Updated PEA for Velardeña Properties (Durango, Mexico) Shows $87.6 Million After-Tax NPV
Golden Minerals Company ("Golden Minerals," "Golden" or the "Company") (NYSE-A: AUMN and TSX: AUMN) announced today that an updated Technical Report ("TR") has been completed as a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for its Velardeña Properties (Durango State, Mexico). The TR is prepared as an update of a previous PEA dated March 1, 2022. The updated TR incorporates additional information developed by the Company since the 2022 report, including updated pricing and concentrate sales terms, and the exclusion of a bio-oxidation plant that was formerly contemplated. The updated PEA estimates an after-tax net present value ("NPV") of $87.6 million, using a discount rate of 8%.
The TR has been completed in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Mineral Resources used for each report were developed by the independent engineering firm of Tetra Tech and comply with the requirements of NI 43-101. Preliminary results of each economic analysis are shown in pre-tax U.S. Dollars. The Company also plans to file a technical report summary pursuant to Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K for the Velardeña Properties.
The TR assumes prices of $1,826/ounce ("oz") gold, $22.71/oz silver, $1.02/pound ("lb") lead ("Pb") and $1.31/lb zinc ("Zn"). Mineral Resources were calculated having an effective date of June 1, 2023, as diluted to a minimum of 0.7 meters and are reported at a $195 net smelter return ("NSR") cutoff.
Economic Analysis - Highlights
An economic model was prepared for the Velardeña Properties using Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. This PEA also considers Inferred Mineral Resources that are too speculative for use in defining Mineral Reserves. Results of the economic analysis are:
- Mine Life: 10.5 years
- Pre-tax NPV8%: $136.7M, IRR: 1,320.2%
- After-tax NPV8%: $87.6M, IRR: 860.7%
- Payback: Less than one year
Estimated Sulfide Resources
| Classification | Mineral Type | Tonnes | Grade Ag g/t | Grade Au g/t | Grade Pb% | Grade Zn% | Ag oz | Au oz | Pb lb. | Zn lb. |
| Measured | Sulfide | 203,200 | 402 | 6.02 | 1.71 | 2.08 | 2,625,900 | 39,300 | 7,680,000 | 9,306,300 |
| Indicated | Sulfide | 462,700 | 402 | 5.32 | 1.68 | 2.08 | 5,983,000 | 79,200 | 17,090,700 | 21,173,100 |
| Measured + Indicated | Sulfide | 665,900 | 402 | 5.54 | 1.69 | 2.08 | 8,608,900 | 118,500 | 24,770,700 | 30,479,400 |
| Inferred | Sulfide | 1,059,900 | 413 | 5.1 | 1.81 | 2.26 | 14,067,200 | 173,700 | 42,294,600 | 52,697,800 |
Notes:
- Resources are reported as diluted tonnes and grade to 0.7 m fixed width.
- Metal prices for NSR cutoff are: $22.71/oz-Ag, $1,826/oz-Au, $1.02/lb Pb and $1.31/lb Zn.
- Columns may not total due to rounding.
- Sulfide estimated resources taken from Table 1-1: Velardeña Project Mineral Resources.
Economic Analysis - Details
Economic model results are summarized below. The model includes Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources. Closure and reclamation costs of $1.5 million are assumed to be offset by salvage value and are therefore not included. The life of mine ("LOM") is 10.5 years, with an NPV of $87.6 million using a discount rate of 8%.
