UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 40-F
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2018 Commission File Number: 001-35297
FORTUNA SILVER MINES INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English (if applicable))
British Columbia, Canada
(Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
1040
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number (if applicable))
N/A
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number (if applicable))
200 Burrard Street, Suite 650
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3L6
604-484-4085
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
National Corporate Research, Ltd.
10 East 40th Street, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10016
(212) 947-7200
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code)
of agent for service in the United States)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class
Common Shares
Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:
Annual information form Audited annual financial statements
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered
by the annual report:
There were 159,939,595 common shares with no par value outstanding as of December 31, 2018.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant
to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant
was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Emerging growth company
Yes No ☐
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the
Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards *
provided pursuant Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
*The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its
Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure controls and procedures are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as those controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in the annual filings and interim filings and other reports filed or submitted by Fortuna
Silver Mines Inc. (the “Company”) under the Exchange Act is duly recorded, processed, summarized and reported,
within the time periods specified in rules and forms of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”). Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure
that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports and filings is accumulated and communicated to
management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) as appropriate,
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The Company evaluated, with the participation of its CEO and CFO, the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and
procedures as of December 31, 2018. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that, as of the
end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 40-F, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective
to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s annual filings and
interim filings and other reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to
management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls
can provide absolute assurance that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover every
situation involving the failure of persons within the Company and its subsidiaries to disclose material information
otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports. The Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objective of ensuring that information
required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is communicated to
management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as
such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) and has designed such internal
controls over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
In designing and evaluating the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, the Company’s management
recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable
assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its reasonable judgment in evaluating
the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls
over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to
future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December
31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this
assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting was effective based on those criteria.
See “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” in the Management’s Discussion and
Analysis for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, included as Exhibit 99.3 to this annual report on
Form 40-F. The Company’s auditors have issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of the
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Company’s internal control over financial reporting. See “Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting
Firm” below.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm. The required disclosure is included in the “Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” that accompanies the Company’s audited consolidated financial
statements as at and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, filed as part of this annual report on
Form 40-F in Exhibit 99.2.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, there were
no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
NOTICES PURSUANT TO REGULATION BTR
None.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Company has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section
3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The members of the audit committee are Kylie Dickson, Alfredo Sillau and David
Farrell. The board of directors has determined that each of Kylie Dickson, Alfredo Sillau and David Farrell is
independent, as that term is defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the Listed Company Manual of the
New York Stock Exchange.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The board of directors of the Company has determined that Kylie Dickson, a member of the Company’s audit
committee, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert for purposes of paragraph (8) of General Instruction B to
Form 40-F. The SEC has indicated that the designation of Kylie Dickson as an audit committee financial expert
does not: (i) make her an “expert” for any purpose, (ii) impose any duties, obligations or liabilities on her that are
greater than those imposed on members of the audit committee and the board of directors who do not carry this
designation, and (iii) or affect the duties, obligations or liabilities of any other member of the audit committee or the
board of directors.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Company has adopted a “code of ethics” (as that term is defined in Form 40-F), entitled the “Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics and Whistle-Blower Policy”, that applies to all of its directors, officers, employees, and
consultants including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or
controller, and persons performing similar functions.
The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Whistle-Blower Policy is available for viewing on the Company’s
website at www.fortunasilver.com under “About Fortuna / Our Governance”.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The required disclosure is included under the heading “Audit Committee” in the Company’s Annual Information
Form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed as part of this annual report on Form 40-F in Exhibit 99.1.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The auditors of the Company obtain, as necessary, the pre-approval of the Audit Committee for any anticipated
additional services required of the auditors for the coming fiscal year. If other service requirements arise during the
year, the Audit Committee will pre-approve such services at that time, prior to the commencement of such services.
Of the total aggregate fees paid by the Company to its auditors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, $nil
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or 0% of the fees were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimus exception provided by Section
(c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The required disclosure is included under the heading “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” in the Company’s
Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, filed as part of this
annual report on Form 40-F in Exhibit 99.3.
TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The required disclosure is included under the heading “Contractual Obligations” of the Company’s Management’s
Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, filed as part of this annual report
on Form 40-F in Exhibit 99.3.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
The Company is currently not required to disclose the information required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act and Rule 405 under the
United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Company’s common shares are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). Sections 103.00, 303A.00 and 303A.11 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual
permit foreign private issuers to follow home country practices in lieu of certain provisions of the NYSE Listed
Company Manual. A foreign private issuer that follows home country practices in lieu of certain provisions of the
NYSE Listed Company Manual must disclose any significant ways in which its corporate governance practices
differ from those followed by domestic companies either on its website or in the annual report that it distributes to
shareholders in the United States. A description of the significant ways in which the Company’s governance
practices differ from those followed by domestic companies pursuant to NYSE standards is disclosed on the
Company’s website at www.fortunasilver.com under “About Fortuna / Our Governance / NYSE”.
The Company’s corporate governance practices, as described on its website, are consistent with the laws, customs
and practices in Canada.
UNDERTAKING
The Company undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made
by the SEC staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the SEC staff, information relating to: the
securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F; the securities in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report
on Form 40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.
CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
A Form F-X signed by the Company and its agent for service of process has been previously filed with the SEC
together with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 40-F (File No. 001-35297) in connection with its
securities registered on such form.
Any changes to the name or address of the agent for service of process of the Company shall be communicated
promptly to the SEC by an amendment to the Form F-X referencing the file number of the Company.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Company certifies that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
Date: March 29, 2019
FORTUNA SILVER MINES INC.
By: “Jorge Ganoza Durant”
Name: Jorge Ganoza Durant
Title:
President, Chief Executive Officer & Director
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Description
99.1
Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2018
99.2
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and
2017, including the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms with respect thereto
99.3
Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
99.4
Consent of KPMG LLP
99.5
Consent of Eric Chapman
99.6
Consent of Amri Sinuhaji
99.7
Consent of Edwin Gutierrez
99.8
Consent of Geoff Allard
99.9
Consent of Denys Parra Murrugarra
99.10
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.11
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.12
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.13
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
EXHIBIT 99.1
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018
DATED: March 29, 2019
CORPORATE OFFICE:
Suite 650, 200 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6, Canada
Tel: 604.484.4085
Fax: 604.484.4029
MANAGEMENT HEAD OFFICE:
Piso 5, Av. Jorge Chávez #154
Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Tel: 511.616.6060, ext. 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY NOTES
Cautionary Statement – Forward Looking Statements
Notice Regarding Non-IFRS Measures
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Reserves and Resources
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Date of Information
Currency
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Name, Address and Incorporation
Intercorporate Relationships
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
Three-Year History and Recent Developments
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
General
Risk Factors
Material Mineral Properties
Caylloma Mine, Peru
San Jose Mine, Mexico
Lindero Project, Argentina
DIVIDENDS
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
Trading Price and Volume
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Name, Occupation and Shareholding
Cease Trade Orders or Bankruptcies
Penalties or Sanctions
Conflicts of Interest
AUDIT COMMITTEE
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
Names of Experts
Interests of Experts
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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15
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38
49
62
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66
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66
68
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Audit Committee Charter
Schedule “A”
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PRELIMINARY NOTES
Cautionary Statement – Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Annual Information Form (“AIF”) and any documents incorporated by
reference into this AIF constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”), and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). All statements included herein, other than statements of
historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and
uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-
looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this AIF include, without limitation, statements relating to:
•
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•
•
•
•
production rates at the Company’s properties;
cash cost estimates;
•
•
• Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources, as they involve implied assessment, based on estimates and
assumptions that the Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources described exist in the quantities predicted or
estimated and can be profitably produced in the future;
timing for delivery of materials and equipment for the Company’s properties;
the sufficiency of the Company’s cash position and its ability to raise equity capital or access debt facilities;
the Company’s planned greenfields exploration programs;
the Company’s planned capital expenditures and brownfields exploration at the San Jose Mine;
the Company’s planned capital expenditures and brownfields exploration at the Caylloma Mine;
the Company’s construction of the open pit gold heap leach mine at the Lindero Project and the anticipated
timing of commissioning and commercial production at the mine;
the maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities, finance leases and other contractual commitments;
the expiry dates of bank letters of guarantee;
estimated mine closure costs; and
•
•
•
• management’s expectation that any investigations, claims, and legal, labor and tax proceedings arising in
the ordinary course of business will not have a material effect on the results of operations or financial
condition of the Company.
Often, but not always, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”,
“believes”, “plans”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “scheduled”, “targets”, “possible”, “strategy”, “potential”,
“intends”, “advance”, “goal”, “objective”, “projects”, “budget”, “calculates” or statements that events, “will”,
“may”, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and factors include,
among others:
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•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
•
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•
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•
operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing;
uncertainty relating to Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates;
uncertainty relating to capital and operating costs, production schedules and economic returns;
uncertainty and risks related to the start-up of the Lindero Project;
uncertainty relating to capital and operating costs and economic returns of development projects such as the
Lindero Project; risks associated with mineral exploration and project development;
environmental matters including potential liability claims;
uncertainty relating to nature and climate conditions;
risks associated with political instability and changes to the regulations governing the Company’s business
operations;
changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or
economic developments in countries in which the Company does or may carry on business;
risks relating to the termination of the Company’s mining concessions in certain circumstances;
risks related to International Labour Organization (“ILO”) Convention 169 compliance;
developing and maintaining relationships with local communities and stakeholders;
risks associated with losing control of public perception as a result of social media and other web-based
applications;
potential opposition of the Company’s exploration, development and operational activities;
risks related to the Company’s ability to obtain adequate financing for planned exploration and
development activities;
substantial reliance on the Caylloma and San Jose Mines for revenues;
property title matters;
risks relating to the integration of businesses and assets acquired by the Company;
impairments;
reliance on key personnel;
uncertainty relating to potential conflicts of interest involving the Company’s directors and officers;
risks associated with the Company’s reliance on local counsel and advisors and its management and board
of directors in foreign jurisdictions;
adequacy of insurance coverage;
risks related to the Company’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
risks related to the foreign corrupt practices regulations and anti-bribery laws;
potential legal proceedings;
uncertainties relating to general economic conditions;
competition;
fluctuations in metal prices;
risks associated with entering into commodity forward and option contracts for base metals production;
fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
tax audits and reassessments;
uncertainty relating to concentrate treatment charges and transportation costs;
sufficiency of monies allotted by the Company for land reclamation;
risks associated with dependence upon information technology systems, which are subject to disruption,
damage, failure and risks with implementation and integration;
risks associated with climate change legislation;
risks related to the volatility of the trading price of the Company’s common shares (“Common Shares”);
dilution from future equity financing;
risks related to future insufficient liquidity resulting from a decline in the price of the Common Shares;
uncertainty relating to the Company’s ability to pay dividends in the future; and
uncertainty relating to the enforcement of U.S. judgments against the Company;
as well as those factors referred to in the “Risk Factors” section in this AIF.
Forward-looking Statements contained in this AIF are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions
of management, including but not limited to:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained for the
exploration, development, construction and production of its properties;
there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether relating to labor, supply, power,
damage to equipment or other matter;
permitting, construction, development and expansion proceeding on a basis consistent with the Company’s
current expectations;
expected trends and specific assumptions regarding metal prices and currency exchange rates;
prices for and availability of fuel, electricity, parts and equipment and other key supplies remaining
consistent with current levels;
production forecasts meeting expectations; and
the accuracy of the Company’s current Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results
to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. These forward-looking statements are made
as of the date of this AIF. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as
actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly,
readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the
Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward looking-statements after the date of this
document or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.
Notice Regarding Non-IFRS Measures
This AIF includes certain terms or performance measures that are not defined under International Financial
Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”), including but not limited
to cash cost per payable ounce of silver, cash costs per tonne of processed ore, all-in sustaining cash cost and all-in
sustaining cash cost per payable ounce. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared
in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance. The data
presented 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. These non-IFRS measures should be read in
conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis. See “Non-GAAP
Financial Measures” in the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2018 regarding the Company’s use of non-IFRS measures which may be accessed on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com under the Company’s profile, Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Reserves and Resources
The Company is a Canadian “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act, and is
permitted to prepare the technical information contained herein in accordance with the requirements of the securities
laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the securities laws currently in effect in the United
States.
Canadian standards, including National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-
101”), differ significantly from the disclosure requirements of U.S securities laws currently in effect, and Mineral
Reserve and Mineral Resource information contained or incorporated by reference in this AIF may not be
comparable to similar information disclosed by United States companies. Equivalent U.S. disclosure requirements
are currently governed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7
(“Industry Guide 7”) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In particular, and without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the term Mineral Resource does not equate to the term “reserve”. Under the SEC’s
disclosure standards currently in effect under Industry Guide 7, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve”
unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or
extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Among other things, all necessary permits would need to be
in hand or issuance imminent in order to classify mineralized material as reserves under such U.S. standards
currently in effect. The SEC has not recognised the reporting of mineral deposits which do not meet the Industry
Guide 7 definition of “reserve” prior to the adoption of the Modernization of Property Disclosures for Mining
Registrants, which rules will be required to be complied with in the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1,
2021. As a result, the SEC’s disclosure standards currently in effect normally do not permit the inclusion of
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information concerning Measured Mineral Resources, Indicated Mineral Resources or Inferred Mineral Resources or
other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute “reserves” by United
States standards in documents filed with the SEC.
United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of Measured Mineral Resources or Indicated
Mineral Resources will ever be converted into reserves. United States investors should also understand that Inferred
Mineral Resources have an even greater amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and
legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a
category having a higher degree of certainty. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may
not form the basis of Feasibility or Pre-Feasibility Studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to
assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.
Disclosure of “contained tonnes” in a Mineral Resource estimate is permitted disclosure under NI 43-101 provided
that the grade or quality and the quantity of each category is stated; however, the SEC’s disclosure standards
currently in effect under Industry Guide 7 normally only permit issuers to report mineralization that does not
constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The
requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of Mineral Reserves are also not the same as those of the SEC’s
disclosure standards currently in effect under Industry Guide 7, and Mineral Reserves reported in compliance with
NI 43-101 may not qualify as “reserves” under such SEC standards. Accordingly, information contained in this AIF
and the documents incorporated by reference herein containing descriptions of mineral deposits may not be
comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure
requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
The information provided in this AIF is supplemented by disclosure contained in the documents listed below which
are incorporated by reference into this AIF. These documents must be read together with the AIF in order to provide
full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (referred to herein as the
“Company” or “Fortuna”). The documents listed below are not contained within or attached to this document.
The documents may be accessed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company’s profile, Fortuna Silver Mines
Inc.:
Document
Effective Date
Date Filed on
SEDAR website
Document Category on the
SEDAR website
Technical Report, Caylloma Mine,
Peru
Technical Report, San Jose Mine,
Mexico
Technical Report, Lindero Property,
Argentina
Date of Information
March 8, 2019
March 28, 2019
Technical Report(s)
February 22,
2019
October 31, 2017 November 2, 2017
March 28, 2019
Technical Report(s)
Technical Report(s)
This AIF is dated March 29, 2019. Except as otherwise indicated, the information contained herein is as at
December 31, 2018, being the date of the Company’s most recently completed financial year end.
Currency
Unless otherwise noted, all references to “$” in this AIF refer to United States dollars.
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CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Name, Address and Incorporation
The Company was incorporated on September 4, 1990 pursuant to the Company Act (British Columbia) under the
name Jopec Resources Ltd. and subsequently transitioned under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
On February 3, 1999, the Company changed its name to Fortuna Ventures Inc. and on June 28, 2005 to Fortuna
Silver Mines Inc.
The management head office of the Company is located at Piso 5, Av. Jorge Chávez #154, Miraflores, Lima, Peru.
The corporate head and registered office of the Company is located at 200 Burrard Street, Suite 650, Vancouver, BC
V6C 3L6.
Intercorporate Relationships
The Company carries on a significant portion of its business through a number of 100%-owned subsidiaries, held
either directly or indirectly, as follows:
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
Fortuna is engaged in precious and base metals mining and related activities in Latin America, including
exploration, extraction, and processing. Fortuna:
•
•
•
operates the Caylloma silver, lead and zinc mine (the “Caylloma Mine”) in southern Peru,
operates the San Jose silver and gold mine (the “San Jose Mine”) in southern Mexico, and
is constructing an open pit gold heap leach mine at the Lindero gold project (the “Lindero Project”) in
northern Argentina.
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Three-Year History and Recent Developments
San Jose Mine, Mexico
Located in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, the 100% owned San Jose Mine covers a high-grade silver-gold
bearing epithermal vein system.
In 2016, the Company produced at the San Jose Mine 6.1 million ounces of silver and 46,018 ounces of gold, an
increase over 2015 of 24% and 19%, respectively. The increases were the result of higher throughput of 26% and
higher recoveries of 1 percentage point for both silver and gold offset by lower head grades of 3% for silver and 6%
for gold. Silver and gold annual production were 4% and 10% above 2016 guidance. Annual average head grades
for silver and gold were 228 g/t and 1.72 g/t or 1% below plan and 3% above plan respectively. Increased silver and
gold production was the result of higher contributions in ore tonnage and grade from Level 1,100 relative to the
mine plan.
The expansion of the mill capacity to 3,000 tpd from 2,000 tpd was completed successfully on time and under
budget. As of July 1, 2016, the processing plant and mine were fully operational at 3,000 tpd, allowing for an
anticipated annual production rate of 7-8 million ounces of silver and 50-53 thousand ounces of gold. The capital
expenditure of the plant expansion was $27.5 million, 16% below budget.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore for 2016 was $56.90, or 3% below the cost in 2015. Cash cost in the second
half of 2016 was $55.0 compared to $59.8 in the first half of the year reflecting the positive impact on unit costs of
the expanded plant capacity commissioned in July. The cash cost per tonne for 2016 was in line with guidance for
the year as a result of an average exchange rate of the Mexican peso to United States dollars being 19% above our
assumption for cost guidance, offset by higher costs related to the filtration plant. Excluding this effect, the cash
cost would have been 7% above guidance. All-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver, net of by-product
credits, was $7.58 for 2016, and below the annual guidance of $9.10 as a result of higher by-product credits.
Silver and gold annual production at the San Jose Mine for 2017 increased 23% and 22% respectively, to 7,526,556
and 55,950 ounces which was above the prior year’s production. The increases were the result of 18% higher
throughput as well as 4% and 3% higher head grades of gold and silver over the comparative 2016 year. Silver and
gold annual production were 6% and 8% above 2017 guidance, respectively. The processing plant treated 1,070,790
tonnes during 2017.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore for 2017 was $59.70, or 5% above the cost in the prior year. Cash cost per
tonne for 2017 was 5% above guidance due to higher mine support costs and local inflation on the cost of energy
and materials. All-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver, net of by-product credits, was $7.11 for 2017,
and below the annual guidance of $8.40 as a result of higher gold prices.
In 2018, the Company produced at the San Jose Mine 7,979,634 ounces of silver, an increase over 2017 of 6%, and
53,517 ounces of gold, a decrease over 2017 of 4%. 2018 silver and gold production was 7% and 11% above the
Mine’s annual guidance. Annual average head grades for silver and gold were 260 g/t and 1.75 g/t, being 8% above
and 12% above annual guidance, respectively.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore for 2018 was $63.72 or 7% higher than in 2017, due to higher energy tariffs in
Mexico, higher distribution costs related to the direct export of concentrates and higher milling costs related to the
dry stack re-handling in the first half of the year.
During 2019, the Company plans to process from the San Jose Mine 1,059,000 tonnes of ore averaging 247 g/t silver
and 1.66 g/t gold. Capital investment is estimated at $12.7 million, including $8.3 million for sustaining capital
expenditures and $4.3 million for brownfields exploration programs. Major sustaining capital investment projects
include $3.4 million for mine development and $4.3 million for equipment and infrastructure.
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Caylloma Mine, Peru
The Company owns a 100% interest in the Caylloma Mine and related mining concessions located in southern Peru.
In 2016, the Company produced at the Caylloma Mine 1.3 million ounces of silver and 533 ounces of gold. Silver
production was 26% below production in the prior year due to the decision to shift mining to base metal-rich zones
in the polymetallic Animas Vein. Mining at the Bateas high-grade silver vein stopped at the beginning of the fourth
quarter of 2015. Decrease in silver production was the result of lower production from the Bateas high-grade silver
vein and from Level 6 of the Animas Vein. Lead and zinc production increased 37% and 21%, respectively, year-
over-year.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore at Caylloma for 2016 was $71.89, a decrease of 16% from 2015 resulting from
lower mining costs due to the cessation of mining in the narrow high grade silver veins, lower indirect costs related
to headcount, and the plant optimization. The cash cost per tonne for 2016 was 9% below our guidance, as a result
of lower mining costs and lower distribution costs related to lower lead concentrate production. All-in sustaining
cash cost per payable ounce of silver, net of by-product credits, was $4.34 for 2016, and below the annual guidance
of $12.50 as a result of higher by-product credits and lower unit cash cost.
Total lead production at the Caylloma Mine for 2017 decreased 8% from 2016 to 29.9 million pounds while zinc
production increased 3% to 44.3 million pounds, over 2016. Silver production decreased 25% to 943,038 ounces
compared to 2016 production of 1,255,981 ounces. Head grades for lead, zinc, and silver were 8%, 1%, and 27%
lower than in 2016, respectively; however, this decline in head grades was partially offset by a 3% increase in ore
processed. Silver, zinc, and lead annual production were 6% below, 8% above, and in line with 2017 guidance. The
processing plant treated 1,488 tpd during 2017.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore for 2017 was $79.11 or 10% higher than in 2016 and 5% above guidance. The
increase in cash costs was due mainly to higher mining, energy, and labour costs. All-in sustaining cash cost per
payable ounce of silver, net of by-product credits, was $(13.04) per ounce for 2017, and below the annual guidance
of $10.80 per ounce.
In 2018, the Company produced at the Caylloma Mine 911,309 ounces of silver, being a 3% decrease over 2017
production. Silver production for 2018 was 11% above the Mine’s annual guidance. Annual average head grade for
silver was 63 g/t, being 10% above guidance. Base metal production at the Caylloma Mine in 2018 totaled
28,254,570 pounds of lead and 45,484,648 pounds of zinc, 10% and 2% above the Mine’s annual guidance,
respectively. Average head grades for lead and zinc were 2.62% and 4.28%, being 9% and 2% above annual
guidance, respectively.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore for 2018 was $83.47 or 6% higher than in 2017. The increase in cash costs was
due mainly to higher indirect costs related to off-site labour and general services and mine support costs.
During 2019, the Company plans to process from the Caylloma Mine 535,500 tonnes of ore averaging 64 g/t silver,
2.53% lead and 3.87% zinc. Capital investments are estimated at $11.4 million, including $9.8 million for
sustaining capital expenditures, $0.8 million for non-sustaining CAPEX, and $0.8 million for brownfields
exploration programs. Major sustaining capital investment projects include $6.0 million for mine development and
$3.1 million for equipment and infrastructure.
Lindero Project
In September 2017, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved the construction of an open pit
gold heap leach mine at the Lindero Project.
Construction at the Lindero Project is well underway, and as at March 12, 2019 the overall project is 40% complete.
Approximately 91% of direct capital costs have been committed. Construction spending for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018 totaled $122.9 million comprising of $80 million on construction expenditures, of which $18.9
million was unpaid as at December 31, 2018, and $42.9 million on deposits on equipment and advances to
contractors.
Construction highlights and milestones include:
-8-
•
18,750 tpd crushing and agglomeration plant
Crushing equipment including a primary crusher and apron feeder are scheduled for delivery to the project
site starting in early April, 2019. Three secondary cone crushers and three screens are already on site. The
High-Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) arrived on site in December 2018. Two agglomeration drums are in
transit to the site. Chutes, conveyors and steel structures are being fabricated in shops in Argentina and
Chile with deliveries according to schedule.
Excavation work for foundations at the crushing site is 95 percent complete. Civil works are currently
underway with the building of retaining walls, placement of concrete at the HPGR site, and reinforced steel
placement for primary and secondary crusher foundations.
• Leach pad and pond area
The excavation of 1.2 million cubic meters of surface gravel and rock for ground preparation is 92 percent
complete. Approximately 17 percent of the start-up area for the leach pad is complete with liner, piping,
and overliner installed.
• ADR and SART
The procurement of all key equipment is well advanced. Concrete foundations for the ADR building and
work on the equipment foundations is underway.
•
8 MW power plant
Power plant site preparation is complete and all twelve power generators have arrived at the project and
have been placed at their site. Eleven transformers for the plant are on site and the remaining one
transformer is expected to arrive at the site in early April 2019. Ten -50 cubic meter fuel tanks are
currently being installed for permanent operation.
• Construction camp and ancillary facilities
The construction camp has the capacity to host a population of 1,200 workers. Peak head-count at the site
is projected in May 2019 at 1,100 workers. Post-construction head count is estimated to be between 350 to
400 workers.
• Mine and equipment fleet
All mine equipment required for the start of operations has arrived and has been assembled on site
including; six 100 ton trucks, two 17 cubic yard wheel loaders, one 5 cubic yard crawler excavator, two 449
HP dozers, two 250 HP motor graders, and two 800 HP rotary blast hole drill rigs.
Management has completed a thorough review of the Project’s remaining construction schedule. Based on the
progress of construction to date and the impact that abnormal rainfall has had on construction activities since late
December 2018, the Company now plans to initiate ore stacking early in the fourth quarter of 2019 and is extending
its guidance for achieving commercial production to the first quarter of 2020. The project team has had to overcome
a slow start and ramp-up of activities from two key contractors involved in the massive earth excavations for the
leach pad and foundation excavations for the crushing site; two activities that affected the critical path of the Project.
The excavation for the leach pad and foundation excavations at the crushing site are 95% concluded. A slow build-
up of camp availability has been another challenge for the Project. Current on-site head count stands at 900 workers
with a peak projection of 1,100 workers expected in May 2019.
Selected upcoming milestones of the current construction schedule include:
2019
• Early April: start of equipment installation, including HPGR tertiary crusher
• Second quarter: start of on-site road construction for large equipment, and site preparation for mining
• Mid year: commissioning of power plant and water pipeline system
• Third quarter: commissioning of HPGR crushing and agglomeration plant and placing of first ore on leach
pad
• Fourth quarter: ore stacking and first doré poring
-9-
2020
• First quarter: commencement of commercial production
Total construction capital costs are forecast to increase up to $295 million or 20% over initial capital guidance. The
revised construction capital costs forecast includes $17 million for contingencies but excludes the potential cost
savings from the devaluation of the ARS from the awarded contracts and inflation. The main drivers for the
increased capital costs were higher owner’s costs and construction indirect costs related to the extension of the
Project schedule, road maintenance and contractor stand-by costs due to abnormal rainfall impacting the project and
access roads.
Health and Safety
In the past year, both of our operations achieved significant reductions in incapacitating accidents. In 2018 there
were four at the Caylloma Mine (down from seven in 2017) and four at the San Jose Mine (down from seven in
2017). The frequency and severity ratios of accidents also declined at both operations. At the Caylloma Mine, the
frequency ratio for 2018 was 1.44 (2.93 in 2017) and the severity ratio was 99 (432 in 2017). The San Jose Mine
had a frequency ratio for 2018 of 1.50 (2.48 in 2017) and 132 for severity (138 in 2017).
The improvements in the health and safety records at both Mines reflect the structural changes made by the
Company in 2017 to improve safety throughout our operations. We have increased our investment in infrastructure;
improved the quality of supervision of the operations, which includes the appointment of our new health, safety,
security and environment (HSSE) corporate manager to work with our subsidiaries; and the mechanization of some
unit operations at the Mines.
Acquisition of Goldrock Mines Corp. / Lindero Project, Argentina
In July 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Goldrock Mines
Corp. (“Goldrock”) by way of plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”). Goldrock is now a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fortuna. Pursuant to the Arrangement, Goldrock shareholders received 0.1331 of a Common Share for
each common share of Goldrock held. Outstanding warrants to purchase Goldrock common shares became
exercisable for Common Shares based on the same exchange ratio. The Company has filed a Form 51-102F4,
Business Acquisition Report, on www.sedar.com.
As a result of the Arrangement, the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Lindero Project, a porphyry gold
deposit located in northwestern Argentina, 260 km due west of Salta City. Mineralization at the Lindero Project was
initially discovered in September 1999. An independent resource estimate was calculated in 2003, followed by a
Prefeasibility Study completed in 2010 and a Feasibility Study completed in 2013. Goldrock filed on SEDAR a
technical report dated February 23, 2016 in order to update the 2013 Feasibility Study.
In early November 2017, the Company filed on SEDAR an updated feasibility study technical report on the Lindero
Project.
Financing
On February 9, 2017, the Company completed a bought-deal public financing (the “Financing”) with a syndicate of
underwriters co-led by Raymond James Ltd., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc., and including CIBC
World Markets Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc. (together the “Underwriters”), pursuant to which the
Company issued 11,873,750 Common Shares at a price of $6.30 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of $74.8
million. Net proceeds were $70.9 million after deduction of underwriting fees and expenses. The proceeds from the
Financing were added to the Company’s existing cash position, to be used for general working capital purposes.
Changes in Board and Management
In mid-2016, Michael Iverson and Thomas Kelly retired from the Board. On September 26, 2016, David Laing was
appointed as an independent member of the Board and the audit committee. Alfredo Sillau was appointed as an
independent member of the Board on November 29, 2016. On December 21, 2016, Mr. Sillau was appointed to the
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audit committee in the place of Mr. Laing, and Mr. Laing was appointed to the Company’s compensation
committee.
David Volkert was appointed as Vice-President, Exploration as of August 8, 2016 to replace Thomas Vehrs
following Mr. Vehrs’ retirement in July 2016. Effective January 1, 2017, Eric Chapman, Corporate Head of
Technical Services of Fortuna, was promoted to the new position of Vice-President of Technical Services. Effective
April 5, 2017, Gordon Jang was appointed to the new position of Vice-President of Finance and Accounting.
On August 16, 2017, Kylie Dickson was appointed as an independent member of the Board, and she was appointed
to the audit committee in the place of David Farrell. As well, Mr. Farrell was appointed Chair of the corporate
governance & nominating committee in the place of Mario Szotlender.
On May 1, 2018, David Farrell was appointed as the independent Lead Director of the Company, Alfredo Sillau was
appointed to the compensation committee in the place of Mario Szotlender, and David Laing was appointed to the
corporate governance & nominating committee. Robert Gilmore did not stand for re-election as a director at the
Company’s annual general meeting held on June 14, 2018. Immediately following the annual general meeting,
Kylie Dickson was appointed to the corporate governance & nominating committee and as chair of the audit
committee, and David Farrell was appointed to the audit committee.
On March 12, 2019, the Board approved the establishment of a Sustainability Committee comprised of David Laing
(Chair), Alfredo Sillau and Mario Szotlender. The purpose of the committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its
oversight responsibilities by reviewing and guiding the Sustainability, Social Responsibility, Environmental, and
Health and Safety policies of the Company established by the senior officers of the Company.
Credit Facilities
In January 2018, the Company entered into a third amended and restated credit agreement with the Bank of Nova
Scotia (the “2018 Credit Facility”). The 2018 Credit Facility consists of a $40 million non-revolving credit facility
and an $80 million revolving credit facility, both having with a four year term from closing of the 2018 Credit
Facility. The 2018 Credit Facility is secured by a first ranking lien on the Company’s material subsidiaries and their
assets. The Company must comply with the terms in the amended agreement related to reporting requirements,
conduct of business, insurance, notices, and must maintain certain covenants. The proceeds of the 2018 Credit
Facility were intended to be used primarily to finance the mine construction at the Lindero Project.
In conjunction with the closing of the 2018 Credit Facility, the 2015 hedging of interest rates on the $40 million
term loan set to expire in 2019 was unwound, and a new hedging arrangement through an interest rate swap contract
was entered into for a four year term coinciding with the 2018 $40 million term loan.
Effective December 13, 2018, the Company further amended the 2018 Credit Facility. Pursuant to the joinder and
amendment to the Credit Facility, BNP Paribas was added as an additional lender under the Credit Facility and the
revolving portion of the facility was increased from $80 million to $110 million for a temporary period of two years.
The original $80 million revolving portion of the facility retains its original four year term.
Updated Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates
During the past three years, the Company has released updated Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates for
its properties as follows:
•
•
for Caylloma and San Jose as at December 31, 2015 - released in March 2016;
for Caylloma and San Jose as at December 31, 2016, combined with Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource estimates for the Lindero Project - released in February 2017;
for Lindero as at September 9, 2017 - released in September 2017;
for Caylloma, San Jose and Lindero as at December 31, 2017 - released in February 2018; and
•
•
• For Caylloma and San Jose as at December 31, 2018 – released in March 2019.
A summary of the December 31, 2018 estimates is as follows:
Highlights of Reserve and Resource Update
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• Combined Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves for the Caylloma and San Jose mines are reported at 7.8
Mt containing 45.6 Moz silver and 272 koz gold, representing a year-over-year increase of 17 percent in
tonnes, a 2 percent increase in contained silver ounces and no change in gold ounces
• Combined Inferred Mineral Resources for the Caylloma and San Jose mines are reported at 8.8 Mt
containing an estimated 32.8 Moz silver and 168 koz gold, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 17
percent and 13 percent in contained silver and gold ounces respectively
Mineral Reserves - Proven and Probable
Property
Classification
Mines
Caylloma,
Peru
Proven
Probable
Proven + Probable
San Jose,
Mexico
Proven
Probable
Proven + Probable
Proven + Probable
Total
Mineral Resources - Measured and Indicated
Property
Caylloma,
Peru
San Jose,
Mexico
Mines
Total
Classification
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated
Measured + Indicated
Mineral Resources – Inferred
Tonnes
(000)
149
2,477
2,626
393
4,779
5,172
7,798
Ag
(g/t)
85
Au
(g/t)
0.26
77
77
237
235
235
182
0.18
0.18
1.97
1.51
1.55
1.09
Tonnes
(000)
524
1,633
2,157
49
272
321
2,478
Ag
(g/t)
73
77
76
77
84
83
77
Au
(g/t)
0.32
0.29
0.30
0.56
0.59
0.59
0.34
Pb
(%)
2.09
2.12
2.11
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Pb
(%)
1.16
1.23
1.22
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Zn
(%)
3.23
3.71
3.69
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Zn
(%)
2.23
2.25
2.24
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Contained
Metal
Ag
(Moz)
0.4
Au
(koz)
1
6.1
6.5
3.0
36.0
39.0
45.6
14
15
25
232
257
272
Contained
Metal
Ag
(Moz)
1.2
4.1
5.3
0.1
0.7
0.9
6.1
Au
(koz)
5
15
21
1
5
6
27
Contained
Metal
Property
Classification
Tonnes
(000)
Ag
(g/t)
Au
(g/t)
Pb
(%)
Zn
(%)
Ag
(Moz)
Au
(koz)
Mines
Total
Caylloma,
Peru
San Jose,
Mexico
Inferred
Inferred
Inferred
5,345
102
0.32
2.40
3.83
17.6
56
2,415
196
1.44
N/A
N/A
15.2
7,760
132
0.67
N/A
N/A
32.8
112
168
1. Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources are as defined by the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and
Mineral Reserves
2. Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves
3. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability
4. Factors that could materially affect the reported Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves include; changes in metal price and
exchange rate assumptions; changes in local interpretations of mineralization; changes to assumed metallurgical recoveries,
mining dilution and recovery; and assumptions as to the continued ability to access the site, retain mineral and surface rights
titles, maintain environmental and other regulatory permits, and maintain the social license to operate
-12-
5. Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves are estimated as of June 30, 2018 for the San Jose Mine and as of August 31, 2018
for the Caylloma Mine and reported as of December 31, 2018 taking into account production-related depletion for the period
through December 31, 2018.
6. Mineral Reserves for the San Jose Mine are estimated using an NSR break-even cut-off grade of US$65.90/t, equivalent to
131 g/t Ag Eq based on assumed metal prices of US$18.25/oz Ag and US$1,320/oz Au; estimated metallurgical recovery
rates of 92 % for Ag and 91 % for Au and mining costs of US$31.48/t; processing costs of US$16.55/t; and other costs
including distribution, management, community support and general service costs of US$17.91/t based on actual operating
costs. Mining recovery is estimated to average 89% and mining dilution 12%. Mineral Resources are estimated at a 100 g/t
Ag Eq cut-off grade using the same metal prices and metallurgical recoveries as for Mineral Reserves and a mine to mill
operating cost of US$52.50/t. Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves include 3.20 Mt containing 26.9 Moz of silver and 164
koz of gold reported at a 134 g/t Ag Eq cut-off grade, in addition to Inferred Resources totaling 1.32 Mt containing 7.1 Moz
of silver and 49 koz of gold reported at a 100 g/t Ag Eq cut-off grade located in the Taviche Oeste concession and subject to
a 2.5 % royalty
7. Mineral Reserves for the Caylloma Mine are reported above NSR breakeven cut-off values based on the proposed mining
method for extraction including; mechanized (breasting) at US$ 82.90/t; mechanized (enhanced) at US$ 70.30/t; semi-
mechanized at US$ 93.10/t; and conventional at US$ 173.70/t using assumed metal prices of US$18.25/oz Ag, US$1,320/oz
Au, US$2,270/t Pb and US$2,750/t Zn; metallurgical recovery rates of 84 % for Ag, 17 % for Au, 91 % for Pb and 90 % for
Zn with the exception of high zinc oxide areas that use metallurgical recovery rates of 57 % for Ag, 17 % for Au, 57 % for
Pb and 35 % for Zn; and the Ramal Piso Carolina vein that uses a metallurgical recovery rate of 75 % for Au. Mining,
processing and administrative costs used to determine NSR cut-off values were estimated based on first half of 2018 actual
operating costs. Mining recovery is estimated to average 92 % with mining dilution ranging from 10 % to 40 % depending
on the mining methodology. Mineral Resources are reported based on estimated NSR values using the same metal prices
and metallurgical recovery rates as detailed for Mineral Reserves; and an NSR cut-off grade based on mine to mill
operational costs of US$50/t for veins classified as wide (Animas, Animas NE, Nancy, San Cristobal) and US$135/t for
veins classified as narrow (all other veins)
8. Eric Chapman, P.Geo. (APEGBC #36328) is the Qualified Person for resources and Amri Sinuhaji (APEGBC #48305) is
the Qualified Person for reserves, both being employees of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
9. Totals may not add due to rounding procedures
10. N/A = Not Applicable
11. The technical reports from which the above information is derived are cited under the heading “Description of the Business
– Material Mineral Properties”.
San Jose Mine, Mexico
As of December 31, 2018, the San Jose Mine has Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 5.2 Mt containing 39.0
Moz of silver and 257 koz of gold, in addition to Inferred Resources of 2.4 Mt containing a further 15.2 Moz of
silver and 112 koz of gold.
Year-over-year, Mineral Reserves increased 3 percent in tonnes while decreasing 3 percent and 1 percent in
contained silver and gold, respectively, after net changes resulting from production-related depletion and the
upgrading and conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves due to a successful infill drill program
focused primarily on the Stockwork zones.
Measured and Indicated Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves remained constant year-over-year at 0.3 Mt
although average silver and gold grades increased by 29 percent and 23 percent, respectively, due to changes in
operating costs and commercial terms resulting in the breakeven cut-off grade for Mineral Reserves increasing from
117 g/t to 131 g/t Ag Eq.
Year-over-year, Inferred Resources decreased 24 percent and 12 percent in contained silver and gold ounces,
respectively. Silver and gold grades decreased 19 percent and 6 percent respectively. The net variation is due to
reductions resulting from the upgrading of Inferred Mineral Resources by infill drilling in the Stockwork zones.
Inferred Resources include the first time estimate of the recently discovered Victoria mineralized zone comprising
810,000t averaging 137 g/t Ag and 1.14 g/t Au reported above a 100 g/t Ag Eq cut-off (refer to footnote #6 on page
2 of this news release). The Victoria mineralized zone remains open in all directions.
Brownfields exploration program budget for 2019 at the San Jose Mine is US$4.5 million, which includes 11,500
meters of diamond drilling and 450 meters of underground development for drilling access and platforms.
Exploration drilling will focus on the sub-parallel Victoria mineralized zone and Trinidad Central Deep.
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A 2019 infill drilling program of 2,780 meters is underway at the San Jose Mine. The budget of the infill drill
program is US$0.4 million.
Caylloma Mine, Peru
As of December 31, 2018, the Caylloma Mine has Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 2.6 Mt containing 6.5
Moz of silver; in addition to Inferred Mineral Resources of 5.3 Mt containing 17.6 Moz of silver.
Year-over-year, Mineral Reserve tonnes increased 64 percent while contained silver, lead and zinc content increased
39 percent, 54 percent, and 69 percent respectively. Changes are primarily due to mining related depletion and the
upgrading and conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves due to a successful infill drill program
focused on the Animas NE vein.
Measured and Indicated Resources, exclusive of Mineral Reserves, increased by 14 percent year-over-year to 2.2
Mt.
Inferred Mineral Resources year-over-year decreased by 7 percent to 5.3 Mt. Contained silver, lead and zinc content
decreased by 10 percent, 21 percent and 12 percent respectively. The decrease in Inferred Mineral Resources is
primarily due to a successful infill drill program of the Animas NE vein resulting in the upgrading of Inferred
Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves counteracted by Brownfields exploration drilling discovering new resources
in the Animas NE vein.
The Brownfields exploration program budget for 2019 at the Caylloma Mine is $0.8 million. Work planned includes
mapping and sampling on additional mineralized silver-base metals structures.
A 2019 infill drilling program of 3,830 meters and 55 meters development drift is being presently executed at the
Caylloma Mine. The budget of the program is US$0.48 million.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
General
Summary. The Company is engaged in silver and gold mining and related activities in Latin America, including
exploration, extraction, and processing. The Company operates the Caylloma Mine in southern Peru and the San
Jose Mine in southern Mexico, and is constructing an open pit gold heap leach mine at the Lindero Project in
northern Argentina.
The silver-lead, zinc, and silver-gold concentrates produced by the Company at its Caylloma Mine and its San Jose
Mine are sold to international metals traders who in turn deliver the products to different clients around the world.
The material sources of revenue for 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
By type of concentrate:
Silver-lead concentrate
Zinc concentrate
Silver-gold concentrate
By metal contained in concentrate:
Silver
Lead
Zinc
Gold
2018
2017
15%
18%
67%
48%
10%
18%
24%
16%
17%
67%
50%
10%
17%
23%
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Production Methods. The method of production both at Caylloma and San Jose consists of underground mining
principally through cut and fill mechanized operations. Extracted ore is trucked to a conventional crushing, milling
and flotation processing plant which consists of zinc, and lead-silver flotation circuits for Caylloma, and a gold-
silver circuit for San Jose.
Specialized Skill and Knowledge. All aspects of the Company’s business require specialized skills and knowledge.
Such skills and knowledge include the areas of geology, mining, metallurgy, engineering, environment issues,
permitting, social issues, and accounting. While competition in the resource mining industry can make it difficult to
locate and retain competent employees in such fields, the Company has been successful in finding and retaining
personnel for the majority of its key processes. Management considers training and re-training of its staff to be a
priority.
Competitive Conditions. The Company competes with other mining companies, some of which have greater
financial resources and technical facilities, for the acquisition of mineral property interests, as well as for the
recruitment and retention of qualified employees.
Environmental Protection. All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to environmental laws and
regulations in the jurisdictions in which it operates. These environmental regulations provide restrictions and
prohibitions against spills, releases and emission of various substances related to industrial mining operations that
could result in environmental contamination. To the best of management’s knowledge, the Company is in
compliance in all material respects with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to its exploration,
development, construction and operating activities.
On October 11, 2018, the Company reported that on October 8, 2018, abnormally high rainfall caused a contingency
pond to overflow at the dry stack tailings facility at the San Jose mine. The contingency pond collects water from a
ditch system at the dry stack tailing facility designed to capture and manage rain water. No industrial process water
was discharged in this incident. The San Jose Mine uses a cyanide-free process to produce concentrate. Officials at
the Procuraduria Federal de Protección al Ambiente (“PROFEPA”) were notified of the overflow on the day of the
incident. The Company, along with federal, state and local authorities conducted inspections of the facilities at San
Jose and the Coyote Creek. The Company has received PROFEPA’s report on the incident which confirms that the
overflow did not contaminate soil, and therefore, no remediation is necessary. The Company has also received a
final resolution from the Mexican National Water Commission (“CONAGUA”) which confirms that no remediation
of the nearby Coyote Creek is required. However, the Company received a fine of approximately US$42,000
related to the incident. The Company has since installed additional pumping equipment, increased its monitoring
system and reinforced the pipes and drainage channels from the dry stack facility to the contingency pond in order to
mitigate the risk of an overflow in the event of abnormally high rainfall at the San Jose Mine in the future.
For further details of the incident, refer to Fortuna’s news releases dated October 11, 2018 “Fortuna reports heavy
seasonal rains caused an overflow in a contingency pond of the dry stack tailings facility at the San Jose Mine,
Mexico”; February 14, 2019 “PROFEPA report confirms no contamination of soil from overflow of contingency
pond at the San Jose Mine, Mexico in October 2018” and March 28, 2019 “CONAGUA resolution confirms no
remediation required as a result of the overflow of contingency pond at the San Jose Mine, Mexico in October 2018”
on the Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR.
The environmental permits under which the Company operates require it to reclaim certain lands that it disturbs
during mining operations. Reclamation and closure activities can be significant and include land rehabilitation,
decommissioning of mine facilities, ongoing care and maintenance and other costs.
There have been no significant changes in requirements, laws, regulations, operating assumptions, estimated timing
and amount of closure and rehabilitation obligations in respect of the operations of the Company during the financial
year ended December 31, 2018, except for the change in anticipated timing of reclamation expenditures caused by
the extended life of the Caylloma mine. The Company currently estimates the undiscounted uninflated amount of
cash flows required to settle the Company’s estimated rehabilitation costs to be approximately $18 million for the
Caylloma mine, the San Jose mine and the Lindero Gold Project.
Employees. The Company and its subsidiaries had 1,023 direct employees and 2,415 indirect employees through
contractors as at December 31, 2018.
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Foreign Operations. The Company’s material mineral resource properties are located in Peru, Mexico and
Argentina, each of which has a stable government and mature mining industry and regulatory environment.
However, changes in governments may lead to unanticipated or drastic changes in laws and regulations which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
Health and Safety, Social and Environmental Policies. The Company is committed to maintaining the health and
safety of its personnel by minimizing hazards and providing training and safe equipment. A strong safety culture is
encouraged so that all employees are empowered to report and address safety issues.
The Company has built strong relationships with the communities in which it operates, and is dedicated to
innovative, sustainable projects and partnerships that build company engagement in local communities while
respecting their values, customs and traditions.
The Company is committed to complying in all material respects with all environmental laws and regulations
applicable to its activities. It interacts proactively with authorities and communicates openly about its activities.
The Company works directly and collaboratively with local communities to protect and preserve the environment.
Risk Factors
The Company’s ability to generate revenues and profits from its natural resource properties is subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the following:
Risks Relating to the Company’s Business Operations
The Company’s operations are subject to operating hazards and risks incidental to mining operations.
Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk. Operations in which the Company has a direct or indirect
interest, including the Caylloma Mine, the San Jose Mine and the Lindero Project, will be subject to all of the
hazards and risks normally incidental to exploration, development and operational activities, including fire,
explosions, floods, structural collapses, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, ground
control problems, power outages, pollution, industrial water shortages, inclement weather, cave-ins and mechanical
equipment failure. Any such hazards could result in work stoppages, damage to or destruction of mines and other
producing facilities, damage to life and property, environmental damage and possible legal liability for any or all
damages. The Company may become subject to liability for hazards against which it cannot insure or against which
it may elect not to insure. Any compensation for such liabilities may have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s financial position.
Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves and precious metal recoveries are estimated.
There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the estimation of Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves and expected
mineral grades. The Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates included or incorporated by reference in this
AIF have been determined and valued based on assumed future prices, cut-off grades and operating costs. However,
until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves must be
considered as estimates only. Any such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining
experience, analysis of drilling results and industry practices.
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves may require revision based on actual production experience. Market
fluctuations in the price of metals, as well as increased production costs and reduced recovery rates, may render
certain Mineral Reserves uneconomic and may ultimately result in a restatement of Mineral Resources and/or
Mineral Reserves. Short-term operating factors relating to the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, such as the
need for sequential development of ore bodies, may adversely affect the Company’s profitability in any accounting
period. Estimates of operating costs are based on assumptions including those relating to inflation and currency
exchange, which may prove incorrect. Estimates of mineralization can be imprecise and depend upon
geometallurgical assumptions, geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling
analysis, which may prove to be unreliable. In addition, the grade and/or quantity of precious metals ultimately
recovered may differ from that indicated by drilling results. There can be no assurance that precious metals
recovered in small scale tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under onsite conditions or in production scale.
Amendments to mine plans and production profiles may be required as the amount of Mineral Resources changes or
upon receipt of further information during the implementation phase of the project. Extended declines in market
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prices for gold, silver and other metals may render portions of the Company’s mineralization uneconomic and result
in reduced reported mineralization. Any material reduction in estimates of mineralization, or in the Company’s
ability to develop its properties and extract and sell such minerals, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations or financial condition.
The Company’s capital and operating costs, production schedules and economic returns are based on certain
assumptions which may prove to be inaccurate.
The Company’s expected capital and operating costs, production estimates, anticipated economic returns and other
projections, estimates and forecasts for its mineral properties that are included or incorporated by reference in this
AIF or included in any technical reports, scoping studies, pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies prepared for
or by the Company are based on assumed or estimated future metals prices, cut-off grades, operating costs, capital
costs, metallurgical recoveries, that the actual ore mined is amenable to mining or treatment, environmental
considerations, labour volumes, permitting and other factors, any of which may prove to be inaccurate. As a result,
technical reports, scoping studies, pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies prepared for or by the Company may
prove to be unreliable.
The Company’s capital and operating costs are affected by the cost of commodities and goods such as steel, cement,
explosives, fuel, electrical power and supplies, including reagents. Significant declines in market prices for gold,
silver and other metals could have an adverse effect on the Company’s economic projections. Management assumes
that the materials and supplies required for operations will be available for purchase and that the Company will have
access to the required amount of sufficiently skilled labour. As the Company relies on certain third-party suppliers
and contractors, these factors can be outside its control and an increase in the costs of, or a lack of availability of,
commodities, goods and labour may have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition. The Company
may experience difficulty in obtaining the necessary permits for its exploration, development or operational
activities, if such permits are obtained at all, and may face penalties as a result of violations of permits or other
environmental laws, which may cause delays and increases to projected budgets. Any of these discrepancies from
the Company’s expected capital and operating costs, production schedules and economic returns could cause a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company has in the past, and may in the future, provide estimates and projections of its future production, costs
and financial results. Any such information is forward looking. Neither the Company’s auditors nor any other
independent expert or outside party compiles or examines these forward looking statements. Accordingly, no such
person expresses any opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. Such estimates are made by the
Company’s management and technical personnel and are qualified by, and subject to the assumptions, contained or
referred to in the filing, release or presentation in which they are made, including assumptions about the availability,
accessibility, sufficiency and quality of mineralized material, the Company’s costs of production, the market prices
of silver, gold and other metals, the Company’s ability to sustain and increase production levels, the ability to
produce and sell marketable concentrates the sufficiency of its infrastructure, the performance of its personnel and
equipment, its ability to maintain and obtain mining interests and permits, the state of the government and
community relations, and its compliance with existing and future laws and regulations. Actual results and
experience may differ materially from these assumptions. Any such production, cost, or financial results estimates
speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update
such estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, these forward
looking statements should be considered in the context in which they are made and undue reliance should not be
placed on them.
Uncertainties and risks related to the start-up of the Lindero Project
The Company is subject to inherent uncertainties and risks related to the construction and start-up of the Lindero
Project, the principal of which include:
• Hiring of key personnel for the construction and commissioning;
• Availability and delivery of critical equipment within the timeline;
• Delays associated with contractors;
• Budget overruns due to changes in costs of fuel, power, materials and supplies; and
• Potential opposition from non-governmental organizations, environmental groups or local groups which
may delay or prevent activities.
-17-
The Company’s ability to meet construction, development, and production schedules and cost estimates for the
Lindero Project cannot be assured. The Company has prepared estimates of capital costs and/or operating costs for
the Lindero Project, but no assurance can be given that such estimates will be achieved. Failure to achieve cost
estimates or material increases in costs could have an adverse impact in future cash flows, profitability, results of
operations and financial condition.
It is common in new mining operations to experience such unexpected costs, problems and delays during
construction, development and mine start-up. In addition, delays in the commencement of mineral production often
occur. Accordingly, the Company cannot provide assurance that its activities will result in profitable mining
operations at the Lindero Project.
Development projects such as the Lindero Project are uncertain and it is possible that actual capital and
operating costs and economic returns will differ significantly from those estimated for a project prior to
production.
The development of the mine at the Lindero Project requires significant expenditures during the development phase
before production is possible. The economic feasibility of development projects is based on many factors such as:
estimation of mineral reserves, anticipated metallurgical recoveries, environmental considerations and permitting,
future gold prices, and anticipated capital and operating costs of such projects. The Lindero Project has no operating
history upon which to base estimates of future production and cash operating costs. Particularly for development
projects, estimates of proven and probable mineral reserves and cash operating costs are, to a large extent, based
upon the interpretation of geologic data obtained from drill holes and other sampling techniques, and feasibility
studies that derive estimates of cash operating costs based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined
and processed, the configuration of the ore body, expected recovery rates of gold from the ore, estimated operating
costs, anticipated climactic conditions and other factors. As a result, it is possible that actual capital and operating
costs and economic returns will significantly differ from those currently estimated for the Linder Project prior to
production.
Any of the following events, among others, could affect the profitability or economic feasibility of the Lindero
Project: unanticipated changes in grades and tonnes or ore to be mined and processed, unanticipated adverse
geologic conditions, unanticipated metallurgical recovery problems, incorrect data on which engineering
assumptions are made, availability of labor, costs of processing and refining facilities, availability of economic
sources of power, adequacy of water supply, adequate access to the site, unanticipated transportation costs,
government regulations (including regulations with respect to the environment, prices, royalties, duties, taxes,
permitting, restrictions on production, quotas on exportation of minerals, environmental), fluctuations in gold prices,
and accidents labour actions and force majeure events.
The development of the Company’s properties requires substantial exploration, expenditure and the development
of infrastructure.
Development of the Company’s non-producing properties will only follow upon obtaining satisfactory exploration
and engineering results that confirm economically recoverable and saleable volumes of minerals and metal as well
as the legality of such development. The business of mineral exploration and development is speculative in nature
and involves a high degree of risk, as few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing
mines. There is no assurance that the Company’s mineral exploration and development activities will result in any
discoveries of Mineral Reserves. The long-term profitability of the Company’s operations will be in part directly
related to the cost and success of its exploration programs, which may be affected by a number of factors.
Development of the Company’s non-producing projects will require the construction and operation of mines,
processing plants and related infrastructure. As a result, the Company is and will continue to be subject to all of the
risks associated with establishing new mining operations, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
the timing and cost, which can be considerable, of the construction of mining and processing facilities;
the availability and cost of skilled labour, mining equipment and principal supplies needed for operations;
the availability and cost of appropriate smelting and refining arrangements;
the need to maintain necessary environmental and other governmental approvals and permits;
the availability of funds to finance construction and development activities;
potential opposition from non-governmental organizations, environmental groups, local groups or other
stakeholders which may delay or prevent development activities; and
-18-
•
potential increases in construction and operating costs due to changes in the cost of labour, fuel, power,
materials and supplies.
Substantial expenditures are required to establish Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves through drilling and
development and for mining and processing facilities and infrastructure. No assurance can be given that minerals
will be discovered in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations or that the funds required for
development can be obtained on a timely basis. Economic feasibility of a project is based on several other factors
including anticipated metallurgical recoveries, environmental considerations and permitting, future metal prices, and
timely completion of the development plan.
Completion of the development of the Company’s advanced projects is subject to various requirements, including
the availability and timing of acceptable arrangements for power, water, transportation, access and facilities. The
lack of, or delay in, availability of any one or more of these items could prevent or delay development of the
Company’s advanced projects. There can be no assurance that adequate infrastructure, including road access, will
be built, that it will be built in a timely manner or that the cost of such infrastructure will be reasonable or that it will
sufficiently satisfy the requirements of the advanced projects. As well, accidents or sabotage could affect the
provision or maintenance of adequate infrastructure.
