Great Panther Silver Reports Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

TSX: GPR
NYSE American: GPL

VANCOUVER, Oct. 30, 2017 /CNW/ - GREAT PANTHER SILVER LIMITED (TSX: GPR) (NYSE American: GPL) ("Great Panther"; or the "Company") today reported financial results for the Company's three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The full version of the Company's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") can be viewed on the Company's website at www.greatpanther.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  All financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRS, except as noted under the Non-IFRS Measures section.  All monetary amounts are in US dollars ("USD"), unless otherwise specified.

"The third quarter was a very successful and eventful quarter for Great Panther.  Our Mexican operations delivered production in support of our guidance for the year and continued to advance the permitting of the new tailings facility at Topia," stated Jim Bannantine, President & CEO.  "After closing the acquisition of Coricancha just before the start of the third quarter, we quickly turned our attention to advancing a resource update and on engineering and environmental studies, and other evaluations in support of a decision to restart mine development.  I am pleased that we continue to maintain a strong balance sheet with $55 million of cash and deposits, no debt and strong liquidity of our shares.  These factors along with a solid management team put us in a good position to pursue acquisitions."

Revenues for the third quarter of 2017 were $18.3 million and increased by 17% over the same period in 2016 as a 20% increase in unit metal sales volumes offset declines in realized silver and gold prices.  Despite the increase in revenue, Great Panther reported a net loss of $0.7 million for the third quarter of 2017, compared to net income of $2.1 million in the same quarter of 2016.  The net loss is primarily attributed to a $1.2 million increase in exploration, evaluation and development ("EE&D ") expenditures reflecting the first full quarter of the Coricancha project and its care and maintenance costs since the closing of the acquisition on June 30, 2017.  The Company also incurred a $0.9 million non-recurring general and administrative ("G&A") charge.  In addition, mine operating earnings before non-cash items from the Company's Mexican operations were $1.1 million lower than the third quarter of 2016 due to a less favorable Mexican peso to US dollar foreign exchange rate, and higher unit production cost in Mexican peso terms.  The latter is attributed mainly to a higher proportion of production from the higher cost Topia Mine and some non-recurring costs at Topia which increased its production costs for the quarter.

Cash cost per payable silver ounce ("cash cost") for the third quarter of 2017 was $5.82, while cash cost of $5.21 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 is within the range of the Company's guidance for the full year 2017.  All-in sustaining cost per payable silver ounce ("AISC") for the third quarter of 2017 was $13.75, bringing the AISC for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $15.60, also within the range of the Company's guidance for the full year 2017.  AISC for the third quarter of 2017 also reflected the $0.9 million non-recuring G&A charge noted above (approximately $1.60 per payable ounce), and therefore the Company expects AISC to be lower for the current quarter and in the forseeable future. 

Highlights of the third quarter 2017 compared to the third quarter 2016, unless otherwise noted: 

• Metal production increased 13% to 1,080,483 Ag eq oz;
   
• Silver production increased 4% to 532,803 silver ounces; 
  
  
• Gold production increased 8% to 5,848 gold ounces; 
  
  
• Cash cost increased to $5.82 from $3.30;
  
  
• Cash cost per Ag eq oz increased 13% to $12.37;
  
  
• AISC increased 15% to $13.75;
  
  
• Revenues increased 17% to $18.3 million; 
  
  
• Mine operating earnings before non-cash items were $6.2 million, a decrease of 15%;
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA was $1.5 million compared to $4.7 million; 
  
  
• Net loss totaled $0.7 million, compared to a net income of $2.1 million; 
  
  
• Cash flows from operating activities, before changes in non-cash net working capital was $2.4 million, compared to $4.2 million; 
  
  
• Cash and short-term deposits decreased to $55.5 million at September 30, 2017 from $56.7 million at December 31, 2016; and 
  
  
• Net working capital decreased to $63.6 million at September 30, 2017 from $66.6 million at December 31, 2016.   

OVERALL PERFORMANCE - OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

REVIEW OF FINANCIAL RESULTS OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2017

Revenue increased by $2.6 million or 17% relative to the third quarter of 2016.  This was primarily attributable to an increase in metal sales volumes ($3.9 million effect) as metal production at Topia during the third quarter of 2016 was negatively impacted by two temporary plant shut-downs.  This offset a decrease in precious metal prices ($1.1 million effect).  The Company's average realized silver and gold prices for the third quarter of 2017 were $16.99/oz and $1,317/oz, respectively.  These compared to $19.65/oz and $1,326/oz in the third quarter of 2016. 

