FR Frankfurt – FMV First Majestic Produces 7.6M AgEq Oz in Q4 2022 and a Record 31.3M AgEq Oz in 2022; Annual Retail Silver Bullion Sales Increase 27% to New Record; Announces 2023 Production and Cost Guidance and Conference Call Details
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
Suite 1800 – 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: [email protected]
NEWS RELEASE
New York – AG January 19, 2023
Toronto – FR
Frankfurt – FMV
First Majestic Produces 7.6M AgEq Oz in Q4 2022 and a Record 31.3M AgEq Oz in
2022; Annual Retail Silver Bullion Sales Increase 27% to New Record; Announces 2023
Production and Cost Guidance and Conference Call Details
Vancouver, BC, Canada ‐ First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic" or the "Company") announces that total
production in the fourth quarter of 2022 from the Company’s four producing operations, the San Dimas
Silver/Gold Mine, the Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine and the La Encantada Silver
Mine reached 7.6 million silver equivalent (“AgEq”) ounces, consisting of 2.4 million silver ounces and 63,039
gold ounces. Total production for the full year of 2022 reached a new Company record of 31.3 million AgEq
ounces, consisting of 10.5 million silver ounces and 248,394 gold ounces, or a 16% increase compared to 2021.
In 2023, the Company is expecting to increase production to a new Company record of between 33.2 to 37.1
million AgEq ounces, consisting of 10.0 to 11.1 million ounces of silver and 277,000 to 310,000 ounces of gold,
with an all‐in sustaining cost (“AISC”) guidance of between $18.47 to $19.72 per AgEq ounce. Based on the
midpoint of the guidance range the Company expects AgEq ounces to increase 12% when compared to 2022.
Q4 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
Total Production Decreased by 14% Q/Q: The Company produced 7.6 million AgEq ounces representing
a 14% decrease when compared to the record of 8.8 million AgEq ounces in the previous quarter. The
decrease was primarily due to lower production at San Dimas and Santa Elena, slightly offset by higher
gold production at Jerritt Canyon and higher silver production at La Encantada.
Transitioning to 100% Ermitaño Ores at Santa Elena: Continued strong metal production from the
Ermitaño mine enabled Santa Elena to produce 2.3 million AgEq ounces in the fourth quarter, or 16%
below the record 2.7 million AgEq in the prior quarter. In 2023, Santa Elena is expected to produce
between 7.8 to 8.7 million AgEq ounces as it transitions to full production from Ermitaño while
exploration continues at the recently discovered Silvana vein within the Santa Elena mine.
Significant Production Growth Geared Up at Jerritt Canyon in 2023: The secondary escapeway in the
West Generator mine was completed in November allowing for improved ore production although a
severe cold weather disturbance in December limited haulage and deliveries to the plant. With the
additional ramp up of Smith Zone 10 and the restart of the Saval II mine, gold production at Jerritt Canyon
is expected to be between 119,000 to 133,000 ounces in 2023, representing a mid‐point increase of 74%
compared to 2022.
Santa Elena’s Dual‐Circuit Completed: The Company successfully completed the commissioning of the
dual‐circuit processing plant at Santa Elena during the quarter which includes the new 3,000 tonne per
day (“tpd”) filter press, designed to improve the leaching performance and reduce operating costs.
10 Drill Rigs Active: The Company concluded its 2022 exploration program during the quarter by
completing a total of 16,086 metres of drilling across the Company’s mines. Throughout the quarter a
total of 10 drill rigs were active consisting of four rigs at San Dimas, two rigs at Jerritt Canyon, three rigs
at Santa Elena and one rig at La Encantada.
FY 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
Silver production in 2022 reached 10.5 million ounces (compared to 12.8 million ounces in 2021) which
missed the lower end of the Company’s revised guidance range of between 11.2 to 11.9 million ounces
of silver primarily due to lower than expected silver grades at San Dimas and prioritizing higher gold
grade ores from the Ermitaño mine at Santa Elena.
Gold production in 2022 reached a new Company record of 248,394 ounces (compared to 192,353 in
2021) but slightly missed the lower end of the Company’s revised guidance range of between 256,000
to 273,000 ounces primarily due to lower than expected gold grades at Jerritt Canyon.
