Avino Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018
¹ In 2018, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $15.71 oz Ag, $1,270 oz Au and $2.96 lb Cu. In 2017, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $17.05 oz Ag, $1,258 oz Au
and $2.80 lb Cu
² The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include cash cost per silver equivalent ounce, all -in sustaining cash cost per ounce, and cash flow per share. These measures are widely used
in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and the calculation methods may differ from methods used by ot her companies with similar
reported measures.
ASM: TSX/NYSE American
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. T (604) 682 3701
Suite 900-570 Granville Street F (604) 682 3600
Vancouver, BC V6C 3P1 www.avino.com
February 27, 2019
Avino Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (ASM: TSX/NYSE American; FSE:GV6, "Avino" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the
consolidated financial results for the Company’s fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 201 8. The Financial Statements and
Management Discussion and Analysis (MD& A) can be viewed on the Company’s web site at www.avino.com, on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
FOURTH QUARTER 2018 HIGHLIGHTS
Generated revenues of $8.3 million from the sale of San Gonzalo and Avino concentrates
Mine operating income amounted to $1.3 million, a decrease of 60 % over the same period of 2017
Net income after taxes amounted to $1.0 million or a EPS (Earnings per share) of $0.02
Silver equivalent production of 720,187 ounces1, including 288,600 ounces of silver, 1,973 ounces of gold, and
1,375,758 lbs of copper
Total consolidated cash cost2 was $8.93 per silver equivalent payable ounce1
Consolidated all-in sustaining cost2 (“AISC”) was $9.41 per silver equivalent payable ounce1 a 2% increase compared to
$9.23 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2017
Working capital of $13.1 million, a 20% decrease from $16.4 million in 2017 due to continued reinvestment in
capital projects
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) was 1.2 million
Cash of $3.2 million was on hand at the end of the quarter
2018 HIGHLIGHTS
Generated revenues of $34.1 million from sales of San Gonzalo and Avino concentrates, an increase of 2% compared to 2017
Mine operating income was $6.3 million, a decrease of 44% compared to 2017
Net income after taxes amounted to $1.6 million or a EPS (Earnings per share) of $0.03
Silver equivalent production of 2,863,753 ounces1, including 1,286,382 ounces of silver, 8,092 ounces of gold, and
4,819,022 lbs of copper
Total consolidated cash cost2 was $9.32 per silver equivalent payable ounce1
AISC2 was $10.67 per silver equivalent payable ounce1, a 5% increase compared to $10.11 per ounce in 2017
Working capital of $13.1 million, a 20% decrease from $16.4 million in 2017 due to continued reinvestment in
capital projects
EBITDA of $6.0 million
Cash of $3.2 million was on hand at December 31, 2018
Invested $14.8 million in capital expenditures at the Avino and Bralorne mines
“Despite the challenges faced in 2018, our overall silver equivalent production increased in both the fourth quarter and for the full
year. Operationally, 2018 was a year in which we successfully achieved our goal of completing Mill Circuit 4 and several d rill
programs on numerous areas of the Avino property, which successfully outlined longer term targets that warrant further
investigation and drilling.” stated David Wolfin, President and CEO. “We announced an updated mineral resource estimate in 20 18
that increased the measured and indicated resources by 225% at the Avino property. At the Bralorne Gold Mine in British
Columbia, we commenced an exciting and comprehensive exploration drilling program, which was possible due to the Flow -
Through share offering in April. We delivered a slight increase in revenues for the year, and earnings per share of $0.03. We are
pleased with the successes achieved for 2018, which were challenging due to significantly lower metal prices. The implementa tion
of cost reducing initiatives across the Company, remain in place. We are steadfast in our approach to delivering strong financial
health which is fundamental to the Company’s continued success.”
