HL Hecla Mining Company

Second highest silver revenues in company history

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) today announced first quarter 2023 financial and operating results.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Operational

• Produced 4.0 million ounces of silver, a 10% increase over the fourth quarter of 2022 and more than any quarter since 2016.
• Record quarterly gold production of 14,885 ounces at Greens Creek; lead production was the 2nd highest in Company's history.
• Greens Creek achieved record quarterly throughput of 2,591 tons per day ("tpd").
• Keno Hill development 75% complete and remains on track for third quarter mill startup.
• Achieved All-injury frequency rate (“AIFR”) of 1.13, lowest since 2012 led by Lucky Friday’s AIFR of 0.62, a safety record for the mine while at full production.

Financial

• Sales of $199.5 million with silver revenues 38% and gold revenues 35%; silver revenues were 2nd highest in Company history.
• Consolidated silver total cost of sales of $100.8 million and cash cost and AISC per silver ounce (each after by-product credits) of $2.14 and $8.96, respectively.3,4
• Cash flow from operations of $40.6 million, silver operations generated $89.5 million in cash flow from operations, and $68.6 million in free cash flow.2
• Net loss applicable to common stockholders of $3.3 million or $0.01 per share, and adjusted net income of $6.6 million or $0.01 per share.5
• Adjusted EBITDA of $61.9 million, net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.9.1
• Strong balance sheet with $95.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, credit facility undrawn, and $240 million in available liquidity.

Environmental, Social, Governance

• Casa Berardi received Quebec’s John T. Ryan safety award for lowest reportable injury frequency rate for the second time in three years.
• Net zero in 2022 as scope 1&2 CO2 emissions offset with certified emission reduction credits.

Strategic

• ATAC Resources acquisition announced for CAD $31 million; transaction expected to close in the third quarter.

“As we continue our growth in silver production, silver revenues are now exceeding gold revenues for the second consecutive quarter,” said Phillips S. Baker Jr., President and CEO. “Greens Creek had excellent operational performance achieving record throughput and very strong silver and record gold production, and Lucky Friday exceeded 1.2 million ounces of silver production for third time out of the last four quarters.”

Baker continued, “Greens Creek and Lucky Friday generated $69 million in free cash flow with both mines exceeding $31 million. Our first priority in capital allocation of this free cash flow is investing it in our mines – particularly Keno Hill, which remains on track to produce more than 2.5 million ounces of silver this year, Casa Berardi, where we are beginning the transition to a primarily open pit operation, and Lucky Friday, where we are completing the ore bunker and service hoist.”

Baker concluded, “Hecla produced 45% of United States silver in 2022, making us the nation’s largest silver producer. With almost 17 million ounces of silver production expected in 2023 and potentially increasing to 20 million ounces by 2025, Hecla is expected to become Canada’s largest silver producer as well. Our production growth provides shareholders more exposure to silver from long-lived, low-cost mines that will help provide silver needed for solar power, the fastest growing renewable energy source.”

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

In the following table and throughout this release, “total cost of sales” is comprised of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization.

In Thousands unless stated otherwise

 

1Q-2023

 

 

4Q-2022

 

 

3Q-2022

 

 

2Q-2022

 

 

1Q-2022

 

 

FY 2022

 

FINANCIAL AND PRODUCTION SUMMARY

 

Sales

 

$

199,500

 

 

$

194,825

 

 

$

146,339

 

 

$

191,242

 

 

$

186,499

 

 

$

718,905

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

164,552

 

 

$

169,807

 

 

$

137,892

 

 

$

153,979

 

 

$

141,070

 

 

$

602,749

 

Gross profit

 

$

34,948

 

 

$

25,018

 

 

$

8,447

 

 

$

37,263

 

 

$

45,429

 

 

$

116,156

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(3,311

)

 

$

(4,590

)

 

$

(23,664

)

 

$

(13,661

)

 

$

4,015

 

 

$

(37,900

)

Basic income (loss) per common share (in dollars)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

(0.07

)

Adjusted EBITDA1

 

$

61,901

 

 

$

62,261

 

 

$

26,554

 

 

$

70,474

 

 

$

58,202

 

 

$

217,492

 

Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

40,603

 

 

$

36,120

 

 

$

(24,322

)

 

$

40,183

 

 

$

37,909

 

 

$

89,890

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

(54,443

)

 

$

(56,140

)

 

$

(37,430

)

 

$

(34,329

)

 

$

(21,478

)

 

$

(149,378

)

Free Cash Flow2

 

$

(13,840

)

 

$

(20,020

)

 

$

(61,752

)

 

$

5,854

 

 

$

16,431

 

 

$

(59,488

)

Silver ounces produced

 

 

4,041,878

 

 

 

3,663,433

 

 

 

3,549,392

 

 

 

3,645,454

 

 

 

3,324,708

 

 

 

14,182,987

 

Silver payable ounces sold

 

 

3,604,494

 

 

 

3,756,701

 

 

 

2,479,724

 

 

 

3,387,909

 

 

 

2,687,261

 

 

 

12,311,595

 

Gold ounces produced

 

 

39,717

 

 

 

43,634

 

 

 

44,747

 

 

 

45,719

 

 

 

41,707

 

 

 

175,807

 

Gold payable ounces sold

 

 

39,473

 

 

 

40,097

 

 

 

40,443

 

 

 

44,225

 

 

 

41,053

 

 

 

165,818

 

Cash Costs and AISC, each after by-product credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver cash costs per ounce 3

 

$

2.14

 

 

$

4.79

 

 

$

3.43

 

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

1.09

 

 

$

2.06

 

Silver AISC per ounce 4

 

$

8.96

 

 

$

13.98

 

 

$

12.93

 

 

$

8.08

 

 

$

7.37

 

 

$

10.66

 

Gold cash costs per ounce 3

 

$

1,775

 

 

$

1,696

 

 

$

1,349

 

 

$

1,371

 

 

$

1,516

 

 

$

1,478

 

Gold AISC per ounce 4

 

$

2,392

 

 

$

2,075

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

$

1,605

 

 

$

1,764

 

 

$

1,773

 

Realized Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver, $/ounce

 

$

22.62

 

 

$

22.03

 

 

$

18.30

 

 

$

20.68

 

 

$

24.68

 

 

$

21.53

 

Gold, $/ounce

 

$

1,902

 

 

$

1,757

 

 

$

1,713

 

 

$

1,855

 

 

$

1,880

 

 

$

1,803

 

Lead, $/pound

 

$

1.02

 

 

$

1.05

 

 

$

0.95

 

 

$

0.97

 

 

$

1.08

 

 

$

1.01

 

Zinc, $/pound

 

$

1.39

 

 

$

1.24

 

 

$

1.23

 

 

$

1.44

 

 

$

1.79

 

 

$

1.41

 

Net loss applicable to common stockholders decreased to $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2023 from $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to:

• Increased gross profit of $9.9 million due to higher revenues arising from higher realized metals prices (except lead) and lower cost of sales.
• Decreased general and administrative expenses of $2.3 million as a result of a higher incentive compensation accrued in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Decreased provision for closed operations and environmental matters of $3.6 million reflecting the Troy Mine accrual recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Decreased exploration and pre-development expenses of $1.9 million reflecting lower expenditures across our portfolio.

The above items were partly offset by:

• Decreased fair value adjustments, net of $6.8 million resulting from changes in our marketable securities portfolio.
• Increased ramp-up and suspension costs of $3.8 million as a result of continued ramp-up at Keno Hill.
• Increased income and mining tax expense of $7.2 million, reflecting increased taxable income from our U.S. assets

Consolidated silver total cost of sales in the first quarter decreased by 2% to $100.8 million from the prior quarter due to lower fuel prices partially offset by higher labor costs. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $2.14 and $8.96, respectively.3,4 The decrease in cash costs per ounce was due to higher silver production, lower total cost of sales, higher by-product credits due to higher gold and lead production, and higher gold prices, with AISC further impacted by lower sustaining capital due to timing of expenditures 3,4

Consolidated total gold cost of sales decreased by 2% to $63.7 million primarily due to lower labor and consumables costs attributable to lower underground tonnage at Casa Berardi. Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1,775 and $2,392, respectively.3,4 The increase in cash costs per ounce was primarily due to lower gold production resulting from lower grades, with AISC further impacted by higher sustaining capital.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $61.9 million, in line with the prior quarter as higher gross profit and lower depreciation, depletion and amortization and general and administrative expenses in the quarter were offset by the monetization of zinc hedges in the prior quarter. The ratio of net debt (calculated as long-term debt and finance leases less cash) to adjusted EBITDA was unchanged at 1.9, with long-term debt and finance leases of $526.0 million and cash and equivalents of $95.9 million at the end of the quarter.1 The Company also issued stock under its ATM program in the first quarter for net proceeds of $11.9 million.

Cash provided by operating activities was $40.6 million, an increase of 12% over the prior quarter due to higher gross profit and favorable working capital changes partially offset by the monetization of zinc hedges in the prior quarter.

Capital expenditures, net of leases, totaled $54.4 million compared to $56.1 million in prior quarter. The decrease was due to timing related lower capital spend at Greens Creek, which was offset by higher capital spend at Casa Berardi primarily attributable to the tailings expansion, higher development, and equipment capital spend at Keno Hill as the mine prepares for mill startup in the third quarter of 2023, and higher capital spend at Lucky Friday with the service hoist and coarse ore bunker projects expected to be completed by the fourth quarter.

