Silvercorp Reports Q3 Net Income of $8.7 Million, $0.05 PER Share, and Provides Fiscal 2020 Production and Cash Costs Guidance
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NEWS RELEASE
Trading Symbol: TSX: SVM
NYSE AMERICAN: SVM
SILVERCORP REPORTS Q3 NET INCOME OF $8.7 MILLION, $0.05 PER SHARE,
AND PROVIDES FISCAL 2020 PRODUCTION AND CASH COSTS GUIDANCE
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – February 14 , 2019 – Silvercorp Metals Inc. (“Silvercorp” or the
“Company”) (TSX: SVM) (NYSE American: SVM) reported its financial and operating results for the third
quarter ended December 31, 2018 (“Q3 Fiscal 2019”). All amounts are expressed in US Dollars.
Q3 FISCAL YEAR 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Ore mined up 3% to 260,278 tonnes compared to the prior year quarter;
Sold approximately 1.7 million ounces of silver, 1,100 ounces of gold, and 17.8 million pounds of
lead, up 13%, 57%, and 13%, respectively, compared to the prior year quarter while zinc sold was 4.1
million pounds, down 36% compared to the prior year quarter.
Ended the quarter with inventories of 4,211 tonnes of silver -lead concentrate (containing
approximately 0.4 million ounces of silver and 4.4 million pounds of lead) and 3,079 tonnes of zinc
concentrate (containing approximately 3.1 million pounds of z inc), up 13% and 415%, respectively,
compared to September 30, 2018;
Sales of $42.4 million, down 5% compared to $44.4 million in the prior year quarter;
Paid $1.7 million withholding tax at a rate of 10% for dividend s distributed out of China to the
Company, compared to $nil in the prior year quarter;
Gross profit margin of 46% compared to 52% in the prior year quarter, with the decrease mainly due
to lower metal prices;
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of $ 8.7 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to
$12.7 million, or $0.08 per share, in the prior year quarter;
Cash flow from operations of $19.5 million, compared to $27.5 million in the prior year quarter;
Cash cost per ounce of silver 1, net of by -product cr edits, of negative $2. 77, compared to negative
$5.92 in the prior year quarter;
All-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver 1, net of by -product credits, of $6.53, compared to $3.16 in
the prior year quarter;
Paid $2.1 million dividends to the Company’s shareholders; and,
Ended the quarter with $125.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and short -term investments, an
increase of $1.3 million or 1% compared to September 30, 2018.
FINANCIALS
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of the Company in Q3 Fiscal 2019 was $8.7 million, or
$0.05 per share, compared to $12.7 million, or $0.07 per share in the three months ended December 31,
1 Non IFRS measure. Please refer to section 11 of the corresponding MD&A for reconciliation
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2017 (“Q3 Fiscal 2018”).
Sales in Q3 Fiscal 2019 were $42.4 million, down 5% compared to $44.4 million in Q3 Fiscal 2018. Silver
and gold sales represented $20.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively, while base metals represented
$20.5 million of the total sales, compared to silver, gold and base metals sal es of $19.8 million, $0.6
million, and $23.9 million, respectively, in Q3 Fiscal 2018.
Compared to the same prior year quarter, the Company’s financial results in Q3 Fiscal 2019 were mainly
impacted by i) a decrease of 8%, 9% and 29% in the realized selling prices for silver, lead and zinc,
respectively, ii) a 36% decrease in zinc sold, iii) an increase of 13% each of silver and lead sold, and iv) a
3% decrease in total production costs.
Cost of sales in Q3 Fiscal 2019 was $23.0 million compared to $21.2 million in Q3 Fiscal 2018. The cost of
sales included $16.9 million cash production costs (Q3 Fiscal 2018 - $15.6 million) , $1.2 million mineral
resources tax (Q3 Fiscal 2018 - $1.3 million), and $4.9 million depreciation and amortization charge s (Q3
Fiscal 2018 - $4.4 million) . The increase in cash production costs and depreciation and amortization
charges was mainly due to more silver and lead sold while the decrease in mineral resources tax was due
to lower revenue achieved in the current quar ter. The cash production costs expensed in cost of sales
represents approximately 254,000 tonnes of ore processed and expensed at costs of $66.62 per tonne
(Q3 Fiscal 2018 – approximately 222,000 tonnes at $70.11 per tonne).