| Production Summary | Total - LOM | Financial Summary | Total ($M) | |
| Material Mined and Processed (kt) | 1,216 | Gross Payable | $ 601.70 | |
| Grade Au (g/t) | 5.44 | TCs, RCs and Freight | $ (84.80) | |
| Grade Ag (g/t) | 359 | Penalties | $ (3.50) | |
| Grade Pb (%) | 2.21 | NSR | $ 513.40 | |
| Grade Zn (%) | 1.88 | Operating Costs | ||
| Lead Concentrate | Mining | $ (154.40) | ||
| Au Recovered (koz) | 15.85 | Processing | $ (33.90) | |
| Ag Recovered (koz) | 10,651 | G&A | $ (49.40) | |
| Pb Recovered (klbs) | 37,351 | Contingency | $ (35.70) | |
| Au Grade in Concentrate (g/t) | 9.3 | Total Operating Cost | $ (273.40) | |
| Ag Grade in Concentrate (g/t) | 6,250 | Federal Mining Royalty | $ (2.70) | |
| Pb Grade in Concentrate (%) | 31.96 | EBITDA | $ 237.40 | |
| Zinc Concentrate | Capital Costs | |||
| Zn Recovered (klbs) | 26,724 | Mine Equipment | $ (0.80) | |
| Ag Recovered (koz) | 426 | Processing Plant | $ (0.10) | |
| Zn Grade in Concentrate (%) | 50.26 | Sustaining Capital | $ (3.60) | |
| Ag Grade in Concentrate (g/t) | 548.88 | Surface Infrastructure and Other | $ (0.30) | |
| Pyrite Concentrate | Contingency | $ (0.70) | ||
| Au Recovered (koz) | 171.81 | Total Capital Costs | $ (5.50) | |
| Ag Recovered (koz) | 1,886 | Change in Working Capital | $ (1.40) | |
| Au Grade in Concentrate (g/t) | 19.66 | Pre-tax Cash Flow | $ 230.40 | |
| Ag Grade in Concentrate (g/t) | 216 | NPV8% | $ 136.70 | |
| IRR | 1320% | |||
| Smelter Payable | Payback (years) | <1 year | ||
| Payable Au (koz) | 143.91 | Mexico SMT | $ (17.80) | |
| Payable Ag (koz) | 12,020 | Income Tax | $ (64.60) | |
| Payable Pb (klbs) | 35,484 | After-tax Cash Flow | $ 148.00 | |
| Payable Zn (klbs) | 22,715 | NPV8% | $ 87.60 | |
| IRR | 861% | |||
| NSR/tonne | $ 422.24 |
Operating Cost Estimates
| Item | Total | Unit Cost |
| ($000s) | ($/t-milled) | |
| Mining Costs | $154,407 | $126.99 |
| Processing Costs | $33,921 | $27.90 |
| G&A and Overhead | $49,375 | $40.61 |
| Contingency | $35,655 | $29.32 |
| Total1 | $273,358 | $224.82 |
| Mexico Precious Metals Royalty | $2,679 | $2.20 |
| 1 Columns may not total due to rounding. | ||
Run of Mine Production Summary
Conceptual stope shapes for the PEA production plan utilize the weighted average vein width of 0.7 meters. An additional dilution factor of 10% has been applied to the recoverable tonnes to align with current reconciliation data from the test mining operations at Velardeña.
| Description | Value | Units |
| ROM Mined | 1,216 | kt |
| ROM Grades: | ||
| Grade Au | 5.44 | g/t |
| Grade Ag | 359.31 | g/t |
| Grade Pb | 2.21 | % |
| Grade Zn | 1.88 | % |
| Contained Metal: | ||
| Gold (Au) | 213 | koz |
| Silver (Ag) | 14,046 | koz |
| Lead (Pb) | 59,278 | klb |
| Zinc (Zn) | 50,308 | klb |
Process Summary
| Description | Units | Total Conc. | Pb Conc. | Zn Conc. | Fe Conc. |
| Products | 348,940 | 53,007 | 24,118 | 271,816 | |
| Recoveries: | |||||
| Au | % | 88.2 | 7.5 | - | 80.8 |
| Ag | % | 92.3 | 75.8 | 3.0 | 13.4 |
| Pb | % | 63.0 | 63.0 | - | - |
| Zn | % | 53.1 | - | 53.1 | - |
| Recovered Metals: | |||||
| Gold (Au) | koz | 187.7 | 15.8 | - | 171.8 |
| Silver (Ag) | koz | 12,963 | 10,651 | 426 | 1,886 |
| Lead (Pb) | klb | 37,351 | 37,351 | - | - |
| Zinc (Zn) | klb | 26,724 | - | 26,724 | - |
Sensitivity Analysis
Results of the sensitivity analyses show the project is most sensitive to precious metal prices, precious metal recoveries and operating costs. A 10% change in operating costs resulted in a 12% change in project NPV. Because of the sensitivity to operating costs, efforts to control or reduce operating costs are key to the economic success of the project.