N E W S R E L E A S E
February 27, 2019 – Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. – News Release
Avino Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018
Page 2
Operational Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS
(Expressed in US$)
Fourth Quarter
2018
Fourth Quarter
2017
Change
Year
2018
Year
2017
Change
Operating
Tonnes Milled 189,574 129,555 46% 708,764 541,935 31%
Silver Ounces Produced 288,600 319,678 -10% 1,286,382 1,394,203 -8%
Gold Ounces Produced 1,973 1,472 34% 8,092 7,935 2%
Copper Pounds Produced 1,375,758 1,108,800 24% 4,819,022 4,373,166 10%
Silver Equivalent Ounces1 Produced 720,187 637,012 13% 2,863,753 2,700,585 6%
Concentrate Sales and Cash Costs
Silver Equivalent Payable Ounces Sold3 713,384 597,285 19% 2,640,129 2,245,946 18%
Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Payable
Ounce1,2,3,4 $ 8.93 $ 7.90 13% $ 9.32 $ 8.65 8%
All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent
Payable Ounce1,2,3,4 $ 9.41 $ 9.23 2% $ 10.67 $ 10.11 5%
1. In 2018, AgEq8 was calculated using metals prices of $15.71 oz Ag, $1,270 oz Au and $2.96 lb Cu. In 2017, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $17.05 oz Ag,
$1,258 oz Au and $2.80 lb Cu
2. In Q4 2018, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $14.55 oz Ag, $1,229 oz Au and $2.80 lb Cu. In Q4 2017, AgEq was calcu lated using metals prices of $16.70
oz Ag, $1,276 oz Au and $3.09 lb Cu.
3. “Silver equivalent payable ounces sold” for the purpo ses of cash costs and all -in sustaining costs consists of the sum of payable silver ounces, gold ounces and
copper tonnes sold, before penalties, treatment charges, and refining charges, multiplied by the ratio of the average spot go ld and copper prices to the average spot
silver price for the corresponding period.
4. The Company reports non -IFRS measures which include cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, EBITDA,
adjusted EBITDA, and cash flow per sh are. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized
meaning and the calculation methods may differ from methods used by other companies with similar reported measures. See Non -IFRS Measures section for further
information and detailed reconciliations.
Financial Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS
(Expressed in 000’s of US$)
Fourth Quarter
2018
Fourth Quarter
2017
Change
Year
2018
Year
2017
Change
Financial
Revenues $ 8,268 $ 8,884 -7% $ 34,116 $ 33,359 2%
Mine Operating Income $ 1,347 $ 3,363 -60% $ 6,266 $ 11,253 -44%
Net Income $ 981 $ 1,496 -34% $ 1,626 $ 2,522 -36%
Cash $ 3,252 $ 3,420 -5% $ 3,252 $ 3,420 -5%
Working Capital $ 13,106 $ 16,402 -20% $ 13,106 $ 16,402 -20%
Earnings before interest, taxes and amortization
(“EBITDA”)1 $ 1,242 $ 3,312 -63% $ 5,999 $ 8,258 -27%
Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 1,690 $ 3,367 -50% $ 6,127 $ 10,648 -42%
Per Share Amounts
Earnings per Share ("EPS") – Basic $ 0.02 $ 0.03 -33% $ 0.03 $ 0.05 -40%
Cash Flow per Share (YTD)1 – Basic $ 0.03 $ 0.05 -40% $ 0.07 $ 0.13 -46%
1. The Company reports non -IFRS measures which include cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and cash
flow per share. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and the calculation methods may differ from
methods used by other companies with similar reported measures. See Non -IFRS Measures section for further information and detailed reconciliations.
February 27, 2019 – Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. – News Release
Avino Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018
Page 3
¹ In 2018, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $15.71 oz Ag, $1,270 oz Au and $2.96 lb Cu. In 2017, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $17.05 oz Ag, $1,258 oz Au
and $2.80 lb Cu
Financial Results
The Company generated revenues of $34.1 million during 2018; a slight increase of 2% increase compared with 2017.
Mine operating income was $ 6.3 million during 2018, compared to $11. 3 million in 2017, a decrease of 44%. The decrease
is largely due to lower realized metal prices; however the company sold 18% more silver equivalent ounces. Other factors
include lower production results at San Gonzalo.
