Q1 2027 Silvercorp Metals Inc Earnings Call
Operator: Thank you for standing by. Good afternoon. My name is Ina, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Silvercorp Q1 Fiscal 2027 Financial Results Conference Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speaker's remarks, there will be a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star then the number 1 on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw your question, please press star then the number 2. Thank you. I would now like to turn the conference over to Lon Shaver, President of Silvercorp. Please go ahead.
Speaker #2: At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Silvercorp Q1 2027 financial results conference call. Online submissions are on mute to prevent any background noise.
Speaker #2: After the speaker's remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star, then the number 1 on your telephone keypad.
Speaker #2: If you would like to withdraw your question, please press star, then the number 2. Thank you. I would now like to turn the conference over to Lon Shaver, President of Silvercorp.
Speaker #2: Please go ahead.
Speaker #3: Thank you, Ina. On behalf of SILVERCORP, I would like to thank everyone for joining this call today to discuss our Q1 2027 financial results, which were released yesterday afternoon.
Lon Shaver: Thank you, Ina. On behalf of Silvercorp, I would like to thank everyone for joining this call today to discuss our Q1 fiscal 2027 financial results, which were released yesterday afternoon. Copies of the news release, the MD&A, and the financial statements are available on SEDAR+. Before we start, please note that certain statements on today's call will contain forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Please review the cautionary statements in our news release, as well as the risk factors described in our most recent regulatory filings. Let us start with our financial results. We delivered a strong first quarter despite the temporary production slowdown at our Chinese operations that is related to the safety upgrades that began in June.
Speaker #3: Copies of the news release, the MD&A, and the financial statements are available on Cedar Plus. Before we start, please note that certain statements on today's call will contain forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws.
Speaker #3: Also, please review the cautionary statements in our news release, as well as the risk factors described in our most recent regulatory filings. So let's start with our financial results.
Speaker #3: We delivered a strong first quarter despite the temporary production slowdown at our Chinese operations. That's related to the safety upgrades that began in June.
Speaker #3: Revenue rose 70% year over year to $139 million, while cash flow from operating activities and free cash flow reached nearly $62 million and $29 million, respectively.
Lon Shaver: Revenue rose 70% year-over-year to CAD 139 million, while cash flow from operating activities and free cash flow reached nearly CAD 62 million and CAD 29 million respectively. That was up 28% and 27% from the prior year. This performance was mainly driven by 135% increase in the realized selling price of silver, which averaged above $69 an ounce after smelter deductions. Silver accounted for 77% of our revenue in Q1. We reported a net income of CAD 59.4 million for the quarter, or CAD 0.27 per share. This includes an CAD 11 million gain on investments and a CAD 6 million gain from the sale of the Santa Barbara project in Ecuador. Removing non-cash and non-recurring items, our adjusted net income for the quarter was CAD 53.9 million or CAD 0.24 per share, and that compares to CAD 21 million and CAD 0.10 in the comparative quarter.
Speaker #3: And that was up 28% and 27% from the prior year. This performance was mainly driven by a 135% increase in the realized selling price of silver, which averaged above $69 an ounce after smelter deductions.
Speaker #3: And silver accounted for 77% of our revenue in Q1. We reported net income of $59.4 million for the quarter, or $0.27 per share. This includes an $11 million gain on investments and a $6 million gain from the sale of the Santa Barbara project in Ecuador.
Speaker #3: Removing non-cash and non-recurring items, our adjusted net income for the quarter was $53.9 million, or $0.24 per share, and that compares to $21 million, or $0.10 per share, in the comparative quarter.
Speaker #3: We delivered strong cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital of $70.4 million up 82% compared to last year. During the quarter, we spent in capitalized about $22 million at our operations in China, $12 million at the El Domo project in Ecuador, and $2.6 million at the Cherat Zav project in Kyrgyzstan.