Gross profit margin in Q3 Fiscal 2019 was 46%, compared to 52% in Q3 Fiscal 2018, with the decrease
mainly due to the decrease in the realized metal selling prices . Ying Mining District’s gross profit margin
was 47% compared to 55% in Q3 Fiscal 2018. GC Mine’s gross profit ma rgin was 38% compared to 41% in
Q3 Fiscal 2018.
General and administrative expenses in Q 3 Fiscal 2019 were $ 5.3 million, an increase of $0.4 million
compared to $4. 9 million in Q 3 Fiscal 2018. The increase was mainly due to a $0.5 million increase in
labour costs offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in discretionary office and administrative expenses.
Income tax expenses in Q3 Fiscal 2019 were $5.1 million compared to $4.3 million in Q3 Fiscal 2018. The
income tax expense recorded in Q3 Fiscal 2019 inclu ded current income tax expense of $4.4 million (Q3
Fiscal 2018 – $3.7 million) and deferred income tax expense of $0.7 million (Q3 Fiscal 2018 – $0.6 million).
The current income tax expenses include $1.7 million withholding tax (Q3 Fiscal 2018 - $nil), being 10% of
the dividends distributed out of China to the Company by the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries.
Cash flows provided by operating activities in Q 3 Fiscal 2019 were $ 19.5 million, a decrease of $8.0
million compared to $ 27.5 million in Q3 Fiscal 2018 . The decrease was mainly due to less operating
income arising from lower metal prices and the increase of withholding tax paid.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2018
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of the Company was $ 27.6 million or $0.16 per share, a
decrease of $7.2 million, compared to $34.8 million or $0.20 per share in the same prior year period; sales
were $ 135.6 million, up 3% from $ 131.6 million in the same prior year period; and cash flow s from
operating activities were $61.7 million, compared to $65.0 million in the same prior year period.
The Company ended the period with $125.2 million in cash and short -term investments, an increase of
$1.3 million or 1% compared to $123.9 million as at September 30, 2018.
Working capital as at December 31, 2018 was $99.0 million, an increase of $0.3 million compared to $98.7
million working capital as at September 30, 2018.
OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
(i) Q3 Fiscal 2019 vs. Q3 Fiscal 2018
In Q3 Fiscal 2019, on a consolidated basis, the Company mined 260,278 tonnes of ore, an increase of 3%
or 7,994 tonnes, compared to 252,284 tonnes in Q3 Fiscal 2018. Ore mined at the Ying Mining District
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increased by 5% or 7,533 tonnes, and ore mined at the GC Mine increase d by 1% or 461 tonnes. Ore
milled was 271,476 tonnes, up 6% compared to 256,037 tonnes of ore milled in Q3 Fiscal 2018.
In Q3 Fiscal 2019, the Company sold approximately 1.7 million ounces of silver, 1,100 ounces of gold, and
17.8 million pounds of lead, up 13%, 57%, and 13%, respectively, compared to 1.5 million ounces of silver,
700 ounces of gold, and 15.8 million pounds of lead in Q3 Fis cal 2018 while zinc sold was 4.1 million
pounds, down 36% compared to 6.4 million pound s in Q3 Fiscal 2018. As at December 31, 2018, the
Company had inventories of 4,211 tonnes of silver-lead concentrate and 3,079 tonnes zinc concentrate,
up 13% and 415%, respectively, compared to 3,732 tonnes of silver -lead concentrate and 598 tonnes of
zinc concentrate as at September 30, 2018.
In Q3 Fiscal 2019 , the consolidated total mining costs and cash mining costs were $71.76 and $53.49 per
tonne, down 3% and 5% , respectively, compared to $74.16 and $56.11 per tonne in Q3 Fiscal 2018. The
decrease was mainly due to higher production output resulting in lower per tonne fixed costs allocation.
The consolidated total milling costs and cash milling costs in Q3 Fiscal 2 019 were $13.44 and $11.64 per
tonne, compared to $13.45 and $11.31 per tonne in Q3 Fiscal 2018.
Correspondingly, the consolidated total production costs and cash production costs per tonne of ore
processed in Q3 Fiscal 2019 decreased by 3% to $88.02 and $67.95, respectively, from $90.30 and $70.11
in Q3 Fiscal 2018.
