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Subject: ANALYSTS' COMMENTS

Discovery Reports Preliminary Feasibility Study on Cordero with After-Tax NPV of US$1.2 Billion and 28% IRR


TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Discovery Silver Corp. (TSX-V: DSV, OTCQX: DSVSF) ("Discovery" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from its Preliminary Feasibility Study ("PFS" or "the Study") on its 100%-owned Cordero silver project ("Cordero" or "the Project") located in Chihuahua State, Mexico. The PFS project team was led by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. ("Ausenco"), with support from AGP Mining Consultants Inc. ("AGP") and Knight Piésold Ltd. ("Knight Piésold"). Highlights include (all figures are in US$ unless otherwise noted):

Tony Makuch, CEO, states: "We are extremely pleased with the results from our Pre-Feasibility Study. The PFS positions Cordero uniquely in the silver developer space with a long mine life of 18 years and production averaging over 35 Moz AgEq in the first 12 years of the mine life. This represents an approximate 40% increase in total ounces produced compared to our 2021 PEA. Despite significant industry-wide cost escalation over the last year, cost savings from a streamlined process design and improved metallurgical performance have resulted in a highly capital efficient project with excellent margins.

"The Study also outlines the significant economic contribution the Project will have through employment, taxes and the purchases of local goods and services in the Municipality of Parral, in Chihuahua State and in Mexico. We now look forward to advancing the Project toward a Feasibility Study and surfacing additional value through numerous optimization opportunities we have already identified."

The Company will be hosting a Conference Call to present the PFS results on Tuesday January 24, 2023, at 11:00am ET. A presentation by management will be followed by Q&A.

Webcast Details: https://www.c-meeting.com/web3/joinTo/3VP4ZPTDAK29QC/G_IL_k7v36d-fwfTnE5iaw

PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY SUMMARY

Project Economics

The economics for the PFS were based on the following metal prices: Ag - $22.00/oz, Au - $1,600/oz, Pb - $1.00/lb and Zn - $1.20/lb. Sensitivity of the Project's expected after-tax NPV, IRR and payback at different commodity price assumptions is outlined in the table below:

 UnitsBase CaseSpot PriceBase Case
+15%
Base Case
-15%
After-Tax NPV (5% discount rate)(US$ M)$1,153$1,723$1,797$508
Internal Rate of Return(%)28.0%35.9%37.5%16.9%
Payback(yrs)4.23.43.26.0

Production & Costs
Annual production over the life-of-mine ("LOM") is expected to average 33 Moz AgEq. In Years 5 ? Year 12 production averages 40 Moz AgEq with peak production in Year 11 of 52 Moz AgEq. These production levels position Cordero as one of the largest primary silver mines globally.

All-In Sustaining Costs ("AISC") average $12.80/oz AgEq in Year 1 ? Year 12 and $13.62/oz AgEq over the LOM. This represents an approximate increase of 10% versus the PEA. This increase is primarily due to higher treatment and refining charges and industry wide cost escalation including higher assumed prices for consumables, diesel ($1.10/L vs $1.00/L in PEA) and power ($0.068/kWh vs $0.062/kWh). These increases were offset to a large extent by cost reductions from lower reagent consumptions and unit cost reductions attributable to higher throughput rates in the PFS compared to the PEA.

A summary of AgEq production and AISC is provided in the table below. A breakdown of the production proportions of each individual metal and AISC over the LOM is provided in the graph below the table.

 UnitsYear 1 ? 4Year 5 - 12Year 13 -18LOM
AgEq Produced ? Average/yr(Moz)30402533
AgEq Payable ? Average/yr(Moz)25342127
AgEq Produced - Total(Moz)118322151591
AgEq Payable - Total(Moz)102268124494
All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC)(US$/AgEq oz)$12.29$12.99$16.05$13.62

Note ? AgEq Produced is metal recovered in concentrate. AgEq Payable is metal payable from concentrate and incorporates metal payment terms outlined in the Concentrate Terms section below. AgEq is calculated as Ag + (Au x 72.7) + (Pb x 45.5) + (Zn x 54.6); these factors are based on metal prices of Ag - $22/oz, Au - $1,600/oz, Pb - $1.00/lb and Zn - $1.20/lb. AISC is a non-GAAP measure; refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section of the release for further information on this measure. See Technical Disclosure section for AISC calculation methodology.