During 2018, the company reported net income of 1.6 million or $0.03 per share, compared to net income of $2.5 million or
$0.05 basic per share in 2017.
Operational Results
2018 Production Highlights
Silver equivalent1 production - 2,863,753 oz*
Silver production - 1,286,382 oz
Gold production – 8,092 oz
Copper production – 4,819,022 lbs
In 2018, we also produced 43,586 silver equivalent ounces from our low grade zinc concentrate
Silver equivalent production for 2018 increased by 6% to 2,863,753 ounces1 compared to 2,700,585 ounces in 2017. Silver
production for 2018 decreased 8% to 1,286,382 ounces compared to 1,394,203 ounces in 2017. Gold production for 2018
increased by 2% to 8,092 ounces compared to 7,935 ounces in 2017 . Copper production for 2018 increased by 10% to
4,819,022 lbs compared to 4,373,166 lbs in 2017. Total mill feed processed during 2018 was 708,764 compared to 541,935
dry tonnes during 201 7, a n increase of 31% which included Avino, San Gonzalo, and the Avino Historic Above Ground
(“AHAG”) stockpiles.
At the Avino mine, the silver equivalent ounces 1 produced during 2018 totalled 1,847,303 compared to 1,911,428 produced
in 2017, which was a slight decrease of 3%. When examined on a yearly basis, the lower tonnage processed combined with
the variations in feed grades resulted in an increase in copper production by 4% and silver and gold production decreased
by 24% and 12%, respectively, for the year compared to 2017.
At the San Gonzalo Mine, the silver equivalent ounces 1 produced during 2018 totaled 592,098 compared to 789,157 in
2017. This represents a 25% decrease compared to 2017, and due to the San Gonzalo mine approaching its end of life and
the grades, recoveries and production have started to tail off. This is in line with our internal expectations. On an annual
basis the silver and gold feed grades declined by 17% and 22% respectively, compared to year end 2017. This combined
together with a slight decrease in both silver and gold recovery resulted in San Gonzal o producing 25% fewer ounces
compared to 2017.
Costs and Capital Expenditures
Consolidated all-in sustaining cash costs (“AISC”) per AgEq ounce during 2018 was $10.67 compared to 10.11 during 2017,
an increase of 5%. The moderately higher AISC are attributed to lower metal prices, lower grades at Avino and San Gonzalo
and higher operational costs such as labour and production.
Capital expenditures during 2018 were $14.8 million compared to 12.2 million during 2017.
Capital expenditures primarily relate to finalizing the mill expansion which included the completion of Mill Circuit 4 ,
exploration at the Avino Mine, development at the San Luis area of the Avino Mine, the purchasing of new mining,
milling/processing and equipment, as well as advancing the exploration program at the Bralorne Mine.
February 27, 2019 – Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. – News Release
Avino Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018
Page 6
¹ In 2018, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $15.71 oz Ag, $1,270 oz Au and $2.96 lb Cu. In 2017, AgEq was calculated using metals prices of $17.05 oz Ag, $1,258 oz Au
and $2.80 lb Cu
Bralorne Mine
During the year, a CAD $6.0 million Flow Through share offering was announced for explo ration expenditures. With this
financing, the C ompany was able to embark on the most comprehensive exploration program in the mine’s 100 -year
history.
The program includes a total of 24,000 metres of drilling, structural modelling and geological mapping, airborne and ground
geophysics surveys, and geochemical sampling.
In December, the Com pany announced drilling results from holes targeting the 27 Vein extension. These holes confirmed
the vein continuity up dip from the area of historic production. The initial assays were favourable, with the best of the thr ee
assays intercepting 29.5 gold g/t over 0.88 metres true width.
