date. The options can be granted for a maximum term of 10 years with vesting provisions determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Any modifications to the Compensation Plan require shareholders’ approval.

 

The Board has developed long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) guidelines, which provides annual compensation to the senior managers of the Company based on the long-term performance of both the Company and the individuals that participate in the plan. The LTIP consists of annual grants of restricted shares, restricted share units, and/or options to participants to buy shares of the Company, whereby at least 25% of the total annual award is comprised of restricted share units. For the remaining 75% of the award amount, participants may elect a mix of restricted shares, restricted share units, and option grants. Restricted share units vest in two tranches, one-half (50%) on the first anniversary of the grant date and the second half (50%) on the second anniversary date of the award. For share awards, participants are issued Pan American shares, with a two year “No Trading Legend,” and are therefore required to hold the shares for a minimum of two years. There is no gross-up on common share awards, making the common share component of all awards net of required withholding taxes. For option awards, no options vest immediately. 50% of options granted in a particular year vest on the one year anniversary of being granted, and the other 50% on the second anniversary of being granted. The options expire after seven years as set out under the LTIP guidelines.

 

18 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

Transactions concerning stock options and share purchase warrants are summarized as follows in CAD:

 

   Stock Options   Share Purchase Warrants     
   Shares   Weighted
 Average Exercise
Price CAD$
   Warrants   Weighted
Average
 Exercise Price
CAD$
   Total 
As at December 31, 2013   1,397,370   $20.76    7,814,605   $35.00    9,211,975 
Granted   212,869   $11.58    -   $-    212,869 
Exercised   -   $-    (92)  $35.00    (92)
Expired   (195,562)  $17.73    (7,814,513)  $35.00    (8,010,075)
Forfeited   (20,162)  $23.02    -   $-    (20,162)
As at December 31, 2014   1,394,515   $19.74    -   $-    1,394,515 
Granted   -   $-    -   $-    - 
Exercised   -   $-    -   $-    - 
Expired   (190,862)  $25.19    -   $-    (190,862)
Forfeited   (97,009)  $23.21    -   $-    (97,009)
As at September 30, 2015   1,106,644   $18.49    -   $-    1,106,644 

 

Share Purchase Warrants

 

As part of the acquisition of Aquiline Resources Inc. in 2009 the Company issued share purchase warrants. The outstanding warrants of 7,814,513 expired on December 7, 2014 as per the agreement. The Company’s share purchase warrants were classified and accounted for as a financial liability at fair value with changes in fair value included in net earnings. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, there was a derivative gain of $nil million and $0.2 million, respectively

 

Long Term Incentive Plan

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, nil common shares were exercised in connection with the options under the plan (2014 – nil), nil options expired (2014 – nil) and 7,421 options were forfeited (2014 – nil).

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, nil common shares were exercised in connection with the options under the plan (2014 – nil), 190,862 options expired (2014 – 195,562) and 97,009 options were forfeited (2014 – 18,321).

 

Performance Shares Units

 

In early 2014, the Board approved the adding of performance share units (“PSUs”) to the Company’s LTIP. PSUs are notional share units that mirror the market value of the Company’s common shares (the “Shares”). Each vested PSU entitles the participant to a cash payment equal to the value of an underlying share, less applicable taxes, at the end of the term, plus the cash equivalent of any dividends distributed by the Company during the three-year performance period. PSU grants will vest on the date that is three years from the date of grant subject to certain exceptions. Performance results at the end of the performance period relative to predetermined performance criteria and the application of the corresponding performance multiplier determine how many PSUs vest for each participant. The Board approved the issuance of 30,408 PSUs with a share price of CAD $11.51. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compensation expense for PSUs was $nil million and $0.05 million, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014- $nil and $nil, respectively) and is presented as a component of general and administrative expense.

19 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

PSU  Number Outstanding   Fair Value 
As at December 31, 2013   -   $- 
Granted   30,408    305 
Paid out   -    - 
Forfeited   -    - 
Change in value   -    (24)
As at December 31, 2014   30,408   $281 
Granted   -    - 
Paid out   -    - 
Forfeited   -    - 
Change in value   -    (82)
As at September 30, 2015   30,408   $199 

 

Share Option Plan

 

The following table summarizes information concerning stock options outstanding and options exercisable as at September 30, 2015. The underlying option agreements are specified in Canadian dollar amounts.

 

   Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable 
Range of Exercise
Prices
CAD$
  Number
Outstanding as
at September
30, 2015
   Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(months)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
 Price CAD$
   Number
 Exercisable as at
September 30,
2015
   Weighted
 Average Exercise
Price CAD$
 
$11.49 - $11.57   297,547    62.46   $11.49    148,777   $11.49 
$11.58 - $17.01   233,511    75.96   $11.68    20,642   $12.70 
$17.02 - $18.53   184,130    52.41   $18.43    184,130   $18.43 
$18.54 - $24.90   314,520    37.52   $24.89    314,520   $24.89 
$24.91 - $40.22   76,936    26.35   $40.22    76,936   $40.22 
    1,106,644    54.04   $18.49    745,005   $21.86 

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 the total employee share-based compensation expense, for options, recognized in the income statement was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively). In addition, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 the Company accrued for $0.6 million and $1.8 million in share-based compensation expense related to estimated shares to be issued under the plan (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $0.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively).

 

Convertible note

 

The conversion feature on the convertible note, further discussed in Note 14, is considered an embedded derivative and is classified and accounted for as a financial liability at fair value with changes in fair value included in net earnings.

 

Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”)

 

Under the Company’s RSU plan, selected employees are granted RSUs where each RSU has a value equivalent to one Pan American common share. The RSUs can be settled in cash or shares and vest in two instalments, the first 50% vest on the first anniversary date of the grant and a further 50% vest on the second anniversary date of the grant. Additional RSUs are credited to reflect dividends paid on Pan American common shares over the vesting period.

 

Compensation expense for RSUs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was a recovery of $0.1 million and expense of $0.4 million, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 – $nil million and $0.8 million respectively) and is presented as a component of general and administrative expense.

 

20 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

RSU  Number Outstanding   Fair Value 
As at December 31, 2013   196,102   $2,288 
Granted   165,240    1,670 
Paid out   (116,381)   (1,224)
Forfeited   (4,204)   (44)
Change in value   -    (429)
As at December 31, 2014   240,757   $2,261 
Granted   -    - 
Paid out   -    - 
Forfeited   (17,177)   (109)
Change in value   -    (650)
As at September 30, 2015   223,580   $1,502 

 

Normal Course Issuer Bid

 

On December 17, 2014, the Company received regulatory approval for a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 7,575,290 of its common shares, during one year period from December 22, 2014 and December 21, 2015.

 

No common shares were purchased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Dividends

 

On February 19, 2015, the Company declared a dividend of $0.125 per common share paid to holders of record of its common shares as of the close of business on March 2, 2015.

 

On May 11, 2015, the Company declared a dividend of $0.05 per common share paid to holders of record of its common shares as of the close of business on May 22, 2015.

 

On August 13, 2015, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share paid to holders of record of its common shares as of the close of business on August 25, 2015.

 

On November 11, 2015, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share to be paid to holders of record of its common shares as of the close of business on November 23, 2015. These dividends were not recognized in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements during the period ending September 30, 2015.

 

17.Loss Per Share (Basic and Diluted)

 

Three months ended
September 30,
  2015   2014 
  

Loss

(Numerator)

  

Shares
(Denominator)

(in 000’s)

   Per-Share
Amount
   Loss
(Numerator)
   Shares
(Denominator)
(in 000’s)
   Per-Share
Amount
 
Net loss (1)  $(67,048)            $(20,254)          
                               
Basic EPS  $ (67,048)   151,653   $(0.44)  (20,254)   151,506   $(0.13)
Effect of Dilutive Securities:                              
Stock Options   -    -         -    -      
Convertible Notes   -    -         (2,244)   1,927      
Diluted EPS  $(67,048)   151,653   $(0.44)  (22,498)   151,433   $(0.13)
(1)Net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company.

 

21 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

Nine months ended
September 30,
  2015   2014 
   Loss
 (Numerator)
   Shares
(Denominator)
(in 000’s)
   Per-Share
Amount
   Loss
(Numerator)
   Shares
(Denominator)
(in 000’s)
   Per-Share
Amount
 
Net loss(1)   $(93,741)            $(18,882)          
                               
Basic EPS  (93,741)   151,647   $(0.62)  (18,882)   151,503   $(0.12)
Effect of Dilutive Securities:                              
Stock Options   -              -    -      
Convertible Notes   -              (1,400)   1,927      
Diluted EPS  (93,741)   151,647   $(0.62)  (20,282)   153,430   $(0.13)
(1)Net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company.

 

Potentially dilutive securities excluded in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were 1,106,644 and 1,106,644, respectively out-of-money options, and warrants (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 – 8,672,045).

 

18.Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

The following tables summarize the changes in operating working capital items and significant non-cash items:

 

Changes in non-cash operating working  Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
 September 30,
 
capital items:  2015   2014(1)    2015   2014(1)  
Trade and other receivables  $9,989   $28,005   $7,488   $6,610 
Inventories   2,938    (799)   16,816    10,649 
Prepaid expenditures   1,305    2,015    (2,067)   3,593 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (7,075)   (15,137)   (6,447)   (11,807)
Provisions   (498)   187    (2,014)   (1,297)
   $6,659   $14,271   $13,776   $7,748 
(1)The disclosure for Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2014 has been changed from prior year presented amounts to reflect interest expense of $0.2 million and $4.7 million as individual lines on the Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 in order to correct an immaterial error. There is no net impact on the Condensed Interim Consolidated Income Statements or Loss or diluted loss per share. Details of the change are reflected in the following tables:

 

Three months ended September 30, 2014  Previously
Reported
   Current Report   Difference 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $(14,892)  $(15,137)  $(245)
Changes in non-cash operating working capital Items  $14,516   $14,271   $(245)

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2014   Previously
Reported
    Current Report     Difference  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ (7,095 )   $ (11,807 )   $ (4,712 )
Changes in non-cash operating working capital Items   $ 12,460     $ 7,748     $ (4,712 )

  

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
Significant Non-Cash Items:  2015   2014   2015   2014 
Construction and other equipment acquired by leases  $-   $880   $920   $2,594 
Share-based compensation issued to employees and directors  $101   $-   $173   $72 

 

Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of:  September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Cash  $110,850   $118,099 
Short-term money market investments   44,449    28,094 
   $155,299   $146,193 

 

22 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

19.Segmented Information

 

All of the Company’s operations are within the mining sector, conducted through operations in six countries. Major products are silver, gold, zinc, lead and copper produced from mines located in Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. Due to geographic and political diversity, the Company’s mining operations are decentralized whereby Mine General Managers are responsible for achieving specified business results within a framework of global policies and standards. Country corporate offices provide support infrastructure to the mines in addressing local and country issues including financial, human resources, and exploration support. The Company has a separate budgeting process and measures the results of operations and exploration activities independently. The Company’s head office provides support to the mining and exploration activities with respect to financial, human resources and technical support.

   Three months ended September 30, 2015 
   Peru   Mexico   Argentina   Bolivia         
   Huaron   Morococha   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   La
Colorada
   Manantial
Espejo
   Navidad   San
Vicente
   Other   Total 
Revenue from external customers  $17,676   $15,122   $41,289   $15,509   $21,138   $38,313   $-   $10,367   $-   $159,414 
Depreciation and amortization  $(2,979)  $(5,095)  $(10,603)  $(2,684)  $(2,665)  $(10,925)  $(44)  $(1,566)  $(161)  $(36,722)
Exploration and project development  $(268)  $(189)  $(119)  $1   $(80)  $-   $(1,387)  $-   $(1,330)  $(3,372)
Interest income  $7   $7   $1   $75   $1   $393   $-   $-   $19   $503 
Interest and financing expenses  $(175)  $(117)  $1,122   $(60)  $(64)  $(1,046)  $(12)  $(56)  $(1,041)  $(1,449)
Gain on disposition of assets  $-   $16   $1   $-   $-   $22   $-   $23   $-   $62 
Gain on derivatives  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Foreign exchange (loss) gain  $(1)  $(65)  $95   $(1,352)  $(956)  $80   $1   $1,147   $(2,628)  $(3,679)
Gain on commodity, diesel fuel swap and foreign currency contracts  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $(810)  $(810)
Impairment charge  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $(28,756)  $-   $-   $-   $(28,756)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes  $(2,063)  $(7,421)  $(3,970)  $(1,758)  $115   $(58,112)  $(2,238)  $294   $5,872   $(69,281)
Income tax recovery (expense)  $225   $1,495   $1,614   $(2,037)  $2,535   $(2,294)  $(2)  $1,290   $(1,059)  $1,767 
Net (loss) earnings for the period  $(1,838)  $(5,926)  $(2,356)  $(3,795)  $2,650   $(60,406)  $(2,240)  $1,584   $4,813   $(67,514)
Capital expenditures  $4,132   $1,874   $8,810   $-   $12,978   $2,358   $-   $807   $67   $31,026 
Total assets  $113,911   $147,210   $753,922   $74,807   $149,765   $119,343   $203,883   $88,021   $230,150   $1,881,012 
Total liabilities  $31,605   $23,899   $175,629   $10,685   $19,869   $79,483   $1,913   $25,384   $66,051   $434,518 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 2015 
   Peru   Mexico   Argentina   Bolivia         
   Huaron   Morococha   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   La
Colorada
   Manantial
Espejo
   Navidad   San
 Vicente
   Other   Total 
Revenue from external customers  $58,233   $50,419   $129,396   $49,254   $70,240   $111,498   $-   $42,688   $-   $511,728 
Depreciation and amortization  $(8,765)  $(15,025)  $(37,718)  $(8,262)  $(8,212)  $(30,080)  $(131)  $(5,243)  $(492)  $(113,928)
Exploration and project development  $(712)  $(480)  $(336)  $-   $(82)  $-   $(5,949)  $-   $(2,061)  $(9,620)
Interest income  $73   $11   $2   $332   $2   $478   $-   $-   $10   $908 
Interest and financing expenses  $(533)  $(454)  $944   $(180)  $(192)  $(3,753)  $(34)  $(169)  $(1,552)  $(5,923)
Gain on disposition of assets  $5   $188   $40   $3   $34   $22   $-   $23   $19   $334 
Gain on derivatives  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $274   $274 
Foreign exchange gain (loss)  $72   $(253)  $(580)  $(2,635)  $(2,044)  $602   $30   $1,521   $(5,746)  $(9,033)
Loss on commodity, diesel fuel swap and foreign currency contracts  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $1,675   $1,675 
Impairment charge  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $(28,756)  $-   $-   $-   $(28,756)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes  $(1,535)  $(18,918)  $(10,097)  $(7,306)  $4,068   $(71,435)  $(8,116)  $6,260   $16,322   $(90,757)
Income taxes (expense) recovery  $(1,525)  $2,907   $(2,350)  $(2,738)  $1,009   $2,836   $(25)  $(343)  $(3,612)  $(3,841)
Net (loss) earnings for the period  $(3,060)  $(16,011)  $(12,447)  $(10,044)  $5,077   $(68,599)  $(8,141)  $5,917   $12,710   $(94,598)
Capital expenditures  $8,492   $4,797   $32,657   $-   $32,869   $11,725   $107   $2,290   $93   $93,030 
Total assets  $113,911   $147,210   $753,922   $74,807   $149,765   $119,343   $203,883   $88,021   $230,150   $1,881,012 
Total liabilities  $31,605   $23,899   $175,629   $10,685   $19,869   $79,483   $1,913   $25,384   $66,051   $434,518 

 

23 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2014 
   Peru   Mexico   Argentina   Bolivia         
   Huaron   Morococha   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   La
Colorada
   Manantial
Espejo
   Navidad   San
 Vicente
   Other   Total 
Revenue from external customers  $23,200   $22,431   $43,116   $20,173   $23,436   $26,514   $-   $19,395   $-   $178,265 
Depreciation and amortization  $(2,912)  $(4,668)  $(13,289)  $(2,526)  $(2,390)  $(5,546)  $(41)  $(2,526)  $(162)  $(34,060)
Exploration and project development  $(201)  $(60)  $(585)  $(108)  $(3)  $(1,100)  $(985)  $-   $(623)  $(3,665)
Interest income  $107   $8   $5   $84   $67   $640   $-   $-   $83   $994 
Interest and financing expenses  $(189)  $(180)  $(89)  $(60)  $(63)  $(72)  $(11)  $(56)  $(430)  $(1,150)
Loss on disposition of assets  $-   $(94)  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $(35)  $-   $(129)
Gain on derivatives  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $2,242   $2,242 
Foreign exchange gain (loss)  $115   $(215)  $44   $(329)  $(413)  $135   $(213)  $19   $(5,810)  $(6,667)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes  $1,160   $(381)  $(17,018)  $941   $761   $(14,870)  $(1,746)  $3,389   $3,290   $(24,474)
Income taxes (expense) recovery  $(1,183)  $(463)  $4,707   $(2,787)  $490   $5,973   $(35)  $(542)  $(1,863)  $4,297 
Net (loss) earnings for the period  $(23)  $(844)  $(12,311)  $(1,846)  $1,251   $(8,897)  $(1,781)  $2,847   $1,427   $(20,177)
Capital expenditures  $3,230   $2,140   $6,879   $22   $7,085   $7,706   $(19)  $828   $54   $27,925 
Total assets  $127,650   $173,810   $957,060   $126,202   $122,039   $269,095   $468,810   $97,189   $330,665   $2,672,520 
Total liabilities  $38,347   $39,119   $237,647   $18,821   $32,531   $95,330   $1,344   $31,177   $65,096   $559,412 

 

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 2014 
   Peru   Mexico   Argentina   Bolivia         
   Huaron   Morococha   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   La
Colorada
   Manantial
Espejo
   Navidad   San
 Vicente
   Other   Total 
Revenue from external customers  $72,527   $61,485   $123,981   $71,250   $78,015   $121,657   $-   $59,931   $-   $588,846 
Depreciation and amortization  $(8,792)  $(14,346)  $(36,170)  $(9,535)  $(6,677)  $(26,188)  $(123)  $(6,894)  $(492)  $(109,217)
Exploration and project development  $(1,254)  $(397)  $(1,073)  $(201)  $(8)  $(1,362)  $(2,766)  $-   $(1,886)  $(8,947)
Interest income  $241   $19   $7   $208   $199   $666   $15   $-   $188   $1,543 
Interest and financing expenses  $(563)  $(586)  $(1,099)  $(181)  $(191)  $(3,378)  $(34)  $(169)  $(1,262)  $(7,463)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets  $17   $319   $-   $-   $-   $(102)  $-   $(34)  $-   $200 
Gain on derivatives  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $1,600   $1,600 
Foreign exchange gain (loss)  $97   $(227)  $77   $(269)  $(167)  $4,517   $(211)  $314   $(12,920)  $(8,789)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes  $5,096   $(8,167)  $(42,159)  $11,916   $15,363   $(736)  $(3,965)  $12,031   $4,349   $(6,272)
Income taxes (expense) recovery  $(2,992)  $1,109   $12,856   $(7,114)  $(6,801)  $(223)  $(79)  $(5,671)  $(3,909)  $(12,824)
Net (loss) earnings for the period  $2,104   $(7,058)  $(29,303)  $4,802   $8,562   $(959)  $(4,044)  $6,360   $440   $(19,096)
Capital expenditures  $9,978   $6,835   $38,386   $226   $22,349   $21,198   $41   $2,423   $194   $101,630 
Total assets  $127,650   $173,810   $957,060   $126,202   $122,039   $269,095   $468,810   $97,189   $330,665   $2,672,520 
Total liabilities  $38,347   $39,119   $237,647   $18,821   $32,531   $95,330   $1,344   $31,177   $65,096   $559,412 

 

 

   Three months ended
 September 30,
  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
Product Revenue  2015   2014   2015   2014 
Refined silver and gold  $99,595   $95,503   $306,398   $333,835 
Zinc concentrate   12,643    21,268    40,785    58,700 
Lead concentrate   28,103    23,862    99,547    80,183 
Copper concentrate   19,073    37,632    64,998    116,128 
Total  $159,414   $178,265   $511,728   $588,846 

 

24 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

20.Production Costs

 

Production costs are comprised of the following:

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Consumption of raw materials and consumables  $52,134   $58,423   $155,899   $165,716 
Employee compensation and benefits expense   41,430    48,575    122,938    130,039 
Contractors and outside services   20,990    23,460    63,407    64,325 
Utilities   4,873    6,427    15,565    19,178 
Other expenses   9,196    797    27,302    14,176 
Changes in inventory1   14,714    13,072    19,047    34,074 
   $143,337   $150,754   $404,158   $427,508 
(1)Changes in inventory include adjustments to the cost of inventory for net realizable value adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $16.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $15.4 million and $27.7 million, respectively).

