Silvercorp Reports Net Income of $39.7 Million, $0.23 PER Share, and Cash Flow from Operations of $67.8 Million, FOR Fiscal 2019
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NEWS RELEASE
Trading Symbol: TSX: SVM
NYSE AMERICAN: SVM
SILVERCORP REPORTS NET INCOME OF $39.7 MILLION, $0.23 PER SHARE,
AND CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS OF $67.8 MILLION, FOR FISCAL 2019
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – May 23, 2019 – Silvercorp Metals Inc. (“Silvercorp” or the “Company”)
(TSX: SVM) (NYSE American: SVM) reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and
twelve months ended March 31, 2019. All amounts are expressed in US Dollars.
FISCAL YEAR 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Ore mined up 5% to 906,794 tonnes compared to the prior year;
Metals sold amounted to approximately 6.4 million ounces of silver, 3,500 ounces of gold, 64.8
million pounds of lead, and 22.7 million pounds of zinc, up 6%, 13%, 5% and 16%, respectively,
compared to the prior year;
Sales of $170.5 million, compared to $170.0 million in the prior year;
Gross profit margin of 49% compared to 52% in the prior year, with the decrease mainly due to
lower metal prices;
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of $3 9.7 million, or $0.2 3 per share compared to
$47.0 million, or $0.2 7 per share in the prior year. The adjusted net income attributable to equity
shareholders1 of $32.2 million, or $0.19 per share , compared to $41.5 million, or $0.24 per share, in
the prior year;
Cash cost per ounce of silver 1, net of by -product credits, of negative $4.29 compared to negative
$4.73 in the prior year;
All-in sustaining cost per o unce of silver 1, net of by -product credits, of $3.52, compared to $3.27 in
the prior year;
Cash flow from operations of $67.8 million, compared to $67.9 million in the prior year;
Paid $18.2 million of income tax, including $5.2 million of withholding tax, compared to $19.7 million
of income tax, including $1.0 million of withholding tax in the prior year;
Paid $4.2 million of dividends to the Company’s shareholders, compared to $3.4 million in the prior
year; and
Ended the fiscal year with $115.3 million i n cash and cash equivalents and short -term investments,
an increase of $9.2 million or 9%, compared to $106.1 million as at March 31, 2018.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER FISCAL 2019 (“Q4 FISCAL 2019”)
Ore mined up 13% to 161,400 tonnes compared to the prior year quarter;
Metals sold amounted to approximately 1.3 million ounces of silver, 700 ounces of gold, 12.7 million
pounds of lead, and 7.3 million pounds of zinc, compared to approximately 1.4 milli on ounces of
1 Non-IFRS measure. Please refer to section 13 of the corresponding MD&A for reconciliation.
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silver, 700 ounces of gold, 13.3 million pounds of lead, and 2.6 million pounds of zinc sold in the prior
year quarter.
Sales of $35.0 million, down 9% compared to $38.4 million in the prior year quarter;
Gross profit margin of 47% compared to 50% in the prior year quarter;
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of $ 12.1 million, or $0. 07 per share compared to
$12.2 million or $0.07 per share in the prior year quarter. The adjusted net income attributable to
equity shareholders of $4.6 million, or $0.03 per share , compared to $7.5 million, or $0.04 per share,
in the prior year quarter;
Cash cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, of negative $3.97 compared to negative
$3.89 in the prior year quarter;
All-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, of $4.49, compared to $3.04 in
the prior year quarter; and
Cash flow from operations of $6.0 million, compared to $2.9 million in the prior year quarter .
FINANCIALS
1. Fiscal 2019 vs. Fiscal 2018
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of the Company in Fiscal 2019 was $39.7 million or $0.23
per share, compared to $ 47.0 million or $0. 27 per share in Fiscal 2018. The adjusted net income
attributable to equity shareholders was $32.2 million or $0.19 per share after the adjustment of
impairment reversal, compared to the adjusted net income of $41.5 million or $0.24 per share in Fiscal
2018.
Compared to the prior year, the Company’s consolidated financial results in Fiscal 2019 were mainly
impacted by i) an increase of 6%, 5% and 16% in silver, lead and zinc sold, respectively; ii) a decrease of
7%, 2% and 17% in the realized selling prices for silver, lead and zinc, respectively; and i ii) a 2% increase in
total production cost.
