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

For the month of May 7, 2015

Commission File Number 001-34984

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1805, Vancouver BC V6C 3L2
(Address of principal executive offices)

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

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): ☐

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): ☐

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

SUBMITTED HEREWITH

 

Exhibits    
99.1   Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
99.2   Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2015
99.3   Form 52-109F2 Certification of Interim Filings Full Certificate - CEO
99.4   Form 52-109F2 Certification of Interim Filings Full Certificate - CFO
99.5   Material Change Report dated May 7, 2015
99.6   Press Release dated May 7, 2015 - First Majestic Reports First Quarter Financial Results

 

 

 
 

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.

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.  
   
By:  
   
/s/ Connie Lillico  
Connie Lillico  
Corporate Secretary  
   
May 7, 2015  

 

 



 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 AND 2014

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1805, Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 3L2

Phone: 604.688.3033 | Fax: 604.639.8873 | Toll Free: 1.866.529.2807 | Email: info@firstmajestic.com

www.firstmajestic.com

 

 
 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

The condensed interim consolidated financial statements of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Company”) are the responsibility of the Company’s management. The condensed interim consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and reflect management’s best estimates and judgment based on information currently available.

 

Management has developed and maintains a system of internal controls to ensure that the Company’s assets are safeguarded, transactions are authorized and properly recorded, and financial information is reliable.

 

The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring management fulfills its responsibilities. The Audit Committee reviews the results of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements prior to their submission to the Board of Directors for approval.

 

The condensed interim consolidated financial statements have not been audited.

 

   
Keith Neumeyer Raymond Polman, CA
President & CEO Chief Financial Officer
May 6, 2015 May 6, 2015

 

 
 

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) EARNINGS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 and 2014
Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

The Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Earnings provide a summary of the Company’s financial performance and net earnings or loss over the reporting periods.

 

      Three Months Ended March 31, 
   Note  2015   2014 
            
Revenues   5  $54,569   $65,296 
              
Cost of sales (excludes depletion, depreciation and amortization)  6   32,336    35,270 
Gross margin      22,233    30,026 
              
Depletion, depreciation and amortization      17,237    13,405 
Mine operating earnings      4,996    16,621 
              
General and administrative expenses  7   4,339    4,975 
Share-based payments      1,609    2,648 
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities      197    202 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss      (1,512)   54 
              
Operating earnings      363    8,742 
              
Investment and other income  8   1,792    2,897 
Finance costs  9   (1,423)   (1,243)
              
Earnings before income taxes      732    10,396 
              
Income taxes             
Current income tax expense      143    3,971 
Deferred income tax expense      1,694    445 
              
       1,837    4,416 
              
Net (loss) earnings for the period     $(1,105)  $5,980 
              
(Loss) earnings per common share             
Basic  10  $(0.01)  $0.05 
Diluted  10  $(0.01)  $0.05 
              
Weighted average shares outstanding             
Basic  10   117,594,640    117,227,432 
Diluted  10   117,594,640    117,468,800 

 

Approved by the Board of Directors

 

     
Keith Neumeyer, Director   Douglas Penrose, Director

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 1
 

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 and 2014

Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (In thousands of US dollars)

 

The Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income provide a summary of total comprehensive earnings or loss and summarizes items recorded in other comprehensive income that may or may not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss depending on future events.

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
Net (loss) earnings for the period  $(1,105)  $5,980 
           
Other comprehensive income          
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:          
   Unrealized gain on fair value of available for sale investments   -    18 
           
Other comprehensive income   -    18 
           
Total comprehensive (loss) income for the period  $(1,105)  $5,998 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 2
 

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 and 2014

Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (In thousands of US dollars)

 

The Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows provide a summary of movements in cash and cash equivalents during the reporting periods by classifying them as operating, investing or financing activities.

 

      Three Months Ended March 31, 
   Note  2015   2014 
            
Operating Activities             
Net (loss) earnings for the period     $(1,105)  $5,980 
Adjustments for:             
Depletion, depreciation and amortization      17,419    13,574 
Share-based payments      1,609    2,648 
Income tax expense      1,837    4,416 
Finance costs  9   1,423    1,243 
Other  22   (3,869)   (2,508)
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital and taxes      17,314    25,353 
Net change in non-cash working capital items  22   (8,333)   (3,832)
Income taxes paid      (2,631)   (2,226)
Cash generated by operating activities      6,350    19,295 
              
Investing Activities             
Expenditures on mining interests      (11,366)   (21,337)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment      (786)   (4,330)
Deposits paid for the acquisition of non-current assets      (1,259)   (79)
Proceeds from settlement of silver futures      -    942 
Cash used in investing activities       (13,411)   (24,804)
              
Financing Activities             
Repayment of prepayment facilities      (5,689)   (2,875)
Repayment of lease obligations      (3,541)   (4,268)
Finance costs paid      (1,132)   (735)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options      -    563 
Cash used in financing activities       (10,362)   (7,315)
              
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies      (538)   (393)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents      (17,423)   (12,824)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period      40,345    54,765 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period     $22,384   $41,548 
              
Cash     $22,384   $38,544 
Short-term investments      -    3,004 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period     $22,384   $41,548 
              
Supplemental cash flow information  22          

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 3
 

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT MARCH 31, 2015 AND DECEMBER 31, 2014

Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (In thousands of US dollars)

 

The Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position provides a summary of assets, liabilities and equity, as well as their current versus non-current nature, as at the reporting date.

 

   Note  March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Assets             
              
Current assets             
Cash and cash equivalents     $22,384   $40,345 
Trade and other receivables  11   15,526    13,561 
Income taxes receivable      1,327    - 
Inventories  12   16,690    17,649 
Other financial assets  13   3,855    2,460 
Prepaid expenses and other      2,084    1,337 
Total current assets      61,866    75,352 
              
Non-current assets             
Mining interests  14   426,199    422,663 
Property, plant and equipment  15   261,623    267,038 
Deposits on non-current assets      4,130    2,917 
Other investments  16   3,299    3,372 
              
Total assets     $757,117   $771,342 
              
Liabilities and Equity             
              
Current liabilities             
Trade and other payables  17  $35,613   $40,360 
Current portion of prepayment facilities  18   27,962    26,329 
Current portion of lease obligations  19   10,889    11,428 
Income taxes payable      -    105 
Total current liabilities      74,464    78,222 
              
Non-current liabilities             
Prepayment facilities  18   21,397    29,647 
Lease obligations  19   13,410    15,455 
Decommissioning liabilities      15,250    15,484 
Other liabilities      1,740    1,740 
Deferred tax liabilities      109,819    110,261 
Total liabilities      236,080    250,809 
              
Equity             
Share capital      430,588    430,588 
Equity reserves      54,949    53,340 
Retained earnings      35,500    36,605 
Total equity      521,037    520,533 
              
Total liabilities and equity     $757,117   $771,342 

 

Commitments (Note 14, Note 21(c); Contingencies (Note 23); Subsequent events (Note 24))

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 4
 

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 and 2014

Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

The Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity summarizes movements in equity, including common shares, share capital, equity reserves and retained earnings.

 

   Share Capital   Equity Reserves         
   Shares   Amount   Share-based
payments(a)
   Available for
sale
revaluation(b)
   Foreign
currency
translation
   Total equity
reserves
   Retained
earnings
   Total equity 
Balance at December 31, 2013   117,024,840   $425,707  $47,069   $(218)  $(308)  $46,543   $98,495   $570,745 
Net earnings   -    -    -    -    -    -    5,980    5,980 
Other comprehensive income   -    -    -    18    -    18    -    18 
Total comprehensive income    -    -   -    18    -    18    5,980    5,998 
Share-based payments   -    -    2,648    -    -    2,648    -    2,648 
Shares issued for:                                        
Exercise of options   50,000    563    -    -    -    -    -    563 
Acquisition of mining interests (Note 14(c))   293,784    2,820    -    -    -    -    -    2,820 
Transfer of equity reserve upon exercise of options   -    274    (274)   -    -    (274)   -    - 
Balance at March 31, 2014   117,368,624   $429,364  $49,443   $(200)  $(308)  $48,935   $104,475   $582,774 
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2014   117,594,640   $430,588  $53,648   $-   $(308)  $53,340   $36,605   $520,533 
Net loss and total comprehensive loss   -    -    -    -    -    -    (1,105)   (1,105)
Share-based payments   -    -    1,609    -    -    1,609    -    1,609 
Balance at March 31, 2015   117,594,640   $430,588  $55,257   $-   $(308)  $54,949   $35,500   $521,037 

 

(a)Share-based payments reserve records the cumulative amount recognized under IFRS 2 in respect of options granted and shares purchase warrants issued but not exercised to acquire shares of the Company.
(b)The available for sale revaluation reserve principally records the fair value gains or losses related to available-for-sale financial instruments, net of amount reclassed as impairment.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 5
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

1.NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Company” or “First Majestic”) is in the business of silver production, development, exploration, and acquisition of mineral properties with a focus on silver production in Mexico. The Company presently owns and operates five producing silver mines: the La Encantada Silver Mine, La Parrilla Silver Mine, Del Toro Silver Mine, San Martin Silver Mine and the La Guitarra Silver Mine.

 

First Majestic is incorporated in Canada with limited liability under the legislation of the Province of British Columbia and is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AG”, on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “FR”, on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol “AG” and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “FMV”. The Company’s head office and principal address is located at 925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1805, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 3L2.

 

2.BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”, and International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”).

 

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements were prepared using accounting policies consistent with those in the audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014, except as otherwise noted in Note 3, “Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates” below. These condensed interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014, as some disclosures from the annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted.

 

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on an historical cost basis except for certain items that are measured at fair value including derivative financial instruments (Note 21(a)), marketable securities (Note 13) and the prepayment facilities (Note 18). All dollar amounts presented are in United States dollars unless otherwise specified.

 

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances, transactions, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. 

 

3.ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES

 

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements were prepared using accounting policies consistent with those in the audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014, except as otherwise noted below.

 

Future Changes in Accounting Policies Not Yet Effective as at March 31, 2015

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("IFRS 15") which supersedes IAS 11 – Construction Contracts, IAS 18 – Revenue, IFRIC 13 – Customer Loyalty Programmes, IFRIC 15 – Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate, IFRIC 18 – Transfers of Assets from Customers, and SIC 31 – Revenue – Barter Transactions Involving Advertising Services. IFRS 15 establishes a single five-step model framework for determining the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from a contract with a customer. The standard is currently mandatory for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. At its meeting on April 28, 2015, the IASB tentatively proposed to defer the effective date of IFRS 15 by one year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 6
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

3.ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES (continued)

 

Future Changes in Accounting Policies Not Yet Effective as at March 31, 2015 (continued)

 

Financial instruments

 

In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments ("IFRS 9") to replace IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS 9 provides a revised model for recognition and measurement of financial instruments and a single, forward-looking “expected loss” impairment model. IFRS 9 also includes a substantially reformed approach to hedge accounting. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgments

 

The preparation of condensed interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with IAS 34 requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of the amounts, events or actions, actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in material adjustments include: impairment of property, plant and equipment and mining interests; depreciation and amortization rates for property, plant and equipment and depletion rates for mining interests; estimated reclamation and closure costs; mineral reserve and resource estimates; inventory valuation; income taxes; valuation of prepayment facilities; and valuation of share-based payments.

 

Critical judgments exercised in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements include: functional currency; business combinations; economic recoverability and probability of future economic benefits of exploration, evaluation and development costs; and commencement of commercial production.

 

4.SEGMENTED INFORMATION

 

The Company has seven reporting segments, including five operating segments located in Mexico, one retail market segment in Canada and one silver trading segment in Europe. Others consists primarily of the Company’s other development and exploration properties (Note 14) not considered segments, other investments (Note 16), prepayment facilities (Note 18), corporate and intercompany eliminations.

 

All of the Company’s operations are within the mining industry and its major products are silver doré, silver-lead and silver-zinc concentrates. Transfer prices between reporting segments are set on an arms-length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third parties. Coins and bullion cost of sales are based on transfer prices.

 

A reporting segment is defined as a component of the Company that:

·engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses;
·whose operating results are reviewed regularly by the entity’s chief operating decision maker; and
·for which discrete financial information is available.

 

Management evaluates segment performance based on mine operating earnings as other expenses are not allocated to the segments.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 7
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

4.SEGMENTED INFORMATION (continued)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2015   At March 31, 2015 
   Revenue   Cost of
sales(1)
   Depletion,
depreciation
and
amortization
   Mine
operating
earnings
(loss)
   Capital
expenditures
   Total
assets
   Total
liabilities
 
Mexico                                   
La Encantada  $9,880   $7,953   $5,620   $(3,693)  $3,756   $138,577   $51,536 
La Parrilla   12,379    8,222    4,526    (369)   4,323    197,328    29,746 
Del Toro   18,069    8,367    3,141    6,561    3,295    192,905    33,590 
San Martin   11,431    5,157    2,189    4,085    2,177    88,203    25,902 
La Guitarra   3,406    2,509    1,658    (761)   1,633    78,814    8,994 
Canada                                   
Coins and Bullion Sales   91    123    -    (32)   -    243    - 
Europe                                   
Silver Sales   23,273    23,265    -    8    -    7,673    455 
Others   (23,960)   (23,260)   103    (803)   575    53,374    85,857 
Consolidated  $54,569   $32,336   $17,237   $4,996   $15,759   $757,117   $236,080 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2014   At December 31, 2014 
   Revenue   Cost of
sales(1)
   Depletion,
depreciation
and
amortization
   Mine
operating
earnings
(loss)
   Capital
expenditures
   Total
assets
   Total
liabilities
 
Mexico                                   
La Encantada  $21,980   $9,740   $2,875   $9,365   $5,815   $141,145   $63,730 
La Parrilla   19,837    8,323    4,626    6,888    6,026    198,295    28,172 
Del Toro   14,096    10,017    2,466    1,613    7,854    205,863    35,297 
San Martin   6,846    4,580    1,440    826    7,127    94,188    31,516 
La Guitarra   4,534    2,477    1,694    363    7,270    108,641    31,845 
Canada                                   
Coins and Bullion Sales   376    403    -    (27)   1    259    15 
Europe                                   
Silver Sales   29,696    31,984    -    (2,288)   -    6,283    935 
Others   (32,069)   (32,254)   304    (119)   895    16,668    59,299 
Consolidated  $65,296   $35,270   $13,405   $16,621   $34,988   $771,342   $250,809 

(1) Cost of sales excludes depletion, depreciation and amortization

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company had four (2014 – seven) major customers that account for 100% of its doré and concentrate sales revenue. The Company had three customers that accounted for 53%, 21%, and 20% of total revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2015, and four customers that accounted for 45%, 24%, 16%, and 14% of total revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

5.REVENUES

 

Revenues from sale of metal, including by-products, are recorded net of smelting and refining costs. Metals in doré sold are priced on delivery. Final weights and assays are adjusted on final settlement typically one month after delivery. Metals in concentrate sold are provisionally priced on delivery and settled based on market price at a predetermined future date, typically one to four months after delivery.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 8
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

5.REVENUES (continued)

 

Revenues for the period are summarized as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Gross revenue from payable metals:          
Silver  $44,925   $57,396 
Gold   3,192    4,258 
Lead   9,732    7,334 
Zinc   4,962    2,083 
Other   -    28 
Gross revenue  $62,811   $71,099 
Less: smelting and refining costs   (8,242)   (5,803)
Revenues  $54,569   $65,296 
Silver as % of gross revenue   72%   81%

 

6.COST OF SALES

 

Cost of sales excludes depletion, depreciation and amortization and are costs that are directly related to production and generation of revenues at the operating segments. Significant components of cost of sales are comprised of the following:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Production costs  $29,624   $33,921 
Inventory changes   711    (1,723)
Cost of goods sold  $30,335   $32,198 
Transportation and other selling costs   1,476    1,647 
Workers participation costs   4    779 
Environmental duties and royalties   330    437 
Other costs   191    209 
Cost of sales  $32,336   $35,270 

 

7.GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

General and administrative expenses are incurred to support the administration of the business that are not directly related to production. Significant components of general and administrative expenses are comprised of the following:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Corporate administration  $963   $1,422 
Salaries and benefits   2,102    2,255 
Audit, legal and professional fees   776    831 
Filing and listing fees   129    115 
Directors fees and expenses   187    183 
Depreciation   182    169 
   $4,339   $4,975 

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 9
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

8.INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME

 

The Company’s investment and other income are comprised of the following:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Gain from fair value adjustment of prepayment facilities (Note 18)  $468   $1,425 
Gain from investment in derivatives (Note 13(b))   1,267    1,102 
Gain from investment in marketable securities (Note 13(a))   128    108 
Dilution gain on investment in associates   64    - 
Equity loss on investment in associates   (137)   - 
Interest income and other   2    125 
Gain from value-added tax settlement   -    137 
   $1,792   $2,897 

 

9.FINANCE COSTS

 

Finance costs are primarily related to interest and accretion expense on the Company’s prepayment facilities and finance leases. The Company’s finance costs in the period are summarized as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,  
   2015   2014 
Prepayment facilities  $913   $732 
Finance leases   415    437 
Silver sales and other   95    74 
   $1,423   $1,243 

 

10.EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic net income per share is the net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share adjusts basic net income per share for the effects of dilutive potential common shares.

 

The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are based on the following:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Net (loss) earnings for the period  $(1,105)  $5,980 
           
Weighted average number of shares on issue - basic   117,594,640    117,227,432 
Adjustment for stock options   -    241,368 
Weighted average number of shares on issue - diluted(1)   117,594,640    117,468,800 
           
(Loss) earnings per share - basic  $(0.01)  $0.05 
(Loss) earnings per share - diluted  $(0.01)  $0.05 

 

(1)Diluted weighted average number of shares excludes 8,254,013 (2014 – 6,514,458) options that were anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 10
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

11.TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

Trade and other receivables of the Company are comprised of:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Trade receivables  $7,813   $5,399 
Value added taxes and other taxes receivable   6,220    7,263 
Other   1,493    899 
   $15,526   $13,561 

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company advanced $0.5 million to First Mining Finance Corp. (“First Mining”), a related party. As at March 31, 2015, other receivables include a total amount of $1.1 million (2014 - $0.5 million) receivable from First Mining, which is repayable on demand and bears an interest rate of 9% per annum.

 

12.INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist primarily materials and supplies and products of the Company’s operations, in varying stages of the production process, and are presented at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventories of the Company are comprised of:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Finished product - doré and concentrates  $542   $990 
Work-in-process   738    949 
Stockpile   434    487 
Silver coins and bullion   214    218 
Materials and supplies   14,762    15,005 
   $16,690   $17,649 

 

The amount of inventories recognized as an expense during the period is equivalent to the total of cost of sales plus depletion, depreciation and amortization for the period. As at March 31, 2015, mineral inventories, which consists of stockpile, work-in-progress and finished goods, include a $0.7 million write-down which was recognized in cost of sales during the period. No write-downs were recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

13.OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

 

Other financial assets are comprised of the following:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Marketable securities - fair value through profit or loss (a)  $2,588   $2,460 
Derivatives (b)   1,267    - 
   $3,855   $2,460 

 

(a)Marketable Securities – Fair Value through Profit or Loss

 

As at March 31, 2015, the Company held 400,000 units of Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) with fair value of $2.6 million (December 31, 2014 - $2.5 million), which were acquired at a cost of $5.3 million. These trust units are classified as fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”) marketable securities, with changes in fair value recorded through profit or loss. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $0.1 million (March 31, 2014 – gain of $0.1 million) related to its FVTPL marketable securities.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 11
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

13.OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

 

(b)Derivatives

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company carried forward silver contracts for approximately 1,044,000 ounces of silver at an average forward sale price of $17.79 per ounce, which are rolled forward indefinitely until settlement by physical delivery of the Company’s doré sales. Based on the COMEX closing silver price of $16.58 per ounce, these forward contracts are recorded at their fair value of $1.3 million (December 31, 2014 - $nil).