In Q3 Fiscal 2019, the consolidated total production costs and cash costs per ounce of silver, net of by -
product credits, were $0.08 and negative $2.77 , compared to negative $3.04 and negati ve $5.92 ,
respectively, in the prior year quarter. The increase in cash cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product
credits, was mainly due to a 22% decrease in by -product credits per o unce of silver, mainly arising from
9% and 29% decreases in the realiz ed lead and zinc selling price s and a 36% decrease in zinc sold. Sales
from lead and zinc accounted for 48% of the total sales and amounted to $20.2 million, a decrease of $3.6
million, compared to $23.8 million in Q3 Fiscal 2018.
The consolidated all -in sustaining cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits is $6.53 compared to
$3.16 in Q3 Fiscal 2018. The increase was mainly due to an increase of $2.0 million in sustaining capital
and the increase in cash costs per ounce of silver, net of by-product credits as discussed above.
(ii) Nine months ended December 31, 2018 vs. Nine months ended December 31, 2017
For the nine months ended December 31, 2018, on a consolidated basis, the Company mined 745,395
tonnes of ore, an increase of 4% or 28,733 tonnes, compared to 716,662 tonnes mined in the same prior
year period. Ore mined at the Ying Mining District increased by 2% or 11,224 tonnes to 511,545 tonnes
from 500,321 tonnes, and ore mined at the GC Mine increased by 8% or 17,509 tonnes to 233,850 tonnes
from 216,341 tonnes in the same prior year period. In the same comparative period, ore milled increased
by 3% to 748,944 tonnes compared to 724,534 tonnes.
The Company sold approximately 5.1 million ounces of silver, 2,800 ounces of g old, 52.1 million pounds of
lead, and 15.4 million pounds of zinc, compared to 4.7 million ounces of silver, 2,400 ounces of gold, 48.6
million of lead, and 17.0 million pounds of zinc sold in the same prior year period.
The consolidated total mining costs and cash mining costs were $73.85 and $54.88 per tonne, an increase
of 4% and 3%, respectively, compared to $71.07 and $53.17 per tonne in the same prior year period. The
consolidated total milling costs and cash milling costs were $13.22 and $11.08, an increase of 3% and 5%,
respectively, compared to $12.81 and $10.55 per tonne in the same prior year period.
Correspondingly, the consolidated total production costs and cash production costs per tonne of ore
processed for the nine months ended December 31, 2018 were $89.98 and $68.87, an increase of 4% and
4%, respectively, compared to $86.63 and $66.47 in the same prior year period, but the consolidated cash
production costs was 2% lower than the annual guidance of $70.20.
The consolidated cash production costs and all -in sustaining costs per ounce of silver, net of by -product
credits, were negative $ 4.37 and $3.27 compared to negative $4. 97 and $3.35, respectively, in the same
prior year period.
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1. Ying Mining District, Henan Province, China
i) Q3 Fiscal 2019 vs. Q3 Fiscal 2018
In Q3 Fiscal 2019, the total ore mined at the Ying Mining District was 174,152 tonnes, an increase of 5% or
7,533 tonnes, compared to 166,619 tonnes mined in Q3 Fiscal 2018. Ore milled was 184,684 tonnes, an
increase of 10% or 17,141 tonnes compared to 167,543 tonnes in Q3 Fiscal 2018.
Head grades of ore milled at the Ying Mining District in Q3 Fiscal 201 9 were 296 grams per tonne (“g/t”)
for silver, 4.1% for lead, and 0.8% for zinc, compared to 315 g/t for silver, 4.5% for lead and 1.0% for zinc
in Q3 Fiscal 2018. The Company continues to achieve positive dilution control using its “Enterprise Blog”
to assist and manage daily operations.
In Q3 Fiscal 2019, the Ying Mining District sold approximately 1.5 million ounces silver, 15.2 million
pounds lead, and 0.4 million pounds zinc, compared to 1.3 million ounces silver, 13.5 million pounds lead,
and 2.0 million pounds of zinc in Q3 Fiscal 2018. As at December 31, 2018, the Ying Mining District ha d
inventories of 3,750 tonnes of silver-lead concentrate and 1,350 tonnes of zinc concentrate , an increase
of 9% and 486%, respectively, compared to 3,452 tonnes of silver -lead concentrate and 230 tonnes of zinc
concentrate as at September 30, 2018.