Free cash flow for the quarter was negative $13.8 million, compared to negative $20.0 million in the prior quarter due to higher gross profit, lower production costs, favorable working capital changes, and lower capital spending.2

Forward Sales Contracts for Base Metals and Foreign Currency

The Company uses financially settled forward sales contracts to manage exposures to zinc and lead price changes. On March 31, 2023, the Company had contracts covering approximately 29% of the forecasted payable zinc production for 2023 at an average price of $1.47 per pound, and 38% of the forecasted payable lead production (through 2025) at an average price of $0.99 per pound.

The Company also manages CAD exposure through forward contracts. On March 31, 2023, the Company had hedged approximately 47% of forecasted Casa Berardi CAD direct production costs through 2026 at an average CAD/USD rate of 1.32. The Company has also hedged approximately 21% of Casa Berardi capital costs through 2026 at 1.35. At Keno Hill, 70% of the total planned spend for 2023 and 2024 is hedged at an average CAD/USD rate of 1.36.

OPERATIONS OVERVIEW

Greens Creek Mine - Alaska

Dollars are in thousands except cost per ton

 

1Q-2023

 

 

4Q-2022

 

 

3Q-2022

 

 

2Q-2022

 

 

1Q-2022

 

 

FY 2022

 

GREENS CREEK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons of ore processed

 

 

233,167

 

 

 

230,225

 

 

 

229,975

 

 

 

209,558

 

 

 

211,687

 

 

 

881,445

 

Total production cost per ton

 

$

198.60

 

 

$

211.29

 

 

$

185.34

 

 

$

197.84

 

 

$

192.16

 

 

$

196.73

 

Ore grade milled - Silver (oz./ton)

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

14.0

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

 

13.6

 

Ore grade milled - Gold (oz./ton)

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.07

 

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.07

 

 

 

0.08

 

Ore grade milled - Lead (%)

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

2.7

 

Ore grade milled - Zinc (%)

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

6.7

 

Silver produced (oz.)

 

 

2,772,860

 

 

 

2,433,275

 

 

 

2,468,280

 

 

 

2,410,598

 

 

 

2,429,782

 

 

 

9,741,935

 

Gold produced (oz.)

 

 

14,885

 

 

 

12,989

 

 

 

11,412

 

 

 

12,413

 

 

 

11,402

 

 

 

48,216

 

Lead produced (tons)

 

 

5,202

 

 

 

4,985

 

 

 

4,428

 

 

 

5,184

 

 

 

4,883

 

 

 

19,480

 

Zinc produced (tons)

 

 

12,482

 

 

 

13,842

 

 

 

12,580

 

 

 

13,396

 

 

 

12,494

 

 

 

52,312

 

Sales

 

$

98,611

 

 

$

95,374

 

 

$

60,875

 

 

$

92,723

 

 

$

86,090

 

 

$

335,062

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

(66,288

)

 

$

(70,075

)

 

$

(52,502

)

 

$

(60,506

)

 

$

(49,636

)

 

$

(232,718

)

Gross profit

 

$

32,323

 

 

$

25,299

 

 

$

8,373

 

 

$

32,217

 

 

$

36,453

 

 

$

102,344

 

Cash flow from operations

 

$

43,346

 

 

$

44,769

 

 

$

7,749

 

 

$

41,808

 

 

$

56,295

 

 

$

150,621

 

Exploration

 

$

448

 

 

$

1,050

 

 

$

3,776

 

 

$

929

 

 

$

165

 

 

$

5,920

 

Capital additions

 

$

(6,658

)

 

$

(12,150

)

 

$

(6,988

)

 

$

(14,668

)

 

$

(3,092

)

 

$

(36,898

)

Free cash flow 2

 

$

37,136

 

 

$

33,669

 

 

$

4,537

 

 

$

28,069

 

 

$

53,368

 

 

$

119,643

 

Cash cost per ounce, after by-product credits 3

 

$

1.16

 

 

$

4.26

 

 

$

2.65

 

 

$

(3.29

)

 

$

(0.90

)

 

$

0.70

 

AISC per ounce, after by-product credits 4

 

$

3.82

 

 

$

8.61

 

 

$

7.07

 

 

$

3.10

 

 

$

1.83

 

 

$

5.17

 

Greens Creek produced 2.8 million ounces of silver in the first quarter, an increase of 14% over the prior quarter due to higher throughput and grades. Gold production for the quarter was 14,885 ounces, a record in the mine's history and a 15% increase over the prior quarter. The mine achieved yet another quarterly throughput record of 2,591 tpd.

First quarter sales were $98.6 million and increased 3% over the prior quarter due to higher metal production except for zinc, which declined due to mine sequencing, and higher realized prices for silver, gold, and zinc. Total cost of sales for the quarter were $66.3 million, a decline of 5% over the prior quarter due to both lower fuel prices and fuel consumption as hydro power availability increased during the quarter, partially offset by higher labor costs. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1.16 and $3.82 and decreased over the prior quarter due to higher silver production, lower production costs, and higher gold by-product credits (attributable to higher gold realized price and production). AISC was also favorably impacted by lower capital spend in the quarter due to timing.3,4

Cash flow from operations was $43.3 million and decreased slightly over the prior quarter due to unfavorable working capital changes primarily related to an increase in accounts receivables. Free cash flow for the quarter was $37.1 million, an increase of 10% over the prior quarter due to the timing of capital spend.2

Lucky Friday Mine - Idaho

Dollars are in thousands except cost per ton

 

1Q-2023

 

 

4Q-2022

 

 

3Q-2022

 

 

2Q-2022

 

 

1Q-2022

 

 

FY 2022

 

LUCKY FRIDAY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons of ore processed

 

 

95,303

 

 

 

90,935

 

 

 

90,749

 

 

 

97,497

 

 

 

77,725

 

 

 

356,907

 

Total production cost per ton

 

$

210.72

 

 

$

232.73

 

 

$

207.10

 

 

$

211.45

 

 

$

247.17

 

 

$

223.55

 

Ore grade milled - Silver (oz./ton)

 

 

13.8

 

 

 

14.0

 

 

 

12.5

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

13.0

 

Ore grade milled - Lead (%)

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

8.7

 

Ore grade milled - Zinc (%)

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

3.9

 

Silver produced (oz.)

 

 

1,262,464

 

 

 

1,224,199

 

 

 

1,074,230

 

 

 

1,226,477

 

 

 

887,858

 

 

 

4,412,764

 

Lead produced (tons)

 

 

8,034

 

 

 

7,934

 

 

 

7,172

 

 

 

8,147

 

 

 

5,980

 

 

 

29,233

 

Zinc produced (tons)

 

 

3,313

 

 

 

3,335

 

 

 

3,279

 

 

 

3,370

 

 

 

2,452

 

 

 

12,436

 

Sales

 

$

49,110

 

 

$

45,434

 

 

$

28,460

 

 

$

35,880

 

 

$

38,040

 

 

$

147,814

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

(34,534

)

 

$

(32,819

)

 

$

(24,166

)

 

$

(30,348

)

 

$

(29,265

)

 

$

(116,598

)

Gross profit

 

$

14,576

 

 

$

12,615

 

 

$

4,294

 

 

$

5,532

 

 

$

8,775

 

 

$

31,216

 

Cash flow from operations

 

$

46,132

 

 

$

(7,437

)

 

$

11,624

 

 

$

21,861

 

 

$

11,765

 

 

$

37,813

 

Capital additions

 

$

(14,707

)

 

$

(13,714

)

 

$

(16,125

)

 

$

(11,501

)

 

$

(9,652

)

 

$

(50,992

)

Free cash flow 2

 

$

31,425

 

 

$

(21,151

)

 

$

(4,501

)

 

$

10,360

 

 

$

2,113

 

 

$

(13,179

)

Cash cost per ounce, after by-product credits 3

 

$

4.30

 

 

$

5.82

 

 

$

5.23

 

 

$

3.07

 

 

$

6.57

 

 

$

5.06

 

AISC per ounce, after by-product credits 4

 

$

10.69

 

 

$

12.88

 

 

$

15.98

 

 

$

9.91

 

 

$

13.15

 

 

$

12.86

 

Lucky Friday produced 1.3 million ounces of silver, an increase of 3% over the prior quarter attributable to higher throughput.

