Capstone Reports First Quarter 2020 Results
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April 28, 2020
Capstone Reports First Quarter 2020 Results
(All amounts in US$ unless otherwise specified)
Vancouver, British Columbia - Capstone Mining Corp. (“Capstone” or the “Company”) (TSX:CS) announces its
production and financial results for the three months (“Q1 2020”) ended March 31, 2020. Copper production
totaled 35.5 million pounds of copper at consolidated C1 cash costs1 of $2.05 per payable pound produced.
“I am proud of Capstone’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our top priority is to ensure the health of our
employees and our communities in which we operate, while maintaining the health of our business,” said Darren
Pylot, President & CEO of Capstone. “Our quick mitigation measures positioned Capstone to weather this current
low copper price environment without delaying the 2021 growth targets we have set.”
“We were well positioned to face the abrupt economic downturn during Q1 2020, having cut nearly $30 million in
annual costs from the business last year,” said Raman Randhawa, SVP & CFO of Capstone. “We were fortunate
to have the flexibility to defer another $32 million in capital costs this year, while having preserved multiple levers
that could be triggered to increase liquidity, if necessary. Also, we have taken actions on additional operating cost
savings of $22 million which include locking in contract purchases and hedges on very low diesel prices,
transportation and the Mexican Peso for the remainder of 2020. This is expected to result in consolidated C1
operating costs and all-in sustaining costs of ~$1.80 and ~$2.20 per pound, respectively, for the balance of this
year.”
COZAMIN UPDATE
On April 7, the Company safely commenced ramping down operations at Cozamin to comply with a Mexican
Federal Government decree which was extended from April 30, 2020 to until May 30, 2020. The decree allows for
normal operations to resume on May 18, 2020 in municipalities which present low or null transmission of COVID -
19. Zacatecas is a low-risk jurisdiction based on current statistics. The Company is taking all steps necessary to
be able to quickly and safely ramp production back up to full capacity by May 18, 2020.
Q1 2020 HIGHLIGHTS AND SIGNIFICANT ITEMS
• Q1 2020 copper production of 35.5 million pounds and C1 cash costs1 of $2.05 per payable pound
produced. Copper sales were lower at 30.4 million pounds due to timing of shipments at Pinto Valley.
• Q1 2020 net loss of $21.9 million impacted significantly by two items, non-cash inventory write-downs ($6.7
million) and provisional pricing adjustments ($9.8 million) related to COVID-19. (Q1 2019 – net income of $8.3
million).
• Q1 2020 operating cash flow of $6.9 million (Q1 2019 of $28.7 million). Operating cash flow was impacted
by approximately $10 million due to one less shipment at Pinto Valley and the build-up of concentrate
inventory during Q1 2020.
• In January and April, Cozamin further announced the results from its 2019/2020 step-out and infill
drilling program, aiming to double the current reserve base. 177 holes of the 200 planned holes are now
released, with updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates expected in late 2020. Positive drill
results are pointing to expected higher grades and wider intercepts than in the current reserve, as well as a
potentially expanded high-grade resource.
• A positive update to Santo Domingo’s Feasibility Study was released in February. The update included
a higher level of capital and operating cost certainty, the receipt of additional key permits and the
development of a Preliminary Economic Assessment with respect to cobalt production.
• The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic in early March.
Capstone has taken the following measures in response to COVID-19; refer to the Corporate Update
below for more details:
Suite 2100 – 510 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC, V6B 0M3, Canada
Tel: 604-684-8894 Fax: 604-688-2180
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o Implemented rigorous control and prevention measures in order to ensure the health of our
workers at all our offices and operations.
o Safely ramped down operations at Cozamin on April 7, to comply with a government decree.
o Withdrew its full-year 2020 production guidance, due to Cozamin’s temporary ramp down of
operations and the ongoing uncertainty regarding COVID-19. The Company will re-evaluate its full-
year 2020 guidance as the pandemic evolves.