Lon Shaver: We delivered strong cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital of CAD 70.4 million, up 82% compared to last year. During the quarter, we spent and capitalized about CAD 22 million at our operations in China, CAD 12 million at the El Domo project in Ecuador, and CAD 2.6 million at the Chaarat ZAAV project in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, in May, we made a CAD 60 million cash payment to the Kyrgyzstan government following the issuance of the new mining license and license agreement for ZAAV, which extends the license term by 20 years to June of 2062. As we advance on our growth strategy, our strong balance sheet provides us with significant financial flexibility. We ended the quarter with CAD 387 million in cash, and that excludes our investments in associates in other companies, which had a combined market value of CAD 304 million as of 30 June.
Speaker #3: Additionally, in May, we made a $60 million cash payment to the Kyrgyzstan government following the issuance of the new mining license and license agreement for Zav, which extends the license term by 20 years to June 2062.
Speaker #3: As we advance on our growth strategy, our strong balance sheet provides us with significant financial flexibility. We ended the quarter with $387 million in cash, and that excludes our investments in associates and other companies, which had a combined market value of $304 million as of June 30th.
Speaker #3: We have further funding available through the RMB-denominated term loan facilities that we signed, which total approximately US$220 million, and remain undrawn. Now, to recap our operating results, which we reported in July: During the first quarter, we produced approximately 1.5 million ounces of silver, over 2,500 ounces of gold, 13 million pounds of lead, and 4 million pounds of zinc.
Lon Shaver: We have further funding available through the RMB-denominated term loan facilities that we signed, which totals approximately US $220 million, which remains undrawn. To recap our operating results, which we reported in July. During the first quarter, we produced approximately 1.5 million ounces of silver, over 2,500 ounces of gold, 13 million ounces of lead, and 4 million pounds of zinc. Compared to last year, gold production increased 24%, while silver, lead, and zinc production decreased 17%, 15%, and 15%, respectively. Production at Ying was impacted by lower head grades, reflecting higher dilution associated with the shift to more shrinkage mining. On 29 June, we reported that we voluntarily suspended operations at both Ying and GC to complete a comprehensive safety self-review. This followed the rollout of new nationwide safety requirements across China's mining industry after a major accident occurred in the country in May.
Speaker #3: Compared to last year, gold production increased 24%, while silver, lead, and zinc production decreased 17%, 15%, and 15%, respectively. Production at Yang was impacted by lower head grades, reflecting higher dilution associated with the shift to more shrinkage mining.
Speaker #3: Also on June 29th, we reported that we voluntarily suspended operations at both Yang and GC to complete a comprehensive safety self-review. This followed the rollout of new nationwide safety requirements across China's mining industry after a major accident occurred in the country in May.
Speaker #3: Through this process, we identified areas requiring some upgrades to meet the new regulations, and engaged five certified vendors to complete the six major safety systems underground upgrades.
Lon Shaver: Through this process, we identified areas requiring some upgrades to meet the new regulations and engaged five certified vendors to complete the six major safety systems underground upgrades. Safety has always been our top priority. While these upgrades are temporarily impacting production, they are an important investment in our operations, and we expect to emerge from this process with even stronger and safer mines. For the quarter, consolidated mining operating income was CAD 84.8 million, with Ying contributing CAD 80.1 million or approximately 95% of the total. Turning to costs, Ying's production costs averaged $87 per ton, which was up 5% year over year. This increase was primarily driven by a 6% appreciation of the RMB against the US dollar. Despite this, production costs remained below our annual guidance range of $88 to $90 per ton.
Speaker #3: Safety has always been our top priority. While these upgrades are temporarily impacting production, they're an important investment in our operations, and we expect to emerge from this process with even stronger and safer minds.
Speaker #3: The income was $84.8 million, with Ying contributing $80.1 million, or approximately 95% of the total. Turning to costs, Ying's production costs averaged $87 per ton, which was up 5% year over year.