 

21.Interest and Finance Expense

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Interest expense  $(113)  $245   $2,474   $4,712 
Finance fees   753    95    1,020    322 
Accretion of closure and decommissioning provision (Note 12)   809    810    2,429    2,429 
   $1,449   $1,150   $5,923   $7,463 

 

22.Income Taxes

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Current income tax expense  $2,387   $(252)  $8,740   $25,672 
Deferred income tax recovery   (4,154)   (4,045)   (4,899)   (12,848)
 Provision for income taxes  $(1,767)  $(4,297)  $3,841   $12,824 

 

Income tax expense differs from the amounts that would result from applying the Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates to earnings before income taxes. These differences result from the items shown on the following table, which result in effective tax rates that vary considerably from the comparable periods. The main factors which have affected the effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the comparable period of 2014 were foreign income tax rate differentials, foreign exchange rate changes, non-recognition of certain deferred tax assets, mining taxes paid and withholding taxes on payments from foreign subsidiaries. The Company expects that these and other factors will continue to cause volatility in effective tax rates in the future.

 

In the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge on non-current assets and a non-cash net realizable value adjustment to stockpile inventory at its Manantial Espejo property. No tax benefit was recognized with respect to these adjustments.

 

25 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Loss before taxes   (69,281)   (24,474)   (90,757)   (6,272)
Statutory tax rate   26.00%   26.00%   26.00%   26.00%
Income tax recovery based on above rates  $(18,013)  $(6,364)  $(23,597)  $(1,631)
Increase (decrease) due to:                    
Non-deductible expenses   987    1,245    2,686    2,981 
Foreign tax rate differences   (6,671)   (3,351)   (10,180)   (3,441)
Change in net deferred tax assets not recognized:                    
-   Argentina exploration expenses   782    624    2,844    1,400 
-   Other deferred tax assets not recognized   2,947    1,237    3,369    3,978 
Non-taxable portion of net earnings from affiliates   (1,239)   (1,227)   (3,676)   (3,641)
Non-taxable unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments   -    (583)   (71)   (416)
Effect of other taxes paid (mining and withholding)   1,745    2,200    4,812    6,693 
Non- deductible foreign exchange loss   2,575    469    10,721    74 
Effect of change in deferred tax resulting from prior asset purchase accounting under IAS12   902    411    1,786    2,200 
Impairment charges and net realizable value adjustments   17,486    -    17,486    - 
Change to temporary differences   (2,542)   45    (2,868)   2,635 
Other   (726)   997    529    1,992 
   $(1,767)  $(4,297)  $3,841   $12,824 
Effective tax rate   2.55%   17.56%   (4.23)%   (204.46)%

 

23.Commitments and Contingencies

 

a.General

 

The Company is subject to various investigations, claims and legal and tax proceedings covering matters that arise in the ordinary course of business activities. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavorably to the Company. Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued which may result in a loss to the Company. In the opinion of management none of these matters are expected to have a material effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

 

b.Purchase Commitments

 

The Company had no purchase commitments other than those commitments described in Note 4.

 

c.Credit Facility

 

On April 15, 2015, Pan American entered into a $300 million secured revolving line of credit facility (“the Facility”) with a syndicate of eight lenders (“the Lenders”). The purpose of the Facility is for general corporate purposes, capital expenditures, investments or potential acquisitions. The Facility, which is principally secured by a pledge of Pan American’s equity interests in its material subsidiaries, has a term of four years. The interest margin on the Facility ranges from 2.125% to 3.125% over LIBOR, based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the time of a specified reporting period. Pan American has agreed to pay a commitment fee of between 0.47% and 0.703% on undrawn amounts under the Facility, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio. As at September 30, 2015, the Company has made no drawings under this Facility.

 

26 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

d.Environmental Matters

 

The Company’s mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. The Company conducts its operations so as to protect the public health and environment and believes its operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations, but cannot predict the full amount of such future expenditures.

 

Estimated future reclamation costs are based the extent of work required and the associated costs are dependent on the requirements of relevant authorities and the Company’s environmental policies. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $43.2 million and $43.2 million, respectively, were accrued for reclamation costs relating to mineral properties. See also Note 12.

 

e.Income Taxes

 

The Company operates in numerous countries around the world and accordingly it is subject to, and pays annual income taxes under the various income tax regimes in the countries in which it operates. Some of these tax regimes are defined by contractual agreements with the local government, and others are defined by the general corporate income tax laws of the country. The Company has historically filed, and continues to file, all required income tax returns and to pay the taxes reasonably determined to be due. The tax rules and regulations in many countries are highly complex and subject to interpretation. From time to time the Company is subject to a review of its historic income tax filings and in connection with such reviews, disputes can arise with the taxing authorities over the interpretation or application of certain rules to the Company’s business conducted within the country involved.

 

In December 2014, the Peruvian Parliament approved a bill that decreases the effective tax rate applicable to the Company’s Peruvian operations. The law is effective January 1, 2015 and decreased the future corporate income tax rate from 30% in 2014, to 28% in 2015 and 2016, 27% in 2017 and 2018, and to 26% in 2019 and future years. In addition, this new law increased withholding tax on dividends paid to non-resident shareholders from 4.1% in 2014, to 6.8% in 2015 and 2016, 8% in 2017 and 2018, and to 9.3% in 2019 and future years.

 

In December 2013, the Mexican President passed a bill that increases the effective tax rate applicable to the Company’s Mexican operations. The law was effective January 1, 2014 and increased the future corporate income tax rate to 30%, created a 10% withholding tax on dividends paid to non-resident shareholders (subject to any reduction by an Income Tax Treaty) and creates a new Extraordinary Mining Duty equal to 0.5% of gross revenues from the sale of gold, silver, and platinum. In addition, the law requires taxpayers with mining concessions to pay a new 7.5% Special Mining Duty. The Extraordinary Mining Duty and Special Mining Duty are tax deductible for income tax purposes. The Special Mining Duty is applicable to earnings before income tax, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and interest. In calculating the Special Mining Duty there are no deductions related to development type costs but exploration and prospecting costs are deductible when incurred.

 

f.Finance Leases

 

The present value of future minimum lease payments classified as finance leases at September 30, 2015 is $2.0 million (December 31, 2014 - $8.0 million) and the schedule of timing of payments for this obligation is found in Note 13.

 

g.Law changes in Argentina

 

Government regulation in Argentina related to the economy has increased substantially over the past few years. In particular, the government has intensified the use of price, foreign exchange, and import controls in response to unfavourable domestic economic trends. During 2012, an Argentinean Ministry of Economy and Public Finance resolution reduced the time within which exporters were required to repatriate net proceeds from export sales from 180 days to 15 days after the date of export. As a result of this change, the Manantial Espejo operation temporarily suspended doré shipments while local management reviewed how the new resolution would be applied by the government. In response to petitions from numerous exporters for relief from the new resolution, on July 17, 2012 the Ministry issued a revised resolution which extended the 15-day limit to 120 days.

 

27 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

The Argentine government has also imposed restrictions on the importation of goods and services and increased administrative procedures required to import equipment, materials and services required for operations at Manantial Espejo. In addition, in May 2012, the government mandated that mining companies establish an internal function to be responsible for substituting Argentinian-produced goods and materials for imported goods and materials. Under this mandate, the Company is required to submit its plans to import goods and materials for government review 120 days in advance of the desired date of importation.

 

The government of Argentina has also tightened control over capital flows and foreign exchange, including informal restrictions on dividend, interest, and service payments abroad and limitations on the ability of individuals and businesses to convert Argentine pesos into United States dollars or other hard currencies. These measures, which are intended to curtail the outflow of hard currency and protect Argentina’s international currency reserves, may adversely affect the Company’s ability to convert dividends paid by current operations or revenues generated by future operations into hard currency and to distribute those revenues to offshore shareholders. Maintaining operating revenues in Argentine pesos could expose the Company to the risks of peso devaluation and high domestic inflation.

 

In September 2013, the provincial government of Santa Cruz, Argentina passed amendments to its tax code that introduced a new mining property tax with a rate of 1% to be charged annually on published “measured” reserves, which has the potential to affect the Manantial Espejo mine as well as other companies operating in the province. The new law came into effect on July 5, 2013. The Company has in place certain contracts that could potentially affect or exempt the Company from having this new tax applicable and as such is evaluating its options with its advisors. The Company and other mining companies in the province are also evaluating options that include challenging the legality and constitutionality of the tax.

 

On September 23, 2013, Argentina’s federal Income Tax Statute was amended to include a 10% income tax withholding on dividend distributions by Argentine corporations and branch profit distributions by foreign corporations.

 

h.Law changes in Mexico

 

In December 2012, the Mexican government introduced changes to the Federal labour law which made certain amendments to the law relating to the use of service companies and subcontractors and the obligations with respect to employee benefits. These amendments may have an effect on the distribution of profits to workers and this could result in additional financial obligations to the Company. The Company believes that it continues to be in compliance with the federal labour law and that these amendments will not result in any new material obligations for the Company. Based on this assessment, the Company has not accrued any additional amounts for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The Company will continue to monitor developments in Mexico and to assess the potential impact of these amendments.

 

i.Political changes in Bolivia

 

On May 28, 2014, the Bolivian government enacted Mining Law No. 535 (the “New Mining Law”). Among other things, the New Mining Law has established a new Bolivian mining authority to provide principal mining oversight (varying the role of COMIBOL) and sets out a number of new economic and operational requirements relating to state participation in mining projects. Further, the New Mining Law provides that all pre-existing contracts are to migrate to one of several new forms of agreement within a prescribed period of time. As a result, we anticipate that our current joint venture agreement with COMIBOL relating to the San Vicente mine will be subject to migration to a new form of agreement and may require renegotiation of some terms in order to conform to the New Mining Law requirements. We are assessing the potential impacts of the New Mining Law on our business and are awaiting further regulatory developments, but the primary effects on the San Vicente operation and our interest therein will not be known until such time as we have, if required to do so, renegotiated the existing contract, and the full impact may only be realized over time. In the meantime, we understand that pre-existing agreements will be respected during the period of migration and we will take appropriate steps to protect and, if necessary, enforce our rights under our existing agreement with COMIBOL. There is, however, no guarantee that governmental actions, including possible expropriation or additional changes in the law, and the migration of our contract will not impact our involvement in the San Vicente operation in an adverse way and such actions could have a material adverse effect on us and our business.

 

28 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

j.Other Legal Matters

 

The Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of business activities, many of them relating to ex-employees.  Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavorably to the Company.  The Company establishes provisions for matters that are probable and can be reasonably estimated, included within current liabilities, and amounts are not considered material.

 

In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or un-asserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company and its legal counsel evaluate the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or un-asserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought. In the opinion of management there are no claims expected to have a material effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

 

k.Title Risk

 

Although the Company has taken steps to verify title to properties in which it has an interest, these procedures do not guarantee the Company’s title. Property title may be subject to, among other things, unregistered prior agreements or transfers and may be affected by undetected defects.

 

l.Royalty Agreements and Participation Agreements

 

The Company has various royalty agreements on certain mineral properties entitling the counterparties to the agreements to receive payments per terms as summarized below. Royalty liabilities incurred on acquisitions of properties are netted against mineral property while royalties that become payable upon production are expensed at the time of sale of the production.

 

On September 22, 2011, Peru’s Parliament approved new laws that increase mining taxes to fund anti-poverty infrastructure projects in the country, effective October 1, 2011. The new law changes the scheme for royalty payments, so that mining companies that have not signed legal stability agreements with the government will have to pay royalties of 1% to 12% on operating profit; royalties under the previous rules were 1% to 3% on net sales. In addition to these royalties, such companies will be subject to a “special tax” at a rate ranging from 2% to 8.4% of operating profit. Companies that have concluded legal stability agreements (under the General Mining Law) will be required to pay a “special contribution” of between 4% and 13.12% of operating profits. The Company’s calculations of the change in the royalty and the new tax indicate that no material impact is expected on the results of the Company’s Peruvian operations.

 

In the province of Chubut, Argentina which is the location of the Company’s Navidad property, there is a provincial royalty of 3% of the “Operating Income”. Operating income is defined as revenue minus production costs (not including mining costs), treatment and transportation charges. Additionally, the governor of the province of Chubut, Argentina, has submitted to the provincial legislature draft law which if passed will introduce a 5% net smelter return royalty, in addition to the 3% provincial royalty discussed above. Refer below to the Navidad project section below for further details.

 

As part of the 2009 Aquiline transaction the Company issued a replacement convertible debenture that allowed the holder to convert the debenture into either 363,854 Pan American shares or a silver stream contract related to certain production from the Navidad project. Subsequent to the acquisition, the counterparty to the replacement debenture has indicated its intention to elect the silver stream alternative. The final contract for the alternative is being discussed and pending the final resolution to this alternative, the Company continues to classify the fair value calculated at the acquisition of this alternative, as a deferred credit as disclosed in Note 15.

 

29 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

Huaron and Morococha mines

 

In June 2004, Peru’s Congress approved a bill that allows royalties to be charged on mining projects. These royalties are payable on Peruvian mine production at the following progressive rates: (i) 1.0% for companies with sales up to $60 million; (ii) 2.0% for companies with sales between $60 million and $120 million; and (iii) 3.0% for companies with sales greater than $120 million. This royalty is a net smelter returns royalty, the cost of which is deductible for income tax purposes.

 

Manantial Espejo mine

 

Production from the Manantial Espejo property is subject to royalties to be paid to Barrick Gold Corp. according to the following: (i) $0.60 per metric tonne of ore mined from the property and fed to process at a mill or leaching facility to a maximum of 1 million tonnes; and (ii) one-half of one percent (0.5%) of net smelter returns derived from the production of minerals from the property. In addition, the Company has negotiated a royalty equal to 3.0% of operating cash flow payable to the Province of Santa Cruz.

 

San Vicente mine

 

Pursuant to an option agreement entered into with COMIBOL, a Bolivian state mining company, with respect to the development of the San Vicente property, the Company is obligated to pay COMIBOL a participation fee of 37.5% (the “Participation Fee”) of the operation’s cash flow. Once full commercial production of San Vicente began, the Participation was reduced by 75% until the Company recover its investment in the property. The Company has since recovered its investment and the Participation Fee has reverted back to its original percentage. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 the royalties to COMIBOL amounted to approximately $1.8 million and $6.6 million (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $1.5 million and $9.0 million, respectively).

 

A royalty is also payable to EMUSA, a former partner of the Company on the project. The royalty is a 2% net smelter royalty payable only after the Company has recovered its capital investment in the project and only when the average price of silver in a given financial quarter is $9.00 per ounce or greater. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 the royalties to EMUSA amounted to approximately $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 the royalties amounted to $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

In December 2007, the Bolivian government introduced a new mining royalty that affects the San Vicente project. The royalty is applied to gross metal value of sales (before smelting and refining deductions) and the royalty percentage is a sliding scale depending on metal prices. At current metal prices, the royalty is 6% for silver metal value and 5% for zinc and copper metal value of sales. The royalty is income tax deductible. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the royalty amounted to $1.0 million and $3.4 million, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $1.7 million and $5.0 million, respectively).

 

Dolores mine

 

Production from the Dolores mine is subject to underlying net smelter return royalties comprised of 2% on gold and silver production and 1.25% on gold production. These royalties are payable to Royal Gold Inc. and were effective in full as of May 1, 2009, on the commencement of commercial production at the Dolores mine. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the royalties to Royal Gold amounted to approximately $1.0 million and $3.4 million, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 – $1.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively).

 

Navidad project

 

In late June 2012, the governor of the province of Chubut submitted to the provincial legislature a draft law which, if passed, would regulate all future oil and gas and mining activities in the province. The draft legislation incorporated the expected re-zoning of the province, allowing for the development of Navidad as an open pit mine. However, the draft legislation also introduced a series of new regulations that would have greatly increased provincial royalties and imposed the province’s direct participation in all mining projects, including Navidad.

 

30 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.
Notes to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 (unaudited tabular amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars except number of options and warrants and per share amounts)

 

In October 2012, the proposed bill was withdrawn for further study; however, as a result of uncertainty over the zoning, regulatory and tax laws which will ultimately apply, the Company has been forced to temporarily suspend project development activities at Navidad.

 

The Company remains committed to the development of Navidad and to contributing to the positive economic and social development of the province of Chubut upon the adoption of a favorable legislative framework.

 

31 

 

 



 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the Three

and Nine months ended September 30, 2015

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Introduction 3
Core Business and Strategy 4
Q3 2015 Key Notes 5
Q3 2015 Operating Performance 6
Q3 2015 Project Development Update 18
Overview of Q3 2015 Financial Results 19
Liquidity Position 28
Capital Resources 28
Financial Instruments 30
Contractual Commitments and Contingencies 31
Related Party Transactions 32
Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures 32
Risks and Uncertainties 39
Significant Judgments and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty in the Application of Accounting Policies 43
Changes in Accounting Standards 44
Disclosure Controls and Procedures 45

 

 

 

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

November 12, 2015

 

Introduction

 

Management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the significant factors that have affected Pan American Silver Corp.’s and its subsidiaries’ (“Pan American” or the “Company”) performance and such factors that may affect its future performance. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and the related notes contained therein. All amounts in this MD&A and in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements are expressed in United States dollars (“USD”), unless identified otherwise. The Company reports its financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”). Pan American’s significant accounting policies are set out in Note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements.

 

This MD&A refers to various non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“non-GAAP”) measures, such as “all-in sustaining cost per silver ounce sold", “cash costs per ounce of silver”, “working capital’, “adjusted earnings” and “basic adjusted earnings per share”, which are used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company’s mines and are widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance, but do not have standardized meaning. To facilitate a better understanding of these non-GAAP measures as calculated by the Company, additional information has been provided in this MD&A. Please refer to the section entitled “Alternative Performance (Non-GAAP) Measures” for a detailed description of all-in sustaining cost per silver ounce sold, adjusted earnings and basic adjusted earnings per share, as well as the cash cost calculation, details of the Company’s by-product credits and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

Any reference to “cash costs” or “cash costs per ounce of silver” in this MD&A should be understood to mean cash costs per ounce of silver, net of by-product credits.

 

Except for historical information contained in this MD&A, the following disclosures are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws or are future oriented financial information and as such are based on an assumed set of economic conditions and courses of action. Please refer to the cautionary note regarding the risks associated with forward looking statements at the back of this MD&A and the “Risks Related to Pan American’s Business” contained in the Company’s most recent Form 40-F and Annual Information Form on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities. Additional information about Pan American and its business activities, including its Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com

 

Pan American Silver Corp.3 

 

 

Core Business and Strategy

 

Pan American engages in silver mining and related activities, including exploration, mine development, extraction, processing, refining and reclamation. The Company owns and operates silver mines located in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and Bolivia. In addition, the Company is exploring for new silver deposits and opportunities throughout North and South America. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Symbol: PAA) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) Exchange in New York (Symbol: PAAS).

 

Pan American’s vision is to be the world’s pre-eminent silver producer, with a reputation for excellence in discovery, engineering, innovation and sustainable development. To achieve this vision, we base our business on the following strategy:

 

·Generate sustainable profits and superior returns on investments through the safe, efficient and environmentally sound development and operation of silver assets

 

·Constantly replace and grow our mineable silver reserves and resources through targeted near-mine exploration and global business development

 

·Foster positive long term relationships with our employees, our shareholders, our communities and our local governments through open and honest communication and ethical and sustainable business practices

 

·Continually search for opportunities to upgrade and improve the quality of our silver assets both internally and through acquisition

 

·Encourage our employees to be innovative, responsive and entrepreneurial throughout our entire organization

 

To execute this strategy, Pan American has assembled a sector leading team of mining professionals with a depth of knowledge and experience in all aspects of our business that allows the Company to confidently advance early stage projects through construction and into operation.