Santa Elena produced a new annual record of 9.1 million AgEq oz in 2022, representing an 81% increase
compared to 2021.
The Santa Elena operation was awarded the prestigious “Silver Helmet Award” in the category of
“Underground Mining of More Than 500 Workers” by the Mining Chamber of Mexico for its outstanding
performance in occupational safety and health. The distinguished annual award of excellence is only
awarded to a select handful of mining operations in Mexico.
Successfully expanded Santa Elena’s liquid natural gas (“LNG”) powerplant from 12 MW to 24 MW to
supply low‐cost, clean power to the Ermitaño mine and the recently completed dual‐circuit plant.
Sold a record 444,576 ounces of silver bullion, representing a 27% increase compared to 2021 and
approximately 4.2% of the Company’s silver production, on First Majestic’s online bullion store at an
average silver price of $26.20 per ounce for total proceeds of $11.6 million.
“The Company reached a new annual production record of 31.3 million AgEq ounces in 2022 primarily due to the
significant increase in production from the Ermitaño mine at Santa Elena,” said Keith Neumeyer, President &
CEO. “Santa Elena was the bright spot in our portfolio in 2022 as we brought the high‐grade core vein online in
the second half of 2022 which increased production by 81% compared to 2021. At Jerritt Canyon, we
unfortunately ended the year with extremely challenging weather conditions as northern Nevada experienced a
severe cold spell and double the normal snowfall amounts which impacted ore deliveries from SSX and West
Generator. Our San Dimas and La Encantada mines in Mexico delivered solid results as expected.”
Mr. Neumeyer continues, “For 2023, significant improvements are expected at Jerritt Canyon where gold
production is projected to nearly double along with lower AISC when compared to 2022. Our Mexican operations,
which are generating healthy margins at current prices, are estimated to generate 70% of our total production
in 2023 with AISC of approximately $17 per oz.”
Production Details Table:
Q4 Q3 Q/Q FY FY Y/Y
2022 2022 Change Consolidated Production Results 2022 2021 Change
851,564 836,514 2% Ore processed/tonnes milled 3,468,987 3,339,394 4%
7,558,791 8,766,192 ‐14% Total production ‐ Silver equivalent ounces 31,252,921 26,855,783 16%
2,396,696 2,736,100 ‐12% Silver ounces produced 10,522,052 12,842,944 ‐18%
63,039 67,072 ‐6% Gold ounces produced 248,394 192,353 29%
Quarterly Mine by Mine Production Table:
Mine
Ore
Processed
Tonnes
per Day
Ag
Grade
(g/t)
Au
Grade
(g/t)
Ag
Recovery
Au
Recovery
Ag Oz
Produced
Au Oz
Produced
AgEq Oz
Produced
San Dimas
210,108
2,284
220 3.12 94% 96%
1,392,506
20,257
3,054,098
Jerritt Canyon
179,502
1,951 ‐ 3.51 ‐ 83% ‐
16,845
1,388,140
Santa Elena
207,188
2,252
47 4.33 64% 90%
199,388
25,830
2,302,904
La Encantada
254,766
2,769
120 0.01 82% 90%
804,802
107
813,649
*Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
*The following prices were used in the calculation of silver equivalent ounces: Silver: $21.12 per ounce; Gold: $1,726 per ounce.
At the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine:
San Dimas produced 3,054,098 AgEq ounces during the quarter consisting of 1,392,506 ounces of silver
and 20,257 ounces of gold, representing decreases of 16% and 14%, respectively, when compared to the
prior quarter.
The mill processed a total of 210,108 tonnes of ore with average silver and gold grades of 220 g/t and
3.12 g/t, respectively. Silver and gold grades were lower in the fourth quarter primarily due to the
processing of lower grade development ores from the Perez vein and higher tonnages from underground
areas with challenging ground conditions within the Jessica and Regina veins in the Noche Buena area.
Silver and gold recoveries during the quarter averaged 94% and 96%, respectively.
The Central Block and Sinaloa Graben areas contributed approximately 75% and 25%, respectively, of
the total production during the quarter.