Speaker #3: This increase was primarily driven by a 6% appreciation of the RMB against the US dollar. Despite this, production costs remained below our annual guidance range of $88 to $90 per ton.
Speaker #3: Yang's cash cost per ounce of silver, net of byproduct credits, was $2.45, compared with $1.26 in the prior year quarter. This is mainly due to a 15% decline in silver sold in the quarter and the stronger RMB that I mentioned, partially offset by a $3.8 million increase in byproduct credits.
Lon Shaver: Ying's cash cost per ounce of silver, net of byproduct credits, was $2.45, compared with $1.26 in the prior year quarter. This is mainly due to a 15% decline in the silver sold in the quarter and the stronger RMB that I mentioned, partially offset by a $3.8 million increase in byproduct credits. All-in sustaining production costs at Ying were $130 per ton, essentially flat year over year and below our annual guidance range of $155 to $160 per ton. On a per-ounce basis, Ying's all-in sustaining cost net of byproducts was $13.94 an ounce. This was up 38% year over year, and the increase reflected the same factors impacting cash costs, but also a 68% increase in government taxes, which was driven by the higher revenue that we reported.
Speaker #3: All-in sustaining production costs at Yang were $130 per ton, essentially flat year over year and below our annual guidance range of $155 to $160 per ton.
Speaker #3: On a per-ounce basis, Yang's all in sustaining costs, net of byproducts, was $13.94 an ounce. This was up 38% year over year, and the increase reflected the same factors impacting cash costs but also a 60% 68% increase in government taxes which was driven by the higher revenue that we reported.
Speaker #3: Turning to our growth projects, at Yang, capital expenditures totaled over $16 million in Q1 for underground development and drilling, mainly aimed at improving underground access and material handling to boost productivity.
Lon Shaver: Turning to our growth projects, at Ying, capital expenditures totaled over CAD 16 million in Q1 for underground development and drilling, mainly aimed at improving underground access and material handling to boost productivity. At the Quanping project north of Ying, mine construction focused on underground development to access the ore. The project, which has a license to produce up to 200,000 tons of ore per year, will deliver some nominal development ore to be milled at Ying in this fiscal year. With the capacity expansions at the existing Ying permit areas in Quanping, we will have a permitted mining capacity of approximately 1.5 million tons per year. In anticipation of higher mine production, we have begun constructing a new mill, the number three mill. Capital expenditures total CAD 300,000 in the quarter, with foundation treatments and the elevated water tank currently in progress.
Speaker #3: At the Quanping project north of Yang, mine construction focused on underground development to access the ore. The project, which has a licensed to produce up to 200,000 tons of ore per year, will deliver some nominal development ore to the to be milled at Yang in this fiscal year.
Speaker #3: With the capacity expansions at the existing Yang permit areas in Quanping, we'll have a permitted mining capacity of approximately 1.5 million tons per year.
Speaker #3: In anticipation of higher mine production, we've begun constructing a new mill—the Number Three Mill. Capital expenditures totaled $300,000 in the quarter, with foundation treatments and the elevated water tank currently in progress.
Speaker #3: The mill is expected to add 3,000 tons per day of capacity and be commissioned in Q1 of fiscal 2028. Switching to Ecuador, at El Domo, construction continued to advance in Q1 despite unusually heavy rainfall.
Lon Shaver: The mill is expected to add 3,000 tons per day of capacity and be commissioned in Q1 of fiscal 2028. Switching to Ecuador, at El Domo, construction continued to advance in Q1 despite unusually heavy rainfall. On the infrastructure side, the non-contact water channel, processing plant foundation work, and initial tailing storage facility dam construction progressed with more than 600,000 cubic meters of earthworks completed. In parallel, open pit pre-stripping is underway, and efficiency is improving through the addition of large-scale equipment, expanded operating areas, and road upgrades. In addition, major equipment for the processing plant and water treatment plant has been procured and is being shipped to Ecuador. The construction contract for the plant has been awarded to TGJA, an experienced contractor that recently constructed the 80,000 tonne per day flotation mill at the Mirador Copper Gold Mine in the south of Ecuador.