 

Pan American is determined to conduct its business in a responsible and sustainable manner. Caring for the environment in which we operate, contributing to the long-term development of our host communities and ensuring that our employees can work in a safe and secure manner are core values at Pan American. We are committed to maintaining positive relations with our employees, local communities and government agencies, all of whom we view as partners in our enterprise.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.4 

 

 

Q3 2015 KEY NOTES

 

·Silver Production of 6.61 Million Ounces

 

Pan American’s silver production for the three month period ended September 30, 2015 (“Q3 2015”) was 6.61 million ounces, a 7% increase from the 6.19 million silver ounces produced in the three month period ended September 30, 2014 (“Q3 2014”). The quarter over quarter increase was achieved with improved silver production principally at the San Vicente and Dolores mines, which increased quarterly silver production from a year ago by 0.27 million ounces and 0.23 million ounces, respectively. The Q3 2015 production brought total silver production for the first nine months of 2015 to 19.33 million ounces, on pace to achieve the annual forecast of 25.50 to 26.50 million ounces.

 

·Record Quarterly Gold Production

 

Pan American set a new gold production record in Q3 2015, producing 53.6 thousand ounces, 57% higher than production rates during the comparable quarter of 2014. The record gold production was achieved in large part due to Manantial Espejo producing 9.5 thousand ounces more gold as a result of higher gold grades. In addition, the Q3 2015 gold production at the Dolores and Alamo Dorado mines increased by 7.1 thousand ounces and 3.0 thousand ounces from Q3 2014, respectively, resulting from higher gold grades at Alamo and a combination of higher grades and throughput at Dolores.

 

·Manantial Espejo Write-down

 

The Company recognized an after-tax reduction to the carrying value of its Manantial Espejo property in Argentina of $53.5 million in Q3 2015. The write-down was taken in recognition of lower short-term consensus price forecasts and the continued challenging operating environment in Argentina. The reduction in carrying value was reflected in an impairment charge to property, plant and equipment of $28.8 million, a net-realizable value (“NRV”) write-down of stockpile inventories of $ 21.0 million and a valuation allowance on deferred income tax assets of $3.7 million.

 

·Financial Results

 

A net loss of $67.5 million was recorded in Q3 2015, which corresponds to a basic loss per share of $0.44. The majority of the net loss was due to the write-down taken at Manantial Espejo in the quarter. Mine operating losses increased from the same period last year, primarily attributable to lower realized metal prices in Q3 2015 compared to those in Q3 2014. Partially offsetting these negative price impacts on revenue were increased sales volumes and positive variances in production costs. Cash flow from operations remained strong in Q3 2015, generating $32.9 million comparable to $38.3 million generated in Q3 2014.

 

·Cash Costs and AISCSOS Guidance Lowered

 

Consolidated cash costs per ounce of silver, net of by-product credits (“cash costs”), for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2015 of $8.74 and $9.92, respectively, were both below the low-end of management’s 2015 guidance of $10.80 to $11.80 per ounce. Based on the performance for the first nine months of 2015, management is reducing 2015 full-year cash cost guidance to between $10.00 and $10.50 per ounce.

 

Consolidated all-in sustaining costs per silver ounce sold net of by-product credits (“AISCSOS”) for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2015 were $16.29 and $14.99 respectively. The year to date AISCSOS was below management’s 2015 annual guidance of $15.50 to $16.50. The Q3 2015 AISCSOS was negatively impacted by the NRV adjustments recorded primarily as part of the write-down of Manantial Espejo. Total NRV adjustments added $2.71 per ounce to consolidated AISCSOS for the three month period ended September 30, 2015. Based on the performance for the first nine months of 2015, and assuming that there are no further significant negative NRV adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2015, management is reducing 2015 full-year AISCSOS guidance to between $15.00 and $15.50 per ounce.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.5 

 

 

·Strong Liquidity and Working Capital Position, and Continued Returns to Shareholders

 

The Company had cash and short-term investment balances of $266.1 million and working capital of $420.1 million as at September 30, 2015, a decrease of $8.8 million and $49.7 million, respectively, from June 30, 2015. The Company had total debt outstanding of $57.9 million at the end of Q3 2015, a $4.0 million reduction from the $61.8 million at June 30, 2015. The Company’s $300.0 million revolving credit facility, established in the second quarter of 2015, remains undrawn and available to the Company as of September 30, 2015. The Company’s strong balance sheet and positive operating cash flow facilitated the continued return of value to shareholders in Q3 2015 by way of $7.6 million in dividend payments.

 

·Progress on the La Colorada & Dolores Expansion Projects

 

Construction of the new sulphide plant at the La Colorada mine continued as scheduled during Q3 2015 and all of the major pieces of process equipment arrived at site and are ready for installation, which will commence in the fourth quarter of 2015 “Q4 2015”. Raise boring of the new 5.1 meter diameter shaft at La Colorada commenced and advanced slightly more than half-way. Fabrication of the headframe continued on schedule and the permanent hoist installation will commence in Q4 2015. It is forecasted that the new sulphide plant will be ready to receive ore feed in mid-2016, with the shaft expected to be in operation by year-end 2016.

 

Work on the agglomeration plant project at the Dolores mine consisted predominantly of basic and detail engineering; with construction expected to commence in the first half of 2016. The underground ramp at Dolores advanced to 609 meters from the portal, approximately halfway from intersecting the primary mineralization structure. Construction of the new electrical line is advancing on schedule and is expected to be complete by mid-2016.

 

Q3 2015 Operating Performance

 

The following table compares silver production and cash costs, net of by-product credits, at each of Pan American’s operations for the respective three and nine months periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

  

Silver Production

(ounces ‘000s)

  

Cash Costs(1)

($ per ounce)

 
   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014 
La Colorada   1,321    1,253    3,904    3,693    6.76    8.58    7.45    8.33 
Dolores   1,201    966    3,304    3,028    8.70    14.57    8.61    12.92 
Alamo Dorado   692    674    2,152    2,608    9.58    17.04    13.66    12.50 
Huaron(2)   879    933    2,718    2,683    11.51    10.74    10.75    11.33 
Morococha(2)(3)   564    637    1,641    1,767    12.59    8.43    13.04    13.46 
San Vicente(4)   1,028    755    3,037    2,776    11.23    16.05    11.73    13.71 
Manantial Espejo   928    972    2,578    2,812    4.16    15.54    7.66    8.88 
Consolidated Total(2) (5)   6,612    6,189    19,335    19,368    8.74    12.86    9.92    11.30 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.6 

 

 

(1)Cash costs is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the section “Alternative Performance (Non-GAAP) Measures” of this MD&A for a detailed description of the cash cost calculation, details of the Company’s by-product credits and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
(2)In 2014 it was determined that previously reported cash costs for the Company's Peruvian operations overstated copper by-product credits. Both consolidated and Peruvian cash costs for 2014 have been adjusted to correct for this overstatement. The effect of these corrections for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was as follows: a $0.57 and $0.47 per ounce increase to consolidated cash costs, respectively; a $3.11 and $2.88 per ounce increase to Huaron cash costs, respectively; and a $1.57 and $1.36 per ounce increase to Morococha cash costs, respectively.
(3)Morococha data represents Pan American's 92.3% interest in the mine's production.
(4)San Vicente data represents Pan American's 95.0% interest in the mine's production.
(5)Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

·Q3 2015 Silver Production

 

The graph below presents silver production by mine in Q3 2015:

 

 

Pan American’s Q3 2015 silver production of 6.61 million ounces was 0.42 million ounces, or 7%, more than the 6.19 million ounces produced in Q3 2014. The Company’s Mexican mines and its Bolivian mine all had increased quarter over quarter silver production that resulted in a combined 0.59 million ounce increase from Q3 2014 production levels. This increase more than offset the combined 0.17 million ounce silver production decrease at its Peruvian and Argentinian mines. The largest quarter over quarter increases in silver production came from the San Vicente mine in Bolivia and the Dolores mine in Mexico, where silver production increased by 0.27 million ounces and 0.24 million ounces, respectively. The largest quarter over quarter decrease was at the Morococha mine in Peru, where silver production decreased by 0.07 million ounces.

 

·Q3 2015 Cash Costs

 

Consolidated cash costs per ounce of silver for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $8.74 per ounce and $9.92 per ounce, respectively, which compared to $12.86 per ounce and $11.30 per ounce for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. Consolidated cash costs in Q3 2015 decreased from those in Q3 2014 through a combination of a $2.95 decrease to costs per ounce before by-product credits, and a $1.16 per ounce increase in by-product credits. Q3 2015 per ounce costs before by-product credits benefited from both decreased consolidated costs, resulting primarily from favorable exchange rate differences, cost decreases and increased consolidated silver production. The increase to Q3 2015 per ounce by-product credits was largely due to increased gold production at the Manantial Espejo, Dolores and Alamo Dorado mines.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.7 

 

 

The most significant individual contribution to decreased consolidated cash costs was from the Manantial Espejo mine which had an $11.38 per ounce quarter over quarter decrease to its cash costs, resulting primarily from increased gold by-product credits. Each operation’s cash costs are separately discussed in the Q3 2015 Individual Mine Performance section of this MD&A.

 

·Q3 2015 Average Market Metal Prices

 

The following tables set out the average market price for each metal produced for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 together with prices for the comparable periods in 2014:

 

   Average Market Metal Prices 
   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Silver/ounce  $14.91   $19.76   $15.99   $19.95 
Gold/ounce  $1,124   $1,282   $1,178   $1,288 
Zinc/tonne  $1,847   $2,311   $2,035   $2,140 
Lead/tonne  $1,714   $2,181   $1,818   $2,128 
Copper/tonne  $5,259   $6,994   $5,699   $6,943 

 

·Q3 2015 By-Product Production

 

The following tables set out the Company’s by-product production for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 together with amounts for the comparable periods in 2014:

 

   By-Product Production 
  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Gold - ounces ‘000s (“koz”)   53.6    34.1    135.5    117.6 
Zinc - tonnes ‘000s (“kt”)   10.7    10.5    29.2    33.3 
Lead - kt   3.5    3.5    10.5    11.1 
Copper - kt   3.6    2.4    11.0    6.0 

 

Consolidated gold production in Q3 2015 was a Company record 53.6koz, a 19.5koz or 57% increase from Q3 2014 gold production. The increase was primarily the result of Manantial Espejo producing 9.5koz more gold as a result of higher gold grades. Similarly, the Q3 2015 gold production at the Dolores and Alamo Dorado mine increased by 7.1koz and 3.0koz from Q3 2014, respectively, resulting from higher gold grades at Alamo and a combination of higher grades and throughput at Dolores.

 

Consolidated copper production primarily from the Company’s Peruvian operations in Q3 2015 was 3.6kt, a 50% increase from the 2.4kt produced in Q3 2014. The increase was almost entirely attributable to the Morococha mine, which produced 1.15kt or 132% more copper in Q3 2014, as a result of significantly increased copper grades and recoveries. Copper production at the Huaron mine in Q3 2015 of 1.5kt was consistent with the 1.6kt produced in Q3 2014.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.8 

 

 

Consolidated zinc production in Q3 2015 increased by 0.2kt from Q3 2014 production. The increased zinc production was largely the result of higher grades at both the La Colorada and San Vicente mines partially offset by lower grades at Morococha compared to Q3 2014. Consolidated lead production was flat quarter-over-quarter as lower grades and recoveries at Morococha were partially offset by higher grades at La Colorada, San Vicente and Huaron.

 

·Q3 2015 AISCSOS

 

The following table reflects the quantities of payable silver sold and AISCSOS at each of Pan American’s operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the same periods in 2014.

 

  

Payable Silver Sold

(ounces ‘000s)

  

AISCSOS(1)

($ per ounce)

 
   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014 
La Colorada   1,231    1,292    3,846    3,627    9.37    11.53    9.51    11.42 
Dolores   1,140    1,052    3,400    3,030    11.85    27.49    9.93    25.80 
Alamo Dorado   710    770    2,218    2,790    11.81    14.75    14.33    11.78 
Huaron   738    749    2,235    2,237    17.76    17.09    16.25    17.91 
Morococha   532    571    1,512    1,588    17.74    13.84    18.64    19.12 
San Vicente (2)   737    1,036    2,572    3,060    12.99    12.49    12.42    14.47 
Manantial Espejo   960    762    2,677    2,747    29.77    41.00    21.68    18.22 
Consolidated Total (2) (3)   6,048    6,230    18,460    19,079    16.29    20.08    14.99    17.64 

(1)AISCSOS is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the section “Alternative Performance (Non-GAAP) Measures” of this MD&A for a detailed description of the AISCSOS calculation and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. Corporate general and administration (“G&A”) costs are included in the consolidated AISCSOS, but not allocated in calculating AISCSOS for each operation.
(2)In 2014 it was determined that certain charges to metal sales were being treated differently in the quantification of AISCSOS for the Company’s San Vicente operation compared to the Company’s other operations. As such previously reported AISCSOS for the San Vicente operation have been revised to quantify AISCSOS with a methodology consistent with that used by Company’s other operations. The effect of this revision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a $0.42 and $0.38 decrease to the Company’s previously reported consolidated AISCSOS of $20.50 and $18.02 respectively. The effect of this revision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a $2.53 and $ 2.40 decrease, respectively, to reported AISCSOS for the San Vicente mine.
(3)Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

Consolidated AISCSOS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $16.29 and $14.99, respectively, a 19% and 15% reduction from AISCSOS of $20.08 and $17.64 in the respective 2014 comparative periods. AISCSOS in Q3 2015 and Q3 2014 were adversely impacted by negative NRV adjustments to inventories, which increased production costs by $16.4 million and $15.4 million, respectively.

 

The decline in quarter over quarter AISCSOS resulted primarily from: (i) a $9.9 million decrease in sustaining capital expenditures; (ii) a $7.4 million decrease in production costs inclusive of a $1.0 million increase in negative NRV adjustments to inventories; and (iii) a $7.4 million increase in by-product credits; offset by a 3% decrease in the amount of silver ounces sold.

 

The decline in AISCSOS for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from those in the same period of 2014 resulted primarily from: (i) a $24.7 million decrease in sustaining capital expenditures; (ii) a $23.4 million decrease in production costs, driven by a $21.9 million decrease in negative NRV adjustments to inventories; (iii) a $8.6 million increase in by-product credits; and (iv) a $4.7 million reduction in royalty costs; offset by a 3% decrease in the amount of silver ounces sold, and a $3.6 million increase in smelting and refining charges (“TCRCs”).

 

Pan American Silver Corp.9 

 

 

Q3 2015 Individual Mine Performance

 

An analysis of each operation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 follows, as compared to the operating performance for the respective periods of 2014. Reported metal figures in the tables in this section reflect actual volumes of metals produced.

 

La Colorada mine

 

  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Tonnes milled - kt   123.2    118.9    362.8    351.7 
Average silver grade – grams per tonne   370    365    372    363 
Average silver recovery - %   90.1    89.7    90.1    89.9 
Production:                    
Silver – koz   1,321    1,253    3,904    3,693 
Gold – koz   0.70    0.54    1.98    1.85 
Zinc – kt   2.29    1.70    6.40    5.51 
Lead – kt   1.03    0.81    3.01    2.72 
                     
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products(1)  $6.76   $8.58   $7.45   $8.33 
                     
AISCSOS(2)  $9.37   $11.53   $9.51   $11.42 
                     
Payable silver sold - koz   1,231    1,292    3,846    3,627 
                     
Sustaining capital -  (’000s)(3)  $2,717   $4,173   $6,904   $11,988 
(1)Cash costs is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of this measure to our cost of sales.
(2)AISCSOS is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed description of the AISCSOS calculation and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
(3)Sustaining capital expenditures excludes $10.3 million and $26.0 million of investing activity cash outflow in for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 respectively (2014: $2.9 million and $10.4 million, respectively) related to investment capital incurred on the expansion project as disclosed in the “Project Development Update and Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” sections of this MD&A.

 

The La Colorada mine produced 5% more silver in Q3 2015 than in Q3 2014, primarily as a result of increased throughput and silver grades.

 

The Q3 2015 cash costs of $6.76 per ounce were 21% lower than the $8.58 per ounce cash costs in Q3 2014. The $1.82 per ounce decrease was largely driven by higher throughput rates, certain consumable cost reductions, reduced underground development advances expected to recommence in 2016, and favorable currency exchange rates. Also benefiting Q3 2015 cash costs was a 5% increase in payable silver production as well as increased by-product credits driven mainly by increased quarter over quarter gold, zinc and lead production, partially offset by lower metal prices.

 

Q3 2015 AISCSOS decreased by 19% to $9.37 from $11.53 in Q3 2014 due primarily to a $3.0 million quarter over quarter decrease in direct operating costs and a $1.5 million decrease in sustaining capital expenditures; offset by $0.9 million fewer by-product credits driven by lower by product prices, and a 5% quarter over quarter decrease in the amount of payable silver ounces sold.

 

Sustaining capital expenditures at La Colorada during Q3 2015 totalled $2.7 million, the majority of which was spent on mine infrastructure, exploration drilling, a mine dewatering treatment plant, mine equipment replacement and rehabilitations, process plant improvements, and access road upgrades.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.10 

 

 

Dolores mine

 

  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Tonnes placed - kt   1,541.4    1,376.0    4,607.6    4,441.9 
Average silver grade – grams per tonne   46    41    46    39 
Average gold grade – grams per tonne   0.65    0.49    0.58    0.42 
Average silver produced to placed ratio - %   52.5    53.0    48.5    54.8 
Average gold produced to placed ratio - %   70.5    71.7    70.4    81.8 
Production:                    
Silver – koz   1,201    966    3,304    3,028 
Gold – koz   22.58    15.44    60.93    48.83 
                     
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products(1)  $8.70   $14.57   $8.61   $12.92 
                     
AISCSOS(2)  $11.85   $27.49   $9.93   $25.80 
                     
Payable silver sold - koz   1,140    1,052    3,400    3,030 
                     
Sustaining capital -  (’000s)(3)  $4,066   $6,824   $15,097   $19,670 
(1)Cash costs is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of this measure to our cost of sales.
(2)AISCSOS is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed description of the AISCSOS calculation and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
(3)Sustaining capital expenditures excludes $4.7 million and $17.6 million of investing activity cash outflow for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively (2014: $0.1 million and $18.7 million, respectively) related to investment capital incurred on Dolores expansion projects as disclosed in the “Project Development Update and Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” sections of this MD&A.

 

Silver production at Dolores in Q3 2015 increased 24% from that in Q3 2014, a result of a 12% increase in throughput largely due to the heavy rainfalls that impacted production in Q3 2014, as well as higher silver grades.

 

Cash costs of $8.70 per ounce in Q3 2015 were $5.87 per ounce lower than in Q3 2014. The 40% decrease in cash costs was predominantly driven by a $5.24 per ounce decrease in costs before by-product credits, which resulted from a 24% increase in payable silver production and decreases to costs per tonne placed from less impactful rains, reductions in the costs of certain consumables, and favorable currency exchanges. Further improving quarter over quarter cash costs was a $0.63 per ounce increase in by-product credits that resulted from a 46% increase in gold production from 33% higher gold grades and increased throughput, partially offset by lower gold prices.

 

Q3 2015 AISCSOS decreased by 57% to $11.85 from $27.49 in Q3 2014 primarily due to: a $10.1 million quarter over quarter decrease in direct operating costs, inclusive of a $7.4 million decrease in negative NRV adjustments to inventory; an 8% increase in the quantity of silver sold; a $2.8 million quarter over quarter decrease in sustaining capital expenditures; and a $1.9 million increase in by-product credits from increased gold sales volumes.