The Company’s operations require water, and the San Jose Mine is located in a region where water is scarce. While
the Company believes it holds sufficient water rights to support its current operations, future developments could
limit the amount of water available to the Company. New water development projects, or climatic conditions such
as extended drought, could adversely affect the Company. There can be no guarantee that the Company will be
successful in maintaining adequate supplies of water for its operations.
The Company’s operations are subject to extensive environmental regulation.
All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which
it operates. These laws address emissions into the air, discharges into water, management of waste, management of
hazardous substances, protection of natural resources, antiquities and endangered species and reclamation of lands
disturbed by mining operations. The Company’s operations generate chemical and metals depositions in the form of
tailings. The Company’s ability to obtain, maintain and renew permits and approvals and to successfully develop
and operate mines may be adversely affected by real or perceived impacts associated with the Company’s activities
or of other mining companies that affect the environment, human health and safety. Environmental hazards may
exist on the Company’s properties which are unknown to the Company at present and were caused by previous or
existing owners or operators of the properties, for which the Company could be held liable.
Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased
fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a
heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Compliance with
environmental laws and regulations may require significant capital outlays on behalf of the Company and may cause
material changes or delays in the Company's intended activities. Failure to comply with applicable environmental
laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued
by regulatory or judicial authorities, causing operations to cease or be curtailed. Such enforcement actions may
include the imposition of corrective measures requiring capital expenditure, installation of new equipment or
remedial action. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely
affect the Company’s operations.
The Company intends to, and attempts to, fully comply with all applicable environmental regulations. While the
health and safety of its people and responsible environmental stewardship are top priorities for the Company, there
can be no assurance that the Company has been or will be at all times in complete compliance with such laws,
regulations and permits, or that the costs of complying with current and future environmental and health and safety
laws and permits will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations or financial
condition.
The Company’s business is sensitive to nature and climate conditions.
The Company and the mining industry are facing continued geotechnical challenges, which could adversely impact
the Company’s production and profitability. Unanticipated adverse geotechnical and hydrological conditions, such
as landslides, floods, seismic activity, droughts and pit wall failures, may occur in the future and such events may
not be detected in advance. Such geotechnical risks could impact the structural integrity of our mines, stockpiles,
leach pads and tailings storage facilities. Geotechnical instabilities and adverse climatic conditions can be difficult
-19-
to predict and are often affected by risks and hazards outside of the Company’s control, such as severe weather and
considerable rainfall. Geotechnical failures could result in limited or restricted access to mine sites, suspension of
operations, government investigations, increased monitoring costs, remediation costs, loss of ore and other impacts,
which could cause one or more of the Company’s projects to be less profitable than currently anticipated and could
result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business results of operations and financial position.
The Company’s operations are subject to political and other risks in the countries in which it operates.
The Company currently conducts, or plans to conduct, exploration, development and production activity in a number
of countries, including Peru, Mexico, Argentina and Serbia. There are uncertainties in these regions regarding
future changes in applicable laws related to exploration, development and mining operations. For instance, in
January 2014, amendments to the Mexican federal corporate income tax law required titleholders of mining
concessions to pay annually a 7.5% duty on their mining related profits and a 0.5% duty on revenues obtained from
the sale of gold, silver and platinum, effective March 2015. Additionally, the State of Oaxaca in Mexico has a
history of social conflicts and political agitation which can lead to public demonstrations and blockades that can
from time to time affect the Company’s operations. On September 4, 2018, the Argentine Executive Branch issued
an executive order which established an export tax of 12% over all goods exported from Argentina, applicable from
September 4, 2018 to December 31, 2020. The tax is capped at four Argentine pesos per United States dollar for
bullions and unrefined gold, and at three Argentine pesos per United States dollar for unrefined silver and zinc,
copper and precious metal ore and their concentrate. This action was part of a larger plan that included other
austerity measures in Argentina. There can be no assurance that this export tax will not be extended beyond 2020.
The Company is not able to determine the impact of other potential political and country risks on its future financial
position, which include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
cancellation or renegotiation of contracts;
changes in foreign laws or regulations;
changes in tax laws;
royalty and tax increases or claims by governmental entities;
retroactive tax or royalty claims;
expropriation or nationalization of property;
inflation of costs that is not compensated by a currency devaluation;
restrictions on the remittance of dividend and interest payments offshore;
environmental controls and permitting;
opposition from local community members or non-governmental organizations;
civil strife, acts of war, guerrilla activities, insurrection and terrorism; and
other risks arising out of foreign sovereignty over the areas in which the Company’s operations are
conducted.
Such risks could potentially arise in any country in which the Company operates. The Company may also evaluate
business opportunities in other jurisdictions where such risks may exist. Furthermore, in the event of a dispute
arising from such activities, the Company may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts outside North
America or may not be successful in subjecting persons to the jurisdiction of the courts in North America, which
could adversely affect the outcome of a dispute.
The Company is subject to extensive government regulations and permit requirements.
Operations, development and exploration on the Company’s properties are affected to varying degrees by political
stability and government regulations relating to such matters as environmental protection, health, safety and labour,
mining law reform, restrictions on production, price controls, tax increases, maintenance of claims, tenure, and
expropriation of property. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in fines or
administrative penalties or enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities
enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of additional equipment or remedial
actions, any of which could result in the Company incurring significant expenditures.
The activities of the Company require licences and permits from various governmental authorities. The Company
currently has been granted the requisite licences and permits to enable it to carry on its existing business and
operations. The Company has also been granted the principal licenses and permits necessary for exploration and
construction of the Lindero Project, and permits related to construction activities have been received and are subject
to renewal when applicable. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all the necessary
licences and permits which may be required to carry out exploration, development and mining operations for its
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projects in the future. The Company might find itself in situations where the state of compliance with regulation and
permits can be subject to interpretation and challenge from authorities that could carry risk of fines or temporary
stoppage.
The Company’s mining concessions may be terminated in certain circumstances.
Under the laws of the jurisdictions where the Company’s operations, exploration and development projects and
prospects are located, Mineral Resources belong to the state and governmental concessions are required to explore
for, and exploit, Mineral Reserves. The Company holds mining, exploration and other related concessions in each
of the jurisdictions where it is operating and where it is carrying on development projects and prospects. The
concessions held by the Company in respect of its operations, exploration and development projects and prospects
may be terminated under certain circumstances, including where minimum production levels are not achieved by the
Company (or a corresponding penalty is not paid), if certain fees and/or royalties are not paid or if environmental
and safety standards are not met. Termination of any of the Company’s concessions could have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
Risks related to International Labour Organization (“ILO”) Convention 169 Compliance
The Company may, or may in the future, operate in areas presently or previously inhabited or used by indigenous
peoples. As a result, the Company’s operations are subject to national and international laws, codes, resolutions,
conventions, guidelines and other similar rules respecting the rights of indigenous peoples, including the provisions
of ILO Convention 169. ILO Convention 169 mandates, among other things, that governments consult with
indigenous peoples who may be impacted by mining projects prior to granting rights, permits or approvals in respect
of such projects.
ILO Convention 169 has been ratified by most Latin American countries including Argentina, Peru and Mexico. It
is possible however that these governments may not (i) have implemented procedures to ensure their compliance
with ILO Convention 169 or (ii) have complied with the requirements of ILO Convention 169 despite implementing
such procedures.
Government compliance with ILO Convention 169 can result in delays and significant additional expenses to the
Company arising from the consultation process with indigenous peoples in relation to the Company’s exploration,
mining or development projects. Moreover, any actual or perceived past contraventions, or potential future actual or
perceived contraventions, of ILO Convention 169 by ratifying governments in the countries in which the Company
operates create a risk that the permits, rights, approvals, and other governmental authorizations that the Company
has relied upon, or may in the future rely upon, to carry out its operations or plans in such countries could be
challenged by or on behalf of indigenous peoples in such countries.
Such challenges may result in, without limitation, additional expenses with respect to the Company’s operations, the
suspension, revocation or amendment of the Company’s rights or mining, environmental or export permits, a delay
or stoppage of the Company’s development, exploration or mining operations, the refusal by governmental
authorities to grant new permits or approvals required for the Company’s continuing operations until the settlement
of such challenges, or the requirement for the responsible government to undertake the requisite consultation process
in accordance with ILO Convention 169.
As a result of the inherent uncertainty in respect of such proceedings, the Company is unable to predict what the
results of any such challenges would be; however, any ILO Convention 169 proceedings relating to the Company’s
mining and exploration operations in Mexico or Peru, or its development of the Lindero Project and exploration of
other properties in Argentina, may have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, and financial condition
of the Company.
The Company’s success depends on developing and maintaining relationships with local communities and
stakeholders.
The Company’s ongoing and future success depends on developing and maintaining productive relationships with
the communities surrounding its operations, including indigenous peoples who may have rights or may assert rights
to certain of the Company’s properties, and other stakeholders in its operating locations. The Company believes its
operations can provide valuable benefits to surrounding communities, in terms of direct employment, training and
skills development and other benefits associated with ongoing payment of taxes. In addition, the Company seeks to
maintain its partnerships and relationships with local communities, including indigenous peoples, and stakeholders
in a variety of ways, including in-kind contributions, [volunteer time, sponsorships] and donations. Notwithstanding
the Company’s ongoing efforts, local communities and stakeholders can become dissatisfied with its activities or the
-21-
level of benefits provided, which may result in civil unrest, protests, direct action or campaigns against it. Any such
occurrence could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of
operations.
As a result of social media and other web-based applications, companies today are at much greater risk of losing
control over how they are perceived.
Damage to the Company’s reputation can be the result of the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of
events, and could include any negative publicity, whether true or not. Although the Company places a great
emphasis on protecting its image and reputation, it does not ultimately have direct control over how it is perceived
by others. Reputation loss may lead to increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations,
decreased investor confidence and act as an impediment to the Company’s overall ability to advance its projects,
thereby having a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
Opposition of the Company’s exploration, development and operational activities may adversely affect the
Company’s reputation, its ability to receive mining rights or permits and its current or future activities.
Maintaining a positive relationship with the communities in which the Company operates, including with respect to
the Caylloma Mine, the San Jose Mine and the Lindero Project, is critical to continuing successful exploration and
development. Community support for operations is a key component of a successful exploration or development
project. Various international and national laws, codes, resolutions, conventions, guidelines and other materials
relating to corporate social responsibility (including rights with respect to health and safety and the environment)
may also require government consultation with communities on a variety of issues affecting local stakeholders,
including the approval of mining rights or permits.
The Company may come under pressure in the jurisdictions in which it explores or develops to demonstrate that
other stakeholders benefit and will continue to benefit from its commercial activities. Local stakeholders and other
groups may oppose the Company’s current and future exploration, development and operational activities through
legal or administrative proceedings, protests, roadblocks or other forms of public expression against the Company’s
activities. Opposition by such groups may have a negative impact on the Company’s reputation and its ability to
receive necessary mining rights or permits. Opposition may also require the Company to modify its exploration,
development or operational plans or enter into agreements with local stakeholders or governments with respect to its
projects, in some cases causing considerable project delays. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and Common Share price.
The Company is faced with uncertainty of funding for exploration and development.
The Company’s operating cash flow from the Caylloma Mine and the San Jose Mine may not be sufficient to cover
the current and future costs of exploration and development of the Company’s other, non-producing properties,
including the Lindero Project. Exploration and development activities may be dependent upon the Company’s
ability to obtain financing through joint ventures, equity or debt financing or other means. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to obtain additional financing or that the terms of such financing will be
favorable. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further
exploration and development of some of its projects.
The Company is substantially reliant on the Caylloma Mine and the San Jose Mine.
All of the Company’s revenues were generated by the Caylloma Mine until September 2011, when commercial
production commenced at the San Jose Mine. For 2019, the Company anticipates that all of its revenue will come
from the Caylloma Mine and the San Jose Mine. Until commencement of commercial production at the Lindero
Project or until the Company acquires or develops additional properties or projects, the Company will remain largely
dependent upon the operation of the Caylloma Mine and the San Jose Mine for its future revenue and profits, if any.
If for any reason production at either mine was reduced or stopped, the Company’s revenues and profits would
decrease significantly.
The title to the Company’s properties could be challenged or impugned.
Although the Company has or will receive title opinions for any properties in which it has a material interest, there is
no guarantee that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned. The Company has not conducted
surveys of the claims in which it holds direct or indirect interests and, therefore the precise area and location of the
properties may be in doubt. The Company’s properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers
or indigenous land claims and title may be affected by unidentified or unknown defects. Title insurance is generally
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not available for mineral properties and the Company's ability to ensure that it has obtained secure claims to
individual mineral properties or mining concessions may be constrained. A successful challenge to the Company’s
title to a property or to the precise area and location of a property could cause delays or stoppages to the Company’s
exploration, development or operating activities without reimbursement to the Company. Any such delays or
stoppages could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Additional businesses and assets that the Company acquires may not be successfully integrated.
The Company undertakes evaluations from time to time of opportunities to acquire additional mining assets and
businesses. In particular, the Company completed its acquisition of Goldrock in July 2016. Any such acquisitions
may be significant in size, may change the scale of the Company’s business, may require additional capital, and/or
may expose the Company to new geographic, political, operating, financial and geological risks. The Company’s
success in its acquisition activities depends on its ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, acquire them on
acceptable terms, and integrate their operations successfully. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks such
as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
a significant decline in the relevant metal price after the Company commits to complete an acquisition on
certain terms;
the quality of the mineral deposit acquired proving to be lower than expected;
the difficulty of assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired companies;
the potential disruption of the Company’s ongoing business;
the inability of management to realize anticipated synergies and maximize the financial and strategic
position of the Company;
the failure to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;
the impairment of relationships with employees, customers and contractors as a result of any integration of
new management personnel; and
the potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired assets and businesses.
There can be no assurance that any assets or business acquired will prove to be profitable or that the Company will
be able to integrate the required businesses successfully, which could slow the Company’s rate of expansion and
cause the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition to suffer.
The Company may need additional capital to finance future acquisitions. There can be no assurance that such
financing would be available, on favourable terms or at all. If the Company obtains further debt financing, it will be
exposed to the risk of leverage and its operations could become subject to restrictive loan and lease covenants and
undertakings. If the Company obtains equity financing, existing shareholders may suffer dilution. There can be no
assurance that the Company would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in
connection with such financings.
Impairments.
It is possible that material changes could occur that may adversely affect management’s estimate of the carrying
value of non-current assets which may have a material adverse effect on the Company. Impairment estimates are
based on management’s assumptions, and sensitivity analyses and actual future outcomes may differ from these
estimates.
As at December 31, 2018, the Company determined there were indicators of impairment at the Lindero Project due
to increased direct capital costs as well as increased owner and other indirect costs due to construction delays that
extended the project completion date. The Company performed a test of impairment based on the current life of
mine plan using a discount rate of 7.25% and a long-term gold price of $1,313/oz. Other assumptions that factored
into the test include forecast currency and inflation rates, a contingency amount, future cash operating costs, initial
capital and sustaining capital expenditures. As a result, management estimated the recoverable amount of the
Lindero Project as at December 31, 2018, determined on a fair value less cost of disposal basis, and concluded no
impairment charge was required. However, adverse changes in any of these assumptions in future periods may
result in an impairment.
The Company is dependent on key personnel.
The Company is dependent on a number of key management and employee personnel. The Company’s ability to
manage its exploration, development, construction and operating activities, and hence its success, will depend in
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large part on the ability to retain current personnel and attract and retain new personnel, including management,
technical and unskilled employees. The loss of the services of one or more key management personnel, as well as a
prolonged labor disruption, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to successfully manage
and expand its affairs.
The Company will be required to recruit additional personnel and to train, motivate and manage its employees. The
international mining industry is very active and the Company is facing increased competition for personnel in all
disciplines and areas of operation, including geology and project management, and there can be no assurance that it
will be able to retain current personnel and attract and retain new personnel. Incentive provisions for the Company’s
key executives include the granting of stock options and various share units that vest over time, which are designed
to encourage such individuals to stay with the Company. However, a low Common Share price, whether as a result
of disappointing progress in the Company's exploration, development, construction or operating activities or as a
result of market conditions generally, could render such agreements of little value to the Company’s key executives.
In such event, the Company’s key executives could be susceptible to being hired away by the Company's
competitors who could offer a better compensation package. If the Company is unable to attract and retain key
personnel, its business, financial conditions and results of operations may be adversely affected.
The Company relies on local counsel and advisors and the experience of its management and board of directors
in foreign jurisdictions.
The Company’s material mining or exploration property interests are located in Peru, Mexico and Argentina. The
legal and regulatory requirements in certain of these countries with respect to mineral exploration and mining
activities, as well as local business customs and practices, are different from those in Canada and the United States.
The officers and directors of the Company must rely, to a great extent, on the Company’s local legal counsel and
local consultants retained by the Company in order to keep abreast of material legal, regulatory and governmental
developments as they pertain to and affect the Company’s business operations, and to assist the Company with its
governmental relations. The Company must rely, to some extent, on those members of management and the
Company’s board of directors who have previous experience working and conducting business in these countries in
order to enhance its understanding of and appreciation for the local business customs and practices. The Company
also relies on the advice of local experts and professionals in connection with current and new regulations that
develop in respect of banking, financing, labour, litigation and tax matters in these countries. There can be no
guarantee that reliance on such local counsel and advisors and the Company’s management and board of directors
will result in compliance at all times with such legal and regulatory requirements and business customs and
practices. Any such violations could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Certain of the Company’s directors and officers may have conflicts of interest.
Certain of the directors and officers of the Company also serve as directors and/or officers of other companies
involved in natural resource exploration and development and consequently there exists the possibility for such
directors and officers to be in a position of conflict. To the extent that such other companies may participate in
ventures that the Company may also participate in, or in ventures that the Company may seek to participate in, the
Company’s directors and officers may have a conflict of interest in negotiating and concluding terms respecting the
extent of such participation. As a result of these potential conflicts of interests, the Company may miss the
opportunity to participate in certain transactions. In all cases where the Company’s directors and officers have an
interest in other companies, such other companies may also compete with the Company for the acquisition of
mineral property investments. Such conflicts of the Company’s directors and officers may result in a material and
adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
The insurance coverage on the Company’s operations may be inadequate.
The mining industry is subject to significant risks that could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral
properties or producing facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in mining, monetary
losses and possible legal liability. The Company’s policies of insurance may not provide sufficient coverage for
losses related to these or other risks. The Company’s insurance does not cover all risks that may result in loss or
damages and may not be adequate to reimburse the Company for all losses sustained. The occurrence of losses or
damage not covered by insurance could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations
and financial condition.
Insurance against certain environmental risks, including potential liability for pollution and other hazards as a result
of the disposal of waste products occurring from production, is not generally available to companies within the
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mining industry. There is no assurance that the Company’s insurance will be adequate to cover all liabilities or that
it will continue to be available and at terms that are economically acceptable. Losses from un-insured or under-
insured events may cause the Company to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect on its
business and financial condition.
The Company must comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”) requires an annual assessment by management of the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Beginning with the Company’s 2016 fiscal year, its auditor is
also required to attest to the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company
may fail to maintain the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting as such standards are modified,
supplemented or amended from time to time. If this occurs, the Company may not be able to conclude, on an
ongoing basis, that it has effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of SOX
and the Company’s auditor may issue an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting. The Company’s failure to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of SOX on an ongoing, timely basis
could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of the Company’s financial statements, which in turn
could harm its business and negatively impact the trading price or the market value of its securities. In addition, any
failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could
harm the Company’s operating results or cause it to fail to meet its reporting obligations. Future acquisitions of
companies, if any, may provide the Company with challenges in implementing the required processes, procedures
and controls in its acquired operations. No evaluation can provide complete assurance that the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company to disclose
material information otherwise required to be reported. The effectiveness of the Company’s processes, procedures
and controls could also be limited by simple errors or faulty judgments. As the Company continues to expand, the
challenges involved in implementing appropriate internal control over financial reporting will increase and will
require that the Company continue to monitor its internal control over financial reporting. Although the Company
intends to expend substantial time and incur substantial costs, as necessary, to ensure ongoing compliance, it cannot
be certain that it will be successful in complying with Section 404 of SOX.
The Company may be responsible for corruption and anti-bribery law violations.
The Company’s business is subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and the Corrupt Foreign
Public Officials Act (the “CFPOA”), which generally prohibit companies and company employees from engaging
in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The
FCPA also requires companies to maintain accurate books and records and internal controls, including at foreign-
controlled subsidiaries. Since all of the Company’s presently held interests are located in Peru, Mexico and
Argentina, there is a risk of potential FCPA violations. In addition, the Company is subject to the anti-bribery laws
of Peru, Mexico, and Argentina and of any other countries in which it conducts business in the future. The
Company's employees or other agents may, without its knowledge and despite its efforts, engage in prohibited
conduct under the Company’s policies and procedures and the FCPA, the CFPOA or other anti-bribery laws for
which the Company may be held responsible. If the Company’s employees or other agents are found to have
engaged in such practices, the Company could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company’s Anti-
Corruption Policy and other corporate policies mandate compliance with these anti-bribery laws; however there can
be no assurance that the Company’s internal control policies and procedures always will protect it from fraudulent
behavior or dishonesty and other inappropriate acts committed by the Company’s employees and agents. As such,
the Company’s corporate policies and processes may not prevent all potential breaches of law or other governance
practices.
The Company may be subject to legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business.
Due to the nature of its business, the Company may be subject to regulatory investigations, claims, lawsuits and
other proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. The Company’s operations are subject to the risk of legal
claims by employees, unions, contractors, lenders, suppliers, joint venture partners, shareholders, governmental
agencies or others through private actions, class actions, administrative proceedings, regulatory actions or other
litigation. Plaintiffs may seek recovery of very large or indeterminate amounts, and the magnitude of the potential
loss relating to such lawsuits may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. Defense and settlement costs can
be substantial, even with respect to claims that have no merit. The results of these legal proceedings cannot be
predicted with certainty due to the uncertainty inherent in litigation, including the effects of discovery of new
evidence or advancement of new legal theories, the difficulty of predicting decisions of judges and juries and the
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possibility that decisions may be reversed on appeal. The litigation process could, as a result, take away from the
time and effort of the Company’s management and could force the Company to pay substantial legal fees or
penalties. There can be no assurances that the resolutions of any such matters will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Mexican Geological Service (“SGM”) has advised the Company that in 1993 the previous owner of one of the
Company’s mineral concessions located at the San Jose Mine in Oaxaca, Mexico granted SGM a royalty of 3% of
the billing value of minerals obtained from the concession. The Company was unaware of the existence of the
royalty since it does not appear on the electronic title register (although it is listed in the official record books of the
concessions of the Mining Registry, it was not disclosed to the Company by the prior owner at the time of sale, nor
was it noted in any of the multiple legal title opinions obtained by the Company at the time of and since it acquired
the concession. The Company has engaged three independent Mexican law firms and has obtained legal opinions
from all three firms which confirm that there was no legal basis for the creation of the royalty and that it was
invalidly created. All opinions confirm that it is more likely than not that the Company’s position will succeed in the
event of a dispute. The Company has advised SGM that it is of the view that no royalty is payable and has taken
administrative steps to remove reference to the royalty on the title register. No action has been started by the mining
authority. In the event of a dispute, the Company would be required to pay the then claimed amount of the royalty to
preserve the concession and would thereafter proceed with dispute proceedings. The amount of the royalty, if
payable, is materially less than cash and cash equivalents on hand and would not have a material adverse impact on
the Company’s results of operations.
General economic conditions could impact the Company’s business.
Turmoil in global financial markets in recent years has had a profound impact on the global economy. Many
industries, including the precious and base metals mining industry, have been impacted by these market
conditions. Some of the key impacts have included contraction in credit markets resulting in a widening of credit
risk, devaluations and high volatility in global equity, commodity, foreign exchange and precious metal markets, and
a lack of market liquidity. The sovereign debt crisis in Europe and the recent economic slowdown in China have
been some of the most visible risks to world financial stability. A continued or worsened slowdown in economic
conditions, including, but not limited to, consumer spending, employment rates, business conditions, inflation, fuel
and energy costs, consumer debt levels, lack of available credit, the state of the financial markets, interest rates, and
tax rates may adversely affect the Company’s growth and profitability. Specifically:
•
•
•
•
a new global credit/liquidity crisis could impact the cost and availability of financing and the Company’s
overall market liquidity;
the volatility of metal prices could impact the Company’s revenues, profits, losses and cash flow;
volatile energy prices, commodity and consumables prices and currency exchange rates could impact the
Company’s production costs or projected economic returns; and
the devaluation and volatility of global stock markets, which are not related to the Company’s operations or
assets, could impact the valuation of the Company’s equity and other securities.
These factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company faces intense competition.
The mining industry is intensely competitive in all of its phases. Much of the Company’s competition is from larger
mining companies with greater liquidity, greater access to credit and other financial resources, and that may have
newer or more efficient equipment, lower cost structures, more effective risk management policies and procedures
and/or greater ability than the Company to withstand losses. The Company’s competitors may be able to respond
more quickly to new laws, regulations or emerging technologies, or devote greater resources to the expansion of
their operations, than the Company can. In addition, current and potential competitors may make strategic
acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties. Competition could
adversely affect the Company's ability to acquire suitable new producing properties or properties for exploration and
development in the future. Competition could also affect the Company’s ability to raise financing to fund the
exploration and development of its properties or to hire qualified personnel. The Company may not be able to
compete successfully against current and future competitors, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
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Metal prices and the marketability of metals acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by factors
beyond the Company’s control.
The marketability of metals acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by numerous factors which are
beyond the Company’s control and which cannot be accurately foreseen or predicted, such as market fluctuations,
the global marketing conditions for precious and base metals, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities, metal
markets and processing equipment and government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable
production, importing and exporting metals and environmental protection.
The price of silver, gold or other metals fluctuates widely and is affected by numerous factors beyond the
Company’s control, such as the sale or purchase of metals by various central banks and financial institutions, interest
rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and foreign
currencies, global and regional supply and demand, the political and economic conditions of major metal-producing
countries throughout the world, and the cost of substitutes, inventory levels and carrying charges.
The price of the Common Shares and the Company’s financial results and exploration, development and mining
activities may in the future be significantly adversely affected by declines in the price of silver, gold or other metals.
Declining metal prices can impact operations by requiring a reassessment of the feasibility of a particular project.
Such a reassessment may be the result of a management decision or may be required under financing arrangements
related to a particular project. The continued exploration and development of or commercial production from the
Company’s properties may no longer be economically viable if serious price declines in the market value of silver,
gold or other metals occur. Even if exploration, development or production is ultimately determined to be
economically viable, the need to conduct such a reassessment may cause substantial delays or may interrupt
operations until the reassessment can be completed. Depending on the price of silver, gold and other metals, cash
flow from mining operations may not be sufficient and the Company’s financial condition and results of operations
may be adversely affected. The Company may lose its interest in, or may be forced to sell, some of its properties as
a result. If any such circumstances occur, the price of the Common Shares may be significantly adversely affected.
The Company may suffer adverse effects arising from fixed price commodity forward and option contracts for
base metals production.
From time to time the Company may enter into agreements to receive fixed prices on any metal production to offset
the risk of revenue losses if commodity prices decline; however, if commodity prices increase beyond the levels set
in such agreements, the Company will not benefit from such increases and could suffer adverse effects to its
business, financial position and results of operations as a result.
The Company may be adversely affected by operating expense exchange rate fluctuations.
The Company’s activities and operations in Mexico, Peru and Argentina make it subject to foreign currency
fluctuations. Although the Company uses U.S. dollars as the currency for the presentation of its financial statements,
the Company’s operating expenses are incurred in Mexican and Argentine Pesos and Peruvian Sol in proportions
that will typically range between 40% and 60% of total expenses, depending on the country. The fluctuation of
these currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar will consequently have an impact upon the profitability of the
Company’s mineral properties and therefore its ability to continue to finance its exploration, development and
operations. Such fluctuations may also affect the value of the Company’s assets and shareholders’ equity. Future
exploration, development and operational plans may need to be altered or abandoned if actual exchange rates for
these currencies are less than or more than the rates estimated in any such future plans. To date, the Company has
not entered into any agreements or purchased any instruments to hedge possible currency risks. The Company
cannot be sure that any hedging techniques it may implement in the future will be successful or that its business,
financial condition, and results of operations will not be materially adversely affected by exchange rate fluctuations.
Tax Audits and Reassessments.
Any reassessment by applicable tax authorities of the Company’s tax filings and the continuation or timing of any
such process is outside of the Company’s control. There is a risk that applicable tax authorities may audit the
Company or its subsidiaries and issue a notice of reassessment for material amounts. In the event that applicable tax
authorities issue one or more additional notices of reassessment for material amounts of tax, interest and penalties,
the Company is prepared to vigorously defend its position. If the Company is unable to resolve any of these matters
favourably, or if applicable tax authorities issue one or more additional notices of reassessment for material amounts
of tax, interest and penalties, this could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business and its
financial condition.
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The Company is subject to fluctuating concentrate treatment charges and transportation costs.
The Company has entered into agreements to sell its concentrate production from the Caylloma Mine and the San
Jose Mine for 2019. Smelting and refining rates are similar to contract rates established for 2018. There is no
assurance that the Company will be able to enter into smelting and refining contracts at similar competitive terms
beyond 2019. The cost of transporting concentrate from the mines to the smelters is dependent on, among other
things, the concentrate destination. Transportation-related costs have been volatile over the last several years and
could continue to be volatile due to a number of factors, including changes in the price of oil or a shortage in the
number of vessels available to ship concentrate to smelters. Increases in these rates would have an adverse impact
on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company may not have reserved sufficient monies to cover the costs associated with reclamation.
Land reclamation requirements are generally imposed on companies with mineral exploration, development and
operations activity in order to minimize long-term effects of land disturbance. Reclamation may include
requirements to treat ground and surface water to drinking water standards, control dispersion of potentially
deleterious effluent and reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation. In order to carry out
reclamation obligations imposed on the Company in connection with exploration, development and production
activities, the Company must allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration and
development programs. The actual costs of reclamation and mine closure are uncertain and planned expenditures
may differ from the actual expenditures required. There is a risk that monies allotted for land reclamation may not
be sufficient to cover all risks, due to changes in the nature of the waste rock or tailings and/or revisions to
government regulations. Therefore, additional funds, or reclamation bonds or other forms of financial assurance,
may be required over the tenure of any of the Company's projects to cover potential risks. These additional costs
may have material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company is dependent upon information technology systems, which are subject to disruption, damage,
failure and risks with implementation and integration.
The Company’s information technology systems used in its operations are subject to disruption, damage or failure
from a variety of sources including without limitation, computer viruses, security breaches, cyberattacks, natural
disasters and defects in design. Cybersecurity incidents, in particular, are evolving and include, but are not limited
to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorize access to data or machines and equipment, and other electronic
security breaches that could lead to disruptions in systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise
protected information, the corruption of data or the disabling, misuse or malfunction or machines and equipment.
Various measures have been implemented to manage the Company’s risks related to information technology
systems and network disruptions. However, given the unpredictability of the timing, nature and scope of
information or operational technology disruptions, the Company could potentially be subject to production
downtimes, operational delays, operating accidents, the compromising of confidential or otherwise protected
information, destruction or corruption of data, security breaches, other manipulation or improper use of our systems
and networks or financial losses from remedial actions, any of which would have a material and adverse effect on
the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
The Company could also be adversely affected by system or network disruptions if new or upgraded information
technology systems are defective, not installed properly or not properly integrated into operations. Various
measures have been implemented to manage the risks related to the system implementation and modification, but
system modification failures could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial
condition or results of operations.
Climate Change Legislation.
Governments are introducing climate change legislation and treaties at the international, national, and local levels.
Regulation relating to emission levels and energy efficiency is becoming more stringent. Some of the costs
associated with reducing emissions can be offset by increased energy efficiency and technological innovation. If the
current regulatory trend continues, this may result in increased costs at some of our operations. The physical risks of
climate change may also adversely impact the Company’s operations. These risks may include extreme weather
events, resource shortages, changes in rainfall and storm patterns and intensities, water shortages, changing sea
levels and changing temperatures.
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Risks Relating to the Common Shares
The market price of the Company’s Common Shares is volatile.
In recent years, the securities markets in the United States and Canada have experienced a high level of price and
volume volatility, and the market prices of securities of many mining companies have experienced wide fluctuations
in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects
of such companies. In particular, the price of the Common Shares on the TSX and NYSE fluctuated significantly
during the past year. There can be no assurance that continual fluctuations in price will not occur.
There are many factors that may influence such volatility. Macroeconomic conditions in North America, Peru,
Mexico or Argentina and changes in the laws and regulations of these regions may have a negative effect on the
development prospects, timelines or relationships for the Company’s properties. Negative changes in the public's
perception of the Company’s prospects or of mining companies in general could cause the price of the Company’s
securities, including the price of the Common Shares, to decrease dramatically. The price of the Common Shares is
also likely to be affected by short-term changes in precious metal prices or other mineral prices, currency exchange
fluctuations, the Company’s financial condition or results of operations and the extent of research analyst coverage
of its securities.
Securities class action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the
market price of their securities. The Company may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities
litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management's attention and resources.
Shareholders may suffer dilution as a result of future offerings of the Common Shares or securities convertible
into Common Shares.
The Company may sell equity securities in future offerings (including through the sale of securities convertible into
equity securities) and may issue additional equity securities to finance operations, exploration, development,
acquisitions or other projects. The Company may also issue Common Shares as a result of exercises of the
Company’s outstanding stock options or Common Share purchase warrants, or the vesting of the Company's
outstanding share units. The Company cannot predict the size of future issuances of equity securities or the size and
terms of future issuances of debt instruments or other securities convertible into equity securities. The board of
directors of the Company has the authority to authorize certain offers and sales of additional securities without the
vote of, or prior notice to, shareholders. It is likely that the Company will issue additional securities to provide
capital to fund expected expenditures and growth. Any transaction involving the issuance of previously authorized
but unissued Common Shares, or securities convertible into Common Shares, would result in potentially substantial
dilution to shareholders.
The market price of the Common Shares could decline as a result of future issuances or sales of the Company’s
securities, which could result in insufficient liquidity.
The market price of the Common Shares could decline as a result of issuances of securities by the Company or sales
by its existing shareholders of Common Shares in the market, or the perception that these sales could occur. The
issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of the Company's outstanding stock options and Common Share
purchase warrants or the vesting of the Company’s outstanding share units may also reduce the market price of the
Common Shares. Additional Common Shares, stock options, Common Share purchase warrants and share units
may be issued in the future. A decrease in the market price of the Common Shares could adversely affect the
liquidity of the Common Shares on the TSX and the NYSE. The Company’s shareholders may be unable, as a
result, to sell significant quantities of the Common Shares into the public trading markets. The Company may not,
as a result, have sufficient liquidity to meet the continued listing requirements of the TSX and the NYSE. Sales of
the Common Shares by shareholders might also make it more difficult for the Company to sell equity securities at a
time and price that it deems appropriate, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business,
financial conditions and results of operations.
The Company has never paid, and does not currently anticipate paying, dividends.
The Company has paid no dividends on the Common Shares since incorporation and does not anticipate paying
dividends in the immediate future. The payment of future dividends, if any, will be reviewed periodically by the
Company's board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing including
earnings, financial conditions, cash on hand, financial requirements to fund its commercial activities, development
and growth, and other factors that the Company’s board of directors may consider appropriate in the circumstances.
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U.S. investors may find it difficult to enforce U.S. judgments against the Company.
The Company is incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada and the majority of the Company’s
directors and officers are not residents of the United States. Because all or a substantial portion of the Company's
assets and the assets of these persons are located outside of the United States, it may be difficult for U.S. investors to
effect service of process within the United States upon the Company or upon such persons who are not residents of
the United States, or to realize in the United States upon judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon civil liabilities
under U.S. securities laws. A judgment of a U.S. court predicated solely upon such civil liabilities may be
enforceable in Canada by a Canadian court if the U.S. court in which the judgment was obtained had jurisdiction, as
determined by the Canadian court, in the matter. There is substantial doubt whether an original action could be
brought successfully in Canada against any of such persons or the Company predicated solely upon such civil
liabilities.
Material Mineral Properties
The Company has three 100% owned material mineral projects, described below. The Company filed an updated
technical report on the Lindero Project in 2017 and on each of the San Jose Mine and the Caylloma Mine in 2019,
each of which is summarized below.
Caylloma Mine, Peru
The following is the Summary from the technical report (the “Caylloma Technical Report”) entitled “Fortuna
Silver Mines Inc.: Caylloma Mine, Caylloma District, Peru” with an effective date of March 8, 2019 prepared by
Eric Chapman, P.Geo. and Amri Sinuhaji, P.Eng. This summary is subject to certain assumptions, qualifications
and procedures described in the Caylloma Technical Report and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the
Caylloma Technical Report which is available for viewing on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and is incorporated by
reference in this AIF, and is also filed with the SEC on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov). Defined terms and
abbreviations used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Caylloma
Technical Report.
1. Introduction
This Technical Report (the Report) on the Caylloma Mine in the Caylloma District, Peru, has been prepared by Mr
Eric Chapman, P.Geo, and Mr Amri Sinuhaji, P.Eng. for Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (Fortuna) in accordance with the
disclosure requirements of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). The Report discloses updated Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates for the mine.
2. Property description, location and ownership
The Caylloma Mine is located in the puna region of Peru at an altitude of between 4,300 and 5,000 meters above sea
level (masl). Surface topography is generally steep with vegetation being primarily comprised of grasses and small
shrubs common at high altitudes. The mine facilities are located at approximately 4,300 masl.
Access to the Caylloma Mine is by a combination of sealed and gravel road. The mine is located 225 road
kilometers from Arequipa, a city of approximately a million people that includes an international airport, and
requires a trip of approximately 5 hours by vehicle. Access is available to all concessions via a network of unsealed
roads.
The Caylloma Mine is an operating underground mine located in the Caylloma Mining District 14 km northwest of
the town of Caylloma at the UTM grid location of 8192263E, 8321387N, (WGS84, UTM Zone 19S).
The underground mine is operated by Compania Minera Bateas S.A.C. (Bateas), a Peruvian subsidiary 100 %
owned by Fortuna. The operation has infrastructure consisting primarily of the concentration plant, electrical power
station, water storage facilities, tailings facilities, stockpiles, and workshop facilities, all connected by unsealed
roads. Additional structures located at the mine include offices, dining hall, laboratory, core logging and core
storage warehouses.
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The property comprises mining concessions; surface rights; a permitted 1,500 tonnes per day (tpd) flotation plant;
connection to the national electric power grid; as well as permits for the infrastructure necessary to sustain mining
operations.
The Caylloma Mine consists of mineral rights for 66 mining concessions for a total surface area of 34,472 hectares
(ha).
Bateas has signed 21 surface right or easement contracts covering a total of 3,529.89 ha with land owners to cover
the surface area needed for the operation and tailings facilities.
3. History
The earliest documented mining activity in the Caylloma District dates back to that of Spanish miners in 1620.
English miners carried out activities in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Numerous companies have been involved in
mining the district of Caylloma but limited records are available to detail these activities.
The Caylloma Mine was acquired by Compania Minera Arcata S.A. (CMA), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Hochschild Mining plc in 1981. Fortuna acquired the mine from CMA in 2005.
CMA focused exploration on identifying high-grade silver vein structures. Exploration was concentrated in the
northern portion of the district and focused on veins including Bateas, El Toro, Paralela, San Pedro, San Cristobal,
San Carlos, Don Luis, La Plata, and Apostles.
Production prior to 2005 came primarily from the San Cristobal vein, as well as from the Bateas, Santa Catalina and
the northern silver veins (including Paralela, San Pedro, and San Carlos) with production focused on silver ores and
no payable credits for base metals. While under CMA management production parameters fluctuated during the late
1990s, as reserves were depleted. Owing to low metal prices, funds were not available to develop the Mineral
Resources at depth or extend along the strike of the veins. Ultimately this resulted in production being halted in
2002.
Production under Bateas management focused on the development of polymetallic veins producing lead and zinc
concentrates with silver and gold credits. Total production since October 2006 through December 31, 2018 is
estimated as 18.1 Moz of silver, 23 koz of gold, 117 kt of lead, and 163 kt of zinc.
4. Geology and mineralization
The mine is within the historical mining district of Caylloma, northwest of the Caylloma caldera complex and
southwest of the Chonta caldera complex. Host rocks at the Caylloma Mine are volcanic in nature, belonging to the
Tacaza Group. Mineralization is in the form of low to intermediate sulfidation epithermal vein systems.
Epithermal veins at the Caylloma Mine are characterized by minerals such as pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite,
marcasite, native gold, stibnite, argentopyrite, and silver-bearing sulfosalts (tetrahedrite, polybasite, pyrargyrite,
stephanite, stromeyerite, jalpite, miargyrite and bournonite). These are accompanied by gangue minerals, such as
quartz, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, johannsenite (manganese-pyroxene) and calcite.
There are two different types of mineralization at Caylloma; the first is comprised of silver-rich veins with low
concentrations of base metals and includes the Bateas, Bateas Techo, La Plata, Cimoide La Plata, San Cristobal, San
Pedro, San Carlos, Paralela, and Ramal Paralela veins. The second type of vein is polymetallic in nature with
elevated lead, zinc, copper, silver and gold grades and includes the Animas, Animas NE, Santa Catalina, Soledad,
Silvia, Pilar, Patricia, and Nancy veins.
Underground operations are presently focused on mining the Animas and Animas NE veins.
5. Exploration, drilling, and sampling
CMA implemented a series of exploration programs to complement their mining activities prior to the closure of the
operation in 2002. There is no reliable information available to detail the exploration conducted by CMA at the
Caylloma Mine. Bateas were able to recover and validate information on 47 diamond drill holes totaling 8,177.67 m
drilled by CMA between 1981 and 2003 at the Caylloma Mine.
Since Fortuna took ownership of the property in 2005 the principal exploration conducted at the deposit has been
surface and underground drilling, to explore the numerous vein structures identified through surface mapping or
geophysical surveys conducted by Bateas, or for infill purposes to increase the confidence level of the Mineral
Resource estimates.
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As of August 31, 2018, Bateas had completed 1,296 drill holes on the Caylloma Mine totaling 225,361.80 m since
the company took ownership in 2005 and represents all data compiled as of the data cut-off date used for Mineral
Resource estimation. All holes are diamond drill holes and include 544 from the surface totaling 151,774.55 m, and
752 from underground totaling 73,587.25 m. It is important to note that not all the holes presented encountered
mineralization and only drill holes in areas where reasonable geological continuity of mineralized structures could
be established were used in defining and ultimately estimating Mineral Resources.
Bateas has used a number of different drilling contractors to carry out exploration and definition drilling since it
took ownership of the mine in 2005. Both HQ (63.5 mm) and NQ (47.6 mm) diameter core were obtained,
depending on the depth of the hole. Ground conditions are generally good with core recovery averaging 94 %.
Proposed surface drill hole collar coordinates, azimuths and inclinations were designed based on the known
orientation of the veins and the planned depth of vein intersection using geological plan maps and sections as a
guide. Once the coordinates have been determined, the location of the collar is located in the field using differential
global positioning system (GPS) instruments. The drill pad is then prepared at this marked location. Upon
completion of the drill hole, a survey of the collar is performed using Total Station equipment, with results reported
in the collar coordinates using reference Datum WGS84, UTM Zone 19S.
The geologist in charge of drilling is responsible for orienting the azimuth and inclination of the hole at the collar
using a compass clinometer. Downhole surveys are completed by the drilling contractor using survey equipment
such as a Flexit or Reflex tool at approximately 50 m intervals for all surface drill holes and for underground drill
holes greater than 100 m in length. Bateas assesses the downhole survey measurements as a component of the data
validation.
Drill holes are typically drilled on sections spaced 40 to 60 m apart along the strike of the vein with surface drilling
focusing on exploring the extents of the Animas, Bateas and Nancy veins and underground drilling used for a mix of
exploration and Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve definition. The extent of drilling varies for each vein with
those having the greatest coverage having drill holes extending over 4,000 m of the vein’s strike length (Animas), to
exploration prospects having only a few drill holes extending over 50 m (Antimonio).
The relationship between the sample intercept lengths and the true width of the mineralization varies in relation to
the intersect angle between the steeply-dipping zone of mineralized veins and the inclined nature of the diamond
core holes. Calculated estimated true widths (ETWs) are always reported together with actual sample lengths by
taking into account the angle of intersection between drill hole and the mineralized structure.
In 2018 all logging became digital, being incorporated daily into the Maxwell DataShed database system. Data were
recorded initially with Excel templates, and later with the Maxwell LogChief application using essentially the same
structure. Both input methods used pick-lists and data validation rules to ensure consistency between loggers.
Separate pages were designed to capture, lithology, alteration, veins, sulfide-oxide zones, minerals, structure
(contacts, fractures, veins, and faults with attitudes to core axis), magnetic susceptibility, and special data (samples
collected for geochemistry, thin section examinations, the core library, density, etc.). Intensity of alteration phases
was recorded using a numeric 1 to 4 scale (weak, moderate, strong, very strong); abundance of veins and most other
minerals were estimated in volume percent.
Geotechnical logging is conducted prior to cutting of the core and involves the collection of drill core recovery and
rock-quality designation (RQD) data. Information is recorded in the field using the Maxwell LogChief application.
The sampling methodology, preparation, and analyses differ depending on whether it is drill core or a channel
sample. All samples are collected by geological staff of Bateas with sample preparation and analysis being
conducted either at the onsite Bateas Laboratory or transported to the ALS Global preparation facility in Arequipa
prior to being sent on for analysis at their laboratory in Lima.
The Bateas laboratory operated by Bateas is not independent and does not hold an international recognized
accreditation.
ALS Global is an independent, privately-owned analytical laboratory group. The preparation laboratory in Arequipa
and the analytical laboratory in Lima are supported by a Quality Management System (QMS) framework which is
designed to highlight data inconsistencies sufficiently early in the process to enable corrective action to be taken in
time to meet reporting deadlines. The QMS framework follows the most appropriate ISO Standard for the service at
hand i.e. ISO 9001:2015 for survey/inspection activity and ISO 17025:2005 UKAS ref 4028 for laboratory analysis.
Channel samples are collected from the backs of underground workings. The entire process is carried out under the
geology department’s supervision. Sampling is carried out at 2 m intervals within the drifts of all veins and 3 m
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intervals in stopes (except for Bateas and Soledad, where due to the thickness of the vein, sampling is carried out
every 2 m in stopes). The channel lengths and orientations are identified using paint in the underground working and
by painting the channel number on the footwall. The channel is between 20 cm to 30 cm wide and approximately
2 cm deep, with each individual sample being no longer than 1.5 m.
Drill core is laid out for sampling and logging at the core logging facility at the camp. Sample intervals are marked
on the core and depths recorded on the appropriate box. A geologist is responsible for determining and marking the
drill core intervals to be sampled, selecting them based on geological and structural logging. The sample length must
not exceed 1.2 m or be less than 30 cm.
The elements of silver, copper, lead and zinc are assayed using either; atomic absorption (AA); inductively coupled
plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES); or for high lead and zinc grades volumetric/titration techniques
(VOL); or for high silver grades gravimetric techniques (GRAV) depending on the laboratory and assay value.
Assay results and certificates are reported electronically by e-mail.
Bulk density samples have been primarily sourced from drill core with a limited number being sampled from
underground workings. Bulk density measurements are performed at the ALS Global Laboratory in Lima using the
OA-GRA09A methodology.
Sample collection and transportation of drill core and channel samples is the responsibility of Brownfields
exploration and the Bateas mine geology departments and must follow strict security and chain of custody
requirements established by Fortuna. Samples are retained in accordance with the Fortuna corporate sample
retention policy.
Implementation of a quality assurance/quality control (QAQC) program is current industry best practice and
involves establishing appropriate procedures and the routine insertion of certified reference material (CRMs),
blanks, and duplicates to monitor the sampling, sample preparation and analytical process. Fortuna implemented a
full QAQC program to monitor the sampling, sample preparation and analytical process for all drilling campaigns in
accordance with its companywide procedures. The program involved the routine insertion of CRMs, blanks, and
duplicates. Evaluation of the QAQC data indicate that the data are sufficiently accurate and precise to support
Mineral Resource estimation.
6. Data verification
Bateas staff follow a stringent set of procedures for data storage and validation, performing verification of data on a
monthly basis. The operation employs a Database Administrator who is responsible for overseeing data entry,
verification and database maintenance. A separate Database Auditor is responsible for performing a detailed
independent review of the database on a quarterly basis and submitting a report to Fortuna management detailing the
findings. Any issues identified are immediately resolved by the administrator.
Data used for Mineral Resource estimation are stored in Maxwell GeoService’s commercial SQL database system
(DataShed), storing both mine related data (including channel samples) and drilling related results (exploration and
infill drilling).
Data was transferred from an inhouse SQL database system to DataShed by early 2018 with the support of Maxwell
personnel. Both databases were run in tandem until a full verification process had been completed to prove parity
between the systems, at which point the original database was archived.
As a component of the 2018 Mineral Resource estimate, a preliminary validation of the Bateas database was
performed by the Database Administrator in June 2018. The database has a series of automated import, export, and
validation tools to minimize potential errors. Any inconsistencies identified were corrected during the analysis with
the database then being handed over for final QP review on August 31, 2018 in Microsoft Access format.
In addition, data verification by the QP was also conducted through the inspection of selected drill core to assess the
nature of the mineralization and to confirm geological descriptions as well as the inspection of geology and
mineralization in underground workings of the Bateas, Animas/Animas NE, and Nancy veins.
A series of plan and cross sections were generated displaying the lithologic and mineralization interpretation by the
Bateas geology and exploration departments and reviewed by the QP’s of Fortuna.
The QP is of the opinion that the data verification programs performed on the data collected by Bateas are adequate
to support the geological interpretations, the analytical and database quality, and Mineral Resource estimation at the
Caylloma Mine.
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7. Mineral processing and metallurgical testing
The Caylloma Mine has an extensive body of metallurgical investigation focused primarily on testwork conducted
while treating ore at the operation since 2006. In the opinion of the QP, the Caylloma metallurgical samples tested
and the ore that is presently treated in the plant is representative of the orebody as a whole in respect to grade and
metallurgical response. Differences between vein systems are minimal with regard to recovery.
Metallurgical recovery values forecast in the LOM for sulfide material average 84 % for silver, 17 % for gold, 91 %
for lead, and 90 % for zinc with the exception of the Ramal Piso Carolina vein that forecasts a metallurgical
recovery rate of 75 % for Au.
Metallurgical recovery is forecast for zinc oxide material to average 57 % for
silver, 17 % for gold, 57 % for lead, and 35 % for zinc.
Until 2012 ore identified as containing high zinc oxide content was classified as not amenable for flotation.
Laboratory and plant tests conducted since 2013 include metallurgical testing of material from the different levels of
the Animas vein. The main conclusion was that zinc oxide contents greater than 0.20 % within the ore were related
to lower metallurgical recoveries. In order to include this type of ore without affecting the metallurgical recoveries
blending has to be performed to limit the high zinc oxide ore content to no more than 5 % of the feed to the plant.
Beyond the loss in metallurgical recovery related to elevated zinc oxide material, as described above, there are no
additional deleterious elements that require special treatment in the plant as of the effective date of this Report.
8. Mineral Resources
The 2018 Mineral Resource update has relied on channel and drill hole sample information obtained by Bateas since
2005. Mineralized domains identifying potentially economically extractable material were modeled for each vein
and used to code drill holes and channel samples for geostatistical analysis, block modeling and grade interpolation
by ordinary kriging or inverse distance weighting.
Net smelter return (NSR) values for each mining block take into account expected commercial terms, the average
metallurgical recovery, the average grade in concentrate and long term projected metal prices. Mineral Resources
take into account operational costs and have been reported above a US$ 50/t NSR cut-off value for veins wider than
two meters and amenable to extraction by semi-mechanized mining methods (Animas, Animas NE, Nancy, and San
Cristobal veins); or above a US$ 135/t NSR cut-off value for veins narrower than two meters regarded as amenable
to conventional mining methods (all other veins).
Resource confidence classification considers a number of aspects affecting confidence in the resource estimation
including; geological continuity and complexity; data density and orientation; data accuracy and precision; and
grade continuity. Mineral Resources are categorized as Measured, Indicated or Inferred. The criteria used for
classification includes the number of samples, spatial distribution, distance to block centroid, kriging efficiency
(KE) and slope of regression (ZZ).
Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves for the Caylloma Mine are reported as of December 31, 2018 and
detailed in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1 Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2018
Category
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated
Inferred
Notes on Mineral Resources
Tonnes
(000)
524
1,633
2,157
5,354
Ag (g/t)
Au (g/t)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
73
77
76
102
0.32
0.29
0.30
0.32
1.16
1.23
1.22
2.40
2.23
2.25
2.24
3.83
Contained Metal
Ag (Moz) Au (koz)
5
1.2
4.1
5.3
17.6
15
21
56
Pb (kt)
6
20
Zn (kt)
12
37
26
129
48
205
• Mineral Resources are as defined by the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
• Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves
• Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability
• Mineral Resources are estimated as of August 31, 2018 and reported as of December 31, 2018 taking into account
production related depletion for the period through December 31, 2018
• Mineral Resources are reported above an NSR cut-off grade of US$ 50/t for wide veins and US$ 135/t for narrow veins
based on actual operational costs
• Metal prices used in the NSR evaluation are US$ 18.25/oz for silver, US$ 1,320/oz for gold, US$ 2,270/t for lead and
US$ 2,750/t for zinc
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• Metallurgical recovery values used in the NSR evaluation of sulfide material are 84 % for silver, 17 % for gold, 91 %
for lead, and 90 % for zinc with the exception of the Ramal Piso Carolina vein that uses metallurgical recovery rates of
75 % for Au
• Metallurgical recovery values used in the NSR evaluation of zinc oxide material are 57 % for silver, 17 % for gold, 57
% for lead, and 35 % for zinc
• Mining, processing and administrative costs used to determine NSR cut-off values were estimated based on first half of
2018 actual operating costs
Eric Chapman, P.Geo. (APEGBC #36328) is the Qualified Person for resources being an employee of Fortuna Silver
Mines Inc.
Tonnes are rounded to the nearest thousand
Totals may not add due to rounding
•
•
•
Factors that may affect the estimates include metal price and exchange rate assumptions; changes to the assumptions
used to generate the cut-off grade; changes in local interpretations of mineralization geometry and continuity of
mineralized zones; changes to geological and mineralization shape and geological and grade continuity assumptions;
variations in density and domain assignments; geometallurgical assumptions; changes to geotechnical, mining,
dilution, and metallurgical recovery assumptions; change to the input and design parameter assumptions that pertain
to the conceptual stope designs constraining the estimates; and assumptions as to the continued ability to access the
site, retain mineral and surface rights titles, maintain environment and other regulatory permits, and maintain the
social license to operate.
There are no other known environmental, legal, title, taxation, socioeconomic, marketing, political or other relevant
factors that would materially affect the estimation of Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves that are not discussed
in this Report.
9. Mineral Reserves
Mineral Reserve estimates follow standard industry practices, considering only Measured and Indicated Mineral
Resources as only these categories have sufficient geological confidence to be considered Mineral Reserves (CIM,
2014). Subject to the application of modifying factors, Measured Resources may become Proven Reserves and
Indicated Resources may become Probable Reserves. Mineral Reserves are reconciled quarterly against production
to validate dilution and recovery factors.
Mineral Reserve estimates for the Caylloma Mine are reported as of December 31, 2018 and detailed in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2 Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2018
Category
Proven
Probable
Proven +Probable
Notes on Mineral Reserves
Tonnes
(000)
149
2,477
2,626
Ag (g/t)
Au (g/t)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
85
77
77
0.26
0.18
0.18
2.09
2.12
2.11
3.23
3.71
3.69
Contained Metal
Ag (Moz) Au (koz)
1
0.4
6.1
6.5
14
15
Pb (kt)
3
52
56
Zn (kt)
5
92
97
• Mineral Reserves are as defined by the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
• Mineral Reserves are estimated as of August 31, 2018 and reported as of December 31, 2018 taking into account
production related depletion for the period through December 31, 2018
• Mineral Reserves are reported above NSR breakeven cut-off values based on the proposed mining method for
extraction including; mechanized (breasting) at US$ 82.90/t; mechanized (enhanced) at US$ 70.30/t; semi-mechanized
at US$ 93.10/t; and conventional at US$ 173.70/t
• Metal prices used in the NSR evaluation are US$ 18.25/oz for silver, US$ 1,320/oz for gold, US$ 2,270/t for lead, and
US$ 2,750/t for zinc
• Metallurgical recovery values used in the NSR evaluation of sulfide material are 84 % for silver, 17 % for gold, 91 %
for lead, and 90 % for zinc with the exception of the Ramal Piso Carolina vein that uses metallurgical recovery rates of
75 % for Au
• Metallurgical recovery values used in the NSR evaluation of zinc oxide material are 57 % for silver, 17 % for gold, 57
% for lead, and 35 % for zinc
• Mining, processing and administrative costs used to determine NSR cut-off values were estimated based on first half of
2018 actual operating costs
• Mining recovery is estimated to average 92 % with mining dilution ranging from 10 % to 40 % depending on the
mining methodology
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• Amri Sinuhaji, P.Eng (APEGBC #48305) is the Qualified Person for reserves being an employee of Fortuna Silver
Mines Inc.