Speaker #3: On the infrastructure side, the non-contact water channel processing plant foundation work and initial tailing storage facility dam construction progressed, with more than 600,000 cubic meters of earthworks completed.
Speaker #3: In parallel, open pit pre-stripping is underway, and efficiency is improving through the addition of large-scale equipment. Expanded operating areas and road upgrades. In addition, major equipment for the processing plant and water treatment plant has been procured and is being shipped to Ecuador.
Speaker #3: The construction contract for the plant has been awarded to TGJA, an experienced contractor that recently constructed the 80,000-ton-per-day flotation mill at the Mirador Copper-Gold Mine in the south of Ecuador.
Speaker #3: Moving to Condor, permitting work continues with the formal consultation process underway with the directly impacted communities. This is the final step required to secure the small-scale environmental license which we expect to obtain later this quarter.
Lon Shaver: Moving to Condor, permitting work continues with the formal consultation process underway with the directly impacted communities. This is the final step required to secure the small-scale environmental license, which we expect to obtain later this quarter. Once it is received, we will commence development of two 1,500-meter exploration tunnels at the Camp and Las Cuevas deposits to support underground drilling and advance exploration and resource definition. We have also made significant progress in Kyrgyzstan since acquiring Chaarat ZAAV in January. This is a joint venture company that holds the Tulkubash and Kyzyltash gold projects and is 70% owned by Silvercorp, with us as operator and with the remaining 30% owned by the state mining company, Kyrgyzaltyn. At the fully permitted Tulkubash oxide project, construction is underway on the temporary camp and related facilities.
Speaker #3: Once it is received, we will commence development of two 1,500-meter exploration tunnels at the Camp and Las Cuillas deposits to support underground drilling and advance exploration and resource definition.
Speaker #3: We have also made significant progress in Kyrgyzstan since acquiring Cherat-Zav in January. This is the joint venture company that holds the Tulcobash and Kyzyltash gold projects, and is 70% owned by SILVERCORP with us as operator and with the remaining 30% owned by the State Mining Company Kyrgyz Altan.
Speaker #3: At the fully permitted Tulcobash oxide project, construction is underway on the temporary camp and related facilities. We have contracted CRCC-19, which is currently on-site building access roads to the future open pit and waste rock storage areas, and preparing the foundation for the heat bleach pad.
Lon Shaver: We have contracted CRCC19, which is currently on-site building access roads to the future open pit and waste rock storage areas and preparing the foundation for the heap leach pad. CRCC19 has operating experience in Kyrgyzstan and is also our mining contractor at El Domo. The updated feasibility study on Tulkubash is expected later this month. As outlined in our budget released in June, we plan to invest CAD 166 million to develop a 4 million tonne per year open pit heap leach operation at Tulkubash with CAD 42 million of capital expenditures planned for fiscal 2027. At the neighboring Kyzyltash sulfide project, we completed nearly 13,000 meters of drilling to the end of the quarter, with 16 rigs currently turning and assays pending.
Speaker #3: CRCC-19 has operating experience in Kyrgyzstan and is also our mining contractor at El Domo. The updated feasibility study on Tulcobash is expected later this month.
Speaker #3: As outlined in our budget released in June, we plan to invest $166 million to develop a 4-million-ton-per-year open pit heat bleach operation at Tulcobash with 42 million of capital expenditures planned for fiscal 2027.
Speaker #3: At the neighboring Kyzyltash sulfide project, we completed nearly 13,000 meters of drilling to the end of the quarter, with 16 rigs currently turning and assays pending.
Speaker #3: This work is part of our ongoing 50,000-meter drill program for the year, focused on both infilling the deposit to upgrade resources and stepping out to extend mineralization and make new discoveries.
