FR Frankfurt – FMV First Majestic Produces 7.7M Silver Eqv. Oz in the Second Quarter Consisting of 2.8M Oz Silver and 59,391 Oz Gold; Announces Updated 2022 Guidance and Conference Call Details
New York – AG July 20, 2022
Toronto – FR
Frankfurt – FMV
First Majestic Produces 7.7M Silver Eqv. Oz in the Second Quarter Consisting of 2.8M Oz Silver
and 59,391 Oz Gold; Announces Updated 2022 Guidance and Conference Call Details
Vancouver, BC, Canada ‐ First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic" or the "Company") announces that total
production in the second 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 7.7 million silver equivalent (“AgEq”) ounces consisting of 2.8 million ounces of silver and 59,391
ounces of gold. The Company’s financial results for the second quarter of 2022 are scheduled to be released on
Thursday, August 4, 2022.
SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Total Production Increased by 20% Y/Y: The Company produced 7.7 million AgEq ounces representing a
20% increase when compared to the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to the acquisition of Jerritt
Canyon and successful ramp up of the Ermitaño mine at Santa Elena.
Record Production at Santa Elena: Strong ore production from the Ermitaño mine enabled Santa Elena
to set an all‐time new quarterly production record of 2.2 million AgEq ounces. The Company is now
planning for higher production rates from Ermitaño in the second half of 2022 which is expected to result
in a projected 28% increase in FY2022 production at Santa Elena to between 8.7 to 9.2 million AgEq
ounces.
Restarting West Generator and Saval II mines at Jerritt Canyon: Underground mining activities began
at the West Generator mine at the end of the quarter and the Company expects to start mining activities
at Saval II in October. These two new sources of ore feed, along with operational improvements at the
SSX mine, are anticipated to increase the average head grade and nearly double the amount of fresh ore
feed to the plant in the fourth quarter. In addition, these improvements are expected to significantly
reduce all‐in sustaining costs in the second half of 2022.
Liquefied Natural Gas (“LNG”) Powerplant Expansion at Santa Elena: The Company continued the
construction of the LNG powerplant expansion project and powerline at Santa Elena to provide low‐cost,
clean energy to the Ermitaño mine and the dual‐circuit project in Santa Elena. The expanded powerplant
is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter following the installation of four additional LNG
generators. In addition, the connection of the Ermitaño transmission powerline to the powerplant is
expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022.
30 Drill Rigs Active: The Company completed a total of 76,444 metres of drilling across the Company’s
mines during the quarter. Throughout the quarter a total of 30 drill rigs were active consisting of 11 rigs
at San Dimas, 11 rigs at Jerritt Canyon, six rigs at Santa Elena and two rigs at La Encantada.
“In the second quarter we saw strong production of 7.7 million silver equivalent ounces, a 20% increase year‐
over‐year,” said Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO. “In the second half of 2022, we anticipate a further 25%
production increase in our total silver equivalent ounces. This increase in production is being propelled by
significant growth at both the Santa Elena and Jerritt Canyon operations. At Jerritt Canyon, we successfully
restarted the West Generator mine and expect to bring Saval II into production by October. These two mines, in
addition to operational improvements at SSX, are expected to nearly double the amount of fresh ore feed to the
plant in addition to increasing the average head grades. As a result of these production improvements, costs at
Jerritt Canyon are projected to drop significantly over the next two quarters.”
PRODUCTION TABLE
Q2 Q2 Y/Y Q1 Q/Q
2022 2021 Change 2022 Change
Ore processed/tonnes milled 903,791 826,213 9% 877,118 3%
Silver ounces produced 2,775,928 3,274,026 ‐15% 2,613,328 6%
Gold ounces produced 59,391 46,545 28% 58,891 1%
Silver equivalent ounces produced 7,705,935 6,435,023 20% 7,222,002 7%
QUARTERLY REVIEW
Total ore processed during the quarter at the Company's mines amounted to 903,791 tonnes, representing a 3%
increase compared to the previous quarter. The increase in tonnes processed was primarily due to higher
throughput rates achieved at Santa Elena and La Encantada and slightly offset by lower processed tonnes at
Jerritt Canyon.
