Fortuna reports 2022 full year record production of 401,878 gold equivalent ounces and issues 2023 annual guidance
Fortuna reports 2022 full year record production of 401,878 gold
equivalent ounces and issues 2023 annual guidance
Vancouver, January 17, 20 23 – Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) reports production
results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 from its four operating mines in the Americas and West
Africa. For the full year 2022, the Company produced 259,427 ounces of gold and 6,907,275 ounces of
silver or 401,878 gold equivalent 1 ounces. All references to dollar amounts in this news release are
expressed in US dollars.
2022 Consolidated Production Highlights
• Gold production of 259,427 ounces; 25 percent increase over 2021
• Silver production of 6,907,275 ounces; 8 percent decrease over 2021
• Lead production of 34,588,324 pounds; 5 percent increase over 2021
• Zinc production of 46,175,821 pounds; 3 percent decrease over 2021
All production results are in line with the mining sequence and Mineral Reserves estimates.
2023 Consolidated Production Guidance Highlights
• Gold production of between 282 to 320 thousand ounces; a projected increase of between 9 to
23 percent over 2022
• Silver production of between 6.3 to 6.9 million ounces; a projected decrease of up to 9 percent
over 2022
• Gold equivalent production 2 of between 412 to 463 thousand ounces; a projected increase of
between 3 to 15 percent over 2022
Notes:
1. Au Eq includes gold, silver, lead and zinc and is calculated using the following metal prices: $ 1,802/oz Au, $ 21.75/oz Ag,
$2,161/t Pb and $3,468/t Zn or Au:Ag = 1:82.89, Au:Pb = 1:0.83, Au:Zn = 1:0.52
2. Au Eq includes gold, silver, lead and zinc and is calculated using the following metal prices: $1,700/oz Au, $21/oz Ag,
$2,000/t Pb and $3,200/t Zn or Au:Ag = 1:81.00, Au:Pb = 1:0.85, Au:Zn = 1:0.53
NYSE: FSM | TSX: FVI
www.fortunasilver.com NEWS RELEASE
- 2 -
2022 Consolidated Operating Highlights
Fourth Quarter 2022 Full Year 2022
Lindero,
Argentina
San Jose,
Mexico
Yaramoko,
Burkina Faso
Caylloma,
Peru
Consolidated Lindero,
Argentina
San Jose,
Mexico
Yaramoko,
Burkina Faso
Caylloma,
Peru
Consolidated
OPERATIONAL FIGURES
Tonnes milled 259,500 142,694 138,491 1,029,590 546,651 546,186
Average tpd milled 2,883 1,568 1,556 2,925 1,523 1,539
Ore placed on pad (t) 1,334,509 5,498,064
SILVER1
Grade (g/t) 194 75 191 80
Recovery (%) 91.1 81.4 91.4 81.3
Production (oz) 1,473,627 273,119 1,746,746 5,762,562 1,144,713 6,907,275
GOLD2
Grade (g/t) 0.80 1.13 6.45 0.12 0.81 1.14 6.37 0.14
Recovery (%) 89.8 97.6 22.0 90.4 97.5 31.8
Production (oz) 29,301 8,499 26,190 122 64,112 118,418 34,124 106,108 777 259,427
LEAD
Grade (%) 3.22 3.27
Recovery (%) 88.9 87.8
Production (lbs) 8,734,715 8,734,715 34,588,324 34,588,324
ZINC
Grade (%) 4.63 4.32
Recovery (%) 89.0 88.8
Production (lbs) 12,575,167 12,575,167 46,175,821 46,175,821
Notes:
1. Metallurgical recovery for silver at the Caylloma Mine is calculated based on silver content in lead concentrate
2. Lindero production includes doré and gold in carbon columns; Yaramoko production includes doré only
3. Totals may not add due to rounding
Latin America : Consistent performance results in solid production for all metals , meeting annual
guidance
The fourth quarter of 202 2 was Latin America's fifth consecutive quarter of over 35,000 ounces of gold
production. On a full year basis, the region achieved record gold production of 153,319 ounces .
Consolidated silver production was 6.9 million ounces, achieving the higher end of annual guidance. All
three mines delivered production results in line with their mining plans and Mineral Reserves estimates.
Highlights
• Lindero continues capturing productivity gains and demonstrating a stable production
performance delivering a 14 percent increase in gold production when compared to 2021
• Caylloma delivered higher annual silver and lead production due to higher throughput and head
grades
• San Jose delivered total silver production of 5.8 million ounces, hitting the upper range of annual
guidance
- 3 -
Lindero Mine, Argentina: Record annual gold production
Gold production for the fourth quarter of 2022 totaled 29,301 ounces, a 19 percent decrease year-over-
year. Lower gold production is attributed to an 8 percent decrease in tonnes and a 23 percent decrease
in gold grade for ore placed on the pad , compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 . Gold grade for the
quarter was in line with the mining plan and Mineral Reserve estimate.
