FR Frankfurt – FMV First Majestic Produces 6.2M Ounces in Q4 and Record 25.6M Ounces in 2019; Announces New Director & 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 J anuary 15, 2020
Toronto – FR
Frankfurt – FMV
First Majestic Produces 6.2M Ounces in Q4 and Record 25.6M Ounces in 2019;
Announces New Director & Conference Call Details
Vancouver, BC, Canada ‐ First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Maj estic" or the "Company") is pleased to announce
the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2019 production resu lts. In addition, the Company is expecting to
release its 2020 production, cost and capital guidance, as well as host a conference call, on January 21, 2020.
Fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results are scheduled to be released on February 19, 2020.
2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Total production reached 25.6 million equivalent ounces of silver, representing a 15% increase over 2018
and at the top end of the 2019 guidance range of producing 24.4 to 26.0 million silver equivalent ounces
Silver production reached 13.2 million ounces, representing a 1 3% increase over 2018 and within the
2019 guidance range of producing 12.8 to 13.5 million ounces
Achieved record consolidated average silver recoveries of 86%, the highest in the Company’s 17‐year
history
Successfully commissioned the new 3,000 tpd high‐intensity grinding (“HIG”) mill at Santa Elena making
it the only whole‐ore, hard‐rock mining application of this technology in all of Latin America
Commenced earthwork and ramp development activities at Santa El ena’s Ermitaño project in advance
of initial production scheduled for early 2021
Ended the year with a strong cash and cash equivalents balance of US$169.0 million
FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Total production reached 6.2 million equivalent ounces of silver, representing a slight decrease over the
prior quarter primarily due to lower gold grades and a reductio n in tonnes milled at Santa Elena in the
month of December due to heavy rains impacting the ability to produce from the heap leach pads
Silver production reached 3.3 million ounces, consistent with the prior quarter
R e c or d ave r ag e si l ve r r e c ove r i e s at S ant a E l e n a of 94% , u p f r om 91% in the prior quarter due to the
successful installation of the HIG mill
La Encantada produced 987,630 silver ounces, marking a five‐year quarterly production record, up 12%
from the prior quarter
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Total production in 2019 consisted of 13.2 million ounces of silver, 134,580 ounces of gold, 7.9 million pounds of
lead and 3.7 million pounds of zinc. Total production in the fourth quarter of 2019 consisted of 3.3 million ounces
of silver, 33,176 ounces of gold and 0.9 million pounds of lead.
“First Majestic posted another record year in 2019 producing 25. 6 million silver equivalent ounces following our
f i r s t f u l l y e a r o f p r o d u c t i o n f r o m t h e S a n D i m a s m i n e a n d s e v e ral successful innovative projects that have
significantly increased metallurgical recoveries at our Santa Elena and La Encantada operations,” said Keith
Neumeyer, President & CEO. “During the fourth quarter, Santa Elena’s new HIG mill circuit continued to exceed
our expectations with silver and gold recoveries achieving new records of 94% and 96%, respectively. At La
Encantada, silver production hit another five‐year high due to continued improvements in underground
production from the San Javier and La Prieta areas. Finally, San Dimas had a strong finish to 2019 producing over
3.5 million silver equivalent ounces in the fourth quarter.”
Production Details Table:
QUARTERLY REVIEW
Total ore processed during the quarter at the Company's silver mines amounted to 626,482 tonnes, representing
a 4% decrease compared to the previous quarter. The slight decrease in tonnes processed compared to the prior
quarter was primarily due to processing lower volumes at Santa Elena from the old heap leach pad due to heavy
rains as well as the temporary suspension of milling activities at La Parrilla on September 2, 2019, partially offset
by higher tonnage at La Encantada.
Consolidated silver grades in the quarter averaged 189 g/t compared to 181 g/t in the previous quarter. This 4%
increase was primarily due to higher silver grades at Santa Elena and the first full quarter exclusion of La Parrilla’s
production following the suspension in September 2019. Consolidated gold grades were relatively unchanged in
the quarter averaging 1.71 g/t compared to 1.76 g/t in the prior quarter.
Consolidated silver and gold recoveries averaged 88% and 97% in the fourth quarter of 2019 and consistent with
the previous quarter. The Company continues to expect further improvements in recoveries associated with the
installation of a new 3,000 tpd HIG mill at San Dimas in 2020.
Q4 Q3 Q/Q FY FY Y/Y
2019 2019 Change Consolidated Production Results 2019 2018 Change
626,482 655,967 ‐4% Ore processed/tonnes milled 2,831,999 3,375,452 ‐16%
6,233,412 6,636,716 ‐6% Total production ‐ ounces of silver equivalent 25,554,288 22,243,071 +15%
3,348,424 3,367,740 ‐1% Silver ounces produced 13,241,118 11,679,452 +13%
33,176 35,791 ‐7% Gold ounces produced 134,580 111,084 +21%
914,370 1,907,305 ‐52% Pounds of lead produced 7,935,566 16,135,438 ‐51%
‐ 1,026,739 ‐100% Pounds of zinc produced 3,691,100 5,695,657 ‐35%
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MINE BY MINE PRODUCTION TABLE
*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: $17.32 per ounce; Gold: $1,481 per ounce; Lead: $0.93 per pound.