Lon Shaver: This work is part of our ongoing 50,000-meter drill program for the year, focused on both infilling the deposit to upgrade resources and stepping out to extend mineralization and make new discoveries. This program will support the completion of a PEA next year, followed by a further 60,000-meter drill campaign to support feasibility to level studies and detailed engineering design for construction. We look forward to providing further updates as we continue to advance our growth projects. With that, operator, I'd like to open the call for questions.
Speaker #3: This program will support the completion of a PEA next year, followed by a further 60,000-meter drill campaign to support feasibility-level studies and detailed engineering design for construction.
Speaker #3: We look forward to providing further updates as we continue to advance our growth projects. And with that, operator, I'd like to open the call for questions.
Speaker #1: Thank you, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now conduct the question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, press start, then the number one on your telephone keypad.
Operator: Thank you, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now conduct a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, press star then the number 1 on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw your question, please press star then the number 2. If you're using a speakerphone, please lift the handset before pressing any keys. One moment, please, for your first question. Thank you. Your first question comes from the line of Kevin O'Halloran from BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.
Speaker #1: If you would like to withdraw your question, please press Start, then the number 2. If you're using a speakerphone, please lift the handset before pressing any keys.
Speaker #1: One moment, please, for your first question. Thank you. Your first question comes from the line of Kevin O'Halloran from BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.
Speaker #2: Hey, Lon. Thanks for taking my questions. On starting off on the yeah, starting off on the guidance, are you still comfortable with the production guidance, even with the temporary shutdowns, or should we maybe expect those numbers get reviewed as you get through the next kind of quarter or so and get a better sense of the impact on of these shutdowns?
Kevin O'Halloran: Hey, Lon. Thanks for taking my questions. Starting off on the guidance, are you still comfortable with the production guidance even with the temporary shutdowns, or should we maybe expect those numbers get reviewed as you get through the next quarter or so and get a better sense of the impact of these shutdowns? I guess similarly, on the cost side, you were below the dollar per tonne range on the cash costs and the AISC at Ying. Is that something that there's also maybe some potential upside there that you might review as you get through these shutdowns?
Speaker #2: And then, I guess similarly on the cost side, you were below the dollar-per-ton range on the cash costs and the ASIC at Ying. Is that something where there’s also maybe some potential upside that you might review as you get through these shutdowns?
Speaker #4: Well, I mean, I think one quarter, you know, does not make a year, obviously, both in terms of the negative that we've, you know, talked about and addressed with the production curtailment.
Lon Shaver: Well, I think one quarter does not make a year, obviously, both in terms of the negative that we've talked about and addressed with the production curtailment, but also some of the positive numbers that we see in a particular quarter may not be what applies for the budget for the year just based on what activities are happening at different times during the year. Also, obviously, we are facing a bit of a strength in the RMB, which had an impact, which would have made the cost even better if we hadn't experienced that this past quarter. But coming back to your first part of the question, it's premature to start making projections at this point and then having to revise them several times. I think we'll wait it out here through this quarter. We're obviously seeing production coming back online on a gradual basis.
Speaker #4: But also some of the positive numbers that we see in a particular quarter may not, you know, be what applies for, you know, the budget for the year.
Speaker #4: You know, just based on what activities are happening at different times during the year. Also, obviously, we are facing a bit of a strength in the RMB, which had an impact that would have made the cost even better if we hadn't experienced that this past quarter.
Speaker #4: But, you know, coming back to the first part of your question, it's premature to start making projections at this point and then have to revise them several times.
Speaker #4: So I think we will wait it out here through this quarter. We're obviously seeing production coming back online, you know, on a gradual basis.
Speaker #4: We're still comfortable with the target that we gave in that news release of, you know, 40% to 50% of target for this quarter.
Lon Shaver: We're still comfortable with the target that we gave in that news release of 40% to 50% of target for this quarter. I think once we have better visibility on that, we'll be in a better position to make a comment for guidance for the year.
Speaker #4: And I think once we have better visibility on that, we'll be in a better position to, you know, make a comment or provide guidance for the year.