Total and cash mining costs per tonne at the Ying Mining District in Q3 Fiscal 2019 were $86.27 and
$63.04 per tonne, respectively, compared to $90.12 and $66.71 per tonne in Q3 Fiscal 2018, and the
improvement was mainly due to lower per tonne fixed costs allocation resulting from higher prod uction
output. Total and cash milling costs per tonne at the Ying Mining District in Q3 Fiscal 2019 were $12.24
and $10.49, respectively, compared to $11.87 and $9.84 in Q3 Fiscal 2018, and the increase was mainly
due to an increase of $0.1 million in utility costs.
Correspondingly, the total production costs and cash production cost s per tonne of ore processed at the
Ying Mining District in Q3 Fiscal 2019 were $102.78 and $77.80, respectively, compared to $106.04 and
$80.60 in Q3 Fiscal 2018.
Cash costs per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits at the Ying Mining District in Q3 Fiscal 2019 , was
negative $1.74 compared to negative $4.53 in the prior year quarter. The increase in the cash cost s per
ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, was mainly due to a 19% decrease in by -product credits per
ounce of silver, mainly arising from 9% and 33% decreases in lead and zinc realized selling price and an
81% decrease in zinc sold.
All in sustaining costs per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, at the Ying Mining District in Q3 Fiscal
2019 was $5.80 compared to $2.13 in the prior year quarter. The increase was mainly due to an increase
Operational results - Ying Mining District
Q3 2019 Q2 2019 Q1 2019 Q4 2018 Q3 2018
December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 2018 2017
Ore Mined (tonne) 174,152 180,662 156,730 113,820 166,619 511,545 500,321
Ore Milled (tonne) 184,684 172,200 155,929 112,285 167,543 512,813 506,448
Head Grades
Silver (gram/tonne) 296 308 323 309 315 308 304
Lead (%) 4.1 4.6 4.5 4.3 4.5 4.4 4.5
Zinc (%) 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9
Recoveries
Silver (%) 95.6 96.1 96.0 95.9 95.8 95.9 95.7
Lead (%) 95.2 95.6 96.3 96.5 96.4 95.6 96.3
Zinc (%) 50.2 51.2 54.5 54.5 57.3 52.1 51.7
Metal Sales
Silver (in thousands of ounce) 1,545 1,765 1,313 1,319 1,322 4,623 4,118
Gold (in thousands of ounce) 1.1 1.0 0.7 0.7 0.7 2.8 2.4
Lead (in thousands of pound) 15,156 17,359 13,313 12,649 13,487 45,828 42,531
Zinc (in thousands of pound) 381 1,648 2,133 1,106 2,006 4,162 5,030
Cash mining costs ($ per tonne) 63.04 58.65 63.49 65.88 66.71 63.00 60.45
Total mining costs ($ per tonne) 86.27 81.50 89.57 92.81 90.12 86.97 82.72
Cash milling costs ($ per tonne) 10.49 8.54 10.30 12.59 9.84 9.98 8.80
Total milling costs ($ per tonne) 12.24 10.47 12.60 15.80 11.87 11.96 10.80
Cash production costs ($ per tonne) 77.80 71.45 78.10 82.84 80.60 77.26 73.18
Cash costs per ounce of silver ($) (1.74) (2.80) (6.25) (3.41) (4.53) (3.43) (4.03)
All-in sustaining costs per ounce of
silver ($) 5.80 1.52 (0.28) 1.39 2.13 2.44 2.25
Nine Months ended December 31,
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of $3.0 million in sustaining capital and the increase in cash cost per ounce of silver, net of by -product
credits as discussed above.
In Q3 Fiscal 2019, approximately 20,351 metres or $0.4 million worth of underground diamond drilling
(Q3 Fiscal 2018 – 25,109 metres or $0.4 million) and 4,678 metres or $1.4 million worth of preparation
tunnelling (Q3 Fiscal 2018 – 5,187 metres or $1.6 million) were completed and expensed as mining
preparation costs at the Ying Mining District. In addition, approximately 19,361 metres or $6.7 million
worth of horizontal tunnels, raises, ramps and declines (Q3 Fiscal 2018 – 16,326 metres or $6.0 million)
were completed and capitalized.
ii) Nine months ended December 31, 2018 vs. Nine months ended December 31, 2017
For the nine months ended December 31, 2018, a total of 511,545 tonnes of ore were mined at the Ying
Mining District, an inc rease of 2% or 11,224 tonnes compared to 500,321 tonnes mined in the same prior
year period. Ore milled was 512,813 tonnes, up 1% or 6,365 tonnes compared to 506,448 tonnes in the
same prior year period. Average head grades of ore processed were 308 g/t for silver, 4.4% for lead, and
0.9% for zinc compared to 304 g/t for silver, 4.5% for lead, and 0.9% for zinc in the same prior year period.