Liquidity Update
At July 31, 2023, the Company had current assets of approximately $9.7 million, including cash and cash equivalents of approximately $2.9 million. On the same date, it had accounts payable and other current liabilities of approximately $6.6 million. While the Company continues to explore various financing alternatives and asset sales, the Company has not yet obtained a source of capital that would permit it to restart production at the Velardeña Properties or fund general and administrative expenses. The Company has announced a letter of intent for the sale of the Santa Maria property for initial cash proceeds of $1.5 million; however, if that transaction is consummated the funds would likely not be received until the end of September 2023 or later. If the Company is unable to arrange near term capital inflows from financing, asset sales or otherwise, its cash balance may be depleted during the third quarter of 2023 and the Company may be forced to liquidate or wind-up its business operations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Inferred Resources
The discounted cash flows shown above are prepared in compliance with NI 43-101. There is no certainty that the economic results described above will be realized. If the Company is able to obtain sufficient capital and restart production at the Velardeña Properties, the Company would do so without completing customary feasibility studies demonstrating the economic viability of the project. A mine production decision that is made without a feasibility study carries additional potential risks which include, but are not limited to, (i) increased uncertainty as to projected initial and sustaining capital costs and operating costs, rates of production and average grades, and (ii) the inclusion of Inferred Mineral Resources, as defined by NI 43-101 that are considered too geologically speculative to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be converted to a Mineral Reserve, as defined by NI 43-101. Mine design and mining schedules, metallurgical flow sheets and process plant designs may require additional detailed work and economic analysis and internal studies to ensure satisfactory operational conditions and decisions regarding future targeted production.
No Mineral Reserves have been estimated for the Velardeña Properties. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The economic model for the Velardeña Properties is preliminary in nature and includes inferred Mineral Resources that are too geologically speculative to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable the Inferred Mineral Resources to be classified as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic model for the Velardeña Properties will be realized.
About Golden Minerals
Golden Minerals is a gold and silver producer based in Golden, Colorado. The Company is primarily focused on initiating production at its Velardeña Properties (Mexico), advancing its Yoquivo gold-silver property (Mexico), advancing its El Quevar silver property (Argentina) through partner-funded exploration and on acquiring and advancing selected mining properties in Mexico, Nevada and Argentina.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding estimated resources, estimated mine life, projected economic analyses associated with the Velardeña Properties; cash proceeds from the potential sale of the Santa Maria property and the possibility of the Company being forced to liquidate and wind up its business operations in the event that the Company is unable to arrange near term capital inflows. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company's ability to obtain a source of capital sufficient to allow it to restart operations at the Velardeña Properties and continue to pay general and administrative expenses; changes in interpretations of geological, geostatistical, metallurgical, mining or processing information and interpretations of the information resulting from exploration, analysis or mining and processing experience; and the Company's ability to successfully mine the Velardeña Properties as contemplated in the PEA. Golden Minerals assumes no obligation to update this information. Additional risks relating to Golden Minerals may be found in the periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Golden Minerals, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Qualified Person
The following Qualified Persons from Tetra Tech will co?author the technical report that will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this news release: Dr. Guillermo Dante Ramírez Rodríguez, Mr. Randolph P. Schneider and Ms. Kira Lyn Johnson. Each of these Qualified Persons has reviewed and approved the information presented in this news release that was derived from the sections of the PEA study for which they were responsible. Each of the named Qualified Persons is independent of Golden Minerals.
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SOURCE: Golden Minerals Company
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Contact
For additional information please visit http://www.goldenminerals.com/ or contact:
Golden Minerals Company
Karen Winkler, Director of Investor Relations
(303) 839-5060