 

14.MINING INTERESTS

 

Mining interests primarily consist of acquisition, exploration, development and field support costs directly related to the Company’s operations and projects. Upon commencement of commercial production, mining interests for producing properties are depleted on a units-of-production basis over the estimated economic life of the mine. In applying the units of production method, depletion is determined using quantity of material extracted from the mine in the period as a portion of total quantity of material, based on reserves and resources, considered to be highly probable to be economically extracted over the life of mine plan. If no published reserves and resources are available, the Company may rely on internal estimates of economically recoverable mineralized material, prepared on a basis consistent with that used for determining reserves and resources, for purpose of determining depletion.

 

The Company’s mining interests are comprised of the following:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Producing properties  $333,226   $276,399 
Exploration properties (non-depletable)   92,973    146,264 
   $426,199   $422,663 

 

Producing properties are allocated as follows:

 

Producing properties  La Encantada    La Parrilla    Del Toro   San Martin    La Guitarra   Total 
Cost                              
At December 31, 2013  $59,185   $110,655   $31,167   $58,228   $58,774   $318,009 
Additions   12,602    13,901    17,659    7,770    7,367    59,299 
Change in decommissioning liabilities   1,292    1,003    398    1,083    118    3,894 
Transfer (to) from exploration properties   (588)   -    12,689    246    -    12,347 
At December 31, 2014  $72,491   $125,559   $61,913   $67,327   $66,259   $393,549 
Additions   2,118    3,117    2,808    1,444    1,358    10,845 
Transfer from exploration properties   4,177    7,656    17,606    7,588    17,397    54,424 
At March 31, 2015  $78,786   $136,332   $82,327   $76,359   $85,014   $458,818 
                               
Accumulated depletion and impairment                              
At December 31, 2013  $(10,285)  $(15,227)  $(1,224)  $(17,704)  $(5,892)  $(50,332)
Depletion and amortization   (4,264)   (9,589)   (5,036)   (2,772)   (4,172)   (25,833)
Impairment   -    -    (6,142)   (10,211)   (24,632)   (40,985)
At December 31, 2014  $(14,549)  $(24,816)  $(12,402)  $(30,687)  $(34,696)  $(117,150)
Depletion and amortization   (2,871)   (1,874)   (1,604)   (717)   (1,376)   (8,442)
At March 31, 2015  $(17,420)  $(26,690)  $(14,006)  $(31,404)  $(36,072)  $(125,592)
                               
Carrying values                              
At December 31, 2014  $57,942   $100,743   $49,511   $36,640   $31,563   $276,399 
At March 31, 2015  $61,366   $109,642   $68,321   $44,955   $48,942   $333,226 

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 12
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

14.MINING INTERESTS (continued)

 

Exploration properties are allocated as follows:

 

Exploration properties  La Encantada    La Parrilla    Del Toro    San Martin    La Guitarra   Other   Total 
Cost                                   
At December 31, 2013  $4,793   $12,325   $50,146   $18,660   $55,559   $39,280   $180,763 
Additions   2,964    2,936    2,242    1,002    6,467    1,791    17,402 
Change in decommissioning liabilities   -    -    -    -    -    54    54 
Impairment   -    -    (4,389)   (4,241)   (27,232)   -    (35,862)
Disposition (d)   -    -    -    -    -    (3,746)   (3,746)
Transfer from (to) producing properties   588    -    (12,689)   (246)   -    -    (12,347)
At December 31, 2014  $8,345   $15,261   $35,310   $15,175   $34,794   $37,379   $146,264 
Exploration and evaluation expenditures   133    262    193    36    264    245    1,133 
Transfer to producing properties   (4,177)   (7,656)   (17,606)   (7,588)   (17,397)   -    (54,424)
At March 31, 2015  $4,301   $7,867   $17,897   $7,623   $17,661   $37,624   $92,973 

 

(a)La Parrilla Silver Mine, Durango State

 

The La Parrilla Silver Mine has a net smelter royalty (“NSR”) agreement of 1.5% of sales revenue associated with the Quebradillas Mine, a mine within the La Parrilla mining complex, with a maximum cumulative payable of $2.5 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company paid royalties of $0.1 million (2014 - $0.1 million). As at March 31, 2015, total royalties paid to date for the Quebradillas NSR is $2.3 million (December 31, 2014 - $2.2 million).

 

(b)Del Toro Silver Mine, Zacatecas State

 

In 2013, the Company entered into several option agreements to acquire six mineral properties adjacent to the Del Toro Silver Mine, consisting of 492 hectares of mineral rights. If fully exercised, total option payments will amount to $3.3 million, of which $1.7 million have been paid, $1.2 million is due in 2015, $0.2 million is due in 2016 and $0.2 million is due in 2017.

 

(c)La Guitarra Silver Mine, State of Mexico

 

In 2014, the Company entered into two agreements to acquire 757 hectares of adjacent mineral rights at the La Guitarra Silver Mine. The total purchase price amount to $5.4 million, of which $5.2 million is settled in common shares of First Majestic and $0.2 million in cash. As at March 31, 2015, the Company has paid the $0.2 million and issued $3.2 million in common shares. The remaining balance of $2.0 million in common shares will be issued in four equal annual payments based on the Company’s volume weighted average market price at the time of the payments.

 

(d)Other Properties

 

On July 1, 2014, First Majestic divested its subsidiary, Minera Terra Plata, S.A. de C.V., and its group of exploration properties, which had a carrying value of $3.7 million, to Sundance Minerals Ltd. (“Sundance”) (see Note 16).

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 13
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

15.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

The majority of the Company’s property, plant and equipment are used in the Company’s five operating mine segments. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated using either the straight-line or units-of-production method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the expected life of mine. Where an item of property, plant and equipment comprises of major components with different useful lives, the components are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment. Assets under construction are recorded at cost and re-allocated to machinery and equipment when they become available for use.

 

Property, plant and equipment are comprised of the following:

 

   Land and
Buildings(1)
   Machinery and
Equipment(2)
   Assets under
Construction
   Other   Total 
Cost                         
At December 31, 2013  $83,767   $215,296   $52,212   $9,965   $361,240 
Additions   13,190    17,129    4,452    2,043    36,814 
Transfers and disposals(3)   23,678    5,892    (35,458)   (372)   (6,260)
At December 31, 2014  $120,635   $238,317   $21,206   $11,636   $391,794 
Additions   5    879    2,806    91    3,781 
Transfers and disposals   524    1,842    (2,853)   213    (274)
At March 31, 2015  $121,164   $241,038   $21,159   $11,940   $395,301 
                          
Accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment                         
At December 31, 2013  $(13,918)  $(50,879)  $-   $(5,117)  $(69,914)
Depreciation and amortization   (5,878)   (28,188)   -    (1,748)   (35,814)
Transfers and disposals   37    5,587    -    451    6,075 
Impairment   (9,815)   (15,152)   -    (136)   (25,103)
At December 31, 2014  $(29,574)  $(88,632)  $-   $(6,550)  $(124,756)
Depreciation and amortization   (1,127)   (7,533)   -    (361)   (9,021)
Transfers and disposals   -    98    -    1    99 
At March 31, 2015  $(30,701)  $(96,067)  $-   $(6,910)  $(133,678)
                          
Carrying values                         
At December 31, 2014  $91,061   $149,685   $21,206   $5,086   $267,038 
At March 31, 2015  $90,463   $144,971   $21,159   $5,030   $261,623 

 

(1)Included in land and buildings is $6.7 million (December 31, 2014 - $6.7 million) of land properties which are not subject to depreciation.
(2)Included in property, plant and equipment is $42.4 million (December 31, 2014 - $47.4 million) of equipment under finance lease (Note 19).
(3)On January 1, 2014, the commissioning of the 1,000 tpd cyanidation plant at the Del Toro mine was completed as operating levels intended by management have been reached. Accordingly, costs associated with the plant were transferred from assets under construction to buildings, machinery and equipment, with depreciation commencing effective January 1, 2014.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 14
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

15.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

 

Mining assets, including land and buildings, machinery and equipment, assets under construction and other assets above are allocated as follow:

 

   La Encantada   La Parrilla   Del Toro   San Martin   La Guitarra   Other   Total 
Cost                                   
At December 31, 2013  $90,087   $92,013   $101,876   $41,131   $17,973   $18,160   $361,240 
Additions   12,069    5,019    10,167    5,787    1,977    1,795    36,814 
Transfers and disposals   (1,797)   (4,160)   1,286    (2,433)   782    62    (6,260)
At December 31, 2014  $100,359   $92,872   $113,329   $44,485   $20,732   $20,017   $391,794 
Additions   1,505    944    294    697    11    330    3,781 
Transfers and disposals   742    (57)   (559)   (242)   (185)   27    (274)
At March 31, 2015  $102,606   $93,759   $113,064   $44,940   $20,558   $20,374   $395,301 
                                    
Accumulated depreciation and amortization and impairment                     
At December 31, 2013  $(27,842)  $(23,571)  $(3,858)  $(9,549)  $(2,372)  $(2,722)  $(69,914)
Depreciation and amortization   (10,119)   (8,107)   (8,947)   (4,722)   (2,512)   (1,407)   (35,814)
Transfers and disposals   1,022    3,136    (860)   3,173    (380)   (16)   6,075 
Impairment   -    -    (11,019)   (7,292)   (6,792)   -    (25,103)
At December 31, 2014  $(36,939)  $(28,542)  $(24,684)  $(18,390)  $(12,056)  $(4,145)  $(124,756)
Depreciation and amortization   (2,749)   (2,652)   (1,537)   (1,472)   (282)   (329)   (9,021)
Transfers and disposals   (163)   12    150    58    57    (15)   99 
At March 31, 2015  $(39,851)  $(31,182)  $(26,071)  $(19,804)  $(12,281)  $(4,489)  $(133,678)
                                    
Carrying values                                   
At December 31, 2014  $63,420   $64,330   $88,645   $26,095   $8,676   $15,872   $267,038 
At March 31, 2015  $62,755   $62,577   $86,993   $25,136   $8,277   $15,885   $261,623 

 

16.OTHER INVESTMENTS

 

As at December 31, 2014, the Company held a 31.7% interest in Sundance, a privately held exploration company. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, as part of a plan of arrangement, Sundance closed a private placement of CAD$5.0 million in March 2015 and completed the reverse takeover (“RTO”) of Albion Petroleum Ltd. Concurrent with the RTO, subscription receipts of CAD$2.7 million were converted into shares of Sundance. Following the RTO, Sundance changed its name to First Mining Finance Corp. and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “FF”.

 

As a result of the aforementioned transactions, First Majestic’s holding in Sundance was converted on a 1:1 basis into common shares of First Mining, equivalent to 19.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of First Mining at March 31, 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized a gain of $0.1 million in relation to dilution of its investment in First Mining from 31.7% to 19.7%.

 

Due to certain common directors and a common officer, the Company’s investment in First Mining is accounted for as an investment in associate. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s share of First Mining’s net loss was $0.1 million (2014 - $nil).

 

As at March 31, 2015, the Company’s investment in First Mining has a carrying value of $3.3 million and a market value of $4.6 million based on Level 1 fair value measurement.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 15
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

17.TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

The Company’s trade and other payables are primarily comprised of amounts outstanding for purchases relating to mining operations, exploration and evaluation activities and corporate office expenses. The normal credit period for these purchases is between 30 to 90 days.

 

Trade and other payables are comprised of the following items:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Trade payables  $20,877   $25,948 
Accrued liabilities   14,736    14,412 
   $35,613   $40,360 

 

18.PREPAYMENT FACILITIES

 

The Company occasionally enters into prepayment facilities to fund its cash requirements. Under the prepayment facility agreements, the Company receives advance payment by forward selling a pre-determined amounts of its lead and zinc concentrate production.

 

The prepayment facilities are classified as FVTPL financial liabilities and are recorded at fair market value, based on the forward market price of lead and zinc and discounted at effective interest rates between 6.0% to 6.7%. Fair value adjustment gains or losses are recorded as other income.

 

To mitigate potential exposure to future price increases in lead and zinc, the Company has entered into an agreement with the same lender to purchase call options on lead and zinc futures equivalent to a portion of its production to be delivered under the terms of the prepayment facility agreements. The call options are classified as FVTPL financial assets and recorded at fair market value based on quoted market prices, presented on the statements of financial position on an offsetting basis with the prepayment facilities.

 

The Company’s prepayment facilities are comprised of:

 

Metal  Agreement
Date
  Advance
Amount
   Interest
Rate
   Maturity
Date
  Contract
Quantity (MT)
   Remaining
Quantity (MT)
    March 31,
2015
    December 31,
2014
 
Lead  Dec 2012  $24,684    4.34%   Jun 2016   12,158    6,259   $10,918   $13,189 
Lead  Apr 2014  $30,000    4.05%   Sept 2017   15,911    15,160    24,912    26,356 
Zinc  Dec 2012  $25,316    4.34%   Jun 2016   13,176    6,852    13,529    16,431 
                             $49,359   $55,976 
Remaining repayments                  
Less than one year          $30,616   $29,389 
One to three years                 29,307    37,230 
Gross value of remaining repayments                    59,923    66,619 
Cumulative mark-to-market adjustment of remaining repayments, including call options    (6,667)   (5,834)
Adjusted value of remaining repayments                       53,256    60,785 
Less: future finance charges                    (3,897)   (4,809)
                             $49,359   $55,976 
Statements of Financial Position Presentation                              
Current portion of prepayment facilities                     $27,962   $26,329 
Prepayment facilities                 21,397    29,647 
                             $49,359   $55,976 

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 16
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

18.PREPAYMENT FACILITIES (continued)

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company has realized a gain of $0.7 million (2014 - $0.2 million) on the forward sales contracts and an unrealized gain of $0.5 million (2014 - $1.4 million) on fair value adjustments of the prepayment facilities and associated call options.

 

19.LEASE OBLIGATIONS

 

The Company has finance leases for various mine and plant equipment. These leases have terms of 36 to 60 months with interest rates ranging from 4.8% to 8.0%. Assets under finance leases are pledged as security against lease obligations.

 

The following is a schedule of future minimum lease payments due under the Company’s finance lease contracts:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Less than one year  $12,225   $12,883 
More than one year but not more than five years   14,268    16,547 
Gross payments   26,493    29,430 
Less: future finance charges   (2,194)   (2,547)
Present value of minimum lease payments  $24,299   $26,883 
Statement of Financial Position Presentation          
Current portion of lease obligations  $10,889   $11,428 
Lease obligations   13,410    15,455 
Present value of minimum lease payments  $24,299   $26,883 

 

20.SHARE CAPITAL

 

(a)Authorized and issued capital

 

The Company has unlimited authorized common shares with no par value. The movement in the Company’s issued and outstanding capital during the period is summarized in the Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity.

 

(b)Stock options

 

Under the terms of the Company’s Stock Option Plan, the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan is 10% of the issued shares on a rolling basis. Options may be exercisable over periods of up to five years as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company and the exercise price shall not be less than the closing price of the shares on the day preceding the award date, subject to regulatory approval. All stock options granted prior to May 19, 2011 are subject to vesting with 25% vesting upon issuance and 25% vesting each six months thereafter. All stock options granted thereafter are subject to vesting with 25% vesting on first anniversary from the date of grant, and 25% vesting each six months thereafter.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 17
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

20.SHARE CAPITAL (continued)

 

(b)Stock options (continued)

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as at March 31, 2015:

 

   Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable 
Exercise prices (CAD$)   Number of
Options
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
(CAD$/Share)
   Weighted
Average
Remaining Life
(Years)
    Number of
Options
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
(CAD$/Share)
   Weighted
Average
Remaining Life
(Years)
 
5.01 - 10.00   2,398,555    6.21    4.77    -    -    - 
10.01 - 15.00   2,908,342    11.00    3.38    935,205    11.61    2.34 
15.01 - 20.00   1,355,900    16.71    1.71    1,355,900    16.71    1.71 
20.01 - 22.45   1,691,216    21.60    2.72    1,268,413    21.60    2.72 
    8,354,013    12.70    3.36    3,559,518    17.11    2.24 

 

The movements in stock options issued during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
   Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 
    Number of
Options
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
(CAD$/Share)
   Number of
Options
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
(CAD$/Share)
 
Balance, beginning of the period   6,084,458    15.24    5,208,520    16.85 
Granted   2,367,055    6.22    2,549,142    10.57 
Exercised   -    -    (372,500)   4.29 
Cancelled or expired   (97,500)   14.00    (1,300,704)   15.67 
Balance, end of the period   8,354,013    12.70    6,084,458    15.24 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the aggregate fair value of stock options granted was CAD$3.8 million (December 31, 2014 – CAD$8.4 million), or a weighted average fair value of CAD$2.03 per stock option granted (December 31, 2014 – CAD$3.30).

 

The following weighted average assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model:

 

Assumption  Based on  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
   Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 
Risk-free interest rate (%)  Yield curves on Canadian government zero-coupon bonds with a remaining term equal to the stock options’ expected life   1.13    1.44 
Expected life (years)  Average of the expected vesting term and expiry term of the option   3.38    3.38 
Expected volatility (%)  Historical and implied volatility of the precious metals mining sector   44.00    41.20 
Expected dividend yield (%)  Annualized dividend rate as of the date of grant   0.00    0.00 

 

The weighted average closing share price at date of exercise for the year ended December 31, 2014 was CAD$8.85. No options were exercised in the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 18
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

20.SHARE CAPITAL (continued)

 

(c)Share repurchase program

 

The Company has an ongoing share repurchase program to repurchase up to 5,879,732 of its common shares, which represents approximately 5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares. The normal course issuer bids will be carried through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange. No shares were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

21.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED RISK MANAGEMENT

 

The Company’s financial instruments and related risk management objectives, policies, exposures and sensitivity related to financial risks are summarized below.

 

(a)Fair value and categories of financial instruments

 

Financial instruments included in the condensed interim consolidated statements of financial position are measured either at fair value or amortized cost. Estimated fair values for financial instruments are designed to approximate amounts for which the instruments could be exchanged in an arm’s-length transaction between knowledgeable and willing parties.

 

The Company uses various valuation techniques in determining the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the extent to which the fair value is observable. The following fair value hierarchy is used to categorize and disclose the Company’s financial assets and liabilities held at fair value for which a valuation technique is used:

 

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.
   
Level 2: All inputs which have a significant effect on the fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full contractual term.
   
Level 3: Inputs which have a significant effect on the fair value are not based on observable market data.