Sales in Fiscal 2019 were $170.5 million, up $0.5 million compared to $170.0 million in Fiscal 2018. Silver
and gold sales represented $80.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively, while base metals represented
$86.2 milli on of the total sales, compared to silver, gold and base metals sales of $82.4 million, $3.2
million, and $84.5 million, respectively, in Fiscal 2018.
Cost of sales in Fiscal 2019 was $ 87.3 million compared to $ 82.2 million in Fiscal 2018. The cost of sa les
included $62.5 million of cash production cost s (Fiscal 2018 - $59.1 million), $ 4.9 million of mineral
resources tax (Fiscal 2018 - $4.8 million), and $ 20.0 million of depreciation, amortization and depletion
charges (Fiscal 2018 - $18.2 million). The increase in the cash production cost s expensed and
amortization charges were mainly due to a 2% increase in production costs and more metals sold. The
increase in mineral resources tax was associated with the increase in revenue. The cash p roduction costs
expensed in cost of sales represent s approximately 893,000 tonnes of ore processed and expensed at a
cost of $69.92 per tonne (Fiscal 2018 – approximately 861,000 tonnes at $68.72 per tonne).
Gross profit margin in Fiscal 2019 was 49%, compared to 52% in Fiscal 2018. The decrease was mainly due
to the decrease in the realized metal selling prices . Ying Mining District’s gross profit margin was 52%
compared to 55% in Fiscal 2018. GC Mine’s gross profit margin was 35% compared to 36% in Fiscal 2018.
General and administrative expenses were $19.4 million in Fiscal 2019 , and increase of 4% compared to
$18.7 million in Fiscal 2018. The increase was mainly due to a $0.3 million increase in non -cash stock
based compensation expenses and a $1.0 million increase in labour costs , arising primarily from the
increase of employees’ pay rate as well as an increase in social insurance premium s in China, offset by a
$0.7 million decrease in discretionary office and administrative expenses.
Income tax expenses in Fiscal 201 9 were $20.9 million, compared to $ 18.9 million in Fiscal 201 8. The
income tax expense recorded in Fiscal 2019 included a current income tax expense of $17.8 million (Fiscal
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2018 - $16.1 million) and a deferred income tax expense of $ 3.1 million (Fiscal 2017 - $2.8 million). The
current income tax included $5.2 million of withholding tax (Fiscal 2018 - $1.0 million), which was paid at
a rate of 10% of dividends and interest distributed out of China.
Cash flows provided by o perating activities in Fiscal 2019 were $67.8 million, slightly lower than the
$67.9 million in the prior year. The decrease was mainly due to less operating income arising from lower
metal prices and the increase in the withholding tax payment.
The Company ended the fiscal year with $115.3 million cash and short -term investments, an increase of
$9.2 million or 9%, compared to $106.1 million as at March 31, 2018.
Working capital as at March 31, 2019 was $9 6.9 million, an increase of $ 6.4 million or 7%, compared to
$90.5 million as at March 31, 2018.
2. Q4 Fiscal 2019 vs. Q4 Fiscal 2018
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of the Company in Q4 Fiscal 201 9 was $12.1 million, or
$0.07 per share, compared to $12.2 million, or $0.07 per share in Q4 Fiscal 2018. The adjusted net income
attributable to equity shareholders was $ 4.6 million, or $0.0 3 per share in Q4 Fiscal 2019 after
adjustments of impairment reversal of $ 9.2 million (Q4 Fiscal 201 8 - $4.7 million) compared to $ 7.5
million or $0.04 per share in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
Compared to the prior year quarter, the Company’s consolidated financial results in Q4 Fiscal 201 9 were
mainly impacted by the following: i) a decrease of 11%, 3%, 18%, and 41% in the net realized selling prices
for silver, gold, lead, and zinc, respectively; ii) a 5% decrease in silver and lead sold; iii) a 184% increase in
zinc sold; and iii) a 7% decrease in per tonne production costs.
Sales were $35.0 million, down 9%, in Q4 Fiscal 201 9, compared to $ 38.4 million in Q4 Fiscal 201 8. The
decrease was mainly due to the decrease in net realized selling prices and less silver and lead sold. Silver
and gold sales represented $16.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, while base metals represented
$17.5 million of total sales , compared to silver, gold and base metals of $19.8 million, $0.8 million, and
$17.9 million, respectively, in the prior year quarter.