Mine production for the quarter was according to management’s expectations, with a total of 1.9 million
tonnes of ore mined in the fourth quarter, at a strip ratio of 0.54:1.
For the full year, mine production totaled 8.6 million tonnes of ore, at a strip ratio of 0. 73:1, with
5.5 million tonnes of ore placed on the pad averaging 0.81 g/t Au containing an estimated 143,203 ounces
of gold , in line with the management’s mining and production plan. Throughout 2022 , management
implemented various high impact optimization initiatives to capture efficiencies , allowing the operation
to offset some of the cost increases in primary consumables. Initiatives included improving the efficiency
of the SART plant, subsequently decreasing consumption of fresh make-up cyanide and sulfuric acid; and
the optimization of the mine fleet´s trucking distance , reducing diesel consumption and improving
productivity. In the fourth quarter of 2022 , the operation commenced a project to improve the
recirculation circuit of the HPGR with the aim of reducing granulometry and improving gold recovery from
ore placed on the leach pad.
Gold production for the year totaled a record 118,418 ounces, comprised of 116,191 ounces in doré and
2,227 ounces of gold -in-carbon (GIC), meeting annual guidance (refer to Fortuna news release dated
January 18, 2022). In 2022, Lindero had a good reconciliation for ore sent to the leach pad with gold grades
at the plant being 2 percent higher compared to the Mineral Reserve model estimate.
San Jose Mine, Mexico: Silver production achieves upper end of annual guidance
In the fourth quarter of 2022, San Jose produced 1.5 million ounces of silver and 8,499 ounces of gold, a
14 percent decrease for both metals compared to the equivalent period in 2021. The decrease is mainly
due to lower head grades, albeit in line with management´s expectations based on the mining sequence
and Mineral Reserve estimate.
Material mined using sublevel stopping (SLS) methods was increased in 2022, representing 35 percent of
ore sent to the plant . The operation plans for the SLS contribution to reach 60 percent of total ore
production in 2023. In the second quarter of 2022, a new underground shotcrete plant was commissioned
which reduced mining cycles and partially offset some of the cost increases due to higher haulage
distances as the mine deepens.
Silver and gold production for 2022 totaled 5.8 million ounces , the upper end of annual guidance, and
34,124 ounces, the mid-point of annual guidance , respectively. Average head grades for silver and gold
for the year were 191 g/t Ag and 1.14 g/t Au, respectively.
Caylloma Mine, Peru: Strong silver, lead and zinc production exceeds upper range of annual guidance
In the fourth quarter of 2022 , Caylloma produced 273,119 ounces of silver , a 4 percent increase year-
over-year primarily due to higher grades mined during the period.
Silver production in 2022 totaled 1.14 million ounces, exceeding the upper end of annual guidance range.
- 4 -
In the fourth quarter of 2022, zinc production was 12.6 million pounds, a 10 percent increase over the
comparable period in 2021. Production was mainly impacted by higher head grades and improved plant
recovery. Lead production in the fourth quarter of 2022 was 8.7 million pounds, a 4 percent increase year-
over-year, also attributable to higher plant recovery.
Zinc and lead production in 2022 totaled 46.2 and 34.6 million pounds, respectively; both exceeding the
upper range of annual guidance. Base metal production benefitted from material mined at level 16 of the
Animas vein allowing for a significant improvement in ore grade and oxide-sulfide ratios hence boosting
plant recovery.
West Africa
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the West African operations continued their solid performance. Gold
production at the Yaramoko Mine in Burkina Faso met the mid -point of the annual production guidance
range.
At the Séguéla Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, c onstruction activities continued as planned. The mining
contractor continued its mobilization and establishment activities with the establishment of key
infrastructure and the arrival on site of mining equipment. All senior operational management roles were
filled and commenced work on site, with recruitment now focusing on other operational roles. First gold
pour is on track for mid-2023.
Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso: Gold production achieved the mid-point range of annual guidance
The Yaramoko Mine produced 26,190 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter of 2022 with an average head
grade of 6.45 g/t Au, which is in line with the mining sequence and Mineral Reserve estimate , and an 8
percent decrease year -over-year. Compared to the comparative period in 2021, the decrease in
production was due to lower head grades. However, grades for the full year were in line with planned
estimates.
Gold production in 2022 totaled 106,108 ounces achieving the mid-point of the annual guidance range.