 

The table below summarizes the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of each financial instrument:

 

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value   Valuation Method
Cash equivalents (short-term investments)   Assumed to approximate carrying value
Trade receivables (related to concentrate sales)   Receivables that are subject to provisional pricing and final price adjustment at the end of the quotational period are estimated based on observable forward price of metal per London Metal Exchange (Level 2)
Marketable securities
Silver futures and silver forwards derivatives
  Based on quoted market prices for identical assets in an active market (Level 1) as at the date of statements of financial position
Prepayment facilities   Based on observable forward price curve of lead and zinc per London Metal Exchange (Level 2). Related call options are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in an active market (Level 1) as at the date of statements of financial position
     
Financial Instruments Measured at Amortized Costs   Valuation Method
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
  Approximated carrying value due to their short-term nature
Finance leases   Assumed to approximate carrying value

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 19
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

21.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

 

(a)Fair value and categories of financial instruments (continued)

 

The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value:

 

   March 31, 2015    December 31, 2014  
        Fair value measurement         Fair value measurement  
   Carrying value    Level 1     Level 2    Carrying value    Level 1     Level 2  
Financial assets                              
Trade receivables  $7,061   $-   $7,061  $4,741   $-   $4,741 
Marketable securities   2,588    2,588    -   2,460    2,460    - 
Derivatives   1,267    1,267    -    -    -    - 
Financial liabilities                              
Prepayment facilities  $49,359   $(778)  $50,137   $55,976   $(1,132)  $57,108 

 

There were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(b)Capital risk management

 

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to maintain financial flexibility to continue as a going concern while optimizing growth and maximizing returns of investments from shareholders. The Company’s overall strategy with respect to capital risk management remains unchanged from the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

The Company monitors its capital structure and, based on changes in operations and economic conditions, may adjust the structure by repurchasing shares, issuing new shares, issuing new debt or retiring existing debt. The Company prepares annual budget and quarterly forecasts to facilitate the management of its capital requirements. The annual budget is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

The capital of the Company consists of equity (comprising of issued capital, equity reserves and retained earnings), prepayment facilities, lease obligations, net of cash and cash equivalents as follows:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Equity  $521,037   $520,533 
Prepayment facilities   49,359    55,976 
Lease obligations   24,299    26,883 
Less: cash and cash equivalents   (22,384)   (40,345)
   $572,311   $563,047 

 

The Company’s investment policy is to invest its cash in highly liquid short-term investments with maturities of 90 days or less, selected with regards to the expected timing of expenditures from continuing operations. The Company expects that its available capital resources will be sufficient to carry out its development plans and operations for at least the next 12 months.

 

The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements with the exception of complying with covenants under the prepayment facility agreements. As at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 20
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

21.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

 

(c)Financial risk management

 

There are no significant changes in financial risk management compared to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, except for the following:

 

Liquidity Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they arise. The Company has in place a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company’s normal operating requirements and contractual obligations. The Company believes it has sufficient cash on hand, combined with cash flows from operations, to meet operating requirements as they arise for at least the next 12 months.

 

The following table summarizes the maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities and commitments based on the undiscounted contractual cash flows:

 

   Carrying Amount
as at
   Contractual   Less than    1 to 3    4 to 5    After 5 
   March 31, 2015   Cash Flows   1 year   years   years   years 
Trade and other payables  $35,613   $35,613   $35,613   $-   $-   $- 
Prepayment facilities   49,359    59,923    30,616    29,307    -    - 
Finance lease obligations   24,299    26,493    12,225    13,652    616    - 
Decommissioning liabilities   15,250    16,816    -    -    -    16,816 
   $124,521   $138,845   $78,454   $42,959   $616   $16,816 

 

Currency Risk

 

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk primarily relating to financial instruments that are denominated in Canadian dollars or Mexican pesos, which would impact the Company’s net earnings and other comprehensive income. To manage foreign exchange risk, the Company may occasionally enter into short-term foreign currency derivatives. The foreign currency derivatives are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes.

 

The sensitivity of the Company’s net earnings and comprehensive income due to changes in the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar is included in the table below:

 

    March 31, 2015         December 31, 2014  
   Cash and cash
equivalents
   Trade and
other
receivables
   Trade and
other payables
   Net assets
(liabilities)
exposure
   Effect of +/- 10%
change in
currency
   Net assets
(liabilities)
exposure
   Effect of +/- 10%
change in
currency
 
Canadian dollar  $4,335   $1,209   $(598)  $4,946   $495   $6,791   $679 
Mexican peso   673    6,351    (19,656)   (12,632)   (1,263)   (12,430)   (1,243)
   $5,008   $7,560   $(20,254)  $(7,686)  $(769)  $(5,639)  $(564)

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

The Company is exposed to commodity price risk on silver, gold, lead and zinc, which have a direct and immediate impact on the value of its related financial instruments and net earnings. The Company’s revenues are directly dependent on commodity prices that have shown volatility and are beyond the Company’s control. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge its commodity price risk to silver but has various short-term forward silver contracts to sell its doré production (see Note 13(b)) and forward sales agreements to sell a portion of its lead and zinc production at a fixed price (see Note 18). The Company purchased call options on lead and zinc futures to mitigate potential exposure against the forward sales agreements for lead and zinc forward sales agreements.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 21
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

21.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED RISK MANAGEMENT (continued)

 

(c)Financial risk management (continued)

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s exposure to commodity price risk and their impact on net earnings:

 

    March 31, 2015  
   Silver   Gold   Lead   Zinc   Effect of +/-
10% change in
metal prices
 
Metals subject to provisional price adjustments  $724   $36   $586   $340   $1,686 
Metals in doré and concentrates inventory   60    8    3    4    75 
Metals in forward silver contracts (Note 13(b))   1,733    -    -    -    1,733 
Prepayment facilities (Note 18)   -    -    (3,873)   (1,422)   (5,295)
   $2,517   $44   $(3,284)  $(1,078)  $(1,801)

 

    December 31, 2014  
    Silver     Gold     Lead     Zinc     Effect of +/-
10% change in
metal prices
 
Metals subject to provisional price adjustments  $969   $48   $938   $109   $2,064 
Metals in doré and concentrates inventory   86    13    6    -    105 
Prepayment facilities   -    -    (4,204)   (1,670)   (5,874)
   $1,055   $61   $(3,260)  $(1,561)  $(3,705)

 

22.SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

       Three Months Ended March 31, 
   Note   2015   2014 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows  before movements in working capital:               
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities       $197   $202 
Gain from silver futures and marketable securities   13    (1,395)   (1,210)
Gain on fair value adjustment on prepayment facilities   18    (1,218)   (1,578)
Dilution gain on investment in associates   16    (64)   - 
Equity loss on investment in associates   16    137    - 
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss and other        (1,526)   78 
        $(3,869)  $(2,508)
Net change in non-cash working capital items:               
Increase in trade and other receivables       $(1,965)  $(2,473)
Decrease (increase) in inventories        958    (2,652)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other        (747)   149 
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable        587    (523)
(Decrease) increase in trade and other payables        (7,166)   1,667 
        $(8,333)  $(3,832)

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 22
 

  

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

22.SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (continued)

 

       Three Months Ended March 31, 
   Note   2015   2014 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:               
Assets acquired by finance lease       $(957)  $- 
Acquisition of mining interests   14(c)   -    (2,820)
Transfer of share-based payments reserve upon exercise of options        -    274 
        $(957)  $(2,546)

 

23.CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER MATTERS

 

Due to the size, complexity and nature of the Company’s operations, various legal and tax matters arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for such items when a liability is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, these matters will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

Mexican Federal Labour Law

 

In 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 workers’ participation benefits. These amendments may have an effect on the distribution of profits to workers and result in additional financial obligations to the Company. The Company continues to be in compliance with the federal labour law and believes that these amendments will not result in any new material obligations. Based on this assessment, the Company has not accrued any provisions as at March 31, 2015. The Company will continue to monitor developments in Mexico and to assess the potential impact of these amendments.

 

First Silver Litigation

 

In April 2013, the Company received a positive judgment on the First Silver litigation from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Court”), which awarded the sum of $93.8 million in favour of First Majestic against Hector Davila Santos (the “Defendant”). The Company received a sum of $14.1 million in June 2013 as partial payment of the judgment, leaving an unpaid amount of approximately $64.3 million (CAD$81.5 million). As part of the ruling, the Court granted orders restricting any transfer or encumbrance of the Bolaños Mine by the defendant and limiting mining at the Bolaños Mine. The orders also require that the defendant to preserve net cash flow from the Bolaños Mine in a holding account and periodically provide to the Company certain information regarding the Bolaños Mine. However, there can be no guarantee that the remainder of the judgment amount will be collected and it is likely that it will be necessary to take additional action in Mexico and/or elsewhere to recover the balance. Therefore, as at March 31, 2015, the Company has not accrued any of the remaining $64.3 million (CAD$81.5 million) unpaid judgment in favour of the Company.

 

24.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The following significant events occurred subsequent to March 31, 2015:

 

a)the Company completed a CAD$30.0 million bought deal private placement by issuing 4,620,000 common shares at a price of $6.50 per share;
b)112,500 options were granted with a weighted average exercise price of CAD$6.90 and expire in five years from the grant date; and
c)20,000 options were cancelled.

 

Pursuant to the above subsequent events, the Company has 122,214,640 common shares outstanding as at the date on which these consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors (see Note 25).

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 23
 

  

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited (Tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars)

 

25.APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The condensed interim consolidated financial statements of First Majestic Silver Corp. for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on May 6, 2015.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter ReportPage 24

 



 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2015

 

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1805, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6C 3L2

Phone: 604.688.3033 | Fax: 604.639.8873| Toll Free: 1.866.529.2807 | Email: info@firstmajestic.com

www.firstmajestic.com

 

 
 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements of First Majestic Silver Corp. (“First Majestic” or “the Company”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”). All dollar amounts are expressed in United States (“US”) dollars and tabular amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars, unless otherwise indicated. This MD&A contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risk factors set out in a cautionary note contained at the end of this MD&A. All information contained in this MD&A is current and has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company as of May 6, 2015 unless otherwise stated.

 

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

First Majestic is a mining company focused on silver production in México, pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets and acquiring new assets. The Company presently owns and operates five producing silver mines: the La Encantada Silver Mine, La Parrilla Silver Mine, Del Toro Silver Mine, San Martin Silver Mine and the La Guitarra Silver Mine.

 

First Majestic is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AG”, on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “FR”, on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol “AG” and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “FMV”.

 

2015 FIRST QUARTER PERFORMANCE

 

   First Quarter   First Quarter       Fourth Quarter     
Key Performance Metrics  2015   2014   Change   2014   Change 
Operational                         
Ore Processed / Tonnes Milled   631,609    637,663    (1%)   683,528    (8%)
Silver Ounces Produced   2,776,855    2,895,497    (4%)   3,074,567    (10%)
Silver Equivalent Ounces Produced   3,905,270    3,631,672    8%   4,247,527    (8%)
Cash Costs per Ounce(1)  $8.22   $9.88    (17%)  $8.51    (3%)
All-in Sustaining Cost per Ounce(1)  $13.88   $18.71    (26%)  $14.43    (4%)
Total Production Cost per Tonne(1)  $46.90   $53.20    (12%)  $47.15    (1%)
Average Realized Silver Price per Ounce ($/eq. oz.)(1)  $17.05   $20.90    (18%)  $16.30    5%
                          
Financial (in $millions)                         
Revenues  $54.6   $65.3    (16%)  $72.5    (25%)
Mine Operating Earnings(2)  $5.0   $16.6    (70%)  $5.8    (14%)
Net (Loss) Earnings  $(1.1)  $6.0    (118%)  $(64.6)   98%
Operating Cash Flows before Working Capital and Taxes(2)  $17.3   $25.4    (32%)  $21.1    (18%)
Cash and Cash Equivalents  $22.4   $41.5    (46%)  $40.3    (45%)
Working Capital(1)  $(12.6)  $18.7    (167%)  $(2.9)   (339%)
                          
Shareholders                         
(Loss) Earnings per Share ("EPS") - Basic  $(0.01)  $0.05    (118%)  $(0.55)   98%
Adjusted EPS(1)  $(0.00)  $0.06    (105%)  $0.04    (108%)
Cash Flow per Share(1)  $0.15   $0.22    (32%)  $0.18    (18%)

 

(1)The Company reports non-GAAP measures which include cash costs per ounce, all-in sustaining cost per ounce, total production cost per tonne, average realized silver price per ounce, working capital, adjusted EPS and cash flow per share. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. See “Non-GAAP Measures” on pages 26 to 29 for a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures.
(2)The Company reports additional GAAP measures which include mine operating earnings and operating cash flows before working capital and taxes. These additional financial measures are intended to provide additional information and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. See descriptions in “Additional GAAP Measures” on page 29.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 1
 

 

2015 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

 

First Quarter Production Summary  La Encantada   La Parrilla   Del Toro   San Martin   La Guitarra   Consolidated 
Ore Processed / Tonnes Milled   167,270    172,647    157,934    88,362    45,396    631,609 
Silver Ounces Produced   544,735    622,237    841,026    571,937    196,920    2,776,855 
Silver Equivalent Ounces Produced   548,124    1,080,445    1,327,628    682,071    267,002    3,905,270 
Cash Costs per Ounce  $14.27   $7.75   $5.09   $6.29   $11.28   $8.22 
All-in Sustaining Cost per Ounce  $17.85   $12.58   $7.25   $8.69   $17.71   $13.88 
Total Production Cost per Tonne  $43.96   $42.64   $47.87   $58.06   $48.88   $46.90 

 

Operational

 

·Total production in the quarter amounted to 3,905,270 ounces of silver equivalent ounces, a decrease of 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease in production was primarily attributed to a decrease of 244,481 ounces at La Encantada due to disruptions at the processing plant related to expansion construction activities, and a decrease of 65,387 ounces at La Guitarra due to lower grade stopes being processed during the quarter. Head grades at these mines are expected to improve in the second half of the year as the Company plans to increase investment in underground development.

 

·A total of 2,776,855 silver ounces were produced in the quarter, a decrease of 10% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease was primarily attributed to decrease in silver production at La Encantada due to the reduced tonnage and lower silver grades.

 

·Cash costs per ounce decreased 3% from $8.51 in the fourth quarter of 2014 to $8.22 in the current quarter. The Del Toro mine continued to see further cash cost reductions of 28% or $1.94 per ounce to $5.09 per ounce compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. San Martin reduced its cash costs by 14% compared to the previous quarter. However, cash costs for La Encantada increased by 24% to $14.27 per ounce in the first quarter and La Guitarra increased by 19% to $11.28 per ounce in the first quarter due to lower silver grades and construction related disruptions in the crushing and grinding areas at the La Encantada plant.

 

·All-in sustaining costs per ounce (“AISC”) improved 4% from $14.43 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2014 to $13.88 in the current quarter with Del Toro and San Martin reducing its AISC by 29% and 9%, respectively, offset by La Parrilla which saw its AISC increase by 13% as a result of a 12% decrease in payable silver ounces produced.

 

Financial

 

·Generated revenues of $54.6 million in the quarter, a decrease of 16% or $10.7 million compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to an 18% decrease in silver prices, partially offset by an 8% increase in silver equivalent ounces sold.

 

·The Company recognized mine operating earnings of $5.0 million compared to $16.6 million in the first quarter of 2014. The decrease in mine operating earnings was attributed to a decline in silver prices and higher depletion, depreciation and amortization expense in the first quarter, despite a 17% reduction in cash costs per ounce.

 

·Generated net loss of $1.1 million (EPS of ($0.01)) compared to net earnings of $6.0 million (EPS of $0.05) in the first quarter of 2014. After excluding non-cash and non-recurring items including the write-down of mineral inventories, share-based payments, gains from marketable securities and derivatives, gains from prepayment facilities and deferred income tax expense (see “Adjusted EPS” on page 28), the adjusted net loss was $0.3 million (Adjusted EPS of $(0.00)).

 

·Cash flows from operations before movements in working capital and income taxes in the quarter decreased to $17.3 million ($0.15 per share) compared to $25.4 million ($0.22 per share) in the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to a decrease in gross margins, which were impacted by lower silver prices.

 

Corporate Development and Other

 

·On April 22, 2015, the Company completed a CAD$30.0 million bought deal private placement, issuing 4,620,000 common shares at a price of $6.50 per share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the private placement for general working capital purposes and to ramp up the development of the La Guitarra Silver Mine in order to bring the Nazareno area online by year end and to advance the permitting and planning process to develop Mina de Agua and El Rincon areas at La Guitarra. In addition, the Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds for the preparation of a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Plomosas Silver Project.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 2
 

 

REVIEW OF OPERATING RESULTS

 

Selected Production Results on a Mine-by-Mine Basis for the Past Eight Quarters

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Production Highlights  Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2 
Ore processed/tonnes milled                                        
La Encantada   167,270    186,411    169,659    183,177    181,924    252,467    248,578    269,517 
La Parrilla   172,647    175,830    178,252    171,617    186,216    200,541    189,664    193,470 
Del Toro   157,934    175,552    134,474    174,645    144,822    122,838    77,439    74,193 
San Martin   88,362    96,651    92,498    96,278    78,524    78,805    78,284    85,483 
La Guitarra   45,396    49,084    46,313    45,307    46,177    46,966    47,380    45,735 
Consolidated   631,609    683,528    621,196    671,024    637,663    701,617    641,345    668,398 
Silver equivalent ounces produced                                        
La Encantada   548,124    792,605    813,701    1,079,122    1,046,224    962,505    931,027    1,132,399 
La Parrilla   1,080,445    1,159,177    1,168,240    1,142,432    1,203,337    1,151,728    1,208,635    952,819 
Del Toro   1,327,628    1,264,751    712,860    899,710    801,460    693,561    567,723    499,357 
San Martin   682,071    698,605    584,822    510,697    324,137    313,834    377,816    402,798 
La Guitarra   267,002    332,389    243,913    223,262    256,514    299,533    285,256    280,744 
Consolidated   3,905,270    4,247,527    3,523,536    3,855,223    3,631,672    3,421,161    3,370,457    3,268,117 
Silver ounces produced                                        
La Encantada   544,735    788,369    806,055    1,073,636    1,043,573    959,312    900,077    1,104,973 
La Parrilla   622,237    646,283    705,928    716,045    808,196    813,090    866,710    710,979 
Del Toro   841,026    817,754    495,714    730,580    646,669    550,026    416,716    369,772 
San Martin   571,937    592,698    509,046    449,045    282,829    280,490    339,099    371,301 
La Guitarra   196,920    229,463    163,696    128,912    114,230    143,680    166,635    210,941 
Consolidated   2,776,855    3,074,567    2,680,439    3,098,218    2,895,497    2,746,598    2,689,237    2,767,966 
Cash cost per ounce                                        
La Encantada  $14.27   $11.50   $11.39   $8.67   $8.67   $10.61   $10.70   $8.85 
La Parrilla  $7.75   $7.42   $5.87   $5.76   $6.21   $6.45   $6.54   $9.20 
Del Toro  $5.09   $7.03   $15.94   $14.70   $16.50   $12.16   $9.29   $8.20 
San Martin  $6.29   $7.32   $9.60   $10.02   $12.94   $13.96   $10.34   $10.91 
La Guitarra  $11.28   $9.45   $10.91   $9.48   $2.14   $4.08   $5.63   $13.21 
Consolidated  $8.22   $8.51   $10.41   $9.63   $9.88   $9.66   $8.84   $9.43 
All-in sustaining cost per ounce                                        
La Encantada  $17.85   $17.76   $17.32   $14.25   $13.70    n/a    n/a    n/a 
La Parrilla  $12.58   $11.09   $11.77   $11.42   $11.99    n/a    n/a    n/a 
Del Toro  $7.25   $10.16   $25.39   $20.44   $22.74    n/a    n/a    n/a 
San Martin  $8.69   $9.54   $14.11   $15.89   $20.43    n/a    n/a    n/a 
La Guitarra  $17.71   $17.21   $27.74   $23.39   $17.27    n/a    n/a    n/a 
Consolidated  $13.88   $14.43   $19.89   $18.18   $18.71    n/a    n/a    n/a 
Production cost per tonne                                        
La Encantada  $43.96   $45.29   $50.82   $46.47   $45.77   $37.49   $37.50   $34.70 
La Parrilla  $42.64   $42.68   $44.48   $45.58   $41.38   $35.80   $40.82   $37.79 
Del Toro  $47.87   $46.83   $66.95   $62.70   $77.09   $57.56   $55.35   $40.38 
San Martin  $58.06   $59.34   $64.57   $55.38   $56.21   $54.07   $53.13   $52.62 
La Guitarra  $48.88   $47.30   $48.01   $47.44   $50.07   $52.87   $50.25   $49.90 
Consolidated  $46.90   $47.15   $54.34   $51.81   $53.20   $42.69   $43.49   $39.57 