Tonnes are rounded to the nearest thousand
Totals may not add due to rounding
•
•
10. Mining methods
The mining method employed at the Caylloma Mine is cut-and-fill which is commonly used in the mining of
steeply-dipping orebodies in stable rock masses. Cut-and-fill is a bottom up mining method that consists of
removing ore in horizontal slices, starting from a bottom undercut and advancing upwards. The operation bases its
mining plan on a mix of mechanized, semi-mechanized, and conventional extraction methods based on vein width
and rock quality.
The mining production period extends from 2019 to 2023, almost 5 years. At full production the planned mining rate
is 1,500 tpd (535,500 tonnes per annum). Planned LOM ore production is 2.63 Mt at an average silver grade of 77
g/t, gold grade of 0.18 g/t, lead grade of 2.11 %, and zinc grade of 3.69 %.
The QP is of the opinion that:
• The mining method being used is appropriate for the deposit being mined. The underground mine design,
stockpiles, tailings facilities, and equipment fleet selection are appropriate for the operation
• The mobile equipment fleet presented is based on the actual mining operations, which is known to achieve
the production targets set out in the LOM
• The mine plan method is based on standard industry practices and has been employed at the operation for
the previous seven years, and presents low risk
•
Inferred Resources are not included in the mine plan
• All mine infrastructure and supporting facilities meet the needs of the current mine plan and production rate
11. Recovery methods
The current process plant design is split into four principal stages including; crushing; milling; flotation; and
thickening, filtering and shipping.
The QP considers process requirements to be well understood, and consistent based on the actual observed
conditions in the operating plant. There is no indication that the characteristics of the material being mined will
change and therefore the recovery assumptions applied for future mining are considered as reasonable for the LOM.
12. Project infrastructure
All mine and process infrastructure and supporting facilities are in place at the operation with an increase in tailings
storage facility and designation of underground waste disposal area only required to meet the needs of the mine plan
and production rate. The QPs note that:
• The Caylloma Mine is located 225 km, or 5 hours by road from the city of Arequipa, the main service
center for the operation, with good year-round access
• The mine site infrastructure has a footprint of 91.12 ha associated with the Huayllacho beneficiation
concession
• An expansion to the tailings facility was completed in January 2019, with a second phase planned for
construction in 2021, providing sufficient capacity for the LOM
• Power demand on the mine site is 5.5 MW provided mainly (96 %) through the national power grid and
two diesel generators on site to cover the shortfall and provide backup
• Water demand at the Caylloma Mine is 60 l/s, including 10 l/s for the camp. Approximately 70 % of the
processing plant total water consumption is recovered from tailings facility N° 3 with the other 30 % from
fresh water provided by the Santiago River
• All process buildings, offices, and camp facilities for operating the mine have been constructed
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13. Market studies and contracts
Since the operation commenced production in October 2006 a corporate decision was made to sell the concentrate
on the open market. In order to get the best commercial terms for the concentrates, it is Fortuna’s policy to sign
contracts for periods no longer than one year. All commercial terms entered between the buyer and Bateas are
regarded as confidential, but are considered to be within standard industry norms.
The QP has reviewed the information provided by Fortuna on marketing, contracts, metal price projections and
exchange rate forecasts and notes that the information provided support the assumptions used in this Report and are
consistent with the source documents, and that the information is consistent with what is publicly available within
industry norms.
14. Environmental studies and permitting
The mining operation has been developed under strict compliance of norms and permits required by public
institutions associated with the mining sector. Furthermore, all work follows quality and safety international norms
as set out in ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18000.
In addition to these norms and permits obtained from the environmental department, the operation also ensures all
environmental activities are regularly monitored and recorded as part of the quality control measures that are
presented to the Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM) and other legal regulatory organizations.
Of particular importance is monitoring of the quality of river water in the area. This activity involves monitoring the
Santiago River, being the main river that passes through the property, employing people from the local communities
to verify the results.
Bateas has a very strong commitment to the development of neighboring communities of the Caylloma Mine. In this
respect, Bateas is committed to sustainable projects, direct support and partnerships that build company engagement
in local communities while respecting local values, customs and traditions. The company aims to develop projects or
programs based on respect for ethno-cultural diversity, open communication and effective interaction with local
stakeholders that improve education, health and infrastructure.
Mine closure is also included in the environmental program. For 2019 a total of US$ 655,000 has been budgeted for
the ongoing closure plan and environmental liabilities. The closure plan is performed to ensure compliance with the
programs and plans submitted to the MEM. Budgeted mine closure costs for the LOM total US$ 11.3 million.
15. Capital and operating costs
Capital and operating cost estimates are based on established cost experience gained from current operations,
projected budget data and quotes from manufacturers and suppliers.
The capital and operating cost provisions for the LOM plan that supports Mineral Reserves have been reviewed. The
basis for the estimates is appropriate for the known mineralization; mining and production schedules; marketing
plans; and equipment replacement and maintenance requirements.
The QP considers the capital and operating costs estimated for the Caylloma Mine as reasonable based on industry-
standard practices and actual costs observed for 2018.
16. Economic analysis
Fortuna is using the provision for producing issuers, whereby producing issuers may exclude the information
required under Item 22 for technical reports on properties currently in production and where no material production
expansion is planned.
Mineral Reserve declaration is supported by a positive cashflow for the period set out in the LOM based on the
assumptions detailed in this Report.
17. Conclusions, risks, and opportunities
This Report represents the most accurate interpretation of the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource available as of
the effective date of this report. The conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves was undertaken using
industry-recognized methods, and estimated operational costs, capital costs, and plant performance data. Thus, it is
considered to be representative of future operational conditions. This Report has been prepared with the latest
information regarding environmental and closure cost requirements.
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A number of opportunities and risks were identified by the QPs during the evaluation of the Caylloma Mine.
Opportunities include:
• Reduction in backfill costs through the optimization of the backfilling methodology in order to improve
mining productivity by reducing work cycle times
• Reduction in mining costs via improvements in the underground communication system which would allow
for faster and more efficient decision making, improve logistical coordination, and reduce downtime, hence
improve overall mining productivity
• Reduction in overall pumping costs through improvements to the mine dewatering system resulting in
reduced power consumption and maintenance requirements
• Potential to expand current resources through exploration of the Animas NE vein with mineralization
remaining open to the northeast and at depth
Risks include:
• Bateas management occasionally receives requests from local authorities and/or civil organizations
regarding unrealistic social expectations. Bateas are mitigating the risk of conflict regarding these demands
by working with local authorities, land owners, and communities to address expectation levels and to take
requests into account in preparing its annual community relations work program and budget
18. Recommendations
Recommendations for the next phase of work have been broken into those related to ongoing exploration activities
and those related to additional technical and operational studies. Recommended work programs are independent of
each other and can be conducted concurrently. The exploration phase is estimated to cost US$ 521,000 with
additional technical studies estimated to cost US$ 280,000.
i)
Exploration
• Exploration. It is recommended that Bateas continue surface mapping and TerraSpec analysis of key areas
of interest including Animas, Antacollo, and Antimonio to identify potential future drill targets. The
budgeted cost of the surface mapping activities for 2019 is US$ 36,000 (excluding personnel costs).
• Delineation (infill) drilling. Bateas is planning to continue the delineation drilling from underground in
2019 focusing on the junction between the Animas and Animas NE vein at depth. A total of 3,830 m of
drilling and 55 m of development drift is planned at a budgeted total cost of US$ 480,000.
• Bulk density determination. It is recommended that the number of bulk density measurements by
increased in veins that lack sufficient values for meaningful statistical analysis. In addition to this it is also
recommended that a study be performed to improve the understanding of bulk density in the deposit. If a
correlation between density and mineralogy could be established it may provide a superior alternative than
the presently used density assignment methodology. This program is estimated at US$ 5,000.
ii)
Technical and operational studies
• Underground communication system. In 2019 it is recommended that the first phase of an improved
underground communication system be installed to connect key areas of the mine at a budgeted cost of
US$ 40,000. Based on positive results from the first phase the system could be extended throughout the
mine to reach other production and production related areas.
• Backfill system optimization. It is recommended that an evaluation of the backfilling system is conducted
at the operation. A trade off analysis should be conducted to benchmark the current hydraulic backfill
system against alternative methods. The study should investigate the potential impacts on OPEX and
CAPEX. The budgeted cost of the study is US$ 70,000.
• Review of mining methodology. The width of mineralization and rock quality varies greatly throughout
the deposit. It is recommended that an evaluation of mining method be conducted to assess if smaller
equipment could be used to extract mineralized material from narrow veins with poor rock quality, and if
more massive mining methods such as long-hole stoping could be employed in wide veins with good rock
quality. Any such study would need to account for the variable equipment that would be required to deal
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with multiple mining methods. The study could be conducted inhouse or externally, with an external cost
estimated at US$ 50,000.
• Plant expansion conceptual study. A conceptual cost-benefit analysis is recommended to assess if the
production rate at the Caylloma plant could be increased to reduce costs. The study could be conducted
inhouse or externally, with an external cost estimated at US$ 120,000.
• Zinc oxide study. The response of zinc oxide material to the flotation process requires additional testwork.
Initial plant testwork indicates that this material can be blended with low zinc oxide material and processed
through flotation without a significant loss in recovery, although the percentage blend at which the zinc
oxide becomes detrimental has not been established. It is recommended that inhouse analysis be conducted
to assess the impact of varying levels of zinc oxide on plant recovery to determine a blending threshold at
which recovery is not affected.
[End of Extract of Summary from Caylloma Technical Report]
See “Three Year History and Recent Developments - Updated Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates”
herein for further information regarding the Caylloma Mine.
San Jose Mine, Mexico
The following is the Summary from the technical report (the “San Jose Technical Report”) entitled “Fortuna
Silver Mines Inc.: San Jose Mine, Oaxaca, Mexico” with an effective date of February 22, 2019 prepared by Eric
Chapman, P.Geo. and Amri Sinuhaji, P.Eng. This summary is subject to certain assumptions, qualifications and
procedures described in the San Jose Technical Report and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the San Jose
Technical Report which is available for viewing on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and is incorporated by reference in
this AIF, and is also filed with the SEC on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov). Defined terms and abbreviations
used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the San Jose Technical
Report.
1. Introduction
This Technical Report (the Report) on the San Jose Mine in Oaxaca, Mexico (the San Jose Mine or the Project), has
been prepared by Mr Eric Chapman, P.Geo, and Mr Amri Sinuhaji, P.Eng. for Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (Fortuna)
in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). The Report
discloses updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates for the mine.
2. Property description, location and ownership
The San Jose Mine area is characterized by gently-sloping hills and adjoining colluvial-covered plains. Elevations
above mean sea level range from approximately 1,540 m to 1,675 m. The vegetation is grasslands and thorn-bush
that are typical of dry savannah climates being temperate in nature with an average annual temperature of 19.5ºC.
Mining operations are conducted on a year-round basis.
The mine is located in the central portion of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. The mine site is 47 km by road south of
the city of Oaxaca, which provides access to an international airport, and 0.8 km east of federal highway 175, the
major highway between Oaxaca and Puerto Angel on the Pacific coast. The village of San Jose del Progreso is
located 2 km to the southeast of the project site.
The underground mine is operated by Compania Minera Cuzcatlan S.A. de C.V. (Cuzcatlan), a Mexican subsidiary
100 % owned by Fortuna. The operation has a relatively small surface infrastructure consisting primarily of the
concentration plant, electrical power station, water storage facilities, filtered dry stack tailings facility, stockpiles,
and workshop facilities, all connected by unsealed roads. Additional structures located at the property include
offices, dining hall, laboratory, core logging and core storage warehouses. The tailings facility is located
approximately 1,500 m to the southwest of the concentration plant.
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The property comprises mining concessions; surface rights; a permitted 3,000 tonnes per day (tpd) flotation plant;
connection to the national electric power grid; as well as permits for the infrastructure necessary to sustain mining
operations.
The San Jose Property consists of mineral rights for 31 mining concessions all located in the state of Oaxaca for a
total surface area of approximately 64,422 hectares (ha). Tenure is held in the name of Cuzcatlan with all mining
concessions having an expiry date beyond the expected mine life.
As of December 31, 2018, the only concession that contains Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves subject to back-
in rights, liens, payments or encumbrances is Reduccion Taviche Oeste, which is subject to a 1.5 % NSR royalty to
Maverix Minerals Inc., and a 1 % NSR royalty to SGM.
Cuzcatlan has signed 44 usufruct contracts, which have been registered before the National Agrarian Registry, with
land owners to cover the surface area needed for the operation and tailings facilities.
Cuzcatlan has an environmental commitment related to the remediation of the current mining facilities located on
the Progreso and Reduccion Taviche Oeste concessions. Cuzcatlan is to set aside US$ 5.3 million to cover
remediation and closure requirements. These programs are ongoing with funds assigned to various projects on an
annual basis.
3. History
The earliest recorded activity in the San Jose del Progreso area dates to the 1850s when the mines were exploited on
a small scale by the local hacienda. By the early 1900s, a large number of silver-and gold-bearing deposits were
being exploited in the San Jeronimo Taviche and San Pedro Taviche areas. Mining activity in the district diminished
drastically with the onset of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, only to resume sporadically in the 1920s.
Mining in the San Jose area was re-activated on a small scale in the 1960s and again in 1980 when the San Jose
Mine was acquired by Minerales de Oaxaca S.A. (MIOXSA). The mine was worked intermittingly by MIOXSA
through to the end of 2006 when the property was purchased by Cuzcatlán a Mexican registered company then
owned jointly by Fortuna and Continuum Resources Ltd. (Continuum) with sole ownership transferring to Fortuna
in March 2009.
From 1980 through 2006, production by MIOXSA was intermittent and came primarily from existing stopes and
from development of the fourth, fifth, and sixth levels of the San Jose Mine. Ore was mined primarily from the
Bonanza and Trinidad veins and extracted at rates of approximately 100 tpd. The principal mining method used by
MIOXSA was shrinkage stoping. The ore was processed at a small crushing and flotation plant in San Jeronimo de
Taviche, located approximately 19 km from the San Jose Mine. Reliable estimates of the total production during
MIOXSA’s tenure are not available.
Commercial production commenced under the management of Cuzcatlan on September 1, 2011. Since then,
underground mining has focused on the Bonanza, Trinidad and Stockwork veins. Total production since September
2011 through December 31, 2018 is estimated as 35.9 Moz of silver and 269 koz of gold.
4. Geology and mineralization
The San Jose Mine area is underlain by a thick sequence of sub-horizontal andesitic to dacitic volcanic and
volcaniclastic rocks of presumed Paleogene age. These units have been significantly displaced along major north
and northwest-trending extensional fault systems with the precious metal mineralization being hosted in
hydrothermal breccias, crackle breccias, and sheeted stockwork-like zones of quartz/carbonate veins emplaced
within zones of high paleo permeability associated with the extensional structures.
The mineralized structural corridor extends for more than 3 km in a north-south direction and has been subdivided
into the Trinidad Deposit area and the San Ignacio area. The Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates
discussed in this Technical Report are located in the Trinidad Deposit area.
The major mineralized structure in the Trinidad Deposit area consists of a sheeted and stockworked quartz–
carbonate vein system referred to as the main Stockwork Zone located between the primary Trinidad and Bonanza
structures. In addition, several secondary vein systems are present locally in the hanging wall and footwall of the
Trinidad and Bonanza structures.
The Victoria mineralized zone is located approximately 350 m east of the Trinidad vein and north of the current
underground operations of the San Jose Mine. It is structurally related to the same extensional behavior that
dominates the Trinidad Deposit with a similar style of mineralization, corresponding to a low sulfidation epithermal
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deposit formed in a shallow crustal environment with a relatively low temperature resulting in the precipitation of
silver and gold mineralization.
5. Exploration, drilling and sampling
The San Jose Mine has been subjected to a number of documented exploration programs since 1999 including:
•
•
In 1999 Pan American Silver (Pan American) optioned the property from MIOXSA and conducted surface
and underground mapping and sampling including the drilling of five diamond drill holes totaling 1,093.5
m
In 2004, Continuum completed an option agreement with MIOXSA and completed detailed mapping and
chip-channel sampling of the surface and of the existing underground workings in the Trinidad area
followed by the completion of 15 surface diamond drill holes totaling 4,876.55 m
• From 2006 to 2015 the principal exploration conducted by Fortuna at the deposit has been surface and
underground drilling, both to explore the deposit to the north and to depth and for infill purposes to increase
the confidence level of the Mineral Resource estimates
• Since 2015, exploration has continued to explore the continuity of the mineralized system to the north,
south and at depth of the Trinidad Deposit. During this period the Victoria mineralized zone was
discovered approximately 350 m east of the Trinidad Deposit and has been explored with the drilling of 51
holes from underground totaling 27,671.60 m as of June 30, 2018
As of June 30, 2018, the data cut-off date for estimation of Mineral Resources, a total of 845 drill holes totaling
299,319.45 m have been completed on the San Jose Mine area with the drilling being concentrated in the Trinidad
Deposit area and extensions to the south of the mineralized structural system. Wide-spaced exploration drilling has
also been completed in the San Ignacio area along the southern extension of the structurally controlled mineralized
corridor and to the far north of the Trinidad Deposit, as well as in the newly discovered Victoria mineralized zone.
All of the drilling was conducted by diamond core drilling methods with the exception of 1,476 m of reverse
circulation pre-collars in six of the 845 diamond drill holes.
A total of 662 diamond core holes totaling 221,400.75 m have been drilled in the Trinidad Deposit area and 51 holes
totaling 27,671.60 m in the Victoria mineralized zone. In Trinidad, the majority of the holes have been drilled from
east to west to cross-cut the steeply east-dipping mineralized zone at high angles, whereas in the Victoria
mineralized zone, the holes have been drilled from west to east from underground to intersect the subvertical
Victoria main structure. Of the 723 holes, 250 have been drilled from the surface and the remainder from
underground.
The diamond drilling typically commences with HQ-diameter core (63.5 mm) and continues to the maximum depth
allowable based on the mechanical capabilities of the drill equipment. Once this point is reached or poor ground
conditions are encountered the hole is cased and further drilling undertaken with smaller diameter drilling tools with
the core diameter being reduced to NQ2 (50.6 mm) or NQ-size (47.6 mm) to completion of the hole. In the Trinidad
Deposit, five of the drill holes were further reduced to BQ-size (36.5 mm) diameter in order to complete the drill
holes to the target depths. All of the drilling completed in the project area has been carried out by contract drilling
service companies. Ground conditions are generally good with core recovery averaging 99 %.
Surface drill hole collars were surveyed using differential global positioning system (GPS) and total station survey
methods. Concrete monuments are constructed at each collar location recording the drill hole name, azimuth,
inclination and total depth. At locations where the drill hole collar is located in a cultivated field, the collar
monument is constructed approximately 50 cm below the actual surface.
Underground drill hole collars were surveyed using total station survey methods. Concrete monuments similar to
those used for surface collars are constructed to mark the location with the drill hole name, azimuth, inclination and
total depth recorded.
Down-hole surveys have been completed for 827 of the 845 drill holes completed as of the data cut-off date. For the
18 holes where downhole surveys are not recorded, 17 were drilled prior to 2007 with only three being drilled in the
Trinidad Deposit. The azimuth and dip orientation of these holes was recorded at the collar to account for drilling
direction. The absence of downhole surveys in three of the 662 holes drilled at Trinidad is not regarded as material
to the resource estimate.
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Downhole surveys are typically completed at 50 m intervals although recent drill holes include downhole surveys at
10 m intervals until reaching 50 m depth and then at 50 m intervals thereafter. All downhole surveys have been
carried out by the drilling contractor using Reflex electronic downhole survey tools.
To-date, drilling has been conducted at the Trinidad Deposit over a strike length of approximately 2,500 m and to
depths exceeding 800 m from surface. Exploration drilling has generally increased in depth to the north.
Drilling of the Victoria mineralized zone has been conducted over a strike length of approximately 1,300 m and
covers a vertical extent of approximately 500 m, with upper holes intersecting the structure at least 250 m below the
surface.
The extent of drilling of the San Ignacio area continues directly to the south of the Trinidad Deposit and has been
conducted over a strike length of approximately 1,000 m and to depths of up to 500 m from surface.
The relationship between the sample intercept lengths and the true width of the mineralization varies in relation to
the intersect angle between the steeply dipping zone of mineralized veins and the inclined nature of the diamond
core holes. Calculated estimated true widths (ETWs) are always reported together with actual sample lengths by
taking into account the angle of intersection between drill hole and the mineralized structure.
In 2018 all logging became digital, being incorporated daily into the Maxwell DataShed database system. Data were
recorded initially with Excel templates, and later with the Maxwell LogChief application using essentially the same
structure. Both input methods used pick-lists and data validation rules to ensure consistency between loggers.
Separate pages were designed to capture metadata, lithology, alteration, minerals (sulfides, oxides, and limonite),
structure (contacts, fractures, veins, and faults with attitudes to core axis). Intensity of alteration phases was
recorded using a numeric 1 to 4 scale (weak, moderate, strong, complete).
Geotechnical logging consists of the collection of specified data fields including; recovery percentage and rock
quality designation (RQD) length. Joint filling and joint weathering are described during the geologic logging. A
tablet-based data entry program was developed by Cuzcatlan using the Maxwell LogChief software. Data checks are
implemented into this program to prevent entry of erroneous data.
The sampling methodology, preparation, and analyses differ depending on whether it is drill core or a channel
sample. All samples are collected by Cuzcatlan geological staff with sample preparation and analysis being
conducted either at the onsite Cuzcatlan Laboratory or transported to the ALS Global preparation facility in
Guadalajara prior to being sent on for analysis at their laboratory in Vancouver.
The Cuzcatlan Laboratory used by Fortuna/Cuzcatlan since 2012 for assaying channel samples was accredited as a
testing laboratory with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for sample preparation and assaying of silver and
gold on March 2, 2018, prior to this the laboratory was not certified. The Cuzcatlan Laboratory is not independent of
Fortuna/Cuzcatlan.
The ALS Global Laboratory is an independent, privately-owned analytical laboratory group. The Vancouver
laboratory holds ISO 17025 accreditation. The Mexican laboratory holds ISO 9001:2000 certification.
The SGS Laboratory used by Cuzcatlan as an umpire laboratory is an independent privately-owned analytical
laboratory located in Durango, Mexico and holds ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation for sample preparation and
assaying.
Channel chip samples are generally collected from the face of newly exposed underground workings. The entire
process is carried out under the mine geology department’s supervision. Sampling is carried out at 3 m intervals
within the drifts and stopes of all veins. The channel’s length and orientation are identified using paint in the
underground working and by painting the channel number on the footwall. The channel is typically approximately
20 cm wide and approximately 1 to 2 cm deep, with each individual sample preferably being no smaller than 0.4 m
and no longer than 1.5 m.
Drill core is laid out for sampling and logging at the core logging facility at the camp. Sample intervals are marked
on the core and depths recorded on the appropriate box. A geologist is responsible for determining and marking the
drill core intervals to be sampled, selecting them based on geological and structural logging. The sample length must
not exceed 2 m or be less than 20 cm.
All samples collected by Cuzcatlan are assayed by atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy and by fire assay (FA) with
gravimetric finish. For drill samples only, a full suite of trace elements is analyzed using an aqua regia digestion
followed by inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. Assay results and certificates are reported electronically by
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e-mail. Since mid-2018 the onsite laboratory has also assayed channel samples and selected composites for fluorine
using a selective ion electrode (ISE) technique.
Bulk density samples have been primarily sourced from drill core with a limited number being sampled from
underground workings. Bulk density measurements are performed at the ALS Global Laboratory in Vancouver
using the OA-GRA08 methodology.
Sample collection and transportation of drill core and channel samples is the responsibility of Brownfields
exploration and the Cuzcatlan mine geology departments and must follow strict security and chain of custody
requirements established by Fortuna. Samples are retained in accordance with the Fortuna corporate sample
retention policy.
Implementation of a quality assurance/quality control (QAQC) program is current industry best practice and
involves establishing appropriate procedures and the routine insertion of certified reference material (CRMs),
blanks, and duplicates to monitor the sampling, sample preparation and analytical process. Fortuna implemented a
full QAQC program to monitor the sampling, sample preparation and analytical process for all drilling campaigns in
accordance with its companywide procedures. The program involved the routine insertion of CRMs, blanks, and
duplicates. Evaluation of the QAQC data indicate that the data are sufficiently accurate and precise to support
Mineral Resource estimation.
6. Data verification
Cuzcatlan staff follow a stringent set of procedures for data storage and validation, performing verification of data
on a monthly basis. The operation employs a Database Administrator who is responsible for overseeing data entry,
verification and database maintenance. A separate Database Auditor is responsible for performing a detailed
independent review of the database on a quarterly basis and submitting a report to Fortuna management detailing the
findings. Any issues identified are immediately resolved by the administrator.
Data used for Mineral Resource estimation are stored in Maxwell GeoService’s commercial SQL database system
(DataShed), storing both mine related data (including channel samples) and drilling related results (exploration and
infill drilling).
Data was transferred from an inhouse SQL database system to DataShed in 2017 with the support of Maxwell
personnel. Both databases were run in tandem until a full verification process had been completed to prove parity
between the systems, at which point the original database was archived.
As a component of the 2018 Mineral Resource estimate, a preliminary validation of the Cuzcatlan database was
performed by the Database Administrator in June 2018. The database has a series of automated import, export, and
validation tools to minimize potential errors. Any inconsistencies identified were corrected during the analysis with
the database then being handed over to the QP for the resource estimate for final review on June 30, 2018 in
Microsoft Access format.
In addition, data verification by the QP was also conducted through the inspection of selected drill core to assess the
nature of the mineralization and to confirm geological descriptions as well as the inspection of geology and
mineralization in underground workings of the Trinidad, Bonanza, and Stockwork veins.
A series of plan and cross sections were generated displaying the lithologic and mineralization interpretation by the
Cuzcatlan geology and exploration departments and reviewed by the QP.
The QP is of the opinion that the data verification programs performed on the data collected by Cuzcatlan are
adequate to support the geological interpretations, the analytical and database quality, and Mineral Resource
estimation at the San Jose Mine.
7. Mineral processing and metallurgical testing
Initial metallurgical test work to assess the optimum processing methodology for treating ore from the Trinidad
Deposit was conducted by METCON in 2009 and reported in the prefeasibility study written by CAM (2010), with
Cuzcatlan continuing to build on this original work with additional tests to support operational requirements.
Metallurgical tests have not been conducted as of the effective date of this Report for material from the Victoria
mineralized zone but are planned for the second half of 2019. Petrographic studies conducted by Albinson (2018)
indicate that mineralogically the material is similar to that from the Trinidad Deposit.
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It is the opinion of the QP that the San Jose Mine has an extensive body of metallurgical investigation comprising
several phases of testwork as well as an extensive history of treating ore at the operation since 2011. In the opinion
of the QP, the San Jose metallurgical samples tested and the ore that is presently treated in the plant is representative
of the material included in the life-of-mine plan (LOMP) in respect to grade and metallurgical response.
Metallurgical recovery is estimated to be constant for the LOMP at 92 % for silver and 91 % for gold. Differences
between vein systems are minimal with regard to recovery.
Deleterious elements detected in ore located in certain parts of the deposit have the potential to affect economics due
to penalties that could be applied during smelting. This includes elevated levels of fluorine (>1,000 ppm), which has
been accounted for as part of the financial analysis.
8. Mineral Resources
Mineral Resource estimation involved the usage of drill hole and channel samples in conjunction with underground
mapping to construct three-dimensional wireframes to define individual vein structures. Samples were selected
inside these wireframes, coded, composited and top cuts applied if applicable. Boundaries were treated as hard with
statistical and geostatistical analysis conducted on composites identified in individual veins. Silver and gold grades
were estimated into a geological block model consisting of 4 m x 4 m x 4 m selective mining units (SMUs)
representing each vein. All veins in the Trinidad Deposit were estimated by sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS).
The Victoria main structure located in the Victoria mineralized zone was estimated by inverse distance weighting
employing a power of two (IDW). Estimated grades were validated globally, locally, visually, and (where possible)
through production reconciliation prior to tabulation of the Mineral Resources.
By the application of a silver equivalent value taking into consideration the average metallurgical recovery and long
term metal prices for each metal, and the determination of a reasonable cut-off grade using actual operating costs, as
well as the exclusion of Mineral Resources identified as being isolated or economically unviable using a floating
stope optimizer, the Mineral Resources have ‘reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction’.
Resource confidence classification considers a number of aspects affecting confidence in the resource estimation
including; geological continuity and complexity; data density and orientation; data accuracy and precision; grade
continuity; and simulated grade variability.
Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2018 are reported in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1 Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2018
Classification
Tonnes (000)
Ag (g/t)
Au (g/t)
Contained Metal
Ag (Moz)
Au (koz)
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated
Inferred
Notes:
49
272
321
2,415
77
84
83
196
0.56
0.59
0.59
1.44
0.1
0.7
0.9
15.2
1
5
6
112
• Mineral Resources are as defined by the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
• Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves
• Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability
• Mineral Resources are estimated as of June 30, 2018 and reported as of December 31, 2018 taking into account
•
production related depletion for the period through December 31, 2018
Eric Chapman, P.Geo. (APEGBC #36328) is the Qualified Person for resources being an employee of Fortuna Silver
Mines Inc.
• Mineral Resources are reported based on underground mining within optimized stope designs using a cut-off grade of
100 g/t Ag Eq based on assumed metal prices of US$ 18.25/oz Ag and US$ 1,320/oz Au, estimated metallurgical
recovery rates of 92 % for Ag and 91 % for Au (Ag Eq (g/t) = Ag (g/t) + (Au (g/t)*((1,320/18.25)*(92/91)), and an
operating cost of US$ 52.50/t
• Mineral Resource tonnes are rounded to the nearest thousand
•
Totals may not add due to rounding
Factors that may affect the estimates include metal price and exchange rate assumptions; changes to the assumptions
used to generate the cut-off grade; changes in local interpretations of mineralization geometry and continuity of
mineralized zones; changes to geological and mineralization shape and geological and grade continuity assumptions;
variations in density and domain assignments; geometallurgical assumptions; changes to geotechnical, mining,
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dilution, and metallurgical recovery assumptions; change to the input and design parameter assumptions that pertain
to the conceptual stope designs constraining the estimates; and assumptions as to the continued ability to access the
site, retain mineral and surface rights titles, maintain environment and other regulatory permits, and maintain the
social license to operate.
There are no other known environmental, legal, title, taxation, socioeconomic, marketing, political or other relevant
factors that would materially affect the estimation of Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves that are not discussed
in this Report.
9. Mineral Reserves
Mineral Reserve estimates follow standard industry practices, considering only Measured and Indicated Mineral
Resources as only these categories have sufficient geological confidence to be considered Mineral Reserves (CIM,
2014). Subject to the application of modifying factors, Measured Resources may become Proven Reserves and
Indicated Resources may become Probable Reserves. Mineral Reserves are reconciled quarterly against production
to validate dilution and recovery factors.
Metal prices used for Mineral Reserve estimation were determined as of May 2018 by the corporate financial
department of Fortuna from market consensus.
Metallurgical recoveries were based on metallurgical test work and operational results at the plant from July 2017 to
June 2018.
NSR values were dependent on various parameters including metal prices, metallurgical recovery, price deductions,
refining charges and penalties.
A breakeven cut-off grade was determined based on all variable and fixed costs applicable to the operation. These
include exploitation and treatment costs, general expenses and administrative and commercialization costs
(including concentrate transportation).
Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2018 are reported in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2 Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2018
Classification
Tonnes (000)
Ag (g/t)
Au (g/t)
Contained Metal
Ag (Moz)
Au (koz)
Proven
Probable
Proven + Probable
Notes:
393
4,779
5,172
237
235
235
1.97
1.51
1.55
3.0
36.0
39.0
25
232
257
• Mineral Reserves are as defined by the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
• Mineral Reserves are estimated as of June 30, 2018 and reported as of December 31, 2018 taking into account
production-related depletion for the period through December 31, 2018
• Mineral Reserves are reported based on underground mining within optimized stope designs using an NSR breakeven
cut-off of US$ 65.90/t, equivalent to 131 g/t Ag Eq and 134 g/t Ag Eq for the Taviche Oeste concession due to an
additional 2.5 % royalty
• Metal prices used in the NSR evaluation are US$ 18.25/oz for silver and US$ 1,320/oz for gold
• Metallurgical recovery values used in the NSR evaluation are 92 % for silver and 91 % for gold based on actual plant
recoveries
• NSR values taking into account refining charges used in the estimation are US$ 15.67/oz for silver and US$ 1,129/oz
for gold with the exception of material located in the Taviche Oeste concession where NSR values are US$ 15.27/oz
for silver and US$ 1,100/oz for gold
• Costs used in NSR breakeven cut-off determination are US$ 31.48/t for mining; US$ 16.55/t for processing; and US$
17.91/t for other costs including distribution, management, community support, general service and administration
• Mining recovery is estimated to average 89 % and mining dilution 12 %
• Amri Sinuhaji, P.Eng (APEGBC #48305) is the Qualified Person for reserves, being an employee of Fortuna Silver
Mines Inc.
• Mineral Reserve tonnes are rounded to the nearest thousand
•
Totals may not add due to rounding
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10. Mining methods
Cuzcatlan commenced production at the San Jose Mine in September 2011 and as of
December 31, 2018 had
produced 35.9 Moz of silver and 269 koz of gold. The mining method applied in the exploitation of the veins is
overhand cut-and-fill using a mechanized extraction methodology.
Production capacity at the mine has been increased on two occasions; in September 2013 it was increased to 1,800
tonnes per day and most recently, in June 2016 the production capacity was increased to 3,000 tpd, through a further
plant expansion.
In May of 2018, a third-stage filtered dry stack tailings facility was commissioned on time and on budget with an
increased capacity of filtered tailings to handle 1.5 years of production with further expansions planned for 2019 and
2020 that would be sufficient to store all tailings for the presently defined life-of-mine plan (LOMP). Cuzcatlan is in
the process of obtaining the permit to allow the construction of the 2019 tailings expansion.
Mineral Reserves are estimated at 5.2 million tonnes as of December 31 2018, which is sufficient for almost a five-
year life-of-mine (LOM) consisting of 350 days in the year at a mill throughput rate of 3,000 tpd. The LOM annual
average production will be approximately 7 Moz of silver and 46 koz of gold based on an average head grade of 232
g/t Ag and 1.52 g/t Au.
The QP is of the opinion that:
• The mining method being used is appropriate for the deposit being mined. The underground mine design,
stockpiles, tailings facilities, and equipment fleet selection are appropriate for the operation
• The mine plan is based on historical mining and planning methods practiced at the operation for the
previous seven years, and presents low risk
•
Inferred Mineral Resources are not included in the mine plan, and were set to waste
• The mobile equipment fleet presented is based on the actual present-day mining operations, which is
known to achieve the production targets set out in the LOM
• All mine infrastructure and supporting facilities meet the needs of the current mine plan and production rate
11. Recovery methods
The current process plant design is split into four principal stages including; crushing; milling; flotation; and
thickening, filtering and shipping.
The QP considers process requirements to be well understood, and consistent based on the actual observed
conditions in the operating plant. There is no indication that the characteristics of the material planned for mining
will change and therefore the recovery assumptions applied for future mining are considered as reasonable for the
LOM.
12. Project infrastructure
The QP is confident that all mine and process infrastructure and supporting facilities are included in the present
general layout to ensure that they meet the needs of the mine plan and production rate and notes that:
• The San Jose Mine is located 47 km, or one hour by road from the city of Oaxaca, the main service center
for the operation, with good year-round access
• The mine site infrastructure has a compact layout footprint of 50.15 ha, with an additional 69.69 ha for the
tailings storage facilities
• An expansion to the dry stack tailings facility will commence in 2019, with a second phase planned for
2020, increasing total capacity to 4,039,000 m3, sufficient for the LOM
• Power is provided to the mine from the main grid via a 115,000 volt circuit, as well as a secondary reserve
power supply line, all managed by CFE
• Water requirements are 2.7 m3 of water to process one tonne of ore being primarily sourced from water
pumped to the surface from the underground dewatering system
• All process buildings and offices for operating the mine have been constructed, with camp facilities not
required due to the proximity of the site to urban
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13. Market studies and contracts
Since the operation commenced commercial production in September 2011 a corporate decision was made to sell
the concentrate on the open market. In order to get the best commercial terms for the concentrates, it is Fortuna’s
policy to sign contracts for periods no longer than one year. All commercial terms entered between the buyer and
Cuzcatlan are regarded as confidential, but are considered to be within standard industry norms.
The QP has reviewed the information provided by Fortuna on marketing, contracts, metal price projections and
exchange rate forecasts and notes that the information provided support the assumptions used in this Report and are
consistent with the source documents, and that the information is consistent with what is publicly available within
industry norms.
14. Environmental studies and permitting
The mining operation has been developed in strict compliance with the regulations and permits required by the
government agencies involved in the mining sector. In addition, all work follows the international quality and safety
standards set forth under standards ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18000.
Despite the above, on October 8, 2018 abnormally high rainfall caused a contingency pond to overflow at the dry
stack tailings facility. The contingency pond collects water from a ditch system at the dry stack facility designed to
capture and manage rain water.
Cuzcatlan took steps to mitigate the risk of future overflows by immediately increasing its pumping capacity at the
contingency pond. No damage occurred to the tailings dam or to the dry stack infrastructure. San Jose tailings are
monitored and sampled continuously, are free of heavy metals or other contaminants, and are characterized as
sterile.
Cuzcatlan notified the relevant environmental authorities, PROFEPA and CONAGUA on the day of the incident.
Cuzcatlan worked with federal, state and local authorities as they conducted inspections of the facilities at San Jose
and sampling of the Coyote Creek. Results of the sampling indicated no contamination or pollution occurred due to
the overflow.
On February 14, 2019, PROFEPA released their final report on the incident confirming that the overflow did not
contaminate soil, and therefore no remediation was required. As of the effective date of this Report, Cuzcatlan is
awaiting issuance of the final report from CONAGUA.
To the extent known, all permits that are required by Mexican law for the mining operation have been obtained, with
the exception of the permit to construct the stage 4 expansion of the dry stack tailings facility. Cuzcatlan is in the
process of obtaining the permit from the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and
expect to obtain this in the second quarter of 2019.
Cuzcatlan continues developing sustainable annual programs for the benefit of local communities, including
educational, nutritional and economic programs. The above mentioned social and environmental responsibilities
support a good relationship between the company and local communities. This will aid the development and
continuity of the mining operation and improve the standard of living and economies of local communities.
The mine closure plan has been designed to ensure the rehabilitation of the area where the mine is located. The
projected total cost required to close present and future infrastructure at the mine is US$ 5.3 million.
15. Capital and operating costs
Capital and operating cost estimates are based on established cost experience gained from current operations,
projected budget data and quotes from manufacturers and suppliers.
The capital and operating cost provisions for the LOMP that supports Mineral Reserves have been reviewed. The
basis for the estimates is appropriate for the known mineralization; mining and production schedules; marketing
plans; and equipment replacement and maintenance requirements.
The QP considers the capital and operating costs estimated for the San Jose Mine as reasonable based on industry-
standard practices and actual costs observed for 2018.
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16. Economic analysis
Fortuna is using the provision for producing issuers, whereby producing issuers may exclude the information
required under Item 22 for technical reports on properties currently in production and where no material production
expansion is planned.
Mineral Reserve declaration is supported by a positive cashflow for the period set out in the LOMP based on the
assumptions detailed in this Report.
17. Other relevant data and information
Fortuna considers that this Report contains all the relevant information necessary to ensure the report is
understandable and not misleading.
18. Conclusions, risks and opportunities
This Report represents the most accurate interpretation of the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource available as of
the effective date of this report. The conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves was undertaken using
industry-recognized methods, and estimated operational costs, capital costs, and plant performance data. Thus, it is
considered to be representative of future operational conditions. This Report has been prepared with the latest
information regarding environmental and closure cost requirements.
A number of opportunities and risks were identified by the QPs during the evaluation of the San Jose Mine.
Opportunities include:
• The wide nature of mineralization of the Stockwork zone in combination with the medium to good rock
quality provides an opportunity to implement a more productive (bulk) mining methodology such as long
hole stoping to extract this material. Implementation of this method could potentially reduce mining costs
and increase mine productivity.
•
Improvements in mining productivity through optimizing the mining cycle. As shotcreting comprises a
significant component of the mining cycle, a better accelerator agent could shorten the curing and overall
cycle times. Additionally, cycle times could be further reduced by implementing a trim or controlled
blasting system so that less ground support is required due to over-blasting or over scaling.
• Operational delays could be reduced by implementing a better underground communication system.
• The ventilation system could be improved in specific areas of the mine where elevated temperature are
encountered improving productivity in these areas.
• Significant exploration potential exists for the Victoria mineralized zone as mineralization remains open in
all directions.
Risks include:
• The recently discovered presence of elevated fluorine in the concentrate resulting in unexpected penalties
to sales. Limited information is currently available to understand the orogenesis, dynamics, and distribution
of fluorine within the deposit, although preliminary sampling suggests it is focused in the Trinidad vein
with a limited spatial extent. However, a risk exists that fluorine levels may be elevated in other veins and
areas of the deposit.
• Environmental liability from the pond over-flow in October 2018, mitigated by the rapid response to the
incident and independent testing of the affected area that indicates no heavy metals or other contaminants
are present.
• Potential litigation regarding the disputed royalty on the Progresso concession, which has been mitigated by
Cuzcatlan obtaining multiple legal opinions that state the royalty is invalid and taking steps to remove the
royalty from the register.
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19. Recommendations
Recommendations for the next phase of work have been broken into those related to ongoing exploration activities
and those related to additional technical and operational studies. Recommended work programs are independent of
each other and can be conducted concurrently unless otherwise stated. The exploration-related programs are
estimated at a total cost of US$ 4.22 million. The operational improvement studies are recommended to be
conducted inhouse and therefore do not involve a direct cost.
i)
Exploration activities
• Exploration of the Trinidad Deposit. The Fortuna vein is known to extend south of the presently-
estimated Mineral Resource by the presence of historical workings and previous drilling demarking where
the Fortuna vein was located in the San Ignacio area. It is recommended that Cuzcatlan explore the
mineralized continuity of this vein as it extends from the Trinidad Deposit into the San Ignacio area with a
first phase drill program involving the drilling of 3,500 m diamond holes at an estimated cost of US$
492,000. In addition to testing the extents of the Fortuna vein, the Paloma vein remains open at higher
elevations and it is recommended that upon the issuance of appropriate permits the near-surface potential of
the Paloma vein be explored with the drilling of 1,500 m of diamond holes from surface at an estimated
cost of US$ 203,000.
• Exploration of the Victoria mineralized zone. It is recommended that Cuzcatlan continue to explore the
extent of the Victoria mineralized zone above and to the north of the presently-estimated Mineral Resource.
The higher elevations of the vein system can be drilled from surface, with the issuance of the appropriate
permits, and would involve the drilling of 2,000 m diamond holes at an estimated cost of US$ 257,000. To
gain access for exploration of the vein to the north and at depth it is recommended that a 200 m exploration
drift be mined at a cost of US$ 520,000. The drive will allow the drilling of 4,500 m of underground
diamond drill holes to explore the vein continuity at an estimated cost of US$ 509,000.
• Metallurgical testwork. It is recommended that metallurgical testwork be conducted on samples obtained
from the Victoria mineralized zone to establish likely metallurgical recoveries and processing
characteristics. Testwork should include mineralogical evaluations, along with bond work index, grinding,
flotation and granulometry tests. The estimated cost of the testwork is US$ 32,000.
• Other exploration programs. The Guilla concession of the San Jose Mine has been identified as an area
that has high potential for the discovery of epithermal veins based on surface mapping. It is recommended
that permits be obtained to allow targets to be drilled on this concession. If permits are obtained a drill
program consisting of 9,000 m of diamond holes at an estimated cost of US$ 1,305,000 is recommended. In
addition, it is recommended that a 250 m underground exploration drift be mined in 2019 to the north of the
Trinidad Deposit to facilitate future underground drilling programs to explore the convergence of the
Trinidad Deposit and the Victoria mineralized zone where obtaining surface drill permits has proved
problematic. The estimated cost of this drift is US$ 500,000.
• Delineation (infill) drilling. Cuzcatlan is planning to continue the delineation drilling from underground in
2019 of the Trinidad Deposit. A total of 2,780 m of drilling is planned at a budgeted cost of US$ 400,000.
ii)
Technical and operational studies
• Fluorine. It is recommended that the operation continues to assay representative pulps for fluorine and uses
these to improve short term and long-term estimates of fluorine behavior in the deposit as well as
conducting metallurgical tests at the plant to determine methods to reduce fluorine levels in the concentrate.
• Mine plan optimization and risk analysis. The conditional simulation methodology used in the
estimation of the primary veins results in the generation of 50 equi-probable realizations. By assessing
these multiple potential scenarios, the mine plan can be optimized with the identification of low- and high-
risk regions of the deposit.
• Bulk density measurements. It is recommended that the number of bulk density measurements be
increased in secondary veins. If sufficient measurements are obtained, bulk density can be estimated rather
than the presently-used density assignment methodology.
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• Mining method. As part of continuous improvement initiatives to reduce mining cost and to increase mine
productivity, it is recommended that a study be conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a bulk mining
method. Part of the considerations for the mining method selection is to investigate mining method and
mining sequence that eliminate the necessity to leave mineralized material as pillars. Additionally, the
study should investigate mine productivity, equipment and manpower requirements, as well as
infrastructure and cost evaluations.
• Mining recovery. A review on pillar design is recommended, particularly for narrow veins with more
competent country rock where mining recovery could be increased. Cell mapping and geotechnical logging
should be performed on a more frequent basis and detailed pillar analysis conducted based on the specific
local rock conditions.
• Mining dilution. It is recommended that the mine implements an improved survey practice by increasing
the number of points taken per survey or to implement the usage of a scanner. It is further recommended
that the mine reconciles the dilution estimate on a more frequent basis and stores the information into a
database so that statistical analysis such as trends, variations and local dilution analysis can be performed.
This information will assist the Cuzcatlan mine planning department in making timely decisions to
remediate dilution issues and improve Mineral Reserve estimates.
[End of Extract of Summary from San Jose Technical Report]
See “Three Year History and Recent Developments - Updated Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates”
herein for further information regarding the San Jose Mine.
Lindero Project, Argentina
The following is the Summary from the technical report (the “Lindero Technical Report”) entitled “Fortuna
Silver Mines Inc.: Lindero Property, Salta Province, Argentina”, with an effective date of October 31, 2017
prepared by Eric Chapman, P.Geo, Edwin Gutierrez, SME Registered Member, Geoff Allard, PE, and Denys
Parra Murrugarra, SME Registered Member. This summary is subject to certain assumptions, qualifications and
procedures described in the Lindero Technical Report and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Lindero
Technical Report which is available for viewing on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and is incorporated by reference in
this AIF, and is also filed with the SEC on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov). Defined terms and abbreviations
used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Lindero Technical
Report.
Property Description, Location and Access
The Lindero Project is in the Argentine puna, a cool, arid zone with a minimum elevation of approximately 3,500 to
4,000 m. The climate is generally dry and windy; it can be cold and snowy during storms.
The Lindero Project is located 260 km due west of Salta, Argentina, the main service center of the region, at latitude
25° 05’ south and longitude 67° 47’ west. Drive time from Salta to the Project is approximately 7 to 7.5 hours, over
a road distance of 420 km. The nearest town to the Lindero Project is Tolar Grande (population 250) located 75 km
to the northeast.
Access to the Lindero Project is via National Route 51, which passes through the towns of San Antonio de Los
Cobres and Olacapato; and Provincial Route 27, via Pocitos and Tolar Grande.
The Lindero Project contains two known porphyry gold-copper deposits. The Lindero Deposit is the focus of the
Feasibility Study and the Lindero Technical Report; whereas the Arizaro Deposit, located 3.2 km southeast of the
Lindero Deposit, is described only in terms of exploration conducted to date.
The mineral tenement holdings cover 3,500 ha, and comprise 35 pertenencias, each of 100 ha, which are constrained
by Gauss Kruger Posgar co-ordinates generated by survey. Tenure is held in the name of Mansfield Minera S.A.
(“Mansfield”), an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. There is no expiry date on the pertenencias,
providing Mansfield meets expenditure and environmental requirements, and pays the appropriate annual mining
fees.
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A 3 % provincial royalty “boca mina” is payable on revenue after deduction of direct processing, commercial,
general and administrative costs. There are no royalties payable to any other third party.
Surface rights are owned by the provincial state (Propiedad Fiscal) of Salta. There are no reservations, restrictions,
rights-of-way or easements on the Lindero Project to any third-party. Mansfield holds a registered camp concession,
and a granted and surveyed access right-of-way. Water permits and rights of access to the Lindero Project are
guaranteed through water and access licenses granted by the Mining Court of Salta.
Surface rights for construction of a mining operation and plant have not been granted from the Provincial
authorities. Development of such infrastructure will require additional negotiation and potentially, supporting
studies. Mansfield does not foresee any issues with obtaining the necessary permits for construction.
History
Gold–copper mineralization associated with potassic alteration was first discovered at the Lindero Project by
Goldrock geologists in November 1999, and led to claim staking.
The area was explored using reconnaissance and detailed geological mapping, soil geochemistry (talus fines), trench
sampling and mapping during 2000 and early 2001. As a result of this work, mineralization at what is now the
Lindero Deposit was identified in September 2000.
From April 2002 to March 2003, Rio Tinto had an option on the property with Goldrock, during which time
additional exploration including drilling and metallurgical testwork was conducted. An inhouse preliminary Mineral
Resource estimate for the Lindero Deposit was performed. As the tonnage and grade estimate did not meet Rio
Tinto’s corporate targets, the option was not exercised.
Goldrock resumed as project operator, and between 2005 and 2013 completed additional exploration and drilling.
Based on this, a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Lindero Deposit was completed by AMEC in 2010, assuming a
production throughput of 30,000 tonnes of ore per day (AMEC Americas Ltd., 2010a; 2010b). In 2012, Goldrock
commissioned Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA) to complete a Feasibility Study using a reduced throughput of
18,750 tpd.
In 2015, Goldrock commissioned KCA to work with local engineering firms in advancing the engineering design for
the Project to a basic engineering level, and update the 2013 Feasibility Study. A new Feasibility Study
incorporating these design changes, additional metallurgical testwork, and updated costs and gold price assumptions
was filed by KCA in 2016 (KCA, 2016a).
In July 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of Goldrock, making
Mansfield a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortuna. Upon completion of the transaction, Fortuna continued to advance
the optimization of the 2016 Feasibility Study through additional drilling as well as conducting tradeoff
metallurgical tests and detailed engineering revisions with the objective of reaching a construction decision for the
Lindero Project.
Geology and Mineralization
In the Central Andes, the altiplano or puna is a high plateau of more subdued relief between the Eastern Cordillera, a
rugged region usually rising to between 3 km and 4.5 km, and the Western Cordillera, which is a high spine of
mountains that may reach as much as 5 km in height. The Arizaro Volcanic Complex consists of two superimposed
concentric volcanic centers, the Arizaro and the Lindero cones, located in the Archibarca volcanic arc at the
southern margin of the Salar de Arizaro basin. Basement rocks crop out to the north of the Lindero Deposit, and
consist of coarse-grained Ordovician granites uncomformably overlain by Early Tertiary red bed sandstones. The
Lindero–Arizaro complex, a series of diorite to monzonite porphyritic stocks, intrudes these units.
Mineralized zones at the Lindero Deposit form a semi-circular shape about 600 m in diameter which extends to a
depth of 600 m, consisting of four different zones at the surface. The distribution of gold–copper mineralization at
Lindero shows a strong relationship to lithology, stockwork veinlets, and alteration assemblages. Gold values
average 0.70 g/t Au and copper values are typically about 0.11 % Cu. Higher grades of gold–copper (approximately
1 g/t Au and 0.1 % Cu) are commonly associated with sigmoidal quartz, quartz–magnetite–sulfide, biotite-
magnetite–chalcopyrite, magnetite–chalcopyrite and quartz–limonite–hematite stockworks that are strongly
associated with K-feldspar alteration. This association is very common in the east zone of the deposit, where the
highest gold grades occur. At other locations where one or more stockwork types are missing or the intensity of
fracturing is lower, mineralization tends to be weaker and the grades of gold tends to be lower (approximately 0.4 g/t
Au).
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Gold mineralization at the Lindero Project is characterized by native, free-milling gold associated with chalcopyrite
and/or magnetite grains with rare interstitial quartz.
The weathered oxidation zone at the Lindero Project is generally poorly developed and averages 44 m in thickness.
The Arizaro volcanic center is characterized by fine- to medium-grained hornblende diorite to monzonite porphyritic
stocks. The Arizaro Deposit is dominated by a main, moderately to strongly mineralized intrusive unit that crops out
in the central part of the prospect area. It consists of fine hornblende porphyritic diorite intruded by several stocks,
dikes, igneous-cemented breccias and hydrothermal breccias. Smaller stocks are exposed in a few areas. Dikes of
andesitic and dacitic composition are generally distributed radially to the main intrusive unit.
Several alteration assemblages are noted in the Arizaro Deposit area. Alteration patterns are semi-concentric and
asymmetric, with a core of moderate to strong potassic alteration including zones of K-feldspar-rich magnetite–silica
alteration. An incomplete rim of chloritic alteration is developed outboard of the potassic alteration. In the southeast
part of the deposit, intermediate argillic alteration has formed and overprints potassic alteration. Sericitic and very
weak argillic alteration (hydrolytic alteration) has developed in the volcanic tuffs. To the south and west of the
deposit, chloritic alteration passes directly to propylitic alteration. An actinolite–magnetite alteration assemblage
forms in the eastern part of the deposit area.
Arizaro gold–copper mineralization is hosted in one body which has a semi-oval shape at the surface. In the center
there is a high-grade body with a semi-ellipsoidal form, extending north-south for 480 m and about 50 m wide. The
Arizaro Deposit has mineralization styles with copper–gold grades that are strongly correlated with different
alteration assemblages. Mineralization is mainly associated with potassic alteration. This occurs generally in multi-
directional veins, vein stockworks and disseminations. In some areas, the vein density is high, forming vein
stockworks in the intrusive rocks. These vein stockworks are limited to magnetite–biotite veinlets, quartz–
magnetite–chalcopyrite veinlets, late magnetite breccias and in late-stage mineralization events, anhydrite–sulfide
veinlets. Chalcopyrite and bornite are the main copper minerals. Coarse gold was observed and confirmed with X-
ray diffraction analysis in the University of Neuquen, Argentina, laboratory.
Lindero and Arizaro are examples of gold-rich porphyry copper deposits as described by Sillitoe (2000). More
specifically, they show affinities with the porphyry gold deposit model (Rytuba and Cox, 1991; also termed dioritic
porphyry gold deposits by Seedorff et al., 2005). These are exemplified by the Refugio, Cerro Casale, Marte, and
Lobo gold deposits of the Miocene-age Maricunga belt, Chile, approximately 200 km south of Lindero. Vila and
Sillitoe (1991) and Muntean and Einaudi (2000, 2001) described those deposits in detail.
