Rochester Ramp Up Leads To Expected 32 Million Tons Per Year
CHICAGO, IL - Coeur Mining, Inc. reported the recently expanded Rochester achieves mid-year target run rates – Rochester successfully completed ramp-up activities by achieving throughput rates of over 88,000 tons per day. Annual throughput levels are expected to be approximately 2.5 times higher than historical levels, or roughly 32 million tons per year, leading to expected strong increases in production and free cash flow and substantially lower unit costs. Rochester’s second quarter silver and gold production both increased 39% compared to the first quarter.
Continued positive results from Kensington’s multi-year exploration program – The Company’s June 27, 2024 update highlighted Kensington’s successful multi-year development and exploration program, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025 and is targeting a year-end reserves-based mine life of over five years at year-end 2024 and a return to positive free cash flow during the second half of next year.
Coeur closed the acquisition of key concessions near Palmarejo – in July, the purchase of two strategic blocks of mining concessions adjacent to the Palmarejo gold-silver complex was completed. The purchase from a subsidiary of Fresnillo plc (“Fresnillo”) unlocks significant near-term and longer-term potential to extend Palmarejo’s mine life to the east of the existing operation.
The Silvertip summer exploration program now underway - The robust 2024 program includes large step-out drilling on known structures, significant mapping and sampling, and geophysics to rapidly explore a wider portion of the permitted ground. The program aims to grow near-mine resources through underground drilling, take large step-outs on known structures to assist with rapid resource growth, identify the outer edges of the system, and identify additional, nearby structures with potential to host mineralization similar to Silvertip.
The 2024 production guidance ranges maintained; cost guidance adjusted - The Company is maintaining its full-year production guidance ranges of 310,000 - 355,000 gold ounces and 10.7 - 13.3 million silver ounces. Full-year CAS1 guidance at Palmarejo and Wharf have been reduced to reflect strong cost management efforts, while Rochester’s second half CAS1 guidance ranges have been increased to reflect timing of ounces placed under leach. Additionally, the Company is increasing its full-year exploration guidance to reflect additional investment at Wharf and Kensington based on recent results, while capital expenditure guidance is being increased to reflect the accelerated timing of certain equipment purchases and final payments related to the Rochester expansion.
“The entire portfolio is hitting on all cylinders as we approach the second half free cash flow inflection point following the successful mid-year ramp-up of Rochester,” said Mitchell J. Krebs, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Improved operating performance at Kensington was especially noteworthy as operational improvements and capital investments over the last two-plus years begin to take hold. Our Palmarejo operation in Mexico has also taken a major step forward with two large, newly-acquired concession blocks that create a highly prospective and contiguous land package to the east of existing operations and outside the gold stream area of interest, which now becomes a key focus of exploration going forward.
Rochester now stands on the threshold of a sustained period of strong free cash flow generation beginning in the second half of this year, while Kensington continues to move toward its own anticipated return to free cash flow generation in the second half of 2025. Coupled with the near-term growth opportunities at Palmarejo East and at our Wharf operation, along with the longer-term potential at Silvertip, Coeur’s portfolio is well-positioned for success. Planned debt reduction efforts are set to further enhance our unique positioning within our sector as a multi-asset portfolio concentrated in top-tier jurisdictions with unmatched leverage to silver and significant cash flow growth driven by elevated levels of investments over the past five years.”