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 3
 

 

Operating Results – Consolidated Operations

 

   First Quarter   First Quarter       Fourth Quarter     
Key Performance Metrics  2015   2014   Change   2014   Change 
Production                         
Ore processed/tonnes milled   631,609    637,663    (1%)   683,528    (8%)
Average silver grade (g/t)   186    214    (13%)   201    (8%)
Recovery (%)   74%   66%   12%   70%   6%
                          
Total silver ounces produced   2,776,855    2,895,497    (4%)   3,074,567    (10%)
Total payable silver ounces produced   2,650,629    2,842,241    (7%)   3,011,854    (12%)
Gold ounces produced   2,970    3,375    (12%)   3,326    (11%)
Pounds of lead produced   11,286,880    8,593,807    31%   11,764,160    (4%)
Pounds of zinc produced   6,349,692    2,689,274    136%   4,580,260    39%
Tonnes of iron ore produced   -    188    (100%)   -    0%
Total production - ounces silver equivalent   3,905,270    3,631,672    8%   4,247,527    (8%)
                          
Underground development (m)   9,828    12,215    (20%)   11,772    (17%)
Diamond drilling (m)   5,425    7,190    (25%)   5,990    (9%)
                          
Costs                         
Mining cost per ounce  $4.22   $4.07    4%  $3.70    14%
Milling cost per ounce   4.82    6.07    (21%)   4.84    (0%)
Indirect cost per ounce   2.14    1.79    20%   2.14    (0%)
Total production cost per ounce  $11.18   $11.93    (6%)  $10.68    5%
Transport and other selling costs per ounce   0.56    0.58    (4%)   0.61    (9%)
Smelting and refining costs per ounce   3.11    2.04    52%   2.71    15%
Environmental duty and royalties per ounce   0.12    0.15    (17%)   0.12    4%
Cash cost per ounce before by-product credits  $14.97   $14.70    2%  $14.12    6%
Deduct: By-product credits   (6.75)   (4.82)   40%   (5.61)   20%
Cash cost per ounce  $8.22   $9.88    (17%)  $8.51    (3%)
                          
Workers’ Participation   0.00    0.28    (99%)   0.07    (98%)
General and administrative expenses   1.57    1.75    (10%)   1.33    18%
Share-based payments   0.61    0.93    (35%)   0.25    146%
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   0.07    0.07    5%   0.06    17%
Sustaining capital expenditures   3.41    5.80    (41%)   4.21    (19%)
All-In Sustaining Costs  $13.88   $18.71    (26%)  $14.43    (4%)
                          
Mining cost per tonne  $17.69   $18.16    (3%)  $16.30    9%
Milling cost per tonne   20.23    27.05    (25%)   21.42    (6%)
Indirect cost per tonne   8.98    7.99    12%   9.44    (5%)
Total production cost per tonne  $46.90   $53.20    (12%)  $47.15    (1%)

 

Production

 

Total production for the quarter was 3,905,270 silver equivalent ounces and consisted of 2,776,855 ounces of silver, 2,970 ounces of gold, 11,286,880 pounds of lead and 6,349,692 pounds of zinc. The decrease in production compared to the previous quarter was primarily attributed to a decrease of 244,481 ounces at La Encantada due to disruptions at the processing plant related to expansion construction activities, and a decrease of 65,387 ounces at La Guitarra due to lower grade stopes being processed during the quarter. At La Encantada, a 29% decrease in average silver grade and 10% lower tonnage milled had a significant impact on production in the quarter due to lower grade stopes where ore was mined and impact on throughput due to the installation of a new tertiary crusher in January.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 4
 

 

Cash Cost per Ounce

 

Cash cost per ounce (after by-product credits) for the quarter was $8.22 per payable ounce of silver, a decrease of 3% compared to $8.51 in the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease is primarily attributed to continual improvements at Del Toro, which had a cash cost of $5.09 per ounce in the first quarter compared to $7.03 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2014, along with the favourable foreign exchange effect, as the average Mexican Peso weakened against the U.S. Dollar by 8% during the quarter compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Compared to the first quarter of 2014, cash cost per ounce decreased by $1.66 per ounce or 17%. The decrease in cash cost per ounce was primarily attributed to economies of scale from higher production at the Del Toro and San Martin mines, as well as the weaker Mexican Peso. At Del Toro, cash costs decreased by $11.41 per ounce or 69% compared to the same quarter of the prior year due to higher tonnage milled, improvements in recoveries and cost savings contributed by the newly constructed 115 kilovolt power line supplying 100% of the required power to the mine, mill and buildings. At San Martin, cash costs decreased by $6.65 per ounce or 51% compared to the first quarter of 2014, which was attributed to 102% more silver ounces produced due to increases in average silver grades, tonnage, and recoveries.

 

All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce

 

All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) for the quarter was $13.88 per ounce, a 4% reduction compared to $14.43 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2014 and a 26% reduction compared to $18.71 per ounce in the first quarter of 2014. AISC improved significantly in the past two quarters as a result of economies of scale attributed to production improvements from Del Toro and San Martin. In addition, the Company has started to see cost savings materializing from the new power line at Del Toro and ongoing re-negotiation with suppliers and contractors, staff reductions and the effect of the weaker Mexican Peso.

 

Head Grades and Recoveries

 

The overall average head grade for the quarter was 186 grams per tonne (“g/t”), an 8% decrease compared to 201 g/t in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 13% compared to 214 g/t in the first quarter of 2014. Compared to the previous quarter, the decrease in average silver head grade was mostly attributed to the 29% decrease in average head grade at La Encantada, which was impacted by mining lower grade stopes. Compared to the first quarter of 2014, the decrease in head grade was attributed to a 44% decrease in La Encantada and 18% decrease in La Parrilla, whereas La Guitarra experienced a 69% boost as the Company completed the transition from working in the old La Guitarra zone to the newly developed Coloso zone and San Martin had a 59% increase in average silver grade due to high grades from the new Rosario mine vein.

 

Combined recoveries of silver for all mines in the quarter were 74% compared to 70% in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 66% in the first quarter of 2014 due to plant optimization.

 

Development and Exploration

 

In mine development, a total of 9,828 metres of underground development was completed during the quarter, compared to 11,772 metres developed in the fourth quarter of 2014, and 12,215 metres completed in the first quarter of 2014. The decrease in mine development is the result of budgetary constraints implemented due to the low silver price environment.

 

In exploration, there are currently 12 active drill rigs at the Company’s five operating mines, four rigs at Del Toro, three each at La Encantada and La Parrilla, and two at La Guitarra. During the quarter, a total of 5,425 metres were drilled consisting of underground definition, in-fill drilling and expansionary surface drilling primarily at Del Toro. This represents a decrease compared to 5,990 metres drilled in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 7,190 metres drilled in the first quarter of 2014.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 5
 

 

La Encantada Silver Mine, Coahuila, México

 

The La Encantada Silver Mine is an underground mine located in the northern México State of Coahuila, 708 kilometres northeast of Torreon. The mine is comprised of 4,076 hectares of mining rights and surface land ownership of 1,343 hectares. La Encantada consists of a 4,000 tpd cyanidation plant, a village with 180 houses as well as administrative offices, laboratory, general store, hospital, schools, church, airstrip and the infrastructure required for such an operation. The mine is accessible via a 1.5 hour flight from Torreon, Coahuila to the mine’s private airstrip or via mostly paved road from the closest town, Muzquiz, which is 225 kilometres away. The Company owns 100% of the La Encantada Silver Mine.

 

   First Quarter   First Quarter       Fourth Quarter     
LA ENCANTADA  2015   2014   Change   2014   Change 
PRODUCTION                         
Ore processed/tonnes milled   167,270    181,924    (8%)   186,411    (10%)
Average silver grade (g/t)   176    312    (44%)   248    (29%)
Recovery (%)   58%   57%   1%   53%   9%
                          
Total silver ounces produced   544,735    1,043,573    (48%)   788,369    (31%)
Total payable silver ounces produced   542,556    1,039,398    (48%)   785,215    (31%)
Gold ounces produced   47    20    135%   59    (20%)
Tonnes of iron ore produced   -    188    (100%)   -    0%
Total production - ounces silver equivalent   548,124    1,046,224    (48%)   792,605    (31%)
                          
Underground development (m)   2,989    2,842    5%   4,344    (31%)
Diamond drilling (m)   828    5,923    (86%)   3,367    (75%)
                          
COST                         
Mining cost per ounce  $3.82   $2.56    49%  $3.38    13%
Milling cost per ounce   6.76    4.20    61%   5.43    24%
Indirect cost per ounce   2.98    1.25    138%   1.90    57%
Total production cost per ounce  $13.56   $8.01    69%  $10.71    27%
Transport and other selling costs per ounce   0.22    0.22    0%   0.26    (15%)
Smelting and refining costs per ounce   0.45    0.36    25%   0.42    7%
Environmental duty and royalties per ounce   0.09    0.11    (18%)   0.11    (18%)
Cash cost per ounce before by-product credits  $14.32   $8.70    65%  $11.50    25%
Deduct: By-product credits   (0.05)   (0.03)   85%   0.00    100%
Cash cost per ounce  $14.27   $8.67    65%  $11.50    24%
                          
Workers’ Participation   (0.01)   0.75    (101%)   (0.41)   (98%)
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   0.10    0.05    108%   0.07    39%
Sustaining capital expenditures   3.48    4.23    (18%)   6.59    (47%)
All-In Sustaining Costs  $17.85   $13.70    30%  $17.76    0%
                          
Mining cost per tonne  $12.38   $14.63    (15%)  $14.22    (13%)
Milling cost per tonne   21.93    24.00    (9%)   23.06    (5%)
Indirect cost per tonne   9.65    7.14    35%   8.01    21%
Total production cost per tonne  $43.96   $45.77    (4%)  $45.29    (3%)

 

A total of 548,124 equivalent ounces of silver were produced by the La Encantada processing plant during the first quarter. Production in the current quarter decreased by 31% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 primarily due to a 29% decrease in silver grade, a 10% decrease in processed ore, offset by a 9% increase in average recoveries. The reduction in grade was a result of mining lower grade stopes during the quarter. The Company is planning on accelerating the underground development into the recently discovered Ojuelas ore body and is advancing the block caving system in order to have additional production areas ready for the ramp up to 3,000 tpd in July 2015. The decrease in tonnage processed is due to disruptions at the plant associated with the expansion construction, specifically related to the installation of a new tertiary crusher.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 6
 

 

Despite total production cost per tonne improvements at La Encantada, cash cost per ounce increased 24% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 as it was affected by 29% decrease in silver grade, which resulted in a 31% decrease in production. Cash cost per ounce is expected to improve with economies of scale in the second half of the year as the 3,000 tpd expansion is completed and ore expected to be mined from higher grade areas. Total production cost per tonne for the quarter was $43.96, an improvement of 3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Tonnage milled in the quarter was 167,270 tonnes, a decrease of 10% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 and 8% compared to the first quarter of 2014. Tonnage was impacted due to the effect of down time in the crusher area for the installation of the new crusher which is part of the expansion project. Average head grade decreased from 248 g/t in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 176 g/t in the current quarter due to the lower grades in the current stopes in production and the old stopes in which ore was being extracted. However, recoveries have improved to 58% in the current quarter due to management of metallurgical content of the ore extracted from these stopes.

 

The foundations for the new 12’ x 24’ ball mill and fine ore bin were completed early in the quarter. In addition, the installation and integration of the new tertiary crusher area began in January. The plant expansion to 3,000 tpd is now 60% complete and the expected ramp up to 3,000 tpd remains on track for July.

 

A total of 2,989 metres were developed underground in the quarter compared to 4,344 metres in the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company continues to explore the ore shoots from the Azul y Oro vein and Bonanza Breccias.

 

During the first quarter, the Company operated three underground drill rigs at La Encantada and completed 11 drill holes for a total of 828 metres of exploration and diamond drilling compared to 3,367 metres in the fourth quarter of 2014. As a result of the exploration program, the Ojuelas area has been identified as a high priority for Resource development in La Encantada and more drilling has been planned in this area; for this reason the release of an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report is expected in late 2015 which is expected to include this newly discovered area.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 7
 

 

La Parrilla Silver Mine, Durango, México

 

The La Parrilla Silver Mine, located approximately 65 kilometres southeast of the city of Durango, Durango State, México, is a complex of producing underground operations consisting of the Rosarios / La Rosa and La Blanca mines which are inter-connected through underground workings, and the San Marcos, Vacas and Quebradillas mines which are connected via above-ground gravel roads. The total mining concessions consist of 69,460 hectares and the Company owns 45 hectares and leases an additional 69 hectares of surface rights, for a total of 114 hectares of surface rights. La Parrilla includes a 2,000 tpd dual-circuit processing plant consisting of a 1,000 tpd cyanidation circuit and a 1,000 tpd flotation circuit, central laboratory, buildings, offices and associated infrastructure. The Company owns 100% of the La Parrilla Silver Mine.

 

   First Quarter   First Quarter       Fourth Quarter     
LA PARRILLA  2015   2014   Change   2014   Change 
PRODUCTION                         
Ore processed/tonnes milled   172,647    186,216    (7%)   175,830    (2%)
Average silver grade (g/t)   142    174    (18%)   142    (0%)
Recovery (%)   79%   78%   2%   80%   (2%)
                          
Total silver ounces produced   622,237    808,196    (23%)   646,283    (4%)
Total payable silver ounces produced   554,762    782,239    (29%)   627,541    (12%)
Gold ounces produced   269    264    2%   244    10%
Pounds of lead produced   1,629,240    5,874,716    (72%)   3,855,052    (58%)
Pounds of zinc produced   6,349,692    2,319,225    174%   4,580,260    39%
Total production - ounces silver equivalent   1,080,445    1,203,337    (10%)   1,159,177    (7%)
                          
Underground development (m)   2,077    2,255    (8%)   2,378    (13%)
Diamond drilling (m)   1,437    448    221%   685    110%
                          
COST                         
Mining cost per ounce  $5.89   $3.60    64%  $4.40    34%
Milling cost per ounce   5.15    4.57    13%   5.13    0%
Indirect cost per ounce   2.23    1.68    33%   2.43    (8%)
Total production cost per ounce  $13.27   $9.85    35%  $11.96    11%
Transport and other selling costs per ounce   1.10    1.02    8%   1.10    0%
Smelting and refining costs per ounce   5.78    3.93    47%   5.09    13%
Environmental duty and royalties per ounce   0.20    0.24    (15%)   0.16    27%
Cash cost per ounce before by-product credits  $20.35   $15.04    35%  $18.31    11%
Deduct: By-product credits   (12.60)   (8.83)   43%   (10.89)   16%
Cash cost per ounce  $7.75   $6.21    25%  $7.42    5%
                          
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   0.07    0.04    62%   0.05    38%
Sustaining capital expenditures   4.76    5.74    (17%)   3.62    31%
All-In Sustaining Costs  $12.58   $11.99    5%  $11.09    13%
                          
Mining cost per tonne  $18.93   $15.12    25%  $15.69    21%
Milling cost per tonne   16.55    19.20    (14%)   18.32    (10%)
Indirect cost per tonne   7.16    7.06    1%   8.67    (17%)
Total production cost per tonne  $42.64   $41.38    3%  $42.68    (0%)

 

Total production from the La Parrilla mine was 1,080,445 equivalent ounces of silver during the quarter, a decrease of 7% compared to 1,159,177 equivalent ounces of silver in the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease was primarily attributed to a 58% decrease in lead production, which was partially offset by a 39% increase in zinc produced compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company is currently mining in the Vacas zone, which has lower lead grade and higher zinc ore grade.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 8
 

 

During the quarter, a total of 172,647 tonnes were processed, consistent with 175,830 tonnes processed in the previous quarter. During the first quarter of 2015, the flotation circuit processed 86,965 tonnes having an average silver grade of 165 g/t and recovery of 88% while the cyanidation circuit processed 85,682 tonnes having an average silver grade of 118 g/t and a 66% recovery. Overall, silver head grade of 142 g/t and recoveries of 79% during the quarter were comparable to those in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

During the quarter, total production cost was $42.64 per tonne, consistent with the previous quarter. Cash cost in the quarter was $7.75 per ounce, a marginal increase of 4% compared to $7.42 per ounce in the previous quarter due to the 4% decrease in silver production.

 

During the quarter, an additional 235 metres of development and construction of the underground rail haulage level (Level 11) were completed and is now 2,249 metres in length. Due to the reduction in development costs relating to budget cuts, the 5,000 metre project completion timeline has been extended until the end of 2016. This new haulage and underground electric rail system will consist of a 5,000 metre tunnel and a shaft of 260 vertical metres will eventually replace most of the current less efficient above-ground system of trucking ore to the mill. Once completed, this investment is eventually expected to improve ore logistics, ultimately reducing overall operating costs and thereby delivering operational efficiencies.

 

A total of 2,077 metres of underground development were completed in the quarter, compared to 2,378 metres in the fourth quarter of 2014. A total of 1,437 metres of diamond drilling were completed in the quarter compared to 685 metres of diamond drilling in the fourth quarter of 2014. Three underground drill rigs were active and a total of nine holes were drilled during the quarter. The focus of the 2015 exploration program is on the Rosarios, Quebradillas and Vacas mines.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 9
 

 

Del Toro Silver Mine, Zacatecas, México

 

The Del Toro Silver Mine is located 60 kilometres to the southeast of the Company’s La Parrilla Silver Mine and consists of 557 contiguous hectares of mining claims and 209 hectares of surface rights. The Del Toro operation represents the consolidation of three historical silver mines, the Perseverancia, San Juan and Dolores mines, which are approximately one and three kilometres apart, respectively. Del Toro includes 4,000 tpd dual-circuit processing plant consisting of a 2,000 tpd flotation circuit, which was deemed commercial on April 1, 2013, and a 2,000 tpd cyanidation circuit, which was deemed commercial on January 1, 2014. The cyanidation circuit is currently in care and maintenance pending exploration results. First Majestic owns 100% of the Del Toro Silver Mine.