The deposits of the Project area are considered to be examples of porphyry-style deposits, in particular gold-rich
porphyries based on the following:
• High level (epizonal) stock emplacement levels in magmatic arc
• High-level stocks and related dikes intrude their coeval and cogenetic volcanic piles. Intrusions range from
fine through coarse-grained, equigranular to coarsely porphyritic
• Mineralization in or adjoining porphyritic intrusions of quartz diorite/monzonite composition
• Mineralization is spatially, temporally, and genetically associated with hydrothermal alteration of the
intrusive bodies and host rocks
• Gold–copper mineralization formed during intrusion of multiple phases of similar composition intrusive
rocks
• Large zones of quartz veining, stockwork mineralization, and disseminated pyrite
• Tenor of gold and copper grades, i.e., large tonnage but low grade
At the Lindero Deposit, native gold and electrum are finely disseminated in subparallel to stockwork quartz +
sulfide ± magnetite ± anhydrite veins and in some cases in matrices of hydrothermal breccias. Magnetite is common
to abundant in mineralized zones. These mineralized stockworks and potassic alteration are interpreted to have
formed as the result of degassing of the early intrusive bodies. Fluid pressures during degassing triggered fracturing
of the intrusions and wall rock, allowing gold-rich fluids to circulate and precipitate, forming a gold–copper
orebody. Later intrusions resulted in weak to moderate gold–copper mineralization forming mostly along and
immediately fringing these intrusive contacts. Finally, post mineralized intrusives were overprinted onto the north
and west of the deposit.
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Understanding of the geological setting and model concept of the Lindero and Arizaro is adequate to provide
guidance for exploration and development of the deposits.
Exploration, Drilling and Sampling
The Lindero Deposit was discovered in late 2000. Several exploration programs have been conducted by Rio Tinto,
Goldrock and the Company on the Lindero Project:
• Goldrock campaign: August 2000 to October 2001, which included geologic mapping, soil sampling, and
trench sampling
• Rio Tinto Campaign: May 2002 to February 2003, which included road sampling, geophysics (43 km of
ground magnetics and 11 km of induced polarization (IP)), and drilling (10 holes for a total of 3,279 m)
• Goldrock campaign: October 2005 to January 2008, which included geologic mapping and modeling,
trenching, and a significant drilling program (106 holes for a total of 30,024 m)
• Goldrock campaign: September 2008 and August 2010 to November 2010, which consisted of additional
drilling (23 holes) for the Pre-Feasibility Study
• The Company’s campaign: September 2016 to December 2016 consisting of 8 holes for metallurgical
samples, 2 holes for geologic interpretation and 2 twin holes
Drilling completed at the Lindero Project comprises 151 diamond drill holes totaling 42,598 m at the Lindero
Deposit, as well as 29 diamond drill holes totaling 8,855 m at the Arizaro Deposit. Mineral Resources are only
estimated at the Lindero Deposit. Ground conditions were good, and core recovery was generally above 90 %. Drill
hole collars were marked with PVC pipes introduced in the hole at surface and then cemented. All holes drilled
since 2005 as well as the 10 holes drilled during the 2002 campaign were surveyed by Servicios Topograficos with a
differential GPS. Coordinates are projected on the WGS 84 Datum ellipsoid and calibrated according to the position
of Geodetic point IGM N° PR-02-015, located a few kilometers from the Project. The results are available in
geographic co-ordinates and in metric co-ordinates (UTM and Gauss Kruger), using the WGS 84 datum.
During Rio Tinto’s exploration drilling campaign in 2002, undertaken by Connors Drilling, no downhole surveys
were completed despite the fact that many of the holes extended beyond 300 m in depth. Holes drilled during the
first Goldrock campaign were not originally downhole surveyed either. In June 2006 GEC-Geophysical Exploration
& Consulting S.A. (GEC) was contracted by Goldrock to perform borehole surveying services with a Reflex
Maxibor II System 3™ Probe (Maxibor™), which is not affected by magnetism. In 2008, Goldrock detected that the
Maxibor™ surveys showed an unacceptably large deviation in the drill holes and a decision was made to re-survey
all holes that showed a deviation of more than 5 %. Comprobe Chile Ltd. (Comprobe) was contracted to re-survey
the holes considered by Goldrock as having incorrect downhole deviations. A surface-recording gyroscopic
instrument was used, and orientation and dip parameters were recorded every 10 m. For the 2016 drilling campaign,
Fortuna retained the services of Construccion & Mineria S.A., based out of Mendoza, Argentina, to complete
downhole surveys for each hole upon completion. Downhole surveys were conducted using Reflex™ gyroscopic
equipment with readings taken at 5-m intervals.
All core was logged for geology and geotechnical characteristics. All logging was digital, and was incorporated
daily into the Maxwell DataShed™ database system. Data were recorded initially with Excel™ templates, and later
with Maxwell LogChief™ application using essentially the same structure. Separate pages were designed to capture
metadata, lithology, alteration, veins, sulfide–oxide zones, sulfide–oxide surfaces, minerals (sulfides, oxides, and
limonite), sulfates, structures (contacts, fractures, veins, and faults with attitudes to core axis), magnetic
susceptibility, and special data (samples collected for geochemistry, thin section examinations, the core library,
skeleton core, etc.). Intensity of alteration phases was recorded using a numeric 1 to 4 scale (weak, moderate, strong,
complete); abundance of veins and most other minerals were estimated in volume percent.
The Lindero Deposit is a gold-rich porphyry with low-grade mineralization permeating throughout the deposit,
making the calculation of true thickness impossible as no definitive across strike direction exists. The mineralization
appears to be annular in shape at surface due to the intrusion of barren to low-grade intrusive rocks into the core of
the system, but this circular shape is not representative of true thickness.
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Core samples are marked and collected on 2 m intervals that honor lithological boundaries. Samples weigh between
4 and 8 kg depending on core diameter and recovery. Channel samples were collected using a rock saw to cut a 2 x 3
cm channel in exposed bedrock in trenches and road cuts. The material was removed from the channel with a chisel.
Sample preparation for most samples consisted of crushing to 70 % passing 10 mesh and pulverization to 95 %
passing 150 mesh. Density samples are routinely collected by Mansfield from drill core on approximate 10-m
intervals. Samples consist of pieces of core approximately 7 cm in length and weighing between 93 g and 408 g.
All samples collected by Mansfield were assayed for gold using a 30 g fire assay–atomic absorption (FA-AA) finish
and a second aliquot was selected for copper analysis using aqua regia digestion and AA analyses. For the drill
samples only, a full suite of trace elements was analyzed using an aqua regia digestion followed by inductively-
coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. Assay results and certificates were reported electronically by e-mail.
Fortuna samples were sent to the ALS Global sample preparation facility in Mendoza, Argentina. Following drying
at 55°C, the samples were weighed and the entire sample crushed using a two-stage method, first with a jaw crusher
to 1 cm, and then by cone crusher to 70 % passing 10 mesh. The entire crushed sample was then pulverized to a
minimum of 95 % passing 80 mesh. Pulverized samples were then split using a riffle splitter to generate a 300 g
subsample that was pulverized to 95 % passing 150 mesh. This subsample was then split again using a riffle splitter
to generate three 100 g samples.
All samples were sent to accredited laboratories independent of Mansfield, Rio Tinto, and Fortuna.
Implementation of a quality assurance/quality control (“QAQC”) program is current industry best practice and
involves establishing appropriate procedures and the routine insertion of standard reference material (SRMs),
blanks, and duplicates to monitor the sampling, sample preparation and analytical process. The Company
implemented a full QAQC program to monitor the sampling, sample preparation and analytical process for the 2016
drilling campaign in accordance with its companywide procedures. The program involved the routine insertion of
SRMs, blanks, and duplicates. Evaluation of the QAQC data indicate that the data are sufficiently accurate and
precise to support Mineral Resource estimation.
Data Verification
In 2009 an independent audit of the information used for the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
at the time was conducted by AMEC, and summarized in the KCA (2016a) Technical Report. The work included
independent audits of the database, collar and downhole surveys, drill logs, assays, bulk density measurements, core
recovery, and QAQC results.
The 2009 audit concluded that the data verification programs undertaken on the data collected from the Lindero
Deposit up to 2009 supported the geologic interpretations, and the analytical and database quality, and therefore the
data could support Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation.
Fortuna reviewed the work performed by AMEC and concurs with their opinion. Fortuna has conducted additional
audits and verification of historical information used in prior Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates as
well as verifying new data generated during the 2016 drilling campaign to support assumptions for a construction
decision and the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates reported in Section 14 and Section 15 of the
Lindero Technical Report. The verification process focused on the database; collars and downhole surveys;
lithologic logs; assays; metallurgical results; and geotechnical parameters. The Company checked all collar and
downhole survey information for each campaign against source documentation and completed a hand-held GPS
survey of randomly selected drill hole collars. The results showed a good agreement with locations in the database.
In August 2016, the Company initiated a comprehensive program of relogging to verify the original lithologic
descriptions.
The Company contracted Call & Nicholas Inc. (CNI) to validate all geotechnical data, data collection methods, slope
stability analysis methods, and slope angle recommendations presented previously by other consultants to determine
feasibility-level slope angle recommendations for design of the planned Lindero final pit.
The Lindero Technical Report author is of the opinion that the data verification programs performed on the data
collected from the Project are adequate to support the geological interpretations, the analytical and database quality,
and Mineral Resource estimation at the Lindero Project.
-54-
Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing
The Lindero Project has an extensive body of metallurgical investigation comprising several phases of testwork as
indicated in the KCA (2016a) Technical Report, and summarized in Section 13 of the Lindero Technical Report. In
general, the testwork was done to industry standards. However, some leach conditions set for the testwork made
interpretation difficult. Reinterpretation of the raw test data provided the basis for advancing the metallurgical
knowledge base for Fortuna.
Since September 2016, the Company has performed complementary metallurgical testwork in the areas of
comminution, heap permeability and cement agglomeration, gold extraction in column tests, and copper removal
with sulfidization-acidification-recycle-thickening (SART) technology with the purpose of confirming and
optimizing process design criteria.
Table 1.1 shows key gold extraction results for 10-m columns from laboratory testwork, carried out in the first
semester of 2017, on material cured in a cyanide solution and agglomerated. A 4 % deduction (absolute) has been
used in the design to allow for the differences between laboratory and expected operational results.
Table 1.1
Key gold extraction results for 10-m columns
Met Type
1
2
3
4
Met Type
Description
Fresh Intrusive
Oxide Porphyry
Fresh porphyry
Sediments
Met Type as
Percentage of
Reserve
63
20
9
8
Weighted average
Gold Extraction
Laboratory
(%)
Field
(%)
79.4
82.2
82.5
72.5
79.7
75.4
78.2
78.5
68.5
75.7
Optimization of the process design has confirmed the benefit of the use of a high-pressure-grinding-roll (HPGR), the
inclusion of cyanide cure of ore, and copper removal/cyanide recovery with a SART plant. Results indicate that
these components allow for improved gold leaching kinetics and effective extraction of copper from the pregnant
solution.
Ore will be crushed at a nominal rate of 18,750 tpd using a three-stage crushing system including a HPGR in the
tertiary stage. A final crush size of P80 6.0 mm is projected. The crushed product will be agglomerated and cured
with a cyanide solution and then conveyed to the leach pad. A mobile conveying and stacking system will be used to
stack ore in 10-m-high lifts. The life-of-mine (LOM) leach pad area is projected at 105 ha with a maximum height of
110 m. Leaching will be carried out in two stages with a first stage of 30 days and a second stage of 60 days.
The gold pregnant solution will be pumped at a rate of 400 m3/hr to a SART plant, where copper in solution will be
precipitated to maintain copper levels below 400 ppm in the solution. The Project contemplates an expansion of the
pregnant solution flow rate from 400 m3/hr to 600 m3/hr in year four with the objective of reducing gold ounce
inventory in the heap at the end of mining.
Following the SART plant, the pregnant solution will go to an adsorption, desorption, recovery (ADR) plant and
then to electrowinning and refining where gold will be poured in doré bars. LOM recovery is estimated at 75 %.
It is the opinion of the Lindero Technical Report author that the Lindero samples tested represent the orebody with
respect to grade and metallurgical response. The differences between metallurgical lithologies are minimal with
regard to extraction. Cyanide consumptions are higher with the more oxidized Met 2 samples as would be expected.
Minimal metallurgical differences were expected after review of the historical work.
Physical differences appear to have greater impact on the processing of the Lindero met types. Of significant
importance is the ability of the agglomerated ore to support the planned heap height.
No significant deleterious materials such as mercury or clays were noted in the samples tested.
A high level of metallurgical and process risk mitigation is incorporated in the process design with HPGR crushing,
agglomeration and the SART plant. With these installations any expected short-term variation in ore composition
(i.e. elevated soluble copper content) or physical properties (i.e. elevated gypsum levels or increased ore hardness at
depth) can be accommodated in the normal course of operations.
-55-
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
Mineral Resource estimation of the Lindero Deposit involved the use of drill hole and channel sample data in
conjunction with surface mapping to construct three-dimensional (3-D) wireframes to define individual lithologic
structures and oxide–mixed–sulfide horizons. Drill hole samples were selected inside these wireframes, coded,
composited and grade top cuts applied if applicable. Boundaries were treated as either soft, firm or hard with
statistical and geostatistical analysis conducted on composites identified in individual lithologic units. Gold and
copper grades were estimated into a geological block model consisting of 10 m x 10 m x 4 m selective mining units
(SMUs). Grades were estimated using dynamic anisotropy by ordinary kriging (OK) and constrained within an
ultimate pit shell based on estimated metal prices, costs, geotechnical constraints, and metallurgical recoveries to
fulfill the expectation of reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. Estimated grades were validated
globally, locally, and visually prior to tabulation of the Mineral Resources.
Mineral Reserves are exclusive of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserve estimates have considered only
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources as only these categories can be considered Mineral Reserves (CIM,
2014). Subject to the application of modifying factors, Measured Resources may become Proven Reserves and
Indicated Resources may become Probable Reserves.
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves as of September 9, 2017 are reported in
Table 1.2 and Table 1.3 respectively:
Table 1.2
Mineral Reserves as of September 9, 2017
Classification
Tonnes (000)
Au (g/t)
Cu (%)
Contained Metal
Au (koz)
Proven
Probable
Proven + Probable
26,009
62,263
88,272
0.74
0.57
0.62
0.11
0.11
0.11
618
1,131
1,749
Table 1.3
Mineral Resources as of September 9, 2017
Classification
Tonnes (000)
Au (g/t)
Cu (%)
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated
Inferred
610
11,897
12,507
5,700
0.24
0.24
0.24
0.36
0.06
0.07
0.07
0.10
Contained Metal
Au (koz)
5
92
97
65
Notes:
• Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources are as defined by CIM Definition Standards on Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves
• Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves
• Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability
• There are no known legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential
development of the Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves at Lindero
• Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves are estimated and reported as of September 9, 2017
• Eric Chapman, P.Geo. (APEGBC #36328) is the Qualified Person for resources and Edwin Gutierrez (SME
Registered Member #4119110RM) is the Qualified Person for reserves, both being current or former
employees of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
• Mineral Reserves for Lindero are reported based on open pit mining within designed pit shells based on
variable gold cut-off grades and gold recoveries by metallurgical type. Met type 1 cut-off 0.27 g/t Au,
recovery 75.4 %; Met type 2 cut-off 0.26 g/t Au, recovery 78.2 %; Met type 3 cut-off 0.26 g/t Au, recovery
78.5 %; and Met type 4 cut-off 0.30 g/t Au, recovery 68.5 %. The cut-off grades and pit designs are
considered appropriate for long-term gold prices of US$ 1,250/oz. Assumptions used in the pit design are
the same as those for the resources
-56-
• Lindero Mineral Resources are reported within a conceptual pit shell above a 0.2 g/t Au cut-off grade using
a long-term gold price of US$ 1,250/oz, mining costs at US$ 1.67 per tonne of material, with total
processing and process G&A costs of $7.84 per tonne of mineralized material and an average process
recovery of 75 %. The refinery costs net of pay factor were estimated to be US$ 6.90 per ounce gold. Slope
angles are based on 3 sectors (39°, 42°, and 47°) consistent with geotechnical consultant recommendations
• Totals may not add due to rounding
Mineral Reserves are estimated at 88.3 Mt as of September 9, 2017 which is sufficient for a thirteen-year LOM
considering 350 days in the year for production and a capacity rate of 18,750 tpd. Expectation based on an optimized
production schedule is for an annual average production of 129,000 troy ounces of gold.
Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves are estimated to contain 1.75 Moz gold, reflecting a 12 % decrease in
contained gold ounces relative to the October, 2015 Mineral Reserve estimate. Variations are the result of:
• A smaller ultimate pit shell based on updated metal prices, mining costs, and metallurgical recoveries
resulting in a decrease in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources
•
2016 drilling which upgraded 12 Mt to Indicated Mineral Resources with a loss of that amount of Inferred
Mineral Resources
• Adjustments to the geological interpretation and estimation methodology
Mining methods
The Lindero Project will be an owner-operated conventional open pit mining operation with a nominal rate of
18,750 tpd of ore and a life of pit operations of 13 years using existing reserves. The ratio of waste to ore over the
LOM is 1.2 to 1. The key mining fleet equipment will be initially composed of six 91 tonne (100-ton) trucks and two
17 cubic yard wheel loaders.
In the initial two years, the operation will benefit from mining the higher-grade, outcropping portion of the deposit,
with an average head grade of 0.90 g/t Au, and a low strip ratio of 0.77 to 1. For the initial four years, the average
head grade is projected at 0.77 g/t Au, and a strip ratio of 1 to 1.
Mining costs benefit from short haul distances from the pit to the primary crusher and waste dumps. Maximum
distances are in the range of 2 km. The LOM direct mining cost is estimated at US$ 1.1 per tonne moved.
The Lindero Technical Report author is of the opinion that:
• The mining method being used is appropriate for the deposit being mined
• The open pit, heap leach pad, waste dump designs, and equipment fleet selection are appropriate to reach
production targets
• The mine plan is based on successful mining philosophy and planning, and presents low risk
•
Inferred Mineral Resources are not included in the mine plan and are considered as waste
• The mobile equipment fleet presented is based on simulations and bench marks to similar operations
achieving similar production targets
• All mine infrastructure and supporting facilities meet the needs of the current mine plan and production rate
• Major planned maintenance of the main equipment, such as loaders and trucks, have been covered in
sustaining capital by purchasing additional equipment that can replace any possible lost production hours
and not impact production targets
• The ancillary equipment appears to be undersized, especially dozers, but this would be covered by renting
additional equipment as necessary
Recovery methods
Most of the major process concepts presented in the 2016 Technical Report such as: high pressure grind roll
(HPGR)-crushing, cyanide heap leaching and carbon adsorption recovery, remain unchanged for the updated 2017
Lindero Technical Report. Additional physical and metallurgical understanding, developed by the testwork
conducted by the Company in 2016 and 2017, resulted in modifications in the approach to these major process
concepts for the Lindero Project as follows.
-57-
•
•
•
•
•
•
A concentrated cyanide cure was added to shorten the leach cycle and increase extraction
Agglomeration with cement was added to support a 110-m-high heap with the HPGR-crushed ore
Conveyor stacking was included from startup
Two-stage leaching was included to increase preg grades and reduce overall flowrate to the ADR plant
A SART plant was included to control the copper in solution
Leach solution flow will be increased 150 % in Year 4 to reduce in-heap gold inventory
Unit operations for the Lindero process were selected based on the physical and metallurgical needs of the Lindero
ore to achieve maximum extraction of gold. No novel or untried technology will be employed in the process.
Project infrastructure
The Lindero Technical Report author is confident that all mine and process infrastructure and supporting facilities
have been included in the general layout to ensure that they meet the needs of the mine plan and production rate and
notes that:
• The Project will have good year-round access with significant road improvements planned for stretches of
road between Tolar Grande and the Fortuna camp
• The Project site infrastructure has a compact layout footprint of approximately 60 ha
• Power will be generated on-site by a contractor through an 8 MW capacity diesel oil plant
• Electrical power will be generated on site under a contract power supply arrangement with a local company
who specializes in such services
• Total water requirements are 97.7 m3/hr and will be primarily sourced from two existing wells located 13
km southeast of the Project site, along with an additional well to be drilled as part of construction activities
• Most of the process buildings for the Lindero Project have been primarily designed as steel frame buildings
with modular thermo-acoustic panels; in general, these are pre-engineered and pre-fabricated steel
buildings which include all structural members, exterior doors and windows, roofs, insulation, interior and
exterior wall panels and all connectors required to erect and assemble the buildings on-site
• A permanent accommodation camp for 320 beds will be built for the LOM operation. For the construction
period, temporary accommodations will be implemented to accommodate the peak of construction
manpower estimated at 600 people
Market studies and contracts
No market studies are currently relevant as the Lindero Project will produce a readily-saleable commodity in the
form of doré.
As of the effective date of the Lindero Technical Report, the Company has not entered into any material contracts
required for the development of the Lindero Project including mining, concentrating, smelting, refining,
transportation, handling, sales and hedging, and forward sales contracts or arrangements.
The gold price used for the base case cash flow analysis is $1,250/oz. Sensitivities with variable price projections
have also been considered. The Lindero Project, like most gold projects, is highly sensitive to changes in the gold
price.
The Lindero mine product will be doré bars containing an estimated gold content averaging 84 % for the Project life.
Overall gold extraction in respect to ore placed on the heap leach is estimated to be approximately 75 %.
The Lindero Technical Report author has reviewed the information provided by Fortuna on marketing, contracts,
metal price projections and exchange rate forecasts and notes that the information provided is consistent with the
source documents used, and that the information is consistent with what is publicly available regarding industry
norms. The information can be used in mine planning and economic analyses for the Lindero Project in the context
of the Lindero Technical Report.
-58-
Environmental studies and permitting
In November 2010, Mansfield submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Lindero Project, and in
November 2011 received approval through the issue of the Declaración de Impacto Ambiental (DIA). Approval of
the EIA represents formal approval for mine construction, allowing excavation to proceed. Environmental law
requires that the EIA be updated biannually with the current report submitted in December 2015 and an updated
report planned for submission in March 2018.
Mansfield received a mine permit to build a heap-leach gold mine at up to 30,000 tpd as detailed in the Pre-
Feasibility Study (AMEC, 2010b).
The Salta Provincial authorities have approved the building and electrical permits that Mansfield requires to
commence construction at Lindero. Electrical, structural, building and seismic plans have been reviewed and
approved by COPAIPA (Dec 2013), the professional engineering institution that overlooks all construction in Salta
Province. Mansfield is planning to submit additional information to COPAIPA in 2017 to obtain the permits for
construction of the agglomeration and SART plants that have been added to the process design. Mansfield does not
foresee any issues in obtaining the necessary permits to complete construction and commence operation at the
Lindero Project.
In addition, a formal public declaration of support for the Lindero development has been issued by the provincial
government, recognizing the Lindero Project as the priority development project for the Salta Province.
Environmental risks during the closure stage will be reduced by remediation and monitoring work. At the closure
stage, soil will be contoured by heavy machinery to minimize the long-term impact of mining activity, and return the
topology of the land to resemble prior conditions. However, the movement of soil, and thus the risk, will be
significantly less than in the mining operations stage.
One social-environmental risk will be the completion of contracts of employment directly, or indirectly, through
contractors, and the surrounding communities. It will be imperative to implement measures to mitigate this impact
during the whole period of mine operation.
A significant environmental risk will also be present during the closure of facilities, which will cause significant
production of non-hazardous industrial waste and hazardous products from the movement of heavy machinery. It
will be essential to establish clear environmental policies with the contractors during this process.
It is the opinion of the Lindero Technical Report authors that the appropriate environmental, social and community
impact studies have been conducted to date at the Lindero Project. Mansfield has maintained all necessary
environmental permits that are the prerequisites for the granting of construction permits that will need to be obtained
upon completion of detailed engineering designs for the Project infrastructure.
Capital and operating costs
Capital and operating costs for the Lindero Project were estimated by the Company with the assistance of Elbow
Creek, Allard Engineering Services, and Saxum Engineered Solutions (Saxum), a local engineering firm. These
costs are based on the design outlined in the Lindero Technical Report, and are considered to have an accuracy of
+/-15 %. All costs are in second and third quarter 2017 US dollars (US$). No escalation factors have been applied to
any costs, present or future capital. The total mine capital cost is estimated to be US$ 282 million.
Expansion (future) capital for the Project includes the Phase 2 leach pad construction in Year 3, and expansion of
the ADR plant and solutions handling in the leach pad area in Year 3. The total future capital is estimated at US$
113 million.
Closure and reclamation costs are estimated at US$ 35 million, incurred in Year 13 through Year 17.
The total LOM operating cost for the Lindero Project is US$ 10.32 per tonne of ore processed.
Costs were estimated primarily by the Company for mine pre-production and mine equipment costs. Saxum
provided cost estimates for major and secondary equipment, buildings, infrastructure and major contracts. All
equipment and material requirements are based on the design information described in the Lindero Technical
Report. Capital cost estimates have been made primarily using budgetary supplier quotes for all major and most
minor equipment items, and major construction contract unit rates. Where supplier quotes were not available for
minor items, a reasonable cost estimate was made based on supplier quotes in Saxum’s project files. All capital cost
estimates are based on the purchase of equipment quoted new from the manufacturer, or estimated to be fabricated
new.
-59-
Economic analysis
The results of the economic analysis discussed in the Lindero Technical Report represent forward-looking
information as defined under Canadian securities law. The results depend on inputs that are subject to a number of
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from
those presented here. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, changes in general economic conditions
and financial markets; changes in prices for gold and other metals; technological and operational hazards during the
development of the project; risks inherent in mineral exploration; uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral
reserves, mineral resources, and metal recoveries; the timing and availability of financing; governmental and other
approvals; political unrest or instability; labor relations issues; as well as those factors discussed under “Risk
Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form for fiscal 2016. Although the Company has attempted to
identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described
in the Lindero Technical Report, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those
anticipated, estimated or intended.
The Lindero Project economics were evaluated using a discounted cash flow (DCF) method, which estimates the net
present value (NPV) of future cash flow streams. The final economic model was developed by Fortuna using the
following assumptions:
• Period of analysis of 16 years (includes one year of pre-production and investment), 13 years of production,
and two years for closure and reclamation
• Gold price of US$ 1,250/oz
• Processing rate of 18,750 tpd ore
• Metallurgical recovery of 75 %
•
Initial capital and operating costs as developed in Section 16.5 and 21 of the Lindero Technical Report
• Closure capital costs as outlined in Section 20 of the Lindero Technical Report
The Lindero Project shows an NPV of US$ 130 million after tax using a discount rate of 5 %, with an internal rate
of return (IRR) of 18 %, and a payback period of 3.6 years, based on the LOM production plan, assumed metal
prices, and integrated leaching treatment of gold and copper.
NPV and IRR display the greatest sensitivity to gold metal prices and metallurgical recoveries according to the
sensitivity analysis.
The Lindero Technical Report author considers the financial model to be a reasonable estimate of the economic
situation at Lindero and based on the assumptions in the Lindero Technical Report, the Lindero Project shows a
positive DCF over the LOM and supports the Mineral Reserve estimate. The mine plan is achievable under the set of
assumptions and parameters presented.
Other Relevant Data and Information
Goldrock commissioned Vector Argentina SA (Ausenco; 2009a, b) and Conhidro (2013) to conduct a hydrologic
study of the Project area, during the detailing of the environment base line map and EIA study. As part of the study,
the Rio Grande hydrologic basin was defined through the evaluation of various field parameters and review of
satellite images. The basin was determined to be 1,687 km2 in size. Exploration for groundwater resources was
undertaken, and successfully identified possible sources.
A number of geotechnical studies were performed at the Lindero Project and reviewed by CNI. Those studies form
the basis for the pit slope estimates used in the mining model. Included in the studies were geotechnical surveys for
heap leach and waste dumps. These studies are considered by the Lindero Technical Report to be consistent with
industry practices and adequate to support mine design.
Conclusions, Risks, and Opportunities
The Lindero Technical Report represents the most accurate interpretation of the Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource available as of the effective date of the Lindero Technical Report. The conversion of Mineral Resources to
Mineral Reserves was undertaken using industry-recognized methods, and estimated operational costs, capital costs,
and plant performance data. Thus, it is considered to be representative of future operational conditions. The Lindero
Technical Report has been prepared with the latest information regarding environmental and closure cost
requirements.
-60-
A number of opportunities and risks were identified by the Linder Technical Report authors during the evaluation of
the Lindero Project.
Opportunities include:
• Once mining commences there is an opportunity to collect additional geotechnical data from the open pit
that could support an increase in final pit slope angles, potentially decreasing stripping ratios and/or
increasing Mineral Reserves.
• The Arizaro porphyry system is not included in the current mine plan. However, it represents upside
opportunity for the Project if a satellite operation can be developed on the deposit.
•
Infill drilling could support the conversion of Inferred Resources to Measured or Indicated Resources and,
with the appropriate studies, to Mineral Reserves. This represents additional upside potential for the
planned operation.
• The Lindero porphyry gold system remains open at depth below the pit shell constrained reported reserves
and resources. An area of interest has been identified by Fortuna during the drilling campaign carried out in
2016 with drill hole LDH-126 encountering 0.97 g/t Au over a 38 m interval (refer to discussion in Section
10). This is supported by historical drilling from 2007 including drill hole LDH-86 averaging 1.06 g/t Au
over a 52 m interval which bottomed in mineralization. These intercepts warrant follow-up drill testing.
• There are a number of local exploration targets within the concession boundary, that with further work,
represent upside opportunity to identify mineralization that can potentially add to the resource base.
•
If historical samples are assayed for cyanide-soluble copper, there is an opportunity to construct a
metallurgical model and incorporate this into the scheduling and process design. This would support
optimization of blending strategies and better understanding of recoverable copper as a by-product from the
SART plant. Improved copper recoveries could have a minor positive impact on the mine economics.
• Performance of the equipment can be tracked with the implementation of a fleet management system to
record the main key performance indicators (KPI’s) which will provide an opportunity to improve
utilization and time loss productivity.
• Once mining commences there is an opportunity to conduct additional blasting fragmentation analysis so as
to improve mining productivity and optimize mining costs.
Risks include:
• Local behavior of cyanide-soluble copper is not fully understood, and cannot be modeled due to a lack of
assays from historical core. Levels of soluble copper could be higher than anticipated in certain areas of the
deposit requiring adjustments to mine plans and schedules to reduce the impact in the plant. The
introduction of a SART plant has greatly reduced the potential impact of soluble copper at the Project.
• Delaying the acquisition of fleet equipment could cause delays in the execution of certain activities. It is
therefore imperative that a clear schedule of lead times is established, and equipment purchased in a timely
manner to ensure on time delivery.
• Fortuna calculates that two loaders are needed from Year 3 onwards, but simulations indicate that three
may be required in Year 2. Once mining commences and data on loader productivity is collected, a new
fleet simulation should be performed to confirm if a third loader is required in Year 2 and if so how this
will affect sustaining capital expenditure.
• There is a risk that two dozing machines in the original capital estimate are insufficient. Fortuna plans to
mitigate this risk by renting additional ancillary equipment as required.
• There is a risk that haul truck tire life of 8,500 hours is higher than can be achieved at the operation, which
could lead to marginally higher operating costs than anticipated.
Recommendations
Recommendations for the next phase of work have been broken into those related to ongoing exploration activities
and those related to additional technical studies. Recommended work programs are independent of each other and
can be conducted concurrently unless otherwise stated and include:
-61-
• Continued work at Arizaro that focuses on the controls of lithology, structure, and alteration on
mineralization so as to determine the suitability of material as a potential feed for the Lindero plant and to
support the estimation of Mineral Resources. It is recommended that a 2,000-m reverse circulation (RC)
drill program (approximately 100 holes at a 75 m spacing) is conducted at a cost of approximately US$
500,000.
• An infill drill program involving the drilling of approximately 3,000-m of RC drill holes is recommended
to improve the geological understanding of material planned for extraction in Years 1 and 2 of the mine.
The cost of such a program is estimated at approximately US$ 750,000.
• Exploration work to date on the Lindero concession has been focused on outcropping porphyry
mineralization. It is recommended that the Company evaluate the property for mineralization beyond the
two known porphyry systems at Lindero and Arizaro. For example, alteration zones and silica structures
located within the concession, 2.5 km due south of the Lindero Project site, remain open for evaluation.
Exploration work would primarily involve mapping and carry no additional cost to the Lindero Project.
•
It is recommended that a drill hole spacing study be conducted to establish the density of sampling that is
required to reduce the grade variability to acceptable levels for specified extraction time frames in respect
to infill and blast control drilling. This will be used to support the estimated meters of infill drilling. The
study can be conducted either inhouse (at no cost) or by external consultants, at an estimated cost of US$
25,000.
• Additional analysis is recommended into the mine operating and ore control process, in particular, the
usage of optimum dig lines for open pit grade control, with the objective of minimizing ore loss and
maximizing profit. The cost of licenses and implementing such software is estimated at US$ 276,000.
• A fleet management system should be considered for KPI purposes, which will provide an opportunity to
improve utilization and time loss productivity. The cost of licenses and implementing such software is
estimated at US$ 1.5 million.
• The cement in each lift on the heap will cure for several months before another lift is placed. It may be
several years before any block of agglomerated ore receives 110 m of loading. It is recommended that a
long-term stacking test be conducted to see if ageing will improve the ability of the ore to support the 110-
m height with less cement. The estimated cost of the testwork is US$ 20,000.
• The high static holdup (adsorbed moisture) in the heap makes the secondary leach at 6 l/hr/m2 inefficient
when the heap height increases. There is a possibility that a surface tension modifier may reduce the
amount of adsorbed moisture in the heap reducing the inventory. The estimated cost of the testwork is US$
20,000.
[End of Extract of Summary from Lindero Technical Report]
Exploration Work Subsequent to the Lindero Technical Report.
Lindero Infill Drill Program
In accordance with the recommendations of the authors of the Lindero Technical Report, the Company completed an
infill drilling program in 2018, consisting of 61 diamond drill holes totaling 1,952 meters, focused on the areas
planned for mining at the Lindero Project in year one of production with holes ranging from 12 meters to 68 meters
in length. The program was designed with three objectives: to improve the estimation of grades in mineralized areas
with lower density of drilling; to better define the contact between mineralized and non-mineralized material at the
periphery of the deposit and at the boundaries between lithologic units; and to source fresh samples for
complementary metallurgical column tests on Mineral Reserves scheduled for year one production. The drilling
results are being incorporated into an updated internal estimate of Mineral Resources and Reserves with the
intention of optimizing the mine plan to capture the benefits of these new results. Such updated technical
information will not materially change the existing Mineral Resources estimates.
-62-
Arizaro Surface Core Drill Program
In accordance with the recommendations of the authors of the Lindero Technical Report, during 2018 the Company
completed a surface core drill program of 2,178 meters in 12 holes to vertical depths of less than 200 meters aimed
at identifying near surface porphyry-style gold mineralization hosted in magnetite and biotite-rich breccia zones and
in associated stockwork veins. Drill highlights include:
ARD32 - 0.61 g/t Au and 0.14 % Cu over 78 meters
ARD38 - 0.67 g/t Au and 0.16 % Cu over 52 meters
ARD41 - 0.70 g/t Au and 0.29 % Cu over 82 meters
Drill hole ARD41 is located approximately 350 meters west of previous drilling and represents a new zone that
requires additional exploration. Please refer to the Company’s news release dated February 14, 2019 entitled
“Fortuna provides review of Brownfields exploration programs” for full details of the drill program.
Update on Construction at the Lindero Project
Please refer to “General Development of the Business” for an update on the construction at the Lindero Project.
DIVIDENDS
The Company has not to date paid any dividends on its Common Shares nor does it intend to pay any dividends on
its shares in the immediate future as management anticipates that all available funds will be invested to finance
further acquisition, exploration and development of its mineral properties.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
The Company’s authorized share capital is an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value. All
Common Shares of the Company rank equally as to dividends, voting powers and participation in assets and in all
other respects.
Voting. The holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at any meeting of the
shareholders of the Company. Each Common Share carries one vote per share.
Dividends. The holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive on a pro-rata basis such dividends as the Board
from time to time may declare, out of funds legally available therefor.
Rights on Dissolution. In the event of a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary
or involuntary or for the purpose of a reorganization or otherwise or upon any distribution of capital, the holders of
the Common Shares have the right to receive on a pro-rata basis all of the assets of the Company remaining after
payment of all of the Company’s liabilities.
Pre-emptive, Conversion and Other Rights. No pre-emptive, redemption, retraction, exchange, sinking fund or
conversion rights are attached to the Common Shares, and the Common Shares, when fully paid, will not be liable to
further call or assessment. No other class of shares may be created without the approval of the holders of the
Common Shares.
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
The Company’s Common Shares were listed and posted for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) until
January 18, 2010 when the Company graduated to the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”). On September 19, 2011,
the Company’s Common Shares were listed and posted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
The Company’s shares currently trade on the NYSE under the symbol “FSM”, on the TSX under the symbol “FVI”,
and on the Frankfurt Open Market, the unofficial market organized by Deutsche Börse in Germany, under the
symbol “F4S”. On May 14, 2015, the Company voluntarily delisted its Common Shares from the Lima Stock
Exchange as a very limited amount of trading of the Company’s Common Shares occurred on such Exchange.
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Trading Prices and Volume
The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices and trading volumes of the Common Shares on the TSX
and the NYSE during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:
Toronto Stock Exchange
Month
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
Month
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
High (C$)
5.10
5.25
5.75
5.92
7.16
7.78
7.69
7.55
7.63
6.82
6.06
6.71
New York Stock Exchange
High (US$)
3.75
4.02
4.49
4.57
5.52
5.94
5.78
5.88
6.08
5.30
4.86
5.34
Low (C$)
4.23
4.22
4.60
5.39
5.74
7.06
7.08
6.95
6.57
5.66
5.29
5.77
Low (US$)
3.16
3.16
3.53
4.09
4.36
5.31
5.41
5.40
5.13
4.40
4.19
4.68
Volume
10,898,500
8,088,900
11,143,100
9,246,700
7,120,700
5,660,400
7,983,000
7,073,200
8,416,400
7,443,600
5,946,300
10,765,500
Volume
21,314,000
18,261,500
19,317,300
15,756,100
17,219,800
13,043,700
16,737,300
16,357,900
19,749,300
18,054,500
19,702,300
22,602,300
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Name, Occupation and Shareholding
The Board presently consists of seven directors. The directors will hold office until the next annual general meeting
of the Company or until their successor is elected or appointed, unless their office is earlier vacated in accordance
with the Articles of the Company, or with the provisions of the British Columbia Business Corporations Act.
The following are the full name, place of residence, position with the Company, and principal occupation within the
preceding five years of each of the directors and executive officers of the Company:
Name, Position and Residency (1)
Principal Occupation or Employment (1)
JORGE GANOZA DURANT
President, Chief Executive Officer
& Director
Lima, Peru
President & CEO of the Company.
Period as a
Director of the
Company
December 2, 2004
to present
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Chairman of the Company; President & CEO of
Radius Gold Inc. (mineral exploration).
January 25, 2005
to present
Independent Consultant and Director of several
public mineral exploration companies.
June 16, 2008
to present
President of Davisa Consulting (a private
consulting company).
July 15, 2013
to present
Mining Engineer; Independent Mining Executive,
November 2018 to present; Chief Operating
Officer of Equinox Gold Corp. and predecessors
(mining), August 2016 to November 2018; Chief
Operating Officer of True Gold Mining Inc.
(mining), June 2015 to April 2016; Chief
Operating Officer of Quintana Resources Inc.
(resource industry management), 2014 to 2015.
September 26, 2016
to present
Managing Partner, CEO and Director of Faro
Capital (investment management).
November 29, 2016
to present
Vice-President, Business Development of Equinox
Gold Corp. and predecessors (mining), April 2017
to present; Chief Financial Officer of JDL Gold
Corp. until its acquisition of Luna Gold Corp.
(mining), October 2016 to April 2017; Chief
Financial Officer of Anthem United Inc. (mining),
March 2014 to October 2016.
August 16, 2017
to present
Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
N/A
Vice-President of Operations of the Company.
N/A
SIMON RIDGWAY
Chairman and Director
British Columbia, Canada
MARIO SZOTLENDER (5)
Director
Caracas, Venezuela
DAVID FARRELL (2) (3) (4)
Lead Director
British Columbia, Canada
DAVID LAING (3) (4) (5)
Director
British Columbia, Canada
ALFREDO SILLAU (2) (3) (5)
Director
Lima, Peru
KYLIE DICKSON (2) (4)
Director
British Columbia, Canada
LUIS GANOZA DURANT
Chief Financial Officer
Lima, Peru
MANUEL RUIZ-CONEJO
Vice-President of Operations
Lima, Peru
JOSE PACORA
Vice-President of Project
Development
Lima, Peru
Vice-President of Project Development of the
Company, November 2014 to present; Corporate
Project Manager of the Company, February 2012
to November 2014.
DAVID VOLKERT
Vice-President of Exploration
British Columbia, Canada
Vice-President of Exploration of the Company,
August 2016 to present; President / Chief
Executive Officer of Paget Minerals Corp.
(mineral exploration), January 2010 to August
2016.
N/A
N/A
ERIC CHAPMAN
Vice-President of Technical
Services
British Columbia, Canada
GORDON JANG
Vice-President of Finance and
Accounting
British Columbia, Canada
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Vice-President of Technical Services of the
Company, January 2017 to present; Corporate
Head of Technical Services of the Company, July
2016 to December 2016; Mineral Resource
Manager of the Company, April 2011 to July
2016.
Vice-President of Finance and Accounting of the
Company, April 2017 to present; Consultant,
Hudbay Minerals Inc. (mining), July 2014 to
March 2017; Vice-President, Corporate Controller
of Augusta Resource Corporation (mining),
February 2009 to July 2014.
N/A
N/A
As at December 31, 2018, the directors and executive officers of the Company beneficially owned or had control or
direction over, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 808,826 Common Shares, representing approximately 0.46% of
the issued Common Shares of the Company.
Notes:
(1) The information as to country of residence, principal occupation, and Common Shares held is not
within the knowledge of the management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective
individuals.
(2) Member of the Audit Committee of the Company.
(3) Member of the Compensation Committee of the Company.
(4) Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Company.
(5) Member of the Sustainability Committee of the Company.
Cease Trade Orders or Bankruptcies
On April 3, 2017, a management cease trade order (“MCTO”) was issued by the British Columbia Securities
Commission and other Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities pursuant to National Policy 12-203
Management Cease Trade Orders in connection with the late filing of the Company’s annual audited financial
statements and related MD&A for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the AIF for the year ended
December 31, 2016 (the “Annual Documents”). The MCTO prohibited the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer of the Company from trading in securities of the Company until the Company completed the
required filing of the Annual Documents as well as its interim financial documents for the first quarter of 2017, and
the regulator revokes the MCTO.
The Annual Documents were filed on May 15, 2017. Due to the delay in finalizing the Annual Financial
Documents, the Company was delayed in filing its interim financial statements and related MD&A for the three
months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (together, the “Interim Financial Documents”). The Company filed the
Interim Financial Documents on May 24, 2017, and the MCTO was revoked by the British Columbia Securities
Commission on May 25, 2017.
Other than as set forth above, as at the date of the AIF and during the 10 years prior to the date of the AIF, none of
the directors or executive officers of the Company or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the
Company to affect materially the control of the Company:
(a)
is or has been a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company), that while that
person was acting in that capacity:
(i)
was the subject of a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company
access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive
days, other than as disclosed above;
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(ii)
(iii)
was subject to an event that resulted, after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director
or executive officer, in the company being the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order
that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period
of more than 30 consecutive days; or
within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal
under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any
proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or
trustee appointed to hold its assets; or
(b)
has become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or
become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a
receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the director, officer and shareholder.
Penalties or Sanctions
As at the date of the AIF and during the 10 years prior to the date of the AIF, none of the directors or officers of the
Company or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control
of the Company has been subject to:
(a)
(b)
any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory
authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or
any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered
important to a reasonable investor making an investment decision.
Conflicts of Interest
There are no existing or potential material conflicts of interest between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and a
director or officer of the Company or any subsidiary.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Pursuant to the provisions of National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”), the Company’s Audit
Committee has adopted a written charter (the “Charter”) that sets out its mandate and responsibilities. The Charter
is attached hereto as Schedule “A”.
The Audit Committee is presently comprised of Kylie Dickson, Alfredo Sillau and David Farrell. All members of
the Committee are “independent” and “financially literate”, within the meanings given to those terms in NI 52-110.
The education and experience of the Audit Committee members that is relevant to the performance of their
responsibilities as audit committee members is as follows:
Audit Committee Member
Kylie Dickson
Education and Experience
Ms. Dickson is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant with more than
13 years’ experience working with publicly traded resource companies. She
received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from
Simon Fraser University. She is currently Vice-President, Business
Development of Equinox Gold Corp. and previously held the position of Chief
Financial Officer of several mineral exploration and mining companies. Prior
to her work with public companies, Ms. Dickson was an audit manager in the
mining group of a major audit firm.
Alfredo Sillau
David Farrell
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Mr. Sillau is Managing Partner, CEO and Director of Faro Capital, an
investment management firm that manages private equity and real estate funds.
Previously, he headed the business development in Peru for Compass Group, a
regional investment management firm, until late 2011. As CEO of Compass,
Mr. Sillau actively took part in the structuring, promoting and management of
investment funds with approximately US$500 million in assets under
management. Mr. Sillau is a Harvard graduate. His background has given him
the required experience to understand and assess the general application of the
accounting principles used by the Company and to understand internal controls
and procedures for financial reporting.
Mr. Farrell is President of Davisa Consulting, a private consulting firm
working with junior to mid-tier global mining companies. He formerly was
Managing Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at Endeavour Financial where
he successfully closed over $25 billion worth of M&A transactions for junior
and mid-tier natural resource companies. Before his 12 years at Endeavour
Financial, David was a lawyer at Stikeman Elliott LLP, working in Vancouver,
Budapest and London. Mr. Farrell graduated from the University of British
Columbia with a B.Comm. (Honours, Finance) and an LL.B and was called to
the bar in both British Columbia and England. In addition, he has completed
the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program and been awarded the ICD.D
designation. His background has given him the required experience to
understand and assess the general application of the accounting principles used
by the Company and to understand internal controls and procedures for
financial reporting.
The auditor of the Company obtains, as necessary, the pre-approval of the Audit Committee for any anticipated
additional services required of the auditor for the coming fiscal year. If other service requirements arise during the
year, the Audit Committee pre-approves such services at that time, prior to the commencement of such services.
Effective July 13, 2017, KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, was appointed as auditor of the Company
in the place of Deloitte LLP.
During the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, no services were performed by the Company’s auditor
pursuant to the De-Minimus Non-audit Services exemption contained in NI 52-110.
During the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, the Company’s auditor performed certain non-audit
services. Fees charged (in Canadian dollars) by KPMG LLP and Deloitte LLP during the last two fiscal years are as
follows:
Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
2017
(Deloitte)
2017
(KPMG)
$793,098
$262,150
$36,113
Nil
$1,091,361
$876,169
Nil
Nil
$4,935
$881,104
2017
Total
$1,669,267
$262,150
$36,113
$4,935
$1,972,465
2018
(KPMG)
$1,040,300
Nil
Nil
Nil
$1,040,300
“Audit Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for the audit of the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements,
and review of the interim financial statements.
“Audit-Related Fees” are fees charged for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the
performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees”.
The fees charged in 2017 by Deloitte LLP include services for securities and prospectus engagements.
-68-
“Tax Fees” are fees for professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax advice on actual or contemplated
transactions.
“All Other Fees” are amounts not included in the categories above. The amount for 2017 relates to services
performed by KPMG LLP prior to their being appointed auditor of the Company.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no known legal proceedings involving an amount exceeding 10% of the current assets of the Company to
which the Company is a party or which any of its properties is the subject during the most recently completed
financial year, or any such proceedings known to the Company to be contemplated.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The Company’s transfer agent and registrar is Computershare Trust Company, at its offices in Vancouver, BC and
Toronto, ON. The Company’s co-transfer agent and registrar in the United States is Computershare Trust Company,
N.A. at its office in Golden, Colorado.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
In connection with the Financing described in this AIF under the heading “General Development of the Business –
Three-Year History and Recent Developments”, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement dated January
24, 2017 with the Underwriters, pursuant to which the Underwriters agreed to buy Common Shares on a bought-deal
basis. The Company paid a commission to the Underwriters of US$0.29925 per Common Share issued in the
Financing, and reimbursed certain expenses of the Underwriters incurred in connection with the Financing.
Other than as disclosed in this AIF and other than those entered into in the ordinary course of the Company’s
business, there are no contracts that are material to the Company and that were entered into during the most recently
completed fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 or before the most recently completed financial year, but are still in
effect as of the date of this AIF.
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
Names of Experts
The updated Mineral Resource estimates for the Caylloma Mine and the San Jose Mine as at December 31, 2018
described in this AIF under the heading “General Development of the Business – Three-Year History and Recent
Developments” were prepared under the supervision of Eric Chapman, Vice President of Technical Services of the
Company. The Mineral Reserve estimate was prepared under the supervision of Amri Sinuhaji, Director of
Technical Services, Mine Planning of the Company.
Eric Chapman and Amri Sinuhaji, each a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, are the authors of the Caylloma
Technical Report and the San Jose Technical Report.
Eric Chapman is responsible for ensuring that the technical information contained in this AIF is an accurate
summary of the original reports and data provided to or developed by the Company and he has reviewed and
approved the scientific and technical information contained in this AIF.
-69-
Interests of Experts
To the knowledge of the Company, as at the dates of the Caylloma Technical Report, the San Jose Technical Report
and as of the date hereof, Eric Chapman and Amri Sinuhaji together own, directly or indirectly, less than one percent
of the outstanding Common Shares. Neither of Eric Chapman or Amri Sinuhaji has received a direct or indirect
interest in the property of the Company.
KPMG LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company and is independent within the
meaning of the relevant rules and related interpretations prescribed by the relevant professional bodies in Canada
and any applicable legislation or regulations and also that they are independent accountants with respect to the
Company under all relevant U.S. professional and regulatory standards.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is available for viewing on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Information regarding directors’ and officers’ remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of the Company’s
securities and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, if applicable, is contained in the
Company’s Information Circular pertaining to its Annual General Meeting held on June 14, 2018. Additional
financial information is provided in the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018 and the management’s discussion and analysis thereon.
SCHEDULE “A”
FORTUNA SILVER MINES INC.
(the “Company”)
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
PURPOSE
The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) in
fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial information to be provided to the shareholders and
others, the systems of internal controls and management information systems established by the senior officers of
the Company (“Management”) and the Company’s internal and external audit process and monitoring compliance
with the Company's legal and regulatory requirements with respect to its financial statements.
The Audit Committee is accountable to the Board. In the course of fulfilling its specific responsibilities hereunder,
the Audit Committee is expected to maintain an open communication between the Company’s external auditors and
the Board.
The Audit Committee does not plan or perform audits or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Company's
financial statements or financial disclosure or compliance with generally accepted accounting procedures as these
are the responsibility of Management.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Subject to the powers and duties of the Board, the Board hereby delegates to the Audit Committee the following
powers and duties to be performed by the Audit Committee on behalf of and for the Board. Nothing in this Charter
is intended to or does confer on any member a higher standard of care or diligence than that which applies to the
directors as a whole.
External Auditors
The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for the selection, appointment, dismissal, compensation and
oversight of the external auditors, subject to the overall approval of the Board. For this purpose, the Audit
Committee may consult with Management.
The external auditors shall report directly to the Audit Committee.
Also, the Audit Committee:
a.
recommends to the Board:
i. whether the current external auditors should be nominated for reappointment for the ensuing year and
if applicable, select and recommend a suitable alternative for nomination; and
ii.
the amount of compensation payable to the external auditors;
b.
resolves disagreements, if any, between Management and the external auditors regarding financial
reporting;
c. provides the Board with such recommendations and reports with respect to the financial statements of the
Company as it deems advisable;
d.
takes reasonable steps to confirm the independence of the external auditors, including but not limited to
pre-approving any non-audit related services provided by the external auditors to the Company or the
Company's subsidiaries, if any;
-ii-
e. confirms that the external auditors are a 'participating audit' firm for the purpose of National Instrument 52-
108 Auditor Oversight and are in compliance with governing regulations;
f.
reviews the plan and scope of the audit to be conducted by the external auditors of the Company;
g.
reviews and evaluates the performance of the external auditors; and
h.
reviews and approves the Company’s hiring policy regarding partners, employees and former partners and
employees of the Company’s present and former external auditors.
Audit and Review Process and Results
The Audit Committee has a duty to receive, review and make any inquiry regarding the completeness, accuracy and
presentation of the Company’s financial statements to ensure that the financial statements fairly present the financial
position and risks of the organization and that they are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. To accomplish this, the Audit Committee:
a. considers the scope and general extent of the external auditors' review, including their engagement letter
and major changes to the Company’s auditing and accounting principles and practices;
b. consults with management regarding the sufficiency of the Company's internal system of audit and
financial controls, internal audit procedures and results of such audits;
c. ensures the external auditors have full, unrestricted access to required information and have the cooperation
of management;
d.
e.
reviews with the external auditors the audit process and standards, as well as regulatory or Company-
initiated changes in accounting practices and policies and the financial impact thereof, and selection or
application of appropriate accounting principles;
reviews with the external auditors and, if necessary, legal counsel, any litigation, claim or contingency,
including tax assessments, that could have a material effect upon the financial position of the Company and
the manner in which these matters are being disclosed in the financial statements;
f.
reviews the appropriateness and disclosure of any off-balance sheet matters;
g.
reviews disclosure of related-party transactions;
h.
receives and reviews with the external auditors, the external auditors' audit report and the audited financial
statements;
i. makes recommendations to the Board respecting approval of the audited financial statements;
j. meets with the external auditors separately from management to review the integrity of the Company’s
financial reporting, including the clarity of financial disclosure and the degree of conservatism or
aggressiveness of the accounting policies and estimates, any significant disagreements or difficulties in
obtaining information, adequacy of internal controls over financial reporting, adequacy of disclosure
controls and procedures, and the degree of compliance by the Company with prior recommendations of the
external auditors;
k. directs management to implement such changes as the Audit Committee considers appropriate, subject to
any required approvals of the Board arising out of the review; and
l. meets at least annually with the external auditors, independent of management, and reports to the Board on
such meetings.
Interim Financial Statements
The Audit Committee:
-iii-
a.
reviews and determines the Company's practice with respect to review of interim financial statements by
the external auditors;
b. conducts all such reviews and discussions with the external auditors and Management as it deems
appropriate; and
c. makes recommendations to the Board respecting approval of the interim financial statements.
Involvement with Management
The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for overseeing the actions of management in all aspects of financial
management and reporting. The Audit Committee:
a.
b.
reviews the Company’s annual and interim financial statements, Management’s Discussion and Analysis
and earnings press releases, if any, before the Company publicly discloses this information;
reviews all of the Company’s public disclosure of financial information extracted from the Company's
financial statements, if such financial statements have not previously been reviewed by the Committee,
prior to such information being made public by the Company and for such purpose, the CFO assumes
responsibility for providing the information to the Audit Committee for its review;
c.
reviews material financial risks with Management, the plan that Management has implemented to monitor
and deal with such risks and the success of Management in following the plan;
d. consults annually and otherwise as required with the Company's CEO and CFO respecting the adequacy of
the internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures and reviews any
breaches or deficiencies;
e. obtains such certifications of annual and interim filings by the CEO and CFO attesting to internal controls
over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures as deemed advisable;
f.
g.
h.
reviews Management's response to significant written reports and recommendations issued by the external
auditors and the extent to which such recommendations have been implemented by Management;
reviews with Management the Company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations respecting
financial reporting matters, and any proposed regulatory changes and their impact on the Company; and
reviews as required with Management and approves disclosure of the Audit Committee Charter, and Audit
Committee disclosure required in the Company's Annual Information Form, Information Circular and on
the Company's website.
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
The Audit Committee:
a.
b.
invites the Company’s external auditors, the CFO, and such other persons as deemed appropriate by the
Audit Committee to attend meetings of the Audit Committee;
reports material decisions and actions of the Audit Committee to the Board, together with such
recommendations as the Audit Committee may deem appropriate;
c. has the power to conduct or authorize investigations into any matter within the scope of its responsibilities;
-iv-
d. has the right to engage independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its
duties and the right to set the compensation for any advisors employed by the Audit Committee;
e. has the right to communicate directly with the CFO and other members of Management who have
responsibility for the internal and external audit process, as well as to communicate directly with the
internal and external auditors; and
f. pre-approves non-audit services to be performed by the external auditors, in accordance with the provisions
of National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”).
COMPOSITION
The Audit Committee is composed of a minimum of three directors, all of whom are independent, subject to any
exemptions or relief that may be granted from such requirements under NI 52-110, and have relevant skills and/or
experience in the Audit Committee's areas of responsibility as may be required by the securities laws applicable to
the Company, including those of any stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded.