Speaker #2: Yeah, that's fair. Appreciate that. Maybe just switching over to Ecuador—at El Domo, the spending was a little bit lower this quarter. Sounds like that's probably because of the rainy season there, but just wondering, what's the cadence of the remaining capital spend that you're expecting, and that you would need to spend to get you on track for production next summer?
Kevin O'Halloran: Yeah, that's fair. Appreciate that. Maybe just switching over to Ecuador. At El Domo, the spending was a little bit lower this quarter. Sounds like probably that's because of the rainy season there. Just wondering what's the cadence of remaining capital spend that you're expecting and that you would need to spend to get you on track for production next summer?
Speaker #4: Yeah, I mean, the numbers don't tell the full story, because there are expenditures and deposits made on equipment, which are obviously a big part of the capex.
Lon Shaver: Yeah, the numbers don't tell the full story because there is expenditures and deposits made on equipment, which are obviously a big part of the CapEx. That don't flow through into the actual CapEx expenditures for the quarter. There has been work done on that front. Then just from the nature of the build, it tended to be more back-end weighted anyways, just based on assembly of the equipment of the process plant and continuing with the stripping of the pit. So at this point, while we're maybe a little bit behind our original budget for spending, we don't see that as being an issue. A lot of that work, as I said, was back-end weighted anyways. Some of that work, we had a bit of slack in the schedule with respect to earth moving and some of the stripping.
Speaker #4: That don't flow through into the actual capex expenditures for the quarter. So front. And then just from the nature of the build, it tended to be more back-end weighted anyways, just based on assembly of the equipment at the process plant and, you know, in continuing with the, you know, the stripping of the pit.
Speaker #4: So at this point, you know, at this point, what we're maybe a little bit behind or, you know, our original, you know, budget for spending, you know, we don't see that as being an issue a lot of that work, as I said, was back-end weighted anyways, and some of that work we had a bit of slack in the schedule, you know, with respect to, you know, earth-moving and some of the stripping, you know, our contractor had been quite confident that we had very, you know, conservative schedule and they could do a lot more and a lot in a shorter period of time.
Lon Shaver: Our contractor had been quite confident that we had very conservative schedule, and they could do a lot more in a shorter period of time. Now we'll be holding them to their word for the balance of this year and fiscal year.
Speaker #4: So now we'll be holding them to their word here for the balance of this year and fiscal year.
Speaker #2: Okay, no, that's great to hear. Final question from me, just on Condor. I noticed you guys increased your ownership during the quarter. Was there any payments or royalties or other consideration associated with that?
Kevin O'Halloran: Okay. No, that's great to hear. Final question from me, just on Condor. I noticed you guys increased your ownership during the quarter. Was there any payments or royalties, or other consideration associated with that?
Speaker #4: It was a very nominal payment, and it was really just cleaning up what was more of a legacy ownership in the corporation from a government agency.
Lon Shaver: It was a very nominal payment. It was really just cleaning up what was more of a legacy ownership in the corporation from a government agency.
Speaker #2: Okay. Gotcha. That's all for me. Appreciate it, Lon.
Speaker #4: All right. Thanks, Kevin.
Kevin O'Halloran: Okay, got you. That is all for me. Appreciate it, Lon.
Speaker #1: Thank you. And your next question comes from the line of Joseph Rigor from Roth Capital Partners. Please go ahead.
Lon Shaver: All right. Thanks, Kevin.
Operator: Thank you. Your next question comes from the line of Joseph Reagor from ROTH Capital Partners. Please go ahead.
Speaker #5: Hey, Lon. Thanks for taking the questions. I guess you briefly touched on this, but just any additional color you could give on how the safety upgrades are going and if there’s any chance at all that this rolls into fiscal Q3?
Joseph Reagor: Hey, Lon. Thanks for taking the questions. I guess, you briefly touched on this, but just any additional color you could give on how those safety upgrades are going, and is there any chance at all that this rolls into fiscal Q3?