LOM Production & AISC

Note ? Au/Pb/Zn production is shown on an AgEq basis based on: Ag = $22/oz, Au = $1,600/oz, Pb = $1.00/lb and Zn = $1.20/lb

2023 PFS vs 2021 PEA Summary
The PFS incorporates numerous significant positive developments in comparison to the PEA. Based on drilling success at depth and in the northeast of the deposit the size of the open pit has increased by over 30% and the strip ratio has improved to 2.1:1. This additional drilling has also significantly increased the confidence level of the underlying resource with the PFS supported by Reserves of which 54% are in the Proven category.

The PFS incorporates throughput rates of 25,500 tpd in Phase 1 and 51,000 tpd in Phase 2, ~25% higher than the PEA. This has resulted in average annual production increasing by 27% over an extended mine life of 18 years. The process design has been streamlined based on the excellent results from the 2022 metallurgical testwork program with the co-processing of oxides and sulphides via flotation allowing for the elimination of the heap leach circuit.

The payback period has increased to 4.2 years. This is due to the delay in processing oxide material from eliminating the heap leach and given the mill expansion occurs in Year 3 of the mine life (deferral of the expansion would reduce the payback period to 3.0 years). The payback period has been significantly de-risked with more than 70% of the mill feed in Years 1 to Year 5 in the Proven category and the removal of the elevated risk typically associated with heap leach ramp ups.

Initial capital increased by 24% to $455 M. This was primarily due to the 25% increase in the initial size of the plant, a switch to owner-operated mining (assuming lease finance of mine equipment) driven by the growth in size of the open pit (the PEA assumed contractor mining) and cost inflation.

PARAMETERUNITS2023 PFS2021 PEA
SUMMARY   
After-Tax NPV (5% discount rate)(US$ M)$1,153$1,160
Internal Rate of Return(%)28.0%38.2%
Mine Life(yrs)1816
Initial Capital(US$ M)$455$368
Payback(yrs)4.22.0
    
OPERATIONS   
Tonnes Processed (LOM ? Total)(Mt)302228
Strip ratio (LOM)(w:o)2.12.2
    
PRODUCTION & COSTS   
AgEq Produced (LOM ? Annual Average)(Moz)3326
AgEq Produced (LOM ? Total)(Moz)591426
All-In Sustaining Cost (Y1 ? Y12)(US$/AgEq oz)$12.82$11.73
All-In Sustaining Cost (LOM)(US$/AgEq oz)$13.62$12.35

Project Economics are based on Ag = $22.00/oz, Au = $1,600/oz, Pb = $1.00/lb, Zn = $1.20/lb. See Technical Disclosure section for AgEq and AISC calculation methodology.

Feasibility Study Opportunities

The Feasibility Study ("FS") is already being advanced and is expected to be completed in 1Q 2024. Key areas for optimization in the FS include:

Resource Update
In conjunction with the PFS, the Mineral Resource Estimate for Cordero has been updated to incorporate an additional 67,800 m of drilling (total drilling of 287,400 m in 706 drill holes). The Measured & Indicated Resource has grown by 35% to 1,132 Moz AgEq and the Inferred Resource has grown by 40% to 119 Moz AgEq as summarized below. This resource expansion has largely been driven by exploration success at depth and in the northeast part of the deposit.

Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Further details on the Resource including all supporting technical disclosure is outlined in Appendix A.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Cordero is a highly capital-efficient project due to numerous underlying advantages:

Initial Capital (to achieve plant throughput of 9.3 Mt/a)

Initial capital to build Cordero Phase 1 is estimated to total $455 million and will be incurred over a two-year construction period. This capital estimate includes the construction of on-site infrastructure, power transmission line, Phase 1 of the process plant with nameplate capacity of 9.3 Mt/a (25,500 tpd), all pre-stripping activities and construction of the TSF including the initial starter dam embankment providing 2 years of tailings storage.

Contingency for the initial capital estimate typically ranges from 15% to 20% (depending on cost type) and is applied to direct and indirect costs. Owners costs represent 5% of direct costs. Indirect costs represent 23% of direct costs. These proportions are in-line with typical industry averages and are consistent with a cost base for a project build in Mexico and commensurate with the level of complexity of the project build.