Appointment of Committee Members and Vacancies
Members of the Audit Committee are appointed or confirmed by the Board annually and hold office at the pleasure
of the Board. The Board fills any vacancy on, and may appoint any additional members to, the Audit Committee.
Committee Chair
The Board appoints a Chair for the Audit Committee.
STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS
Meetings
The Chair of the Audit Committee or the Chair of the Board or any two of its members may call a meeting of the
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets at least four times each fiscal year, and at such other times during
each year as it deems appropriate.
Quorum
A majority of the members appointed to the Audit Committee constitutes a quorum.
Notice of Meetings
The Chair of the Audit Committee arranges to provide notice of the time and place of every meeting in writing
(including by electronic means) to each member of the Audit Committee at least two (2) business days prior to the
time fixed for such meeting, provided, however, that a member may in any manner waive a notice of a meeting.
Attendance of a member at a meeting constitutes a waiver of notice of the meeting, except where a member attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not
lawfully called. The Chair also ensures that an agenda for the meeting and all required materials for review by the
members of the Audit Committee are delivered to the members with sufficient time for their review, or that such
requirement is waived.
Absence of Committee Chair
If the Chair of the Audit Committee is not present at any meeting of the Audit Committee, the other members of the
Audit Committee will choose a Chair to preside at the meeting.
Secretary of Committee
-v-
At each meeting the Audit Committee appoints a secretary who need not be a director of the Company.
Attendance of the Company's Officers at Meetings
The Chair of the Audit Committee or any two members of the Audit Committee may invite one or more officers of
the Company to attend any meeting of the Audit Committee.
Delegation
The Audit Committee may, in its discretion and where permitted by NI 52-110, delegate all or a portion of its duties
and responsibilities to a subcommittee, management or, to the extent otherwise permitted by applicable plans, laws
or regulations, to any other body or individual.
Procedure and Records
Subject to any statute or constating documents of the Company, the Audit Committee determines its own procedures
at meetings and may conduct meetings by telephone and keeps records of its proceedings.
COMPLAINTS
The Audit Committee has established a whistle-blower policy as detailed in the Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics and Whistle-Blower Policy, which sets out the procedures for:
a.
b.
the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
the confidential, anonymous submission to the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters.
The Audit Committee reviews the whistle-blower policy annually.
REPORTING AND ASSESSMENT
The Audit Committee reports to the Board of Directors, and on an annual basis, presents to the Board a Committee
Annual Report consisting of the Audit Committee’s review of its charter, the Committee’s and its Chair’s
performance over the past year, and any recommendations the Audit Committee makes in respect thereto.
Approved by the Board: March 27, 2019
EXHIBIT 99.2
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017
(Presented in thousands of United States dollars, unless otherwise stated)
MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Management of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (the “Company”) (“we”, “us” or “our”) have prepared the consolidated financial
statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and the accompanying Management’s
Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) and are responsible for their content. The financial information presented in the
MD&A is consistent with the information that is contained in the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated
financial statements include, where necessary, amounts based on our estimates and judgement.
In order to discharge our responsibility for the integrity of the financial statements, the Company maintains a system of
Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Disclosure Controls and Procedures. These controls are designed to provide
reasonable assurance that the Company’s assets are safeguarded, transactions are executed and recorded in accordance
with our authorization, proper records are maintained and relevant and reliable financial information is produced. These
controls include maintaining quality standards in the hiring and training of employees, policies and procedures manuals, a
corporate code of conduct and ensuring that there is proper accountability for performance within appropriate and well
defined areas of responsibility.
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the performance of our responsibilities for financial reporting and
internal control over Financial Reporting and Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Audit Committee, which is
composed of non-executive directors, meets with us as well as the external auditors to ensure that we are properly fulfilling
our financial reporting responsibilities to the Directors who approve the consolidated financial statements. The external
auditors have full and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee to discuss the scope of their audits, and the adequacy of
the system of internal controls, and to review financial reporting issues.
The consolidated financial statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm, in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
/s/ Jorge Ganoza Durant
President and Chief Executive Officer
/s /Luis Ganoza Durant
Chief Financial Officer
Vancouver, Canada
March 12, 2019
Page | 1
KPMG LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
PO Box 10426 777 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver BC V7Y 1K3
Canada
Telephone (604) 691-3000
(604) 691-3031
Fax
www.kpmg.ca
Internet
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
(the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income,
comprehensive income, cashflows and changes in equity for each of the years then ended, and the related
notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31,
2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years then ended, in
conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,
based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 12, 2019 expressed an
unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 3(t) to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its accounting
policies for revenue and financial instruments as of January 1, 2018 due to the adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue
from Contracts with Customers, and IFRS 9, Financial instruments.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are
a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the
Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing
procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due
to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements.
Page | 2
Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
KPMG LLP (signed)
Chartered Professional Accountants
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.
Vancouver, Canada
March 12, 2019
Page | 3
KPMG LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
PO Box 10426 777 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver BC V7Y 1K3
Canada
Telephone (604) 691-3000
(604) 691-3031
Fax
www.kpmg.ca
Internet
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company
maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated statements of financial position of the Company as of
December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash
flows and changes in equity for each of the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the
consolidated financial statements, and our report dated March 12, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on
those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting
and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, under the heading
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in the accompanying Management’s
Discussion and Analysis. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are
required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over
financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting
included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a
material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal
control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
Page | 4
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and
directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
KPMG LLP (signed)
Chartered Professional Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
March 12, 2019
Page | 5
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)
Sales (note 24)
Cost of sales (note 25)
Mine operating income
Selling, general and administration (note 26)
Exploration and evaluation
Share of loss of equity-accounted investee (note 11)
Foreign exchange loss
Impairment reversal (note 10)
Other expenses (note 27)
Operating Income
Interest and finance costs, net (note 28)
Gain (loss) on financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value
Income before taxes
Income tax (note 29)
Current income tax expense
Deferred income tax expense
Net income for the year
Earnings per share (note 23)
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (000's)
Basic
Diluted
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Years ended December 31,
$
2018
$
263,296
166,725
96,571
26,189
723
21
6,091
-
1,961
34,985
61,586
384
5,370
5,754
67,340
30,563
2,787
33,350
2017
268,111
158,551
109,560
24,911
1,534
192
2,034
(31,119)
1,681
(767)
110,327
(408)
(4,968)
(5,376)
104,951
34,863
3,783
38,646
$
33,990
$
66,305
$
$
0.21
0.21
$
$
0.42
0.42
159,785
161,636
158,036
158,312
Page | 6
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars)
Net income for the year
Items that will remain permanently in other comprehensive income:
Changes in fair value of marketable securities, net of $nil tax
Items that may in the future be reclassified to profit or loss:
Changes in fair value of hedging instruments, net of $nil tax
Total other comprehensive income for the year
Comprehensive income for the year
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Years ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
33,990
$
66,305
(69)
(307)
(156)
(225)
33,765
$
369
62
66,367
$
Page | 7
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
As at December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Short term investments
Accounts and other receivables (note 5)
Inventories (note 6)
Derivative assets (note 7)
Marketable securities
Income tax receivable
Prepaid expenses
Assets held for sale (note 12)
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Mineral properties and exploration and evaluation assets (note 8)
Plant and equipment (note 9)
Investment in associates (note 11)
Long-term receivables (note 13)
Deposits and advances to contractors (note 14)
Total assets
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables (note 15)
Current portion of closure and rehabilitation provisions (note 20)
Income taxes payable
Current portion of loan and lease obligations (note 18)
Derivative liabilities (note 7)
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Credit facility (note 17)
Other liabilities (note 19)
Closure and rehabilitation provisions (note 20)
Deferred tax liabilities (note 29)
Lease obligations (note 18)
Total liabilities
EQUITY
Share capital (note 22)
Reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
/s/ Jorge Ganoza Durant
Jorge Ganoza Durant
Director
/s/ Kylie Dickson
Kylie Dickson
Director
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
December 31,
December 31,
2017
2018
$
$
$
$
$
$
90,503
72,824
32,769
14,386
2,646
-
136
4,559
1,097
218,920
312,800
192,200
4,277
15,241
43,079
786,517
48,510
841
8,358
3,395
224
61,328
69,302
1,166
15,102
31,444
5,371
183,713
420,467
18,946
163,391
602,804
183,074
29,500
36,370
17,753
140
556
130
3,231
1,701
272,455
296,612
133,664
2,694
1,223
-
706,648
41,476
1,656
14,237
906
2,328
60,603
39,871
1,356
12,577
28,657
-
143,064
418,168
16,015
129,401
563,584
$
786,517
$
706,648
Page | 8
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cashflows
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income for the year
Items not involving cash
Depletion and depreciation
Accretion of provisions
Income taxes
Share based payments expense, net of cash settlements
Share of loss of equity-accounted investee (note 11)
Impairment reversal of mineral properties, plant and equipment (note 10)
Loss on disposal of mineral properties, plant and equipment
Loss on debt modification (note 17)
Unrealized foreign exchange loss
Foreign exchange loss, Lindero Project
Unrealized (gain) loss on financial assets carried at fair value
Write-downs and other
Accounts and other receivables
Prepaid expenses
Inventories
Trade and other payables
Rehabilitation payments
Cash provided by operating activities
Income taxes paid
Interest paid
Interest received
Net cash provided by operating activities
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of short-term investments
Redemptions of short-term investments
Investments in marketable securities
Investments in associates
Additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment
Expenditures on Lindero Project
Deposits and advances to contractors
Proceeds from sale of assets
Additions to long-term receivables
Cash used in investing activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Transaction costs on debt modification (note 17)
Proceeds from credit facility (note 17)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares
Share issuance costs
Repayments of finance lease obligations
Cash provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the year
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash
Cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Years ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
33,990
$
66,305
44,774
830
33,350
(2,051)
21
-
167
653
453
3,854
(4,974)
2,605
113,672
3,637
(496)
1,792
696
(682)
118,619
(35,698)
(2,297)
2,831
83,455
(237,787)
191,632
-
(1,148)
(36,788)
(61,108)
(43,079)
13
(16,788)
(205,053)
(1,338)
30,000
959
-
(907)
28,714
313
(92,571)
183,074
90,503
24,535
65,968
90,503
$
$
$
$
$
$
42,522
684
38,646
(36)
192
(31,119)
1,652
-
910
-
3,386
999
124,141
(11,782)
(899)
(4,744)
542
(793)
106,465
(36,190)
(1,796)
1,723
70,202
(150,759)
160,636
(781)
(1,372)
(37,405)
(10,226)
571
47
-
(39,289)
-
-
76,686
(5,018)
(2,128)
69,540
137
100,590
82,484
183,074
80,054
103,020
183,074
Page | 9
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars, except for share amounts)
Balance at January 1, 2017
Total comprehensive income
Net income for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners of the Company
Issuance of common shares
Issuance of shares for mineral property
Exercise of stock options
Exercise of warrants (note 22c)
Share-based payments (note 21)
Share capital
Number
of common shares
Amount
Reserves
Equity
reserve
Hedging
reserve
Fair value
Foreign
currency
reserve
reserve
Retained
earnings Total equity
146,978,173
$ 343,963
$
14,865
$
(222)
$
334
$
1,115
$
63,096
$ 423,151
-
-
-
11,873,750
239,385
307,160
238,515
-
12,658,810
-
-
-
69,786
1,128
1,123
2,168
-
74,205
-
-
-
-
369
369
-
(307)
(307)
-
-
(325)
(1,084)
1,270
(139)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
66,305
-
66,305
-
-
-
-
-
-
66,305
62
66,367
69,786
1,128
798
1,084
1,270
74,066
Balance at December 31, 2017
159,636,983
$ 418,168
$
14,726
159,636,983
$ 418,168
$
14,726
$
$
147
147
$
$
27
27
$
$
1,115
$ 129,401
$ 563,584
1,115
$ 129,401
$ 563,584
Balance at January 1, 2018
Total comprehensive income
Net income for the year
Other comprehensive loss
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners of the Company
Exercise of warrants (note 22c)
Exercise of stock options
Shares issued for share units
Share-based payments (note 21)
-
-
-
204,462
20,000
78,150
-
302,612
-
-
-
1,890
21
388
-
2,299
-
-
-
-
(156)
(156)
(944)
(8)
(388)
4,496
3,156
-
-
-
-
-
-
(69)
(69)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
33,990
-
33,990
33,990
(225)
33,765
-
-
-
-
-
946
13
-
4,496
5,455
Balance at December 31, 2018
159,939,595
$ 420,467
$
17,882
$
(9)
$
(42)
$
1,115
$ 163,391
$ 602,804
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Page | 10
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
1. Reporting Entity
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a publicly traded company incorporated and
domiciled in British Columbia, Canada.
The Company is engaged in precious and base metal mining and related activities in Latin America, including
exploration, extraction, and processing. The Company operates the Caylloma silver, lead, and zinc mine (“Caylloma”)
in southern Peru and the San Jose silver and gold mine (“San Jose”) in southern Mexico, and is developing the Lindero
Gold Project in northern Argentina.
Its common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol FSM, and on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the trading symbol FVI.
The Company’s registered office is located at Suite 650, 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, Canada, V6C 3L6.
2. Basis of Presentation
Statement of Compliance
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management of the Company in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”)
effective as of December 31, 2018.
On March 12, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved these financial statements for issuance.
Presentation and Functional Currency
These financial statements are presented in United States Dollars (“$” or “US$” or “US dollars”), which is the
functional currency of the Company. Reference to C$ are to Canadian dollars. All amounts in these financial
statements have been rounded to the nearest thousand US dollars, unless otherwise stated.
Basis of measurement
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for those assets and
liabilities that are measured at fair values (Note 31) at the end of each reporting period.
3. Significant Accounting Policies
The Company has consistently applied the following accounting policies to all periods presented in these consolidated
financial statements.
(a) Basis of Consolidation
These financial statements include the accounts of the Company. All significant intercompany transactions, balances,
revenues, and expenses have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial results of the Company from the effective date of acquisition
or control and up to the effective date of disposition or loss of control. Control is achieved when the Company has
power over the investee, is exposed to or has rights to variable returns from its involvement with an investee, and
had the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee.
Page | 11
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. is the ultimate parent entity of the group. At December 31, 2018, the principal subsidiaries
of the Company, their geographic locations, and the ownership interests held by the Company, were as follows:
Name
Minera Bateas S.A.C. ("Bateas")
Compania Minera Cuzcatlan S.A. de C.V. ("Cuzcatlan")
Mansfield Minera S.A. ("Mansfield")
(b) Foreign Currency Translation
Location Ownership Principal Activity
Peru
Mexico
Argentina
Caylloma Mine
San Jose Mine
Lindero Project
100%
100%
100%
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date of
the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange
at each financial position date. Foreign exchange gains or losses on translation to the functional currency of an entity
are recorded in profit or loss. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency
are translated using the exchange rate as at the date of the initial transaction.
(c) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short Term Investments
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits, and money market instruments with maturities
from the date of acquisition of 90 days or less, which are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are subject
to insignificant changes in value. Short-term investments consist of term deposits with original maturities in excess
of three months but less than twelve months. Cash, cash equivalents and short term investments are designated as
amortized cost.
(d) Inventories
Inventories include metal contained in concentrates, stockpiled ore, materials and supplies. Costs allocated to metal
inventories are based on average costs, which include direct mining costs, direct labor and material costs, mine site
overhead, depletion and amortization. Costs allocated to materials and supplies are based on weighted average costs
and include all costs of purchase and other costs in bringing these inventories to their existing location and condition.
If carrying value exceeds net realizable amount, a write down is recognized. The write down may be reversed in a
subsequent period if the circumstances which caused it no longer exist, to the extent that the related inventory has not
been sold. Net realizable value is calculated as the estimated price at the time of sale based on prevailing metal prices
less estimated future costs to convert the inventories into saleable form and estimated costs to sell.
(e) Investment in Associates
Associates are those entities in which the Company has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the
entity’s financial and operating policies. Interests in associates are accounted for using the equity method. They are
initially recognized at cost, which includes transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the consolidated
financial statements include the Company’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income of equity-
accounted investees, until the date on which significant influence ceases.
An impairment test is performed when there is objective evidence of impairment, such as significant adverse changes
in the environment in which the associate operates or there is a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the
investment below its carrying amount. When there is objective evidence that an investment is impaired, a quantitative
impairment test is performed and a loss is recorded if the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying amount.
Impairment losses are reversed if the recoverable amount subsequently exceeds the carrying amount.
Page | 12
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(f) Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Exploration expenditures on properties for which the Company does not have title or rights to are expensed when
incurred. Significant payments related to the acquisition of land and mineral rights and the costs to conduct a
preliminary evaluation to determine that the property has potential to develop an economic ore body are capitalized
as incurred. The time between initial acquisition and a full evaluation of a property’s potential is dependent on many
factors including, but not limited to, location relative to existing infrastructure, the property’s stage of development,
geological controls and metal prices.
The Company capitalizes the cost of acquiring, maintaining its interest and exploring mineral properties as exploration
and evaluation assets until such time as the properties are placed into development, abandoned, sold, or considered to
be impaired in value.
If a mineable ore body is discovered, exploration and evaluation costs are reclassified to mining properties. The
Company uses the following criteria in its assessment:
the property has mineral reserves as referred to in Canadian National Instrument 43-101, and
•
• when legal, permitting and social matters have been resolved sufficiently to allow mining of the body.
Exploration and evaluation assets are tested for impairment when an indicator of impairment is identified and upon
reclassification to mining properties.
If no mineable ore body is discovered, all previously capitalized costs are expensed in the period in which it is
determined the property has no economic value.
Proceeds received from the sale of interests in exploration and evaluation assets are credited to the carrying value of
the mineral properties, plant and equipment. Exploration costs that do not relate to any specific property are expensed
as incurred.
(g) Mineral Properties, Plant and Equipment
i. Operational Mining Properties and Mine Development
For operating mines, all mineral property expenditures are capitalized and amortized based on the unit-of-production
method considering the expected production to be obtained over the life of the mineral property. The expected
production includes proven and probable reserves and the portion of inferred resources expected to be extracted
economically as part of the production cost.
Capitalized costs of producing properties are amortized on a unit-of-production basis over proven and probable
reserves and the portion of inferred resources where it is considered highly probable that those resources are expected
to be extracted economically.
The expected production to be obtained over the life of the mineral property is based on our life-of-mine production
plans which typically include a portion of inferred resources, and therefore differ from the life-of-mine plans we
publish as part of our 43-101 compliant technical reports which are based on reserves only. The decision to use inferred
resources, and the portion of inferred resources to be included varies for each operation and is based on the geological
characteristics of the ore body, the quality and predictability of inferred resources, and the conversion of inferred
resources into measured and indicated (“M&I”) that we have historically achieved in the past.
Many factors are taken into account during resource classification including; the quality of drilling and sampling,
drill/sample spacing, sample preparation and analysis, geological logging and modelling, database construction,
geological interpretation and modelling, statistical/geostatistical analysis, interpolation method, local estimation,
engineering studies, economic parameters, and reconciliation with actual results.
Page | 13
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Once the integrity of the data has been established, two important considerations around classification of resources
are geologic continuity and possible variation of thickness and grade between samples. For our inferred resources at
San Jose and Caylloma we are able to achieve a significant level of confidence on the existence of mineable material
as geological continuity has been established by consistent drill hole intercepts both along strike and down-dip which
provides us with reasonable confidence in the location of the structures. The vast majority of the inferred resources
are interpolated, estimated between existing drill hole intercepts, as opposed to extrapolated where the grades are
estimated beyond the furthest sample point, adding to our confidence in the geologic continuity of the veins.
Furthermore, San Jose and Caylloma are not structurally complex deposits where faulting has disrupted geologic
continuity.
With regards to the variation of thickness and grade between samples, we use statistical means to calculate the
probability that tonnage and grade content falls within a certain accuracy over a given timeframe. If the potential
variation is estimated to be within ± 25% at 90 percent confidence globally, we classify it as an inferred resource. This
is equivalent to stating that we have 95 percent confidence that greater than 75% of the inferred tonnes, grade, and
metal content will ultimately be recovered by the mine and hence that the same percentage or higher will be converted
from an inferred resource to an indicated resource through infill drilling as per our policy of upgrading prior to
production.
As part of our process to include inferred resources into our life-of-mine production plans we apply an economic cut-
off to identify only the material that can be considered profitable to mine within our mine designs and at this time we
apply a conversion or “risk” factor to the mining blocks comprised of inferred resources we include in such mine
production plans. This conversion factor is based on the predictability of conversion derived from statistical estimates
of confidence as described above and the support from historic conversion rates of inferred resources into M&I at
each of our mines. The conversion factors used in our 2018 and 2017 life-of-mine plans were 90% at San Jose and
80% at Caylloma.
The percentage of inferred resources included as a component of the total mineable inventory (reserve + resource)
considered in the 2018 life-of-mine evaluation for each operation as of December 31, 2018, was San Jose 21% (2017
and 2016: 23% and 28%); Caylloma 48% (2017 and 2016: 60% and 38%).
The Company reviews the conversion factors including past experience in assessing the future expected conversion
of inferred resources to be used in the life-of-mine plans for inclusion of inferred resources once a year in light of new
geologic information and conversion data and when events or circumstances indicate that a review should be made.
The Company continually monitors expected conversion and any changes in estimates that arise from this review are
accounted for prospectively.
Significant estimation is involved in determining resources and in determining the percentage of resources ultimately
expected to be converted to reserves, which we determine based on careful consideration of both internal and external
technical and economic data. Estimation of future conversion of resources is inherently uncertain and involves
significant judgment and actual outcomes may vary from these judgments and estimates and such outcomes may have
a material impact on the results. Revisions to these estimates are accounted for in the period in which the change in
estimate arises.
Costs of abandoned properties are written-off.
Page | 14
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Commercial Production
Capital work in progress consists of expenditures for the construction of future mines and includes pre-production
revenues and expenses prior to achieving commercial production. Commercial production is a convention for
determining the point in time in which a mine and plant has completed the operational commissioning and has
operational results that are expected to remain at a sustainable commercial level over a period of time, after which
production costs are no longer capitalized and are reported as operating costs. The determination of when commercial
production commences is based on several qualitative factors including but not limited to the following:
•
•
all major capital expenditures to bring the mine to the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating
in the manner intended by management have been completed; and
the ability to sustain ongoing production of ore at a steady or increasing level.
On the commencement of commercial production depletion of each mining property will be provided on a unit-of-
production basis. Any costs incurred after the commencement of production are capitalized to the extent they give rise
to a future economic benefit.
ii. Plant and Equipment
Completed property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairments.
Costs directly related to construction projects are capitalized to work in progress until the asset is available for use in
the manner intended by management. Assets, other than capital works in progress, are depreciated to their residual
values over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Land and buildings
Land
Mineral properties
Buildings, located at the mine
Buildings, others (1)
Leasehold improvements (1)
Plant and equipment
Machinery and equipment (1)
Furniture and other equipment (1)
Transport units
Capital work in progress
(1) The lesser of useful life or life of mine.
Not depreciated
Units of production
Units of production
6‑10 years
4‑8 years
3‑15 years
2‑13 years
4‑5 years
Not depreciated
Declining balance
Declining balance
Straight line
Straight line
Straight line
Straight line
Straight line
Equipment under finance lease is initially recorded at the present value of minimum lease payments at the inception
of the lease and depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or useful life.
Spare parts and components included in machinery and equipment are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life
of the component or the related machinery and equipment.
Borrowing costs attributed to the construction of qualifying assets are capitalized to mineral properties, plant and
equipment, and are included in the carrying amounts of related assets until the asset is available for use in the manner
intended by management.
Costs associated with commissioning activities on constructed plants are deferred from the date of mechanical
completion of the facilities until the date the assets are ready for use in the manner intended by management.
On an annual basis, the depreciation method, useful economic life, and residual value of each component asset is
reviewed with any changes recognized prospectively over its remaining useful economic life.
Page | 15
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(h) Asset Impairment
At the end of each reporting period, the Company makes an assessment of impairment indicators and if there are such
indicators, then the Company performs a test of impairment.
For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are separately
identifiable cash inflows or cash generating units. These are typically individual mines or development projects.
Brownfields exploration projects, located close to existing mine infrastructure, are assessed for impairment as part of
the associated mine cash generating unit.
An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.
The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less cost of disposal (“FVLCD”) and value in use.
When the recoverable amount is assessed using pre-tax discounted cash flow techniques, the resulting estimates are
based on detailed mine and/or production plans. For value in use, recent cost levels are considered, together with
expected changes in costs are compatible with the current condition of the business. The cash flow forecasts are based
on best estimates of the expected future revenues and costs, including the future cash costs of production, sustaining
capital expenditures, and reclamation and closure costs.
Where a FVLCD model is used the cash flow forecast includes net cash flows expected to be realized from extraction,
processing, and sale of mineral resources that do not currently qualify for inclusion in proven or probable reserves
and the portion of resources expected to be extracted economically.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit is increased
to the revised estimate of recoverable amount but not beyond the carrying amount that would have been determined
had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset or cash-generating unit in prior years. A reversal of an
impairment loss is recognized into earnings immediately.
(i) Borrowing Costs
Interest and other financing costs incurred that are attributable to acquiring and developing exploration and
development stage mining properties and constructing new facilities. (“qualifying assets”) are capitalized and included
in the carrying amounts of qualifying assets until those qualifying assets are ready for their intended use.
Capitalization of borrowing costs incurred commences on the date the following three conditions are met:
•
•
•
expenditures for the qualifying asset are being incurred;
borrowing costs are being incurred; and,
activities that are necessary to prepare the qualifying asset for its intended use are being undertaken.
Borrowing costs incurred after the qualifying assets are ready for their intended use are expensed in the period in
which they are incurred.
Transaction costs, comprised of legal fees and upfront commitment fee, associated with the credit facility for general
working capital and for future capital projects are recorded as a debit to the bank loan and are amortized over the term
of the credit facility using the effective interest rate method.
All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
Page | 16
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(j) Assets Held for Sale
A non-current asset is classified as held for sale when it meets the following critieria:
• The non-current asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are
usual and customary for sales of such assets; and,
• The sale of the non-current asset is highly probable. For the sale to be highly probable:
o The appropriate level of management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset;
o An active program to locate a buyer and complete the plan must have been initiated;
o The non-current asset or disposal group must be actively marketed for sale at a price that is
reasonable in relation to its current fair value;
o The sale should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the
date of classification as held for sale (with certain exceptions); and
o Actions required to complete the plan should indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to
the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.
Assets held for sale are not depreciated and are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs
to sell.
(k) Leases
A lease is classified as a finance lease when substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the
leased asset are transferred from the lessor to the lessee by the agreement. At the commencement of the lease term,
finance leases are recognized as assets and liabilities at the lower of the fair value of the leased asset and the present
value of the minimum lease payments. The assets are depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful lives and the
term of the lease. Interest on the lease instalments is recognized as interest expense over the lease term using the
effective interest method. Leases for land and buildings are recorded separately if the lease payments can be allocated
accordingly.
Leases that do not transfer all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as operating leases. Payments are
recorded in profit or loss using the straight line method over their estimated useful lives.
(l) Income Taxes
Income tax expense consists of current and deferred tax expense.
Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year using tax rates enacted or
substantively enacted at period end adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for deferred tax consequences attributable to unused tax loss carry
forwards, unused tax credits, and differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and
liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted or
substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply when the asset is realized or the liability is settled.
The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in profit or loss in the period that
substantive enactment occurs.
A deferred tax asset is recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against
which the asset can be utilized. To the extent that the Company does not consider it probable that a deferred tax asset
will be recovered, the deferred tax asset is reduced.
Page | 17
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
The following temporary differences do not result in deferred tax assets or liabilities:
•
•
•
the initial recognition of assets or liabilities, not arising in a business combination, that does not affect
accounting or taxable income;
goodwill; and
investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities where the timing of reversal of the
temporary differences can be controlled and reversal in the foreseeable future is not probable.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against
current tax liabilities, and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company
intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
(m) Provisions
i. Closure and Rehabilitation Provisions
Future obligations to retire an asset, including dismantling, remediation and ongoing treatment and monitoring of the
site related to normal operation are initially recognized and recorded as a liability based on estimated future cash flows
discounted at the risk-free rate.
The closure and reclamation provision (“CRP”) is adjusted at each reporting period for changes to the expected amount
of cash flows required to discharge the liability, the timing of such cash flows and the risk-free discount rate.
The liability is accreted to full value over time through periodic charges to profit or loss.
The amount of the CRP initially recognized is capitalized as part of the related asset’s carrying value and amortized
to profit or loss. The method of amortization follows that of the underlying asset. The costs related to a CRP are only
capitalized to the extent that the amount meets the definition of an asset and can bring about future economic benefit.
For a closed site or where the asset which generated a CRP no longer exists, there is no longer future benefit related
to the costs and as such, the amounts are expensed. For operating sites, a revision in estimates or a new disturbance
will result in an adjustment to the CRP with an offsetting adjustment to the capitalized closure and rehabilitation costs.
ii. Environmental Disturbance Restoration Provisions
During the operating life of an asset, events such as infractions of environmental laws or regulations may occur. These
events are not related to the normal operation of the asset and are referred to as environmental disturbance restoration
provisions (“EDRP”). The costs associated with an EDRP are accrued and charged to earnings in the period in which
the event giving rise to the liability occurs. Any subsequent adjustments to an EDRP due to changes in estimates are
also charged to earnings in the period of adjustment. These costs are not capitalized as part of the long-lived asset’s
carrying value.
iii. Other Provisions
Provisions are recognized when a present legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of past events, and it is
probable that an outflow of resources that can be reliably estimated will be required to settle the obligation. Where
the effect of the time value of money is material the provision is discounted using an appropriate current market based
pre-tax discount rate.
(n) Share Capital
Common shares are classified as equity. Costs directly attributable to the issuance of common shares are shown in
equity as a deduction from the proceeds.
Page | 18
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(o) Share-Based Payments
The fair value method of accounting is used for share-based payment transactions. Under this method, the cost of
stock options and other equity-settled share-based payment arrangements are recorded based on the estimated fair
value at the grant date and charged to earnings over the vesting period. Where awards are forfeited because non-
market based vesting conditions were not satisfied, the expense previously recognized are reversed in the period the
forfeiture occurs.
Share-based payment expenses relating to cash-settled awards, including deferred and restricted share units are
accrued and expensed over the vesting period based on the quoted market value of the Company’s common shares.
As these awards will be settled in cash, the expense and liability are adjusted at each reporting period for changes in
the underlying share price.
Equity settled share-based payment transactions with parties other than employees are measured at the fair value of
the goods or services received, except where that fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case they are
measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted, measured at the date the Company obtains the goods or
the counter party renders the services.
i. Stock Option Plan
The Company applies the fair value method of accounting for all stock option awards. Under this method, the
Company recognizes a compensation expense for all stock options awarded to employees, based on the fair value of
the options on the date of grant which is determined by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value
of the options is expensed over the graded vesting period of the options.
ii. Deferred Share Unit (“DSU”) Plan
Deferred share units are typically granted to non-executive directors of the Company. They are payable in cash upon
resignation, retirement, removal, failure to achieve re-election, or upon a change of control of the Company. The DSU
compensation liability is accounted for based on the number of DSUs outstanding and the quoted market value of the
Company’s common shares at the financial position date. The year-over-year change in the DSU compensation
liability is recognized in profit or loss.
iii. Share Unit Plans
The Company’s amended and restated share unit plan (the “SU Plan”) covers all restricted share units (“RSUs”) and
performance share unites (“PSUs”) granted by the Company on and after March 1, 2015. All RSUs granted prior to
March 1, 2015 were governed by the restricted share unit plan dated November 12, 2010.
Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”)
The Company’s RSUs are settled in either cash or equity, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors at the
grant date and typically vest over three years.
For cash settled RSUs, the share-based payment expense is adjusted at each reporting period to reflect the change in
quoted market price of the Company’s common shares and the vesting of each RSU grant, with a corresponding
amount recorded in other liabilities.
For equity-settled RSUs, the fair value is determined based on the quoted market price of the Company’s common
shares at the date of grant and the fair value is recognized as a share-based payment expense over the vesting period
with a corresponding amount recorded in equity reserves.
Page | 19
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)
Performance Share Units are performance-based awards for the achievement of specified performance metrics by
specified deadlines and are settled in either cash or equity, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors at the
grant date and typically vest over three years.
For cash settled PSUs, the share-based payment expense is adjusted at each reporting period to reflect the change in
quoted market price of the Company’s common shares, the vesting of each PSU grant and the expected performance
factors with a corresponding amount recorded in other liabilities.
For equity-settled PSUs, the fair value is determined based on the quoted market price of the Company’s common
shares at the date of grant and the number of PSUs expected to vest based on the performance factors. The fair value
is recognized as a share-based payment expense over the vesting period with a corresponding amount recorded in
equity reserves.
(p) Related Party Transactions
Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability directly, or indirectly, to control the other party or
exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Parties are also
considered to be related if they are subject to common control. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities,
and include key management personnel of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction
when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties.
(q) Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income for the year by the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding during the year.
The diluted earnings per share calculation is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the year, plus the effects of dilutive common share equivalents. This method requires that the dilutive effect of
outstanding options issued should be calculated using the treasury stock method. This method assumes that all
common share equivalents have been exercised at the beginning of the year (or at the time of issuance, if later), and
that the funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common shares of the Company at the average trading price of
the common shares during the year, but only if dilutive.
(r) Segment Reporting
The Company’s operating segments are based on the reports reviewed by the senior management group that are used
to make strategic decisions. The Chief Executive Officer, as chief operating decision maker, considers the business
from a geographic perspective considering the performance of the Company’s business units.
A geographical segment is a distinguishable component of the entity that is engaged in providing products or services
within a particular economic environment and is subject to risks and returns that are different than those of segments
operating in other economic environments.
The business operations comprise the mining and processing of silver-lead, zinc, and silver-gold and the sale of these
products.
Page | 20
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(s) Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgements
The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the period end date and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting
period. Such judgements and estimates are, by their nature, uncertain. Actual outcomes could differ from these
estimates.
The impact of such judgements and estimates are pervasive throughout the financial statements, and may require
accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period
in which the estimate is revised and are accounted for prospectively.
In preparing these consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company applied the
critical judgements and estimates as disclosed in note 4.
(t) Adoption of New Accounting Standards
IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company has adopted IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”) as of January 1, 2018. The
Company elected to apply IFRS 15 using a modified retroactive approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of
initially adopting this standard at the date of initial recognition. Comparative information has not been restated and
continues to be reported under IAS 18 Revenue (“IAS 18”).
The Company has concluded that there was no cumulative effect adjustment required to be recognized at January 1,
2018. The details of the accounting policy changes and the quantitative impact of these changes are described below.
Concentrate Sales:
The Company earns revenue from contracts with customers related to its concentrate sales. Revenue from contracts
with customers is recognized when a customer obtains control of the concentrate and the Company satisfies its
performance obligation. The Company considers the terms of the contract in determining the transaction price, which
is the amount the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transferring of the concentrates. The transaction
price of a contract is allocated to each performance obligation based on its stand-alone selling price.
The Company satisfies its performance obligations for its concentrate sales based upon specified contract terms which
are generally upon delivery to the customer at a specified warehouse or upon loading of the concentrate onto a vessel.
The Company typically receives payment within one to four weeks of delivery.
Revenue from concentrate sales is recorded based upon forward market price of the expected final sales price date.
IFRS 15 does not consider provisional price adjustments associated with concentrate sales to be revenue from
contracts with customers as they arise from changes in market pricing for silver, gold, lead and zinc between the
delivery date and settlement date. As such, the provisional price adjustments are accounted for as derivatives and
presented separately in Note 24 of these financial statements.
The Company has concluded that there were no significant changes in the accounting for concentrate sales as a result
of the transition to IFRS 15, as the timing of control of the concentrate passing to the customer and the treatment of
provisional pricing adjustments are unchanged from policies applied prior to the adoption of IFRS 15.
Page | 21
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
The Company has adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”) as of January 1, 2018. Prior periods were not
restated and no material changes resulted from adopting this new standard. IFRS 9 introduced a revised model for
classification and measurement, and while this has resulted in several financial instrument classification changes, as
presented in Note 31, there were no quantitative impacts from adoption.
The details of accounting policy changes as a result of the adoption of IFRS 9 are described below:
(a) Classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities
IFRS 9 largely retains the existing requirements in IAS 39 for the classification and measurement of financial
liabilities. However, it eliminates the previous IAS 39 categories for financial assets: held to maturity, loans and
receivables and available for sale.
Under IFRS 9, a financial asset is measured as either: amortized cost; fair value through other comprehensive income
(FVOCI) or fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL). All non-derivative financial liabilities are measured at
amortized cost. The classification of financial assets under IFRS 9 is generally based on the business model in which
a financial asset is managed and its contractual cash flow characteristics. Derivatives embedded in contracts where
the host is a financial asset in the scope of the standard are never separated, and instead the hybrid financial instrument
as a whole is assessed for classification.
A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at
FVTPL:
•
•
it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and
its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and
interest on the principal amount outstanding.
A debt investment is measured at FVOCI if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at
FVTPL:
•
•
it is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and
selling financial assets; and
its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and
interest on the principal amount outstanding.
On initial recognition of an equity investment that is not held for trading, the Company may irrevocably elect to
present subsequent changes in the investment’s fair value in other comprehensive income (OCI). This election is made
on an investment-by-investment basis. All financial assets not classified as measured at amortized cost or FVOCI as
described above are measured at FVTPL.
The following accounting policies apply to the subsequent measurement of financial assets:
• Financial assets at FVTPL - These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Net gains and losses,
including any interest or dividend income, are recognized in profit or loss.
• Financial assets at amortized cost - These assets are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the
effective interest method. The amortized cost is reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, foreign
exchange gains and losses and impairment are recognized in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on derecognition
is recognized in profit or loss.
• Equity investments at FVOCI - These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Dividends are
recognized as income in profit or loss unless the dividend clearly represents a recovery of part of the cost of
the investment. Gains or losses recognized on the sale of the equity investment are recognized in OCI and
are never reclassified to profit or loss.
Page | 22
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Upon adoption of IFRS 9, the Company made an irrevocable election to present in other comprehensive income
subsequent changes in the fair value of its investments in marketable securities, which is substantially consistent with
the accounting treatment prior to adoption. These financial assets are classified as FVOCI.
The original measurement categories under IAS 39 and the new measurement categories under IFRS 9 are summarized
in the following table:
Original (IAS 39)
New (IFRS 9)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Term deposits
Other receivables
Marketable securities
Trade receivables from concentrate sales
Interest rate swap asset
Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Payroll payable
Share units payable
Credit facility
Other payables
Metal forward sales and zero cost collar
contracts
(b) Impairment of financial assets
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
Available for sale
FVTPL
Fair Value (hedging)
Other liabilities
Other liabilities
Other liabilities
Other liabilities
Other liabilities
FVTPL
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
FVOCI
FVTPL
Fair Value (hedging)
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
FVTPL
IFRS 9 introduces a new three-stage expected credit loss model for calculating impairment for financial assets. IFRS
9 no longer requires a triggering event to have occurred before credit losses are recognized. An entity is required to
recognize expected credit losses when financial instruments are initially recognized and to update the amount of
expected credit losses recognized at each reporting date to reflect changes in the credit risk of the financial instruments.
In addition, IFRS 9 requires additional disclosure requirements about expected credit losses and credit risk.
For our trade receivables, we apply the simplified approach for determining expected credit losses which requires us
to determine the lifetime expected losses for all our trade receivables. The expected lifetime credit loss provision for
our trade receivables is based on historical counterparty default rates and adjusted for relevant forward-looking
information, when required. We did not record an adjustment relating to the implementation of the expected credit
loss model for our trade receivables.
(c) Hedge accounting
The Company has elected to adopt the new general hedge accounting model in IFRS 9. This requires the Company to
ensure that hedge accounting relationships are aligned with its risk management objectives and strategy and to apply
a more qualitative and forward-looking approach to assessing hedge effectiveness.
The Company has established a strategy, in accordance with its current risk management policies, to use interest rate
swaps to hedge against the variability in cash flows arising from changes in USD LIBOR based floating interest rate
borrowing relating to its credit facility.
Page | 23
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
As per IFRS 9, hedging relationships that qualified for hedge accounting in accordance with IAS 39, that also qualify
for hedge accounting in accordance with IFRS 9 (after taking into account any rebalancing of the hedging relationship
on transition), are regarded as continuing hedging relationships. Hence, the original hedge relationship continues from
the trade inception date of the interest rate swap to the maturity date of the interest rate swap associated with the
hedged exposure, unless the hedging relationship is required to be terminated earlier.
Management qualitatively assess that the changes in value of the hedging instrument and the hedged item will move
in opposite directions and will be perfectly offset. As both counterparties to the derivative are investment grade, the
effect of credit risk is considered as neither material nor dominant in the economic relationship. The hedge was highly
effective at transition date under IFRS 9. The portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined
to be effective will be recognized directly in other comprehensive income while the amount that is determined to be
ineffective, if any, will be recorded in the profit or loss during the life of the hedging relationship.
(u) New Accounting Standards issued but not yet effective
In 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”), which is mandatory for annual reporting periods beginning on
or after January 1, 2019, with earlier adoption permitted. IFRS 16 introduces a single, on-balance sheet lease
accounting model for lessees. A lessee recognizes a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset
and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. There are recognition exemptions for short-
term leases and leases of low-value items.
The Company assembled an implementation team to assess the impact of the leases standard. The implementation
team has developed its project plan, education sessions have been completed and information has been compiled with
respect to the population of contracts that will need to be assessed in light of the new standard. The Company has
selected the modified retrospective approach and during the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company continued its detailed
review of contracts. The Company also continued to develop calculation methodologies and draft financial statement
disclosures.
On the transition date of January 1, 2019, the Company expects to recognize additional leases on the consolidated
balance sheet, which will increase finance lease obligations and result in the recognition of right of use assets. As a
result of recognizing additional finance lease obligations, the expected impact is a reduction in cost of sales, as
operating lease expense will be replaced by depreciation expense and finance expense. In addition, cashflow from
operating activities will increase with a corresponding decrease to cashflow from financing activities. The Company
is currently finalizing the quantification of the effect of this standard on the financial statements.
(v) Comparative figures
Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted for the year ended
December 31, 2018.
4. Use of Judgements and Estimates
(a) Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions
Many of the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements require management to make judgements
and/or estimates. These judgements and estimates are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s
experience and knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances. Areas where critical accounting estimates and
assumptions have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements
include:
Page | 24
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Mineral Reserves and Resources and the Life of Mine Plan
We estimate our mineral reserves and mineral resources in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects requirements. Estimates of the quantities of
the mineral reserves and mineral resources form the basis for our life of mine plans, which are used for the calculation
of depletion expense under the units of production method, impairment tests, and forecasting the timing of the
payments related to the environmental rehabilitation provision.
Significant estimation is involved in determining the reserves and resources included within our life of mine plans.
Changes in forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery rates may result in our life
of mine plan being revised and such changes could impact depletion rates, asset carrying values and our environmental
rehabilitation provision. As at December 31, 2018 we have used the following long term prices for our reserve and
resource estimations: Gold $1,320/oz, Silver $18.25/oz, Lead $2,270/t and Zinc $2,750/t.
In addition to the estimates above, estimation is involved in determining the percentage of resources ultimately
expected to be converted to reserves and hence included in our life of mine plans. Our life of mine plans include a
portion of inferred resources as we believe this provides a better estimate of the expected life of mine for certain types
of deposits, in particular for vein type structures. The percentage of inferred resources out of the total tonnage included
in the life of mine plans is based on site specific geological, technical, and economic considerations. Estimation of
future conversion of resources is inherently uncertain and involves judgement and actual outcomes may vary from
these judgements and estimates and such changes could have a material impact on the financial results. Some of the
key judgements of the estimation process include geological continuity, stationarity in the grades within defined
domains, reasonable geotechnical and metallurgical conditions, treatment of outlier (extreme) values, cut-off grade
determination and the establishment of geostatistical and search parameters. Revisions to these estimates are
accounted for prospectively in the period in which the change in estimate arises. See note 3(g)(i) of these financial
statements.
Valuation of Mineral Properties and Exploration Properties
The Company carries its mineral properties at cost less accumulated depletion and any accumulated provision for
impairment. The costs of each property and related capitalized expenditures are depleted over the economic life of the
property on a units-of-production basis. Costs are charged to the consolidated income statement when a property is
abandoned or when there is an impairment.
The Company undertakes a review of the carrying values of mining properties and related expenditures whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may exceed their estimated net recoverable
amounts determined by reference to estimated future operating results and discounted net cash flows. Where previous
impairment has been recorded the Company analyzes any impairment reversal indicators. An impairment loss is
recognized when the carrying value of those assets is not recoverable. In undertaking this review, management of the
Company is required to make significant estimates of, amongst other things, future production and sales volumes,
metal prices, foreign exchange rates, mineral resource and reserve quantities, future operating and capital costs to the
end of the mine’s life, and reclamation costs. These estimates are subject to various risks and uncertainties which may
ultimately have an effect on the expected recoverability of the carrying values of the mining properties and related
expenditures.
The Company, from time to time, acquires exploration and development properties. When properties are acquired, the
Company must determine the fair value attributable to each of the properties. When the Company conducts exploration
on a mineral property and the results from the exploration do not support the carrying value, the property is written
down to its new fair value which could have a material effect on the consolidated statement of financial position and
the consolidated income statement.
Page | 25
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Reclamation and Other Closure Provisions
The Company has obligations for reclamation and other closure activities related to its mining properties. The future
obligations for mine closure activities are estimated by the Company using mine closure plans or other similar studies
which outline the requirements that will be carried out to meet the obligations. Because the obligations are dependent
on the laws and regulations of the countries in which the mines operate, the requirements could change as a result of
amendments in the laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and other legislation affecting resource
companies. As the estimate of the obligations is based on future expectations, a number of estimates and assumptions
are made by management in the determination of closure provisions.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s sales of metal in concentrates allow for price adjustments based on the market price at the end of the
relevant quotational period (QP) stipulated in the contract. These are referred to as provisional pricing arrangments
and are such that the selling price for metal in concentrate is based on the prevailing spot price on a specified future
date. At each balance sheet date, the Company estimates the value of the trade receivable using forward metal prices.
Adjustments to the sale price occurs based on movements in quoted market prices up to the end of the QP. The period
between provisional invoicing and the end of the QP is generally between one and three months. Any future changes
over the QP are embeeded within the provisionally priced trade receivables and are, therefore, within the scope of
IFRS 9 and not within the scope of IFRS 15. As such, the provisional price adjustments are accounted for as derivatives
and presented separately in Note 24 of these financial statements.
Contingencies
Contingencies can be either possible assets or possible liabilities arising from past events which, by their nature, will
only be resolved when one or more future events not within our control occur or fail to occur. The assessment of such
contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgement and estimates of the outcome of future events.
In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims
that may result in such proceedings or regulatory or government actions that may negatively impact our business or
operations, the Company with assistance from its legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings
or unasserted claims or actions.
A liability is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when the outcome of the legal proceedings is probable
and the estimated settlement amount can be estimated reliably. Contingent assets are not recognized in the
consolidated financial statements until virtually certain.
(b) Critical Accounting Judgements in Applying the Entity’s Accounting Policies
Judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial
statements are as follows:
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying values
of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases (“temporary differences”) and losses carried forward.
The determination of the ability of the Company to utilize tax loss carry-forwards to offset deferred tax liabilities
requires management to exercise judgement and make certain assumptions about the future performance of the
Company.
Management is required to assess whether it is “probable” that the Company will benefit from these prior losses and
other deferred tax assets. Changes in economic conditions, metal prices and other factors could result in revisions to
the estimates of the benefits to be realized or the timing of utilization of the losses.
Page | 26
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Assessment of Impairment and Reversal of Impairment Indicators
Management applies significant judgement in assessing whether indicators of impairment or reversal of impairment
exist for an asset or a group of assets which could result in a testing for impairment. Internal and external factors such
as significant changes in the use of the asset, commodity prices, life of mines, tax laws or regulations in the countries
that our mines operate in and interest rates are used by management in determining whether there are any indicators
of impairment or reversal of previous impairments.
As at December 31, 2018, the Company determined there were indicators of impairment at the Lindero Project due to
increased direct capital costs as well as increased owner and other indirect costs due to construction delays that
extended the project completion date. The Company performed a test of impairment based on the current life of mine
plan using a discount rate of 7.25% and long-term gold and copper prices of $1,313/oz and $7,391/tonne. Other
assumptions that factored into the test include forecast currency and inflation rates, a contingency amount, future cash
operating costs, initial and sustaining capital expenditures. As a result, management estimated the recoverable amount
of the Lindero Project as at December 31, 2018, determined on a fair value less cost of disposal basis, and concluded
no impairment charge was required. However, adverse changes in any of these assumptions in future periods may
result in an impairment.
Functional Currency
The functional currency for the Company and its subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in
which each operates. The Company has determined that its functional currency and that of its subsidiaries is the U.S.
dollar. The determination of functional currency may require certain judgements to determine the primary economic
environment. The Company reconsiders the functional currency used when there is a change in the events and
conditions which determined the primary economic environment.
5. Accounts and Other Receivables
Trade receivables from concentrate sales
Advances and other receivables
Value added taxes recoverable
Accounts and other receivables
$
2018
December 31, December 31,
2017
34,250
1,249
871
36,370
28,132
3,179
1,458
32,769
$
$
$
The Company’s trade receivables from concentrate sales are expected to be collected in accordance with the terms of
the existing concentrate sales contracts with its customers and no amounts were past due at December 31, 2018 or
December 31, 2017.
6. Inventories
Concentrate stockpiles
Ore stockpiles
Materials and supplies
Inventories
$
2018
December 31, December 31,
2017
2,594
4,144
11,015
17,753
1,671
3,166
9,549
14,386
$
$
$
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company expensed $162,751 (2017 – $156,614) of inventories to cost
of sales and wrote down $206 (2017 - $985) of materials and supplies to their net realizable value.
Page | 27
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
7. Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities
Assets
Interest rate swap
Commodity derivative contracts
Derivative assets
Liabilities
Interest rate swap
Commodity derivative contracts
Derivative liabilities
(a) Commodity derivative contracts
December 31, December 31,
2017
140
-
140
2018
-
2,646
2,646
$
$
$
$
$
$
224
-
224
$
$
-
2,328
2,328
In 2017, the Company entered into zero cost collars for an aggregate 7,500 tonnes of lead with a floor price of $2,100
per tonne and a cap price of $2,500 per tonne, maturing from August 2017 to October 2018. In 2018, the Company
also entered into zero cost collars for an aggregate 6,500 tonnes of zinc with a floor price of $2,500 per tonne and a
cap price of $2,965 per tonne, maturing from January to October 2018.
In 2018, the Company entered into zero cost collars for an aggregate of 6,000 tonnes of zinc with a floor price of
$3,050 per tonne and a cap price of $3,300 per tonne maturing between November 2018 and June 2019.
The zinc and lead contracts are derivative financial instruments and are not accounted for as designated hedges under
IFRS 9. They were initially recognized at fair value on the date on which the related derivative contracts were entered
into and are subsequently re-measured to estimated fair value. Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair
value of the derivatives are credited or charged to profit or loss.
The following table summarizes the gains (losses) from the settlement of and the open positions for the zinc and lead
forward sales contracts:
Realized
Zinc Contracts
Tonnes settled
Average settlement price per tonne
Settlement losses
Lead Contracts
Tonnes settled
Average settlement price per tonne
Settlement gains (losses)
Unrealized
Zinc Contracts
Open positions - tonnes
Price per tonne
Unrealized gains (losses)
Lead Contracts
Open positions - tonnes
Price per tonne
Unrealized gains (losses)
Years ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
$
$
$
8,000
2,925 $
(49) $
7,803
2,894
(1,521)
6,000
2,302 $
443 $
4,465
2,361
19
4,500
6,500
$ 3,050 - 3,300 $ 2,500 - 3,190
(2,957)
4,630 $
$
$
$
-
6,000
- $ 2,100 - 2,689
(344)
344 $
Page | 28
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(b) Interest rate swap
Effective April 1, 2015, the Company entered into an interest rate swap on a notional amount of $40,000, which
expires on March 25, 2019 and matched the original maturity of the bank loan. The swap had been designated as a
hedge for accounting purposes. The swap was entered into to hedge the variable interest rate risk on the Company’s
$40,000 bank loan. The fixed interest rate on the swap was 1.52% and the floating amount was based on the one-
month LIBOR rate. The swap was settled on a monthly basis, with settlement being the net difference between the
fixed and floating interest rates.
In January 2018, the Company amended its credit facility and terminated the Swap. As a result, the Company received
a $214 settlement payment. The Company entered into a new interest rate swap on a notional amount of $40,000 for
a term of four years in connection with the amended credit facility (Note 17) to hedge the variable interest rate risk
on the Company’s credit facility. The fixed interest rate on the Swap is 2.61% and the floating amount is based on the
one-month LIBOR rate. The Swap is settled on a monthly basis, with settlement being the net difference between the
fixed and floating interest rates. The Swap has been designated as a hedge for accounting purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $156 (2017 – $369 gain),
related to fair value adjustments through other comprehensive income. The Swap was determined to be an effective
hedge for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
8. Mineral Properties and Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Depletable
Not depletable
Caylloma San Jose Lindero
Other
Total
COST
Balance at December 31, 2017
Additions
Changes in rehabilitation provision
Balance at December 31, 2018
ACCUMULATED DEPLETION
Balance at December 31, 2017
Depletion
Balance at December 31, 2018
$ 112,669 $ 164,198 $ 140,154 $
12,035
(624)
$ 175,609
8,240
716
$ 121,625
14,782
918
$ 155,854
$
4,150 $ 421,171
38,704
3,647
1,010
-
$ 460,885
7,797
$
61,053 $
7,154
68,207
$
$
63,506 $
16,372
79,878
$
- $
-
-
$
- $ 124,559
23,526
-
$ 148,085
-
Net Book Value at December 31, 2018
$
53,418
$
95,731
$ 155,854
$
7,797
$ 312,800
Page | 29
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Depletable
Not depletable
Caylloma San Jose Lindero Other
Total
COST
Balance at December 31, 2016
Additions
Changes in rehabilitation provision
Disposals
Reclassifications
Balance at December 31, 2017
ACCUMULATED IMPAIRMENT
Balance at December 31, 2016
Impairment reversal
Balance at December 31, 2017
ACCUMULATED DEPLETION
Balance at December 31, 2016
Impairment reversal
Depletion
Balance at December 31, 2017
$ 100,630 $ 151,259 $ 130,590 $
13,888
(931)
-
(18)
10,599
1,448
-
(8)
9,234
301
-
29
$ 112,669 $ 164,198 $ 140,154 $
1,844 $ 384,323
36,229
2,508
818
-
(202)
(202)
3
-
4,150 $ 421,171
$
31,900 $
(31,900)
$
- $
- $
-
- $
$
42,059 $
13,038
5,956
$
61,053 $
46,829 $
-
16,677
63,506 $
- $
-
- $
- $
-
-
- $
- $
-
- $
31,900
(31,900)
-
88,888
- $
13,038
-
-
22,633
- $ 124,559
Net Book Value at December 31, 2017
$
51,616 $ 100,692 $ 140,154 $
4,150 $ 296,612
As at December 31, 2018 the Company has capitalized interest of $1,125 (December 31, 2017 - $146) related to the
Lindero Project.
The assets of the Caylloma Mine, San Jose Mine and the Lindero Project and their holding companies, are pledged as
security under the Company’s credit facility.
(a) Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Included in mineral properties are exploration and evaluation assets which are categorized as not depletetable in the
above tables.
(i) Tlacolula Property
On August 2, 2017, the Company completed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Radius Gold Inc. to acquire the
Tlacolula gold property (the “Property”) for total consideration of $1,328, comprising of $150 cash and the issuance
of 239,385 common shares valued at $1,128. Radius was granted a 2% NSR royalty on the Property, of which one-
half of the royalty can be purchased for $1,500. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company spent $170
(December 2017 - $ 1,486) on the Property.
(ii) Other exploration projects
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company spent $3,647 (December 31, 2017 - $ 2,508) on acquisition
and exploration of other projects in Serbia, Mexico and Argentina.