Cost of sales was $18.6 million in Q4 Fiscal 2019, compared to $19.3 million in Q4 Fiscal 2018. The cost of
sales included $13.0 million of cash production cost (Q4 Fiscal 201 8 - $13.3 million), $1. 0 million of
mineral resource taxes (Q4 Fiscal 201 8 - $1.1 million), and $ 4.6 million of depreciation, amortization and
depletion charges (Q4 Fiscal 2018 - $5.0 million).
Gross profit margin decreased to 47% in Q4 Fiscal 2019, compared to 50% in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
Cash flows provided by operating activities in Q4 Fiscal 2019 were $6.0 million, an increase of $3.1
million, compared to $2.9 million in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
1. Fiscal 2019 vs. Fiscal 2018
In Fiscal 2019 , on a consolidated basis, the Company mined 906,794 tonnes of ore, an increase of 5% or
46,870 tonnes, compared to 859,924 tonnes in Fiscal 2018. Ore mined at the Ying Mining District
increased by 1% or 8,435 tonnes, and ore mined at the GC Mine increased by 16% or 38,435 tonnes. Ore
milled in Fiscal 2019 was 908,846 tonnes, an increase of 5% compared to 863,070 tonnes in Fiscal 2018.
In Fiscal 2019, t he Company sold approxim ately 6.4 million ounces of silver, 3,500 ounces of gold, 64.8
million pounds of lead, and 22.7 million pounds of zinc, up 6%, 13%, 5%, and 16%, respectively, compared
to 6.0 million ounces of silver, 3,100 ounces of gold, 61.9 million pounds of lead, and 19.6 million pounds
of zinc in Fiscal 2018.
The consolidated total mining cost and cash mining cost were $74. 98 and $55.35 per tonne, up 2% and
1%, respectively, compared to $73.48 and $54.60 per tonne , respectively, in Fiscal 2018. The increase in
cash mining cost was mainly due to inflation resulting in an increase of i) $1.1 million in mining
contractor’s costs; ii) $0.6 million in raw material costs; and iii) $0.6 million in utility costs.
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The consolidated total milling cost and cash milling cost we re $13.99 and $11.69 per tonne, up 1% and
4%, respectively, compared to $13.82 and $11.25 per tonne , respectively, in Fiscal 2018. The increase in
the cash milling cost was mainly due to a $0.4 million increase in raw material costs.
The consolidated cash production cost per tonne of ore processed in Fiscal 2019 was $69.92, a 2%
increase compared to $68.72 in Fiscal 2018, but below the Company’s annual guidance.
The consolidated total production cost and cash production cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product
credits, were negative $1.16 and negative $4.29, respectively, compared to negative $1.70 and negative
$4.73, respectively, in the prior year. The increase was mainly due to a $3.3 million increase in cash
production cost expensed offset by a $2.2 million increase in by-product credits.
The consolidated all-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, was $ 3.52 compared
to $3.27 in Fiscal 2018. The increase was mainly due to i) a $3.4 million increase in cash production co st
expensed; ii) a $0.7 million increase in general and administrative expenses ; and iii) a $1.0 million increase
in sustaining capital expenditures, offset by a $2.2 million increase in by -product credits.
2. Q4 Fiscal 2019 vs. Q4 Fiscal 2018
In Q4 Fiscal 2019, the Company mined 161,400 tonnes of ore, and increase of 13%, compared to 143,262
tonnes in Q4 Fiscal 2018. Correspondingly, ore milled in Q4 Fiscal 2019 was 159,904 tonnes, an increase of
15% compared to 138,537 tonnes in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
In Q4 Fiscal 2019, the Company sold approximately 1.3 million ounces of silver, 700 ounces of gold, 12.7
million pounds of lead, and 7.3 million pounds of zinc compared to 1.4 million ounces of silver, 700
ounces of gold, 13.3 million pounds of lead, and 2.6 million pounds of zinc in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
The consolidated total mining cost and cash mining cost were $80.22 and $57.55 per tonne, down 6% and
7%, respectively, compared to $85.55 and $61.78 per tonne in Q4 Fiscal 2018. The consolidated total
milling cost and cash milling cost in Q4 Fiscal 2019 were $17.58 and $14.53 per tonne, down 8% and 3%,
respectively, compared to $19.14 and $14.96 per tonne in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
The consolidated total production cost and cash production cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product
credits, were negative $0.47 and negative $3.97, respectively, compared to negative $0.30 and negative
$3.89 in Q4 Fiscal 2018. The improvement was mainly due to the decrease in per tonne mining and milling
cost as discussed above.