Consolidated silver and gold grades in the quarter averaged 114 g/t and 2.29 g/t, respectively, compared to 109
g/t and 2.31 g/t, respectively, in the previous quarter. The 4% increase in consolidated silver grades was primarily
due to a 30% increase in silver grades at La Encantada partially offset by a 9% decrease in silver grades at San
Dimas. Head grades at Santa Elena and Jerritt Canyon were relatively unchanged compared to the prior quarter.
Consolidated silver and gold recoveries averaged 84% and 89%, respectively, during the quarter. The Company
continued to advance the Santa Elena dual‐circuit project in order to increase the leaching performance and
metallurgical recoveries of the Santa Elena and Ermitaño ores at the processing plant. A new tailings filter‐press,
an additional leaching tank and a fourth CCD thickener are expected to be commissioned at Santa Elena in the
fourth quarter. During the quarter, metals recoveries from Ermitaño averaged 49% for silver and 92% for gold.
However, once the dual‐circuit is fully operational the Company expects to achieve significantly higher silver and
gold recoveries from Ermitaño.
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 197,102
2,166 257 3.01 94% 96% 1,527,465 18,354 3,046,665
Jerritt Canyon 213,647
2,348 ‐ 3.40 ‐ 80% ‐ 18,632 1,546,142
Santa Elena 228,487
2,511 67 3.26 78% 93% 384,953 22,309 2,241,763
La Encantada 264,555
2,907 141 0.01 72% 90% 863,510 96 871,365
Total 903,791
9,932 114 2.29 84% 89% 2,775,928 59,391 7,705,935
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: $22.60 per ounce; Gold: $1,871 per ounce.
At the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine:
San Dimas produced 3,046,665 AgEq ounces during the quarter consisting of 1,527,465 ounces of silver
and 18,354 ounces of gold, representing decreases of 6% and 1%, respectively, when compared to the
prior quarter.
The mill processed a total of 197,102 tonnes of ore with average silver and gold grades of 257 g/t and
3.01 g/t, respectively. Silver and gold grades were lower in the second quarter compared to the prior
quarter due to higher dilution from the long hole stopes in the Jessica and Regina veins. The Company is
implementing a recovery plan for the second half of 2022 to reduce dilution and prioritizing the long hole
stoping of the Jessica and Regina veins to improve ore grade and overall production.
Silver and gold recoveries during the quarter averaged 94% and 96%, respectively.
The Central Block and Sinaloa Graben areas contributed approximately 76% and 24%, respectively, of
the total production during the quarter. The Company continued advancing underground development
for stope preparation and ventilation within the Perez vein to be ready for initial production in August.
A total of 11 drill rigs, consisting of one surface rig and 10 underground rigs, were active during the
quarter.
At the Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine:
During the quarter, Jerritt Canyon produced 18,632 ounces of gold, representing a 10% decrease
compared to the prior quarter. The decrease was primarily due to a major failure in the oxygen plant to
produce liquid oxygen which significantly reduced roasting capacity over a two‐week period in May.
The mill processed a total of 213,647 tonnes of ore with an average gold grade and recovery of 3.40 g/t
and 80%, respectively. The SSX and Smith mines contributed approximately 58% and 42%, respectively,
of the total production in the quarter. The processing of lower ore grade from SSX continued during the
quarter which resulted in lower than budgeted ore grades processed in the plant. The Company expects
gold grades from the SSX mine will improve in the second half of 2022 as higher‐grade ore pods are
developed into and extracted following recent successful exploration activities.
The Company completed rehabilitation efforts in the West Generator underground mine and
successfully began initial mine production at the end of the second quarter. This new ore feed, along
with the restart of the Saval II underground mine in October and operational improvements at the SSX
mine, are anticipated to increase the average head grade and nearly double the amount of fresh ore
feed to the plant. In addition, these improvements are expected to significantly reduce all‐in sustaining
costs in the third and fourth quarter of 2022.