During the same time periods, the Ying Mining District sold approximately 4.6 million ounces of silver,
2,800 ounces of gold, 45.8 million pounds of lead, and 4.2 million pounds of zinc, compared to 4.1 million
ounces of silver, 2,400 ounces of gold, 42.5 million pounds of lead, and 5.0 million pounds of zinc in the
same prior year period.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2018, the cash mining costs and cash milling costs at the Ying
Mining District were $63.00 per tonne and $9.98 per tonne, an increase of 4% and 13%, respectively,
compared to $60.45 and $8.80 in the same prior year period. The cash produ ction cost was $77.26 per
tonne, an increase of 6% compared to $73.18 in the same prior year period.
Cash costs per ounce of silver and all in sustaining costs per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, at
the Ying Mining District, for the nine mont hs ended December 31, 2018, were negative $3.43 and $2.44
respectively, compared to negative $4.03 and $2.25 in the same prior year period.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2018, approximately 69,872 metres or $1.5 million worth of
underground diamond drilling (same prior year period – 86,007 metres or $1.7 million) and 15,595 metres
or $4.4 million worth of preparation tunnelling (same prior year period – 16,914 metres or $4.9 million)
were completed and expensed as mining preparation costs at the Yi ng Mining District. In addition,
approximately 54,923 metres or $19.2 million worth of horizontal tunnels, raises, and declines (same prior
year period – 52,174 metres or $16.2 million) were completed and capitalized.
2. GC Mine, Guangdong Province, China
Operational results - GC Mine Q3 2019 Q2 2019 Q1 2019 Q4 2018 Q3 2018
December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 2018 2017
Ore Mined (tonne) 86,126 67,757 79,967 29,442 85,665 233,850 216,341
Ore Milled (tonne) 86,792 67,528 81,811 26,252 88,494 236,131 218,086
Head Grades
Silver (gram/tonne) 84 78 87 96 97 83 99
Lead (%) 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.5
Zinc (%) 3.1 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.9 2.8
Recovery Rates
Silver (%) 80.5 76.7 75.3 76.3 73.6 77.6 76.1
Lead (%) 91.6 91.2 87.1 87.5 83.9 90.1 85.2
Zinc (%) 85.5 83.3 84.8 85.7 81.3 84.7 81.2
Metal Sales
Silver (in thousands of ounce) 167 136 150 63 196 453 540
Lead (in thousands of pound) 2,644 2,063 1,583 688 2,263 6,290 6,066
Zinc (in thousands of pound) 3,730 3,240 4,244 1,479 4,399 11,214 11,954
Cash mining cost ($ per tonne) 34.17 41.25 36.78 45.92 35.48 37.12 36.33
Total mining cost ($ per tonne) 42.40 49.29 44.62 57.47 43.10 45.16 44.12
Cash milling cost ($ per tonne) 14.08 11.45 14.46 25.07 14.09 13.46 14.60
Total milling cost ($ per tonne) 15.98 14.47 17.14 33.41 16.45 15.95 17.46
Cash production cost ($ per tonne) 48.25 52.70 51.24 70.99 49.57 50.58 50.93
Cash cost per ounce of silver ($) (12.32) (10.81) (18.81) (13.95) (15.34) (14.02) (12.19)
All-in sustaining cost per ounce of silver ($) (6.54) (2.03) (11.36) (4.57) (4.52) (6.78) (3.59)
Nine Months ended December 31,
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i) Q3 Fiscal 2019 vs. Q3 Fiscal 2018
In Q3 Fiscal 2019, the total ore mined at the GC Mine was 86,126 tonnes, an increase of 1% or 461 tonnes,
compared to 85,665 tonnes mined in Q3 Fiscal 2018, while ore milled was 86,79 2 tonnes, a decrease of
2% or 1,720 tonnes compared to 88,494 tonnes in Q3 Fiscal 2018. Average head grades of ore processed
at the GC Mine were 84 g/t for silver, 1.6% for lead, and 3.1% for zinc compared to 97 g/t for silver, 1.4%
for lead, and 2.8% for zinc in the prior year quarter. Recovery rates of ore processed at the GC Mine w ere
80.5% for silver, 91.6% for lead, and 85.5% for zinc, significantly improved from 73.6% for silver, 83.9% for
lead, and 81.3% for zinc in the prior year quarter.