The consolidated all-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, was $4.49 compared
to $3.04 in Q4 Fiscal 2018. The increase was mainly due to an increase of $1.4 million in sustaining capital
expenditures.
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3. Ying Mining District, Henan Province, China
Fiscal 2019 vs. Fiscal 2018
In Fiscal 2019, the total ore mined at the Ying Mining District was 622,576 tonnes, an increase of 1% or
8,435 tonnes, compared to 614,141 tonnes mined in Fiscal 2018. Ore milled was 619,851 tonnes, an
increase of 1,119 tonnes compared to 618,732 tonnes in Fiscal 2018.
Head grades of ore milled at the Ying Mining District in Fiscal 2019 were 311 grams per tonne (“g/t”) for
silver, 4.4% for lead, and 0.9% for zinc, compared to 305 g/t for silver, 4.4% for lead, and 0.9% for zinc in
Fiscal 2018. The Compan y continues to achieve positive dilution control using its “Enterprise Blog” to
assist and manage daily operations.
In Fiscal 2019, the Ying Mining District sold approximately 5.8 million ounces of silver, 3,500 ounces of
gold, 56.1 million pounds of lead, and 6.6 million pounds of zinc, up 6%, 13%, 2% and 8%, respectively,
compared to 5.4 million ounces of silver, 3,100 ounces of gold, 55.2 million pounds of lead, and 6.1 million
pounds of zinc in Fiscal 2018. As at March 31, 2019, the Ying Mining Distric t has inventories of 3,150
tonnes of silver-lead concentrate and 250 tonnes of zinc concentrate, compared to 4,050 tonnes of silver-
lead concentrate and 350 tonnes of zinc concentrate as at March 31, 2018.
Total mining cost and cash mining cost per tonne at the Ying Mining District in Fiscal 2019 were $88.19
and $63.39 per tonne, respectively, compared to $84.59 and $61.46 per tonne , respectively, in Fiscal 2018.
The increase was mainly due to inflation resulting in an increase of i) $0.6 million in mining contractor’s
costs, ii) $0.4 million in raw material costs, and iii) $0.7 million in utility costs. Total milling cost and cash
milling cost per tonne at the Ying Mining District in Fiscal 2019 were $12.58 and $10.43, respectively,
compared to $11.71 and $9.49, respectively, in Fiscal 2018.
Correspondingly, the total production cost and cash production cost per tonne of ore processed in Fiscal
2019 at the Ying Mining District were $ 104.99 and $78.04, respectively, compared to $ 100.31 and $74.96
in Fiscal 2018.
Cash cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits , at the Ying Mining District in Fiscal 2019, was
negative $3.35 compared to negative $3.88 in the prior year. The increase in the cash cost per ounce of
silver, net of by -product credits, was mainly due to a $2.4 million increase in cash production cost
expensed offset by a $0.6 million increase in by-product credits.