 

   First Quarter   First Quarter       Fourth Quarter     
DEL TORO  2015   2014   Change   2014   Change 
PRODUCTION                         
Ore processed/tonnes milled   157,934    144,822    9%   175,552    (10%)
Average silver grade (g/t)   212    210    1%   194    9%
Recovery (%)   78%   66%   18%   75%   4%
                          
Total silver ounces produced   841,026    646,669    30%   817,754    3%
Total payable silver ounces produced   796,577    627,532    27%   785,044    1%
Gold ounces produced   182    194    (6%)   158    15%
Pounds of lead produced   9,657,640    2,719,091    255%   7,909,108    22%
Pounds of zinc produced   -    370,049    (100%)   -    0%
Total production - ounces silver equivalent   1,327,628    801,460    66%   1,264,751    5%
                          
Underground development (m)   1,686    2,322    (27%)   2,095    (20%)
Diamond drilling (m)   2,285    297    669%   559    309%
                          
COST                         
Mining cost per ounce  $3.82   $5.94    (36%)  $3.84    (0%)
Milling cost per ounce   4.10    10.15    (60%)   4.69    (13%)
Indirect cost per ounce   1.57    1.70    (8%)   1.95    (20%)
Total production cost per ounce  $9.49   $17.79    (47%)  $10.48    (9%)
Transport and other selling costs per ounce   0.69    0.68    1%   0.84    (18%)
Smelting and refining costs per ounce   4.79    2.49    92%   4.13    16%
Environmental duty and royalties per ounce   0.11    0.12    (12%)   0.09    17%
Cash cost per ounce before by-product credits  $15.07   $21.08    (29%)  $15.54    (3%)
Deduct: By-product credits   (9.99)   (4.58)   118%   (8.51)   17%
Cash cost per ounce  $5.09   $16.50    (69%)  $7.03    (28%)
                          
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   0.05    0.08    (38%)   0.06    (13%)
Sustaining capital expenditures   2.11    6.16    (66%)   3.07    (31%)
All-In Sustaining Costs  $7.25   $22.74    (68%)  $10.16    (29%)
                          
Mining cost per tonne  $19.27   $25.74    (25%)  $17.15    12%
Milling cost per tonne   20.69    43.98    (53%)   20.99    (1%)
Indirect cost per tonne   7.91    7.37    7%   8.70    (9%)
Total production cost per tonne  $47.87   $77.09    (38%)  $46.83    2%

 

The Del Toro mine operated at an average of 1,755 tpd during the quarter and the plant processed 157,934 tonnes of ore with an average silver grade of 212 g/t. Tonnage processed was negatively affected by higher than usual maintenance at the mill relating to installation of new crusher screens. Metallurgical recoveries continued to improve to 78% in the quarter, compared to 75% in the previous quarter and 66% in the same quarter of the prior year.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 10
 

 

Total production of 1,327,628 ounces of silver equivalent represents a 5% improvement compared to the previous quarter and a significant increase of 66% when compared to the same quarter of the prior year. The Lupita vein is currently providing most of the high grade sulphide ore being fed to the mill and this material has resulted in improvements in grades and metallurgical recoveries.

 

Del Toro has shown significant improvements over the last two quarters, as the mine realized consistent and efficient energy fully sourced from the newly constructed 115 kilovolt power line for the power requirements of the mine, mill and auxiliary buildings. This has resulted in lower costs, higher production and improved economics with the decommissioning of portable diesel power generation units. In addition, the use of new reagents and implementation of the new regrinding circuit continued to improve recoveries.

 

Lead production reached a new quarterly record of 9,657,640 pounds, a 22% increase compared to the previous quarter. During the quarter, lead grades and recoveries averaged 4.2% and 66%, respectively, compared to 3.4% and 61% in the previous quarter due to higher quality sulphide ore production from Perseverancia.

 

Cash cost per ounce for the quarter was $5.09, a decrease of 28% compared to $7.03 in the previous quarter and a decrease of 69% compared to $16.50 in the same quarter of the prior year. The decrease in cash cost was primarily attributed to additional by-product credits from record lead production and efficiencies in processing costs and the foreign exchange effects of the weaker Mexican Peso. Production cost per tonne in the current quarter was $47.87, comparable to the previous quarter but decreased significantly by 38% when compared to the same quarter of the prior year.

 

Total underground development at Del Toro in the current quarter was 1,686 metres compared to 2,095 metres in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 2,322 metres in the same quarter of the prior year. The decrease in development metres was due to the budget restraints while the development on the eleventh level on Lupita vein was suspended until drilling in the area is completed.

 

At quarter end, three underground and one surface drill rigs were active at Del Toro and a total of eight holes were diamond drilled for a total of 2,285 metres compared to 559 metres in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 297 metres in the first quarter of 2014. A substantial portion of the drilling at Del Toro was focused on expansionary surface drilling to explore the recently mapped northwest trending veins in the Santa Teresa area.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 11
 

 

San Martin Silver Mine, Jalisco, México

 

The San Martin Silver Mine is an underground mine located near the town of San Martin de Bolaños in the Bolaños River valley, in the northern portion of the State of Jalisco, México. The mine comprises of 33 contiguous mining concessions in the San Martin de Bolaños mining district that cover mineral rights for 37,518 hectares, including the application to acquire two new mining concessions covering 29,676 hectares which are in the process of registration. In addition, the mine owns 160 hectares of surface land where the processing plant, camp, office facilities, maintenance shops, and tailings dams are located, and an additional 1,296 hectares of surface rights. The newly expanded 1,300 tpd mill and processing plant consists of crushing, grinding and conventional cyanidation by agitation in tanks and a Merrill-Crowe doré production system. The mine can be accessed via small plane, 150 kilometres by air or 250 kilometres by paved road north of Guadalajara City. The San Martin mine is 100% owned by the Company.

 

   First Quarter   First Quarter       Fourth Quarter     
SAN MARTIN  2015   2014   Change   2014   Change 
PRODUCTION                         
Ore processed/tonnes milled   88,362    78,524    13%   96,651    (9%)
Average silver grade (g/t)   258    162    59%   249    4%
Recovery (%)   78%   69%   13%   77%   2%
                          
Total silver ounces produced   571,937    282,829    102%   592,698    (4%)
Total payable silver ounces produced   570,221    281,698    102%   590,327    (3%)
Gold ounces produced   1,511    653    131%   1,451    4%
Total production - ounces silver equivalent   682,071    324,137    110%   698,605    (2%)
                          
Underground development (m)   2,010    3,219    (38%)   1,414    42%
Diamond drilling (m)   266    276    (4%)   943    (72%)
                          
COST                         
Mining cost per ounce  $3.39   $4.96    (32%)  $3.13    8%
Milling cost per ounce   4.12    7.89    (48%)   4.59    (10%)
Indirect cost per ounce   1.49    2.82    (47%)   1.99    (25%)
Total production cost per ounce  $9.00   $15.67    (43%)  $9.71    (7%)
Transport and other selling costs per ounce   0.13    0.26    (49%)   0.15    (11%)
Smelting and refining costs per ounce   0.27    0.33    (18%)   0.31    (13%)
Environmental duty and royalties per ounce   0.10    0.13    (20%)   0.12    (13%)
Cash cost per ounce before by-product credits  $9.50   $16.39    (42%)  $10.29    (8%)
Deduct: By-product credits   (3.21)   (3.45)   (7%)   (2.97)   8%
Cash cost per ounce  $6.29   $12.94    (51%)  $7.32    (14%)
                          
Workers’ Participation   (0.01)   0.00    0%   0.60    (102%)
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   0.07    0.12    (41%)   0.05    28%
Sustaining capital expenditures   2.34    7.38    (68%)   1.57    49%
All-In Sustaining Costs  $8.69   $20.44    (57%)  $9.54    (9%)
                          
Mining cost per tonne  $21.86   $17.79    23%  $19.13    14%
Milling cost per tonne   26.59    28.30    (6%)   28.05    (5%)
Indirect cost per tonne   9.61    10.12    (5%)   12.16    (21%)
Total production cost per tonne  $58.06   $56.21    3%  $59.34    (2%)

 

San Martin had another excellent quarter with 682,071 silver equivalent ounces of production during the quarter, consistent with the quarterly production record of 698,605 ounces in the previous quarter, and a 110% increase from the 324,137 ounces produced in the same quarter of the prior year.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 12
 

 

During the quarter, the San Martin mine processed a total of 88,362 tonnes, an average of 982 tpd compared to 1,051 tpd in the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease in production rate was due to shut downs caused by unseasonal heavy rains in the month of March, and the repair of the transmission system of the 9’ x 9’ ball mill. The average head grade was 258 g/t, an increase of 4% compared to the previous quarter. The increase in the ore grade compared to the prior quarters is due to higher grades from the development of new veins from the Rosario mine.

 

Silver recovery in the quarter was 78%, comparable to 77% in the previous quarter, and an increase compared to 69% in the same quarter of the prior year. The increase in recovery was attributed to improvements made in leaching and thickener tanks, and in the precipitation processes.

 

During the quarter, total production cost was $58.06 per tonne, consistent with cost in the fourth quarter of 2014. Cash cost per ounce was $6.29, a decrease of 14% compared to $7.32 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2014 as a result of lower milling and indirect costs, as well as 8% increase in by-product credits. Total production cost per tonne at the San Martin mine are marginally higher than the other mines due to extra efforts and costs to ensure workers’ safety with ground stabilization such as rock-bolting, screening and shot-creting.

 

A total of 2,010 metres of underground development was completed in the quarter compared to 1,414 metres of development in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

During the quarter, a total of 266 metres of diamond drilling were completed compared with 943 metres drilled in the fourth quarter of 2014. During the quarter, one drill rig was active and drilled 4 holes underground and one hole from surface during the first quarter within the Rosario mine. Drilling was focused on deeper ore shoots of the Rosario vein for continuation of mineralization.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 13
 

 

La Guitarra Silver Mine, México State, México

 

The La Guitarra Silver Mine is located in the Temascaltepec Mining District in the State of México, near Toluca, México, approximately 130 kilometres southwest from México City. The La Guitarra mine covers 39,714 hectares of mining claims and consists of a recently expanded 500 tpd flotation mill with a new ball mill, new flotation cells, buildings and related infrastructure. The Company owns 100% of the La Guitarra mine.

 

   First Quarter   First Quarter       Fourth Quarter     
LA GUITARRA  2015   2014   Change   2014   Change 
PRODUCTION                         
Ore processed/tonnes milled   45,396    46,177    (2%)   49,084    (8%)
Average silver grade (g/t)   160    94    69%   168    (5%)
Recovery (%)   84%   82%   4%   87%   (3%)
                          
Total silver ounces produced   196,920    114,230    72%   229,463    (14%)
Total payable silver ounces produced   186,513    111,374    67%   223,726    (17%)
Gold ounces produced   961    2,244    (57%)   1,414    (32%)
Total production - ounces silver equivalent   267,002    256,514    4%   332,389    (20%)
                          
Underground development (m)   1,066    1,577    (32%)   1,541    (31%)
Diamond drilling (m)   609    246    148%   436    40%
                          
COST                         
Mining cost per ounce  $4.61   $8.77    (47%)  $3.93    17%
Milling cost per ounce   3.41    6.45    (47%)   3.13    9%
Indirect cost per ounce   3.87    5.54    (30%)   3.31    17%
Total production cost per ounce  $11.90   $20.76    (43%)  $10.37    15%
Transport and other selling costs per ounce   0.66    1.07    (38%)   0.94    (30%)
Smelting and refining costs per ounce   4.42    6.24    (29%)   5.31    (17%)
Environmental duty and royalties per ounce   0.13    0.26    (51%)   0.10    28%
Cash cost per ounce before by-product credits  $17.10   $28.33    (40%)  $16.72    2%
Deduct: By-product credits   (5.82)   (26.19)   (78%)   (7.27)   (20%)
Cash cost per ounce  $11.28   $2.14    427%  $9.45    19%
                          
Workers’ Participation   0.08    0.00    100%   0.00    100%
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   0.11    0.28    (59%)   0.17    (33%)
Sustaining capital expenditures   6.24    14.85    (58%)   7.59    (18%)
All-In Sustaining Costs  $17.71   $17.27    3%  $17.21    3%
                          
Mining cost per tonne  $18.95   $21.15    (10%)  $17.92    6%
Milling cost per tonne   14.02    15.56    (10%)   14.28    (2%)
Indirect cost per tonne   15.91    13.36    19%   15.09    5%
Total production cost per tonne  $48.88   $50.07    (2%)  $47.30    3%

 

During the quarter, total production at the La Guitarra mine was 267,002 equivalent ounces of silver, a decrease of 20% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 and an increase of 4% compared the first quarter of 2014. This represents a 14% decrease in silver production and a 32% decrease in gold production compared to the previous quarter. The decrease in total production over the previous quarter was primarily due to an 8% decrease in throughput and a 22% decrease in gold grades as well as a 3% decrease in recoveries.

 

A total of 45,396 tonnes of ore were processed during the quarter consisting of an average silver head grade of 160 g/t with recoveries of 84% compared to 49,084 tonnes of ore with silver head grades of 168 g/t and recoveries of 87% in the fourth quarter of 2014. Mine production within the Coloso area delivered 27,700 tonnes or 308 tpd of ore during the quarter or 60% of total throughput. La Guitarra is working towards achieving 100% of its production from the Coloso area combined with the recently announced development plan into the Nazareno area with the construction of a 760 metre ramp is constructed from the Coloso area. Construction of this ramp is planned to begin in May 2015 with completion planned by the end of the year.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 14
 

 

Average production cost for the quarter was $48.88 per tonne, comparable to the previous quarter. Cash cost in the first quarter was $11.28 per ounce, an increase of 19% or $1.83 per ounce compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase from the prior quarters was primarily attributed to a decrease in gold by-product credits relative to the production of silver ounces. The decrease in gold production was due to lower gold grade in the current production area of the Coloso zone, but with higher silver grades.

 

A total of 1,066 metres of underground development was completed during the quarter compared to 1,541 metres in the previous quarter. During the quarter, two underground drill rigs were active at the La Guitarra property and a total of 15 holes were drilled and 609 metres of diamond drilling were completed compared to 436 metres during the fourth quarter of 2014. The focus was to assist underground mining activities and further define Reserves and Resources. An updated NI 43-101 Technical Report for La Guitarra was released on March 31, 2015.

 

In 2014, the Company entered into two agreements to acquire 757 hectares of adjacent mineral rights at the La Guitarra Silver Mine. The total purchase price amount to $5.4 million, of which $5.2 million is settled in common shares of First Majestic and $0.2 million in cash. As at March 31, 2015, the Company has paid the $0.2 million and issued $3.2 million in common shares. The remaining balance of $2.0 million in common shares will be issued in four equal annual payments based on the Company’s volume weighted average market price at the time of the payments.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 15
 

 

DEVELOPMENT AND EXPLORATION PROJECTS

 

Plomosas Silver Project

 

The Plomosas Silver Project, which was acquired with the 2012 Silvermex acquisition, consists of 13 mining concessions covering 6,986 hectares, which include the adjacent Rosario and San Juan historic mines located in the Sinaloa State, México.

 

The two key areas of interest within the property’s boundaries are the historic operations of the Rosario and San Juan mines. Extensive facilities and infrastructure are in place on the property, including a fully functional mining camp facility for 120 persons, a 20 year surface rights agreement in good standing, a 30 year water use permit, a tailings dam, a 60 kilometre 33 kV power line, an infirmary, offices, shops and warehouses, and an assay lab. Extensive underground development pre-existing at the Rosario and San Juan mines will allow for easy access to mineralized zones. This existing development is expected to allow First Majestic to accelerate development with significant cost savings.


The Plomosas Silver Project is a high priority for the Company. Management intends to use a portion of the proceeds from the April 2015 financing for the preparation of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”). The Company is currently utilizing the mining camp infrastructure to maintain the old structures under care and maintenance. Future plans include drilling and development in order to prepare a NI 43-101 Technical report with resource estimates and a PEA.

 

La Luz Silver Project, San Luis Potosi, México

 

The La Luz Silver Project is located 25 kilometres west of the town of Matehuala in San Luis Potosi State, México, near the village of Real de Catorce. The Company owns 100% of the La Luz Silver Project and all of the associated mining claims of what was historically known as the Santa Ana Mine and consists of 36 mining concessions covering 4,977 hectares, with estimated historical production of 230 million ounces between 1773 and 1990. In July 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of an additional 21 hectares of surface rights covering 29 adjacent properties for $1.0 million. The total surface rights on different properties at La Luz amount to 26 hectares.

 

There has been opposition to mining in the La Luz area from certain indigenous people (Huicholes) and non-government organizations. An injunction was placed by the Company to defend against the indigenous people’s attempts to a constitutional decree to declare certain areas in San Luis Potosi as natural protected areas, including areas within which the La Luz mine has been duly granted mining concessions. These constitutional legal matters are being addressed in the Mexican courts by the Company. Contrary to media reports regarding the La Luz project, the Company has no plans to do any above ground mining, no plans for open pit mining, and has no plans for the use of cyanide in any of its processing activities on or around the La Luz project.

 

To date, the Baseline Study and the Geo-hydrologic Study have been completed. The Company has submitted three different legal orders to obtain approvals to present its final permit applications. The Company has obtained one positive resolution and the remaining orders remain in front of the court. There is currently no estimate of when a final resolution can be expected. The Company is ready to submit the Environmental Impact Statement, the Risk Study and the Change of Use of Land Studies to government authorities once the courts resolve the outstanding constitutional matters.

 

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company decided to suspend the project of restoring old historic buildings at the Santa Ana Hacienda and the construction of the previously announced Thematic and Cultural Park and Mining Museum. To date, an amount of $3.8 million has been invested in the project. The new cultural centre and mining museum was part of a “Sustainable Development Project” which was providing permanent long term jobs to the local community but which has now been suspended.

 

Jalisco Group of Properties, Jalisco, México

 

The Company acquired a group of mining claims totalling 5,245 hectares located in various mining districts located in Jalisco State, México. During 2008, surface geology and mapping began with the purpose of defining future drill targets. However, exploration has since been discontinued as the Company focuses its capital investment on other more mature and higher priority projects.

 

The Company owns the Jalisco Group of Properties which consist of 5,240 hectares of mining claims in Jalisco State, Mexico. In April 2011, and subsequently amended in April 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with Sonora Resources Corp. (the “Optionee”) whereby the Optionee had an option to acquire up to 90% in the Jalisco Group of Properties. As part of the agreement, the Optionee issued 13 million common shares to the Company and committed to spend $3 million over the first five years to earn a 50% interest, an additional $2 million over seven years to earn a 70% interest and to complete a bankable feasibility study within nine years to obtain a 90% interest. First Majestic would retain a 10% free carried interest and a 2.375% NSR.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 16
 

 

Divestiture of Minera Terra Plata

 

On July 1, 2014, First Majestic divested its 100% owned subsidiary, Minera Terra Plata S.A. de C.V. (“Terra Plata”), to Sundance Minerals Ltd. (“Sundance”), a privately held exploration company. In exchange, the Company received 14,509,279 common shares of Sundance, equivalent to 34.2% of its issued and outstanding shares at the time of the transaction, valued at $3.4 million. Terra Plata owns a 100% interest in the Penasco Quemado, the La Frazada and the Los Lobos projects, properties that First Majestic acquired through its acquisition of Silvermex Resources Inc. in 2012.

 

As at July 1, 2014, Terra Plata had a net book value of $3.6 million, comprised of $3.7 million in mining interest, $0.1 million in other receivables, net of $0.2 million in deferred income tax liabilities. As a result, the Company recognized a $0.2 million loss on disposal of the subsidiary in the third quarter of 2014.

 

In the plan of arrangement, Sundance closed private placements of CAD$2.7 million in October 2014, and CAD$5.0 million in March 2015, and completed the reverse takeover of Albion Petroleum Ltd. The resulting entity was renamed First Mining Finance Corp. (“First Mining”) and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX.V: FF). First Majestic’s holding were converted on a 1:1 basis into common shares of First Mining, equivalent to 19.7% of the issued and outstanding shares at March 31, 2015.

 

The Company’s investment in First Mining is accounted for as an Investment in Associate. The reverse takeover transaction did not have a significant impact on the fair value of the Company’s interest in First Mining, therefore, no fair value adjustment was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015. As at March 31, 2015, the Company’s investment in First Mining has a carrying value of $3.4 million (December 31, 2014 - $3.4 million).