Speaker #4: I mean, not from where we sit at this point. From what we've, you know, what we've disclosed, we're comfortable with. And, you know, obviously, production has recommenced at Ying.
Lon Shaver: Not from where we sit at this point. From what we've disclosed, we're comfortable with, and obviously production has recommenced at Ying on a reduced rate. But it is up and running. As we disclosed, GC is still waiting for some approvals before we can get that going. But we're currently comfortable with our projection and our target for Q2 of being sort of a 40% to 50% of original plan.
Speaker #4: On a reduced rate, but it is up and running as we disclosed. You know, GCD is still waiting for some approvals before we can get that going.
Speaker #4: But we're, you know, we're currently comfortable with our projection and our target for Q2, of being sort of at 40% to 50% of the original plan.
Speaker #5: Okay. And then on GC, I noticed in the release that there was some commentary around converting it from being a lead-zinc mine to a silver mine and that that would change how many production levels you could have.
Joseph Reagor: Okay. On GC, noticed in the release that there was some commentary around converting it from being a lead zinc mine to a silver mine, and that that would change how many production levels you could have. Is this a precursor to you guys announcing some kind of mill expansion, throughput expansion there?
Speaker #5: Is this a precursor to you guys announcing some kind of, you know, mill expansion or throughput expansion there?
Speaker #4: I mean, it's a necessary element if we were to go down that road and consider that. We've obviously been limited as to how much production and growth we could plan out of GC.
Lon Shaver: It's a necessary element if we were to go down that road and to consider that. We've obviously been limited as to how much production and growth we could plan out of GC. There are other additional areas where we know there's mineralization, but it's been a bit of a moot point to think about planning for them or bringing them in based on this current restriction. So removing this will allow us to look at the mine more holistically and make some point, then we will. We currently don't have any plans to expand it, but this gives us the flexibility to down the road.
Speaker #4: There, you know, are other additional areas where we know there's mineralization, but it's been a bit of a moot point to think about, you know, planning for them or bringing them in, you know, based on this current restriction.
Speaker #4: So, removing this will allow us to look at the mine more holistically and make some point, you know. Then we will—well, we currently don't have any plans to expand it, but this gives us the flexibility to, down the road.
Speaker #5: Okay. Okay. Fair enough. All right, that's it for me. I'll turn it over.
Joseph Reagor: Okay. Fair enough. All right. That's it for me. I'll turn it over.
Speaker #4: All right. Thanks, Joe.
Lon Shaver: All right. Thanks, Joe.
Speaker #1: Thank you once again. Should you have a question, please start, followed by the one on your telephone keypad. Your next question comes from the line of Matthew Oke from Cantor Fitzgerald.
Operator: Thank you. Once again, should you have a question, please star 4 by the one on your telephone keypad. Your next question comes from the line of Matthew O'Keefe from Cantor Fitzgerald. Please go ahead.
Speaker #1: Please go ahead.
Matthew O'Keefe: Thanks, operator. Morning, gents. Just on Condor, that is quietly kind of moving ahead here nicely. Can you remind us, I know you mentioned it in the press release and also in the comments here, but it sounds like you are getting closer to doing some development there, getting in a portal. Can you just take us through the timeline of that and then sort of the next steps as far as moving towards production? Is that portal going to be more for resource development and confirmation, or will that actually be a precursor to some production?
Speaker #6: Thanks, operator. Morning, gents. Just on Condor, that's quietly kind of moving ahead here nicely. Can you remind us—I know you mentioned it in the press release and also in the comments here—but it sounds like you're getting closer to doing some development there, getting in a portal.
Speaker #6: Can you just take me through the timeline? Take us through the timeline of that, and then sort of the next steps—I mean, as far as moving towards production?
Speaker #6: Is that portal going to be more for resource development and confirmation, or will that actually be a precursor to some production?