• 2020 cost reduction actions taken to manage liquidity and deliver margins:
o Reduced discretionary capital and exploration expenditures by $32 million.
o Actions taken by management to reduce operating costs for the remainder of 2020 by $22
million. These reductions include lower diesel prices and transportation costs, hedging foreign
exchange and interest rate swaps.
o Operating cost reductions are expected to reduce C1 cash costs to $1.75/lb to $1.85/lb thus
delivering margins at spot copper prices.
o Executed financial hedges on foreign exchange and interest rates to protect approximately half
of the Company’s Mexican Peso exposure from August 2020 through December 2021 and swapped
the floating for fixed rate on the LIBOR portion of our revolving credit facility (RCF) at 0.355%.
Resulting in estimated expected savings against plan of $4 million and $4 million respectively
over the term of the contracts.
CORPORATE UPDATE
COVID-19
In response to the World Health Organization declaring novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic in early
March, Capstone has taken the following measures to ensure the health and safety of our people and the
communities in which we operate:
o We have a global COVID-19 response team in place and are assessing any potential health and
business impacts across all our operations.
o Implemented rigorous control and prevention measures at all our offices and operations in order to
ensure the health of our workers, including remote working from home where possible and limiting all
non-essential travel.
o In response to COVID-19 negatively affecting global markets and putting downward pressure on
metal prices, Capstone has taken prudent financial measures to reduce discretionary capital and
exploration expenditures by $32 million in 2020.
o The Company’s financial position as at December 31, 2019 was at a position of strength with low net
debt/EBITDA of 1.56x, net debt of $165 million and total available liquidity of $135 million consisting
of $90 million undrawn on the revolving credit facility (“RCF”) plus cash and short -term investments of
$45 million. As at March 31, 2020, the Company had total available liquidity of $112 million consisting
of $80 million of undrawn credit on the RCF and cash and short-term investments of $32 million.
Subsequent to quarter-end, the Company drew $30 million on the RCF as a precautionary measure
for working capital purposes. The Company is closely monitoring future cash flow projections to
ensure that we can take appropriate further actions as required.
o On April 7, the Company safely commenced ramping down operations at Cozamin to comply with a
Mexican Federal Government decree which was extended from April 30, 2020 to until May 30, 2020.
The decree allows for the normal operations to resume on May 18, 2020 in municipalities which
present low or null transmission of COVID-19. Zacatecas is a low-risk jurisdiction based on current
statistics. The Company is taking all steps necessary to be able to quickly and safely ramp production
back up to full capacity by May 18, 2020.
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2020 Cost Reductions
At the end of December 2019, the Company achieved its target of sustainable annualized cost savings of $27.5
million from the business, using 2018 as a baseline.
In response to COVID-19, Capstone has taken prudent financial measures to reduce discretionary capital and
exploration expenditures by $32 million in 2020.
In addition, in relation to current financial markets, the Company is targeting the following cost reductions in 2020
expected to be reflected in our future operating results. These are additional cost saving measures which would
enable Capstone to reduce our cash operating costs by approximately $22 million over the remainder of 2020.
Operating Cost Items Projected Annualized
Cost Savings
($ million)
Projected 2020 Savings
(Q2 to Q4)
($ million)
Diesel $10 $8
Transportation costs $3 $2
Contractor management freeze $4 $3
Consumables and other inputs costs $4 $3
Mexican peso @ 24.00 versus guidance 19.50 $5 $4
Canadian dollar @ 1.40 versus guidance 1.30 $1 $1
Fixed interest rate swap $1 $1
TOTAL $28 $22
Pinto Valley Cost Reductions
As a result of these cost reduction
measures and expected improvements to
production compared to Q1 2020
(primarily related to grades reverting back
to average of 0.31% copper), we expect
the C1 cash costs1 for Pinto Valley to
reduce dramatically in the remaining
quarters in 2020, compared to Q1 results,
to below $2.00/lb. This is a result of the
following key factors illustrated in the
waterfall chart. (Refer to the Risks and
Uncertainties section in Capstone’s Q1
2020 Management’s Discussion and
Analysis (“MD&A”) and Financial
Statements for updated COVID-19 related
risks.)