Sales in the first quarter were $49.1 million, an increase of 8% over the prior quarter due to higher silver and lead production and higher realized prices. Total cost of sales were $34.5 million, an increase of 5% over the prior quarter due to increased sales volumes and higher labor costs, including higher profit sharing with the miners due to increased profitability. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $4.30 and $10.69 respectively and decreased over the prior quarter due to higher production and higher by-product credits. Lower sustaining capital spend for the quarter impacted AISC favorably.3,4

Cash flow from operations was $46.1 million, higher than that of full year 2022, and an increase of $53.6 million over the prior quarter due to favorable working capital changes, which also included the receipt of $6.7 million related to a deferred silver concentrate shipment in the fourth quarter. Capital expenditures, net of leases, were $14.7 million, as the Company continues to invest in key projects including the service hoist and coarse ore bunker, increased development, and pre-production drilling to achieve the annual throughput goal of 425,000 tons in the fourth quarter of 2023. Free cash flow was $31.4 million, an increase of $52.6 million over the prior quarter primarily due to the increase in cash flow from operations.2

Casa Berardi - Quebec

Dollars are in thousands except cost per ton

 

1Q-2023

 

 

4Q-2022

 

 

3Q-2022

 

 

2Q-2022

 

 

1Q-2022

 

 

FY 2022

 

CASA BERARDI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons of ore processed - underground

 

 

110,245

 

 

 

160,150

 

 

 

162,215

 

 

 

176,576

 

 

 

161,609

 

 

 

660,550

 

Tons of ore processed - surface pit

 

 

318,913

 

 

 

250,883

 

 

 

227,726

 

 

 

225,042

 

 

 

224,541

 

 

 

928,189

 

Tons of ore processed - total

 

 

429,158

 

 

 

411,033

 

 

 

389,941

 

 

 

401,618

 

 

 

386,150

 

 

 

1,588,739

 

Surface tons mined - ore and waste

 

 

2,136,993

 

 

 

2,657,638

 

 

 

2,822,906

 

 

 

2,149,412

 

 

 

1,892,339

 

 

 

9,522,295

 

Total production cost per ton

 

$

107.95

 

 

$

125.75

 

 

$

114.52

 

 

$

113.07

 

 

$

117.96

 

 

$

117.89

 

Ore grade milled - Gold (oz./ton) - underground

 

 

0.13

 

 

 

0.15

 

 

 

0.15

 

 

 

0.19

 

 

 

0.14

 

 

 

0.16

 

Ore grade milled - Gold (oz./ton) - surface pit

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.06

 

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.05

 

Ore grade milled - Gold (oz./ton) - combined

 

 

0.07

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

0.09

 

Gold produced (oz.) - underground

 

 

11,788

 

 

 

20,365

 

 

 

22,181

 

 

 

22,866

 

 

 

19,374

 

 

 

84,786

 

Gold produced (oz.) - surface pit

 

 

12,898

 

 

 

10,344

 

 

 

11,154

 

 

 

10,440

 

 

 

10,866

 

 

 

42,804

 

Gold produced (oz.) - total

 

 

24,686

 

 

 

30,709

 

 

 

33,335

 

 

 

33,306

 

 

 

30,240

 

 

 

127,590

 

Silver produced (oz.) - total

 

 

6,554

 

 

 

5,960

 

 

 

6,882

 

 

 

8,379

 

 

 

7,068

 

 

 

28,289

 

Sales

 

$

50,998

 

 

$

53,458

 

 

$

56,939

 

 

$

62,639

 

 

$

62,101

 

 

$

235,136

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

(62,998

)

 

$

(65,328

)

 

$

(59,532

)

 

$

(61,870

)

 

$

(62,168

)

 

$

(248,898

)

Gross profit (loss)

 

$

(12,000

)

 

$

(11,870

)

 

$

(2,593

)

 

$

769

 

 

$

(67

)

 

$

(13,762

)

Cash flow from operations

 

$

(684

)

 

$

10,188

 

 

$

8,721

 

 

$

7,417

 

 

$

8,089

 

 

$

34,415

 

Exploration

 

$

1,054

 

 

$

1,637

 

 

$

2,624

 

 

$

1,341

 

 

$

2,635

 

 

$

8,237

 

Capital additions

 

$

(17,086

)

 

$

(12,995

)

 

$

(10,771

)

 

$

(8,093

)

 

$

(7,808

)

 

$

(39,667

)

Free cash flow 2

 

$

(16,716

)

 

$

(1,170

)

 

$

574

 

 

$

665

 

 

$

2,916

 

 

$

2,985

 

Cash cost per ounce, after by-product credits 3

 

$

1,775

 

 

$

1,696

 

 

$

1,349

 

 

$

1,371

 

 

$

1,516

 

 

$

1,478

 

AISC per ounce, after by-product credits 4

 

$

2,392

 

 

$

2,075

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

$

1,605

 

 

$

1,764

 

 

$

1,773

 

Casa Berardi produced 24,686 ounces of gold in the first quarter, a decrease of 20% over the prior quarter due to a 22% decline in overall gold grades primarily attributable to lower underground grades, partially offset by a 4% increase in mill recoveries. The mill continued to perform well, achieving a record quarterly throughput of 4,768 tpd.

Total cost of sales were $63.0 million, a decrease of 4% over the prior quarter primarily due to planned lower underground tonnage which resulted in lower underground labor, contractor, and consumables costs, partially offset by higher open pit tons. Cash costs and AISC per ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1,775 and $2,392, respectively, and increased over the prior quarter primarily due to lower gold production, with AISC also impacted by higher capital spend.3,4

Cash flow from operations for the quarter was negative $0.7 million, a decrease of $10.9 million due to lower production and unfavorable working capital changes. Free cash flow for the quarter was negative $16.7 million, a decrease of $15.5 million over the prior quarter due to lower cash flow from operations and higher planned capital spend. 2

Expected gold production remains weighted towards the second half of 2023. Cash costs and AISC, each after by-product credits, per gold ounce, are also expected to trend lower in the second half of the year.

Underground grade at the mine has declined by approximately 30% since 2018 in accordance with the mine plan. Smaller stopes and higher relative development have contributed to cost increases, which have been further exacerbated by inflationary pressures over the past year. The Company remains focused on underground exploration, but the mine is beginning the transition from an underground to an open pit operation. The F160 pit acts as a bridge between mining at the underground mines and mining higher grade open pit material, which is in the permitting pipeline. The higher grade open pit ore has reserve grades approximately 70% higher than the F160 pit. The mine is undergoing a period of transition and investment over the next few years and remains a key operation in the Company's portfolio.

Keno Hill - Yukon Territory

At Keno Hill, ramp-up and development activities continued through the first quarter as the mine remains on track to commence production in the third quarter. As of the end of April, approximately 75% of the development required for production was complete. Capital spending for the first quarter was $17.1 million and included mine development, equipment purchases, and critical infrastructure projects including plant – reconfiguring the secondary crushing circuit and installing underground infrastructure. The workforce is about 290 people, in line with the plan. Ore from Flame & Moth and Bermingham deposit is being stockpiled. 2023 silver production is expected to exceed 2.5 million ounces with full throughput achieved by the end of the year.

EXPLORATION AND PRE-DEVELOPMENT

Exploration and pre-development expenses totaled $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2023. Exploration and definition drilling activities primarily focused on targets at Casa Berardi, Greens Creek, and Keno Hill. In addition to drilling activities, surface, and underground targets were advanced through ongoing 3D detailed geological modeling at San Sebastian, Republic, and all our operating properties. At San Sebastian, geophysical surveys are ongoing and are planned to begin at Republic during the second quarter.

DIVIDENDS

Common Stock

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.00625 per share of common stock, consisting of $0.00375 per share for the minimum dividend component and $0.0025 per share for the silver-linked component. The common stock dividend is payable on or about June 9, 2023, to stockholders of record on May 22, 2023. The first quarter realized silver price was $22.62, satisfying the criterion for the Company’s common stock silver-linked dividend policy component.

Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors elected to declare a quarterly cash dividend of $0.875 per share of preferred stock, payable on or about July 3, 2023, to stockholders of record on June 15, 2023.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

A conference call and webcast will be held Wednesday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. We recommend that you dial in at least 10 minutes before the call commencement. You may join the conference call by dialing toll-free 1-888-330-2391 or for international dialing 1-240-789-2702. The Conference ID is 4812168 and must be provided when dialing in. Hecla's live and archived webcast can be accessed at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/379963057 or at www.hecla.com under News & Media.

VIRTUAL INVESTOR EVENT

Hecla will be holding a Virtual Investor Event on Wednesday, May 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Hecla invites shareholders, investors, and other interested parties to schedule a personal, 30-minute virtual meeting (video or telephone) with a member of senior management to discuss Financial, Exploration, Operations, ESG, or general matters. Click on the link below to schedule a call (or copy and paste the link into your web browser). You can select a topic once you have entered the meeting calendar. If you are unable to book a time, either due to high demand or for other reasons, please reach out to Anvita M. Patil, Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer at hmc-info@hecla-mining.com or 208-769-4100.

One-on-One meeting URL: https://calendly.com/2023-may-vie

ANNUAL MEETING

Hecla will host its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "AGM") on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. During the AGM, management will provide an overview of the Company's activities.

Hybrid Format

The AGM will be held in person at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (Eric Johnston Auditorium), 2316 West First Avenue, Spokane, Washington, and online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HL2023.

For details explaining how to attend, communicate and vote virtually at the AGM please see the Company's Proxy Statement dated April 11, 2023, filed under the Company's profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Shareholders who have questions about voting their shares or attending the AGM may contact Investor Relations by telephone at 1.800.432.5291 or by email at hmc-info@hecla-mining.com.

ABOUT HECLA

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) is the largest silver producer in the United States. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the Company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

NOTES

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meaning prescribed by United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures cited in this release and listed below are reconciled to their most comparable GAAP measure at the end of this release.