Expansion Capital (to expand plant to 18.6 Mt/a)

The processing facility will be expanded to a nameplate capacity of 18.6 Mtpa (51,000 tpd) in Year 3 and Year 4 at an estimated cost of $290 million. This expansion includes the addition of parallel grinding and flotation circuits, additional on-site infrastructure and a major tailings dam lift that is concurrent with plant expansion.

An expansion of the flotation circuit is planned for Year 9 at a cost of $31 million. This includes the addition of cleaner flotation cells, a filter and a thickener to accommodate the higher zinc grades in Year 10 and Year 11.

Sustaining Capital

Sustaining capital over the LOM totals $228 million (includes closure costs net of salvage). This includes $106 million to be spent on tailings management facility expansions, with the remainder to be spent on mine equipment, the process plant, mobile equipment and replacements/refurbishments of infrastructure assets. Sustaining capex for the process plant has been classified as operating costs under the maintenance category. Sustaining capex for mining only includes down payments on replacement equipment with the remaining lease costs classified as mine operating costs.

DESCRIPTION (all in US$ millions)
INITIAL CAPITALEXPANSION CAPITALSUSTAINING
LOM CAPEX
TOTAL
LOM CAPEX
Year -2Year -1Year 3/4Year 9
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES      
Mining$18$52$3-$67$140
Infrastructure$8$23$12-$22$65
Processing Plant$39$117$114$14-$284
Tailings Facility (TSF)$11$34$40-$106$191
Offsite Infrastructure$5$15$35--$55
Indirects$15$44$39$11-$109
Owners Costs$3$10$3$1-$17
Closure (net of Salvage Value)----$24$24
Contingency$15$46$43$5$9$118
Capital Expenditures - Subtotals
$114$341$289$31$228$1,003
$455

OPERATIONS

Mining

The mine plan incorporates accelerated stripping as well as stockpiling of low-grade material in order to optimize the grade profile over the LOM.

Processing
Processing was broken into two main phases to optimize the capital efficiency of the project. Oxides and sulphides are co-processed up to a maximum oxide tonne proportion of 10% of total mill feed.

? Phase 1: primary crushing, grinding (SAG and ball milling to a targeted grind size of 200 micron) and two-stage flotation to produce Pb and Zn concentrates.

? Phase 2: addition of parallel grinding and flotation circuits to produce Pb and Zn concentrates.

Head grades
The mine plan focuses on feeding higher grades to the mill earlier in the mine life:

TONNES PROCESSED / HEAD
GRADES

UNIT
PHASE 1PHASE 2LOM
Year 1 ? 4Year 5 ? 12Year 13 ? 18
Oxide tonnes processed(Mt)171119
Sulphide tonnes processed(Mt)42142100283
Tonnes processed(Mt)43149111302
Head Grades     
Ag(g/t)46291927
Au(g/t)0.200.070.050.08
Pb(%)0.65%0.48%0.31%0.44
Zn(%)0.78%0.75%0.66%0.70
AgEq(g/t)110795273

Recoveries

Metal recoveries to the two concentrates based on the projected oxide-sulphide blends from the mine plan are summarized below:

METALLURGICAL RECOVERIES (weighted average)
PHASE 1PHASE 2LOM
Year 1 ? 4Year 5 ? 12Year 13 ? 18
Ag90%87%82%87%
Au22%22%22%22%
Pb89%87%83%86%
Zn86%86%84%85%

Tailings Storage Facility (TSF)

OPERATING COST

Operating costs are summarized in the table below.

PARAMETERUNITSPFS COSTPEA COST
OPERATING COSTS   
Mining$/t mined$2.45$2.23
Mining$/t milled$7.56$7.03
Processing ? Milling (Phase 1)$/t milled$6.46$7.01
Processing ? Milling (Phase 2)$/t milled$6.36$6.57
Site G&A (Phase 2)$/t milled$0.57$0.86

Mining

Processing

G&A

CONCENTRATE TERMS

Metal Payable

 AgAuPbZn
Pb Concentrate    
Average concentrate grade LOM2,650 g/t1.4 g/t52%-
Payable metal95%95%95%-
Minimum deduction50 g/t1 g/t3 units-
Zn Concentrate    
Average concentrate grade LOM370 g/t0.7 g/t-51%
Payable metal70%70%-85%
Deduction3 oz/t1 g/t--