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Pinto Valley: PV3 Optimization
PV3 Optimization is an initiative that aims to enhance performance via a series of low capital, quick payback, high
impact debottlenecking steps and operational tweaks. The goal is to sustainably boost throughput, enhance
recovery and lower costs. All required permits are in place to operate at levels up to 79,500 tonnes per day.
The first phase of PV3 Optimization aims to increase reliability and improve performance in the fine crushing plant
and grinding circuit (“Phase 1”). In Q1 2020, the first of two secondary crushers and screen decks arrived and are
scheduled to be installed in July. Also in July, the first of two new ball mill shells are expected to be installed, with
the second scheduled for Q1 2021. The second secondary crusher and six tertiary screen decks are scheduled to
arrive in Q4 2020. Once completed, the expected result is for throughput to reliably achieve higher throughput
levels in the 56,000 to 57,000 tonnes per day range in 2021. During Q1 2020, a mineral processing consultant
was hired to assist in reviewing historical reports and operational data and identify operational improvements to
advance in the short term (“Phase 2”).
Pinto Valley: PV4 Expansion
Preliminary work on Pinto Valley’s potential future expansion to 100,000+ tonnes per day (“PV4 Expansion”)
continues but at a slower rate given COVID-19 restrictions. The update has been delayed for an indeterminate
period. The study is focused on evaluating potential scenarios to take advantage of the one billion tonnes of
Mineral Resources not currently scheduled in the current mine plan pit shell (“PV3”).
Cozamin: Near-Term Expansion Update
In early April 2020, Cozamin completed two major projects that represent a significant achievement on our path to
expanding copper and silver production in 2021. The final key component of this expansion, the Calicanto one-
way ramp, continues as scheduled and on budget to be completed in December 2020. ( Refer to the Risks and
Uncertainties section in Capstone’s Q1 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements for updated COVID-19 related
risks.) The 818-meter raisebore was completed 52 days ahead of schedule, which immediately improved
ventilation and decreased the temperature in the deepest area of the mine. The second milestone is completion of
an upgrade to the underground electrical substation, to boost the mine from 7 .5MW to 9.5MW. In addition, an
additional underground maintenance shop has been completed, increasing fleet maintenance capacity by 50%.
Once completed, the underground expansion is expected to increase production to a new annual run rate of
approximately 50-55 million pounds of copper and 1.5 million ounces of silver in 2021.
Cozamin: Targeting Doubling Mine Life
Updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates for Cozamin are still expected to be completed in late
2020. The 2019/2020 step-out and infill drilling program was progressing well at 85% completed and
approximately three months ahead of schedule, until it was suspended as a non- essential activity by Mexican
national decree. The drilling completed to date will be used to upgrade Inferred Mineral Resources to the
Indicated category and subsequent conversion to Mineral Reserves to target doubling the mine life. Positive drill
results pointing to higher grades and wider intercepts than in the current Mineral Reserve estimates were
released on January 16, 2020 and April 23, 2020.
Santo Domingo Technical Report Update
In February 2020, a positive update to Santo Domingo’s Feasibility Study-level Technical Report, originally
published on January 3, 2019 (“Base Case”), was released on February 19, 2020 and filed on SEDAR on March
24, 2020. The update included a higher level of Capital (“CAPEX”) and Operating Cost (“OPEX”) certainty, receipt
of additional key permits and the development of a Preliminary Economic Assessment with respect to cobalt
production (the “2020 PEA Opportunity”). Highlights included:
• Higher level of CAPEX/OPEX certainty due to confirmation of certain capital and operating costs with the
negotiation of a power purchase agreement, indicative offers for desalinated water purchas e from third
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parties, firm-fixed-price (lump sum) proposal for the construction of plant and mine facilities and firm
actionable quotes for key process equipment.