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to net income, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found at the end of the release. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure used by management to evaluate the Company's operating performance but should not be considered an alternative to net income, or cash provided by operating activities as those terms are defined by GAAP and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to debt and net income (loss), the most comparable GAAP measurements, can be found at the end of the release. It is an important measure for management to measure relative indebtedness and the ability to service the debt relative to its peers. It is calculated as long-term debt and finance leases outstanding less total cash on hand divided by adjusted EBITDA.

(2) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure calculated as cash provided by operating activities less additions to properties, plants and equipment, and mineral interests. Cash provided by operating activities for the Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, and Casa Berardi operating segments excludes exploration and pre-development expense, as it is a discretionary expenditure and not a component of the mines’ operating performance.

(3) Cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver and gold ounce is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to total cost of sales, the sum of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (sometimes referred to as "total cost of sales" in this release), can be found at the end of the release. It is an important operating statistic that management utilizes to measure each mine's operating performance. It also allows the benchmarking of performance of each mine versus those of our competitors. As a primary silver mining company, management also uses the statistic on an aggregate basis - aggregating the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines - to compare performance with that of other silver mining companies, and aggregating Casa Berardi and the Nevada operations, to compare its performance with other gold mining companies. Similarly, the statistic is useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as it provides a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical, and operating characteristics. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program.

(4) All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”), after by-product credits, is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the closest GAAP measurement, can be found in the end of the release. AISC, after by-product credits, includes total cost of sales and other direct production costs, expenses for reclamation at the mine sites and all site sustaining capital costs. AISC, after by-product credits, is calculated net of depreciation, depletion, and amortization and by-product credits. Prior year presentation has been adjusted to conform with current year presentation.

(5) Adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found at the end of the release. Adjusted net income (loss) is a measure used by management to evaluate the Company's operating performance but should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) as defined by GAAP. They exclude certain impacts which are of a nature which we believe are not reflective of our underlying performance. Management believes that adjusted net income (loss) per common share provides investors with the ability to better evaluate our underlying operating performance.

Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as total cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Management believes that AISC is a non-GAAP measure that provides additional information to management, investors and analysts to help (i) in the understanding of the economics of our operations and performance compared to other producers and (ii) in the transparency by better defining the total costs associated with production. Similarly, the statistic is useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as it provides a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical, and operating characteristics. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program.

Other

(6) Expectations for 2023 include silver, gold, lead and zinc production from Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Keno Hill, and Casa Berardi converted using Au $1,800/oz, Ag $22/oz, Zn $1.15/lb., and Pb 0.90$/lb., CAD/USD 1.30. Numbers may be rounded.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Including 2023 Outlook

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws, including Canadian securities laws. Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “projects”, “believes”, “estimates”, “targets”, “anticipates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may include, without limitation: (i) Lucky Friday will achieve throughout of 1,200 tpd by the end of 2023 and complete the service hoist and coarse ore bunker capital projects by the fourth quarter of 2023; (ii) Keno Hill mill start will occur in the third quarter with ramp-up to 440 tons per day by the end of 2023 and silver production in excess of 2.5 million ounces in 2023; (iii) the Company will set new production records in 2023 with almost 17 million ounces of silver production; (iv) the Company will be able to increase silver production to 20 million ounces by 2025; (v) the Company will become the largest silver producer in Canada by 2025; (vi) Casa Berardi's cash cost and AISC per gold ounce (each net of by-product credits) will trend lower in the second half of 2023 and gold production will increase; (vii) Greens Creek will achieve throughput rate of 2,600 tpd by the fourth quarter, (viii) ATAC Resources transaction will close in the third quarter of 2023, and; (ix) mine-specific and Company-wide 2023 estimates of future production (for 2024 and 2025), sales and total cost of sales, as well as cash cost and AISC per ounce (in each case after by-product credits) and Company-wide estimated spending on capital, exploration and pre-development for 2023. The material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information include that the Company’s plans for development and production will proceed as expected and will not require revision as a result of risks or uncertainties, whether known, unknown or unanticipated, to which the Company’s operations are subject.

Estimates or expectations of future events or results are based upon certain assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Such assumptions, include, but are not limited to: (i) there being no significant change to current geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrological and other physical conditions; (ii) permitting, development, operations and expansion of the Company’s projects being consistent with current expectations and mine plans; (iii) political/regulatory developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; (iv) the exchange rate for the USD/CAD being approximately consistent with current levels; (v) certain price assumptions for gold, silver, lead and zinc; (vi) prices for key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; (vii) the accuracy of our current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; (viii) there being no significant changes to Company plans for 2023 and beyond due to COVID-19 or any other public health issue, including, but not limited to with respect to availability of employees, vendors and equipment; (ix) the Company’s plans for development and production will proceed as expected and will not require revision as a result of risks or uncertainties, whether known, unknown or unanticipated; (x) counterparties performing their obligations under hedging instruments and put option contracts; (xi) sufficient workforce is available and trained to perform assigned tasks; (xii) weather patterns and rain/snowfall within normal seasonal ranges so as not to impact operations; (xiii) relations with interested parties, including First Nations and Native Americans, remain productive; (xiv) maintaining availability of water rights; (xv) factors do not arise that reduce available cash balances; and (xvi) there being no material increases in our current requirements to post or maintain reclamation and performance bonds or collateral related thereto.

In addition, material risks that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) gold, silver and other metals price volatility; (ii) operating risks; (iii) currency fluctuations; (iv) increased production costs and variances in ore grade or recovery rates from those assumed in mining plans; (v) community relations; (vi) conflict resolution and outcome of projects or oppositions; (vii) litigation, political, regulatory, labor and environmental risks; (viii) exploration risks and results, including that mineral resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration; (ix) the failure of counterparties to perform their obligations under hedging instruments; (x) we take a material impairment charge on any of our assets; and (xi) inflation causes our costs to rise more than we currently expect. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, see the Company’s (i) 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 17, 2023. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly, revisions to any “forward-looking statement,” including, without limitation, outlook, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this presentation, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued “forward-looking statement” constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on “forward-looking statements” is at investors’ own risk.

HECLA MINING COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss

(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)

 

 

 

First Quarter

Ended 

 

Fourth Quarter

Ended

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

Sales

 

$

199,500

 

 

$

194,825

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

 

 

125,550

 

 

 

132,232

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

39,002

 

 

 

37,575

 

Total cost of sales

 

 

164,552

 

 

 

169,807

 

Gross profit

 

 

34,948

 

 

 

25,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

12,070

 

 

 

14,396

 

Exploration and pre-development

 

 

4,967

 

 

 

6,905

 

Ramp-up and suspension costs

 

 

11,336

 

 

 

7,575

 

Provision for closed operations and environmental matters

 

 

1,044

 

 

 

4,639

 

Other operating (income) expense

 

 

(22

)

 

 

952

 

 

 

 

29,395

 

 

 

34,467

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

5,553

 

 

 

(9,448

)

Other (expense) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(10,165

)

 

 

(9,360

)

Fair value adjustments, net

 

 

3,181

 

 

 

9,980

 

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

108

 

 

 

(900

)

Other income

 

 

1,392

 

 

 

1,353

 

 

 

 

(5,484

)

 

 

1,073

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

69

 

 

 

(8,376

)

Income and mining tax (expense) benefit

 

 

(3,242

)

 

 

3,924

 

Net loss

 

 

(3,173

)

 

 

(4,452

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

(138

)

 

 

(138

)

Net loss applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(3,311

)

 

$

(4,590

)

Basic loss per common share after preferred dividends (in cents)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(0.01

)

Diluted loss per common share after preferred dividends (in cents)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(0.01

)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding basic

 

 

600,075

 

 

 

596,959

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding diluted

600,075

596,959

 

  HECLA MINING COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(dollars in thousands - unaudited)

 

 

First Quarter

Ended

 

Fourth Quarter

Ended

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,173

)

 

$

(4,452

)

Non-cash elements included in net income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

39,892

 

 

 

38,404

 

Adjustment of inventory to net realizable value

 

 

4,521

 

 

 

487

 

Fair value adjustments, net

 

 

(3,181

)

 

 

20,696

 

Provision for reclamation and closure costs

 

 

1,694

 

 

 

4,783

 

Stock compensation

 

 

1,190

 

 

 

1,714

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

558

 

 

 

(8,395

)

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

 

 

(2,218

)

 

 

(857

)

Other non-cash items, net

 

 

186

 

 

 

1,282

 

Change in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

15,477

 

 

 

(26,119

)

Inventories

 

 

(9,239

)

 

 

1,242

 

Other current and non-current assets

 

 

(9,856

)

 

 

(8,291

)

Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities

 

 

(9,304

)

 

 

(3,273

)

Accrued payroll and related benefits

 

 

4,705

 

 

 

12,053

 

Accrued taxes

 

 

2,226

 

 

 

(5,275

)

Accrued reclamation and closure costs and other non-current liabilities

 

 

7,125

 

 

 

12,121

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

 

40,603

 

 

 

36,120

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests

 

 

(54,443

)

 

 

(56,140

)

Changes in restricted cash and investment balances

 

 

—

 

 

 

(2,010

)

Purchases of investments

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,431

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(54,443

)

 

 

(59,581

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of stock, net of related costs

 

 