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 17
 

 

REVIEW OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

 

For the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands of dollars, except for per share amounts):

 

   First Quarter   First Quarter        
   2015   2014   Variance %    
                
Revenues  $54,569   $65,296    (16%)  (1)
Cost of sales (excludes depletion, depreciation and amortization)   32,336    35,270    (8%)  (2)
Gross margin   22,233    30,026    (26%)   
Depletion, depreciation and amortization   17,237    13,405    29%  (3)
Mine operating earnings   4,996    16,621    (70%)  (4)
General and administrative expenses   4,339    4,975    (13%)  (5)
Share-based payments   1,609    2,648    (39%)   
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   197    202    (2%)   
Foreign exchange (gain) loss   (1,512)   54    (2900%)   
Operating earnings   363    8,742    (96%)   
Investment and other income   1,792    2,897    (38%)  (6)
Finance costs   (1,423)   (1,243)   14%   
Loss before income taxes   732    10,396    (93%)   
Current income tax expense   143    3,971    (96%)   
Deferred income tax expense   1,694    445    281%   
Income tax expense   1,837    4,416    (58%)  (7)
Net (loss) earnings for the period   $(1,105)  $5,980    (118%)  (8)
(Loss) earnings per share (basic)  $(0.01)  $0.05    (118%)  (8)
(Loss) earnings per share (diluted)  $(0.01)  $0.05    (118%)  (8)

 

1.Revenues in the quarter decreased compared to the same quarter of the previous year due to the following significant contributors:

 

·Average realized silver price in the quarter decreased by 18% or $3.85 per ounce compared to the same quarter of the prior year as a result of commodity market pressure on silver prices. Average realized silver price in the quarter was $17.05 per ounce compared to $20.90 per ounce in the first quarter of 2014, but was $0.35 per ounce or 2% better than the COMEX average of $16.70 during the quarter;
·Silver equivalent ounces sold increased by 282,367 ounces or 8% compared to the first quarter of 2014, primarily attributed to incremental production from Del Toro and San Martin offset by the decrease in ounces sold in La Encantada.

 

2.Cost of sales in the quarter decreased compared to the same quarter of the previous year as a result of the following factors:

 

·Cash cost per ounce improved 17% compared to the same quarter of the prior year as a result of economies of scale from expanded operations at Del Toro and San Martin as well as favourable foreign exchange rate effect as a result a 13% depreciation in the Mexican Pesos against the U.S. Dollars compared to the first quarter of 2014; partially offset by:
·Silver equivalent ounces sold increased by 282,367 ounces or 8% compared to the first quarter of 2014, primarily attributed to incremental production from Del Toro and San Martin offset by the decrease in ounces sold in La Encantada.

 

3.The increase in depletion, depreciation and amortization was attributed to a combination of the following:

 

·Revisions to life of mines at the end of 2014 accelerated depletion and depreciation rates applied to mining interests and property, plant and equipment depreciated under the units-of-production method. Life of mine estimates were reduced at the end of 2014 to reflect lower Reserves and Resources estimates with higher cut-off grades based on lower metal prices.
·Capital expenditures incurred on the Del Toro ramp up and San Martin expansions over the past year, which resulted in additional depletion, depreciation and amortization; partially offset by:

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 18
 

 

·Impairment charge on non-current assets recognized in the fourth quarter of 2014, which resulted in a total of $66.0 million decrease in depletable producing and non-depletable mining interests and depreciable property, plant and equipment.

 

4.Mine operating earnings during the quarter decreased $11.6 million or 70% from the first quarter of 2014 due to 26% decrease in gross margin and 29% increase in depletion, depreciation and amortization. Gross margin was primarily affected by the combination of an 18% decrease in average silver prices, offset by an 8% increase in silver equivalent ounces sold and lower cost of sales attributed to a 13% depreciation of the Mexican Pesos against the U.S. dollar.

 

5.General and administrative expenses decreased compared to the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to:

 

·Corporate administration decreased by $0.5 million or 32% due to decrease in travel, advertising, promotion and meal expenses in general as part of the Company’s cost cutting measures.
·Salaries and benefits decreased by $0.2 million or 7% due to elimination of certain positions due to cost cutting measures since the slide in silver prices. Impact of the reorganization has been slightly muted due to severance costs.

 

6.The Company’s investment and other income is primarily comprised of gain or losses on the following:

 

·A total of $0.5 million gain on fair value adjustment of prepayment facilities, which contains commodity price swaps and call options on a portion of the Company’s lead and zinc production. The gain on prepayment facilities in the first quarter of 2014 was $1.4 million;
·$1.3 million gain on the Company’s derivative on silver doré forward contracts for 1,044,000 ounces of silver, which had an average cost of $16.58 per ounce versus the market price of $17.79 per ounce at the end of the quarter.
·$0.1 million gain from investment in marketable securities, which were adjusted to their quoted market price at the end of each period.

 

7.During the quarter, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $1.8 million compared to an income tax expense of $4.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The effective income tax rate in quarter was affected by taxation effects on foreign currency translation, Mexican mining duties and non-deductible expenses.

 

8.As a result of the foregoing, net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was $1.1 million and EPS of ($0.01).

 

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

 

The following table presents selected financial information for each of the most recent eight quarters:

 

   2015   2014   2013 
Selected Financial Information  Q1(1)   Q4(2)   Q3(3)   Q2(4)   Q1(5)   Q4(6)   Q3(7)   Q2(8) 
Revenue  $54,569   $72,480   $40,770   $66,927   $65,296   $58,989   $76,882   $48,372 
Cost of sales  $32,336   $44,873   $31,973   $42,727   $35,270   $31,437   $36,060   $23,891 
Depletion, depreciation and amortization  $17,237   $21,774   $10,588   $14,699   $13,405   $13,298   $11,645   $10,198 
Mine operating earnings (loss)  $4,996   $5,833   $(1,791)  $9,501   $16,621   $14,254   $29,177   $14,283 
Net (loss) earnings after tax  $(1,105)  $(64,568)  $(10,450)  $7,590   $5,980   $(81,229)  $16,320   $160 
Earnings (loss) per share (basic)  $(0.01)  $(0.55)  $(0.09)  $0.06   $0.05   $(0.69)  $0.14   $0.00 
Earnings (loss) per share (diluted)  $(0.01)  $(0.55)  $(0.09)  $0.06   $0.05   $(0.69)  $0.14   $0.00 

 

1.During the first quarter of 2015, mine operating earnings was $5.0 million compared to $5.8 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in mine operating earnings was primarily affected by decrease in silver prices and silver equivalent ounces sold, as approximately 934,000 ounces of silver sales that were suspended in the third quarter of 2014 were sold in the quarter ended December 31, 2014. Net loss for the quarter was $1.1 million, compared to a loss of $64.6 million in the previous quarter due to a non-cash impairment charge of $102.0 million, or $66.0 million net of tax, recognized at the end of the previous quarter.

 

2.In the quarter ended December 31, 2014, mine operating earnings was $5.8 million compared to mine operating loss of $1.8 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The increase in mine operating earnings was attributed to additional silver equivalent ounces sold as approximately 934,000 ounces of silver sales that were suspended at the end of the third quarter of 2014 due to declining silver prices. Net loss for the quarter was $64.6 million compared to $10.5 million in the previous quarter due to a non-cash impairment charge of $102.0 million, or $66.0 million net of tax, related to some of the Company’s non-current assets during the quarter and related taxation effects.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 19
 

 

3.In the quarter ended September 30, 2014, mine operating loss was $1.8 million compared to mine operating earnings of $9.5 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2014. The decrease in mine operating earnings was primarily attributed to the Company’s decision to suspend approximately 934,000 in silver sales near the end of the quarter as a result of significant decline in silver prices during the quarter. Net earnings also decreased $18.0 million compared to the preceding quarter as a result of a decrease in mine operating earnings and a one-time litigation gain of $14.1 million recognized in the second quarter of 2014.

 

4.In the quarter ended June 30, 2014, mine operating earnings decreased by 43% to $9.5 million compared to $16.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Net earnings increased by 27% to $7.6 million from $6.0 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Increase in net earnings was primarily attributed to $14.1 million litigation gain, partially offset by decrease in mine operating earnings due to 6% decrease in average realized silver price and higher depletion, depreciation and amortization due to increase in production rate.

 

5.In the quarter ended March 31, 2014, mine operating earnings improved 17% to $16.6 million compared to $14.3 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Net earnings increased $87.2 million to $6.0 million compared to a loss of $81.2 million in the previous quarter. Net earnings in the previous quarter was affected by a $28.8 million non-cash impairment of non-current assets and $38.8 million non-cash adjustment to deferred income tax expense in relation to the Mexican Tax Reform.

 

6.In the quarter ended December 31, 2013, mine operating earnings decreased $14.9 million or 51% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013, primarily attributed to decrease of 17% or 673,621 ounces of payable equivalent silver ounces sold. More ounces were sold in the prior quarter due to sale of approximately 650,000 ounces of silver sales that were suspended and delayed at the end of the second quarter. In addition, depletion, depreciation and amortization was higher due to 9% increase in tonnes milled during the fourth quarter compared to the prior quarter. Net loss after tax was $81.2 million compared to net earnings of $16.3 million. The decrease was attributed to $28.8 million impairment on goodwill and mining interests, $14.9 million decline in mine operating earnings, as well as $38.8 million non-cash adjustment to deferred income tax expense recorded during the quarter in relation to the Mexican Tax Reform.

 

7.In the quarter ended September 30, 2013, mine operating earnings increased $14.9 million or 104% compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2013, primarily attributed to an increase of 57% or 1,407,022 ounces of payable equivalent silver ounces sold, which includes approximately 650,000 ounces of silver sales that were suspended and delayed at the end of the second quarter of 2013 due to declining silver prices. Net earnings after tax was $16.3 million, an increase of $16.2 million compared to the previous quarter due to increase in mine operating earnings and investment and other income.

 

8.In the quarter ended June 30, 2013, mine operating earnings decreased $20.3 million or 59% compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, primarily attributed to a 25% decline in silver prices and management’s decision to suspend approximately 700,000 ounces of silver sales near quarter end in order to maximize future profits. Net earnings after tax was $0.2 million, a decrease of $26.4 million compared to the previous quarter due to decrease in mine operating earnings and $5.9 million loss on investment in silver futures and marketable securities, compared to a one-time gain of $9.1 million from termination fee of the Orko acquisition in the previous quarter.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 20
 

 

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

Liquidity

 

As at March 31, 2015, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $22.4 million compared to $40.3 million at December 31, 2014. Cash and cash equivalent is primarily comprised of cash held with reputable financial institutions and are invested in highly liquid short-term investments with maturities of three months or less. The funds are not exposed to liquidity risk and there are no restrictions on the ability of the Company to use these funds to meet its obligations.

 

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $18.0 million during the quarter. The Company’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities during the quarter are summarized as follows:

·Cash provided by operating activities of $6.4 million
·Cash used in investing activities of $13.4 million, primarily related to:
o$11.4 million spent on mining interests, of which $6.8 million were sustaining mine development and exploration activities
o$2.0 million spent on purchase of property, plant and equipment and deposits for the acquisition of non-current assets
·Cash used in financing activities of $10.4 million, of which:
o$5.7 million was spent on repayment of by-product prepayment facilities
o$3.5 million was spent on repayment of lease obligations
o$1.1 million was spent on financing costs

 

Capital expenditures on mineral properties have decreased compared to the prior year as the Company suspended some discretionary capital expenditures due to the decline in silver price over the past year, as well as efforts by the Company to cut costs and re-negotiate its contracts with contractors and suppliers.

 

Working capital as at March 31, 2015 is a deficit of $12.6 million compared to a deficit of $2.9 million at December 31, 2014.

 

On April 22, 2015, the Company completed a CAD$30.0 million bought deal private placement by issuing 4,620,000 common shares at a price of CAD$6.50 per share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general working capital purposes and to improve the underground development at the La Guitarra Silver Mine in the Coloso area and constructing a 760 metre ramp to the Nazareno area by year end.

 

Capital Resources

 

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to maintain financial flexibility to continue as a going concern while optimizing growth and maximizing returns of investments from shareholders. The Company’s overall strategy with respect to capital risk management remains unchanged from the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

The Company monitors its capital structure and, based on changes in operations and economic conditions, may adjust the structure by repurchasing shares, issuing new shares, issuing new debt or retiring existing debt. The Company prepares an annual budget and quarterly forecasts to facilitate the management of its capital requirements. The annual budget is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements with the exception of complying with covenant under the Prepayment Facility agreement. As at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 21
 

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

As at March 31, 2015, the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments are summarized as follows:

 

   Contractual   Less than   1 to 3   4 to 5   After 5 
   Cash Flows   1 year   years   years   years 
Trade and other payables  $35,613   $35,613   $-   $-   $- 
Prepayment facilities   59,923    30,616    29,307    -    - 
Finance lease obligations   26,493    12,225    13,652    616    - 
Decommissioning liabilities   16,816    -    -    -    16,816 
Purchase obligations and commitments   5,222    5,222    -    -    - 
   $144,067   $83,676   $42,959   $616   $16,816 

 

Management is of the view that the above contractual obligations and commitments will be sufficiently funded by current working capital, future operating cash flows, available debt facilities, and new equity invested in April 2015 as at the date of this MD&A.

 

MANAGEMENT OF RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

The Company thoroughly examines the various financial instruments and risks to which it is exposed and assesses the impact and likelihood of those risks. These risks may include credit risk, liquidity risk, currency risk, commodity price risk and interest rate risk. Where material, these risks are reviewed and monitored by the Board of Directors.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they arise. The Company has in place a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company’s normal operating requirements and contractual obligations. The Company believes it has sufficient cash on hand, combined with cash flows from operations, to meet operating requirements as they arise for at least the next 12 months.

 

Based on the Company’s current operating plan, the Company believes it has sufficient cash on hand, combined with cash flows from operations, to meet its ongoing operating requirements as they arise for at least the next 12 months. If commodity prices in the metals markets were to decrease significantly, or the Company was to deviate significantly from its operating plan, the Company may need a further injection of capital to address its cash flow requirements.

 

Currency Risk

 

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk primarily relating to financial instruments that are denominated in Canadian dollars or Mexican Pesos, which would impact the Company’s net earnings and other comprehensive income. To manage foreign exchange risk, the Company may occasionally enter into short-term foreign currency derivatives. The foreign currency derivatives are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes.

 

The sensitivity of the Company’s net earnings and comprehensive income due to changes in the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar is included in the table below:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
   Cash and cash
equivalents
   Trade and
other
receivables
   Trade and
other payables
   Net assets
(liabilities)
exposure
   Effect of +/- 10%
change in
currency
   Net assets
(liabilities)
exposure
   Effect of +/- 10%
change in
currency
 
Canadian dollar  $4,335   $1,209   $(598)  $4,946   $495   $6,791   $679 
Mexican peso   673    6,351    (19,656)   (12,632)   (1,263)   (12,430)   (1,243)
   $5,008   $7,560   $(20,254)  $(7,686)  $(769)  $(5,639)  $(564)

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 22
 

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

Commodity price risk is the risk that movements in the spot price of silver have a direct and immediate impact on the Company’s income or the value of its related financial instruments. The Company also derives by-product revenue from the sale of gold, lead, zinc and iron ore, which accounts for approximately 28% of the Company’s gross revenue. The Company’s sales are directly dependent on commodity prices that have shown volatility and are beyond the Company’s control. The Company has short-term forward silver contracts to sell its doré production (see Note 13(b)) and a forward sales agreement to sell a portion of the Company’s lead and zinc production at a fixed price. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge its commodity price risk to silver. The Company purchased call options on lead and zinc futures to mitigate potential exposure to future price increases in lead and zinc for its lead and zinc forward sales agreements.

 

As at March 31, 2015, a 10% increase or decrease of metal prices would have the following impact on net earnings:

 

   March 31, 2015 
   Silver   Gold   Lead   Zinc   Effect of +/-
10% change in
metal prices
 
Metals subject to provisional price adjustments  $724   $36   $586   $340   $1,686 
Metals in doré and concentrates inventory   60    8    3    4    75 
Metals in forward silver contracts    1,733    -    -    -    1,733 
Prepayment facilities   -    -    (3,873)   (1,422)   (5,295)
   $2,517   $44   $(3,284)  $(1,078)  $(1,801)

 

   December 31, 2014 
   Silver   Gold   Lead   Zinc   Effect of +/-
10% change in
metal prices
 
Metals subject to provisional price adjustments  $969   $48   $938   $109   $2,064 
Metals in doré and concentrates inventory   86    13    6    -    105 
Prepayment facilities   -    -    (4,204)   (1,670)   (5,874)
   $1,055   $61   $(3,260)  $(1,561)  $(3,705)

 

Political and Country Risk

 

First Majestic currently conducts foreign operations primarily in México, and as such the Company’s operations are exposed to various levels of political and economic risks by factors outside of the Company’s control. These potential factors include, but are not limited to: royalty and tax increases or claims by governmental bodies, expropriation or nationalization, foreign exchange controls, high rates of inflation, extreme fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, 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.

 

The Company is unable to determine the impact of these risks on its future financial position or results of operations. Changes, if any, in mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude in foreign countries may substantively affect Company’s exploration, development and production activities.

 

Environmental and Health and Safety Risks

 

The Company’s activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations governing environmental protection and employee health and safety. Environmental laws and regulations are complex and have tended to become more stringent over time. The Company is required to obtain governmental permits and in some instances air, water quality, and mine reclamation rules and permits. The Company has complied with environmental taxes applied to the use of certain fossil fuels according to the Kyoto Protocol. Although the Company makes provisions for reclamation costs, it cannot be assured that these provisions will be adequate to discharge its future obligations for these costs. Failure to comply with applicable environmental and health and safety laws may result in injunctions, damages, suspension or revocation of permits and imposition of penalties. While the health and safety of our people and responsible environmental stewardship are our top priorities, there can be no assurance that First Majestic has been or will be at all times in complete compliance with such laws, regulations and permits, or that the costs of complying with current and future environmental and health and safety laws and permits will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 23
 

 

Claims and Legal Proceedings Risks

 

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 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 or information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: availability of time on court calendars in Canada and elsewhere; the recognition of Canadian judgments under Mexican law; the possibility of settlement discussions; the risk of appeal of judgment; and the insufficiency of the defendant's assets to satisfy the judgment amount. Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavourably to the Company. First Majestic carries liability insurance coverage and establishes provisions for matters that are probable and can be reasonably estimated. In addition, the Company may be involved in disputes with other parties in the future which may result in a significant impact on our financial condition, cash flow and results of operations.

 

Although the Company has taken steps to verify ownership and legal title to mineral properties in which it has an interest, according to the usual industry standards for the stage of mining, development and exploration of such properties, these procedures do not guarantee the Company’s title. Such properties may be subject to prior agreements or transfers, and title may be affected by undetected defects. However, management is not aware of any such agreements, transfers or defects.

 

Since June 2013, Davila Santos pursued various applications and appeals to reverse the judgment by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. As judgment against Davila Santos was not regarded as conclusive until outcome of the appeals were determinable, the sum of $14.1 million received as partial payment of the judgment was recorded as deferred litigation gain on the Company’s statements of financial position prior to the current period. On June 5, 2014, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed by the defendants. As a result, the Company has recognized the $14.1 million deferred litigation gain as other income in the second quarter.

 

On June 27, 2014, Davila Santos filed an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, which did not succeed. However, there can be no guarantee of collection on the remainder of the judgment amount and it is likely that it will be necessary to take additional action in México and/or elsewhere to recover the remaining balance. Therefore, as at March 31, 2015, the Company has not accrued any of the remaining balance of $64.3 million (CAD$81.5 million) due to the Company.