 

Q3 2015 sustaining capital expenditures at Dolores totalled $4.1 million the majority of which was invested in pre-stripping activities. The remaining sustaining capital investment was largely comprised of investments in mine and process equipment replacement and rehabilitations, exploration activities, surface water diversion upgrades, as well as camp and site access improvements.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.11 

 

 

Alamo Dorado mine

 

  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Tonnes milled - kt   423.4    476.3    1,343.3    1,281.6 
Average silver grade – grams per tonne   62    62    61    80 
Average gold grade – grams per tonne   0.58    0.31    0.33    0.36 
Average silver recovery - %   83.7    78.7    81.8    80.6 
Production:                    
Silver – koz   692    674    2,152    2,608 
Gold – koz   6.59    3.61    12.45    11.89 
Copper – kt   0.04    -    0.06    0.02 
                     
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products(1)  $9.58   $17.04   $13.66   $12.50 
                     
AISCSOS(2)  $11.81   $14.75   $14.33   $11.78 
                     
Payable silver sold - koz   710    770    2,218    2,790 
                     
Sustaining capital -  (’000s)  $-   $22   $-   $226 
(1)Cash costs is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of this measure to our cost of sales.
(2)AISCSOS is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed description of the AISCSOS calculation and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

Alamo Dorado silver production in Q3 2015 was 3% more than that produced in Q3 2014. Despite lower throughput rates in Q3 2015 compared to Q3 2014, the quarter over quarter silver production increased as a result of improved silver recoveries. Q3 2015 gold production was 2,980 ounces, or 83%, higher than that in Q3 2014, a result of significantly higher gold grades and recoveries.

 

Cash costs of $9.58 per ounce in Q3 2015 were $7.46 per ounce lower than in Q3 2014. The 44% decrease in cash costs was the combined result of a $4.17 per ounce increase in by-product credits and a $3.30 decrease in cost per ounce before by-product credits. The increased by-product credits were attributable to increased gold production partially offset by decreased gold prices, while the decreased operating costs were due to less total tonnes being mined as well as reduced costs of certain consumables and favorable currency exchange rates.

 

Q3 2015 AISCSOS decreased by 20% to $11.81 from $14.75 in Q3 2014 due primarily to a $2.8 million quarter over quarter decrease in direct operating costs, inclusive of a $1.6 million decrease in NRV adjustments to inventory, offset by an 8% decrease in the amount of payable silver ounces sold from Q3 2014 levels.

 

No capital expenditures were made at Alamo Dorado during Q3 2015.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.12 

 

 

Huaron mine

 

  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Tonnes milled - kt   207.6    225.9    661.5    656.1 
Average silver grade – grams per tonne   157    155    155    153 
Average zinc grade – %   2.37    2.31    2.33    2.43 
Average copper grade – %   0.94    0.86    0.98    0.83 
Average silver recovery - %   83.5    83.5    83.4    83.5 
Production:                    
Silver – koz   879    933    2,718    2,683 
Gold – koz   0.20    0.29    0.81    0.86 
Zinc – kt   3.00    3.32    9.56    10.83 
Copper – kt   1.53    1.55    5.03    4.17 
Lead – kt   1.64    1.37    4.96    4.40 
                     
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products(1) (2)  $11.51   $10.74   $10.75   $11.33 
                     
AISCSOS(3)  $17.76   $17.09   $16.25   $17.91 
                     
Payable silver sold - koz   738    749    2,235    2,237 
Sustaining capital -  (’000s)  $4,131   $4,109   $9,011   $12,356 
(1)In 2014 it was determined that previously reported cash costs per ounce for the Company's Peruvian operations overstated copper by-product credits. Both consolidated and Peruvian cash costs for Q3 2014 have been adjusted to correct for this overstatement. The effect of these corrections was a $3.11 and $2.88 per ounce increase to Huaron’s cash costs per ounce for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
(2)Cash costs is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of this measure to our cost of sales.
(3)AISCSOS is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed description of the AISCSOS calculation and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

Q3 2015 silver production at Huaron was 6% lower in Q3 2015 than in Q3 2014, primarily as a result of decreased throughput rates caused from an unscheduled mill shut-down in September which has since been resolved.

 

Cash costs of $11.51 per ounce in Q3 2015 were $0.77 per ounce higher than in Q3 2014. The 7% increase in cash costs was driven by a $4.78 per ounce decrease in by-product credits partially offset by a $4.01 per ounce decrease in cash costs per ounce before by-product credits. The decrease in by-product credits per ounce was driven by lower copper and zinc prices, and from declined zinc production partially offset by increased lead production. Reduced operating costs per ounce from those in Q3 2014 continue to be realized with improved productivities obtained through the multi-year mechanization initiatives and favorable currency exchange rates.

 

Q3 2015 AISCSOS increased by 4% to $17.76 from $17.09 in Q3 2014. The increase was driven by a $4.7 million decrease in by-product credits, resulting mainly from decreased by-product metal prices and lower zinc sales volumes, and from a 1% decrease in the amount of payable silver ounces sold from Q3 2014 levels. Partially offsetting these increases was a $2.6 million reduction to productions costs and a $1.9 million decrease in TCRCs.

 

Sustaining capital expenditures during Q3 2015 totaled $4.1 million at the Huaron mine and related primarily to equipment refurbishments and replacements, tailings dam expansion, site infrastructure upgrades as well as exploration drilling.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.13 

 

 

Morococha mine(1)

 

  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Tonnes milled - kt   163.1    145.2    471.5    417.4 
Average silver grade – grams per tonne   124    156    127    154 
Average copper grade - %   1.52    0.85    1.49    0.65 
Average zinc grade  - %   3.11    3.82    2.82    3.78 
Average silver recovery - %   86.6    86.8    85.4    86.3 
Production:                    
Silver – koz   564    637    1,641    1,767 
Gold – koz   0.83    0.95    2.45    2.02 
Zinc – kt   3.58    4.38    8.61    12.51 
Lead – kt   0.62    1.27    1.90    3.65 
Copper – kt   2.02    0.87    5.87    1.82 
                     
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products (2) (3)  $12.59   $8.43   $13.04   $13.46 
                     
AISCSOS(4)  $17.74   $13.84   $18.64   $19.12 
                     
Payable silver sold - koz   532    571    1,512    1,588 
                     
Sustaining capital -  (’000s)  $1,874   $2,140   $5,197   $7,050 
(1)Production figures are for Pan American’s 92.3% share only.
(2)In 2014 it was determined that previously reported cash costs per ounce for the Company's Peruvian operations overstated copper by-product credits. Both consolidated and Peruvian cash costs for Q3 2014 have been adjusted to correct for this overstatement. The effect of these corrections was a $1.57 and $1.36 per ounce increase to Morococha’s cash costs per ounce for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
(3)Cash costs is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of this measure to our cost of sales.
(4)AISCSOS is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed description of the AISCSOS calculation and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

The Morococha mine produced 11% less silver in Q3 2015 than in Q3 2014, a result of a 21% decrease in silver grades attributable to deliberate mine sequencing into higher value copper zones, partially offset by a 12% increase in throughput. An area of high water in-flows was encountered near the high copper grade Esperanza ore bodies which has prevented mine production from that area for much of September 2015. Efforts are underway to control these unexpected water inflows which may delay further production from this important mining area during Q4 2015.

 

Cash costs of $12.59 per ounce in Q3 2015 were $4.16 per ounce higher than those in Q3 2014, the result of a $7.38 per ounce increase in operating cash costs before by-product credits partially offset by a $3.22 per ounce increase in by-product credits. The increased operating costs per ounce resulted from an 11% decrease in payable silver production partially offset by reduced direct operating costs per tonne obtained through mechanization initiatives and favorable currency exchange rates, partially offset by an increase in smelting costs. The increase in by-product credits was entirely attributable to a deliberate change in mine sequencing favoring higher value copper ore, resulting in a 132% increase in copper production, partially offset by lower average by-product metal prices (particularly copper and zinc), lower zinc and lead production, and higher smelting costs.

 

Q3 2015 AISCSOS increased by 28% to $17.74 from $13.84 in Q3 2014, driven by a $2.6 million increase in TCRCs, and a 7% decrease in the amount of payable silver ounces sold from Q3 2014 levels, partially offset by $0.9 million decrease in quarter over quarter direct operating costs.

 

Sustaining capital expenditures during Q3 2015 totalled $1.9 million at the Morococha mine and related primarily to equipment refurbishments and replacements as well as exploration drilling.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.14 

 

 

San Vicente mine (1)

  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Tonnes milled - kt   86.3    67.9    244.8    230.9 
Average silver grade – grams per tonne   412    373    419    403 
Average zinc grade - %   2.64    2.13    2.42    2.47 
Average silver recovery - %   91.9    92.3    93.0    92.7 
Production:                    
Silver – koz   1,028    755    3,037    2,776 
Zinc – kt   1.81    1.11    4.61    4.45 
Lead – kt   0.19    0.06    0.63    0.35 
                     
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products (2)  $11.23   $16.05   $11.73   $13.71 
                     
AISCSOS(3) (4)  $12.99   $12.49   $12.42   $14.47 
                     
Payable silver sold - koz   737    1,036    2,572    3,060 
                     
Sustaining capital -  (’000s)  $807   $828   $2,290   $2,423 
(1)Production figures are for Pan American’s 95.0% share only.
(2)Cash costs is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of this measure to our cost of sales.
(3)AISCSOS is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed description of the AISCSOS calculation and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
(4)In 2014 it was determined that certain charges to metal sales were being treated differently in the quantification of AISCSOS for the Company’s San Vicente operation compared to the Company’s other operations. As such previously reported AISCSOS for the San Vicente operation has been revised to quantify AISCSOS with a methodology consistent with that used by Company’s other operations. The effect of this revision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a $2.53 and $ 2.40 reduction to AISCSOS, respectively.

 

Silver production at the San Vicente mine in Q3 2015 was 273,000 ounces, or 36%, more than that produced in Q3 2014. The increased silver production was primarily attributable to the 27% increase in throughput over Q3 2014 rates due to a two-week work stoppage that occurred during that period and a 10% improvement in silver grades resulting from mine sequencing.

 

San Vicente’s Q3 2015 cash costs of $11.23 per ounce were $4.82 per ounce lower than the $16.05 per ounce cash costs in Q3 2014. The 30% decrease was the combined result of a $4.80 per ounce decrease in costs before by-product credits resulting from the increased silver production, and a $0.02 per ounce increase in by-product credits. The slight increase to by-product credits was attributable to increases in zinc and lead production offset by lower realized prices.

 

Q3 2015 AISCSOS increased 4% to $12.99 from $12.49 Q3 2014. The increase was driven by a 29% decrease in the quantity of payable silver ounces sold from Q3 2014 levels, and a $2.3 million decrease in by-product credits, both of which resulted from a build-up of inventories in Q3 2014 due to the timing of shipments. These AISCSOS increase factors were offset by a $4.2 million decrease to direct operating costs, which was also partially attributable to the lower sales volumes.

 

Sustaining capital expenditures at San Vicente during Q3 2015 totalled $0.8 million and were comprised mainly of infrastructure investments and equipment rebuilds.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.15 

 

 

Manantial Espejo mine

 

  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Tonnes milled - kt   185.8    203.4    567.2    586.5 
Average silver grade – grams per tonne   172    164    156    162 
Average gold grade – grams per tonne   3.93    2.13    3.31    2.80 
Average silver recovery - %   91.3    92.5    91.6    92.1 
Average gold recovery - %   95.7    94.7    95.2    95.2 
Production:                    
Silver – koz   928    972    2,578    2,812 
Gold – koz   22.72    13.23    56.86    52.19 
                     
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products (1)  $4.16   $15.54   $7.66   $8.88 
                     
AISCSOS(2)  $29.77   $41.00   $21.68   $18.22 
                     
Payable silver sold - koz   960    762    2,677    2,747 
                     
Sustaining capital -  (’000s)  $2,357   $7,706   $11,725   $21,198 
(1)Cash costs is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed reconciliation of this measure to our cost of sales.
(2)AISCSOS is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the “Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures” section of this MD&A for a detailed description of the AISCSOS calculation and a reconciliation of this measure to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

Manantial Espejo’s Q3 2015 silver production was 5% less than in Q3 2014 due to the combined result of a 9% decrease in throughput due to an unscheduled mill break-down in September which has since been resolved and slightly lower silver recoveries partially offset by improved silver grades. Gold production in the quarter was 9,500 ounces or 72% more than in Q3 2014, the result of processing higher gold grades from mine sequencing.

 

Cash costs of $4.16 per ounce in Q3 2015 were $11.38 per ounce lower than those in Q3 2014 The 73% decrease in cash costs was the combined result of a $10.12 per ounce increase in by-product credits and a $1.26 per ounce decrease in direct costs. The increased by-product credit per ounce resulted from the significant increase in gold production, partially offset by lower gold prices. The decrease in direct operating costs was attributable to favorable exchange rates and efficiency initiatives undertaken in the year.

 

Q3 2015 AISCSOS decreased by 27% to $29.77 from $41.00 in Q3 2014 due primarily to: (i) a $13.2 million increase in by-product credits from an additional 6,600 ounces of gold sold in Q3 2015 compared to Q3 2014; (ii) a 26% quarter over quarter increase in the quantity of silver sold; and (iii) a $5.3 million quarter over quarter decrease in sustaining capital expenditure; offset by a $16.2 million increase in operating costs, inclusive of a $10.0 million increase in negative NRV adjustments compared to Q3 2014 levels.

 

Sustaining capital expenditures at Manantial Espejo during Q3 2015 totalled $2.4 million and consisted mainly of capitalized open-pit pre-stripping and brownfield exploration.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.16 

 

 

2015 Operating Outlook

 

Q3 2015 consolidated silver production of 6.61 million ounces brought year-to-date silver production to 19.33 million ounces, which is in line with the production rate required to achieve management’s full year forecast range of 25.5 to 26.5 million silver ounces. With the expected silver production for the remainder of the year, management reaffirms the annual production forecast as indicated in the 2014 year end MD&A.

 

The record 53,600 ounces of gold produced in Q3 2015 brought year-to-date gold production to 135,500 ounces which represents 80% of the high-end of management’s 2015 annual forecasted range of 165,000 ounces to 175,000 ounces. Based on the year-to-date gold production, and the expected production in the fourth quarter, management now expects 2015 annual gold production to be between 175,000 ounces and 180,000 ounces.

 

Year-to-date copper, zinc and lead production of 10,960 tonnes, 29,180 tonnes and 10,490 tonnes, respectively, is in-line and on-pace with management’s current annual guidance of 14,000 tonnes to 15,000 tonnes, 37,000 tonnes to 39,000 tonnes, and 13,000 tonnes to 13,500 tonnes, respectively (note: the annual 2015 guidance for copper, zinc and lead were revised in the second quarter of 2015). The copper production forecast for Q4 2015 is heavily dependent on resolving the unexpected water in-flows encountered in the Esperanza ore zones as disclosed in the “Morococha mine” section of this MD&A.

 

Year-to-date cash costs per ounce of $9.92 were 8% lower than the low-end of management’s 2015 full year forecast of $10.80 to $11.80 presented in the Company’s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2014. Based on the performance for the first nine months of 2015, management is reducing 2015 full-year cash cost guidance to between $10.00 and $10.50 per ounce.

 

Year-to-date AISCSOS of $14.99 was $0.51 below the low-end of management’s 2015 full year forecast of $15.50 to $16.50 per ounce. Based on the performance for the first nine months of 2015, management is reducing 2015 full-year AISCSOS guidance to between $15.00 and $15.50 per ounce.

 

Total sustaining capital investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 Q3 2015 were $16.0 million, and $50.2 million, respectively, while investment (project development) capital totaled $15.0 million and $43.5 million, respectively. Management continues to expect sustaining capital for 2015 to be approximately $71.0 to $84.0 million. Based on current spending and Q4 2015 forecasts for the La Colorada and Dolores expansion projects, the Company now expects to spend between $45.0 million to $50.0 million at La Colorada and between $20.0 million to $25.0 million at Dolores during 2015 for a total consolidated project spending forecast between $65.0 million to $75.0 million.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.17 

 

 

Q3 2015 Project Development Update

 

The following table reflects the amounts spent at each of Pan American’s significant projects in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014:

 

Project Development

(‘000s)

 

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Dolores Projects  $5,024   $618   $14,725   $9,713 
La Colorada Expansion   12,712    5,237    27,352    9,059 
Navidad (1)   1,387    985    5,949    2,766 
Total  $19,123   $6,840   $48,026   $21,538 
(1)Development spending at Navidad is expensed as incurred which will continue until such time that a change in circumstances regarding the project warrant project costs being capitalized.

 

·La Colorada Expansion Project

 

Pan American invested $12.7 million on the expansion project in Q3 2015 with the quarterly investment relating to the project development activities described below.

 

Construction of the new sulphide plant continued as scheduled with the pouring of concrete foundations and the commencement of structural steel installations. Approximately 50% of the concrete work was completed as of the end of the quarter. All of the major pieces of process equipment arrived at site and are ready for installation, which will commence in Q4 2015.

 

Raise boring of the 5.1 metre diameter shaft commenced, and as of the end of Q3 2015 the development had successfully advanced a total of 312 metres, with an additional 298 metres scheduled to be raise bored in Q4 2015. Ground conditions encountered in raise bore thus far have been amendable to raise boring, with the more difficult ground expected to be encountered in the upper portion of the shaft (final 200 meters) requiring rapid shotcrete placement for temporary support in that section of the shaft. Fabrication of the headframe continued on schedule with the permanent hoist installation to commence in Q4 2015.

 

Negotiations with the local power authorities and land owners continued on schedule for the new 115 kV high voltage powerline to the site. Completion of construction and energizing this new line is expected in early 2017. In the interim, an existing powerline will be upgraded, and temporary diesel generators may be used, to provide power for the additional electrical loads associated with the new sulphide plant for the first year of operation pending completion of the powerline.

 

At present it is forecast that the new sulphide plant will be ready to receive ore feed towards mid-2016, with the shaft expected to be in operation by the end of 2016. Underground development in support of the increased production levels has continued on schedule.

 

There was $10.3 million of investing activity cash outflows relating to the expansion project in Q3 2015, which were a result of investments and changes in accounts payable during the quarter.  

 

·Dolores Projects

 

Pan American invested $5.0 million in Dolores projects in Q3 2015 comprised predominantly of approximately: $2.4 million in the construction of a new power line; $1.1 million in an additional 382 metres on a new underground ramp; and $1.1 million in the pulp agglomeration plant project.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.18 

 

 

Work on the agglomeration plant project consisted predominantly of basic and detailed engineering, as well as continued laboratory test work. Long lead equipment orders are scheduled to be placed in Q4 2015, with construction to commence in the first half of 2016 once the appropriate construction permits have been received. Completion of construction of the new electrical line, which is required to provide power to the new agglomeration plant, is expected to be completed by mid-2016.

 

There was $4.7 million of investing activity cash outflows relating to Dolores projects in Q3 2015, which were a result of investments and changes in accounts payable during the quarter.

 

Overview of Q3 2015 Financial Results

 

·Quarterly Information

 

The following tables set out selected quarterly results for the past eleven quarters, which are stated in thousands of USD, except for the per share amounts. The dominant factors affecting results in the quarters presented below are volatility of metal prices realized, industry wide cost pressures, and the timing of the sales of production which varies with the timing of shipments. The third quarter of 2015 included impairment charges to Manantial Espejo. The fourth quarter of 2014 included impairment charges related to Dolores, Manantial Espejo, Alamo Dorado and certain exploration and development properties including Navidad. The fourth quarter of 2013 included impairment charges to Dolores, and the second quarter of 2013 included impairment charges to Dolores and certain exploration and development properties.