Treatment/Refining Charges

PARAMETERUNITSPFS COST5-YEAR
BENCHMARK
AVERAGE
TREATMENT/REFINING CHARGES   
Treatment charge ? Pb concentrate$/dmt$130~$130
Treatment charge ? Zn concentrate$/dmt$210~$215
Ag refining charge ? Pb concentrate$/oz$1.20~$1.05

Concentrate Transportation

TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE:

APPENDIX:

An appendix with the following supporting information can be found at the end of the release or the following link: Appendices

Appendix A - Mineral Resource Estimate

Appendix B ? Mineral Reserve Estimate

Appendix C ? After-Tax NPV/IRR/Payback Sensitivities

Appendix D - LOM Mine Plan Summary

Appendix E - LOM Process Throughput Summary

Appendix F ? After-Tax Free Cash Flow

Appendix G - Simplified Process Flowsheets

Appendix H ? Metallurgical Balance Summary

Appendix I - Site Layout

Appendix J - LOM Production & Cash Flow Schedule

About Discovery

Discovery's flagship project is its 100%-owned Cordero project, one of the world's largest silver deposits. The PFS summarized in today's release demonstrates that Cordero has the potential to be developed into a highly capital efficient mine that offers the combination of margin, size and scalability. Cordero is located close to infrastructure in a prolific mining belt in Chihuahua State, Mexico. Continued exploration and project development at Cordero is supported by a strong balance sheet with cash of approximately C$45 million.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
Tony Makuch, P.Eng
CEO

For further information contact:

Forbes Gemmell, CFA
VP Corporate Development
Phone: 416-613-9410
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.discoverysilver.com

Qualified Person

The PFS for the Company's Cordero project as summarized in this release was completed by Ausenco with support from by AGP and Knight Piésold. A full technical report supporting the PFS will be prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this press release. The most recent technical report for the Cordero Project is the 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The PEA was completed by Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. with support from AGP Mining Consultants Inc. and Knight Piésold and Co. (USA). The full technical report supporting the PEA is available on Discovery's website and on SEDAR under Discovery Silver Corp. The scientific and technical content of this press release was reviewed and approved by Gernot Wober, Vice President Exploration for the Company, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release is not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements within this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although Discovery believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the results of the pre-feasibility study and the anticipated capital and operating costs, sustaining costs, net present value, internal rate of return, payback period, process capacity, average annual metal production, average process recoveries, concession renewal, permitting of the Project, anticipated mining and processing methods, proposed pre-feasibility study production schedule and metal production profile, anticipated construction period, anticipated mine life, expected recoveries and grades, anticipated production rates, infrastructure, social and environmental impact studies, availability of labour, tax rates and commodity prices that would support development of the Project. Information concerning mineral resource/reserve estimates and the economic analysis thereof contained in the results of the pre-feasibility study are also forward-looking statements in that they reflect a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered, and the results of mining, if a mineral deposit were developed and mined. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in market prices, including metal prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. Discovery does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable laws. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, are described under the heading "Risks Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated July 29, 2022, which is available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

NON-GAAP MEASURES:

The Company has included certain non-GAAP performance measures as detailed below. In the mining industry, these are common performance measures but may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers and the non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

CASH COSTS PER OUNCE

The Company calculated total cash costs per ounce by dividing the sum of operating costs, royalty costs, production taxes, refining and shipping costs, by payable silver-equivalent ounces. While there is no standardized meaning of the measure across the industry, the Company believes that this measure is useful to external users in assessing operating performance.

ALL-IN SUSTAINING COSTS ("AISC")

The Company has provided an AISC performance measure that reflects all the expenditures that are required to produce an ounce of payable metal. While there is no standardized meaning of the measure across the industry, the Company's definition conforms to the all-in sustaining cost definition as set out by the World Gold Council in its guidance dated June 27, 2013. Subsequent amendments to the guidance have not materially affected the figures presented.

FREE CASH FLOW

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP performance measure that is calculated as cash flows from operations net of cash flows invested in mineral property, plant and equipment and exploration and evaluation assets. The Company believes that this measure is useful to the external users in assessing the Company's ability to generate cash flows from its mineral projects.