 

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

The Company has an ongoing share repurchase program to repurchase up to 5,879,732 of its common shares, which represents approximately 5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares. The normal course issuer bids will be carried through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange and alternative Canadian marketplaces. No shares were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company had no material off-balance sheet arrangements such as contingent interest in assets transferred to an entity, derivative instruments obligations or any obligations that generate financing, liquidity, market or credit risk to the Company, other than contingent liabilities and vendor liability and interest, as disclosed in this MD&A and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 24
 

 

Related Party Disclosures

 

Amounts paid to related parties were incurred in the normal course of business and measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount agreed upon by the transacting parties and on terms and conditions similar to non-related parties. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company advanced an additional $0.5 million to First Mining as a promissory note with an interest rate of 9% per annum, which is repayable on demand. As at March 31, 2015, the total amount of promissory notes receivable, including accrued interest, from First Mining was $1.1 million (December 31, 2014 - $0.5 million). There were no other significant transactions with related parties outside of the ordinary course of business during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

 

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The following significant events occurred subsequent to March 31, 2015:

 

a)the Company completed a CAD$30.0 million bought deal private placement by issuing 4,620,000 common shares at a price of CAD$6.50 per share;
b)112,500 options were granted with a weighted average exercise price of CAD$6.90 and expire in five years from the grant date; and
c)20,000 options were cancelled.

 

Pursuant to the above subsequent events, the Company has 122,214,640 common shares outstanding as at the date on which this MD&A was approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors.

 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES

 

Future Changes in Accounting Policies Not Yet Effective as at March 31, 2015

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("IFRS 15") which supersedes IAS 11 – Construction Contracts, IAS 18 – Revenue, IFRIC 13 – Customer Loyalty Programmes, IFRIC 15 – Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate, IFRIC 18 – Transfers of Assets from Customers, and SIC 31 – Revenue – Barter Transactions Involving Advertising Services. IFRS 15 establishes a single five-step model framework for determining the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from a contract with a customer. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Financial instruments

 

In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments ("IFRS 9") to replace IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS 9 provides a revised model for recognition and measurement of financial instruments and a single, forward-looking “expected loss” impairment model. IFRS 9 also includes a substantially reformed approach to hedge accounting. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Critical Accounting Judgments and Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS as issued by IASB requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of the amount, events or actions, actual results may differ from these estimates. There were no changes in critical accounting judgments and estimates that were significantly different from those disclosed in the Company’s annual MD&A as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 25
 

 

NON-GAAP MEASURES

 

The Company has included certain non-GAAP measures including “Cash costs per ounce”, “Production cost per tonne”, “All-in sustaining costs per ounce”, “Average realized silver price”, “Adjusted Earnings per share”, “Cash flow per share” and "Working capital” to supplement its condensed interim consolidated financial statements, which are presented in accordance with IFRS. The terms IFRS and generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are used interchangeably throughout this MD&A.

 

The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

 

Cash Cost per Ounce, All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce and Production Cost per Tonne

 

Cash costs per ounce and total production cost per tonne are non-GAAP measures used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company’s operating mining units, and are widely reported in the silver mining industry as benchmarks for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and are disclosed in addition to IFRS measures.

 

All-In Sustaining Cost (“AISC”) is a non-GAAP measure and was calculated based on guidance provided by the World Gold Council (“WGC”) in June 2013. WGC is not a regulatory industry organization and does not have the authority to develop accounting standards for disclosure requirements. Other mining companies may calculate AISC differently as a result of differences in underlying accounting principles and policies applied, as well as differences in definitions of sustaining versus development capital expenditures.

 

AISC is a more comprehensive measure than cash cost per ounce for the Company’s consolidated operating performance by providing greater visibility, comparability and representation of the total costs associated with producing silver from its current operations.

 

The Company defines sustaining capital expenditures as, “costs incurred to sustain and maintain existing assets at current productive capacity and constant planned levels of productive output without resulting in an increase in the life of assets, future earnings, or improvements in recovery or grade. Sustaining capital includes costs required to improve/enhance assets to minimum standards for reliability, environmental or safety requirements. Sustaining capital expenditures excludes all expenditures at the Company’s new projects and certain expenditures at current operations which are deemed expansionary in nature.”

 

Consolidated AISC includes total production cash costs incurred at the Company’s mining operations, which forms the basis of the Company’s total cash costs. Additionally, the Company includes sustaining capital expenditures, corporate general and administrative expense, exploration and evaluation costs, share-based payments and reclamation cost accretion. AISC by mine does not include certain corporate and non-cash items such as general and administrative expense and share-based payments. The Company believes that this measure represents the total sustainable costs of producing silver from current operations, and provides the Company and other stakeholders of the Company with additional information of the Company’s operational performance and ability to generate cash flows. As the measure seeks to reflect the full cost of silver production from current operations, new project capital and expansionary capital at current operations are not included. Certain other cash expenditures, including tax payments, dividends and financing costs are also not included.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 26
 

 

The following tables provide a detailed reconciliation of these measures to cost of sales, as reported in notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars,  Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 
except ounce and per ounce amounts)  La Encantada   La Parrilla   Del Toro   San Martin   La Guitarra   Consolidated 
Production cost (A)  $7,354   $7,361   $7,560   $5,130   $2,219   $29,624 
Add: transportation and other selling cost   119    612    546    76    123    1,476 
Add: smelting and refining cost   245    3,204    3,816    153    824    8,242 
Add: environmental duty and royalties cost   49    113    84    59    24    329 
Total cash cost before by-product credits  $7,767   $11,290   $12,006   $5,418   $3,190   $39,671 
Deduct: By-product credits   (26)   (6,989)   (7,954)   (1,831)   (1,086)   (17,886)
Total cash cost (B)  $7,741   $4,301   $4,052   $3,587   $2,104   $21,785 
Workers’ Participation   (5)   -    -    (6)   15    4 
General and administrative expenses   -    -    -    -    -    4,157 
Share-based payments   -    -    -    -    -    1,609 
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   56    40    40    39    21    196 
Sustaining capital expenditures   1,890    2,639    1,681    1,336    1,164    9,030 
All-In Sustaining Costs (C)  $9,682   $6,980   $5,773   $4,956   $3,304   $36,781 
Payable silver ounces produced (D)   542,556    554,762    796,577    570,221    186,513    2,650,629 
Tonnes milled (E)   167,270    172,647    157,934    88,362    45,396    631,609 
                               
Total cash cost per ounce (B/D)  $14.27   $7.75   $5.09   $6.29   $11.28   $8.22 
All-in sustaining cost per ounce (C/D)  $17.85   $12.58   $7.25   $8.69   $17.71   $13.88 
Production cost per tonne (A/E)  $43.96   $42.64   $47.87   $58.06   $48.88   $46.90 

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars,  Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 
except ounce and per ounce amounts)  La Encantada   La Parrilla   Del Toro   San Martin   La Guitarra   Consolidated 
Production cost (A)  $8,318   $7,707   $11,168   $4,415   $2,313   $33,921 
Add: transportation and other selling cost   226    797    430    75    119    1,647 
Add: smelting and refining cost   379    3,071    1,566    92    695    5,803 
Add: environmental duty and royalties cost   113    186    73    35    29    436 
Total cash cost before by-product credits  $9,036   $11,761   $13,237   $4,617   $3,156   $41,807 
Deduct: By-product credits   (31)   (6,908)   (2,875)   (973)   (2,917)   (13,704)
Total cash cost (B)  $9,005   $4,853   $10,362   $3,644   $239   $28,103 
Workers’ Participation   779    -    -    -    -    779 
General and administrative expenses   -    -    -    -    -    4,975 
Share-based payments   -    -    -    -    -    2,648 
Accretion of decommissioning liabilities   56    35    47    33    31    202 
Sustaining capital expenditures   4,398    4,493    3,858    2,078    1,653    16,480 
All-In Sustaining Costs (C)  $14,238   $9,381   $14,267   $5,755   $1,923   $53,187 
Payable silver ounces produced (D)   1,039,398    782,239    627,532    281,698    111,374    2,842,241 
Tonnes milled (E)   181,924    186,216    144,822    78,524    46,177    637,663 
                               
Total cash cost per ounce (B/D)  $8.67   $6.21   $16.50   $12.94   $2.14   $9.88 
All-in sustaining cost per ounce (C/D)  $13.70   $11.99   $22.74   $20.43   $17.27   $18.71 
Production cost per tonne (A/E)  $45.77   $41.38   $77.09   $56.21   $50.07   $53.20 

 

Average Realized Silver Price per Ounce

 

Revenues are presented as the net sum of invoiced revenues related to delivered shipments of silver doré bars and concentrates, including associated metal by-products of gold, lead, zinc and iron ore after having deducted refining and smelting charges, and after elimination of intercompany shipments of silver, silver being minted into coins, ingots and bullion products.

 

The following is an analysis of the gross revenues prior to refining and smelting charges, and shows deducted smelting and refining charges to arrive at the net reportable revenue for the period per IFRS. Gross revenues are divided into payable equivalent silver ounces sold to calculate the average realized price per ounce of silver equivalents sold.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 27
 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Revenues as reported  $54,569   $65,296 
Add back: smelting and refining charges   8,242    5,803 
Gross Revenues   62,811    71,099 
Payable equivalent silver ounces sold   3,683,882    3,401,515 
Average realized price per ounce of silver sold(1)  $17.05   $20.90 
Average market price per ounce of silver per COMEX  $16.70   $20.46 

 

(1)Average realized price per ounce of silver sold in each reporting period is affected by mark-to-market adjustments and final settlements on concentrate shipments in prior periods. Concentrates sold to third-party smelters are provisionally priced and the price is not settled until a predetermined future date, typically one to four months after delivery to the customer, based on the market price at that time. The mark-to-market adjustments do not apply to doré sales.

 

Adjusted Earnings per Share (“Adjusted EPS”)

 

The Company uses the financial measure “Adjusted EPS” to supplement information in its consolidated financial statements. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, the Company and certain investors and analysts use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance. The Company excludes non-cash and unusual items from net earnings to provide a measure which allows the Company and investors to evaluate the operating results of the underlying core operations. The presentation of Adjusted EPS is not meant to be a substitute for EPS presented in accordance with IFRS, but rather should be evaluated in conjunction with such IFRS measure.

 

The following table provides a detailed reconciliation of net earnings as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements to adjusted net earnings and Adjusted EPS.

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Net earnings as reported  $(1,105)  $5,980 
Adjustments for non-cash or unusual items:          
    Deferred income tax expense   1,694    445 
    Share-based payments   1,609    2,648 
    Gain from fair value adjustment of prepayment facility   (468)   (1,425)
    Gain from investment in silver derivatives and marketable securities   (1,395)   (1,102)
 Recovery of write-down of mineral inventory   (654)   - 
Adjusted net (loss) earnings  $(319)  $6,546 
Weighted average number of shares on issue - basic   117,594,640    117,227,432 
Adjusted EPS  $(0.00)  $0.06 

 

Cash Flow per Share

 

Cash Flow per Share is determined based on operating cash flows before movements in working capital and income taxes, as illustrated in the consolidated statements of cash flow, divided by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Operating Cash Flows before Working Capital and Taxes  $17,314   $25,353 
Weighted average number of shares on issue - basic   117,594,640    117,227,432 
Cash Flow per Share  $0.15   $0.22 

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 28
 

 

Working Capital

 

Working capital is determined based on current assets and current liabilities as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company uses working capital as a measure of the Company’s short-term financial health and operating efficiency.

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
Current Assets  $61,866   $75,352 
Less: Current Liabilities   (74,464)   (78,222)
Working Capital  $(12,598)  $(2,870)

 

ADDITIONAL GAAP MEASURES

 

The Company uses additional financial measures which should be evaluated in conjunction with IFRS. It is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following additional GAAP measures are used:

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross margin represents the difference between revenues and cost of sales, excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization. Management believes that this presentation provides useful information to investors to evaluate the Company’s mine operating performance prior to non-cash depletion, depreciation and amortization in order to assess the Company’s ability to generate operating cash flow.

 

Mine Operating Earnings

 

Mine operating earnings represents the difference between gross margin and depletion, depreciation and amortization. Management believes that mine operating earnings provides useful information to investors because mine operating earnings excludes expenses not directly associated with commercial production.

 

Operating Cash Flows before Working Capital and Taxes

 

Operating cash flows before working capital and taxes represents cash flows generated from operations before changes in working capital and income taxes paid. Management believes that this measure allows investors to evaluate the Company’s pre-tax cash flows generated from operations adjusted for fluctuations in non-cash working capital items due to timing issues and the Company’s ability to service its debt.

 

The terms described above do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, therefore the Company’s definitions may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 29
 

 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of its President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon the results of that evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2015, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the appropriate time periods and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of its President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:

 

maintaining records that accurately and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, the transactions and dispositions of assets of the Company;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS;
provide reasonable assurance that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the Company’s Directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements because of inherent limitations. Additionally, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with the Company’s policies and procedures.

 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations of Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believes that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived and operated, may not prevent or detect all misstatements because of inherent limitations. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by unauthorized override of the control. The design of any control system also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in a cost effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 30
 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

 

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain information contained herein this MD&A constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “forecast”, “project”, ”intend”, ”believe”, ”anticipate”, “outlook” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the dates the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation: the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors”. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change other than as required by securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

Cautionary Note regarding Reserves and Resources

 

Mineral reserves and mineral resources are determined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”), issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators. This National Instrument lays out the standards of disclosure for mineral projects including rules relating to the determination of mineral reserves and mineral resources. This includes a requirement that a certified Qualified Person (“QP”) (as defined under the NI 43-101) supervises the preparation of the mineral reserves and mineral resources. Ramon Mendoza, P. Eng., Vice President of Technical Services and Jesus Velador, Ph.D., Regional Exploration Manager are certified QPs for the Company. Ramon Mendoza has reviewed this MD&A for QP technical disclosures. All NI 43-101 technical reports can be found on the Company’s website at www.firstmajestic.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Mineral Reserves and Resources

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ in certain material respects from the disclosure requirements of United States securities laws. The terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ from the definitions in the disclosure requirements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and contained in Industry Guide 7 (“Industry Guide 7”). Under Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report mineral reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any mineral reserve or cash flow analysis to designate mineral reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.

 

In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101. However, these terms are not defined terms under Industry Guide 7 and are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements of United States companies filed with the Commission. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves. “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a mineral resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations. In contrast, the Commission only permits U.S. companies to report mineralization that does not constitute “mineral reserves” by Commission standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

 

Accordingly, information contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 31
 

 

Additional Information

 

Additional information on the Company, including the Company’s Annual Information Form and the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company’s website at www.firstmajestic.com.

 

First Majestic Silver Corp. 2015 First Quarter MD&APage 32

 



 

Exhibit 99.3

 

Form 52-109F2

Certification of Interim Filings

Full Certificate

 

I, Keith Neumeyer, Chief Executive Officer of First Majestic Silver Corp., certify the following:

 

1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended March 31, 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 COSO’s 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework.

 

5.2ICFR – material weakness relating to design: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A for each material weakness relating to design existing at the end of the interim period

 

(a)a description of the material weakness;

 

1
 

 

(b)the impact of the material weakness on the issuer’s financial reporting and its ICFR; and

 

(c)the issuer’s current plans, if any, or any actions already undertaken, for remediating the material weakness.

 

5.3Limitation on scope of design: N/A

 

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 January 1, 2015 and ended on March 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

 

Date: May 6, 2015

 

“Keith Neumeyer”  
   
Keith Neumeyer  
Chief Executive Officer  

 

2

 



 

Exhibit 99.4

 

Form 52-109F2

Certification of Interim Filings

Full Certificate

 

I, Raymond Polman, Chief Financial Officer of First Majestic Silver Corp., certify the following:

1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended March 31, 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 COSO’s 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework.

 

5.2ICFR – material weakness relating to design: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A for each material weakness relating to design existing at the end of the interim period

 

(a)a description of the material weakness;

 

1
 

 

(b)the impact of the material weakness on the issuer’s financial reporting and its ICFR; and

 

(c)the issuer’s current plans, if any, or any actions already undertaken, for remediating the material weakness.

 

5.3Limitation on scope of design: N/A

 

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 January 1, 2015 and ended on March 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

 

Date: May 6, 2015

 

“Raymond Polman”  
   
Raymond Polman  
Chief Financial Officer  

 

2



 

Exhibit 99.5

 

Form 51-102F3

Material Change Report

 

Item 1.Name and Address of Company

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. (the “Company”)

1805 – 925 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2 CANADA

Telephone:     (604) 688-3033

Facsimile:       (604) 639-8873

 

Item 2.Date of Material Change

 

May 7, 2015

 

Item 3.News Release

 

The press release was disseminated through the services of Marketwired.

 

Item 4.Summary of Material Change

 

The Company announced announce the unaudited interim consolidated financial results of the Company for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

 

Item 5.  Full Description of Material Change

 

5.1Full Description of Material Change

 

See Schedule “A” attached hereto.

 

5.2Disclosure for Restructuring Transactions

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.Reliance on subsection 7.1(2) or (3) of National Instrument 51-102

 

Not applicable

 

Item 7.Omitted Information

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.Executive Officer

 

Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO

Telephone: (604) 688-3033 Facsimile: (604) 639-8873

 

Item 9.Date of Report

 

May 7, 2015

 

 
 

 

SCHEDULE “A”

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

Suite 1805 – 925 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6C 3L2

Telephone: (604) 688-3033 Fax: (604) 639-8873

Toll Free: 1-866-529-2807

Web site: www.firstmajestic.com; E-mail: info@firstmajestic.com

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

New York - AG  
Toronto – FR May 7, 2015
Frankfurt – FMV  
Mexico - AG  

 

First Majestic Reports First Quarter Financial Results

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. (AG: NYSE; FR: TSX) (the "Company" or “First Majestic”) is pleased to announce the unaudited interim consolidated financial results of the Company for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015. The full version of the financial statements and the management discussion and analysis can be viewed on the Company's web site at www.firstmajestic.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless stated otherwise.

 

FIRST Quarter 2015 FINANCIAL Highlights

 

·Generated revenues of $54.6 million
·Mine operating earnings amounted to $5.0 million
·Net earnings after taxes amounted to a loss of $1.1 million or earnings per share of ($0.01)
·Adjusted earnings per share (a non-GAAP measure) of $0.00, after excluding non-cash and non-recurring items
·Cash flow per share (a non-GAAP measure) of $0.15
·All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) was $13.88 per payable silver ounce
·Total cash cost, net of by-product credits, was $8.22 per payable silver ounce
·Average realized selling price for silver was $17.05 per ounce compared to the quarterly COMEX average price of $16.70
·Cash and cash equivalents of $22.4 million held at the end of the quarter
·Subsequent to quarter end, the Company completed a CAD$30.0 million bought deal private placement, issuing 4,620,000 common shares at a price of CAD$6.50 per share

 

Keith Neumeyer, CEO and President of First Majestic, stated: “Our operations delivered solid operational and cost results for the first quarter of 2015. The Del Toro Silver Mine has grown to become the Company’s new workhorse. Total production at Del Toro exceeded 1.3M silver equivalent ounces during the quarter, representing an increase of 66% compared to 0.8M in the first quarter of 2014. This significant growth, along with the lower energy cost due to the new power line, has begun to generate healthy profits for the Company. Our quarterly consolidated AISC per ounce of $13.88 came in below our annual cost guidance range of $13.96 to $15.48 and we anticipate achieving further cost improvements in the second half of the year as the plant expansion at La Encantada begins to contribute higher profit margin ounces."