In Q3 Fi scal 2019, the GC Mine sold 167 ,000 ounces of silver, 2.6 million pounds of lead, and 3.7 million
pounds of zinc, compared to 196 ,000 ounces of silver, 2.3 million pounds of lead, and 4.4 million pounds
of zinc sold in the prior year quarter. Less zinc sold was mainly due to the built up of zinc concentrate
inventory. As at December 31, 2018, GC Mine ha d inventories of 461 tonnes of silver-lead zinc
concentrate and 1,729 tonnes of zinc concentrate, compared to 280 tonnes of silver -lead concentrate and
368 tonnes of zinc concentrate as at September 30, 2018.
Total and cash mining costs per tonne at the GC Mine in Q3 Fiscal 2019 were $ 42.40 and $34.17 per
tonne, compared to $43.10 and $35.48 per tonne in Q3 Fiscal 2018. The decrease in cash mining costs
was mainly due to a $0.3 million decrease in utility costs in the current quarter. Total and cash milling
costs per tonne at the GC Min e in Q3 Fiscal 2019 were $15.98 and $14.08, compared to $16.45 and
$14.09 in Q3 Fiscal 2018.
Correspondingly, the total production costs and cash production costs per tonne of ore processed in Q3
Fiscal 2019 at the GC Mine were $58.38 and $48.25, a decrea se of 2% and 3%, respectively, compared to
$59.55 and $49.57 in the prior year quarter.
Cash costs per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, at the GC Mine, was negative $1 2.32 compared
to negative $15.34 in the prior year quarter. The increase was mainly due to a $1.8 million or 25%
decrease in by-product credits mainly resulting from a decrease of 9% and 29% in net realized lead and
zinc selling prices and a 15% decrease in zinc sold at the GC Mine.
All in sustaining costs per ounce of silver, net of by -product credits, in Q3 Fiscal 2019 at the GC Mine was
negative $6.54 compared to negative $4.52 in the prior year quarter, and the decrease was mainly due to
a decrease of $0.7 million in sustaining capital expenditures.
In Q3 Fiscal 2019, approximately 7,089 metres or $0.3 million worth of underground diamond drilling (Q3
Fiscal 2018 – 7,770 metres or $0.4 million) and 5,994 metres or $1.3 million worth of tunnelling (Q3 Fisc al
2018 – 5,053 metres or $1.2 million) were completed and expensed as mining preparation costs at the GC
Mine. In addition, approximately 333 metres or $0.1 million of horizontal tunnels, raises and declines (Q3
Fiscal 2018 – 17 metres or $0.1 million) were completed and capitalized.
ii) Nine months ended December 31, 2018 vs. Nine months ended December 31, 2017
For the nine months ended December 31, 2018, a total of 233,850 tonnes of ore were mined and 236,131
tonnes were milled at the GC Mine compared to 216,341 tonnes mined and 218,086 tonnes milled in the
same prior year period. Average head grades of ore milled were 83 g/t for silver, 1. 4% for lead, and 2.9%
for zinc compared to 99 g/t for silver, 1.5% for lead, and 2.8% for zinc, respectively, in the s ame prior year
period.
During the same time periods, the GC Mine sold approximately 453 ,000 ounces of silver, 6. 3 million
pounds of lead, and 11.2 million pounds of zinc, compared to 540 ,000 ounces of silver, 6.1 million pounds
of lead, and 12.0 million pounds of zinc in the same prior year period.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2018, the cash mining costs at the GC Mine was $37.12 per
tonne, an increase of 2% compared to $36.33 per tonne in the same prior year period. The increase in the
cash mining costs was mainly due to a $0.6 million increase in mining preparation costs as more
underground drilling and tunnelling were expensed in the current period. The cash milling costs was
$13.46 per tonne, a decrease of 8% compared to $14.60 in the same prior year period. Correspondingly,
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the total production costs and cash production costs per tonne at the GC Mine were $61.11 and $50.58,
respectively, compared to $61.58 and $50.93 in the prior year period.