APPENDIX A ? MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE

Material
Class
Tonnes
GradeContained Metal
AgAuPbZnAgEqAgAuPbZnAgEq
(Mt)(g/t)(g/t)(%)(%)(g/t)(Moz)(koz)(Mlb)(Mlb)(Moz)
Oxide
Measured21300.080.230.2549215110911733
Indicated42240.060.240.3146338522428862
M&I63260.070.240.29475413633340595
Inferred36180.040.280.3743214021629249
Sulphide
Measured250230.080.330.57551856041,8243,132439
Indicated403180.040.270.56462285242,3874,947598
M&I653200.050.290.564941311284,2118,0791037
Inferred109130.020.210.38334682510923118
TOTAL
Measured271240.080.320.55552066551,9333,249472
Indicated445190.040.270.54462616092,6115,235660
M&I716200.060.290.54494671,2644,5448,4841,132
Inferred145140.020.230.3835671227261,215167

Supporting Technical Disclosure for Resource

APPENDIX B ? MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE

Material
Class
Tonnes
GradeContained Metal
AgAuPbZnAgAuPbZn
(Mt)(g/t)(g/t)(%)(%)(Moz)(Moz)(Blb)(Blb)
Oxide
Proven8340.080.280.2990.020.050.05
Probable11280.070.280.36100.020.070.09
Total P&P19310.070.280.33190.040.120.14
Sulphide
Proven156290.100.460.691440.501.572.38
Probable128250.060.440.761040.251.232.14
Total P&P284270.080.450.722480.752.794.52
TOTAL
Proven164290.100.450.671530.521.632.42
Probable138260.060.430.731140.271.302.22
Total P&P302270.080.440.702660.792.944.65

Supporting Technical Disclosure for Reserves

APPENDIX C: AFTER-TAX NPV / IRR / PAYBACK SENSITIVITIES

Sensitivity of the Project's NPV, IRR and payback at different Ag and Zn price assumptions is outlined in the table below. For these sensitivities the Au and Pb prices have been fixed at $1,600/oz and $1.00/lb respectively. The Base Case scenario for the PEA is highlighted in grey below and assumes Ag - $22.00/oz, Au - $1,600/oz, Pb - $1.00/lb and Zn - $1.20/lb.

 

Ag ($/oz)
$18.00$20.00$22.00$25.00$30.00
  NPV
(5%)
IRRPaybackNPV
(5%)
IRRPaybackNPV
(5%)
IRRPaybackNPV
(5%)
IRRPaybackNPV
(5%)
IRRPayback
  (US$M)(%)(yrs)(US$M)(%)(yrs)(US$M)(%)(yrs)(US$M)(%)(yrs)(US$M)(%)(yrs)
Zn ($/lb)
$1.0563819.3%5.579822.3%5.095825.2%4.51,19829.3%3.91,59936.0%3.3
$1.1070320.3%5.486323.3%4.81,02326.1%4.41,26330.2%3.91,66436.8%3.2
$1.2083222.4%5.199225.2%4.61,15328.0%4.21,39332.0%3.71,79438.4%3.1
$1.3096224.3%4.81,12227.1%4.31,28229.7%4.01,52333.7%3.61,92340.0%3.0
$1.451,15627.1%4.41,31729.7%4.11,47732.3%3.71,71736.1%3.42,11842.3%2.2

APPENDIX D - LOM MINE PLAN SUMMARY


APPENDIX E - LOM PROCESS THROUGHPUT SUMMARY


APPENDIX F ? AFTER-TAX FREE CASH FLOW


APPENDIX G - SIMPLIFIED PROCESS FLOWSHEETS

PHASE 1 (25,500 tpd nameplate capacity):


PHASE 2 (51,000 tpd nameplate capacity):


APPENDIX H ? METALLURGICAL BALANCE SUMMARY

 



UNITS



PHASE 1 PHASE 2LOM
Years 1 - 4Years 5 - 12 Years 13 - 18
AgAuPbZnAgAuPbZnAgAuPbZnAgAuPbZn
MET BALANCE                 
Average head gradeg/t or %450.200.650.78290.070.480.81190.050.310.52270.080.440.70
Recovered to Pb Con%77%13%89%6%71%13%87%7%61%13%82%7%71%13%86%7%
Recovered to Zn Con%13%10%3%85%16%10%3%86%20%10%3%83%17%10%3%85%
Tailings%10%77%8%9%13%77%10%7%19%77%15%10%12%77%11%8%
Total%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
                  
CONCENTRATE GRADES                 
Pb Concentrateg/t or %3,5462.5758%-2,6431.1553%-2,1291.1745%-2,6501.4252%-
Zn Concentrateg/t or %4501.55-51%3380.49-51%4480.58-50%3730.66-51%
                  