During the quarter, a total of four underground drill rigs completed 8,799 metres of drilling on the
property.
At the Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine:
During the quarter, Jerritt Canyon produced 16,845 ounces of gold, representing a 3% increase
compared to the prior quarter. The increase was primarily due to a 3% increase in gold grades offset by
lower than expected throughput due to severe weather in December which significantly impacted ore
haulage and deliveries from the SSX and West Generator mines.
The mill processed a total of 179,502 tonnes of ore with an average gold grade and recovery of 3.51 g/t
and 83%, respectively. The Company expects ore volumes and gold grades to continue to improve in the
first half of 2023 as higher‐grade ore pods from the Smith Zone 10, West Generator and Saval II areas
are processed at the mill.
During the quarter, an ore purchase agreement was signed with a third‐party to provide up to 32,000
tonnes of sulphide gold ore by the end of 2023. Limited initial ore deliveries were received and processed
in the month of December. Furthermore, improvements in blend optimization will result in a reduction
in coal consumption in the roasters due to the higher sulphur content of the purchased material.
The Company completed the secondary escapeway in the West Generator mine in November which is
now allowing for improved ore deliveries and gold production. This new ore feed, along with the start of
the Saval II mine, is anticipated to increase gold grades and increase the amount of fresh ore feed to the
plant in 2023.
During the quarter, two underground drill rigs completed 4,185 metres of drilling on the property.
At the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine:
Santa Elena produced 2,302,904 AgEq ounces consisting of 199,388 ounces of silver and 25,830 ounces
of gold during the quarter, representing a 35% decrease in silver ounces and a 4% decrease in gold
ounces when compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in silver production was primarily due to
processing a higher percentage of ore from the Ermitaño mine with higher gold grades than the Santa
Elena mine.
The mill processed a total of 207,188 tonnes of ore consisting of 41,953 tonnes (20% of total) from Santa
Elena and 165,235 tonnes (80% of total) from Ermitaño.
Silver and gold grades from Santa Elena averaged 102 g/t and 0.99 g/t, respectively, while silver and gold
grades from Ermitaño averaged 32 g/t and 5.17 g/t, respectively.
Consolidated silver and gold recoveries averaged 64% and 90%, respectively, during the quarter. The
Company completed the dual‐circuit project at the Santa Elena processing plant which includes an
additional leaching tank, a fourth CCD thickener and the new 3,000 tpd tailings filter‐press. Going
forward, the dual‐circuit will be able to treat finer grind sized material in an effort to improve
metallurgical recoveries, reduce moisture in the tailings and reduce material handling costs.
During the quarter, three drill rigs consisting of two surface rigs and one underground rig, completed
2,232 metres of drilling on the property.
At the La Encantada Silver Mine:
During the quarter, La Encantada produced 804,802 ounces of silver, representing a 4% increase
compared to the prior quarter. The increase was primarily due to a 4% increase in silver recoveries.
The mill processed a total of 254,766 tonnes of ore with an average silver grade and recovery of 120 g/t
and 82%, respectively. The Company began processing development ores from the Beca‐Zone orebody
in the quarter and expects to begin stope production to access higher grade ore in the second quarter of
2023.
During the quarter, one underground rig completed 870 metres of drilling on the property.
2023 PRODUCTION GUIDANCE
The Company expects 2023 total production from its four operating mines to reach a new Company record of
between 33.2 to 37.1 million AgEq ounces consisting of 10.0 to 11.1 million ounces of silver and 277,000 to
310,000 ounces of gold. Based on the midpoint of the guidance range the Company expects AgEq ounces to
increase 12% when compared to 2022. Silver production is expected to remain consistent with 2022 rates
whereas the gold production is expected to increase by 18% year‐over‐year. The increase in forecast gold
production is primarily due to improvements in mine production at Jerritt Canyon resulting in an expected 74%
increase in gold ounces in 2023 when compared to the prior year. In addition, strong gold production is expected
to continue at Santa Elena as the plant will only process Ermitaño ores in 2023. The Company has identified a
new vein in the Santa Elena mine, called Silvana, and plans to drill test the area in 2023 with the goal of
developing a mine plan to bring the vein into production by 2024.