*The La Parrilla operation was placed on temporary suspension on September 2, 2019 and thus no production was attributed in the fourth quarter of 2019.
At the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine:
During the quarter, San Dimas produced 1,658,721 ounces of silver and 21,713 ounces of gold for a total
production of 3,516,117 silver equivalent ounces and consistent compared to the prior quarter.
The mill processed a total of 182,265 tonnes with average silver and gold grades of 305 g/t and 3.83 g/t,
respectively. The high‐grade Victoria, Jessica and Roberta veins contributed approximately 135,620
tonnes during the quarter.
Silver and gold recoveries were consistent during the quarter averaging 93% and 97%, respectively.
During the quarter, rehabilitation efforts continued inside the past producing Tayoltita mine with ground
support, sampling, mapping and drilling activities in order to prepare for the restart of production by the
end of the first quarter and is expected to ramp up to 300 tpd by the end of 2020. The Tayoltita mine
was the original mining area at San Dimas and known to contain higher silver grades. The mine portal is
located approximately 150 metres away from the ore pad used to feed the crushing circuit.
In October, an agreement was reached with a local ejido group t o gain access to the northwest section
of the property covering a total of 9,000 hectares. This agreement allows the Company to begin surface
exploration activities and install ventilation infrastructure to assist the underground mining operations.
At the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine:
During the quarter, Santa Elena produced 619,321 ounces of silver and 11,391 ounces of gold for a total
production of 1,592,397 silver equivalent ounces, reflecting a 14% decrease compared to the prior
quarter. The decrease was primarily due to a 14% decrease in to nnes milled due to heavy rains during
the month of December.
The mill processed a total of 196,640 tonnes, consisting of 129,833 tonnes (approximately 66% of
production) of underground ore and 66,807 tonnes (approximately 34% of production) from the above
ground heap leach pad. Due to the heavy rains in December, the amount of material being sourced from
above ground heap leach pads was significantly reduced.
Silver and gold grades from underground ore averaged 142 g/t and 2.52 g/t, respectively. Silver and gold
grades from the above ground heap leach pad averaged 32 g/t and 0.61 g/t, respectively.
S i l v e r a n d g o l d r e c o v e r i e s r e a c h e d a n e w r e c o r d a v e r a g i n g 9 4 % and 96%, respectively, during the
quarter.
In December, the Company began the 3,000 metre development program at the Ermitaño project which
i s d e s i g n e d t o p r e p a r e f i v e p r o d u c t i o n l e v e l s w i t h a l l a s s o c i a te d m i n i n g i n f r a s t r u c t u r e p r i o r t o
Mine
Ore
Processed
Tonnes
per Day
Silver Oz
Produced
Gold Oz
Produced
Pounds of
Lead
Equivalent
Silver Ounces
San Dimas 182,265 1,981 1,658,721 21,713 ‐ 3,516,117
Santa Elena 196,640 2,137 619,321 11,391 ‐ 1,592,397
La Encantada 221,049 2,403 987,630 49 ‐ 991,856
Del Toro 26,528 288 82,752 22 914,370 133,042
Total 626,482 6,810 3,348,424 33,176 914,370 6,233,412
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commencing production in early 2021. The production from Ermitaño is expected to displace the current
feed from the old heap pads which is currently making up approximately 40% of the feed to the mill.
At the La Encantada Silver Mine:
During the quarter, La Encantad a produced 987,630 ounces of sil ver representing a 12% increase from
the previous quarter and the highest quarterly production in ove r f i v e y e a r s . T h e i n c r e a s e i n s i l v e r
production was primarily due to a 15% increase in throughput compared to the prior quarter.
Silver recoveries averaged 79% during the quarter.
Silver grades during the quarter averaged 176 g/t, consistent w ith the prior quarter. The improvement
in grade in the second half of the year was the driven by higher grades from the San Javier and La Prieta
sub‐level caving areas.
During the quarter, ramp development continued to access the Milagros breccia to prepare the mine for
initial sub‐level caving production in the fourth quarter of 20 20. The Milagros breccia contains
approximately 360,000 tonnes of Inferred resources averaging 116 g/t of silver, or 1.34 million ounces.
At the Del Toro Silver Mine:
During the quarter, Del Toro produced a total of 133,042 silver equivalent ounces reflecting a 6%
increase compared to the prior quarter primarily due to a 14% increase in silver grades and a 17%
increase in lead grades, slightly offset by a 5% decrease in tonnes milled.