Mine operating earnings before non-cash items decreased by $1.1 million relative to the third quarter of 2016 as the $2.6 million increase in revenue was more than offset by a $3.7 million increase in production costs.  The increase in production costs was attributable to the greater proportion of production from the higher cost Topia Mine, lower silver grades at the Guanajuato Mine Complex ("GMC"), which increased unit production costs, and to the Mexican Peso ("MXN") strengthening 6% against the USD which had the impact of increasing production costs in USD terms.  In addition, metal sales volumes increased by 25%.  Topia's costs for the third quarter were also higher than normal as these reflected a land use payment and some other non-recurring costs.

General and administrative expenses totalled $2.3 million during the third quarter of 2017 compared to $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2016.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred a non-recurring charge of $0.9 million associated with the transition to the new President and CEO from his predecessor.

EE&D expenses totalled $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2016.  This was mainly due to an increase in spending at the Coricancha Mine Complex ("CMC"), which was partly offset by a reduction in exploration drilling at San Ignacio.  The Company acquired the CMC on June 30, 2017 and incurred $1.5 million of expenditures related to the CMC during the quarter ended September 30, 2017. 

Net loss for the third quarter of 2017 amounted to $0.7 million, compared to a net income of $2.1 million for the third quarter of 2016.  The decrease in net income was largely due to a $1.2 million increase in G&A expenses (due mainly to the non-recurring charge noted above), a $1.2 million increase in EE&D expenses, and a $1.1 million decrease in mine operating earnings.  These were partly offset by a $1.0 million decrease in foreign exchange losses.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.  The decrease reflected a $1.1 million decrease in mine operating earnings before non-cash items, a $1.2 million increase in G&A expenses before non-cash items, and a $1.2 million increase in EE&D expenses.  These factors were partly offset by a $0.2 million increase in other income.

CASH COST AND ALL-IN SUSTAINING COST

Cash cost was $5.82 for the third quarter of 2017, a 76% increase compared to the third quarter of 2016.  The increase in cash cost was predominantly the result of higher MXN unit production costs, in part due to the higher-cost Topia mine accounting for a higher proportion of production.  These include a land use payment and inventory charges that were non-recurring.  The increase in cash cost was also a function of lower grades at the GMC, and the strengthening of the MXN compared to the USD which had the effect of increasing cash operating costs in USD terms (production costs are predominantly denominated in MXN).  These factors were partly offset by higher base metal by-product credits.

AISC for the third quarter of 2017 was $13.75, an increase of 15% compared to the third quarter of 2016.  This was attributed to the increase in cash cost as described above, as well as higher G&A expenses which was mainly a factor of the non-recurring charges noted previously.  These factors were partly offset by the impact of lower capital expenditures and EE&D costs at the operating mines.  A significant portion of the higher G&A expense relates to the non-recurring charge discussed above.

Refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for further discussion of cash cost, cash cost per Ag eq oz, AISC, and AISC per Ag eq oz, and for a reconciliation to the Company's financial results as reported under IFRS. 

CASH, SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS AND WORKING CAPITAL AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

At September 30, 2017, the Company had cash and short-term deposits of $55.5 million, compared to $56.7 million at December 31, 2016.  The Company does not have any long-term debt. 

Cash and short-term deposits decreased by $1.2 million in the first nine months of 2017 primarily due to $3.9 million in additions to mineral property, plant and equipment, and a $0.4 million foreign exchange loss on cash balances.  These factors were offset by $1.7 million of cash generated by operating activities, $1.2 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, and $0.2 million in proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment.

At September 30, 2017, the Company had net working capital of $63.6 million compared to $66.6 million at December 31, 2016.  The $2.9 million decrease during the first nine months of 2017 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of the CMC which had the effect of reducing the Company's reported working capital by $7.2 million (the largest of which are closure obligations of $4.8 million which must be presented as current liabilities and $2.6 million of accounts payable) and $3.9 million was spent on capital expenditures.  These were partly offset by year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA of $5.1 million, year-to-date foreign exchange gain of $1.9 million, and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $1.2 million. 