• Base Case copper-iron-gold project has a post-tax net present value at an 8% discount rate (“NPV8%”) of
$1.03 billion. Initial construction costs are estimated to be $1.51 billion which incl udes a $197 million
contingency on total costs.
• The 2020 PEA Opportunity considers a conceptual plan to mine and process copper, iron- ore and gold at the
onset of the mine. Subsequent to the decision of building the copper-iron-gold mine, a follow-on phase to
initiate engineering and permitting is presented for a cobalt recovery circuit. The 2020 PEA Opportunity
assumes two years for additional permitting and detailed engineering. During this development period, the
cobalt laden pyrite will be stockpiled as a high-density slurry. Copper, iron and gold are mined for the 18-year
mine life and processed over 18 years, and cobalt is mined for 18 years but processed o ver the last 16 years.
o The copper-iron project with the phased cobalt opportunity has a NPV8% of $1.66 billion after tax.
o Incremental CAPEX for a cobalt refining complex of $0.67 billion, for combined construction costs of
$2.18 billion, timed to begin two years after construction begins for the copper-iron-gold plant.
o Production of an average of 10.4 million pounds of cobalt per annum in the form of 22,600 tonnes per
annum (“tpa”) battery-grade cobalt sulfate, at incremental operating costs of $3.70 per pound of
cobalt production costs and incremental C1 cash costs1 of negative -$4.11 per pound of cobalt
production (including by-product sulfuric acid produced in the cobalt operation).
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
Refer to Capstone’s Q1 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements for detailed operating results.
Q1 2020 Q1 2019
Copper production (million pounds)
Pinto Valley 26.8 32.7
Cozamin 8.7 8.7
Total copper production (million pounds) 35.5 41.4
Copper sales
Total copper sales (from continuing operations)2 (million pounds) 30.4 35.3
Realized copper price ($/lb.) $2.29 $2.99
C1 cash costs1 ($/lb.) produced
Pinto Valley $2.41 $1.79
Cozamin $0.95 $0.70
Consolidated C1 cash costs1 ($/lb.) produced $2.05 $1.56
1 This is an alternative performance measure; please see "Alternative Performance Measures" at the end of this release.
2 Sales from continuing operations has been utilized due to the Minto mine being classified as a discontinued operation in the comparative
period until the point of its sale on June 3, 2019.
Consolidated
Production of 35.5 million pounds was at the lower end of the original guidance range of 140 to 155 million pounds.
Production levels are expected to ramp up through the year as Pinto Valley mined a lower grade area of the upper
portion of the pit during t he quarter. A focus on maximizing mill throughput continued in Q1 2020 following the
successful December 2019 operational test, announced with the 2019 results in February 2020. A total of 28 days
of over 60,000 tonnes per day was realized during Q1 2020 and an average daily throughput rate during Q1 2020
of 54,900 tonnes per day, or approximately 5% higher than the three-year average from 2017 to 2019. Sustainable
high mill throughput rates are expected in the second half of 2020, helped by the installation of the first of two
secondary crushers and screen decks planned for July 2020. Recoveries during the quarter of 82.4% were impacted
by the low feed grade of 0.284% plus an expected higher than average oxide component. Grade and recovery are
both planned to be higher for the balance of the year.
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C1 cash costs1 were impacted by Pinto Valley costs, overall lower production and less capitalized stripping resulting
from the increased ore delivery to the mill.
The realized copper price in Q1 2020 of $2.29 per pound was lower than the LME average of $2.56 per pound due
to three provisionally priced shipments at March 31, 2020, which were priced at an average of $2.24 per pound. In
addition, there was a ($0.10) per pound negative provisional adjustment on prior shipments due to copper prices
decreasing throughout the quarter. Sales volumes in Q1 2020 were lower than production due to timing of shipments
at Pinto Valley.