A total of 11 drill rigs, consisting of one surface rig and 10 underground rigs, were active during the
quarter.
At the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine:
Santa Elena produced a new quarterly record of 2,241,763 AgEq consisting of 384,953 ounces of silver
and 22,309 ounces of gold during the quarter, representing a 14% increase in both silver and gold
production when compared to the prior quarter. The increase in production was primarily due to
processing higher volumes of Ermitaño’s ore which contains higher gold grades than Santa Elena’s ore.
Santa Elena and Ermitaño contributed approximately 44% and 56%, respectively, of the ore tonnes
processed during the quarter. The mill processed a total of 228,487 tonnes of ore consisting of 100,346
tonnes from Santa Elena and 128,141 tonnes from Ermitaño.
Silver and gold grades from Santa Elena averaged 95 g/t and 1.20 g/t, respectively, while silver and gold
grades from Ermitaño averaged 45 g/t and 4.86 g/t, respectively.
Consolidated silver and gold recoveries averaged 78% and 93%, respectively, during the quarter. The
Company continues to advance the dual‐circuit project at the Santa Elena processing plant which was
approximately 82% complete at quarter end. An additional leaching tank and a fourth CCD thickener
were installed in the quarter and are anticipated to be commissioned in the third quarter followed by
the commissioning of the new tailings filter‐press in September. The new dual‐circuit is expected to be
fully operational by the end of the fourth quarter allowing for improved recoveries and increased plant
capacity.
During the quarter, the Company advanced the construction of the LNG powerplant expansion and
powerline to provide low‐cost, clean power to the Ermitaño mine and to support the power
requirements for the dual‐circuit installations. At the powerplant, the structural steel erection inside the
powerhouse was completed and the installation of the ventilation fans and overhead crane will be
completed in July. The construction of the transmission line to join Ermitaño to Santa Elena also
advanced with the installation of the electrical poles and approximately 70% of the cable lines. The
powerline is on track for completion in late July and remains on schedule to be connected to the Santa
Elena powerplant in the third quarter. The Company plans to install and commission four additional LNG
generators (for a total of 11 LNG generators) by the end of the third quarter and to be fully operational
by the end of the fourth quarter.
A total of six drill rigs, consisting of four surface rigs and two underground rigs, were active during the
quarter.
At the La Encantada Silver Mine:
During the quarter, La Encantada produced 863,510 ounces of silver, representing a 34% increase
compared to the prior quarter. The increase was primarily due to a 30% increase in silver grades.
The mill processed a total of 264,555 tonnes of ore with an average silver grade and recovery of 141 g/t
and 72%, respectively. The increase in grades were the result of additional ore feed being sourced from
the new draw points in the Cuerpo 660 and La Prieta areas. The Company continued development
activities in the Ojuelas and Beca‐Zone orebodies in an effort to further increase silver grades in the
second half of 2022.
Two drill rigs, consisting of one surface rig and one underground rig, were active on the property during
the quarter.
OUTLOOK
The Company is revising its second half and full year 2022 guidance to reflect changes due to increased
production from the Ermitaño mine and improved milling efficiencies at Santa Elena, improved production
tonnages and grades at Jerritt Canyon as well as incorporating changes to metal price assumptions and
production impacts from the first half of 2022. Details of the changes and their expected impacts are presented
below:
1. Increased production at Santa Elena to between 8.7 to 9.2 million AgEq ounces in 2022 following higher
mine production from the Ermitaño mine along with expected higher‐grade ore from the Alejandra de
Bajo and America veins at the Santa Elena mine.
2. Completion of Santa Elena’s dual‐circuit project which is expected to improve metallurgical recoveries
of Ermitaño ores and to allow higher plant throughput capacity.