A mine‐by‐mine breakdown of the 2023 production guidance is included in the table below. The Company
reports cost guidance to reflect cash costs and AISC on a per AgEq payable ounce. For 2023, the Company is using
an 84:1 silver to gold ratio compared to an 85:1 silver to gold ratio in its revised 2022 guidance. Metal price and
foreign currency assumptions for calculating equivalents are silver: $21.50/oz, gold: $1,800/oz, MXN:USD 20:1.
GUIDANCE FOR 2023
Silver Oz (M) Gold Oz (k) Silver Eqv Oz (M) Cash Cost AISC
Silver: ($ per AgEq oz) ($ per AgEq oz)
San Dimas, Mexico 6.4 – 7.2 72 – 81 12.5 – 14.0 9.62 – 10.19 13.02 – 13.91
Santa Elena, Mexico 0.7 – 0.7 86 – 95 7.8 – 8.7 11.59 – 12.21 14.60 – 15.53
La Encantada, Mexico 2.9 – 3.2 – 2.9 – 3.2 16.73 – 17.69 19.86 – 21.14
Mexico Total: 10.0 – 11.1 158 – 176 23.2 – 25.9 12.12 – 12.77 16.69 – 17.83
Gold: ($ per AuEq oz) ($ per AuEq oz)
Jerritt Canyon, USA – 119 – 133 10.0 – 11.2 1,502 – 1,592 1,733 – 1,842
Total Production
($ per AgEq oz) ($ per AgEq oz)
Consolidated 10.0 – 11.1 277 – 310 33.2 – 37.1 13.88 – 14.66 18.47 – 19.72
* Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
* Cash Costs and AISC are non‐GAAP measures and are not standardized financial measures under the Company's financial reporting
framework. The Company calculates cash costs and consolidated AISC in the manner set out in the table below. These measures have
been calculated on a basis consistent with historical periods.
The Company is projecting its 2023 AISC to be within a range of $18.47 to $19.72 on a per consolidated payable
AgEq ounce basis. Excluding non‐cash items, the Company anticipates its 2023 AISC to be within a range of $17.92
to $19.10 per payable AgEq ounce. An itemized AISC cost table is provided below:
All‐In Sustaining Cost Calculation FY 2023 ($ /AgEq oz)
Total Cash Costs per Payable Silver Ounce 13.88 – 14.66
General and Administrative Costs 0.98 – 1.09
Sustaining Development Costs 1.36 – 1.45
Sustaining Property, Plant and Equipment Costs 0.73 – 0.82
Profit Sharing 0.57 – 0.63
Share‐based Payments (non‐cash) 0.39 – 0.43
Lease Payments 0.41 – 0.45
Accretion of Reclamation Costs (non‐cash) 0.16 – 0.18
All‐In Sustaining Costs: (AgEq Oz) 18.47 – 19.72
All‐In Sustaining Costs: (AgEq Oz excluding non‐cash items) 17.92 – 19.10
1. AISC is a non‐GAAP measure and is calculated based on the Company’s consolidated operating performance. Other
mining companies may calculate AISC differently as a result of differences in underlying accounting principles, the
definition of “sustaining costs” and the distinction between sustaining and expansionary capital costs.
2. Total cash cost per payable AgEq ounce includes estimated royalties and 0.5% Mexico mining environmental fee of
$0.40 to $0.44 per payable AgEq ounce.
3. For further details of these measures, including equivalent historical information, please see "Non‐GAAP Measures"
on pages 33‐42 of the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the third quarter of 2022, available on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN 2023
In 2023, the Company plans to invest a total of $187.8 million on capital expenditures consisting of $78.4 million
for sustaining activities and $109.5 million for expansionary projects. This represents a 6% decrease compared
to the 2022 revised capital expenditures and is aligned with the Company’s future growth strategy of increasing
underground and plant processing rates at Jerritt Canyon, San Dimas and Santa Elena.