Pinto Valley Mine
C1 cash costs 1 of $2.41 per pound in Q1 2020 were higher than Q1 2019, primarily due to 18% lower copper
production compared to the same period last year, as well as higher operating costs (site cos ts were $56 million in
Q1 2020 compared to $216 million in 2019 or a run rate of $54 million per quarter). C1 cash costs 1 were also
impacted by lower capitalized stripping in Q1 2020 of $5.3 million or $0.20 per pound.
Property cost per tonne milled1 of $10.87 was $0.30/tonne lower (-3%) versus the average cost per tonne milled in
2019 and $0.76/tonne lower (-6.5%) than in 2018. This reflects the cost cuts implemented over the course of last
year.
During Q1 2020, the mill was able to achieve mill throughput of 54,899 tonnes per day (highest quarterly total since
Q4 2017) as a result of operational improvements tied to maintenance programs.
Cozamin Mine
Production in Q1 2020 remained consistent at Cozamin compared to Q1 2019. C1 cash costs 1 of $0.95 per pound
were higher than Q1 2019. The primary cause of this is a decrease in by -product credits during the quarter due to
declining commodity prices as a result of current market conditions, as well as less San Rafael zinc ore mined
during the quarter. This was offset by decreases in overall operating costs from cost management efforts, as well
as lower treatment and selling costs.
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
Refer to Capstone’s Q1 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements for detailed financial results.
Q1 2020 Q1 2019
Revenue2 ($ millions) 70.4 108.9
Net income (loss) ($ millions) (21.9) 8.3
Adjusted net income (loss)1 ($ millions)3 (17.7) 12.0
Adjusted EBITDA1,4 from continuing operations2,3 ($ millions) 11.1 35.6
Cash flow from operating activities2 ($ millions) 6.9 28.7
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital1,2 ($ millions) (3.5) 30.7
March 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
Total assets ($ millions) 1,309.9 1,331.4
Long term debt (excluding financing fees) ($ millions) 219.9 209.9
Net debt1 ($ millions) 188.0 165.5
1 This is an alternative performance measure; please see "Alternative Performance Measures" at the end of this release.
2 In accordance with IFRS 5, Minto’s results are excluded from revenue but included within cash flow amounts in the comparative period.
The Minto mine was sold on June 3, 2019.
3 Certain prior period amounts have been restated to conform with current period classification.
4 EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, depletion and amortization.
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OUTLOOK – 2020 PRODUCTION, COST AND CAPITAL GUIDANCE
In light of the temporary ramp-down at Cozamin to comply with a Mexican Federal Government decree which was
extended from April 30, 2020 to until May 30, 2020, and the ongoing uncertainty regarding COVID -19, Capstone
has decided to withdraw its full-year 2020 production guidance. The Company will continue to target safe
execution of its operation plans and will re-evaluate its full-year 2020 guidance as the pandemic evolves.
Prior to the temporary ramp-down at the Cozamin mine, Capstone had taken prudent financial measures, due to
the recent drop in copper prices, to reduce discretionary capital and exploration expenditures of $32 million in
2020, as shown in the table below. The Company does not expect that these reductions will materiall y impact its
growth plans for 2021 and beyond.
Refer to the Corporate Update section for revised 2020 operating cost expectations.
2020 Expenditure Guidance Original Guidance Revised Guidance
Pinto Valley
Sustaining $28 $18
Capitalized stripping $8 $3
Expansionary $19 $12
Total Pinto Valley Capital $55 $33
Cozamin $26 $24
Santo Domingo $93 $64
Total Capital $90 $63
Total Exploration $10 $5
3 On a 100% basis, the figure is $12 million; ownership is 70% Capstone and 30% Korea Resources Corporation.
4 On a 100% basis, the figure is $9 million; ownership is 70% Capstone and 30% Korea Resources Corporation.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Time: 11:30 am Eastern Time (8:30 am Pacific Time)
Dial in: North America: 1-877-823-8676, International: +825-312-2240
Webcast: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2218097/7C9FE2184A36B0D28729C5A8FBF1B50B
The conference call replay will be available until May 13, 2020.