 

2015  Quarter Ended (unaudited)         
(In thousands of USD, other than per
share amounts)
  March 31   June 30   Sept 30         
Revenue  $178,125   $174,189   $159,414           
Mine operating earnings (loss)  $2,630   $(952)  $(25,996)          
Attributable loss for the period  $(19,371)  $(7,322)  $(67,048)          
Basic loss per share  $(0.13)  $(0.05)  $(0.44)          
Diluted loss per share  $(0.13)  $(0.05)  $(0.44)          
Cash flow from operating activities  $11,946   $20,577   $32,866           
Cash dividends paid per share  $0.125   $0.05   $0.05           
Other financial information                         
Total assets            $1,875,807           
Total long term financial liabilities            $75,766           
Total attributable shareholders’ equity            $1,435,845           
                          
2014  Quarter Ended (unaudited)

   Year
Ended
 
(In thousands of USD, other than per
share amounts)
  March 31   June  30   Sept 30   Dec 31   Dec 31 
Revenue  $209,734   $200,847   $178,265   $163,096   $751,942 
Mine operating earnings (loss)  $31,576   $10,245   $(12,378)  $(21,369)  $8,073 
Attributable earnings (loss) for the period  $6,844   $(5,472)  $(20,254)  $(526,706)  $(545,588)
Basic earnings (loss) per share  $0.05   $(0.04)  $(0.13)  $(3.48)  $(3.60)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share  $0.05   $(0.04)  $(0.15)  $(3.48)  $(3.60)
Cash flow from operating activities  $36,125   $48,895   $38,345   $823   $124,188 
Cash dividends paid per share  $0.125   $0.125   $0.125   $0.125   $0.50 
Other financial information                         
Total assets                      $2,017,873 
Total long term financial liabilities                      $79,823 
Total attributable shareholders’ equity                      $1,563,092 

 

 

Pan American Silver Corp.19 

 

 

2013  Quarters Ended (unaudited)

   Year
Ended
 
(In thousands of USD, other than per
share amounts)
  March 31   June 30   Sept 30   Dec 31   Dec 31 
Revenue  $243,012   $175,576   $213,556   $192,360   $824,504 
Mine operating earnings  $74,816   $3,814   $33,934   $18,955   $131,519 
Attributable earnings (loss) for the period  $20,148   $(186,539)  $14,154   $(293,615)  $(445,851)
Basic earnings (loss) per share  $0.13   $(1.23)  $0.09   $(1.94)  $(2.94)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share  $0.10   $(1.23)  $0.09   $(1.94)  $(2.96)
Cash flow from operating activities  $32,251   $469   $40,730   $46,156   $119,606 
Cash dividends paid per share  $0.125   $0.125   $0.125   $0.125   $0.50 
Other financial information                         
Total assets                      $2,767,456 
Total long term financial liabilities                      $110,088 
Total attributable shareholders’ equity                      $2,182,334 

  

·Income Statement: Q3 2015 versus Q3 2014

 

A net loss of $67.5 million was recorded in Q3 2015 compared to a net loss of $20.2 million in Q3 2014, which corresponds to basic losses per share of $0.44 and $0.13 in Q3 2015 and Q3 2014, respectively.

 

The following table highlights the key items that resulted in the net loss in Q3 2015 as compared to the net loss recorded in Q3 2014:

 

Q3 2014 net loss (in thousands of USD)      $(20,177)
Decreased revenue:         
Lower realized metal prices  $(45,770)     
Higher quantities of metal sold   25,050      
Decreased settlement adjustments   2,584      
Increased treatment and refining charges   (715)     
Total decrease in Q3 revenue       $(18,851)
Decreased cost of sales:          
Lower production costs and royalty charges  $7,895      
Higher depreciation and amortization   (2,662)     
Total decrease in Q3 cost of sales       $5,233 
Increased impairment charges        (28,756)
Increased other (expenses) income and investment income, net        (4,476)
Decreased gain on commodity contracts, asset sales and derivatives        (2,861)
Decreased income tax recoveries        (2,530)
Increased interest and finance expense        (299)
Decreased foreign exchange loss        2,988 
Decreased general and administrative expense        1,922 
Decreased exploration and project development expense        293 
Q3 2015 net loss       $(67,514)

 

The majority of the $47.3 million quarter over quarter increase to net loss was due to $28.8 million in impairment charges taken in the quarter with no such charge in Q3 2014. Also impacting the net loss was a $13.6 million quarter over quarter increase to mine operating losses. The increased mine operating losses were primarily attributable to lower realized metal prices in Q3 2015 compared to those in Q3 2014. Partially offsetting these negative price impacts on revenue were increased sales volumes and positive variances in production costs (partially resulting from favorable exchange rate differences).

 

Revenue for Q3 2015 was $159.4 million, an 11% decrease from the $178.3 million of revenue recognized in Q3 2014. The major factors behind the revenue decrease were a $45.8 million price variance from lower metal prices realized for all metals and a $0.7 million negative variance in treatment and refining charges. Offsetting these revenue effects was a positive $25.1 million variance from higher quantities of gold and copper sold, net of lower quantities of other metals sold, most predominantly silver and zinc, and a $2.6 million decrease in negative settlement adjustments.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.20 

 

 

The following table reflects the metal prices realized by the Company and the quantities of metal sold during each quarter:

 

   Realized Metal Prices   Quantities of Metal Sold 
   Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September  30,
   Three months ended
September  30,
   Nine months ended
September  30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Silver(1) – koz  $14.75   $18.82   $15.85   $19.47    6,048    6,230    18,460    19,078 
Gold(1) – koz  $1,122   $1,284   $1,179   $1,286    50.9    32.6    142.8    122.4 
Zinc(1) – kt  $1,747   $2,299   $1,980   $2,139    9.1    10.3    24.5    29.1 
Lead(1) – kt   $1,576   $2,207   $1,769   $2,126    3.1    3.6    9.8    10.6 
Copper(1) – kt  $5,141   $6,986   $5,473   $6,918    3.2    1.9    9.4    5.1 
(1)Metal price stated as dollars per ounce for silver and gold, and dollars per tonne for zinc, lead and copper, inclusive of final settlement adjustments on concentrate sales.

 

Realized prices for all metals sold decreased from those realized in Q3 2014. Lead, copper, zinc and silver experienced the most significant decreases, falling 29%, 26%, 24% and 22%, respectively, while the quarter over quarter gold price decreased 13%. Silver sales volumes in Q3 2015 were 3% lower than Q3 2014 volumes, the combined result of decreased quarter over quarter silver production and the build-up of silver inventories at certain mines in Q3 2015.

 

Gold and copper sales volumes in Q3 2015 were 56% and 65%, respectively, higher than in Q3 2014 a direct result of the increased production. Q3 2015 zinc and lead sales volumes were down 11% and 13%, respectively, from Q3 2014 sales volumes as a result of timing of shipments.

 

Mine operating losses of $26.0 million in Q3 2015 were $13.6 million higher than the $12.4 million of mine operating losses recorded in Q3 2014. Mine operating losses are equal to revenue less cost of sales, substantially the same as gross margin. Mine operating results in both periods were adversely impacted by negative NRV adjustments to inventories, which increased production costs by $16.4 million and $15.4 million in Q3 2015 and Q3 2014, respectively.

 

The increased quarter over quarter mine operating losses was primarily due to the previously discussed $18.9 million decrease in revenues. Offsetting the revenue decrease was a $7.4 million reduction to production costs, largely driven by quarter over quarter labour and consumable raw materials cost reductions at certain mines, particularly at the Dolores, Alamo Dorado, and Huaron mines (partially resulting from favorable exchange rate differences). Further contributing to lower costs of sales was lower quarter over quarter quantities of metal sold at certain mines, particularly at the San Vicente mine where silver inventory was built up in Q3 2015. Q3 2015 royalties remained relatively consistent with those in Q3 2014, while depreciation and amortization of $36.7 million was 8% more than the $34.1 million in Q3 2014 due primarily to a quarter over quarter increase in the quantity of gold and copper sold.

 

Exploration and project development expenses of $3.4 million in Q3 2015 were comparable to the $3.7 million incurred in Q3 2014. The expenses recorded in each quarter primarily related to exploration and project development activities near the Company’s existing mines, at select greenfield projects, and on the holding and maintenance costs associated with the Navidad project. During Q3 2015 there were no significant developments affecting the status of the Navidad project.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.21 

 

 

General and administrative (“G&A”) expense, including share-based compensation expense, was $1.6 million in Q3 2015 compared to a $3.6 million expense recorded in Q3 2014. The $2.0 million decrease was driven by: decreased payroll and salary costs relating to certain annual bonuses; higher allocations of costs to operations and projects in Q3 2015 than in Q3 2014; and, the devaluation in the Canadian dollar (“CAD”) from Q3 2014 to Q3 2015, as a large portion of G&A expenses CAD denominated. Share-based compensation of $0.8 million in Q3 2015 was comparable to the $ 0.7 million expense recorded in Q3 2014.

 

Impairment charges to mineral properties, plant and equipment in Q3 2015 were $28.8 million and related to the impairment of the Manantial Espejo mine. No impairment charges were recorded in Q3 2014.

 

The decrease in metal prices during 2015, which was most pronounced in the third quarter of 2015, resulted in a decrease in short-term consensus commodity prices which was an indicator of potential impairment with respect to the Manantial Espejo and Alamo Dorado mines, due in part to their relatively short remaining mine lives. It was determined that the carrying value of Alamo Dorado as at September 30, 2015 was supportable and that no impairment charge was required. The estimated recoverable amount of the Manantial Espejo mine as of September 30, 2015, which was estimated on a fair value less costs to sell basis, determined that an impairment charge as of September 30, 2015 was required. The Company estimated the recoverable amount of the mine by way of a discounted future cash flow model. Key assumptions for the model included the most current information on operating and capital costs, and risk adjusted project specific discount rates. The Company used a median of analysts’ consensus pricing for the remaining mine-life which is expected to end in 2018. The metal assumptions used in the model are summarized as follows:

 

  

2015 – 2018 prices 

 
Commodity  2015   2016   2017   2018 
Silver $/oz  $16.17   $16.35   $17.35   $18.06 
Gold  $/oz  $1,183   $1,183   $1,201   $1,227 

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company determined that the carrying value of the Manantial Espejo mine of approximately $83.4 million, including mineral properties, plant equipment, and stockpile inventories, net of associated deferred tax assets and closure and decommissioning liabilities, was greater than its recoverable amount of $29.9 million when using a 8.25% risk adjusted discount rate. Based on this assessment the Company recorded charges to Manantial Espejo’s assets as at September 30, 2015 as follows:

 

  

Pre
impairment

  

Adjustment

   Post
impairment
 
Mineral properties, plant and equipment  $55,266   $(28,756)  $26,510 
Deferred income tax asset   3,743    (3,743)   - 
Closure and decommissioning liability   (9,404)   -    (9,404)
Stockpile inventory (1)    33,787    (20,961)   12,826 
   $83,392   $(53,460)  $29,932 

 

(1)Included as a NRV adjustment to inventory included in production costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.22 

 

 

Foreign exchange losses in Q3 2015 were $3.7 million compared to foreign exchange (“FX”) losses of $6.7 million in Q3 2014. The FX losses in each period related primarily to the periodic devaluation of the CAD on CAD treasury balances and the devaluation of the Mexican Peso (“MXN”) on MXN denominated treasury balances. There were larger devaluations of the CAD and the MXN relative to the USD in Q3 2015 compared to Q3 2014 (e.g., CAD devaluations of 7% and 5%, and MXN devaluations of 8% and 4% in Q3 2015 and Q3 2014, respectively), however the loss in Q3 2015 was less than that in Q3 2014 due to the Company holding approximately 78% less CAD denominated treasury balances in Q3 2015 than it did in Q3 2014.

 

Investment income for Q3 2015 totaled $0.4 million compared to $1.1 million in Q3 2014 and continued to consist mainly of interest income and net gains from the sale of securities within the Company’s short-term investment portfolio.

 

Interest and finance expense for Q3 2015 was $1.4 million as compared to $1.2 million in Q3 2014, and consisted of accretion of the Company’s closure liabilities and interest expense associated with the undrawn revolving credit facility, short term loans, leases and the outstanding convertible notes. The increase in the current quarter is attributable to the new revolving credit facility that was established in April, 2015.

 

Income tax recovery for Q3 2015 were $1.8 million, a $2.5 million decrease from the $4.3 million recovery recorded in Q3 2014. The recoveries in both quarters were comprised of current and deferred income taxes. The decrease in the income tax recovery was primarily a consequence of non-recognition of a deferred tax benefit associated with a non-cash impairment charge on non-current assets on the Manantial Espejo property. This recovery was partially offset by decreased taxable earnings as well as the effects of various temporary and permanent differences as shown in the table below. These resulted in effective tax rates that vary considerably from the comparable period and from the amount that would result from applying the Canadian federal and provincial statutory income tax rates to earnings before income taxes. The main factors which have affected the effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and the comparable period of 2014 were foreign tax rate differences, foreign exchange rate changes, non-recognition of certain deferred tax assets, mining taxes paid, and withholding taxes on payments from foreign subsidiaries. The Company continues to expect that these and other factors will continue to cause volatility in effective tax rates in the future.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.23 

 

 

   Three months ended
September 30,
  

Nine months ended
September 30,

 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Loss before taxes   (69,281)   (24,474)   (90,757)   (6,272)
Statutory tax rate   26.00%   26.00%   26.00%   26.00%
Income tax recovery based on above rates  $(18,013)  $(6,364)  $(23,597)  $(1,631)
Increase (decrease) due to:                    
Non-deductible expenses   987    1,245    2,686    2,981 
Foreign tax rate differences   (6,671)   (3,351)   (10,180)   (3,441)
Change in net deferred tax assets not recognized:                    
-   Argentina exploration expenses   782    624    2,844    1,400 
-   Other deferred tax assets not recognized   2,947    1,237    3,369    3,978 
Non-taxable portion of net earnings from affiliates   (1,239)   (1,227)   (3,676)   (3,641)
Non-taxable unrealized (gains) on derivative financial instruments   -    (583)   (71)   (416)
Effect of other taxes paid (mining and withholding)   1,745    2,200    4,812    6,693 
Non- deductible foreign exchange loss   2,575    469    10,721    74 
Effect of change in deferred tax resulting from prior asset purchase accounting under IAS12   902    411    1,786    2,200 
Impairment charges and NRV adjustments   17,486    -    17,486    - 
Change to temporary differences   (2,542)   45    (2,868)   2,635 
Other   (726)   997    529    1,992 
Income tax (recovery) expense  $(1,767)  $(4,297)  $3,841   $12,824 
Effective tax rate   2.55%   17.56%   (4.23)%   (204.46)%

 

·Statement of Cash Flows: Q3 2015 versus Q3 2014

 

Cash flow from operations in Q3 2015 generated $32.9 million compared to the $38.3 million generated in Q3 2014. The $5.5 million decrease in quarterly operating cash flows was primarily the result of a $16.8 million quarter over quarter decrease in operating cash flows before interest and taxes, largely offset by a $10.5 million quarter over quarter decrease in cash taxes paid. The decrease in operating cash flows before interest and tax was driven by a $7.6 million quarter over quarter decrease in sources of cash from changes in non-cash operating working capital accounts, and from decreased Q3 2015 cash revenue and mine operating earnings compared to Q3 2014.

 

The major difference in non-cash working capital movements arose on the changes in trade and other receivables balances (“Receivables”) and accounts payable and accrued liability balances (“Payables”). Receivables changes in Q3 2015 resulted in a $10.0 million source of cash, $18.0 million less than the $28.0 million source of cash in Q3 2014. This decreased source of cash was partially offset by comparable changes in Payables, which were a $7.1 million use of cash in Q3 2014 compared to a $15.1 million use of cash in Q3 2014.

 

Investing activities utilized $47.8 million in Q3 2015, inclusive of $18.4 million used for the purchase of short-term investments. The balance of Q3 2015 investing activities consisted primarily of spending $31.0 million on mineral property, plant and equipment at the Company’s mines and projects as previously described in the “Operating Performance” section of this MD&A. In Q3 2014, investing activities used $47.5 million inclusive of $19.0 million of net purchases of short-term investments, and $27.9 million spent on mineral property, plant and equipment additions at the Company’s various operations and projects.

 

Financing activities in Q3 2015 used $12.6 million compared to $9.4 million in Q3 2014. Cash used in financing activities in Q3 2015 consisted of $7.6 million paid as dividends to shareholders, $4.2 million used for short-term debt repayment (net of proceeds), and $0.6 million of lease repayments. In Q3 2014 $18.9 million of dividends were paid, $12.5 million in new short term debt proceeds were received, and $2.6 million of lease payments were made.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.24 

 

 

·Income Statement: nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (“ Q3 YTD 2015” and “Q3 YTD 2014”)

 

A net loss of $94.6 million recorded for Q3 YTD 2015 compared to a net loss of $19.1 million recorded in Q3 YTD 2014, which corresponds to basic losses per share of $0.62 and $0.12, respectively.

 

The following table highlights the key items that resulted in the net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the net income recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2014 net loss (in thousands of USD)

     $(19,096)
Decreased revenue:        
Lower realized metal prices  $(103,043)    
Higher quantities of metal sold   32,735      
Increased settlement adjustments   (3,259)     
Increased treatment and refining charges   (3,551)     
Total decrease in Q3 revenue       $(77,118)
Decreased cost of sales:          
Lower production costs and royalty charges  $28,068      
Higher depreciation and amortization   (4,711)     
Total decrease Q3 in cost of sales       $23,357 
Increased impairment charges        (28,756)
Increased other expense and investment income, net        (5,794)
Increased exploration and project development expense        (673)
Increased foreign exchange loss        (244)
Decreased income tax expense        8,983 
Decreased general and administrative expense        2,720 
Decreased interest and finance expense        1,540 
Increased gain on commodity contracts, asset sales and derivatives        483 
Nine months ended September  2015 net loss       $(94,598)

 

The majority of the $75.5 million period over period increase to net losses was a $53.8 million decrease in mine operating earnings and the previously discussed $28.8 million impairment charge taken in Q3 2015, with no such charge in the comparable 2014 period. The decreased mine operating earnings were primarily attributable to lower realized metal prices in 2015 compared to 2014, partially offset by increased sales volumes and positive variances in production costs (partially resulting from favorable exchange rate differences).

 

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $511.7 million, a 13% decrease from the $588.8 million recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The major factors behind the revenue decrease: were (i) a $103.0 million price variance from lower metal prices realized for all metals; (ii) a $3.3 million increase in negative settlement adjustments; and (iii); a $3.6 million increase in treatment and refining charges. Offsetting these revenue effects was a positive $32.7 million variance from higher quantities of copper and gold sold, net of lower quantities of other metals sold.

 

Realized prices in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 for all metals sold decreased from those realized in the Q3 2014. Copper, silver and lead experienced the most significant decreases, falling 21%, 19%, and 17%, respectively, while the period over period gold and zinc prices decreased 8% and 7%, respectively. Q3 YTD 2015 silver sales volumes were 3% lower than the same period in 2014, the combined result of decreased period over period payable silver production and the build-up of silver inventories at certain mines in Q3 2015.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.25 

 

 

Copper and gold sales volumes for Q3 YTD 2015 were 86% and 17% higher, respectively, than those in the same period of 2014, a direct result of increased production, while zinc and lead sales volumes for those periods were down 16% and 8%, respectively, a result of decreased period over period production.

 

Mine operating losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $24.3 million, a $53.8 million decrease from mine operating earnings of $29.4 million earned in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The period over period decrease was largely the result of the previously discussed $77.1 million decrease in revenues. Offsetting the decreased revenues was a $23.4 million decrease in production costs, driven largely from period over period reductions in labour and consumable raw materials costs, particularly at the Dolores, Huaron, and Alamo mines partially resulting from favorable exchange rate differences. Offsetting these reduced production costs were increased period over period production costs at the Manantial Espejo mine driven by a $11.5 million increase in negative NRV adjustment to inventory, which totalled $21.6 million in the nine months ended September 2015, compared to $10.1 million in the same period of 2014. YTD Q3 2015 royalties of $18.0 million were $4.7 million lower than those for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, mainly a result of the period over period declines in metal prices. Depreciation and amortization of $113.9 million and $109.2 million was comparable for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, changing less than 5%.