Ying Mining District Q4 2019 Q3 2019 Q2 2019 Q1 2019 Q4 2018
March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 2019 2018
Ore Mined (tonne) 111,032 174,152 180,662 156,730 113,820 622,576 614,141
Ore Milled (tonne) 107,039 184,684 172,200 155,929 112,285 619,851 618,732
Head Grades
Silver (gram/tonne) 324 296 308 323 309 311 305
Lead (%) 4.5 4.1 4.6 4.5 4.3 4.4 4.4
Zinc (%) 0.9 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.9
Recoveries
Silver (%) 95.5 95.6 96.1 96.0 95.9 95.8 95.7
Lead (%) 96.1 95.2 95.6 96.3 96.5 95.7 96.3
Zinc (%) 63.7 50.2 51.2 54.5 54.5 54.1 52.3
Metal Sales
Silver (in thousands of ounce) 1,141 1,545 1,765 1,313 1,319 5,764 5,437
Gold (in thousands of ounce) 0.7 1.1 1.0 0.7 0.7 3.5 3.1
Lead (in thousands of pound) 10,310 15,156 17,359 13,313 12,649 56,138 55,180
Zinc (in thousands of pound) 2,464 381 1,648 2,133 1,106 6,626 6,136
Cash mining costs ($ per tonne) 65.24 63.04 58.65 63.49 65.88 63.39 61.46
Total mining costs ($ per tonne) 93.86 86.27 81.50 89.57 92.81 88.19 84.59
Cash milling costs ($ per tonne) 12.57 10.49 8.54 10.30 12.59 10.43 9.49
Total milling costs ($ per tonne) 15.55 12.24 10.47 12.60 15.80 12.58 11.71
Cash production costs ($ per tonne) 81.78 77.80 71.45 78.10 82.84 78.04 74.96
Cash costs per ounce of silver ($) (3.02) (1.74) (2.80) (6.25) (3.41) (3.35) (3.88)
All-in sustaining costs per ounce of
silver ($) 3.28 5.80 1.52 (0.28) 1.39 2.60 2.04
Fiscal year ended March 31
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All-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, at the Ying Mining District in Fiscal
2019, was $2.60 compared to $2.04 in the prior year. The increase was mainly due to increase s of $2.4
million in cash production costs expensed and $2.2 million in sustaining capital expenditures.
In Fiscal 2019, approximately 75,955 metres or $1.8 million worth of underground diamond drilling (Fiscal
2018 – 104,798 metres or $2.3 million) and 18,656 metres or $5.4 million worth of preparation tunnelling
(Fiscal 2018 – 19,723 metres or $5.8 million) were completed and expensed as mining preparation cost s
at the Ying Mining District. In addition, approximately 65,653 metres or $23.2 million worth of horizontal
tunnels, raises, ramps and declines (Fiscal 2018 – 61,827 metres or $20.1 million) were completed and
capitalized.
Q4 Fiscal 2019 vs. Q4 Fiscal 2018
In Q4 Fiscal 2019 , a total of 111,032 tonnes of ore were mined at the Ying Mining District, a decrease of
2% or 2,788 tonnes, compared to 113,820 tonnes in Q4 Fiscal 2018 . Ore milled was 107,039 tonnes, a
decrease of 3% or 5,246 tonnes, compared to 112,285 tonnes in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
Average head grades of ore processed were 324 g/t for silver, 4.5% for lead, and 0.9% for zinc compared
to 309 g/t for silver, 4.3% for lead, and 1.0% for zinc in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
Metals sold were approximately 1.1 million ounces of silver, 700 ounces of gold, 10.3 million pounds of
lead, and 2.5 million pounds of zinc, compared to 1.3 million ounces of silver, 700 ounces of gold, 12.6
million pounds of lead, and 1.1 million pounds of zinc in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
In Q4 Fiscal 2019, the cash mining cost at the Ying Mining District was $ 65.24 per tonne, down 1%
compared to $65.88 in Q4 Fiscal 2018. The cash milling cost was $12.57 per tonne compared to $12.59 in
Q4 Fiscal 2018.
In Q4 Fiscal 2019, cash cost per ounce of silver and all in sustaining cost per ounce of silver, net of by -
product credits, at the Ying Mining District were negative $3.02 and $3.28, respectively , compared to
negative $3.41 and $1.39 in Q4 Fiscal 2018.
In Q4 Fiscal 2019, approximately 6,083 metres or $0.3 million worth of underground diamond drilling (Q4
Fiscal 2018 – 18,791 metres or $0.6 million) and 3,061 metres or $1.0 million worth of preparation
tunnelling (Q4 Fiscal 2018 – 2,809 metres or $0 .9 million) were completed and expensed as mining
preparation cost s at the Ying Mining District. In addition, approximately 10,730 metres or $4.0 million
worth of horizontal tunnels, raises, and declines (Q4 Fiscal 2018 – 9,653 metres or $3.9 million) wer e
completed and capitalized.