APPENDIX I - SITE LAYOUT:


APPENDIX J ? PRODUCTION & CASH FLOW SCHEDULE:

 UnitsTotal/AvgY-2Y-1Y1Y2Y3Y4Y5Y6Y7Y8Y9Y10Y11Y12Y13Y14Y15Y16Y17Y18Y19
MINING                       
Mineralized Material Mined*mt333--3142623262525242022282117101517116----
Waste Minedmt 609--8272639363737414543374048504326207----
Total Material Minedmt942--114053626262626565656562656059433113----
Mining Ratektpd

143--301111441691691691691781781781781691781641611198637----
Strip Ratio**w:o2.1--3.01.91.01.71.41.51.51.72.32.01.31.92.94.82.81.61.91.1----
*Mineralized material mined includes 30Mt of above cutoff oxides that are not processed. For ore processed (i.e.: reserves), see "Processing" section below
**Strip ratio is that of processed mineralized material (i.e.: ore in reserves) and excludes the unprocessed 30Mt of above cutoff grade oxides left on stockpiles at the end of production (i.e.: treated as waste in SR calculation)
                        
PROCESSING                       
Oxides ? Mill Feed:                       
Ore Tonnesmt19------0.20.00.31.5--1.90.01.9--0.11.91.91.91.91.91.91.8--
Ore Grades:                       
Agg/t31------61354142--314429--3631282828282828--
Aug/t0.07------0.070.090.060.05--0.070.030.08--0.080.060.080.080.080.080.080.08--
Pb%0.28%------0.76%1.29%0.36%0.30%--0.29%0.69%0.24%--0.49%0.41%0.25%0.25%0.25%0.25%0.25%0.25%--
Zn%0.33%------1.07%1.29%0.27%0.25%--0.29%0.35%0.29%--0.46%0.54%0.30%0.30%0.30%0.30%0.30%0.30%--
AgEqg/t57------1301306765--568153--7467535353535353--
Sulphides ? Mill Feed:                       
Ore Tonnesmt284----799161719171917191817171717171716--
Mill Head Grade:                       
Agg/t27----445150363027312728303124172124191812--
Aug/t0.08----0.220.280.120.210.090.060.070.080.050.090.070.050.040.040.060.050.050.05--
Pb%0.45%----0.63%0.82%0.58%0.56%0.38%0.41%0.50%0.45%0.45%0.55%0.63%0.49%0.29%0.35%0.40%0.33%0.31%0.19%--
Zn%0.72%----0.63%1.03%0.88%0.60%0.68%0.72%0.90%0.79%0.74%0.97%1.13%0.76%0.48%0.62%0.69%0.62%0.53%0.32%--
AgEqg/t74----104136110917371857674909771485866565133--
TOTAL ORE - Mill Feed:                       
Ore Tonnesmt302----799171919191919191919191919191918--
Mill Head Grade:                       
Agg/t27----445250363127312728303125192224201914--
Aug/t0.08----0.220.270.120.200.090.060.070.080.050.090.070.050.050.040.060.050.050.05--
Pb%0.44%----0.63%0.82%0.58%0.56%0.37%0.41%0.48%0.45%0.43%0.55%0.63%0.48%0.29%0.34%0.38%0.32%0.31%0.19%--
Zn%0.70%----0.63%1.03%0.88%0.60%0.64%0.72%0.84%0.79%0.70%0.97%1.12%0.74%0.47%0.59%0.65%0.59%0.50%0.32%--
AgEqg/t73----104136110907371837672909771485765565135--
                        
Lead/Silver Conc. ? Recovery:                       
Ag%71%----78%77%77%75%65%74%68%75%67%77%77%65%61%64%65%63%62%54%--
Au%13%----13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%13%--
Pb%86%----90%90%89%88%84%87%85%88%85%89%89%84%82%83%84%83%82%78%--
Zinc Conc. ? Recovery:                       
Ag%17%----12%12%13%14%18%14%17%14%17%13%13%18%20%19%18%19%20%23%--
Au%10%----10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%10%--
Zn%85%----84%88%86%83%84%85%87%85%85%87%88%85%82%84%85%84%83%79%--
                        