 

General and administrative (“G&A”) expense including share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $12.1 million and $14.9 million, respectively. Similar to the previously explained quarter over quarter G&A expense variance, with the majority of G&A costs denominated in CAD, the period over period cost reduction resulted primarily from lower average CAD to USD exchange rates during 2015 compared to 2014. Share-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $2.3 million, similar to the $2.0 million expense recorded in nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Exploration and project development expenses of $9.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were comparable to the $8.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Similar to the quarter over quarter explanation, exploration and project development expenses related to activities near the Company’s existing mines, at select greenfield projects, and on the holding and maintenance costs associated with the Navidad project.

 

Impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 related entirely to the previously discussed Q3 2015 impairment of the Manantial Espejo mine, there were no impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

FX losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $9.0 million compared to FX losses of $8.8 million for the same period of 2014. Similar to the previously described quarterly FX losses, the FX losses for the nine month period ending September 30, 2015 and 2014 were both primarily due to losses from CAD and MXN currency devaluation on CAD and MXN treasury balances. For the nine month period ended September 30, the CAD devalued 14% in 2015 compared to 4% in 2014, while the MXN devalued 14% in 2015 compared to 2% in 2014. The increased period over period FX loss is attributable to the Company holding relatively more MXN denominated treasury balances combined with a larger comparable MXN devaluation. The CAD currency devaluation in the period was offset by the previously described decrease in the amount of CAD denominated treasury balances held during 2015, which was approximately 67% less than that held in 2014.

 

Investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $1.1 million compared to $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and also consisted mainly of interest income and net gains from the sales of securities within the Company’s short-term investment portfolio.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.26 

 

 

Interest and finance expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $5.9 million, $1.5 million less than the $7.5 million recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The period over period reduction was mainly the result of lower interest rates on loans payable in 2015 compared to 2014.

 

Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was a provision of $3.8 million, a $9.0 million decrease from the $12.8 million income tax provision recorded in the same period of 2014. Both provisions were comprised of current and deferred income taxes. The period over period decrease in the provision was primarily a consequence of non- recognition of a deferred tax benefit associated with a non-cash impairment charge on non-current assets at Manantial Espejo mine, and decreased taxable earnings generated in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as well as the effects of various temporary and permanent differences as shown in the table above. The main factors that affected the effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were foreign tax rate differences, foreign exchange rate changes, non-recognition of certain deferred tax assets, mining taxes paid and withholding taxes on payments from foreign subsidiaries.

 

·Statement of Cash Flows: nine months ended September 30, 2015 versus nine months ended September 30, 2014

 

Cash flow from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 generated $65.3 million, $58.1 million less than the $123.4 million generated for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The operating cash flow decrease was predominantly due to the decline in cash revenue due to the previously discussed decline in metal prices. Offsetting this decrease was a decrease of $14.8 million in income taxes paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and a $6.0 million quarter over quarter increase in sources of cash from changes in non-cash operating working capital accounts.

 

The major difference in non-cash working capital movements arose on changes in inventory balances which generated a $6.2 million increased source of cash in 2015 compared to 2014. As well, the timing of Payables which were a $6.4 million use of cash in the current period, $5.4 million less than the $11.8 million used in the same period in 2014, and a $0.9 increased source of cash from changes in Receivables. These period over period cash-flow-positive changes were offset by comparative changes in prepaid expenditures and provisions which were a net $4.1 million use of cash in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to a net $2.3 million cash generation in the same period in 2014.

 

Investing activities utilized $17.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, inclusive of $73.0 million generated on net sales of short-term investments. Other investing activities for the period consisted primarily of $93.0 million on mineral properties plant and equipment investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, investing activities used $149.6 million inclusive of $47.2 million used on net purchases of short-term investments, and $101.6 million spent on mineral properties, plant and equipment at the Company’s various operations and projects.

 

Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 used $39.3 million compared to $63.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Cash used in financing activities during 2015 consisted of $34.1 million paid as dividends to shareholders, $7.0 million of lease repayments and $2.3 million generated from additional short term debt proceeds. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, $56.8 million in dividends were paid, $3.8 million in lease payments were made and $2.0 million was spent on short-term debt repayment (net of proceeds).

 

Pan American Silver Corp.27 

 

 

Liquidity Position

 

The Company’s cash balance at September 30, 2015 was $155.3 million, which was a decrease of $27.4 million from the balance at June 30, 2015, while the balance of the Company’s short-term investments at September 30, 2015 was $110.8 million, an increase of $18.6 million from the balance at June 30, 2015. The combined liquidity decrease in Q3 2015 of $8.8 million resulted primarily from an additional $31.0 million in capital expenditures used on property, plant and equipment, and $7.6 million used for the payment of dividends, partially offset by $32.9 million in cash generated from operating activities. The Company does not own any asset-backed commercial paper or other similar, known, at-risk investments in its investment portfolio.

 

Pan American’s investment objectives for its cash balances are to preserve capital, to provide liquidity and to maximize returns. The Company’s strategy to achieve these objectives is to invest excess cash balances in a portfolio of primarily fixed income instruments with specified credit rating targets established by the Board of Directors, and by diversifying the currencies in which it maintains its cash balances.

 

Working capital at September 30, 2015 was $420.1 million, a decrease of $49.7 million from June 30, 2015 working capital of $469.8 million. The decrease in working capital was due to the previously described $8.8 million decrease in cash and short-term investments and a net $40.9 million decrease in other working capital accounts that arose primarily from: a $20.6 million decrease in inventories (primarily associated with the write-down of the carrying value of Manantial Espejo); a $12.7 million decrease in income taxes receivable; a $5.4 million decrease in trade and other receivables; and a $5.3 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities; partially offset by a $3.9 million decrease in current loans payable, and a $2.3 million decrease in current income tax liabilities.

 

The Company’s financial position at September 30, 2015 and the operating cash flows that are expected over the next twelve months lead management to believe that the Company’s liquid assets are sufficient to fund currently planned capital expenditures for existing operations and to discharge liabilities as they come due. The Company remains well positioned to take advantage of further strategic opportunities as they become available.

 

The impact of inflation on the Company’s financial position, operational performance, or cash flows over the next twelve months cannot be determined with any degree of certainty.

 

Capital Resources

 

Total attributable shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2015 was $1,435.8 million, a decrease of $127.2 million from December 31, 2014, primarily because of the $93.7 million net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $34.1 million in dividends paid. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had approximately 151.7 million common shares outstanding for a share capital balance of $2,296.8 million (December 31, 2014, 151.6 million and $2,296.7 million). The basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding was 151.6 million and 151.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

 

On December 17, 2014, the Company announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) accepted the Company’s notice of its intention to make a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) to purchase up to 7,575,290 of its common shares, representing up to 5% of Pan American’s issued and outstanding shares. The period of the bid began on December 22, 2014 and will continue until December 21, 2015 or an earlier date should the Company complete its purchases. This is the Company’s fourth consecutive NCIB program. However, no shares have been repurchased under this current program up until the date of this MD&A. Under the Company’s previous program that ended on December 4, 2014, nil shares were purchased. Since initiating share buy backs in 2011, the Company has acquired and cancelled approximately 6.5 million of its shares.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.28 

 

 

Purchases pursuant to the NCIB are required to be made on the open market through the facilities of the TSX and the NASDAQ at the market price at the time of acquisition of any common shares, and in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX and NASDAQ and applicable securities laws. Pan American is not obligated to make any further purchases under the program. All common shares acquired by the Company under the share buy-back programs have been cancelled and purchases were funded out of Pan American’s working capital.

 

Pan American maintains the NCIB because, in the opinion of its Board of Directors, the market price of its common shares, from time to time, may not fully reflect the underlying value of its mining operations, properties and future growth prospects. The Company believes that in such circumstances, the outstanding common shares represent an appealing investment for Pan American since a portion of the Company’s excess cash generated on an annual basis can be invested for an attractive risk adjusted return on capital through the share buy-back program.

 

A copy of the Company’s notice of its intention to make a NCIB filed with the TSX can be obtained from the Corporate Secretary of Pan American without charge.

 

As at September 30, 2015, the Company had approximately 1.1 million stock options outstanding, with exercise prices in the range of CAD $11.49 to CAD $40.22 and a weighted average life of 54 months. 0.7 million of the stock options were vested and exercisable at September 30, 2015 with an average weighted exercise price of CAD $21.86 per share.

 

The following table sets out the common shares, warrants and options outstanding as at the date of this MD&A:

 

  

Outstanding as at

November 12, 2015

 
Common shares   151,668,500 
Options   1,106,644 
Total   152,775,144 

 

Additionally, as described in the September 30, 2015 unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements in the note entitled Long Term Debt (Note 14), the Company has outstanding convertible notes associated with the Minefinders acquisition that could result in the issuance of a variable amount of common shares.

 

On April 15, 2015, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Facility") with a syndicate of eight lenders. The Facility is a US$300 million secured revolving line of credit that matures on April 15, 2019 and is available for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. The terms of the Facility provide the Company with the flexibility of various borrowing and letter of credit options. With respect to loans drawn based on the average annual rate of interest at which major banks in the London interbank market are offering deposits in US Dollars ("LIBOR"), the interest margin on such loan is between 2.125% and 3.125% over LIBOR, depending on the Company's leverage ratio at the time of a specified reporting period. At the date of this MD&A, no drawings had been made under the Facility.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.29 

 

 

Financial Instruments

 

From time to time, Pan American mitigates the price risk associated with its base metal production by committing some of its future production under forward sales or option contracts.

 

During Q2 2015, the Company entered into copper swap contracts designed to fix or limit the Company’s exposure to lower copper prices (the “Copper Swaps”). The Copper Swaps were on 4,080 metric tonnes (“MT”) of copper at an average fixed price of $6,044 USD/MT. As of September 30, 2015 1,530 MT of the Copper Swaps remained outstanding. The Company recorded gains of $1.7 million and $2.5 million on the Copper Swaps during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Of these gains, $1.2 million was realized in both the three and nine months ended September 2015. No such gains or losses were recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014

 

A part of the Company’s operating and capital expenditures is denominated in local currencies other than USD. These expenditures are exposed to fluctuations in USD exchange rates relative to the local currencies. From time to time, the Company mitigates part of this currency exposure by accumulating local currencies, entering into contracts designed to fix or limit the Company’s exposure to changes in the value of local currencies relative to the USD, or assuming liability positions to offset financial assets subject to currency risk. The Company held cash and short-term investments of $18.9 million in CAD, $14.4 million in MXN, $2.8 million in Peruvian Soles, and $1.4 million in Bolivian Bolivianos (“BOB”) at September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2015, the Company has collared its foreign currency exposure of MXN purchases with puts and call contracts which have a nominal value of $22.7 million and have settlement dates between October, 2015 and June, 2016. The positions have a weighted average floor of $15.96 and average cap of $18.15. The Company recorded losses of $0.2 million and $0.2 million on the MXN forward contracts in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 - $nil).

 

During Q1 2015, the Company entered into diesel swap contracts designed to fix or limit the Company’s exposure to higher fuel prices (the “Diesel Swaps”). The Diesel Swaps had an initial notional value of $13.0 million. During Q3 2015, the Company entered into additional Diesel Swaps with an initial notional value of $5.0 million. $10.6 million of the notional amounts of the Diesel Swaps remained outstanding as of September 30, 2015. The Company recorded losses of $2.2 million and $0.7 million on the Diesel Swaps during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Of these losses, $0.3 million was realized in both the three and nine months ended September 2015, respectively. No such gains or losses were recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Other than the Diesel Swaps, Copper Swaps and the MXN forward contract positions there were no other gains or losses on any commodity or foreign currency contracts in either the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

During Q3 2015, the Company maintained short term bank loans in Argentina and at September 30, 2015 had a balance outstanding of $20.0 million (December 31, 2014: $17.6 million). These loans were denominated in USD and Argentine Pesos as at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and were drawn for the purposes of short-term cash management and to partially offset the foreign exchange exposure of holding local currency denominated financial assets.

 

The carrying value of the conversion feature on convertible notes assumed by the Company in the Minefinders transaction is at fair value; while cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the relatively short periods to maturity of these financial instruments.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.30 

 

 

The conversion feature of the convertible notes was reflected at fair value and is adjusted each period. The Company has the right to pay all or part of the liability associated with the Company’s outstanding convertible notes in cash on the conversion date. Accordingly, the Company classifies the convertible notes as a financial liability with an embedded derivative. The financial liability and embedded derivative were recognized initially at their respective fair values. The embedded derivative is now recognized at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in profit or loss and the debt liability component is recognized as amortized cost using the effective interest method. Interest gains and losses related to the debt liability component or embedded derivatives are recognized in profit or loss. On conversion, the equity instrument is measured at the carrying value of the liability component and the fair value of the derivative component on the conversion date. Assumptions used in the fair value calculation of the embedded derivative component at September 30, 2015 were expected stock price volatility of 46.0%, expected life of 0.25 years, and expected dividend yield of 3.2%.

 

During Q3 2015 and Q3 2014, the Company recorded a gain (loss) on the revaluation of the conversion feature of the convertible notes of $nil and $(2.2) million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a gain on the revaluation of the conversion feature of the convertible notes of $0.3 and $1.4 million, respectively.

 

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

Contractual Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments that have a current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, that are material, other than those disclosed in this MD&A and the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the related notes contained therein.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.31 

 

 

The Company had the following contractual obligations at September 30, 2015:

 

   Payments due by period             
   Total   Within 1
year(2)
   2 - 3 years   4- 5 years   After 5
years
 
Current liabilities  $122,915   $122,915   $-   $-   $- 
Loan obligation   20,198    20,198    -    -    - 
Severance accrual   4,186    904    1,353    1,181    748 
Finance lease obligations(1)     2,026    1,777    249    -    - 
Provisions   4,789    3,120    330    733    606 
Income taxes payable   12,307    12,307    -    -    - 
Derivative financial instruments   1,182    1,182    -    -    - 
Restricted share units (“RSUs”) (3)    1,502    1,002    500    -    - 
Performance share units (“PSUs”) (4)    199    -    199    -    - 
Current portion of long term debt (5)    36,239    36,239    -    -    - 
Total contractual obligations(6)  $205,543   $199,644   $2,631   $1,914   $1,354 

(1)Includes lease obligations in the amount of $2.0 million (December 31, 2014 - $8.4 million) with a net present value of $2.0 million (December 31, 2014 - $8.0 million) discussed further in Note 13 of the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)Includes all current liabilities as per the statement of financial position plus items presented separately in this table that are expected to be paid but not accrued in the books of the Company. A reconciliation of the current liabilities balance per the statement of financial position to the total contractual obligations within one year per the commitment schedule is shown in the table below.

 

September 30, 2015  Future interest component   Within 1 year 
Current portion of:               
Accounts payable and other liabilities  $122,915   $-   $122,915 
Loan obligation   20,021    177    20,198 
Current severance liability   904    -    904 
Current portion of finance lease   1,749    28    1,777 
Provisions   3,120    -    3,120 
Income taxes payable   12,307    -    12,307 
Derivative financial instruments   1,182    -    1,182 
Employee Compensation PSU’s & RSU’s   840    162    1,002 
Convertible note   35,852    387    36,239 
Total contractual obligations within one year  $198,890   $754   $199,644 
(3)Includes RSU obligation in the amount of $1.5 million (December 31, 2014 – $2.2 million) that will be settled in cash or shares. The RSUs vest in two instalments, 50% one year from date of grant and 50% two years from date of grant.
(4)Includes PSU obligation in the amount of $0.2 million (December 31, 2014- $nil) that will be settled in cash. The PSU’s vest three years from date of grant.
(5)Represents the face value of the replacement convertible note and future interest payments related to the Minefinders acquisition. Refer to Note 14 of the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
(6)Amounts above do not include payments related to the Company’s anticipated closure and decommissioning obligation, the deferred credit arising from the Aquiline acquisition discussed in Note 15 of the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, and deferred tax liabilities.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 a company indirectly owned by a trust of which a past director of the Company, Robert Pirooz, is a beneficiary, was paid approximately $1.4 million (Q3 2014 $0.3 million) for consulting services, inclusive of a termination of services payment. No related party transactions occurred in the three months ended September 30, 2015. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 payments made by the Company under related party transactions were $nil and $0.3 million, respectively. These transactions are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the parties.

 

Alternative Performance (non-GAAP) Measures

 

·AISCSOS

 

We believe that AISCSOS reflects a comprehensive measure of the full cost of operating our consolidated business given it includes the cost of replacing ounces through exploration, the cost of ongoing capital investments (sustaining capital), general and administrative expenses, as well as other items that affect the Company’s consolidated earnings and cash flow. To facilitate a better understanding of this measure as calculated by the Company, the following table provides the detailed reconciliation of this measure to the applicable cost items, as reported in the consolidated income statements for the respective periods:

 

Pan American Silver Corp.32 

 

 

      Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands of USD, except as noted)     2015   2014(1)   2015   2014(1) 
Direct operating costs    $126,958   $135,336   $398,323   $399,764 
Net realizable value (“NRV”) inventory adjustments      16,374    15,415    5,833    27,741 
Production costs     $143,333   $150,751   $404,156   $427,506 
Royalties      5,351    5,829    17,960    22,678 
Smelting, refining and transportation charges(2)      22,342    21,627    65,864    62,312 
Less by-product credits(2)      (94,297)   (86,938)   (285,722)   (277,168)
Cash cost of sales net of by-products(4)     $76,729   $91,270   $202,257   $235,326 
                        
Sustaining capital(3)     $15,953   $25,803   $50,225   $74,912 
Exploration and project development      3,372    3,665    9,620    8,947 
Reclamation cost accretion      810    810    2,429    2,429 
General & administrative expense      1,641    3,561    12,137    14,857 
All-in sustaining costs(4)  A  $98,504   $125,108   $276,670   $336,473 
Payable ounces sold (in thousands)  B   6,047,675    6,230,115    18,460,299    19,077,958 
All-in sustaining cost per silver ounce sold, net of by-products  A/B  $16.29   $20.08   $14.99   $17.64 
All-in sustaining cost per silver ounce sold, net of by-products (excludes NRV) adjustments)     $13.58   $17.61   $14.67   $16.18 
(1)In 2014 it was determined that certain charges to metal sales were being treated differently in the quantification of AISCSOS for the Company’s San Vicente operation compared to the Company’s other operations. As such previously reported AISCSOS for the San Vicente operation have been revised to quantify AISCSOS with a methodology consistent with that used by Company’s other operations. The effect of this revision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a $0.42 and $0.38 decrease to the Company’s previously reported consolidated AISCSOS of $20.50 and $18.02 respectively.
(2)Included in the revenue line of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated income statements and are reflective of realized metal prices for the applicable periods.
(3)Please refer to the table below.
(4)Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

As part of the AISCSOS measure, sustaining capital is included while expansionary or acquisition capital (referred to by the Company as investment capital) is not. Inclusion of sustaining capital only is a better measure of capital costs associated with current ounces sold as opposed to investment capital, which is expected to increase future production. For the periods under review, the below noted items associated with the La Colorada expansion project, and Dolores’ leach pad and other expansionary expenditures are considered investment capital projects.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.33 

 

 

Reconciliation of payments for mineral property,
plant and equipment and sustaining capital

 

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
(in thousands of USD)  2015   2014   2015   2014 
Payments for mineral property, plant and equipment(1)  $31,026   $27,925   $93,030   $101,630 
Add/(Subtract)                    
Advances received for leases   -    880    920    2,594 
Non-Sustaining capital (Dolores, Navidad,  La Colorada projects, and other)   (15,073)   (3,002)   (43,724)   (29,312)
Sustaining Capital(2)  $15,953   $25,803   $50,225   $74,912 
(1)As presented on the unaudited condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows.
(2)Totals may not add due to rounding

 

Three months ended September 30, 2015 (1)

(in thousands of USD except as noted)

 
AISCSOS  La
Colorada
   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   Huaron   Morococha   San
Vicente
   Manantial
Espejo
   PAS
CORP
   Consolidated
Total (1)
 