4. GC Mine, Guangdong Province, China
GC Mine Q4 2019 Q3 2019 Q2 2019 Q1 2019 Q4 2018
March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 2019 2018
Ore Mined (tonne) 50,368 86,126 67,757 79,967 29,442 284,218 245,783
Ore Milled (tonne) 52,865 86,792 67,528 81,811 26,252 288,995 244,338
Head Grades
Silver (gram/tonne) 101 84 78 87 96 86 98
Lead (%) 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.5
Zinc (%) 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.9 2.9 3.0 2.8
Recovery Rates
Silver (%) 81.3 80.5 76.7 75.3 76.3 78.4 76.2
Lead (%) 91.5 916.0 91.2 87.1 87.5 90.4 85.4
Zinc (%) 85.7 85.5 83.3 84.8 85.7 84.9 81.8
Metal Sales
Silver (in thousands of ounce) 173 167 136 150 63 626 603
Lead (in thousands of pound) 2,360 2,644 2,063 1,583 688 8,650 6,754
Zinc (in thousands of pound) 4,874 3,730 3,240 4,244 1,479 16,090 13,433
Cash mining cost ($ per tonne) 40.58 34.17 41.25 36.78 45.92 37.73 37.48
Total mining cost ($ per tonne) 50.13 42.40 49.29 44.62 57.47 46.04 45.73
Cash milling cost ($ per tonne) 18.52 14.08 11.45 14.46 25.07 14.39 15.72
Total milling cost ($ per tonne) 21.70 15.98 14.47 17.14 33.41 17.01 19.17
Cash production cost ($ per tonne) 59.10 48.25 52.70 51.24 70.99 52.12 53.20
Cash cost per ounce of silver ($) (10.23) (12.32) (10.81) (18.81) (13.95) (12.97) (12.37)
All-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver ($) (4.97) (6.54) (2.03) (11.36) (4.57) (6.28) (3.69)
Fiscal year ended March 31
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Fiscal 2019 vs. Fiscal 2018
In Fiscal 2019, the total ore mined at the GC Mine was 284,218 tonnes, an increase of 16% or 38,435
tonnes, compared to 245,783 tonnes in Fiscal 2018, while ore milled was 288,995 tonnes, an increase of
18% or 44,657 tonnes, compared to 244,338 tonnes in Fiscal 2018.
Average head grades of ore processed at the GC Mine were 86 g/t for silver, 1.5% for lead, and 3.0% for
zinc compared to 98 g/t for silver, 1.5% for lead, and 2.8% for zinc in the prior year. Recovery rates of ore
processed at the GC Mine were78.4% for silver, 90.4% for lead, and 84.9% for zinc, compared to 76.2% for
silver, 85.4% for lead, and 81.8% for zinc in Fiscal 2018.
In Fiscal 2019, the GC Mine sold 626,000 ounces of silver, 8.7 million pounds of lead, and 16.1 million
pounds of zinc, compared to 603,000 ounces of silver, 6.8 million pounds of lead, and 13.4 million pounds
of zinc in Fiscal 2018.
Total mining cost and cash mining cost at the GC Mine in Fiscal 2019 were $46.04 and $37.73 per tonne,
respectively, a slight increase of 1% compared to $45.73 and $37.48 per tonne , respectively, in Fiscal
2018. Total milling cost and cash milling cost per tonne at the GC Mine were $17.01 and $14.39,
respectively, down 11% and 8%, compared to $19.17 and $15.72, respectively, in Fiscal 2018.
Correspondingly, total production cost and cash production cost per tonne of ore processed in Fiscal 2019
at the GC Mine were $ 63.05 and $52.12, respectively, a decrease of 3% and 2%, compared to $ 64.90 and
$53.20, respectively, in Fiscal 2018.
Cash cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, at the GC Mine, was negative $12.97 compared to
negative $12.37 in the prior year. The decrease was mainly due to a 4% increase in by -product credits
resulting from increase s of 28% in lead and 20% in zinc sold offset by a decrease of 3% and 17% in net
realized lead and zinc selling prices at the GC Mine.
All-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, in Fiscal 2019 at the GC Mine was
negative $6.28 compared to negative $3.6 9 in the prior year . The improvement was mainly due to an
increase of $1.6 million in by -product credits and a decrease of $0.9 million in sustaining capital
expenditures.
In Fiscal 2019, approximately 24,727 metres or $1.3 million worth of underground d iamond drilling (Fiscal
2018 – 21,717 metres or $1.1 million) and 19,844 metres or $5.2 million worth of tunnelling (Fiscal 2018 –
15,811 metres or $4.5 million) were completed and expensed as mining preparation cost s at the GC Mine.