11,885

 

 

 

12,735

 

Acquisition of treasury shares

 

 

(482

)

 

 

—

 

Borrowing of debt

 

 

13,000

 

 

 

—

 

Repayment of debt

 

 

(13,000

)

 

 

(25,000

)

Dividends paid to common and preferred stockholders

 

 

(3,891

)

 

 

(2,383

)

Credit facility feed paid

 

 

—

 

 

 

(19

)

Repayments of finance leases

 

 

(2,464

)

 

 

(2,411

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

5,048

 

 

 

(17,078

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash

 

 

171

 

 

 

531

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(8,621

)

 

 

(40,008

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

105,907

 

 

 

145,915

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

97,286

 

 

$

105,907

 

  HECLA MINING COMPANY

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars and shares in thousands - unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

95,939

 

 

$

104,743

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

42,144

 

 

 

55,841

 

Inventories

 

 

84,340

 

 

 

90,672

 

Other current assets

 

 

22,527

 

 

 

16,471

 

Total current assets

 

 

244,950

 

 

 

267,727

 

Investments

 

 

26,434

 

 

 

24,018

 

Restricted cash

 

 

1,347

 

 

 

1,164

 

Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net

 

 

2,587,565

 

 

 

2,569,790

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

10,609

 

 

 

11,064

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

13,280

 

 

 

21,105

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

41,439

 

 

 

32,304

 

Total assets

 

$

2,925,624

 

 

$

2,927,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

83,704

 

 

$

84,747

 

Accrued payroll and related benefits

 

 

41,141

 

 

 

37,579

 

Accrued taxes

 

 

6,318

 

 

 

4,030

 

Finance leases

 

 

9,040

 

 

 

9,483

 

Accrued reclamation and closure costs

 

 

8,531

 

 

 

8,591

 

Accrued interest

 

 

5,191

 

 

 

14,454

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

11,428

 

 

 

19,582

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

165,353

 

 

 

178,466

 

Accrued reclamation and closure costs

 

 

109,808

 

 

 

108,408

 

Long-term debt including finance leases

 

 

516,961

 

 

 

517,742

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

121,081

 

 

 

125,846

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

20,264

 

 

 

17,743

 

Total liabilities

 

 

933,467

 

 

 

948,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

39

 

 

 

39

 

Common stock

 

 

152,536

 

 

 

151,819

 

Capital surplus

 

 

2,273,793

 

 

 

2,260,290

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(410,995

)

 

 

(403,931

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net

 

 

8,964

 

 

 

2,448

 

Treasury stock

 

 

(32,180

)

 

 

(31,698

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

1,992,157

 

 

 

1,978,967

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

2,925,624

 

 

$

2,927,172

 

Common shares outstanding

 

 

610,491

 

 

 

607,620

 

Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)

Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP)

The tables below present reconciliations between the most comparable GAAP measure of total cost of sales, being the sum of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization to the non-GAAP measures of (i) Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, (ii) Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, (iii) AISC, Before By-product Credits and (iv) AISC, After By-product Credits for our operations at Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations and for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, and the three months ended for September 30, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce is a measure developed by precious metals companies (including the Silver Institute) in an effort to provide a uniform standard for comparison purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that these non-GAAP measures as we report them are the same as those reported by other mining companies.

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce is an important operating statistic that we utilize to measure each mine's operating performance. We have recently started reporting AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce which we use as a measure of our operation's net cash flow after costs for reclamation and sustaining capital. Prior year presentation has been adjusted to conform with current year presentation. This is similar to the Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce non-GAAP measure we report, but also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs. Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce also allow us to benchmark the performance of each of our operations versus those of our competitors. As a primary silver and gold mining company, we also use these statistics on an aggregate basis. We aggregate Greens Creek and Lucky Friday to compare our performance with that of other primary silver mining companies and aggregate Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations to compare our performance with that of other primary gold mining companies. Similarly, these statistics are useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as they provide a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics.

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes. AISC, Before By-product Credits for each operation also includes on-site reclamation, and sustaining capital costs. AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties also includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense and sustaining capital projects. By-product credits include revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each operation. As depicted in the tables below, by-product credits comprise an essential element of our silver unit cost structure, distinguishing our silver operations due to the polymetallic nature of their orebodies.

In addition to the uses described above, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce provide management and investors an indication of operating cash flow, after consideration of the average price, received from production. We also use these measurements for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective.

The Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations sections below report Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce for the production of gold, their primary product, and by-product revenues earned from silver, which is a by-product at Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations. Only costs and ounces produced relating to operations with the same primary product are combined to represent Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce. Thus, the gold produced at Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations is not included as a by-product credit when calculating Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the total of Greens Creek and Lucky Friday, our combined silver properties. Similarly, the silver produced at our other two operations is not included as a by-product credit when calculating the similar gold metrics for Casa Berardi.

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2022(5)

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022(5)

 

 

Greens

Creek

 

Lucky

Friday

 

Corporate(2)

 

Total Silver

 

Greens

Creek

 

Lucky

Friday

 

Corporate(2)

 

Total Silver

 

Greens

Creek

 

Lucky

Friday

 

Corporate(2)

 

Total Silver

Total cost of sales

 

$66,288

 

$34,534

 

$0

 

$100,822

 

$70,074

 

$32,819

 

$0

 

$102,893

 

$232,718

 

$116,598

 

$—

 

$349,316

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

(14,464)

 

(10,455)

 

—

 

(24,919)

 

(13,557)

 

(9,549)

 

—

 

(23,106)

 

(48,911)

 

(33,704)

 

—

 

(82,615)

Treatment costs

 

10,368

 

5,277

 

—

 

15,645

 

10,467

 

5,334

 

—

 

15,801

 

37,836

 

18,605

 

—

 

56,441

Change in product inventory

 

(1,615)

 

(2,409)

 

—

 

(4,024)

 

(4,014)

 

(571)

 

—

 

(4,585)

 

5,885

 

2,049

 

—

 

7,934

Reclamation and other costs

 

(129)

 

(409)

 

—

 

(538)

 

499

 

(265)

 

—

 

234

 

(1,489)

 

(1,034)

 

—

 

(2,523)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

60,448

 

26,538

 

—

 

86,986

 

63,469

 

27,768

 

—

 

91,237

 

226,039

 

102,514

 

—

 

328,553

Reclamation and other costs

 

722

 

285

 

—

 

1,007

 

706

 

282

 

—

 

988

 

2,821

 

1,128

 

—

 

3,949

Sustaining capital

 

6,641

 

7,784

 

—

 

14,425

 

9,862

 

8,369

 

—

 

18,231

 

40,705

 

33,306

 

334

 

74,345

General and administrative

 

—

 

—

 

12,070

 

12,070

 

—

 

—

 

14,395

 

14,395

 

-

 

-

 

43,384

 

43,384

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

67,811

 

34,607

 

12,070

 

114,488

 

74,037

 

36,419

 

14,395

 

124,851

 

269,565

 

136,948

 

43,718

 

450,231

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

(24,005)

 

(6,816)

 

—

 

(30,821)

 

(26,112)

 

(6,249)

 

—

 

(32,361)

 

(113,835)

 

(27,607)

 

-

 

(141,442)

Gold

 

(25,286)

 

—

 

—

 

(25,286)

 

(19,630)

 

—

 

—

 

(19,630)

 

(75,596)

 

-

 

-

 

(75,596)

Lead

 

(7,942)

 

(14,299)

 

—

 

(22,241)

 

(7,351)

 

(14,392)

 

—

 

(21,743)

 

(29,800)

 

(52,568)

 

-

 

(82,368)

Total By-product credits

 

(57,233)

 

(21,115)

 

—

 

(78,348)

 

(53,093)

 

(20,641)

 

—

 

(73,734)

 

(219,231)

 

(80,175)

 

—

 

(299,406)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$3,215

 

$5,423

 

$—

 

$8,638

 

$10,376

 

$7,127

 

$—

 

$17,503

 

$6,808

 

$22,339

 

$—

 

$29,147

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$10,578

 

$13,492

 

$12,070

 

$36,140

 

$20,944

 

$15,778

 

$14,395

 

$51,117

 

$50,334

 

$56,773

 

$43,718

 

$150,825

Divided by ounces produced

 

2,773

 

1,262

 

 

 

4,035

 

2,433

 

1,224

 

 

 

3,657

 

9,742

 

4,413

 

 

 

14,155

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$21.80

 

$21.03

 

 

 

$21.56

 

$26.08

 

$22.68

 

 

 

$24.95

 

$23.20

 

$23.23

 

 

 

$23.21

By-product credits per ounce

 

(20.64)

 

(16.73)

 

 

 

(19.42)

 

(21.82)

 

(16.86)

 

 

 

(20.16)

 

(22.50)

 

(18.17)

 

 

 

(21.15)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$1.16

 

$4.30

 

 

 

$2.14

 

$4.26

 

$5.82

 

 

 

$4.79

 

$0.70

 

$5.06

 

 

 

$2.06

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$24.46

 

$27.42

 

 

 

$28.38

 

$30.43

 

$29.74

 

 

 

$34.14

 

$27.67

 

$31.03

 

 

 

$31.81

By-product credits per ounce

 

(20.64)

 

(16.73)