Direct Operating Costs  $10,822   $33,132   $13,980   $16,233   $16,344   $5,670   $30,780        $126,958 
Net Realizable Value Adjustments   -    (929)   (915)   -    -    -    18,218         16,374 
Production costs  $10,822   $32,203   $13,064   $16,233   $16,344   $5,670   $48,999        $143,333 
Royalties   92    1,254    79    -    -    2,897    1,029         5,351 
Smelting, refining and other direct selling charges   2,927    33    113    6,250    8,560    1,976    2,482         22,342 
Less by-product credits   (5,162)   (24,259)   (4,932)   (13,928)   (17,616)   (1,833)   (26,566)        (94,297)
Cash cost of sales net of by-products  $8,679   $9,231   $8,325   $8,555   $7,287   $8,711   $25,944        $76,729 
Sustaining capital   2,717    4,066    -    4,131    1,874    807    2,357         15,953 
Exploration   80    123    (1)   268    188    -    -    2,714    3,372 
Reclamation cost accretion   59    90    58    150    96    56    274    26    810 
General & Administrative expense   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    1,641    1,641 
All-in sustaining costs (1)  $11,536   $13,510   $8,382   $13,104   $9,446   $9,574   $28,575   $4,380   $98,504 
                                              
Payable silver ounces sold   1,230,730    1,140,000    710,000    737,660    532,386    737,190    959,710         6,047,675 
                                              
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Ounce Sold  $9.37   $11.85   $11.81   $17.76   $17.74   $12.99   $29.77        $16.29 
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Ounce Sold (Excludes NRV adj.)  $9.37   $12.67   $13.09   $17.76   $17.74   $12.99   $10.79        $13.58 

(1) Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.34 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (1)

(in thousands of USD except as noted)

 
AISCSOS  La
Colorada
   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   Huaron   Morococha   San
Vicente
   Manantial
Espejo
   PAS
CORP
   Consolidated
Total
(1)
 
Direct Operating Costs  $37,388   $103,277   $46,125   $49,880   $51,388   $20,463   $89,802        $398,323 
Net Realizable Value Adjustments   -    (14,549)   (1,206)   -    -    -    21,588         5,833 
Production costs  $37,388   $88,728   $44,919   $49,880   $51,388   $20,463   $111,390        $404,156 
Royalties   313    4,064    247    -    -    10,509    2,828         17,960 
Smelting, refining and other direct selling charges   8,868    101    431    19,535    23,713    6,532    6,683         65,864 
Less by-product credits   (17,171)   (74,957)   (13,983)   (43,275)   (52,893)   (8,016)   (75,428)        (285,722)
Cash cost of sales net of by-products  $29,399   $17,936   $31,614   $26,141   $22,208   $29,488   $45,473        $202,257 
Sustaining capital   6,904    15,097    -    9,012    5,197    2,290    11,725         50,225 
Exploration   82    458    -    712    480    -    -    7,888    9,620 
Reclamation cost accretion   178    271    174    450    288    169    822    77    2,429 
General & Administrative expense   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    12,137    12,137 
All-in sustaining costs (1)  $36,562   $33,763   $31,788   $36,314   $28,173   $31,948   $58,020   $20,103   $276,669 
                                              
Payable silver ounces sold   3,846,325    3,400,000    2,218,277    2,235,386    1,511,827    2,571,682    2,676,802         18,460,299 
                                              
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Ounce Sold  $9.51   $9.93   $14.33   $16.25   $18.64   $12.42   $21.68        $14.99 
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Ounce Sold (Excludes NRV adj.)  $9.51   $14.21   $14.87   $16.25   $18.64   $12.42   $13.61        $14.67 

(1) Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

Three months ended September 30, 2014 (1)

(in thousands of USD except as noted)

AISCSOS  La
Colorada
   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   Huaron   Morococha   San
Vicente
   Manantial
Espejo
   PAS
CORP
   Consolidated
Total
(1)
 
Direct Operating Costs  $13,858   $35,836   $15,142   $18,811   $17,247   $9,913   $24,531       $135,336 
Net Realizable Value Adjustments   -    6,448    699    -    -    -    8,267        15,415 
Production costs  $13,858   $42,284   $15,841   $18,811   $17,247   $9,913   $32,798       $150,751 
Royalties   117    1,346    102    -    -    3,341    924        5,829 
Smelting, refining and other direct selling charges   2,730    42    141    8,129    5,952    2,897    1,735         21,627 
Less by-product credits   (6,043)   (22,349)   (4,915)   (18,607)   (17,601)   (4,106)   (13,317)        (86,938)
Cash cost of sales net of by-products  $10,662   $21,323   $11,169   $8,334   $5,598   $12,045   $22,141        $$91,270
Sustaining capital   4,173    6,824    22    4,109    2,140    828    7,706         25,802 
Exploration   3    679    108    201    60    -    1,100    1,514    3,665 
Reclamation cost accretion   59    90    58    150    96    56    274    26    810 
General & Administrative expense   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    3,561    3,561 
All-in sustaining costs (1)  $14,897   $28,917   $11,358   $12,794   $7,894   $12,929   $31,221   $5,101   $125,108 
                                              
Payable silver ounces sold   1,291,910    1,052,100    770,000    748,527    570,501    1,035,506    761,571         6,230,115 
                                              
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Ounce Sold  $11.53   $27.49   $14.75   $17.09   $13.84   $12.49   $41.00        $20.08 
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Ounce Sold (Excludes NRV adj.)  $11.53   $21.36   $13.84   $17.09   $13.84   $12.49   $30.14        $17.61 

(1) Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.35 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (1)
(in thousands of USD except as noted)
AISCSOS  La
Colorada
   Dolores   Alamo
 Dorado
   Huaron   Morococha   San
Vicente
   Manantial
Espejo
   PAS
CORP
   Consolidated
 Total (1)
 
Direct Operating Costs  $38,315   $99,475   $47,214   $56,428   $52,284   $25,784   $80,266       $399,765 
Net Realizable Value Adjustments   -    16,911    699    -    -    -    10,131        27,741 
Production costs  $38,315   $116,387   $47,912   $56,428   $52,284   $25,784   $90,397        $427,506 
Royalties   341    3,865    361    -    -    14,788    3,322         22,678 
Smelting, refining and other direct selling charges   8,366    130    485    21,783    14,635    10,167    6,746         62,312 
Less by-product credits   (17,781)   (63,518)   (16,499)   (52,198)   (44,289)   (9,072)   (73,811)        (277,168)
Cash cost of sales net of by-products  $29,241   $56,864   $32,259   $26,013   $22,630   $41,668   $26,654        $235,326
Sustaining capital   11,988    19,670    226    12,356    7,050    2,423    21,198         74,912 
Exploration   8    1,339    201    1,254    397    -    1,362    4,386    8,947 
Reclamation cost accretion   178    271    174    450    288    169    822    77    2,429 
General & Administrative expense   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    14,857    14,857 
All-in sustaining costs (1)  $41,415   $78,144   $32,861   $40,073   $30,366   $44,260   $50,036   $19,320    336,472 
                                              
Payable silver ounces sold   3,627,189    3,029,100    2,789,772    2,236,956    1,588,360    3,059,663    2,746,919         19,077,958 
                                              
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Ounce Sold  $11.42   $25.80   $11.78   $17.91   $19.12   $14.47   $18.22        $17.64 
All-in Sustaining Costs per Silver Ounce Sold (Excludes NRV adj.)  $11.42   $20.21   $11.53   $17.91   $19.12   $14.47   $14.53        $16.18 

(1) Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

·Cash Costs per Ounce of Silver, net of by-product credits

 

Pan American produces by-product metals incidentally to our silver mining activities. We have adopted the practice of calculating the net cost of producing an ounce of silver, our primary payable metal, after deducting revenues gained from incidental by-product production, as a performance measure. This performance measurement has been commonly used in the mining industry for many years and was developed as a relatively simple way of comparing the net production costs of the primary metal for a specific period against the prevailing market price of that metal. 

 

Cash costs per ounce metrics, net of by-product credits, were utilized extensively in our internal decision making processes. We believe they are useful to investors as these metrics facilitate comparison, on a mine by mine basis, notwithstanding the unique mix of incidental by-product production at each mine, of our operations’ relative performance on a period by period basis, and against the operations of our peers in the silver industry on a consistent basis. Cash costs per ounce is conceptually understood and widely reported in the silver mining industry. However, cash cost per ounce does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and the Company’s method of calculating cash costs may differ from the methods used by other entities.

 

To facilitate a better understanding of these measures as calculated by the Company, the following table provides the detailed reconciliation of these measures to the production costs, as reported in the consolidated income statements for the respective periods:

 

Pan American Silver Corp.36 

 

 

Total Cash Costs per ounce of Payable Silver, net of
by-product credits
     Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine  months ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except as noted)      2015   2014(1)   2015   2014(1) 
Production costs     $143,337   $150,754   $404,158   $427,508 
Add/(Subtract)                       
Royalties      5,351    5,829    17,960    22,678 
Smelting, refining, and transportation charges      23,632    19,634    70,485    55,773 
Worker’s participation and voluntary payments      18    (262)   (209)   (596)
Change in inventories      1,650    3,028    (15,998)   6,869 
Other      (3,449)   (1,633)   (7,419)   (4,192)
Non-controlling interests(2)      (1,067)   (799)   (3,259)   (3,542)
Metal inventories recovery (write-down)      (16,374)   (15,415)   (5,833)   (27,741)
Cash Operating Costs before by-product credits(3)      153,098    161,136    459,886    472,755 
Less gold credit      (59,420)   (42,919)   (156,237)   (149,523)
Less zinc credit      (17,028)   (21,090)   (50,976)   (61,705)
Less lead credit      (5,618)   (7,304)   (18,011)   (22,501)
Less copper credit      (16,659)   (14,710)   (54,605)   (35,932)
Cash Operating Costs net of by-product credits(3)  A   54,373    75,113    180,056    207,095 
                        
Payable Silver Production (koz.)  B   6,220    5,842    18,160    18,323 
Cash Costs per ounce net of by-product credits 

(A*$1000) /B

  $8.74   $12.86   $9.92   $11.30 
(1)Previously reported cash costs for the Company's Peruvian operations overstated copper by-product credits. Both consolidated and Peruvian cash costs for 2014 have been adjusted to correct for this overstatement. The effect of these corrections for Q2 and H1 2014 was as follows: a $0.45 and $0.43 per ounce increase to consolidated cash costs; a $2.88 and $2.76 per ounce increase to Huaron cash costs; and a $1.17 and $1.25 per ounce increase to Morococha cash costs respectively.
(2)Figures presented in the reconciliation table above are on a 100% basis as presented in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements with an adjustment line item to account for the portion of the Morococha and San Vicente mines owned by non-controlling interests, an expense item not included in operating cash costs. The associated tables below are for the Company’s share of ownership only.
(3)Figures in this table and in the associated tables below may not add due to rounding.

  

Three months ended September 30, 2015 (1)

(in thousands of USD except as noted)

      La
Colorada
   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   Huaron   Morococha   San
Vicente
   Manantial
Espejo
   Consolidated
Total
 
Cash Costs before by-product credits  A  $14,398   $35,770   $14,129   $21,539   $22,615   $13,757   $29,337   $151,544 
Less gold credit  b1   (679)   (25,340)   (7,378)   (24)   (423)   (54)   (25,484)   (59,382)
Less zinc credit  b2   (3,561)   -    -    (4,555)   (5,500)   (2,804)   -    (16,420)
Less lead credit  b3   (1,636)   -    -    (2,634)   (993)   (258)   -    (5,521)
Less copper credit  b4   -         (185)   (6,012)   (9,653)   -    -    (15,850)
Sub-total by-product credits  B=( b1+ b2+ b3+ b4)  $(5,876)  $(25,340)  $(7,563)  $(13,225)  $(16,569)  $(3,116)  $(25,484)  $(97,173)
Cash Costs net of by-product credits  C=(A+B)  $8,522   $10,430   $6,566   $8,314   $6,046   $10,642   $3,852   $54,371 
                                            
Payable ounces of silver (thousand)  D   1,261    1,198    686    722    480    948    926    6,220 
                                            
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products  C/D  $6.76   $8.70   $9.58   $11.51   $12.59   $11.23   $4.16   $8.74 

(1)Totals may not add due to rounding.
Pan American Silver Corp.37 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2015(1)
      La
Colorada
   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   Huaron   Morococha   San
Vicente
   Manantial
Espejo
   Consolidated
Total
 
Cash Costs before by-product credits  A  $45,887   $99,828   $43,826   $70,123   $67,399   $41,886   $86,344   $455,293 
Less gold credit  b1   (1,991)   (71,456)   (14,461)   (151)   (1,264)   (178)   (66,621)  $(156,122)
Less zinc credit  b2   (11,009)   -    -    (16,117)   (14,309)   (7,925)   -   $(49,360)
Less lead credit  b3   (5,093)   -    -    (8,479)   (3,222)   (899)   -   $(17,694)
Less copper credit  b4   -    -    (257)   (21,439)   (30,365)   -    -   $(52,061)
Sub-total by-product credits  B=( b1+ b2+ b3+ b4)  $(18,093)  $(71,456)  $(14,718)  $(46,186)  $(49,160)  $(9,003)  $(66,621)  $(275,237)
Cash Costs net of by-product credits  C=(A+B)  $27,793   $28,372   $29,107   $23,937   $18,239   $32,883   $19,723   $180,056 
                                            
Payable ounces of silver (thousand)  D   3,730    3,297    2,131    2,226    1,399    2,803    2,573    18,160 
                                            
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products  C/D  $7.45   $8.61   $13.66   $10.75   $13.04   $11.73   $7.66   $9.92 
(1)Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

Three months ended September 30,2014 (1)

(in thousands of USD except as noted)

      La
Colorada
   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   Huaron   Morococha   San
Vicente
   Manantial
Espejo
   Consolidated
Total
 
Cash Costs before by-product credits  A  $15,882   $33,792   $16,040   $27,090   $21,503   $13,326   $31,965   $159,598 
Less gold credit  b1   (537)   (19,755)   (4,591)   (62)   (938)   (57)   (16,896)   (42,837)
Less zinc credit  b2   (3,342)   -    -    (6,382)   (8,394)   (2,147)   -    (20,265)
Less lead credit  b3   (1,649)   -    -    (2,794)   (2,591)   (48)   -    (7,082)
Less copper credit  b4   -    -    (14)   (9,252)   (5,019)   -    -    (14,284)
Sub-total by-product credits  B=( b1+ b2+ b3+ b4)  $(5,529)  $(19,755)  $(4,605)  $(18,490)  $(16,941)  $(2,252)  $(16,896)  $(84,468)
Cash Costs net of by-product credits  C=(A+B)  $10,353   $14,037   $11,435   $8,600   $4,562   $11,074   $15,068   $75,130 
                                            
Payable ounces of silver (thousand)  D   1,206    963    671    801    541    690    970    5,842 
                                            
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products  C/D  $8.58   $14.57   $17.04   $10.74   $8.43   $16.05   $15.54   $12.86 

(1)Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (1)

(in thousands of USD except as noted)

      La
Colorada
   Dolores   Alamo
Dorado
   Huaron   Morococha   San
Vicente
   Manantial
Espejo
   Consolidated
Total
 
Cash Costs before by-product credits  A  $46,811   $101,755   $47,831   $78,989   $61,869   $43,551   $92,000   $472,807 
Less gold credit  b1   (1,853)   (62,762)   (15,273)   (260)   (1,932)   (185)   (67,086)   (149,349)
Less zinc credit  b2   (9,974)   -    -    (19,236)   (22,271)   (7,918)   -    (59,399)
Less lead credit  b3   (5,369)   -    -    (8,768)   (7,270)   (454)   -    (21,861)
Less copper credit  b4   -    -    (132)   (24,647)   (10,280)   -    -    (35,059)
Sub-total by-product credits  B=( b1+ b2+ b3+ b4)  $(17,195)  $(62,762)  $(15,404)  $(52,911)  $(41,753)  $(8,556)  $(67,086)  $(265,668)
Cash Costs net of by-product credits  C=(A+B)  $29,616   $38,993   $32,427   $26,078   $20,116   $34,995   $24,914   $207,139 
                                            
Payable ounces of silver (thousand)  D   3,554    3,018    2,595    2,303    1,494    2,553    2,806    18,323 
                                            
Cash cost per ounce net of by-products  C/D  $8.33   $12.92   $12.50   $11.33   $13.46   $13.71   $8.88   $11.30 

(1)Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.38 

 

  

·Adjusted Earnings and Basic Adjusted Earnings Per Share

 

Adjusted earnings is a non-GAAP measure that the Company considers to better reflect normalized earnings as it eliminates items that may be volatile from period to period, relating to positions which will settle in future periods, and items that are non-recurring. Certain items that become applicable in a period may be adjusted for, with the Company retroactively presenting comparable periods with an adjustment for such items and conversely, items no longer applicable may be removed from the calculation. The Company adjusts certain items in the periods that they occurred but does not reverse or otherwise unwind the effect of such items in future periods.

 

The following table shows a reconciliation of adjusted loss and earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, to the net (loss) earnings for each period.

 

  

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
Adjusted Earnings (loss) Reconciliation  2015   2014   2015   2014 
Net (loss) earnings for the period  $(67,514)  $(20,177)  $(94,598)  $(19,096)
Adjust derivative gain   -    (2,242)   (274)   (1,600)
Adjust write-downs to Manantial Espejo asset carrying amounts (1)   47,428    -    47,428    - 
Adjust write-down of other assets   5,205    -    5,205    - 
Adjust unrealized foreign exchange losses   3,185    2,577    2,179    4,652 
Adjust net realizable value of heap inventory   1,038    8,482    35    25,596 
Adjust unrealized loss (gain) on commodity contracts   1,759    -    (154)   - 
Adjust (gain) loss on sale of assets   (62)   129    (334)   (200)
Adjust for effect of taxes   (345)   (3,031)   62    (8,970)
Adjusted (loss) earnings for the period  $(9,306)  $(14,262)  $(40,451)  $382 
Weighted average shares for the period   151,653    151,506    151,647    151,503 
Adjusted (loss) earnings per share for the period  $(0.06)  $(0.09)  $(0.27)  $0.00 

 

(1)The $47.4 million adjustment includes the $53.5 million of net write-down to the Manantial Espejo assets as presented in the table under “Impairment charges” in the “Income Statement: Q3 2015 versus Q3 2014” section of this MD&A, less $6.0 million of negative NRV inventory adjustments attributable to the effect of Q3 2015 price declines on the ounces contained in the stockpile.

 

·Working Capital

 

Working capital is a non-GAAP measure calculated as current assets less current liabilities. The Company and certain investors use this information to evaluate whether the Company is able to meet its current obligations using its current assets.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company is exposed to many risks in conducting its business, including but not limited to: metal price risk as the Company derives its revenue from the sale of silver, zinc, lead, copper, and gold; credit risk in the normal course of dealing with other companies; foreign exchange risk as the Company reports its financial statements in USD whereas the Company operates in jurisdictions that utilize other currencies; the inherent risk of uncertainties in estimating mineral reserves and mineral resources; political risks; and environmental risks and risks related to its relations with employees.  These and other risks are described in Pan American’s Annual Information Form (available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com), Form 40-F filed with the SEC, and the Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. Readers are encouraged to refer to these documents for a more detailed description of some of the risks and uncertainties inherent to Pan American’s business.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.39 

 

 

·Foreign Jurisdiction Risk

 

Pan American currently conducts operations in Peru, Mexico, Argentina and Bolivia. All of these jurisdictions are potentially subject to a number of political and economic risks, including those described in the following section. The Company is unable to determine the impact of these risks on its future financial position or results of operations and the Company’s exploration, development and production activities may be substantially affected by factors outside of Pan American’s control. These potential factors include, but are not limited to: royalty and tax increases or claims by governmental bodies, expropriation or nationalization, lack of an independent judiciary, foreign exchange controls, import and export regulations, cancellation or renegotiation of contracts and environmental and permitting regulations. The Company currently has no political risk insurance coverage against these risks.