- 5 -
2023 Consolidated Production and Cost Guidance
Mine Silver
(Moz)
Gold
(koz)
Lead
(Mlbs)
Zinc
(Mlbs) Cash Cost1,3,5,6 AISC1,2,3,5,6
SILVER ($/oz Ag Eq) ($/oz Ag Eq)
San Jose, Mexico 5.3 - 5.8 34 - 37 - - 10.2 - 11.3 14.7 - 16.2
Caylloma, Peru 1.0 - 1.1 - 29 - 32 43 - 48 10.4 - 11.5 19.0 - 21.0
GOLD ($/oz Au) ($/oz Au)
Lindero, Argentina - 96 - 106 - - 820 - 920 1,430 - 1,580
Yaramoko, Burkina Faso - 92 - 102 - - 960 - 1,060 1,550 - 1,710
Séguéla4, Côte d´Ivoire - 60 - 75 - - 450 - 580 880 - 1,080
CONSOLIDATED TOTAL 6.3 - 6.9 282 - 320 29 - 32 43 - 48
Notes:
1. Cash Cost and all -in sustaining cost (AISC) are non -IFRS financial measures which are not standardized financial measures
under the financial reporting framework used to prepare the financial statements of the Company and might not be
comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the note under “Non-IFRS Financial Measures”
below
2. AISC includes production cash cost, commercial and government royalties, mining tax, export duties (as applicable), worker’s
participation (as applicable), subsidiary G&A, sustaining capital expenditur es, and Brownfields exploration and is estimated
at metal prices of $ 1,700/oz Au, $ 21/oz Ag, $ 2,000/t Pb, and $ 3,200/t Zn. AISC excludes government mining royalty
recognized as income tax within the scope of IAS-12
3. Silver equivalent is calculated at metal prices of $1,700/oz Au, $21/oz Ag, $2,000/t Pb and $3,200/t Zn
4. Séguéla’s production and cost guidance is based on first gold pour in mid-2023. Any material changes to the construction or
commissioning schedule may have a material impact on Séguéla’s production and cost guidance.
5. Totals may not add due to rounding
6. Historical non-IFRS measure cost comparatives: The following table provides the historical cash costs and historical AISC for
the four operating mines for the year ended December 31, 2021 as follows:
Mine Cash Costa,b,c AISCa,b,c
SILVER ($/oz Ag Eq) ($/oz Ag Eq)
San Jose, Mexico 9.30 14.38
Caylloma, Peru 13.46 18.94
GOLD ($/oz Au) ($/oz Au)
Lindero, Argentina 617 1,116
Yaramoko, Burkina Faso 739 1,317
(a) Cash cost and AISC are non-IFRS financial measures; refer to the note under “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” below
(b) Silver equivalent was calculated at metal prices of $ 1,789/oz Au, $25.16/oz Ag, $2,205/t Pb and $2,998/t Zn for the
year ended December 31, 2021
(c) Further details on the cash costs and AISC for the year ended December 31, 2021 are disclosed on pages 34, 35, 36,
38, and 39 (with respect to cash costs) and pages 34, 35, 37, and 40 (with respect to AISC) of the Company’s
management discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2021 dated as of March 23, 2022
(“2021 MD&A”) which is available under Fortuna's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and is incorporated by reference
into this news release, and the note under “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” below
- 6 -
2023 Guidance Outlook
Lindero Mine, Argentina
The Lindero Mine is expected to place 6.3 million tonnes of ore on the leach pad averaging 0.67 g/t Au,
containing an estimated 136,100 ounces of gold. Capital investments are estimated at $ 42.7 million,
including $ 30.3 million for sustaining capital expenditures, $ 12.1 million of capitalized stripping and
$0.3 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
• Leach pad Phase II expansion $17.5 million
• Heavy equipment replacement and overhaul $7.6 million
• Plant spare parts $1.2 million
Cash cost and AISC:
• Cash cost per ounce of gold at Lindero is expected to increase approximately 25 percent over 2022
at the upper range of guidance and 12 percent at the lower range. The increase is explained
mainly due to lower production related to changes in the grade profile as per the life of mine plan,
and the impact of higher projected operational exp enditures reflecting incremental inflation
pressures throughout 2022.
• AISC per ounce of gold at Lindero is expected to increase 41 percent over 2022 at the upper range
of guidance and 2 8 percent at the lower range. The increase is explained by higher capit al
expenditures related to the leach pad Phase II expansion and higher capitalized stripping costs
and higher cash cost per ounce.