 

 

 

(19.42)

 

(21.82)

 

(16.86)

 

 

 

(20.16)

 

(22.50)

 

(18.17)

 

 

 

(21.15)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$3.82

 

$10.69

 

 

 

$8.96

 

$8.61

 

$12.88

 

 

 

$13.98

 

$5.17

 

$12.86

 

 

 

$10.66

  In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2022(5)

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022(5)

 

 

Casa Berardi

 

Nevada

Operations

and Other(4)

 

Total Gold

 

Casa Berardi

 

Total Gold

 

Casa Berardi

 

Nevada

Operations

and other

 

Total Gold

Total cost of sales

 

$

62,998

 

 

$

732

 

 

$

63,730

 

 

$

65,328

 

 

$

65,328

 

 

$

248,898

 

 

$

4,535

 

 

$

253,433

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(14,036

)

 

 

(47

)

 

 

(14,083

)

 

 

(14,568

)

 

 

(14,568

)

 

 

(60,962

)

 

 

(361

)

 

 

(61,323

)

Treatment costs

 

 

467

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

467

 

 

 

521

 

 

 

521

 

 

 

1,866

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,866

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

(2,417

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(2,417

)

 

 

1,122

 

 

 

1,122

 

 

 

186

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

186

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(217

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(217

)

 

 

(196

)

 

 

(196

)

 

 

(819

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(819

)

Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs (3)

 

 

(2,851

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(2,851

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Exclusion of Nevada and Other costs

 

 

—

 

 

 

(685

)

 

 

(685

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(4,174

)

 

 

(4,174

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

43,944

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

43,944

 

 

 

52,207

 

 

 

52,207

 

 

 

189,169

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

189,169

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

217

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

819

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

819

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

15,015

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

15,015

 

 

 

11,438

 

 

 

11,438

 

 

 

36,883

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

36,883

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

59,176

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

59,176

 

 

 

63,841

 

 

 

63,841

 

 

 

226,871

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

226,871

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

(127

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(127

)

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(610

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(610

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(127

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(127

)

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(610

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(610

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

43,817

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

43,817

 

 

$

52,083

 

 

$

52,083

 

 

$

188,559

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

188,559

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

59,049

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

59,049

 

 

$

63,717

 

 

$

63,717

 

 

$

226,261

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

226,261

 

Divided by gold ounces produced

 

 

25

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

128

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,780

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1,780

 

 

$

1,700

 

 

$

1,700

 

 

$

1,483

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1,483

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(5

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,775

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1,775

 

 

$

1,696

 

 

$

1,696

 

 

$

1,478

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1,478

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

2,397

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

2,397

 

 

$

2,079

 

 

$

2,079

 

 

$

1,778

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1,778

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(5

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

2,392

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

2,392

 

 

$

2,075

 

 

$

2,075

 

 

$

1,773

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1,773

 

  In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2022(5)

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022(5)

 

 

Total Silver

 

Total Gold

 

Total

 

Total Silver

 

Total Gold

 

Total

 

Total Silver

 

Total Gold

 

Total

Total cost of sales

 

$

100,822

 

 

$

63,730

 

 

$

164,552

 

 

$

102,893

 

 

$

65,328

 

 

$

168,221

 

 

$

349,316

 

 

$

253,433

 

 

$

602,749

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(24,919

)

 

 

(14,083

)

 

 

(39,002

)

 

 

(23,106

)

 

 

(14,568

)

 

 

(37,674

)

 

 

(82,615

)

 

 

(61,323

)

 

 

(143,938

)

Treatment costs

 

 

15,645

 

 

 

467

 

 

 

16,112

 

 

 

15,801

 

 

 

521

 

 

 

16,322

 

 

 

56,441

 

 

 

1,866

 

 

 

58,307

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

(4,024

)

 

 

(2,417

)

 

 

(6,441

)

 

 

(4,585

)

 

 

1,122

 

 

 

(3,463

)

 

 

7,934

 

 

 

186

 

 

 

8,120

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(538

)

 

 

(217

)

 

 

(755

)

 

 

234

 

 

 

(196

)

 

 

38

 

 

 

(2,523

)

 

 

(819

)

 

 

(3,342

)

Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs (3)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(2,851

)

 

 

(2,851

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Exclusion of Nevada and Other

 

 

—

 

 

 

(685

)

 

 

(685

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(4,174

)

 

 

(4,174

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

86,986

 

 

 

43,944

 

 

 

130,930

 

 

 

91,237

 

 

 

52,207

 

 

 

143,444

 

 

 

328,553

 

 

 

189,169

 

 

 

517,722

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

1,007

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

1,224

 

 

 

988

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

1,184

 

 

 

3,949

 

 

 

819

 

 

 

4,768

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

14,425

 

 

 

15,015

 

 

 

29,440

 

 

 

18,231

 

 

 

11,438

 

 

 

29,669

 

 

 

74,345

 

 

 

36,883

 

 

 

111,228

 

General and administrative

 

 

12,070

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

12,070

 

 

 

14,395

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

14,395

 

 

 

43,384

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

43,384

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

114,488

 

 

 

59,176

 

 

 

173,664

 

 

 

124,851

 

 

 

63,841

 

 

 

188,692

 

 

 

450,231

 

 

 

226,871

 

 

 

677,102

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(30,821

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(30,821

)

 

 

(32,361

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(32,361

)

 

 

(141,442

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(141,442

)

Gold

 

 

(25,286

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(25,286

)

 

 

(19,630

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(19,630

)

 

 

(75,596

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(75,596

)

Lead

 

 

(22,241

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(22,241

)

 

 

(21,743

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(21,743

)

 

 

(82,368

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(82,368

)

Silver

 

 

—

 

 

 

(127

)

 

 

(127

)

 

 

 

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(124

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(610

)

 

 

(610

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(78,348

)

 

 

(127

)

 

 

(78,475

)

 

 

(73,734

)

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(73,858

)

 

 

(299,406

)

 

 

(610

)

 

 

(300,016

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

8,638

 

 

$

43,817

 

 

$

52,455

 

 

$

17,503

 

 

$

52,083

 

 

$

69,586

 

 

$

29,147

 

 

$

188,559

 

 

$

217,706

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

36,140

 

 

$

59,049

 

 

$

95,189

 

 

$

51,117

 

 

$

63,717

 

 

$

114,834

 

 

$

150,825

 

 

$

226,261

 

 

$

377,086

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

4,035

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,657

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,155

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

21.56

 

 

$

1,780

 

 

 

 

 

$

24.95

 

 

$

1,700

 

 

 

 

 

$

23.21

 

 

$

1,483

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(19.42

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(20.16

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(21.15

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

2.14

 

 

$

1,775

 

 

 

 

 

$

4.79

 

 

$

1,696

 

 

 

 

 

$

2.06

 

 

$

1,478

 

 

 

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

28.38

 

 

$

2,397

 

 

 

 

 

$

34.14

 

 

$

2,079

 

 

 

 

 

$

31.81

 

 

$

1,778

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(19.42

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(20.16

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(21.15

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

8.96

 

 

 

2,392

 

 

 

 

 

$

13.98

 

 

 

2,075

 

 

 

 

 

$

10.66

 

 

 

1,773

 

 

 

 

  In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022(5)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022(5)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022(5)

 

Greens

Creek

Lucky

Friday

Corporate(2)

Total

Silver

Greens

Creek

Lucky

Friday

Corporate(2)

Total

Silver

Greens

Creek

Lucky

Friday

Corporate(2)

Total

Silver

Total cost of sales

$

52,502

 

$

24,164

 

$

—

 

$

76,666

 

$

60,506

 

$

30,348

 

$

—

 

$

90,854

 

$

49,638

 

$

29,264

 

$

—

 

$

78,902

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

(10,305

)

 

(7,261

)

 

—

 

 

(17,566

)

 

(13,629

)

 

(8,862

)

 

—

 

 

(22,491

)

 

(11,420

)

 

(8,032

)

 

—

 

 

(19,452

)

Treatment costs

 

9,477

 

 

4,791

 

 

—

 

 

14,268

 

 

8,778

 

 

4,803

 

 

—

 

 

13,581

 

 

9,096

 

 

3,677

 

 

—

 

 

12,773

 

Change in product inventory

 

4,464

 

 

3,022

 

 

—

 

 

7,486

 

 

(1,102

)

 

503

 

 

—

 

 

(599

)

 

6,538

 

 

(905

)

 

—

 

 

5,633

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

(118

)

 

(152

)

 

—

 

 

(270

)

 

(1,005

)

 

(256

)

 

—

 

 

(1,261

)

 

(850

)

 

(361

)

 

—

 

 

(1,211

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

56,020

 

 

24,564

 

 

—

 

 

80,584

 

 

53,548

 

 

26,536

 

 

—

 

 

80,084

 

 

53,002

 

 

23,643

 

 

—

 

 

76,645

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

705

 

 

282

 

 

—

 

 

987

 

 

705

 

 

282

 

 

—

 

 

987

 

 

705

 

 

282

 

 

—

 

 

987

 

Sustaining capital

 

10,219

 

 

11,264

 

 

187

 

 

21,670

 

 

14,668

 

 

8,110

 

 

99

 

 

22,877

 

 

5,956

 

 