Silver grades and recoveries during the quarter averaged 131 g/t and 74%, respectively.
Lead grades and recoveries averaged 2.7% and 58%, respectively, producing a total of 0.9 million pounds
of lead representing a 1% increase compared to the previous quarter.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR
The Board of Directors have appointed Dr. Nicole Adshead‐Bell as a Director of the Company effective January 1,
2020.
Dr. Adshead‐Bell is a geologist with over 24 years of capital m arkets and mining sector experience, including a
cumulative of 12 years as an Independent Director for publicly listed resource companies and six additional years
as a Director for the non‐profit Association for Mineral Explor ation. Her career includes being CEO and Director
of ASX‐listed Beadell Resources Ltd., a gold mining company, pr ior to its acquisition in 2019; Director of Mining
Research at Sun Valley Gold LLC (an SEC registered investment a dvisor) and Managing Director of Investment
Banking at Haywood Securities. Nicole is currently President of Cupel Advisory Corp., a company she founded to
focus on mining sector investments and provide strategic advisory, due diligence and research services to
institutional funds and mining companies. She graduated with a Ph.D. in Structural‐Economic Geology from
James Cook University, North Queensland, Australia.
In addition, the Company announces the retirement of Dr. David S h a w f r o m i t s B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s e f f e c t i v e
December 31, 2019. Dr. Shaw has served as Director of the Company since 2005.
Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO of First Majestic states, "On behalf of First Majestic's Board of Directors, I
am very pleased to welcome Nicole to the Company. We are confident that Nicole's proficiencies, experience and
perspective will be of great value to First Majestic as the Company grows. I would also like to thank David for his
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contributions to the Board and the Company over the last 15 yea rs. He played an instrumental role in many of
the Company’s acquisition due diligence requirements and I wish him success in all of his future endeavors."
CONFERNCE CALL
The Company will be holding a conference call and webcast on Tu esday, January 21, 2020 at 8 am PST (11 am
EST) to discuss the quarterly production results as well as its 2020 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 WEBCAST on the First Majestic homepage as a simultaneo us audio webcast 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: 2864 followed by the # sign
The replay will be available approximately one hour after the c onference and will available for 7 days following
the conference. The replay will also be available on the Company’s website for one month.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
First Majestic is a mining company focused on silver production in Mexico and is aggressively pursuing the
development of its existing mineral property assets. The Compan y presently owns and operates the San Dimas
Silver/Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, the La Encantada Silver Mine and the Del Toro Silver Mine.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact [email protected], visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call
our toll free number 1.866.529.2807.
FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
"signed"
Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward‐looking information” and " forward‐looking statements” under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws
(collectively, “forward‐looking statements”). These statements r e l a t e t o f u t u r e e v e n t s o r t h e Company's future performance, business prospects or
opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, es timates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of
management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward‐looking statements include,
but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company’s business strategy; future planning processes; commercial mining operations; cash flow;
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budgets; the timing and amount of estimated future production; recovery rates; mine plans and mine life; the future price of silver and other metals; costs
of production; costs and timing o f the development of new depos its; capital projects and explor ation activities and the possib le results
thereof. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual result s m a y d i f f e r m a t e r i a l l y f r o m t hose anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be
guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance and forwar d‐looking statements as there can be no assurance
that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward‐
looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable min era l r e s er v e s a n d m in e r a l re s o ur c e e s tim a te s m a y a ls o be d ee med to constitute
forward‐looking statements to the extent that they involve esti mates of the mineralization that will be encountered as and if the property is developed,
and in the case of measured and indicated mineral resources or proven and probable mineral reserves, such statements reflect t he conclusion based on
certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions,
expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future e v e n t s o r p e r f o r m a n c e ( o f t e n , b u t n o t a l w a y s , u s i n g w o r d s o r phrases such as “seek”,
“anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “ e s t i m a t e ” , “ e x p e c t ” , “ m a y ” , “will”, “project”, “predict”, “forecast”, “potential”, “target”, “intend”, “could”, “might”,
“should”, “believe” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward‐looking statements”.
Actual results may vary from for ward‐looking statements. Forward‐looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, un certainties and other
factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by suc h forward‐looking statements, including but not limited
to: risks related to the integration of acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project
parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment
or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations w i t h l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s ; c h a n ges in national or local
governments; changes in applicable legislation or application t hereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the co mpletion of development or
construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses;
outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance covera ge as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled " Description of the Business ‐
Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form, available on www.sedar.com, and Form 40‐F on file with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although First Majestic has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained i n f o r w a r d ‐ l o o k i n g s t a t e m e n t s , there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended.
The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward‐looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these
expectations will prove to be correct and such forward‐looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only
as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward‐looking statements, except as required
by applicable laws.