Page | 30
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
9. Plant and Equipment
Machinery
and
equipment
Buildings
and leasehold
improvements
Furniture
and other
equipment
Transport
Equipment
under finance
units
lease
Capital
work in
progress
Total
COST
Balance at December 31, 2017
Additions
Change in rehabilitation provision
Disposals
Reclassifications
Balance at December 31, 2018
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Balance at December 31, 2017
Disposals
Reclassifications
Depreciation
Balance, December 31, 2018
$ 62,217 $
3,122
550
(1,859)
10,158
$ 74,188 $
131,738 $
390
-
-
9,190
141,318 $
6,315 $ 1,163 $
6,411
-
(328)
(3,495)
8,903 $ 2,163 $
994
-
(30)
36
7,295 $ 12,921 $ 221,649
-
79,131
68,214
-
550
-
(26)
(2,243)
-
-
(22,031)
6,142
13,411 $ 59,104 $ 299,087
$ 27,570 $
(1,719)
3,152
6,840
$ 35,843 $
52,353 $
-
538
12,656
65,547 $
3,890 $
(264)
(19)
833
4,440 $
662 $
(31)
37
282
950 $
3,510 $
(26)
(3,708)
331
107 $
- $ 87,985
(2,040)
-
-
-
-
20,942
- $ 106,887
Net Book Value at December 31, 2018
$ 38,345 $
75,771 $
4,463 $ 1,213 $
13,304 $ 59,104 $ 192,200
Machinery
and
equipment
Buildings
and leasehold
improvements
Furniture
and other
equipment
Transport
Equipment
under finance
units
lease
Capital
work in
progress
Total
COST
Balance at December 31, 2016
Additions
Changes in rehabilitation provision
Disposals
Reclassifications
Balance at December 31, 2017
ACCUMULATED IMPAIRMENT
Balance at December 31, 2016
Disposals
Impairment reversal
Balance, December 31, 2017
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Balance at December 31, 2016
Disposals
Reclassifications
Impairment reversal
Depreciation
Balance at December 31, 2017
$ 57,685 $
2,978
312
(3,461)
4,703
$ 62,217 $
132,067 $ 15,848 $ 1,095 $
726
-
(3,006)
(7,253)
6,315 $ 1,163 $
276
-
(1,184)
579
131,738 $
108
-
(110)
70
7,810 $
-
-
(515)
-
941 $ 215,446
14,900
10,812
312
-
(9,006)
(730)
(3)
1,898
7,295 $ 12,921 $ 221,649
$
3,776 $
(1)
(3,775)
16,154 $
-
(16,154)
2,365 $
-
(2,365)
$
- $
- $
- $
- $
-
-
- $
475 $
(75)
(400)
- $
- $ 22,770
(76)
-
(22,694)
-
-
- $
$ 17,864 $
(2,549)
3,907
2,449
5,899
$ 27,570 $
33,479 $
(448)
-
6,484
12,838
52,353 $
6,748 $
(1,507)
(3,920)
1,253
1,316
3,890 $
576 $
(101)
13
-
174
662 $
3,146 $
(440)
-
251
553
3,510 $
- $ 61,813
(5,045)
-
-
-
10,437
-
-
20,780
- $ 87,985
Net Book Value at December 31, 2017
$ 34,647 $
79,385 $
2,425 $
501 $
3,785 $ 12,921 $ 133,664
During the year ended December 31, 2018, spending on capital work in progress totaled $68,214 and is comprised of
$59,356 on the Lindero Project construction, $7,062 at the Caylloma mine on the tailings dam expansion and other
capital projects and $1,796 on the dry stack tailing expansion at the San Jose mine.
Page | 31
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
10. Impairment Reversal
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized an impairment reversal of $31,119 with respect to
the Caylloma Mine. The impairment reversal was due to the significant increase in resources from the successful
exploration drill program at the Animas NE vein and increases in the estimated zinc and lead prices. With the increase
in resources, as well as increases in estimated prices, management updated its mine plan for the Caylloma mine. The
new mine plan significantly improved the production profile and the associated cash flows compared with the
Company’s previous estimates and accordingly, was considered to be an indicator of impairment reversal.
The impairment charges were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2013 and totaled $55,000
before tax. The amount of impairment reversal is limited to the carrying amount had no impairment been recognized
in prior periods, net of depletion and amortization which would have been recognized.
The recoverable amount of the Caylloma Mine was determined based on its fair value less costs of disposal estimated
utilizing a discounted cash flow model. The projected cash flows used are significantly affected by changes in
assumptions for metal prices, changes in the amount of recoverable reserves and resources, production cost estimates,
future capital expenditures and discount rates. The discounted cash flow model is a Level 3 measurement in the fair
value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company’s impairment testing incorporated the following key
assumptions in addition to the increase in the estimated life of the mine:
a) Weighted average cost of capital
As at December 31, 2017, projected cash flows were discounted using a real after-tax discount rate of 4.1% which
represented the estimated weighted average cost of capital.
b) Metal Price assumptions
Metal Price Assumptions
Silver price ($ per ounce)
Gold price ($ per ounce)
Lead price ($ per tonne)
Zinc price ($ per tonne)
2018
2019
2020
$
$
$
$
17.56
1,300
2,469
3,175
$
$
$
$
18.44
1,300
2,403
3,031
$
$
$
$
19.00
1,342
2,315
2,756
$
$
$
$
11. Investment in Associates
i) Medgold Resources Corp.
2021 2022 -2025
18.40
1,325
2,205
2,425
19.00
1,325
2,205
2,756
$
$
$
$
In June 2016, the Company acquired 10 million common shares and 10 million common share purchase warrants of
Medgold Resources Corp. (“Medgold”). On February 7, 2017, the Company exercised its common share purchase
warrants to purchase 10 million common shares of Medgold which resulted in the Company increasing its interest to
24.0% As a result, the Company has significant influence over Medgold commencing on February 7, 2017, and
accounts for its investment using the equity method.
In October 2018, the Company acquired through a private placement 1,079,700 additional units of Medgold at a price
of C$0.30 per unit for cash consideration of C$324 ($249). Each unit was comprised of one common share and one
common share purchase warrant excersiable at C$0.40 per share until October 16, 2020. Folowing the transaction, the
Company owned approximately 22.2% of the outstanding shares of Medgold.
The Company is related to Medgold by virtue of a director in common.
Page | 32
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
ii) Prospero Silver Corp.
In May 2017, the Company acquired by way of a private placement 5,357,142 units of Prospero Silver Corp.
(“Prospero”) at a price of C$0.28 per unit for cash consideration of C$1,500. Each unit was comprised of one common
share and one common share purchase warrant exercisable at C$0.35 per share until May 2020. Following the
transaction, the Company owned approximately 15% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Prospero and
would own approximately 25.9%, if all of the warrants were exercised.
On May 18, 2018, the Company exercised its share purchase warrants to purchase 5,357,142 common shares of
Prospero. Upon the exercise of these warrants, the Company held a 20.3% interest in Prospero and determined that it
had the ability to exercise significant influence over Prospero. Accordingly, the Company commenced accounting for
its investment using the equity method as of May 18, 2018.
On September 17, 2018, the Company acquired through a private placement 4,746,667 additional common shares of
Prospero at a price of C$0.075 per share for cash consideration of C$356 ($274).
Investments in associates as at December 31, 2018, were comprised of:
Name
Medgold Resources, Corp.
Prospero Silver Corp.
2018
22%
27%
2017
22% $
15% $
Proportion of ownership held
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
Market Value ($C)
2018
2,740 $
927 $
December 31,
2017
3,200
696
Medgold and Prospero are Canadian public companies which trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker
symbol MED and PSL, respectively, and are quoted in Canadian dollars (“C$”). Medgold’s principal business activity
is the acquisition and exploration of resource properties in Serbia and Prospero’s principal business activity is the
acquisition and exploration of resource properties in Mexico.
Medgold shares and warrants presented as marketable securities,
December 31, 2016
Fair value adjustments prior to February 7, 2017
Exercise of warrants
Share of Medgold's net loss
Balance at December 31, 2017
Prospero shares and warrants presented as marketable securities,
December 31, 2017
Fair value adjustments prior to May 18, 2018
Exercise of warrants
Purchase of additional shares
Share of net income (loss)
Balance at December 31, 2018
Medgold Prospero
Total
$
$
1,579 $
(65)
1,372
(192)
2,694
-
-
-
249
132
3,075 $
- $
-
-
-
-
556
(99)
624
274
(153)
1,202 $
1,579
(65)
1,372
(192)
2,694
556
(99)
624
523
(21)
4,277
Page | 33
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
12. Assets Held for Sale
Changes to assets held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
Balance as at December 31, 2016
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
Balance at December 31, 2017
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
Dispositions
Write-downs
Balance at December 31, 2018
13. Long-term Receivables
$
$
-
1,701
1,701
194
(107)
(691)
1,097
As at December 31, 2018, there was $15,241 (2017 - $1,223) of value added tax recoverable from expenditures on
the development of the Lindero Project in Argentina. The Company expects recovery of these amounts to commence
once the Lindero Project reaches commercial production.
14. Deposits and Advances to Contractors
As at December 31, 2018, the Company has provided advances of $42,938 (2017 – nil) to contractors related to the
construction of the Lindero Project and $141 (2017 – nil) on other capital projects at the Caylloma Mine.
15. Trade and Other Payables
Trade accounts payable
Lindero construction trade payables
Refundable deposits to contractors
Payroll payable
Mining royalty
Value added taxes payable
Interest payable
Due to related parties (note 16)
Other payables
Deferred share units payable
Restricted share units payable
Performance share units payable
Total current share units payable
Total trade and other payables
$
December 31, December 31,
2017
13,576
142
686
13,752
1,023
1,285
137
-
411
31,012
2018
14,099 $
10,120
1,278
14,976
890
-
189
17
1,893
43,462
3,116
1,932
-
5,048
5,094
2,679
2,691
10,464
$
48,510 $
41,476
Page | 34
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
16. Related Party Transactions
In addition to the related party transactions and balances disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements, the
Company entered into the following related party transactions during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
a) Purchase of Goods and Services
During the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company entered into the following related party transactions
with Gold Group Management Inc. and Mill Street Services Ltd., companies with directors in common with the
Company.
Personnel costs
General and administrative expenses
$
Years ended December 31,
2017
138
175
313
2018
118
193
311
$
$
$
The Company has outstanding balances payable with Gold Group Management Inc. of $17 as at December 31, 2018
(December 31, 2017 - $nil). Amounts due to related parties are due on demand, and are unsecured.
b) Key Management Personnel
Salaries and benefits
Directors fees
Consulting fees
Share-based payments
17. Credit Facility
$
2018
Years ended December 31,
2017
4,704
594
138
3,672
9,108
4,471
709
139
3,545
8,864
$
$
$
In April 2015, the Company drew down $40,000 of the $60,000 available under its credit facility agreement with the
Bank of Nova Scotia (“Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility was secured by a first ranking lien on the assets of Bateas,
Cuzcatlan, and their holding companies. Interest on the Credit Facility was calculated using the one, two, three, or
six-month US$ LIBOR rates plus a graduated margin based on the Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit
Facility. Interest was payable one month in arrears. The Credit Facility was repayable with a balloon payment on the
maturity date of April 1, 2019.
On January 26, 2018, the Company entered into an amended and restated four-year term credit facility with the Bank
of Nova Scotia (“Amended Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of January 26, 2022. The Amended Credit Facility
consists of a $40,000 non-revolving credit facility (“Tranche A”), which has been fully drawn and an $80,000
revolving credit facility (“Tranche B”). An upfront lenders fee and transactions cost of $793 were payable on closing
of the Amended Credit Facility.
The Amended Credit Facility was further amended on December 13, 2018 (the “Third Amendment and Restated
Credit Agreement”) whereby the revolving facility was increased by an additional $30,000 to $110,000 for a
temporary period from December 13, 2018 to December 13, 2020. At such time if any part of the additional $30,000
has been advanced it must be repaid by December 13, 2020, and the balance of the revolving portion of the facility
must be repaid as per the terms of the Third Amendment and Restated Credit Agreement on January 26, 2022. The
Company incurred fees of $545 to the lenders and have been charged to transaction costs.
Page | 35
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
The interest rate on the Amended Credit Facility is on a sliding scale at one-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin
ranging from 2.5% to 3.5%, based on a Total Debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Facility. The
Amended Credit Facility is secured by a first ranking lien on the assets of Minera Bateas S.A.C. (“Bateas”), Compania
Minera Cuzcatlan S.A. de C.V. (“Cuzcatlan”), Mansfield Minera S.A. (“Mansfield”) and their holding companies.
The Company must comply with the terms in the Amended Credit Facility relating to, among other matters, reporting
requirements, conduct of business, insurance, notices, and must comply with certain financial covenants, including a
maximum debt to EBITDA ratio and a minimum tangible net worth, each as defined in the Amended Credit Facility.
The amendments to the credit facility were accounted for as a modification under IFRS 9 and a loss of $653 was
recognized in finance cost in the consolidated income statement.
Balance at December 31, 2017
Loss on modifications
Transaction costs paid
Amortization of transaction costs
Drawdown of facility
Balance at December 31, 2018
As at December 31, 2018 there is $80,000 undrawn from the credit facility.
The Company is in compliance with all of the covenants as at December 31, 2018.
18. Finance Lease Obligations
Less than one year
Between one and five years
Total lease obligations
Less: future finance charges
Present value of minimum lease payments
Presented as:
Current portion
Non-current portion
19. Other Liabilities
Restricted share units (note 21)
Other non-current liabilities
$
$
39,871
653
(1,338)
116
30,000
69,302
Minimum lease payments
December 31,
2018
3,912
5,744
9,656
(890)
8,766
$
December 31,
2017
912
-
912
(6)
906
$
$
$
$
3,395
5,371
$
906
-
December 31,
2018
125
1,041
1,166
$
December 31,
2017
1,256
100
1,356
$
$
$
Page | 36
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
20. Closure and Rehabilitation Provisions
Balance December 31, 2017
Changes in estimate
Reclamation expenditures
Accretion
Effect of foreign exchange changes
Balance December 31, 2018
Less: Current portion
Non-current portion
Balance December 31, 2016
Changes in estimate
Incurred and charged against the provision
Accretion
Effect of foreign exchange changes
Balance December 31, 2017
Less: Current portion
Non-current portion
Closure and rehabilitation provisions
Caylloma
San Jose
Mine
9,624
1,266
(559)
469
-
10,800
682
10,118
$
Mine
4,100
(624)
(123)
361
2
3,716
159
3,557
$
Lindero
Project
509
896
-
22
-
1,427
-
1,427
$
Total
14,233
1,538
(682)
852
2
15,943
841
15,102
Closure and rehabilitation provisions
Caylloma
Mine
8,182
1,761
(623)
304
-
9,624
1,533
$8,091
San Jose
Mine
4,822
(1,152)
(170)
380
220
4,100
123
$3,977
$
$
Lindero
Project
208
301
-
-
-
509
-
509
$
$
Total
$
13,212
910
(793)
684
220
14,233
1,656
$ $12,577
$
$
$
Closure and reclamation provisions represent the present value of rehabilitation costs relating to mine and
development sites. There have been no significant changes in requirements, laws, regulations, operating assumptions,
estimated timing and amount of closure and rehabilitation obligations during year ended December 31, 2018, except
for the change in anticipated timing of reclamation expenditures caused by the extended Caylloma life of mine.
Anticipated settlement date
Undiscounted uninflated estimated cash flow
Estimated life of mine (years)
Discount rate
Inflation rate
Caylloma
Mine
2022 - 2027
Closure and rehabilitation provisions
Lindero
Project
2029 - 2042
San Jose
Mine
2025 - 2037
Total
$
11,263 $
10
4.37%
2.00%
4,991 $
6
8.62%
3.72%
1,653 $ 17,907
14
2.87%
2.20%
The Company is expecting to incur annual progressive reclamation expenses throughout the life of its mine.
Page | 37
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
21. Share Based Payments
(a) Deferred Share Units
Number of
Deferred Share
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
Grants
Changes in fair value
Outstanding, December 31, 2017
Grants
Units paid out in cash
Changes in fair value
Outstanding, December 31, 2018
(b) Restricted Share Units
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
Grants to officers
Grants to employees
Vested
Forfeited or cancelled
Changes in fair value and vesting
Outstanding, December 31, 2017
Grants to officers
Grants to employees
Units paid out in cash
Vested
Forfeited or cancelled
Changes in fair value and vesting
Outstanding, December 31, 2018
Current portion
Non-current portion
Outstanding, December 31, 2018
Units
$
883,068
91,108
-
974,176
101,612
(225,724)
-
850,064
$
Fair Value
4,992
429
(327)
5,094
482
(1,251)
(1,209)
3,116
Cash Settled
Number of
Restricted
Share Units
1,337,720 $
15,748
38,037
(406,022)
(5,007)
-
980,476
16,129
71,630
(405,821)
-
(3,029)
-
659,385
$
$
Fair Value
4,489
74
181
(2,114)
(5)
1,310
3,935
76
338
(1,915)
-
(15)
(362)
2,057
1,932
125
2,057
Equity Settled
Number of
Restricted
Share Units
-
390,751
-
-
-
-
390,751
417,135
4,895
-
(78,150)
-
-
734,631
The fair values of the 422,030 (December 31, 2018 – 390,751) restricted share units granted during the year ended
December 31, 2018 were between $4.71 (C$6.20) and $5.54 (C$7.15) (December 31, 2017 – $4.71 (C$6.35)).
Page | 38
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(c) Performance Share Units
Cash Settled
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
Units paid out in cash
Changes in fair value and vesting
Outstanding, December 31, 2017
Grants
Vested
Changes in fair value and vesting
Outstanding, December 31, 2018
Number of
Performance
Share Units
885,535 $
(332,076)
-
553,459
-
(553,459)
-
- $
Equity Settled
Number of
Performance
Share Units
-
-
-
-
1,002,166
-
-
1,002,166
Fair Value
3,545
(1,770)
916
2,691
-
(2,596)
(95)
-
The fair value per unit of the 1,002,166 (December 31, 2018 – 390,751) performance share units granted during the
year ended December 31, 2018 was $4.71 (C$6.20) (December 31, 2017 – $nil).
22. Share Capital
(a) Authorized Share Capital
The Company has an unlimited number of common shares without par value authorized for issue.
In February 2017, the Company closed an offering by issuing an aggregate of 11,873,750 common shares at a price
of US$6.30 per common share for gross proceeds of $74,804, or net proceeds of $70,497 after share issuance costs.
(b) Stock Options
The Company’s Stock Option Plan, as amended and approved from time to time, permits the Company to issue up to
12,200,000 stock options. As at December 31, 2018, a total of 1,574,403 common shares were available for issuance
under the plan.
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
Exercised
Forfeited
Outstanding, December 31, 2017
Exercised
Granted
Outstanding, December 31, 2018
Number of stock options
Weighted average
exercise price
Canadian dollars
4.19
3.39
6.35
5.56
0.85
6.21
5.85
844,993 $
(307,160)
617,694
1,155,527
(20,000)
648,502
1,784,029 $
Vested and exercisable, December 31, 2017
Vested and exercisable, December 31, 2018
537,833 $
826,680 $
4.64
5.37
Page | 39
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2018
were a risk-free interest rate of 1.79% - 1.90%, expected volatility of 67.56% - 68.16%, expected life of 3 years,
expected forfeiture rate of 5.57%, and an expected dividend yield of nil. The fair value, as determined using the Black-
Scholes model, was between $2.69 and $3.09 per option granted in the period.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company expensed a total of $1,358, in share-based payments related
to the vesting of stock options (2017 – $674).
(c) Warrants
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
Exercised
Outstanding, December 31, 2017
Exercised
Expired unvested
Outstanding, December 31, 2018
23. Earnings per Share
Basic
Net income for the period
Weighted average number of shares (000's)
Earnings per share - basic
Diluted
Net income for the period
Weighted average number of shares (000's)
Incremental shares from options, RSUs and PSUs
Incremental shares from warrants
Weighted average diluted number of shares (000's)
Diluted earnings per share
Number of warrants
$
Weighted average
exercise price
Canadian dollars
6.01
6.01
6.01
6.01
6.01
-
$
$
582,977
(238,515)
344,462
(204,462)
(140,000)
-
2018
Years ended December 31,
2017
66,305
158,036
0.42
33,990
159,785
0.21
$
$
$
$
Years ended December 31,
2017
66,305
33,990
2018
$
$
159,785
1,851
-
161,636
0.21
158,036
250
26
158,312
0.42
$
$
As at December 31, 2018, there were 1,266 anti-dilutive options and nil warrants excluded from the above calculation
(2017 – nil).
Page | 40
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
24. Sales
The Company’s geographical analysis of revenue from contracts with customers is segmented based on the destination
of product as follows:
(a) By-product and Geographical Area
Silver-gold concentrates
Silver-lead concentrates
Zinc concentrates
Provisional pricing adjustments
Sales to external customers
Silver-gold concentrates
Silver-lead concentrates
Zinc concentrates
Provisional pricing adjustments
Sales to external customers
(b) By Major Customer
Customer 1
Customer 2
Customer 3
Customer 4
Customer 5
25. Cost of Sales
Direct mining costs
Salaries and benefits
Workers' participation
Depletion and depreciation
Royalties
Year ended December 31, 2018
Peru
- $
40,254
48,831
(1,636)
87,449 $
Switzerland
166,481 $
-
-
(3,055)
163,426 $
Mexico
13,670 $
-
-
(1,249)
12,421 $
Year ended December 31, 2017
Peru
- $
42,144
45,300
671
88,115 $
Switzerland
- $
-
-
-
- $
Mexico
180,491 $
-
-
(495)
179,996 $
$
$
$
$
Total
180,151
40,254
48,831
(5,940)
263,296
Total
180,491
42,144
45,300
176
268,111
$
2018
Years ended December 31,
2017
-
79,523
106,850
73,146
8,592
$ 268,111
$ 162,082
66,429
-
-
34,785
$ 263,296
Year ended December 31, 2018
Caylloma
38,788
7,303
1,726
12,222
218
60,257
$
$
$
$
$
San Jose
60,860
5,889
4,438
32,251
3,030
106,468
$
Total
99,648
13,192
6,164
44,473
3,248
166,725
Page | 41
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Year ended December 31, 2017
Caylloma
35,476
6,013
1,545
9,175
1,283
53,492
$
$
$
$
Direct mining costs
Salaries and benefits
Workers' participation
Depletion and depreciation
Royalties
26. Selling, General, and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative
Workers' participation
Share-based payments
27. Other Expenses
Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment
Write off of spare parts
Write off of assets held for sale
Write off of mineral properties
Other expense (income)
28. Interest and Finance Cost, Net
Interest income
Interest expense
Standby and commitment fees
Accretion expense
Loss on debt restructure
$
San Jose
58,187
5,286
5,805
32,929
2,852
105,059
$
Total
93,663
11,299
7,350
42,104
4,135
158,551
$
2018
Years ended December 31,
2017
19,320
1,750
21,070
3,841
24,911
21,088
1,400
22,488
3,701
26,189
$
$
$
$
Years ended December 31,
2017
1,450
985
-
202
(956)
1,681
2018
167
398
691
-
705
1,961
$
$
$
$
2018
Years ended December 31,
2017
1,950
(1,645)
(29)
(684)
-
(408)
3,429
(1,092)
(470)
(830)
(653)
384
$
$
$
Page | 42
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
29. Income Taxes
(a) Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate
Income tax expense differs from the amount that would be computed by applying the applicable Canadian statutory
income tax rate to income before income taxes. The significant reasons for the differences are as follows:
Net income before tax
Statutory tax rate
Anticipated income tax at statutory rates
Non-deductible expenditures
Differences between Canadian and foreign tax rates
Changes in estimate
Effect of change in tax rates
Inflation adjustment
Impact of foreign exchange
Changes in deferred tax assets not recognized
Mining taxes
Withholding taxes
Other items
Total income tax expense
Total income tax represented by:
Current income tax expense
Deferred tax expense
$
$
2018
Years ended December 31,
2017
104,951
26.0%
27,287
1,082
5,804
88
(1,576)
(2,242)
(666)
4,194
4,568
649
(542)
38,646
67,340
27.0%
18,182
1,935
2,159
(679)
299
(6,408)
10,377
(287)
4,383
3,180
209
33,350
$
$
$
$
30,563
2,787
33,350
$
$
34,863
3,783
38,646
The Company’s Peruvian operating subsidiary, Minera Bateas, had an agreement with the Peruvian government that
stabilized its tax rate until December 31, 2017. The Company will be subject to a Peruvian income tax rate of 29.5%
in 2018 and thereafter.
On December 27, 2017, the Argentine Congress passed the proposed tax reform which became effective on January
1, 2018. The changes included an immediate transitional reduction in corporate income tax rate from 35% to 30% for
the two taxation years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Effective January 1, 2020 and thereafter, the Argentine
corporate income tax rate will reduce from 30% to 25%.
Effective January 1, 2018, the British Columbia provincial tax rate increased from 11% to 12%, resulting in an increase
in the combined Canadian Federal and Provincial statutory tax rate to 27%.
Page | 43
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(b) Tax Amounts Recognized in Profit or Loss
Current tax expense
Current taxes on profit for the year
Changes in estimates related to prior years
Deferred tax expense
Origination and reversal of temporary differences and foreign exchange rate effects
Changes in estimates related to prior years
Effect of changes in tax rates
Total Tax expense
(c) Deferred Tax Balances
The significant components of the recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities are:
Years ended December 31,
2017
2018
$
$
$
$
$
30,515
48
30,563
3,216
(728)
299
2,787
$
$
$
$
34,940
(77)
34,863
5,194
165
(1,576)
3,783
33,350
$
38,646
Deferred tax assets:
Reclamation and closure cost obligation
Carried forward tax loss
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Deductibility of resource taxes
Other
Total deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Mineral properties
Mining and foreign withholding taxes
Equipment and buildings
Other
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities
Classification:
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities
December 31, December 31,
2017
2018
$
$
4,594 $
3,386
5,642
3,436
190
17,248 $
3,996
1,079
4,235
3,597
954
13,861
$
(34,541) $
(8,412)
(4,413)
(1,326)
$
(48,692) $
(30,413)
(6,973)
(4,658)
(474)
(42,518)
$
(31,444) $
(28,657)
2018
$
$
- $
(31,444)
(31,444) $
2017
-
(28,657)
(28,657)
Page | 44
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
The Company’s movement of net deferred tax liabilities is described below:
At January 1
Deferred income tax expense through income statement
At December 31
(d) Unrecognized Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
2018
28,657
2,787
31,444
$
$
2017
24,874
3,783
28,657
$
$
The Company recognizes tax benefits on losses or other deductible amounts where it is more likely than not that the
deferred tax asset will be realized. The Company’s unrecognized deductible temporary differences and unused tax
losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized consists of the following amounts:
December 31, December 31,
2017
2018
Unrecognized deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses:
Non capital losses
Provisions
Share issue costs
Mineral properties, plant and equipment
Capital losses
$
81,188 $
5,173
3,354
244
2,326
Unrecognized deductible temporary differences
$
92,285 $
73,994
11,720
4,473
762
906
91,855
As at December 31, 2018, the Company has temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries for
which an income tax liability has not been recognized as the Company can control the timing of the reversal of the
temporary differences and the Company plans to reinvest in its foreign subsidiaries. The temporary difference
associated with investments in subsidiaries aggregate as follow:
December 31, December 31,
2017
69,044
98,070
2018
97,705 $
69,669
$
Mexico
Peru
(e) Tax Loss Carry Forwards
Tax losses have the following expiry dates:
December 31,
Canada
Argentina
Mexico
Peru
2026 – 2038 $
2019 – 2023
2021 – 2026
2021
81,000
11,900
349
238
Year of expiry
2018 Year of expiry
December 31,
2017
74,300
3,700
332
265
2026 – 2037 $
2018 – 2022
2021 – 2025
2021
In addition, as at December 31, 2018, the Company has accumulated Canadian resource-related expenses of $6,582
(2017 - $5,773) for which the deferred tax benefit has not been recognized.
Page | 45
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
30. Segmented Information
The following summary describes the operations of each reportable segment:
• Bateas – operates the Caylloma silver, lead, and zinc mine
• Cuzcatlan – operates the San Jose silver-gold mine
• Mansfield – development of the Lindero Project
• Corporate – corporate stewardship
Revenues from external customers
Cost of sales before depreciation and depletion
Depreciation and depletion in cost of sales
Selling, general, and administration
Other expenses
Finance items
Segment (loss) profit before taxes
Income taxes
Segment (loss) profit after taxes
Year ended December 31, 2018
Bateas Cuzcatlan Mansfield
Corporate
$
- $ 87,449 $ 175,847 $
-
-
(14,692)
(411)
(1,172)
(16,275)
(3,168)
(48,035)
(12,222)
(3,973)
(311)
6,263
29,171
(10,628)
(74,217)
(32,251)
(7,524)
(3,938)
1,111
59,028
(18,544)
Total
- $ 263,296
(122,252)
-
(44,473)
-
(26,189)
-
(8,796)
(4,136)
5,754
(448)
67,340
(4,584)
(33,350)
(1,010)
33,990
$ (19,443) $ 18,543 $ 40,484 $ (5,594) $
Corporate
$
Year ended December 31, 2017
Bateas Cuzcatlan Mansfield
Revenues from external customers
Cost of sales before depreciation and depletion
Depreciation and depletion in cost of sales
Selling, general, and administration
Other income (expenses)
Finance items
Segment (loss) profit before taxes
Income taxes
Segment (loss) profit after taxes
- $ 88,115 $ 179,996 $
-
-
(15,406)
(1,626)
(867)
(17,899)
(643)
(44,317)
(9,175)
(3,507)
31,003
(4,620)
57,499
(17,136)
$ (18,542) $ 40,364 $ 44,423 $
(72,130)
(32,929)
(5,998)
(3,699)
111
65,351
(20,927)
Total
- $ 268,111
(116,447)
-
(42,104)
-
(24,911)
-
25,678
-
(5,376)
-
104,951
-
(38,646)
60
66,305
60 $
Total assets
Total liabilities
Capital expenditures
Total assets
Total liabilities
Capital expenditures
December 31, 2018
Bateas Cuzcatlan Mansfield
Total
Corporate
$ 31,739 $ 174,985 $ 286,621 $ 293,172 $ 786,517
$ 84,575 $ 35,568 $ 38,220 $ 25,350 $ 183,713
1,448 $ 16,400 $ 16,224 $ 83,335 $ 117,407
$
December 31, 2017
Bateas Cuzcatlan Mansfield
Corporate
Total
$ 82,976 $ 156,513 $ 316,693 $ 150,466 $ 706,648
1,566 $ 143,064
$ 57,887 $ 35,169 $ 48,442 $
540 $ 13,184 $ 22,577 $ 10,757 $ 47,058
$
Page | 46
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
31. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction in
the principal (or most advantageous) market at the measurement date under current market conditions (an exit price)
regardless of whether that price is directly observable or estimated using another valuation technique.
The fair value hierarchy establishes three levels to classify the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair
value. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs
are quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, inputs
other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (interest rate, yield curves), or inputs that are
derived principally from or corroborated observable market data or other means. Level 3 inputs are unobservable
(supported by little or no market activity). The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the
lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
The following sets up the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of Level 2 and Level 3 financial
instruments.
Financial asset or liability
Methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value
Trade receivables
Trade receivables arising from the sales of metal concentrates are subject to
provisional pricing, and the final selling price is adjusted at the end of a quotational
period. We mark these to market at each reporting date based on the forward price
corresponding to the expected settlement date.
Interest rate swaps, and metal
contracts
Fair value is calculated as the present value of the estimated contractual cash flows.
Estimates of future cash flows are based on quoted swap rates, futures prices and
interbank borrowing rates. These are discounted using a yield curve, and adjusted
for credit risk of the Company or the counterparty.
Marketable securities – warrants The Company determines the value of the warrants using a Black-Scholes valuation
model which uses a combination of quoted prices and market-derived inputs, such
as volatility and interest rate estimates. Fair value changes on the warrants are
charged to profit and loss.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, there were no transfers of amounts between Level 1, Level 2,
and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The following tables show the carrying amounts and fair values of financial
assets and financial liabilities, including their levels in the fair value hierarchy. Fair value information for financial
assets and financial liabilities not measured at fair value is not presented if the carrying amount is a reasonable
approximation of fair value.
Page | 47
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
December 31, 2018
Financial assets measured at Fair Value
Trade receivables concentrate sales
Interest rate swap asset
Metal forward sales contracts
Financial assets not measured at Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents
Short term investments
Other receivables
Financial liabilities not measured at Fair Value
Trade payables
Payroll payable
Share units payable
Finance lease obligations
Bank loan payable
Other payables
Carrying value
Fair value
Fair
Value
(hedging)
Fair value
through
profit or loss
Amortized
cost
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Carrying value
approximates
Fair Value
$
$
$
$
$
$
-
(224)
-
(224)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
$
$
$
$
$
28,132
-
2,646
30,778
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
$
$
$
-
-
-
-
90,503
-
3,179
93,682
$
$
$
$
28,132
(224)
2,646
30,554
90,503
-
3,179
93,682
$ (24,219)
(14,976)
(5,173)
(8,766)
(69,302)
(4,030)
$ (126,466)
$ (24,219)
(14,976)
(5,173)
(8,766)
(69,302)
(4,030)
$ (126,466)
$
$
$
$
$
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$ 28,132
(224)
2,646
$ 30,554
$
$
-
-
-
-
$
-
-
(5,173)
-
(70,000)
-
$ (75,173)
$
$
$
$
$
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
$
$
$
$
$
-
-
-
-
90,503
-
3,179
93,682
(24,219)
(14,976)
-
(8,766)
-
(4,030)
(51,991)
Page | 48
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
Carrying value
Fair value
Available
for sale
Fair value
through
profit or loss
Fair Value
(hedging)
Loans and
receivables
Other
liabilities
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Carrying value
approximates
Fair Value
December 31, 2017
Financial assets measured at Fair
Value
Marketable securities - shares
Marketable securities - warrants
Trade receivables concentrate sales
Interest rate swap asset
Financial assets not measured at Fair
Value
Cash and cash equivalents
Term deposits
Other receivables
$
$
$
$
Financial liabilities measured at Fair
Value
Metal forward sales and zero cost collar
contracts
$
$
555 $
-
-
-
555 $
- $
1
34,250
-
34,251 $
-
-
-
140
140
$
$
- $
-
-
-
- $
555 $
1
34,250
140
- $
-
-
-
- $ 34,946 $
555 $
-
-
-
- $
1
34,250
140
555 $ 34,391 $
- $
-
-
- $
- $
-
-
- $
-
-
-
-
$ 183,074 $
29,500
1,251
$ 213,825 $
- $ 183,074 $
-
-
- $ 213,825 $
29,500
1,251
- $
-
-
- $
- $
-
-
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
$
$
-
-
-
-
-
183,074
29,500
1,251
213,825
- $
- $
(2,328) $
(2,328) $
-
-
$
$
- $
- $
- $
- $
(2,328) $
(2,328) $
- $ (2,328) $
- $ (2,328) $
-
-
$
$
-
-
Financial liabilities not measured at
Fair Value
Trade payables
Payroll payable
Share units payable
Finance lease obligations
Bank loan payable
Other payables
$
$
- $
-
-
-
-
-
- $
- $
-
-
-
-
-
- $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
$
- $ (13,576) $ (13,576) $
-
-
-
-
-
- $ (81,638) $ (81,638) $
(13,894)
(11,720)
(906)
(39,871)
(1,671)
(13,894)
(11,720)
(906)
(39,871)
(1,671)
- $
-
(11,720)
-
(40,000)
-
- $
-
-
-
-
-
- $ (51,720) $
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
$
(13,576)
(13,894)
-
(906)
-
(1,671)
(30,047)
Page | 49
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
32. Management of Financial Risk
The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company’s risk
management framework and reviews the Company’s policies on an ongoing basis.
The Company is exposed to certain financial risks, including credit risk, liquidity risk, currency risk, metal price risk,
and interest rate risk.
(a) Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its
contractual obligations. All of our trade accounts receivables from concentrate sales are held with large international
metals trading companies.
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents and short term investments are held through large financial institutions.
These investments mature at various dates within one year.
The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk as at December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short term investments
Marketable securities
Derivative assets
Accounts receivable and other assets
Income tax receivable
Other non-current receivables
$
December 31, December 31,
2017
183,074
29,500
556
140
36,370
130
1,223
250,993
2018
90,503 $
72,824
-
2,646
32,769
136
15,241
214,119 $
$
The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents the Company’s maximum
exposure to credit risk. We limit our exposure to counterparty credit risk on cash and term deposits by only dealing
with financial institutions with high credit ratings and through our investment policy of purchasing only instruments
with a high credit rating. Almost all of our concentrate are sold to large well-known concentrate buyers.
(b) Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as they come due. We manage our
liquidity risk by continually monitoring forecasted and actual cash flows. We have in place a planning and budgeting
process to help determine the funds required to support our normal operating requirements and our development plans.
We aim to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet our short term business requirements, taking into account our
anticipated cash flows from operations, our holdings of cash and cash equivalents, and our committed and anticipated
liabilities.
Page | 50
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
The following are the remaining contractual maturities of financial liabilities at the reporting date. The tables include
cash flows associated with both interest and principal payments.
Trade and other payables
Credit facility
Derivative liabilities
Income tax payable
Equipment loan
Other liabilities
Operating leases
Capital commitments, Lindero
Provisions
Trade and other payables
Bank loan
Derivative liabilities
Income tax payable
Finance lease obligations
Other liabilities
Operating leases
Provisions
Expected payments due by year as at December 31, 2018
Less than
1 year 1 - 3 years 4 - 5 years
$ 48,510 $
-
224
8,358
4,328
-
1,055
111,940
878
- $
-
-
-
5,371
1,166
1,248
-
6,738
- $
70,000
-
-
-
-
250
-
4,029
$ 175,293 $ 14,523 $ 74,279 $
After
5 years
Total
- $ 48,510
70,000
-
224
-
8,358
-
9,699
-
1,166
-
2,553
-
111,940
-
6,262
17,907
6,262 $ 270,357
Expected payments due by year as at December 31, 2017
Less than
1 year 1 - 3 years 4 - 5 years
$ 41,476 $
- $
-
2,328
14,237
906
-
653
1,708
40,000
-
-
-
1,356
1,025
4,690
$ 61,308 $ 47,071 $
- $
-
-
-
-
-
634
5,465
6,099 $
After
5 years
Total
- $ 41,476
40,000
-
2,328
-
14,237
-
906
-
1,356
-
2,312
-
3,323
15,186
3,323 $ 117,801
Operating leases includes leases for office premises, computer equipment and other equipment used in the normal
course of business.
(c) Currency risk
The functional and reporting currency for all entities within the consolidated group is the US dollar. We are exposed
to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates as a portion of our expenses are incurred in Canadian dollars, Peruvian soles,
Argentinean pesos and Mexican pesos. A significant change in the foreign exchange rates between the United States
dollar relative to the other currencies could have a material effect on the Company’s profit or loss, financial position,
or cash flows. We have not hedged our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.
Page | 51
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
As at December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company was exposed to currency risk through the following assets and
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable and other assets
Income tax receivable
Investments in associates
Trade and other payables
Due to related parties
Provisions, current
Income tax payable
Other liabilities
Provisions
Total foreign currency exposure
US$ equivalent of foreign currency exposure
Cash and cash equivalents
Marketable securities
Accounts receivable and other assets
Income tax receivable
Investments in associates
Trade and other payables
Provisions, current
Income tax payable
Other liabilities
Provisions
Total foreign currency exposure
US$ equivalent of foreign currency exposure
Canadian
Dollars
376
279
-
5,244
(8,478)
(23)
-
-
-
-
(2,602)
(2,010)
Canadian
Dollars
4,511
697
292
-
3,685
(14,950)
-
-
(1,576)
-
(7,341)
(5,852)
Pesos
December 31, 2018
Peruvian
Mexican
Soles
941
3,660
459
-
(18,492)
-
-
(4,591)
-
-
(18,023)
(5,458)
37,039
11,836
-
-
(218,833)
-
(2,991)
(59,810)
(2,296)
(66,977)
(302,032)
(16,055)
Argentinian
Pesos
6,967
598,002
-
-
(125,159)
-
-
-
-
-
479,810
11,646
Pesos
December 31, 2017
Peruvian
Mexican
Soles
693
-
4,428
421
-
(17,244)
-
(6,631)
-
-
(18,333)
(5,650)
27,842
-
3,018
-
-
(253,702)
(2,418)
(176,977)
(1,967)
(78,567)
(482,771)
(24,462)
Argentinian
Pesos
12,186
-
33
-
-
(7,814)
-
-
-
-
4,405
236
Sensitivity as to change in foreign currency exchange rates on our foreign currency exposure as at December 31, 2018
is provided below:
Currency
Mexican Peso
Peruvian Soles
Argentinian Peso
Canadian Dollar
Change
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
Effect on foreign
denominated
items
$
$
$
$
1,874
506
878
351
Page | 52
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(d) Metal Price Risk
We are exposed to metal price risk with respect to our sales of silver, gold, zinc, and lead concentrates. A 10% change
in metal prices from the prices used at December 31, 2018 would result in the following change to sales and accounts
receivable for sales which are still based on provisional prices as at December 31, 2018. As a matter of policy, we do
not hedge our silver production.
Metal
Silver
Gold
Lead
Zinc
Change
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
Effect on Sales
2,201
1,332
196
365
$
$
$
$
We mitigate the price risk of our base metal production from time to time by committing a portion of such production
under forward sales and collar contracts. As at December 31, 2018, the Company has zero cost collars for an aggregate
of 4,500 tonnes of zinc with a floor price of $3,050 per tonne and a cap price of $3,300 per tonne maturing between
January and June 2019.
(note 7(a)).
(e) Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of
changes in market interest rates. Currently, our interest rate exposure mainly relates to interest earned on our cash,
cash equivalent, and short term investment balances, and the mark-to-market value of derivative instruments which
depend on interest rates. We have entered into an interest rate swap to mitigate the interest rate risk on our bank loan.
(f) Capital Management
The Company’s objective when managing its capital is to maintain its ability to continue as a going concern while at
the same time maximizing the growth of its business and providing returns to its shareholders. The Company manages
its capital structure and makes adjustments based on changes to its economic environment and the risk characteristics
of the Company’s assets. The Company’s capital requirement is effectively managed based on the Company having
a thorough reporting, planning and forecasting process to help identify the funds required to ensure the Company is
able to meet its operating and growth objectives.
The Company’s capital structure consists of equity comprising of share capital, reserves and retained earnings as well
as debt facilities, equipment financing obligations less cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Equity
Credit facilities
Equipment financing obligations
Less: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
$
December 31, December 31,
2017
563,584
39,871
906
(212,574)
391,787
2018
602,804
69,302
8,766
(163,327)
517,545
$
$
$
The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements with the exception of complying with
covenants under the credit facility. As at December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company was in compliance with the
covenants.
Page | 53
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
33. Supplemental Cashflow Information
The changes in liabilities arising from financing activities, including both changes arising from cash flows and non-
cash changes were as follows:
As at January 1, 2017
Amortization of transaction costs
Principal payments
Interest accrued
Change in fair value
As at January 1, 2018
Transaction cost
Loss on debt modifications
Amortization of transaction costs
Principal payments
Additions included as current
Additions included as non-current
Settlement of the swap
Change in fair value
As at December 31, 2018
34. Contingencies and Capital Commitments
(a) Bank Letter of Guarantee
Loan and lease
Bank Loan
39,768
103
-
-
-
39,871
(1,338)
653
116
-
-
30,000
-
-
69,302
$
$
$
$
obligation
3,034
-
(2,128)
-
-
906
-
-
-
(1,932)
4,295
5,497
-
-
8,766
$
$
Interest rate
swaps
253
-
-
(25)
(368)
(140)
-
-
-
-
-
-
228
(312)
(224)
The Caylloma Mine closure plan was updated in December 2018, with total undiscounted closure costs of $11,431
consisting of progressive closure activities of $3,646, final closure activities of $7,156, and post-closure activities of
$790. Pursuant to the closure regulations, the Company is required to place the following guarantees with the
government:
•
•
•
2018 – $4,990
2019 – $7,237
2020 – $9,704
The Company has established a bank letter of guarantee in the amount of $7,237 (2017 – $4,990), on behalf of Bateas
in favor of the Peruvian mining regulatory agency, in compliance with local regulation and to collateralize Bateas’
mine closure plan. This bank letter of guarantee expires on December 31, 2019.
(b) Other Commitments
As at December 31, 2018, the Company had capital commitments of $111,940 for civil work, equipment purchases
and other services at the Lindero Gold Project expected to be expended within one year.
Operating leases includes leases for office premises, computer and other equipment used in the normal course of
business.
Page | 54
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
The expected payments due by period, as at December 31, 2018 are as follows:
Less than
Office premises
Computer equipment
Total operating leases
(c) Tax Contingencies
Peru
$
$
1 year 1 - 3 years 4 - 5 years
1,072 $
820 $
235
1,055 $
215
35
250
1,248 $
176
Total
2,107
446
2,553
$
$
The Company has been assessed $1,313, including interest and penalties of $872, for the tax years 2010 and 2011 by
SUNAT, the Peruvian tax authority, with respect to the deduction of certain losses arising from derivative
instruments. The Company applied to the Peruvian tax court to appeal the assessments.
On January 22, 2019, the Peruvian tax court reaffirmed SUNAT’s position and denied the deduction. The Company
believes the assessment is inconsistent with Peruvian tax law and that it is probable the Company will succeed on
appeal through the Peruvian legal system. The Company has paid the disputed amount in full in order to stop additional
interest from accruing, and is taking steps through the Peruvian legal system to appeal the decision of the Peruvian
tax court.
No amounts have been accrued as at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 with respect to these tax assessments
as the Company believes it is probable that the appeal will be successful.
Mexico
During 2015, the Company’s foreign trade operations for tax years 2011 to 2014 were reviewed by the Mexican Tax
Administration Service (“SAT”) and was subject to an administrative customs procedure (“PAMA”) for specific
temporary import documents (pediments). On October 27, 2015, the SAT issued an assessment regarding the
Company’s foreign trade operations for tax years 2011 to 2014, and denied certain claims, which resulted in the
following assessments totaling $198 (the “tax credit”):
•
•
$30 in general import tax, $90 in VAT, and $5 custom management tax, and
associated fines of $94
On December 11, 2015, the Company established a security bond in the amount of $211 in favor of PAMA to
collateralize this tax credit of $198. On January 21, 2016, the Company presented its arguments before the Mexican
Federal Court for the nullification and voidance of the tax credit (the “Company claim”). On August 18, 2016, the
Mexican Federal Court issued a first instance resolution declaring the nullity and voidance of the tax assessment,
which the tax authority appealed.
On April 6, 2017, the Mexican Federal Court issued a ruling to reinstate the tax credits in dispute and ordered the tax
authority to settle the tax credits. The ruling is final and unappealable. In October 2017, the security bond was released
and fully recovered.
Page | 55
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
(Presented in thousands of US dollars – unless otherwise noted)
(d) SGM Royalty
The Mexican Geological Service (“SGM”) has advised the Company that in 1993 the previous owner of one of the
Company’s mineral concessions located at the San Jose Mine in Oaxaca, Mexico granted SGM a royalty of 3% of the
billing value of minerals obtained from the concession. The Company was unaware of the existence of the royalty
since it does not appear on the electronic title register (although it is listed in the official record books of the
concessions of the Mining Registry, it was not disclosed to the Company by the prior owner at the time of sale, nor
was it noted in any of the multiple legal title opinions obtained by the Company at the time of and since it acquired
the concession. The Company has engaged three independent Mexican law firms and has obtained legal opinions from
all three firms which confirm that there was no legal basis for the creation of the royalty and that it was invalidly
created. All opinions confirm that it is more likely than not that the Company’s position will succeed in the event of
a dispute. The Company has advised SGM that it is of the view that no royalty is payable and has taken administrative
steps to remove reference to the royalty on the title register. No action has been started by the mining authority. In the
event of a dispute, the Company would be required to pay the then claimed amount of the royalty to preserve the
concession and would thereafter proceed with dispute proceedings. The amount of the royalty, if payable is materially
less than cash and cash equivalents on hand and would not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results
of operations.
(e) Other Contingencies
The Company is subject to various investigations, royalties and other claims, legal, labor, and tax proceedings
covering matters that arise in the ordinary course of business activities. Each of these matters is subject to various
uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavorably for the Company. Certain
conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued that may result in a loss to the Company. None
of these matters is expected to have a material effect on the results of operations or financial conditions of the
Company.
Page | 56
EXHIBIT 99.3
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018
As of March 12, 2019
(Monetary amounts expressed in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
Table of Contents
Business of the Company
Full Year Financial and Operational Highlights
Lindero Project
Exploration
2019 Guidance and Outlook
Financial Results
Results of Operations
Quarterly Information
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Financial Instruments
Related Party Transactions
Risks and Uncertainties
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
New Accounting Standards issued but not yet effective
Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions
Share Position and Outstanding Warrants and Options
Controls and Procedures
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Reserves and Resources
Page
2
2
6
7
9
11
14
17
18
19
19
20
25
28
28
31
32
32
42
44
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 1
FORTUNA SILVER MINES INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the year ended December 31, 2018
Business of the Company
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (“Fortuna” or the “Company”) is engaged in precious and base metal mining and related activities in Latin
America, including exploration, extraction, and processing. The Company
•
•
•
operates the Caylloma silver, lead, and zinc mine (“Caylloma”) in southern Peru,
operates the San Jose silver and gold mine (“San Jose”) in southern Mexico, and
is in the process of constructing an open pit gold heap leach mine (the “Lindero Project”) in northern Argentina.
Fortuna is a publicly traded company incorporated and domiciled in British Columbia, Canada. Its common shares are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol FSM, on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol FVI, and on
the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the trading symbol F4S.F.
The Company’s registered office is located at Suite 650, 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3L6.
The consolidated financial statements include wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company; the most significant of which at
December 31, 2018 and 2017 are presented in the following table:
Name
Minera Bateas S.A.C. ("Bateas")
Compania Minera Cuzcatlan S.A. de C.V. ("Cuzcatlan")
Mansfield Minera S.A. ("Mansfield")
Location
Peru
Mexico
Argentina
Ownership
100%
100%
100%
Principal Activity
Caylloma Mine
San Jose Mine
Lindero Project
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help readers understand the significant factors that affect
the performance of Fortuna and its subsidiaries, and those that may affect future performance. This MD&A has been prepared as of
March 12, 2019 and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017. All amounts in this MD&A are expressed in United States dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Certain
amounts shown in tables within this MD&A may not add exactly to total due to rounding.
The Company prepares its annual financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB").
In this MD&A, we refer to various Non-GAAP Financial Measures. These measures are used by us to manage and evaluate the
operating performance of our mines and their ability to generate cash flows which are widely reported in the mining industry as
benchmarks for performance. Refer to the discussion under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
Additional information about the Company, including our Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com
This document contains forward-looking statements. Refer to the cautionary language under the heading “Cautionary statement on
forward-looking statements.”
Full Year Financial, Operating and Corporate Highlights
Sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $263.3 million, a decrease of $4.8 million over the $268.1 million reported in
2017.
Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $61.6 million, a decrease of $48.7 million over the $110.3 million
reported in 2017, which included a pre-tax impairment reversal of $31.1 million. Excluding the impairment reversal, operating
income would have been $79.2 million in 2017 compared to $61.6 million in 2018.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 2
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $34.0 million or $0.21 per share, a decrease of $32.3 million over the $66.3
million, or $0.42 per share reported in 2017, which included a $31.1 million ($21.9 million after-tax) impairment reversal. Adjusted
net income (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) was $38.4 million compared to $48.7 million reported in 2017.
Adjusted EBITDA (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $113.9 million compared
to $122.0 million reported in 2017.
Free cash flow (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the year ended December 31, 2018 was ($52.4) million compared to
$24.5 million in 2017. Free cash flow from ongoing operations was $55.2 million compared to $37.1 million for 2017.
Operating Highlights
Consolidated Metrics
Key Indicators
Silver
Metal produced (oz)
Metal sold (oz)
Realized price ($/oz)
Gold
Metal produced (oz)
Metal sold (oz)
Realized price ($/oz)
Lead
Metal produced (000's lbs)
Metal sold (000's lbs)
Zinc
Metal produced (000's lbs)
Metal sold (000's lbs)
Three months ended December 31,
2017
2018
% Change
1,937,703
2,032,909
14.60
2,310,176
2,332,172
16.69
12,070
12,555
1,236
6,453
6,377
15,283
15,333
1,273
7,846
8,054
(16%)
(13%)
(13%)
(21%)
(18%)
(3%)
(18%)
(21%)
Years ended December 31,
2017
% Change
2018
8,890,943
8,832,993
15.74
8,469,594
8,416,326
17.04
54,210
53,498
1,273
28,255
28,349
45,485
45,867
5.40
10.55
56,441
55,592
1,257
29,878
29,508
44,347
44,315
6.36
11.16
5%
5%
(8%)
(4%)
(4%)
1%
(5%)
(4%)
3%
4%
(15%)
(5%)
All-in sustaining cash cost (US$/oz Ag)1
All-in sustaining cash cost (US$/oz Ag Eq)1, 2
Notes:
1. All-in sustaining cash cost is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
2. AISC ($/oz Ag Eq) calculated at realized metal prices of $1,273/oz Au, $15.7/oz Ag, $1.0/lb Pb, and $1.3/lb Zn
11,537
11,713
10.05
12.24
11,676
11,803
5.16
10.56
(1%)
(1%)
95%
16%
Silver and gold production for the three months ended December 31, 2018 decreased 16% and 21% to 1,937,703 ounces and 12,070
ounces, respectively, over the same period in 2017. The decrease in silver and gold production was almost entirely from the San
Jose Mine, where silver production decreased 17% due primarily to lower silver head grade and a 6% lower mill throughput. Gold
production decreased 22% due to a 16% decrease in gold head grade and lower mill throughput. Lead and zinc production at
Caylloma decreased 18% and 1% to 6.5 million pounds and 11.5 million pounds, respectively, over the comparable period in 2017
due to lower zinc and lead head grades.
Silver and gold production for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 5% and decreased 4% to 8,890,943 ounces, and 54,210
ounces, respectively, over the comparable year in 2017. The increase in silver production was due to a 9% increase in silver head
grade and was partially offset by a 3% decrease in mill throughput at the San Jose Mine. Zinc production from the Caylloma Mine
increased 3% while lead production decreased 5% as a result of higher zinc head grade and lower lead head grade and slightly higher
mill throughput.
Consolidated all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the
year ended December 31, 2018 was $10.55 per ounce or 5% lower than the $11.16 per ounce in 2017. The decrease was due
primarily to lower execution of sustaining capital and Brownfields exploration expenditures over higher payable ounces of silver
production.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 3
Corporate Highlights
On February 22, 2018, the Company reported its Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates as at December 31, 2017.
Combined Proven and Probable Reserves for the Caylloma and San Jose mines are reported at 6.6 million tonnes containing 44.8
million ounces of silver and 273,000 ounces of gold, representing year-over-year decreases of 2% and 7% in contained silver and
gold ounces. Proven and Probable Reserves at the Lindero Project are reported at 88.3 million tonnes containing 1.7 million ounces
of gold representing a year-over-year increase of 4% in contained gold ounces. Refer to news release “Fortuna Updates Reserves
and Resources” on the Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR for full details of the Mineral Reserves and
Resources estimates.
On September 6, 2018, the Company provided an update on an infill drill program at the Lindero Project. The infill drill program
consisted of 61 diamond drill holes totaling 1,952 meters with holes ranging from 12 meters to 68 meters in length. Mineralized
intercepts encountered met or exceeded expectations in 44 of the 61 holes when compared to estimated block model gold grades as
at September 9, 2017. Refer to news release “Fortuna updates on infill drill program at the Lindero gold Project in Argentina” on
the Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR for full results of the infill drill program.
On February 14, 2019, the Company provided a review of Brownfields exploration programs from the third quarter of 2017 and
throughout 2018. The Brownfields exploration programs consisted of a total of 62,412 meters of drilling in 134 surface and
underground diamond holes at the San Jose and Caylloma mines and at the Arizaro Project, located within the Lindero Project
concession block in Argentina. Refer to news release “Fortuna provides review of Brownfields exploration programs” on the
Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR for full results of the drilling programs.