3. Improving dilution controls at San Dimas and prioritizing long‐hole stoping of the Jessica and Regina veins
which is anticipated to improve ore grade and overall production.
4. At Jerritt Canyon, the Company has accelerated the restart of the West Generator and Saval II mines
which are expected to contribute higher tonnages, improved grades and reduced AISC in the second half
of 2022. AISC in the second half of 2022 is now projected to be within a range of $1,739 to $1,861 per
ounce and improving further into 2023 due to anticipated increased throughputs.
5. At La Encantada, mining is expected to begin at the Ojeulas and Beca‐Zone orebodies in the second half
of 2022 aimed at increasing ore tonnage and silver grades.
6. Reduced silver price assumptions in the second half of 2022 to $20.50/oz (previously $22.50/oz) but
maintained gold price assumptions at $1,750/oz, resulting in a 85:1 silver to gold ratio.
As a result of these adjustments, our 2022 total production remains relatively unchanged at 32.5 to 34.6 million
AgEq ounces compared to the prior guidance of 32.2 to 35.8 million AgEq ounces.
The Company is also providing guidance below on a mine‐by‐mine basis for the second half of 2022.
GUIDANCE FOR SECOND HALF 2022
Silver Oz (M) Gold Oz (K) Silver Eqv Oz (M) Cash Cost AISC
Silver: ($ per AgEq oz) ($ per AgEq oz)
San Dimas, Mexico 3.5 – 3.9 37 – 42 6.6 – 7.4 8.58 – 9.11 12.11 – 13.05
Santa Elena, Mexico 0.9 – 1.0 44 – 49 4.6 – 5.1 10.37 – 11.03 12.00 – 12.86
La Encantada, Mexico 1.5 – 1.6 – 1.5 – 1.6 15.21 – 16.15 19.35 – 20.76
Mexico Consolidated: 5.8 – 6.5 81 – 90 12.7 – 14.2 9.99 – 10.62 12.91 – 13.87
Gold: ($ per AuEq oz) ($ per AuEq oz)
Jerritt Canyon, USA – 57 – 64 4.9 – 5.4 1,498 – 1,592 1,739 – 1,861
Total Production ($ per AgEq oz) ($ per AgEq oz)
Consolidated 5.8 – 6.5 138 ‐ 154 17.6 – 19.6 12.09 – 12.85 16.09 – 17.27
* Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
* Consolidated AISC includes general and administrative cost estimates and non‐cash costs of $1.30 to $1.41 per AgEq ounce.
* Cash Costs and AISC are non‐GAAP measures and are not standardized financial measures under the Company's financial reporting
framework. These measures have been calculated on a basis consistent with historical periods. See "Non‐GAAP Financial Measures"
below.
In the first half of 2022, the Company produced a total of 14.9 million AgEq ounces consisting of 5.4 million
ounces of silver and 118,283 ounces of gold. In the second half of 2022, the Company expects to produce 17.6
to 19.6 million AgEq ounces, or a 25% increase compared the first half of 2022. Silver production is expected to
range between 5.8 to 6.5 million ounces, or a 14% increase compared the first half of the year. Additionally, gold
production is now expected to range between 138,000 to 154,000 ounces, or a 23% increase compared to the
first half of 2022. The increases in production are primarily due to expected higher ore production from the
Ermitaño mine at Santa Elena and improved mine production and gold grades at Jerritt Canyon in the second
half of 2022, as well as a higher contribution of AgEq credits due to an increase in the gold to silver ratio.
Cash costs in the second half of 2022 are expected to trend lower to within the range of $12.09 to $12.85 per
AgEq ounce, primarily due to higher gold production at both Santa Elena and Jerritt Canyon. In addition, AISC are
expected to be within a range of $16.09 to $17.27 per AgEq ounce in the second half of 2022.
A mine‐by‐mine breakdown of the revised full year 2022 production guidance is included in the table below and
assumes the prices for calculating AgEq ounces are the same as previously stated above.