Non-IFRS Measures
The financial results in this news release include references to cash flow per share, cash cost per silver equivalent payable
ounce, and all-in sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent payable ounce, each of which are non -IFRS measures. Cash flow
per share, cash cost per ounce, and all -in sustaining cash cost per ounce are measures developed by mining companies in
an effort to provide a comparable standard of performance. However, there can be no assuran ce that our reporting of
these non-IFRS measures is similar to that reported by other mining companies. Cash flow per share, cash cost per silver
equivalent ounce, and all-in sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent ounce are measures used by the Company to manage
and evaluate operating performance of the Company’s mining operations, and are widely reported in the silver and gold
mining industry as benchmarks for performance, but do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, and are
disclosed in addition to the prescribed IFRS measures provided in the Company’s financial statements and MD&A.
Additional information
The Company will be holding a conference call and webcast on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 8:00 am PST (11:00 am EST).
Shareholders, analysts, investors and media are invited to join the webcast and conference call by logging in here Avino
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Webcast and Conference Call or by dialing the following numbers five to ten minutes
prior to the start time:
Toll Free Canada & USA: 1-800-319-4610
Outside of Canada & USA: 1-604-638-5340
No pass-code is necessary to participate in the conference call or webcast; participants will have the opportunity to ask
questions during the Q&A portion.
The conference call and webcast will be recorded and the replay will be available on the Company's web site later that day.
Qualified Person(s)
Jasman Yee, P.Eng., Avino Director , Fred Sveinson, B.A., B.Sc., P.Eng., Senior Mining Advisor, and Peter Latta, P.Eng, MBA,
Senior Technical Advisor, have reviewed and approved the technical data in this news release, all of whom are qualified
persons within the context of National Instrument 43-101.
About Avino
Avino is a silver and gold producer with a diversified pipeline of gold, silver and base metals properties in Mexico and
Canada employing approximately 500 p eople. Avino produces from its wholly owned Avino and San Gonzalo Mines near
Durango, Mexico, and is currently exploring and drilling at the Bralorne Gold Mine in British Columbia, Canada. The
Company’s gold and silver production remains unhedged. The Comp any’s mission and strategy is to create shareholder
value through its focus on profitable organic growth at the historic Avino Property near Durango, Mexico, and the strategic
acquisition of mineral exploration and mining properties. We are committed to ma naging all business activities in an
environmentally responsible and cost -effective manner, while contributing to the well -being of the communities in which
we operate.
On Behalf of the Board
“David Wolfin”
________________________________
David Wolfin
President & CEO
Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.
Safe Harbor Statement - This news release contains “forward -looking information” and “forward -looking statements” (together, the “forward looking
statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian secur ities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including,
but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to meet its production guidance, expectations of All -In Sustaining Cash Cost (“AISC”), information on the
updated mineral resource estimate for the Company’s Avino Property located near Durango in west-central Mexico (the “Property”) with an effective date
of February 21, 2018, and amended on December 19, 2018, prepared for the Company, and reference to Measured, Indicated, Inferred Resources referred
to in this press release. These forward -looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the dates of technical reports, as applicable.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward -looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes
or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking
statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such
statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, u ncertainties, assumptions and
other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward -looking statements. No
assurance can be given that the Company’s Property does not have the amount of the mineral resources indicated in the updated report or that such
mineral resources may be economically extracted.
Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the effects of general economic conditions, the price of gold, silver and copper, changing foreign
exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations and mi sjudgments in the course
of preparing forward -looking information. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors wh ich could cause our actual results, performance or
achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward -looking statements. Known
risk factors include risks associated with project devel opment; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral
processing; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign c ountries; environmental liability
claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers, direct ors or promoters with certain
other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatilit y of the our common share price and volume; tax
consequences to U.S. investors; and other risks and uncertainties. Although we have attempted to identify important factors t hat could cause actual
actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or
results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward -looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place un due reliance on
forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward -looking statements except as required under applicable securities
laws.
Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined un der International
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), including silver equivalent ounces (AgEq oz) of production. Non -GAAP measures do not have any standardized
meaning prescribed under IFRS and, therefore, they may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. We believe that, in addition
to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate our performance . The data presented is
intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in
accordance with IFRS. Readers should also refer to our management’s discussion and analysis available under our corporate pro file at www.sedar.com or
on our website at www.avino.com.