 

All of Pan American’s current production and revenue is derived from its operations in Peru, Mexico, Argentina and Bolivia. As Pan American’s business is carried on in a number of developing countries, it is exposed to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the following: expropriation or nationalization without adequate compensation; economic and regulatory instability; military repression and increased likelihood of international conflicts or aggression; possible need to obtain political risk insurance and the costs and availability of this and other insurance; unreliable or undeveloped infrastructure; labour unrest; lack of availability of skilled labour; difficulty obtaining key equipment and components for equipment; regulations and restrictions with respect to import and export and currency controls; changing fiscal regimes; high rates of inflation; the possible unilateral cancellation or forced renegotiation of contracts; unanticipated changes to royalty and tax regimes; extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates; volatile local political and economic developments; uncertainty regarding enforceability of contractual rights; difficulty understanding and complying with the regulatory and legal framework respecting the ownership and maintenance of mineral properties, mines and mining operations, and with respect to permitting; violence and more prevalent or stronger organized crime groups; terrorism and hostage taking; difficulties enforcing judgments generally, including judgments obtained in Canadian or United States courts against assets and entities located outside of those jurisdictions; and increased public health concerns. In most cases, the effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted.

 

The Company’s Mexican operations, Alamo Dorado and La Colorada, have suffered from armed robberies of doré in the past. The Company has instituted a number of additional security measures and a more frequent shipping schedule in response to these incidents. The Company has subsequently renewed its insurance policy to mitigate some of the financial loss that would result from such criminal activities in the future, however a substantial deductible amount would apply to any such losses in Mexico.

 

In December 2012, the Mexican government introduced changes to the Federal labour law which made certain amendments to the law relating to the use of service companies and subcontractors and the obligations with respect to employee benefits. These amendments may have an effect on the distribution of profits to workers and this could result in additional financial obligations to the Company. At this time, the Company believes that it continues to be in compliance with the federal labour law and that these amendments will not result in any new material obligations for the Company. Based on this assessment, the Company has not accrued any amounts. The Company will continue to monitor developments in Mexico to assess the potential impact of these amendments.

 

In 2013, the Mexican government introduced various 2014 tax reforms. Amongst other changes, the bill proposed a deductible royalty of 7.5% on mine operating income before certain deductions including amortization and depreciation as well as a 0.5% mining duty on mining companies’ precious metal revenue. In addition, the corporate income tax rate is expected to remain at 30% whereas it was previously forecast to be reduced to 28% by 2015. The Company has evaluated the effects of the tax reforms on our future cash flows and future earnings, and recorded a deferred tax charge of $86.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, in addition to incorporating the impact of the tax returns in our impairment models for the Company’s Mexican mining assets.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.40 

 

 

Local opposition to mine development projects has arisen periodically in some of the jurisdictions in which we operate, and such opposition has at times been violent. There can be no assurance that similar local opposition will not arise in the future with respect to Pan American’s foreign operations. If Pan American were to experience resistance or unrest in connection with its foreign operations, it could have a material adverse effect on Pan American’s operations or profitability.

 

Government regulation in Argentina related to the economy has increased substantially over the past few years. In particular, the government has intensified the use of price, foreign exchange, and import controls in response to unfavourable domestic economic trends. An example of the changing regulations which have affected the Company’s activities in Argentina was the Argentinean Ministry of Economy and Public Finance resolution in 2012 that reduced the time within which exporters were required to repatriate net proceeds from export sales from 180 days to 15 days after the date of export. As a result of this change, the Manantial Espejo operation temporarily suspended doré shipments while local management reviewed how the new resolution would be applied by the government. In response to petitions from numerous exporters for relief from the new resolution, shortly thereafter, the Ministry issued a revised resolution which extended the 15-day limit to 120 days and the effect of the delayed shipments and sales was made up during the remainder of 2012.

 

The Argentine government has also imposed restrictions on the importation of goods and services and increased administrative procedures required to import equipment, materials and services required for operations at Manantial Espejo. In addition, in May 2012, the government mandated that mining companies establish an internal function to be responsible for substituting Argentinian-produced goods and materials for imported goods and materials. Under this mandate, the Company is required to submit its plans to import goods and materials for government review 120 days in advance of the desired date of importation.

 

The government of Argentina has also tightened control over capital flows and foreign exchange, including informal restrictions on dividend, interest, and service payments abroad and limitations on the ability of individuals and businesses to convert Argentine pesos into United States dollars or other hard currencies. These measures, which are intended to curtail the outflow of hard currency and protect Argentina’s international currency reserves, may adversely affect the Company’s ability to convert dividends paid by current operations or revenues generated by future operations into hard currency and to distribute those revenues to offshore shareholders. Maintaining operating revenues in Argentine pesos could expose the Company to the risks of peso devaluation and high domestic inflation.

 

In September 2013, the provincial government of Santa Cruz, Argentina passed amendments to its tax code that introduced a new mining property tax with a rate of 1% to be charged annually on published proven reserves, which has the potential to significantly affect the Manantial Espejo mine as well as other companies operating in the province. The Company has in place certain contracts that could potentially affect or exempt the Company from having this new tax applicable and as such is evaluating its options with its advisors. The Company and other mining companies in the province have taken steps to challenge the legality and constitutionality of the tax.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.41 

 

 

On May 28, 2014, the Bolivian government enacted Mining Law No. 535 (the “New Mining Law”). Among other things, the New Mining Law has established a new Bolivian mining authority to provide principal mining oversight (varying the role of COMIBOL) and sets out a number of new economic and operational requirements relating to state participation in mining projects. Further, the New Mining Law provides that all pre-existing contracts are to migrate to one of several new forms of agreement within a prescribed period of time. As a result, we anticipate that our current joint venture agreement with COMIBOL relating to the San Vicente mine will be subject to migration to a new form of agreement and may require renegotiation of some terms in order to conform to the New Mining Law requirements. We are assessing the potential impacts of the New Mining Law on our business and are awaiting further regulatory developments, but the primary effects on the San Vicente operation and our interest therein will not be known until such time as we have, if required to do so, renegotiated the existing contract, and the full impact may only be realized over time. In the meantime, we understand that pre-existing agreements will be respected during the period of migration and we will take appropriate steps to protect and, if necessary, enforce our rights under our existing agreement with COMIBOL. There is, however, no guarantee that governmental actions, including possible expropriation or additional changes in the law, and the migration of our contract will not impact our involvement in the San Vicente operation in an adverse way and such actions could have a material adverse effect on us and our business.

 

On June 25, 2015, the Bolivian government enacted the new Conciliation and Arbitration Law No. 708 (the “New Conciliation and Arbitration Law”), which endeavors to set out newly prescribed arbitral norms and procedures, including for foreign investors. However, whether the New Conciliation and Arbitration Law applies specifically to pre-existing agreements between foreign investors and COMIBOL, and how this new legislation interacts with the New Mining Law, remains somewhat unclear. As a result, we await clarification by regulatory authorities and will continue to assess the potential impacts of the New Conciliation and Arbitration Law on our business.

 

Management and the Board of Directors continuously assess risks that the Company is exposed to, and attempt to mitigate these risks where practical through a range of risk management strategies, including employing qualified and experienced personnel.

 

·Metal Price Risk

 

Pan American derives its revenue from the sale of silver, zinc, lead, copper, and gold. The Company’s sales are directly dependent on metal prices that have shown significant volatility and are beyond the Company’s control. Pan American Silver takes the view that its precious metals production should not be hedged, thereby, allowing the Company to maintain maximum exposure to precious metal prices. From time to time, Pan American mitigates the price risk associated with its base metal production by committing some of its forecasted base metal production under forward sales and option contracts, as described under the “Financial Instruments” section of this MD&A. Since base metal and gold revenue are treated as a by-product credit for purposes of calculating cash costs per ounce of silver and AISCSOS, these non-GAAP measures are highly sensitive to base metal and gold prices. The Board of Directors continually assesses the Company’s strategy towards its base metal exposure, depending on market conditions. Subsequent to quarter end, the market prices of certain metals declined significantly and were below levels used in the Company’s most recent impairment test. If metal prices remain at these levels for an extended period of time, the Company may need to reassess its price assumptions, and a significant decrease in the price assumptions could be an indicator of potential impairment. A description of the impact of metal price changes on certain Company assets is included in the Key Assumption and Sensitivity sections included in both the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 (included in Note 11), and in the 2014 annual MD&A (included in the Income Statement analysis section).

 

Pan American Silver Corp.42 

 

 

·Exchange Rate Risk

 

Pan American reports its financial statements in USD; however, the Company operates in jurisdictions that utilize other currencies. As a consequence, the financial results of the Company’s operations, as reported in USD, are subject to changes in the value of the USD relative to local currencies. Since the Company’s revenues are denominated in USD and a portion of the Company’s operating costs and capital spending are in local currencies, the Company is negatively impacted by strengthening local currencies relative to the USD and positively impacted by the inverse. The local currencies that the Company has the most exposure to are the Peruvian soles (“PEN”), Mexican pesos (“MXN”) and Argentine pesos (“ARS”).

 

In order to mitigate this exposure, the Company maintains a portion of its cash balances in PEN, MXN and CAD and, from time to time, enters into forward currency positions to match anticipated spending as discussed in the section “Financial Instruments”.

 

The Company’s balance sheet contains various monetary assets and liabilities, some of which are denominated in foreign currencies. Accounting convention dictates that these balances are translated at the end of each period, with resulting adjustments being reflected as foreign exchange gains or losses on the Company’s income statement.

 

·Claims and Legal Proceedings

 

Pan American is subject to various claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of business activities, including claims relating to former or current employees. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavourably to Pan American. The Company carries liability insurance coverage and establishes provisions for matters that are probable and can be reasonably estimated. In addition, Pan American may be involved in disputes with other parties in the future which may result in a material adverse impact on our financial condition, cash flow and results of operations. Please refer to Commitments and Contingencies Note 23 of the Q3 2015 Financial Statements for further information.

 

Significant Judgments and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty in the Application of Accounting Policies

 

In preparing financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. These critical accounting estimates represent management estimates and judgments that are uncertain and any changes in these could materially impact the Company’s financial statements. Management continuously reviews its estimates, judgments, and assumptions using the most current information available.

 

Readers should also refer to Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, for the Company’s summary of significant accounting policies.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.43 

 

  

Changes in Accounting Standards

 

There was no significant accounting standards or interpretations or any consequential amendments, required for the Company to adopt effective January 1, 2015.

 

a.Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective

 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”) was issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) on July 24, 2014 and will replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS 9 utilizes a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured at amortized cost or fair value and a new mixed measurement model for debt instruments having only two categories: amortized cost and fair value. The approach in IFRS 9 is based on how an entity manages its financial instruments in the context of its business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. Final amendments released on July 24, 2014 also introduce a new expected loss impairment model and limited changes to the classification and measurement requirements for financial assets. IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the final standard and amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

 

IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”) In May 2014, the IASB and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) completed its joint project to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for IFRS and US GAAP. As a result of the joint project, the IASB issued IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and will replace IAS 18, Revenue, IAS 11, Construction Contracts, and related interpretations on revenue. IFRS 15 establishes principles to address the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. Companies can elect to use either a full or modified retrospective approach when adopting this standard. On July 22, 2015, the IASB confirmed a one year deferral of the effective date of IFRS 15 to January 1, 2018. The Company is in the process of analyzing IFRS 15 and determining the effect on our consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this standard.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.44 

 

  

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management of Pan American is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control, including internal controls over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer and effected by the Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. It includes those policies and procedures that:

 

a)pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Pan American,

 

b)are designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and that receipts and expenditures of Pan American are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and Pan American’s directors, and

 

c)are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Pan American’s assets that could have a material effect on the annual financial statements or interim financial reports.

 

The Company’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believe that due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended June 30, 2015 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

Technical Information

 

Michael Steinmann and Martin Wafforn, each of whom are Qualified Persons, as the term is defined in NI 43-101, have reviewed and approved the contents of this MD&A.


Pan American Silver Corp.45 

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

 

CERTAIN OF THE STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION IN THIS MD&A CONSTITUTE “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE UNITED STATES PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND “FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION” WITHIN THE MEANING OF APPLICABLE CANADIAN PROVINCIAL SECURITIES LAWS RELATING TO THE COMPANY AND ITS OPERATIONS. ALL STATEMENTS, OTHER THAN STATEMENTS OF HISTORICAL FACT, ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. WHEN USED IN THIS MD&A THE WORDS, “WILL”, “BELIEVES”, “EXPECTS”, “INTENDS”, “PLANS”, “FORECAST”, “OBJECTIVE”, “GUIDANCE”, “OUTLOOK”, “POTENTIAL”, “ANTICIPATED”, “BUDGET”, AND OTHER SIMILAR WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS, IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION RELATE TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS: FUTURE PRODUCTION OF SILVER, GOLD AND OTHER METALS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY; FUTURE CASH COSTS PER OUNCE OF SILVER AND ALL-IN SUSTAINING COSTS PER SILVER OUNCE SOLD; THE PRICE OF SILVER AND OTHER METALS; THE EFFECTS OF LAWS, REGULATIONS AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES AFFECTING PAN AMERICAN’S OPERATIONS OR POTENTIAL FUTURE OPERATIONS, INCLUDING but NOT LIMITED TO THE laws in THE PROVINCE OF CHUBUT, ARGENTINA, WHICH CURRENTLY HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS ON MINING, AND AMENDMENTS TO THE LABOUR and tax LAWS IN MEXICO. the introduction of the new mining property tax in santa cruz, argentina, AND THE NEW MINING LAW AND THE NEW CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION LAW IN BOLIVIA, each of WHICH COULD PLACE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ON OUR SUBSIDIARIES; THE CONTINUING NATURE OF HIGH INFLATION, RISING CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS, CAPITAL RESTRICTIONS AND RISKS OF EXPROPRIATION RELATIVE TO CERTAIN OF OUR OPERATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN ARGENTINA and bolivia, AND THEIR EFFECTS ON OUR BUSINESS; THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE COMPANY’S CURRENT WORKING CAPITAL, ANTICIPATED OPERATING CASH FLOW OR ITS ABILITY TO RAISE NECESSARY FUNDS; TIMING OF PRODUCTION AND THE CASH AND TOTAL COSTS OF PRODUCTION AT EACH OF THE COMPANY’S PROPERTIES; THE ESTIMATED COST OF AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING NECESSARY FOR SUSTAINING CAPITAL; the successful implementation and effects of ONGOING OR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT and expansion PLANS AND CAPITAL REPLACEMENT, IMPROVEMENT OR REMEDIATION PROGRAMS; FORECAST CAPITAL AND NON-OPERATING SPENDING; FUTURE SALES OF THE METALS, CONCENTRATES OR OTHER PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY; AND THE COMPANY’S PLANS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR ITS PROPERTIES AND OPERATIONS; AND REPAYMENT OF RSUS AND PSUS, AS WELL AS THAT SUCH REPAYMENT WILL BE IN CASH..

 

THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT THE COMPANY’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE NECESSARILY BASED UPON A NUMBER OF ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES THAT, WHILE CONSIDERED REASONABLE BY THE COMPANY, ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS, ECONOMIC, COMPETITIVE, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL UNCERTAINTIES AND CONTINGENCIES. MANY FACTORS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS THAT ARE OR MAY BE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS MD&A AND THE COMPANY HAS MADE ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES BASED ON OR RELATED TO MANY OF THESE FACTORS. SUCH FACTORS INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION: FLUCTUATIONS IN SPOT AND FORWARD MARKETS FOR SILVER, GOLD, BASE METALS AND CERTAIN OTHER COMMODITIES (SUCH AS NATURAL GAS, FUEL OIL AND ELECTRICITY); FLUCTUATIONS IN CURRENCY MARKETS (SUCH AS THE PERUVIAN SOL, MEXICAN PESO, ARGENTINE PESO, BOLIVIAN BOLIVIANO and canadian dollar VERSUS THE U.S. DOLLAR); RISKS RELATED TO THE TECHNOLOGICAL AND OPERATIONAL NATURE OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS; CHANGES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATION, TAXATION, CONTROLS OR REGULATIONS AND POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, MEXICO, PERU, ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA OR OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THE COMPANY MAY CARRY ON BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE; RISKS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUSINESS OF MINERAL EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND MINING (INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, UNUSUAL OR UNEXPECTED GEOLOGICAL OR STRUCTURAL FORMATIONS, PRESSURES, CAVE-INS AND FLOODING); RISKS RELATING TO THE CREDIT WORTHINESS OR FINANCIAL CONDITION OF SUPPLIERS, REFINERS AND OTHER PARTIES WITH WHOM THE COMPANY DOES BUSINESS; INADEQUATE INSURANCE, OR INABILITY TO OBTAIN INSURANCE, TO COVER THESE RISKS AND HAZARDS; EMPLOYEE RELATIONS; RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND CLAIMS BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS; AVAILABILITY AND INCREASING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MINING INPUTS AND LABOUR; THE SPECULATIVE NATURE OF MINERAL EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE RISKS OF OBTAINING NECESSARY LICENSES AND PERMITS AND THE PRESENCE OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT MAY IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON MINING, INCLUDING THOSE CURRENTLY IN THE PROVINCE OF CHUBUT, ARGENTINA; DIMINISHING QUANTITIES OR GRADES OF MINERAL RESERVES AS PROPERTIES ARE MINED; GLOBAL FINANCIAL CONDITIONS; THE COMPANY’S ABILITY TO COMPLETE AND SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE ACQUISITIONS AND TO MITIGATE OTHER BUSINESS COMBINATION RISKS; CHALLENGES TO, OR DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING, THE COMPANY’S TITLE TO PROPERTIES AND CONTINUED OWNERSHIP THEREOF; THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF CURRENT EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES, CONCLUSIONS OF ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS, AND CHANGES IN PROJECT PARAMETERS TO DEAL WITH UNANTICIPATED ECONOMIC OR OTHER FACTORS; INCREASED COMPETITION IN THE MINING INDUSTRY FOR PROPERTIES, EQUIPMENT, QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, AND THEIR COSTS; HAVING SUFFICIENT CASH TO PAY OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND THOSE FACTORS IDENTIFIED UNDER THE CAPTION “RISKS RELATED TO PAN AMERICAN’S BUSINESS” IN THE COMPANY’S MOST RECENT FORM 40-F AND ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM FILED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND CANADIAN PROVINCIAL SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED AGAINST ATTRIBUTING UNDUE CERTAINTY OR RELIANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY HAS ATTEMPTED TO IDENTIFY IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY, THERE MAY BE OTHER FACTORS THAT CAUSE RESULTS NOT TO BE AS ANTICIPATED, ESTIMATED, DESCRIBED OR INTENDED. THE COMPANY DOES NOT INTEND, AND DOES NOT ASSUME ANY OBLIGATION, TO UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION TO REFLECT CHANGES IN ASSUMPTIONS OR CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES OR ANY OTHER EVENTS AFFECTING SUCH STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION, OTHER THAN AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

Pan American Silver Corp.46 

 



 

Exhibit 99.3

 

Form 52-109F2

Certification of Interim Filings

Full Certificate

 

I, Geoffrey Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Pan American Silver Corp., certify the following:

 

1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Pan American Silver Corp. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended September 30, 2015.

 

2.No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

 

3.Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

 

4.Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

 

5.Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

 

(a)designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that

 

(i)material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and

 

(ii)information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

 

(b)designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.

 

5.1Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

5.2Not applicable.

 

5.3Not applicable.

 

6.Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2015 and ended on September 30, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

 

Date: November 12, 2015

 

/s/ “Geoffrey Burns “

Geoffrey Burns

Chief Executive Officer

 

 



 

Exhibit 99.4

 

Form 52-109F2

Certification of Interim Filings

Full Certificate

 

I, A. Robert Doyle, Chief Financial Officer of Pan American Silver Corp., certify the following:

 

1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Pan American Silver Corp. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended September 30, 2015.

 

2.No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

 

3.Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

 

4.Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

 

5.Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

 

(a)designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that

 

(i)material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and

 

(ii)information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

 

(b)designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.

 

5.1Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

5.2Not applicable.

 

5.3Not applicable.

 

6.Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2015 and ended on September 30, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

 

Date: November 12, 2015

 

/s/ “A. Robert Doyle”

A. Robert Doyle

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Pan American Silver (NASDAQ:PAAS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024 Click Here for more Pan American Silver Charts.
Pan American Silver (NASDAQ:PAAS)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024 Click Here for more Pan American Silver Charts.