GUIDANCE FOR FULL YEAR 2022
Silver Oz (M) Gold Oz (k) Silver Eqv Oz (M) Cash Cost AISC
Silver: ($ per AgEq oz) ($ per AgEq oz)
San Dimas, Mexico 6.6 – 7.0 74 – 79 12.8 – 13.6 9.16 – 9.47 12.46 – 12.98
Santa Elena, Mexico 1.6 – 1.7 85 – 90 8.7 – 9.2 11.33 – 11.74 13.50 – 14.05
La Encantada, Mexico 3.0 – 3.2 – 3.0 – 3.2 15.10 – 15.56 18.51 – 19.16
Mexico Consolidated: 11.2 – 11.9 160 – 169 24.5 – 26.0 10.66 – 11.02 15.17 – 15.79
Gold: ($ per AuEq oz) ($ per AuEq oz)
Jerritt Canyon, USA – 96 – 103 8.0 – 8.6 1,744 – 1,817 2,012 – 2,103
Total Production
($ per AgEq oz) ($ per AgEq oz)
Consolidated 11.2 – 11.9 256 – 273 32.5 – 34.6 13.21 – 13.69 17.68 – 18.42
* Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
* Consolidated AISC includes general and administrative cost estimates and non‐cash costs of $1.44 to $1.52 per AgEq ounce.
* Cash Costs and AISC are non‐GAAP measures and are not standardized financial measures under the Company's financial reporting
framework. These measures have been calculated on a basis consistent with historical periods. See "Non‐GAAP Financial Measures"
below.
For the full year of 2022, the Company now estimates silver production will range between 11.2 to 11.9 million
ounces compared to the prior guidance of 12.2 to 13.5 million ounces. Additionally, gold production is estimated
to range between 256,000 to 273,000 ounces compared to the prior guidance of 258,000 to 288,000 ounces.
Annual cash costs are now expected to be within the range of $13.21 to $13.69 per ounce or slightly higher than
the previous guidance of $12.20 to $12.94 per ounce, primarily due to inflationary pressures and higher costs at
Jerritt Canyon in the first half of 2022. In addition, annual AISC are expected to be within a range of $17.68 to
$18.42 per AgEq ounce compared to the previous guidance of $16.79 to $18.06 per AgEq ounce.
REVISED CAPITAL BUDGET
In an effort to maintain its strong balance sheet and manage inflationary pressures, the Company has updated
its annual 2022 capital budget to include the reallocation of development and exploration expenditures across
its operations and investments in innovative projects. As a result, the Company has reduced its planned 2022
capital investments by 4% to $199.5 million consisting of $83.9 million of sustaining investments and $115.6
million of expansionary investments.
The revised 2022 annual budget includes total capital investments of $90.0 million on underground
development, $44.5 million towards property, plant and equipment, $36.5 million on exploration and $28.5
million towards efficiency and corporate projects.
Revised 2022 Capital Budget ($millions) Sustaining Expansionary Total
Underground Development 55.1 34.9 90.0
Exploration 3.0 33.5 36.5
Property, Plant and Equipment 23.2 21.3 44.5
Corporate Projects 2.6 25.9 28.5
Total $83.9 $115.6 $199.5
*Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences.
Under the revised 2022 budget, the Company is planning to complete a total of approximately 45,900 metres of
underground development, representing a 15% decrease compared to the original guidance. In addition, the
Company is now planning to complete a total of approximately 240,450 metres of exploration drilling in 2022,
representing a 25% decrease compared to the original guidance. In the first half of 2022, the Company completed
23,553 metres of underground development and 151,668 metres of exploration drilling.
CONFERENCE CALL
The Company will be holding a conference call and webcast tomorrow, July 21, 2022 at 8 am PDT (11 am EDT) to
discuss the quarterly results.
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 simultaneous 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: 9180 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.
Q2 EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT
The Company is planning to release its second quarter 2022 unaudited financial results, and to announce the
second quarter dividend payment, along with the shareholder record and payable dates on Thursday, August 4,
2022.