Cash costs per ounce of silver and all -in sustaining costs per ounce of silver, net of by‐product credits, at
the GC Mine, for the nine months ended December 31, 2018, were negative $14. 02 and negative $ 6.78
respectively, compared to negative $12.19 and negative $3.59 in the same prior year period.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2018, approximately 21,863 metres or $1.0 million worth of
underground diamond drilling (same prior year period – 18,253 metres or $0.9 million) and 16,478 m etres
or $4.3 million of tunnelling (same prior year period – 14,285 metres or $3.8 million) were completed and
expensed as mining preparation costs at the GC Mine. In addition, approximately 1,112 metres or $0.8
million of horizontal tunnels, raise, and declines (same prior year period – 280 metres or $0.2 millio n)
were completed and capitalized.
FISCAL 2020 PRODUCTION AND CASH COSTS GUIDANCE
In Fiscal 2020, the Company expects to process approximately 900,000 tonnes of ore, yielding 6.1 million
ounces of silver, 65.1 million pounds of lead, and 21.8 million pounds of zinc . Fiscal 20 20 production
guidance represents an increase of approximately 2% in silver production, 2% in lead production, and 10%
in zinc production compared to the prior year’s guidance.
*Both AISC and cash costs are non-IFRS measures. AISC refers to all-in sustaining costs per tonne of ore processed. Cash costs refer to
cash production costs per tonne of ore processed. Foreign exchange rates assumptions used are: US$1 = CAD$1.30, US$1 =
RMB¥6.50.
(a) Ying Mining District, Henan Province, China
In Fiscal 2020, Ying Mining District plans to mine and process 630,000 tonnes of ore averaging 290 g/t
silver, 4.3% lead, and 0.9% zinc with expected metal production of 5.5 million ounces of silver, 56.2 million
pounds of lead and 6.3 million pounds of zinc. Fiscal 2020 production guidance at the Ying Mining District
represents an increase of approximately 2% in silver head grade, 2% in silver and zinc metal production.
Lead head grade and metal production are comparable to prior year’s guidance.
The cash production costs is expected to be $78.2 0 per tonne of ore, and the all -in sustaining costs is
estimated at $130.20 per tonne of ore processed.
Capital expenditures at the Ying Mining District in Fisc al 20 20 are budgeted at $31.7 million, including
$24.4 million for mine tunnelling and ramp development and $7.3 million for equipment and
infrastructure.
(b) GC Mine, Guangdong Province, China
In Fiscal 2020, GC Mine plans to mine and process 270,000 tonnes of ore averaging 96 g/t silver, 1.7%
lead, and 3.1% zinc with expected metal production of 0.6 million ounces of silver, 8.9 million pounds of
lead and 15.5 million pounds of zinc. Fiscal 20 20 production guidance at the GC Mine represents an
increase of a pproximately 8% in ore production, 19% in lead production, and 14% in zinc production
compared to the prior year’s guidance.
The cash production cost s is expected to be $56.7 0 per tonne of ore, and the all -in sustaining costs is
estimated at $77.40 per tonne of ore processed.
Ore processed Silver Lead Zinc
(tonnes) (g/t) (%) (%)
Ying Mining District 630,000 290 4.3 0.9
GC Mine 270,000 96 1.7 3.1
Silver Lead Zinc Cash cost* AISC*
(Moz) (Mlbs) (Mlbs) ($/t) ($/t)
Ying Mining District 5.5 56.2 6.3 78.2 130.2
GC Mine 0.6 8.9 15.5 56.7 77.4
Consolidated 6.1 65.1 21.8 71.8 125.5
8
Capital expenditures at the GC Mine in Fiscal 2020 are budgeted at $5.2 million, including $2.5 million for
mine tunneling and ramp development, $1.4 million for a paste backfill plant, and $1.3 million for other
equipment and infrastructure.
Mr. Guoliang Ma, P.Geo., Manager of Exploration and Resource s of the Company, is the Qualified Person
under the Nati onal 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 Statements 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. All figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.
About Silvercorp
Silvercorp is a low -cost silver -producing Canadian mining company with multiple mines in China. The
Company's vision is to deliver shareholder value by focusing on the acquisition of underdeveloped
projects with resource potential and the ability to grow organically. 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
licences; title to properties; property interests; joint venture partners; acquisition o f commercially mineable mineral
rights; financing; recent market events and conditions; economic factors affecting the Company; timing, estimated
amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production; integration of future
acquisitions into the Company’s existing operations; competition; operations and political conditions; regulatory
environment in China and Canada; environmental risks; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; insurance; risks and