5,562

 

 

48

 

 

11,566

 

General and administrative

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

11,003

 

 

11,003

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

9,692

 

 

9,692

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

8,294

 

 

8,294

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

66,944

 

 

36,110

 

 

11,190

 

 

114,244

 

 

68,921

 

 

34,928

 

 

9,791

 

 

113,640

 

 

59,663

 

 

29,487

 

 

8,342

 

 

97,492

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

(26,244

)

 

(7,155

)

 

—

 

 

(33,399

)

 

(32,828

)

 

(8,227

)

 

 

 

(41,055

)

 

(28,651

)

 

(5,977

)

 

 

 

(34,628

)

Gold

 

(17,019

)

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

(17,019

)

 

(20,364

)

 

—

 

 

 

 

(20,364

)

 

(18,583

)

 

—

 

 

 

 

(18,583

)

Lead

 

(6,212

)

 

(11,796

)

 

—

 

 

(18,008

)

 

(8,271

)

 

(14,543

)

 

 

 

(22,814

)

 

(7,966

)

 

(11,836

)

 

 

 

(19,802

)

Total By-product credits

 

(49,475

)

 

(18,951

)

 

—

 

 

(68,426

)

 

(61,463

)

 

(22,770

)

 

—

 

 

(84,233

)

 

(55,200

)

 

(17,813

)

 

—

 

 

(73,013

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

$

6,545

 

$

5,613

 

$

—

 

$

12,158

 

$

(7,915

)

$

3,766

 

$

—

 

$

(4,149

)

$

(2,198

)

$

5,830

 

$

—

 

$

3,632

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

$

17,469

 

$

17,159

 

$

11,190

 

$

45,818

 

$

7,458

 

$

12,158

 

$

9,791

 

$

29,407

 

$

4,463

 

$

11,674

 

$

8,342

 

$

24,479

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

2,469

 

 

1,075

 

 

 

 

3,544

 

 

2,410

 

 

1,226

 

 

 

 

3,636

 

 

2,430

 

 

888

 

 

 

 

3,318

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

$

22.69

 

$

22.87

 

 

 

$

22.74

 

$

22.21

 

$

21.65

 

 

 

$

22.03

 

$

21.82

 

$

26.63

 

 

 

$

23.10

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

(20.04

)

 

(17.64

)

 

 

 

(19.31

)

 

(25.50

)

 

(18.58

)

 

 

 

(23.17

)

 

(22.72

)

 

(20.06

)

 

 

 

(22.01

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

$

2.65

 

$

5.23

 

 

 

$

3.43

 

$

(3.29

)

$

3.07

 

 

 

$

(1.14

)

$

(0.90

)

$

6.57

 

 

 

$

1.09

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

$

27.11

 

$

33.62

 

 

 

$

32.24

 

$

28.60

 

$

28.49

 

 

 

$

31.25

 

$

24.55

 

$

33.21

 

 

 

$

29.38

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

(20.04

)

 

(17.64

)

 

 

 

(19.31

)

 

(25.50

)

 

(18.58

)

 

 

 

(23.17

)

 

(22.72

)

 

(20.06

)

 

 

 

(22.01

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

$

7.07

 

$

15.98

 

 

 

$

12.93

 

$

3.10

 

$

9.91

 

 

 

$

8.08

 

$

1.83

 

$

13.15

 

 

 

$

7.37

 

  In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022(5)

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022(5)

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022(5)

 

 

Casa Berardi

 

 

Total Gold

 

Casa Berardi

 

Total Gold

 

Casa Berardi

 

Total Gold

Total cost of sales

 

$

59,532

 

 

 

$

59,532

 

 

$

61,870

 

 

$

61,870

 

 

$

62,168

 

 

$

62,168

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(15,089

)

 

 

 

(15,089

)

 

 

(15,459

)

 

 

(15,459

)

 

 

(15,846

)

 

 

(15,846

)

Treatment costs

 

 

429

 

 

 

 

429

 

 

 

457

 

 

 

457

 

 

 

458

 

 

 

458

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

420

 

 

 

 

420

 

 

 

(793

)

 

 

(793

)

 

 

(563

)

 

 

(563

)

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(203

)

 

 

 

(203

)

 

 

(209

)

 

 

(209

)

 

 

(210

)

 

 

(210

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

45,089

 

 

 

 

45,089

 

 

 

45,866

 

 

 

45,866

 

 

 

46,007

 

 

 

46,007

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

204

 

 

 

 

204

 

 

 

209

 

 

 

209

 

 

 

210

 

 

 

210

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

10,457

 

 

 

 

10,457

 

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

7,281

 

 

 

7,281

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

55,750

 

 

 

 

55,750

 

 

 

53,672

 

 

 

53,672

 

 

 

53,498

 

 

 

53,498

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

(131

)

 

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(166

)

 

 

(166

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(131

)

 

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(166

)

 

 

(166

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

44,958

 

 

 

$

44,958

 

 

$

45,678

 

 

$

45,678

 

 

$

45,841

 

 

$

45,841

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

55,619

 

 

 

$

55,619

 

 

$

53,484

 

 

$

53,484

 

 

$

53,332

 

 

$

53,332

 

Divided by gold ounces produced

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

30

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,353

 

 

 

$

1,353

 

 

$

1,377

 

 

$

1,377

 

 

$

1,521

 

 

$

1,521

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(5

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,349

 

 

 

$

1,349

 

 

$

1,371

 

 

$

1,371

 

 

$

1,516

 

 

$

1,516

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,673

 

 

 

$

1,673

 

 

$

1,611

 

 

$

1,611

 

 

$

1,769

 

 

$

1,769

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(5

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,669

 

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

$

1,605

 

 

$

1,605

 

 

$

1,764

 

 

$

1,764

 

  In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022(5)

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022(5)

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022(5)

 

 

Total Silver

 

Total Gold

 

Total

 

Total Silver

 

Total Gold

 

Total

 

Total Silver

 

Total Gold

 

Total

Total cost of sales

 

$

76,666

 

 

$

59,532

 

 

$

136,198

 

 

$

90,854

 

 

$

61,870

 

 

$

152,724

 

 

$

78,902

 

 

$

62,168

 

 

$

141,070

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(17,566

)

 

 

(15,089

)

 

 

(32,655

)

 

 

(22,491

)

 

 

(15,459

)

 

 

(37,950

)

 

 

(19,452

)

 

 

(15,846

)

 

 

(35,298

)

Treatment costs

 

 

14,268

 

 

 

429

 

 

 

14,697

 

 

 

13,581

 

 

 

457

 

 

 

14,038

 

 

 

12,773

 

 

 

458

 

 

 

13,231

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

7,486

 

 

 

420

 

 

 

7,906

 

 

 

(599

)

 

 

(793

)

 

 

(1,392

)

 

 

5,633

 

 

 

(563

)

 

 

5,070

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(270

)

 

 

(203

)

 

 

(473

)

 

 

(1,261

)

 

 

(209

)

 

 

(1,470

)

 

 

(1,211

)

 

 

(210

)

 

 

(1,421

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

80,584

 

 

 

45,089

 

 

 

125,673

 

 

 

80,084

 

 

 

45,866

 

 

 

125,950

 

 

 

76,645

 

 

 

46,007

 

 

 

122,652

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

987

 

 

 

204

 

 

 

1,191

 

 

 

987

 

 

 

209

 

 

 

1,196

 

 

 

987

 

 

 

210

 

 

 

1,197

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

21,670

 

 

 

10,457

 

 

 

32,127

 

 

 

22,877

 

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

30,474

 

 

 

11,566

 

 

 

7,281

 

 

 

18,847

 

General and administrative

 

 

11,003

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

11,003

 

 

 

9,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,692

 

 

 

8,294

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,294

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

114,244

 

 

 

55,750

 

 

 

169,994

 

 

 

113,640

 

 

 

53,672

 

 

 

167,312

 

 

 

97,492

 

 

 

53,498

 

 

 

150,990

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(33,399

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(33,399

)

 

 

(41,055

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(41,055

)

 

 

(34,628

)

 

 

 

 

 

(34,628

)

Gold

 

 

(17,019

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(17,019

)

 

 

(20,364

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(20,364

)

 

 

(18,583

)

 

 

 

 

 

(18,583

)

Lead

 

 

(18,008

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(18,008

)

 

 

(22,814

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(22,814

)

 

 

(19,802

)

 

 

 

 

 

(19,802

)

Silver

 

 

—

 

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(131

)

 

 

 

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

 

 

 

(166

)

 

 

(166

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(68,426

)

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(68,557

)

 

 

(84,233

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(84,421

)

 

 

(73,013

)

 

 

(166

)

 

 

(73,179

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

12,158

 

 

$

44,958

 

 

$

57,116

 

 

$

(4,149

)

 

$

45,678

 

 

$

41,529

 

 

$

3,632

 

 

$

45,841

 

 

$

49,473

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

45,818

 

 

$

55,619

 

 

$

101,437

 

 

$

29,407

 

 

$

53,484

 

 

$

82,891

 

 

$

24,479

 

 

$

53,332

 

 

$

77,811

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

3,544

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,636

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,318

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

22.74

 

 

$

1,353

 

 

 

 

 

$

22.03

 

 

 

1,377

 

 

 

 

 

$

23.10

 

 

$

1,521

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(19.31

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(23.17

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(22.01

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

3.43

 

 

$

1,349

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

1,371

 

 

 

 

 

$

1.09

 

 

$

1,516

 

 

 

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

32.24

 

 

$

1,673

 

 

 

 

 

$

31.25

 

 

$

1,611

 

 

 

 

 

$

29.38

 

 

$

1,769

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(19.31

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(23.17

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(22.01

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

12.93

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

 

 

 

$

8.08

 

 

$

1,605

 

 

 

 

 

$

7.37

 

 

$

1,764

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Includes all direct and indirect operating costs related to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs and royalties, before by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each operation. AISC, Before By-product Credits also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs.