PRODUCTION PROFILE                       
METAL PRODUCED:                       
Ag ? Ag/Pb Concentratemoz186----812121412121312111414107810774--
Au ? Ag/Pb Concentratekoz100----71051475564654434444--
Pb ? Ag/Pb Concentratemlbs2,513----931511051831291471671631512032291679611813311010464--
AgEq ? Ag/Pb Concentratemoz326----13201724192022212025271912151714138--
Ag ? Zn Concentratemoz43----122332323223223222--
Au ? Zn Concentratekoz75----5831054453543323333--
Zn ? Zn Concentratemlbs3,986----87185156185223249297277244348405260161203225203174105--
AgEq ? Zn Concentratemoz265----6131113161620181622251711141514128--
Ag ? Totalmoz229----101413171514161414161612911121096--
Au ? Totalkoz175----121882412891171196658776--
Pb ? Totalmlbs2,513----931511051831291471671631512032291679611813311010464--
Zn ? Totalmlbs4,314----92197168196242271322301264377440280175221244221188114--
AgEq ? Total Metal Producedmoz591----203328383536423936475236232932272516--
                        
METAL PAYABLE:                       
Ag ? Ag/Pb Concentratemoz177----8111114111112111113139689774--
Au ? Ag/Pb Concentratekoz47----472931124153030111--
Pb ? Ag/Pb Concentratemlbs2,368----89143100173121138158154143192217157901101251039759--
AgEq ? Ag/Pb Concentratemoz288----12181622171819181822241710131512117--
Ag ? Zn Concentratemoz22----111121212111111111--
Au ? Zn Concentratekoz7----22--4------------------------------
Zn ? Zn Concentratemlbs3,360----7315713215518721025123320529434421913517118917014688--
AgEq ? Zn Concentratemoz206----5108101213151413172013911121096--
Ag ? Totalmoz199----912121513121412121414118910885--
Au ? Totalkoz54----6821331124153030111--
Pb ? Totalmlbs2,368----89143100173121138158154143192217157901101251039759--
Zn ? Totalmlbs3,360----7315713215518721025123320529434421913517118917014688--
AgEq ? Total Metal Payablemoz494----172824322930353230394330192426222013--
                        
REVENUE                       
OXIDES + SULPHIDES:                       
Ag RevenueUS$mm$4,387----$190$272$265$335$291$271$301$271$275$310$315$232$168$202$231$180$170$110--
Au RevenueUS$mm$87----$10$14$3$20$4$1$1$2$6$2$8$6$1$5$1$1$1$2--
Pb RevenueUS$mm$2,368----$89$143$100$173$121$138$158$154$143$192$217$157$90$110$125$103$97$59--
Zn RevenueUS$mm$4,032----$88$188$158$186$225$252$301$280$246$353$412$263$163$205$227$204$175$106--
Gross RevenueUS$mm$10,874----$376$617$526$715$641$662$761$707$669$857$952$658$421$522$583$488$443$277--
Treatment & Refining ChargesUS$mm$1,243----$36$62$53$71$71$77$88$83$76$101$113$79$51$63$69$61$54$34--
Total PenaltiesUS$mm$58----$2$3$2$3$3$3$4$4$3$5$6$4$2$3$3$3$2$1--
Net Revenue - TotalUS$mm$9,572 -- -- $339 $551 $471 $641 $567 $581 $669 $620 $590 $751 $833 $575 $367 $457 $510 $424 $386 $242 --
                        
OPERATING COSTS                       
UNIT COSTS:                       
Mine (Incl. Rehandling)US$/t Moved$2.45----$2.44$2.31$2.31$2.39$2.42$2.30$2.34$2.26$2.18$2.35$2.48$2.32$2.44$2.56$2.84$3.04$4.45----
ProcessingUS$/t Processed$6.38----$6.56$6.46$6.46$6.38$6.36$6.36$6.36$6.36$6.36$6.36$6.48$6.36$6.36$6.36$6.36$6.36$6.36$6.37--
Site G&A CostsUS$/t Processed$0.62----$1.32$1.06$1.06$0.63$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.57$0.60--
OPERATING COSTS INCURED:                       
Mine (Incl. Rehandling)US$mm$2,286----$98$121$142$147$149$141$151$146$141$152$153$150$146$150$123$95$60$18--
ProcessingUS$mm$1,929----$49$60$60$107$118$118$118$118$118$118$121$118$118$118$118$118$118$112--
Site G&A CostsUS$mm$188----$10$10$10$11$11$11$11$11$11$11$11$11$11$11$11$11$11$11--
Total Site Operating CostsUS$mm$4,402 -- -- $157 $191 $212 $264 $278 $270 $280 $275 $270 $281 $284 $279 $275 $279 $252 $224 $189 $140 --
NSR - GovernmentUS$mm$21----$1$1$1$2$1$1$1$1$1$1$2$1$1$1$1$1$1$1--
Concentrate TransportUS$mm$816----$22$39$31$45$46$50$57$55$50$66$75$54$35$42$46$41$37$24--
Total Operating CostsUS$mm$5,239 -- -- $180 $232 $245 $311 $325 $322 $339 $331 $321 $349 $360 $334 $311 $322 $299 $266 $227 $165 --
                        