OUTLOOK

The Company's production and cost guidance for the year ending December 31, 2017 remains unchanged:

AISC for the first nine months of 2017 was at the higher end of the Company's annual 2017 guidance and higher than in the prior year due to capital expenditures associated with the Topia plant upgrade and new tailings handling facility incurred in the first half of the year, and a non-recurring G&A charge in the third quarter which amounted to approximately $1.60 per payable silver ounce) for the quarter.  Accordingly, AISC is expected to trend lower in the forth quarter of 2017.  Cash cost and AISC are, however, highly sensitive to fluctuations in the MXN/USD exchange rate. 

Earlier in the year, the Company completed an outstanding condition required by the Mexican Environmental Authority ("SEMARNAT") for the Change in Use of Soils permit associated with the Topia Phase II tailings storage facility ("TSF") and during the third quarter it announced that it had resubmitted its application for this permit.  Since the filing, there had been a lapse in a deadline for one aspect of the application: the environmental assessment study ("IP"), which has been resubmitted with the inclusion of expanded technical information.  The Company expects that a response will be received by mid December 2017.  All tailings are currently being deposited at the Phase I TSF and the Company believes that it will be able to obtain a permit for the Phase II TSF without interruption of operations at Topia.  However, the deposition of dry tailings on the Phase I TSF cannot continue indefinitely and the Company cannot provide complete assurance that a disruption can be avoided.

The Company continues to actively monitor the remaining capacity of the Phase I TSF including undertaking geotechnical assessments by professional consultants.  There remains a risk that the use of Phase I TSF has to be discontinued before a permit for the Phase II facility is obtained.  In the event that there is a significant change to the Company's production guidance expectations, the Company will provide an update to the market as soon as possible.

As previously noted, the acquisition of the CMC was completed effective June 30, 2017.  The Company is conducting evaluations of the mine and processing infrastructure, updating the mineral resource estimate, conducting environmental studies, and undertaking remediation activities for which the Company will be reimbursed under the purchase agreement.  Depending on the outcome of the Company's evaluations, investments in support of a restart of mine development could commence in 2018.  The Company expects the updated mineral resource estimate for the CMC to be completed and announced in the current quarter. 

The Company continues to seek and evaluate additional acquisition opportunities in the Americas to meet the Company's growth objectives.

WEBCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL TO DISCUSS THE THIRD QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Great Panther will hold a live webcast and conference call to discuss the financial results on October 31, 2017, at 7:00 AM Pacific Time.  Hosting the call will be Mr. Jim Bannantine, President and CEO, and Mr. Jim Zadra, CFO and Corporate Secretary. 

Shareholders, analysts, investors and media are invited to join the live webcast and conference call by logging in or calling in five minutes prior to the start time. 

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investors section of the Company's website approximately one hour after the conference call. 

NON-IFRS MEASURES

The discussion of financial results in this press release includes reference to mine operating earnings before non-cash items, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, cash cost, cash cost per Ag eq oz, AISC and AISC per Ag eq oz, which are non-IFRS measures.  The Company provides these measures as additional information regarding the Company's financial results and performance.  Please refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 for definitions and reconciliations of these measures to the Company's financial statements. 

ABOUT GREAT PANTHER

Great Panther Silver Limited is a primary silver mining and exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol GPR, and on the NYSE American under the symbol GPL.  Great Panther's current activities are focused on the mining of precious metals from its two wholly-owned operating mines in Mexico: the Guanajuato Mine Complex and the Topia Mine in Durango.  The Company is also undertaking efforts to restart development of the Coricancha Mine in Peru which it acquired earlier this year and continues to pursue the acquisition of additional mining operations or projects in the Americas.

James Bannantine
President & CEO

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains 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 Canadian securities laws (together, "forward-looking statements").  Such forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to the Company's production forecasts for its Guanajuato Mine Complex and Topia Mine in Mexico, the Company's expectation that it will be able to obtain the Topia Phase II TSF permit without interruption to operations at Topia, the Company's expectation that AISC will continue to decrease from the levels reported during 2017 and general guidance on unit costs, the Company's plans for the CMC, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different.  Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risks involving the Company's operations in a foreign jurisdiction, uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, uncertainty in mineral resource estimation, physical risks inherent in mining operations, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of silver, gold and base metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, permitting risks, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedar.com and reports on Form 40-F and Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. 

SOURCE Great Panther Silver Limited