Replay: North America: 800-585-8367, International: +416-621-4642
Passcode: 5215689
Following the replay, an audio file will be available on Capstone's website at
https://capstonemining.com/investors/events-and-presentations/default.aspx.
This release is not suitable on a standalone basis for readers unfamiliar with Capstone and should be read in
conjunction with the Company’s MD&A and Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020,
which are available on Capstone’s website and on SEDAR, all of which have been reviewed and approved by
Capstone's Board of Directors.
1 This is an alternative performance measure; please see "Alternative Performance Measures" at the end of this release.
ABOUT CAPSTONE MINING CORP.
Capstone Mining Corp. is a Canadian base metals mining company, focused on copper. We are committed to the
responsible development of our assets and the environments in which we operate. Our two producing mines are
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the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, US and the Cozamin copper-silver mine in Zacatecas State,
Mexico. In addition, Capstone has the large scale 70% owned copper-iron Santo Domingo development project in
Region III, Chile in partnership with Korea Resources Corporation, as well as a p ortfolio of exploration properties.
Capstone's strategy is to focus on the optimization of operations and assets in politically stable, mining- friendly
regions, centred in the Americas. Our headquarters are in Vancouver, Canada and we are listed on the Tor onto
Stock Exchange (TSX). Further information is available at www.capstonemining.com.
For further information please contact:
Jerrold Annett, VP, Strategy and Capital Markets
647-273-7351
Virginia Morgan, Manager, IR and Communications
604-674-2268
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document may contain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and “forward-
looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively,
“forward-looking statements”). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and the Company
does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required under
applicable securities legislation.
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect our expectations or beliefs regarding
future events and the impacts of the ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, statements with respect to the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, the realization of Mineral
Reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production and capital expenditures, the
success of our mining operations, the continuing success of mineral exploration, Capstone’s ability to fund future exploration
activities, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses and title disputes. The potential effects of the COVID-19
pandemic on our business and operations are unknown at this time, including Capstone’s ability to manage challenges and
restrictions arising from COVID-19 in the communities in which Capstone operates and our ability to continue to safely operate
and to safely return our business to normal operations. The impact of COVID-19 to Capstone is dependent on a number of
factors outside of our control and knowledge, including the effectiveness of the measures taken by public health and
governmental authorities to combat the spread of the disease, global economic uncertainties and outlook due to the disease,
and the evolving restrictions relating to mining activities and to travel in certain jurisdictions in which we operate.
In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “budget”,
“scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases, or statements
that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative
of these terms or comparable terminology. In this document certain forward-looking statements are identified by words
including “anticipated”, “guidance”, “plan” and “expected”. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, amongst others, risks related to inherent hazards associated with mining operations and
closure of mining projects, future prices of copper and other metals, compliance with financial covenants, surety bonding, our
ability to raise capital, Capstone’s ability to acquire properties for growth, counterparty risks associated with sales of our
metals, use of financial derivative instruments and associated counterparty risks, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations,
market access restrictions or tariffs, changes in general economic conditions, accuracy of Mineral Resource and Mineral
Reserve estimates, operating in foreign jurisdictions with risk of changes to governmental regulation, compliance with
governmental regulations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, reliance on approvals, licenses and permits
from governmental authorities, acting as Indemnitor for Minto Exploration Ltd.’s surety bond obligations post divestiture, impact
of climatic conditions on our Pinto Valley and Cozamin operations, aboriginal title claims and rights to consultation and
accommodation, land reclamation and mine closure obligations, risks relating to widespread epidemics or pandemic outbreak
including the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of COVID-19 on our workforce, suppliers and other essential resources and
what effect those impacts, if they occur, would have on our business, including our ability to access goods and supplies, the
ability to transport our products and impacts on employee productivity, the risks in connection with the operations, cash flow
and results of Capstone relating to the unknown duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainties and risks
related to the potential development of the Santo Domingo Project, increased operating and capital costs, challenges to title to