CASH COSTS:                       
Co-Product Basis:                       
Operating Cash CostsUS$/oz AgEq$8.91----$9.20$6.83$8.86$8.14$9.53$8.99$8.10$8.57$8.88$7.22$6.56$9.34$14.39$11.76$9.51$10.08$9.37$11.13--
Total Cash CostsUS$/oz AgEq$13.23----$12.70$10.60$12.55$11.86$13.70$13.38$12.48$13.02$13.19$11.68$11.08$13.93$19.05$16.34$14.03$14.86$14.08$15.90--
All-in Sustaining CostsUS$/oz AgEq$13.62 -- -- $12.89 $11.80 $12.86 $11.97 $13.84 $13.48 $12.63 $13.13 $14.67 $11.91 $11.27 $14.15 $19.36 $18.32 $14.08 $14.92 $14.11 $15.96 --
                        
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES                       
Initial/Expansion CapexUS$mm$774$114$341----$216$72--------$31--------------------
Sustaining Capex (incl. Net Closure)US$mm$228----$18$34$8$3$4$3$5$3$45$9$8$6$6$47$1$1$1$1$24
Total Capital ExpendituresUS$mm$1,003 $114 $341 $18 $34 $224 $76 $4 $3 $5 $3 $76 $9 $8 $6 $6 $47 $1 $1 $1 $1 $24
                        
FREE CASH FLOW VALUATION                       
Net RevenueUS$mm$9,572 -- -- $339 $551 $471 $641 $567 $581 $669 $620 $590 $751 $833 $575 $367 $457 $510 $424 $386 $242 --
Operating ExpensesUS$mm($4,402)----($157)($191)($212)($264)($278)($270)($280)($275)($270)($281)($284)($279)($275)($279)($252)($224)($189)($140)--
Concentrate TransportationUS$mm($816)----($22)($39)($31)($45)($46)($50)($57)($55)($50)($66)($75)($54)($35)($42)($46)($41)($37)($24)--
RoyaltiesUS$mm($21)----($1)($1)($1)($2)($1)($1)($1)($1)($1)($1)($2)($1)($1)($1)($1)($1)($1)($1)--
EBITDAUS$mm$4,333 -- -- $159 $320 $226 $329 $242 $259 $330 $288 $268 $402 $473 $241 $56 $134 $211 $158 $159 $77 --
Capital ExpendituresUS$mm($1,003)($114)($341)($18)($34)($224)($76)($4)($3)($5)($3)($76)($9)($8)($6)($6)($47)($1)($1)($1)($1)($24)
Pre-Tax Free Cash FlowUS$mm$3,331 ($114)($341)$141 $286 $2 $254 $238 $256 $324 $285 $192 $393 $464 $235 $51 $87 $210 $157 $159 $76 ($24)
Mining TaxUS$mm($325)----($12)($24)($17)($25)($18)($19)($25)($22)($20)($30)($35)($18)($4)($10)($16)($12)($12)($6)--
Income Tax PayableUS$mm($898)----($19)($69)($35)($61)($36)($41)($60)($49)($57)($95)($124)($63)($11)($31)($52)($37)($41)($18)--
Post-Tax Free Cash FlowUS$mm$2,108 ($114)($341)$110 $193 ($50)$169 $183 $196 $239 $215 $115 $267 $305 $154 $35 $47 $142 $108 $106 $52 ($24)
                        
                        
  Pre-TaxPost-Tax                   
NPV (5%)US$mm$1,902 $1,153                    
IRR% 38.9% 28.0%                   
PaybackYears3.1 4.2                    

 



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