2023 Capital Guidance ($millions) Sustaining Expansionary Total
Underground Development 51.2 43.6 94.8
Exploration 0.0 39.8 39.8
Property, Plant and Equipment 25.4 19.9 45.3
Corporate Projects 1.7 6.2 7.9
Total $78.4 $109.5 $187.8
The 2023 annual guidance includes total capital investments of $94.8 million to be spent on underground
development; $45.3 million towards property, plant and equipment; $39.8 million in exploration; and $7.9
million towards corporate innovation projects. Management may revise the guidance during the year to reflect
actual and anticipated changes in metal prices or to the business.
The Company plans to complete approximately 40,700 metres of underground development in 2023 compared
to 45,614 metres completed in 2022. The 2023 development program consists of approximately 17,900 metres
at San Dimas; 9,000 metres at Jerritt Canyon; 10,500 metres at Santa Elena and 3,300 metres at La Encantada.
At San Dimas, the Company is planning to concentrate development metres in the Perez Vein, located in the
Sinaloa Graben block, and continue development activities in the Noche Buena sector. At Santa Elena,
underground development will focus exclusively in the Ermitaño mine to achieve 2,500 tonnes per day of
underground ore extraction throughout all of 2023. At Jerritt Canyon, development activities will be focused in
newly discovered areas within the Smith and SSX mines while also ramping up production at West Generator
and Saval II mines. At La Encantada, the Company is developing the second levels of both the Ojuelas and
Milagros orebodies for 2023 production.
The Company is planning approximately 245,350 metres of exploration drilling in 2023 compared to 248,123
metres completed in 2022. The 2023 drilling program is expected to consist of:
At San Dimas, approximately 77,450 metres of drilling are planned with infill, step‐out and exploratory
holes focused on near mine and brownfield targets including major ore controlling structures in the
West, Central, Sinaloa and Tayoltita blocks. Exploration efforts will focus on adding Inferred Resources
along known veins and identifying new veins in locations where post mineral cover has deferred work
to date.
At Jerritt Canyon, approximately 112,900 metres are planned to drill a mixture of surface and
underground infill, step‐out, and exploratory holes to support the life of mine and test the presence of
new ore bodies. Surface exploration will aim to test newly identified targets on the property, including
follow up drilling from recent drill intercepts at Winters Creek and Waterpipe II. Underground drilling is
planned for SSX, Smith and West Generator where the focus is to replicate the Smith Zone 10 success
by targeting above the water table, near active development mineralization to facilitate a fast
turnaround to mining.
At Santa Elena, approximately 47,000 metres are planned with near mine drilling to continue testing the
newly identified Silvana vein in Santa Elena and infill drilling at the Ermitaño vein to convert Inferred
Resources to Indicated Resources. Greenfield drilling at Santa Elena will focus on several targets within
a 5‐kilometre radius around the processing plant where the goal is to find a new mineralized vein. The
Company is also planning to return to the Los Hernandez property, nearby to the Las Chispas mine, to
test updated targets and projections of mineralized structures.
Finally, at La Encantada the Company has planned approximately 8,000 metres to continue searching
for a new mineralized breccia body as well as extend and de‐risk some of the known veins and vein
systems.
Q4 2022 EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT
The Company is planning to release its fourth quarter 2022 unaudited financial results, and to announce the
fourth quarter dividend payment, and shareholder record and payable dates on February 23, 2023.
CONFERENCE CALL
The Company will be holding a conference call and webcast today, January 19, 2023 at 8:00 am PT (11:00 am ET)
to discuss the quarterly production results as well as its 2023 production, cost and capital guidance. To
participate in the conference call, please dial the following:
Toll Free Canada & USA: 1‐800‐319‐4610
Outside of Canada & USA: 1‐604‐638‐5340
Toll Free Germany: 0800 180 1954
Toll Free UK: 0808 101 2791
Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the conference.
Click on “January 19, 2023 Webcast Link” on the First Majestic homepage as a simultaneous audio webcas31t
of the conference call will be posted at www.firstmajestic.com.
The conference call will be recorded and you can listen to an archive of the conference by calling:
Canada & USA Toll Free: 1‐800‐319‐6413
Outside Canada & USA: 1‐604‐638‐9010
Access Code: 9809 followed by the # sign
The replay will be available approximately one hour after the conference and will be available for seven days
following the conference. The replay will also be available on the Company’s website for one month.