In addition, approxim ately 1,374 metres or $1.0 million of horizontal tunnels, raises and declines (Fiscal
2018 – 320 metres or $0.3 million) were completed and capitalized.
Q4 Fiscal 2019 vs. Q4 Fiscal 2018
In Q4 Fiscal 2019, a total of 50,368 tonnes of ore were mined and 52,865 tonnes were milled at the GC
Mine, up 71% and 101%, respectively, compared to 29,442 tonnes mined and 26,252 tonnes milled in Q4
Fiscal 2018.
Average head grades of ore milled were 101 g/t for silver, 1.8% for lead, and 3.3% for zinc compared to 96
g/t for silver, 1.3% for lead, and 2.9% for zinc in the same prior year quarter.
Metals sold were approximately 173,000 ounces of silver, 2.4 million pounds of lead, and 4.9 million
pounds of zinc, compared to 63,000 ounces of silver, 0.7 million pounds of lead, and 1.5 million pounds of
zinc in the same prior year quarter.
The cash mining cost at the GC Mine was $40.58 per tonne, a decrease of 12% compared to $45.92 per
tonne in the same prior year quarter. The cash milling cost was $18.52 per tonne, a decrease of 26%
compared to $25.07 in the same prior year quarter. Correspondingly, the cash production cost per tonne
decreased by 17% to $59.10 from $70.99 in the same prior year quarter. The improvement in production
cost was mainly due to higher production output resulting in lower fixed cost allocation.
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Cash cost per ounce of silver and all -in sustaining cost per ounce of silver, net of by‐product credits, at the
GC Mine, for Q4 Fiscal 2019, were negative $10.23 and negative $4.97, respectively, compared to
negative $13.95 and negative $4.57 in the same prior year quarter.
In Q4 Fiscal 2019, approximately 2,864 metres or $0.3 million worth of underground diamond drilling (Q4
Fiscal 2018 – 3,464 metres or $0.2 million) and 3,366 metres or $0.9 mil lion of tunnelling (Q4 Fiscal 2018 –
1,526 metres or $0.7 million) were completed and expensed as mining preparation cost s at the GC Mine.
In addition, approximately 262 metres or $0.2 million of horizontal tunnels, raise, and declines (Q4 Fiscal
2018 – 40 metres or $0.1 million) were completed and capitalized.
Mr. Guoliang Ma, P.Geo., Manager of Exploration and Resource s of the Company, is the Qualified Person
as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“ NI 43-101”) and
has reviewed and given consent to the technical information contained in this news release.
This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Management Discussion &
Analysis, Financial Statements and Notes to Financial St atements for the corresponding period, which have
been posted on SEDAR under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com and are also available on the
Company's website at www.silvercorp.ca.
About Silvercorp
Silvercorp is a Canadian low-cost silver-producer of silver, lead and zinc from mines in China. We deliver
shareholder value through efficient management, organic growth, and the acquisition of projects we can
build and operate profitably. Silvercorp’s goal is to achieve lasting and sustainable develop ment for all our
stakeholders. For more information, please visit our website at www.silvercorp.ca.
For further information
Silvercorp Metals Inc.
Lon Shaver
Vice President
Phone: (604) 669-9397
Toll Free 1(888) 224-1881
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.silvercorp.ca
CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute “forward -looking statements” within the
meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward -looking information”
within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Any
statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans,
projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases
such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plan s”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”,
“strategies”, “targets”, “goals”, “forecasts”, “objectives”, “budgets”, “schedules”, “potential” or variations thereof or
stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be
achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may
be forward -looking statements. Forward -looking statements relate to, among other things: the price of silv er and
other metals; the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates at the Company’s material properties;
the sufficiency of the Company’s capital to finance the Company’s operations; estimates of the Company’s revenues
and capital expendit ures; estimated production from the Company’s mines in the Ying Mining District and the GC
Mine; timing of receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; availability of funds from production to finance the
Company’s operations; and access to and availabilit y of funding for future construction, use of proceeds from any
financing and development of the Company’s properties.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause actual ev ents or results to differ from those reflected in the forward -looking statements, including,
without limitation, risks relating to: fluctuating commodity prices; calculation of resources, reserves and
mineralization and precious and base metal recovery; in terpretations and assumptions of mineral resource and
mineral reserve estimates; exploration and development programs; feasibility and engineering reports; permits and