Speaker #4: Well, what we're with receipt of the permit, we're aiming to move ahead with really two major projects in parallel. One is the tunnels, as you mentioned, which we think to complete them would take approximately a year is our guess.
Lon Shaver: Well, with receipt of the permit, we are aiming to move ahead with really two major projects in parallel. One is the tunnels, as you mentioned, which we think to complete them would take approximately a year, is our guess. So, if we started them in Q4, you could look forward to being in the ore zones a year from then. But what it will allow us to do earlier from that is to start setting up drill stations to drill off in more density.
Speaker #4: So, if we started them in Q4, you could look forward to, you know, being in the ore zones a year from then. But what would allow us to do that earlier is to start setting up drill stations to drill off in more density.
Speaker #4: The other work that's going on right now is, you know, looking at a plan and detailed engineering for what would initially be a smaller-scale surface plant operation, tailings facility, and process plant.
Lon Shaver: The other work that is going on right now is looking at a plan and detailed engineering for what would initially be a smaller scale surface plant operation, tailings facility, and process plant, say 900 to 1,000 tons per day, which would be able to treat some initial high-grade ores that we have come pull out of our deposits, but also toll treat some of the ores that are being produced by some of the smaller scale miners in the region. That is being worked on right now in terms of detailed planning and a budget for what that would cost. When we have got those details together and we are moving ahead with the concrete expenditures for that, obviously, we will give more disclosure at that time.
Speaker #4: Say 900 to 1,000 tons per day, which would be able to treat some initial high-grade ores that we've pulled out of our deposits, but also toll treat some of the ores that are being produced by some of the smaller-scale miners in the region.
Speaker #4: And so that is being worked on right now in terms of detailed planning and a budget for what that would cost. And when we've got those details together, and we're moving ahead with, you know, the concrete expenditures for that, obviously we'll give more disclosure at that time.
Speaker #6: Okay. And is that mining rate or process rate is less than what you had in the PA? Is that as an interim step, or is that just a sort of permit restraint?
Matthew O'Keefe: Okay. That mining rate or process rate is less than what you had in the PEA. Is that as an interim step or is that just a sort of permit restraint, constraint?
Speaker #4: Constraint. So what it would do is it would be tied into the small scale mining permit. We would get it going and as, you know, whether it's initial or interim.
Lon Shaver: It would be tied into the small scale mining permit. We would get it going and whether it is initial or interim, we would view that as a stepping stone, generate some cash flow and also be able to go back to the regulators with a successful start of operation and then amend that permit to grow the throughput rate rather than getting into a larger scale mining permit process. That would certainly take more time before we would see any cash flow.
Speaker #4: We would view that as a stepping stone to generate some cash flow and also be able to go back to the regulators with a successful start of operation and then amend that permit to grow the throughput rate.
Speaker #4: Rather than getting into a larger-scale mining permit process that would certainly take more time before we would see any cash flow.
Speaker #6: Right. Okay. Got it. Thanks. That's it for me. Appreciate it.
Matthew O'Keefe: Right. Okay. Got it. Thanks. That is it for me. Appreciate it.
Speaker #4: Thanks, Matt.
Lon Shaver: Thanks, Matt.
Speaker #1: Thank you. This concludes the question-and-answer session. I would now like to turn the conference back over to management for any closing remarks.
Operator: Thank you. This concludes the question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to management for any closing remarks.
Speaker #4: All right, well, that's great. Thanks, operator, and thanks, everyone, for joining us today and for those questions. If anybody has more questions, we're obviously here and available to take calls or emails and address them.
Lon Shaver: Well, that's great. Thanks, operator, and thanks everyone for joining us today and for those questions. If anybody has more questions, we're obviously here and available to take calls or emails and address them. Thanks again and have a great day.
Speaker #4: Thanks again, and have a great day.
Operator: This concludes today's conference call. You may disconnect your lines. Thank you for participating and have a wonderful day. Bye.