 

 
 

 

FIRST QUARTER 2015 Highlights

 

   Q1   Q4   Q/Q   Q3   Q2   Q1 
HIGHLIGHTS  2015   2014    Change    2014   2014   2014 
Operating                               
Ore Processed / Tonnes Milled   631,609    683,528    (8%)   621,196    671,024    637,663 
Silver Ounces Produced   2,776,855    3,074,567    (10%)   2,680,439    3,098,218    2,895,497 
Silver Equivalent Ounces Produced   3,905,270    4,247,527    (8%)   3,523,536    3,855,223    3,631,672 
Cash Costs per Ounce(1)  $8.22   $8.51    (3%)  $10.41   $9.63   $9.88 
All-in Sustaining Cost per Ounce(1)  $13.88   $14.43    (4%)  $19.89   $18.18   $18.71 
Total Production Cost per Tonne(1)  $46.90   $47.15    (1%)  $54.34   $51.81   $53.20 
Average Realized Silver Price per Ounce ($/eq. oz.)(1)  $17.05   $16.30    5%  $19.10   $19.59   $20.90 
                               
Financial  ($ millions)                              
Revenues  $54.6   $72.5    (25%)  $40.8   $66.9   $65.3 
Mine Operating Earnings (2)  $5.0   $5.8    (14%)  $(1.8)  $9.5   $16.6 
Net Earnings  $(1.1)  $(64.6)   98%  $(10.5)  $7.6   $6.0 
Operating Cash Flows before Working Capital and Taxes (2)  $17.3   $21.1    (18%)  $9.0   $19.0   $25.4 
Cash and Cash Equivalents  $22.4   $40.3    (45%)  $34.7   $66.7   $41.5 
Working Capital (1)  $(12.6)  $(2.9)   (339%)  $11.4   $46.1   $18.7 
                               
Shareholders                              
Earnings per Share ("EPS") - Basic  $(0.01)  $(0.55)   98%  $(0.09)  $0.06   $0.05 
Adjusted EPS(1)  $0.00   $0.04    (108%)  $(0.04)  $0.02   $0.06 
Cash Flow per Share(1)  $0.15   $0.18    (18%)  $0.08   $0.16   $0.22 

 

(1)The Company reports non-GAAP measures which include cash costs per ounce, all-in sustaining cost per ounce, total production cost per ounce, total production cost per tonne, average realized silver price per ounce, working capital, adjusted EPS and cash flow per share. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions.
(2)The Company reports additional GAAP measures which include mine operating earnings and operating cash flows before movements in working capital and income taxes. These additional financial measures are intended to provide additional information and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS.

 

FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

The Company generated revenues of $54.6 million for the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of 16% compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to an 18% decrease in silver prices, partially offset by an 8% increase in silver equivalent ounces sold. Compared to the prior quarter, revenues decreased 25% primarily due an 8% decrease in total production as well as the sale of approximately 934,000 ounces of silver that had been temporary suspended in the third quarter of 2014 and later sold in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Net earnings improved to a minor loss of $1.1 million, or ($0.01) per share, compared to a loss of $64.6 million, or ($0.55) per share in the previous quarter. The loss in the prior quarter was due to a non-cash impairment charge of $102.0 million, or $66.0 million net of tax, related to some of the Company’s non-current assets and related taxation effects. After excluding non-cash and non-recurring items, the adjusted first quarter net loss was $0.3 million, or $0.00 per share.

 

Mine operating earnings decreased to $5.0 million compared to $5.8 million in the previous quarter. The decrease in mine operating earnings was primarily affected by lower silver equivalent ounces sold and a slight increase in smelting/refining charges due to a higher proportion of concentrates produced relative to doré production.

 

Cash flows from operations before movements in working capital and income taxes in the first quarter totaled $17.3 million or $0.15 per share, compared to $21.1 million or $0.18 per share in the previous quarter. The decrease is due to lower mine operating earnings.

 

On April 22, 2015, the Company completed a CAD$30.0 million bought deal private placement, issuing 4,620,000 common shares at a price of $6.50 per share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the private placement for general working capital purposes and to ramp up the development of the La Guitarra Silver Mine in order to bring the Nazareno area online by year end and to advance the permitting and planning process for the Mina de Agua and El Rincon areas at La Guitarra. In addition, the Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds to begin the preparation of a Preliminary Economic Assessment of Plomosas.

 

2
 

 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Total production for the quarter was 3,905,270 silver equivalent ounces consisting of 2,776,855 ounces of silver, 2,970 ounces of gold, 11,286,880 pounds of lead and 6,349,692 pounds of zinc. The 8% decrease in production compared to the previous quarter was primarily attributed to a 31% decrease in production at La Encantada due to mining lower grade stopes and temporary disruptions in milling throughput caused by the construction activity, including the installation of a new tertiary crusher in January.

 

Del Toro has shown significant improvements over the last two quarters, as the mine realized consistent and efficient energy fully sourced from the newly constructed 115 kilovolt power line for the power requirements of the mine, mill and auxiliary buildings. This has resulted in lower costs, higher production and improved economics with the decommissioning of portable diesel power generation units. In addition, the use of new reagents and implementation of the new regrinding circuit has continued to improve metallurgical recoveries.

 

At La Encantada, the expansion project to 3,000 tpd is now 75% complete and remains on schedule for testing in June followed by ramp up beginning in July. Once at 3,000 tpd, management anticipates higher profit margins due to the implementation of lower cost bulk mining methods and the expected increase in silver ounces at La Encantada. At the end of the first quarter, total capital expenditures spent on property, plant and equipment related to the plant expansion have totaled $5.9 million and a remaining $0.8 million is expected to be spent in the second quarter to complete the expansion.

 

COSTS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

 

Cash cost per ounce (after by-product credits) for the quarter was $8.22 per payable ounce of silver, a decrease of 17% compared to the first quarter of 2014. Compared to the previous quarter, the cash cost per ounce decreased 3% to $8.51. The improvement in cash cost is primarily attributed to the on-going improvements at Del Toro, which had a cash cost of $5.09 per ounce in the first quarter, or a 28% decrease compared to $7.03 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2014. In addition, cash costs experienced a favourable foreign exchange effect, as the quarterly average Mexican Peso weakened against the U.S. Dollar by 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

As shown in the table below, consolidated AISC in the first quarter was $13.88 per payable silver ounce, a 4% reduction compared to $14.43 per ounce in the previous quarter and a 26% reduction compared to $18.71 per ounce in the first quarter of 2014. AISC improved significantly compared to the first quarter of 2014 as a result of economies of scale attributed to production improvements from Del Toro and San Martin offset by higher cash costs per ounce at La Encantada due to a 48% decrease in total silver ounces produced. In addition, the Company has started to experience cost savings from the new power line at Del Toro, ongoing re-negotiation with suppliers and contractors, staff reductions, and the effect of the weaker Mexican Peso.

 

The following table contains the mine by mine AISC from the first quarter of 2015 compared to the previous quarter and the first quarter of 2014.

 

   All-in Sustaining Costs (per Payable Silver Ounce)     
Mine  Q1 2015   Q4 2014   Q/Q change   Q1 2014   Y/Y change 
La Encantada  $17.85   $17.76    1%  $13.70    30%
La Parrilla  $12.58   $11.09    13%  $11.99    5%
Del Toro  $7.25   $10.16    (29%)  $22.74    (68%)
San Martin  $8.69   $9.54    (9%)  $20.43    (57%)
La Guitarra  $17.71   $17.21    3%  $17.27    3%
Total:  $13.88   $14.43    (4%)  $18.71    (26%)

 

Capital expenditures in the first quarter were $15.8 million, primarily consisting of $3.8 million at La Encantada, $4.3 million at La Parrilla, $3.3 million at Del Toro, $2.2 million at San Martin and $1.6 million at La Guitarra. Compared to the previous quarter, capital expenditures decreased 35% due to tighter cost controls and the reduction in development and exploration activities. At La Encantada, drilling and development were significantly reduced pending preparation of the Ojuelas drilling stations but are expected to increase as the year progresses in order to supply the expanded 3,000 tpd circuit.

 

3
 

 

ABOUT FIRST MAJESTIC

 

First Majestic is a mining company focused on silver production in México and is aggressively pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets and the pursuit through acquisition of additional mineral assets which contribute to the Company achieving its corporate growth objectives.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact info@firstmajestic.com, visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll free number 1.866.529.2807.

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

 

“signed”

 

Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates and estimates of future production and costs of production at our properties; estimated production rates for silver and other payable metals produced by us, the estimated cost of development of our development projects; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies on our operations, including, without limitation, the laws in Mexico which currently have significant restrictions related to mining; obtaining or maintaining necessary permits, licences and approvals from government authorities; and continued access to necessary infrastructure, including, without limitation, access to power, land, water and roads to carry on activities as planned.

 

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 or information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of silver, gold, base metals or certain other commodities (such as natural gas, fuel oil and electricity); fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, Mexico; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected 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; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining, including those currently enacted in Mexico; 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, permits and approvals from government authorities; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; the Company’s title to properties; and the factors identified under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form, under the caption “Risks Relating to First Majestic's Business”.

 

Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or information. 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 anticipated, estimated 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.

 

4

 



 

Exhibit 99.6

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

Suite 1805 – 925 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6C 3L2

Telephone: (604) 688-3033 Fax: (604) 639-8873

Toll Free: 1-866-529-2807

Web site: www.firstmajestic.com; E-mail: info@firstmajestic.com

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

New York - AG  
Toronto – FR May 7, 2015
Frankfurt – FMV  
Mexico - AG  

 

First Majestic Reports First Quarter Financial Results

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. (AG: NYSE; FR: TSX) (the "Company" or “First Majestic”) is pleased to announce the unaudited interim consolidated financial results of the Company for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015. The full version of the financial statements and the management discussion and analysis can be viewed on the Company's web site at www.firstmajestic.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless stated otherwise.

 

FIRST Quarter 2015 FINANCIAL Highlights

 

·Generated revenues of $54.6 million
·Mine operating earnings amounted to $5.0 million
·Net earnings after taxes amounted to a loss of $1.1 million or earnings per share of ($0.01)
·Adjusted earnings per share (a non-GAAP measure) of $0.00, after excluding non-cash and non-recurring items
·Cash flow per share (a non-GAAP measure) of $0.15
·All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) was $13.88 per payable silver ounce
·Total cash cost, net of by-product credits, was $8.22 per payable silver ounce
·Average realized selling price for silver was $17.05 per ounce compared to the quarterly COMEX average price of $16.70
·Cash and cash equivalents of $22.4 million held at the end of the quarter
·Subsequent to quarter end, the Company completed a CAD$30.0 million bought deal private placement, issuing 4,620,000 common shares at a price of CAD$6.50 per share

 

Keith Neumeyer, CEO and President of First Majestic, stated: “Our operations delivered solid operational and cost results for the first quarter of 2015. The Del Toro Silver Mine has grown to become the Company’s new workhorse. Total production at Del Toro exceeded 1.3M silver equivalent ounces during the quarter, representing an increase of 66% compared to 0.8M in the first quarter of 2014. This significant growth, along with the lower energy cost due to the new power line, has begun to generate healthy profits for the Company. Our quarterly consolidated AISC per ounce of $13.88 came in below our annual cost guidance range of $13.96 to $15.48 and we anticipate achieving further cost improvements in the second half of the year as the plant expansion at La Encantada begins to contribute higher profit margin ounces."

 

 
 

 

FIRST QUARTER 2015 Highlights

 

   Q1   Q4   Q/Q   Q3   Q2   Q1 
HIGHLIGHTS  2015   2014   Change   2014   2014   2014 
Operating                        
Ore Processed / Tonnes Milled   631,609    683,528    (8%)   621,196    671,024    637,663 
Silver Ounces Produced   2,776,855    3,074,567    (10%)   2,680,439    3,098,218    2,895,497 
Silver Equivalent Ounces Produced   3,905,270    4,247,527    (8%)   3,523,536    3,855,223    3,631,672 
Cash Costs per Ounce(1)  $8.22   $8.51    (3%)  $10.41   $9.63   $9.88 
All-in Sustaining Cost per Ounce(1)  $13.88   $14.43    (4%)  $19.89   $18.18   $18.71 
Total Production Cost per Tonne(1)  $46.90   $47.15    (1%)  $54.34   $51.81   $53.20 
Average Realized Silver Price per Ounce ($/eq. oz.)(1)  $17.05   $16.30    5%  $19.10   $19.59   $20.90 
Financial  ($ millions)                              
Revenues  $54.6   $72.5    (25%)  $40.8   $66.9   $65.3 
Mine Operating Earnings (2)  $5.0   $5.8    (14%)  $(1.8)  $9.5   $16.6 
Net Earnings  $(1.1)  $(64.6)   98%  $(10.5)  $7.6   $6.0 
Operating Cash Flows before Working Capital and Taxes (2)  $17.3   $21.1    (18%)  $9.0   $19.0   $25.4 
Cash and Cash Equivalents  $22.4   $40.3    (45%)  $34.7   $66.7   $41.5 
Working Capital (1)  $(12.6)  $(2.9)   (339%)  $11.4   $46.1   $18.7 
Shareholders                              
Earnings per Share ("EPS") - Basic  $(0.01)  $(0.55)   98%  $(0.09)  $0.06   $0.05 
Adjusted EPS(1)  $0.00   $0.04    (108%)  $(0.04)  $0.02   $0.06 
Cash Flow per Share(1)  $0.15   $0.18    (18%)  $0.08   $0.16   $0.22 

 

(1)The Company reports non-GAAP measures which include cash costs per ounce, all-in sustaining cost per ounce, total production cost per ounce, total production cost per tonne, average realized silver price per ounce, working capital, adjusted EPS and cash flow per share. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions.
(2)The Company reports additional GAAP measures which include mine operating earnings and operating cash flows before movements in working capital and income taxes. These additional financial measures are intended to provide additional information and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS.

 

FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

The Company generated revenues of $54.6 million for the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of 16% compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to an 18% decrease in silver prices, partially offset by an 8% increase in silver equivalent ounces sold. Compared to the prior quarter, revenues decreased 25% primarily due an 8% decrease in total production as well as the sale of approximately 934,000 ounces of silver that had been temporary suspended in the third quarter of 2014 and later sold in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Net earnings improved to a minor loss of $1.1 million, or ($0.01) per share, compared to a loss of $64.6 million, or ($0.55) per share in the previous quarter. The loss in the prior quarter was due to a non-cash impairment charge of $102.0 million, or $66.0 million net of tax, related to some of the Company’s non-current assets and related taxation effects. After excluding non-cash and non-recurring items, the adjusted first quarter net loss was $0.3 million, or $0.00 per share.

 

Mine operating earnings decreased to $5.0 million compared to $5.8 million in the previous quarter. The decrease in mine operating earnings was primarily affected by lower silver equivalent ounces sold and a slight increase in smelting/refining charges due to a higher proportion of concentrates produced relative to doré production.

 

Cash flows from operations before movements in working capital and income taxes in the first quarter totaled $17.3 million or $0.15 per share, compared to $21.1 million or $0.18 per share in the previous quarter. The decrease is due to lower mine operating earnings.

 

On April 22, 2015, the Company completed a CAD$30.0 million bought deal private placement, issuing 4,620,000 common shares at a price of $6.50 per share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the private placement for general working capital purposes and to ramp up the development of the La Guitarra Silver Mine in order to bring the Nazareno area online by year end and to advance the permitting and planning process for the Mina de Agua and El Rincon areas at La Guitarra. In addition, the Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds to begin the preparation of a Preliminary Economic Assessment of Plomosas.

 

2
 

 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Total production for the quarter was 3,905,270 silver equivalent ounces consisting of 2,776,855 ounces of silver, 2,970 ounces of gold, 11,286,880 pounds of lead and 6,349,692 pounds of zinc. The 8% decrease in production compared to the previous quarter was primarily attributed to a 31% decrease in production at La Encantada due to mining lower grade stopes and temporary disruptions in milling throughput caused by the construction activity, including the installation of a new tertiary crusher in January.

 

Del Toro has shown significant improvements over the last two quarters, as the mine realized consistent and efficient energy fully sourced from the newly constructed 115 kilovolt power line for the power requirements of the mine, mill and auxiliary buildings. This has resulted in lower costs, higher production and improved economics with the decommissioning of portable diesel power generation units. In addition, the use of new reagents and implementation of the new regrinding circuit has continued to improve metallurgical recoveries.

 

At La Encantada, the expansion project to 3,000 tpd is now 75% complete and remains on schedule for testing in June followed by ramp up beginning in July. Once at 3,000 tpd, management anticipates higher profit margins due to the implementation of lower cost bulk mining methods and the expected increase in silver ounces at La Encantada. At the end of the first quarter, total capital expenditures spent on property, plant and equipment related to the plant expansion have totaled $5.9 million and a remaining $0.8 million is expected to be spent in the second quarter to complete the expansion.

 

COSTS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

 

Cash cost per ounce (after by-product credits) for the quarter was $8.22 per payable ounce of silver, a decrease of 17% compared to the first quarter of 2014. Compared to the previous quarter, the cash cost per ounce decreased 3% to $8.51. The improvement in cash cost is primarily attributed to the on-going improvements at Del Toro, which had a cash cost of $5.09 per ounce in the first quarter, or a 28% decrease compared to $7.03 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2014. In addition, cash costs experienced a favourable foreign exchange effect, as the quarterly average Mexican Peso weakened against the U.S. Dollar by 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

As shown in the table below, consolidated AISC in the first quarter was $13.88 per payable silver ounce, a 4% reduction compared to $14.43 per ounce in the previous quarter and a 26% reduction compared to $18.71 per ounce in the first quarter of 2014. AISC improved significantly compared to the first quarter of 2014 as a result of economies of scale attributed to production improvements from Del Toro and San Martin offset by higher cash costs per ounce at La Encantada due to a 48% decrease in total silver ounces produced. In addition, the Company has started to experience cost savings from the new power line at Del Toro, ongoing re-negotiation with suppliers and contractors, staff reductions, and the effect of the weaker Mexican Peso.

 

The following table contains the mine by mine AISC from the first quarter of 2015 compared to the previous quarter and the first quarter of 2014.

 

   All-in Sustaining Costs (per Payable Silver Ounce)     
Mine  Q1 2015   Q4 2014   Q/Q change   Q1 2014   Y/Y change 
La Encantada  $17.85   $17.76    1%  $13.70    30%
La Parrilla  $12.58   $11.09    13%  $11.99    5%
Del Toro  $7.25   $10.16    -29%  $22.74    -68%
San Martin  $8.69   $9.54    -9%  $20.43    -57%
La Guitarra  $17.71   $17.21    3%  $17.27    3%
Total:  $13.88   $14.43    -4%  $18.71    -26%

 

Capital expenditures in the first quarter were $15.8 million, primarily consisting of $3.8 million at La Encantada, $4.3 million at La Parrilla, $3.3 million at Del Toro, $2.2 million at San Martin and $1.6 million at La Guitarra. Compared to the previous quarter, capital expenditures decreased 35% due to tighter cost controls and the reduction in development and exploration activities. At La Encantada, drilling and development were significantly reduced pending preparation of the Ojuelas drilling stations but are expected to increase as the year progresses in order to supply the expanded 3,000 tpd circuit.

 

3
 

 

ABOUT FIRST MAJESTIC

 

First Majestic is a mining company focused on silver production in México and is aggressively pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets and the pursuit through acquisition of additional mineral assets which contribute to the Company achieving its corporate growth objectives.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact info@firstmajestic.com, visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll free number 1.866.529.2807.

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

 

“signed”

 

Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates and estimates of future production and costs of production at our properties; estimated production rates for silver and other payable metals produced by us, the estimated cost of development of our development projects; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies on our operations, including, without limitation, the laws in Mexico which currently have significant restrictions related to mining; obtaining or maintaining necessary permits, licences and approvals from government authorities; and continued access to necessary infrastructure, including, without limitation, access to power, land, water and roads to carry on activities as planned.

 

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 or information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of silver, gold, base metals or certain other commodities (such as natural gas, fuel oil and electricity); fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, Mexico; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected 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; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining, including those currently enacted in Mexico; 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, permits and approvals from government authorities; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; the Company’s title to properties; and the factors identified under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form, under the caption “Risks Relating to First Majestic's Business”.

 

Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or information. 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 anticipated, estimated 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.

 

4

 

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