Selected Financial Information
Consolidated Financial Metrics
Three months ended December 31,
2017
2018
% Change
Years ended December 31,
2017
% Change
2018
(Expressed in $ millions except per share information and all-in sustaining cash cost)
(21%)
Sales
(51%)
Mine operating income
Operating income2
(89%)
Net income2
(94%)
75.4
35.2
57.7
34.1
59.6
17.3
6.3
2.2
$
$
Earnings per share (basic)
Earnings per share (diluted)
Adjusted net income1
Adjusted EBITDA1
Cash provided by operating activities
Free cash flow1
Free cash flow from ongoing operations1
Capex
Sustaining
Non-sustaining
Lindero Project
Brownfields
0.01
0.01
4.4
22.7
19.3
(26.7)
11.8
9.4
1.2
39.4
1.6
0.21
0.21
12.3
34.9
29.0
14.5
19.2
(95%)
(95%)
(64%)
(35%)
(33%)
(284%)
(39%)
8.0
-
3.1
2.2
17%
0%
1,184%
(29%)
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments
Total assets
Non-current credit facility
Shareholders' equity
Notes:
1. Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
2. The 2017 comparative figures includes a $31.1 million impairment reversal
$
$
263.3
96.6
61.6
34.0
0.21
0.21
38.4
113.9
83.5
(52.4)
55.2
24.0
3.3
80.0
8.6
268.1
109.6
110.3
66.3
0.42
0.42
48.7
122.0
70.2
24.5
37.1
28.0
-
11.4
10.1
(2%)
(12%)
(44%)
(49%)
(50%)
(50%)
(21%)
(7%)
19%
(314%)
49%
(14%)
0%
602%
(14%)
Dec 31, 2018
$
163.3
Dec 31, 2017 % Change
$
212.6
(23%)
$
$
$
786.5
69.3
602.8
$
$
$
706.6
39.9
563.6
11%
74%
7%
Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 4
Sales for the three months ended December 31, 2018 were $59.6 million, a $15.8 million decrease from the $75.4 million reported
in 2017. The decrease in sales was due to lower sales volume and decline in metal prices for silver, lead and zinc of 13%, 21% and
19%, respectively.
Sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $263.3 million, a decrease of $4.8 million over the $268.1 million reported in
2017. The decrease in sales was due mainly to an 8% decline in the silver price which was partially offset by a 5% increase in silver
sales volume and lower treatment charges.
Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $2.2 million or $0.01 per share compared to $34.1 million or $0.21
per share reported in 2017, which included an impairment reversal of $31.1 million (after-tax: $21.9 million). Excluding the
impairment reversal, net income would have been $12.2 million. The decrease in net income during the quarter was due primarily
to declining metal prices and higher production costs which lowered mine operating income as well as higher foreign exchange
losses from the devaluation of the Argentine Peso (“ARS”) partially offset by lower share-based payment expense. The effective
tax rate (“ETR”) for the quarter was 69% compared to 40% in 2017. The increase was primarily due to withholding taxes, which
increased the ETR by 19 percentage points and foreign exchange, inflation and other items which increased the ETR by 10
percentage points.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $34.0 million compared to $66.3 million reported in 2017, which included
a $31.1 million (after-tax: $21.9 million) impairment reversal. Excluding the impairment reversal, the 2017 net income would have
been $44.4 million or $10.4 million higher than the net income in 2018. The decrease in net income was due to a decrease in mine
operating income, higher mine general and administration expenses and higher foreign exchange losses. These higher expenses
were partially offset by a reversal of derivative losses from 2017 to derivative gains in 2018 as a result of the decline in lead and
zinc prices. The effective tax rate for the year was 50% compared to 37% in 2017. The increase was primarily due to the negative
impact of foreign exchange (16 percentage points) and a provision for withholding tax (4 percentage points) and was partially offset
by the positive impact of inflation (7 percentage points).
Adjusted net income (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $4.4 million
compared to $12.3 million reported in 2017. The decrease in adjusted net income was due primarily to lower production and sales
volume for silver, gold and lead, lower realized metal prices for all the metals produced and higher operating costs at both the San
Jose and Caylloma Mines. The lower mine operating income was partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease in share-based payments
expense as a result of favorable mark-to-market adjustments on cash settled share-based payments.
Adjusted net income (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $38.4 million compared
to $48.7 million reported in 2017. The decrease in adjusted net income was due primarily to a combination of lower mine operating
income and higher mine general and administrative expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $22.7 million
compared to $34.9 million in the comparable period in 2017. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was due primarily to lower mine
operating income and higher mine general and administrative expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $113.9 million compared
to $122.0 million reported in 2017. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was due to lower mine operating income, higher mine general
and administrative expenses and was partially offset by realized gains from derivative instruments.
Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $19.3 million compared to $29.0 million
reported in 2017.
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $83.5 million compared to $70.2 million reported
in 2017.
Free cash flow (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was ($26.7) million
compared to $14.5 million in 2017. The decrease in free cash flow was due to construction spending at the Lindero Project. Free
cash flow from ongoing operations was $11.8 million compared to $19.2 million reported in 2017.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 5
Free cash flow (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) for the year ended December 31, 2018 was ($52.4) million compared to
$24.5 million. The decrease in free cash flow was due to construction related spending at the Lindero Project. Free cash flow from
ongoing operations was $55.2 million compared to $37.1 million reported in 2017.
At December 31, 2018, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $163.3 million (December 31, 2017
– $212.6 million), a decrease of $49.2 million since the beginning of the year. The decrease was due primarily to the construction
spending at the Lindero Project which exceeded the cashflows from operations and the $30 million proceeds from the credit facility.
Lindero Project (“Project”)
Construction at the Lindero open pit heap leach gold mine located in Salta Province, Argentina is well underway, and the overall
Project is 40% complete. Approximately 91% of direct capital costs have been committed. Construction spending for the year
totaled $122.9 million comprising of $80.0 million on construction expenditures, of which $18.9 million were unpaid as at December
31, 2018, and $42.9 million in deposits on equipment and advances to contractors.
Construction highlights and milestones include:
•
18,750 tpd crushing and agglomeration plant
All the crushing equipment including a primary crusher, apron feeder, three secondary cone crushers, and three screens are
scheduled for delivery to the project site starting in early March 2019. The High-Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) arrived
on site in December 2018. Two agglomeration drums have been shipped and are in transit to Argentina. Chutes, conveyors
and steel structures are being fabricated in shops in Argentina and Chile with deliveries according to schedule.
Excavation work for foundations at the crushing site is 95% complete. Civil works are currently underway with the building
of retaining walls, placement of concrete at the HPGR site, and reinforced steel placement for primary and secondary
crusher foundations. The HPGR site concrete placement, originally scheduled for November 2018, has suffered from delays
due to an unexpected volume of rock mass encountered during foundation excavations.
The crushing and agglomeration plant is on the critical path of the project. Commissioning of this plant is planned for late
in the third quarter of 2019.
• Leach pad and pond area
The excavations and ground preparation for the leach pad is one of the largest earth-moving activities of the project, and
one that suffered the most from contractor performance. The excavation of 1.2 million cubic meters of surface gravel and
rock for ground preparation is 90% complete. Approximately 15% of the start-up area for the leach pad is complete with
liner, piping, and overliner installed. It is estimated that the leach pad start-up area will be ready to receive first ore by
mid-2019 compared to the original estimate of March 2019.
• ADR and SART
The procurement of all key equipment is well advanced. Concrete foundations for the ADR building and work on the
equipment foundations is underway.
It is planned that the ADR plant will be ready to receive solution in the fourth quarter of 2019.
•
8 MW power plant
Once in operation, the mine power requirements will be self-generated through an 8MW diesel generator power plant.
Power plant site preparation is complete, and the twelve power generators have arrived at the project and have been placed
at their site. Twelve transformers for the plant are planned to arrive at the site in March 2019. The power plant is scheduled
to be fully operational by mid-2019.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 6
• Construction camp and ancillary facilities
The construction camp has the capacity to host a population of 1,200 workers. Peak head-count at the site is projected in
April 2019 at 1,100 workers. Post-construction head count is estimated to be between 350 to 400 workers.
Industrial water for the operation will be sourced from a 120 cubic meter per hour well field and pumping station located
13 kilometers from the project site. The installation of the 13 kilometer 8” water pipeline to the project site is planned to
start in April with commissioning of the water system scheduled for mid-year 2019.
• Mine and equipment fleet
All mine equipment required for the start of operations has arrived and has been assembled on site including; six 100 ton
trucks, two 17 cubic yard wheel loaders, one 5 cubic yard crawler excavator, two 449 HP dozers, two 250 HP motor graders,
and two 800 HP rotary blast hole drill rigs. In December 2018, the operations team launched a heavy-equipment operator’s
training program for fifty candidates from local communities. The program and the selection of trainees is expected to
conclude by the end of March 2019.
On-site road construction for large equipment and site preparation for mining is planned to start in the second quarter of
2019.
Unusually heavy rainfall in the Salta Province since late December 2018 damaged two sections of the road that lead from the city
of Salta to the Project site. Transportation to and from the Project site was restricted to light vehicles for a two-week period which
led to a temporary reduction in construction activities at the Project site. Management reported that the road had been repaired on
February 18, 2019. Refer to Fortuna news release dated February 20, 2018 “Fortuna provides construction update at its Lindero
gold project in Argentina”.
Management has completed a thorough review of the Project’s remaining construction schedule. Based on the progress of
construction to date and the impact abnormal rainfall has had on construction activities since late December 2018, the Company
now plans to initiate ore stacking early in the fourth quarter of 2019 and is extending its guidance for achieving commercial
production to the first quarter of 2020. The project team has had to overcome a slow start and ramp-up of activities from two key
contractors involved in the massive earth excavations for the leach pad and foundation excavations for the crushing site; two
activities that affected the critical path of the Project. The excavation for the leach pad and the foundation at the crushing site is
90% complete and the activity has been de-risked. A slow build-up of camp availability has been another challenge for the Project.
Current on-site head count stands at 900 workers with a peak projection of 1,100 workers expected in April 2019. The construction
camp has the capacity to host a population of 1,200 workers, de-risking contractor mobilization.
Total construction capital costs are forecast to increase up to $295.0 million or 20% over initial capital guidance (see Fortuna news
release dated September 21, 2017 and the technical report entitled “Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.: Lindero Property, Salta Province,
Argentina, dated effective October 31, 2017 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.) The revised construction capital
costs forecast includes a $17.0 million contingency and excludes potential cost savings from the devaluation of the ARS and
inflation. An ARS/USD exchange rate of 22.0:1 was built into the construction capital forecast compared to the December 31, 2018
ARS/USD exchange rate of 37.7:1 and approximately 35% of the construction capital costs are in ARS. The actual US dollars spent
will depend on the ARS/USD exchange rate at time of settlement as well as the Argentine inflation rate. The main drivers for the
increased capital costs were higher owner’s costs and construction indirect costs related to the extension of the Project schedule,
road maintenance and contractor stand-by costs due to abnormal rainfall impacting the Project and access roads.
Exploration
Brownfields exploration program
The Company drilled a total of 62,142 meters in 134 surface and underground diamond holes at the San Jose and Caylloma mines
and at the Arizaro Project, located within the Lindero Project concession block in Argentina from the third quarter of 2017 and
throughout 2018 (refer to Fortuna news release dated February 14, 2019 “Fortuna provides review of Brownfields exploration
programs” on the Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR). The Company is working to incorporate the
results of the Brownfields drilling campaigns at San Jose and Caylloma into the updated Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource
estimates for those mines, which are expected to be released by the end of March 2019.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 7
San Jose Mine, Mexico
Exploration drilling ahead of production is an ongoing program at San Jose that continued during the third and fourth quarters of
2017 and throughout 2018. The Company drilled 50,904 meters in 105 holes. A primary target was the Victoria mineralized zone,
located 350 meters to the east of and sub-parallel to the Trinidad vein-Bonanza vein-Stockwork complex. Victoria is a blind
discovery made in 2015 (refer to Fortuna news release dated August 12, 2015 “Fortuna provides exploration update for the San Jose
Mine, Mexico” on the Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR) consisting of a series of mineralized
structure.
Refer to Fortuna news release dated February 14, 2019 “Fortuna provides review of Brownfields exploration program” on the
Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR for full drill results from the 53 holes, 27,302 meters underground
drilling program at the Victoria mineralized zone.
Following the successful exploration results for 2018, the Company has allocated $4.5 million to continue Brownfields exploration
at San Jose in 2019, including an estimated 11,500 meters of surface and underground diamond drilling and 450 meters of
underground development for exploration drilling.
Caylloma Mine, Peru
Exploration drilling at Caylloma continued throughout the fourth quarter of 2017 and throughout 2018. The Company drilled 9,330
meters in 17 surface diamond drill holes. Further to previously reported successful step-out drilling results at the Animas NE silver-
polymetallic vein (refer to Fortuna news releases dated May 18, 2017 “Fortuna provides exploration update for the Caylloma Mine,
Peru” and October 11, 2018 “Fortuna provides Brownfields and Greenfields exploration update” on the Company’s website or under
the Company’s profile on SEDAR), drilling continued to intersect mineralized shoots ranging in size from 100 meters by 200 meters
to 300 meters by 500 meters along strike to the northeast and at depth along the Animas NE vein. Step-out drilling is systematically
completed outside of the present limit of the current Mineral Resource shell with drill holes spaced approximately 50 meters to 100
meters apart.
Full results of the exploration drill program can be found in Fortuna news release dated February 14, 2019 “Fortuna provides review
of Brownfields exploration programs” on the Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR.
The Company has allocated $0.8 million to the continued Brownfields exploration program at Caylloma in 2019, which includes
surface mapping and sampling of additional silver-base metal mineralized veins throughout the 36,000-hectare claim block.
Arizaro Gold-Copper Project, Lindero Camp, Argentina
The Arizaro Project is located within the Lindero mining concession, 3.2 kilometers southeast of the Lindero Project. While Arizaro
is not included in the current Lindero mine plan it represents upside opportunity for Lindero if a satellite operation can be developed.
During 2018, the Company completed a surface core drill program of 2,178 meters in 12 holes to vertical depths of less than 200
meters aimed at identifying near surface porphyry-style gold-copper mineralization hosted in magnetite and biotite-rich breccia
zones and in associated stockwork veins.
Full results for the Arizaro drill program can be found in Fortuna’s news release dated February 19, 2019 “Fortuna provides review
of Brownfields exploration programs” on the Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 8
Greenfields Exploration Program
Mexico
Pursuant to a strategic alliance between the Company and Prospero Silver Corp. (“Prospero”), approximately 9,086 meters of
exploration drilling was completed from August 2017 to August 2018 on five of Prospero’s properties, including the Pachuca
Southeast project located in Hidalgo State Mexico, with the intention that the Company be granted the right to enter into an option
agreement to earn up to a 70% interest in up to two properties of its choice. Drilling was initiated on the Pachuca SE project in
January 2018 with approximately 1,850 meters of diamond drilling completed on three different epithermal, precious metal targets.
In November 2018, the Company identified the Pachuca SE Project as its selected property, and in January 2019, the Company,
through a wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a definitive option agreement with Prospero. A drilling program for 2019 is planned.
Serbia
Pursuant to an option agreement between the Company and Medgold Resources Corp. (“Medgold”), the Company has the option to
acquire up to a 70% interest in the Tlamino Project, and the Barje and Karamanica prospects located in southern Serbia. Diamond
drilling of the Barje prospect was completed in November 2018 with a total of 31 holes drilled for a total of 5,038 meters. A drilling
program for 2019 is planned.
Argentina
Pursuant to option agreements between the Company and two Argentine claim holders, the Company has the right to acquire up to
a 100% undivided interest in the Nueva Esperanza and Incachule epithermal, precious metal properties located in Salta province.
Drilling was completed on both projects in October and November 2018. At Nueva Esperanza, 16 diamond drill holes were
completed for 1,515 meters and at Incachule five diamond drill holes were completed for 1,250 meters. Drill results are being
evaluated.
2019 Guidance and Outlook
2019 Production Guidance
Mine
San Jose, Mexico
Caylloma, Peru
Total
2019 silver equivalent production guidance of between 11.7 million -12.9 million ounces
2019 consolidated AISC of $9.9 to $12.1/oz Ag Eq
Silver
(Moz)
7.3 - 8.1
0.9 - 1.0
8.2 - 9.0
Gold
(koz)
49.0 - 54.0
-
Lead
(Mlbs)
NA
Zinc
(Mlbs)
NA
Cash Cost1
AISC1
($/t)
63.5 - 70.1
80.8 - 88.4
-
($/ oz Ag Eq)
8.3 - 10.2
11.8 - 14.5
-
26.1 - 28.8 39.8 - 44.0
49.0 - 54.0 26.1 - 28.8 39.8 - 44.0
Notes:
1. Cash cost per tonne and AISC ($/oz silver equivalent) are Non-GAAP Financial Measures. AISC includes by-product credits, estimated at metal prices of
$1,250/oz Au, $15.00/oz Ag, $2,100/t Pb, and $2,700/t Zn
Silver equivalent production does not include lead or zinc and is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 72 to 1
2.
3. Totals may not add due to rounding
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 9
2019 All-In-Sustaining Cash Cost Per Silver Ounce Guidance
$/oz Ag
Cash cost, net of by-product credits
Adjustments:
Commercial and government royalties and mining tax
Worker's participation
Selling, general and administrative expenses (operations)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (corporate)
Sustaining capital expenditures
Brownfield exploration expenditures
All-in-sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver
2019 Capital Expenditure and Exploration Guidance
San Jose
$ 5.9 - 7.2 $ 9.1 - 11.2 $
Caylloma Consolidated
6.9 - 8.5
0.6 - 0.8
0.4 - 0.5
0.4 - 0.5
-
0.7 - 0.8
0.3 - .04
0.2 - 0.2
0.2 - 0.2
0.6 - 0.7
-
1.6 - 2.0
0.1 - 0.2
$ 8.3 - 10.2 $ 11.8 - 14.5 $
0.5 - 0.6
0.3 - 0.4
0.5 - 0.6
0.5 - 0.6
1.0 - 1.2
0.3 - 0.3
9.9 - 12.1
Expressed in $ millions
Equipment and infrastructure
Mine development
Brownfield exploration
Other sustaining capex
Non-sustaining capex
Initial capital construction costs
Total
San Jose Caylloma Lindero
$
4.3 $
3.4
4.3
0.7
-
-
12.7 $
6.0 $
3.1
0.8
0.7
0.8
-
11.4 $
- $
-
-
-
-
171.9
171.9 $
$
Total
10.3
6.5
5.1
1.4
0.8
171.9
196.0
For 2019, capital expenditures at the Lindero Project are estimated at $171.9 million, representing approximately 60% of the
construction budget.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 10
Financial Results
Sales
Provisional sales ($ million)
Caylloma
San Jose
Adjustments ($ million) 1
Sales ($ million)
Silver
Metal produced (oz)
Provisional sales (oz)
Provisional sales ($ million)
Realized price ($/oz)2
Net realized price ($/oz)3
Gold
Metal produced (oz)
Provisional sales (oz)
Provisional sales ($ million)
Realized price ($/oz)2
Net realized price ($/oz)3
Lead
Metal produced (000's lbs)
Provisional sales (000's lbs)
Provisional sales ($ million)
Realized price ($/oz)2
Net realized price ($/oz)3
Zinc
Metal produced (000's lbs)
Provisional sales (000's lbs)
Provisional sales ($ million)
Realized price ($/oz)2
Net realized price ($/oz)3
Three months ended December 31,
2017
2018
% Change
Years ended December 31,
2017
% Change
2018
19.2
39.2
1.2
59.6
25.2
49.7
0.5
75.4
1,937,703
2,032,909
27.4
14.60
13.47
2,310,176
2,332,172
36.2
16.69
15.52
12,070
12,555
14.8
1,236
1,177
6,453
6,377
5.4
0.89
0.85
11,537
11,713
10.8
1.19
0.92
15,283
15,333
17.2
1,273
1,122
7,846
8,054
8.5
1.13
1.06
11,676
11,803
13.0
1.47
1.10
(24%)
(21%)
150%
(21%
(16%)
(13%)
(24%)
(13%)
(13%)
(21%)
(18%)
(14%)
(3%)
5%
(18%)
(21%)
(36%)
(21%)
(20%)
(1%)
(1%)
(17%)
(19%)
(17%)
89.1
180.2
(6.0)
263.3
87.4
180.5
0.2
268.1
2%
0%
(3100%)
-2%
8,890,943
8,832,993
128.6
15.74
14.56
8,469,594
8,416,326
133.4
17.04
15.85
54,210
53,498
64.7
1,273
1,209
28,255
28,349
27.6
1.02
0.97
45,485
45,867
48.3
1.32
1.05
56,441
55,592
61.3
1,257
1,103
29,878
29,508
27.9
1.05
0.95
44,347
44,315
45.3
1.32
1.02
5%
5%
(4%)
(8%)
(8%)
(4%)
(4%)
6%
1%
10%
(5%)
(4%)
(1%)
(3%)
3%
3%
4%
7%
0%
3%
1 Adjustments consists of mark to market, final price adjustments, and final assay adjustments
2 Based on provisional sales before final price adjustments. Net after payable metal deductions, treatment, and refining charges
3 Treatment charges are allocated to base metals at Caylloma and to gold at San Jose
Sales for the three months ended December 31, 2018 were $59.6 million, a 21% decrease over the same period in 2017. The decrease
was due mainly to lower sales volumes and a decline in the realized prices for silver of 13% and for lead of 21%. Partially offsetting
lower sales were improved treatment and refining charges across all of the concentrates produced. Sales at Caylloma were 24%
lower than in 2017 due primarily to 21% lower lead sales volume and a lower realized lead price. Sales at San Jose were 21% lower
than in 2017 due primarily to a 13% decrease in silver sales volume and a 12% decrease in the realized price of silver.
Sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $263.3 million, a 2% decrease from the sales reported in 2017. The decrease was
due primarily to an 8% decline in the realized price for silver which was partially offset by a 5% increase in silver sales volume.
Sales at Caylloma of $87.4 million were consistent with 2017 while sales declined 2% at San Jose to $175.8 million. At San Jose,
the 6% increase in silver sales volume and a 4% decrease in gold sales volume could not offset the impact of a 8% decrease in the
realized silver price.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 11
Operating income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA
Expressed in $ millions
Operating income (loss)
Caylloma2
San Jose
Lindero
Corporate
Total
Adjusted EBITDA3
Caylloma
San Jose
Lindero
Corporate
Total
1
2
3
4
Three months ended December 31,
Years ended December 31,
2018 %1 2017 %1 2018 %1 2017 %1
$
$
2.9
10.5
(3.9)
(3.2)
6.3
15% $ 41.4
23.3
26%
-
0%
(7.0)
10% $ 57.7
164% $ 22.9
57.9
47%
(4.1)
0%
(15.1)
77% $ 61.6
26% $ 62.1
65.2
33%
-
0%
(17.0)
23% $ 110.3
$
6.3
19.6
(0.1)
(3.1)
$ 22.7
33% $ 10.7
31.0
49%
-
0%
(6.8)
38% $ 34.9
42% $ 37.0
92.2
62%
(0.3)
0%
(15.0)
46% $ 113.9
42% $ 38.7
99.9
52%
-
0%
(16.6)
43% $ 122.0
70%
36%
0%
41%
44%
56%
0%
46%
as a % of Sales
operating income for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 includes impairment reversal of $31.1 million. Excluding the $31.1 million reversal
of impairment, operating income would have been $10.3 million with an operating margin of 41% for the fourth quarter of 2017 and $31.3 million with an
operating margin of 35% for the year 2017.
refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
figures may not add due to rounding
Operating Income for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $6.3 million, which is $51.4 million lower than the
comparable quarter in 2017. Operating income in the comparative quarter in 2017 was positively impacted by a $31.1 million
reversal of impairment at the Caylloma mine. Excluding the reversal of impairment, operating income in 2017 would have been
$26.6 million, which is $20.3 million higher than the comparable quarter in 2018. At Caylloma, excluding the reversal of
impairment, operating income would have been $7.2 million lower than in 2017 due to lower sales, a 9% increase in production
costs of $1.0 million and higher depreciation of $0.7 million. At San Jose, operating income was $12.8 million lower than in 2017
due to a 14% increase in production costs which contributed to lower operating margins and income. At Lindero, there were $3.9
million of foreign exchange losses from the devaluation of the ARS that impacted the value added tax (“VAT”) receivable
accumulated during construction and other working capital balances. The Company does not expect to recover the VAT until the
commencement of commercial production. At the Corporate level, operating loss declined due to lower share-based payment
expense.
Operating Income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $61.6 million or $48.7 million lower than the $110.3 million in 2017,
which included a $31.1 million reversal of impairment at the Caylloma Mine. At Caylloma, excluding the impact of the reversal of
impairment, operating income declined 26% or $8.1 million to $22.9 million due primarily to lower sales, a 6% increase in
production costs, and higher mine selling, general and administrative expenses. At San Jose, operating income declined 11% to
$57.9 million due to lower sales as the realized silver price declined 8% coupled with a 7% increase in production costs. As explained
above, the $4.1 million operating loss at Lindero was due primarily to foreign exchange losses and exploration expenses. At the
Corporate level, the operating loss declined $1.9 million to $15.1 million due to lower consulting and advisory fees and lower
exploration expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $22.7 million or $12.2 million lower than the $34.9 million
for the comparable quarter in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA at Caylloma decreased 41% to $6.3 million driven by decreases in zinc and
lead metal prices of 21% and 19%, respectively, as well as higher unit cash cost over the comparative period in 2017. This was
partially offset by reduced treatment and refining charges and a $0.9 million realized gain on commodity derivative contracts.
Adjusted EBITDA at San Jose declined 37% to $19.6 million driven mostly by lower silver and gold sales as well as higher operating
costs and mine general and administrative expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $113.9 million or $8.1 million lower than the $122.0 million in
2017. Adjusted EBITDA at Caylloma and San Jose decreased 4% to $37.0 million and 8% to $92.2 million, respectively, driven by
slightly lower sales at San Jose as the impact of a 6% increase in silver sales volume was not sufficient to offset an 8% decrease in
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 12
the realized silver price. Also contributing to a lower adjusted EBITDA were higher operating costs and mine general and
administrative expenses at both mines.
Selling, General, and Administration
Mine SG&A
Corporate SG&A
Share-based payments
Workers' participation
Total
$
$
3.0
2.6
0.5
0.2
6.3
$
$
Three months ended December 31,
2017
2018
% Change
36%
0%
(83%)
(67%)
(25%)
2.2
2.6
3.0
0.6
8.4
Years ended December 31,
2017
% Change
2018
$
$
10.1
11.0
3.7
1.4
26.2
$
$
7.7
11.6
3.8
1.8
24.9
31%
(5%)
(3%)
(22%)
5%
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2018 decreased 25% to $6.3
million compared to $8.4 million for the comparable quarter in 2017. The decrease was due primarily to lower share-based payments
and worker’s participation expenses offset by increased mine SG&A costs at the San Jose and Caylloma mines. The decrease in
share-based payments expense was due to the Company’s share price declining 11% in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to 2017
when the share price increased 20% during the same period.
SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased 5% to $26.2 million compared to $24.9 million in 2017. The
increase was due primarily to higher mine SG&A, which included the cost of establishing and operating a regional office in Mexico
City, and higher legal fees in Mexico which was partially offset by lower workers’ participation payments and lower consulting and
advisory fees at the Corporate level.
Foreign exchange loss
Foreign exchange loss for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $3.6 million compared to a $1.3 million foreign exchange
gain for the comparable quarter in 2017. The increase in foreign exchange loss was due primarily to a weak ARS against the USD
which impacted Lindero’s VAT receivable and other working capital balances.
Foreign exchange loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $6.1 million compared to $2.0 million in 2017. The foreign
exchange loss was due primarily to the impact of a weak ARS which declined 102% against the USD and to a lesser extent, the
Mexican Peso which was very volatile throughout the year and impacted the local currency denominated working capital balances,
including Lindero’s VAT receivable.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $4.9 million or $17.9 million lower than the $22.8 million
reported in 2017. Current income tax expense was $3.9 million, which decreased $7.4 million from the $11.4 million reported in
2017 and was primarily due to lower mine operating profits. Deferred income tax expense was $1.0 million or $10.4 million lower
than the $11.4 million reported in 2017, which included a $9.2 million deferred tax expense from Caylloma’s impairment
reversal. The ETR increased to 68.7% compared to 40.0% in 2017 due primarily to a provision for withholding taxes and the effect
of foreign exchange changes on translation of local currency denominated tax attributes to U.S. dollars.
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $33.4 million or $5.2 million lower than the $38.6 million reported
in 2017. Current income tax expense decreased $4.3 million to $30.6 million from the $34.9 million reported in 2017 due primarily
to lower mine profits. Deferred income tax expense decreased $1.0 million to $2.8 million from the $3.8 million reported in
2017. The ETR for the year increased to 49.5% from 36.8% reported in 2017 due primarily to a provision for withholding taxes
and foreign exchange and partially offset by a positive impact from inflation.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 13
Results of Operations
San Jose Mine Operating Results
The San Jose Mine is an underground silver-gold mine located in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. The following table shows
the main variables used to measure the operating performance of the mine throughput, head grade, recovery, gold and silver
production and unit costs.
San Jose
Mine Production
Tonnes milled
Average tonnes milled per day
Three months ended December 31,
2018
2017
256,181
2,846
271,370
3,015
2018
Years ended December 31,
2017
1,070,790
3,044
1,040,478
2,956
Silver
Grade (g/t)
Recovery (%)
Production (oz)
Metal sold (oz)
Realized price ($/oz)
Gold
Grade (g/t)
Recovery (%)
Production (oz)
Metal sold (oz)
Realized price ($/oz)
Unit Costs
Production cash cost ($/oz Ag)1
Production cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)2
Production cash cost ($/t)
Net smelter return ($/t)
All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Ag)1
All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)2
Capital expenditures
Sustaining
Brownfields
230
91
1,718,496
1,818,026
14.61
259
92
2,071,762
2,089,121
16.69
260
92
7,979,634
7,921,345
15.74
238
92
7,526,556
7,481,616
17.03
1.58
91
11,825
12,312
1,236
2.20
6.79
65.94
145.49
7.05
9.85
2,723
1,361
1.89
92
15,177
15,333
1,273
0.04
5.47
57.91
181.65
6.51
9.63
1.75
92
53,517
53,255
1,273
0.69
5.93
63.72
138.54
5.45
9.02
1.77
92
55,950
55,412
1,257
0.95
6.10
59.70
169.78
7.11
10.10
5,115
1,276
9,277
6,947
18,385
6,439
Notes:
1. Net of by-product credits from gold
2. Ag Eq production is calculated at realized metal prices of Au/oz and Ag/oz as per above table
3. Production cash costs, All-in sustaining cash cost, and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are Non-GAAP Financial Measures. Refer to Non-GAAP
Financial Measures.
Quarterly Results
The San Jose Mine produced 1,718,496 ounces of silver and 11,825 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter of 2018, which were 9%
and 4% below plan and 17% and 22% below the comparable quarter in 2017. The decrease in production was due primarily to 6%
lower mill throughput during the quarter as well as lower average head grades for silver and gold, of 230 g/t and 1.58 g/t, respectively,
or 11% and 16% lower than the comparable quarter in 2017.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore was $65.94, which was 14% higher than the $57.91 cash cost for the comparable quarter in
2017. The increase in cash cost per tonne was due primarily to higher mining costs related to higher energy costs, timing of execution
of backfill and mine support costs during the quarter, and higher indirect costs relating to safety and environment.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 14
Cash cost per payable ounce of silver, cash cost per tonne of processed ore, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, and all-in
sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent are Non-GAAP Financial Measures (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the
reconciliation of cash cost to cost of sales).
Annual Results
Total silver and gold production for 2018 increased 6% and decreased 4% to 7,979,634 ounces and 53,517 ounces, respectively,
compared to 2017. The 9% higher silver head grade more than made up for the 3% decline in mill throughput with the processing
plant treating 1,040,478 tonnes of ore for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore for 2018 was $63.72 (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures), or 7% higher than in 2017 and
4% above guidance. The increase in cash cost per tonne was due to higher energy tariffs in Mexico, higher distribution costs related
to direct export of concentrate, and higher milling costs related to dry-stack re-handling in the first half of the year.
All-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent (“AISC”) was $9.02 for 2018 (refer to Non-GAAP Financial
Measures) compared to $10.10 in 2017 as a result of higher silver equivalent production and lower sustaining capital expenditures.
Compared to the 2018 annual guidance of $10.0, the AISC was $1.0 lower due to a 12% increase in silver equivalent production.
Cash cost per payable ounce of silver, cash cost per tonne of processed ore, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, and all-in
sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent are Non-GAAP Financial Measures (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the
reconciliation of cash cost to cost of sales).
Other Matters
On October 11, 2018, the Company reported that on October 8, 2018, abnormally high rainfall caused a contingency pond to
overflow at the dry stack tailings facility at the San Jose mine. The contingency pond collects water from a ditch system at the dry
stack tailing facility designed to capture and manage rain water. No industrial process water was discharged in this incident. The
San Jose Mine uses a cyanide-free process to produce concentrate. Officials at the Procuraduria Federal de Protección al Ambiente
(“PROFEPA”) were notified of the overflow on the day of the incident. The Company, along with federal, state and local authorities
conducted inspections of the facilities at San Jose and the Coyote Creek. The Company has since received PROFEPA’s report on
the incident which confirms that the overflow did not contaminate soil, and therefore, no remediation is necessary. For further
details of the incident, refer to Fortuna’s news releases dated October 11, 2018 “Fortuna reports heavy seasonal rains caused an
overflow in a contingency pond of the dry stack tailings facility at the San Jose Mine, Mexico” and February 14, 2019 “PROFEPA
report confirms no contamination of soil from overflow of contingency pond at the San Jose Mine, Mexico in October 2018” on the
Company’s website or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR. The Company awaits a final report from CONAGUA, the Mexican
National Water Commission.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 15
Caylloma Mine Operating Results
Caylloma is an underground silver, lead, and zinc mine located in the Arequipa Department in southern Peru. Its commercial
products are silver-lead and zinc concentrates. The table below shows the main variables used to measure the operating performance
of the mine.
Caylloma
Mine Production
Tonnes milled
Average tonnes milled per day
Three months ended December 31, Years ended December 31,
2018
2017
2018
135,034
1,500
134,635
1,513
534,773
1,502
2017
529,704
1,488
Silver
Grade (g/t)
Recovery (%)
Production (oz)
Metal sold (oz)
Realized price ($/oz)
Lead
Grade (%)
Recovery (%)
Production (000's lbs)
Metal sold (000's lbs)
Realized price ($/lb)
Zinc
Grade (%)
Recovery (%)
Production (000's lbs)
Metal sold (000's lbs)
Realized price ($/lb)
Unit Costs
Production cash cost ($/oz Ag)1
Production cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)2
Production cash cost ($/t)
Net smelter return ($/t)
All-in sustaining cash cost ($/oz Ag Eq)2
Capital expenditures
Sustaining
Brownfields
61
83
219,207
214,883
14.55
65
85
238,414
243,051
16.70
63
84
911,309
911,648
15.71
66
84
943,038
934,710
17.06
2.39
91
6,453
6,377
0.89
4.30
90
11,537
11,713
1.19
(20.37)
8.67
89.50
141.67
14.76
6,646
223
2.91
91
7,846
8,054
1.13
4.36
90
11,676
11,803
1.47
(44.43)
7.04
82.02
184.09
10.74
2.62
91
28,255
28,349
1.02
4.28
90
45,485
45,867
1.32
(35.38)
7.64
83.47
166.05
11.68
2.81
91
29,878
29,508
1.05
4.21
90
44,347
44,315
1.32
(34.56)
7.73
79.11
166.18
11.22
2,922
955
14,709
1,691
9,589
3,614
Notes:
1.
2.
3.
Net of by-product credits from gold, lead and zinc
Ag Eq production is calculated at realized metal prices of Pb/lb, Zn/lb, and Ag/oz as per above table
Production cash costs, All-in sustaining cash cost, and All-in sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are Non-GAAP Financial Measures. Refer to Non-GAAP
Financial Measures.
Quarterly Results
The Caylloma Mine produced 6.5 million pounds of lead and 11.5 million pounds of zinc, which were 3% below and in line with
plan but 18% and 1% lower than the comparable quarter in 2017. The decrease in production was due primarily to lower average
head grades for lead and zinc of 2.39% and 4.30%, respectively, which were 18% and 2%, respectively, below the average head
grades reported in the comparable quarter in 2017. Silver production was 219,207 ounces which was 5% above plan but 8% lower
than the comparable period in 2017. Average silver head grade was 61 g/t or 6% below the head grade reported in 2017.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 16
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore was $89.50, which was 9% higher than the $82.02 cash cost for the comparable quarter in
2017. The increase was due primarily to higher mining costs related to mine support and higher indirect costs related to labor and
community relations.
Cash cost per payable ounce of silver, cash cost per tonne of processed ore, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, and all-in
sustaining cash cost silver equivalent are Non-GAAP Financial Measures (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the
reconciliation of cash cost to cost of sales).
Annual Results
Total lead production for 2018 decreased 5% to 28.3 million pounds while zinc production increased 3% to 45.5 million pounds,
over 2017. Silver production decreased 3% to 911,309 ounces compared to 943,038 ounces in 2017. Head grades for lead and silver
were 7% and 5% lower than in 2017, respectively. However, this decline in head grades was partially offset by a 1% increase in ore
processed. Total silver production was 11% above 2018 guidance.
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore was $83.47 (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures) or 6% higher than the $79.11 reported
in 2017 and 3% above guidance. The increase in cash costs was due mainly to higher indirect costs related to on-site labor and
general services and mine support costs.
All-in-sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent was $11.68 for 2018 (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures)
compared to $11.22 reported in 2017. Compared to the 2018 annual guidance of $13.70, the AISC was $2.0 lower due to higher
silver equivalent production of 13% and lower execution of sustaining capital expenditures.
Cash cost per payable ounce of silver, cash cost per tonne of processed ore, all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce, and all-in
sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent are Non-GAAP Financial Measures (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the
reconciliation of cash cost to cost of sales).
Quarterly Information
The following table provides information for the eight fiscal quarters up to December 31, 2018:
Expressed in $000's, except per share data
Sales
Mine operating income
Operating income
Net income
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS
Total assets
Credit facility
Q4 2018 Q3 2018 Q2 2018 Q1 2018 Q4 2017 Q3 2017 Q2 2017 Q1 2017
64,834
27,183
19,556
12,999
64,012
24,944
18,888
10,268
75,354
35,222
57,666
34,137
70,442
31,337
22,428
13,754
63,911
22,211
14,214
8,898
73,666
31,392
22,372
11,151
59,592
17,345
6,251
2,232
59,596
16,497
10,535
6,853
0.01
0.01
0.04
0.04
0.07
0.07
0.09
0.09
0.21
0.21
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.08
0.08
786,517
69,302
738,305
39,639
721,148
39,603
707,504
39,588
706,648
39,871
652,889
39,845
637,805
39,820
638,285
39,794
Strong metal prices during the first half of 2018 contributed to higher sales and earnings but metals prices, particularly, lead and
zinc prices started a steep decline in the third quarter and continued to the end of 2018. The higher production costs at the San Jose
Mine were due to higher energy tariffs, mining and distribution costs which started in the third quarter and continued into the fourth
quarter, while higher production costs at the Caylloma Mine were due to higher personnel costs that came into effect in August of
2018.
During the fourth quarter of 2017, net income was positively impacted by increased sales volumes and an impairment reversal at
the Caylloma Mine. In the third quarter of 2017, sales volumes increased, and operating costs decreased. In the second quarter of
2017, the Company experienced higher sales volumes offset by lower realized prices, and higher operating costs. In the first quarter
of 2017, sales increased due to a decrease in mark-to-market price adjustments and assay adjustments of our provisional sales, which
carried through to the increase in net income.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 17
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
The Company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $163.3 million at December 31, 2018, a $49.2 million
decrease from $212.6 million at December 31, 2017. Cash reserves consist of $90.5 million of cash and cash equivalent and $72.8
million of short-term investments. The decrease in cash and short-term investments was due primarily to cashflow from operations
of $83.5 million, and offset by $121.0 million spent on Lindero related construction, VAT payments and contractor advances, and
$36.8 million on San Jose and Caylloma capital expenditures. The Company also drew down $30.0 million from its credit facility
during the fourth quarter of 2018.
Working Capital
Working capital decreased $54.3 million to $157.6 million at December 31, 2018 compared to $211.9 million of working capital at
December 31, 2017. The decrease in working capital was due primarily to using $49.2 million of cash and cash equivalents to fund
construction at the Lindero Project. Non-cash working capital balances decreased approximately $5.0 million to ($5.7) million
during the year. The decrease was due to a $6.1 million decrease in concentrate sales receivables, a $3.4 million decrease in
concentrate, ore, and supplies inventory, a $7.0 million increase in trade and other payables due primarily to Lindero construction
payables and a $6.0 million decrease in taxes payable.
Credit Facility
On January 26, 2018, the Company entered into an amended and restated four-year term credit facility with the Bank of Nova Scotia
(“Amended Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of January 26, 2022. The Amended Credit Facility consists of a $40.0 million
non-revolving credit facility (“Tranche A”), which has been fully drawn and an $80.0 million revolving credit facility (“Tranche
B”). An upfront lenders fee of $0.3 million was payable on closing of the Amended Credit Facility.
Effective December 13, 2018, the Amended Credit Facility was further amended to add BNP Paribas as an additional lender and to
increase the revolving portion of the facility by an additional $30.0 million to $110.0 million for a temporary period from December
13, 2018 to December 13, 2020. At such time if any part of the additional $30.0 million has been advanced it must be repaid, and
the outstanding balance of the Amended Credit Facility must be repaid by January 26, 2022 as per the terms of the Amended Credit
Facility. The Company incurred fees of $250,000 to the lenders which have been charged to transaction costs.
As at December 31, 2018, the Company had drawn $40.0 million from Tranche A of the Amended Credit Facility and $30.0 million
of the $110.0 million Tranche B, of which $80.0 million remains undrawn. The purpose of the $110.0 million Tranche B is to fund
the construction of the Lindero Project.
The interest rate on the Amended Credit Facility is on a sliding scale at one-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from
2.5% to 3.5%, based on a Total Debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Facility. The Amended Credit Facility is
secured by a first ranking lien on the assets of Minera Bateas S.A.C. (“Bateas”), Compania Minera Cuzcatlan S.A. de C.V.
(“Cuzcatlan”), Mansfield Minera S.A. (“Mansfield”) and their holding companies. The Company must comply with the terms in the
Amended Credit Facility relating to, among other matters, reporting requirements, conduct of business, insurance, notices, and must
comply with certain financial covenants, including a maximum debt to EBITDA ratio and a minimum tangible net worth, each as
defined in the Amended Credit Facility. The Company is in compliance with all of the covenants as at December 31, 2018.
The Company does not have unlimited financial resources and there is no assurance that sufficient additional funding or financing
will be available when needed, by the Company or its direct and indirect subsidiaries on acceptable terms, or at all, to further explore
or develop its properties or to fulfill its obligations under any applicable agreements. Fortuna is a multinational company and relies
on financial institutions worldwide to fund corporate and project needs. Instability of large financial institutions may impact the
ability of the Company to obtain equity or debt financings in the future and, if obtained, on terms that may not be favorable to the
Company. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, geo-political events, changing or increased
regulations of financial institutions, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect the
Company’s access to the liquidity needed for the business in the longer term.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 18
The Company may incur substantial debt from time to time to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or
acquisitions or for other purposes. If the Company does so, the risks related to the Company’s indebtedness could intensify,
including: (i) increased difficulty in satisfying existing debt obligations (ii) limitations on the ability to obtain additional financings,
or imposed requirements to make non-strategic divestures (iii) impose hedging requirements (iv) imposed restrictions on the
Company’s cash flows, for debt repayments or capital expenditures (v) increased vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions (vi) interest rate risk exposure as borrowings may be at variable rates of interest (vii) decreased flexibility in
planning for and reacting to changes in the mining industry (viii) reduced competitiveness versus less leveraged competitors and
(ix) increased cost of borrowings.
Subject to the various risks and uncertainties, as explained in the Risks and Uncertainties section, management believes the
Company’s mining operations will generate sufficient cash flows and the Company has sufficient available credit lines and cash on
hand to fund the construction of the Lindero Project and planned capital and exploration programs.
Other Commitments
The expected payments due by period, as at December 31, 2018 are as follows:
Less than
Expressed in $000’s
Office premises
Computer equipment
Total operating leases
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
$
$
1 year 1 - 3 years 4 - 5 years
1,072 $
176
1,248 $
820 $
235
1,055 $
35
250 $
215 $
Total
2,107
446
2,553
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments that are expected to have a current or future effect
on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that are material to investors.
Financial Instruments
The Company does not utilize complex financial instruments in hedging metal price, foreign exchange or interest exposure. Any
hedging activity requires approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company will not hold or issue derivative instruments
for speculation or trading purposes.
Provisional priced trade receivables of $28.1 million, Interest rate swap of a $0.2 million liability and commodity derivative contracts
of $2.6 million are the Company’s only level 2 fair valued financial instruments and no level 3 instruments are held.
Provisionally priced trade receivables are valued using forward LME prices until final prices are settled at a future date. The interest
rate swap and commodity derivative contracts are measured at estimated fair value.
The interest rate swap is used to hedge the variable interest rate risk on the Company’s credit facility. The commodity derivative
contracts are used to mitigate the price risk of the base metal production at the Caylloma mine.
Related Party Transactions
(a) Purchase of Goods and Services
During the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company entered into the following related party transactions with Gold Group
Management Inc. and Mill Street Services Ltd., companies with directors in common with the Company.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 19
Expressed in 000’s
Personnel costs
General and administrative expenses
Years ended December 31,
2017
138
175
313
2018
118 $
193
311 $
$
$
The Company has outstanding balances payable with Gold Group Management Inc. of $0.02 million as at December 31, 2018
(December 31, 2017 - $nil). Amounts due to related parties are due on demand and are unsecured.
(b) Key Management Personnel
Expressed in $000’s
Salaries and benefits
Directors fees
Consulting fees
Share-based payments
Risks and Uncertainties
Years ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
$
4,471 $
709
139
3,545
8,864 $
4,704
594
138
3,672
9,108
The Company is exposed to many risks in conducting its business, including but not limited to metal price risk as the Company
derives its revenue from the sale of silver, gold, lead and zinc; credit risk in the normal course of business; foreign exchange risk as
the Company reports its financial statements in U.S. dollars whereas the Company operates in jurisdictions that conducts its business
in other currencies; the inherent risks of uncertainties in estimating Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources; the risks and
uncertainties in estimating Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves; the inherent risks in mining operations; the risk in relation to
the Lindero construction; political risks, environmental risks; and risks related to its relations with employees. These and other risks
are described below and in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for 2018 and its Annual Information Form
which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, Form 40-F filed with the SEC. Readers are encouraged to refer to these documents
for a more detailed description of some of the risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business.
Foreign Jurisdiction Risk
The Company currently conducts its operations in Peru, Mexico and Argentina. All these jurisdictions are potentially subject to a
number of political and economic risks, including those described in the following section. The Company is unable to determine
the impact of these risks or its future financial position or results of operations and the Company’s exploration, development and
production activities may be substantially affected by factors outside of the Company’s control. These potential factors include but
are not limited to royalty and tax increases or claims by governmental bodies, expropriation or nationalization, lack of an independent
judiciary, foreign exchange controls, import and export regulations, cancellation or renegotiation of contracts and environmental
and permitting regulations. The Company has no political risk insurance coverage against these risks.
All of the Company’s current production and revenue is derived from its operations in Peru and Mexico. As the Company’s business
is carried on in a number of developing countries, it is exposed to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the following:
expropriation or nationalization without adequate compensation especially in Argentina which has a history of expropriation where
the Company is currently in the process of construction at the Lindero Project; changing political and fiscal regimes, and economic
and regulatory instability; unanticipated changes to royalty and tax regulations; unreliable and undeveloped infrastructure, labor
unrest and labor scarcity; difficulty procuring key equipment and components for equipment; import and export regulation and
restrictions; high rates of inflation; extreme fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and the imposition of currency controls; inability
to obtain fair dispute resolution or judicial determination because of bias, corruption or abuse of power; difficulties enforcing
judgments; difficulties understanding and complying with regulatory and legal framework with respect to ownership and
maintenance of mineral properties, mines and mining operations, local opposition to mine development projects, which include the
potential for violence, property damage and frivolous or vexatious claims; terrorism and hostage taking; military repression and
increased likelihood of international conflicts or aggression; increased public health concerns. Certain of these risks and
uncertainties are prevalent in the jurisdictions where the Company operates.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 20
Estimating Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the estimation of Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves and expected mineral grades.
Until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves must be considered as estimates
only. Any such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results and
industry practices.
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves may require revision based on actual production experience. Market fluctuations in the
price of metals, as well as increased production costs and reduced recovery rates, may render certain Mineral Reserves uneconomic
and may ultimately result in a restatement of Mineral Resources and/or Mineral Reserves. Short-term operating factors relating to
the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, such as the need for sequential development of ore bodies, may adversely affect the
Company’s profitability in any accounting period. Estimates of operating costs are based on assumptions including those relating to
inflation and currency exchange, which may prove incorrect. Estimates of mineralization can be imprecise and depend upon
geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be unreliable. In
addition, the grade and/or quantity of precious metals ultimately recovered may differ from that indicated by drilling results. There
can be no assurance that precious metals recovered in small scale tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under onsite conditions
or in production scale. Amendments to mine plans and production profiles may be required as the amount of Mineral Resources
changes or upon receipt of further information during the implementation phase of the project. Extended declines in market prices
for gold, silver and other metals may render portions of the Company’s mineralization uneconomic and result in reduced reported
mineralization. Any material reduction in estimates of mineralization, or in the Company’s ability to develop its properties and
extract and sell such minerals, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
Mining Operations
The capital costs required by the Company’s projects may be significantly higher than anticipated. Capital and operating costs,
production and economic returns, and other estimates contained in the Company’s current technical reports, may differ significantly
from those provided for in future studies and estimates and from management guidance, and there can be no assurance that the
Company’s actual capital and operating costs will not be higher than currently anticipated. In addition, delays to construction and
exploration schedules may negatively impact the net present value and internal rates of return of the Company’s mineral properties
as set forth in the applicable technical report. Similarly, there can be no assurance that historical rates of production, grades of ore
processed, rates of recoveries or mining cash costs will not experience fluctuations or differ significantly from current levels over
the course of the mining operations conducted by the Company. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to continue to extend the production from its current operations through exploration and drilling programs.
Uncertainties and risks related to the Construction of the Lindero Project
The Company is subject to inherent uncertainties and risks related to the construction and start-up of the Lindero Project, the
principal of which include: hiring of key personnel for the construction and commissioning; availability and delivery of critical
equipment within the timeline; delays associated with contractors; budget overruns due to changes in costs of fuel, power, materials
and supplies; and potential opposition from non-governmental organizations, environmental groups or local groups which may delay
or prevent activities.
The Company’s ability to meet construction, development, and production schedules and cost estimates for the Lindero Project
cannot be assured. The Company has prepared estimates of capital costs and/or operating costs for the Lindero Project, but no
assurance can be given that such estimates will be achieved. Failure to achieve cost estimates or material increases in costs could
have an adverse impact in future cash flows, profitability, results of operations and financial condition.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 21
Environmental Uncertainties
All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it operates.
These laws address emissions into the air, discharges into water, management of waste, management of hazardous substances,
protection of natural resources, antiquities and endangered species and reclamation of lands disturbed by mining operations. The
Company’s operations generate chemical and metals depositions in the form of tailings. The Company’s ability to obtain, maintain
and renew permits and approvals and to successfully develop and operate mines may be adversely affected by real or perceived
impacts associated with the Company’s activities or of other mining companies that affect the environment, human health and safety.
Environmental hazards may exist on the Company’s properties which are unknown to the Company at present and were caused by
previous or existing owners or operators of the properties, for which the Company could be held liable.
Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and
penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of
responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations may
require significant capital outlays on behalf of the Company and may cause material changes or delays in the Company's intended
activities. Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement
actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities, causing operations to cease or be curtailed. Such
enforcement actions may include the imposition of corrective measures requiring capital expenditure, installation of new equipment
or remedial action. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the
Company’s operations.
Metal Price Risk
The Company derives its revenue from the sale of silver, gold, lead and zinc. The Company’s sales are directly dependent on metal
prices, and metal prices have historically shown significant volatility that is beyond the Company’s control.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the Company’s sales to a 10% change in metal prices:
Expressed in $000’s
Silver
Gold
Lead
Zinc
Change
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
$
$
$
$
Effect on Sales
2,201
1,332
196
365
The Company mitigates the price risk associated with its base metal production by entering into forward sale and collar contracts
for some of its forecasted base metal production. The Board of Directors continually assesses the Company’s strategy towards its
base metal exposure, depending on market conditions. As at December 31, 2018, the Company has zero cost collars for an aggregate
of 4,500 tonnes of zinc with a floor price of $3,050 per tonne and a cap price of $3,300 per tonne maturing between January and
June 2019.
Currency Risk
The functional and reporting currency for all entities within the consolidated group is the US dollar. We are exposed to fluctuations
in foreign exchange rates as a portion of our expenses are incurred in Canadian dollars, Peruvian soles, Argentinean pesos and
Mexican pesos. A significant change in the foreign exchange rates between the United States dollar relative to the other currencies
could have a material effect on the Company’s profit or loss, financial position, or cash flows. We have not hedged our exposure to
foreign currency fluctuations.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 22
As at December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company was exposed to currency risk through the following assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies:
Expressed in $000’s
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable and other assets
Income tax receivable
Investments in associates
Trade and other payables
Due to related parties
Provisions, current
Income tax payable
Other liabilities
Provisions
Total foreign currency exposure
US$ equivalent of foreign currency exposure
Expressed in $000’s
Cash and cash equivalents
Marketable securities
Accounts receivable and other assets
Income tax receivable
Investments in associates
Trade and other payables
Provisions, current
Income tax payable
Other liabilities
Provisions
Total foreign currency exposure
US$ equivalent of foreign currency exposure
Canadian
Peruvian
Mexican
December 31, 2018
Dollars
376
279
-
5,244
(8,478)
(23)
-
-
-
-
(2,602)
(2,010)
Soles
941
3,660
459
-
(18,492)
-
-
(4,591)
-
-
(18,023)
(5,458)
Pesos
37,039
11,836
-
-
(218,833)
-
(2,991)
(59,810)
(2,296)
(66,977)
(302,032)
(16,055)
Canadian
Peruvian
Mexican
December 31, 2017
Dollars
4,511
697
292
-
3,685
(14,950)
-
-
(1,576)
-
(7,341)
(5,852)
Soles
693
-
4,428
421
-
(17,244)
-
(6,631)
-
-
(18,333)
(5,650)
Pesos
27,842
-
3,018
-
-
(253,702)
(2,418)
(176,977)
(1,967)
(78,567)
(482,771)
(24,462)
Argentinian
Pesos
6,967
598,002
-
-
(125,159)
-
-
-
-
-
479,810
11,646
Argentinian
Pesos
12,186
-
33
-
-
(7,814)
-
-
-
-
4,405
236
Sensitivity as to change in foreign currency exchange rates on our foreign currency exposure as at December 31, 2018 is provided
below:
Expressed in $000’s
Mexican Peso
Peruvian Soles
Argentinian Peso
Canadian Dollar
Liquidity Risk
Change
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
+/- 10%
$
$
$
$
Effect on foreign
denominated
items
1,874
506
878
351
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligation as they become due. The volatility of the
metals market can impact the Company’s ability to forecast cash flow from operations.
The Company maintains sufficient liquidity to meet its short-term business requirements, taking into account anticipated cashflows
from operations, holdings of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and committed loan facilities.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 23
The Company manages its liquidity risk by continuously monitor forecasted and actual cashflows. A rigorous reporting, planning
and budgeting process are in place to help facilitate forecasting funding requirement, to support operations on an ongoing basis and
expansion plans, if any.
The Company expects the following maturities of its financial liabilities, finance leases, and other contractual commitments:
Expected payments due by year as at December 31, 2018
Expressed in $000’s
Trade and other payables
Credit facility
Derivative liabilities
Income tax payable
Equipment loan
Other liabilities
Operating leases
Capital commitments, Lindero
Provisions
$
$
Less than
$
$
$
1 year 1 - 3 years 4 - 5 years
-
-
-
-
5,371
1,166
1,248
-
6,738
14,523
-
70,000
-
-
-
-
250
-
4,029
74,279
48,510
-
224
8,358
4,285
-
1,055
111,940
878
$ 175,250
$
$
After
5 years
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,262
6,262
$
$
Total
48,510
70,000
224
8,358
9,656
1,166
2,553
111,940
17,907
270,314
1. Operating leases include leases for office premises and for computer and other equipment used in the normal course of business.
2. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had capital commitments of approximately $112 million for civil work, equipment purchases and other services at the
Lindero Project that is expected to be spent within one year.