San Jose Mine, Mexico
At the San Jose Mine, the Company plans to process 1.03 million tonnes of ore averaging 186 g/t Ag and
1.19 g/t Au. Silver and gold production reflect the declining grade profile of Mineral Reserves. Capital
investment is estimated at $ 18.4 million, including $15.1 million for sustaining capital expenditures and
$3.3 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
• Mine development $8.4 million
• Underground mine equipment spare parts and overhauling $1.7 million
Cash cost and AISC are expected to remain in line with 2022.
Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso
At the Yaramoko Mine, the Company plans to process 526,088 tonnes of ore averaging 5.9 g/t Au. Capital
investments are estimated at $40.8 million, including $37.4 million for sustaining capital expenditures and
$3.3 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
• Mine development $30.8 million
• Ventilation infrastructure extension $2.5 million
• 109 open pit preparation $1.3 million
- 7 -
• QV prime equipment $0.5 million
Cash cost and AISC:
• Cash cost per ounce of gold at Yaramoko is expected to increase approximately 20 percent over
2022 at the upper range of guidance and 8 percent at the lower range. The increase is explained
due to lower production and the impact of higher projected operational expenditures reflecting
incremental inflation pressures throughout 2022 as well as higher mining costs at QV Prime and
109 Zone open pit.
• AISC per ounce of gold at Yaramoko is expected to increase 12 percent over 2022 at the upper
range of guidance and remain in line with respect to the lower range. The increase is explained
by higher cash cost per ounce.
Caylloma Mine, Peru
At the Caylloma Mine, the Company plans to process 542,000 tonnes of ore averaging 73 g/t Ag, 2.86%
Pb, and 4.28% Zn. Capital investments are estimated at $23.6 million, including $21.0 million for sustaining
capital expenditures and $2.6 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
• Mine development $7.1 million
• Underground water pumping system $3.9 million
• Caylloma Mine substation power grid enhancement $2.7 million
• Plant power sub-station, Phase II $1.4 million
• New paste backfill system, Phase I $1.1 million
Cash cost and AISC are expected to remain in line with 2022.
Séguéla Gold Project, Côte d’Ivoire
The main construction goals/milestones to be achieved towards first gold pour include:
Q1 2023:
• Mining activities commence
• Energize processing plant
Q2 2023:
• Construction practical completion
• First ore to the crusher / dry circuit
• First ore to the SAG mill / wet plant
• First gold pour
Q3 2023:
• Ramp-up to design capacity
Once production commences in mid-2023, Séguéla is expected to process 739,466 tonnes of ore averaging
3.3 g/t Au , with capital investments estimated at $22.7 million, including $ 18.8 million for sustaining
capital expenditures and $3.9 million for Brownfields exploration programs.
- 8 -
Major sustaining capital investment projects include:
• Mine development $10.0 million
• Tailings storage facility lift $2.8 million
• Sunbird Deposit infill drilling $1.7 million
2023 Exploration Outlook
Fortuna continues to advance its robust pipeline of Brownfield s and Greenfields exploration projects in
West Africa and the Americas, building on the success of the exploration programs carried out in 2022.
Brownfields Exploration
Fortuna´s consolidated Brownfields exploration budget for 2023 for its four mines and Séguéla totals
$21.8 million, which includes 128,000 meters of reverse circulation, diamond core and air core exploration
drilling.
Séguéla Project, Côte d’Ivoire
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2023 at the Séguéla Project is $ 12.2 million, which
includes 87,200 meters of drilling to upgrade resource confidence and further extend the Sunbird Deposit
along strike and at depth; test for further depth extensions at the Koula, Ancien and Antenna deposits;
further drilling to test and inf ill the recent Kestral, Barana and Badior prospects (refer to Fortuna news
release dated December 5, 2022) and continued generation and testing of near-mine targets.
San Jose Mine, Mexico
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2023 at the San Jose Mine is $3.3 million, which includes
5,500 meters of diamond drilling, focused on extensions to the Magdalena, Trinidad and Victoria systems,
as well as work along the Taviche corridor.
Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2023 at the Yaramoko Mine is $3.3 million, which
includes 29,200 meters of exploration drilling, testing of several surface geochemistry anomalies
generated in 2022, in addition to testing strike and depth projections of the 55 Zone.
Caylloma Mine, Peru
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2023 at the Caylloma Mine is $2.6 million, which includes
6,560 meters of drilling to test down-dip extensions of ore shoots 1 and 3 at the Animas silver-polymetallic
vein, as well as regional exploration work and target generation at the Antacollo, Santa Rosa and San
Cristobal silver veins.
Lindero Mine, Argentina
The Brownfields exploration program for 2023 at the Lindero Mine of $0.3 million will be focused on
reviewing the Arizaro project, located 3.5 kilometers to the southeast of the mine. Exploration at Lindero
will also extend to regional prospect evaluation and portfolio reviews.