(2)

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense, and sustaining capital.

(3)

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company completed the necessary studies to conclude usage of the F-160 pit as a tailings storage facility after mining is complete. As a result, a portion of the mining costs have been excluded from Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits.

(4)

 

Other includes $509,000 of sales and $432,000 of cost of sales for the environmental services business acquired as part of the Alexco acquisition.

(5)

 

Prior year presentation has been adjusted to conform with current year presentation to eliminate exploration costs from the calculation of AISC, Before By-product Credits as exploration is an activity directed at the Corporate level to find new mineral reserve and resource deposits, and therefore we believe it is inappropriate to include exploration costs in the calculation of AISC, Before By-product Credits for a specific mining operation.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) (GAAP) and Debt (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) and Net Debt (non-GAAP)

This release refers to the non-GAAP measures of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"), which is a measure of our operating performance, and net debt to adjusted EBITDA for the last 12 months (or "LTM adjusted EBITDA"), which is a measure of our ability to service our debt. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss) before the following items: interest expense, income and mining taxes, depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense, ramp-up and suspension costs, gains and losses on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, foreign exchange gains and losses, unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts, interest and other income, unrealized gains on investments, provisions for environmental matters, stock-based compensation, provisional price gains and losses, the grant of common shares to the Hecla Charitable Foundation, adjustments of inventory to net realizable value. Net debt is calculated as total debt, which consists of the liability balances for our Senior Notes, capital leases, and other notes payable, less the total of our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Management believes that, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, adjusted EBITDA and net debt to LTM adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance and ability to meet our debt obligations. The following table reconciles net loss and debt to adjusted EBITDA and net debt:

Dollars are in thousands

 

1Q-2023

 

 

4Q-2022

 

 

3Q-2022

 

 

2Q-2022

 

 

1Q-2022

 

 

LTM

March 31,

2023

 

 

FY 2022

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(3,173

)

 

$

(4,452

)

 

$

(23,526

)

 

$

(13,523

)

 

$

4,153

 

 

$

(44,674

)

 

$

(37,348

)

Interest expense

 

 

10,165

 

 

 

11,008

 

 

 

10,874

 

 

 

10,505

 

 

 

10,406

 

 

 

42,552

 

 

 

42,793

 

Income and mining taxes

 

 

3,242

 

 

 

(3,924

)

 

 

(9,527

)

 

 

254

 

 

 

5,631

 

 

 

(9,955

)

 

 

(7,566

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

39,892

 

 

 

37,576

 

 

 

32,992

 

 

 

38,072

 

 

 

35,298

 

 

 

148,532

 

 

 

143,938

 

Ramp-up and suspension costs

 

 

11,336

 

 

 

7,575

 

 

 

5,092

 

 

 

5,242

 

 

 

6,205

 

 

 

29,245

 

 

 

24,114

 

Loss (gain) on disposition of properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

24

 

 

 

16

 

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

900

 

 

 

(5,667

)

 

 

(4,482

)

 

 

2,038

 

 

 

(9,357

)

 

 

(7,211

)

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative contracts

 

 

(987

)

 

 

(864

)

 

 

(873

)

 

 

689

 

 

 

204

 

 

 

(2,035

)

 

 

(844

)

Provisional price gain

 

 

(2,093

)

 

 

(625

)

 

 

6,625

 

 

 

15,807

 

 

 

(968

)

 

 

19,714

 

 

 

20,839

 

Provision for closed operations and environmental matters

 

 

1,044

 

 

 

3,741

 

 

 

1,781

 

 

 

1,628

 

 

 

1,643

 

 

 

8,194

 

 

 

8,793

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,190

 

 

 

1,714

 

 

 

1,773

 

 

 

1,254

 

 

 

1,271

 

 

 

5,931

 

 

 

6,012

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on investments

 

 

(2,194

)

 

 

(9,121

)

 

 

5,114

 

 

 

15,739

 

 

 

(6,100

)

 

 

9,538

 

 

 

5,632

 

Adjustments of inventory to net realizable value

 

 

4,521

 

 

 

487

 

 

 

1,405

 

 

 

754

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

7,167

 

 

 

2,646

 

Monetization of zinc hedges

 

 

(579

)

 

 

16,664

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

16,085

 

 

 

16,664

 

Other

 

 

(355

)

 

 

1,582

 

 

 

473

 

 

 

(1,470

)

 

 

(1,571

)

 

 

230

 

 

 

(986

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

61,901

 

 

$

62,261

 

 

$

26,555

 

 

$

70,474

 

 

$

58,202

 

 

$

221,191

 

 

$

217,492

 

Total debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

526,001

 

 

$

527,225

 

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95,939

 

 

 

104,743

 

Net debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

430,062

 

 

$

422,482

 

Net debt/LTM adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.9

 

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income Applicable to Common Stockholders (GAAP) to Adjusted Net (Loss) Income Applicable to Common Shareholders (non-GAAP)

This release refers to a non-GAAP measure of adjusted net (loss) income applicable to common stockholders and adjusted net income (loss) per share, which are indicators of our performance. They exclude certain impacts which are of a nature which we believe are not reflective of our underlying performance. Management believes that adjusted net income (loss) per common share provides investors with the ability to better evaluate our underlying operating performance.

Dollars are in thousands

 

1Q-2023

 

 

 

4Q-2022

 

 

 

3Q-2022

 

 

 

2Q-2022

 

 

 

1Q-2022

 

 

 

FY 2022

 

Net (loss) income applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(3,311

)

 

 

$

(4,590

)

 

 

$

(23,664

)

 

 

$

(13,661

)

 

 

$

4,015

 

 

 

$

(37,900

)

Adjusted for items below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative contracts losses (gains)

 

 

(987

)

 

 

 

(864

)

 

 

 

(873

)

 

 

 

689

 

 

 

 

204

 

 

 

$

(844

)

Provisional pricing losses (gains)

 

 

(2,093

)

 

 

 

(625

)

 

 

 

6,625

 

 

 

 

15,807

 

 

 

 

(968

)

 

 

$

20,839

 

Unrealized losses (gains) on equity investments

 

 

(2,194

)

 

 

 

(9,117

)

 

 

 

5,110

 

 

 

 

15,739

 

 

 

 

(6,100

)

 

 

$

5,632

 

Environmental accruals

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

2,860

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

$

2,874

 

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

 

 

(108

)

 

 

 

900

 

 

 

 

(5,667

)

 

 

 

(4,482

)

 

 

 

2,038

 

 

 

$

(7,211

)

Ramp-up and suspension costs

 

 

11,336

 

 

 

 

7,575

 

 

 

 

5,092

 

 

 

 

5,242

 

 

 

 

6,205

 

 

 

$

24,114

 

Loss (gain) on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

$

16

 

Adjustments of inventory to net realizable value

 

 

4,521

 

 

 

 

487

 

 

 

 

1,405

 

 

 

 

754

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

$

2,646

 

Monetization of zinc hedges

 

 

(579

)

 

 

 

16,664

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

$

16,664

 

Other

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

939

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

$

939

 

Adjusted income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

6,585

 

 

 

$

14,229

 

 

 

$

(11,953

)

 

 

$

20,093

 

 

 

$

5,400

 

 

 

$

27,769

 

Weighted average shares - basic

 

 

600,075

 

 

 

 

596,959

 

 

 

 

554,531

 

 

 

 

539,401

 

 

 

 

538,490

 

 

 

 

557,344

 

Weighted average shares - diluted

 

 

600,075

 

 

 

 

596,959

 

 

 

 

554,531

 

 

 

 

539,401

 

 

 

 

544,061

 

 

 

 

557,344

 

Basic adjusted net income (loss) per common stock (in cents)

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

0.05

 

Diluted adjusted net income (loss) per common stock (in cents)

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

0.05

 

Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP) to Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)

This release refers to a non-GAAP measure of free cash flow, calculated as cash provided by operating activities, less additions to properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests. Management believes that, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, free cash flow is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance. The following table reconciles cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow:

Dollars are in thousands

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

40,603

 

 

$

36,120

 

Less: Additions to properties, plants equipment and mineral interests

 

$

(54,443

)

 

$

(56,140

)

Free cash flow

 

$

(13,840

)

 

$

(20,020

)

Category: Earnings

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230510005374/en/

Anvita M. Patil Vice President - Investor Relations and Treasurer

Cheryl Turner Communications Coordinator

800-HECLA91 (800-432-5291) Investor Relations Email: hmc-info@hecla-mining.com Website: http://www.hecla-mining.com