Capital Risk
The Company’s objective when managing its capital is to maintain its ability to continue as a going concern while at the same time
maximizing the growth of its business and providing returns to its shareholders. The Company manages its capital structure and
makes adjustments based on changes to its economic environment and the risk characteristics of the Company’s assets. The
Company’s capital requirement is effectively managed based on the Company having a thorough reporting, planning and forecasting
process to help identify the funds required to ensure the Company is able to meet its operating and growth objectives.
The Company’s capital structure consists of equity comprising of share capital, reserves and retained earnings as well as debt
facilities, equipment financing obligations less cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Expressed in $000's
Equity
Credit facilities
Equipment financing obligations
Less: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
December 31,
2018
602,804
69,302
8,766
(163,327)
517,545
$
$
December 31,
2017
563,584
39,871
906
(212,574)
391,787
$
$
The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements with the exception of complying with covenants under the
credit facility. As at December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company was in compliance with the covenants.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in
market interest rates. Currently, our interest rate exposure mainly relates to interest earned on our cash, cash equivalent, and short-
term investment balances, and the mark-to-market value of derivative instruments which depend on interest rates. We have entered
into an interest rate swap to mitigate the interest rate risk on our bank loan.
Key Personnel
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 24
The Company is dependent on a number of key management and employee personnel. The Company’s ability to manage its
exploration, development, construction and operating activities, and hence its success, will depend in large part on the ability to
retain current personnel and attract and retain new personnel, including management, technical and unskilled employees. The loss
of the services of one or more key management personnel, as well as a prolonged labor disruption, could have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s ability to successfully manage and expand its affairs.
Claims and Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arise in the normal course of
business. The Company may be subject to claims by local communities, indigenous groups or private land owners relating to land
and mineral rights and such claimants may seek sizable monetary damages or seek the return of surface or mineral rights that may
be valuable to the Company which may significantly impact operations and profitability, if lost. These matters are subject to various
uncertainties and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved with an unfavorable outcome to the Company. The
Company does carry liability insurance coverage but such coverage does not cover all risks to which the Company may be exposed
to.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company has adopted IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”) as of January 1, 2018. The Company
elected to apply IFRS 15 using a modified retroactive approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially adopting this
standard at the date of initial recognition. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under IAS 18
Revenue (“IAS 18”).
The Company has concluded that there was no cumulative effect adjustment required to be recognized at January 1, 2018. The
details of the accounting policy changes and the quantitative impact of these changes are described below.
Concentrate Sales:
The Company earns revenue from contracts with customers related to its concentrate sales. Revenue from contracts with customers
is recognized when a customer obtains control of the concentrate and the Company satisfies its performance obligation. The
Company considers the terms of the contract in determining the transaction price, which is the amount the entity expects to be
entitled to in exchange for the transferring of the concentrates. The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each performance
obligation based on its stand-alone selling price.
The Company satisfies its performance obligations for its concentrate sales based upon specified contract terms which are generally
upon delivery to the customer at a specified warehouse or upon loading of the concentrate onto a vessel. The Company typically
receives payment within one to four weeks of delivery.
Revenue from concentrate sales is recorded based upon forward market price of the expected final sales price date. IFRS 15 does
not consider provisional price adjustments associated with concentrate sales to be revenue from contracts with customers as they
arise from changes in market pricing for silver, gold, lead and zinc between the delivery date and settlement date. As such, the
provisional price adjustments are accounted for as derivatives and presented separately in Note 24 of these financial statements.
The Company has concluded that there were no significant changes in the accounting for concentrate sales as a result of the transition
to IFRS 15, as the timing of control of the concentrate passing to the customer and the treatment of provisional pricing adjustments
are unchanged from policies applied prior to the adoption of IFRS 15.
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
The Company has adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”) as of January 1, 2018. Prior periods were not restated and no
material changes resulted from adopting this new standard. IFRS 9 introduced a revised model for classification and measurement,
and while this has resulted in several financial instrument classification changes, as presented in Note 31, there were no
quantitative impacts from adoption.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 25
The details of accounting policy changes as a result of the adoption of IFRS 9 are described below:
(a) Classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities
IFRS 9 largely retains the existing requirements in IAS 39 for the classification and measurement of financial liabilities. However,
it eliminates the previous IAS 39 categories for financial assets: held to maturity, loans and receivables and available for sale.
Under IFRS 9, a financial asset is measured as either: amortized cost; fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) or
fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL). All non-derivative financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost. The classification
of financial assets under IFRS 9 is generally based on the business model in which a financial asset is managed and its contractual
cash flow characteristics. Derivatives embedded in contracts where the host is a financial asset in the scope of the standard are never
separated, and instead the hybrid financial instrument as a whole is assessed for classification.
A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:
•
•
it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and
its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the
principal amount outstanding.
A debt investment is measured at FVOCI if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:
•
•
it is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial
assets; and
its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the
principal amount outstanding.
On initial recognition of an equity investment that is not held for trading, the Company may irrevocably elect to present subsequent
changes in the investment’s fair value in other comprehensive income (OCI). This election is made on an investment-by-investment
basis. All financial assets not classified as measured at amortized cost or FVOCI as described above are measured at FVTPL.
The following accounting policies apply to the subsequent measurement of financial assets:
• Financial assets at FVTPL - These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Net gains and losses, including any
interest or dividend income, are recognized in profit or loss.
• Financial assets at amortized cost - These assets are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest
method. The amortized cost is reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and
impairment are recognized in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on derecognition is recognized in profit or loss.
• Equity investments at FVOCI - These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Dividends are recognized as income
in profit or loss unless the dividend clearly represents a recovery of part of the cost of the investment. Gains or losses
recognized on the sale of the equity investment are recognized in OCI and are never reclassified to profit or loss.
Upon adoption of IFRS 9, the Company made an irrevocable election to present in other comprehensive income subsequent changes
in the fair value of its investments in marketable securities, which is substantially consistent with the accounting treatment prior to
adoption. These financial assets are classified as FVOCI.
The original measurement categories under IAS 39 and the new measurement categories under IFRS 9 are summarized in the
following table:
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Term deposits
Other receivables
Marketable securities
Trade receivables from concentrate sales
Original (IAS 39)
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
Available for sale
FVTPL
New (IFRS 9)
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
FVOCI
FVTPL
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 26
Interest rate swap asset
Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Payroll payable
Share units payable
Credit facility
Other payables
Metal forward sales and zero cost collar
contracts
(b) Impairment of financial assets
Fair Value (hedging)
Fair Value (hedging)
Other liabilities
Other liabilities
Other liabilities
Other liabilities
Other liabilities
FVTPL
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
FVTPL
IFRS 9 introduces a new three-stage expected credit loss model for calculating impairment for financial assets. IFRS 9 no longer
requires a triggering event to have occurred before credit losses are recognized. An entity is required to recognize expected credit
losses when financial instruments are initially recognized and to update the amount of expected credit losses recognized at each
reporting date to reflect changes in the credit risk of the financial instruments. In addition, IFRS 9 requires additional disclosure
requirements about expected credit losses and credit risk.
For our trade receivables, we apply the simplified approach for determining expected credit losses which requires us to determine
the lifetime expected losses for all our trade receivables. The expected lifetime credit loss provision for our trade receivables is
based on historical counterparty default rates and adjusted for relevant forward-looking information, when required. We did not
record an adjustment relating to the implementation of the expected credit loss model for our trade receivables.
(c) Hedge accounting
The Company has elected to adopt the new general hedge accounting model in IFRS 9. This requires the Company to ensure that
hedge accounting relationships are aligned with its risk management objectives and strategy and to apply a more qualitative and
forward-looking approach to assessing hedge effectiveness.
The Company has established a strategy, in accordance with its current risk management policies, to use interest rate swaps to hedge
against the variability in cash flows arising from changes in USD LIBOR based floating interest rate borrowing relating to its credit
facility.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 27
As per IFRS 9, hedging relationships that qualified for hedge accounting in accordance with IAS 39, that also qualify for hedge
accounting in accordance with IFRS 9 (after taking into account any rebalancing of the hedging relationship on transition), are
regarded as continuing hedging relationships. Hence, the original hedge relationship continues from the trade inception date of the
interest rate swap to the maturity date of the interest rate swap associated with the hedged exposure, unless the hedging relationship
is required to be terminated earlier.
Management qualitatively assess that the changes in value of the hedging instrument and the hedged item will move in opposite
directions and will be perfectly offset. As both counterparties to the derivative are investment grade, the effect of credit risk is
considered as neither material nor dominant in the economic relationship. The hedge was highly effective at transition date under
IFRS 9. The portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be effective will be recognized directly in
other comprehensive income while the amount that is determined to be ineffective, if any, will be recorded in the profit or loss
during the life of the hedging relationship.
New Accounting Standards issued but not yet effective
In 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”), which is mandatory for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
January 1, 2019, with earlier adoption permitted. IFRS 16 introduces a single, on-balance sheet lease accounting model for lessees.
A lessee recognizes a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability representing its
obligation to make lease payments. There are recognition exemptions for short-term leases and leases of low-value items.
The Company assembled an implementation team to assess the impact of the leases standard. The implementation team has
developed its project plan, education sessions have been completed and information has been compiled with respect to the population
of contracts that will need to be assessed in light of the new standard. The Company has selected the modified retrospective approach
and during the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company continued its detailed review of contracts. The Company also continued to
develop calculation methodologies and draft financial statement disclosures.
On the transition date of January 1, 2019, the Company expects to recognize additional leases on the consolidated balance sheet,
which will increase finance lease obligations and result in the recognition of right-of-use assets. As a result of recognizing additional
finance lease obligations, the expected impact is a reduction in cost of sales, as operating lease expense will be replaced by
depreciation expense and finance expense. In addition, cashflow from operating activities will increase with a corresponding
decrease to cashflow from financing activities. The Company is currently finalizing the quantification of the effect of this standard
on the financial statements.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions
Many of the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements require management to make judgements and/or estimates.
These judgements and estimates are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and knowledge of the
relevant facts and circumstances. Areas where critical accounting estimates and assumptions have the most significant effect on the
amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements include:
Mineral Reserves and Resources and the Life of Mine Plan
We estimate our mineral reserves and mineral resources in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects published by the Canadian Securities Administrators. Estimates of the quantities of the
mineral reserves and mineral resources form the basis for our life of mine plans, which are used for the calculation of depletion
expense under the units of production method, impairment tests, and forecasting the timing of the payments related to the
environmental rehabilitation provision.
Significant estimation is involved in determining the reserves and resources included within our life of mine plans. Changes in
forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery rates may result in our life of mine plan being revised
and such changes could impact depletion rates, asset carrying values and our environmental rehabilitation provision. As at December
31, 2018 we have used the following long-term prices for our reserve and resource estimations: Gold $1,320/oz, Silver $18.25/oz,
Lead $2,270/t and Zinc $2,750/t.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 28
In addition to the estimates above, estimation is involved in determining the percentage of resources ultimately expected to be
converted to reserves and hence included in our life of mine plans. Our life of mine plans include a portion of inferred resources as
we believe this provides a better estimate of the expected life of mine for certain types of deposits, in particular for vein type
structures. The % of inferred resources out of the total tonnage included in the life of mine plans is based on site specific geological,
technical, and economic considerations. Estimation of future conversion of resources is inherently uncertain and involves judgment
and actual outcomes may vary from these judgments and estimates and such changes could have a material impact on the financial
results. Some of the key judgments of the estimation process include geological continuity, stationarity in the grades within defined
domains, reasonable geotechnical and metallurgical conditions, treatment of outlier (extreme) values, cut-off grade determination
and the establishment of geostatistical and search parameters. Revisions to these estimates are accounted for prospectively in the
period in which the change in estimate arises. See note 3(g)(i) to the audited consolidated financial statements for 2018.
Valuation of Mineral Properties and Exploration Properties
The Company carries its mineral properties at cost less accumulated depletion and any accumulated provision for impairment. The
costs of each property and related capitalized expenditures are depleted over the economic life of the property on a units-of-
production basis. Costs are charged to the consolidated statement of income (loss) when a property is abandoned or when there is
an impairment.
The Company undertakes a review of the carrying values of mining properties and related expenditures whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may exceed their estimated net recoverable amounts determined by reference to
estimated future operating results and discounted net cash flows. Where previous impairment has been recorded the Company
analyzes any impairment reversal indicators. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value of those assets is not
recoverable. In undertaking this review, management of the Company is required to make significant estimates of, amongst other
things, future production and sales volumes, metal prices, foreign exchange rates, mineral resource and reserve quantities, future
operating and capital costs to the end of the mine’s life, and reclamation costs. These estimates are subject to various risks and
uncertainties which may ultimately have an effect on the expected recoverability of the carrying values of the mining properties and
related expenditures.
The Company, from time to time, acquires exploration and development properties. When properties are acquired, the Company
must determine the fair value attributable to each of the properties. When the Company conducts exploration on a mineral property
and the results from the exploration do not support the carrying value, the property is written down to its new fair value which could
have a material effect on the consolidated statement of financial position and the consolidated statement of income (loss).
Reclamation and Other Closure Provisions
The Company has obligations for reclamation and other closure activities related to its mining properties. The future obligations for
mine closure activities are estimated by the Company using mine closure plans or other similar studies which outline the
requirements that will be carried out to meet the obligations. Because the obligations are dependent on the laws and regulations of
the countries in which the mines operate, the requirements could change as a result of amendments in the laws and regulations
relating to environmental protection and other legislation affecting resource companies. As the estimate of the obligations is based
on future expectations, a number of estimates and assumptions are made by management in the determination of closure provisions.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from the sale of concentrate to customer is recognized when the customer obtains control of the concentrate. A provisional
invoice is issued to the customer based on the monthly average metal prices on the expected date of final settlement at which time
the final sale prices will be fixed. Variations between the prices at initial recognition and final settlement may occur due to changes
in the market metal prices and result in an embedded derivative in the accounts receivable. The embedded derivative is recorded at
fair value each period until final settlement occurs with changes in the fair value classified as revenue. For changes in metal quantities
upon receipt of new information and assays, the provisional sale quantities are adjusted.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 29
Contingencies
Contingencies can be either possible assets or possible liabilities arising from past events which, by their nature, will only be resolved
when one or more future events not within our control occur or fail to occur. The assessment of such contingencies inherently
involves the exercise of significant judgment and estimates of the outcome of future events. In assessing loss contingencies related
to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings or regulatory or
government actions that may negatively impact our business or operations, the Company with assistance from its legal counsel
evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims or actions.
A liability is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when the outcome of the legal proceedings is probable and the
estimated settlement amount can be estimated reliably. Contingent assets are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements
until virtually certain.
The Mexican Geological Service (“SGM”) has advised the Company that in 1993 the previous owner of one of the Company’s
mineral concessions located at the San Jose Mine in Oaxaca, Mexico granted SGM a royalty of 3% of the billing value of minerals
obtained from the concession. The Company was unaware of the existence of the royalty since it does not appear on the electronic
title register (although it is listed in the official record books of the concessions of the Mining Registry, it was not disclosed to the
Company by the prior owner at the time of sale, nor was it noted in any of the multiple legal title opinions obtained by the Company
at the time of and since it acquired the concession. The Company has engaged three independent Mexican law firms and has obtained
legal opinions from all three firms which confirm that there was no legal basis for the creation of the royalty and that it was invalidly
created. All opinions confirm that it is more likely than not that the Company’s position will succeed in the event of a dispute. The
Company has advised SGM that it is of the view that no royalty is payable and has taken administrative steps to remove reference
to the royalty on the title register. No action has been started by the mining authority. In the event of a dispute, the Company would
be required to pay the then claimed amount of the royalty to preserve the concession and would thereafter proceed with dispute
proceedings. The amount of the royalty, if payable, is materially less than cash and cash equivalents on hand and would not have a
material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations.
The Company has been assessed $1.3 million, including interest and penalties of $0.9 million for the tax years 2010 and 2011 by
SUNAT, the Peruvian tax authority, with respect to the deduction of certain losses arising from derivative instruments. The
Company applied to the Peruvian tax court to appeal the assessments. On January 22, 2019, the Peruvian tax court reaffirmed
SUNAT’s position and denied the deduction. The Company believes the assessment is inconsistent with Peruvian tax law and that
it is probable the Company will succeed on appeal through the Peruvian legal system. The Company has paid the disputed amount
in full in order to stop additional interest from accruing and is taking steps through the Peruvian legal system to appeal the decision
of the Peruvian tax court. No amounts have been accrued at December 31, 2018 with respect to the tax assessment as the Company
believes it is probable that the appeal will be successful.
Critical Accounting Judgements in Applying the Entity’s Accounting Policies
Judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are
as follows:
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying values of assets and
liabilities and their respective income tax bases (“temporary differences”) and losses carried forward. The determination of the
ability of the Company to utilize tax loss carry-forwards to offset deferred tax liabilities requires management to exercise judgment
and make certain assumptions about the future performance of the Company.
Management is required to assess whether it is “probable” that the Company will benefit from these prior losses and other deferred
tax assets. Changes in economic conditions, metal prices and other factors could result in revisions to the estimates of the benefits
to be realized or the timing of utilization of the losses.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 30
Assessment of Impairment and Reversal of Impairment Indicators
Management applies significant judgment in assessing whether indicators of impairment or reversal of impairment exist for an asset
or a group of assets which could result in a testing for impairment. Internal and external factors such as significant changes in the
use of the asset, commodity prices, life of mines, tax laws or regulations in the countries that our mines operate in and interest rates
are used by management in determining whether there are any indicators of impairment or reversal of previous impairments.
As at December 31, 2018, the Company determined there were indicators of impairment at the Lindero Project due to increased
direct capital costs as well as increased owner and other indirect costs due to construction delays that extended the project completion
date. The Company performed a test of impairment based on the current life of mine plan using a discount rate of 7.25% and long-
term gold and copper prices of $1,313/oz and $7,391/tonne. Other assumptions that factored into the test include forecast currency
and inflation rates, a contingency amount, future cash operating costs, initial capital and sustaining capital expenditures. As a result,
management estimated the recoverable amount of the Lindero Project as at December 31, 2018, determined on a fair value less cost
of disposal basis, and concluded no impairment charge was required. However, adverse changes in any of these assumptions in
future periods may result in an impairment.
Functional Currency
The functional currency for the Company and its subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which each
operates. The Company has determined that its functional currency and that of its subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. The determination
of functional currency may require certain judgments to determine the primary economic environment. The Company reconsiders
the functional currency used when there is a change in the events and conditions which determined the primary economic
environment.
Share Position and Outstanding Options and Equity Settled Share Units
The Company’s outstanding share position as at March 12, 2019 is 159,939,595 common shares. In addition, 3,520,826 incentive
stock options and equity-settled restricted share units are currently outstanding as follows:
Type of Security
Incentive Stock Options:
Equity-Settled Share Units:
Total outstanding
Exercise
Price
(CAD$)
Expiry Date
$
$
$
$
4.79 March 18, 2020
6.35 May 28, 2022
6.35 March 18, 2023
6.35
June 4, 2023
n/a May 29, 2020
n/a March 19, 2021
n/a
June 5, 2021
No. of Shares
517,833
617,694
640,951
7,551
1,784,029
312,601
1,419,301
4,895
1,736,797
3,520,826
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 31
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide reasonable assurance that all material information related to the
Company is identified and communicated to management on a timely basis. Management of the Company, under the supervision of
the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for the design and operation of disclosure
controls and procedures in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 52-109 of the Canadian Securities
Administrators (“National Instrument 52-109”) and as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the U.S. Exchange Act).
Based on management’s evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as at December 31, 2018.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board. However, due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may
not prevent or detect all misstatements and fraud.
Management assesses the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting using the Internal Control –
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission. Management
conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and concluded that it was effective as at
December 31, 2018.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2018
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This MD&A refers to various Non-GAAP Financial Measures, including cash cost per payable ounce of silver; cash cost per tonne
of processed ore; total production cash cost per tonne; all-in sustaining cash cost; all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce;
adjusted net (loss) income; income taxes, and interest income; and adjusted EBITDA.
These measures are used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance and ability to generate cash flow and are
widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance. The Company believes that certain investors use these Non-
GAAP Financial Measures to evaluate the Company’s performance. However, the measures do not have a standardized meaning
and may differ from measures used by other companies with similar descriptions. Accordingly, Non-GAAP Financial Measures
should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. To facilitate
a better understanding of these measures as calculated by the Company, descriptions and reconciliations are provided here.
Cash Cost per Payable Ounce of Silver and Cash Cost per Tonne of Processed Ore
Cash cost per payable ounce of silver and cash cost per tonne of processed ore are key performance measures that management uses
to monitor performance. Management believes that certain investors also use these Non-GAAP Financial Measures to evaluate the
Company’s performance. Cash cost is an industry-standard method of comparing certain costs on a per unit basis; however, they do
not have a standardized meaning or method of calculation, even though the descriptions of such measures may be similar. These
performance measures have no meaning under IFRS and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable with similar data
presented by other mining companies.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 32
Cash cost per payable ounce of silver and cash cost per tonne of processed ore are intended to provide additional information only
and do not have standardized definitions under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from
operations as determined under IFRS. Although the WGC has published a standardized definition, companies may calculate these
measures differently.
The following tables present a reconciliation of cash cost per tonne of processed ore and cash cost per payable ounce of silver to the
cost of sales in the consolidated financial statements for the three months and years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
CONSOLIDATED MINE CASH COST
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cost of sales
Change in concentrate inventory
Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory
Inventory adjustment
Commercial and government royalties and mining taxes
Provision for community support
Workers participation
Depletion and depreciation
Cash cost
Cash cost
By-product credits from gold, lead and zinc
Refining charges
Cash cost applicable per payable ounce
Payable ounces of silver production
Cash cost per ounce of payable silver ($/oz)
SAN JOSE MINE CASH COST
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cost of sales
Change in concentrate inventory
Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory
Commercial and government royalties and mining taxes
Workers participation
Depletion and depreciation
Cash cost
Total processed ore (tonnes)
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore ($/t)
Cash cost
By-product credits from gold, lead and zinc
Refining charges
Cash cost applicable per payable ounce
Payable ounces of silver production
Cash cost per ounce of payable silver ($/oz)
Mining cost per tonne
Milling cost per tonne
Indirect cost per tonne
Community relations cost per tonne
Distribution cost per tonne
Total production cost per tonne
Three months ended
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
2018
42,247 $
(1,795)
648
(206)
(669)
231
(779)
(10,700)
28,977 $
28,977 $
(30,536)
950
(609)
1,858,003
2017
40,132 $
87
(14)
-
(1,338)
-
(2,556)
(9,552)
26,759 $
26,759 $
(38,308)
1,571
(9,978)
2,244,861
2018
166,725 $
(922)
384
(206)
(3,248)
(1,165)
(6,164)
(44,473)
110,931 $
110,931 $
(140,681)
4,434
(25,315)
8,533,019
2017
158,551
1,308
(435)
-
(4,135)
-
(7,350)
(42,104)
105,835
105,835
(135,593)
5,749
(24,008)
8,219,463
(2.92)
$
(0.33) $
(4.44) $
(2.97) $
$
A
A
$
$
B
C
=B/C
Three months ended
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
2018
27,407 $
(1,755)
628
(621)
(488)
(8,279)
16,892
256,181
2017
26,268 $
269
(97)
(815)
(2,118)
(7,791)
15,716
271,370
65.94 $
16,892 $
(14,083)
825
3,634
1,649,756
57.91 $
15,716 $
(17,022)
1,390
84
2,018,368
2018
106,468 $
(717)
264
(3,030)
(4,438)
(32,251)
66,296
1,040,478
63.72 $
66,296 $
(64,878)
3,871
5,289
7,667,879
2.20 $
33.36 $
17.17
8.82
1.28
5.31
65.94 $
0.04 $
29.54 $
16.64
6.48
1.19
4.06
57.91 $
0.69 $
30.90 $
18.71
7.50
1.23
5.38
63.72 $
2017
105,059
729
(272)
(2,852)
(5,805)
(32,929)
63,930
1,070,791
59.70
63,930
(61,875)
4,899
6,954
7,323,578
0.95
32.45
16.55
6.12
0.93
3.65
59.70
$
A
B
=A/B
A
$
$
B
C
=B/C
$
$
$
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 33
CAYLLOMA MINE CASH COST
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cost of sales
Change in concentrate inventory
Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory
Inventory adjustment
Commercial and government royalties and mining taxes
Provision for community support
Workers participation
Depletion and depreciation
Cash cost
Total processed ore (tonnes)
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore ($/t)
Cash cost
By-product credits from gold, lead and zinc
Refining charges
Cash cost applicable per payable ounce
Payable ounces of silver production
Cash cost per ounce of payable silver ($/oz)
Mining cost per tonne
Milling cost per tonne
Indirect cost per tonne
Community relations cost per tonne
Distribution cost per tonne
Total production cost per tonne
Three months ended
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
2018
14,840 $
(40)
20
(206)
(48)
231
(291)
(2,421)
12,085
135,034
89.50 $
12,085 $
(16,453)
125
(4,243)
208,247
(20.37) $
44.94 $
13.92
21.11
2.42
7.11
89.50 $
2017
13,864 $
(182)
83
-
(523)
-
(438)
(1,761)
11,043
134,635
82.02 $
11,043 $
(21,286)
181
(10,062)
226,493
(44.43) $
41.00 $
13.71
18.03
2.02
7.26
82.02 $
2018
60,257 $
(205)
120
(206)
(218)
(1,165)
(1,726)
(12,222)
44,635
534,773
83.47 $
44,635 $
(75,803)
564
(30,604)
865,140
(35.38) $
41.35 $
14.41
19.61
1.06
7.04
83.47 $
2017
53,492
579
(163)
-
(1,283)
-
(1,545)
(9,175)
41,905
529,704
79.11
41,905
(73,718)
851
(30,962)
895,885
(34.56)
40.39
13.76
17.12
0.60
7.24
79.11
$
A
B
=A/B
A
$
$
B
C
=B/C
$
$
$
Cash Cost per Payable Ounce of Silver Equivalent Production and Cash Cost per Tonne of Processed ore
Cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent production and cash cost per tonne of processed ore are key performance measures
that management uses to monitor performance. Management believes that certain investors also use these Non-GAAP Financial
Measures to evaluate the Company’s performance. Cash cost is an industry-standard method of comparing certain costs on a per
unit basis; however, they do not have a standardized meaning or method of calculation, even though the descriptions of such
measures may be similar. These performance measures have no meaning under IFRS, and, therefore, amounts presented may not be
comparable with similar data presented by other mining companies.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 34
The following tables present a reconciliation of cash cost per tonne of processed ore and cash cost per payable ounce of silver
equivalent production to the cost of sales in the consolidated financial statements for the three months and years ended December
31, 2018 and 2017.
CONSOLIDATED MINE CASH COST SILVER EQUIVALENT
Three months ended,
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
$
$
$
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cost of sales
Change in concentrate inventory
Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory
Inventory adjustment
Commercial and government royalties and mining taxes
Provision for community support
Workers participation
Depletion and depreciation
Cash cost
Cash cost
Refining charges
Cash cost applicable per payable ounce
Payable ounces of silver equivalent production1
Cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2 ($/oz)
1 Silver equivalent production is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 65:1, silver to lead of 1:15.6 pounds, and silver to zinc of 1:12.9 pounds
2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales - Sales and Realized Prices
2018
42,247
(1,795)
648
(206)
(669)
231
(779)
(10,700)
28,977
28,977
950
29,927
4,018,731
7.45
$
(2,556)
(9,552)
26,759
26,759
1,571
28,330
4,724,085
6.00
$
2017
40,132
87
(14)
-
B
C
=B/C
(1,338)
$
$
2018
166,725
(922)
384
(206)
(3,248)
(1,165)
(6,164)
(44,473)
110,931
110,931
4,434
115,365
17,693,738
6.52
A
A
$
$
$
$
$
-
$
2017
158,551
1,308
(435)
-
(4,135)
-
(7,350)
(42,104)
105,835
105,835
5,749
111,584
16,828,273
6.63
$
$
$
SAN JOSE MINE CASH COST SILVER EQUIVALENT
Three months ended,
December 31,
2018
$
Years ended
December 31,
2018
$
$
2017
$
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cost of sales
Change in concentrate inventory
Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory
Commercial and government royalties and mining taxes
Workers participation
Depletion and depreciation
Cash cost
Total processed ore (tonnes)
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore ($/t)
Cash cost
Refining charges
Cash cost applicable per payable ounce
Payable ounces of silver equivalent production1
Cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2 ($/oz)
Mining cost per tonne
Milling cost per tonne
Indirect cost per tonne
Community relations cost per tonne
Distribution cost per tonne
Total production cost per tonne
1 Silver equivalent production is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 65:1
2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales - Sales and Realized Prices
26,268
269
(97)
(815)
(2,118)
(7,791)
15,716
271,370
57.91
15,716
1,390
17,106
3,129,866
5.47
$
29.54
$
16.64
6.48
1.19
4.06
57.91
27,407
(1,755)
628
(621)
(488)
(8,279)
16,892
256,181
65.94
16,892
825
17,717
2,610,093
6.79
$
33.36
$
17.17
8.82
1.28
5.31
65.94
A
B
=A/B
A
B
C
=B/C
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
106,468
(717)
264
(3,030)
(4,438)
(32,251)
66,296
1,040,478
63.72
66,296
3,871
70,167
11,823,139
5.93
30.90
18.71
7.50
1.23
5.38
63.72
2017
105,059
729
(272)
(2,852)
(5,805)
(32,929)
63,930
1,070,791
59.70
$
63,930
$
4,899
68,829
11,286,131
6.10
$
32.45
$
16.55
6.12
0.93
3.65
59.70
$
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 35
CAYLLOMA MINE CASH COST SILVER EQUIVALENT
Three months ended,
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
$
$
2017
13,864
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cost of sales
Change in concentrate inventory
Depletion and depreciation in concentrate inventory
Inventory adjustment
Commercial and government royalties and mining taxes
Provision for community support
Workers participation
Depletion and depreciation
Cash cost
Total processed ore (tonnes)
Cash cost per tonne of processed ore ($/t)
Cash cost
Refining charges
Cash cost applicable per payable ounce
Payable ounces of silver equivalent production1
Cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2 ($/oz)
Mining cost per tonne
Milling cost per tonne
Indirect cost per tonne
Community relations cost per tonne
Distribution cost per tonne
Total production cost per tonne
1 Silver equivalent production is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 65:1, silver to lead of 1:15.6 pounds, and silver to zinc of 1:12.9 pounds
2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales - Realized Prices
2018
14,840
(40)
20
(206)
(48)
231
(291)
(2,421)
12,085
135,034
89.50
12,085
125
12,210
1,408,638
8.67
$
44.94
$
13.92
21.11
2.42
7.11
89.50
(182)
83
-
(523)
-
(438)
(1,761)
11,043
134,635
82.02
11,043
181
11,224
1,594,219
7.04
$
41.00
$
13.71
18.03
2.02
7.26
82.02
A
B
=A/B
A
B
C
=B/C
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2018
60,257
(205)
120
(206)
(218)
(1,165)
(1,726)
(12,222)
44,635
534,773
83.47
44,635
564
45,199
5,916,133
7.64
41.35
14.41
19.61
1.06
7.04
83.47
$
$
$
$
$
$
2017
53,492
579
(163)
-
(1,283)
-
(1,545)
(9,175)
41,905
529,704
79.11
41,905
851
42,756
5,528,133
7.73
$
40.39
$
13.76
17.12
0.60
7.24
79.11
$
$
$
All-in Sustaining Cash Cost and All-in Cash Cost per Payable Ounce of Silver
The Company believes that “all-in-sustaining cash cost” and “all-in cash cost” meet the needs of management, analysts, investors,
and other stakeholders of the Company in understanding the costs associated with producing silver, the economics of silver mining,
the Company’s operating performance and the Company’s ability to generate cash flow from current operations, and on an overall
company basis.
The Company, in conjunction with an initiative undertaken within the gold mining industry, has adopted an all-in-sustaining cost
performance measure; however, this performance measure has no standardized meaning. The Company conforms its all-in-
sustaining cost definition to that set out in the guidance issued by the World Gold Council (“WGC,”), a non-regulatory market
development organization for the gold industry whose members comprise global senior gold mining companies.
All-in-sustaining cash cost and all-in cash cost are intended to provide additional information only and do not have standardized
definitions under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in
accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined
under IFRS. Although the WGC has published a standardized definition, companies may calculate these measures differently.
All-in sustaining cash cost includes total production cash costs incurred at the Company’s mining operations, less by-product credits
to calculate the cash cost. Sustaining capital expenditures, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, and brownfield
exploration expenditures are added to the cash cost to calculate the all-in-sustaining cost. The Company believes that this measure
represents the total costs of producing silver from operations and provides the Company and its stakeholders with additional
information on the Company’s operational performance and the ability to generate cash flows. Certain cash expenditures such as
new project spending, tax payments, dividends, and financing costs are not included. We report this measure on a silver ounce sold
basis.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 36
The following tables show a breakdown of the all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce for the three months and years ended December
31, 2018 and 2017
CONSOLIDATED MINE ALL-IN CASH COST
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cash cost applicable, net of by-product credits
Commercial and government royalties and mining tax
Workers' participation
Selling, general and administrative expenses (operations)
Adjusted operating cash cost
Selling, general and administrative expenses (corporate)
Sustaining capital expenditures1
Brownfield exploration expenditures1
All-in sustaining cash cost
Exploration and evaluation expenses
Non-sustaining capital expenditures1
All-in cash cost
Payable ounces of silver production
All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver
All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver
1.
presented on a cash basis and includes the Lindero construction costs
Three months ended
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
$
2018
(609) $
1,718
945
2,970
5,024
2,696
9,369
1,584
18,673
180
40,556
59,409
1,858,003
2017
(9,978) $
3,027
3,190
2,464
(1,297)
2,609
8,037
2,231
11,580
1,341
3,070
15,991
2,244,861
2018
(25,315) $
10,081
7,564
10,097
2,427
10,991
23,986
8,638
46,042
726
83,335
130,103
8,533,019
$
$
10.05 $
31.97 $
5.16 $
7.12 $
5.40 $
15.25 $
2017
(24,008)
9,803
9,119
7,480
2,394
11,821
27,974
10,053
52,242
1,534
11,389
65,165
8,219,463
6.36
7.93
SAN JOSE MINE ALL-IN CASH COST
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cash cost applicable, net of by-product credits
Commercial and government royalties and mining tax
Workers' participation
Selling, general and administrative expenses (operations)
Adjusted operating cash cost
Sustaining capital expenditures1
Brownfield exploration expenditures1
All-in sustaining cash cost
Exploration and evaluation expenses
All-in cash cost
Payable ounces of silver production
All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver
All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver
1.
presented on a cash basis
Three months ended
December 31,
2018
2017
Years ended
December 31,
2018
$
3,634 $
1,398
610
1,911
7,553
2,723
1,361
11,637
63
11,700
1,649,756
84 $
2,504
2,646
1,506
6,740
5,115
1,276
13,131
-
13,131
2,018,368
5,289 $
8,293
5,548
6,414
25,544
9,277
6,947
41,768
156
41,924
7,667,879
$
$
7.05 $
7.09 $
6.51 $
6.51 $
5.45 $
5.47 $
2017
6,954
8,520
7,256
4,547
27,277
18,385
6,439
52,101
65
52,166
7,323,578
7.11
7.12
All-in Sustaining Cash Cost and All-in Cash Cost per Payable Ounce of Silver Equivalent Production
The Company believes that “all-in-sustaining cash cost silver equivalent” and “all-in cash cost silver equivalent” meet the needs of
management, analysts, investors, and other stakeholders of the Company in understanding the costs associated with producing silver,
the economics of silver mining, the Company’s operating performance and the Company’s ability to generate cash flow from current
operations, and on an overall company basis.
The Company, in conjunction with an initiative undertaken within the gold mining industry, has adopted an all-in-sustaining cost
performance measure; however, this performance measure has no standardized meaning. The Company conforms its all-in-
sustaining cost definition to that set out in the guidance issued by the WGC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 37
All-in-sustaining cash cost silver equivalent and all-in cash cost silver equivalent are intended to provide additional information
only and do not have standardized definitions under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures
of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow
from operations as determined under IFRS. Although the WGC has published a standardized definition, companies may calculate
these measures differently.
All-in sustaining cash cost includes total production cash costs incurred at the Company’s mining operations. Sustaining capital
expenditures, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, and brownfield exploration expenditures are added to the cash
cost to calculate the all-in-sustaining cost. The Company believes that this measure represents the total costs of producing silver
from operations and provides the Company and its stakeholders with additional information on the Company’s operational
performance and the ability to generate cash flows. Certain cash expenditures such as new project spending, tax payments, dividends,
and financing costs are not included. We report this measure on a payable silver equivalent ounce produced basis. Silver equivalent
production is calculated taking the total metal payable production of gold, lead and zinc multiplied by the realized prices of gold,
lead, and zinc and divided by the realized silver price to calculate the silver equivalent production.
The following tables show a breakdown of the all-in sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent ounce for the three months and
years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
CONSOLIDATED MINE ALL-IN CASH COST SILVER EQUIVALENT
Three months ended,
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
2018
115,365 $
$
$
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cash cost applicable
Commercial and government royalties and mining tax
Workers' participation
Selling, general and administrative expenses (operations)
Adjusted operating cash cost
Selling, general and administrative expenses (corporate)
Sustaining capital expenditures3
Brownfield exploration expenditures3
All-in sustaining cash cost
Exploration and evaluation expenses
Non-sustaining capital expenditures3
All-in cash cost
Payable ounces of silver equivalent production1
All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2
All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2
1 Silver equivalent production is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 65:1, silver to lead of 1:15.6 pounds, and silver to zinc of 1:12.9 pounds
2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales - Sales and Realized Prices
3 Presented on a cash basis
2018
29,927 $
1,718
945
2,970
35,560
2,696
9,369
1,584
49,209
180
40,556
89,945
4,018,731
2017
28,330
3,027
3,190
2,464
37,011
2,609
8,037
2,231
49,888
1,341
3,070
54,299
4,724,085
10.56
11.49
12.24 $
22.38 $
$
$
$
$
10,081
7,564
10,097
143,107
10,991
23,986
8,638
186,722
726
83,335
270,783
17,693,738
10.55 $
15.30 $
2017
111,584
9,803
9,119
7,480
137,986
11,821
27,974
10,053
187,834
1,534
11,389
200,757
16,828,273
11.16
11.93
SAN JOSE MINE ALL-IN CASH COST SILVER EQUIVALENT*
Three months ended,
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
$
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cash cost applicable
Commercial and government royalties and mining tax
Workers' participation
Selling, general and administrative expenses (operations)
Adjusted operating cash cost
Sustaining capital expenditures3
Brownfield exploration expenditures3
All-in sustaining cash cost
Exploration and evaluation expenses
All-in cash cost
Payable ounces of silver equivalent production1
All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2
All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2
1 Silver equivalent production is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 65:1
2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales - Sales and Realized Prices
3 Presented on a cash basis
2018
70,167 $
8,293
5,548
6,414
90,422
9,277
6,947
106,646
156
106,802
11,823,139
2017
17,106 $
2,504
2,646
1,506
23,762
5,115
1,276
30,153
-
30,153
3,129,866
2018
17,717 $
1,398
610
1,911
21,636
2,723
1,361
25,720
63
25,783
2,610,093
9.02 $
9.03 $
9.63 $
9.63 $
9.85 $
9.88 $
2017
68,829
8,520
7,256
4,547
89,152
18,385
6,439
113,976
65
114,041
11,286,131
10.10
10.10
$
$
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 38
CAYLLOMA MINE ALL-IN CASH COST SILVER EQUIVALENT
Three months ended,
December 31,
Years ended
December 31,
$
Expressed in $'000's, except unit costs
Cash cost applicable
Commercial and government royalties and mining tax
Workers' participation
Selling, general and administrative expenses (operations)
Adjusted operating cash cost
Sustaining capital expenditures3
Brownfield exploration expenditures3
All-in sustaining cash cost
All-in cash cost
Payable ounces of silver equivalent production1
All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2
All-in cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent2
1 Silver equivalent production is calculated using a silver to gold ratio of 65:1, silver to lead of 1:15.6 pounds, and silver to zinc of 1:12.9 pounds
2 Silver equivalent is calculated using the realized prices for gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Refer to Financial Results - Sales - Sales and Realized Prices
3 Presented on a cash basis
2018
12,210 $
320
335
1,059
13,924
6,646
223
20,793
20,793
1,408,638
14.76
14.76
2017
11,224
523
544
958
13,249
2,922
955
17,126
17,126
1,594,219
10.74
$
10.74
$
$
$
$
$
$
2018
45,199 $
1,788
2,016
3,683
52,686
14,709
1,691
69,086
69,086
5,916,133
11.68 $
11.68 $
2017
42,756
1,283
1,863
2,933
48,835
9,589
3,614
62,038
62,038
5,528,133
11.22
11.22
Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow from Ongoing Operations
The Company uses the financial measure of “free cash flow” and “free cash flow from ongoing operations” to supplement
information to its consolidated financial statements. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided from operating activities less
purchases of mineral properties, plant and equipment, less net deposits on long term assets, less current income tax, and add back
income taxes paid. This measure is used by the Company and investors to measure the cash flow available to fund the Company’s
growth through investments and capital expenditures. These performance measures are intended to provide additional information
only and do not have standardize definitions under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profits or cash flow
from operations as determined under IFRS.
The following table presents a reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated
financial statements for the three months and years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Expressed in $ millions
Net cash provided by operating activities
Less: Purchases of mineral properties, plant and equipment
Less: Expenditures on Lindero Project
Less: Deposits on long term assets, net
Less: Current income tax expense
Add: Income taxes paid
Free cash flow
Add: Expenditures on Lindero Project
Add: Greenfield capital expenditures
Add: Deposits on long term assets - Lindero Project
Free cash flow from ongoing operations
$
$
Three months ended December 31, Years ended December 31,
2017
70.2
(37.4)
(10.2)
0.6
(34.9)
36.2
24.5
10.2
2.4
-
37.1
2018
19.3
$
(11.8)
(23.8)
(13.3)
(3.9)
6.8
(26.7)
23.8
1.4
13.3
11.8
2018
83.5
$
(36.8)
(61.1)
(43.1)
(30.6)
35.7
(52.4)
61.1
3.6
42.9
55.2
2017
29.0 $
(12.2)
(3.0)
3.7
(11.4)
8.4
14.5 $
3.0
1.7
-
19.2
$
$
$
$
$
$
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 39
Adjusted Net Income
The Company uses the financial measure of “adjusted net income” to supplement information in its consolidated financial
statements. The Company believes that in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, the Company and
certain investors and analysts use this information and information obtained from conventional IFRS measures to evaluate the
Company’s performance. The term “adjusted net income” does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and therefore
the Company’s definitions are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
Expressed in $ millions
Net Income
Adjustments, net of tax:
$
Community support provision
Foreign exchange losses on Lindero project
Income tax, Lindero project
Unrealized (gain) loss on financial instruments
Impairment reversal
Share of loss of equity-accounted investee
Other finance costs
Asset write-downs
Adjusted Net Income
$
Adjusted EBITDA
Three months ended December 31,
Years ended December 31,
2018
2.2 $
(0.2)
3.9
(2.8)
0.2
-
0.1
0.3
0.7
4.4 $
2017
34.1 $
2018
34.0 $
-
-
(0.2)
(0.5)
(21.9)
0.1
-
0.6
0.8
3.9
1.0
(3.4)
-
-
0.6
1.5
12.3 $
38.4 $
2017
66.3
-
-
(0.1)
2.3
(21.9)
0.2
-
1.9
48.7
The Company uses other financial measures whose presentation is not meant to be a substitute for other subtotals or totals presented
in accordance with IFRS measures but that rather should be evaluated in conjunction with IFRS measures. The item described and
presented below does not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, and therefore the Company’s definitions are unlikely to
be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes that its presentation provides useful
information for investors.
Three months ended December 31,
Years ended December 31,
Expressed in $ millions
Net Income
Add back:
Community support provision
Inventory adjustment
Foreign exchange losses on Lindero project
Net finance items
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
Income taxes
Share of loss of equity-accounted investee
Impairment reversal
Unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments
Other operating expenses
$
2018
2.2 $
2017
34.1 $
(0.3)
0.2
3.9
(0.4)
10.8
4.9
0.1
-
0.4
0.9
-
-
-
(0.1)
9.6
22.8
0.1
(31.1)
(0.6)
0.1
Adjusted EBITDA
$
22.7 $
34.9 $
2018
34.0 $
1.1
0.2
3.9
(0.4)
44.8
33.4
-
-
(5.0)
2.0
113.9 $
2017
66.3
-
-
-
0.5
42.5
38.5
0.2
(31.1)
3.4
1.7
122.0
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 40
Qualified Person
Eric Chapman, P.Geo (APEGBC #36328) is the Vice-President of Technical Services for the Company and is the Company’s
Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101). Mr. Chapman has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical
information contained in this MD&A.
Other Information, Risks and Uncertainties
For further information regarding the Company’s operational risks, please refer to the section entitled “Description of the Business
- Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 41
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking
Statements
This MD&A and any documents incorporated by reference
into this MD&A contain forward-looking statements which
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information
within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
legislation (collectively, “Forward-looking Statements”).
All statements included herein, other than statements of
historical fact, are Forward-looking Statements and are
subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and
uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to
differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-
Looking Statements. The Forward-looking Statements in
this MD&A include, without limitation, statements relating
to:
assessment, based on
• mineral “reserves” and “resources” as they involve the
and
implied
assumptions that the reserves and resources described
exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be
profitably produced in the future;
estimates
• production rates at the Company’s properties;
• cash cost estimates;
• timing for delivery of materials and equipment for the
Company’s properties;
Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements
can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”,
“believes”, “plans”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”,
“scheduled”, “targets”, “possible”, “strategy”, “potential”,
“intends”, “advance”, “goal”, “objective”, “projects”,
“budget”, “calculates” or statements that events, “will”,
“may”, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved and
similar expressions, including negative variations.
Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of
the
Company to be materially different from any results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
Forward-looking Statements. Such uncertainties and factors
include, among others:
• uncertainty of mineral resource and reserve estimates;
• risks associated with mineral exploration and project
development;
• operational risks associated with mining and mineral
processing;
• uncertainty relating to concentrate treatment charges
and transportation costs;
• uncertainty relating to capital and operating costs,
production schedules, and economic returns;
• uncertainties relating to general economic conditions;
• competition;
• substantial reliance on the Caylloma and San Jose
• the sufficiency of the Company’s cash position and its
mines for revenues;
ability to raise equity capital or access debt facilities;
• risks related to the integration of businesses and assets
• the Company’s planned greenfield exploration
acquired by the Company;
programs;
• the Company’s planned capital expenditures and
brownfield exploration at the San Jose Mine;
• the Company’s planned capital expenditures and
brownfield exploration at the Caylloma Mine;
• the Company’s planned mine construction of the
timing of
the anticipated
Lindero Project and
commissioning of the mine;
• maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities,
finance leases and other contractual commitments;
• expiry dates of bank letters of guarantee;
• estimated mine closure costs; and
• management’s expectation that any investigations,
claims, and legal, labour and tax proceedings arising in
the ordinary course of business will not have a material
effect on the results of operations or financial condition
of the Company.
• risks associated with potential legal proceedings;
• changes in national and local government legislation,
regulations and political or
taxation, controls,
economic developments in countries in which the
Company does or may carry on business;
• fluctuations in metal prices;
• risks associated with entering into commodity forward
and option contracts for base metals production;
• environmental matters including potential liability
claims;
• reliance on key personnel;
• potential conflicts of interest involving the Company’s
directors and officers;
• property title matters;
• dilution from further equity financing;
• currency exchange rate fluctuations;
• adequacy of insurance coverage;
• sufficiency of monies allotted for land reclamation;
and
• potential legal proceedings;
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 42
as well as those factors referred to in the “Risks and
Uncertainties” section in this MD&A and in the “Risk
Factors” section in our Annual Information Form filed with
the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at
www.sedar.com and filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission as part of the Company’s Form 40-
F and available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. Although the
Company has attempted to identify important factors that
could cause actual actions, events or results to differ
in Forward-looking
materially from
Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions,
events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended.
those described
Forward-looking Statements contained in this MD&A are
based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and
opinions of management, including but not limited to:
• all required third party contractual, regulatory and
governmental approvals will be obtained for the
exploration, development, construction and production
of its properties;
• there being no significant disruptions affecting
operations, whether relating to labour, supply, power,
damage to equipment or other matter;
• permitting, construction, development and expansion
proceeding on a basis consistent with the Company’s
current expectations;
• expected trends and specific assumptions regarding
metal prices and currency exchange rates;
• prices for and availability of fuel, electricity, parts and
equipment and other key supplies remaining consistent
with current levels;
• production forecasts meeting expectations; and
• the accuracy of the Company’s current mineral
resource and reserve estimates.
These Forward-looking Statements are made as of the date
of this MD&A. There can be no assurance that Forward-
looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward-looking
Statements. Except as required by law, the Company does
not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward
looking-statements after the date of this document or to
revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated
events.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 43
. Disclosure of “contained tonnes” in a Mineral Resource
estimate is permitted disclosure under NI 43-101 provided
that the grade or quality and the quantity of each category is
stated; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to
report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by
SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without
reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101
for identification of Mineral Reserves are also not the same
as those of the SEC, and Mineral Reserves reported in
compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as “reserves”
under SEC standards. Accordingly, information contained
in this MD&A or any documents incorporated by reference
containing descriptions of mineral deposits may not be
comparable to similar information made public by U.S.
companies
reporting and disclosure
the
requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the
rules and regulations thereunder.
subject
to
Investors
to United States
Cautionary Note
Concerning Estimates of Reserves and Resources
The Company is a Canadian “foreign private issuer” as
defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
and is permitted to prepare the technical information
contained herein in accordance with the requirements of the
securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the
requirements of U.S. securities laws.
to
the
Canadian standards, including National Instrument 43-101
– Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-
101”), differ significantly from the requirements of the
Exchange Act, and Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource
information contained or incorporated by reference in this
MD&A may not be comparable to similar information
disclosed by United States companies. In particular, and
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term
Mineral Resource does not equate
term
“reserve”. Under United States standards, mineralization
may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination
the mineralization could be
has been made
economically and legally produced or extracted at the time
the reserve determination is made. Among other things, all
necessary permits would need to be in hand or issuance
imminent in order to classify mineralized material as
reserves under standards of the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC’s current
disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of
information concerning Measured Mineral Resources,
Indicated Mineral Resources or Inferred Mineral Resources
or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in
mineral deposits that do not constitute “reserves” by United
States standards in documents filed with the SEC.
that
ever be converted
United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all
or any part of Measured Mineral Resources or Indicated
Mineral Resources will
into
reserves. United States investors should also understand
that Inferred Mineral Resources have an even greater
amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their
economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all
or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be
upgraded to a category having a higher degree of
certainty. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred
Mineral Resources may not form the basis of Feasibility or
Pre-Feasibility Studies except in rare cases. Investors are
cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred
Mineral Resource exists or is economically or legally
mineable.
Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 44
EXHIBIT 99.4
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the use of our reports, each dated March 12, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. as at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and for the years then
ended and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, included in this
annual report on Form 40-F.
Our report on the consolidated financial statements refers to changes to accounting policies for revenue recognition
and financial instruments in 2018 due to the adoption of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and
IFRS 9, Financial Instruments.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
March 29, 2019
Vancouver, Canada
EXHIBIT 99.5
CONSENT OF ERIC CHAPMAN
CONSENT OF AUTHOR / EXPERT
I hereby consent to:
1.
the use of my name, Eric Chapman, and reference to my name, the technical report entitled “Fortuna Silver
Mines Inc.: Caylloma Mine, Caylloma District, Peru” dated effective March 8, 2019 (the “Caylloma
Report”), evaluating the Caylloma Mine of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (the “Company”), the technical
report entitled “Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.: San Jose Mine, Oaxaca, Mexico” dated effective February 22,
2019 (the “San Jose Report”), evaluating the San Jose Mine of the Company, and the technical report
entitled “Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.: Lindero Property, Salta Province, Argentina” dated effective October
31, 2017, evaluating the Lindero Property of the Company (together with the Caylloma Report and the San
Jose Report, the “Reports”), and the information contained in the Reports described or incorporated by
reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
2.
the use of my name, Eric Chapman, and reference to my name, and the technical information relating to the
updated Mineral Resource estimates for the Caylloma Mine and the San Jose Mine contained under the
heading “General Development of the Business – Three-Year History and Recent Developments” in the
Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission; and
3.
the use of my name, Eric Chapman, and reference to my name, and the technical information contained in
the Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Eric Chapman”
Eric Chapman, P.Geo.
EXHIBIT 99.6
CONSENT OF AMRI SINUHAJI
CONSENT OF AUTHOR / EXPERT
I hereby consent to:
1.
the use of my name, Amri Sinuhaji, and reference to my name, the technical report entitled “Fortuna Silver
Mines Inc.: Caylloma Mine, Caylloma District, Peru” dated effective March 8, 2019 (the “Caylloma
Report”), evaluating the Caylloma Mine of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (the “Company”), and the technical
report entitled “Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.: San Jose Mine, Oaxaca, Mexico” dated effective February 22,
2019, evaluating the San Jose Mine of the Company (together with the Caylloma Report, the “Reports”),
and the information contained in the Reports described or incorporated by reference in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission; and
2.
the use of my name, Amri Sinuhaji, and reference to my name, and the technical information relating to the
updated Mineral Resource estimates for the Caylloma Mine and the San Jose Mine contained under the
heading “General Development of the Business – Three-Year History and Recent Developments” in the
Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Amri Sinuhaji”
Amri Sinuhaji, P.Eng.
EXHIBIT 99.7
CONSENT OF EDWIN GUTIERREZ
CONSENT OF AUTHOR / EXPERT
I hereby consent to the use of my name, Edwin Gutierrez, and reference to my name, the technical report entitled
“Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.: Lindero Property, Salta Province, Argentina” dated effective October 31, 2017,
evaluating the Lindero Property of the Company (the “Lindero Report”), and the information contained in the
Report described or incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended
December 31, 2018 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Edwin Gutierrez”
Edwin Gutierrez,
Registered Member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc.
EXHIBIT 99.8
CONSENT OF GEOFF ALLARD
CONSENT OF AUTHOR / EXPERT
I hereby consent to the use of my name, Geoff Allard, and reference to my name and the technical report entitled
“Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.: Lindero Property, Salta Province, Argentina” dated effective October 31, 2017,
evaluating the Lindero Property of the Company (the “Report”), and the information contained in the Report
described or incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December
31, 2018 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Geoff Allard”
Geoff Allard, PE
EXHIBIT 99.9
CONSENT OF DENYS PARRA MURRUGARRA
CONSENT OF AUTHOR / EXPERT
I hereby consent to the use of my name, Denys Parra Murrugarra, and reference to my name and the technical report
entitled “Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.: Lindero Property, Salta Province, Argentina” dated effective October 31, 2017,
evaluating the Lindero Property of the Company (the “Report”), and the information contained in the Report
described or incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December
31, 2018 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Denys Parra Murrugarra”
Denys Parra Murrugarra,
Registered Member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc.
EXHIBIT 99.10
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14 OR 15d-14 OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Jorge Ganoza Durant, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 40-F of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (the “issuer”);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer as of,
and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the issuer and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the issuer, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the
period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the
period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, to the issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the issuer’s board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the issuer’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Jorge Ganoza Durant”
Name: Jorge Ganoza Durant
Title: President, Chief Executive Officer & Director
(principal executive officer)
EXHIBIT 99.11
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14 OR 15d-14 OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Luis Ganoza Durant, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 40-F of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (the “issuer”);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer as of,
and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the issuer and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the issuer, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the
period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the
period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, to the issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the issuer’s board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the issuer’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Luis Ganoza Durant”
Name: Luis Ganoza Durant
Title: Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
EXHIBIT 99.12
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the annual report of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 40-F for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”),
I, Jorge Ganoza Durant, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18
U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my
knowledge:
1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Jorge Ganoza Durant”
Name: Jorge Ganoza Durant
Title: President, Chief Executive Officer & Director
(principal executive officer)
This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not,
except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of
Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXHIBIT 99.13
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the annual report of Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 40-F for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”),
I, Luis Ganoza Durant, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.
Dated: March 29, 2019
“Luis Ganoza Durant”
Name: Luis Ganoza Durant
Title: Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not,
except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of
Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.